Patents by Inventor Thomas E. Heck
Thomas E. Heck has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20030193236Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same wherein the wheel includes a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The flange includes an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein. The groove is defined by a generally axially extending first surface and a second surface angled relative to the first surface. The wheel further includes a wheel cover covering at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface. The cover includes an outer annular lip which extends into the groove and is positioned adjacent the first surface. The groove and the lip have a configuration which enables the lip to spring outwardly into the groove when the cover is pressed on the disc.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2003Publication date: October 16, 2003Inventors: Michael V. Maloney, Thomas E. Heck, James A. Lumm, James H. Kemmerer
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Patent number: 6629736Abstract: This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: October 7, 2003Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventors: Alan Coleman, Thomas E. Heck, Michael Miller, Robert Raymond
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Patent number: 6626503Abstract: This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel. According to one embodiment of the invention, the fabricated vehicle wheel includes a wheel rim having a plurality of holes formed therein; a wheel disc having a central mounting surface and a plurality of outwardly extending spokes, each of the spokes having at least one hole formed therein; at least one rim to disc interface area provided along each of the spokes wherein some portion of a surface of the rim and some portion of a surface of the spoke contact one another; an adhesive deposited in at least some portion of the rim to disc interface area; and at least one fastener extending through the holes of the rim and the spokes to secure the rim and disc together.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2002Date of Patent: September 30, 2003Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventors: Alan Coleman, Thomas E. Heck
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Patent number: 6609763Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a disc, a first wheel cover and a second wheel cover. The disc defines an outboard facing wheel surface and includes an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard tire bead seat retaining flange includes an inner surface having a circumferential, radially outwardly facing groove formed therein. The first wheel cover is secured to the disc and covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface. The second wheel cover is secured to the disc and covers at least the entire portion of the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The second wheel cover includes an inner portion which extends into the groove when the second wheel cover is secured to the disc. When the first wheel cover and the second wheel cover are secured to the disc, the first wheel cover and the second wheel cover do not interfere with the attachment of a balance weight to the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the disc.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2002Date of Patent: August 26, 2003Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventors: John R. Kinstler, Thomas E. Heck
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Publication number: 20030080605Abstract: This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Alan Coleman, Thomas E. Heck, Michael Miller, Robert Raymond
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Publication number: 20030080608Abstract: This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel. According to one embodiment of the invention, the fabricated vehicle wheel includes a wheel rim having a plurality of holes formed therein; a wheel disc having a central mounting surface and a plurality of outwardly extending spokes, each of the spokes having at least one hole formed therein; at least one rim to disc interface area provided along each of the spokes wherein some portion of a surface of the rim and some portion of a surface of the spoke contact one another; an adhesive deposited in at least some portion of the rim to disc interface area; and at least one fastener extending through the holes of the rim and the spokes to secure the rim and disc together.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Alan Coleman, Thomas E. Heck
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Publication number: 20030080607Abstract: This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel. According to one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle wheel includes a wheel rim having a plurality of holes formed therein; a wheel disc having a central mounting surface and a plurality of outwardly extending spokes, each of the spokes having at least two holes formed therein; at least one rim to disc interface area provided along each of the spokes wherein some portion of a surface of the rim and some portion of a surface of the spoke contact one another; and a fastener extending through each of the at least two holes of each of the spokes and through an associated at least two holes of the plurality of holes of the rim to secure the rim and disc together.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 31, 2002Publication date: May 1, 2003Inventors: Alan Coleman, Thomas E. Heck, Todd Duffield
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Patent number: 6554371Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2001Date of Patent: April 29, 2003Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventors: Michael V. Maloney, Thomas E. Heck, James A. Lumm, James H. Kemmerer
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Patent number: 6386642Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2000Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: Haye Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventors: Michael V. Maloney, Thomas E. Heck, James A. Lumm, James H. Kemmerer
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Publication number: 20020050736Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same wherein the wheel includes a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The flange includes an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein. The groove is defined by a generally axially extending first surface and a second surface angled relative to the first surface. The wheel further includes a wheel cover covering at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface. The cover includes an outer annular lip which extends into the groove and is positioned adjacent the first surface. The groove and the lip have a configuration which enables the lip to spring outwardly into the groove when the cover is pressed on the disc.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2001Publication date: May 2, 2002Inventors: Michael V. Maloney, Thomas E. Heck, James A. Lumm, James H. Kemmerer
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Publication number: 20010045769Abstract: 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.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2000Publication date: November 29, 2001Inventors: Michael V. Maloney, Thomas E. Heck, James A. Lumm, James H. Kemmerer
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Patent number: 6286908Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 1999Date of Patent: September 11, 2001Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventors: Michael V. Maloney, Thomas E. Heck, James A. Lumm, James H. Kemmerer
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Patent number: 6213563Abstract: This invention relates to an improved full face vehicle wheel including a wheel rim joined to a wheel disc. The wheel 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. The outboard tire bead seat of the wheel rim terminates at an endmost surface. The wheel disc includes a body having a centrally located wheel mounting surface and an outer annular portion. The outer annular portion of the wheel disc defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the full face wheel. The outer annular portion of the wheel disc includes a protuberance formed therein. The protuberance defines a generally radially extending non-flat outer surface and a generally radially extending inner surface. The inner surface of the protuberance defines a fit-up surface for receiving the endmost surface of the wheel rim and a weld to join the wheel disc to the wheel rim.Type: GrantFiled: June 23, 1999Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Haves Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Heck, Zvonko Dimovski
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Patent number: 6007158Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same wherein the wheel includes a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The flange includes an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein. The groove is defined by a generally axially extending first surface and a second surface angled relative to the first surface. The wheel further includes a wheel cover covering at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface. The cover includes an outer annular lip which extends into the groove and is positioned adjacent the first surface. The groove and the lip have a configuration which enables the lip to spring outwardly into the groove when the cover is pressed on the disc.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventors: Michael V. Maloney, Thomas E. Heck, James A. Lumm, James H. Kemmerer
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Patent number: 5664845Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same wherein the wheel includes a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The flange includes an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein. The groove is defined by a generally axially extending first surface and a second surface angled relative to the first surface. The wheel further includes a wheel cover covering at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface. The cover includes an outer annular lip which extends into the groove and is positioned adjacent the first surface. The groove and the lip have a configuration which enables the lip to spring outwardly into the groove when the cover is pressed on the disc.Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 1995Date of Patent: September 9, 1997Assignee: Hayes Wheels International, IncInventors: Michael V. Maloney, Thomas E. Heck, James A. Lumm, James H. Kemmerer
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Patent number: 5595423Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a vehicle wheel having a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard bead seat retaining flange includes an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having a circumferential, radially outwardly facing groove formed therein. The vehicle wheel further includes a wheel cover which covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion of the outer peripheral end of the outboard bead seat retaining flange. The wheel cover includes an inner cover surface and an outer annular lip which extends into the groove when the wheel cover is installed on the disc.Type: GrantFiled: December 7, 1995Date of Patent: January 21, 1997Assignee: Hayes Wheels International, Inc.Inventors: Thomas E. Heck, Michael V. Maloney
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Patent number: 5591386Abstract: An improved wheel construction includes a disc and a rim secured together and which define a radially inwardly facing circumferential cavity in the wheel. In accordance with the present invention, a filler material is disposed in a substantial portion of the cavity to prevent road material or other debris from accumulating in the cavity and causing an out-of-balance wheel condition.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 1994Date of Patent: January 7, 1997Assignee: Hayes Wheels International, Inc.Inventors: Daniel F. Jansen, Thomas E. Heck, Charles A. Turner
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Patent number: 5435631Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 1994Date of Patent: July 25, 1995Assignee: Hayes Wheels International, Inc.Inventors: Michael V. Maloney, Thomas E. Heck
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Patent number: 5188429Abstract: A fabricated vehicle wheel wherein a separately formed mounting cup is secured to a back surface of a disc face, and wherein the disc face extends radially inwardly to substantially cover a lug mounting area formed in the mounting cup. The inwardly extending inner face portion is provided with a centrally located access aperture and a plurality of lug access apertures spaced circumferentially around the center access aperture. The lug access apertures are axially aligned with a plurality of lug receiving apertures formed in the mounting cup. A relatively small center cap is removably secured in the centrally located access aperture to provide the fabricated wheel with the appearance of a cast wheel.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 1991Date of Patent: February 23, 1993Assignee: Kelsey-Hayes CompanyInventors: Thomas E. Heck, Joseph J. Plaza