A foldable wheel includes a double hub, a rim with rubberized sectors, and spokes pivotly connecting each hub with the sectors of the rim. The sectors of the rim can be figured, starting from an extended condition of forming the wheel in which the hubs are mutually approached, in a collapsed condition in which the hubs are mutually spaced apart along the wheel axis. The spokes are pivoted to the hubs substantially on the wheel axis and in the collapsed condition the sectors of the rim extend longitudinally between the two hubs.

A transport for material, item or a subject, is described, the transport including a support for the material, item or subject; one or more detachable ground engaging wheels, detachable from the support at a detachable mount; one or more lifts to facilitate lifting the support from ground level to a selected height, the lift being operatively connected to the support and the one or more detachable ground engaging wheels, when the wheels are attached to the support. A collapsible wheel is also described, having a plurality of arcuate segments, each one pivotally connected to adjacent ones at their ends; an adjustable-length flexible spoke connected to opposed or remote ends so that variation of the length of the spoke deploys or stows the collapsible wheel; a spoke length adjuster.

A transport for material, item or a subject, is described, the transport including a support for the material, item or subject; one or more detachable ground engaging wheels, detachable from the support at a detachable mount; one or more lifts to facilitate lifting the support from ground level to a selected height, the lift being operatively connected to the support and the one or more detachable ground engaging wheels, when the wheels are attached to the support. A collapsible wheel is also described, having a plurality of arcuate segments, each one pivotally connected to adjacent ones at their ends; an adjustable-length flexible spoke connected to opposed or remote ends so that variation of the length of the spoke deploys or stows the collapsible wheel; a spoke length adjuster.

Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

A wheel assembly comprising a rigid wheel including a radially outer rim wall presenting a polygonal shape with a plurality of outermost vertices connecting a plurality of planar faces, and a flexible tire mounted on the outer rim wall. The tire is supported by the vertices of the rim wall and is separated from the rim faces by a space, portions of the tire located between the vertices being configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure.

A wheel assembly comprising a rigid wheel including a radially outer rim wall presenting a polygonal shape with a plurality of outermost vertices connecting a plurality of planar faces, and a flexible tire mounted on the outer rim wall. The tire is supported by the vertices of the rim wall and is separated from the rim faces by a space, portions of the tire located between the vertices being configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure.

A wheel assembly includes a collapsible wheel and an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements attached to the central portion. Each of the mounting elements is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and may be pivotally attached to the central portion of the wheel and configured to pivot between the retracted position and the extended position. The tire may be positioned on the wheel when one or more of the mounting elements is in the retracted position, and the one or more mounting elements are moved to the extended position wherein the mounting elements engage and support the tire.

A wheel assembly includes a collapsible wheel and an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements attached to the central portion. Each of the mounting elements is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, and may be pivotally attached to the central portion of the wheel and configured to pivot between the retracted position and the extended position. The tire may be positioned on the wheel when one or more of the mounting elements is in the retracted position, and the one or more mounting elements are moved to the extended position wherein the mounting elements engage and support the tire.

A wheel assembly including a rigid wheel and a flexible tire. The rigid wheel includes a radially outer rim wall, a plurality of mounting elements, and a plurality of inflatable spacers between the mounting elements. The flexible tire may be mounted on the mounting elements of the rigid wheel such that portions of the flexible tire between the mounting elements are separated from the outer rim wall by spaces between the mounting elements and are configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure. The inflatable spacers limit the amount of inward flex of the inwardly flexible portions of the flexible tire.