Abstract: The invention relates to devices increasing the capacity of vehicles for cross-country travel, and specifically to caterpillar-type propelling devices. The special feature of the caterpillar-type propelling device for a tyre-bearing vehicle, the propelling device containing at least one caterpillar track, the internal surface of which is intended for interaction with the tyres of the vehicle, is that the caterpillar track has limited longitudinal bending internally and provides an internal size of the caterpillar track along the vertical to be greater than the height of the vehicle, and the caterpillar track length is selected to be sufficient to freely encompass the vehicle. The technical result provided by the proposed invention consists in the versatility of use of the propelling device by being capable of being installed virtually on any vehicle without altering and/or modifying the construction of the vehicle.

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.

Abstract: A transport mechanism (104) for transporting a load-assembly (102), the transport mechanism comprising a closed flexible track (106) supported at an internal side thereof by at least two support rollers (108, 110), which at a first position one of the support rollers (108) exerts a force having a downward component onto the flexible track (106) at a point of contact thereof with a ground surface and biasing arrangement for biasing said flexible track (106) so as to assume a substantially circular shape. A displacing mechanism (112) is coupled to at least one of the support rollers for mutually displacing the support rollers into a second position, against the biasing arrangement in which the support rollers force the track to assume a state in which an extended portion (122) thereof is in contact with the ground surface and at least two of the support rollers are positioned at two ends of the portion.

Abstract: A variable shaped wheel having a hub, a plurality of extendable ram rods connecting the hub and shape adaptable rim. Extension and retraction of the ram rods cause the rim to harmonize to a selected wheel shape such as horizontal oval, vertical oval, elliptical, tractor like and numerous other shapes, when stationary and while moving. The selected shape of the variable wheel in motion is maintained by continual length adjustment of the ram rods. The variable shaped wheel adjusts to the most effective, efficient shape for travel over varying surfaces such as asphalt, concrete, sand, mud, rock, snow, ice and others, providing optimum speed and comfort.

Abstract: An annular elastic track having sprocket-driven protrusions on the inner circumference and lugs on the outer circumference. The annular elastic track comprises a plurality of annular thin plates spaced radially from one another with a predetermined interval and embedded in layers in the track in its circumferential direction. The annular thin plates are a plurality of concentric annular plates having different diameters or a spirally formed single thin plate. Such an annular elastic track is used for vehicles as well as a monocycle comprising a flat plate-shaped cross-section, at least two external rollers arranged outside the annular elastic track for applying a load onto it, at least one internal roller arranged inside the annular elastic track to hold the track by these internal and external rollers therebetween, and crank device including pedals provided inside the annular elastic track for driving one of said external and internal rollers.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided for moving within pipes to determine the condition of the interior of the pipes. The vehicle has at least one wheel which is capable of travelling on walls of magnetic material. Each wheel comprises an outer wheel member having an annular peripheral wall. An arm is rotatably mounted on the central portion of the outer wheel member. The arm has a pair of magnetically permeable members disposed widthwise of the vehicle body. A magnet is mounted on the arm with its poles in contact with the pair of magnetically permeable members. The arm can be rotated and freely oriented toward the running surface magnetically to hold the wheel to the running surface. The vehicle is capable of moving through pipes without being blocked by obstacles such as a vertical wall extending from a horizontal surface. A sensor is mounted on the vehicle and a sensor processing module receives distance and time data and processes the data to determine whether the pipe is clear or obstructed.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided for moving in pipes to determine the condition of the interior of the pipes. The vehicle has at least on wheel which is capable of travelling on walls of magnetic material. Each wheel comprises an outer wheel member having an annular peripheral wall and an inner wheel member including a portion of a magnetically permeable material. The inner wheel member has an outside diameter smaller that the inside diameter of the outer wheel member and is rollable on the inner peripheral surface of the outer wheel member. A magnet is provided in the inner wheel member having magnetic poles in contact with the permeable portion of the inner wheel. The vehicle is capable of moving through pipes without being blocked by obstacles such as a vertical wall extending from a horizontal surface. A sensor is mounted on the vehicle and a sensor processing module receives distance and time data and processes the data to determine whether the pipe is clear or obstructed.

Abstract: A vehicle is provided for moving within pipes to determine the condition of the interior of the pipes. The vehicle has at least one wheel which is capable of travelling on walls of magnetic material. Each wheel comprises an outer wheel member having an annular peripheral wall with an inner wheel member including a portion of magnetically permeable material. The inner wheel member has an outside diameter smaller than the inside diameter of the outer wheel member and is rollable on the inner peripheral surface of the outer wheel member. A magnet is provided in the inner wheel member having magnetic poles in contact with the permeable portion of the inner wheel. The vehicle is capable of moving through pipes without being blocked by obstacles such as a vertical wall extending from a horizontal surface. A sensor is mounted on the vehicle and a sensor processing module receives distance and time data and processes the data to determine whether the pipe is clear or obstructed.

Abstract: A vehicle comprising: a) a conventional body with at least 3 pairs of rolls mounted on horizontal axles, which are distributed over the periphery of opposite sides of the body and connected thereto; b) a pair of annular, elastically deformable running tires, each of which encircles all of the rolls at one body's side and suspends them above the ground; c) at least one steerable or revolving wheel, ski and/or float resiliently mounted at another side of the body and d) at least one motor operatively connected to the rolls, tires and/or wheel for driving and braking them.

Abstract: A load handling crane is disclosed having a demountable self-propelled transport assembly including a central car body portion and detachable transverse beams, side beams, crawler assemblies and power source. Hydraulic jacks and push cylinders are mounted on the beams to facilitate detaching the components of the assembly. The power source includes an internal combustion engine and a pair of hydraulic pumps.