WHEEL FRAME COMPONENT

Abstract

A multiple directional wheel including a wheel frame comprising identical component parts. Each of the wheel frame components comprise: a hub having a main axis about which the multiple directional wheel is adapted to rotate; a hub rim radially surrounding the hub; a first plurality (four shown) of peripheral roller supporting arms (“first arms”) radially extending from the hub rim and aligned in a first plane; and a second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms (“second arms”), each member arm of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms having a radially inner base and being circumferentially offset with respect to diagonally adjacent members of the first plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms. Each of the wheel frame components further comprise a plurality of beams corresponding to the number of member arms of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms, each respective beam extending from the hub rim to a corresponding inner base of a member arm of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms, and a plurality of spigots extending from each corresponding one of the plurality of beams or the inner bases. The second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms lie in a second plane normal to the main axis, spaced from, and parallel to, the first plane; and each of the spigots from one of the wheel frame components is received in a recess formed in a facing surface of a complementary one of the wheel frame components to join the wheel frame components to form the wheel frame.

Claims

1. A component for a wheel frame for a multiple directional wheel, the wheel frame component comprising: a hub having a main axis about which the multiple directional wheel is adapted to rotate; a hub rim radially surrounding the hub; a first plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms radially extending from the hub rim and lying in a first plane, a second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms, each member arm of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms having a radially inner base and being circumferentially offset with respect to diagonally adjacent members of the first plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms, wherein the wheel frame component comprises a plurality of beams corresponding to the number of member arms of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms, each member arm of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms having an inner base; and the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms lie in a second plane normal to the main axis, spaced from, and parallel to, the first plane, wherein each of the plurality of beams are cantilevered from the hub rim, are substantially linear and aligned parallel to the main axis, extending from the hub rim to the corresponding inner base of the member arm.

2. A multiple directional wheel including a wheel frame comprising identical component parts, wherein each of the wheel frame components comprise: a hub having a main axis about which the multiple directional wheel is adapted to rotate; a hub rim radially surrounding the hub; a first plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms radially extending from the hub rim and lying in a first plane; and a second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms, each member arm of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms having a radially inner base and being circumferentially offset with respect to diagonally adjacent members of the first plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms, each of the wheel frame components further comprising a plurality of beams corresponding to the number of member arms of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms, each respective beam extending from the hub rim to a corresponding inner base of a member arm of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms, and a plurality of spigots extending from each corresponding one of the beams or the inner bases; and the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms lying in a second plane normal to the main axis, spaced from, and parallel to, the first plane; wherein: each of the plurality of beams are cantilevered from the hub rim, are substantially linear and aligned parallel to the main axis, extending from the hub rim to the corresponding inner base of the member arm; each of the spigots is received in a recess formed in a facing surface of a complementary one of the wheel frame components to join the wheel frame components to form the wheel frame; and aligned in series and substantially linearly aligned, are the hub rim, the extending beam end-on-end, and the inner base of a transversely and radially extending second arm and an elongate spigot.

3. The component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel frame components are identical.

4. The component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wheel comprises a standard cylindrical hub bore adapted to receive a variety of alternative hub bore inserts in the form of a bushing.

5. The component as claimed in claim 4, wherein hub inserts include a pair of opposable bushings, each engageable with the hub or each other, to form spaced axial bore openings.

6. The component as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rollers are unitarily or integrally formed as a single piece comprising a solid body and a pair of end protruding axial stubs that are respectively adapted to engage spaced opposing support heads.

7. The component as claimed in claim 2, wherein the spigots extend in an axially parallel direction from one wheel frame component, and into corresponding recesses of the second wheel frame component.

8. The component as claimed in claim 7, wherein the recesses may be keyed using a keyway spline and adapted to receive the spigot in a press or interference fit.

9. The component as claimed in claim 8, wherein drive means is mounted to the wheel and is operatively connected to rotate with the wheel about the main axis.

10. The component as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drive means engages the wheel by being keyed to operatively engage profiled or keyway defining bores.

11. The component as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drive means includes hub engaging tines to engage the drive means to the wheel, the hub engaging tines engageable in a corresponding recess or recesses formed in close association to the hub.

12. The component as claimed in claim 11, wherein the hub engaging tines are arranged in a circle whereby to be inserted into the circular hub of the adjacent wheel frame component.

13. The component as claimed in claim 1, wherein each radial head is formed by the opposed component parts and each head comprises a substantially planar surface interrupted by a marginally raised region proximal to the outer periphery.

14. The component as claimed in claim 13, wherein both facing surfaces are raised relative to a radially inward region of the opposed faces whereby the opposed surfaces are adapted to flex and urge the opposed parts into flush engagement under tension.

15. The component as claimed in claim 1, wherein each beam is cantilevered and extending in parallel axial alignment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] The disclosure may be better understood from the following non-limiting description of preferred embodiments, in which:

[0053] FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a wheel according to a first embodiment of the disclosure;

[0054] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a wheel frame according to a second embodiment of the disclosure;

[0055] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the second embodiment shown from a different angle;

[0056] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an assembled wheel according to either the first or second embodiment shown in FIG. 1 or 2;

[0057] FIG. 5 is a side view of the wheel according to a third embodiment;

[0058] FIG. 6 is an end view of the wheel according to the third embodiment together with a bushing;

[0059] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the wheel shown in FIG. 6;

[0060] FIG. 8, Panels (a)-(d), show perspective views of alternative bushings for fitting to the third embodiment;

[0061] FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of a solid molded roller; and

[0062] FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a support post of a wheel made according to the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Preferred features of this disclosure will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings. However, it is to be understood that the features illustrated in and described with reference to the drawings are not to be construed as limiting on the scope of the invention.

[0064] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a multiple directional wheel 10 including a wheel frame 20 comprising identical component parts 21i and 21ii. Each of the wheel frame components 21i and 21ii comprise: a hub 30 having a main axis 1 about which the multiple directional wheel 10 is adapted to rotate; a hub rim 31 radially surrounding the hub 30; a first plurality (four shown) of peripheral roller supporting arms (“first arms”) 22 radially extending from the hub rim 31 and aligned in a first plane; and a second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms (“second arms”) 23, each member arm of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms having a radially inner base 24 and being circumferentially offset with respect to diagonally adjacent members of the first plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms 22. Each of the wheel frame components 21i and 21ii further comprise a plurality of beams 25 corresponding to the number of member arms of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms 23, each respective beam 25 extending from the hub rim 31 to a corresponding inner base 26 of a member arm of the second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms 23, and a plurality of spigots 40 extending from each corresponding one of the beams 25 or the inner bases 26. The second plurality of peripheral roller supporting arms 23 lie in a second plane normal to the main axis 1, spaced from, and parallel to, the first plane; and each of the spigots 40 from one of the wheel frame components 21i and 21ii is received in a recess 27 formed in a facing surface 35 of a complementary one of the wheel frame components 21i and 21ii to join the wheel frame components 21i and 21ii to form the wheel frame 20.

[0065] The hub rim 31 defines a circular hub 30. The frame 20 of the eight-roller wheels 10-10c is star-shaped and has concave curved walls 32 extending between and forming part of the first arms 22. The star-shape facilitates the provision of a wide base 28, first arm 22 tapering through its shaft 29 to first roller axle mounting heads 12.

[0066] Each of the beams 25 is a thick structure substantially consistent in thickness throughout its length from the hub rim 31 to its corresponding inner base 26, although the skilled person may appreciate that some variation may achieve optimization of strength while minimizing materials. The beam 25 is substantially linear and aligned parallel to the main axis 1. Aligned in series and substantially linearly aligned are the hub rim 31, the extending beam 25 end-on-end, the inner base 26 of a transversely extending second arm 23 and an elongate spigot 40. The beam is cantilevered from the hub rim 31 and this structure allows for the minimization of materials, while permitting easy assembly of the wheel 10 by allowing the rollers to be first inserted and then secured and trapped once assembled. The assembled wheel 10 provides an extremely robust and rigid hub rim 31 and inner base 26 structure by consistently maintaining the thickness of the hub rim 31 and cantilevered beam 25 through a linear direction parallel to the main axis 1.

[0067] The spigot 40 is stepped, having variable diameter between a wider spigot base 41 and a thinner protruding terminal end 42. The spigot base 41 is adapted to be received in a strong mechanical interference and non-releasable fit in a corresponding recess 27, so that the terminal end 42 extends proud beyond the other side of the complementary other wheel frame component 21ii through hole 33 that is continuous with the recess 27.

[0068] The proud terminal end 42 of the spigot 40 may be used to engage a drive device such as a set of gears, a drive motor or a sprocket 50 as shown in FIG. 1 by inserting the spigot end 42 into one of a plurality of through-apertures 51 formed in a body 52 of the sprocket 50.

[0069] The respective roller axle supporting head parts 12 comprise substantially isosceles triangular bodies with axle pins 61 of rollers 60 being received in shallow, half-spherical axle pin recesses 63. Only upon the assembly of the two half components 21i and 21ii is each head 12 completed and the roller axle pins 61 secured and trapped in their respective completed recesses 63. The head parts 12 comprise peripheral complementary engagement portions in the form of a male tongue or flange 14 formed in the facing head 13 of the first component 21i and curved to follow the contour of the outer wheel rim and a complementarily curved female groove 16 formed in the head 12 of the second component 21ii.

[0070] With reference to FIGS. 2 through 4, in describing the various components in the second embodiment, like features will be referenced with the same reference number. A variation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is provided in which a wheel 10b is substantially similar to the wheel 10, but has a different hub 30b shape and spigot 40b shapes. The spigots 40b are not stepped but terminate with a thick base portion 41a (corresponding to portion 41 of the spigot 40 shown in FIG. 1) and extend from a first wheel frame component 22b only to the extent that they end flush with an outer wall 34 of a second wheel frame component 23b. Similarly, complementary spigots 41b extending from wheel frame component 22b extend through recesses 27b in wheel frame component 23b and end flush with an outer wall 35b of wheel frame component 23b. The hub rims 31b of the wheel frame components 22b, 23b comprise wedged cut-out recesses 37b that are adapted to form the cooperating recess for complementary-shaped tines or fingers 53b provided in the unitary molding of a second form of sprocket 50b adapted to engage directly with the hub rim 31b, so that the spigots 40b, 41b are not required to attach the sprocket 50b. The tines 53b are arranged in a circular pattern and are equi-spaced to be inserted and to be received in a mechanical interference fit in the corresponding wedge-shaped recesses 37b so that the sprocket 50a or other suitable drive means may be engaged or mounted to the wheel 10a for rotation therewith as shown in FIG. 4.

[0071] Additional embodiments shown with reference to FIGS. 5-8 will now be described wherein similar corresponding features are identified by like reference numbers.

[0072] A wheel 10c in assembled form will be described with reference to FIGS. 5-10 in which the recesses 27c receiving spigots 40c are blind recesses shown in broken lines to indicate that they are hidden from external view and sealed at one end to preserve the strength and integrity of the frame 20c structure surrounding the recesses 27c.

[0073] The spigots 40c are of constant cross-section and are not stepped, thereby maximizing the engagement surface and friction fit with the wall of the recesses 27c.

[0074] The respective components 21i and 21ii face each other at opposing surfaces 35c, 36c when engaged to one another as shown in FIG. 10. The faces 35c, 36c are raised at the radially outer region 37c, 38c of the head 12c radially inwardly adjacent the pin recesses 63c, thereby creating a shallow radially inward cavity 39c between opposed surfaces 35c and 36c. This gap 39c facilitates greater adherence of the respective components 21i, 21ii to each other, permitting flexing about the raised surfaces and into the cavity 39c.

[0075] The peripheral rim of the first component 21i has a male flange 14c that cooperates with a female recess or ledge 16c to facilitate engagement of the respective components 21i, 21ii.

[0076] The rollers 60c are solid unitary structures formed from a single molding and made from a homogenized material, such as polyurethane and other polymeric materials that have a high cut, tear and sheer strength. Softer materials offering greater traction and able to be over-molded onto a roller bush axle substrate may be suitable in certain applications. As shown in FIG. 9, the rollers 60c may be unitarily or integrally formed from a single piece including a solid, barrel-shaped body 65c and a pair of spaced, coaxial, end pins 61c adapted to be received in the cup-shaped recesses 63c formed by the components 21i and 21ii.

[0077] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the shape of the axle bore 30, 30c can be modified by substituting any on a range of different bushings 70a-70d, each having tines 53c, thereby engaging with reciprocal recesses 37c to connect to the rim 31c. The bushings 70a and 70b have varying bores in the range of 4.8 mm-8.0 mm, although other sizes will be considered to fall within the scope of the disclosure, thereby being able to be flexibly adapted to fit larger or smaller axles, bearings and journals. The axles extending through the main bore 30, 30c may be keyed to ensure that the frame 20c rotates with the main axle. Bushing 70c has a star-shaped bore profile 73c, whereas the bore of bushing 70d has a four-leaf clover keyed shape 74c.

[0078] Throughout the specification and claims, the word “comprise” and its derivatives are intended to have an inclusive rather than exclusive meaning unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise. That is, the word “comprise” and its derivatives will be taken to indicate the inclusion of not only the listed components, steps or features that it directly references, but also other components, steps or features not specifically listed, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0079] In the present specification, terms such as “apparatus,” “means,” “device” and “member” may refer to singular or plural items and are terms intended to refer to a set of properties, functions or characteristics performed by one or more items or components having one or more parts. It is envisaged that where an “apparatus,” “means,” “device” or “member” or similar term is described as being a unitary object, then a functionally equivalent object having multiple components is considered to fall within the scope of the term, and similarly, where an “apparatus,” “assembly,” “means,” “device” or “member” is described as having multiple components, a functionally equivalent but unitary object is also considered to fall within the scope of the term, unless the contrary is expressly stated or the context requires otherwise.

[0080] Orientational terms used in the specification and claims such as vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, upper and lower are to be interpreted as relational and are based on the premise that the component, item, article, apparatus, device or instrument will usually be considered in a particular orientation, typically with the wheel shown upright and the main axis aligned horizontally.

[0081] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many modifications and variations may be made to the methods of the disclosure described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.