Abstract: A method for reconditioning a rollable wheel includes coupling a polymeric wheel to a reconditioning system, the polymeric wheel having an outer surface including an abraded area, the abraded area having a first average surface roughness, and applying heat to the abraded area of the outer surface with one or more heater of the reconditioning system, such that a substantial portion of the abraded area is transformed to have a second average surface roughness, the second average surface roughness less than the first average surface roughness.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an article comprises etching an etched feature on a surface of a first polymeric sheet, and forming a fluid-filled bladder element from the first polymeric sheet, with the fluid-filled bladder element having a sealable internal cavity that retains fluid. The method includes assembling the bladder element in the article so that a first portion of the bladder element having the etched feature is exposed to view, and a second portion of the bladder element is blocked from view by the article. An article includes the bladder element with the etched feature.

Abstract: A wheel comprising a hub and a tire. The hub has an outer tire receiving portion having a largest width smaller than a largest width of the tire. The hub and tire can also include a continuous interface surface.

Abstract: A support assembly for a surface treating appliance includes a roller having one or more tires, wherein the one or more tires are fused to the roller. The roller can include a polymer such as polypropylene and may also include a glass filled impact modified copolymer such as a 20% glass filed impact modified copolymer. The tires can include a thermoplastic elastomer such as a modified polymer including a mixture of polypropylene and an ethylene propylene diene monomer. The thermoplastic elastomer may have a hardness of from 55 to 95 Duro measured on the A scale, more specifically from 70 to 79 Duro on the A scale or from 80 to 95 Duro on the A scale.

Abstract: A luggage wheel assembly comprises an L-shaped bezel including a hollow lower portion of arcuate section, and a well defined by the lower portion for receiving a wheel; and a shock absorber extended from the wheel into the lower portion. Lower, oblique first slot and upper, oblique second slot are provided on either side of an inner wall of the lower portion respectively. A wheel mount comprises a lower hole at either side, an upper hole at either side, an axle inserted through the first slot and the lower hole at one side, a hub of the wheel, and the lower hole and the first slot at the other side, two pins inserted through the upper holes and the second slots, and two C-shaped clips put on projected shanks of the pins on the second slots for fastening. The invention can eliminate wobbles occurred when towing on uneven surfaces.

Abstract: The invention discloses a technology to safely control speed and brake on in-line skates using a ski-like technique, wherein in-line skate wheels can rotate both vertically and at an angle. When angled (or “canted”) the wheels contact a friction strip within the wheel frame or a friction disk on the axle. The friction caused by the angled wheels contacting friction strips or friction disks is comparable to the canted “edging friction control” action of skis. The novel means that allows both vertical and angular rotation is a cohesive 2-element plastic hub shown in FIG's 1–C & D. The inner element 2a has a convex perimeter and fits inside outer element 2's convex bore, allowing 2a to rotate freely within outer element 2. Within inner element 2a are axle bearings 5 or 9 and axle 8. External elastomer springs 7a or internal elastomer spring 7b keep each wheel in a vertical coasting position.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner includes a housing and at least one running roller operatively connected to the housing. The roller has a hub, a running ring, a wall connecting the running ring and the hub. The wall has two side surfaces and a curved cross-section between the running ring and the hub. The roller has at least one reinforcing rib extending at least from one of the two side surfaces of the wall and being in contact with neither the hub nor the running ring in a non-loaded state of the running roller. The roller forms an elastic caster with a nave and a bearing race. The nave and the bearing race are connected to another by an S or Z-shaped curved wall. Ribs are provided for reinforcing the wall or the nave.

Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel (1; 1a, 1b) for a piece of sports equipment, especially for grass skiing, comprising a rim (2), a tire (3) that is fastened to the rim (2) and is provided with a tread (9), and at least one support element (6) for the tire (3), which is embodied in a resilient manner. The riding behavior can be made to largely match that of alpine skis due to the fact that the support element extends in a curved manner from a first bearing section (5) to a second bearing section (5) and supports the tire (3) essentially along the entire distance of the cross-section thereof while the tire (3) has a multilayer structure and is provided with a layer (10) that is elastic in the direction of the thickness thereof.

Abstract: A multi-element skateboard wheel having at least two different hardness surfaces including a softer center exterior surface and a harder side exterior surface. The softer center surface is the principal weight supporting surface which, because of its lower durometer material provides a quieter and smoother ride and better traction than conventional skateboard wheels. The harder side surface, which in the preferred embodiment is positioned on each side of the wheel, comprises a higher durometer material which exhibits less frictional resistance to sliding engagement with vertical surfaces such as curbs and with high inclines and the like. Moreover, in the preferred embodiment, the harder side surfaces extend around to the radial surface of the wheel at the precise same radial height as the softer center surface.

Abstract: The frame of an in-line skate (FIG. 8B) supports a wheel (10), allowing a skater to effectively slow down and stop, using an athletic stance that skiers on snow and ice skaters on ice use. The wheel (10) has a hub (20A), allowing a wheel to rotate around the axle (13A) vertically and at an inclination. The hub has axle roller bearings (23B). The wheel (10) includes friction band surfaces (11A) on the sides of the wheel. When rotating at an inclination the wheel's friction surface contacts a friction surface (11B), inside the wheel-well or an axle friction surface or a combination thereof to slow or brake the wheel. The wheel (10) assembly includes self-aligning springs (14A/B). Individual parts can be technically designed to allow various model solutions that will satisfy the abilities of a beginner to an expert. The wheel assembly frame can be attached to an in-line skate, an in-line skateboard, a downhill in-line ski and a downhill in-line skateboard.

Abstract: A perdurable composite roller skating cylinder and methodology of making the same from low cost readily available commoditized commercial parts. In the in-line roller skating embodiment the cylinder will provide the combine features of long wear life, shock absorption and smooth running through the use of a rigid nylon core or equivalent and an appropriate longitudinal section of flexible polyurethane tubing or equivalent. This embodiment will permit flexure of the outer periphery of the perdurable composite cylinder in response to forces at the outer surface of the cylinder where it contacts the skating terrain surface. As the perdurable composite cylinder provides superior transverse angle joint support and unique cushioning for the foot. These composite cylinder attributes in an in-line skate embodiment will support an expanded dynamic roller skating maneuver repertoire.

Abstract: A wheel for an in-line skate includes a hub having a central stem, two symmetrical upper wings that extend oppositely and sidewisely from the central stem, and two symmetrical lower wings that extend oppositely and sidewisely from the central stem. A solid tire has a hub connecting ring portion that securely embraces and that radially and outwardly extends relative to the upper wings, and a ground engaging ring portion that axially reduces and that radially and outwardly extends from the hub connecting ring portion. The hub connecting ring portion cooperates with the upper wings to form an outer rim of the wheel that is capable of fulcruming about the central stem.

Abstract: The frame of an in-line skate (FIG. 8B) supports a wheel (10), allowing a skater to effectively slow down and stop, using an athletic stance that skiers on snow and ice skaters on ice use. The wheel (10) has a hub (20A), allowing a wheel to rotate around the axle (13A) vertically and at an inclination. The hub has axle roller bearings (23B). The wheel (10) includes friction band surfaces (11A) on the sides of the wheel. When rotating at an inclination the wheel's friction surface contacts a friction surface (11B), inside the wheel-well or an axle friction surface or a combination thereof to slow or brake the wheel. The wheel (10) assembly includes self-aligning springs (14A/B). Individual parts can be technically designed to allow various model solutions that will satisfy the abilities of a beginner to an expert. The wheel assembly frame can be attached to an in-line skate, an in-line skateboard, a downhill in-line ski and a downhill in-line skateboard.

Abstract: A skate wheel includes an outer polymeric layer, an inner polymeric layer, and an intermediate layer. The inner polymeric layer has a hardness which is less than the hardness of the outer polymeric layer. The inner and outer polymeric layers are preferably comprised of polyurethane. The intermediate layer is made of a hard plastic or metal that extends through the cross-section of the roller wheel, separating the outer and inner layers. The intermediate layer prevents compression of the harder outer polymeric layer onto the softer inner polymeric layer. This provides a smoother ride while maintaining good precision and speed. The skate wheel may also include a decorative illumination device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a running wheel arrangement having a hub and a running wheel, which is rotatably supported on the hub. Furthermore, the hub includes an internal hub and an external hub which are provided substantially in a manner fixed for co-rotation and which are displaceable against each other in the radial direction. The running wheel further includes a spring which is provided between the internal hub and the external hub.