Spring wheel having an overload stop

Claim 1

A wheel comprising a hub element, a rim element, a plurality of substantially circular bands of flexible material spaced about the hub element interposed between and bearing against both of said elements, the axes of the bands being parallel to the axes of said elements, fastening means fastening the bands of flexible material to said elements, the bands of flexible material being spaced apart so as to at all times act freely individually and normally flexing to provide a cushioning effect when the wheel rolls over rough terrain, and means within the confines of the wheel operable when such cushioning effect is not desired to rigidly connected the hub element and rim element to provide in effect a conventional wheel, said last mentioned means including substantially radial spoke-like members of different lengths selectively fastenable to the hub element in a first position in which the outer ends of the longer spoke-like members engage the rim element to rigidly connect the hub element and rim element and a second position in which the hub element and rim element are not rigidly connected and the outer ends of the shorter spoke-like members engage the rim element after predetermined flexing of the bands to limit the extent of such flexing.