Did You Know...
...that Charles Goodyear performed some of his experiments on rubber while in debtor's prison? He was there so often he referred to it as his "hotel". Chronically in debt because of poor business sense and ill health, Goodyear depended on the generosity of friends and family. Even after he unlocked the secret to vulcanizing rubber, he was unable to improve his financial situation. When he died, his estate was $200,000 in debt.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 6918544 | Automobile traction devices Traction devices for an automobile tire include an adherent elongate expanse and a studded layer sandwiched between the adherent layer and the surface of a tire. ... | 07/19/2005 |
| 6860346 | Adjustable diameter wheel assembly, and methods and vehicles using same A powered wheel assembly, and method and ground-engaging vehicle (e.g., a robotic vehicle) using the same, are provided. The vehicle incorporates at least one of the wheel assemblies on its chassis body. In addition to its ability to propel the vehicle across a surf... | 03/01/2005 |
| 6244666 | Traction device for vehicle wheels A tire as provided with a circumferential portion for contacting a road surface. Edge segments thereof include studs and an inflatable chamber at the edge segment is inflated and deflated to extend and withdraw the edge segments for engagement and disenga... | 06/12/2001 |
| 6022082 | Traction device for vehicle wheels A traction device for vehicle wheels has an expandable and contractible member mounted next to the vehicle wheel. The traction device has a tire with extending studs that is expandable by air pressure to increase the diameter of the tire. The tire is cont... | 02/08/2000 |
| 5839795 | Variable outer diameter wheel for vehicles A variable outer diameter wheel includes a generally cylindrical pipe or drum having four equally spaced penetrating holes or receiving parts in the cylindrical wall, a diaphragm sealing member corresponding to each of the penetrating holes and fitted to ... | 11/24/1998 |
| 5810451 | Traction device for vehicle wheels A traction device for vehicle wheels has tread segments that are expandable and contractible by secondary inflatable chambers to place studs either in engagement or out of engagement with a road surface. Alternatively, stud bearing tread segments are remo... | 09/22/1998 |
| 5788335 | Traction device for vehicle wheels A traction device for vehicle wheels has an expandable and contractible member mounted next to the vehicle wheel. The traction device has a tire with extending studs that is expandable by air pressure to increase the diameter of the tire. The tire is cont... | 08/04/1998 |
| 5692810 | Heavy duty traction intensifyer including flexible frame means with flex-limiting means for agricultural wheeled tractors, harvesting combines and the like Disclosed is a heavy duty retractable traction intensifyer for adding utility and maximizing performance of agricultural tractors, harvesting combines and the like. The device has a series of aggressive and thin spades, which in fields slice into stronger... | 12/02/1997 |
| 5242214 | Traction enhancing device including flexible frame means for agricultural wheeled tractors and the like There is disclosed a traction enhancing device for a wheeled agricultural tractor, in which a flexible frame comprises a circular band, to which are welded a series of spade holders. The frame is bolted to the rim of the wheel by spacers, so that the fram... | 09/07/1993 |
| 5022711 | Auxiliary tractor wheel for increased traction An auxiliary traction wheel is provided for use in combination with a tractor wheel so as to provide increased traction for the tractor. The traction wheel includes a pair of spaced apart rims at the perimeter of the wheel defining a channel therebetween.... | 06/11/1991 |
| 5004030 | Pneumatic tire with pivotable ground pads The invention provides a pneumatic tire for mounting on a wheel hub, the tire having a plurality of ground engaging pads disposed around the periphery of the tire. Each pad is capable of at least a limited degree of rotational displacement about a radial ... | 04/02/1991 |
| 4906051 | Easily activated and deactivated traction device for vehicles An auxiliary traction device for vehicle wheels to enhance their traction and braking characteristics under ice and snow conditions. The device comprises a frame which mounts to the outer side of the wheel, connected thereto preferably by the conventional... | 03/06/1990 |
| 4648853 | Wheel hub locking mechanism A wheel assembly for toy vehicles that includes a spider mounted for rotation inside of a generally cylindrical hollow wheel. The spider carries lugs for extension and retraction through passages in the peripheral wall of the wheel. Also carried by the wh... | 03/10/1987 |
| 4643696 | Vehicle wheel with clutch mechanism and self actuated extending claws A vehicle wheel having claws which automatically extend whenever the wheel strikes an obstacle and automatically retract when the obstacle is overcome is disclosed. The wheel also includes a ratchet type clutch mechanism which permits the wheel to be manu... | 02/17/1987 |
| 4603916 | Lightweight retractable track-wheel for agricultural tractors and the like A lightweight retractable track-wheel for obtaining less soil compaction and improved traction efficiency of rubber tired vehicles. The track-wheel provides high-strength, thin-gauged spade-lugs, rotatably secured to a main frame for providing higher draw... | 08/05/1986 |
| 4601519 | Wheel with extendable traction spikes and toy including same The present invention wheels have extendable traction spikes (spike pins) which are contained within the wheels and are automatically extended to enhance wheel traction. The automatic extension of the spike pins occurs, in one embodiment, upon achievement... | 07/22/1986 |
| 4533183 | Military wheel-tire assembly A mechanism for protecting the tires of military vehicles from destruction y enemy small arms fire. The mechanism includes a plate or disk of armor material radiating from the vehicle wheel to a point slightly less than the expected radial deformation of t... | 08/06/1985 |
| 4370895 | Friction drive wheels A friction drive wheel, particularly for obtaining a rotary drive for a hydraulic pump or electrical dynamo on a pipeline inspection pig, has a hub with a central hole and keyway for mounting on a axle. Attached to the hub is a rim in which are mounted bu... | 02/01/1983 |
