Abstract: A wheel includes a body (10) having a cylindrical outer circumference; a first ring member (21) provided at one side edge of the body (10) in the form of a protruding ring; a second ring member (22) provided at the other side edge of the body (10) in the form of a protruding ring; a rotation ring (30) located between the first ring member (21) and the second ring member (22) and located out of the body (10) and rotatably coupled thereto; a plurality of pivoting plates (40) coupled to the rotation ring (30) to be pivotal outward and configured to protrude out of the rotation ring (30); a connection member (50) located between the plurality of pivoting plates (40) to connect the first ring member (21) and the second ring member (22) and serve as a stopper for limiting a pivoting range of the pivoting plate (40); a first opening (31) formed at the rotation ring (30) along a rotation direction of the rotation ring (30); a second opening (11) formed at the body (10) at a position corresponding to the first opening

Abstract: A wheel assembly is disclosed, the wheel assembly including a rigid wheel and an airless tire mounted on the wheel. A portion of the tire is separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure. A spacer is interposed between the wheel and the portion of the tire separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to limit the inward flexing of the tire. The spacer may be permanently affixed to the wheel assembly or may be removably attached to the wheel assembly. The spacer may be adjustable between a first size and a second size.

Abstract: A wheel assembly and a wheel are suitable for use with a mobile platform. The wheel assembly comprising a first wheel and a second wheel, each wheel comprising a hub having a central axis of rotation, and at least two wheel lobes coupled to the hub, the wheel lobes extending radially from the hub and spaced around the central axis of the hub, where the first wheel is rotatably mounted to the second wheel on a common axis, and a control mechanism rotates the first wheel with respect to the second wheel.

Abstract: A stair climbing wheel and vehicles are described. The stair climbing wheel has a rolling wheel and a plurality of deployable protrusions that allow the wheel to climb stairs. The deployable protrusions can be deployed from or retracted into the rolling wheel. In the retracted position, the stair climbing wheel functions as a traditional circular wheel. These stair climbing wheels can be incorporated on a wide variety of vehicles, such as hand trucks, wheelchairs, and personal transports to allow these vehicles to climb stairs.

Abstract: A stabilized quadrature oscillator providing consistently high signal quality is disclosed. The stabilized quadrature oscillator includes an iterative quadrature oscillator and a quadrature signal stabilizer. The iterative quadrature oscillator generates an iterative cosine signal and an iterative sine signal using a stabilized cosine signal and a stabilized sine signal from the quadrature signal stabilizer. The quadrature signal stabilizer generates the stabilized cosine signal and the stabilized sine signal based on an energy measure of the iterative cosine signal and the iterative sine signal. Specifically, if the energy measure is less than a low threshold then the quadrature signal stabilizer generates the stabilized sine signal and the stabilized cosine signal to have a greater magnitude than the iterative sine signal and the iterative cosine signal, respectively.

Abstract: A variable-diameter wheel 1 includes at least one rim or hub 11 having a predetermined diameter, to which at least one drive axle 14 of the wheel 1 is connected; at least one outer surface external to the hub 11, having a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the hub 11. At least one diameter-variation mechanism 3 is secured to the axle 14 and adapted to vary the actual diameter of the wheel 1 according to the torque applied to the drive axle 14 by at least one propulsion system.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein provide a system for reducing friction in vehicles operating on agricultural and muddy lands. The system includes a polous placed on a board fastened to the circular base, an arched piece connected one shaft in each of the two hydraulic jacks attached to the board, a plurality of bushings fastened to a wheel ring attached to the polous, a rotating helm attached to one end of a bushing shaft attached to each of the bushings, a guide bar attached to the bushings and bushings shaft and a spring arranged over the guide bar. The movement of the vehicle wheel causes the rotating helm to come in to contact with the arched piece which in turn stroke the bushing shaft resulting in a reciprocal movement inside the bushings thereby providing traction between the vehicle wheel and a land surface.

Abstract: A flotation drive wheel is provided for a self-propelled irrigation system such as a center pivot irrigation system, a linear irrigation system or a corner irrigation system. The flotation drive wheel of this invention comprises a hub portion which is directly attached to an associated gearbox of the conventional drive tower. A metal band or plate is welded to the outer periphery of the hub portion of the wheel with a plurality of pivotal flotation shoes being attached to the band or plate. The pivotal shoes include structure for preventing soil from being pushed laterally of the flotation wheel and from being pushed forwardly from the drive wheel. The flotation wheel of this invention substantially eliminates the creation of wheel ruts or tracks.

Abstract: A powered wheel assembly, and method and ground-engaging vehicle (e.g., a robotic vehicle) using the same, are provided. The vehicle incorporates at least one of the wheel assemblies on its chassis body. In addition to its ability to propel the vehicle across a surface, the wheel assembly is reconfigurable between a retracted configuration, wherein the wheel assembly has a first rolling diameter, and an expanded configuration, wherein the wheel assembly has a second rolling diameter greater than the first rolling diameter. A drive motor assembly may both rotate the wheel assembly, e.g., propel the vehicle across a surface, and selectively actuate the wheel assembly from the first rolling diameter to the second rolling diameter, or to any intermediate rolling diameter.

Abstract: A tire as provided with a circumferential portion for contacting a road surface. Edge segments thereof include studs and an inflatable chamber at the edge segment is inflated and deflated to extend and withdraw the edge segments for engagement and disengagement with the road surface.

Abstract: A traction device for vehicle wheels has an expandable and contractible member mounted next to the vehicle wheel. The traction device has a tire with extending studs that is expandable by air pressure to increase the diameter of the tire. The tire is contracted by releasing the pressurized air within. The tire is expanded to a diameter just larger than the vehicle wheels so that the studs will engage the roadway to provide traction. The tire may be inflated manually from a pressurized air source and deflated manually. A pressure source and control valves may be provided to control the inflation and deflation of the tire remotely.

Abstract: A variable outer diameter wheel includes a generally cylindrical pipe or drum having four equally spaced penetrating holes or receiving parts in the cylindrical wall, a diaphragm sealing member corresponding to each of the penetrating holes and fitted to the pipe support, and sliders forming a wheel peripheral face so that the sliders can smoothly slide in the penetrating holes. The sliders are pushed or activated and moved outward from the pipe in a direction so the wheel outer diameter is enlarged by compressed air supplied through a passage and a hole provided in an axle which support the wheel. Exhausting the compressed air causes the wheel outer diameter to decrease and restores the wheel to its original size. Variable outer diameter wheels permit safe operation of vehicles on frozen, snow-clad or irregular surfaced roads.

Abstract: A traction device for vehicle wheels has tread segments that are expandable and contractible by secondary inflatable chambers to place studs either in engagement or out of engagement with a road surface. Alternatively, stud bearing tread segments are removably mounted between segments of conventional tread.

Abstract: A traction device for vehicle wheels has an expandable and contractible member mounted next to the vehicle wheel. The traction device has a tire with extending studs that is expandable by air pressure to increase the diameter of the tire. The tire is contracted by releasing the pressurized air within. The tire is expanded to a diameter just larger than the vehicle wheels so that the studs will engage the roadway to provide traction. The tire may be inflated manually from a pressurized air source and deflated manually. A pressure source and control valves may be provided to control the inflation and deflation of the tire remotely.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heavy duty retractable traction intensifyer for adding utility and maximizing performance of agricultural tractors, harvesting combines and the like. The device has a series of aggressive and thin spades, which in fields slice into stronger subsurface layer of soil, thereby increasing drawbar pull and decreasing wheel slip and soil compaction. The series of spades is arranged in groups, each secured to a length of sturdy wire rope which is threaded through a series of tubes, whereby each group can be rotated and thus expeditiously retracted for driving on roads. The series of tubes is the outermost portion of a flexible frame, bolted to an accompanying powered tire-wheel assembly via a spacer. For obtaining a comfortable ride during heavy pulling in fields said frame includes a series of resilient semicircle-shaped loops, formed from flat stock of high-strength spring-like steel, extending radially outward from a circular band forming the innermost portion thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed a traction enhancing device for a wheeled agricultural tractor, in which a flexible frame comprises a circular band, to which are welded a series of spade holders. The frame is bolted to the rim of the wheel by spacers, so that the frame is in non-contacting relationship with the tire. The spade holders are fabricated from flat stock of high strength spring-like steel, formed into a semicircles, and have outer tubular anchors. These anchors encircle a plurality of wire ropes that lie in mutual end-to-end relationship and described a circle that is concentric with the wheel. A series of spade assemblies are rigidly fastened on the wire ropes. The wire ropes are preloaded, and can be rotated within the anchors so that the spades assemblies alternate between a ground-engaging position and a ground-avoiding position. The spades each include lugs that slice into the strong subsurface layers of the soil, and provide a significant degree of traction improvement as the wheel turns.

Abstract: An auxiliary traction wheel is provided for use in combination with a tractor wheel so as to provide increased traction for the tractor. The traction wheel includes a pair of spaced apart rims at the perimeter of the wheel defining a channel therebetween. A plurality of traction plates are pivotally mounted within the channel for movement between a retracted position, wherein the traction plates are drawn into the channel, and an extended position wherein the traction plates extend radially outwardly beyond the perimeter edge of the wheel. The traction plates are interconnected by connecting rods so as to pivot in unison. Tension cables control the movement of the traction plates between the retracted and extended positions.

Abstract: The invention provides a pneumatic tire for mounting on a wheel hub, the tire having a plurality of ground engaging pads disposed around the periphery of the tire. Each pad is capable of at least a limited degree of rotational displacement about a radial axis relative to the tire, so that the tire may turn through the limited rotation relative to any pad which is in ground contact. A means is provided for returning each pad to its undisplaced position when the pad has moved out of contact with the ground.

Abstract: An auxiliary traction device for vehicle wheels to enhance their traction and braking characteristics under ice and snow conditions. The device comprises a frame which mounts to the outer side of the wheel, connected thereto preferably by the conventional lug bolts so as to rotate in unison with the wheel. Traction members are movably mounted on the frame so as to be selectively extensible into road-engaging positions and retractable when not needed. When extended, the traction members engage the road resiliently so as not to interfere with the normal cushioning action of the tire. Extension and retraction of the traction members may be accomplished either by manual actuation, or by automatic actuation from the driver's station.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for toy vehicles that includes a spider mounted for rotation inside of a generally cylindrical hollow wheel. The spider carries lugs for extension and retraction through passages in the peripheral wall of the wheel. Also carried by the wheel for rotation relative to the wheel, and for rotational engagement with the spider, is a hub manually rotatable from outside of the wheel. The spider is biased for rotation in direction by one spring and the spider and hub are biased apart in an axial direction by another spring. Another spring biases the hub which has a flange with a number of notches against a sidewall of the wheel having a detent that fits into the notches to latch the hub into a lugs locked out, lugs locked in or neutral position.

Abstract: A lightweight retractable track-wheel for obtaining less soil compaction and improved traction efficiency of rubber tired vehicles. The track-wheel provides high-strength, thin-gauged spade-lugs, rotatably secured to a main frame for providing higher drawbar pull at higher rate of travel speed by utilizing stronger sub-surface layer of soil; and includes an actuator for extending and retracting the traction spade-lugs for expedient and effortless conversion of the track-wheel to allow travel on pavement.

Abstract: The present invention wheels have extendable traction spikes (spike pins) which are contained within the wheels and are automatically extended to enhance wheel traction. The automatic extension of the spike pins occurs, in one embodiment, upon achievement of a predetermined torque. In another embodiment, when a predetermined movement, i.e. forward motion of the vehicle, occurs, the spike pins are automatically extended. The invention also includes vehicular toys including such wheels.

Abstract: A mechanism for protecting the tires of military vehicles from destruction y enemy small arms fire. The mechanism includes a plate or disk of armor material radiating from the vehicle wheel to a point slightly less than the expected radial deformation of the tire so that the disk is prevented from impacting against the terrain during severe jounce motions of the tire. As an auxiliary feature, a series of paddles can be retractably mounted on each disk for extension from the disk preferably when it is desired to operate the vehicle in mud, sand, or other soft terrains. The paddles tractively engaged the terrain to prevent wheel spin.