WHEEL WITH CHANGEABLE OUTLINE Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: automotive industry; amphibias with active suspension. SUBSTANCE: wheel has rim in form of four rods arranged at sides of square. Two-sided section of tyre is installed for turning of each rod. One of sections is rounded off to radius of wheel and the other is made flat. Section consists of several parts which can be independently locked in any of two positions. In first position, rounded-off surface of tyre section is directed to wheel periphery, and in second position, flat section is pointed to wheel periphery. In first position, wheel outline is round and wheel smoothly runs along road. In second position, wheel outline is square and it provides high cross country capacity. Round square configuration of wheel is provided when rounded-off flat sections of tread of adjacent tyre sections are pointed alternately to wheel periphery. In this case projections are formed in butt joints of adjacent parts of section which serve as paddle wheel blades, and wheel itself provides high efficiency when negotiating water obstacles. EFFECT: enlarged operating capabilities. 5 cl, 27 dwg