Abstract: A method for assembling a wheel rim and a wheel disc together to produce a vehicle wheel includes the steps of: (a) providing a rim defining an axis and including an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a well portion, an outboard tire bead seat, and an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange, the inboard tire bead seat retaining flange including a radially extending first inner surface, the well portion including a radially extending second inner surface, the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange including a radially extending third inner surface; (b) providing a disc having a centrally located inner wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion which terminates in an axially extending outer annular flange, the inner wheel mounting portion including an inboard mounting surface and an outboard mounting surface, the outer annular portion including an inner surface; (c) supporting the rim at the first inner and at least one of the second inner surface and the third inner

Abstract: A method for assembling a rim and a disc together to produce a wheel comprising the steps of: (a) providing a rim including an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a well portion, an outboard tire bead seat, and an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange, the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange including a first inner surface, the outboard tire bead seat including a second inner surface, the well portion including a third inner surface, a fourth inner surface, a fifth inner surface, and a sixth inner surface, the inboard tire bead seat retaining flange including a seventh inner surface; (b) providing a disc having a generally centrally located inner wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion which terminates in an outer annular flange including an endmost surface; (c) supporting the rim between at least a portion of the third inner surface and at least a portion of one of the fifth and seventh inner surfaces; (d) supporting the disc between the inboard mounting su

Abstract: An apparatus and method for installing a wheel disc into a wheel rim to manufacture a vehicle wheel includes upper and lower disc engaging members, which are clamped against opposite sides of the disc, and upper and lower rim engaging members, which engage upper and lower edges of the rim. The disc is first separated from the rim to assure proper alignment between the disc and rim and then forced into frictional engagement with the rim, while a compressive force is applied axially along the rim to relieve stresses and facilitate installation of the disc into the rim.

Abstract: A wheel component has an annular extension formed upon an end. The extension is clamped to a wheel lathe and allows turning a tire bead seat upon the wheel component adjacent to the extension.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel includes the steps of providing a wheel rim and a spider and holding the spider inside the wheel rim. The wheel rim and the spider are positioned in a high capacity forming machine. At least one of a portion of the wheel rim located adjacent an outer periphery of the spider and a portion of the outer periphery of the spider is permanently deformed towards the other of the wheel rim and the spider thereby securing the wheel rim to the spider. An apparatus for securing the wheel rim to the spider includes a bottom die, a bottom inside rim stabilizer supported on the bottom die, a spider supported on the bottom inside rim stabilizer, a top inside rim stabilizer and a wheel rim supported by the bottom rim stabilizer and the top inside rim stabilizer. A high capacity forming machine encircles the wheel rim. The high capacity forming machine includes a workpiece which at least sometimes contacts the wheel rim and an electric circuit located adjacent the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for reducing the combined runout of an uninflated automobile tire and wheel assembly. Runout is reduced by aligning a tire mark located on the tire with a wheel mark located on the wheel, where the tire mark is indicative of the high point of radial runout of the tire and the wheel mark is indicative of the low point of radial runout of the wheel. The location of the wheel mark is tracked using a video camera while the wheel is rotated relative to the tire and rotation is halted once the linear distance between the marks is minimized. The locations within the video image of the tire and wheel marks are determined relative to a Cartesian coordinate system having its origin at the center of the video image.

Abstract: A tire debeading machine having a unique pair of hooks on a single shaft, clamp devices to close the hooks both to hold the bead in place within the hook and to press the bead into the hook to hold one end if the circular bead breaks. A divided die for the removal of matter from the bead provides an expedient way of cleaning the die if it becomes jammed. Further features include a cage to contain the tire both during the debeading process and as the process is finishing to control elastic reaction to the sudden removal of pressure, and a lift adapted to position tire casings of various sizes for contact by the hooks.

Abstract: A tool for removing broken threaded fasteners such as seized or damaged Budd nuts mounted on a stud extending from the hub of a dual wheel assembly. The tool includes a base plate which is securable at the Budd nuts adjacent the broken nut by stand-off and fasteners. A cutter is advanceable by a pivotal bar by means of a manually operable adjustment knob. The cutter is rotatable in a busing and has a cutting head with a bore which extends over the damaged nut. Replaceable cutting teeth are carried on the cutting head and when advanced cut through the flange on the damaged Budd nut. The device can be powered by a power tool attachable to the device. A depth guide is provided to assist the mechanic in correctly determining the proper depth of cut. As the cutting head is advanced, the flange portion of the Budd nut is cut away so the inner wheel rim can be removed from the hub and thereafter the remaining shaved Budd nut can be easily removed.

Abstract: A tool for removing and replacing wheels of heavy vehicles such as buses and trucks. The tool has a track with a first end member to be clamped to the vehicle axle. Chains on the intermediate part of the tool support the tool on the wheel of the vehicle. The chains can be released when the first end is clamped and the second end supported. Adjustable legs are supported on the second end of the track for supporting the second end of the track. A carriage with a wheel support on it is movable on the track. The wheel support is clamped firmly to the wheel support on the carriage. The axle nut may then be removed and the carriage can be moved toward the second end member and locked in position on the track with the wheel on it. The wheel can then be swung to an inclined position for servicing. When serviced, the carriage with the wheel can be moved toward the first end member of the track bringing the wheel back onto the axle.

Abstract: Manufacture of brake drums having an annular brake ring and a drum back for mounting the ring for rotation about an axis defined at least in part by one or more openings in the back. Radial runout of the brake ring is measured, and the mounting openings in the drum back are located at a position to substantially cancel the first harmonic of measured radial runout. The radially inwardly directed braking surface of the drum ring is then finish-machined on a cylinder of revolution coaxial with the drum back mounting openings so as to provide a brake ring of substantially uniform thickness and weight distribution about the axis of rotation defined by the drum back mounting openings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a balance weight mounting apparatus for a tire wheel by which a balance weight can be automatically mounted on the tire wheel. A six-axes manipulator has a weight holder and hammer head provided at the distal end of the arm thereof. The weight holder and the hammer head can be moved by the operation of the manipulator to the location to which a balance weight is fed by a parts feeder and also can be moved within the plane perpendicular to the circumferential direction of a tire wheel supported by a tire wheel support unit. The balance weight of a predetermined weight fed by the parts feeder is gripped by the weight holder 32, abutted against that portion of the rim, on which this balance weight is to be mounted, of the tire wheel supported by the tire wheel support unit, and then mounted thereon by being driven by the hammer head.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacture of a vehicle wheel rim and disc assembly with controlled lateral runout characteristics in which a preformed rim is fixtured and rotated while gauges measure lateral runout of the inboard and outboard rim bead seats. Phase angle and amplitude of the first harmonic of average lateral runout of the bead seats are determined, which effectively identify a rim plane of substantially zero first harmonic of bead seat lateral runout. The wheel disc is fixtured with its mounting surface, defined by the inboard face of the disc, at predetermined orientation with respect to the rim plane of substantially zero first harmonic of bead seat lateral runout, either parallel thereto for a true running wheel or at predetermined angular orientation with respect thereto for placing the high point or low point of the first harmonic of lateral runout of the rim and disc assembly adjacent to a predetermined location circumferentially of the rim.

Abstract: In an automobile assembly line wherein a car body is hung and conveyed by a hanger; an apparatus for aid in attaching a wheel in which the wheel is set on a pair of wheel supporting structures (12, 12) at a wheel placement position, a base plate (10) is held in a balanced state by an air cylinder (16) interposed between a pole (8) and a vertical motion unit (9), the base plate (10) supporting the wheel is approximated to a wheel attachment position in the car body (1) while being synchronously moved by a synchronous motion unit (5), and the wheel is moved horizontally and vertically by turning an annular handle (15) with its balanced state kept by the air cylinder (16), thereby to effect the positioning between the wheel and a hub on the car body (1), so that an operator need not directly lift up the wheel.

Abstract: An assembly machine and method for assembling an integral bearing unit onto a motor vehicle wheel hub. The assembly process involves applying an axial force onto the elements causing the elements to be pressed together. In order to avoid localized brinelling of the surfaces of the bearing including the faces and rolling elements, the hub is rotated during the pressing operation to cause the forces to be spread over areas of the rolling elements and bearing races. The machine and method further incorporate a sensor to detect improper position or installation of the bearing on the assembly tooling and a load cell to monitor pressing loads enabling detection of improper part fit or other defects.

Abstract: A wheel assembly apparatus for force fitting a wheel disc within a wheel rim by fixedly locating the wheel rim, fixing the relationship of the center portion and flange portions of the wheel disc to each other, and applying a uniform force to such portions of the wheel disc to force fit the flange portions within the drop center flange of the wheel rim while maintaining the center portion of the wheel disc in a plane parallel to a plane of the terminal flange of the wheel rim to provide a vehicle wheel with minimum lateral runout.

Abstract: An axle shaft pulling assist device to help remove an axle having a flanged end, from a wheel hub, the device including an elongated main block with threaded biasing members which engage the back side of the flanged axle end. A striker shaft slidably arranged through the main block is hit, to jar the axle shaft loose, while the bias is being applied to the studs.

Abstract: A tool for removing broken threaded fasteners such as a seized or damaged lug mounted on a stud extending from the hub of a dual wheel assembly. The tool includes a pilot member having generally cylindrical exterior surface which defines an axially extending threaded bore engageable with the stud extending through the broken lug. A cutter member has a body defining a guided bore which is engageable about the exterior of said pilot member and is rotatable by means of a power tool. When the cutter member is advanced at least the flange portion of the lug nut is cut away so that the inner wheel rim can be removed from the hub and thereafter the remaining shaved lug nut can be removed.

Abstract: Torque verification apparatus and methods for verifying that an amount of torque applied to the nut of a fastener of the type comprising a threaded nut and a bolt having a threaded body portion and a head portion is equal to or greater than a predetermined torque value are provided. The apparatus and methods are particularly useful for verifying that the amount of torque applied to the lug nuts used to mount a wheel to a wheel hub of a vehicle is equal to or greater than a predetermined torque value.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel rim straightener is provided in a single stand. Clamping devices for straightening the wheels in vertical and horizontal positions can be activated by foot and hand levers. The stand also serve as a single work station for spoke replacement and for general bicycle wheel repairs.

Abstract: A heavy duty automotive wheel hub puller includes a plurality of support legs extended from a support bracket. These legs connect to the wheel hub lugs and the support bracket passes over the wheel hub. A pressure screw threaded through the support bracket is directed against the axle housing at the center of the wheel hub. Turning the screw into the axle housing exerts a force which causes the hub to drift off the axle housing. The support legs provide axes of rotation for the leg bases which engage the wheel hub lugs and the legs are selectively positionable longitudinally along the support bracket. A wide variety of hub configurations and diameters are accommodated by the subject invention. Attachment to two, or with an adapter to three lugs, is available as suits the wheel hub to be serviced.

Abstract: An automatic wheel alignment apparatus for attaching a wheel to a wheel attachment member of an automotive body. The automatic wheel attachment apparatus includes a reorienting device for reorienting a wheel attachment surface of the wheel attachment member, a phasing device for phasing wheel attachment bolts on the wheel attachment member, the phasing device being movable longitudinally and vertically of the automotive body to bring the wheel attachment member and the phasing device into central alignment with each other, a detecting device for detecting the amount and direction of movement of the phasing device, and a nut runner for fastening the wheel to the wheel attachment member while the center of the wheel attachment member as detected by the decting device is being held in alignment with the center of the wheel. At least the reorienting device, the phasing device, and the detecting device are combined in a single robot.

Abstract: Method for punch forming center pilot opening or other wheel mounting surfaces in a pierceable metal performed wheel disc blank mounted internally of the wheel rim. A combination pierce and shave punch forms the disc opening in a single working stroke and produces a one-piece scrap slug containing both the pierced and shaved metal removed from the disc. The punch has a correlated dimensional relationship between disc material thickness, pierce punch diameter, shave punch diameter and shave punch set back from the pierce punch. A smoother, more cylindrical and more dimensionally consistent opening surface is obtained than with conventional pierce-only punches.

Abstract: An apparatus for assembling a wheel attaching unit for use in a vehicle assembly line having a pallet capable of mounting at predetermined positions thereof a front assembly including a front wheel attaching unit and a rear assembly including a rear wheel attaching unit; a pallet conveyor for conveying the pallet through a setting area and a securing area of the front and rear units and a body; and a body conveyor for conveying the body to a position above the setting area and for lowering the body to set the front and rear assemblies to the body. The pallet includes a holding portion for the front assembly and/or a holding portion for the rear assembly with the holding portion being position adjustable in forward and rearward directions thereof.

Abstract: A disk insertion apparatus for inserting a disk into a rim element of a disk wheel. The disk insertion apparatus includes a first disk inserting machine for preliminarily inserting a disk into a rim element and a second disk inserting machine for completing the insertion of the disk into the rim element to a predetermined, final position. The second disk inserting machine is mounted downstream of the first disk inserting machine along the rim flow lines.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a rust-proof, leak-proof and air-impervious welded tire rim by providing a pair of rim bodies each of which includes a peripheral bead and at least one of which includes a valve seat defined by an opening and with the rim bodies being welded to each other along an exterior circumferential weld; liquid-cleaning the welded rim; and applying to the entirety of all exposed surfaces of the rim an air-impervious coating of resilient copolymeric material whereby any porosity of the circumferential weld is sealed against air migration and the rim beads and valve seat are all totally coated with a resilient air-impervious coating for effectively sealing against air migration in association with a tire bead and an air valve body, respectively.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel rim and disc assembly with controlled lateral runout characteristics, as well as the resulting wheel and a pneumatic tire and wheel assembly having overall improved ride characteristics. The method and apparatus of the invention contemplate fixturing of a preformed rim so that the average plane of the rim bead seats is at preselected orientation with respect to the axis of interference pressfit of a preformed disc therein, and thus at preselected orientation with respect to the wheel mounting plane defined by the inboard disc surface. In one implementation of the invention, the average bead seat plane is made nominally parallel to the wheel mounting plane by selective adjustment of the fixturing bead seat locators, so as to minimize lateral runout of the resulting wheel.

Abstract: An assembly device for the assembly and disassembly of axle bearings of motor vehicles or of wheel flange hubs, makes it possible to press in or pull out the roller bearings to be installed in or pulled out of a cylinder bore of a bearing cylinder while being guided so as to be centered. The assembly device can also press a wheel flange hub into a roller bearing that is already installed in a bearing cylinder. The device has a threaded spindle (1) which is guided and supported in an axial support bearing (2) and is provided with a threaded nut (11) in contact with a pressure transmitting part (8) or counterbearing. The axial support bearing (2) is disposed concentrically in the face wall (3) of a tubular spacer (4) which has on its face opposite the axial support bearing (2), a concentric support shoulder (26). An annular disc provided with an annular extention (8') serves as pressure transmitting part (8).

Abstract: A tractor dual wheel remover for loosening the dual wheel rim extension from telescoping frictional engagement with the rim of the adjacent main wheel after removal of connecting links between main-wheel eyelet members and aligned dual-wheel apertures. The device includes a rigid elongate member with a main-wheel end non-rotatably receiving one of the eyelets and a threaded shaft at the opposite end receivable through the corresponding dual-wheel aperture, and nut means on the shaft for off-center spreading to loosen the dual wheel.

Abstract: Apparatus for manufacturing a vehicle wheel rim and disc assembly with controlled lateral runout characteristics. The apparatus of the invention contemplate fixturing of a preformed rim so that the average plane of the rim bead seats is at preselected orientation with respect to the axis of interference press-fit of a preformed disc therein, and thus at preselected orientation with respect to the wheel mounting plane defined by the inboard disc surface. In one implementation of the invention, the average bead seat plane is made nominally parallel to the wheel mounting plane by selective adjustment of the fixturing bead seat locators, so as to minimize lateral runout of the resulting wheel. In another implementation of the invention, the average bead seat plane is intentionally angulated with respect to the disc mounting plane so as to locate a peak of the first harmonic of lateral runout circumferentially adjacent to a selected location on the wheel rim, such as the rim valve hole.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling wheel and tire units onto a vehicle as it moves along a conveyor. The apparatus includes an arrangement for centralizing the vehicle relative to the conveyor, orienting the hubs of the vehicle so as to receive a properly oriented wheel-tire unit, an apparatus for orienting the wheel-tire unit and means for mounting the oriented wheel-tire unit on the hub and for affixing the thus mounted wheel-tire onto the hub.

Abstract: Seals between a wheel and a cover which rotate in relation to each other are installed under utilization of auxiliary equipment which includes a ring with annularly distributed bores and held against an abutment surface in the wheel while another ring of U-shaped cross-section has one of the flanges in abutment with an annular abutment surface of the cover; the other flange has threaded bores for receiving tension screws by means of which the two rings are held together for temporarily holding the wheel to the cover, particularly during installation of the axle and bolting of the cover, for example, to the swivel in a full track vehicle.

Abstract: An integral tire and rim assembly includes a flanged annulus having an uninterrupted, substantially constant diameter outer surface, a centrally disposed spider and a tire having inextensible beads of a diameter smaller than the diameter of the rim flanges. A method for fabricating the integral tire and rim comprises the steps of forming an annulus having a substantially uniform diameter and a first generally radially extending flange, forming a spider, securing the spider within the flange, mounting a tire on the rim and forming a second generally radially extending flange in the annulus, thereby securing the tire on the rim between the two flanges.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for attenuating oscillating movements and clamping in a predetermined position one end of a freely depending spoke for example when mounting spoke wheels. The free end of the spoke is permitted to slide into a slot which includes an energy attenuating structure which the spoke passes. When the free end of the spoke thereupon exits from the slot it is intercepted by a magnet and thereafter guided to a securing device by which it is clamped.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a metal and plastic lightweight wheel cover. An annular riser supports the wheel cover assembly while several curling rolls roll curl the outermost flange of an outer ornamental member onto a lightweight plastic insert and retaining ring capturing the insert between the outer member and the retaining ring. The roll curling prevents relative rotation between the outer ornamental face and the retaining ring. The curling rolls embed a plurality of jagged edged barbs, formed on the retaining ring, in the insert. The barbs prevent the insert from rotating relative to the retaining ring.

Abstract: A mechanism for aligning a tire on a wheel in a single station comprising a rotating mechanism to rotate either the wheel or tire. A sensing mechanism to sense the presence of indicia on one of the wheel or tire as it is rotated and to then actuate a holding mechanism to grip either the wheel or tire thus preventing rotation. The sensing mechanism further senses the presence of indicia on the other of the wheel or tire as it is rotated and to cause the rotation thereof to stop at a predetermined location to assure accurate relative alignment of the wheel and tire.

Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing the laminate structure of a metal and plastic lightweight wheel cover. An annular riser supports the wheel cover assembly while a curl ring die curls the outermost flange of an outer ornamental member onto a lightweight plastic insert and retaining means capturing the insert between the outer member and the retaining means. The die curling prevents relative rotation between the outer ornamental face and the retaining means. An annular seating ring embeds a plurality of jagged edged barbs, formed on the retaining means, in the insert. The barbs prevent the insert from rotating relative to the retaining means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for rotatably positioning an uninflated tire relative to its wheel about the axis of the wheel whereby a predetermined relationship between wheel and tire will exist upon inflation. In the system of the invention an uninflated tubeless tire is placed upon its wheel in a random manner, both tire and wheel having indicia defined thereon indicating a desired final orientation. Automatic sensing apparatus determines the angular relationship between the wheel and tire indicia about the wheel axis, records and analyzes the position of the indicia, and thereupon the wheel and tire are automatically rotated relative to each other with respect to the wheel axis an angular degree which will locate the wheel and tire indicia in a predetermined relationship, usually at a 0.degree. deviation with respect to each other.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for assembling a wheel rim and dish with a press fit wherein the abutting surfaces are of clean, unscored metal ready for subsequent welding. The rim and dish have relatively mating diameters, either over or undersized, which can be assembled without deformation and the rim and dish are then radially deformed into a press fit relationship. When the members are assembled, no lubricant is required on the surface to assemble which would interfere with welding and there is no deformation of the metal which would later cause stress cracks.

Abstract: A bezel installation tool is disclosed for blind securing bezels in a panel. The tool includes a rotary striker, bezel holder and load spring. As tabs on the bezel are bent over by the striker, the holder and spring clench the bezel about the edge of the opening.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device for assembling tools on a wheel. Stop pins fixed to the wheel cooperate with radial wedges to maintain tool-bearing sectors in a disc formation on the wheel. The pins and the radial wedges are located between adjacent sectors alternatively, with one wedge being positioned between two adjacent faces or ends of adjacent sectors to urge the other ends of the sectors into engagement with two of the pins.

Abstract: Opposing hydraulic rams are supported in cylinders on cylinder beams connected together and then connected with a intermediate resistance beam by low yield connection bars, thereby reducing shearing stresses at the foundation. Hydraulic controls operate rams in the first mode to clamp an axle between opposing rams or to release a clamped axle. In one driving mode one ram drives the clamped axle, which, in turn, drives the other ram axially in one direction. In the other driving mode the other ram drives the one in the opposite direction. In demounting members, the resistance beam or extensions bear against a member pressed onto the axle to restrain such member as the axle continues to move through until the member is loosened. In mounting members, opposition to axial movement of such a member loosely on the axle or ram extensions is provided by a yoke extension of the cylindrical beam to cause said members to be pressed onto the axle as the axle continues to move.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly and method and apparatus for making the assembly in which an outer tire rim and wheel center are fabricated into a secure one-piece unit. Secure attachment and restraint of the two components into one unit are accomplished through a dimpling process in which both components are nested together at a plurality of points through stamping. While very applicable to a steel rim or steel center wheel construction, the invention is adapted for use on several metallic wheel constructions to avoid pneumatic leakage associated with riveting or problems arising from welding of the two components. A fixture and hydraulically operated tool construction utilizes male and female tooling to accomplish the dimpling process in which regions of the wheel rim and center are deformed by force to nest together.

Abstract: An automatic wire feeder for feeding pieces of wire in an assembly operation. More particularly, an automatic wire feeder for feeding pieces of wire in a radial assembly operation wherein the automatic wire feeder drops the wires, one by one, in a wire loading device having means for holding the wires in assembled condition.