A multi-width dual wheel arrangement and method utilize a dual wheel spacer and a clamping disk for selectively mounting a dual wheel having a rim to a first wheel at a desired axial spacing of the dual wheel from the first wheel along a rolling axis of the dual and first wheels. The clamping ring is positioned outboard of the rim to clamp the rim between the clamping ring and the spacer for positioning the dual wheel at a first axial spacing from the first wheel along the rolling axis. The clamping ring is positioned inboard between the rim of the dual wheel and the dual wheel spacer for positioning the dual wheel at a second axial spacing from the first wheel. A third axial spacing is provided by configuring the rim to have a convex surface that may be electively positioned facing toward or away from the first wheel.

A driven wheel assembly to provide a zero turn radius without wheel scrubbing. The assembly includes a vertical axis motor driving a vertical drive shaft to drive first and second spaced-apart wheels that are oriented horizontally or perpendicular to the vertical drive shaft for lateral motion of the vehicle. This is combined with an off-axis vertical motor and gear, which rotates or steers, the driven wheel assembly. Instead of a right angle gear drive as found in a conventional drive unit, the driven wheel assembly employs a center differential coupled to the output end of the vertical drive shaft and a hub of each of the first and second wheels and that is positioned in the space between the two wheels. The center differential drives the first and second wheels, and each of the first and second wheels can turn at a different rotational velocity or even in opposite directions.

Vehicles are disclosed that are configured to carry loads in a stabilized manner, such that the load is maintained in a substantially constant position or orientation relative to a predetermined reference point or frame even as the vehicle moves. A stabilization controller in such a vehicle receives information about movement of the vehicle relative to the reference point or plane from one or more sensors on the vehicle, and uses the information to control one or more movable objects by which the load is secured to the vehicle so as to maintain a relatively constant relationship between the load and the reference point or plane.

Vehicles are disclosed that are configured to carry loads in a stabilized manner, such that the load is maintained in a substantially constant position or orientation relative to a predetermined reference point or frame even as the vehicle moves. A stabilization controller in such a vehicle receives information about movement of the vehicle relative to the reference point or plane from one or more sensors on the vehicle, and uses the information to control one or more movable objects by which the load is secured to the vehicle so as to maintain a relatively constant relationship between the load and the reference point or plane.

Autonomously drivable vehicles, selectively controllable by on-board and remote controllers and capable of travel on both conventional railways and conventional roadways by virtue of bimodal wheel combinations of roadways wheels and railway wheels, the latter of slightly smaller radius than that of the former, are disclosed. Vehicle direction and speed are alternatively and selectively controlled by (1) an onboard vehicle controller (autonomous and/or personal) or (2) a remote controller (as in a locomotive or central rail network management system). In railway mode, direction is controlled by track-following railway wheels and movement is propelled either by an on-board motor or motors or by locomotive force supplied by a connected vehicle such as a conventional locomotive.

A cooling fan mounted on the hub between two tires of a vehicle, especially large tractor trucks and trailers. The wheel mounted cooling fan has a multiplicity of fan blades which extend inwardly and downwardly toward the rim of the interior tire and is mounted between the rims of the inner tire and outer tire with the rear surface of the wheel mounted cooling fan facing the inner tire. The inner fan serves to provide beneficial effect including cooling of the brakes and increasing fuel mileage of the truck. While primarily intended for use with large trucks, the cooling fan can also be sized to fit smaller trucks which have two pairs of wheels in the front and/or the back.

A materials handling equipment has blades of a lifting fork wherein each of the blades engages a blade wheel that moves between a retracted position when the blade is lowered and an extended position when the blade is raised to lift and support a load. The blade wheels have a plurality of tires linearly aligned on a common axis, the tires each having a circular circumference and a sinusoidally varying peripheral surface. The sinusoidally varying peripheral surfaces have relative peaks and valleys uniformly spaced around the circular circumference wherein the peaks and valleys are mutually nested.

A multi-width dual wheel arrangement and method utilize a dual wheel spacer and a clamping disk for selectively mounting a dual wheel having a rim to a first wheel at a desired axial spacing of the dual wheel from the first wheel along a rolling axis of the dual and first wheels. The clamping ring is positioned outboard of the rim to clamp the rim between the clamping ring and the spacer for positioning the dual wheel at a first axial spacing from the first wheel along the rolling axis. The clamping ring is positioned inboard between the rim of the dual wheel and the dual wheel spacer for positioning the dual wheel at a second axial spacing from the first wheel. A third axial spacing is provided by configuring the rim to have a convex surface that may be electively positioned facing toward or away from the first wheel.

A multi-width dual wheel arrangement and method utilize a dual wheel spacer and a clamping disk for selectively mounting a dual wheel having a rim to a first wheel at a desired axial spacing of the dual wheel from the first wheel along a rolling axis of the dual and first wheels. The clamping ring is positioned outboard of the rim to clamp the rim between the clamping ring and the spacer for positioning the dual wheel at a first axial spacing from the first wheel along the rolling axis. The clamping ring is positioned inboard between the rim of the dual wheel and the dual wheel spacer for positioning the dual wheel at a second axial spacing from the first wheel. A third axial spacing is provided by configuring the rim to have a convex surface that may be electively positioned facing toward or away from the first wheel.

A traction device for installation between a set of dual wheels on a vehicle, the traction device including a wheel attachment plate, at least one leg and at least one paddle. The wheel attachment plate is centrally coupled between each of the wheels. The at least one leg is coupled to the wheel attachment plate between the wheels. The at least one paddle is coupled to the leg and positioned radially outward from the wheel attachment plate.