Abstract: A spacer for coupling a wheel to a rotary output of a vehicle, the spacer including two connectors fixed relative to a respective first and second end of the spacer, the connectors each having a matching first array of fittings to engage a rim of the wheel, whereby to allow wheel gauge adjustment by disconnecting the wheel from a first one of the connectors, sliding the wheel along a body of the spacer and connecting the wheel to a second one the other connectors. The invention also relates to a method of adjusting wheel gauge on the spacer including releasing a wheel from one of the connectors, sliding the wheel along the body of the spacer and attaching the spacer to the other connector. The invention also relates to a spacer for supporting a wheel relative to a rotary output of a vehicle, the spacer being formed of modular sections that are separately attached by fasteners that connect only between adjacent sections to allow for independent addition and removal of sections to vary the length of the spacer.

Abstract: A composite wheel assembly and method of construction thereof is provided. The composite wheel assembly includes a wheel having an inwardly facing surface, an outwardly facing surface, a generally cylindrical barrel portion, and a plurality of apertures formed about a central hub aperture. At least one wheel cladding is fixedly bonded to at least one of the inwardly facing surface, the outwardly facing surface, and the generally cylindrical barrel portion. The wheel cladding increases the stiffness and/or strength of the wheel between about 2-16% or greater as compared to the wheel not having the at least one cladding.

Abstract: An idler having an axis of rotation. The idler may include a hub with a flange. A plurality of rim members are positioned along a perimeter of the flange and have generally axially facing, opposite side surfaces. At least one of the side surfaces has a first interlocking formation. A clamping plate is connected to the flange. The clamping plate has a second interlocking formation coupled with the first interlocking formation. A dampening member interposes the first and second interlocking formations.

Abstract: An adapter ring for an auto wheel system includes a flat annular ring having a transverse center axis and circumferential holes positioned radially off of a virtual annular center circumference of the ring in a direction of a transverse center axis. The ring is used in a system including a wheel system having an auto wheel barrel including an inner annular flange located at an axial offset outward of a radial centerline of the barrel, the flange having a circumferential multiplicity of threaded axial recesses. Upon the inner annular flange, an annular adapter ring is proportioned for flush orientation upon the flange and circumferentially against an inner surface of an interior diameter of the barrel immediately above the flange, the ring including circumferential holes.

Abstract: An elastic wheel comprises a rim for mounting a tire, a disk to be fixed to an axle, and a connecting apparatus for connecting elastically between the rim and disk, the apparatus comprising a pair of axially spaced internal flanges each provided on an inner circumference side of the rim and extending circumferentially, an external flange provided on a radially outer portion of the disk, the external flange disposed in a space between the internal flanges with an axial gap on its both sides and extending circumferentially, a pair of rubber dampers each disposed in the axial gap and connecting between the internal and external flanges, wherein each internal flange is provided on its axially inner side with a first groove, the external flange is provided on its both sides with a second groove so as to face each first groove, axial ends of each damper are inserted into the first and second grooves, and a radial gap is provided between the external flange and the inner circumference side of the rim in the space.

Abstract: An elastic wheel includes a disk (1) secured to an axle hub, a rim (12) for mounting a tire, and an elastic member (10) arranged between the inner peripheral surface of the rim (12) and the outer peripheral surface of the disk (1). The elastic wheel is separable either between an outer peripheral surface portion (2) and a radial disk portion (3) of the disk (1), or between the inner peripheral surface of the rim (12) and the elastic member (10), or at both locations. This construction ensures long-lasting passenger comfort, anti-vibration performance and noise-suppression performance of the elastic wheel and allows optimization of these characteristics depending on applications of the wheel even during its use. The elastic wheel facilitates rim assembly as well as core mounting. Also, in cases where rubber is used to serve as the elastic member in the elastic wheel, vulcanization can be carried out without using an integrated rim unit, thereby making it possible to reduce the size of vulcanization apparatus.

Abstract: An adjustable rim assembly 10 is provided for the wheel of a tractor or other industrial vehicle for changing the spacing of the opposed wheels of the vehicle. The mounting rail 20 is rigidly connected to the inwardly facing surface 22 of the rim base 12. Mounting rail 20 is formed in an accordion-like shape which forms a series of alternately axially spaced fore and aft planar mounting panels 24, 26, and mounting clamps 40 connect between the surfaces of the mounting panels and the opposed faces of the wheel disc 54. Various spacing of the wheel rim is achieved by changing the faces of the mounting panels 24, 26 to which the mounting clamps are connected.