A wheel assembly is provided, particularly for use with a vehicle, for
example a scooter or a bicycle and the like, for operation in both
eccentric and concentric modes. The wheel rim of the assembly rotatably
and concentrically supports a wheel hub thereon. An offset axle is
supported on the wheel hub radially spaced from the central axis of the
wheel for rotation with the wheel hub relative to the wheel rim about the
central axis. The offset axle rotatably connects to the frame of the
vehicle. A locking mechanism selectively engages the wheel hub for
rotation with the wheel rim in the eccentric mode, while the rim rotates
freely about the central axis relative to the rim in the concentric mode.
In this arrangement, any variety of simple clutch mechanism between the
hub and the rim is effective for converting between the eccentric and
concentric modes of operation.