Centering Means Patents (Class 301/35.627)
  • Patent number: 10767700
    Abstract: A flanged inner ring for wheel hub bearings, the inner ring comprising a tubular body supporting the bearing, the body being coaxial with an axis (A), and a flange, which is transversal to the axis (A), the flange being provided with a plurality of threaded through holes that are distributed around the axis (A) and includes: —an outer annular mounting surface and an inner surface that is axially faced towards an outer ring of the bearing; the flange having a respective base axial thickness (SAF) and comprising for each threaded through hole, a respective radial arm which is arranged on the inner surface of the flange facing the outer ring; the inner ring being forged in one piece together with the flange and the radial arms. Between each pair of adjacent arms there is a flower-shaped sector with a chamfer made by forging along the outer surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Maurizio Bertola
  • Patent number: 10086644
    Abstract: A track widening system for motor vehicles, having at least one track widening disc and at least one centering ring, which is inserted into a central opening of the track widening disc, wherein the centering ring has at least one catch device which is arranged at the free end of a resilient arm and wherein the track widening disc has at least one corresponding catch device. The centering ring may be plastic, and may be fiber-reinforced. One or more centering rings may have different colors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Inventors: Klaus Wohlfarth, Andreas Weidner, Edgar Simonjan
  • Patent number: 10076929
    Abstract: A bicycle having a widened rear wheel preferably includes an existing bicycle, a double tire rear wheel, a widened crank tube, a widened crank and widened rear fork. The existing bicycle includes a bicycle frame, a front wheel, handlebars, and a seat. The bicycle frame includes a frame unit and a crank set. The frame unit includes a base frame portion, a front fork and a rear fork. The base frame portion includes a top tube, a seat tube, a down tube and a crank tube. The crank tube is replaced with the widened crank tube. The rear fork is replaced with a widened rear fork. A crank of the crank set is replaced with the widened crank. The widened rear wheel preferably includes three bicycle tire rims, a plurality of spokes, two tires and a lengthened rear wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Inventors: Eric D. Lenz, Jeffrey R. Gaudynski
  • Patent number: 9234320
    Abstract: In a road milling machine, in particular small milling machine, for working road surfaces, with a machine frame, with a milling drum supported in the machine frame and capable of being driven by a milling drum drive, where stud bolts for mounting the milling drum project from the milling drum drive, said stud bolts, in mounted condition, engaging with cut-outs arranged accordingly in a connecting flange of the milling drum, it is provided for the following features to be achieved: that the milling drum drive comprises, as a minimum, one mounting stud which engages with a corresponding opening adapted to said mounting stud in the connecting flange of the milling drum, wherein the mounting stud projects axially vis-à-vis the stud bolts to such an extent that the milling drum rests on the mounting stud prior to engaging with the stud bolts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Wirtgen GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Abresch, Dirk Brassel, Cyrus Barimani, Günter Hähn
  • Patent number: 9022485
    Abstract: A wheel bearing assembly with a centering device that includes a wheel hub arranged rotatably on an axle body about an axis of rotation. The assembly further includes a centering unit fixed to the wheel hub, wherein the centering unit has a centering portion, and wherein the distance of the centering portion to the axis of rotation is smaller than the distance of the outer periphery of the wheel hub to the axis of rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: SAF-Holland GmbH
    Inventor: Olaf Drewes
  • Patent number: 9004612
    Abstract: A connecting element serves to connect a flanged ring of a hub-bearing unit to a wheel or a suspension standard of a motor vehicle. The connecting element has an overall crown-like shape and forms, in a single piece, an annular portion and a plurality of parallel, equally angularly spaced pin portions which extend protruding axially from a same side of the annular portion and each have a threaded section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Andreas Knopf, Paolo Re
  • Patent number: 8955920
    Abstract: According to the present invention, a thermally conductive ring for a wheel assembly, which is inserted over a stud bolt that fixes a brake drum or disc of a vehicle to a wheel, is provided with a cylindrical main body having a cutaway portion in the lengthwise direction, and a heat-dissipating portion formed on at least one side of a surface and edge of the main body to increase the surface area. The thermally conductive ring of a wheel assembly facilitates the transfer of heat generated during braking and driving to the wheels and enables heat dissipation, to retain the initial design specifications of the vehicle while reducing the uneven wear of tires and one side brake, and improving cornering and ride quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Sung Kyun Yoon
  • Patent number: 8752907
    Abstract: A centering system for centering the inner and outer wheels of a dual wheel assembly on a hub includes at least three centering sets. Each centering set has an inner sleeve and a separate outer sleeve. Each inner sleeve fits between a wheel stud on the hub and a bolt hole in the inner wheel to center the inner wheel. Each outer sleeve fits between the wheel stud and a bolt hole in the outer wheel to center the outer wheel. The inner sleeves can also include a section that fits between the wheel stud on the hub and a bolt hole in the brake drum to center the brake drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Inventor: James H. Andersen
  • Patent number: 8579381
    Abstract: An annular centering ring centers a wheel on a hub. The hub has a circular outer surface and an outer end face. The wheel has a central opening defined by a circular wall. The annular centering ring has an annular mounting flange structure that seats upon the circular outer surface and the outer end face of the hub, and a centering skirt structure that is engaged by the circular wall of the wheel when the wheel is installed onto the hub so that the centering skirt structure is flexed and occupies the annular space between the circular outer surface of the hub and the central opening of the wheel to thereby center the wheel upon the hub in readiness for installation of a plurality of lug nuts. The centering skirt structure is captured in a press-fit relationship between the wheel and hub, or can be extruded away during the installation of the wheel onto the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: GM Global Technology Operations LLC
    Inventor: Donald G. Straitiff
  • Patent number: 8287052
    Abstract: A wheel hub includes a barrel, a flange extending radially away from the barrel and a connection member connecting the flange to the barrel. The barrel includes an outboard bearing bore and an inboard bearing bore. The flange at least partially overlaps the inboard bearing bore along a radial direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the barrel. The connection member includes an outboard side facing toward the outboard bearing bore and defining outboard ribs and outboard recesses alternately disposed around the circumference of the barrel. Each outboard recess is interposed between the flange and the barrel along the radial direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Kic Holdings, Inc.
    Inventors: Omar J. Fakhoury, Joseph A. Brotherton
  • Patent number: 7942585
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel bearing apparatus has an outer member, an inner member, and double row rolling elements freely rollably contained between the inner and outer raceway surfaces of the inner and outer members. A brake pilot portion extends from a base of a wheel hub mounting flange toward the outer side to guide an inner circumferential surface of a brake rotor. A wheel pilot portion extends from the brake pilot portion further toward the outer side to guide an inner circumferential surface of the wheel. The wheel pilot portion including a plurality of separated pilots separated along a circumferential direction. A chamfered portion is formed, by forging, on a forward end of each separated pilot in view of its lathe cutting direction. The chamfered portion has a predetermined inclined angle relative to an axial end surface of each separated pilot after lathe cutting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: NTN Corporation
    Inventors: Isao Hirai, Takayasu Takubo, Kiyotake Shibata, Syougo Suzuki
  • Patent number: 7704009
    Abstract: An axial spacer for a rotational assembly comprising a body, a rotational assembly attaching member and a centering member. The body comprises an outer ring, an inner ring and a plurality of reinforcing members extending between the inner ring and the outer ring. The reinforcing members each comprise an annular reinforcing rim extending from the outer ring and a connecting beam extending from the annular reinforcing rim to the inner ring. A plurality of web members extend between adjacent reinforcing members and the inner and outer ring, to, in turn, substantially couple adjacent reinforcing members with the inner and outer ring therebetween. The attaching means comprises an opening extending through at least a plurality of the plurality of reinforcing members. The centering member centers the spacer relative to the rotational assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Inventor: Carey J. Boote
  • Patent number: 7543894
    Abstract: A rotatable flanged hub for the wheel of a motor vehicle forms, in a single piece: a cylindrical central part adapted for being coupled to a bearing unit; a flange extending in a radially outer direction starting from an end of the cylindrical part; a tubular appendix projecting from the axially outer side of the hub beyond the flange and joined to the central part by means of a root portion; and a cylindrical inner cavity defined by an inner cylindrical surface of the appendix and a radial surface of an axially outer end of the central part. A circumferential groove extends into the root portion starting from the cylindrical inner cavity in order to increase flexibility of the tubular appendix with respect to the central part of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2009
    Assignee: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventor: Massimo Paolotti
  • Patent number: 7393064
    Abstract: The present invention provides a drum or rotor wheel hub having a cast hub having a machined pilot in a flange portion and a machined pilot in a cylindrical portion, and a cast portion which separates the cylindrical pilot from the flange pilot, whereby a machined radii is not incorporated in the pilot construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Webb Wheel Products, Inc.
    Inventors: John C. Hall, Jeremy L. Zills, Sik-Kan Huang, Byron E. Cornett
  • Publication number: 20070257546
    Abstract: A centering tool for aligning a vehicle rim relative to a hub of a vehicle, wherein the rim includes a plurality of mounting holes for receiving axially extending studs from the hub. The tool includes a body having a first end and an opposite second end. The first end is adapted to engage a torque applying tool. The body has an outer cylindrical surface that extends from the second end and allows generally axial insertion of the tool through one of the mounting holes in the rim while substantially limiting the radial movement of the rim relative to the centering tool. A bore extends longitudinally through the body and through both the first end and second end of the body. The bore has threads for threadingly engaging a stud extending through the one of the mounting holes in the rim. A cam surface is formed on the second end of the body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Publication date: November 8, 2007
    Inventor: Marlus Mitchel
  • Patent number: 7178880
    Abstract: A wheel centering pin disclosed for vehicle wheels having apertures of uniform diameter. The wheel centering pin is provided as a set of three that are threaded on three circumferentially spaced hub bolts on which a wheel is mounted to center the wheel. Nuts are threaded on the remaining bolts and tightened to fasten the wheel to the hub. The centering pins are removed, and remaining nuts are applied in their place and tightened on the remaining bolts to center the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Inventor: James H. Andersen
  • Patent number: 7159697
    Abstract: A wheel hub having pilots to guide the installation of a braking device on the wheel hub, wherein the pilots are provided with guide surfaces that are made of a different material than the wheel hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Assignee: Gunite Corporation
    Inventors: Omar J. Fakhoury, Reginal A. Pete, Jeffrey W. Clark
  • Publication number: 20060244303
    Abstract: Bearing wheel hub unit (1) provided with a mounting flange (3) which is integral with an inner race (21) of the bearing (2) in order to mount a wheel, and with a centring collar (4) which extends from a frontal surface (31) of the flange (3) itself in order to permit the centring of the wheel in relation to the unit (1) itself; the centring collar (4) being produced, preferably of alloy, in such a way as to be independent of the mounting flange (3), and being assembled with the flange (3) by means of fixing onto the frontal surface (31).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 2, 2006
    Applicant: Aktiebolaget SKF
    Inventors: Claudio Savarese, Angelo Vignotto
  • Patent number: 7111909
    Abstract: A drum and wheel-centering sleeve disclosed for vehicle drum and wheels having apertures of uniform diameter is a set of three that are threaded on three circumferentially spaced hub bolts on which a wheel drum is mounted to center the wheel drum. The sleeve has a hollow sleeve body with a drum-centering portion with a first exterior surface of uniform diameter and a wheel-centering portion with a second exterior surface of uniform diameter the wheel centering portion being of a smaller diameter than the drum centering portion. A set of three sleeves are threaded on bolts at twelve, four and eight o'clock positions with drum centering portion in associated drum apertures to center the drum on the hub. The wheel is mounted with wheel apertures on the wheel-centering portions of the three centering sleeves to center the wheel on the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: James H. Andersen
  • Patent number: 7108333
    Abstract: A wheel mounting apparatus is disclosed for mounting a wheel carrying a track onto a vehicle. The wheel mounting apparatus comprises a mounting structure for mounting onto an axle of the vehicle. The mounting structure is removably mountable to the axle of the vehicle. The wheel mounting apparatus also includes an aligning structure for aligning the wheel with an end of an axle of the vehicle for permitting mounting of the wheel on the axle. The aligning structure is coupled to the mounting structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Inventor: Ron A. Kirchenwitz
  • Publication number: 20060163937
    Abstract: A drum and wheel-centering sleeve disclosed for vehicle drum and wheels having apertures of uniform diameter is a set of three that are threaded on three circumferentially spaced hub bolts on which a wheel drum is mounted to center the wheel drum. The sleeve has a hollow sleeve body with a drum-centering portion with a first exterior surface of uniform diameter and a wheel-centering portion with a second exterior surface of uniform diameter the wheel centering portion being of a smaller diameter than the drum centering portion. A set of three sleeves are threaded on bolts at twelve, four and eight o'clock positions with drum centering portion in associated drum apertures to center the drum on the hub. The wheel is mounted with wheel apertures on the wheel-centering portions of the three centering sleeves to center the wheel on the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2005
    Publication date: July 27, 2006
    Inventor: JAMES ANDERSEN
  • Publication number: 20050275278
    Abstract: A wheel centering pin 15 disclosed for vehicle wheels having apertures of uniform diameter. The wheel centering pin is provided as a set of three that are threaded on three circumferentially spaced hub bolts on which a wheel is mounted to center the wheel. Nuts are threaded on the remaining bolts and tightened to fasten the wheel to the hub. The centering pins are removed, and remaining nuts are applied in their place and tightened on the remaining bolts to center the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2004
    Publication date: December 15, 2005
    Inventor: James Andersen
  • Patent number: 6948246
    Abstract: Provided is a method of fitting a tire-and-wheel assembled body to an axle, which is capable of resolving imbalance in a state of fitting an assembled body including a tire and a wheel to an axle. In this fitting method, a tire is fitted to a wheel, and then core positions of fastening holes are, or a core position of a hub hole is, adjusted in the wheel to minimize an amount of eccentricity of an assembled body including the tire and the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Kogure, Tatsuo Suzuki, Shinji Seimiya, Eiji Saito
  • Patent number: 6783188
    Abstract: Provided is a method of fitting a tire-and-wheel assembled body to an axle, which is capable of resolving imbalance in a state of fitting an assembled body including a tire and a wheel to an axle. In this fitting method, a tire is fitted to a wheel, and then core positions of fastening holes are, or a core position of a hub hole is, adjusted in the wheel to minimize an amount of eccentricity of an assembled body including the tire and the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomohiko Kogure, Tatsuo Suzuki, Shinji Seimiya, Eiji Saito
  • Patent number: 6739674
    Abstract: For the purpose of facilitating correct fitting of a motor vehicle wheel onto a hub (10) which froms a central axial tubular projection (11) for insertion into a central wheel hole (30), a hub assembly includes an annular cylindrical element (20) to be fitted on the projection (11) and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient portions (21) capable of exerting force in radially outward directions on the wheel hole to support the wheel resiliently in an essentially centered manner relative to the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Assignee: SKF Industrie S.p.A.
    Inventors: Angelo Vignotto, Carlo Maldera
  • Patent number: 6715843
    Abstract: In a hub-piloted wheel mounting assembly, relative movement between a hub and drum, which can cause a wheel and tire to become out of balance, is prevented. The hub has at least one bolt extending from it and the drum has an oversized aperture for receiving the bolt so that an area of space between the bolt and the sides of the aperture is created. A spacing insert having a body with a bore for closely receiving the bolt and which is configured to be closely received within the aperture of the drum is provided to prevent relative movement of the bolt within the aperture. This prevents shifting or slippage of the drum with respect to the hub and keeps the wheel and tire in balance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2004
    Assignee: Kent's Tire Service, Inc.
    Inventor: Norman Kent Teague
  • Publication number: 20030102711
    Abstract: For the purpose of facilitating correct fitting of a motor vehicle wheel onto a hub (10) which forms a central axial tubular projection (11) for insertion into a central wheel hole (30), a hub assembly comprises an annular cylindrical element (20) to be fitted on the projection (11) and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced resilient portions (21) capable of exerting force in radially outward directions on the wheel hole to support the wheel resiliently in an essentially centred manner relative to the hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2002
    Publication date: June 5, 2003
    Applicant: SFK INDUSTRIE S.P.A.
    Inventors: Angelo Vignotto, Carlo Maldera
  • Publication number: 20020089230
    Abstract: An automotive road wheel is disclosed, comprising: a disk portion fixed to an axle portion of a vehicle by a fastener; and a vibration isolation mechanism provided in a place where the disk portion is fixed by the fastener. In addition, an attaching structure of an automotive road wheel is disclosed, comprising: an axle hub attached to an axle configuration; a road wheel attached to the axle hub; and a vibration isolation mechanism interposed between the axle configuration and the axle hub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Applicant: THE YOKOHAMA RUBBER CO., LTD
    Inventor: Shinji Seimiya