US7104297B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Energy return wheel systems and methods
Assignee: BURROS DAVID
•
Filing: 2004-03-08
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Granted: 2006-09-12
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Expires: 2024-03-08
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides exemplary wheel assemblies for use with a wide range of wheeled vehicles and apparatus. In one embodiment, a wheel assembly ( 800 ) includes a rim ( 810 ) having edges ( 816, 818 ). The wheel assembly includes a plurality of protrusions 822 disposed in a trough portion ( 820 ) between the rim edges. A resilient member ( 830 ) is disposed over the spaced protrusions, and an actuator ( 850 ) is disposed over the resilient layer. The actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient layer between the spaced protrusions when the wheel assembly is loaded with a weight. In this manner, the wheel assembly is capable of providing energy return to the wheel assembly during rotation thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Brian A. Russell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 10:08
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B9/00; B60B9/02; B60B9/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
113 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having first and second circumferential edges defining a trough portion therebetween; a plurality of spaced protrusions disposed in the trough portion between the first and second circumferential edges; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; an actuator disposed over the resilient layer; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient layer between the spaced protrusions when the wheel assembly is loaded with a weight; and wherein the resilient member comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface comprising a plurality of raised ridges, the raised ridges positioned to be in cooperation with the plurality of spaced protrusions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
113 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having first and second circumferential edges defining a trough portion therebetween; a plurality of spaced protrusions disposed in the trough portion between the first and second circumferential edges; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; an actuator disposed over the resilient layer; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient layer between the spaced protrusions when the wheel assembly is loaded with a weight; and wherein the resilient member comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, the lower surface comprising a plurality of raised ridges, the raised ridges positioned to be in cooperation with the plurality of spaced protrusions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The wheel assembly as in claim 1 wherein the resilient member upper surface comprises a second plurality of raised ridges in cooperation with the actuator.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
175 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having first and second circumferential edges defining a trough portion therebetween; a plurality of spaced protrusions disposed in the trough portion between the first and second circumferential edges; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; an actuator disposed over the resilient layer; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient layer between the spaced protrusions when the wheel assembly is loaded with a weight; wherein the actuator comprises a generally cylindrical-shaped band, the band having a plurality of spaced apart holes formed therethrough; wherein the spaced apart holes are positioned to be in cooperation with the plurality of spaced apart protrusions; wherein the resilient member is adapted to stretch at least part way into at least some of the spaced apart actuator band holes when the wheel assembly is loaded with the weight; and wherein the resilient member is adapted to recede from the at least some spaced apart actuator band holes when the loaded weight on the wheel assembly is removed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
175 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having first and second circumferential edges defining a trough portion therebetween; a plurality of spaced protrusions disposed in the trough portion between the first and second circumferential edges; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; an actuator disposed over the resilient layer; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient layer between the spaced protrusions when the wheel assembly is loaded with a weight; wherein the actuator comprises a generally cylindrical-shaped band, the band having a plurality of spaced apart holes formed therethrough; wherein the spaced apart holes are positioned to be in cooperation with the plurality of spaced apart protrusions; wherein the resilient member is adapted to stretch at least part way into at least some of the spaced apart actuator band holes when the wheel assembly is loaded with the weight; and wherein the resilient member is adapted to recede from the at least some spaced apart actuator band holes when the loaded weight on the wheel assembly is removed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
105 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having first and second circumferential edges defining a trough portion therebetween; a plurality of spaced protrusions disposed in the trough portion between the first and second circumferential edges; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; an actuator disposed over the resilient member; a coupling device for coupling the resilient member to the rim; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient member between the spaced protrusions when the wheel assembly is loaded with a weight; and wherein the coupling device comprises a flexible strip having a plurality of spaced extensions extending therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having first and second circumferential edges defining a trough portion therebetween; a plurality of spaced protrusions disposed in the trough portion between the first and second circumferential edges; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; an actuator disposed over the resilient member; a coupling device for coupling the resilient member to the rim; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient member between the spaced protrusions when the wheel assembly is loaded with a weight; and wherein the coupling device comprises a flexible strip having a plurality of spaced extensions extending therefrom.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The wheel assembly as in claim 4 wherein the plurality of spaced extensions are adapted to be received in a plurality of spaced holes in the rim.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The wheel assembly as in claim 5 wherein the plurality of spaced holes are disposed in the first and second circumferential edges.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having first and second circumferential edges defining a trough portion therebetween; a plurality of spaced protrusions disposed in the trough portion between the first and second circumferential edges; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; an actuator disposed over the resilient member; a coupling device for coupling the resilient member to the rim; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient member between the spaced protrusions when the wheel assembly is loaded with a weight; wherein the coupling device comprises a first flexible strip for coupling a first edge portion of the resilient member to the first circumferential edge, and a second flexible strip for coupling a second edge portion of the resilient member to the second circumferential edge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
132 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having first and second circumferential edges defining a trough portion therebetween; a plurality of spaced protrusions disposed in the trough portion between the first and second circumferential edges; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; an actuator disposed over the resilient member; a coupling device for coupling the resilient member to the rim; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient member between the spaced protrusions when the wheel assembly is loaded with a weight; wherein the coupling device comprises a first flexible strip for coupling a first edge portion of the resilient member to the first circumferential edge, and a second flexible strip for coupling a second edge portion of the resilient member to the second circumferential edge.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
114 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having a plurality of spaced protrusions adjustably coupled thereto; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; a means for coupling the resilient member to the rim; an actuator disposed over the resilient member; wherein the plurality of spaced protrusions are disposed between first and second outer edges of the rim, the resilient member coupled to the first and second outer rim edges; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient member between at least some of the spaced protrusions; wherein the means for coupling comprises a flexible strip having extensions disposed through cooperating holes in the resilient member and the rim.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
114 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having a plurality of spaced protrusions adjustably coupled thereto; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; a means for coupling the resilient member to the rim; an actuator disposed over the resilient member; wherein the plurality of spaced protrusions are disposed between first and second outer edges of the rim, the resilient member coupled to the first and second outer rim edges; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient member between at least some of the spaced protrusions; wherein the means for coupling comprises a flexible strip having extensions disposed through cooperating holes in the resilient member and the rim.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
100 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having a plurality of spaced protrusions adjustably coupled thereto; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; a means for coupling the resilient member to the rim; an actuator disposed over the resilient member; wherein the plurality of spaced protrusions are disposed between first and second outer edges of the rim, the resilient member coupled to the first and second outer rim edges; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient member between at least some of the spaced protrusions wherein the means for coupling comprises a stitching.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
100 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having a plurality of spaced protrusions adjustably coupled thereto; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; a means for coupling the resilient member to the rim; an actuator disposed over the resilient member; wherein the plurality of spaced protrusions are disposed between first and second outer edges of the rim, the resilient member coupled to the first and second outer rim edges; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient member between at least some of the spaced protrusions wherein the means for coupling comprises a stitching.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
100 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having a plurality of spaced protrusions adjustably coupled thereto; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; a means for coupling the resilient member to the rim; an actuator disposed over the resilient member; wherein the plurality of spaced protrusions are disposed between first and second outer edges of the rim, the resilient member coupled to the first and second outer rim edges; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient member between at least some of the spaced protrusions wherein the means for coupling comprises an adhesive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
100 words
A wheel assembly comprising: a rim having a plurality of spaced protrusions adjustably coupled thereto; a resilient member disposed over the plurality of spaced protrusions; a means for coupling the resilient member to the rim; an actuator disposed over the resilient member; wherein the plurality of spaced protrusions are disposed between first and second outer edges of the rim, the resilient member coupled to the first and second outer rim edges; wherein the actuator is adapted to at least partially compress the resilient member between at least some of the spaced protrusions wherein the means for coupling comprises an adhesive.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2009-09-11 | 2010-03-13 | 2010-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2013-09-11 | 2014-03-13 | 2014-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2017-09-11 | 2018-03-13 | 2018-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |