Disc Shaping Patents (Class 29/894.325)
  • Patent number: 11338611
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a process for manufacturing a light-alloy hybrid wheel comprising the following separate operation phases: obtaining a front flange with an internal profile including a tire bead seat; obtaining a rim with an annular profile including a tire bead seat at a first end and a circular flank for assembly with a part of the flange at a second end; and assembling the flange and the rim to form a wheel. The annular profiles of the flange and the rim form exterior and interior sides of the wheel. Assembling the flange and the rim comprises welding the flank of the rim and the flange together by a single friction stir weld using a pin such that the weld is exposed at the exterior and interior sides of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: SAINT JEAN INDUSTRIES
    Inventors: Emile Thomas Di Serio, Lionel Duperray
  • Patent number: 11207760
    Abstract: A thermal treatment and shot peening method for a wheel, including: heating a wheel blank to T1, and preserving the heat for t1; fast heating the wheel blank to T2, and preserving the heat for t2; performing quenching treatment, wherein a quenching medium is at temperature of T3, and the quenching transfer time is t3; performing aging treatment at aging temperature of T4, and preserving the heat for t4; performing first-stage shot peening; and performing second-stage shot peening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: CITIC DICASTAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tieqiang Chen, Chunhai Liu, Zuo Xu
  • Patent number: 11046110
    Abstract: A process for manufacturing a light-alloy hybrid wheel, implements the following separate operation phases: making a flange with an internal profile capable of constituting a tire bead seat; making a rim with, on one side, an outer profile capable of constituting a tire bead seat and, on the other side, a circular flank for assembly with a part of the flange; and assembling the flange with the rim, at the seat of said flange and the circular flank of the rim. The rim is made according to the following consecutive operations: an operation of manufacturing a circular flank; then an operation of expanding said circular flank to the size of the final rim in a single step; then an operation of cold or hot flospinning of said circular flank so as to obtain the rim in the final shape and profile thereof, comprising a shoulder only on the side that will not be welded to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: SAINT JEAN INDUSTRIES
    Inventors: Emile Thomas Di Serio, Lionel Duperray
  • Patent number: 10352830
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a inspection device for detecting a defect of a metal object, where the inspection device includes a main base, at least one main magnetic module, and a main inspection module. The at least one main magnetic module is installed on the main base, for attaching the main base onto the metal object under an action of a magnetic force. The main inspection module is installed on the main base, to detect at least one type of defect of the metal object. The present invention further discloses a wheel defect inspection method and a wheel defect inspection device. The metal object defect inspection device may implement automatic detection of a defect on a whole circumference of a wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Xun Yu, Ran Li
  • Patent number: 10266004
    Abstract: A wheel disc for a disc wheel, especially for utility vehicles; with an essentially radially extending hub fitting flange and an essentially cylindrical disc edge which can be joined to a wheel rim, and with a transition region extending between the hub fitting flange and the disc edge, wherein the transition region is subdivided into at least five segments (AI to V) passing into each other or into the hub fitting flange or the disc edge, each of which has an outer end situated closer to the hub fitting flange and an inner end situated closer to the disc edge, wherein neighboring segments have curvatures with different directions and variable material thickness, with the ratios of the material thicknesses and the ratio of their lengths to heights are chosen as follows: Ratio of Material Ratio of Length in thickness at axial inner end (di) to direction (La) to Material thickness at Height in radial outer end (da) direction (Hr) First segment AI 0.45-0.7? 0.9-1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: Maxion Wheels Germany Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Vorbeck, Karl Manfred Michael Rode, Barbara Nücken, Peter Matthias Grütgen, Carlos Eduardo Lopes
  • Patent number: 10029294
    Abstract: Provided is a method for manufacturing a hot-press formed steel-member that is capable of reducing LME without causing cracking of a galvanized steel sheet. The method includes using a galvanized steel sheet, as a base steel, having a prescribed chemical composition, heating the galvanized steel sheet to not lower than an Ac3 transformation-point, and executing hot-press forming at least twice after the heating. Every hot-press forming in is executed so that to satisfy the following expression (1): (R/t)>?(a·(T?b)), where “R” is a curvature radius (mm) of a shoulder of a tool used in the hot-press forming, “t” is a thickness (mm) of the galvanized steel sheet, “T” is a forming-start temperature (° C.) of the hot-press forming, “a” is a constant 0.2984, and “b” is a constant 590.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Kobe Steel, Ltd.
    Inventors: Takayuki Yamano, Noriyuki Jimbo, Tatsuya Asai
  • Patent number: 9823063
    Abstract: The machine includes a rotational mounting bracket, upon which an agricultural disc is supported and held. A hold-down plate that can rotate freely is arranged above the mounting bracket. A linear actuator displaces the hold-down plate vertically in a downwards direction to press the agricultural disc. A laser measurement device is coupled to a linear guide where the hold-down plate forms part of a rotational head-piece fixed to a rod of the linear actuator. A method includes determining a central reference height on a model disc, determining the height of points in the periphery of the disc to be measured, calculating the average of the measured heights and comparing with the central reference height to determine whether the disc is valid or not.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2017
    Assignee: BELLOTA AGRISOLUTIONS, S.L.
    Inventors: Maria Lourdes Lopez De Arbina Echeverria, Jeni Galdos Ormategui, Miguel Ignacio Echeverria Alcorta
  • Patent number: 9630279
    Abstract: In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a method of manufacturing wheel disc, wherein said method comprising of steps providing a rectangular strip made of metallic materials, circling the strip to form a band, welding the band to form a hoop by welding process, forming one side of the hoop to make the center portion of the disc, spinning another side of the hoop to form flange of the disc, and achieving varying thickness across the disc to make variable thickness wherever needed, thereby reducing the usage of raw material and reducing wastage and making light weight wheel disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: WHEELS INDIA LIMITED
    Inventors: Badrinarayanan Ramachandra Rao, Sundararajan Thiagarajan, Rajaram Balaseshan
  • Publication number: 20150001913
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel disk and a manufacturing method thereof is provided. The vehicle wheel disk is manufactured from a disk material of a flat plate. The vehicle wheel disk includes a hub coupling portion, a disk flange and a hat. The hat includes a hat top protruding outwardly in an axial direction of the disk, a radially inner hat portion connecting the hat top and the hub coupling portion, and a radially outer hat portion connecting the hat top and the disk flange. In the vehicle wheel disk, a first thickness-reduced portion is smaller in thickness than the disk material that is formed at the radially outer hat portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Applicant: TOPY KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kishiro Abe, Ryo Nishibayashi, Takamitsu Takano, Kazunari Sano, Yuta Isomura
  • Patent number: 8429822
    Abstract: A method for producing a fabricated vehicle wheel comprising the steps of: (a) providing a rim blank; (b) providing a first tooling fixture for subjecting the rim blank to a preforming operation wherein the cylindrical shape is reshaped to produce a rim preform; (c) providing a second tooling fixture defining a sealed internal chamber and having a tooling member having a predetermined inner surface contour, the sealed internal chamber in fluid communication with a source of high pressurize hydraulic fluid; (d) positioning the rim preform in the internal chamber with an outer surface thereof adjacent the inner surface contour of the tooling member; (e) supplying the high pressure hydraulic fluid to the internal chamber whereby the rim preform is pressed against the adjacent inner surface contour of the tooling member so as to produce a wheel rim having a contour which matches that of the inner surface contour of the tooling member; (f) removing the wheel rim from the second tooling fixture; and (g) securing th
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph Wolf, Alan Coleman
  • Patent number: 8336208
    Abstract: A process for producing a cast, coated vehicle wheel utilizing a multi-axis computer numerical control (CNC) machine. The CNC machine allows unique draft angles and unique design elements to be cast from a single metal ingot. The process utilizes a plurality of steps to achieve the desired aesthetic qualities in the wheel including design elements such as colored portions, rivets, logos and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Brock Weld
  • Patent number: 7984551
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing the same. The wheel includes a rim and a disc secured to the rim. The disc includes a plurality of outwardly extending spokes, an outer rim connecting flange defining a side edge surface and a window formed therein between adjacent pairs of spokes and having a predetermined shape defined by the adjacent pairs of spokes and the side edge surface of the rim connecting flange such that each of the windows extends to an outermost periphery of the wheel disc, at least one of the windows includes at least a first window portion and a second window portion, the first window portion being formed by a first piercing operation and the second window portion being formed by a second piercing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick McCorry, Tom Czarniecki, Monty Csapo, Todd Duffield, Matthias Grutgen, Frank Kramer, Alan Coleman
  • Patent number: 7958636
    Abstract: An outer rim molded material is molded by forging or casting, a portion of the outer rim which extends from a hump to a bead seat is separated from part of a rim flange precursor 2a and is caused to fall in a sloping fashion inwards of a wheel width so as to form a bead seat precursor 12a, and the bead seat precursor 12a so formed is then joined to be welded to a top or side of a rim well rising portion precursor 5b. An external surface is cut to be finished to a proper shape, and an annular hollow portion 8 is formed underneath a lower surface of the bead seat portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Washi Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Yoshimura
  • Publication number: 20110089749
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include a product and a method of galvanically isolating an outer wheel portion from a wheel hub. A center wheel portion may comprise a less galvanically active material than the outer wheel portion and may be attached to the outer wheel portion with an interlock.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2009
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard M. Kleber, Ravi Verma
  • Patent number: 7895752
    Abstract: A method comprising: a step of preforming a plurality of bulging portions on a substantially circular plate blank, the bulging portions being located concentrically and circumferentially outward of a bolt hole, each of the bulging portions being a base of a reinforcing portion of a spoke; a step of forming a plurality of prototypical decorative holes on the respective bulging portions to form a prototypically-shaped spoke between the adjacent prototypical decorative holes; a step of forming a disk flange by bending an outer circumferential portion of the plate blank, on which the prototypical decorative holes are formed, at a right angle to be substantially parallel to a wheel axial direction, so that an outer periphery of a resultant decorative hole forms an upper end edge of the disk flange; and a step of forming the spoke by providing the prototypically-shaped spoke with the reinforcing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsu Sano, Yoshinobu Sakashita, Kei Takagi, Kikuya Ito
  • Patent number: 7774938
    Abstract: Thus, the present disclosure includes a method of producing a weight-optimized pneumatic tire rim having rotationally-symmetrically partially different wall thickness. The steps include: providing a tube section having a first wall thickness and two end sides; leveling the first wall thickness starting from the two end sides over a defined rotationally-symmetrical area thereby forming two flanks by precontouring, each of the flanks having a second wall thickness, and pushing tolerance-caused excess material of the flanks into a well base zone between the two flanks; and contouring the flanks by pressure rolling while drawing each of the flanks toward an end area of each of the flanks and reducing the thickness of each of the flanks partially differently to predetermined measurements. The present disclosure also includes a device to implement the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2010
    Assignee: WF-Maschinenbau und Blechformtechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Udo Friese
  • Publication number: 20100116603
    Abstract: A rotor and a method of making same are provided. The rotor can include a substantially annular segment having a thickness defined between a first side surface and a second side surface, as well as an inner end edge surface and an outer end edge surface. At least one expansion groove can be formed in the substantially annular segment, and can include a substantially straight portion and a substantially curved portion. The substantially curved portion of the at least one expansion groove can form an arc of at least about 90 degrees. The rotor can also include at least one flange extending from an inner end edge surface of the substantially annular segment at an angle not parallel to a radial of the substantially annular segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Inventor: Edward W. Kitchell
  • Publication number: 20100031508
    Abstract: Method and apparatus for forming a wheel hub by means of a casting process which involves providing additional material during the casting process at the perimeter of the hub in quantity sufficient to form a rim; spin-forming a rim about the hub using the additional material provided during the casting process; machining mounting features in the hub; and machining finish features into the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 6, 2007
    Publication date: February 11, 2010
    Inventors: Peio Todorov Stoyanov, Ching-Lung Wang
  • Patent number: 7658007
    Abstract: Methods for forming a soft lip for a wheel rim are disclosed herein. The wheel rim may be a cold-formed, spun-formed, or rolled-formed cylindrical blank, wherein the blank includes an upturned outer edge. As the blank is spun, a blunting roller lowered to contact the upturned outer edge to blunt the outer edge into a work-strengthened annular bead, and finish off the external surface of the annular bead to form a soft lip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Inventor: Donald Melbinger
  • Patent number: 7587825
    Abstract: A method of forming a wheel disc starts with a flat blank. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc, wherein each window has a respective outer edge proximate with a continuous outer band around a periphery of the wheel disc. The windows define a plurality of spokes between adjacent windows, and the angular size of each of the windows along the outer band is preferably greater than the angular size of each of the spokes. The outer band is partially closed toward a cylindrical shape by engaging a cam die against at least a portion of the outer band. The outer band is substantially fully closed into a cylindrical shape by axially wiping the outer band using a cylindrical die. The intermediate camming operation achieves the desired final shape after wiping without introducing stresses that would weaken or distort the wheel disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Coleman, Tom Czarniecki, Bill Fowler
  • Patent number: 7559145
    Abstract: A method of forming a wheel disc starts with a flat blank. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc, wherein each window has a respective outer edge proximate with a continuous outer band around a periphery of the wheel disc. The windows define a plurality of spokes between adjacent windows, and the angular size of each of the windows along the outer band is preferably greater than the angular size of each of the spokes. The outer band is partially closed toward a cylindrical shape by engaging a cam die against at least a portion of the outer band. The outer band is substantially fully closed into a cylindrical shape by axially wiping the outer band using a cylindrical die. The intermediate camming operation achieves the desired final shape after wiping without introducing stresses that would weaken or distort the wheel disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Utz Jäcke, Ramon J. Aquilué, Jordi Bosch
  • Patent number: 7523635
    Abstract: A method of producing a light alloy wheel with a forging technique, aiming for producing the wheel having a large-diameter disk by use of a small-scale press device, comprising: heating an intermediate product that is formed by casting or forging and has a discoid and a cylindrical thick wall, which are to respectively become disk and rim at completion, to a plasticity temperature; then, rotating the intermediate product with stopping of the rotating at interval of a predetermined angle; pressing at least a portion of the to-be disk part by molds at time of said stopping, as to push out metal into recesses on the lower mold and to thereby form holes; repeating of such rotating, stopping and pressing as to give a pattern on whole of the to-be disk part; and further press processing and finish processing on the to-be disk and the to-be rim parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Washi Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kotaro Ono
  • Patent number: 7520056
    Abstract: A method for molding a wheel rim hump part, comprising the steps of stopping a fist claw (30) and a second claw (32) holding a work (wheel rim for vehicle) (W) at specified positions and allowing an annular support member (160) to abut on the end surface of the curl part (C1) of the work (W), closing a right side first mold (16b) to support the curl part (C1) and the outer peripheral wall surface of the work by the support mold (106) of the right side first mold (16b), also closing a left side first mold (16a) to support the curl part (C1) and the outer peripheral wall surface of the work by the support mold (106) of the left side first mold (16a), moving forward a long rod (136) to allow a roller metal mold (124) to abut on the inner peripheral wall surface of the work (W), and turning the roller metal mold (124) along the circumferential direction thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Arai, Minoru Nakano, Kenzo Takeda
  • Publication number: 20080034587
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing the same. The wheel includes a rim and a disc secured to the rim. The disc includes a plurality of outwardly extending spokes, an outer rim connecting flange defining a side edge surface and a window formed therein between adjacent pairs of spokes and having a predetermined shape defined by the adjacent pairs of spokes and the side edge surface of the rim connecting flange such that each of the windows extends to an outermost periphery of the wheel disc, at least one of the windows includes at least a first window portion and a second window portion, the first window portion being formed by a first piercing operation and the second window portion being formed by a second piercing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Publication date: February 14, 2008
    Inventors: Patrick McCorry, Tom Czarniecki, Monty Csapo, Todd Duffield, Matthias Grutgen, Frank Kramer, Alan Coleman
  • Patent number: 7251890
    Abstract: A method for producing a wheel pan includes cold-rolling a rectangular metal strip of a given uniform thickness by conical rolls into a semicircular ring, such that the thickness reduction on the outer edge of the curved strip is at least 20%, and the circumference of the semicircular ring thus produced extends 130-310°, preferably 180°; bending the semicircular ring into a complete circle to produce a conical hoop, welding the ends together; and shaping the hoop to form the bottom of the pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Michelin Kronprinz Werke GmbH
    Inventor: Bruno Atts
  • Publication number: 20050262693
    Abstract: A cast forging method of manufacturing a disc for a wheel. The method may include the steps of producing a cast disc by low pressure casting, heating the cast disc to its material plasticity temperature, and placing the heated cast disc into a forging mold to forge the disc under high pressure. The method may further include the steps of inspecting the forged disc for defects, and machining the forged disc to the required end-product specifications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Publication date: December 1, 2005
    Inventors: Zhang Xinying, Pan Zengyuan
  • Publication number: 20050252327
    Abstract: A non-slip frictional force-fit mounting of a plastic gear to a gear mounting shaft using a compliant tolerance ring between the shaft and gear, wherein the tolerance ring has a first circumferentially spaced pattern of varying radial dimensions and the gear has an annular interior mounting surface with a second circumferentially spaced pattern of varying radial dimensions cooperatively engaging within the first circumferentially spaced pattern of varying radial dimensions of the tolerance ring to provide a high torque rotational drive interconnection between the gear mounting shaft and the gear yet also have reduced gear material stress.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2004
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventors: David Shogren, Tab Tress
  • Publication number: 20050252004
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a wheel, particularly for use on automotive vehicles. The wheel has a wheel rim and a wheel disc connectable to each other. The method includes shaping the wheel disc, shaping the wheel rim, manufacturing the wheel disc to form a first centering element and manufacturing the wheel rim to form a second centering element. The centering elements allow the wheel disc and the wheel rim to be connectable to each other via the first and second centering elements in a centered or concentric way.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2003
    Publication date: November 17, 2005
    Inventor: Evandro Francischetti
  • Patent number: 6839967
    Abstract: A lightened disk for a wheel has a flange having an axially inboard edge. The inboard edge includes a general portion which is located in a plane perpendicular to an axis of the disk. The flange portion has a thickness less than 90% of a thickness of a disk material at at least the general portion of the inboard edge. A method for manufacturing a lightened disk for a wheel includes a drawing step during which the flange portion is drawn such than the flange portion has a thickness less than 90% of a thickness of a disk material at at least the general portion of the inboard edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kishiro Abe, Ryoichi Watanabe, Ryo Nishibayashi, Yuji Iwakura
  • Patent number: 6785962
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved method for forming a full face fabricated vehicle wheel and includes the steps of: (a) providing a disc blank formed from a metal material; (b) subjecting the disc blank to a metal stamping operation to produce a partially formed non-bowl shaped full face wheel disc having at least one stamped pocket formed therein; (c) forming at least one decorative window in the partially formed full face wheel disc; (d) coining a back side of the window in the partially formed full face wheel disc; (e) trimming an outer edge of the partially formed full face wheel disc to a predetermined diameter; (f) forming a center hub hole in the partially formed full face wheel disc; (g) subjecting the partially formed full face wheel disc to one or more final metal forming operations to form at least one of an outer flange and a plurality of lug bolt mounting holes in the partially formed wheel disc so as to produce a finished full face wheel disc; and (h) securing the full face wheel disc to a
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International
    Inventor: Alan Coleman
  • Patent number: 6663190
    Abstract: For balancing a wheel, which is formed of a rolled plate having varying thickness, the wheel is provided with a disk which is formed by a rolled plate having varying thickness in the rolling direction, wherein wheel balance is adjusted by radially adjusting the angle between the location of the thick part of the disk and the location of the air valve insertion hole, and the location of the air valve insertion hole certainly accords with the heaviest point by conforming the location of the air valve insertion hole with the location of the thick part of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignees: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Ring Techs Co., LTD
    Inventors: Mikio Kashiwai, Shiro Sato, Hisamitsu Takagi, Shinichi Watanabe, Hidemi Ichinose, Mitsuru Yokoyama
  • Patent number: 6539765
    Abstract: A rotary forging and quenching apparatus and method forms and rapidly cools an axial-symmetric object from a spin formable material. The process uses a preheated billet which is clamped between opposed fixture mandrels which have a circumferential die shape and with quench solution channels running through the fixtures. The mandrels are spun and at least one contour roller of a mating circumferential die shape is brought into bearing contact against the billet in order to spin-form the material into the desired die shape. The mandrel and peripheral margin of the spinning billet are flooded with a quench solution coolant while being spin formed. This process streamlines the manufacturing of wheels or other axial-symmetric parts like cylinders, hemispheres, cones, etc. Typically, parts that require heat treatment, like aluminum alloys, will benefit from this process. The process minimizes the distortion encountered in heat treatment and eliminates the need to add extra material to ensure final dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2003
    Inventor: Gary Gates
  • Patent number: 6473967
    Abstract: An improved method for forming a vehicle wheel includes the steps of steps of: (a) providing a wheel rim defining a rim axis and including a generally axially extending well portion and a pair of opposed ends, one of the ends including an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange and an inboard tire bead seat, and the other end including an outboard tire bead seat; (b) providing a generally circular wheel disc blank defining a disc axis, the disc blank including an inner annular wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion; (c) subjecting the wheel disc blank to a series of metal forming operations to produce a finished disc having a final profile, the finished wheel disc having an outer annular portion, an inner annular wheel mounting portion, and an intermediate portion having a generally convex profile; and (d) joining the finished wheel disc to the wheel rim to produce a fabricated vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan W. Coleman, Ricky L. VanSickle
  • Patent number: 6408669
    Abstract: A wheel spindle flange (and the like) has stud holes with soft surface hardness formed therein which permit non-rotational splines, studs and the like to be press-fitted therein with minimal press force at a centered press zone established between intentionally formed and dimensioned counterbores within the flange to minimize flange distortion and lateral run out of the spindle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Eugene Meeker, Richard Allen Scheufler, Jr., Christopher J. Zuck, John R. Beverick
  • Patent number: 6370777
    Abstract: A method for producing a full face vehicle wheel wherein at least the inboard tire bead seat is precisely oriented and located relative to all axis of the associated vehicle wheel includes the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle wheel assembly having a wheel rim and a wheel disc joined together and defining a horizontal wheel axis, the wheel rim including an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a well and an outboard tire bead seat, the wheel disc including a wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion which defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the vehicle wheel; (b) supporting the vehicle wheel assembly on a vehicle wheel fixturing and press apparatus including a wheel fixturing member and a wheel press member; and (c) selectively moving at least one of the wheel fixturing member and the wheel press member toward one another so as to engage and squeeze the inboard tire bead seat radially so as to expand the inboard tire bead seat in the radial direction
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas Heck
  • Publication number: 20020007556
    Abstract: Process for producing a motorized land vehicle wheel, in general having a wheel disk and an essentially cylindrical rim, the wheel disk being obtained from a blank plate of specific thickness subjected to several shaping operations, and composed of an essentially flat central part having an opening that serves to center and attach the wheel to the vehicle's axle hub, an essentially conical interior riser, another inverted conical part that defines, with the interior riser, a curved tip that has a large radius of curvature, the inverted conical part terminating in a flanged edge used to join the disk to the rim, a process characterized in that during the forming operation of the flanged edge, the plate is laminated in such a way as to preserve or reduce the thickness of the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Applicant: USINOR
    Inventors: Guy Marron, Alain Sbroggio
  • Patent number: 6282788
    Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel and method for producing the same includes a wheel rim and a wheel disc joined together by a weld. The wheel disc includes a generally centrally located wheel mounting portion which defines a vertical axis and an outer annular flange. The outer annular flange of the wheel disc defines an outer surface which is inverted at a predetermined angle relative to the vertical axis. The outer annular flange further includes a plurality of arches formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2001
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Dominic Politi, Walter Gajor