A thermoplastic wheel hub (10) includes a center hub (26) for attachment to a wheel bearing (20) of a vehicle. The center hub (26) has a central shaft aperture (28) extending axially therethough and a plurality of lug apertures (30) spaced radially from and circumferentially about the central shaft aperture (28). The thermoplastic wheel hub (10) also includes a plurality of ribs (40) extending radially outwardly from the center hub (26). The thermoplastic wheel hub (10) further includes a cylindrical tire mount (46) connected to the ribs and extending axially in substantially a plane for mounting a non-pneumatic tire (12) thereon.

The present disclosure relates to a caster, having a housing, having an axle pin which is arranged in a housing opening which is oriented substantially horizontally, and on which at least one wheel is mounted, having, at the top, a pin opening oriented substantially vertically, for receiving a pivot pin, and having a braking device which brakes the at least one wheel, wherein the housing opening for the axle pin allows limited vertical displaceability of the axle pin and the braking device comprises at least one resilient housing part which acts on the axle pin. In order to provide a mechanically reliable braking device, the braking device is additionally provided with at least one spring element which cooperates with the at least one resilient housing part and amplifies the effect of its braking force and/or increases the mechanical load-bearing capacity of the at least one resilient housing part.

A hub or wheel assembly includes a retaining element, biasing element, and hand-maneuverable release mechanism. The housing includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle and a pin sleeve including a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end. The retaining element is within the conduit and is configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is within the conduit and is configured to bias the retaining element towards the axle bore. The hand-maneuverable release mechanism is configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore.

An article includes having a braided fiber having a first end and a second end, and a rod having a first end and a second end, whereby the first end of the rod is threaded and wherein the second end of the rod is disposed inside the first end of the braided fiber.

According to the present invention, a wheel width direction (Y) cross-section of a well portion (11A) comprises: a hump portion (H1) and a hump portion (H2) that protrude to the outside (Z1) in a wheel radial direction (Z); and a curved surface (11s) that connects hump portion (H1) and hump portion (H2) and is sunken to the inside (Z2) in the wheel radial direction (Z). The curved surface (11s) is formed as a series of circular arcs (11e, 11f, 11g) that have centers of curvature (O1, O2, O3) that are further to the outside (Z1) in the wheel radial direction (Z) than the curved surface (11s).

A method of forming a non-pneumatic tire (10) is provided that includes the steps of providing an outer shear band ring (12), an intermediate section (14) with a supporting structure (16), and an inner shear band ring. The intermediate section (14) is positioned inside of the outer shear band ring (12) such that the outer shear band ring is located outward from the intermediate section in a radial direction of the tire. A hub (20) is positioned inside of the intermediate section such that the intermediate section (14) is located outward from the hub (20) in the radial direction.

A spoke for use in connection with a wheel, the spoke having a braided fiber having a first end and a second end, a rod having a first end and a second end, whereby the first end of the rod is threaded and wherein the second end of the rod is disposed inside the first end of the braided fiber.

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.

An in-tire sound absorber for a pneumatic wheel assembly including a wheel rim and a tire fitted to the wheel rim. The sound absorber is adapted to be located within a cavity defined by the wheel rim and the tire. The sound absorber comprises a first fibrous layer and a second fibrous layer. The second fibrous layer has a higher air flow resistance than the first fibrous layer. The first fibrous layer, the second fibrous layer, or both, is made from a non-woven fibrous web.

A hub or wheel assembly includes a retaining element, biasing element, and hand-maneuverable release mechanism. The housing includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle and a pin sleeve including a first end in fluid communication with the axle bore, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end. The retaining element is within the conduit and is configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle. The biasing element is within the conduit and is configured to bias the retaining element towards the axle bore. The hand-maneuverable release mechanism is configured to displace the retaining element away from the axle bore.