Patent ID: 8342216
Filing Date: 2013-01-01
Classification: B60C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An assembly for adjusting functional characteristics of the assembly, the assembly comprising: a wheel for a vehicle; a pneumatic tire mounted on the wheel; a metallic block attached to the pneumatic tire; and an electromagnet attached to the wheel, the assembly having a first condition characterized by the metallic block and the electromagnet being not energized and a second condition characterized by the metallic block and the electromagnet being energized in a first manner such that the metallic block is attracted to the electromagnet when the electromagnet is energized, the first condition being characterized by a first footprint of the pneumatic tire with a shape different than a shape of a second footprint of the pneumatic tire in the second condition, the first condition being further characterized by the pneumatic tire having a first cavity shape, the second condition being further characterized by the pneumatic tire having a second cavity shape, the assembly further including a manual switch for determining whether the electromagnet is de-energized in the first condition or energized in the second condition.