Abstract: A wire spoke, non-suspension type, automotive wheel is provided in which spokes are operably untensioned prior to vehicle loads being placed upon the wheel. An outer tubeless tire rim with a drop center is mounted to a wheel center. The wheel center includes a substantially thick and solid felly connected to a concentrically positioned hub. Wire spokes extend radially outward from the hub in a patterned circumferential array and have tenons or feet on inner ends thereof which are anchored within recesses at front and rear ends of the hub. Radially disposed outer ends of the spokes have plain terminations which are welded to form a plug anchor within circumferentially spaced bores in the felly to secure the spokes. The bores are preferably situated in inwardly extending dimples which are formed in the felly. The bores are partially frusto-conically shaped and are formed by a method using a circular punch and corresponding die.
Abstract: A wire spoke, non-suspension type, automotive wheel in which the spokes are operably untensioned prior to vehicle loads being placed upon the wheel. An outer tubeless tire rim with a drop center is mounted to a wheel center which includes a substantially thick and solid felly connected to a concentrically positioned hub. Wire spokes extend radially outward from the hub in circumferential array and have tenons or feet on inner ends thereof which are anchored within recesses at front and rear ends of the hub. Radially outer ends of the spokes are plain terminations welded in the shape of a plug anchor within circumferentially spaced bores in the felly to secure the spokes and permit wheel formations which exhibit the classic beauty and elegance of a suspension wire spoke wheel, combined with durability, strength and ease of construction.
Abstract: A wire spoke, non-suspension type, automotive wheel in which the spokes are operably untensioned prior to vehicle loads being placed upon the wheel. An outer tubeless tire rim with a drop center is mounted to a wheel center which includes a substantially thick and solid felly connected to a concentrically positioned hub. Wire spokes extend radially outward from the hub in circumferential array and have tenons or feet on inner ends thereof which are anchored within recesses at front and rear ends of the hub. Radially outer ends of the spokes are plain terminations welded in the shape of a plug anchor within circumferentially spaced bores in the felly to secure the spokes and permit wheel formations which exhibit the classic beauty and elegance of a suspension wire spoke wheel, combined with durability, strength and ease of construction.
Abstract: A drawn automotive vehicle wheel comprising first and second wheel halves contiguous about a disc plate positioned in between. The wheel halves are generally cup-shaped, each having a center section and an integral rim section and the disc plate is of similar planar configuration as the respective center sections. In the respective center sections and in the disc plate are respectively congruent apertures with integral projections emanating from the rear surface of each center section, defining a central opening and alignment apertures. The wheel halves are placed and secured back to back with the disc plate between, allowing reception into the plate of the lip-like projections, resulting in the spatial correspondence of the apertures among the three wheel elements, and thus, retention of proper elemental alignment under high torque conditions.