A wheel-well closure system for a motor vehicle has a wheel-arch delimiting a wheel-well and a wheel mounted in the wheel-well, the system comprising: a support structure connected to the wheel-arch; and a cover connected to the support structure and covering the wheel-well; wherein the cover is made of a flexible material and is secured to the wheel arch; wherein the system comprises a continuous annular part secured to the wheel facing the cover and rotating with the wheel about a horizontal axis; and wherein the support structure comprises an arm extending radially in front of the continuous annular part and against the cover, a steering movement of the wheel about a vertical axis causing the continuous annular to push the support structure and stretch the cover outside the wheel-well.

The shopping cart security system is configured for use with a hand propelled vehicle known as a shopping cart. The shopping cart security system is a wheeled structure that allows the hand propelled vehicle to roll over a supporting surface. The shopping cart security system: a) determines the GPS coordinates of the shopping cart security system; b) compares the GPS coordinates of the shopping cart security system with a previously determined set of GPS coordinates that determine an operating perimeter for the shopping cart security system; and, c) disables the rotation of the wheeled structure that forms the shopping cart security system when the shopping cart security system is determined to be outside of the region bounded by the previously determined operating perimeter.

A wind-diverting apparatus for minimally shielding only the faster-moving drag-sensitive uppermost wheel surfaces from headwinds reduces overall vehicle drag. The apparatus includes various upper wheel fairings of FIGS. 1-6. Each fairing shields a primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surface from headwinds otherwise impinging directly thereon.

A wind-diverting apparatus for minimally shielding only the faster-moving drag-sensitive uppermost wheel surfaces from headwinds reduces overall vehicle drag. The apparatus includes various upper wheel fairings of FIGS. 1-6. Each fairing shields a primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surface from headwinds otherwise impinging directly thereon.

Aerodynamic wheel covers may include a hub assembly coupled with a hub of a large vehicle, such as a truck. A base assembly may be coupled to the hub assembly, and a disk assembly may be coupled with the base assembly such that removal and installation of the disk assembly may be accomplished without tools.

The invention concerns wheel center cap assemblies that include an adapter and a wheel center cap that registers with, or is integral with, the adapter. In some embodiments, the adapter includes tracks and lug sleeves that couple with lugs of the vehicle wheel. Each of the lug sleeves is slidably coupled to each of the tracks of the adapter, and each of the lug sleeves is adapted to move along a length of the tracks; this helps ensure that the adapter is universally compatible with multiple wheel models. In other embodiments, an adapter has a body adapted to be inserted within the center aperture of the wheel. A posterior support registers with the adapter and is sandwiched between a rotor of the vehicle and the wheel to secure the adapter inside the aperture of the wheel; a removable wheel center cap registers with the adapter to adorn the wheel.

An autonomous mobile device may use a pair of main wheels and a caster assembly to provide mobility. The main wheels are driven by motors, providing steering and movement. Each main wheel may include a cover that conceals and protects a hub of the main wheel from the external environment. The covers may be held in place by elastomeric posts, allowing easy changeout. The caster assembly has a minimal overall height and a field replaceable caster wheel. The caster wheel may include a target that is detectable by a non-contact sensor to detect caster wheel rotation. The caster wheel may comprise an axle, caster wheel hub, and a pair of caster wheel endcaps on each end of the axle. A set of features on the caster wheel hub and each of the caster wheel endcaps provide a labyrinthian path that prevents debris from fouling around the axle.

A locking device for locking a wheel of a vehicle is provided, where the device comprising a main module adapted to be attached to a rim of the wheel and configured to cover nuts or bolts that attach the wheel to the vehicle, a tubular center bolt having a threated outer surface and configured to adapt a lock cylinder, the tubular center bolt being further adapted to be connected to the main module via an insert sleeve; and at least one threaded element permanently assembled within a center bore or behind the rim; wherein the tubular center bolt is configured to be threadedly attached to the at least one threaded element to attach the locking device onto the wheel, and wherein the lock cylinder is configured to be arranged in a locking state within the center bolt in which the center bolt is prevented from rotating relative to the main module and the at least one threaded element, and in an open state in which the lock cylinder allows the center bolt to rotate relative to the main module and the at least one threaded element.

A wheel cover assembly for a vehicle wheel is provided. The wheel cover assembly includes a mounting apparatus and a wheel cover. The mounting apparatus is adapted for mounting on lug nuts of a vehicle wheel. The mounting apparatus is adjustable in both axial and radial directions. Dual quick release connections releasably connect the wheel cover to the mounting apparatus. The wheel cover may include a plurality of ventilation openings, and a plurality of radially extending fan blades may be disposed on an inner surface of the wheel cover.

A wheel for a vehicle has a wheel rim, a hub portion, and at least one spoke which connects the hub portion to the wheel rim, and also at least one cover element which at least partially covers the spoke region. The cover element is designed to, in the installed position thereof, produce an imbalance-free state of the wheel.