An adjustable rim includes a first annular ring rotatable about a first axis, the first ring having radially extending first linear slots circumferentially spaced about the first ring, a first annular adjustment hoop rotatable about the first axis, the first hoop having circumferentially and radially extending first arcuate slots spaced about the first hoop, a second annular ring rotatable about a second axis, the second ring having radially extending second linear slots circumferentially spaced about the second ring, a second annular adjustment hoop rotatable about the second axis, the second hoop having circumferentially and radially extending second arcuate slots spaced about the second hoop, and an axially extending arcuate member having a first axial end and a second axial end. The first axial end is circumferentially and radially aligned with a first linear slot of the first annular ring and a first arcuate slot of the first annular hoop. The first linear slot and the first arcuate slot interact to move part of the arcuate member in only a radial direction.

An adjustable rim includes a first annular ring rotatable about a first axis, the first ring having radially extending first linear slots circumferentially spaced about the first ring, a first annular adjustment hoop rotatable about the first axis, the first hoop having circumferentially and radially extending first arcuate slots spaced about the first hoop, a second annular ring rotatable about a second axis, the second ring having radially extending second linear slots circumferentially spaced about the second ring, a second annular adjustment hoop rotatable about the second axis, the second hoop having circumferentially and radially extending second arcuate slots spaced about the second hoop, and an axially extending arcuate member having a first axial end and a second axial end. The first axial end is circumferentially and radially aligned with a first linear slot of the first annular ring and a first arcuate slot of the first annular hoop. The first linear slot and the first arcuate slot interact to move part of the arcuate member in only a radial direction.

This disclosure relates to a wheel component (1, 20) for a wheel of a vehicle, having a hub (2), which can be connected in a rotationally secure manner to a hub flange of the vehicle and which at least partially comprises a metal material, a rim (4, 21) for receiving a tire of the wheel, and spokes (7) which connect the hub (2) to the rim (4, 21). The wheel component includes at least one spoke (7) including a spoke portion (8, 24), which comprises an injection-molded thermoplastic material, and further including a spoke reinforcement element (9, 25) at least partially embedded into the spoke portion. The spoke reinforcement element at least partially comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic material.

Wheel with an in-wheel suspension system, and suspension member thereof. Wheel includes: stationary member including an axis, rotary member rotatable about the axis, and selective suspension system. The selective suspension system has at least one suspension member positioned between the stationary member and the rotary member, thereby providing a fixed distance therebetween, and retains the fixed distance when stressed up to a threshold value, and recoverably alters the fixed distance when stressed over the threshold value. The suspension member includes: cylindrical housing, piston slidably movable in the cylindrical housing, and compression spring whose first end is connected to the piston and second end is connected to the housing. The compression spring, when fully relaxed or compressed under the threshold value, maintains the housing and piston at a normally fixed distance. Applicable to wheelchairs and bicycles, among other self-propelled and powered vehicles.

A wheel connectable to a vehicle. The wheel includes a stationary member having an axis, a rotary member rotatable about the axis, and at least one support member positioned between the stationary member and the rotary member, thereby providing a normally fixed distance therebetween. The support member is adapted to retain the distance when stressed up to a threshold value and to recoverably alter the distance when stressed over the threshold value.

A wheel with a suspension system being connectable to a vehicle, like a wheel chair. The wheel includes a hub and a rim rotatable about the axle of the hub. Between the hub and the rim, a number of support members is located. The support members are adapted to retain the distance when stressed up to a threshold value and recoverly alter the distanced when stressed over this threshold value. Exemplary support members are spring elements, damping strokes by compression if the support member is compressed or elongated. The spring elements may be preloaded.

Disclosed herein is a deformable wheel with non-pneumatic load bearing intended to equip a vehicle for driving in extreme conditions such as those encountered on the Moon and on Mars, comprising a hub, a laminated strip comprising a plurality of ferrules assembled with the interposition of interposition layers, and a plurality of metal cables connecting the hub to the laminated strip, the laminated strip being covered with at least one thermal insulation coating made of at least one material having a thermal conductivity of less than 0.2 Wm.sup.1K.sup.1, and the wheel further comprising means for heating the interposition layers of the laminated strip.

A hub mechanism includes a hub body and multiple piston assemblies. The hub body defines multiple piston chambers and multiple piston hole sets, each piston hole set includes multiple piston holes, and each piston chamber is communicated with the corresponding piston hole set's multiple piston holes. The outer peripheral wall of the hub body is used for connecting to the driving buffer assembly. Each piston assembly includes a piston plate and multiple piston unit columns, with multiple piston unit columns arranged in parallel and connected to the piston plate. The piston plate of each piston assembly is located within the corresponding piston chamber and is slidably connected to the hub body. The multiple piston unit columns correspond one-to-one with the multiple piston holes of the respective piston hole sets, with each piston unit column being slidably connected to the hub body.