# US 2023/0057570 A1 · Shock absorbing luggage wheel > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0057570 A1 - Document ID: US20230057570A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/889,063 - Filed: 2022-08-16 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2021-08-17 - Assignees: Briggs & Riley Travelware LLC - Applicants: Briggs and Riley Travelware, LLC - Inventors: Richard Krulik; Georgene Rada; Alan Sticca; Daehwan Kim; Florian Witt; Matthias Hecker - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230057570A1 ## CPC - B60B 33/0028: {Construction of wheels; methods of assembling on axle} - A45C 5/14: with built-in rolling means - B60B 33/045: {mounted resiliently, by means of dampers} - F16F 1/377: having holes or openings ({F16F1/37} , F16F1/387 take precedence) - F16F 1/3835: {characterised by the sleeve of elastic material, e.g. having indentations or made of materials of different hardness (F16F1/3807, F16F1/387 take precedence)} - F16F 1/3863: {characterised by the rigid sleeves or pin, e.g. of non-circular cross-section (F16F1/3807, F16F1/387 take precedence)} - F16F 15/04: using elastic means (single elements or their attachment F16F1/00 - F16F13/00); {(F16F15/023, F16F15/03 take precedence)} - B60B 2200/45: Suitcases - 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 - A45C: PURSES; LUGGAGE; HAND CARRIED BAGS - F16F: SPRINGS; SHOCK-ABSORBERS; MEANS FOR DAMPING VIBRATION ## Abstract A shock absorbing component for a luggage wheel is disclosed. In one practice, the component comprises a resilient circular member comprising an outer circumference; a center hole comprising an incompressible sleeve inserted into the center hole and configured to receive a wheel axle; and a plurality of openings radially disposed between the outer circumference and the center hole, the plurality of openings configured to resiliently deform to absorb shock when the circular member is subjected to force along its longitudinal axis. A wheel assembly for an article of luggage and an article of luggage comprising the shock absorbing component are also separately disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A shock absorber component for a luggage wheel comprising: a resilient circular member comprising: an outer circumference; a center hole; and a plurality of openings radially disposed between the outer circumference and the center hole, the plurality of openings configured to resiliently deform to absorb shock when the circular member is subjected to force along its longitudinal axis. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The component of claim 1 wherein each opening in the plurality of openings is circular. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The component of claim 1 further comprising an incompressible sleeve inserted into the center hole and configured to receive a wheel axle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The component of claim 1 wherein the incompressible sleeve comprises a flanged end. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The component of claim 4 wherein the outer surface of the incompressible sleeve and the center hole are configured complementary to each other for securely fitting the incompressible sleeve within the center hole. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The component of claim 5 wherein the center hole comprises a polygonal shape, and the outer surface of the incompressible sleeve comprises a polygonal shape complementary to that of the center hole. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The component of claim 6 wherein the center hole is octagonal, the outer surface of the incompressible sleeve is octagonal, and the plurality of openings comprises up to twelve circular holes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The component of claim 1 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The component of claim 1 wherein the force along the longitudinal axis is in the direction from the center hole toward the outer circumference, or in the direction from the outer circumference to the center hole, or both. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The component of claim 1 wherein the circular member is comprised of rubber, a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). ### Claim 11 (depends on 4) The component of claim 4 wherein the incompressible sleeve is comprised of a reinforced polyamide nylon. ### Claim 12 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. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The wheel assembly of claim 12 wherein the incompressible sleeve comprises a flanged end. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The wheel assembly of claim 12 wherein the force along the longitudinal axis is in the direction from the center hole toward the outer circumference, or in the direction from the outer circumference to the center hole, or both. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The wheel assembly of claim 12 wherein the outer surface of the incompressible sleeve and the center hole are configured complementary to each other for securely fitting the incompressible sleeve within the center hole. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The component of claim 15 wherein the center hole comprises a polygonal shape, and the outer surface of the incompressible sleeve comprises a polygonal shape complementary to that of the center hole. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The wheel assembly of claim 12 wherein each opening in the plurality of openings is circular. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The wheel assembly of claim 12 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. ### Claim 19 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. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The article of luggage of claim 19 wherein each opening in the plurality of openings is circular. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) The article of luggage of claim 19 wherein the incompressible sleeve comprises a flanged end sized to cover the plurality of openings on the respective side of the circular member. ### Claim 22 (depends on 19) The article of luggage of claim 19 wherein the outer surface of the incompressible sleeve and the center hole are configured complementary to each other for securely fitting the incompressible sleeve within the center hole. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The article of luggage of claim 22 wherein the center hole comprises a polygonal shape, and the outer surface of the incompressible sleeve comprises a polygonal shape complementary to that of the center hole. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The article of luggage of claim 23 wherein the center hole is octagonal, the outer surface of the incompressible sleeve is octagonal, and the plurality of openings comprises up to twelve circular holes. ### Claim 25 (depends on 19) The article of luggage of claim 19 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. ### Claim 26 (depends on 19) The article of luggage of claim 19 wherein the force along the longitudinal axis is in the direction from the center hole toward the outer circumference, or in the direction from the outer circumference to the center hole, or both. ### Claim 27 (depends on 19) The article of luggage of claim 19 wherein the circular member is comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). ### Claim 28 (depends on 19) The article of luggage of claim 19 wherein the incompressible sleeve is comprised of a reinforced polyamide nylon.