Abstract: The invention relates to a composite wheel (200) including a hub (202), a rim (204) and a connection structure (206) connecting the hub (202) to the rim (204). The hub (202) has front (208) and rear (209) faces and is formed with one or more mounting formations (216) for, in use, receiving a fastener to mount the hub (202) to a mounting surface of a vehicle. Each mounting formation (216) includes a fastening region (218) recessed into the front face (208) of the hub (202) and includes a fastener aperture (212) defining a passage between the fastening region (218) and the rear face (209) of the hub. Each mounting formation (216) also includes a front-to-fastener ply (224) extending between a front region of the hub and the fastening region (218) for, in use, transferring load between the front region of the hub (202) and the fastening region (218).

Abstract: In order to optimize a nut and a method for the production of a nut, comprising a nut body which is provided or can be provided with an internal thread and has a polygonal section with a polygonal outer contour which has, on the one hand, edge areas and, on the other hand, key faces which are located between the edge areas and extend in key face planes extending in a manner conforming to standards, in such a manner that it has mechanical properties which are as ideal as possible with as low a weight as possible, it is suggested that the nut body have a plurality of recesses which extend into the nut body in the direction of the bore proceeding from the respective key face planes.

Abstract: The fastening through hole includes the conical hollow portion conically hollowed from the tube outer circumferential surface of the rim, the through hole penetrating the rim at a center portion of the conical hollow portion in a diametrical direction. The opening of the conical hollow portion on a side of the tube outer circumferential surface includes the conical tube having an external conical shape which is substantially the same as the conical hollow portion. The conical tube of the conical tube is set to be greater than a diameter of the head portion of the male screw member.

Abstract: A wheel assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle via a plurality of wheel studs or holes, the wheel assembly including a wheel defining a plurality of wheel openings therethrough, wherein each of the wheel openings has a non-circular shape and is configured to receive a wheel stud or bolt; and a plurality of variable lug inserts, wherein one of the variable lug inserts is within each of the openings and wherein each variable lug insert comprises a body having a longitudinal cross-sectional shape generally corresponding to the non-circular shape of the wheel opening and a variable lug insert opening extending through the body.

Abstract: Embodiments of this invention comprise a vehicle wheel made primarily of moldable plastic. The portion of the wheel which is physically connected to the rotor is made of metal. The wheel has a plurality of openings spaced to allow air circulation sufficient to provide dissipation of the heat build up which occurs during normal vehicle operation. This improved vehicle wheel securely holds the pneumatic tire and effectively supports the vehicle during operation. Other applications which would benefit by replacing metal wheels and gears with lighter, fully functional wheels and gears are also contemplated by this invention. Another embodiment comprises a method for manufacturing this vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A centering system for centering the inner and outer wheels of a dual wheel assembly on a hub includes at least three centering sets. Each centering set has an inner sleeve and a separate outer sleeve. Each inner sleeve fits between a wheel stud on the hub and a bolt hole in the inner wheel to center the inner wheel. Each outer sleeve fits between the wheel stud and a bolt hole in the outer wheel to center the outer wheel. The inner sleeves can also include a section that fits between the wheel stud on the hub and a bolt hole in the brake drum to center the brake drum.

Abstract: A wheel assembly configured for attachment to a vehicle via a plurality of wheel studs or holes, the wheel assembly including a wheel defining a plurality of wheel openings therethrough, wherein each of the wheel openings has a non-circular shape and is configured to receive a wheel stud or bolt; and a plurality of variable lug inserts, wherein one of the variable lug inserts is within each of the openings and wherein each variable lug insert comprises a body having a longitudinal cross-sectional shape generally corresponding to the non-circular shape of the wheel opening and a variable lug insert opening extending through the body.

Abstract: A sleeve for a fastener aperture in a vehicle wheel includes a tubular body having a first end and a plurality of external conically shaped barbs. The barbs include successively increasing outer diameters as a distance from the first end increases. A head radially outwardly extends from a second end of the body and is adapted to engage a land on the wheel that encompasses the fastener aperture. A bore extends through the body and the head and is adapted to receive a wheel fastener.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a wheel hub stress reduction system for retaining a wheel on a vehicle using wheel nuts. The system includes a hub moon having a mounting portion defining a plurality of holes, and a plurality of threaded connectors each received by one of the holes. A maximum tensile stress region is produced in the hub when said connector is tensioned by a wheel nut threadably engaged therewith. The maximum tensile stress region lies beyond a hub radius which bisects said one of the holes. Another embodiment of the present invention is direct it to a method of reducing stress on a wheel hub retaining a wheel on a vehicle using wheel nuts.

Abstract: A wheel assembly comprising a wheel having an outer surface and a plurality of exposed lug apertures located about a central hub region of the wheel, and a wheel cladding including a body conforming to the outer surface of the wheel that has an exposed decorative surface, an inner surface that faces the wheel when the cladding is attached to the wheel, and a plurality of lug wells that are axially aligned with the lug apertures of the wheel. The wheel assembly also includes a plurality of cladding lug well sleeves made from a high-temperature and ultraviolet light stable material that includes a plurality of snap-locking tabs for lockably fitting within the cladding lug wells. The cladding lug well sleeves are adapted to thermally insulate the cladding from the high temperatures of the lug nuts and studs from heat generated during vehicle operation.

Abstract: A wheel centering pin disclosed for vehicle wheels having apertures of uniform diameter. The wheel centering pin is provided as a set of three that are threaded on three circumferentially spaced hub bolts on which a wheel is mounted to center the wheel. Nuts are threaded on the remaining bolts and tightened to fasten the wheel to the hub. The centering pins are removed, and remaining nuts are applied in their place and tightened on the remaining bolts to center the wheel.

Abstract: A drum and wheel-centering sleeve disclosed for vehicle drum and wheels having apertures of uniform diameter is a set of three that are threaded on three circumferentially spaced hub bolts on which a wheel drum is mounted to center the wheel drum. The sleeve has a hollow sleeve body with a drum-centering portion with a first exterior surface of uniform diameter and a wheel-centering portion with a second exterior surface of uniform diameter the wheel centering portion being of a smaller diameter than the drum centering portion. A set of three sleeves are threaded on bolts at twelve, four and eight o'clock positions with drum centering portion in associated drum apertures to center the drum on the hub. The wheel is mounted with wheel apertures on the wheel-centering portions of the three centering sleeves to center the wheel on the hub.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a vehicle comprises a spindle and a wheel carrier. The spindle includes a shank portion and a shoulder portion. The shank portion includes a press-fit portion adjacent the shoulder portion and has a first predetermined diameter. The wheel carrier is adapted to be supported by a suspension system of the vehicle, is comprised of aluminum, and has a spindle-receiving bore therethrough. The bore has an initially-formed diameter smaller than the first predetermined diameter. The press-fit portion is press-fit into the bore. The difference between the initially-formed diameter and the first predetermined diameter is sufficiently large that the press-fit portion is surrounded by a deformation zone having a radial thickness of at least 10 microns. In one preferred embodiment, this deformation zone is comprised of plastically deformed aluminum having a radial thickness of at least 3 microns.

Abstract: A wheel (1) for a motor vehicle, made from a magnesium-containing alloy, with a wheel key unit which has a central area (2) in which attachment borings (10) for attachment bolts as well as a hub boring (20) are positioned, and which has a rear, ring-shaped placement area (30) for the mounting onto a brake disk, whereby the attachment borings (10), the hub boring (20), and the placement area (30) are provided with spacer units (110, 120, 130) made from an aluminum-containing alloy. By this means, contact corrosion on the steel-containing attachment- and motor vehicle parts is prevented.