Wheel and tire assembly

Abstract

A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel with a plurality of circumferentially spaced radially outermost mounting elements and a flexible tire mounted on the wheel. The tire engages the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space, the portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements being configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure.

Having thus described various embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: 
     
         1 . A wheel assembly comprising:
 a rigid wheel including a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements extending radially outwardly from the wheel and a plurality of recessed regions spaced between the mounting elements, the mounting elements extending radially farther than the recessed regions; and   an airless flexible tire mounted on the wheel and engaging the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the recessed regions by a space, the portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements being configured to flex inwardly toward the recessed regions when subject to ground engaging pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , the tire including a plurality of traction lugs extending radially outwardly from an outer side of the tire, the traction lugs spaced circumferentially around the tire. 
     
     
         3 . The wheel assembly of  claim 2 , wherein one of the plurality of traction lugs is larger than adjacent traction lugs. 
     
     
         4 . The wheel assembly of  claim 2 , the traction lugs being located between the mounting elements such that the traction lugs move inwardly with the portions of the tire configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure 
     
     
         5 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , the mounting elements presenting an elongated shape and being positioned transversely on the wheel. 
     
     
         6 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of spacers, each spacer positioned between consecutive mounting elements in the recessed regions and configured to limit the amount of inward flex of the tire. 
     
     
         7 . The wheel as set forth in  claim 1 , an outer side of the tire presenting a truncated cone shape. 
     
     
         8 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , the tire being cylindrical in shape and presenting a transversely flat outer side. 
     
     
         9 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , the tire being cylindrical in shape and presenting a transversely concave outer side. 
     
     
         10 . The wheel assembly of  claim 1 , the tire being a single, solid piece of material of unitary construction. 
     
     
         11 . A wheel assembly comprising:
 a rigid wheel including a radially outer cylindrical rim wall, the wheel including a plurality of mounting elements extending radially outwardly from the rim wall; and   an airless cylindrical flexible tire mounted on the rim wall and engaging the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated from the rim wall by a space, the portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements being configured to flex inwardly toward the rim wall when subject to ground engaging pressure.   
     
     
         12 . The wheel assembly of  claim 11 , the tire include a plurality of traction lugs extending radially outwardly from an outer side of the tire, the traction lugs spaced circumferentially around the tire and located between the mounting elements such that the traction lugs move inwardly with the portions of the tire configured to flex inwardly when subject to ground engaging pressure. 
     
     
         13 . The wheel assembly of  claim 12 , wherein one of the plurality of traction lugs is larger than adjacent traction lugs, the larger traction lug presenting a greater radial reach than the adjacent traction lugs. 
     
     
         14 . The wheel assembly of  claim 11 , the tire including a plurality of radially inwardly extending spacers, each spacer positioned between two consecutive mounting elements and configured to limit the amount of inward flex of the tire. 
     
     
         15 . The wheel as set forth in  claim 14 , the tire presenting an outer truncated cone shape. 
     
     
         16 . The wheel assembly of  claim 11 , the tire presenting a transversely flat outer side. 
     
     
         17 . The wheel assembly of  claim 11 , the tire being a single, solid piece of material of unitary construction.