Patent classifications
B60C7/08
Wheel assembly including hinged outer rim segments and related methods
A wheel assembly may include an inner rim, and an outer rim surrounding the inner rim. The outer rim may include outer rim segments each hingeably coupled in end-to-end relation to an adjacent outer rim segment to define the outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner and outer rims, and tread members each carried by a respective one of outer rim segments.
WHEEL ASSEMBLY INCLUDING TREAD ASSEMBLIES AND SLOTTED WEDGE BASED FASTENER ASSEMBLIES AND RELATED METHODS
A wheel assembly may include an inner rim to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle, an outer rim surrounding the inner rim, and gas springs operatively coupled between the inner and outer rims to provide a gas suspension. The wheel assembly may also include tread assemblies carried by the outer rim. The wheel assembly may also include fastener assemblies. Each fastener assembly may couple respective adjacent wheel assembly components. Each fastener assembly may include a fastener, a lock washer having a sloped surface, and a slotted wedge including a frusto-conical body having a slot therein. The slotted wedge may have a sloped surface slidably engaging the lock washer sloped surface to permit relative rotation so that loosening from a fully tightened position exposes a gap therebetween.
WHEEL ASSEMBLY INCLUDING RIGID COVER RING AND SLOTTED WEDGE BASED FASTENER ASSEMBLIES AND RELATED METHODS
A wheel assembly may include an inner rim to be coupled to a hub of a vehicle, an outer rim surrounding the inner rim, and a rigid cover ring coupled to the outer rim and extending radially inward toward the inner rim. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner and outer rims to provide a gas suspension for relative movement between the inner and outer rims. The wheel assembly may also include fastener assemblies, each coupling respective adjacent components and including a fastener, a lock washer carried by the fastener and having a sloped surface, and a slotted wedge carried by the fastener and including a frusto-conical body having a slot therein. The slotted wedge may have a sloped surface slidably engaging the sloped surface to permit relative rotation so that loosening from a fully tightened position exposes a gap therebetween.
Wheel device and mobile robot device comprising same
A wheel device includes: a wheel member; a tire disposed on the outside of the wheel member, the tire comprising an inner layer, an outer layer, and a plurality of hollow pipes disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer, wherein an inner circumferential surface of the inner layer comprises grooves; a plurality of support members each having a circular arc shape; and a plurality of spoke members respectively connecting the wheel member to the plurality of support members. The plurality of spoke members are configured to move the plurality of support members between a first position and a second position. In the first position, each of the support members are disposed in the grooves. In the second position, each of the support members are disposed closer to a central axis of the tire than when the support members are in the first position.