Brief Summary of the Invention

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved wheel with the means of changing its circumference and or its shape from circular to elliptical.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved wheel with variable ratios of rotation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved wheel combining the wide performance range of the track bogie wheel apparatus and typical high air pressure tire and rim aparatus in one adaptive wheel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel with improved safety characteristics and capabilities improving stability and traction control.

A further object of the invention- is to provide a wheel with improved efficiency characteristics and capabilities improving fuel economy.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide and improved wheel with increased range of operation, in all weather, terrains and roads.

Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a wheel with improved reliability and durability over current air inflated tires.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved wheel with more consistent and measurable performance characteristics.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel with improved stopping ability.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved wheel with handicap helpful benefits including the ability to kneel, to climb curbs and steps.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed the Conforming wheel machine, an adaptive wheel machine comprising: a flexible rim providing the means to alter its circumference and or its shape from circular to elliptical, and variable length spokes connecting a central hub; said spoke a piston and cylinder type apparatus in order to provide negative, nuetral, and or positive force to the flexible rim, axel shaft, or-other apparatuses; .as well-as connecting the-rim to a central hub providing the base of support for the spokes and mounting apparatus for the conforming wheel machine, and an axel receptacle in the hub providing the means for the wheel to rotate.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed the Conforming wheel machine, an adaptive wheel machine comprising: a flexible rim providing the means to alter its circumference and or its shape from circular to elliptical, and variable length spokes connecting a central hub; said spokes a screw jack apparatus in order to provide negative, and or positive force to the flexible rim, axel shaft, or other apparatuses; as well as connecting the rim to a central hub providing the base of support for the spokes and mounting apparatus for the conforming wheel machine, and an axel receptacle in the hub providing the means for the wheel to rotate.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed the Conforming wheel, an adaptive wheel machine comprising, a flexible rim providing the means to alter its circumference and or its shape from circular to elliptical, and variable length spokes connecting a central hub; said spokes a variable spring apparatus in order to provide nuetral, negative, and or positive force to the flexible rim, axel shaft, or other apparatuses; as well as connecting the rim to a central hub providing the base of support for the spokes and mounting apparatus for the conforming wheel machine, and an axel receptacle in the hub providing the means for the wheel to rotate.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed the Conforming wheel machine, an adaptive wheel machine as in claim A1 comprising: turning -first to Figurei there is shown element -32 a flexible rim providing the means to alter its circumference and or its shape from circular to elliptical; and variable length spokes connecting a central hub in accordance with an important feature of the conforming wheel is element 30 said spoke a piston and cylinder type apparatus in order to provide neutral, negative, and or positive force to the flexible rim, axel shaft, or other apparatuses; as well as connecting the rim to element 31 a central hub providing the base of support for the spokes and mounting apparatus for the conforming wheel machine, and element 33 an axel receptacle in the hub providing the means for the wheel to rotate. Facilitating optimal performance in a variety of conditions.

To accomplish an important function of the invention, there is shown in Figure 2 element 40 the variable length spoke operating in conjunction with element 41 the hub rotating around element 43 the axel, showing the wheel in low spoke force configuration causing element 42 the flexible rim, to conform to the surface providing increased friction between the wheels rim and the surface. Facilitating optimal traction, control, and braking.

To further show the accomplishment of an important function there is shown in Figure 4 element 60 the variable length spoke operating in conjunction with element 61 the hub rotating around element 63 the axel, showing the wheel in high spoke force configuration causing element 62 the-flexible rim, to configure -to circular ellipse providing decreased friction between the wheels rim and the surface. Facilitating optimal economy.

To further show the accomplishment of an important function there is shown in Figure 7 element 90 the variable length spoke operating in conjunction with element 91 the hub, rotating around element 93 the axel, showing the wheel in high spoke force, lateral lean configuration causing element 92 the flexible rim, to lean laterally providing increased lateral gravity force friction between the wheels rim and the surface. Facilitating, optima) traction during high speed cornering.

Yet to show another accomplishment of an important function there is shown in Figure 8 element 100 the variable length spoke operating in parallel along the axel with multiple other spokes operating in conjunction with element 101 the hub, rotating around element 104 the axel, showing the wheel in ultra low friction high spoke force configuration causing element 102 the flexible rim, to have minimal contact with the surface thereby providing minimal friction between the wheels rim and the surface. Facilitating optimal economy and fuel efficiency.

To further show the accomplishment of an important function there is shown in Figure 10 element 120 the variable length spoke operating in conjunction with element 121 the stationary hub, and element 122-the flexible rim rotating around element 124 -the rim keeper, showing the wheel in high spoke force configuration causing element 122 the flexible rim, to have minimal contact with the surface thereby providing minimal friction between the wheels rim and the surface. Facilitating optimal economy.

In accordance with an important feature there is shown in Figure 11 element 130 the variable length spoke operating in conjunction with element 131 the hub, rotating around element 134 the axel, showing the wheel in high spoke force configuration with element 132 the foot pads, hinged by element 135 in parallel to the hub. Providing the means for the wheel to step; and or climb.

Turning now to Figure 12 there is shown an important feature element 145 the hinges connecting perpendicular to the axel element 140 the variable length spoke to element 141 the hub, and to element 146 the spoke foot connecting to element 142 the flexible rim operating in conjunction with element 141 the hub, rotating around element 144 the axel; showing the wheel in high spoke force configuration. Facilitating the means to lean laterally.

To further show the accomplishment of an important function there is shown in Figure 13 element 167 the variable length spoke operating in conjunction with element 161 the hub, and element 162 the flexible rim in conjunction with element 168 the belt, chain, or track guide holding in place element 169 the belt in-place of rotation around element 162 the flexible rim rotating around element 164 the axel; showing the wheel in high spoke force configuration the spokes being fully extended causing element 162 the flexible rim, to have maximum circumference or radius thereby providing decreased rim to axel rpm. Facilitating variable power transfer.

In accordance with an important feature there is shown in Figure 14 element 157 the variable length spoke operating in conjunction with element 151 the hub, and element 152 the flexible rim in conjunction with element 158 the belt, chain, track or similar guide holding in place element 159 the belt in place of rotation around element 152 the flexible rim rotating around element 154 the axel; the wheel in low spoke force fully retracted configuration causing element 152 the flexible rim, to have minimum circumference or radius thereby providing increased rim to axel rpm. Facilitating variable power transfer.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed the Conforming wheel machine, an adaptive wheel machine comprising: turning now to Figure13 there is shown element 162 a flexible rim providing the means to alter its circumference and or its shape from circular to elliptical; and variable length spokes connecting a central hub in accordance with an important feature of the conforming wheel is element 167 said spoke a screw jack apparatus in order to provide neutral, negative, and or positive force to the flexible rim, axel shaft, or other apparatuses; as weϋ as connecting the rim to element 161 a central hub providing the base of support for the spokes and mounting apparatus for the conforming wheel machine, and element.164.an axel receptacle in the hub providing the means for the - wheel to rotate. Facilitating optimal performance in a variety of conditions.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed the Conforming wheel machine, an adaptive wheel machine comprising: turning now to Figure15 there is shown element 172 a flexible rim providing the means to alter its circumference and or its shape from circular to elliptical; and variable length spokes connecting a central hub in accordance with an important feature of the conforming wheel is element 170 said spokes a variable spring apparatus in order to provide neutral, negative, and or positive force to the flexible rim, axel shaft, or other apparatuses; as well as connecting the rim to element 171 a central hub providing the base of support for the spokes and mounting apparatus for the conforming wheel machine, and element 174 an axel receptacle in the hub providing the means for the wheel to rotate. Facilitating optimal performance in a variety of conditions.

Turning now to Figure 8 there is shown an important feature in element 103 the traction layer operating in conjunction with element 102 the flexible rim, operating in conjunction with element 101 the hub rotating around element 104 the axel, showing the wheel in high spoke force configuration causing element 102 the flexible rim, to decrease the rims footprint to the surface providing decreased friction between the wheels rim and the surface. Facilitating a replaceable, traction, wear, sound and vibration dampening layer.

While the invention, has been described in connectiorvwith a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

Figure 1 is a plan view or side view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel in high friction low spoke force configuration.

Figure 2 is a perspective A/iew of-the Conforming Wheel machine;- showing the wheel in high friction low spoke force configuration.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view or front view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel in high friction low spoke force configuration.

Figure 4 is a plan view or side view of the conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel in low friction high spoke force configuration.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel in low friction high spoke force configuration.

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view or front view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel in low friction high spoke force configuration.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view or front view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel in medium friction high spoke force, lateral lean configuration.

Figure 8 is a cross sectional view or front view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel in ultra low friction high spoke force configuration.

Figure 9 is a cross sectional view or front view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel in lateral lean configuration.

Figure 10-is a plan view or side view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel with a stationary hub and a rim that revolves around supported by protruding spokes.

Figure 11 is a plan view or side view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel with foot pads at the ends of variable length spokes.

Figure 12 is a cross sectional view or end view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel in medium friction, medium spoke force configuration.

Figure 13 is a plan view or side view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel as a pulley with a belt rolling around its rim; the spokes extended fully; as well as the spokes being shown as scew type apparatuses.

Figure 14 is a plan view or side view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel as a pulley with a belt rolling around its rim; the spokes retracted fully; as well as the spokes being shown as scew type apparatuses.

Figure 15 is a plan view or side view of the Conforming Wheel machine; showing the wheel with variable spring spokes; the spokes being extended fully.