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 wheel for a wheelchair according to the present invention includes: an outer wheel or ring mounted on the inner periphery of a tire; an inner ring connected with a wheelchair frame (concentric with the outer ring and positioned inside the outer ring); a plurality of rolling elements interposed between the outer ring and the inner ring, arranged with an interval between each other in a circumferential direction; and a plurality of spacers (retainers or interval-holding members) for holding intervals between the rolling elements. Each spacer is in a shape extending along a circumferential direction of the outer ring and the inner ring, and is provided between the rolling elements respectively. The wheel does not have a hub and spokes, and the inner peripheral side does not rotate, and further the wheel weight is light. The wheelchair of the present invention includes the wheel for a wheelchair.

Abstract: An elastic wheel, comprising a disk (1) having a base rim (2) and a rim (3) pivotally supporting a tire (10), wherein a projected part (5) with a generally trapezoidal cross-section in the wheel axis direction is formed in a well of the rim (3), and a pair of elastic rubber bodies (6) are provided annually between the outer surfaces of a pair of wall parts (4a, 4b) formed by bending the both sides of the base rim (2) at a sharp angle and the rim inner peripheral surface of the generally trapezoidal projected part (5), whereby vibration can be absorbed by both the shearing deformation and compressive deformation of the installed elastic rubber bodies (6) so as to increase riding comfort, vibration proofing, and sound proofing performances in the area ranging from small input to large input, the sound proofing performance being very effective for sound in a high frequency area of 100 Hz or higher.

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 present invention provides exemplary vehicle wheel assemblies for use with a wide range of wheeled vehicles and apparatus. In one embodiment, a wheel assembly (100) includes first and second rim portions (210, 212) having edges (220, 222). The wheel assembly includes a cartridge disposed in a trough portion between the rim edges. The cartridge includes a chamber portion (300) having a plurality of spaced protrusions (310), a resilient member (400) disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions, an actuator (500) disposed over the resilient layer, and a traction layer (600) disposed over the actuator. The actuator is adapted to compress the resilient layer at least partially into the chamber portion when the wheel assembly is loaded with a weight. In this manner, the wheel assembly is capable of providing energy return to the wheel assembly during rotation thereof.

Abstract: An elastic wheel, comprising a disk (1) having a base rim (2) and a rim (3) pivotally supporting a tire (10), wherein a projected part (5) with a generally trapezoidal cross-section in the wheel axis direction is formed in a well of the rim (3), and a pair of elastic rubber bodies (6) are provided annually between the outer surfaces of a pair of wall parts (4a, 4b) formed by bending the both sides of the base rim (2) at a sharp angle and the rim inner peripheral surface of the generally trapezoidal projected part (5), whereby vibration can be absorbed by both the shearing deformation and compressive deformation of the installed elastic rubber bodies (6) so as to increase riding comfort, vibration proofing, and sound proofing performances in the area ranging from small input to large input, the sound proofing performance being very effective for sound in a high frequency area of 100 Hz or higher.

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: An improved magnetic wheel for a vehicle that moves over ferromagnetic surfaces. The vehicle includes an articulating, remotely controlled chassis that is constructed around a variable frequency motor. Drive axles extend from spring biased torsion hubs and are supported at resilient bushings at each wheel. Each wheel includes a number of adjoining annular permanent magnet pole sets. Permanent magnet disks are arrayed around the circumference of each pole set. At least one pole set is secured to a wheel hub and the others are supported from resiliently mounted registration pins. The resiliently mounted pole sets are able to flex with encountered irregularities at the work surface as the axle tracks and independently flexes with the surface changes.

Abstract: A wheel has a plurality of variable length spokes extending radially from the hub to the rim and supporting the rim coaxially around the hub. Spoke length varying devices vary the lengths of the spokes.