Rim Making Patents (Class 29/894.35)
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Patent number: 10272483Abstract: A wheel blank outer rim scribing device is composed of a wheel positioning and clamping system, an upper auxiliary system, a lower auxiliary system, a rim scribing system and a vision detection system. The wheel positioning and clamping system completes positioning of a wheel on a roller bed, clamping and rotating drive; the upper auxiliary system improves the axial positioning precision and power assisting rotation of the wheel; the lower auxiliary system improves the radial positioning precision and power assisting rotation of the wheel; the rim scribing system completes groove ridge machining of the outer rim of the wheel; and the vision detection system detects blanks having insufficient outer rim machining allowance. The device not only can scribe ridges on the outer rim of the wheel, but also can check the blanks having insufficient outer rim machining allowance.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2018Date of Patent: April 30, 2019Assignee: CITIC Dicastal CO., LTD.Inventors: Huiying Liu, Xin He
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Patent number: 8914977Abstract: A vehicle wheel according to the present invention includes a hollow-state hollow portion and a solid-state non-hollow portion inside an outboard bead seat in a radial direction, which are provided in series in a circumferential direction of the wheel, the non-hollow portion having a cross section with a larger area than a hole cross section of a valve hole and having the valve hole formed therein. This structure prevents a sealing structure for ensuring hermetic performance from being complicated as compared to a wheel having the valve hole in the hollow portion, thus simplifying a mounting structure of an air valve. A method for manufacturing such a vehicle wheel allows formation of the valve hole in the non-hollow portion. Machining dust generated through a cutting process can thus be prevented from entering the hollow portion and remaining therein.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2011Date of Patent: December 23, 2014Assignee: Central Motor Wheel Co., Ltd.Inventors: Masahide Furukawa, Hideyo Nehyo
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Patent number: 8875397Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel is suggested in which the vehicle wheel can provide function and effect of preventing molding defects during molding of an outer rim portion and/or an inner rim portion having sound absorbing spaces 25 and of reducing acoustic cavity noise that occurs in a tire-internal space by use of the sound absorbing spaces. After a separation groove having a curved shape groove bottom surface 55a is formed between a ring-shaped wall portion and partition wall portions, the ring-shaped wall portion is bent toward a flange portion, and the ring-shaped wall portion and the flange portion are welded together. The sound absorbing spaces which communicate with each other via communication gaps defined according to the separation groove are thereby formed in the outer rim portion and/or the inner rim portion.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 2011Date of Patent: November 4, 2014Assignees: Central Motor Wheel Co., Ltd., Bridgestone CorporationInventors: Akihiro Ikeda, Masahide Furukawa
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Publication number: 20140292062Abstract: Generally described are specially designed tire or wheel-rims that are adorned with the logos of professional and college athletic teams. In one embodiment, rims according to the present disclosure provide automobile enthusiasts and sport aficionados a unique means of celebrating a favorite sports team, while adding a dazzling personal touch to ordinary tires and rims. The features of the preferred embodiments which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2013Publication date: October 2, 2014Inventors: Ruben Luzanilla, Antonio Munoz
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Patent number: 8756814Abstract: A bicycle rim is basically provided with an outer rim portion and an inner rim portion. The outer rim portion has a ring shape of a first material. The inner rim portion is joined to the outer rim portion. The inner rim portion has a ring shape of a second material with an internal residual stress distribution resulting from the ring shape being formed by spinning of the second material.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 2011Date of Patent: June 24, 2014Assignee: Shimano Inc.Inventor: Etsuyoshi Watarai
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Publication number: 20130239411Abstract: A recess is formed on the periphery of each of through-holes that go through a rim cavity, and the outer surface of a rim part is cut while a seal member for sealing the through-hole is positioned on the recess. It is thereby possible to stably manufacture a vehicle wheel in which swarf tends not to remain inside the rim cavity. Furthermore, it is not necessary to avoid the seal member for sealing the through-hole when cutting the outer surface of the rim part, and the outer surface of the rim part can be cut without any distinction having to be made between the periphery of the through-hole and the rest of the outer surface. Any increase in manufacturing costs can be minimized.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 23, 2011Publication date: September 19, 2013Applicant: CENTRAL MOTOR WHEEL CO., LTD.Inventors: Masahide Furukawa, Fumito Inuzuka, Eiji Takashima
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Patent number: 8468698Abstract: A workpiece having a first constant diameter portion, a tapered reduced-diameter portion, a concave portion, a tapered increased-diameter portion, and a second constant diameter portion is formed by machining the tapered reduced-diameter portion, and then machining the tapered increased-diameter portion and the concave portion.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2010Date of Patent: June 25, 2013Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Tsunenari Futagi, Nobuyuki Kakiya, Tadahisa Akiyama, Ikuo Kato, Akitoshi Uchiumi, Shinichi Ohnaka, Toshimasa Koshimizu, Haruo Machida, Yuji Matsumoto
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Publication number: 20130152395Abstract: A vehicle wheel according to the present invention includes a hollow-state hollow portion and a solid-state non-hollow portion inside an outboard bead seat in a radial direction, which are provided in series in a circumferential direction of the wheel, the non-hollow portion having a cross section with a larger area than a hole cross section of a valve hole and having the valve hole formed therein. This structure prevents a sealing structure for ensuring hermetic performance from being complicated as compared to a wheel having the valve hole in the hollow portion, thus simplifying a mounting structure of an air valve. A method for manufacturing such a vehicle wheel allows formation of the valve hole in the non-hollow portion. Machining dust generated through a cutting process can thus be prevented from entering the hollow portion and remaining therein.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2011Publication date: June 20, 2013Applicant: CENTRAL MOTOR WHEEL CO., LTD.Inventors: Masahide Furukawa, Hideyo Nehyo
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Patent number: 8429822Abstract: 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 thType: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: April 30, 2013Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.Inventors: Joseph Wolf, Alan Coleman
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Patent number: 8353106Abstract: A device and method for fixing or repairing a wheel or rim of an automobile, truck, motorcycle or other vehicle is provided. The device has an adjustable shaft having a first side and a second side. The first side may act as a brace secured against the interior of a rim of, for example, an automobile. The second side may be the work end of the device which may be formed to fit the interior wall(s) of the rim. When the rim is heated and the shaft is extended, the device may allow a user to fix a dented rim. A bracing bar may be extended perpendicularly from the shaft and may act to secure the device in place while the work is performed.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2010Date of Patent: January 15, 2013Assignee: Rimsmith Tool, LLCInventors: Herbert Lauer Lasser, Kickey Steven Lutterbach, Adam M. Sworden, Joel P. Sanchez, Cesar P. Sanchez
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Publication number: 20120274128Abstract: Process for manufacturing a wheel rim in light alloy including the following operations: providing a rough wheel rim in light alloy, comprising a wheel disc and an annular portion, the annular portion including a first and a second bead defining a drop well having a first profile; processing the rough wheel rim, modifying the first profile in order to obtain a second profile being of a lower thickness than the first profile, at least at an intermediate portion of the drop well, characterised by including a finishing operation of a surface of the second profile intermediate portion by means of a compression action of said surface, the finishing operation leaving the low thickness substantially unchanged.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2011Publication date: November 1, 2012Inventor: Umberto Afeltra
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Patent number: 8176631Abstract: A method for making positioning structures of a bicycle hub comprises the steps of: A. bicycle hub clamping step; B. bicycle hub press forming step; and C. bicycle hub loading step. By such arrangements, the positioning structures of the bicycle hub can be obtained by the quick press forming without affecting the structure strength.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2009Date of Patent: May 15, 2012Assignee: Bitex Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Te-Yao Hsieh
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Publication number: 20120073136Abstract: In a wheel rim including fiber reinforced composite material and preferably having lateral rim sidewalls that may include rings.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2011Publication date: March 29, 2012Inventors: Peter Denk, Thomas Fuderer
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Patent number: 8046900Abstract: Process (20) for manufacturing a wheel rim (1) in light alloy including the following operations: providing (21) a rough wheel rim in light ally, comprising a wheel disc (2) and an annular portion (3), the annular portion (3) including a first (4I) and a second (4e) bead defining a drop well (C) having a first profile; processing (23) the rough wheel rim, modifying the first profile in order to obtain a second profile being of a lower thickness than the first profile, at least at an intermediate portion (C1) of the drop well (C), characterized by including a finishing operation (25) of a surface of the second profile intermediate portion by means of a compression action of said surface, the finishing operation leaving the low thickness substantially unchanged.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2004Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz S.r.l.Inventor: Umberto Afeltra
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Publication number: 20110210601Abstract: 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 and is caused to fall in a sloping fashion inwards of a wheel width so as to form a bead seat precursor, and the bead seat precursor so formed is then joined to be welded to a top or side of a rim well rising portion precursor. An external surface is cut to be finished to a proper shape, and an annular hollow portion is formed underneath a lower surface of the bead seat portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2011Publication date: September 1, 2011Applicant: Washi Kosan Co., Ltd.Inventor: Katsunori YOSHIMURA
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Patent number: 7963028Abstract: A method for producing alloy wheels for motor vehicles in which each wheel is provided with a hub and a rim contemplates realizing a finishing operation with a cutting machine tool, measuring the unbalance of the wheel, checking whether the unbalance falls within the predetermined acceptability values by means of a control unit and issuing a signal related to the acceptability of the unbalance.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2004Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: IMT Intermato S.p.A.Inventor: Roberto Tosi
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Patent number: 7909411Abstract: The invention is directed to a rim such as a rim for a cycle. The rim includes a circularly extending hollow box-shaped element, in the form of a radial profile of revolution about a transverse axis, with two end surfaces of such element being joined end-to-end at a junction and affixed via a sleeve that is positioned within the hollow box-shaped element, on each side of the junction. The sleeve includes a pair of bearing portions, which exert an internal force inside and against the walls of the hollow box-shaped element, such force being generated by a relative spacing apart of the bearing portions via a spreading device, such as at least one spacing member. The spacing member can be a wedging member or a screw, configured and arranged in association with the bearing portions so as to direct the bearing forces along an essentially transverse direction toward the side walls of the rim. The invention is also directed to a wheel having such a rim, as well as to a method of manufacturing such rim and wheel.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2008Date of Patent: March 22, 2011Assignee: Salomon S.A.S.Inventor: Jean-Pierre Mercat
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Patent number: 7861412Abstract: A method prevents a cylindrical body from buckling in externally curling edges of both side portions by pressing curling dies in an axial direction after molding the cylindrical body having a drop portion whose outer diameter is small and two side portions whose outer diameter is large by enlarging a cylindrical material made of aluminum alloy by electromagnetic molding. In curling the edges of the side portions, a buckling preventing die restrains an outer periphery of the drop portion of the cylindrical body. Because the buckling preventing die receives the axial compression force of the curling dies, it can prevent the cylindrical body from buckling and deforming. The buckling preventing die is what a split die disposed on the side of an outer periphery of the cylindrical material in the electromagnetic molding is used as.Type: GrantFiled: December 26, 2006Date of Patent: January 4, 2011Assignee: Daido Kogyo Co., Ltd.Inventors: Yoshihaya Imamura, Junichi Sato, Daigo Masumoto, Katsuhiro Motode
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Publication number: 20100181822Abstract: In an automobile wheel, a surface-side flange is provided on an outer circumferential edge of a wheel disk. The surface-side flange includes: a surface-side annular circumferential portion on an aesthetic surface; and a back-side annular circumferential portion that is formed continuously with, and on the back side of, the surface-side annular circumferential portion and that is thinner than the surface-side annular circumferential portion. An inner circumferential end of the back-side annular circumferential portion of the surface-side flange and an opening end of a surface-side bead seat of a wheel rim are welded together all along their circumferences. The automobile wheel allows the back-side annular circumferential portion of the surface-side flange to bear a stress that acts on a weld area. This relaxes the stress concentration on the weld area.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2010Publication date: July 22, 2010Applicant: CENTRAL MOTOR WHEEL CO., LTD.Inventors: Satoru Nakamura, Katsuya Chashiro, Atsuhiko Jinno
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Patent number: 7658007Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 3, 2004Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Inventor: Donald Melbinger
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Patent number: 7603776Abstract: A rim and a method for manufacturing a rim in particular for bicycles in which first a rim body is manufactured having a hollow space with a radially outer and a radially inner hollow-space wall. The radially outer hollow-space wall has a diameter matched to the diameter of a tube tire and the radially inner hollow-space wall has a diameter matched to the diameter of a wire tire.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2006Date of Patent: October 20, 2009Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.Inventor: Gerrit Jäger
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Publication number: 20090249626Abstract: In a method for the machining of a rotationally symmetrical workpiece, said workpiece is dipped into a container filled with processing means and is moved relative to the processing means container. In this respect, the workpiece is simultaneously rotated about its central axis by separate drives and its central axis is moved along a closed orbit in the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 8, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: Roesler Holding GmbH & Co. KGInventor: Ruediger Boehm
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Publication number: 20090250994Abstract: The invention concerns a rim made from composite material for a tubeless bicycle wheel comprising a radially outer portion shaped for the coupling with a tyre, said radially outer portion comprising a through hole for an inflation valve. Advantageously, at least one first impermeable-to-air layer is integrally associated with said radially outer portion, around said hole.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2009Publication date: October 8, 2009Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.Inventor: Mario Meggiolan
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Patent number: 7555838Abstract: A method for producing a bicycle wheel rim is disclosed. The method involves extruding a thin-walled, hollow body having the cross-sectional shape of the rim and an integral external tab. The walls of the hollow body are sufficiently thin that a length of the hollow body without the external tab is subject to buckling when roll formed to produce a rim. The tab is so positioned and sized that the hollow body with the integral external tab is not subject to buckling when roll formed. A portion of the extrusion is then rolled to a circular shape; the circular portion is cut from the extrusion; the free ends are connected, and the external tab is removed.Type: GrantFiled: September 22, 2006Date of Patent: July 7, 2009Inventor: William B. Shook
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Publication number: 20090158590Abstract: The present invention provides wheel manufacturing method comprising a pressing step in which a primary molded product having a cylindrical shape with a bottom in which a flange part that extends to the outside is disposed on the open side end part is manufactured, a working step in which a secondary molded product is obtained by cutting away the bottom part of the abovementioned primary molded product, and a spinning step in which, the secondary worked product is fit over and fastened to a rotating jig, a rim flange molding roller is pressed against the end part of the flange part while the secondary worked product is rotated together with the rotating jig, so that the flange part is gradually molded into the shape of a rim flange part, and the flange part is subsequently subjected to an angular adjustment to an appropriate angle to mold a rim flange part.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 17, 2009Publication date: June 25, 2009Applicant: WORK CO., LTD.Inventor: Takeshi Tanaka
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Publication number: 20090134693Abstract: A rim (5) for a bicycle wheel having a body (20) with a substantially annular extension with a radially outer portion (22) shaped for coupling with a tire is disclosed. The radially outer portion (22) has a hole (39) for an inflation valve. The radially outer portion (22) also includes, at the hole (39) and/or in an area proximal to the hole (39), at least one cross section having a different shape from that at an area distal from the hole, so as to form at least one second surface discontinuity (35) along the annular extension of the radially outer portion (22). The second discontinuity (35) makes it easier to assemble to wheel and allows an optimal coupling to be made between the rim (5), inflation valve, and tire, in the case of a tubeless wheel, and between rim (5), air chamber and tire, in the case of a wheel with an air chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 10, 2008Publication date: May 28, 2009Applicant: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.Inventors: Mario Meggiolan, Paolo Saccardo
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Publication number: 20090096277Abstract: The invention is directed to a rim such as a rim for a cycle. The rim includes a circularly extending hollow box-shaped element, in the form of a radial profile of revolution about a transverse axis, with two end surfaces of such element being joined end-to-end at a junction and affixed via a sleeve that is positioned within the hollow box-shaped element, on each side of the junction. The sleeve includes a pair of bearing portions, which exert an internal force inside and against the walls of the hollow box-shaped element, such force being generated by a relative spacing apart of the bearing portions via a spreading device, such as at least one spacing member. The spacing member can be a wedging member or a screw, configured and arranged in association with the bearing portions so as to direct the bearing forces along an essentially transverse direction toward the side walls of the rim. The invention is also directed to a wheel having such a rim, as well as to a method of manufacturing such rim and wheel.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2008Publication date: April 16, 2009Applicant: SALOMON S.A.Inventor: Jean-Pierre MERCAT
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Patent number: 7490406Abstract: Bicycle wheel rims with internally reinforced spoke seats are disclosed along with methods for producing them. The rims are produced from a rim blank with at least one circumferentially extending spoke attachment region that has a relatively uniform given thickness. Access holes are formed in an upper web of the rim blank and tooling is positioned above and below the spoke attachment region to form a reinforced spoke seat and a spoke hole therein. Material that is upset and moved from the location of the spoke hole is displaced into an annular region where it reinforces the spoke hole. Material in the vicinity of the spoke hole can be displaced towards the inside of the rim and material can be removed from the undisplaced portions of the spoke region leaving a reinforced area around the spoke hole.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2005Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Inventor: William Shook
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Publication number: 20080265658Abstract: A rim and a method of producing a rim for bicycles and the like includes a rim body and a rim base provided thereon and lateral rim flanks provided with rim flanges. The rim flanges include a fibrous composite material having at least one fiber layer. The rim flanges include inwardly overhanging bulges of squashed fiber layers between which a tire can be accommodated at the rim body.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 24, 2008Publication date: October 30, 2008Inventor: Andreas Reuteler
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Patent number: 7441335Abstract: A metal mold for electromagnetic forming, with the inner peripheral face thereof, serving as a forming face, is disposed on the outer peripheral side of a columnar workpiece, and a coil for electromagnetic forming is disposed on the inner peripheral side of the columnar workpiece. In a state of a configuration as described, electric energy is thrown into the coil for the electromagnetic forming, and the columnar workpiece is caused to undergo flaring to be thereby pressed against the forming face of the metal mold for the electromagnetic forming, so as to be turned into a shape corresponding to the forming face by means of the electromagnetic forming, thus obtaining a wheel rim. A disc is welded to the wheel rim obtained, and curling is applied to outer edges of the wheel rim. With the adoption of a method of manufacturing an automotive wheel, a manufacturing process as a whole is enhanced in efficiency.Type: GrantFiled: September 3, 2004Date of Patent: October 28, 2008Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Kobe Seiko Sho (Kobe Steel, Ltd.)Inventors: Yoshihaya Imamura, Hiroyuki Yamashita
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Patent number: 7415766Abstract: A method of processing a vehicle wheel/rim preform with a centersection/spider and an annular wall extending around a first rotational axis and having an annular surface defining axially spaced, annular inboard and outboard bead seats. The method includes the steps of: providing a workpiece support having a chuck assembly that is rotatable around a second axis and at least one rim wall support assembly; engaging the chuck assembly with the centersection/spider to maintain the vehicle wheel/rim preform in a processing position; engaging the at least one rim wall support assembly with the annular wall to exert thereon a force with a radial component to thereby stabilize the wheel/rim preform; and processing the vehicle wheel/rim preform at the annular surface fully axially between the inboard and outboard bead seats.Type: GrantFiled: September 2, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Assignee: NorthTech WorkholdingInventors: Shawn Luschei, Spencer Hastert, Tim Winard, Peter Wang
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Publication number: 20080141532Abstract: The current invention refers to the manufacturing process of rims for tubeless wheels for “off road” vehicles which, amongst other advantages, are far simpler when compared to the existing processes, presents a reduced number of operations and permits the use of lower grade raw materials in the manufacturing process without compromising on the final quality of the rim. According to the invention, the rim may be obtained from a single, mechanically shaped part, through drawing. Still according to the invention, the rim may be substituted with by parts, the first part being mechanically shaped through drawing and the second part through stamping. Alternatively, the two parts may be mechanically shaped through drawing. Rims obtained through the referred to processes and the tubeless wheels for “off road” vehicles built with the referred to rims are also objects of the invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2007Publication date: June 19, 2008Inventor: Francisco Antonio de Souza Manso
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Patent number: 7346984Abstract: A wheel, particularly a light metal wheel, for motor vehicles, essentially consists of a spoke wheel center (20) and a rim (10). In order to reduce weight and increase the bending strength, which is of great significance in regard to contact with curbstones and potholes, profile segment (31) in the form of half-shell units, which forms a continuous hollow chamber (41) in the direction of the circumference, at least in sections, are provided in the area of an external base of the rim (14).Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2004Date of Patent: March 25, 2008Assignee: BBS Motorsport & Engineering GmbHInventor: Heinrich Baumgartner
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Patent number: 7318279Abstract: A rolled steel plate 1 wound in a roll shape is unrolled and is cut in given dimensions to form a blank 2. In this case, a cut surface 2a is caused to incline at 1 to 3 degrees relative to the thickness direction of the blank 2, wherein the inclination direction of the cut surfaces 2a, 2a on each side is reversed. The blank 2 cut in this manner is roll-formed to cause the cut surfaces 2a, 2a to confront each other. Since the cut surfaces 2a, 2a on each side incline at 1 to 3 degrees in the opposite direction as described above, the cut surfaces 2a, 2a are caused to be parallel. Then, the confronting sections are laser-welded to form a cylindrical body 3.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2003Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Hiroshi Mitsuyoshi, Yasuo Masuda
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Patent number: 7313864Abstract: A run-flat support body for run-flat vehicle wheels. The support body is typically embodied as a shell-shaped, metallic annular body having an undulated supporting annular surface. A simple, effective method for producing one such annular body, according to which a rectangular blank which is cut out of a strip of sheet metal is bent along the longitudinal side to form a ring and the open ends of the ring are interconnected by a material connection. The annular blank thus produced is provided with the desired profile according to the pressure-rolling method, is provided with connecting elements, and cut open between the same.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: ISE Innomotive Systems Europe GmbHInventors: Jakob E. Lowen, Meinolf Koch, Ralf Kulmann, Christian Reuber, Lutz Maiwald
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Patent number: 7279078Abstract: A process for coating a non-uniform, thin-film, dichroic pattern to a wheel rim or motorcycle part. The thin-film coating adds a colored or iridescent pattern to the wheel rim or motorcycle part, while maintaining other characteristics, such as brilliance, shine, durability and general appearance. The coating is intentionally non-uniform. It may be varied, and may have different patterns and color among different articles, and even among different areas on the same article. The thin-film coating may be added by various techniques known in the art, but is preferably applied by sputtering a silicon or titanium target to obtain the thin-film on a chromed wheel rim.Type: GrantFiled: April 25, 2005Date of Patent: October 9, 2007Inventors: Micha Kapourchali, Nima Khalilian
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Patent number: 7228629Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of manufacturing a three piece aluminum wheel assembly comprising the steps of providing a pair of circular blanks made of a heat treatable alloy to be formed into preforms of a general shape. The preforms are subjected to a quenching step in an unconstrained condition to allow for natural thermal deformation during the quenching operation. The as quenched preforms are then subjected to a first forming operation using spin forming to remove the effects of the thermal deformation in the preform, followed by a second forming step using spin forming to shape the component to its desired final shape. The components are then exposed to precipitation heating and finishing to yield the final product.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2003Date of Patent: June 12, 2007Inventor: Michael J. Beyer
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Patent number: 7179026Abstract: The invention relates to a rim and to a method for its production, in particular for bicycles, using a machining device for the working a welding burr of the rim. The machining device comprises a machining means working the outer contour of the rim and a another machining means working the inner contour of the rim, that has an outer diameter being less than the width of the rim well. The main steps of the method include movement of the first means along the outer contour of the rim to work the welding burr on the outer contour and movement of the second means along the inner contour of the rim to work the welding burr on the inner contour. During machining the inner contour the rim is pivoted around an axis by a predefined angular range.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2005Date of Patent: February 20, 2007Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.Inventor: Gerrit Jäger
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Patent number: 7125012Abstract: A feed wheel includes a hub and a discontinuous tread removably fitted about the hub. At leading and trailing ends of the discontinuous tread are mateable non-planar female and male surfaces which interfit with one another and tend to interlock the tread ends together. The tread has locking lugs formed under leading and trailing ends and an intermediate segment of the tread which fit into holes configured and located in the hub complimentarily to the locking lugs. The holes and locking lugs are oriented relative to one another so as to enable the tread to be retained about the hub with the tread ends interlocked together during operation of the feed wheel.Type: GrantFiled: March 12, 2004Date of Patent: October 24, 2006Inventors: Gregory James Newell, James H. Tippett
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Patent number: 6991298Abstract: A fiber resin plastic (FRP) based bicycle rim includes an FRP body and a metal tire receiving ring. The FRP body has first and second side surfaces, an annular outer edge surface, and an annular inner edge surface. The annular inner edge surface includes at least two spoke receiving ports for receiving and supportively coupling at least two spokes to the FRP body. The metal tire receiving ring is coupled to the FRP body and is disposed radially outwardly of the FRP body. The tire receiving ring includes first and second, generally parallel continuous braking surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2002Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Compositech, INCInventors: Andrew Ording, Joshua R. Poertner
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Patent number: 6971173Abstract: A method of making a rim of sheet metal for a vehicle wheel, in which: a rectangular geometric shape is cut out of a blank of sheet metal; the blank is bent to obtain a cylindrical hoop; the two free edges of the hoop are welded together; at least one cylindrical flow spinning operation is performed to obtain a profile of given thickness of the hoop, zones of constant thickness being adjacent to zones of variable thickness; a cut is made perpendicular to the axis of the hoop out of at least one lateral edge of the hoop; the hoop is profiled to obtain the rim; and the size of the said rim is set.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2003Date of Patent: December 6, 2005Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.Inventor: Bruno Guimard
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Patent number: 6961999Abstract: A deep V-section aero rim for a tensioned spoke wheel and a method for producing it are disclosed. The rim is produced by extruding an alloy to produce a rim profile, rolling the extrusion, cutting the rolled extrusion to length, joining the free ends to produce a rim blank and mechanically reducing the thickness of the rim side walls a substantial amount. In one embodiment, each of the side walls, after extrusion, has a thickness that is sufficient to withstand buckling of the side walls during rolling. After rolling and cutting the extrusion to length, its ends are joined and each side wall, namely, the portion between the rim floor and the braking surface, is thinned, preferably by mechanical abrasion, until each side wall is so thin that an extrusion having side walls of that thickness could not be rolled without side wall buckling. In another embodiment, flanges on the outside of the side walls prevent buckling during rolling and the flanges are removed after rolling.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2003Date of Patent: November 8, 2005Inventor: William B Shook
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Patent number: 6955509Abstract: The invention relates to a rim and to a method for its production, in particular for bicycles, using a machining device for the working a welding burr of the rim. The machining device comprises a machining means working the outer contour of the rim and a another machining means working the inner contour of the rim, that has an outer diameter being less than the width of the rim well. The main steps of the method include movement of the first means along the outer contour of the rim to work the welding burr on the outer contour and movement of the second means along the inner contour of the rim to work the welding burr on the inner contour. During machining the inner contour the rim is pivoted around an axis by a predefined angular range.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2003Date of Patent: October 18, 2005Assignee: DT Swiss Inc.Inventor: Gerrit Jäger
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Patent number: 6935024Abstract: A process of manufacturing a rim for a motor vehicle from an original pipe, in order to facilitate formation of projections for reducing road noise on the rim, comprises a projection forming step of partially extruding a ledge portion of an intermediate pipe for the rim from inside to outside in a radial direction of the ledge portion so as to form a plurality of projections at suitable intervals.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2005Assignee: Central Motor Wheel Co., Ltd.Inventor: Kiichi Shimizu
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Patent number: 6907665Abstract: A method of manufacturing alloy rim for automobile is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of forming elongated extruded alloy straps with a cross-section shape from alloy by an extruding process; cutting the extruded alloy into the required length; placing the cut alloy obtained in (b) onto a mold to form into an arch-shaped edge; cutting the two ends of the edges of the extruded alloy to form into an inclined angle end; placing the extruded alloy of (d) into a device to form the alloy into a round rim; welding the ends of the two joining ends; performing a surface hardening process; furnishing the rim that obtained in (g) with CNC lathe machine.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2003Date of Patent: June 21, 2005Assignee: Rimtech Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Frank Hung
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Publication number: 20040255462Abstract: A composite wheel and a method of manufacture is provided for a vehicle wherein the composite wheel has a first and second section mounted to an annular mount. At least one of the first wheel section and second wheel section is composed of a resin having at least one braided polymeric fiber. The first and second sections are each formed by folding the braided fiber into a preform and then injecting resin into a mold containing the preform. The first and second sections are then bonded to each other and the annular mount.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 7, 2004Publication date: December 23, 2004Inventors: Del C. Schroeder, Mariana G. Forrest, Joseph G. Salmonowicz, John G. Argeropoulos, Jason E. Fulcher, Ida M. Baier, Janice M. Makarewicz, David G. Speth
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Publication number: 20040187312Abstract: The manufacturing method for an aluminum alloy wheel rim consists of the following steps: (1) cutting aluminum alloy material; (2) heating the aluminum alloy material to make a marked center and fillet preformed blank; (3) forging the marked center and fillet preformed blank into a preformed blank; (4) punching a central axis of the preformed blank; (5) forging the punched preformed blank into an enlarged rough forging blank; and (6) forging the enlarged rough forging blank to form an aluminum alloy wheel rim. With this presenting invention the structural strength of the wheel rim is enhanced. In addition, the aluminum alloy wheel rim can be manufactured rapidly, thereby enhancing efficient productivity and improving quality of fabrication of the wheel rim.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2003Publication date: September 30, 2004Inventor: Shu-Yuan Liao
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Publication number: 20040163255Abstract: A deep V-section aero rim for a tensioned spoke wheel and a method for producing it are disclosed. The rim is produced by extruding an alloy to produce a rim profile, rolling the extrusion, cutting the rolled extrusion to length, joining the free ends to produce a rim blank and mechanically reducing the thickness of the rim side walls a substantial amount. In one embodiment, each of the side walls, after extrusion, has a thickness that is sufficient to withstand buckling of the side walls during rolling. After rolling and cutting the extrusion to length, its ends are joined and each side wall, namely, the portion between the rim floor and the braking surface, is thinned, preferably by mechanical abrasion, until each side wall is so thin that an extrusion having side walls of that thickness could not be rolled without side wall buckling. In another embodiment, flanges on the outside of the side walls prevent buckling during rolling and the flanges are removed after rolling.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 25, 2003Publication date: August 26, 2004Inventor: William B. Shook
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Publication number: 20040139610Abstract: A method is disclosed for production of a single-piece type aluminum alloy wheel. Specifically, the method includes one-piece casting by a casting means to form a disk part and a pre-rim part from a certain aluminum alloy, and spinning the pre-rim part formed from the aluminum alloy by the one-piece casting step to form a rim part of a specified shape. Preferably, the method uses gravity-type casting as the casting method by the casting step. The casting step is carried out such that the disk part is set-established horizontally in a lower part of a mold, such that thereafter the pre-rim part is set-established approximately vertically above and circumferentially centered with respect to the pre-disk part. A plurality of gates-risers are thereafter disposed circumferentially or radially on the pre-rim part. Thus, an overall high strength aluminum alloy wheel is produced with good efficiency.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2004Publication date: July 22, 2004Inventors: Noriyuki Suzuki, Yukiyasu Shiroi, Morihiko Ota
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Publication number: 20040103745Abstract: A pushrim with increased surface area and an insert between the wheel and the pushrim. In the preferred embodiment, the cross-section of the pushrim is an elongated circle and the insert is a concave trough made of an elastic material which compressibly fits between the wheel and the rim for convenient installation. Improved pushing is provided by texturing the surface of the insert to provide increased friction. Improved braking is provided by providing a smoother and wider surface on the pushrim.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 29, 2003Publication date: June 3, 2004Inventors: Christopher J. Willems, Mark Baldwin, Michael L. Boninger, Rory A. Cooper