# US 10,766,300 B2 · Expandable and retractable wheel assembly > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,766,300 B2 - Document ID: US10766300B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/808,462 - Filed: 2017-11-09 - Published: 2019-05-09 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2017-11-09 - Applicants: Michael Goren; Jeremy Goren - Inventors: Michael Goren; Jeremy Goren - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10766300B2 ## CPC - B60B 9/28: with telescopic action - F16H 55/54: of which the bearing parts are radially adjustable - B60B 3/08: with disc body formed by two or more axially spaced discs {(comprising rail-engaging elements formed by two or more axially spaced discs B60B17/0013)} - B60B 9/02: using springs {resiliently mounted bicycle rims}(wheels comprising resilient spokes B60B9/26) - B60B 9/24: with pistons and cylinders - B60B 19/04: expansible - B60B 27/06: adapted to be fixed on axle - F16H 9/10: engaging a pulley provided with radially-actuatable elements carrying the belt - B60B 21/00: Rims (non-metallic B60B5/00; of high resiliency B60B9/00; capable of carrying more than one tyre B60B11/04; multiple rims on a single wheel body B60B11/06; of multi-part type B60B25/00; metal tyres B60C) - B60B 2900/551: Handling of obstacles or difficult terrains - B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION - F16H: GEARING ## Abstract An expandable and retractable wheel assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments includes a hub structure having a circular periphery and a rim expandable in circumference from a retracted circular position to one or more expanded circular positions. The rim engages and is supported by the circular periphery of the hub structure when in the retracted position. A plurality of linear actuators is attached to and supported by the hub structure. Each linear actuator includes a piston rod and a drive system for moving the piston rod from a retracted position to one or more extended positions, wherein a distal end of the piston rod engages and moves the rim when the piston rod is extended and also supports the rim in the one or more expanded rim positions. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An expandable and retractable wheel assembly, comprising: a hub structure comprising a hub configured to be supported by an axle and at least one rigid circular disk affixed to the hub, said at least one rigid circular disk having axially facing surfaces perpendicular to the axle and a radially outer facing surface; a rim expandable in circumference from a retracted circular position to one or more expanded circular positions, wherein the rim engages and is supported by the radially outer facing surface of the at least one rigid circular disk of the hub structure when in the retracted position; a plurality of linear actuators attached to and supported by one or more axially facing surfaces of the at least one rigid circular disk of the hub structure, each linear actuator including a piston rod and a drive system for moving the piston rod from a retracted position to one or more extended positions, wherein a distal end of the piston rod engages and moves the rim when the piston rod is extended and also supports the rim in the one or more expanded rim positions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the hub structure comprises at least two circular disks axially spaced apart along the hub, wherein each of said disks includes one or more linear actuators attached thereto. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the linear actuators is attached to the one or more axially facing surfaces of the at least one rigid circular disk of the hub structure at a location on the hub structure such that the piston rod of each of the plurality of linear actuators travels on a line offset from the center of the hub structure, and wherein the distal end of the piston rod of each of the plurality of linear actuators is angled relative to the rest of the piston rod such that the piston rod engages the rim at a point on the rim in line with the center of the hub structure. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the plurality of linear actuators are affixed to the at least one rigid circular disk and positioned radially around the center of the hub structure. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of linear actuators comprises a telescoping linear actuator having at least two sections. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein said plurality of linear actuators comprise electric linear actuators, pneumatic linear actuators, or hydraulic linear actuators. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, further comprising an expandable transverse support element connecting the distal ends of the piston rods of two linear actuators. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 7, wherein the expandable transverse support element is curved corresponding to the shape of the rim. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 7, wherein the expandable transfer support element comprises a telescoping device. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 7, further comprising an inflatable structure between the expandable transfer support element and the rim to further support the rim. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a telescoping boom support element extending radially from the center of the hub structure between two of the plurality of linear actuators, which also extends radially from the center of the hub, to provide additional support for the two linear actuators in supporting the rim. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the rim resiliently expands in circumference from the retracted circular position to one or more expanded circular positions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 12, wherein the rim comprises an elastic material, a resilient metal band, or a belt with a spring and ratchet mechanism to maintain tension. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 12, wherein the rim comprises an elongated member having opposite ends shaped to form a resilient ring structure, wherein the opposite ends are unconnected and move relative to one another when the rim is expanded or retracted. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 14, wherein one of the opposite ends includes an opening to slidably receive the other of the opposite ends of the ring structure. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of linear actuators includes a shock absorbing elastic element engaging the piston rod for dampening shock between the hub structure and the rim when the wheel assembly is used. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the drive system of each linear actuator is powered by a motor integrated in the linear actuator or by a hub motor in the wheel assembly for driving the wheel assembly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 1) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, further comprising a tire secured around the rim, said tire resiliently expanding and contracting as the rim expands and contracts, respectively, to maintain a close fit on the rim. ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) A gear mechanism having at least one gear comprising the expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly can be expanded or retracted to adjust the gear ratio. ### Claim 20 A method of expanding a wheel assembly, said wheel assembly comprising a hub structure comprising a hub configured to be supported by an axle and at least one rigid circular disk affixed to the hub, said at least one rigid circular disk having axially facing surfaces perpendicular to the axle and a radially outer facing surface; a rim expandable in circumference from a retracted circular position to one or more expanded circular positions, wherein the rim engages and is supported by the radially outer facing surface of the at least one rigid circular disk of the hub structure when in the retracted position; a plurality of linear actuators attached to and supported by one or more axially facing surfaces of the at least one rigid circular disk of the hub structure, each linear actuator including a piston rod and a drive system for moving the piston rod from a retracted position to one or more extended positions, the method comprising the steps of: actuating each of the plurality of linear actuators to move a piston rod of each linear actuator from a retracted position to one of the one or more extended positions such that a distal end of the piston rod engages and moves the rim to a desired expanded circular position as the piston rod is extended; and locking the piston rod of each of the plurality of linear actuators when the rim is in the desired expanded circular position to support the rim in the desired expanded position. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The expandable and retractable wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the rim has a continuous outer surface in the retracted circular position and each extended circular position.