Wheel assembly for a vehicle

Abstract

A wheel assembly includes spaced first and second lateral supports. The first lateral support includes a first mount and the second lateral support includes a second mount that is axially aligned with the first mount. All space between the first mount and the second mount is devoid of any structural component that directly interconnects the first and second lateral supports. The wheel assembly also includes a circumferential rim structure that is adapted to support a tire. The first and second lateral supports attach to the rim structure at first and second locations, respectively, that are radially spaced from the first and second mounts, respectively. Vehicles and swing-arm assemblies including exemplary wheel assemblies are also provided.

1 . A wheel assembly adapted for supporting a vehicular tire, the wheel assembly comprising: 
 a first mount;    a first extending structure coupled with the first mount and extending radially outwardly therefrom, the first mount being adapted to provide rotational support for the first extending structure at an interface with a vehicle structure, the first mount and the first extending structure jointly forming a first lateral support;    a second mount, the second mount being axially aligned with the first mount;    a second extending structure coupled with the second mount and extending radially outwardly therefrom, the second mount being adapted to provide rotational support for the second extending structure at an interface with a vehicle structure, the second mount and the second extending structure jointly forming a second lateral support with the second lateral support being spaced from the first lateral support, wherein all space between the first mount and the second mount is devoid of any structural component that directly interconnects the first and second lateral supports; and    a circumferential rim structure, the first extending structure attaching to the rim structure at one or more first locations being radially spaced from the first mount, and the second extending structure attaching to the rim structure at one or more second locations being radially spaced from the second mount, the rim structure being adapted to support a tire.    
   
   
       2 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first lateral support is substantially parallel with the second lateral support.  
   
   
       3 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  wherein said first locations are spaced from said second locations.  
   
   
       4 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the rim structure has first and second edge portions, said first locations being adjacent to the first edge portion and said second locations being adjacent to the second edge portion.  
   
   
       5 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the rim structure is the only component of the wheel assembly that provides a direct and structural connection between the first and second lateral supports.  
   
   
       6 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  wherein all space between the first mount and the second mount is further devoid of any non-structural component that directly interconnects the first and second lateral supports.  
   
   
       7 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  wherein all space between the first lateral support and the second lateral support is devoid of any structural component that directly interconnects the first and second lateral supports.  
   
   
       8 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  wherein all space between the first lateral support and the second lateral support is devoid of any non-structural component that directly interconnects the first and second lateral supports.  
   
   
       9 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  wherein all space between the first mount and the second mount extends continuously and radially to the circumferential rim structure.  
   
   
       10 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first mount comprises an aperture adapted to receive a first axle and the second mount comprises an aperture adapted to receive a second axle.  
   
   
       11 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  wherein the first mount comprises a first axle and the second mount comprises a second axle, the first and second axles being spaced from each other and being coaxially aligned.  
   
   
       12 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second extending structures comprises at least one spoke.  
   
   
       13 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second extending structures comprises a disc.  
   
   
       14 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a drive member and a brake member, the drive member being operatively coupled with one of the first and second lateral supports, and the brake member being operatively coupled with the other of the first and second lateral supports.  
   
   
       15 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1  being configured for association with a motorcycle.  
   
   
       16 - 32 . (canceled)