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 includes an outer wheel ring, a hub at least one support device supporting the outer wheel ring on the hub, and an adjustment device configured to adjust the hub relative to the outer wheel ring, wherein the support device has multiple support elements which extend between the hub and the wheel ring, and wherein the support elements are arranged three-dimensionally such that the hub can be adjusted in five degrees of freedom relative to the outer wheel ring.

A wheel includes an outer wheel ring, a hub at least one support device supporting the outer wheel ring on the hub, and an adjustment device configured to adjust the hub relative to the outer wheel ring, wherein the support device has multiple support elements which extend between the hub and the wheel ring, and wherein the support elements are arranged three-dimensionally such that the hub can be adjusted in five degrees of freedom relative to the outer wheel ring.

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.

A wheel assembly may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the inner rim. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim and permitting relative movement therebetween. The wheel assembly may also include a rigid inboard cover ring coupled to an inboard side of the outer rim and extending radially inward toward the inner rim, and fasteners coupling the rigid inboard cover ring to the inboard side of the outer rim. Each fastener may include a threaded fastener head and a threaded shaft extending therefrom. A flexible inboard seal may be coupled between the rigid inboard cover ring and the inner rim.

A wheel assembly may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the inner rim. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim and permitting relative movement therebetween. The wheel assembly may also include a rigid inboard cover ring coupled to an inboard side of the outer rim and extending radially inward toward the inner rim, and fasteners coupling the rigid inboard cover ring to the inboard side of the outer rim. Each fastener may include a threaded fastener head and a threaded shaft extending therefrom. A flexible inboard seal may be coupled between the rigid inboard cover ring and the inner rim.

A wheel structure includes a variable spoke configured to connect a wheel and a central shaft and having a length that varies in a radial direction of the wheel, a spoke driving unit configured to provide power for changing the length of the variable spoke in the radial direction, and a power transmission unit configured to transmit power from the spoke driving unit to the variable spoke. A plurality of variable spokes are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. The power transmission unit includes an output shaft configured to rotate by receiving power from the spoke driving unit, and a clutch configured to connect the variable spoke and the output shaft and selectively transmit a rotational force of the output shaft to the variable spoke or cut off the transmission of the rotational force to the variable spoke.

A wheel structure includes a variable spoke configured to connect a wheel and a central shaft and having a length that varies in a radial direction of the wheel, a spoke driving unit configured to provide power for changing the length of the variable spoke in the radial direction, and a power transmission unit configured to transmit power from the spoke driving unit to the variable spoke. A plurality of variable spokes are spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction. The power transmission unit includes an output shaft configured to rotate by receiving power from the spoke driving unit, and a clutch configured to connect the variable spoke and the output shaft and selectively transmit a rotational force of the output shaft to the variable spoke or cut off the transmission of the rotational force to the variable spoke.

A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, an outer rim surrounding the inner rim, and gas springs operatively coupled between the inner and outer rims to provide a gas suspension for relative movement between the inner and outer rims. The wheel assembly may also include tread assemblies carried by the outer rim. Fastener assemblies may be configured to perform fastening at least one tread assembly to the outer rim, fastening each gas spring to the outer rim, or fastening each gas spring to the outer rim. Each fastener assembly may include a fastener, and a pair of indicator-lock washers carried by the fastener. Each indicator-lock washer may have respective sloped surfaces slidably engaging one another to permit relative rotation so that loosening from a fully tightened position exposes a gap therebetween.

A wheel assembly to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, an outer rim surrounding the inner rim, and gas springs operatively coupled between the inner and outer rims to provide a gas suspension for relative movement between the inner and outer rims. The wheel assembly may also include tread assemblies carried by the outer rim. Fastener assemblies may be configured to perform fastening at least one tread assembly to the outer rim, fastening each gas spring to the outer rim, or fastening each gas spring to the outer rim. Each fastener assembly may include a fastener, and a pair of indicator-lock washers carried by the fastener. Each indicator-lock washer may have respective sloped surfaces slidably engaging one another to permit relative rotation so that loosening from a fully tightened position exposes a gap therebetween.