Bi-directional anti-slip drive wheel assembly
US5865915A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 1997 |
| Grant date | Feb 2, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S152/18
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A wheel assembly for small powered equipment including a wheel and a tire mounted on the wheel. The wheel has an outer circumferential surface and inclined cleats projecting from the outer circumferential surface. The cleats are arranged in sets of 6-7 cleats. Each set of cleats is inclined in a direction that alternates with the direction of the cleats in adjacent sets. The tire is provided with ribs along the inner circumferential surface that engage the edge of the cleats. Accordingly, regardless of which direction the tire is driven, slippage of the tire will occur only to a limited extent until the ribs of the tire engage with the edges of the cleats facing in the appropriate direction. Thereafter, rotation of the wheel in the same direction will not result in slippage between the tire and the wheel, and rotation in the opposite direction will result in only that degree of slip necessary to bring the ribs into engagement with the cleats of an adjacent set.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.