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US 11,667,152 B2Granted
Collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels
AssigneeKarsten Manufacturing Corporation
InventorsJohn A. Solheim, Eric V. Cole, Neil J. Clark
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments of collapsible wheels and methods of making collapsible wheels are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.
Claims20
A wheel comprising:
- an axle;
- a plurality of wheel sections, each wheel section comprising:
- a rim portion;
- a hub portion defining a rotational axis;
- and
- a pair of spokes, each spoke connecting the hub portion to the rim portion wherein the pair of spokes are within one of the wheel sections of the plurality of wheel sections;
- and
- a tire configured to be mountable on the rim portions in a collapsed position or an expanded position;
- wherein
- the plurality of wheel sections are rotatable relative to each other about the rotational axis from the expanded position to the collapsed position;
- wherein the rim portions of the plurality of wheel sections cooperatively define a circle in the expanded position;
- and
- wherein the plurality of wheel sections each define a segment of the same circle;
- the tire comprises a plurality of track segments each comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;
- and
- wherein:
- the inner surface of the each of the plurality track segments is configured to engage the plurality of wheel sections.
14 more elements
A wheel comprising:
- an axle;
- a plurality of wheel sections, each wheel section comprising:
- a rim portion;
- a hub portion defining a rotational axis;
- and
- a pair of spokes, each spoke connecting the hub portion to the rim portion of one of the wheel sections of the plurality of wheel sections;
- and
- a tire configured to be mountable on the rim portions in a collapsed position or an expanded position;
- wherein
- the plurality of wheel sections are rotatable relative to each other about the rotational axis from the expanded position to the collapsed position;
- wherein the rim portions of the plurality of wheel sections cooperatively define a circle in the expanded position;
- and
- wherein the plurality of wheel sections each define a segment of the circle;
- the tire comprises a plurality of track segments each comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;
- and
- wherein:
- the inner surface of the each of the plurality track segments comprises a plurality of ribs.
14 more elements
A method of manufacturing a wheel comprising:
- forming an axle;
- forming a plurality of wheel sections each wheel section comprising:
- a rim portion;
- a hub portion defining a rotation axis;
- a pair of spokes, each spoke connecting the hub portion to the rim portion of one of the wheel sections of the plurality of wheel sections;
- and
- a tire configured to be mountable on the rim portions in a collapsed position or an expanded position;
- wherein
- the plurality of wheel sections are rotatable relative to each other about the rotational axis from the expanded position to the collapsed position;
- wherein the rim portions of the plurality of wheel sections cooperatively define a circle in the expanded position;
- and
- wherein the plurality of wheel sections each define a segment of the circle;
- the tire comprises a plurality of track segments each comprising an inner surface and an outer surface;
- and
- wherein:
- the inner surface of the each of the plurality track segments comprises a plurality of ribs.
13 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.