Abstract: A wheel assembly comprising a rigid wheel including a radially outer rim wall presenting a polygonal shape with a plurality of outermost vertices connecting a plurality of planar faces, and a flexible tire mounted on the outer rim wall. The tire is supported by the vertices of the rim wall and is separated from the rim faces by a space, portions of the tire located between the vertices being configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides a foldable wheel which can greatly reduce its size and be carried conveniently, comprising: an extendable hub including a first end and a second end, wherein the distance between the first end and the second end may be changed by adjusting the extendable hub; a plurality of extendable spokes each including a first extendable portion and a second extendable portion, wherein the first extendable portion connects with the first end of the extendable hub and the second extendable portion connects with the second end of the extendable hub, and the first extendable portion connects with the second extendable portion by a first connector; and a plurality of the second connectors connected with the plurality of extendable spokes for connecting to a rim.

Abstract: The present invention provides a spoked wheel including a rim having a continuous series of circumferential sections each of which has opposed ends and is connected at each of its ends to an adjacent section by means of a hinge that allows the two adjacent sections to pivot with respect to each other substantially in the plane of the wheel. The wheel also includes a hub that rotates with the rim and a plurality of spokes extending between the hub and the rim and supporting the rim on the hub. Each of the spokes having an end that is pivotally attached to the rim. At least one of the spokes is movable with respect to the hub in the plane of the wheel to change the angular spacing between adjacent spokes and alter the shape of the rim between a circular shape and a non-circular shape.

Abstract: A collapsible wheel includes a rim formed of a number of arched rim elements pivotally connected into an endless series, a connector with a shaft for connection to a golf bag carrier, pushcart or baby cart, a hub sleeved onto the shaft of the connector, first spokes each having one end connected to the rim and the other end for stopping against the periphery of the hug, and second spokes each having an outer spoke segment connected to the rim and an inner spoke segment that has one end hinged to the outer spoke segment and the other end hinged to the hub.

Abstract: A dental porcelain composition comprising a continuous glassy phase and a discontinuous, substantially uniform crystalline phase comprising cubic leucite. The porcelain exhibits coefficients of thermal expansion in the range of about 11 to about 17.times.10.sup.-6 /.degree. C. (measured from 25.degree. C. to 500.degree. C.) and fusion temperatures in the range of about 700.degree. C. to about 1200.degree. C. The porcelain composition of the present invention can be used to form dental restorations such as cores for all ceramic restorations. The cubic leucite phase is uniformly dispersed in the glass matrix and has an average grain size not exceeding about 4 .mu.m and about 95% of the leucite grains do not exceed about 8 .mu.m in diameter.

Abstract: A collapsible wheelbarrow has a wheel assembly. The wheel assembly has a collapsible rim and a tire mounted to the rim. The tire comprises a flexible woven fabric and an inner tube for expanding the tire. The wheel assembly rotatably mounts to an axle. A plurality of spaced apart handles extend from the axle and cargo are mounted between the handles for supporting cargo on the wheelbarrow.

Abstract: An improved wheel for a bicycle or similar vehicle has a segment in the rim of the wheel which is selectively removable from the usual circular path of the rim, creating a gap in the rim. The rim is then contracted to form a smaller circle. With the smaller diameter, a tire, with or without a tube, can be placed on, or removed from, the rim without the necessity to stretch or otherwise deform the tire or tube. The spokes are held with respect to the rim during contraction of the rim, so the spokes bow during contraction. A band extends around the rim to hold the spoke ends, and one end of the band spans the gap to maintain alignment of the rim so the rim is always circular.

Abstract: A toy vehicle includes a body supported by a plurality of wheels. At least one wheel of the toy vehicle is comprised of a pair of half portions coupled to a pivotal hinge at a common outer edge. One of the half portions is coupled to the vehicle body while the remaining half portion is coupled solely to the pivoting hinge. The wheel portions of the articulated wheel remain closed when the toy vehicle is rolled across a playing surface and separate to form a mouth-like opening when the vehicle or a portion thereof is raised from the play surface.

Abstract: A portable collapsible wheel is provided with fabric-type material spoke elements extending between the hub and the rim for performing the spoke function. The fabric-type material bears the weight of the load supported by the wheel in suspension from the rim. The spoke elements are secured to the hub and the rim and means are provided for tensioning the spoke material. The fabric-type material spoke elements diverge from each other toward the hub for triangulation and stability. The spoke elements may be in the form of disks or shallow conical elements secured to the rim as by hooks, and may be collapsed and folded into a small space. For tensioning, telescoping hub elements are described by way of example. A variety of rim constructions are also provided including a collapsible rim or segmented rim of a plurality of articulated polygonal abutting rim segments flexibly joined in sequence. Segmented rim may be folded and compressed into a circular arch with peripheral tread which forms the wheel tread.

Abstract: Portable collapsible spokeless wheels are formed with a rotating circular wheel rim element defining a full circle and without a central axle, hub, or spokes. The wheel rim element is formed around its outer periphery with a land portion or tread portion for bearing against the ground. The wheel rim element fits within a fender rim element which defines only a portion of a circle but greater than a half circle. At least three sets of rollers or casters are distributed around the inner surface of the fender rim element for bearing against and within a groove formed around the wheel rim. The rollers or casters are complementary with the groove portion of wheel rim element and are spaced apart to define an arc greater than a half circle. The fender rim element is further provided with braces which tie the ends of the fender rim element together and constrain the wheel rim element into a circular arch for bearing the weight of a load in compression rather than in suspension or tension.

Abstract: A collapsible wheel rim structure adapted to support an inflated tire including a rim formed from pivotally mounted rim sections, and an internal plate support for the rim which fits into an internal track on the rim. The disc is formed from sections slidably mounted together which when fully extended enclose the area within the rim and support the rim. Supplementary rim support can be provided with collapsible cross-bars which fit into prongs on the internal surface of the rim so that the cross-bars extend across the internal diameter of the rim.