A wheel adapter to convert a storage container to a wheeled storage container is provided. The wheel adapter comprises a mounting bracket attachable to the storage container. The mounting bracket comprises a first leg configured to engage a bottom surface of the storage container, and a second leg configured to engage a side surface of the storage container. The second leg comprises a wheel coupling. The wheel adapter also includes a wheel rotatably connected to the wheel coupling. The wheel is constructed and arranged for rotation about an axis to provide rolling support of the storage container on the ground.

This disclosure concerns wheels for industrial vehicles, including scissor lift vehicles and aerial platform vehicles. More particularly, this disclosure concerns a wheel fabricated with a substantially cylindrical wheel rim and a front face surface which includes a center hub section that is inwardly offset from the front edge by an amount and at an angle providing flexibility to recover from incidences that can damage the wheel.

A method for removing a coating of a surface of a wheel. The wheel is provided with screw channels and with a centrally positioned hub opening. Each of the screw channels and the central opening is delimited by an area from which the coating is to be removed. Each of the areas extends annularly around one of the screw channels or around the hub opening. The method is implemented using a laser beam generated by a laser source. The method comprises the steps of positioning an extraction opening directly beneath a center of one of the screw channels or the central opening surrounded by the area, moving the laser beam over the area without masking the area (7) from which the coating is to be removed, and extracting gases and particles produced during the step of removing the coating directly through one of the screw channels or the central opening.

A method for removing a coating of a surface of a wheel. The wheel is provided with screw channels and with a centrally positioned hub opening. Each of the screw channels and the central opening is delimited by an area from which the coating is to be removed. Each of the areas extends annularly around one of the screw channels or around the hub opening. The method is implemented using a laser beam generated by a laser source. The method comprises the steps of positioning an extraction opening directly beneath a center of one of the screw channels or the central opening surrounded by the area, moving the laser beam over the area without masking the area (7) from which the coating is to be removed, and extracting gases and particles produced during the step of removing the coating directly through one of the screw channels or the central opening.

The step being performed in a state where a wheel body is fixed to be prevented from rotating around a rotation axis while a cutting edge of a cutting tool is in contact with the three-dimensional shape surface of the design surface in the wheel body, the cutting tool being three-dimensionally and continuously moved relatively along the three-dimensional shape surface while being changed in direction with respect to the three-dimensional shape surface to allow a rake face of the cutting tool to face a tool travel direction to perform three-dimensional continuous cutting processing that allows a specular glossy surface to be automatically formed in the three-dimensional shape surface, the specular glossy surface being finished into a processed surface having a high metallic gloss property by exposing the base metal.

A bicycle disc wheel comprises a first disc panel and a second disc panel. The first disc panel has a first side outer surface and a first side inner surface and the second disc panel has a second side outer surface and a second side inner surface. The first side outer surface radially extends from a first disc panel outer perimeter to a center opening and the second side outer surface radially extends from a second disc panel outer perimeter to the center opening. The second side inner surface faces the first side inner surface. A brace is coupled to the first side inner surface and the second side inner surface that provide radial and axial structural support to the disc panels.

The present invention is directed to airless tires. Exemplary airless tires include a hub configured for attachment to an axle and includes a hub support extending away from the hub. Such exemplary airless tires also include a heel configured around the hub and connected at a distal end of the hub support, whereby the heel includes an elastomer base oriented in a ring around a circumference of the hub support. Such exemplary airless tires also include elastomeric tubes extending radially outward from the heel. Other exemplary airless tires include a centerless hub assembly configured for attachment to an axle and a heel configured around the centerless hub assembly. The heel in such exemplary airless tires includes an elastomer base oriented in a ring around a circumference of the centerless hub assembly. These other exemplary airless tires include elastomeric tubes extending radially outward from the heel.

The present invention is directed to airless tires. Exemplary airless tires include a hub configured for attachment to an axle and includes a hub support extending away from the hub. Such exemplary airless tires also include a heel configured around the hub and connected at a distal end of the hub support, whereby the heel includes an elastomer base oriented in a ring around a circumference of the hub support. Such exemplary airless tires also include elastomeric tubes extending radially outward from the heel. Other exemplary airless tires include a centerless hub assembly configured for attachment to an axle and a heel configured around the centerless hub assembly. The heel in such exemplary airless tires includes an elastomer base oriented in a ring around a circumference of the centerless hub assembly. These other exemplary airless tires include elastomeric tubes extending radially outward from the heel.

The present invention is directed to airless tires. Exemplary airless tires include a hub configured for attachment to an axle and includes a hub support extending away from the hub. Such exemplary airless tires also include a heel configured around the hub and connected at a distal end of the hub support, whereby the heel includes an elastomer base oriented in a ring around a circumference of the hub support. Such exemplary airless tires also include elastomeric tubes extending radially outward from the heel. Other exemplary airless tires include a centerless hub assembly configured for attachment to an axle and a heel configured around the centerless hub assembly. The heel in such exemplary airless tires includes an elastomer base oriented in a ring around a circumference of the centerless hub assembly. These other exemplary airless tires include elastomeric tubes extending radially outward from the heel.

An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction appartus and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the stationary point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced. The drag reduction apparatus includes: a streamlined fairing or wind deflector positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; an engine exhaust pipe disposed on a vehicle whereby exhaust gases deflect headwinds to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces of an automotive wheel; an automotive spoked wheel having streamlined oval-shaped wheel spokes; a wheel assembly with a streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a wheel spoke; a wheel with a tapered spoke having a thin aerodynamic profile near the rim and tapering to a round profile toward the central hub; and a tire having streamlined tread blocks arranged in an aerodynamic pattern.