Abstract: A bicycle wheel securing structure includes an outer axle, an inner axle, a head member, a lever member, a fixing structure and an adjustment member. The outer axle has a first threaded end and a second end. The inner axle is coupled to the outer axle within an internal bore of the outer axle. The head member is disposed on the inner axle with the lever member operatively mounted to move the head member relative to the inner axle in response to movement of the lever member. The fixing structure is disposed between the outer axle and the inner axle to releasably prevent axial removal of the inner axle from the internal bore of the outer axle. The fixing structure and the adjustment member cooperate together to adjust a final position of the lever member in a rotational direction with respect to the outer axle.

Abstract: An air pump, mounted on a wheel, which pumps ambient air into the tire chamber to automatically pump up the tire as the wheel rotates. The air pump generally comprises a cylinder and a piston, which relatively reciprocate to effect an intake stroke and a compression stroke. The intake stroke draws ambient air into a variable volume chamber. The pressurized air within the tire acts on the cylinder to effect the compression stroke, which forces the ambient air from the variable volume chamber into the tire chamber to pump up the tire.

Abstract: A spoked wheel for a bicycle includes a rim, a hub, a plurality of spokes tensioned between the rim and the hub, each provided with a spoke attachment element for attachment to the rim, a plurality of seats, such seats being openings formed in the rim, each for housing one of said spoke attachment elements. The shape and size of the spoke attachment elements and of the seats of the rim are such that: the spoke attachment element is suitable for taking up a first configuration in which its insertion through the seat is possible; and the spoke attachment element once inserted in the seat assumes a second configuration in which it is not possible to remove the spoke attachment element through the seat.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire having a rim member 1, a ring member 3 disposed at an outer circumferential side of the rim member 1 and provided with a tread 2 on a circumferential face, and a plurality of link mechanisms 4 coupling the rim member with the ring member. Each of the link mechanisms 4 contains a pair of link members 7a, 7b formed of a link 5a, 5b which is connected at a first end with a side portion of the rim member 1 and which is swingable in the circumferential and meridian directions and another link 6a, 6b which is connected at a first end with a side portion of the ring member and 3 which is swingable in the circumferential and meridian directions with second ends of the links being hingedly connected one another to make the links swingable in the meridian direction. A spring member 9 imparting a stiffness against relative displacements in the radian, circumferential and width directions with respect to the rim and ring members 1, 3 is provided on the link mechanisms 4.

Abstract: A spoked wheel includes a rim with a plurality of holes for a respective plurality of nipples and an equal plurality of spokes secured to the rim by these nipples. The nipples are arranged to be fitted so as to be substantially gastight in the respective holes in the rim for the purpose of fitting tubeless tires to the rim.

Abstract: A system for dissipating sound shock waves within a vehicle tire includes a wheel upon which a tire is mounted to create an internal air chamber defined by the wheel and the tire. A flow-resistant barrier is coupled to the wheel or the tire and defines an air cavity within the internal air chamber. The barrier comprises a material that provides an acoustical resistance to sound shock waves passing therethrough. The air cavity defined by the barrier has a volume such that air within the cavity offers relatively small impedance to the passage of shock waves through the barrier and into the air cavity. The barrier also can produce frictional heat when displaced by a shock wave, thereby converting energy of the shock wave to heat to reduce noise associated therewith.

Abstract: The present invention provides a crawler in which, due to alteration of a shape of rubber projections which mesh with a sprocket, even when earth, sand and the like has been deposited at an inner peripheral surface of the crawler, damage to the concerned rubber projections will not be incurred. It is a core-less crawler track at an inner peripheral surface of which rubber projections for driving are formed with a certain pitch. In side view, the rubber projections form a substantially triangular shape provided with a drive side inclination surface Pa and a brake side inclination surface Pb. The inclination surfaces of this rubber projection are divided into the drive side inclination surface Pa and the brake side inclination surface Pb. Steps D are formed at both the inclination surfaces.

Abstract: A spoke for a bicycle wheel has an elongated metallic material body that extends along a longitudinal axis X-X and has a first end portion for the attachment to a hub of a bicycle wheel, a second end portion for the attachment to a rim of a bicycle wheel and an intermediate portion having a portion which is flattened in a transversal direction Z perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X-X and extending along the longitudinal axis X-X up to the first end portion. The first end portion of the spoke is also flattened in the transversal direction Z and is gradually joined to the flattened portion of the intermediate portion along the longitudinal axis X-X.

Abstract: A hubcap for a wheel end assembly of a heavy-duty vehicle seals an outboard end of the wheel end assembly. The wheel end assembly includes a wheel hub formed with a cavity that contains lubricant, and the hubcap positively engages and mounts on the outboard end of the wheel hub to prevent the escape of lubricant and the ingress of contaminants. The integrally-formed hubcap includes a generally cylindrical sidewall and an outboard wall that extends generally perpendicular to the sidewall. A lip extends inboardly from and a shoulder extends radially outwardly from an inboard end of the sidewall, and the lip and shoulder cooperate to positively mechanically engage the outboard end of the wheel hub. An O-ring is disposed between the lip and the wheel hub to provide a seal. The hubcap also is adapted to accommodate components of a tire inflation system and other auxiliary components.

Abstract: A vehicle rim, of revolution, intended for mounting a tire and an annular bearing support capable of supporting a tread of the tire in the event of a loss of inflation pressure from the tire. This rim includes a first and a second rim seat, each intended to receive a bead of the tire. Each of the rim seats has a generatrix the axially inner end of which is on a circle of diameter DI greater than the diameter DE of the circle on which the axially outer end is located. The first rim seat is delimited axially to the inside by a protrusion, the external diameter DS of which is greater than the mean diameter DP of a supporting bearing surface of the rim. The supporting bearing surface is formed of at least one substantially cylindrical surface of revolution of mean diameter DP extending axially between the two seats and intended to be in close contact with the bearing support.

Abstract: A tread assembly has front and rear main idler wheels supported by a frame. An assembly is provided to permit the front idler wheels to pivot laterally as the cart encounters uneven ground, in order to improve weight distribution across the tread and the idler wheels. The rear idler wheel also has an assembly to permit the rear idler wheel to pivot laterally. An alignment feature is incorporated into the front idler wheel assembly to permit adjustment of the alignment of the front idler wheel relative to the rear idler wheel. A tensioning mechanism is provided at the rear idler wheel to maintain the tread in tension. A bogie wheel structure is pivotally connected to the frame and positioned between the front and rear idler wheels.

Abstract: A hubcap device for use with a wheel includes a base and a fastener for coupling the base to the wheel. The hubcap device includes a spinner member between the base and the cover, the spinner member having a light element. The hubcap device includes a battery for powering the light element and a processor for actuating the light element. An insert is removably coupled to the cover, the spinner member being positioned between the insert and the base. The hubcap device may include a photocell in communication with the processor, the processor including programming to actuate the light element in predetermined light conditions. The device includes an optical sensor coupled to the spinner member to measure a rotational speed of the spinner member relative to a rotational speed of the base, the optical sensor providing a relative rotational speed measurement to said processor.

Abstract: A knuckle hub assembly (10) and a method for manufacturing same whereby brake run out is produced includes a knuckle (12), a bearing (28) press fit into the knuckle (12), and a wheel hub (14) coupled to the bearing (28) and rotateable with respect to the knuckle (12). The wheel hub (14) has a flange surface (34) having a relief channel (60) formed therein. A plurality of wheel studs (44) are press fit into bolt opening (42) formed in the relief channel (60). This arrangement provides a flat flange surface (34) for mating with a rotor (42) to minimize brake run out. The knuckle hub assembly (10) is mounted into a floating tool for finish turning of the flange surface (34) to provide minimal run out and maximum flatness.

Abstract: An endless drive track for a snowmobile is provided with traction lugs that are inclined relative to normal to the track base. When the traction lugs are inclined away from the direction of travel for the track, the traction lugs can compress the snow before engaging the snow for traction, thereby providing lift for a snowmobile traveling in deep snow. Second traction lugs, angled opposite the first, provide hard snow traction and long traction life.

Abstract: A hub-bearing assembly for the wheel of a motor vehicle includes a rotatable hub (18) having a radial flange (17) with bores (16) formed therethrough. Wheel fastening studs (10) each have a stem (12) inserted non-forcedly through a respective bore (16). The studs (10) are fixed to the flange (17) by an adhesive or cementing material.

Abstract: A uniformity and stabilizing system comprising a stabilizing ring used in conjunction with a balanced tire wheel assembly wherein the stabilizing ring destroys, absorbs, and dampens vibrations including those caused by non-uniformities in the tire. The stabilizing ring comprises either a solid ring or a cartridge having at least one interior chamber, the interior chamber filled with a flowable media. The stabilizing ring may be used in combination with balance weights.

Abstract: A front wheel of a golf cart includes a supporting component, a round rotating member, and a joining shaft coupling the rotating member to the supporting component; the supporting component includes a holding part, which has an outer stopping protrusion, a polygonal portion, and a round portion adjoining the polygonal portion; the shaft includes a shank partly held in the holding part; a spring biases the shaft to such a position that the shaft is prevented from rotating by the polygonal portion; a fixing component is secured around other end of the shank, and contains the stopping protrusion; the fixing component has a polygonal hollow portion to fit closely around the polygonal portion to prevent the shaft from rotating; the round rotating member can be turned together with the shaft to fold the front wheel after the polygonal hollow portion is relocated around the round portion.

Abstract: An axle bearing apparatus includes a hub shaft including a wheel-mounting flange formed at its outer end portion, and a cylindrical portion formed on an inner side surface of the flange, a bearing portion press-fitted on the cylindrical portion of the hub shaft and including an inner ring, an outer ring and rolling elements disposed between the inner and outer rings, and a slinger having a through hole formed through its central portion. The through hole is fitted on the cylindrical portion such that an outer diameter of the slinger is generally equal to an outer diameter of the flange, and the slinger is press-clamped to the inner side surface of the flange by bolts press-fitted respectively in a plurality of bolt holes formed in the flange. O-rings are interposed between the flange and the slinger.

Abstract: A vehicle axle includes an axle housing defining a cavity. The axle includes a pair of outer drive shafts, each being coaxially received in a respective housing cavity and slidable therein, each outer drive shaft defining a splined cavity. The axle includes a pair of inner drive shafts, each having a splined end coaxially coupled to a respective outer drive shaft splined cavity such that a respective outer drive shaft is slidably movable therein. A piston is attached to the inner end of each outer drive shaft and separates an inner fluid chamber from an outer fluid chamber. A fluid channel includes opposed ends in communication with respective fluid chambers. A force absorption container is in fluid communication with each fluid channel and includes a compression spring, wherein the spring is compressed when movement of the piston pushes fluid through the channel into the force absorption container.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of one-piece, and multi-piece wheels configured to provide increased interior lip depth. In one embodiment, an outer periphery of a curved center portion of a wheel is attached to a wheel barrel in an inboard region, and a portion of the center portion extends into the outboard region of the wheel. At least a portion of the wall of the wheel barrel preferably comprises a gradual slope, instead of a traditional wheel mounting drop, and thus the interior lip depth is not obstructed by the interior bulge generally created by such a drop. In other embodiments, a wheel mounting drop is configured to permit multi-piece wheels to be joined at or near one of the drop walls to allow the wheel center to be positioned further in the inboard direction than in traditional wheels.