Patent ID: 7699404

Claim:
A wheel assembly comprising: first and second wheel pieces releasably attachable to each other, the first and second wheel pieces being slidably engagable in a first axial direction substantially parallel to a rotational axis of the wheel assembly, the first and second wheel pieces being slidably disengagable in a second axial direction generally opposite the first axial direction; the first and second wheel pieces including respective first and second tire locking tabs and respective first and second rim portions that cooperatively define a rim when the first and second wheel pieces are slidably engaged, each of the first and second wheel pieces including a protrusion extending circumferentially along their respective first and second rim portions; and a tire including: an outer surface portion; an inner surface portion configured for positioning relatively against the rim; an internal chamber complementary in shape to the first and second wheel pieces' protrusions for engagingly receiving the first and second wheel pieces' protrusions therein: and an opening along the tire's inner surface portion for allowing the first and second wheel pieces' protrusions to be engagingly received within the internal chamber; first and second lateral internal chambers disposed such that the internal chamber is generally between the first and second lateral internal chambers; first and second openings for receiving at least an end portion of the respective first and second tire locking tabs in the respective first and second lateral internal chambers; and free end portions: wherein the first and second tire locking tabs retain the tire's free end portions to the rim; and whereby the engagement of the first and second wheel pieces'protrusions with the internal chamber of the tire helps retain the positioning of the tire relative to the rim; and whereby the first and second tire locking tabs are operable for applying a compressive clamping force to the tire for urging corresponding portions of the tire towards the first and second wheel pieces' protrusions, to thereby help retain the positioning of the tire relative to the first and second wheel pieces' protrusions.