Abstract: A pneumatic tire and wheel assembly wherein the wheel is manufactured with mounting holes offset from the geometric center to locate the low point of the first harmonic of radial runout adjacent a given angular location, such as the valve hole, so that, when a tire is mounted thereon with the high point of the first harmonic of radial force variation aligned with the valve hole, the respective harmonics cancel each other to provide a tire and wheel assembly with enhanced rotational characteristics.In an apparatus for forming the wheel mounting holes by axially reciprocating a piercing tool against a wheel disc while the bead seats are clamped between wheel locating jaws, axially opposed jaw pairs are centered on an axis offset from the axis of reciprocation such that the centerline of the mounting holes is correspondingly eccentrically offset from the average bead seat axis.

Abstract: Manufacture of ornamental vehicle wheels wherein a mold surface of desired decorative contour is sprayed with one or more layers of a polyurethane reaction mixture and partially cured in situ. A steel wheel is then placed over the mold surface and a polyurethane reaction mixture which includes a foaming agent is poured into the mold cavity formed therebetween. The poured mixture is then cured and the layers are finish-cured in situ to form an integral ornamental elastomeric structure adhered to the wheel.

Abstract: An improved tapered wheel disc and method of making the same which includes the steps of spin-forming a radially outwardly-tapering concave disc from a section of blanked stock and piercing hand holes in the spun-tapered disc, the improvement comprising the step of placing the disc surface area around each hand hole in compression by embossing the disc from a direction internally of disc concavity to form a region surrounding each hand hole which is offset outwardly of disc concavity.

Abstract: Brake control systems and methods particularly suited for small trailers and the like wherein the angular velocity of each wheel in a selected pair of wheels is sensed and compared against each other to develop a control signal representing the differential in angular velocity between the respective paired wheels. In a skid control embodiment, while the brakes are being applied by the operator, the system automatically releases the brakes at both wheels in proportion to a velocity differential between the wheels indicating an impending skid. In the case of a trailer equipped with a sway control embodiment, the system automatically applies the brakes at both wheels in proportion to the wheel velocity differential representing excessive trailer sway. The respective skid control and sway control embodiments are useful alone or in a combined system.

Abstract: A tandem axle suspension system wherein laterally spaced walking beams are pivotally mounted on a trunnion tube and extend forwardly and rearwardly therefrom to overly forward and rearward axles. A pair of arms are coupled by adjustable bushings to each walking beam and extend respectively forwardly and rearwardly underlying the beam. The axles are rigidly coupled to the arms, and air springs are disposed between each axle and the corresponding walking beam portion overlying the axle.

Abstract: A trailer brake control system which includes a variable frequency oscillator, an electromagnetic inertial sensor adapted to detect either lateral acceleration or longitudinal deceleration of a trailer and to vary the output frequency of the oscillator in accordance therewith, and a circuit for applying trailer brakes as a function of such frequency variation either to correct a trailer sway condition indicated by lateral trailer acceleration or when tractor brakes have been applied as indicated by longitudinal deceleration of the tractor/trailer combination.

Abstract: A knock-down utility trailer frame and suspension system characterized by an elongated hollow spine adapted to extend lengthwise of a trailer body, and a trailer hitch draw tongue carried within the spine and slideable longitudinally therein between extended and retracted positions. The hitch tongue is wedged in the extended position by cooperating compression pads on the tongue and in the encompassing spine which simultaneously capture a pair of wheel-mounting leaf springs on corresponding studs disposed within the trailer spine. As the tongue is moved to the retracted position, the tongue portion which captures the leaf springs move axially of the studs, whereupon the leaf springs and corresponding wheels may be disengaged from the trailer spine for storage.

Abstract: A hydraulic transducer of the Bourdon tube type, in which the amount of light transmitted by a light emitting diode to a photoresistor is controlled by a shutter. The device provides an enclosed and compact transducing unit which has particular application with tractor/trailer braking systems.

Abstract: A skid control system and method for use in conjunction with a vacuum-boosted hydraulic brake system of the type presently used in automotive passenger vehicles. The velocity of each monitored vehicle wheel is sensed and a signal indicative of wheel deceleration is derived. A skid control valve is connected to the vacuum booster of the brake system to vent the booster vacuum chamber to the atmosphere when an excessive wheel deceleration is detected at any one of the monitored wheels and thereby relieve brake pressure at all of the monitored wheels. When the wheel begins to speed back up to vehicle speed, the skid control valve is pulsed by a control signal having a predetermined frequency and having a duty cycle which increases a function of time over a predermined control period. In this manner, the brake pressure at the monitored wheels is gradually increased as a function of time until the brake pressure desired by the vehicle operator is again achieved.

Abstract: In an apparatus for spin-forming a drop-center wheel rim which includes axially reciprocable head and tail stock sections, a centrifugally actuated clamp is mounted on the tail stock section and is adapted to engage an internal groove in the head stock section as the sections are conjointly rotated to prevent axial movement therebetween during the high-speed spin-forming operation.