Abstract: An automatic tire inflation/deflation system for a vehicle (10) is disclosed. Air passageways for the pressurize air are provided internally through the wheel assemblies without cutting into load bearing members. A rotating seal is provided by way of a pair of sealing rings (52,54) located inboard of the hub bearings (32,33) to protect the seals from adverse environmental conditions. A kit for retrofitting vehicles to include an automatic tire inflation/deflation system is also disclosed. Ramp surfaces (90, 91, 92) formed in the hub (30') are provided to facilitate removal of the bearing assemblies (32, 33).

Abstract: In a wheel mounting arrangement which comprises a wheel-attachment spindle rotatably carried by roller bearings within a bearing hub and clamped thereto by a nut received on a threaded end of a spindle shaft, a locking device for preventing removal of the nut from the spindle shaft and consequent detachment of the spindle and spindle-attached wheel from the bearing hub and vehicle. The device comprises a locking snap ring received in a circumferential groove in the threaded spindle end so as to block removal of the nut. In accordance with a particular and critical feature of the invention, the groove and locking ring are axially spaced from the opposing surface of the nut in assembly and in normal operation so that the ring cooperates with the nut opposing surface to permit limited loosening of the nut.

Abstract: A bearing, hub and carrier assembly for use in a driven steering wheel wherein the drive shaft-engaging spindle on the wheel-mounting hub is locked against axial movement with respect to the spindle-surrounding wheel bearings by a one-piece retaining wire disposed in radially aligned circumferential grooves in the hub spindle and the inner race of the inboard wheel bearing.

Abstract: A rollable toy having a body with axles having rollable members thereon. Each axle has a stepped, resilient, headed male portion and a female portion with which it mates, each portion having an outer socket for receiving a boss on a spherical wheel member. The wheels may be fixedly or removably mounted to the axles and may have loose contents creating a sound when rolled. A face member may be removably mounted on the body.

Abstract: An assembly maintenance tube maintains a live spindle mounted within a bore of a vehicle mounting component. The maintenance tube has a central aperture for receiving in a spaced relationship a drivable axle. The axle is drivingly connected to the live spindle in a manner which allows axial movement of the axle relative to the spindle to relieve stress in the drive train which drives the axle.

Abstract: A wheel bearing unit for motor vehicles with at least two bearing parts which can turn relative to one another, between which at least two rows of roll bodies are arranged. The bearing parts each have an outer portion, the first of said outer portions being fastened to the vehicle, the other to the wheel. The fastening is effected by mating threads axially aligned between one outer portion and a connecting part. Means are provided for securing the mated threaded portions against relative loosening rotation.

Abstract: A hub construction for connecting a wheel and tire assembly to each of the drive shafts of a vehicle subassembly including a hub carrying the wheel and tire assembly adapted to be slidably received on the drive shaft, and a nut threadedly engaging the drive shaft to hold the hub in place, the hub and nut interconnected so that the nut withdraws the hub as it is removed.

Abstract: Construction for uniting by welding a brake case cover, a rear wheel axle case and a terminal speed reduction unit case which are all made of sheet metal. The rear wheel axle case has at its opposite ends precisely circular tubular portions fitting in the brake case cover and in the terminal speed reduction unit case to connect them together. The united parts are joined together by automatic welding. The rear wheel axle case has a flat tubular intermediate portion for mounting a fender or the like thereon. The flat tubular portion has a smaller sectional area than the opposite end tubular portions so as to be substantially flexible and to thereby absorb concentric loads on the weld joints.