Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel possessing spokes having a compliant shear block providing spoke tension.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire includes: a ring member (14) including an inner cylinder (12) externally covering an attachment body (11) to be attached to an axle and an outer cylinder (13) surrounding the inner cylinder (12) from a tire radial outer side; a plurality of connecting members (15) arranged along a tire circumferential direction between the inner cylinder (12) and the outer cylinder (13) and connecting the two cylinders to each other; and a tread member (16) made of vulcanized rubber and located on a tire radial outer side of the outer cylinder (13), wherein at least one part of the outer cylinder (13) and the plurality of connecting members (15) are integrally formed of a synthetic resin material, and an adhesion layer (25) containing an epoxy-based adhesive agent is located between the tread member (16) and the outer cylinder (13) having an amino group in a surface thereof.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a rim, a rib surrounding and radially spaced apart from the rim, and a resilient member that engages the rib. The resilient member is tied to the rim, such that the rim is resiliently held in relation to the round rib at least in part by tension in the resilient member.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the compliance of a wheel is provided. In one embodiment, wheel segments are adjusted, causing the stiffness of the wheel to change. Such adjustments can be made while the wheel is rotating, allowing the wheel compliance to be changed while a vehicle is in motion.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly and a method of making the wheel assembly. In one embodiment, a wheel assembly may include a rim, a hoop member, and a resilient member. The hoop member may be disposed around the rim and spaced apart from the rim. The resilient member may be disposed around the hoop member, and portions of the resilient member may protrude through openings in the hoop member toward the rim. A tying member may tie each protruding portion to the rim, and the tying members may remain in tension while the wheel assembly is unloaded. In other embodiments, the wheel assembly may also include a second hoop member, or a traction layer, or both.

Abstract: There is described a suspension wheel comprising a substantially rigid rim, a substantially rigid hub disposed concentrically within the rim to define an annular space between the rim and the hub, the hub being adapted for connection to an axle for the wheel, and suspension members disposed in the annular space and connected to the rim and the hub to allow the rim to move in one or both of the horizontal and vertical directions relative to the hub in response to an input to the rim.

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 wheel shock absorbing apparatus includes: a hub, one or more bearings seated within the hub, and an axle. At least two outer end caps, each with an axle mounting hole and an offset inwardly opening cavity, enclose the ends of the hub. A springing element is positioned within each cavity in the end caps, and an inner body unit is located between the outer end caps. An actuation stud projects from the inner body unit into the cavities to contact the springing element. Fastening elements secure the outer end caps together on opposite side of the inner body unit. A pivot stud allows the respective outer end caps and inner body unit to pivot with respect to one another, which causes the actuation stud to contact the spring element, which absorbs shocks as the wheel travels over a surface during locomotion of a vehicle.

Abstract: A solid rubber tire with a flexible drive hub having a multiplicity of hub ribs and grooves formed around the periphery of the flexible drive hub and a solid rubber tire tread replaceably mounted on the flexible drive hub having a multiplicity of interior tread grooves and ribs formed around an interior surface of the tire tread, the tread grooves and ribs sized and shaped for interlocking engagement with the multiplicity of ribs and grooves formed around the periphery of the flexible drive hub.

Abstract: The invention discloses a technology to safely control speed and brake on in-line skates using a ski-like technique, wherein in-line skate wheels can rotate both vertically and at an angle. When angled (or “canted”) the wheels contact a friction strip within the wheel frame or a friction disk on the axle. The friction caused by the angled wheels contacting friction strips or friction disks is comparable to the canted “edging friction control” action of skis. The novel means that allows both vertical and angular rotation is a cohesive 2-element plastic hub shown in FIG's 1–C & D. The inner element 2a has a convex perimeter and fits inside outer element 2's convex bore, allowing 2a to rotate freely within outer element 2. Within inner element 2a are axle bearings 5 or 9 and axle 8. External elastomer springs 7a or internal elastomer spring 7b keep each wheel in a vertical coasting position.

Abstract: The frame of an in-line skate (FIG. 8B) supports a wheel (10), allowing a skater to effectively slow down and stop, using an athletic stance that skiers on snow and ice skaters on ice use. The wheel (10) has a hub (20A), allowing a wheel to rotate around the axle (13A) vertically and at an inclination. The hub has axle roller bearings (23B). The wheel (10) includes friction band surfaces (11A) on the sides of the wheel. When rotating at an inclination the wheel's friction surface contacts a friction surface (11B), inside the wheel-well or an axle friction surface or a combination thereof to slow or brake the wheel. The wheel (10) assembly includes self-aligning springs (14A/B). Individual parts can be technically designed to allow various model solutions that will satisfy the abilities of a beginner to an expert. The wheel assembly frame can be attached to an in-line skate, an in-line skateboard, a downhill in-line ski and a downhill in-line skateboard.

Abstract: A shock absorbing bicycle wheel hub apparatus uses an open ended, cylindrical shock absorber housing mounted concentrically within a wheel hub. The wheel hub is adapted for rotation about the shock absorber housing. A pivot tube is axially aligned with the shock absorber housing and rotationally mounted within its sidewall. Terminal ends of the pivot rod engage cover plates fixedly mounted thereon. A pressure tube is axially aligned with the shock absorber housing and extends through it so that its terminal ends may be fixed in the cover plates. A shock-absorbing medium is compressively positioned between the pressure tube and an interior surface of the shock absorber housing. The cover plates engage a bicycle fork so that weight supported by the bicycle fork is transmitted through the cover plates and the pivot tube and pressure tube, to the shock absorbing medium, and thereby, through the shock absorber housing and the wheel hub to a wheel of the bicycle.

Abstract: The wheel comprises an inner rim attached to a wheel hub e.g. by spokes, an outer rim for receiving a tire, and a resilient member between the rims which in use serves to absorb shocks from the surface over which the wheel passes. An opening for a valve is provided. The material of the member is polymeric, e.g. polyurethane foam.

Abstract: A shock absorbing bicycle wheel hub apparatus uses an open ended, cylindrical shock absorber housing mounted concentrically within a wheel hub. The wheel hub is adapted for rotation about the shock absorber housing. A pivot rod is axially aligned with the shock absorber housing and rotationally mounted within its sidewall. Terminal ends of the pivot rod engage cover plates fixedly mounted thereon. A pressure tube is axially aligned with the shock absorber housing and extends through it so that its terminal ends may be fixed in the cover plates. A shock absorbing medium is compressively positioned between the pressure tube and an interior surface of the shock absorber housing. The cover plates engage a bicycle fork so that weight supported by the bicycle fork is transmitted through the cover plates and the pressure tube to the shock absorbing medium, and thereby, through the shock absorber housing and the wheel hub to a wheel of the bicycle.

Abstract: An outer wheel, tire and rim, is mounted onto an inner wheel or hub and is adapted for low friction rotation on the hub. An arm is pivotally attached to the inner wheel and carries a receiver for the axle upon which the wheel is mounted so that the axle is positionable over an arc of rotation about the pivot point of the arm. The arm is biased by an elastomeric body so that as the arm moves over its arc of rotation, the elastomeric body is compressed. As the wheel rotates under load, road shocks are transferred to the biasing device which acts as a shock absorber.

Abstract: A cushion wheel assembly having a central hub coaxially surrounded by a resilient circular ring which is coaxially surrounded by a pneumatic tire on a mounting rim. The components are arranged so that axial compression of the resilient ring locks the components of the assembly into a cohesive unit, which is easily assembled and disassembled for convenient mounting to a vehicle and/or repair of high wear components.

Abstract: The wheel includes a central hub suitable for mounting to an axle and a rigid annular outer rim supported on the hub by a plurality of elastomeric support assemblies to impart integral springing to the wheel, the elastomeric support assemblies including an annular elastomeric member located at its first and second ends by first and second mounting members one of which preferably is cup shaped to engage with the outer surface of the end of the elastomeric member and the other of which includes a frusto conical member to engage with the inside of the other end of the elastomeric member.