A wheel for a bicycle, or other human powerable vehicle, has a hub that includes: (a) an axle for attachment to a bicycle frame; (b) a set of bearings that connect the axle to a rotating sleeve; and (c) at least three connection points fixedly connected to the rotating sleeve. The connection points are used to detachably attach an annular module to the hub using attachment elements that each comprise conical frustum surfaces. The attachment elements are configured to axially press a portion of the hub to a portion of the annular module, as well as radially aligning the hub to the annular module. The annular module also has a set of spoke attachment points configured for tensioned spokes that connect the annular module to a wheel rim. The spoke attachment points are in a circular configuration on two parallel offset planes that are perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rim.

A rim for a braked aircraft wheel includes an outer circular portion whose ends are terminated flanges for receiving a tire. The outer circular portion is connected by a wheel disk to a hub for fitting on an undercarriage axle in order to rotate about an axis of rotation coinciding with a central axis of the rim. The rim is designed to receive the tire on the outside of the outer circular portion and a brake on the inside of the outer circular portion, the outer circular portion presenting on one side of the wheel disk that is to receive the brake, in a plane containing the central axis of the wheel, a profile that has two slopes forming non-zero angles with the central axis, the two slopes extending in the continuation of one another from the wheel disk to the corresponding flange and flaring towards said corresponding flange.

A wheel for vehicles, in particular with electric or hybrid propulsor, is provided that is apt to recover at least a part of the energy which is required in order to deform the tire of the wheel during its rotation and to transfer the energy, recovered in this manner, from the wheel to the vehicle on which the wheel is mounted, so that this energy, recovered, is used to generate the electrical energy intended to feed the devices installed on the vehicle, such as in particular the respective electric propulsor.

Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. The collapsible wheels can each comprise a plurality of wheel sections, a plurality of rims, and spokes connecting the plurality of wheel sections to the plurality of rim portions. The plurality of rim portions are positioned along a perimeter of a circle that defines a central plane of the wheel. Each wheel section supports one or more spokes that connect to one or more of the rim portions. The wheel sections are rotatable relative to each other around an axis from a collapsed configuration to an expanded position. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. The collapsible wheels can each comprise a plurality of wheel sections, a plurality of rims, and spokes connecting the plurality of wheel sections to the plurality of rim portions. The plurality of rim portions are positioned along a perimeter of a circle that defines a central plane of the wheel. Each wheel section supports one or more spokes that connect to one or more of the rim portions. The wheel sections are rotatable relative to each other around an axis from a collapsed configuration to an expanded position. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

A two-piece wheel may have a first section and a second section. The wheel has areas of varying diameter across its width, and the first section and second section are joined at the area of the wheel with the smallest diameter. The first section can be a spoke section with spokes extending from a central hub and the second section can be a barrel section.

A wheel assembly may comprise an inboard wheel half and an outboard wheel half. The inboard wheel half may include a flange. The flange may define a first alignment pin opening. The outboard wheel half may define a second alignment pin opening. An alignment pin may be located in the first alignment pin opening and the second alignment pin opening.

A collapsible wheel having a plurality of wheel sections. Each wheel section has at least a rim portion, a hub portion defining a rotational axis, and a pair of spokes. Each wheel section supports one or more spokes that extend from the hub portion and connect to one or more of the rim portions. The wheel sections rotate relative to each other about the rotational axis from a collapsed configuration to an expanded position, defining a central plane of the wheel. The rim portions are oriented generally perpendicular to the central plane.

A collapsible wheel having a plurality of wheel sections. Each wheel section has at least a rim portion, a hub portion defining a rotational axis, and a pair of spokes. Each wheel section supports one or more spokes that extend from the hub portion and connect to one or more of the rim portions. The wheel sections rotate relative to each other about the rotational axis from a collapsed configuration to an expanded position, defining a central plane of the wheel. The rim portions are oriented generally perpendicular to the central plane.

Vehicle rim for mounting of a tire, comprising: an axially central part (20) comprising a disc; two lateral parts (31, 32), at least one of the lateral parts being separate from the axially central part, each of the lateral parts having a rim seat to receive a bead of a tire, the axially central part and the two lateral parts being made from a rigid matrix; an intermediate part (41, 42) that forms the only mechanical link between the axially central part and each lateral part that is separate from the axially central part, this intermediate part being made of a flexible matrix, the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the flexible matrix being greater than and equal to 50 MPa and less than or equal to 400 MPa; wherein the Young's modulus of uniaxial extension of the rigid matrix is greater than or equal to 5 GPa.