Abstract: A vehicle wheel is defined by a substrate including a face and a rim portion. The face defines a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly between a central portion of the face and the rim portion and defining a mating portion. An applique is affixed to the wheel at the mating portion. A polymer over-coating that is substantially transparent extends over the applique and the wheel substrate defining a continuous polymer surface over the applique and the wheel substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel is defined by a substrate including a face and a rim portion. The face defines a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly between a central portion of the face and the rim portion and defining a mating portion. An applique is affixed to the wheel at the mating portion. A polymer over-coating that is substantially transparent extends over the applique and the wheel substrate defining a continuous polymer surface over the applique and the wheel substrate.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel includes a face portion including a central portion defining a Wheel axis and a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly from the face portion. A rim portion circumscribes the wheel axis and is interconnected to the face portion by the plurality of spokes. The face portion and the rim portion define a first surface and a second surface. The first surface includes a paint finish defining a first gloss rating and the second surface includes a paint finish. defining a second gloss rating that is different than the first gloss rating presenting a multi-gloss paint finish to the wheel.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel and method of manufacturing the vehicle wheel is disclosed. A first polymeric coating is applied to a surface of an alloy substrate that defines the vehicle wheel. The first polymeric coating defines a first coloration. An intermediate clear polymeric coating is applied over the first polymeric coating. A second polymeric coating is applied over the first polymeric coating with the second polymeric coating defining a second coloration that is distinguishable from the first coloration. A laser scans a pattern over the second polymeric coating resulting in ablation of the second polymeric coating rendering the first polymeric coating visible through the intermediate clear polymeric coating defining a pattern of exposed first polymeric coating. Thus, a two-tone appears is present between the first coloration and the second coloration in the shape of the pattern scanned by the laser.

Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a rim element having an annular configuration defining an axis, and a spider defining a central element circumscribing the axis with a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly between the central element and the rim element. Adjacent of the spokes define an opening therebetween and are interconnected by a web circumscribing the opening. A cover defines a connector that is disposed over the spider concealing a portion of the spider and opening circumscribed by the web. The web defines a receptor configured to engage the connector thereby retaining the cover to the spider.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel is defined by a substrate including a face and a rim portion. The face defines a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly between a central portion of the face and the rim portion and defining a mating portion. An applique is affixed to the wheel at the mating portion. A polymer over-coating that is substantially transparent extends over the applique and the wheel substrate defining a continuous polymer surface over the applique and the wheel substrate.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle includes a face portion and a rim portion. The face portion is formed from an alloy and defines a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly between a central portion and a proximal bead element. The rim portion is formed of a composite material that defines an annular wall extending between the proximal bead element and a distal bead element. The face portion defines a mating member that is disposed in mating engagement with a rim seat defined by the rim portion. The mating member and the rim seat define a receptor for receiving a pin with said pin including shear resistors oriented to counteract shear forces F between said face portion and the rim portion.

Abstract: A road wheel for a vehicle includes a face portion and a rim portion. The face portion is formed from a metallic alloy and defines a central portion plurality of spokes extending between the central portion and a proximal bead element. The rim portion is formed from a composite material and defines an annular wall circumscribing a wheel axis extending to a distal bead element from said face portion. The proximal bead element is defined by the metallic alloy and the distal bead element is defined by the composite. The face portion and the rim portion are interconnected in interlocking engagement.

Abstract: A fixture for testing stiffness of a vehicle wheel by measuring vibration of the wheel includes a base and a retention member. The retention member is integral to the base. The retention member defines a distal end including a distal diameter and a proximal end being proximate to the base and including a proximal diameter. The proximal end includes a plurality of studs extending upwardly therefrom for being received by lug apertures defined by the vehicle wheel thereby securing the vehicle wheel to the retention member. The distal diameter includes a ratio to the proximal diameter of between 0.6 to 0.8 to one.

Abstract: A cast wheel having an alloy substrate includes a primary surface and a secondary surface. A first polymeric coating is applied to the primary surface and to the secondary surface sealing the cast alloy wheel within the first polymeric coating. An intermediate polymeric coating is applied over the first polymeric coating. The intermediate polymeric coating is coated with metal using physical vapor deposition with the metal being aesthetically distinguishable from the first polymeric coating. A third polymeric coating is applied over the metal. The third polymeric coating, the intermediate coating and the metal from the primary surface of the cast alloy wheel are removed aesthetically distinguishing the primary surface from the secondary surface. A fourth polymeric coating is applied over the primary surface and the secondary surface.

Abstract: A cast aluminum wheel includes a rim element having an annular configuration defining an axis and a central element extending radially outwardly between the axis and the rim element. The rim element includes a wall extending circumferentially around the axis between a proximal bead and a distal bead. The central element includes a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly toward the proximal bead and meets proximate the axis with adjacent of the plurality of spokes defining a cooperative feature therebetween for providing stiffness to the wheel. The spokes progressively increase in volume in a direction toward the axis from the rim element thereby providing increased mass of the spokes proximate the axis relative to the rim element.

Abstract: A cast aluminum wheel includes a rim element having an annular configuration defining an axis and a central element extending radially outwardly between the axis and the rim element. The rim element includes a wall extending circumferentially around the axis between a proximal bead and a distal bead. The central element includes a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly toward the proximal bead and meets proximate the axis with adjacent of the plurality of spokes defining a cooperative feature therebetween for providing stiffness to the wheel. The spokes progressively increase in volume in a direction toward the axis from the rim element thereby providing increased mass of the spokes proximate the axis relative to the rim element.

Abstract: A spindle assembly for machining a cast workpiece includes a fixture that provides rotational movement to the workpiece around a fixture axis. A first spindle provides rotational movement to a cutting tool around a first spindle axis and a second spindle provides rotational movement to a second cutting tool around a second spindle axis. The first spindle axis and the second spindle axis are transverse to the fixture axis. The fixture is disposed between the first spindle and the second spindle. The pivotal movement of the fixture provides access to opposite sides of the workpiece to the first spindle and the second spindle enabling the cutting tools to simultaneously cut opposing sides of the workpiece. The first cutting tool and the second cutting tool are replaceable by a third cutting tool and a fourth cutting tool to cut an alternative or different aperture into the workpiece.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A casting apparatus for vehicle wheels includes a bottom core or face core mold segment affixed to a stationary bed and a top core mold segment affixed to a vertically movable head; a pivotally mounted side mold positioning arrangement of minimal bulk and mass is provided for each of the four, or greater number of side molds. Side mold segments are each connected by a linkage to the movable head to move vertically upwardly and downwardly while permitting independent lateral, typically arcuate, movement. Actuators in the form of hydraulic, pneumatic, or other linear actuators for each of the side mold segments are controlled to move each segment inwardly or outwardly; electro-mechanical or pneumatic actuators could alternatively be employed. A locator ring latching mechanism is provided for retaining the side cores in closed position which engages tabs on the bottom of the side cores to seat on and seal with the bottom core.