Wheel Patents (Class 301/5.1)
  • Patent number: 11685186
    Abstract: An embodiment relates to an omnidirectional chassis for a gantry of a computed tomography device. The omnidirectional chassis includes a first pair of omnidirectional wheels; and a first wheel suspension for the first pair of omnidirectional wheels. The first wheel suspension includes a connecting unit to connect the first wheel suspension to a rack; a swivel unit connected to the connecting unit via a first swivel bearing and swivel-mounted about a first swivel axis relative to the connecting unit; and a tandem unit, connected to the swivel unit via a second swivel bearing and swivel-mounted about a second swivel axis. In an embodiment, the first pair of omnidirectional wheels is coupled to the tandem unit such that, on a swivel movement of the tandem unit about the second swivel axis, one omnidirectional wheel of the first pair of omnidirectional wheels is relatively raised and another omnidirectional wheel is relatively lowered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: SIEMENS HEALTHCARE GMBH
    Inventors: Florian Dietrich, Franz Dirauf, Boban Jovic, Hans-Juergen Mueller
  • Patent number: 11548577
    Abstract: A robotic vehicle for traversing surfaces comprises a chassis having a plurality of wheels mounted thereto. Two magnetic drive wheels are spaced apart in a lateral direction and rotate about a rotational axis while a stabilizing wheel is provided in front of or behind the two drive wheels. The drive wheels are configured to be driven independently, thereby driving and steering the vehicle along the surface. The vehicle also includes a sensor probe assembly that is supported by the chassis and configured to take measurements of the surface being traversed. In accordance with a salient aspect, the vehicle includes a probe normalization mechanism that is configured to determine the surface curvature and adjust the orientation of the probe transducer as a function of the curvature of the surface, thereby maintaining the probe at the preferred inspection angle irrespective of changes in the surface curvature with vehicle movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignees: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY, King Abdullah University Of Science And Technology
    Inventors: Fadl Abdellatif, Abdoulelah Al-Hannabi, Sahejad Patel, Mohamed Abdelkader, Jeff S. Shamma
  • Patent number: 11338636
    Abstract: An X-shaped spring for a transportation vehicle wheel suspension system having, per wheel side, a first leaf spring and a second leaf spring made from fiber-reinforced arranged to lie above one another and combined at a respective first end on a first fastening device for transportation vehicle body-side support, wherein the first leaf spring has a second fastening device at its second end for wheel-side support, and the second leaf spring is supported at its second end on the transportation vehicle body side. Towards its second end, the second leaf spring is an arc section curved away from the first leaf spring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Inventors: Ingo Winter, Sierk Fiebig, Nils Schiwiora
  • Patent number: 10953689
    Abstract: A sub-air chamber member includes: a lower surface portion disposed proximate to the outer circumferential surface of the well portion; an upper surface portion disposed radially outside of the lower surface portion; a pair of edge portions engaging with the well portion. A space portion is positioned above the upper surface portion, the space portion being formed by a part of the upper surface portion and an inner wall surface of the well portion. A strong axis of principal axes of a section of the sub-air chamber member perpendicular to an axis of the sub-air chamber member is inclined by a first predetermined angle relative to a wheel width direction Y.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Youichi Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 10766300
    Abstract: An expandable and retractable wheel assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a hub structure having a circular periphery and a rim expandable in circumference from a retracted circular position to one or more expanded circular positions. The rim engages and is supported by the circular periphery of the hub structure when in the retracted position. A plurality of linear actuators is attached to and supported by the hub structure. Each linear actuator includes a piston rod and a drive system for moving the piston rod from a retracted position to one or more extended positions, wherein a distal end of the piston rod engages and moves the rim when the piston rod is extended and also supports the rim in the one or more expanded rim positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Inventors: Michael Goren, Jeremy Goren
  • Patent number: 10059388
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for a remote vehicle comprises a wheel structure comprising a plurality of spokes interconnecting a rim and a hub. The spokes comprise at least one slit extending therethrough radially inward from the rim to the hub. The assembly also comprises a flipper structure comprising an arm, a plurality of legs, and an attachment base. The plurality of legs and the attachment base comprise a four-bar linkage. The assembly further comprises an insert comprising a bore with a flat surface that tapers outward from a top portion to a bottom portion of the insert. The insert being configured to couple the flipper structure to the wheel structure via an axle on the remote vehicle and prevent backlash between the axle and the flipper structure. The flipper structure being configured to transmit axial forces to the wheel structure. The wheel structure being configured to absorb radial and axial forces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: IROBOT DEFENSE HOLDINGS, INC.
    Inventors: Pavlo E. Rudakevych, Garran M. Gossage, Christopher L. Morey, Todd M. Meaney, Timothy R. Ohm
  • Patent number: 10059390
    Abstract: A mid-roller (30) for a tracked work vehicle has a shaft (44) and a pair of hubs (50) assembled about the shaft (44), each hub having a cylindrical housing (52) with a flange portion (66) projecting radially outward. Each mid-roller also has a pair of metallic roller wheels (70) mounted on the pair of hubs, each roller wheel having a radial face connected to the flange portion of its respective hub and an outer cylindrical housing (76) symmetrical with the shaft axis (46) defining an outer peripheral surface (82) having an elastomeric coating (84) bonded thereon configured to engage the inner surface of the endless track belt. Each mid-roller also has a pair of non-metallic, ring-shaped reduced-friction guides (90). Each roller wheel has one of said reduced-friction guides mounted thereon such that the reduced-friction guide interacts with the track guide blocks such that the reduced-friction guide is configured to be the point of contact between the mid-roller and the track guide blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: AGCO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Alan D. Gustafson
  • Patent number: 10005320
    Abstract: A bicycle skewer rod and lock assembly includes a skewer rod with a cap. A security nut sub-assembly is coupled to the other end of the skewer rod. The security nut sub-assembly includes a nut securable to the skewer rod and having a plurality of peripheral keyways, and a sleeve cupped around the periphery of the nut and rotatable with respect to the nut. A key includes a plurality of inwardly depending keys each received through a sleeve sidewall keyway and into a nut peripheral keyway to turn the nut with respect to the skewer rod when the sleeve sidewall keyways are aligned with the nut peripheral keyways.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Delta Cycle Corporation
    Inventor: Joshua Benjamin Yablon
  • Patent number: 9989970
    Abstract: Robotic vehicles and methods described herein relate to robot navigation, physical configuration, and obstacle avoidance. An example robotic vehicle includes a chassis and a sensor coupled to the chassis. Furthermore, the robotic vehicle includes a plurality of multi-wheels coupled to the chassis. As such, each multi-wheel is configured to rotate about a primary axis of rotation. Each multi-wheel includes a plurality of rotatable wheel elements and each rotatable wheel element is configured to rotate about a respective secondary axis of rotation. The robotic vehicle includes an actuator configured to extend or retract at least one rotatable wheel element such that a position of at least one rotatable wheel element is adjustable relative to the primary axis of rotation. Yet further, the robotic vehicle includes a motor configured to drive the rotatable wheel elements about their respective secondary axes of rotation and drive the respective multi-wheels about their primary axes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: X Development LLC
    Inventors: Christopher Morey, Adam Horton, David Youmans
  • Patent number: 9845888
    Abstract: A mechanical seal has a seal ring and a mating ring that faces and slides against the seal ring and either the seal ring or mating ring is supported via a bellows on the equipment interior side of a seal cover installed on a housing, while the other rotates together with a rotational shaft; and a baffle sleeve with a roughly L-shaped cross-section is fixed on the equipment exterior side of the seal cover to guide quenching liquid to the sliding surfaces of the seal ring and mating ring, where the baffle sleeve is structurally split into a flange part and cylinder part. The mechanical seal allows for preassembly of its seal members on the stationary side, baffle sleeve, damper, and other related parts at a factory, service center, etc., in a reliable and controlled manner, requiring fewer assembly steps during onsite engineering works.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignees: EAGLE INDUSTRY CO., LTD., EAGLEBURGMANN JAPAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasunari Furukawa, Masakazu Kito
  • Patent number: 9586441
    Abstract: An obstacle traversing wheel assembly can include at least one primary wheel member mounted with a primary axis of rotation and capable of rolling engagement with a supporting surface, and at least one secondary wheel member mounted with a secondary axis of rotation. The secondary wheel member can have a plurality of surface engaging protrusions which enable the wheel assembly to traverse an obstacle by imparting climbing movement to the primary wheel member in response to engagement with the obstacle. The surface engaging protrusions can be defined by rolling wheel members. The obstacle traversing wheel assembly can be incorporated on a wide variety of wheel-bearing devices, such as wheelchairs, personal transportation devices, and intravenous fluid support racks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Ktech Concepts LLC
    Inventor: Kenan Wollborg
  • Patent number: 9365076
    Abstract: Provided is an omni-directional wheel including a substantially cylindrical hub provided so as to be rotatable around an axle; a plurality of rollers which have axes extending in a direction intersecting a radial direction of the hub and of each of which an outline has a curvature equal to a curvature of a circle centered at the axle; a support part which allows the rollers to be mounted so as to be rotatable around the respective axes, which supports the rollers such that the outlines are arranged on a single circumference; and rubber tubes which are held between and in contact between the outer circumferential surface of a cylindrical part of the hub and the inner circumferential surface of the support part in the radial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: WHILL, Inc.
    Inventors: Kazuo Bando, Junpei Naito
  • Patent number: 9090128
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle and a method of manufacturing the wheel assembly for the vehicle are disclosed. The wheel assembly includes a rim and a tire. The tire includes a distal wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, with the first and second side walls extending from the distal wall and each of the side walls attached to the rim such that the distal wall is spaced from the rim to define an interior cavity between the tire and the rim. The wheel assembly also includes a resonator defining a hole such that the resonator presents an inner wall defining a boundary of the hole. The hole cooperates with the interior cavity. The resonator includes an insert mounted to the inner wall. The insert defines an aperture in fluid communication with the interior cavity for attenuating sound produced inside the interior cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventors: Jinshuo Zhu, Chong Wang, Alan V. Parrett, Christopher A. Stirlen, Zachary L. Cohen
  • Publication number: 20150129340
    Abstract: A spherical wheel intended to move a vehicle and a vehicle implementing the wheel are provided, the wheel having its rotation motorized by a shaft able to rotate about an axis. The wheel comprises two shells of which the surface follows the spherical surface of the wheel and each of which is bounded by a plane. The shells are each articulated by means of a pivot connection with respect to the shaft, an axis of each of the pivot connections being perpendicular to the plane of the relevant shell. The planes bounding the two shells are secant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Bruno Maisonnier, Vincent Clerc
  • Patent number: 8967636
    Abstract: A stroller includes a frame and a plurality of hubless wheels. A seat is disposed on the frame. The hubless wheels are disposed on the frame. The hubless wheel includes a rim, an internal sliding structure and at least one bridging component. A tire is disposed on the hubless wheel. The rim has an external sliding structure on an inner surface of the rim. The internal sliding structure is disposed inside the external sliding structure. The bridging component is disposed between the external sliding structure and the internal sliding structure. The bridging component revolves on its own axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Wonderland Nurserygoods Company Limited
    Inventor: Andrew J. Horst
  • Publication number: 20140346842
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel includes an additional air chamber member on an outer circumferential surface of a well functioning as a Helmholtz resonator in a tire air chamber. The additional air chamber includes a body including an additional air chamber and a communication through hole for communication between the additional air chamber with a tire air chamber, and a fastening part for fastening the body between the first vertical wall surface and the second vertical wall surface. An upper surface of the body inclines to have an upward slope from a side of the first vertical wall surface to a side of the second vertical wall surface. The upper surface of the body is formed to extend along and inside or outside in a wheel diametrical direction a line connecting from the top of the vertical wall to the top of the hump on the side of the second vertical wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youichi KAMIYAMA, Katsushi ISHII
  • Publication number: 20140346843
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel includes a main body fitted between a first vertical wall surface and a second vertical wall surface of the wheel, a first flange portion extending from the main body toward the first vertical wall surface, and a second flange portion extending from the main body toward the second vertical wall surface. In the vehicle wheel, a length of one of the flange portions is made shorter than a length of the other flange portion in a wheel width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Youichi Kamiyama, Katsushi Ishii
  • Publication number: 20140252844
    Abstract: Spherical wheel that can be driven by a motor comprising a first body (1.1) and a second body (1.2) which are substantially hemispherical and are mounted coaxially to one another so as to pivot about a support axle (2), the bodies being separated by an interstice (3) into which there extends a shaft (6), said shaft having an end that is rigidly connected to the support axle and an opposite end that is connected to a drive motor, characterized in that at least one element (7, 17) extending at least one portion of the outer surface of the bodies extends into the interstice. Vehicle comprising a chassis that is supported by such wheels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: COMMISSARIAT A L'ENERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ENERGIES ALTERNATIVES
    Inventors: Alain Riwan, Alexandre Verney
  • Patent number: 8820850
    Abstract: In a rolling element (10) for the polydirectional travel of a vehicle on a magnetically attractive underlying surface (19), a compact, robust and simple design is made possible in that the rolling element (10) has a spherical element (11) and at least one permanent magnet (14). The spherical element (11) supports the at least one permanent magnet (14) in such a way that the at least one permanent magnet (14) maintains its spatial orientation when the spherical element (11) rolls on the underlying surface (19), and the spherical element (11) is held in contact against the underlying surface (19) by the magnetic interaction of the at least one permanent magnet (14) with the underlying surface (19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Roland Richard Moser, Josef Erni
  • Patent number: 8800185
    Abstract: An interchangeable graphic display system of method of using same, in conjunction with an in-line skate frame, wherein the system includes a graphic display apparatus having a first and second layer, wherein each layer is attachable by a separate mounting means, and wherein the system enables an individual to display and replace different pictorial and graphic representations during operation of in-line skates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Inventors: Brian Lewis, Hakeem Jimoh
  • Publication number: 20140175855
    Abstract: Disclosed is a matte powder coating composition, and more specifically, a novel matte powder coating composition comprising a plurality of heterogeneous resins having different refractive indices, which can secure a coated film having excellent corrosion resistance and which embodies a matt effect on par with a liquid coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: June 26, 2014
    Applicants: KIA MOTORS CORPORATION, HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Hwan-Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 8662211
    Abstract: An omnidirectional vehicle 1 includes: a main wheel 3 which is able to be driven in all directions; a base 2 which supports the main wheel 3; and a sub wheel 4 which is connected to the base 2 via an arm 15 and is grounded at a position apart from the ground contact point of the main wheel 3. The sub wheel 4 is attached so as to circularly move about the center of rotation of the main wheel 3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nozomi Kamiyama, Yusuke Mutoh
  • Publication number: 20130313888
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for coating an aluminum wheel using a coating composition capable of forming a coating film having a superior cosmetic property as well as an anticorrosive property much enough for preventing corrosion even in the use in an area where the coating film is susceptible to salt damage, and an aluminum wheel obtained by the method. A method for coating an aluminum wheel including applying an anticorrosive coating composition onto the aluminum wheel, and thereafter applying a clear coating composition to form a transparent multilayer coating film, wherein the anticorrosive coating composition contains an acrylic resin (1) having a weight average molecular weight of 50,000 to 140,000, a glass transition point of 20 to 50° C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 28, 2013
    Applicants: Topy Industries Ltd., Nippon Paint Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Junya Uemura, Toru Shimizu, Koji Murakami, Tatsuya Oguri, Masafumi Maeda
  • Patent number: 8590907
    Abstract: A stool includes a body having a seat and a wheel assembly. The seat is selectively rotatable about an axis of the stool. The wheel assembly is engaged to the seat. The wheel assembly includes a plurality of wheels. Each of the wheels includes an exterior surface having a first portion and a second portion. The second portion includes a contoured surface. The body is adapted to tilt onto the second portions of the wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: White Pine Concepts LLC
    Inventors: Dan Hurt, Sherry M. Rovig
  • Patent number: 8561734
    Abstract: A car having a rotatable wheel, the car being able to run by rotating the wheel, the car having a leg used by the car for walking, and an attitude stabilization section for stabilizing an attitude of the car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Chiba Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Takayuki Furuta, Masaharu Shimizu, Hideaki Yamato, Yu Okumura, Tetsuo Tawara, Masaki Shimomura, Ken Endo
  • Publication number: 20130228989
    Abstract: A stroller includes a frame and a plurality of hubless wheels. A seat is disposed on the frame. The hubless wheels are disposed on the frame. The hubless wheel includes a rim, an internal sliding structure and at least one bridging component. A tire is disposed on the hubless wheel. The rim has an external sliding structure on an inner surface of the rim. The internal sliding structure is disposed inside the external sliding structure. The bridging component is disposed between the external sliding structure and the internal sliding structure. The bridging component revolves on its own axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Inventor: Andrew J. Horst
  • Patent number: 8454037
    Abstract: A load wheel assembly for a materials handling vehicle includes first and second spaced side members, at least one rotatable roller extending between the first and second side members. An interface structure provides a substantially rigid connection between the load wheel assembly and a mounting structure on the materials handling vehicle. The mounting structure includes a transverse bar and the interface structure includes a portion that engages and mates with the transverse bar to form a rigid connection between the interface structure and the transverse bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Crown Equipment Corporation
    Inventors: Lucas B. Waltz, Ryan M. Snodgrass, Kevin A. Gilliland, Eric P. Gasser, Keith G. Bornhorst, Kurt A. Hilgefort
  • Publication number: 20130127233
    Abstract: An obstacle traversing wheel assembly can include at least one primary wheel member mounted with a primary axis of rotation and capable of rolling engagement with a supporting surface, and at least one secondary wheel member mounted with a secondary axis of rotation. The secondary wheel member can have a plurality of surface engaging protrusions which enable the wheel assembly to traverse an obstacle by imparting climbing movement to the primary wheel member in response to engagement with the obstacle. The surface engaging protrusions can be defined by rolling wheel members. The obstacle traversing wheel assembly can be incorporated on a wide variety of wheel-bearing devices, such as wheelchairs, personal transportation devices, and intravenous fluid support racks.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: KTECH CONCEPTS, LLC
    Inventor: KTECH CONCEPTS, LLC
  • Patent number: 8393367
    Abstract: The energy efficient wheel product substantially reduces energy loss due to tire flex and energy loss from a conventional automotive drive train. The wheel product includes an axis, a hub, two sidewalls, a low pressure inner chamber with shock absorbing hub protector, an outer ring with at least one high pressure pneumatic chamber with tread, and at least one restraint band radially restraining the outer ring to the hub. The hub can include an electric hub motor which rotates the hub, propelling the vehicle. The restraint band, sidewalls and pressurized chambers enable the wheel to simulate an energy efficient high pressure pneumatic wheel, experiencing little deformation when under smooth road conditions. When road conditions are rough, the band, sidewalls and outer chamber can temporarily buckle in response to the increased road forces, simulating a low pressure conventional tire having ample space for deformation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Inventor: Glenn Arthur Morrison
  • Patent number: 8371659
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Royal College of Art
    Inventor: Duncan Fitzsimons
  • Patent number: 8336208
    Abstract: A process for producing a cast, coated vehicle wheel utilizing a multi-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine. The CNC machine allows unique draft angles and unique design elements to be cast from a single metal ingot. The process utilizes a plurality of steps to achieve the desired aesthetic qualities in the wheel including design elements such as colored portions, rivets, logos and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Brock Weld
  • Publication number: 20120319455
    Abstract: A liquid cooled wheel system includes a wheel, an axle bolt arranged in mechanical and supportive communication with the wheel, the axle bolt defining an internal chamber configured to hold and transmit a working fluid, a pump arranged in fluid communication with the axle bolt through the working fluid and arranged in mechanical communication with the wheel such that rotational movement of the wheel is translated into internal pumping movement of the pump, and a heat exchanger in fluid communication with both of the axle bolt and the pump and configured to exchange heat from the working fluid to an external environment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Terry M. Ciccaglione, Charles C. Gange
  • Patent number: 8333437
    Abstract: A tire-wheel assembly and disassembly method is disclosed wherein relative shifting of a tire and a wheel when braking and/or cornering can be suppressed without negatively affecting tire replacement workability. Specifically, a tire-wheel assembly has a wheel constructed from an electrically conductive material and a tire assembled on an outer peripheral side of the wheel, wherein an electrically conductive layer is formed on at least a part of a wheel contact surface of the tire, and an electrically debonding adhesive comprising an ionic liquid is interposed between the electrically conductive layer of the tire and the wheel. When disassembling this tire-wheel assembly, the tire is removed from the wheel after voltage is applied between the wheel and the electrically conductive layer of the tire and electricity is passed through the electrically debonding adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Matsuda, Keisuke Chino
  • Patent number: 8240407
    Abstract: Provided is a vehicle that can make tight turns without significantly changing an attitude of a rider, and is highly convenient in narrow places. A omni-directional one-wheeled vehicle comprises a vehicle body (7) and a secondary wheel (35) configured to contact a ground surface at a point displaced from a contact point of a driven road wheel (2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Takenaka, Makoto Hirano, Hideharu Izumi, Kazuya Kuwabara, Taiji Koyama, Shinichiro Kobashi
  • Publication number: 20120193969
    Abstract: A transmission assembly and a wheel thereof are presented, and the wheel includes a wheel frame and a tire skin. The wheel frame has a ring-shaped joint surface surrounding the wheel frame, and the joint surface is disposed with at least one slot. The slot has two opposite side walls and at least one stopping wall, and the stopping wall is located between the two side walls. The tire skin is ring-shaped. The tire skin is sleeved on the wheel frame, and attached to the joint surface. The tire skin has at least one protruding rib, and the protruding rib is located in the slot. The stopping wall limits displacement of the protruding rib in a direction of a wheel shaft, and the two side walls limit displacement of the protruding rib in a direction of rotation, thus achieving a good combination effect between the tire skin and the wheel frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: MICRO-STAR INT'L CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tse-Ying Tso, You-Wei Teng
  • Patent number: 8223006
    Abstract: A temperature warning system for a vehicle includes a thermal plug disposed on the wheel end assembly of the vehicle. The thermal plug is in fluid communication with an air supply and with a flow sensor. The flow sensor is operatively connected to a warning light or indicator. Excessive heat in the axle spindle end and/or the wheel end assembly causes a fusible material in the thermal plug to melt allowing air to flow from the air supply through the thermal plug thus activating the flow sensor. The flow sensor in turn activates the warning light or indicator alerting the driver of the vehicle of a problem condition at the wheel end assembly and/or axle spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Hendrickson USA, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Matt J. Wilson, Matthew VanMeter, Santo Padula, Jesse W. Cervantez
  • Publication number: 20120066947
    Abstract: A sign assembly includes a panel and a base. The base is configured to be attached to the panel via a resilient member. The bottom surface of the base defines a pair of cavities. The cavities are positioned substantially adjacent to a forward edge of the bottom surface. A pair of wheel assemblies is secured within respective cavities on the bottom surface. Each wheel assembly includes a housing that houses an axle and wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: Geoffrey M. Glass, JR., Carol Salas, Janet Riddick
  • Publication number: 20120048390
    Abstract: Aluminum-based alloys for casting or wrought processing having improved combinations of properties, including improved high temperature strength, are provided. The alloys generally comprise copper, magnesium, silver, and titanium, along with scandium and/or cobalt. Zirconium, zinc, and/or vanadium may also optionally be present in the alloy. When cobalt is present in the alloy, nickel may also optionally be present. Cast and wrought products, as well as methods of making the same using the alloys, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: SPIRIT AEROSYSTEMS, INC.
    Inventors: Rahbar Nasserrafi, LaVerne L. Waalkes, Gerald E. Hicks, Kevin Obrachta, David E. Jakstis
  • Publication number: 20120019047
    Abstract: Multicolor motor vehicle wheels and vehicle wheel components are increasingly desirable. The coloring has been carried out so far essentially by expensive manual labor. The present invention provides for an industrially applicable method for preparing color-coated vehicle wheel components and vehicle wheels, which is characterized in that the metal body is at first machined at least in areas to be coated, after which at least two layers of paint are applied one after another, and at least one layer of paint is removed by machining in a partial area of the wheel. A component according to the present invention with a surface coating is thus characterized by areas machined with high precision and provided with a coating, wherein said coating has at least two layers of paint applied one on top of another, of which at least a first layer of paint is exposed in visible partial areas of the metal body, by a second layer of paint covering it being mechanically removed in partial areas not covered by it.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: January 26, 2012
    Inventor: Klaus Niedermayer
  • Publication number: 20120001476
    Abstract: Disclosed is a injection molded composite wheel, including a polyamide composition including (A) about 20 to about 70 weight percent of at least one polyamide resin, (B) about 30 to about 65 weight percent of one or more fiber reinforcing agents wherein the fiber has an average length of 0.1 to 0.9 mm; and (C) 0 to about 20 weight percent of one or more polymer impact modifiers; wherein 4 mm test bars prepared from the polyamide composition have an average tensile modulus greater than or equal to about 9 GPa, and an elongation at break of at least 4%.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: E.I. DU PONT DE NEMOURS AND COMPANY
    Inventors: Shengmei Yuan, Karl Paul Maurer
  • Patent number: 8056914
    Abstract: A wheel, such as a traction wheel, with a momentum enhancing apparatus. The momentum enhancing apparatus may selectively enhance the wheel's ability to maintain its angular velocity at relatively high speeds, while having a reduced effect on the angular velocity of the wheel at relatively slow speeds. The momentum enhancing apparatus may include one or more bodies that either translate radially between the hub and the rim of the wheel to change the mass moment of inertia of the wheel, or rotate with the wheel and transfer the momentum of the bodies to the wheel under increasing loads. Methods of using such apparati and vehicles equipped with such apparati are also enclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Inventor: Russell John Kalil
  • Publication number: 20110241410
    Abstract: A carriage wheel assembly for golf bag drag carriage or baby carriage is disclosed to include a wheel holder assembly, two road wheels respectively mounted on front and rear wheel axles at the wheel holder assembly, multiple auxiliary wheels respectively mounted on a respective wheel axle between the road wheels, and a capillary track supported on the road wheels and the auxiliary wheel and surrounding the wheel holder assembly for direct contact with the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 6, 2011
    Inventor: Fu-Hsing Tan
  • Patent number: 8025343
    Abstract: A metal wheel which produces an unusual visual effect when rotated employs a disc member extending between a center hub and outermost rim in angular relationship to the wheel's axis of rotation. The rim is provided with a continuously varied weighting feature to neutralize the centrifugal imbalance that would otherwise be produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2011
    Inventor: Jesse T. Perdue
  • Patent number: 8020943
    Abstract: A wheel assembly (10) is disclosed, including a wheel base (14) and a wheel rim member (16). The wheel base (14) has along at least a portion of its length a non-circular cross sectional outer surface (86). The wheel rim member (16) has along at least a portion of its length a mating non-circular cross sectional inner surface (88). The inner surface (88) of the wheel rim member (16) interacts with the outer surface (86) of the wheel base (14) to restrict relative rotation of the wheel rim member (16) on the wheel base (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Assignee: Goodrich Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Kipp, John P. Swank
  • Patent number: 8020944
    Abstract: A wheel comprising means for providing one or more protrusions in a ground-engaging surface of the wheel. In some embodiments, the wheel comprises a first hub, a tire mounted on the first hub, a second hub rotatable with respect to the first hub, and means for deforming the tire in a generally radial direction in response to relative rotation between the first and second hubs. The invention also provides a wheel cover comprising an outer surface having one or more protrusions and, when the cover is fitted to a wheel, the outer surface of the cover provides the ground-engaging surface of the wheel. The wheel and wheel cover of the invention are particularly suited for use with prams and similar vehicles in order to impart a rocking motion to the pram during use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Roger Thompson
  • Publication number: 20110221260
    Abstract: Improved blow-molded wheels, methods for producing the same, and children's ride-on vehicles including the same are disclosed. The blow-molded wheels may include a blow-molded body that has a tread surface, first and second sidewalls and an axis. The body may be configured to rotate about the axis. The tread surface may extend circumferentially around the body and may extend between the first and second sidewalls. A first region of the tread surface may be disposed between the first sidewall and the central circumference of the blow-molded body. A second region of the tread surface may be disposed between the second sidewall and the central circumference of the blow-molded body. A recessed region may be positioned between the first region and the second region with the radial distance to the recessed region being less than the radial distances to the first and second regions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 15, 2011
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert L. Arendt, James R. Carducci, Christopher F. Lucas
  • Patent number: 8011734
    Abstract: A wheel for an in-line skate or other wheeled vehicle is disclosed that may be modified to alter the rolling resistance of the wheel. The wheel may be disassembled to change a tire on the outer surface of the wheel to one made of a harder or softer material, and to insert or change a grease of a chosen viscosity into a chamber inside the wheel. The two changes may be utilized singly or collectively to help set the rolling resistance of the wheel. The wheel may be retrofit onto existing in-line roller skates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Lennart B Johnson
  • Patent number: 8011733
    Abstract: A wheel includes a metal rim, an electrically conductive hub, a thermoelectric device, and a battery. The metal rim is exposed out of a circumference surface of the wheel for contacting with the ground. The thermoelectric device is connected between the metal rim and the electrically conductive hub for generating electric energy using temperature difference between the metal rim and the electrically conductive hub. The battery has two electrodes connected to the metal rim and the electrically conductive hub, respectively. The battery is configured for collecting electric energy generated by the thermoelectric device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignees: Hong Fu Jin Precision Industry (ShenZhen) Co., Ltd., Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Xiao-Guang Su
  • Patent number: 8011736
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Inventor: Fu-Hsing Tan
  • Patent number: 8002930
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an article of manufacture having a reflective design thereon, as well as a method for manufacture thereof. The article of manufacture, such as a tire cover, comprises a substrate having a display surface, at least one adhesive material disposed on the display surface, and a first pigmented material arranged in a first design pattern and adhered to the display surface by the adhesive material, where the first pigmented material includes a plurality of glass particles operative to reflect light received from a light source. A second pigmented material, such as a reflective or non-reflective material of a different color, may be adhered to the display surface in a second design pattern. The present invention also provides a transfer pattern, and method for forming the same, that is for use in transferring a reflective design to a display surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Boomerang Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher E. Fischer, Mark Domenico