In a heavy duty orbital caster assembly that includes a rotatable wheel unit joined to a transfer plate that pivots about a mounting post extending from a mounting plate adapted to be secured to the bottom surface of an object, the improvement comprising a pair of roller bearing assemblies that extend upwardly from the upper surface of the transfer plate adjacent to the caster wheel post as it extends through its bearing. The rollers impinge on the lower surface of the mounting plate, and serve to transfer some of the load of the supported object directly to the caster wheel, enabling the support of very heavy loads.

A wheel includes a rim having inner and outer flanges. A first end of each flange is positioned axially outwardly relative to the second end. A pair of bead seats are positioned one adjacent each flange, and each has an axially outer end connected to a second end of its flange by a flange connecting portion, and an axially inner end connected to one of a pair of side parts. Each side part is positioned between a central well and one of the inner and outer flanges, and connected to the well by a well connecting portion. The outer end of each bead seat is positioned radially outwardly relative to bead seat inner end. At least one of the flanges includes an extended portion which extends radially inwardly, such that a free end of the extended portion is positioned radially inwardly relative to the first end of the respective flange.

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 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. At least one gas spring may have a controllable operating response.

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 and an outer rim surrounding the inner rim. The wheel assembly may include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim and tread assemblies carried by the outer rim.

A wheel assembly may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the inner rim. Gas springs may be operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim and permitting relative movement therebetween. The wheel assembly may also include a sensor configured to sense the relative movement between the inner and outer rims.

An axle housing assembly and a method of manufacture. A friction weld may join a spindle to an arm portion of the axle housing assembly. An extension weld may encircle the arm portion. The extension weld may extend from the friction weld in a direction that may extend away from the spindle.

The invention relates to a commercial vehicle, in particular a heavy-duty vehicle, comprising a plurality of wheel assemblies mounted on a vehicle frame. At least one of the wheel assemblies comprises an elongate wheel carrier, a wheel at each of the longitudinal ends of the wheel carrier, a drive unit for driving the wheels, and a transmission device. According to the invention, the at least one wheel assembly further comprises a clutch device which selectively interrupts or establishes a power transmission connection between the drive unit and the wheels, and a brake device which is approved for the operation of the commercial vehicle on public roads up to speeds of more than 25 km/h.

A composite bicycle rim, and a process for manufacturing the rim, having a plurality of perforated spoke-attachment seats having spaced apart first and second areas of cut structural fibers. The second area has both end portions of cut structural fibers having a longitudinal dimension greater than the first area's cut structural fibers and continuous structural fibers. At least some of the end portions of the second area's cut structural fibers are mutually juxtaposed or interposed with respect to the second area's continuous structural fibers.

A wheel assembly may include an inner rim to be coupled to the hub of the vehicle, and an outer rim surrounding the inner rim. The wheel assembly may also include gas springs operatively coupled between the inner rim and the outer rim and permitting relative movement therebetween. The wheel assembly may also include a rigid inboard cover ring coupled to an inboard side of the outer rim and extending radially inward toward the inner rim. A flexible inboard seal may be coupled between the rigid inboard cover ring and the inner rim.

A wheel assembly includes a mounting plate for attachment to a rotatable axle; a plurality of friction plates each engaging one of a plurality of parts of a tire assembly; and a plurality of cable members each connecting the mounting plate to the tire assembly such that each cable member extends radially outward through a first hole in one of the friction plates and radially inward through a second hole in the one friction plate to form a loop about the one friction plate and the one part of the plurality of parts of the tire assembly.