Abstract: A take apart safety vehicle wheel assembly including a disc, an inner rim joined to the disc, and an outer rim joined to the disc. The disc has a generally centrally located wheel mounting surface and includes an outer annular flange which defines an outer cylindrical surface. The inner rim includes an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a generally axially extending well, and an outboard tire bead seat which terminates at an axial endmost surface. The outer rim includes an inner mounting surface and outer annular flange. The outer annular flange of the outer rim defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the take apart safety vehicle wheel assembly and includes an inner surface. An elastomeric member disposed in a cavity defined by the axial endmost surface of the inner rim, the inner surface of the outer annular flange of the outer rim, and the outer cylindrical surface of the outer annular flange of the disc.

Abstract: A method of molding a cup-shaped article such as integral vehicle wheel rim and disc segment, wherein a plurality of sections of resin-impregnated cloth are placed over a substantially cylindrical mandrel. The cloth sections are substantially identical and have circular central portions which are stacked on the mandrel end face, and oppositely projecting wings which are draped over and are circumferentially staggered around the mandrel sidewall. The central axis of each sheet section is at an angle of 45.degree. to the warp and weft fibers of the section cloth. The sheet sections thus form a mold charge which is compression molded to form an integral vehicle wheel rim and disc segment.

Abstract: A take-apart wheel rim and disc assembly for use in a safety tire and wheel assembly which includes a pneumatic tubeless tire. The wheel includes an inboard rim part, a wheel mounting disc having an outer marginal flange telescoped into and secured to the inboard rim part, the disc flange having an outer surface protruding axially outboard beyond and clear of the inboard rim part. An outboard rim part telescopically received from an axially outboard direction over the disc flange, an O-ring seal disposed between the disc and opposing surfaces of the inboard and outboard rim parts, and a clamp ring for axially clamping the outboard and inboard rim parts together with the O-ring captured in compression between the disc and the opposing surfaces of the rim parts to seal against air leakage. The disc has an air bleed vent structure outboard of the O-ring and normally sealed from the tire cavity by the O-ring.

Abstract: A road wheel for track-laying vehicles having a wear surface exposed to abrasive contact with the track guide lugs, which wear surface is formed by a wear-resistant material embedded in and surrounded by a matrix which forms an integral part of the wheel structure. The wear-resistant material may comprise a lubricant such as fibers, particles and/or bands of graphite, molybdenum disulfide, nylon, Teflon or other self-lubricating plastics which reduce friction between the wheel and track. Alternatively or conjointly, the wear-resistant material may comprise fibers, particles and/or bands of steel, tungsten carbide or ceramic. Where the wheel is of molded construction, such as aluminum or fiber-reinforced resin, the wear-resistant material may be molded into position adjacent to and the wear surface at the time of wheel manufacture. Where the wheel is preformed, the wear-resistant material may be bonded in a separately-formed resin matrix which is then permanently affixed to the road wheel shoulder.

Abstract: A road wheel for a track-laying vehicle which comprises a metal disc wheel including a wheel mounting disc, a rim extending axially from the periphery of the disc and a strengthening flange projecting radially inwardly from the disc-remote edge of the rim. An overlay body of foamed elastomeric material is molded onto the disc wheel to fill the area between the disc, rim and flange, and thereby prevent accumulation of mud in this area. The outboard surface of the overlay body is pitched axially from the disc to the rim to self-clean as the wheel is rotating. A solid rubber tire is carried externally of the rim.

Abstract: An improved wheel assembly for a track assembly of a crawler-type vehicle, and method of making the same, comprising a dual wheel set wherein each wheel of the set has a wheel disc with a central bolt circle portion, an intermediate generally conical portion extending outwardly from the central portion and an axially extending peripheral flange portion. A rim is mounted on said disc flange and preferably a rubber tire carried on the outer surface of the rim. The disc is a standard-type spun tapered truck wheel disc of current standard specification having an outwardly narrowing tapered cross-section. The rim comprises a cylindrical center section and a pair of inwardly extending, preferably slightly divergent peripheral edge flanges, and the rim is preferably secured to the disc peripheral flange by a circumferentially continuous weld at or near the axial center of the rim.