Abstract: An automotive roadwheel of preselected rotational imbalance, the amount of imbalance being selected to coincide with the average amount of imbalance inherent in the tires to be mounted to the wheel and the orientation of the imbalance being readily discernable such as by coinciding with the location of the valve stem. The method of the invention calls for the heaviest orientation of the wheel to be aligned with the lightest orientation of the tire (or vice versa) during the mounting process to yield a balanced tire/wheel assembly without the need to add balancing weight in the majority of such assemblies.

Abstract: A programmable and automated leak detection apparatus performs automated handling and leak testing of varying sized objects. In one embodiment, the apparatus seals one portion of the object to form an inner chamber and also forms an enclosure about the entire object. Different partial vacuums are drawn on the chamber and the enclosure and a test gas injected into the enclosure. The chamber is monitored for test gas leakage from the enclosure. The apparatus includes an automated measuring subsystem for obtaining a physical parameter of the object which is then compared with data in a program controller's memory to determine a pass/fail leak rate for that particular object. The vacuum system used has separate vacuum lines to the enclosure and chamber and the test gas purging system combined with the use of separate vacuum lines results in the efficient and rapid purging of test gas prior to testing the next object.

Abstract: The storage apparatus is adapted for use with a truck bed, and includes a front panel and a top panel hinged together, with the bottom of the front panel hinged to the floor of the truck bed. The rear of the top panel latches with the rear tailgate of the truck, and rests upon tracks on the sidewalls of the truck bed. The top panel is dimensioned to fit snuggly within the tracks and preferably has adjustable brackets on the sides of the top plate panel to allow for fine adjustment of the fitting of the top panel with the tracks. Retaining brackets are also provided on the adjustable brackets of the top panel to fit around bolts securing the track to the sidewalls of the truck bed, to prevent the top panel from being lifted upwardly in either a closed or an intermediate open position. The front panel also has bent leg portions providing a recess into which the top panel may be folded, so that the top and front panels may be collapsed to lie flat upon the floor of the truck bed.

Abstract: A lug nut display apparatus and method of product selection having a triangular heavy wire gauge construction, for supporting a plurality of sizing studs which penetrate a color-coded application and identification chart, cooperates with a plurality of lug nut container boxes suspended from a plurality of adjustable lozier pegs for significantly increasing the display capacity of automotive lug nuts for maximum utilization of retail floor space, the application and identification chart having a directory for identifying a color assigned to a particular listed vehicle for identifying and verifying on the sizing studs the actual wheel stud size, with the color code being employed to select the correct replacement or stylized lug nut based upon thread size, wheel style, and material of construction.

Abstract: A leakage detection apparatus for drum wheels having a pair of plates which sealingly engage the wheel to define an inner first chamber under vacuum, a reciprocating container enveloping the engaged plates and wheel to define an annular helium chamber sharing the wheel as a common wall with the inner first chamber, a probe gas introduced into the annular helium chamber, and a mass spectrometer, in gaseous communication with said inner first chamber scanning for a trace of the probe gas indicating the presence of a leak path in the structual integrity of the wheel. A method of use is also disclosed.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle wheel having a solid body that includes a hub and a radially outwardly extending bolt-on flange that merges into a tire-receiving rim wherein the flange is formed with a plurality of pockets or windows and a set of spoke elements is disposed within all or some of the pockets or windows.

Abstract: An improved horn button contact assembly formed with downwardly-protruding tabs is held by an electrically non-conducting and resilient spider such that the downwardly protruding tabs make contact with the steering wheel, which acts as the circuit ground, and closes the circuit, thereby activating the horn.

Abstract: A fuel tank lock for use with a conventional filler neck of an automotive vehicle. The filler neck has a baffle plate formed with a constricted passage normally closed by a biased-shut valve carried by the baffle plate. The valve is forced open when engaged by an unleaded fuel nozzle. The upper end of the filler neck is provided with a conventional fuel tank cap. The fuel tank lock includes a body provided with a key operated lock and a shank that extends through the constricted passage. The lock operates a latch that engages the underside of the baffle plate to prevent unauthorized withdrawal of the lock from the filler neck.

Abstract: A fuel tank lock for use with a conventional filler neck of an automotive vehicle. The filler neck has a baffle plate formed with a constricted passage normally closed by a biased-shut valve carried by the baffle plate. The valve is forced open when engaged by an unleaded fuel nozzle. The upper end of the filler neck is provided with a conventional fuel tank cap. The fuel tank lock includes a body provided with a key operated lock and a shank that extends through the constricted passage. The lock operates a latch that engages the underside of the baffle plate to prevent unauthorized withdrawal of the lock from the filler neck.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle wheel having a solid wheel body, provided with replaceable rows of inner and outer spokes. The spokes are purely ornamental and are readily replaceable in the event of damage. Such replaceability is made possible by providing each spoke with a spring-loaded longitudinally moveable mounting member which places such spokes in longitudinal compression so as to hold them in place upon the wheel body.

Abstract: A process for making an aluminum vehicle wheel. The process includes casting the body of the wheel from aluminum. The drop center of the wheel is shot peened to seal air-transfer holes and also to increase the fatigue strength thereof. Next, both the drop center and the face of the wheel are shot peened with a finer shot to thereby reduce the surface roughness of the drop center and the face.

Abstract: An automotive vehicle wheel having a solid wheel body, provided with replaceable rows of inner and outer spokes. The spokes are purely ornamental and are readily replaceable in the event of damage. Such replaceability is made possible by providing each spoke with a longitudinally moveable mounting member. The mounting member is rotated relative to its respective spoke so as to place such spokes in longitudinal compression to hold them in place on the wheel.

Abstract: A simulated wire spoke wheel assembly for use with a conventional solid steel wheel. The assembly includes a wire spoke basket having a row of inner spokes and a row of outer spokes. Such wire spoke basket is releasably secured to the exterior of a steel wheel by a single bolt extending through an exterior cap. The single bolt retains the entire assembly in place upon the steel wheel. Such assembly may be readily removed when it is desired to change the wheel, as in the event of a flat tire.