Abstract: A wheel 100 rotatable about a main axis 106a, including: (a) a frame 111 including multiple supports 114; (b) a first series 150 of rollers 140 radially spaced from the main axis and aligned with a first plane 160a normal to the main axis, the first series of rollers spaced to form a first discontinuous rim; and (c) a second series 152 of rollers radially spaced from the main axis and aligned with a second plane 160c normal to the main axis. The second series of rollers are spaced to form a second discontinuous rim. The first and second planes are aligned parallel to and spaced from one another. Each roller 140 is: (i) rotatable about an axis normal 117 to the main axis; (ii) mounted between a pair of the supports 115; and (iii) has a lateral central cross-sectional diameter greater than the diameter of its end portions.

Abstract: A multiple directional wheel includes a frame having a central hub rotatable about a main axis, a plurality of roller supports radially spaced from the central hub, and a plurality of rollers evenly spaced around the circumference of the wheel and rotatably mounted on the roller supports. The rollers are preferably rotatable about a corresponding plurality of roller axes aligned in the plane of the wheel and transverse to the main axis. Preferably, the frame is integrally formed in a first molding process and the rollers are formed in place on the wheel about the roller supports in a separate process. In another embodiment there is disclosed a multiple directional wheel including a pair of opposed, separately integrally-formed first and second frames.

Abstract: A wheel 100 rotatable about a main axis 106a, including: (a) a frame 111 including a plurality of supports 114; (b) a first series 150 of rollers 140 radially spaced from the main axis and aligned with a first plane 160a normal to the main axis, the first series of rollers spaced to form a first discontinuous rim; and (c) a second series 152 of rollers radially spaced from the main axis and aligned with a second plane 160c normal to the main axis. The second series of rollers are spaced to form a second discontinuous rim. The first and second planes are aligned parallel to and spaced from one another. Each said roller 140 is: (i) rotatable about an axis normal 117 to the main axis; (ii) mounted between a pair of the supports 115; and (iii) has a lateral central cross-sectional diameter greater than the diameter of its end portions.

Abstract: A multiple directional wheel includes a frame having a central hub rotatable about a main axis, a plurality of roller supports radially spaced from the central hub, and a plurality of rollers evenly spaced around the circumference of the wheel and rotatably mounted on the roller supports. The rollers are preferably rotatable about a corresponding plurality of roller axes aligned in the plane of the wheel and transverse to the main axis. Preferably, the frame is integrally formed in a first molding process and the rollers are formed in place on the wheel about the roller supports in a separate process. In another embodiment there is disclosed a multiple directional wheel including a pair of opposed, separately integrally-formed first and second frames.

Abstract: A wheel (1) with an integrally formed wheel frame including a central hub (2) rotatable about a main axis, a plurality of first supports in a first plane transverse to the main axis and radially spaced from the central hub (2) to form a first discontinuous rim with a first series of rollers (4) regularly spaced around the first rim, a plurality of second supports radially spaced from the hub to form a second discontinuous rim with a second series of rollers (5) regularly spaced around the second rim, each rollers having a main body wherein the lateral central cross-sectional diameter is greater then the diameter of the end portions, each roller being rotatable about an axis transverse to the main axis and when viewed from a side elevation, there being substantial overlap of each of the first series of rollers (4) with each diagonally adjacent roller of the second series of rollers (5).

Abstract: A wheel (1) with an integrally formed wheel frame including a central hub (2) rotatable about a main axis, a plurality of first supports in a first plane transverse to the main axis and radially spaced from the central hub (2) to form a first discontinuous rim with a first series of rollers (4) regularly spaced around the first rim, a plurality of second supports radially spaced from the hub to form a second discontinuous rim with a second series of rollers (5) regularly spaced around the second rim, each rollers having a main body wherein the lateral central cross-sectional diameter is greater then the diameter of the end portions, each roller being rotatable about an axis transverse to the main axis and when viewed from a side elevation, there being substantial overlap of each of the first series of rollers (4) with each diagonally adjacent roller of the second series of rollers (5).