A bicycle and board apparatus comprising a buoyant board, a front wheel, a rear wheel and a steering member, and being mountable and usable in a first configuration as a bicycle in which the buoyant board is the bicycle's frame and in a second configuration as a surfboard by changing the orientation of the front wheel, the rear wheel or the steering member with respect to the buoyant board.

Concepts of an omnidirectional pinion wheel are described. In one embodiment, the wheel includes first and second rims each including inner and outer rim surfaces, and an annular ring of rollers affixed on the outer surface of one of the first and second annular rim. Using an axis of freedom of the rollers, the wheel can move sideways in addition to forward and backward. Further, when used with a vertical rack gear, the wheel can provide vertical displacement by engagement between teeth of the gear and the pinion ring. Additionally, various racks and tracks with teeth for pinion ring engagement are described along with an example vehicle capable of vertical displacement using the wheels.

Concepts of an omnidirectional pinion wheel are described. In one embodiment, the wheel includes first and second rims each including inner and outer rim surfaces, and an annular ring of rollers affixed on the outer surface of one of the first and second annular rim. Using an axis of freedom of the rollers, the wheel can move sideways in addition to forward and backward. Further, when used with a vertical rack gear, the wheel can provide vertical displacement by engagement between teeth of the gear and the pinion ring. Additionally, various racks and tracks with teeth for pinion ring engagement are described along with an example vehicle capable of vertical displacement using the wheels.

A transformable wheel and method of transforming a wheel between open and closed positions. An exemplary transformable wheel may include a plurality of wheel segments (legs), including at least one passive leg and at least one active leg. The active leg(s) is actuated by a powered active leg transformation mechanism, while the passive leg(s) is actuated by a passive leg actuation mechanism that employs an elastic element, spring, or other passive actuator to automatically move the passive leg(s) toward the current position of the active leg(s).

A transformable wheel and method of transforming a wheel between open and closed positions. An exemplary transformable wheel may include a plurality of wheel segments (legs), including at least one passive leg and at least one active leg. The active leg(s) is actuated by a powered active leg transformation mechanism, while the passive leg(s) is actuated by a passive leg actuation mechanism that employs an elastic element, spring, or other passive actuator to automatically move the passive leg(s) toward the current position of the active leg(s).

Wheel assemblies and strollers comprising wheel assemblies are provided. The wheel assembly can comprise a standard wheel and a modular wheel, where the standard wheel has a first diameter that is greater than the diameter of the modular wheel. The modular wheel can be fixedly or removably attached to the standard wheel. The stroller can comprise at least one rear wheel assembly located proximate to a rear of the base. The stroller can also comprise at last one front wheel assembly located proximate to a front of the base. The stroller can also comprise a pulling and/or steering mechanism.

Concepts of an omnidirectional pinion wheel are described. In one embodiment, the wheel includes a hub, first and second annular rims each including inner and outer rim surfaces, spokes that extend from the hub to the first and second annular rims, a pinion ring including pinion rods that extend between the inner surfaces of the first and second annular rims, and first and second annular rings of rollers affixed on the outer surfaces of the first and second annular rims. Using an axis of freedom of the rollers, the wheel can move sideways in addition to forward and backward. Further, when used with a vertical rack gear, the wheel can provide vertical displacement by engagement between teeth of the gear and the pinion ring. Additionally, various racks and tracks with teeth for pinion ring engagement are described along with an example vehicle capable of vertical displacement using the wheels.

Concepts of an omnidirectional pinion wheel are described. In one embodiment, the wheel includes a hub, first and second annular rims each including inner and outer rim surfaces, spokes that extend from the hub to the first and second annular rims, a pinion ring including pinion rods that extend between the inner surfaces of the first and second annular rims, and first and second annular rings of rollers affixed on the outer surfaces of the first and second annular rims. Using an axis of freedom of the rollers, the wheel can move sideways in addition to forward and backward. Further, when used with a vertical rack gear, the wheel can provide vertical displacement by engagement between teeth of the gear and the pinion ring. Additionally, various racks and tracks with teeth for pinion ring engagement are described along with an example vehicle capable of vertical displacement using the wheels.

Concepts of omnidirectional vehicle transport are described. In one embodiment, an omnidirectional vehicle includes a transportation platform, a drive system, and wheels. At a surface level, the vehicle can maneuver in any direction, including longitudinal and lateral directions. The vehicle can also be positioned to engage the wheels with a track having a rack gear to engage with the wheels. A control system of the vehicle can then drive the wheels in engagement with the track to raise the vehicle to a second level. At the second level, the vehicle can maneuver to transfer items onto the vehicle for transportation of the items back to the surface level. After the items are transferred onto the vehicle, it can be positioned for engagement with the track, and the control system can drive the wheels to lower the vehicle to the surface level and offload the items.

Concepts of omnidirectional vehicle transport are described. In one embodiment, an omnidirectional vehicle includes a transportation platform, a drive system, and wheels. At a surface level, the vehicle can maneuver in any direction, including longitudinal and lateral directions. The vehicle can also be positioned to engage the wheels with a track having a rack gear to engage with the wheels. A control system of the vehicle can then drive the wheels in engagement with the track to raise the vehicle to a second level. At the second level, the vehicle can maneuver to transfer items onto the vehicle for transportation of the items back to the surface level. After the items are transferred onto the vehicle, it can be positioned for engagement with the track, and the control system can drive the wheels to lower the vehicle to the surface level and offload the items.