Wheel system with deformable tire
OwnerRoger Thompsoninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A wheel comprising means for providing one or more protrusions in a ground-engaging surface of the wheel. In some embodiments, the wheel comprises a first hub, a tire mounted on the first hub, a second hub rotatable with respect to the first hub, and means for deforming the tire in a generally radial direction in response to relative rotation between the first and second hubs. The invention also provides a wheel cover comprising an outer surface having one or more protrusions and, when the cover is fitted to a wheel, the outer surface of the cover provides the ground-engaging surface of the wheel. The wheel and wheel cover of the invention are particularly suited for use with prams and similar vehicles in order to impart a rocking motion to the pram during use.
Claims18
A wheel system to be secured within a tire and impart a rhythmic rocking motion to a baby carriage, the wheel system comprising:
- first and second hubs, wherein the second hub is rotatable with respect to the first hub, wherein the second hub has a smaller diameter than the first hub;
- a contact member positioned between the second hub and the tire;
- at least one actuator, wherein the at least one actuator comprises a connection arm pivotally mounted between the second hub and the contact member, wherein the contact member is moveable between a retracted position not deforming the shape of the tire and an extended position exerting an outwardly-driven force on the tire to deform the shape of the tire.
A wheel system to be secured within a tire and impart a rhythmic rocking motion to a baby carriage, said wheel system comprising:
- a first and second hub, wherein the second hub is rotatable with respect to the first hub, wherein the second hub has a smaller diameter than the first hub;
- a handle, wherein rotation of the handle causes rotation of the second hub relative to the first hub;
- a contact body positioned between the second hub and the tire;
- and
- a connection member pivotally secured between the second hub and the contact body;
- wherein the contact body is moveable between a retracted position and an extended position by rotation of the handle, wherein in the extended position the contact body exerts an outwardly-driven force on the tire.
A wheel system for imparting a rhythmic rocking motion to a baby carriage, said wheel system comprising:
- a removable tire having an inner surface, wherein the inner surface comprises at least one cam follower;
- a first and second hub, wherein the second hub is rotatable with respect to the first hub, wherein the second hub has a smaller diameter than the first hub;
- at least one cam roller engageable with the at least one cam follower, wherein the at least one cam roller is mounted on the second hub;
- and
- a handle, wherein the handle causes rotation of the second hub relative to the first hub.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.