Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle wheel cover retention system for securing a wheel cover to a vehicle wheel. According to one embodiment, the vehicle wheel cover retention system is for a non-full face fabricated vehicle wheel and comprises: a full outer wheel rim formed from a suitable material and including a first rim flange, a first tire bead seat, a well, a second tire bead seat, and a second rim flange, the full outer wheel rim defining a first surface extending between the first an second rim flanges; an inner wheel disc defining a wheel axis and formed from a suitable material and joined to the full outer wheel rim, the inner wheel disc including a centrally located wheel mounting surface and an outer annular portion, the inner wheel disc having a first surface and a second surface; and a wheel cover formed from a suitable material and secured to at least one of the first surface of the inner wheel disc, the second surface of the inner wheel disc, and the first surface of said full outer wheel rim.

Abstract: A wheel pylon includes a tubular mounting shaft that slidably receives a tubular support shaft. A helical spring is disposed within the shafts and a stop, formed from a resilient material, is mounted upon an end of the support shaft. The wheel pylon extends axially to accommodate wheel discs having different axial recess depths.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a wheel cover and a vehicle wheel including such a wheel cover. The method for producing the vehicle wheel cover comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tooling fixture including at least a first tooling member and a second tooling member; (b) providing a wheel cover having at least a preformed outer end; (c) positioning the wheel cover onto the tooling fixture wherein the wheel cover is supported on the first tooling member and spaced apart from the second tooling member; (d) actuating the tooling fixture whereby the second tooling member is operative to engage and reshape the outer end of the wheel cover to produce a desired outer end shape; and (e) removing the wheel cover from the tooling fixture.

Abstract: A method of forming a wheel disc starts with a flat blank. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc, wherein each window has a respective outer edge proximate with a continuous outer band around a periphery of the wheel disc. The windows define a plurality of spokes between adjacent windows, and the angular size of each of the windows along the outer band is preferably greater than the angular size of each of the spokes. The outer band is partially closed toward a cylindrical shape by engaging a cam die against at least a portion of the outer band. The outer band is substantially fully closed into a cylindrical shape by axially wiping the outer band using a cylindrical die. The intermediate camming operation achieves the desired final shape after wiping without introducing stresses that would weaken or distort the wheel disc.

Abstract: A method of forming a wheel disc starts with a flat blank. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc, wherein each window has a respective outer edge proximate with a continuous outer band around a periphery of the wheel disc. The windows define a plurality of spokes between adjacent windows, and the angular size of each of the windows along the outer band is preferably greater than the angular size of each of the spokes. The outer band is partially closed toward a cylindrical shape by engaging a cam die against at least a portion of the outer band. The outer band is substantially fully closed into a cylindrical shape by axially wiping the outer band using a cylindrical die. The intermediate camming operation achieves the desired final shape after wiping without introducing stresses that would weaken or distort the wheel disc.

Abstract: An improved fabricated wheel disc and a fabricated vehicle wheel including such a fabricated wheel disc and a fabricated wheel rim secured thereto by suitable methods. The fabricated wheel disc defines an axis and includes a wheel mounting surface portion, a plurality of spokes, an outer rim connecting flange, a plurality of lug bolt receiving holes and an outboard face. The wheel mounting surface includes at least one rib formed therein between at least one pair of the lug bolt receiving holes. The rib has a straight outer surface which extends at an angle with respect to the fabricated wheel disc axis throughout an entire length thereof.

Abstract: According to the invention, the fabricated vehicle wheel includes a conventional full wheel rim and a unique wheel disc joined to the wheel rim. The wheel disc includes an inner wheel mounting pad, an outer annular rim connecting flange and a plurality of radial spokes connecting the inner wheel mounting pad to the rim connecting flange. The rim connecting flange extends in an axial direction and defines a side edge surface extending between each pair of adjacent spokes. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc. Each of the windows has a predetermined shape defined by the adjacent spokes and the side edge surface of the rim connecting flange. The rim connecting flange and the side edge surface are configured such that the window extends to an outermost periphery of the wheel disc. The inner wheel mounting pad includes at least one rib provided therein. The rib has an outer surface and an inner surface, at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface is provided with a flat planar surface.

Abstract: A take-apart safety vehicle wheel assembly includes an inner rim and an outer rim joined thereto. The inner rim includes an outer cylindrical surface and a generally radially extending disc portion. The outer rim includes a generally axially extending portion defining an inner cylindrical rim surface and a generally radially extending disc portion having an air passage formed therethrough. An air passage groove is formed in one of the inner rim and the outer rim, and extends from the air passage to a tire air chamber of the wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel cover retention system for securing a wheel cover to a vehicle wheel. In one embodiment, the vehicle wheel cover retention system comprises a wheel formed from a suitable material and including an outboard face having a retention groove formed therein near an outboard flange thereof; and a wheel cover formed from a suitable material and including an outer portion having a tab formed thereon and an outer annular extension extending radially outwardly relative to the tab toward the outboard flange of the wheel; wherein the tab is received in the retention groove to secure the wheel cover to the wheel.

Abstract: The vehicle wheel cover retention system comprises a wheel formed from a suitable material and including a first hub hole provided therein. The first hub hole has a retention member formed in a generally axially extending portion thereof. The wheel cover is formed from a suitable material and includes a second hub hole provided therein. The second hub hole includes an annular axially extending segmented projection. The segmented projection includes a plurality of first tabs and a plurality of second tabs. The plurality of second tabs include a chamfered outer circumferential surface and a shoulder provided thereon. During assembly, the chamfered outer circumferential surface of the plurality of second tabs deflect radially inwardly as the wheel cover is initially installed and moved toward the retention member and then as the wheel cover is further advanced the second tabs move radially outward to enable the shoulder to engage the retention member to thereby secure the wheel cover to the wheel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a vehicle wheel cover retention system for securing a wheel cover to a vehicle wheel using an adhesive. According to one feature of the invention, the wheel cover has a portion which extends to a backside of a window, the portion having a lip formed thereon which is received in a cut provided on the backside of the window in order to retain the wheel cover in place on the wheel for a time sufficient to enable the adhesive to cure in order to permanently secure the wheel cover to the wheel. According to another feature of the invention, the wheel cover has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface provided with a lip formed thereon which is received in a groove formed in an outboard face of the wheel in order to retain the wheel cover in place on the wheel for a time sufficient to enable the adhesive to cure in order to permanently secure the wheel cover to the wheel.

Abstract: An air intake manifold assembly for use with an internal combustion engine includes a plenum portion and a runner assembly mounted to the plenum portion. The runner assembly has a flange disposed between an air intake portion and an air outlet portion.

Abstract: A fixture for measuring the elongation of a specimen includes a base. The base carries a fixture portion, and the fixture portion is provided with a surface adapted to receive a portion of the specimen.

Abstract: A commercial vehicle wheel includes a wheel hub surface formed with alternating raised and recessed segments that allows mounting two of the wheels upon a single axle hub.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a valve cover assembly adapted to be secured to a cylinder head of a vehicle engine. The valve cover assembly includes a valve cover body formed from a first material and an attachment member formed from a second material and attached to the valve cover body.

Abstract: An apparatus for the delivery of molten metal includes a container that is pivotably supported by a transportable support structure. An actuator mounted upon the support structure and connected to the container is operable to pivot the container relative to the support structure.

Abstract: A protective cover that is shaped as a mirror image of a portion of a wheel surface is attached to a support plate of a wheel lathe chuck assembly to protect the portion of the vehicle wheel surface during machining.

Abstract: A single tool that provides multiple machining operations for forming a lug hole through a vehicle wheel hub includes an end portion having a first diameter and a mid-portion having a second diameter that is greater than the first diameter. A spade drill bit is mounted upon the end portion and a bore cutting tool is mounted upon the mid-portion.

Abstract: A chuck for mounting wheel castings having different diameters upon a wheel lathe for machining the casting to final shape is provided. The chuck includes stepped jaw inserts that cooperate with corresponding stepped part supports to securely mount the wheel castings upon the chuck.

Abstract: A wheel chuck includes a plurality of moveable jaws mounted upon a support structure. A plurality of moveable counterweights are mounted upon the support structure with each counterweight opposite from and connected to a corresponding one of the jaws. Upon rotation of the chuck the counterweights develop forces in opposition to centrifugal forces acting upon the jaws.