Shock absorbing luggage wheel

A wheel assembly for an article of luggage comprising:

• a stem member configured for connection to an article of luggage,
• a first wheel and a second wheel each rotatably attached to opposing sides of the stem member;
• a first shock absorber component interposed between the first wheel and the stem member, and a second shock absorber interposed between the second wheel and the stem member, each of the first and second shock absorbers individually comprising:
• a resilient circular member comprising:
• an outer circumference;
• a center hole comprising an incompressible sleeve and an axle disposed within the incompressible sleeve;
• and
• a plurality of openings radially disposed between the outer circumference and the center hole, the plurality of openings configured to resiliently deform and absorb shock when the circular member is subjected to force along its longitudinal axis, wherein the outer circumference of the circular member and the stem member each comprise complementary notch and projection portions for securing the circular member to the stem member.

An article of luggage comprising:

• a bottom wall, a top wall, opposed first and second side walls, and opposed front and back walls that define a cavity for storage space;
• a plurality of wheel assemblies connected to the bottom wall, at least one wheel assembly comprising:
• a stem member mounted to a respective wheel housing,
• a first wheel and a second wheel each rotatably attached to opposing sides of the stem member;
• a first shock absorber component interposed between the first wheel and the stem member, and a second shock absorber interposed between the second wheel and the stem member, each of the first and second shock absorbers individually comprising:
• a resilient circular member comprising:
• an outer circumference;
• a center hole comprising an incompressible sleeve, and an axle disposed within the incompressible sleeve;
• and
• a plurality of openings radially disposed between the outer circumference and the center hole, the plurality of openings configured to resiliently deform and absorb shock when the circular member is subjected to force along its longitudinal axis, wherein the outer circumference of the circular member comprises a notch or projection portion configured to mate with a complementary projection or notch portion in a stem member for a wheel assembly to secure the circular member to the stem member.