Abstract: An adaptable wheel has a central hub, radial segments connected to the central hub at a proximal end and extending radially from the central hub, each radial segment having a linear actuator configured to change a length of the radial segment; a shoe connected to a distal end of the radial segment for contacting a surface being traversed by the wheel; and a locking mechanism for selectively preventing linear motion of the linear actuator. A control system for an adaptable wheel includes a distance sensor on a vehicle for determining distance to a surface in the path of the vehicle and a computer for receiving distance information from the distance sensor and, responsive to the distance information, determine a desired length of a segment of an adaptable wheel for maintaining a hub of a wheel level, and provide control signals to a linear actuator of the segment.

Abstract: A method for producing designs involves receiving a request to create a design on the surface of an extraterrestrial body, transmitting a control signal to a device on a vehicle on the extraterrestrial body, the control signal causing the device to create the design, and receiving an image signal providing an image of the design created on the surface. A device for producing the designs includes a surface altering tool configured to rearrange material on the surface. The tool may be provided as a configurable-tread rover wheel that includes a wheel hub having radially-extending channels, and tread elements supported in the channels that are selectively articulatable under the control of a control module to form a tread pattern corresponding to a design intended to be produced. The tread elements may be selectively extended or retracted by operation of an array of solenoids controlled by the control module.

Abstract: Various exemplary embodiments are provided of wheel assemblies and tires. In one exemplary embodiment, a wheel assembly generally includes first and second wheel pieces attachable to each other. The first and second wheel pieces may include respective first and second rim portions. Each of the first and second rim portions may include an arced portion that defines only a portion of a circumference of a rim, such that the arced portions collectively define the circumference of the rim when the first and second wheel pieces are attached. The first and second wheel pieces may be slidably engagable in a first axial direction that is substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the wheel assembly. The first and second wheel pieces may be slidably disengagable in a second axial direction that is generally opposite the first axial direction.

Abstract: A method for changing a brake disk of a disk brake, wherein the brake disk includes a friction ring and a brake disk hub for connecting the brake disk to a wheel hub that is rotatably connected to a steering knuckle and has a wheel flange for detachably connecting a wheel, wherein a brake saddle support has two brake pads with pad supports connected thereto, wherein the brake pads cooperate with the friction ring, and wherein the brake saddle support is connected to a fastening flange of the axial body, includes a first step of removing the wheel hub from the steering knuckle by separating the wheel hub from the brake disk hub of the position-secured brake disk. The brake pads and the brake pad supports are then removed from the brake saddle support. The brake disk is then released and lowered onto the steering knuckle. The end of the brake disk opposite the brake saddle support is tilted toward the free end of the steering knuckle.

Abstract: The invention is intended to improve the durability and stability of the attaching state in automobile wheels. For fixing a wheel disk to the hub of an axle through a top hat type or cylinder hat type adapter, the relatively thin center shaft portion projecting forwardly from the conical barrel of the adapter is cut to form a male thread for engagement with a center nut and a female thread for engagement with a keep bolt for its nut, while an insert leg annular portion projecting rearwardly from a keep collar adapted to be inserted on the center shaft portion and a support annular portion correspondingly projecting forwardly from the shoulder region of the conical barrel are fitted together, thereby preventing a neck break accident to the center shaft portion.

Abstract: Wheel structure for mounting a tire to a hub-supporting drum of a motor vehicle includes a wheel, a spacer flange interposed between a hub of the wheel and the hub-supporting drum of the motor vehicle, and an adapting flange by which the hub of the wheel is fixed to the hub-supporting drum of the motor vehicle. The central hub of the wheel has a central hole by which the wheel is centered on the hub-supporting drum of the motor vehicle, and a plurality of peripheral holes. Each of the peripheral holes includes an elongate slot extending longitudinally in the radial direction of the hub. The number and distribution of these peripheral holes is such that the wheel can be mounted to any of the various wheel mounts provided on the hub-supporting drum of the motor vehicles which can use that specific size wheel.

Abstract: The invention provides a center lock device for automobile wheels wherein a center shaft portion integrally projects forwardly from the conical barrel of an adapter in the form of a top type or cylinder hat type, and a center nut is threadedly engaged with a male thread cut in the center shaft portion whereby a wheel disk is removably exchangeably fixed to the hub of an axle. The center lock device being characterized in that in order to attain durability strength, safety and steal prevention in the wheel attached state, the center shaft portion is centrally formed with a female thread for receiving a keep bolt such that the spiral pitch and spiral direction of the female thread differ from those of the female thread, and a keep bolt having a head larger in diameter than the center shaft portion is threadedly engaged with the female thread from the front, so that the center nut is locked against loosening by the large-diametered head of the keep bolt.

Abstract: A two piece adapter rim for wheel assemblies comprises a band formed generally into a circle having inner and outer surfaces wherein the outer surface is for carrying a rubber tire. The assembly includes additionally an outer disc mounted within the band on the inner surface, the outer disc having a central first opening and a plurality of second openings located around the periphery of the first opening. Also included is a replaceable inner adapter disc, the adapter disc having a plurality of third openings which register with the second openings of the outer disc, and a plurality of fourth openings which register with a fixed pattern of attachments of a hub. The hub would be of a piece of heavy machinery or equipment to which the wheel assembly would be attached. A series of bolts are used to secure the adapter disc to the outer disc and then the wheel assembly may be mounted on a hub.