Abstract: An irrigation wheel for movably supporting an irrigation pipe of a center pivot irrigation system, and including a central hub plate defining a central opening around the wheel axis of rotation. A pair of parallel, spaced annular rim plates of frustoconical configuration extend concentrically around the hub plate and wheel axis of rotation, and are fixed relative to the hub plate by circumferentially spaced spoke rods. The spoke rods are bent at their inner ends so as to define, in their overall configuration, an open space around the center of the wheel and extending out to the rim plates. The rim plates are unconnected to each other, except for the connection afforded by the spoke rods, which extend from the rim plates inwardly to the central hub plate and are connected to the central hub plate. Each rim plate has an inner edge, and has an outer edge which is spaced a greater radial distance from the wheel axis of rotation than is the inner edge.

Abstract: A braking assembly and method are disclosed for use with wheeled skating apparatus having a plurality of wheels rotatably connected with a support structure, the assembly including a band of relatively resilient material positioned at the outer circumference of a selected one of the plurality of wheels, a mount securable adjacent to the support structure, and a brake pad movably connected with the mount and positioned adjacent to the selected wheel for selectively contacting a surface associated with, and preferably in, the selected wheel. An actuator is operatively associated with the brake pad for selectively causing the pad to contact the surface.

Abstract: A steerable wheel assembly for use on a roller skate is disclosed. The wheel assembly consists of a wheel having a roller bearing inserted into each side thereof and a shaft installed between the roller bearings. The shaft has journals machined on each end thereof which are fitted into inner rings of the aforementioned roller bearings to enable the wheel to rotate. Machined through the center of the shaft is a channel having a flat upper surface, a lower surface and two slanted surfaces, into which an axle is inserted. The axle includes four flat surfaces and, more specifically, two slanted surfaces which are parallel to and offset a predetermined clearance distance from the two slanted surfaces of the channel, a top surface and a bottom surface. The top and bottom surfaces of axle the are parallel to and positioned at a predetermined distance from the upper and lower surfaces of the channel respectively. The axle pivots on centered ball bearings and is supported on the bottom by elastic cushions.

Abstract: A wheel adapted to be rotated about a normally horizontal axis perpendicular to a normal direction of travel has a hub centered on the axis and a central core body made of a hard material and coaxially surrounding the hub. This core body has an annular outer surface centered on and turned radially away from the axis and having a pair of axially opposite edges. A pair of similar side-wall bodies of a soft material symmetrically flank and are joined to the core body and each have an annular surface having a radial outer edge joining the core body at a respective one of the edges thereof and a radial inner edge at the hub. The surfaces of the side-wall bodies curve continuously from their outer edges to their inner edges.

Abstract: A skateboard is modified for use on off-road terrain and includes a shock absorber system. The shock absorber system includes a spacer unit having a plurality of shock absorber plates affixed to the deck unit of the skateboard and to which the skateboard axle is pivotally fixed. Shock absorber wheels are fastened to the skateboard wheels by self-tapping screws extending through a central hub section of the shock absorber wheels and into the skateboard tires. Shock absorber material, such as foam material or a helical spring, is located inside the tires of the shock absorber wheels.

Abstract: Problems arise when a traveler must quickly identify his suitcase from an array of similar suitcases, such as on a checked luggage carousel or traveling belt. Tags and labels bearing ownership information are normally not distinctive enough to help in the split second decision to grab one's own suitcase. For cases with wheels, an identification system includes a label sized to fit within the outer periphery of the circular face of the wheel and an element for attaching the label to the face of the wheel. Preferably, the attaching system includes adhesives labels for attaching to the outer face of a hubcap on the wheel. Alternatively, the hubcap may be made transparent or may have a transparent portion, and includes releasable barbed attachments for holding the hubcap and the identifying indicia positioned between the transparent hubcap and the circular face of the wheel.

Abstract: A spark-producing mechanism for wheel assembly comprises a plurality of flints, a fixing ring for the mounting of flints which closely fits to the shaft of the wheel, a grindstone which is inserted in the interior of the wheel. By rotating the wheel, the flints rub against the grindstone to produce sparks.

Abstract: An electrically driven brake controlled skateboard employing an electric motor and associated battery mounted on the bottom of its foot supporting board employs a pulley arrangement whereby the initial slipping of its belt acts as a clutch for transferring rotational power from the motor to a U-grooved drive wheel of the skateboard. The U-groove is low cut so that the drive belt is partially exposed to the road surface. A dual purpose tether mounted brake control and on/off switch is used to control the braking of the skateboard and the energization of the drive motor.

Abstract: A skateboard hubcap for protecting the wheel bearings of a skateboard from environmental contamination, such as dirt, sand, and water. The invention also enhances the general appearance of the skateboard by concealing the axle nut and bearings. The skateboard hubcap comprises a shield which covers the normally exposed wheel bearings, an axle receiving column which slides over the axle nut, and detents on the inner flat surfaces of the substantially cylindrical extension to secure the skateboard hubcap on place. A spacer is placed behind the axle nut to assure adequate clearance for the detents to lock onto the axle nut.

Abstract: A drawer rail assembly having a roller mounting and retainer member that connects with a snap fit to the intermediate rail, specifically into a window opening in the intermediate rail, to mount and retain a roller between the upper and lower rails. The retainer has an axle extending from the body thereof, through the roller hub, has slots to receive shoulder flange portions of the intermediate rail cross member, and has hooks to engage one of the offset flanges of the intermediate rail. The interconnection of the slots and shoulder flanges and of the hooks and flange attach the retainer to the rail to support and stabilize the roller. The retainer also covers the roller to shield it, while simultaneously supporting and stabilizing it.

Abstract: A safety wheel has on the surface thereof a tread design comprised of a relatively hard material which defines interstitial spaces, which spaces are filled with a relatively soft material. The overall surface of the resulting safety wheel is substantially smooth, while the softer material filling the interstitial spaces absorbs unevenness in a surface traversed by the wheel. In embodiments where the interstitial spaces are generally circular in nature, a suction force is created by interaction between the surface traversed, the soft material filling the interstitial spaces, and the hard material immediately defining the interstitial spaces. This suction force provides greater traction for the wheel on the traversed surface, thereby enhancing the safety of the wheel. Other non-circular interstitial space shapes are disclosed. The broader features of this invention (i.e.

Abstract: A wheel is partly closed at one side by a hub cap (1) continuous with the rim (6) and is designed to receive an axle from the opposite side. According to the invention, the hub of the wheel consists of a plurality of ribs (14-17) which serve as bearing faces for the axle and whose geometric, axial elongations clear a plurality of spokes (2-5) forming the connection of the hub cap to the rim (6). This enables injection moulding in one operation with the simultaneous provision of an inside cavity behind the hub cap to receive a radially resilient and projecting bead (11) at the end of the axle.

Abstract: The wheel is made up of first and second annular wheel portions comprised respectively of low and high coefficient of friction materials; for example, urethane and rubber. These annular portions are bonded together in coaxial relationship. The outer peripheral edges are provided with a calculated radius to aid the transition of a skateboard or roller skate on which the wheel is mounted over surfaces encountered in pools, bowls, skateboard or roller skate parks, ground ridges and the like. Further, the first annular wheel portion of urethane includes a hub coaxially extending within the second annular portion of rubber, the radius of the outer peripheral edge of the second annular portion comprising the rubber curving inwardly to cover the outer peripheral edge portion of the hub to thereby inhibit separation of the first and second wheel portions.

Abstract: Globular rollers are provided herein. The rollers include one globular or two semi-globular segments of rigid structurally strong material. If it is formed of two semi-globular segments, one of the semi-globular segments is provided with a male flange, and the other of the semi-globular segments is provided with a female recess. The two semi-globular segments are joined at the male flange/female recess seam. Whether it is formed of one globular or two semi-globular segments, a resilient material is coated thereon, and, if necessary permanently joining the two semi-globular segments together. The roller is also provided with a pair of diametrically opposed, aligned apertures or identations disposed within a pair of diametrically opposed flattened chords of the globular rollers. The apertures or indentations are preferably provided with bearing surfaces, e.g. ball bearings or rollers bearings.

Abstract: A molded plastic wheel is formed with a thin annular groove extending inwardly from its outboard end so as to provide a resiliently yieldable, radially thin peripheral tread portion backed up by a thick relatively rigid band of material on the radially inward side of the groove.

Abstract: In a wheel bearing assembly, a roller bearing is mounted within the hub of a wheel, with the outer race of the bearing being fitted in a hub of the wheel. A sealing ring is fitted in the hub. The sealing ring has an angular cross-section, with an axially extending portion engaging the bore of the hub, and a radially inwardly extending portion extending along the outer race. A fastening device, such as a cam surface, is provided on the axially extending portion of the sealing ring to enable fastening of a cap to the assembly. A portion of the radially inwardly extending portion of the sealing ring is axially displaced away from the outer race, so that the surface thereof away from the bearing may serve as a sealing surface engaging a further seal in use of the device.

Abstract: A method of making a skate wheel is formed of a transparent, high strength rigid core having a high degree of clarity, which firmly secures and positions a pair of inner bearing races. A transparent wear resistant resilient wheel casing is injection molded completely around the core. The materials are chosen and molded so as to provide an entirely transparent wheel that exhibits the color of the core and in which a display imprinted upon the sides of the core is protected by the casing and made readily visible by light transmitted through both core and casing.

Abstract: A hopper for lading having a lower discharge outlet and a gas discharge nozzle extending into the hopper above the discharge outlet through which blasts of gas may be directed into the hopper to break up the lading and facilitate discharge of the lading through the discharge outlet. A conduit is mounted within the hopper extending between the end of the gas discharge nozzle and the discharge outlet to direct blasts of gas from the gas discharge nozzle to the discharge opening of the outlet to break up lading bridged across the outlet opening. The gas discharge nozzle is of elbow shape and rotatably mounted whereby it may be rotated to either direct blasts of gas through the conduit to the opening of the outlet or to direct blasts of gas to other areas of the hopper.