Balancing Device Patents (Class 301/5.21)
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Patent number: 7584659Abstract: A wheel balancing system may include a wheel imbalance measuring system, a memory system, a user interface, and a processing system. The processing system may be configured to cause initial imbalance information relating to an initial imbalance in a wheel assembly that was measured by the wheel imbalance measuring system to be stored in the memory system. The processing system may also be configured to recall the initial imbalance information from the memory system after a residual imbalance measurement of the wheel assembly by the wheel imbalance measuring system. The processing system may also be configured to cause the user interface to communicate weight information to the user about an amount and placement location of at least one weight needed to correct for the imbalance based on the initial imbalance information recalled from the memory system.Type: GrantFiled: November 3, 2006Date of Patent: September 8, 2009Assignee: Snap-On IncorporatedInventors: Frederick J. Rogers, Steve Serio
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Patent number: 7566101Abstract: A vehicle wheel weight comprises a mass portion cold-formed of nonlead material and a heat-treated spring clip. The mass portion has a front and a back, with the back adapted to be juxtaposed against a wheel rim. The mass portion further defines at least one chamfer on the back thereof. The mass portion also defines a clip securement pocket in which an attachment portion of the spring clip is inserted such that the clip is fixed to the mass portion. The clip further has an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Hennessy Industries, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Jenkins, Ross Everhard
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Publication number: 20090160239Abstract: To provide a wheel balance weight in which a release coated paper is likely to be detached when assembling it with a wheel. A wheel balance weight according to the present invention is such that, in a wheel balance weight including: a substantially-strip-shaped weight; an adhesive-tape portion whose tape front surface is fixed to a weight rear surface; and a release coated paper covering a tape rear surface, it makes the release coated paper likely to be pinched by adjusting the widths of the adhesive-tape portion and release coated paper. Since the wheel balance weight according to the present invention is such that the release coated paper is less likely to be detached before the assembly operation and the release coated paper is likely to be pinched upon assemblage, the handling becomes easy and additionally the workability when assembling the wheel balance weight with a wheel has improved.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 26, 2006Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicants: Taiho Kogyo Co., Ltd., TOHO KOGYO CO., LTDInventors: Yukiyasu Taguchi, Tatsuhiko Sugayauchi, Yutaka Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20090127919Abstract: A wheel-balancing weight mounts to a wheel with a flange. The weight is formed as a unitary member having a unitary body and clip such that the clip as formed is attached to and emerges from the body as formed. The body provides a predetermined mass to the weight and the clip securely grasps the flange of the wheel to secure the weight thereto. The weight is formed by forming a slug to include a formed body portion corresponding to the body and a formed clip portion corresponding to the clip, and bending over at least a portion of the formed clip portion of the slug to form the clip.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2007Publication date: May 21, 2009Applicant: PERFECT EQUIPMENT INC., A DELAWARE CORPORATIONInventor: Cordell Wayne Burnett
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Publication number: 20090072611Abstract: A wheel body includes a wheel body including a disk and a rim fixed to an outer circumference of the disk for supporting a tire for the vehicle; an air pressure sensor unit for detecting a pressure in an air chamber in the tire with transmitter; a sub air chamber member on the rim, having a for reducing a magnitude of a resonance sound generated by an air column defined by the air chamber defined by the rim and the tire. The air pressure sensor unit and the sub air chamber member are disposed in a circumferential direction of the wheel so as to cancel out one unbalance mass distribution of the vehicle wheel in the circumferential direction of the wheel caused by disposing the air pressure sensor by another unbalance mass distribution of the wheel in the circumferential direction caused by disposing sub air chamber member.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2008Publication date: March 19, 2009Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Mikio Kashiwai, Youichi Kamiyama, Hisamitsu Takagi
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Publication number: 20090001803Abstract: A method of providing a vehicle ballasting weight for balancing a portion of a vehicle. The method comprises providing an initial length of a vehicle ballasting weight material comprising a flexible polymeric matrix material filled with a high density particulate material, and severing an incremental length of the vehicle ballasting weight material from the initial length, where the incremental length corresponds to a desired mass for the vehicle ballasting weight.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2007Publication date: January 1, 2009Inventor: John S. Taylor
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Publication number: 20080258537Abstract: A wheel balance weight includes a weight, an adhesive seal, a release coated paper, and a protrusion. The protrusion is made of at least a part of the release coated paper, is disposed along a longitudinal direction of the weight, protrudes parallelly to a widthwise direction of the weight beyond one of opposite widthwise ends of the adhesive seal, is located at least around a position, which corresponds to the weight's center of gravity, and is provided with a cut-off, which is placed at the position corresponding to the weight's center of gravity. The wheel balance weight demonstrates improved workability upon assemblage.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicants: TAIHO KOGYO CO., LTD., TOHO KOGYO CO., LTD.Inventors: Tatsuhiko SUGAYAUCHI, Masayuki Asano, Yutaka Yamaguchi, Yasuhiro Imaeda
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Patent number: 7425041Abstract: A spoked bicycle wheel is presented where the masses of a set of spoke connections for connection of a hub and a rim as a whole are imbalanced with respect to the rotational axis. In such a way the dynamic imbalance of the wheel due to localized mass increases at the valve and at a possible joint is reduced or eliminated.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2005Date of Patent: September 16, 2008Assignee: Campagnolo, S.r.l.Inventors: Maurizio Passarotto, Davide Urbani
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Publication number: 20080217988Abstract: A wheel balance weight for an automobile is provided. The wheel balance weight for an automobile includes a weight holder 10 having a hooking part 12 press-fitted between a rim 7 of an automobile wheel 5 and a tire bead part 9 and an arcuate gripping part 14 provided at the other end of the hooking part 12, and a weight element 20 detachably gripped by an inner periphery of the gripping part 14 of the weight holder 10, wherein the gripping part 14 of the weight holder 10 has a cut-out part 14a formed at a center part thereof to a certain length in a circumferential direction thereof, and the weight element 20 has a fixing protrusion 22 projecting from an outer periphery thereof through the cut-out part 14a of the gripping part 14 to the exterior and fixedly hooked by the gripping part 14.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 28, 2008Publication date: September 11, 2008Applicant: DONGHWA TECH CO.Inventor: Pal Sung Baek
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Publication number: 20080164750Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mounting a wheel onto a rim, and a corresponding compensating element. The method comprises the following steps: a rim is provided with a specific rim balance error and a specially embodied point which is used to receive a functional element, for example, a valve; a wheel is provided with a specific wheel balance error and a compensating element is provided which is configured in such a manner that it is can be fixed to the point which is used to receive a functional element, such that after mounting on the rim on the point which is used to receive the functional element of the rim, balance error occurs in the drivable state, said balance error lying within a predetermined tolerance range corresponding to the balance error of the wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2004Publication date: July 10, 2008Inventor: Aldo Vanetta
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Publication number: 20080150348Abstract: Methods and systems for facilitating weight placement on a vehicle wheel assembly that includes a tire and a wheel are provided. The method includes determining an imbalance characteristic associated with a plane of the vehicle wheel, determining a correction weight placement position associated with the determined imbalance characteristic, and directing a line of visible light at the determined weight placement position.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2006Publication date: June 26, 2008Inventors: Michael W. Douglas, Michael D. Gerdes, David M. Scribner, Micah N. Vaninger
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Publication number: 20080088173Abstract: A wheel balancing device of this invention comprising a wheel balancing body having a wheel rim engaging bar made of iron metal or iron-based metal component to be formed in any shape as required. Being provided on one side of the wheel balancing body is an engaging part fixed thereto. The engaging part is composed of an engaging plate having one end engaged and fixed to one end of the wheel rim engaging bar by a locking means and the other end is bent as an upper curve to be locked and fixed to a wheel rim of an automobile. The wheel rim engaging bar and a part of engaging plate are enwrapped by the outer cover plate made of plastic or plastic-contained composition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 14, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Applicant: P.C. PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL CO., LTD.Inventor: Pravuth Chanchareon
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Publication number: 20080060425Abstract: Methods and systems for reducing imbalance in a wheel assembly are provided. The method includes determining an imbalance characteristic associated with a first plane, determining an imbalance characteristic associated with a second plane, and translating a component of the imbalance characteristic from the first plane to the second plane.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 8, 2006Publication date: March 13, 2008Inventor: Michael W. Douglas
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Publication number: 20080042485Abstract: A balancing weight for vehicle wheels, the weight including a body provided with a concavely or convexly curved contact face for resting against a convexly or concavely curved rim part of a wheel, such as a rim flange. The contact face includes a plurality of successive lateral sections which are separated from each other by bends or edges of differently dimensioned curvatures.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2004Publication date: February 21, 2008Inventor: Dietmar Wagenschein
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Patent number: 7267410Abstract: A balance weight is formed into a columnar shape to extend in an axial direction of a spoke connecting a wheel hub and a rim of a spoke wheel, has an insertion recess extending over its entire axial length to open in its outer periphery, and is secured by crimping to the spoke to surround the spoke inserted into the insertion recess. A reduced section having a decreased outer diameter is provided on the balance weight at an end facing toward the wheel hub. Thus, the balance weights can be mounted to the adjacent spokes of the spoke wheel without interference therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignees: Honda Motor Co., Ltd., Toho Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Shinji Ito, Yutaka Yamaguchi
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Patent number: 7249804Abstract: A wheel-balancing weight mounts to a wheel with a flange. The weight has a weighted body and a clip securely attached thereto. The clip has a gripping section and the body has a gripping portion generally opposite the gripping section of the clip. The gripping section of the clip and the gripping portion of the body in combination define a compartment therebetween, where the compartment receives the flange therein when the weight is mounted thereto such that the gripping section of the clip and the gripping portion of the body are on opposite sides of the flange and grip the flange therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2003Date of Patent: July 31, 2007Assignee: Perfect Equipment Inc.Inventors: Chris C Zank, Phillip W. Snyder, Steven J. Schmidt, Shelah D. Phillips, Michael P. Astorino
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Patent number: 7237326Abstract: A device for applying balancing weights to vehicle wheels in wheel balancing machines, comprising: a detector for the position of an indicator that can slide on rectilinear guides with respect to a wheel supported rotatable on the frame of a balancing machine; removable locking elements the indicator in at least one direction of sliding activatable when a preset position of the indicator is reached and comprising at least one first and second gears, supported rotatable on the wheel machine which mesh with each other; transmission elements for transmitting motion of the indicator to the first gear; and motion elements for moving a third gear between an inactive configuration, in which it is disengaged from the first and second gears, and a locking configuration, in which the third gear is engaged with the teeth of the first and second gears to prevent their rotation.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2004Date of Patent: July 3, 2007Assignee: Sicam S.R.L.Inventors: Dido Boni, Marco Montanari
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Patent number: 7221441Abstract: A method for the operation of a vehicle wheel service system configured to illuminate a surface of a vehicle wheel rim and tire assembly. The method includes the steps of mounting a vehicle wheel rim and tire assembly onto the vehicle wheel service system, coating a surface of the vehicle wheel rim and tire assembly with a medium to alter the optical characteristics of the vehicle wheel rim and tire assembly surface, and illuminating the optically altered surface of the vehicle wheel rim and tire assembly.Type: GrantFiled: August 6, 2004Date of Patent: May 22, 2007Assignee: Hunter Engineering CompanyInventors: Michael W. Douglas, Thomas Golab
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Patent number: 7216938Abstract: A wheel-balancing weight mounts to a wheel with a flange. The weight has a weighted body and a clip securely attached thereto. The body defines a recess therein, and the clip has a securing portion formed to be securely positioned within the recess defined in the body and a grasping portion for securely grasping the flange. The recess of the body allows the clip to be axially positioned with respect to such body so that the body is axially shifted toward the mounted-to wheel to achieve a proper fit to the wheel. The securing portion of the clip is secured within the recess by flowing a portion of the body adjacent such clip into contact therewith.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2004Date of Patent: May 15, 2007Assignee: Perfect Equipment Inc.Inventor: Shelah Phillips
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Patent number: 7192096Abstract: A weight comprising a cartridge having at least one interior chamber, the interior chamber at least partially filled with a flowable balance media, and wherein the cartridge is longitudinally arcuate, at least when attached to a wheel, about an angle of up to 180 degrees or less. The weight provides a balanced tire in the new or just balanced condition and helps retain the balance under changes in at least one operational characteristic of the tire/wheel assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2005Date of Patent: March 20, 2007Inventors: Robert D. Fogal, Sr., Robert D. Fogal, Jr.
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Patent number: 7093907Abstract: A vehicle wheel weight includes a mass portion cold-formed of nonlead material adapted to be juxtaposed against a wheel rim. The mass portion defines a clip securement cavity formed therein which is seamless at its respective ends. A clip made of spring steel is also provided. The clip has an attachment portion inserted into and retained in the clip securement cavity such that an end of the attachment portion is located entirely within the mass portion and the clip is fixed to the mass portion. The clip further has an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 2005Date of Patent: August 22, 2006Assignee: Hennessy Industries, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Jenkins, Ross Everhard
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Patent number: 7055914Abstract: A vehicle wheel weight has a mass portion of a nonlead material configured as a strip having a plurality of weight segments. Adjacent weight segments are separated by a transverse groove defined in the strip. Each of the grooves is configured so as to provide a web of reduced width thickness that flexibly interconnects adjacent segments. An adhesive is provided at a back surface of the strip to permit attachment of the strip to a vehicle wheel. A release liner is located on the adhesive to protect the adhesive prior to use.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2005Date of Patent: June 6, 2006Assignee: Hennessy Industries, Inc.Inventors: Ralph L. Jenkins, Ross Everhard
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Patent number: 7044561Abstract: Disclosed herein is a wheel balancing device having a plurality of wheel balancing weights attached to a top surface of an elongate tape, and a backing strip removably attached to and protecting an adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the tape. The backing strip is serrated below the grooves separating the individual wheel balancing weights to facilitate separation of the individual weights quickly and easily. Each backing strip serration may be in the shape of a lift tab or finger grip to further ease removal of the backing strip from the adhesive layer on the bottom surface of the tape.Type: GrantFiled: November 18, 2003Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Halko Manufacturing Co.Inventors: Lawrence D. Petchel, Andrew R. Halko
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Patent number: 6948781Abstract: The present invention relates to a balance weight assembly for a vehicle wheel, including a portion designed to attach and fix the balance weight to the flange edge of a wheel rim and a portion designed to retain a weight made from a high-density material, such as tungsten rod.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 2003Date of Patent: September 27, 2005Inventor: Joseph Sery
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Patent number: 6890038Abstract: A balancing weight for a vehicle tire consisting of a bar (1) comprising several balance weights (2, 3) which may be separated from one another. The bar (1) is made of a lead and tin alloy having 55 to 70% of lead and 30 to 45% of tin. Each balance weight (2, 3) is linked to its neighbors by a rod (4). It comprises a device for being fixed on a wheel.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 2000Date of Patent: May 10, 2005Inventor: Ferdinando Lucchesi
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Patent number: 6874856Abstract: A wheel balance weight includes a weight and an installation member. The weight is composed of at least one member selected from the group consisting of zinc and a zinc-based alloy, is formed as a substantially strip shape having a substantially uniform thickness, and has opposite surfaces and at least a groove. The groove is formed in at least one of the opposite surfaces of the weight, and crosses in the width-wise direction of the weight. The installation member is adapted for installing the weight to a rim in a wheel. Since the weight is composed of zinc or a zinc-based alloy, environments are inhibited from being polluted when the wheel balance weight is abolished. Moreover, it is possible to manufacture the wheel balance weight at reduced costs and install it to wheels with ease.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2003Date of Patent: April 5, 2005Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Toho Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yasunori Yoshimura, Eiji Suzuki, Yoshihiro Ichimura, Yoichiro Inaba, Yutaka Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20040256909Abstract: The present invention relates to a balance weight assembly for a vehicle wheel, including a portion designed to attach and fix the balance weight to the flange edge of a wheel rim and a portion designed to retain a weight made from a high-density material, such as tungsten rod.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2003Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventor: Joseph Sery
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Patent number: 6826817Abstract: A method is provided for quickly and inexpensively balancing an article, such a driveshaft tube for use in a vehicular driveshaft assembly, for rotation about an axis. Initially, a balancing structure is provided that includes a chamber that contains a quantity of a first component of a balancing material. The balancing structure is secured to the article. Then, a quantity of a second component of the balancing material is disposed within the chamber so as to initiate solidification of the balancing material. Lastly, before the balancing material solidifies, the article and the balancing structure are rotated so as to cause the balancing material to move within the chamber to a position wherein the combined assembly of the article and the balancing structure are balanced for rotation. The balancing material solidifies in this position, thus permanently balancing the article for rotation.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2002Date of Patent: December 7, 2004Assignee: Torque-Traction Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Jeremy A. Rapp
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Patent number: 6820669Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: November 23, 2004Assignee: Tezzen Wheel CorporationInventors: Frank J. Hodges, Sergiu Anca
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Publication number: 20040149033Abstract: A high-accuracy wheel spacer is used in an off-vehicle wheel servicing machine. The servicing machine includes an elongated mounting shaft operatively connected to a drive motor and extending outwardly from a motor housing. A face plate is fixed to the mounting shaft proximate the motor housing and cooperates with a clamping assembly to sandwich and dynamically center the vehicle wheel on the shaft. The wheel spacer includes a base having first and second opposing major surfaces. A plurality of outwardly-projecting spacer pins depend from the first major surface of the base, and are adapted for engaging a limited surface area of the face plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 20, 2003Publication date: August 5, 2004Inventor: Allan H. Hansen
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Patent number: 6759952Abstract: A tire and suspension monitoring and warning system consisting of a set of multi-function sensors that monitor and warn of a failure mode. The system monitors and warns for tire imbalance, tire tread wear, and shock absorbers for a tire attached to a vehicle. The monitoring and warning system includes one axial, radial, and lateral acceleration measurement of the wheel to provide acceleration signal sample power. For tire imbalance, signal sample power in the second harmonic of the tire rotational frequency is compared to that of the first harmonic. For tire tread wear, average signal sample power within a second frequency range is compared to a previously stored baseline value. For shock absorber performance, a sum of all frequency components in a second predetermined frequency range is compared to a baseline value.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2001Date of Patent: July 6, 2004Assignee: TRW Inc.Inventors: Barry Dunbridge, Kenneth L. Brown, George W. McIver, Kiran R. Magiawala, Kelley D. Chilcott
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Publication number: 20040095012Abstract: A wheel balance adjustment device and wheel balance adjustment method which can improve directional stability and handling stability are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2003Publication date: May 20, 2004Inventors: Yutaka Naruse, Yozo Hattori
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Patent number: 6736007Abstract: A tire/wheel assembly assembling method, including a balance weight determination step, in which the weight and attachment position of a balance weight to be attached to a wheel are determined on the assumption that the minimum point of the RRO of the wheel will be phase matched with the maximum point of the RFV of a tire and based on the weight and position of the heavy point of the static unbalance of the wheel and the weight and position of the light point of the static unbalance of the tire, a balance weight attachment step, in which the balance weight is attached to the wheel based on the determined weight and attachment position, and an assembling step, in which the wheel and the tire are assembled together upon phase matching the minimum point of the RRO of the wheel with the maximum point of the RFV of the tire.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2002Date of Patent: May 18, 2004Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Shinichi Watanabe, Hisamitsu Takagi, Mikio Kashiwai, Shiro Sato, Hidemi Ichinose
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Publication number: 20040090109Abstract: A wheel balance adjusting structure for a vehicle comprising a balance spring mounted inside a wheel for adjustment of the static balance of the wheel, thereby maintaining a fine appearance of the wheel and a firm coupling state between the wheel and the balance spring, resulting in an easy installation and a balance adjustment of the wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2003Publication date: May 13, 2004Inventor: Chang-Seop An
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Patent number: 6729694Abstract: A balance weight for a wheel of a two-wheel vehicle includes a weight body made from metal other than lead and a clip made from spring steel. The weight body includes a U-shaped transverse cross-section and a groove for mounting the clip therein. The weight body further includes a groove bottom wall and a pair of groove side walls connected to opposite width ends of the groove bottom wall. The clip includes a bottom portion and a pair of arms connected to opposite width ends of the bottom portion of the clip. The clip is mounted to the groove bottom wall of the weight body with the bottom portion of the clip contacting closely to the groove bottom wall of the weight body. The clip and the weight body are coupled to each other by a mechanical coupling. The coupling may be replaced by a local welding.Type: GrantFiled: October 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 4, 2004Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Saburo Maruyama
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Publication number: 20040056528Abstract: To provide fine adjustment in replacing tires in accordance with customers' driving preference.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 29, 2003Publication date: March 25, 2004Inventor: Yutaka Naruse
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Patent number: 6698845Abstract: A wheel, especially for use on vehicles, comprises at least one end region having an outer surface and comprising a free end, the end region being provided with at least one fitting recess for fitting at least one wheel balance weight, the recess defining at least one contact surface that projects from the free end on the outer surface of the end region, the contact surface being capable of interacting by friction with a balance weight fixing clamp.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Meritor do Brasil LtdaInventors: Claudio Corte, Joao Batista Tulimosky
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Publication number: 20040007912Abstract: A wheel balancing weight attached to the rim of a wheel for balancing the wheel is disclosed. The wheel balancing weight comprises a weight mass manufactured from zinc composite or a zinc based material and a means for attaching said weight mass to the rim. The zinc composite or zinc based material wheel balancing weight exhibits physical characteristics in terms of corrosion resistance and ductility comparable to those of traditional lead alloy wheel balancing weights while at the same time providing an environmentally friendly alternative to lead.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 15, 2002Publication date: January 15, 2004Inventors: Jacques Amyot, Georges Usereau, Donald Argo, Pierre Labelle, Martin Lussier, Michel Lefebvre
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Patent number: 6676224Abstract: In a tire-wheel assembly, in which a pneumatic tire is installed to a rim of a wheel, an auxiliary ring or auxiliary plate of which dynamic balance has been adjusted is attached coaxially with the wheel onto a rim flange on an outside of the wheel when the tire-wheel assembly is attached onto a vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tomohiko Kogure, Tatsuo Suzuki, Shinji Seimiya, Eiji Saito
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Patent number: 6663190Abstract: For balancing a wheel, which is formed of a rolled plate having varying thickness, the wheel is provided with a disk which is formed by a rolled plate having varying thickness in the rolling direction, wherein wheel balance is adjusted by radially adjusting the angle between the location of the thick part of the disk and the location of the air valve insertion hole, and the location of the air valve insertion hole certainly accords with the heaviest point by conforming the location of the air valve insertion hole with the location of the thick part of the disk.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: December 16, 2003Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Ring Techs Co., LTDInventors: Mikio Kashiwai, Shiro Sato, Hisamitsu Takagi, Shinichi Watanabe, Hidemi Ichinose, Mitsuru Yokoyama
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Patent number: 6659567Abstract: A wheel balance weight includes a weight and a double-sided tape. The weight is formed as a substantially strip shape, is made from a ferrous alloy, and has opposite top and bottom surfaces and at least a groove. The groove is formed in the bottom surface of the weight, and crosses in the width-wise direction thereof being substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction thereof. The double-sided tape has opposite adhesive surfaces being disposed back to back with each other. One of the opposite adhesive surfaces is to be bonded onto the bottom surface of the weight, and the other one of the opposite adhesive surfaces to be bonded onto an inner peripheral surface of a wheel. Accordingly, it is possible to curve the weight with less force. Hence, it is possible to install the wheel balance weight to a wheel with ease.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2002Date of Patent: December 9, 2003Assignee: Toho Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yutaka Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20030197421Abstract: A wheel balance weight includes a weight and an installation member. The weight is composed of at least one member selected from the group consisting of zinc and a zinc-based alloy, is formed as a substantially strip shape having a substantially uniform thickness, and has opposite surfaces and at least a groove. The groove is formed in at least one of the opposite surfaces of the weight, and crosses in the width-wise direction of the weight. The installation member is adapted for installing the weight to a rim in a wheel. Since the weight is composed of zinc or a zinc-based alloy, environments are inhibited from being polluted when the wheel balance weight is abolished. Moreover, it is possible to manufacture the wheel balance weight at reduced costs and install it to wheels with ease.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2003Publication date: October 23, 2003Inventors: Yasunori Yoshimura, Eiji Suzuki, Yoshihiro Ichimura, Yoichiro Inaba, Yutaka Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20030137186Abstract: A wheel, especially for use on vehicles, comprises at least one end region having an outer surface and comprising a free end, the end region being provided with at least one fitting recess for fitting at least one wheel balance weight, the recess defining at least one contact surface that projects from the free end on the outer surface of the end region, the contact surface being capable of interacting by friction with a balance weight fixing clamp.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2002Publication date: July 24, 2003Applicant: Meritor Do Brasil LTDA.Inventors: Claudio Corte, Joao Batista Tulimosky
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Patent number: 6592188Abstract: A wheel balance weight includes a plurality of weights, an adhesive sealing member and a regulatory member. The adhesive sealing member fastens the plurality of weights onto an inner peripheral surface of a rim in a wheel, and has an adhesive surface to be bonded to the inner peripheral surface. The regulatory member inhibits at least two of the plurality of weights, being disposed to neighbor with each other, from moving by greater than a predetermined magnitude. Hence, the wheel balance weight deal can be dealt with readily before it is installed to the wheel, is likely to conform to the inner surface, and can have a desired mass by adjusting the number of the weights.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Toho Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventor: Yutaka Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20030127906Abstract: A wheel balance weight includes a weight and a double-sided tape. The weight is formed as a substantially strip shape, is made from a ferrous alloy, and has opposite top and bottom surfaces and at least a groove. The groove is formed in the bottom surface of the weight, and crosses in the width-wise direction thereof being substantially perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction thereof. The double-sided tape has opposite adhesive surfaces being disposed back to back with each other. One of the opposite adhesive surfaces is to be bonded onto the bottom surface of the weight, and the other one of the opposite adhesive surfaces to be bonded onto an inner peripheral surface of a wheel. Accordingly, it is possible to curve the weight with a less force. Hence, it is possible to install the wheel balance weight to a wheel with ease.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2002Publication date: July 10, 2003Inventor: Yutaka Yamaguchi
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Publication number: 20030117006Abstract: In a tire-wheel assembly, in which a pneumatic tire is installed to a rim of a wheel, an auxiliary ring or auxiliary plate of which dynamic balance has been adjusted is attached coaxially with the wheel onto a rim flange on an outside of the wheel when the tire-wheel assembly is attached onto a vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 19, 2002Publication date: June 26, 2003Inventors: Tomohiko Kogure, Tatsuo Suzuki, Shinji Seimiya, Eiji Saito
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Patent number: 6581444Abstract: An automotive roadwheel is pre-balanced before a tire is mounted thereto. The wheel is balanced by applying a mass of ballasted adhesive to a protected surface of the wheel.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2001Date of Patent: June 24, 2003Assignee: Superior Industries International, Inc.Inventor: Pushpinder Singh Bal
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Patent number: 6553831Abstract: A wheel balancing device mounts to a wheel containing a flange having generally opposing sides. The device comprises a pair of weighted bodies and a spring element connected to and interposed between the pair of weighted bodies. The device is mounted to the wheel by positioning the flange thereof between the weighted bodies. The spring element is biased to apply an interference spring force to the weighted bodies, where the force on the weighted bodies causes such bodies to grip the flange positioned therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Perfect Equipment Company LLCInventors: Steven John Schmidt, William Carl Thon, Kevin William Quillen
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Patent number: 6554371Abstract: A vehicle wheel cover retention system wherein the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the associated wheel includes a unique construction for securing a wheel cover to the wheel. In particular, the vehicle wheel includes a disc which defines an outboard facing wheel surface and includes an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard tire bead seat retaining flange includes an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein. A relatively thin wheel cover (which may or may not conform to the exact contour of the disc) covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel disc surface. In particular, the wheel cover includes an outer annular lip which extends into the groove.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventors: Michael V. Maloney, Thomas E. Heck, James A. Lumm, James H. Kemmerer
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Patent number: 6547338Abstract: A weight for correcting imbalance in a rotary element includes a number of discrete weights. The number of discrete weights is selected to substantially correct the imbalance. A piece of double sided tape has sufficient length for the number of discrete weights to be adhered to the length of double sided tape. A removable film protects the side of the tape opposite the side to which the discrete weights are adhered. The film reduces the likelihood of contamination until the film is removed to expose the side of the tape opposite the side to which the discrete weights are adhered, permitting the weight to be applied to the rotary element.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2001Date of Patent: April 15, 2003Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.Inventors: Peter L. Gross, Todd L. Eck