Abstract: A method for producing a sand core includes the following steps: (a) providing a casting mold having a mold cavity, the casting mold including at least one first conduit and at least one second conduit; (b) providing a sand core disposed in the mold cavity; (c) providing a supply of conditioning gas to the casting mold, the conditioning gas being supplied to the casting mold through at least one of the first and second conduits; (d) providing a controller connected to the first conduit and the second conduit to selectively control the supply of conditioning gas; (e) providing a gas exhaust unit operatively connected to the casting mold; (f) operating the gas exhaust unit to cause the conditioning gas to be moved through the sand core; and (g) removing the sand core from the casting mold.

Abstract: The invention relates to a brake rotor having improved damping characteristics and a method for producing the same. A surface of the brake rotor is EDG machined, also known as EDM machined, for improving the damping characteristics of the rotor. The decay rate of the brake rotor is increased and the Q factor of the brake rotor is reduced. The portion of the brake rotor which is EDG machined is formed of an electrically conductive material, preferably a ferrous material, more preferably a cast iron material, a gray iron material or a damped iron material. The brake rotor may include a solid friction section or a ventilated friction section. The brake rotor is preferably cast from a single material, although alternatively, it may be a composite rotor formed of more than one material.

Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a wheel cover (16) secured to a vehicle wheel.

Abstract: This invention relates to a brake system adapted for use with a rotary turntable. The brake system includes a braking member secured to the rotary turntable, at least one brake band, and an actuator operatively connected to the brake band for selectively moving the brake band between a braking position and a non-braking position. The braking member has a generally annular shape and includes a generally annular outer braking surface. The brake band has a generally annular shape and includes a generally annular outer friction surface disposed adjacent the annular outer braking surface of the braking member. The brake band is movable between a first non-braking position, wherein the friction surface of the brake band is spaced apart from the braking surface of the braking member, and a second braking position, wherein the friction surface of the brake band contacts at least a portion of the braking surface of the braking member. The brake band includes a first end and an opposite second end.

Abstract: A universal wheel transport hook includes a body portion having a suspension hook formed in one end and a C-shaped cradle formed in the other end. A spacer portion is formed between the suspension hook and the C-shaped cradle. At least one retaining clip and retaining bar assembly is mounted upon the body portion between the spacer portion and the C-shaped cradle. At least one retaining pad is mounted upon the C-shaped cradle.

Abstract: An improved method for forming a vehicle wheel includes the steps of steps of: (a) providing a wheel rim defining a rim axis and including a generally axially extending well portion and a pair of opposed ends, one of the ends including an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange and an inboard tire bead seat, and the other end including an outboard tire bead seat; (b) providing a generally circular wheel disc blank defining a disc axis, the disc blank including an inner annular wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion; (c) subjecting the wheel disc blank to a series of metal forming operations to produce a finished disc having a final profile, the finished wheel disc having an outer annular portion, an inner annular wheel mounting portion, and an intermediate portion having a generally convex profile; and (d) joining the finished wheel disc to the wheel rim to produce a fabricated vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A composite air intake manifold assembly adapted for use with an internal combustion engine includes an upper half shell formed from a polymer, a lower half shell formed from a polymer and joined to the upper half shell to define a housing having an internal cavity, and a one piece inner shell formed from a polymer and disposed within the cavity. The one piece inner shell in combination with the upper half shell and the lower half shell cooperate to define at least a pair of spaced apart air intake runners. Each of the runners includes an opened air intake end adapted to receive atmospheric air, and an opened air inlet end adapted to be connected to an associated air inlet side of a cylinder head of the internal combustion engine.

Abstract: An improved mold for casting motorcycle wheels includes a wider rim cavity having smooth contours to facilitate the flow of molten metal within the mold cavity.

Abstract: A process for casting or forging a wheel disc upon the end of a metal hoop. The metal hoop is then formed into a wheel rim. The rim and disc are machined to assure concentric tire bead seats.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel includes a one-piece backbone wheel cast from a light-weight metal. The backbone wheel includes a generally cylindrical wheel rim adapted to carry a vehicle tire, and a wheel disc backbone extending across the wheel rim. The wheel disc backbone is adapted to be mounted on the vehicle. A styled plastic wheel face is molded on at least a portion of the wheel disc backbone.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a plurality of cast products includes a plurality of molds, and a casting apparatus which casts products in the molds. A multi-level pallet carries the molds containing the cast products on at least two vertical levels. A loading apparatus loads the molds onto the multi-level pallet. A conveyor moves the multi-level pallet through a cooling area which is sufficient to cool the cast products for removal from the molds. An unloading apparatus unloads the molds from the multi-level pallet. In a method of producing a plurality of cast products, the products are cast in a plurality of molds. The molds are loaded onto a multi-level pallet which carries the molds on at least two vertical levels. The multi-level pallet is conveyed through a cooling area which is sufficient to cool the cast products for removal from the molds. After cooling, the molds are unloaded from the multi-level pallet.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a full face wheel comprising a full face wheel disc and a partial wheel rim. The wheel disc includes an inboard portion having an annular groove formed therein. The wheel rim includes an annular tapered outboard end. The tapered outboard end of the wheel rim is received in the groove in a slip fit. A bond such as a weld is formed between the outboard end of the wheel rim and the inboard portion of the wheel disc to secure the wheel rim to the wheel disc.

Abstract: A mold for casting a vehicle wheel includes a movable top core which cooperates with a base member to define a mold cavity. The mold also includes a plurality of movable segments mounted upon the top core. The movable segments define a central gate which communicates with the mold cavity. The central gate receives a charge of molten metal and feeds the charge into the mold cavity. A porous filter is disposed within the gate.

Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a vehicle wheel including a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The vehicle wheel further includes a first wheel cover and a second wheel cover. The first wheel cover covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface, and the second wheel cover covers the entire portion of the outer peripheral end of the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. Preferably, an adhesive is applied to one of the outboard facing wheel surface and the first wheel cover inner surface to permanently secure the first wheel cover and the disc together.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: This invention relates to a full face vehicle wheel including a wheel rim joined to a wheel disc. The disc includes a body having a wheel mounting surface and an outer annular portion which defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the wheel. The outer annular portion includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The outer surface defines a radially extending outer surface in the region of the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange, and the inner surface defines a radially extending inner fit up surface. The outer annular portion further includes a non-radially extending inner surface spaced directly inwardly of the inner fit up surface. The rim defines an axis and includes an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, an axially extending well, and an outboard tire bead seat which terminates at an extruded inturned flange.

Abstract: A method for producing a full face vehicle wheel wherein at least the inboard tire bead seat is precisely oriented and located relative to all axis of the associated vehicle wheel includes the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle wheel assembly having a wheel rim and a wheel disc joined together and defining a horizontal wheel axis, the wheel rim including an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a well and an outboard tire bead seat, the wheel disc including a wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion which defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the vehicle wheel; (b) supporting the vehicle wheel assembly on a vehicle wheel fixturing and press apparatus including a wheel fixturing member and a wheel press member; and (c) selectively moving at least one of the wheel fixturing member and the wheel press member toward one another so as to engage and squeeze the inboard tire bead seat radially so as to expand the inboard tire bead seat in the radial direction

Abstract: A decration sensor includes a pendulum which is suspended within an U-shaped bucket. The pendulum carries a permanent magnet which is adjacent to a Hall Effect device mounted upon the bucket. Both the pendulum and bucket are carried in an open ended housing which permits movement of the bucket relative to the pendulum to adjust for surface angles when the sensor is mounted upon a vehicle. Upon the deceleration of the vehicle, the pendulum move relative to the Hall Effect Device. As a result of the changing magnetic field, a voltage is generated by the Hall Effect Device which is directly proportional to the vehicle deceleration.

Abstract: Cast metal wheels, such as those made of aluminum and magnesium alloys generally have a thick cross section in the area where the wheel disc joins the rim. The disclosed invention is drawn to a device for reducing the weight of a cast metal vehicle wheel. The device includes an annular tube which is supported in the mold in the wheel is cast. The device is then cast within the wheel rim or disc and forms a hollow cavity inside the wheel which reduces the weight of the wheel.

Abstract: This invention relates to an full face vehicle wheel including a wheel rim joined to a wheel disc. The wheel disc defines an axis and includes a body having a centrally located wheel mounting surface and an outer annular portion. The outer annular portion defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the full face vehicle wheel, and includes an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface of the outer annular portion defines an inner fit up surface of the wheel disc. The wheel rim includes an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, an axially extending well, and an outboard tire bead seat. The outboard tire bead seat terminates at a generally circular shaped outer having a substantially full radius outer diameter along the entire periphery thereof. The circular shaped outer end defines a non-flat point of contact surface.