Patent ID: 7878284
Filing Date: 2011-02-01
Classification: A63B,B60C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A tire that is capable of moving a vehicle in both longitudinal and lateral directions, comprising: a circular hub with a center opening and a concave groove around the outer edge of the hub that contains an electromagnetic drive mechanism that provides lateral drive to the tire, where the center opening is attached to an axle that provides longitudinal drive to the tire; a surface layer comprising a contiguous surface that is in contact with the ground and the groove of the hub; a belt layer comprising a plurality of interlocking flexible rings, where the belt layer is connected to the interior of the surface layer; a bladder located in the interior of the belt layer that provides structural support to the tire so that contact is maintained with the groove of the hub when the tire is moving laterally; a pair of rigid roller rings each comprising a plurality of incrementally spaced roller bearings, where the roller rings are attached around each edge of the groove of the hub and are in contact with the surface layer; where longitudinal movement of the tire is generated by rotating the hub, the surface layer, the belt layer and the bladder in conjunction with the rotation of the axle; and where lateral movement of the tire is generated by rotating the surface layer and the belt layer around the bladder and the groove of the hub with the electromagnetic drive mechanism.