Wheel Disc Having Spoke Formation Patents (Class 301/64.101)
  • Patent number: 11548316
    Abstract: A wheel includes a rim and a wheel center interconnected to the rim. The wheel center includes at least one spoke extending from a wheel hub to the rim in a radial direction. The rim includes per the at least one spoke a first contact area and the at least one spoke includes at its outer end a second contact area which in a mounted position is aligned to the first contact area. The at least one spoke includes at least one hollow space extending in the radial direction of the spoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: MUIBEA CARBO TECH GMBH
    Inventor: Christoph Renner
  • Patent number: 10589566
    Abstract: A wheel for vehicles may include a rim coupled to a tire, and a spoke-shaped disc including a spoke and a vent hole, the spoke-shaped disc being coupled to a side surface of the rim to support the rim, in which a coupling zone between the spoke of the spoke-shaped disc and the rim and a coupling zone between a portion of the spoke-shaped disc formed with the vent hole and the rim have a height difference in a wheel axis direction, to allow the spoke-shaped disc to support the rim at an interior and an exterior of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Sang Rak Kim, Min Jwa Seo, Yong Min Jang, Su Ji Baek
  • Patent number: 10005315
    Abstract: Vehicle wheel comprising a rim part and a disc part formed from a one-piece sheet metal blank and including a central portion with bolt holes and a plurality of radially extending spoke arrangements merging into a disc edge delimiting together with the spoke arrangements ventilation apertures which extend over the region between the edge webs and the disc edge. In order to create steel wheels with four-hole fixing in which high strength and stiffness are achieved the number of spoke arrangements and of bolt holes is four and these are in each case arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a common radial line, with the width of each spoke arrangement narrowing radially towards the outside and each ventilation aperture extending in the circumferential direction over an arc length of more than ? of the circumference of the disc part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Maxion Wheels Germany Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Werner Kermelk, Karl Rode, Günter Stelzer
  • Publication number: 20150130261
    Abstract: A method of designing and producing the spoke section of a vehicle wheel using chopped carbon fiber pre-impregnated composite material is provided, wherein the method allows wheel designers to machine several different wheel designs, wheel diameters, and wheels with different offsets without using different material molds for each, as is customary with traditional carbon fiber reinforced plastic wheels designed using a layup procedure. The present method greatly reduces material waste, engineering design effort for each wheel, and the cost of each wheel over existing methods by using a single mold that can accommodate different wheel designs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Patrick Warren
  • Publication number: 20150102656
    Abstract: Each spoke portion (50) includes a center valley portion (51), and spoke projecting threads (52) formed on both sides of the center valley portion (51). Each of the spoke projecting threads (52) includes an inclined surface portion (54), which protrudes outward in a spoke widthwise direction from a top (53) and inclines downward to a wheel axially back side. The inclined surface portion (54) is formed so that a length thereof in a range of from the top (53) to an outer end of the inclined surface portion (54) in the spoke widthwise direction becomes larger toward a spoke distal end side, and that an average downward inclination angle thereof becomes smaller toward the spoke distal end side. With this configuration, it is possible to increase rigidity of the spoke portion with good balance while avoiding interference with a braking device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Applicant: CENTRAL MOTOR WHEEL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoshifumi Goto, Kaoru Ichikawa
  • Publication number: 20150061354
    Abstract: Provided is a one piece vehicle wheel capable of obtaining design having a high-class feeling, improving the cleaning property, reducing the weight, and easily adjusting the weight balance without deteriorating the design. A one piece type vehicle wheel 1 is provided with a cylindrical rim 2, a disk 3 provided inside the rim 2, and a plurality of spokes 7 each of which extends from the central part of the disk 3 toward the rim 2 and has an outer end connected to the rim. A boundary groove 23 is formed on a design surface side of the vehicle wheel 1 along the boundary between the rim 2 and each of the spokes 7.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: WORK CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Takeshi TANAKA
  • Patent number: 8926025
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel includes a rim having an inner peripheral surface, and a center disc portion spaced radially inwardly from the inner peripheral surface. The center disc portion includes a body having a plurality of protruding portions separated from each other by curved recesses. The wheel further includes a plurality of structural arms with each structural arm having a first arm end attached to the inner peripheral surface of the rim at a first weld attachment interface and a second arm end received within one of the curved recesses of the body. Each of the second arm ends is attached to the center disc portion at a second weld attachment interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: Iochpe-Maxion S.A.
    Inventors: Andre Fior, Marcio Aparecido de Oliveira, Fernando T. Mitsuyassu
  • Patent number: 8919890
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of wheels having an increased interior lip depth. In some embodiments, the wheel can include a wheel barrel having a register formed on the inner surface thereof. A wheel center piece can have a junction rim secured to the register. The wheel center piece can include a center portion configured to be secured to a vehicle. The wheel center piece can include spokes which extend radially outwardly from the center portion and axial extenders which connect the radially outward ends of the spokes to the junction rim. The axial extenders can function to increase the size of the cavity formed between the wheel center piece and the inboard end of the wheel. Thus, the cavity can have a volume sufficient to accommodate mechanical components of the vehicle while allowing the register can be formed relatively close to the inboard side of the wheel, thereby increasing the depth of the interior lip extending from the outboard end of the wheel to the junction rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventors: Segiu Anca, Frank J. Hodges
  • Patent number: 8882206
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel disk includes a hat portion having a crest portion extending continuously in a circumferential direction of the disk, an inner curved portion curved inwardly in an axial direction of the disk radially inside the crest portion and extending continuously in a circumferential direction of the disk, and an outer curved portion curved inwardly in the axial direction of the disk radially outside the crest portion and extending in the circumferential direction of the disk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhisa Nakayama, Masafumi Bojo, Takeshi Ogura
  • Publication number: 20140292062
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2013
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventors: Ruben Luzanilla, Antonio Munoz
  • Patent number: 8740315
    Abstract: In an automobile wheel, a disc flange of a wheel disc includes bent surface-side edge portions each having an arcuate shape and arranged concentrically with each other, and the bent surface-side edge portions extend from the surface-side end edge of a fitted straight annular portion to be bent radially inward and are dented to a back side of the outer end portions of the lateral edge portions of spokes. The thus configured automobile wheel can exhibit high strength and rigidity against a radial load, a bending load, and a torsional load because of the shape of the bent surface-side edge portions, thereby suppressing deformation of the disc flange caused while an automobile is running. Thus, it is possible to mitigate a stress concentration on a joined portion between the wheel disc and a wheel rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Central Motor Wheel Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Goto
  • Publication number: 20140139011
    Abstract: An integrated type spoke structure, a wheel assembly for a bicycle having the same, and a manufacturing method thereof, the integrated type spoke structure for a spoke coupled to a rim, the spoke including a reinforcing member provided at an end portion of the spoke formed of plastic, and a hub provided at a center of the spoke, wherein the reinforcing member and the hub are formed of material having rigidity larger than a rigidity of the spoke, and are integrally formed with each other through an injection molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chang Bok KO, Jeong Rae KIM
  • Publication number: 20140077584
    Abstract: A motor housing integrated type spoke for an electric bicycle and a manufacturing method thereof, a wheel assembly having the same, and a manufacturing method thereof, the motor housing integrated type spoke coupled to a rim and including a motor housing, which is provided at a center of the motor housing integrated-type spoke to accommodate a motor, the motor housing integrally formed with the motor housing integrated-type spoke through an injection molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2012
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: MANDO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeong Rae KIM, Chang Bok KO
  • Publication number: 20140070601
    Abstract: A spoke 15 has a spoke crest 15a, a spoke radially outer wall 15b and a pair of spoke circumferential side walls 15c. In a cross section of the spoke 15 along a radial direction of a disk, a crest outer curved portion 15a2 of the spoke crest 15a is curved at a larger curvature than curvatures of a crest inner curved portion 15a1 of the spoke crest 15, a crest main portion 15a4 of the crest and the spoke radially outer wall 15b. Thus, compared with a conventional one, a configuration of the spoke 15 becomes like a box. As a result, a bending strength and a bending rigidity of the spoke 15 in the radial direction of the disk can be improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: TOPY KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Kenji Morishita, Masafumi Bojo
  • Patent number: 8646851
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel having a rim and a disk. A disk flange of the disk may have a non-contact portion non-contacting a radially inner surface of the rim, at a radially outer extension of a width center line of a spoke. As a result, the rigidity of a portion of the disk in the circumferential direction of the wheel where the spoke is provided may be decreased compared with a wheel (conventional) where such non-contact portion is not provided. A difference in rigidity of the disk in the circumferential direction of the wheel between a portion where the vent window is provided and a portion where the spoke is provided may be smaller than that in the case of the conventional wheel, whereby a durability of the wheel and a run-out accuracy of the wheel may be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Kihara, Yoshinobu Sakashita, Kei Takagi, Yuta Isomura
  • Patent number: 8596726
    Abstract: An automobile wheel 10 comprising: (a) a rim 20; and (b) a disc 30 including: a plurality of spokes 33; and a disc flange 35 positioned at an outside end in the wheel radial direction, the disc having decorative holes 34, in which the rim and the disc flange are joined together, wherein a part of the disc flange, which corresponds to a radially outside end S of each of the spokes, is cut out toward an outside in a wheel axial direction relative to a disc-flange inside end edge 35a of the disc flange on an inside in the wheel axial direction to form a notch 36, and a minimum distance a1 between the notch and an outer periphery of the decorative hole is smaller than a width a2 of the disc flange at a middle position CD of the decorative hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazunori Kondo, Takehiro Fujioka
  • Patent number: 8567873
    Abstract: A hub for a wheel having a low mass and low moment of inertia includes a tubular body with a bore having, and three radially-extending arms that terminate with a tab. The hub is adapted for mounting on the radial flange of a wheel rim. The arms are space 120 degrees apart and extend from the body tapering from a relatively thick and wide portion to a relatively narrow and thin portion. A bore in the tab receives a fastener for securing the tab to the flange. Mounting hardware including spacers, bearings, O-rings, and an oil seal are secured within the body bore for mounting the hub onto the spindle of a vehicle steering mechanism. A hub nut and cotter pin secures the hub to the spindle. A center cap covers the open end of the body. The hub may optionally include three flanges for mounting a brake rotor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Weld Racing, LLC
    Inventor: Scott W. Rider
  • Publication number: 20130257139
    Abstract: An automobile wheel is provided with a spoke section and a disk flange section. The spoke section is provided with a central groove section and raised side section disposed on either side of the central groove section. The raised side sections are provided with a peak side section that protrudes to the front and a flange section that extends from the side edge of the peak side section to the back. Meanwhile, the disk flange section is provided with a connector section and front edge sections that curve radially inward from the front edge of the connector section. The front edge sections are depressed toward the back relative to the peak side section of the raised side section. This automobile wheel, by means of the synergy between the shape effects of the spoke section and the disk flange section, improves strength and rigidity for withstanding radial loads and bending/torsional loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: CENTRAL MOTOR WHEEL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Goto
  • Patent number: 8491062
    Abstract: The technology provides vehicle wheels that can include a hub coupling portion and a spoke. The spoke can have a waved portion at a portion of the spoke in the radial direction of the wheel and can be decreased in section modulus at a cross section of the portion of the spoke taken along a plane perpendicular to the radial direction of the wheel. The waved portion can be formed by displacing the spoke bottom wall and/or the spoke reinforcing walls in the axial direction of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Kihara, Yoshinobu Sakashita
  • Patent number: 8454100
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel disk includes a plurality of spoke portions extending radially outwardly from a hub coupling portion with vent windows between the spokes. Each spoke includes a bottom wall and axially extending side walls, with a radially outer disk portion connecting the radially outer ends of the spokes. A connecting wall connects a pair of spoke side portions on opposite sides of the vent window in the circumferential direction of the wheel. The spoke bottom wall includes an axially extending inclined portion and a radially extending main portion. A spoke strengthening wall extends circumferentially from the axial end of the spoke side wall. The connecting wall includes a vent window surrounding portion, a vent window surrounding curved portion, and a crest wall portion of a radially inwardly protruding protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Kihara, Yoshinobu Sakashita
  • Patent number: 8454099
    Abstract: A wheel for vehicle comprising: a rim 2 having a drop portion; and a disk 10 formed integrally from a plate material, the rim and the disk being welded together, wherein the disk has: a hub mounting portion 10a; a plurality of spokes 10b radially extending from the hub mounting portion toward an outer periphery of the disk; and a ring-shaped disk flange 10c that is connected to the spokes through a curved-surface connecting portion R that is formed by bending the spokes at an outer circumferential end thereof in a wheel axial direction, the disk flange extends in the wheel axial direction, and a decorative hole 20 is defined by the adjacent spokes, the hub mounting portion, and the disk flange, and a part that faces a distal end 12 of the spoke in a fitting area between an inner circumferential surface of the rim and an outer circumferential surface of the disk flange is welded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsu Sano, Yoshinobu Sakashita, Kei Takagi, Kikuya Ito
  • Patent number: 8398178
    Abstract: The technology provides vehicle wheel disks where a spoke portion can have a spoke bottom wall and a spoke side portion. The spoke side portion can include a spoke side wall rising from the spoke bottom wall in an axial direction of the wheel and a spoke reinforcing wall connected from an axially end portion of the spoke side wall and curved from the axial direction of the wheel toward a circumferential direction of the wheel and extending in the circumferential direction of the wheel. A pair of spoke side portions can be located on opposite sides of the vent window in the circumferential direction of the wheel have radially inner end portions which are connected to each other via a connecting wall. The connecting wall can be flat or substantially flat in the circumferential direction of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Yuji Kihara, Yoshinobu Sakashita
  • Publication number: 20130049441
    Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide for one or more of: (1) airflow enhancement around a rim using cusps that create virtual surfaces of air with the bike in motion, which also encourage favorable air attachment around the rim; (2) wake reduction by streamlining the airfoil around the rim using trip edges at various points of rim surface transition, which cause a laminar flow to go turbulent for enhancing the streamline effect; (3) a double rim surface, which provides an air slot between the two rim surfaces at a distance that enhances flow attachment and adds energy of air flow around the rim by moving air between areas of high and low pressure; and (4) a tubeless tire rim kit capable of converting conventional rims into tubeless ones and also promoting the sealing of the tire to the rim with minimal air pressure necessary to create the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: SMART AERO TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventor: Smart Aero Technology Limited
  • Patent number: 8262170
    Abstract: A motor-vehicle wheel structure comprises a wheel rim and a wheel disk having a circumferential border bent and welded within the wheel rim, and a central portion bearing a circumferential series of holes for engagement of bolts for fixing the wheel to the wheel support. The central portion is radiused to the circumferential border of the disk by means of an intermediate annular portion having in cross section an arched configuration projecting outwards. The intermediate annular portion has a plurality of embossed portions projecting outwards, configured in such a way as to define a plurality of spokes set at the same angular distance apart from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: C.R.F. Società Consortile per Azioni
    Inventors: Marcello Trentin, Davide Vigè, Benedetta Peyron, Giovanni Boreanaz, Giovanni Monfrino
  • Publication number: 20120104835
    Abstract: A gauge wheel is formed from a peripheral rubber tire, a rim portion defined by first and second metal portions with flanges defining an inner edge spaced inwardly of the rim section and outwardly of the axis, a hub portion defined by third and fourth metal portions each shaped to define a bearing carrying inner section and a mounting flange with the mounting flanges bolted together the inner sections define a bearing support for receiving a bearing together with a metal plate member lying in a radial plane and having an outer ring portion bolted to one side of the mounting flanges of the rim portions, an inner ring portion bolted to one side of the mounting flanges of the hub portions and a plurality of spokes connecting the outer ring portion to the inner ring portion leaving mud discharge holes between the spokes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Inventor: Keith Waldner
  • RIM
    Publication number: 20120080932
    Abstract: A rim is provided for a motor vehicle wheel that includes, but is not limited to a rim ring for receiving a tire, a rim hub for fastening to a shaft and a plurality of rim struts each connected to the rim ring and to the rim hub. Between each two adjacent rim struts a cooling opening is formed, and the rim hub and/or the rim ring and/or the rim strut includes, but is not limited to at least one fastening for the releasable connection to a flow guide plate for guiding headwind. Because of this, a rim of simple design configuration is created, which with a low aerodynamic resistance makes possible good cooling of a brake unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Publication date: April 5, 2012
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC
    Inventors: Borris ILSE, Boris JACOB, Bertrand BACH
  • Publication number: 20120074764
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing the same. The wheel includes a rim and a disc secured to the rim. The disc includes a plurality of outwardly extending spokes, an outer rim connecting flange defining a side edge surface and a window formed therein between adjacent pairs of spokes and having a predetermined shape defined by the adjacent pairs of spokes and the side edge surface of the rim connecting flange such that each of the windows extends to an outermost periphery of the wheel disc, at least one of the windows includes at least a first window portion and a second window portion, the first window portion being formed by a first piercing operation and the second window portion being formed by a second piercing operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2011
    Publication date: March 29, 2012
    Inventors: Patrick McCorry, Tom Czarniecki, Monty Csapo, Todd Duffield, Matthias Grutgen, Frank Kramer, Alan Coleman
  • Publication number: 20110309670
    Abstract: The present invention relates to decorative rims for self-propelled vehicles. The decorative rim is manufactured with a logo incorporated into the spokes of the rim spatially disposed within the decorative rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Inventor: James Lee Taylor
  • Patent number: 8056986
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wheel for a vehicle, in which burrs that are created in forming vent holes do not contact with the inner circumference of rim when disc is combined with rim, such that it is possible to prevent damage to the inside of rim due to burrs. Further, a hub cap is formed for covering a hub hole and separably combined with a cylindrical protrusion of disc, such that it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost and the weight, and improve the fuel efficiency. Furthermore, a plurality of water discharge holes is formed along the joint of rim and disc, such that the water discharge holes make it possible to prevent water from collecting again at the joint of rim and disc after a process of removing water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jaegul Jin
  • Publication number: 20110210601
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: Washi Kosan Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsunori YOSHIMURA
  • Publication number: 20110210602
    Abstract: In an automobile wheel, a disc flange of a wheel disc includes bent surface-side edge portions each having an arcuate shape and arranged concentrically with each other, and the bent surface-side edge portions extend from the surface-side end edge of a fitted straight annular portion to be bent radially inward and are dented to a back side of the outer end portions of the lateral edge portions of spokes. The thus configured automobile wheel can exhibit high strength and rigidity against a radial load, a bending load, and a torsional load because of the shape of the bent surface-side edge portions, thereby suppressing deformation of the disc flange caused while an automobile is running. Thus, it is possible to mitigate a stress concentration on a joined portion between the wheel disc and a wheel rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: CENTRAL MOTOR WHEEL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yoshifumi Goto
  • Publication number: 20110210603
    Abstract: The technology provides vehicle wheels that can include a hub coupling portion and a spoke portion. The spoke portion can have a waved portion at a portion of the spoke portion in the radial direction of the wheel and can be decreased in section modulus at a cross section of the portion of the spoke portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the radial direction of the wheel. The waved portion can be formed by displacing the spoke bottom wall and/or the spoke reinforcing walls in the axial direction of the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2011
    Publication date: September 1, 2011
    Applicant: TOPY KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Yuji KIHARA, Yoshinobu SAKASHITA
  • Patent number: 7984551
    Abstract: This invention relates to a fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing the same. The wheel includes a rim and a disc secured to the rim. The disc includes a plurality of outwardly extending spokes, an outer rim connecting flange defining a side edge surface and a window formed therein between adjacent pairs of spokes and having a predetermined shape defined by the adjacent pairs of spokes and the side edge surface of the rim connecting flange such that each of the windows extends to an outermost periphery of the wheel disc, at least one of the windows includes at least a first window portion and a second window portion, the first window portion being formed by a first piercing operation and the second window portion being formed by a second piercing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick McCorry, Tom Czarniecki, Monty Csapo, Todd Duffield, Matthias Grutgen, Frank Kramer, Alan Coleman
  • Publication number: 20110140507
    Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments of wheels having an increased interior lip depth. In some embodiments, the wheel can include a wheel barrel having a register formed on the inner surface thereof. A wheel center piece can have a junction rim secured to the register. The wheel center piece can include a center portion configured to be secured to a vehicle. The wheel center piece can include spokes which extend radially outwardly from the center portion and axial extenders which connect the radially outward ends of the spokes to the junction rim. The axial extenders can function to increase the size of the cavity formed between the wheel center piece and the inboard end of the wheel. Thus, the cavity can have a volume sufficient to accommodate mechanical components of the vehicle while allowing the register can be formed relatively close to the inboard side of the wheel, thereby increasing the depth of the interior lip extending from the outboard end of the wheel to the junction rim.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Segiu Anca, Frank J. Hodges
  • Patent number: 7918513
    Abstract: The invention concerns a vehicle wheel, in particular for passenger vehicles and motorcycles, comprising a rim for receiving a tire and a spoke unit or a wheel disc connecting the rim to the hub. The rim is made of plastic material and the spoke unit or the wheel disc of metal. The rim is connected to the spoke unit or wheel disc by form-closure and/or by force-closure of the material. The invention aims at enabling the wheel disc to be accurately positioned relative to the rim base and at providing a wheel with an attractive design. Therefore, the spoke unit, or the wheel disc are connected via at least one connecting element guided through the rim base and the connecting element is housed in the spoke unit or the wheel disc so as to be completely covered by a tire or by the spoke unit or the wheel disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Inventor: Mike Wilson
  • Patent number: 7895752
    Abstract: A method comprising: a step of preforming a plurality of bulging portions on a substantially circular plate blank, the bulging portions being located concentrically and circumferentially outward of a bolt hole, each of the bulging portions being a base of a reinforcing portion of a spoke; a step of forming a plurality of prototypical decorative holes on the respective bulging portions to form a prototypically-shaped spoke between the adjacent prototypical decorative holes; a step of forming a disk flange by bending an outer circumferential portion of the plate blank, on which the prototypical decorative holes are formed, at a right angle to be substantially parallel to a wheel axial direction, so that an outer periphery of a resultant decorative hole forms an upper end edge of the disk flange; and a step of forming the spoke by providing the prototypically-shaped spoke with the reinforcing portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tetsu Sano, Yoshinobu Sakashita, Kei Takagi, Kikuya Ito
  • Patent number: 7891038
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved rotary drain cleaning machine having an improved support structure that prevents walking of the machine when in use. The machine is supported upon two rear mounted wheels and a forward pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Electric Eel Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: C. David Hale
  • Patent number: 7882877
    Abstract: A combination wheel and valve assembly has a plurality of spokes each having at least one aperture through a rim-end thereof. A rim has an inner surface and a spoke mating element opposite the inner surface. A plurality of through-holes extend through the spoke mating element of the rim. A plurality of bolts are shaped to fit through the aperture of the rim-end of each of the spokes, and into one of the plurality of through-holes of the spoke mating element, to fasten each spoke to the rim. A conduit extends through the inner surface of the rim to one of the through-holes of the rim, such that a valve assembly can extend through the aperture of one of the spokes and engage the through-hole having the conduit, thereby enabling fluid flow through the valve assembly and the conduit to the inner surface of the rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2011
    Inventor: James K. Miansian
  • Publication number: 20100320830
    Abstract: A hub for a wheel having a low mass and low moment of inertia includes a tubular body with a bore having, and three radially-extending arms that terminate with a tab. The hub is adapted for mounting on the radial flange of a wheel rim. The arms are space 120 degrees apart and extend from the body tapering from a relatively thick and wide portion to a relatively narrow and thin portion. A bore in the tab receives a fastener for securing the tab to the flange. Mounting hardware including spacers, bearings, O-rings, and an oil seal are secured within the body bore for mounting the hub onto the spindle of a vehicle steering mechanism. A hub nut and cotter pin secures the hub to the spindle. A center cap covers the open end of the body. The hub may optionally include three flanges for mounting a brake rotor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 23, 2010
    Inventor: Scott W. RIDER
  • Patent number: 7757332
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an improved rotary drain cleaning machine having an improved support structure that prevents walking of the machine when in use. The machine is supported upon two rear mounted wheels and a forward pedestal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: Electric Eel Manufacturing Co., Inc.
    Inventor: C. David Hale
  • Patent number: 7587825
    Abstract: A method of forming a wheel disc starts with a flat blank. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc, wherein each window has a respective outer edge proximate with a continuous outer band around a periphery of the wheel disc. The windows define a plurality of spokes between adjacent windows, and the angular size of each of the windows along the outer band is preferably greater than the angular size of each of the spokes. The outer band is partially closed toward a cylindrical shape by engaging a cam die against at least a portion of the outer band. The outer band is substantially fully closed into a cylindrical shape by axially wiping the outer band using a cylindrical die. The intermediate camming operation achieves the desired final shape after wiping without introducing stresses that would weaken or distort the wheel disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Coleman, Tom Czarniecki, Bill Fowler
  • Patent number: 7559145
    Abstract: A method of forming a wheel disc starts with a flat blank. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc, wherein each window has a respective outer edge proximate with a continuous outer band around a periphery of the wheel disc. The windows define a plurality of spokes between adjacent windows, and the angular size of each of the windows along the outer band is preferably greater than the angular size of each of the spokes. The outer band is partially closed toward a cylindrical shape by engaging a cam die against at least a portion of the outer band. The outer band is substantially fully closed into a cylindrical shape by axially wiping the outer band using a cylindrical die. The intermediate camming operation achieves the desired final shape after wiping without introducing stresses that would weaken or distort the wheel disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2009
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Utz Jäcke, Ramon J. Aquilué, Jordi Bosch
  • Publication number: 20090026831
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Scott F. Acker
  • Patent number: 7469973
    Abstract: An improved fabricated wheel disc and a fabricated vehicle wheel including such a fabricated wheel disc and a fabricated wheel rim secured thereto by suitable methods. The fabricated wheel disc defines an axis and includes a wheel mounting surface portion, a plurality of spokes, an outer rim connecting flange, a plurality of lug bolt receiving holes and an outboard face. The wheel mounting surface includes at least one rib formed therein between at least one pair of the lug bolt receiving holes. The rib has a straight outer surface which extends at an angle with respect to the fabricated wheel disc axis throughout an entire length thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Alan Coleman, Michael Miller, Thomas Heck
  • Patent number: 7464995
    Abstract: According to the invention, the fabricated vehicle wheel includes a conventional full wheel rim and a unique wheel disc joined to the wheel rim. The wheel disc includes an inner wheel mounting pad, an outer annular rim connecting flange and a plurality of radial spokes connecting the inner wheel mounting pad to the rim connecting flange. The rim connecting flange extends in an axial direction and defines a side edge surface extending between each pair of adjacent spokes. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc. Each of the windows has a predetermined shape defined by the adjacent spokes and the side edge surface of the rim connecting flange. The rim connecting flange and the side edge surface are configured such that the window extends to an outermost periphery of the wheel disc. The inner wheel mounting pad includes at least one rib provided therein. The rib has an outer surface and an inner surface, at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface is provided with a flat planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventors: Montgomery D. Csapo, Thomas Czarniecki, John David Holm, Thomas E. Heck, Günter Stelzer, Karl Rode, Werner Kermelk, Alan Coleman
  • Patent number: 7427111
    Abstract: A tire wheel set includes a front wheel to be attached to a front axle of a vehicle, and a rear wheel to be attached to a rear axle thereof. The rear wheel is greater in rigidity than the front wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2008
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Akira Kuramori
  • Publication number: 20080185905
    Abstract: A drainable vehicle wheel having a hub, a plurality of spokes extending radially from the hub and a rim having tips ends of the spokes connected thereto. Each of the plurality of spokes has a hollow portion and a plurality of water-discharge hole formed therein. The hub has an outer hollow portion formed by a plurality of walls, and one the walls has a drain hole formed therein. The outer hollow portion of the hub is fluidly connected to a hollow portion formed in each of the spokes. A wall of the tip end portion of each of spokes is thickened or reinforced to increase stiffness of the spokes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2008
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Masayuki Fujita
  • Publication number: 20070278850
    Abstract: A wheel assembly includes a wheel rim and a wheel disk that attaches to the wheel rim. The wheel rim includes an inner region for receiving a wheel hub and defines a rotational axis. The wheel disk includes a section for attachment to the wheel hub and an attachment flange for securing the wheel disk and the wheel rim together. The attachment flange includes a first side corresponding to the inner region and a second side corresponding to the wheel rim, where the attachment flange extends from the section in a direction that is transverse to the rotational axis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2007
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Inventor: Flavio Rodrigues
  • Publication number: 20070222279
    Abstract: According to the invention, the fabricated vehicle wheel includes a conventional full wheel rim and a unique wheel disc joined to the wheel rim. The wheel disc includes an inner wheel mounting pad, an outer annular rim connecting flange and a plurality of radial spokes connecting the inner wheel mounting pad to the rim connecting flange. The rim connecting flange extends in an axial direction and defines a side edge surface extending between each pair of adjacent spokes. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc. Each of the windows has a predetermined shape defined by the adjacent spokes and the side edge surface of the rim connecting flange. The rim connecting flange and the side edge surface are configured such that the window extends to an outermost periphery of the wheel disc. The inner wheel mounting pad includes at least one rib provided therein. The rib has an outer surface and an inner surface, at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface is provided with a flat planar surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2006
    Publication date: September 27, 2007
    Inventors: Montgomery Csapo, Thomas Czarniecki, John Holm, Thomas Heck, Gunter Stelzer, Karl Rode, Werner Kermelk, Alan Coleman
  • Publication number: 20070090685
    Abstract: A wheel for a motorcycle comprising a rim section to which a tire is mounted, a hub section including an outer tubular section and an inner tubular section, and a plurality of spoke sections connecting the rim section and the hub section to each other. The hub section is configured to reduce machining steps during manufacture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2006
    Publication date: April 26, 2007
    Applicant: YAMAHA HATSUDOKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Takuro Sekiguchi, Masashi Kataoka