Abstract: A tire rim assembly (16) permits inflation of a tire (10) mounted thereon only when the components constituting the structure are assembled in a locking configuration. The tire rim assembly (16) includes a rim base (18) having first and second grooves (32,34) defined on its outer periphery (30), an annular bead seat member (24) arranged around the rim base (18) and having an inner periphery (38) defining a load transferring surface (42), an inner surface (40), and an inclined ramp surface (44) located between the inner surface (40) and the load transferring surface (42), an elastomeric seal (26) is disposed in the second groove (34), and an annular split lock ring (28) is disposed in axially restraining engagement in the first groove (32) and adapted to contact the load transferring surface (42) of the bead seat member (24) with the structure completely assembled.

Abstract: A multi-piece wheel structure (16) permits inflation of a tire (10) mounted thereon only when components constituting the wheel structure (16) are locked together. The wheel structure (16) includes an annular rim base (18) having an outer periphery (30) with an indentation (36), an annular restraining flange (22) arranged about the rim base (18) which prevents axial movement of the tire (10) mounted on the rim base (18), a locking ring (24) which is insertable in the indentation (36) between the restraining flange (22) and the rim base (18) and on one axial side of the restraining flange (22), a conduit structure (44,46) which extends through the rim base (18), at least one connection hole (52) in the rim base (18) connecting the conduit structure (44,46) to the indentation (36), and a sealing plug (26) located in the hole (52) in sealing engagement with the rim base (18) and properly assembled locking ring (24).

Abstract: Apparatus for the manufacture of a rim for the wheel of a commercial load carrying or passenger service vehicle, which apparatus comprises in combination bending apparatus for bending steel strip and butt welding the edges thereof to form a cylindrical component and a plurality of press tools for converting the component into a rim wherein at least one of the press tools comprises an annular die having located within the opening thereof pressure plate adapted to ascend or descend within such opening and on which a cylindrical component to be formed into the rim is adapted to be located above the bottom of the annular die, and pressure elements mounted above the die and adapted to engage therewith through its opening in such a way as to subject the component to compressive load against the inner surface of the die whereby the contour of the die or of the die and the pressure elements is imparted to the component, wherein the pressure elements comprises a combination of upper and lower punch tools resiliently i

Abstract: A multi-piece wheel structure (16) permits inflation of a tire (10) mounted thereon only when components constituting the wheel structure (16) are locked together. The wheel structure (16) includes an annular rim base (18) having an indentation (36), a restraining flange (22) arranged about the rim base (18) prevent axial movement of the tire (10) mounted on the rim base (18), a locking ring (24) insertable in the indentation (36) between the restraining flange (22) and the rim base (18) on one axial side of the restraining flange (22), a conduit structure (44,46) which extends through the rim base (18), a groove (53) in the rim base (18) intersecting the indentation (36), at least one biasing hole (52) in the rim base (18) connecting the conduit structure (44,46) and the groove (53), and a sealing ring (26) located in the groove (53) in sealing engagement with the rim base (18) only when the locking ring (24) is completely disposed in the indentation (36) in engagement with the locking ring (24).

Abstract: A trouble-free tire mounting arrangement is disclosed. An axially extending slot is provided through a band structure which fits about a wheel rim base. An elastomeric ring is provided which fits over and in contact with the base, the elastomeric ring fitting against the inboard end of the band and against the bead portion of a tire.

Abstract: A wheel flange retaining ring provided about the circumference of an aircraft wheel to maintain a removable flange thereabout. The invention includes a metallic band having a bulb received within a circumferential groove formed within the wheel frame. The band makes contacting engagement with a surface machined into the flange. The band is caused to form a completed ring maintained within the circumferential groove by a clip having a bent-tab section which makes secured engagement with tongues provided at each end of the band.

Abstract: An assembly for mounting tubeless tires on tube type rims. The assembly includes a pair of cooperating annuluses that define respective seating surfaces each of which are adapted for receiving one of the companion beads of the tire. One of the annuluses is telescoped onto the rim and positioned adjacent the rim flange integrally formed with the rim proximate one of its axial end portions. A locking annulus secured to the opposite axial end portion of the rim is adapted for receiving the companion bead and can be readily secured to or removed from the rim for purposes of mounting or demounting the tubeless tire without forcing the beads over a flared flange. The locking annulus may be mounted on a variety of conventional tube type rims while maintaining the bead seating surface at a predetermined spaced location from the rim wall. A suitable pneumatic inner tube inserted in the tire serves to prevent air from escaping the confines of the tubeless tire which may have damaged sealing properties.

Abstract: Wheel rims of moldable material for a tire having roundings at least in part connecting the base, bead seat and flange elements of the rim with each other, each of the roundings having a concave face and a convex face, are improved and strengthened against tension strains by at least the rounding of the greatest curvature being provided with a tension-resistant reinforcement embedded in said rounding in the vicinity of the concave face of said rounding, the reinforcement comprising reinforcing elements arranged approximately in radial planes of the rim.

Abstract: A safety wheel for trucks or other motor vehicles, including a safety flange which is detachably connectable to the tire mounting rim of a wheel body, with the flange having a mounting portion preferably received radially between the rim and a bead of the tire, and with the flange extending generally radially outwardly at the outside of the tire to a peripheral edge which is of a diameter slightly less than the external diameter of the tire to normally be out of engagement with the road surface, but to contact that road surface and effectively support the vehicle in the event of deflation of the tire. The safety flange is desirably retained on the rim by a resilient split retaining ring removably received within an annular groove formed in the wheel body, and with further retention of the safety flange by a series of circularly spaced screws extending outwardly through the wheel body and connecting to the safety flange.

Abstract: A wheel rim assembly comprising a generally cylindrical rim base and a flange ring including a bead seat retained at one axial end of the rim base by a split locking ring. A T-shaped lug on the flange ring captures the ends of the locking ring in a corresponding groove on the rim base and prevents removal of the locking and flange rings when a tire mounted on the wheel rim is inflated. Circumferential grooves on the inside surface of the tire bead seat cooperate with an annular seal in the rim base to prevent inflation of a tire mounted on the wheel rim when the flange ring and bead seat are improperly positioned thereon.

Abstract: Tire carrying rims seated and locked on vehicle wheels by fastening assemblies. A wheel has spoke members with dimensioned felloe surfaces for mating engagement with coacting surfaces on the base edge portion of a rim having an annular lock ring formed integrally with mounting flanges having a radially inwardly projecting terminal portion. Rims may be dual mounted in mating, seating or full surface engagement with coacting felloe surfaces of the rim and wheel by full tightening of the fastening assemblies.

Abstract: In a multi-piece rim arrangement having a tapered base member and an associated tire bead seat band, the bead seat band is constructed to prevent tire inflation if the rim is improperly assembled. Included is a portable puller tool, adaptable to existing rim assemblies, that functions to pull the bead seat band against the lock ring of the multi-piece rim arrangement with sufficient force to insure proper positioning of the various rim members and establish air tight integrity with a mounted tire.

Abstract: In a multi-piece rim arrangement having a tapered base member and an associated tire bead seat band, the bead seat band is constructed to prevent tire inflation if the rim is improperly assembled. Included is a portable puller tool, adaptable to existing rim assemblies, that functions to pull the bead seat band against the lock ring of the multi-piece rim arrangement with sufficient force to insure proper positioning of the various rim members and establish air tight integrity with a mounted tire.