A wheel assembly may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the hub. The wheel assembly may also include 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 tread assemblies carried by the outer rim. Each tread assembly may include a tread member support coupled to the outer rim, and spaced-apart tread members carried by the tread member support and defining a tread pattern therebetween. Each tread member may include at least one rubber layer, and at least one reinforcing layer in stacked relation.

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 (31); a stopper bar (60) configured to be pivotal based on a center portion (C) of the body (10) and provided through the first opening (31) and the second opening (11); and a shock absorber (70) coupled to the body (10) to absorb shock when the stopper bar (60) pivots.

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 (31); a stopper bar (60) configured to be pivotal based on a center portion (C) of the body (10) and provided through the first opening (31) and the second opening (11); and a shock absorber (70) coupled to the body (10) to absorb shock when the stopper bar (60) pivots.

A wheel assembly comprising a wheel disk and a tread member disposed around the wheel disk. The wheel disk can have a substantially conical shape when in an unloaded state, but be flexible such that it can deform under load to optimize and/or maximize contact area between the tread member and a driving surface.

The Reconfigurable Wheel-Track (RWT) is a novel mechanism that allows a wheel to transform into a track, and vice-versa. The wheel permits a vehicle to travel quickly over smooth and semi-rough terrain, then, on-the-fly, transform rapidly into a powered track for crossing extreme terrain. The reconfigurable wheel-track consists of several main components: an outer tire/tread, drive mechanisms for the wheel and track, support mechanisms for the outer tread when in either wheel mode or track mode, and a reconfiguration mechanism that facilitates the transformation from a wheel to a track and vice-versa. The reconfigurable wheel-track includes sensing, actuation, and controls to facilitate efficient and effective transition from wheel to track and vice-versa, and securely maintain each shape.

The Reconfigurable Wheel-Track (RWT) is a novel mechanism that allows a wheel to transform into a track, and vice-versa. The wheel permits a vehicle to travel quickly over smooth and semi-rough terrain, then, on-the-fly, transform rapidly into a powered track for crossing extreme terrain. The reconfigurable wheel-track consists of several main components: an outer tire/tread, drive mechanisms for the wheel and track, support mechanisms for the outer tread when in either wheel mode or track mode, and a reconfiguration mechanism that facilitates the transformation from a wheel to a track and vice-versa. The reconfigurable wheel-track includes sensing, actuation, and controls to facilitate efficient and effective transition from wheel to track and vice-versa, and securely maintain each shape.

The Reconfigurable Wheel-Track (RWT) device is a novel mechanism that allows a wheel to transform into a track, and vice versa. The wheel mode allows a vehicle to travel quickly over smooth and semi-rough terrain, then, on-the-fly, transform rapidly into a powered track mode for crossing extreme terrain. The reconfigurable wheeltrack device comprises several main components: an outer tire/tread, a drive mechanism for driving the tread when in track mode and a reconfiguration mechanism that facilitates the transformation from wheel mode to track mode and vice versa. The reconfigurable wheel-track includes sensing, actuation, and controls to facilitate efficient and effective transitions, and securely maintain each wheel and track shape.

A wheel set assembly having a plurality of sinusoidal channeled wheels. The sinusoidal channeled wheels having a sinusoidal channel disposed around a circular exterior surface of each of the sinusoidal channeled wheels. The wheel set assembly allows for better maneuverability and longevity in comparison to other materials handling equipment wheels because of the sinusoidal channels. The sinusoidal channels also provide heat dissipation along with the ability to push debris out of the way of the materials handling equipment.

A wheel set assembly having a plurality of sinusoidal channeled wheels. The sinusoidal channeled wheels having a sinusoidal channel disposed around a circular exterior surface of each of the sinusoidal channeled wheels. The wheel set assembly allows for better maneuverability and longevity in comparison to other materials handling equipment wheels because of the sinusoidal channels. The sinusoidal channels also provide heat dissipation along with the ability to push debris out of the way of the materials handling equipment.

A four-wheeled articulated steering vehicle for terrain exploration. The four-wheeled articulated steering vehicle has a pair of robotic tethered two-wheel vehicles that dock, lock, and drive long distances as the four-wheeled, articulated steering vehicle. Two actuated docking mechanisms attached on opposite ends of a central module of the four-wheeled vehicle enable “sit/stand” functionality. The “sit” configuration is achieved by aligning each dock mechanism parallel or nearly parallel to the surface, allowing two-wheel vehicle to detach and explore while the other remains docked and serves as a backup. While ‘sitting’, the central module rests on the ground and is outfitted with shovel-style wedges for passive anchoring. In order to “stand”, the exploring two-wheel vehicle reattaches, locks, and both dock mechanisms are rotated until each two-wheel vehicle's caster arm is upright and the central module is lifted off the ground. Once upright, each two-wheel vehicle rotates about a pivot point for articulated, all-wheel steering, which is accomplished by applying differential wheel torques.