Abstract: A ground engaging apparatus in the form of a wheel for a vehicle, comprising a rim (11) and a plurality of ground engaging elements (13) mounted on the rim. Each ground engaging element (13) comprises a hollow body (31) having an inner face (32) in engagement against the rim and an outer face (33) for contacting the ground. The hollow body (31) also has side faces (34) extending between the inner and outer faces. The side faces (34) are constructed to be resiliently flexible for deflection under normal load conditions thereby to provide cushioning for the vehicle. The ground engaging elements are so positioned on the rim that confronting side faces of neighboring elements provide lateral support for each other when deflecting under load.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly for a toy vehicle including a substantially hollow tire portion including two structurally identical mating shells made of a relatively rigid plastic material, such as, polypropylene, polyethylene, or polystyrene, wherein the shells are mated along the centerline of the tire portion, a wheel portion for receiving the tire portion, and a retainer lip extending radially inwardly from each of the mating shells to frictionally engage the wheel portion and retain the shells in mating engagement on the wheel portion.