Abstract: A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle, may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, an outer rim surrounding the hub, and gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension permitting relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include a sidewall cover assembly that includes an inner sidewall cover coupled to the inner rim and extending radially outward toward the outer rim. The sidewall cover assembly may also include an outer sidewall cover coupled to the outer rim and extending radially inward toward the inner rim and in sliding overlapping relation with the inner sidewall cover permitting relative movement between the inner sidewall cover and the outer sidewall cover.

Abstract: Provided is a leg type traveling apparatus including a bicycle frame, a travel module including a leg type front traveling unit rotatably mounted to a front of the bicycle frame and a leg type rear traveling unit rotatably mounted to a rear of the bicycle frame, a drive unit to drive the travel module, and a control unit to control the drive unit, in which the control unit includes a pedal detector to detect a rotating speed of a pedal rotatably mounted to the bicycle frame and a controller to control a driving speed of the drive unit based on detection information provided by the pedal detector.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic wheel assembly (10) which has an outer rim assembly (26), an inner vehicle hub connection member (11), a compartment located between the outer rim assembly (26) and the inner hub connection member (11) which has a plurality of spring elements (21, 22) wherein at least some of the spring elements (21, 22) are attached to the outer rim assembly (26) and/or the inner hub connection member (11) characterised in that the spring elements (21, 22) are oriented in opposed or counteracting orientations.

Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire and wheel system comprises a tire having an exterior tread surface with a tread pattern and an interior surface. A wheel has a hub and a rim assembly. A plurality of radially oriented shock absorbing spokes each have radially interior and radially exterior ends for coupling the hub and rim assembly. Apertures through the hub allow pivotably coupling the hub to a spoke at the radially interior end of the spoke. Apertures through the rim assembly allow pivotably coupling the rim assembly to a spoke at the radially exterior end of the spoke. Each shock absorbing spoke has a central cylindrical tube with interior and exterior caps. Each spoke has an interior piston and rod and a pin. The pin pivotably couples the spoke to the hub. Each spoke has an exterior piston and rod and a pin. The pin pivotably couples the spoke to the rim assembly.

Abstract: A wheel for a light-weight vehicle and associated methods are provided wherein the wheel has a relatively light-weight, has structural strength, and provides shock absorbing capabilities. A wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably includes an annular-shaped wheel rim adapted to have a tire mounted thereto and an annular-shaped wheel hub positioned inwardly and spaced-apart from the wheel rim and adapted to be rotatably mounted to a frame of a light-weight vehicle. A non-circular shaped hub plate member has a medial portion thereof connected to the wheel hub and has other portions extending outwardly therefrom toward the wheel rim. The other portions include a plurality of plate member tips each formed along a radial axis extending outwardly from the wheel hub toward the wheel rim. A plurality of spokes is positioned in a spaced-apart relation to each other.