The present invention provides a bicycle rim assembly adapted to be coupled to a hub to create a bicycle wheel. The rim assembly includes a rim and a cover coupled to the rim. The rim defines a central plane and comprises an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall cooperating with the inner wall to define a cavity. The rim further includes annular projections spaced laterally relative to the central plane and extending substantially radially outwardly from the outer annular wall. The cover includes sidewalls disposed on lateral sides of the rim adjacent the projections, each sidewall including a lateral inner portion having a lateral thickness. The cover further includes an annular ring portion interconnecting the sidewalls, the annular ring portion including a radial thickness less than the lateral thickness of the lateral inner portion of the sidewalls. Preferably, the rim comprises a metallic material and the cover comprises a non-metallic material. For example, the rim can comprise aluminum or an epoxy matrix composite, and the cover can comprises a polymeric material, such as ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene. In addition, a radial thickness of the entire cover is preferably substantially less than a radial thickness of the entire rim. In one embodiment, the projections include a laterally inwardly facing surface, a laterally outwardly facing surface, and a radially outwardly facing surface. In this embodiment, the cover engages at least a portion of each of the laterally inwardly facing surface, the laterally outwardly facing surface, and the radially outwardly facing surface. Preferably, each annular projection has a smoothly radiused radially outwardly facing surface, and each laterally outwardly facing surface that lies in a radial plane substantially parallel to the central plane.

The invention relates to a wheel bearing unit including a wheel hub. The wheel hub has an integrally formed wheel flange at one end and an inner ring which can be rotated together with the wheel hub. The inner ring is secured on the wheel hub by a rolling rivet connection in order to pretension a row of rolling elements relative to an outer ring. The wheel bearing unit also has an encoder, which is provided on the inner ring and extends radially in the direction of the outer ring, and a protective cover which is secured to the outer ring in order to close and seal annular openings that are formed between the outer ring and the wheel hub. A cylindrical mounting section of the protective cover is pressed into a cylindrical press-in portion of the outer ring, and a shielding section extends from the cylindrical assembly portion inwards in a radial direction (R1). A base section is provided which adjoins the shielding section in order to cover an inner-side end of the wheel hub, and a sealing element is provided on a circumferential surface, which faces away from the outer ring, of the cylindrical assembly portion. The sealing element is formed such that a part of the sealing element protrudes from the mounting section in the axial direction (R2) in order to form a sealing lip which is pressed axially onto a section of the outer ring in order to sealingly rest against this section.

A wheel includes a main hub portion having outer and inner portions, the inner portion being spaced from the outer portion by a main hub sidewall; a ring portion configured to engage the main hub portion so as to enclose the outer portion and the inner portion and create an enclosed void; and an exterior covering surrounding at least part of the main hub portion and the ring portion at the enclosed void. A method of forming a wheel includes forming a main hub portion having an outer portion and an inner portion; forming a ring portion configured to engage the main hub portion so as to enclose the outer portion and the inner portion and create an enclosed void; assembling the main hub portion and the ring portion into an assembled hub; and overmolding an exterior covering surrounding at least part of the main hub and ring portions.

A caster with an elastic member that absorbs impact forces during use. The elastic member can be placed between first and second portions pivotable with respect to each other about a pin. The elastic member can absorb impact forces between the first and second portions when in use. The elastic member can further include grooves that allow portions of the elastic member adjacent the grooves to flow into the grooves during impact, further absorbing impact forces.

Disclosed are modular mechanical assemblies formed from durable, corrosion resistant components with sufficient strength to maintain efficient operation. The modular mechanical assemblies include a novel torsion axle assembly having a cartridge that houses a torsion bar with a splined tip. A load bearing, relatively incompressible bushing is optionally disposed about the torsion bar. The cartridge is inserted into an axle tube, and an end cap is placed over the cartridge and torsion bar. The end cap is affixed to the axle tube such that the bushing is secured within a bore in the end cap. The torsion bar tip extends through the bushing and end cap and is secured within a torsion arm. A spindle is also secured within the torsion arm. One or more components of the torsion axle assembly are made from a low alloy, medium carbon steel material that provides corrosion resistance and advantageous yield and ultimate strength properties. One or more components of the assembly can also be coated to improve corrosion resistance. Suitable coating techniques include, but are not limited to liquid ferritic nitrocarburizing, gas nitriding, electroless nickel plating, or a diamond like carbon coating process.

A medical apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a medical device; and a plurality of caster units, disposed below the medical device, for supporting the medical device to be movable, wherein each of the plurality of caster units includes: a wheel part; and a shock absorbing member which is configured to support the wheel part and to absorb the shock applied to the wheel part, wherein the shock absorbing member includes: a wheel fixing member for fixing the wheel part; a body fixing member which surrounds the wheel fixing member and is fixed to the medical device; and a cushioning member which is disposed between the wheel fixing member and the body fixing member and is capable of elastic deformation, wherein the shock absorbing member includes: a first deforming part extending in the vertical direction; and a second deformation part extending, from an end of the first deformation part, in a direction different from the extending direction of the first deformation part.

The present invention relates to a bicycle training wheel assembly that uses uniquely, spherical wheel made of rubber or polyurethane substances of optimal consistency for this utility, as opposed to using the conventional cylindrical wheel. The foregoing properties of the said spherical wheel provide bounce and shock absorption. This invention allows the rider to obtain better balance and stability while learning to ride the bicycle. The assembly attaches to both sides of the rear wheel axle of the bicycle.

A system. The system includes a wheel, a tire mounted on the wheel, a tire shield, elastomeric members and an extension limiting member. The elastomeric members are coupled to the wheel and the tire shield. The an extension limiting member is coupled to the wheel and the tire shield. The elastomeric members are configured to allow for controlled radial and rotational displacement of the tire shield relative to the wheel in x and y directions while the wheel is rotating during a collision event involving the tire shield.

A wheel assembly includes a wheel axle, an inner wheel, and an outer wheel. The inner wheel is mounted on the wheel axle. The inner wheel is rotatable about the wheel axle. The inner wheel is rotatably retained in the outer wheel. The inner and outer wheels include a gap therebetween, and the outer wheel is rotatable eccentrically about the wheel axle.

A nonpneumatic tire includes an upper ring and a plurality of spokes extending from the upper ring. At least one reinforcement embedded in each spoke, wherein each reinforcement is constructed of a material that shrinks in length by 0.1% to 10% when subjected to a temperature between 38 C. to 260 C. and a pressure between 0.10 mPa to 0.70 mPa.