A wheel with flexible spokes, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength.

A lightweight wheel is provided, which includes a flange, a plurality of titanium alloy spokes and a carbon fiber rim, herein the flange is positioned at a middle part of the carbon fiber rim, the plurality of titanium alloy spokes are connected between the flange and the carbon fiber rim, and the plurality of titanium alloy spokes are uniformly distributed in pairs along the circumference; and one end of each of the titanium alloy spokes combined in pairs is fixed on the flange in a centralized mode, and another end is fixed separately at the carbon fiber rim, making the titanium alloy spokes combined in pairs a fan shape. An automobile is also provided.

A wheel frame (16a) includes a cylindrical hub (16c) into which an axle (11b) is rotatably inserted, a six-axis force sensor (16e) having an insertion hole (16e1) into which the hub (16c) is inserted, and an outer flange (16f) extending radially outward from an input section (16e2) of the six-axis force sensor (16e), wherein a hand rim (17) is attached to the outer flange (16f).

A tensile element connection, comprising first and second bracing elements and a tensile element having a first portion connected to the first bracing element and a second portion opposed to the first portion and connected to the second bracing element, and an applied tensile load along the tensile element. The tensile element includes a preformed rod that is comprised of reinforcement fibers in a matrix. At a temporarily elevated temperature greater than the service temperature, a localized region of the matrix is in a softened state of increased deformability such that a localized region of the rod is deformed under pressure to include a laterally outwardly projecting engagement surface. The tensile element is comprised of said rod with the engagement surface formed therein and is connected to one of the first and second bracing elements by means of an overlie engagement at the engagement surface to restrain the tension load.

A low-speed vehicle wheel assembly includes a rim, at least three spokes, connectors, a central bearing seat, and bearings. Outer ends of the spokes are fixedly connected to an inner side wall of the rim through the connectors, respectively. Inner ends of the spokes are fixedly connected to an outer wall of the central bearing seat. The bearings are fitted in bearing holes of the central bearing seat, respectively. Because the rim and the central bearing seat are independent components, each component can be made with an independent mold and assembled according to the diameter of the wheel. The cost of the mold is lower, and the components are more versatile.

A thermal treatment and shot peening method for a wheel, including: heating a wheel blank to T1, and preserving the heat for t1; fast heating the wheel blank to T2, and preserving the heat for t2; performing quenching treatment, wherein a quenching medium is at temperature of T3, and the quenching transfer time is t3; performing aging treatment at aging temperature of T4, and preserving the heat for t4; performing first-stage shot peening; and performing second-stage shot peening.

A wheel structure includes a rim and a tire. The rim includes a body, hub and spokes. The body has two edges which first and second flanges are annularly disposed at, respectively, to form a tire holder. First and second walls are annularly disposed at the edges of the body in such a manner to face the first and second flanges, respectively, allowing a first engaging slot to be formed between the first flange and the first wall and a second engaging slot to be formed between the second flange and the second wall. The tire is coupled to the tire holder. First and second coupling portions are disposed at two inner edges of the tire and coupled to the first and second engaging slots, respectively. A hollow core portion is formed between the first and second coupling portions.

A wheel with flexible spokes, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength.

A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.

A vehicle wheel spoke connection, including: a rim; a hub; a plurality of spokes extending between the rim and hub with a first portion connected to the rim, a second portion opposed to said first portion and connected to the hub, a span portion between the rim and the hub, and an applied tensile load along the span portion; a bracing element including the rim and/or hub. The spoke has a longitudinal axis and is composed of reinforcement fibers in a matrix. The external surface of the spoke includes a pre-formed configured surface comprising a multiplicity of laterally outwardly projecting engagement surfaces that are longitudinally spaced. The spoke is connected to the bracing element by a longitudinal engagement comprising a multiplicity of longitudinally spaced overlie engagements associated with the spoke engagement surfaces. The longitudinal engagement supports the tensile load.