A wheel assembly includes a first side plate having a first annular base, axially protruding first claw members projecting axially outward from the first annular base, axially protruding first hub mounts projecting axially outward from the first annular base, and axially protruding first spring mounts projecting axially outward from the first annular base; a hub member attached to the first side plate; and a tire assembly laid over the hub member such that spokes of the tire assembly are radially adjacent corresponding first claw members of the first side plate, a plurality of friction members and the first claw members sandwiching each of the spokes.

A wheel assembly may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the hub. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension permitting relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include tread assemblies carried by the outer rim. Each tread assembly may include a tread member support coupled to the outer rim, and spaced-apart tread members carried by the tread member support and defining a tread pattern therebetween. Each tread member may include at least one rubber layer, and at least one reinforcing layer in stacked relation.

A semi-trailer wheel restraint system having a bearing swivel and one or more cable sections and hub cab attachments for receipt into and through a hollow core of the trailer's axle. During a wheel bearing failure, the wheel restraint system keeps the loose wheel assembly near the end of the axle by anchoring it to the opposite-end's hub cap, thereby preventing a run-away wheel assembly and providing an operator of the truck an opportunity to safely stop the rig.

Systems, methods and apparatus for automated vehicle wheel removal and replacement are provided. One system includes a computer system with applications for scheduling the replacement of tires for the vehicle. An electronically controlled lift device and robotic apparatus is configured for interaction with the computer system. The lift device mechanically adjusts arms for placement on lift points of vehicles. The robotic apparatus detects positioning of lug nut configuration for a wheel, removes lug nuts, and then removes the wheel from the wheel hub with gripping arms. The wheel and tire are then handed off to a separate tire changing machine. When a new tire is replaced the robotic apparatus then mounts the wheel to the original wheel hub, and then secures the lug nuts to the lug nut bolts.

The present invention relates to a device for the removal of a pallet jack's load wheel pins. Where said invention is comprised of a hydraulic jack secured in a horizontal position within a frame assembly. A tooling adapter is fitted on the end of the piston rod so that the piston rod may push against the pallet jack's load wheel pin when the piston rod is extended. The frame assembly is slid underneath the forks of the pallet jack and the hydraulic jack's piston rod is aligned with the pallet jack load wheel pins that are to be removed. When the hydraulic jack is activated, the piston rod pushes against the pallet jack's load wheel pins pushing them out from the load wheel allowing the load wheel to be removed from the pallet jack's fork. Large extension springs are mounted on the underside of the frame assembly and are attached to piston rod to return the piston rod to the hydraulic jack once the load wheel pins are removed.

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 hub, and gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim to provide a gas suspension permitting relative movement between the inner rim and the outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include a sidewall cover assembly that includes an inner sidewall cover coupled to the inner rim and extending radially outward toward the outer rim. The sidewall cover assembly may also include an outer sidewall cover coupled to the outer rim and extending radially inward toward the inner rim and in sliding overlapping relation with the inner sidewall cover permitting relative movement between the inner sidewall cover and the outer sidewall cover.

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

A seal assembly device is configured to attach an annular seal by press-fitting to an axial end portion of a first raceway member of a wheel bearing device. The seal assembly device includes: a columnar guide member including a contact surface configured to contact a plurality of rolling elements provided along a raceway surface formed on the first raceway member from a side opposite to the raceway surface, the contact surface being continuous in a circumferential direction; a pressing member configured to move in an axial direction along the guide member toward the axial end portion so as to press the seal in the axial direction and to press-fit the seal into the axial end portion; and a reference member configured to restrict a movement stroke of the pressing member with respect to the guide member in the axial direction.

A packaging system having an outboard guard and an outboard retainer cap. The outboard guard includes an outboard guard opening having a hole through the planform of the outboard guard, an engagement portion having an annular surface radially surrounding the outboard guard opening, an outboard bearing protector portion having an annular surface radially surrounding the engagement portion of the outboard guard, and an outer rim having an annular surface radially surrounding the outboard bearing protector portion. The outboard retainer cap is configured to be removably affixed to the outboard guard and includes an outboard alignment protrusion having a circular surface, an engagement portion having an annular surface radially surrounding the outboard alignment protrusion, and a retaining flange having an annular surface radially surrounding the engagement portion of the outboard retainer cap.

A non-pneumatic tire includes a wheel hub portion, a tread ring portion, and a plurality of flexible spokes extending between and coupled to the wheel hub portion and the tread ring portion. A hollow core is positioned between adjacent flexible spokes or formed within each flexible spoke. The plurality of flexible spokes are configured to cyclically move between a narrow position to a wide position when the non-pneumatic tire is attached to a vehicle and is rolling on a road surface such that the plurality of flexible spokes act as a bellows that pumps air from one side of the non-pneumatic tire to another side of the non-pneumatic tire.