Rim-securing Means Patents (Class 301/11.1)
  • Patent number: 11970031
    Abstract: A disclosed example embodiment of a gauge wheel tire includes a first polyurethane sidewall portion, a second polyurethane sidewall portion, a polyurethane ground-engaging portion, and a polyurethane axial support portion. The first polyurethane sidewall portion is spaced apart from the second polyurethane sidewall portion, and the polyurethane ground-engaging portion extends from the first polyurethane sidewall portion to the second polyurethane sidewall portion and is adapted to contact a ground surface as the gauge wheel tire rotates about an axis of rotation. The polyurethane axial support portion extends from the first polyurethane sidewall portion to the second polyurethane sidewall portion, and is spaced apart from the polyurethane ground-engaging portion to form a gap that allows radial movement of the polyurethane ground-engaging portion relative to the polyurethane axial support portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: Gallagher Corporation
    Inventors: Richard Gallagher, Shaun Gosselin
  • Patent number: 11872840
    Abstract: The application relates to a wheel hub for vehicle, which comprises a flange, a rim, a spoke, a central hole, and bolt bores distributed around the central hole. According to the disclosure, the flange on the wheel front side is affixed with an extension part comprising a radial extension magnitude extending to the outer periphery of the wheel hub and an axial extension magnitude extending to the wheel front side, the extension part comprises a plurality of sections circumferentially distributed along the flange, so as to form on the wheel front side an envelope circle having a diameter size increased by twice the radial extension magnitude. The present disclosure further satisfies the additional needs of the user with respect to the overall design of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: CITIC Dicastal Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Weidong Liu, Shiwen Xu, Minglei Li, Liangjian Yue, Jian Li
  • Patent number: 11827063
    Abstract: A wheel assembly for a non-pneumatic tire includes a wheel including an inboard side, an outboard side, and an outer surface, the outer surface including at least one taper extending from the inboard side to the outboard side, and a locking ring configured to abut against at least one of the inboard side and the outboard side of the wheel and to secure the non-pneumatic tire to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Cindy Sofia Barrera-Martinez, Janice Lisa Tardiff, Vishal Vinayak Nageshkar, Adam Wirth, David Scott Rohweder, Robert Henry Camilleri, Ryan Buttimer
  • Patent number: 11628685
    Abstract: A human-powered vehicle wheel unit adapted to be attached to a human-powered vehicle hub. The wheel unit includes an accommodation portion and a first engagement portion. The accommodation portion is configured to accommodate at least part of the human-powered vehicle hub. The first engagement portion is provided on the accommodation portion. The first engagement portion is configured to transmit rotation of the human-powered vehicle hub to the accommodation portion through engagement with a second engagement portion provided on a flange projecting from an outer circumferential portion of a hub shell of the human-powered vehicle hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventor: Takashi Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10343458
    Abstract: A wheel for working the fields comprises a wheel body comprising a pair of flanges and a spacer, and a tire cover, generally annular, comprising two side walls, a tread connecting the side walls to one another and an opening opposite to the tread. The tire cover is mounted on the wheel body in such a way that the spacer is positioned across its opening. The flanges are arranged in such a way as to block the side walls of the tire cover against the spacer in the vicinity of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: OTICO
    Inventor: Denis Piou
  • Patent number: 10259173
    Abstract: A sheet compound (1) is disclosed, comprising a first group of conglomerates (3) of fiber segments (5) and a matrix (6) of polymeric material, the conglomerates (3) of the first group having a random orientation, and at least one second group of conglomerates (4) of fiber segments (5) and a matrix (6) of polymeric material, the conglomerates (4) of the second group having a prevailing orientation of a direction of maximum tensile strength (FR) thereof along a respective predetermined direction (FB) in said geometric plane (P), said at least one second group of conglomerates (4) being distinguishable from the first group of conglomerates (3) by at least one characteristic other than orientation. A process and an installation for making such a material, as well as a molded object made from such a material are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: CAMPAGNOLO S.R.L.
    Inventors: Gabriele Ciavatta, Mauri Feltrin
  • Patent number: 10251335
    Abstract: An agricultural machine tool includes a wheel body which includes a hub, a rim and at least two arms which each connect the hub and the rim to each other. At least one aperture is provided between the two arms and the rim, and has a closed contour. The tool includes a component which forms an accessory having a profiled portion having a shape which generally corresponds to the closed contour, and a generally superficial portion which terminates the profiled portion. The profiled portion is introduced at one side of the wheel body into the aperture, closing the aperture by form-fitting cooperation. A set of fixing members ensures the retention of the component in a final position, in which the superficial portion moves into a flush state with the arms, at least in the region of the contour.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: OTICO
    Inventor: Olivier Phely
  • Patent number: 10039226
    Abstract: A tool for working in fields includes a first flange and a second flange which mount one on the other, forming a wheel body. The first flange includes a central portion, a generally annular peripheral portion and at least one arm which connect(s) the central portion and the peripheral portion to each other. The second flange is homologous to the peripheral portion of the first flange. In the assembled state, the wheel body has a rim which is formed together by the peripheral portion of the first flange and the second flange and a hub which is formed by the central portion of the first flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2018
    Assignee: OTICO
    Inventor: Olivier Phely
  • Patent number: 9944116
    Abstract: A wheel trim system for attachment to a wheel of a vehicle. The wheel typically has a wheel flange and a plurality of studs with each stud shaped to engage at least one lug nut. The wheel trim system preferably comprises a wheel trim member and a fastener shaped to attach to the stud for releaseably attaching the wheel trim member to the wheel. The wheel trim member includes a trim flange, an exterior surface, an interior surface, and an embossment spaced from the trim flange. The embossment surrounds a hole shaped to receive one of the studs. The embossment is of a larger size than the lug nut and is positioned to space the wheel trim member from the lug nut when the lug nut is positioned on the stud.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: Phoenix U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventors: Barry L. Roberts, John Bella
  • Patent number: 9854734
    Abstract: A tool for working in fields includes a first flange and a second flange which mount one on the other, forming a wheel body. The first flange includes a central portion, a generally annular peripheral portion and arms which connect the central portion and the peripheral portion to each other. The second flange is homologous to the first flange. In the assembled state, the wheel body has a rim which is formed together by the peripheral portion of the first flange and the homologous peripheral portion of the second flange and a hub which is formed by the central portion of the first flange. The central portion of the second flange receives the hub which is formed by the central portion of the first flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: OTICO
    Inventors: Olivier Phely, Denis Piou
  • Patent number: 9801325
    Abstract: The present invention provides a hub cover for a wheel hub on a vehicle used for agriculture and a stud extension piece used to operatively affix the hub cover to the wheel hub. In a preferred embodiment, the hub cover comprises a polyethylene convex dome that is affixed to the wheel hub of the vehicle using a stud extension piece that couples the hub cover to an exposed wheel hub. The use of the hub cover minimizes crop damage caused by the exposed hubs of the vehicle in crop fields.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Inventors: Joel Wills, Steve Simon
  • Patent number: 9752647
    Abstract: An additional weight for a wheel for ballasting a drive axle of a working machine includes a first loading disk centrally connected to the drive axle and a second loading disk connected to the first loading disk. The first loading disk has a conical abutment face for pre-positioning the second loading disk relative to the first loading disk. The first and the second loading disks form encoding formations for mutually centering on end faces which face each other and which are in engagement with each other in a connected state of the loading disks. At least one of the end faces of at least one of the loading disks forms a spacer dome. In the connected state, the spacer dome contacts an end face of the other loading disk in order to position the first and the second loading disks with respect to each other in an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: DEERE & COMPANY
    Inventors: Michael Röckl, Dipak Jadhav
  • Patent number: 9616706
    Abstract: A kit for a dual wheel assembly for a vehicle is provided having a drive shaft adapter with an outwardly projecting extension attachable to an inner wheel by a flange and a drive shaft coupler having an outwardly projecting receiver attachable to an outer wheel with a flange, whereby drive shaft extension and receiver are telescopically engageable over a range of distances, which allows the inner wheel and outer wheel to be mounted with the tires abutting or the tires spaced apart by incorporating a spacer element into the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2017
    Inventor: Wayne J. Benoit, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9573414
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a vehicle wheel (1) comprising a rim (2) for receiving a tire at its radially outer side (3) and provided with an edge along the circumferential of the rim at its radially inner side, a wheel hub connected to the rim via a support element, wherein the material of the rim and the support element are different, the support element provided with openings at its end facing the rim to receive a connecting element, the edge of the rim provided with openings in line with the openings of the support element and wherein the support element is connected to the rim via the connecting elements present in the openings in the edge and in the openings of the support element, wherein the opening in the edge is a radial elongated opening or is a indentation in the edge or the openings in the support element are radially elongated openings or indentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Inventor: Louis Huidekoper
  • Patent number: 9475341
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel rim having a wheel disk (3) made of a fiber composite and having fastener for fastening the wheel disk (3) to a wheel hub (5) of a vehicle, wherein the wheel disk (3) has at least one opening (8) for receiving the wheel hub (5) and the opening (8) is designed to have a conical centring surface (9) for the corresponding seat of a fastener. According to the invention the reinforcing fibers of the fiber composite are arranged in planar layers (10) and at least a part of the fiber layers (10) is arranged in an edge region (12) of the opening (8) perpendicular to the centring surface (9) of the wheel disk (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: THYSSENKRUPP CARBON COMPONENTS GMBH
    Inventors: Werner Hufenbach, Martin Lepper, Jens Werner, Christian Koehler
  • Publication number: 20150069819
    Abstract: Wheel hub and method for forming a wheel hub. Wheel hub includes a rim having a circumferential surface with axial ends, and one rim flange being arranged at each axial end of the circumferential surface. The rim includes a fiber-reinforced plastic as a main component and each of the rim flanges is releasably connectable to the rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: Andreas BUETER, Erik BORMANN, Paul BECKER, Branko KUPRESANIN
  • Publication number: 20140368025
    Abstract: A variable track wheel (1) comprises a rim (2) suitable for receiving a tyre, and a disc (3) through which said wheel (1) is mountable on a hub (37), said disc (3) being removably secured by fastenings (6) to a connecting member (4) provided in said rim (2), said connecting member (4) projecting towards a rotation axis (X) of said wheel (1), said wheel further comprising a plurality of spacers (15) interposed between an annular perimeter zone (36) of said disc (3) and said connecting member (4) of said rim (2), said disc (3) and said rim (2) being mountable in a plurality of reciprocal axial positions and in a plurality of reciprocal orientations to obtain a variation in the track of said wheel (1), said wheel (1) further comprising at least one centring device (8; 9) for mutual positioning of said disc (3) and of said rim (2), said centring device (8; 9) comprising a hole (10; 10a; 10b) and a pin (11), said hole (10; 10a; 10b) or said pin (11) being provided in said connecting member (4) or in said disc (3),
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventors: Pasquale Patrizio Pellicano, Graziano Donati
  • Publication number: 20140246895
    Abstract: The invention relates to a wheel (1), particularly a partially light-metal wheel and/or a light-metal wheel for motor vehicles, essentially comprising a rim (2) and a wheel spider (3), wherein the wheel spider (3) is made of a carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic. According to the invention, the wheel (1) has a clamping ring (4). The wheel spider (3) can be fastened to the rim (2) by means of the clamping ring (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Inventors: Roman Mueller, Thorsten Welte
  • Publication number: 20140110992
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel and an airless flexible tire with certain performance characteristics of a pneumatic tire. The rigid wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements removably attached to a radially outer margin of the central portion. The tire is mounted on the wheel and engages the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space. The tire is configured such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure, thereby minimizing ground penetration and soil disruption. The tire may include one or more tension elements embedded in the tire to increase the tire's strength and resilience.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: April 24, 2014
    Applicant: Lindsay Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Korus, Michael Fredenburg
  • Publication number: 20140084670
    Abstract: A metal safety wheel has a center disk and an outer, perimeter flange with a solid rubber tire mounted thereon. The wheel and tire assembly has an outside diameter slightly less than that of a conventional pneumatic wheel and tire assembly with which it may be co-mounted on a vehicle's axle. If the pneumatic tire deflates due to a puncture or blowout, the solid tire and wheel assembly will support the axle on which it is mounted with a loss in height of only half the difference in the tires' outside diameters. The vehicle may, therefore, be driven safely at reduced speed without loss of control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Lupe Sanchez, SR.
  • Publication number: 20140062165
    Abstract: A wheel for a non-motorized vehicle (e.g., a shopping cart) can include a housing assembly and a tread assembly. The housing assembly can be configured to sealingly house electronics or other components. The tread assembly can removably mate with the housing assembly such that the electronics or other components remain closed and/or sealed within the housing assembly when the tread assembly is mated or unmated with the housing assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Gatekeeper Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen E. Hannah, John C. McKay
  • Patent number: 8661678
    Abstract: Wear resistant metal ring thermally locked at a machined interface to a lightweight alloy roller coaster wheel body and method of machining and thermally locking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Uremet Corporation
    Inventor: Jeff Hudgins
  • Publication number: 20130340908
    Abstract: The outer bead lock wheel of the present disclosure provides for wheel and tire flexibility between off-road vehicle capability and on-road vehicle capability by securing the tire to the wheel regardless of the change in tire pressure. The outer bead lock wheel of the present disclosure includes a wheel base having a flange which is operatively configured to receive one of a decorative ring or a functional ring. The decorative ring may be mechanically affixed to the wheel base, and the functional ring may also be mechanically affixed to the wheel base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2012
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Adam Wirth, Matt R. Bagley
  • Patent number: 8029071
    Abstract: A take apart vehicle wheel assembly includes at least a first, a second and a third wheel part operatively connected together to form the take apart vehicle wheel assembly. A first one of the first, second and third wheel parts is provided with a plurality of first stud receiving holes spaced circumferentially therearound in a first unevenly spaced circumferential pattern such that each of the first stud receiving holes is spaced apart from a next adjacent first stud receiving hole by a different angular spacing. A second one of the first, second and third wheel parts is provided with a plurality of second stud receiving holes spaced circumferentially therearound in unevenly spaced circumferential pattern which corresponds to the first unevenly spaced circumferential pattern of the first stud receiving holes to enable stud bolts and nuts to be used to releasably connect the first one and the second one of the first, second and third wheel parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2011
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International
    Inventors: Chris Putz, Dave Hengstebeck
  • Patent number: 7971614
    Abstract: A locking system for a ring for mounting on a hub of a vehicle, the mounting ring being intended to receive a bead of a tire in an assembly for mounting the tire on the hub of a vehicle. The locking system comprises a locking ring and a polymeric insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique S.A.
    Inventor: Pierre Durif
  • Publication number: 20100289321
    Abstract: A take apart vehicle wheel assembly includes at least a first, a second and a third wheel part operatively connected together to form the take apart vehicle wheel assembly. A first one of the first, second and third wheel parts is provided with a plurality of first stud receiving holes spaced circumferentially therearound in a first unevenly spaced circumferential pattern such that each of the first stud receiving holes is spaced apart from a next adjacent first stud receiving hole by a different angular spacing. A second one of the first, second and third wheel parts is provided with a plurality of second stud receiving holes spaced circumferentially therearound in unevenly spaced circumferential pattern which corresponds to the first unevenly spaced circumferential pattern of the first stud receiving holes to enable stud bolts and nuts to be used to releasably connect the first one and the second one of the first, second and third wheel parts together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2010
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Applicant: HAYES LEMMERZ INTERNATIONAL
    Inventors: Chris Putz, Dave Hengstebeck
  • Patent number: 7779877
    Abstract: A take apart vehicle wheel assembly includes at least a first, a second and a third wheel part operatively connected together to form the take apart vehicle wheel assembly. A first one of the first, second and third wheel parts is provided with a plurality of first stud receiving holes spaced circumferentially therearound in a first unevenly spaced circumferential pattern such that each of the first stud receiving holes is spaced apart from a next adjacent first stud receiving hole by a different angular spacing. A second one of the first, second and third wheel parts is provided with a plurality of second stud receiving holes spaced circumferentially therearound in unevenly spaced circumferential pattern which corresponds to the first unevenly spaced circumferential pattern of the first stud receiving holes to enable stud bolts and nuts to be used to releasably connect the first one and the second one of the first, second and third wheel parts together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Putz, Dave Hengstebeck
  • Publication number: 20090295218
    Abstract: A take apart vehicle wheel assembly includes at least a first, a second and a third wheel part operatively connected together to form the take apart vehicle wheel assembly. A first one of the first, second and third wheel parts is provided with a plurality of first stud receiving holes spaced circumferentially therearound in a first unevenly spaced circumferential pattern such that each of the first stud receiving holes is spaced apart from a next adjacent first stud receiving hole by a different angular spacing. A second one of the first, second and third wheel parts is provided with a plurality of second stud receiving holes spaced circumferentially therearound in unevenly spaced circumferential pattern which corresponds to the first unevenly spaced circumferential pattern of the first stud receiving holes to enable stud bolts and nuts to be used to releasably connect the first one and the second one of the first, second and third wheel parts together.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Chris Putz, Dave Hengstebeck
  • Publication number: 20080142136
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic tire having its internal cavity filled with a closed cellular rubber contained within the tire cavity by a non-foamed rubber layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2007
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: Katherine Ann Folk, George Frank Balogh, Maurice Jacob Frank, Leonard James Reiter, Brian Ernest McMahon
  • Patent number: 7083238
    Abstract: A multi-piece safety wheel includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced, interlocking bosses and tabs on the inner rim portion and outer rim portion. In the event of improper disassembly of the wheel with an inflated tire mounted thereon, any failure of the wheel assembly fasteners will result in the outer rim portion separating from the inner rim portion a sufficient distance to vent air pressure from within the tire, at which point the interlocking bosses and tabs resist further movement of the outer rim portion. The outer rim portion is thereby resisted from becoming a potentially dangerous projectile. A method of safely deflating the tire upon improper disassembly of the multi-piece safety wheel is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Alcoa, Inc.
    Inventors: Roger Frank Clements, Zara Finley Hudson, Matthew Charles Brest, Donald R. Fenrich, III, Warren R. Gleason, Dennis R. Werthman
  • Patent number: 6991297
    Abstract: A two-piece-wise built-up light-alloy wheel with a rather big diameter for automobiles and two-wheeled vehicles, being aimed to be made as lightweight and have an improved ornamental appearance, comprising: a rim (2) having outer and inner rim portions integrally formed with each other; a center disk (1) built-up with the integral rim (2); fastener bolts fastening the rim with the center disk; and a plurality of thick-wall portions (9) bulging from and integrally formed with the outer rim portion as bulging toward center of the wheel, as to form screw holes for the fastener bolts. Thickness of the rim (2) is substantially same except for the thick-wall portions, throughout from a bead seat (6) on the outer rim portion through a well part (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Washi Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 6921138
    Abstract: A multi-piece vehicle wheel assembly includes a wheel center and a lightweight wheel rim. The wheel center defines a center hole and has an outer margin. The wheel rim has opposing inside and outside major surfaces. The outside major surface defines a rim bed for mounting a vehicle tire. The inside major surface includes an inwardly-extending annular shoulder. A plurality of circumferentially spaced rim bosses are formed with the annular shoulder of the rim, and are adapted for engaging the outer margin of the wheel center. A corresponding plurality of circumferentially spaced fastener holes are formed along the outer margin the wheel center, and are adapted for aligning with the rim bosses formed with the rim. A plurality of fasteners are received through the aligned rim bosses and fastener holes to attach the rim and the wheel center together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Inventor: Larry C. Smyth
  • Patent number: 6913050
    Abstract: A wheel with a spring unit includes a rim, a disc and a plurality of spring units. Each spring unit is directed circumferentially and arranged in an annular space between the rim and the disc. Each spring unit includes at least one metal spring. The metal spring may be a coil spring or a leaf spring, and may be prestressed in compression or tension. To restrict the lateral relative movement between the rim and the disc, a pair of stopper ribs are disposed on opposite sides of the spring unit, or an axial movement stopper is disposed at axially outboard end of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Yoshiaki Kimura
  • Patent number: 6793293
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wheel assembly for a work machine, the wheel assembly includes a hub defined about a central axis. The hub includes an inboard end, an outboard end and a rim-mounting flange. The rim-mounting flange includes an inboard surface, and outboard surface and an outer edge defined there between. The outer edge includes a groove extending toward the hub. A plurality of bores are disposed about the rim-mounting flange, each of the bores defines a bore diameter. A stud, having a shoulder defining a shoulder diameter is positioned in each of the bores. A retainer is positioned in the groove and holds each stud in its respective bore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2004
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Marcus D. Bunnow, Keith A. Kabrick
  • Publication number: 20040051372
    Abstract: The present invention provides a wheel assembly for a work machine, the wheel assembly includes a hub defined about a central axis. The hub includes an inboard end, an outboard end and a rim-mounting flange. The rim-mounting flange includes an inboard surface, and outboard surface and an outer edge defined there between. The outer edge includes a groove extending toward the hub. A plurality of bores are disposed about the rim-mounting flange, each of the bores defines a bore diameter. A stud, having a shoulder defining a shoulder diameter is positioned in each of the bores. A retainer is positioned in the groove and holds each stud in its respective bore.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Marcus D. Bunnow, Keith A. Kabrick
  • Patent number: 6598939
    Abstract: Wheel, in particular, for a motor vehicle with a rim and a spider, where a bolted connection is provided in the area of transition from the rim to the spider, in which a bolt head or a nut on the outside acts in conjunction with a contact surface on the spider, where the bolted connection includes a spacer sleeve which, with one of its sides, acts in conjunction with the bolt head or the nut and, with its other side, with the contact surface in such a way that the bolt head or the nut projects above the outer surface of the spider.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Gerd Müller
  • Patent number: 6595595
    Abstract: A wheel rim includes two centripetal flanges respectively centripetally formed on an inner and an outer portion of a drop-center portion of the wheel rim having different displacements of the two centripetal flanges respectively deviated from a longitudinal center plane centrally defined between an inner rim flange and an outer rim flange of the wheel rim, with the longitudinal center plane being projectively perpendicular to a central axle axis of the wheel rim, thereby simultaneously satisfying two types of cars, one having a larger off-set and the other having a smaller off-set of each wheel disk as respectively deviated from the longitudinal center plane of each wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2003
    Inventor: David Hui
  • Publication number: 20020017818
    Abstract: Wheel, in particular, for a motor vehicle with a rim and a spider, where a bolted connection is provided in the area of transition from the rim to the spider, in which a bolt head or a nut on the outside acts in conjunction with a contact surface on the spider, where the bolted connection includes a spacer sleeve which, with one of its sides, acts in conjunction with the bolt head or the nut and, with its other side, with the contact surface in such a way that the bolt head or the nut projects above the outer surface of the spider.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2001
    Publication date: February 14, 2002
    Inventor: Gerd Muller
  • Patent number: 6315366
    Abstract: A take apart safety vehicle wheel assembly including a disc, an inner rim joined to the disc, and an outer rim joined to the disc. The disc has a generally centrally located wheel mounting surface and includes an outer annular flange which defines an outer cylindrical surface. The inner rim includes an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a generally axially extending well, and an outboard tire bead seat which terminates at an axial endmost surface. The outer rim includes an inner mounting surface and outer annular flange. The outer annular flange of the outer rim defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the take apart safety vehicle wheel assembly and includes an inner surface. An elastomeric member disposed in a cavity defined by the axial endmost surface of the inner rim, the inner surface of the outer annular flange of the outer rim, and the outer cylindrical surface of the outer annular flange of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2001
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C. Post, James B. Weeks, Michael R. Bernard, Joseph S. Reding, Gale Raymond
  • Patent number: 6179388
    Abstract: A method of making a wheel from a rim selected from a plurality of rims of different nominal diameters, a plurality of flanges of different configurations, and a disc, the method including selecting from the plurality of rims a rim of a desired diameter, selecting from the plurality of flanges a flange of an appropriate configuration so that when the flange is secured to the rim, the flange provides a mounting for the disc, and mounting the disc in the rim by attaching the disc to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2001
    Assignee: GKN Sankey Limited
    Inventors: Gregory Ashby, Terence Roy Crowe