Patents by Inventor Frank J. Hodges

Frank J. Hodges has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7530644
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a one-piece, wheel that is modified to have the appearance of a multi-piece wheel. In certain embodiments, the interior surface of the wheel barrel may be modified such that it is substantially parallel with the wheels axis of rotation. In some embodiments, a plurality of fastening devices such as bolts may be placed through the wheel center. In various embodiments, a groove may be located on the interior surface of the wheel barrel to give the appearance that the barrel comprises multiple pieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Inventor: Frank J. Hodges
  • Publication number: 20080048490
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are various embodiments of a one-piece, wheel that is modified to have the appearance of a multi-piece wheel. In certain embodiments, the interior surface of the wheel barrel may be modified such that it is substantially parallel with the wheels axis of rotation. In some embodiments, a plurality of fastening devices such as bolts may be placed through the wheel center. In various embodiments, a groove may be located on the interior surface of the wheel barrel to give the appearance that the barrel comprises multiple pieces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 28, 2008
    Inventor: Frank J. Hodges
  • Patent number: 7275575
    Abstract: Disclosed are improved wheels and tires for simulating the appearance of larger-diameter wheels mounted within low-profile tires. The improved tires are intended to be mounted on wheels with an extended outer flange. An embodiment of the tire comprises an outboard tire wall, an inboard tire wall, a tread therebetween, a laterally extending wheel protector, a ledge, and a flange seat. The flange seat is optionally contoured to match the inner face of an outer flange of the improved wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Tezzen Wheel Corporation
    Inventors: Frank J. Hodges, Sergio Anca
  • Patent number: 7270382
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of one-piece, and multi-piece wheels configured to provide increased interior lip depth. In one embodiment, an outer periphery of a curved center portion of a wheel is attached to a wheel barrel in an inboard region, and a portion of the center portion extends into the outboard region of the wheel. At least a portion of the wall of the wheel barrel preferably comprises a gradual slope, instead of a traditional wheel mounting drop, and thus the interior lip depth is not obstructed by the interior bulge generally created by such a drop. In other embodiments, a wheel mounting drop is configured to permit multi-piece wheels to be joined at or near one of the drop walls to allow the wheel center to be positioned further in the inboard direction than in traditional wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Inventors: Frank J. Hodges, Sergiu Anca
  • Patent number: 6896336
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved wheel and tire for simulating the appearance of a larger-diameter wheel mounted within a low-profile tire. The wheel has an inboard side and an outboard side. The outboard side includes a wide outer flange which extends around the outer circumference of the wheel. The outer flange and/or the outboard face of the wheel is preferably detachable from the remainder of the wheel. The inboard side may include a wide inboard flange which is preferably detachable. The flanges preferably cover a substantial portion of the wall of the outer tire within which the wheel is mounted. A design, preferably comprised of, for example, a plurality of protrusions, indentations, and slits, extends across at least a portion of the outboard face of the wheel, including the outboard face of the extended outer flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventors: Frank J. Hodges, Sergiu Anca
  • Patent number: 6820669
    Abstract: Disclosed are an improved wheel and tire for simulating the appearance of a larger-diameter wheel mounted within a low-profile tire. The wheel has an inboard side and an outboard side with a wide outer flange extending around the outer circumference of the wheel. The outer flange is preferably integral with the outboard face of the wheel. A design, preferably comprised of a plurality of protrusions, indentations, and slits, extends across at least a portion of the outboard face of the wheel, including the outboard face of the extended outer flange. In the improved tire, the outboard tire wall preferably includes a laterally extending wheel protector, a ledge, and a flange seat. The flange seat is preferably contoured to match the inner face of the outer flange of the improved wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Assignee: Tezzen Wheel Corporation
    Inventors: Frank J. Hodges, Sergiu Anca
  • Publication number: 20040195903
    Abstract: Disclosed are improved wheels and tires for simulating the appearance of larger-diameter wheels mounted within low-profile tires. The improved tires are intended to be mounted on wheels with an extended outer flange. An embodiment of the tire comprises an outboard tire wall, an inboard tire wall, a tread therebetween, a laterally extending wheel protector, a ledge, and a flange seat. The flange seat is optionally contoured to match the inner face of an outer flange of the improved wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Frank J. Hodges, Sergio Anca
  • Publication number: 20040066087
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved wheel and tire for simulating the appearance of a larger-diameter wheel mounted within a low-profile tire. The wheel has an inboard side and an outboard side. The outboard side includes a wide outer flange which extends around the outer circumference of the wheel. The outer flange is preferably integral with the outboard face of the wheel and covers a substantial portion of the outboard wall of the tire within which the wheel is mounted. A design, preferably comprised of, for example, a plurality of protrusions, indentations, and slits, extends across at least a portion of the outboard face of the wheel, including the outboard face of the extended outer flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Frank J. Hodges, Sergiu Anca
  • Publication number: 20040066088
    Abstract: The present invention provides an improved wheel and tire for simulating the appearance of a larger-diameter wheel mounted within a low-profile tire. The wheel has an inboard side and an outboard side. The outboard side includes a wide outer flange which extends around the outer circumference of the wheel. The outer flange and/or the outboard face of the wheel is preferably detachable from the remainder of the wheel. The inboard side may include a wide inboard flange which is preferably detachable. The flanges preferably cover a substantial portion of the wall of the outer tire within which the wheel is mounted. A design, preferably comprised of, for example, a plurality of protrusions, indentations, and slits, extends across at least a portion of the outboard face of the wheel, including the outboard face of the extended outer flange.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2003
    Publication date: April 8, 2004
    Inventors: Frank J. Hodges, Sergiu Anca
  • Patent number: D437276
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Lexani Wheel Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Hodges
  • Patent number: D442533
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: Lexani Wheel Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Hodges
  • Patent number: D453724
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Lexani International, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank J. Hodges
  • Patent number: D454106
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Lexani International, Inc
    Inventor: Frank J. Hodges
  • Patent number: D456756
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2002
    Assignee: Lexani Wheel Corporation
    Inventors: Frank J. Hodges, Keith Kaucher
  • Patent number: D461439
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: Lexani Wheel Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Hodges
  • Patent number: D466463
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Lexani Wheel Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Hodges
  • Patent number: D466464
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Lexani Wheel Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Hodges
  • Patent number: D466467
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Lexani Wheel Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Hodges
  • Patent number: D466855
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2002
    Assignee: Lexani Wheel Corporation
    Inventor: Frank J. Hodges
  • Patent number: D432482
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Frank J. Hodges
    Inventor: Frank J. Hodges