Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
iC~743~8
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a combination of at least one
tire carrying rim seated and locked by fastening assemblies on a vehicle
wheel. A combination of dual inner and outer tire carrying rims may be
mounted on a vehicle wheel without using a separating means, such as an
annular spacer.
The spoke members of a single wheel and the inner spoke members of
a dual wheel have a felly, felloe or load-bearing portion with a radially
inclined outer surface adjacent to a radially directed inner surface.
The outer spoke members of a dual wheel have a felly, felloe or
load-bearing portion with a radially directed surface. In several embodiments,
the radially directed surface extends inwardly from radially outer dual
axially oriented surfaces.
In several embodiments, a rim, whether mounted as a single, inner
dual or outer dual, may be of an identical and, therefore, interchangeable
construction. The rims have a rim base edge portion with a radially inclined
surface intersecting a radially inner surface intersecting an axially outer
surface and a plurality of clamp lugs integrally secured to the axially outer
surface. Each clamp lug has a radially inwardly directed leg portion.
An initial tightening of the fastening assemblies for a single or
inner dual mounting, and for at least one embodiment of an outer dual mount-
ing, will seat the radially inclined rim surface in concentric radial
registry with the radially outer surfaces on the spoke members. Thereafter,
the seated rim will be locked on the spoke members, in axial and radial
alignment and registry, by further tightening of the fastening assemblies
against the clamp lug leg portions and the full surface engagement thereof
with a radially directed wheel felloe surface.
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For other outer dual mounting embodiments, full seating engagement
of the clamp lug leg portions against the radially directed wheel felloe
surfaces may be achieved during final tightening of the fastening assemblies.
In all embodiments, the clamp lugs are proportioned or dimensioned
such that during final tightening, a fastening assembly will elastically
stress or minutely deform each clamp lug and the rim base edge portion
relative to the plane of the radially directed wheel felloe surfaces to pro-
vide the full axial and radial alignment and registry of rim to wheel.
The accurate mounting of tire carrying rims on the felloe, felly
or load-bearing portion of a wheel has long been a problem in the art.
Vehicle operators and industry regulations seek longer tire life and complete
safety in operation, even under the most severe of vehicle operating con-
ditions. The tire manufacturers are endeavoring to provide tires which have
optimum performance characteristics, including lateral and radial balance.
Consequently, it is being required that this art provide elements, the
wheels, the rims, and fastening assemblies therefor, which do not deteriorate,
hinder or impair the projected performance characteristics of the tires.
. ,.,, :.
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1074368
Heretofore, the spoked wheel structure of a tire-rim-
wheel assembly has been regarded primarily as a load carrying
element attached to an axle of the vehicle and carrying the rim.
The periphery of the wheel had felly surfaces to pilot or guide
the rim into approximate mounting position. Thereafter, fasten-
ing assemblies were torqued down or tightened in such a manner
that the tire carrying rim would not come loose from the wheel
during use. If done correctly, as by an expert and conscien-
tious mechanic, the prior art rim mounting techniques would not
deteriorate, hinder or impair the performance characteristics of
the tires. However, environmental or extrinsic factors such as
warpage, deformation or damage to the rim and spacer or wear of
the fastening assemblies could lead to relative displacement or
non-alignment of the assembly components during fastening,
creating conditions of what are now commonly referred to as
excessive lateral (axial) or radial runout, or an imbalance of
the tire-rim-wheel assembly during vehicle operation.
The concepts of the invention provide wheel spoke
members with proportioned or dimensioned felloe surfaces for
mating, seating or full surface engagement with coacting
surfaces on the rim base edge portion and clamp lug leg portions
by full tightening of the fastening assemblies.
An edge lugged rim and fastening assemblies therefor
according to the invention, when used with wheels adapted
thereto, positively controls and reduces lateral (axial) and
radial runout, resists rim warpage or deformation, restricts or
locks out the possibility of rim rotation relative to the wheel
and provides better balance for the tire-rim-wheel assembly
during vehicle operation.
10743~8
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide an improved
combination of a tire carrying rim seated and locked by fasten-
ing assemblies on a vehicle wheel.
It is a further object of the invention to provide
rims having a rim base edge portion with a radially inclined
surface intersecting a radially inner surface intersecting an
axially outer surface and a plurality of clamp lugs integrally
secured to the axially outer surface, each clamp lug having a
radially inwardly d-rected leg portion, which are mounted on the
spoke members of a wheel having coacting felloe surfaces by the
full tightening of fastening assemblies.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a
combination of a tire carrying rim seated and locked by fasten-
ing assemblies on a vehicle wheel which positively controls and
reduces lateral (axial) and radial runout, resists rim warpage
or deformation, restricts rim rotation relative to the wheel and
provides better balance for the tire-rim-wheel assembly during
operation.
These and other objects of the invention, as well as
the advantages thereof, will be apparent in view of the detailed
description of the various embodiments thereof as set forth
below.
In general, an improved dual wheel according to the
invention has a plurality of inner and outer spoke members.
Each of the inner spoke members has a felloe comprising a
radially inclined outer surface and an adjacent radially
directed surface extending inwardly substantially perpendicular
to the rotational axis of said wheel and providing a mounting
location for an axially projecting component of a fastening
assembly or means. Each of ~he outer spoke members has a felloe
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comprising a radially directed surface oriented in a plane
substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the wheel
and providing a mounting location for an axially projecting
component of a fastening assembly. The outer wheel felloes may
also have radially outer spaced-apart axially projecting wing
portions providing outwardly facing dual axially oriented
surfaces extending transversely of a radially directed wheel
felloe surface.
In general, a single wheel according to the invention
has a plurality of spoke members. Each spoke member has a felloe
comprising a radially inclined outer surface and an adjacent
radially directed surface extending inwardly in a plane substan-
tially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the wheel and
providing a mounting location for the axially projecting
component of a fastening assembly or means.
In general, a tire carrying rim has a rim base edge
portion with a radially inclined axially inner surface inter-
secting a radially inner surface intersecting an axially outer
surface. A plurality of clamp lugs are integrally secured to
the axially outer surface. Each clamp lug has a radially
inwardly directed leg portion with a bore therein for receiving
an axially projecting component of a fastening assembly. The
clamp lugs are proportioned or dimensioned such that during
final tightening of a fastening assembly, each clamp lug and the
rim base edge portion will be placed under load, and thereby
elastically stressed or minutely deformed relative to the plane
of a radially directed wheel felloe surface in full surface
engagement with the leg portion of each clamp lug.
In general, each fastening assembly for mounting a
single rim or an inner dual rim will comprise a threaded
fastener having a rotatable element for bearing engagement
against the leg portion of each clamp lug.
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~f~,
10743~;8
In general, each fastening assembly for mounting an
outer dual rim will have a threaded fastener and a clamp element
and a rotatable element supported thereon. The rotatable
element is for bearing engagement against the clamp element.
Each clamp element will have a radially outer portion with a
radially inclined surface for mating engagement with a radially
inclined surface on the rim base edge portion. A clamp element
may also have lateral wing portions for mating engagement with
outwardly facing felloe surfaces. A clamp element may also have
10an axially inwardly directed member for mating engagement with
the leg portion of a clamp lug.
According to the invention, a single or inner dual
tire carrying rim is seated on, and thereafter locked on, a
wheel by initial and final tightening of fastening assemblies
against each clamp lug leg portion. During initial tightening
of the fastening assemblies, the radially inclined rim base edge
portion surface will seat in concentric radial registry with the
radially outer wheel felloe surfaces. Final tightening of the
fastening assemblies to apply a compression load will lock the
20rim on the wheel, in axial and radial alignment and registry
relative to the rotational axis of rim and wheel, by the full
surface engagement of the clamp lug leg portions with the
radially directed wheel felloe surfaces and the elastic deforma-
tion of the clamp lugs and the rim base edge portion relative to
the substantially perpendicular plane of the radially directed
wheel felloe surfaces.
According to the invention, an outer dual tire
carrying rim is seated on, and thereafter locked on, a wheel by
initial and final tightening of fastening assemblies. During
30initial tightening of the fastening assemblies toward the clamp
10743~8
lug leg portions, the radially inclined rim base edge portion
surface will seat in concentric radial registry with the
radially inclined surfaces on the radially outer clamp element
portions. Lateral wing clamp element portions may also be in
mating engagement with outwardly facing dual axially oriented
wheel felloe surfaces. Final tightening of the fastening assem-
blies to apply a tension load will lock the rim on the wheel, in
axial and radial alignment and registry relative to the rota-
tional axis of rim and wheel, by the full surface engagement of
the clamp lug leg portions with radially directed wheel felloe
surfaces and the elastic deformation of the clamp lugs and the
rim base edge portion relative to the substantially perpen-
dicular plane of the radially directed wheel felloe surfaces.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a combination of a tire
carrying rim seated and locked by a fastening assembly on a
wheel felloe according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the tire carrying rim of
Fig. 1 seated and locked by another form of fastening assembly
on another form of wheel felloe according to the invention;
Fig. 3 is a fragmentary outer view, taken substan-
tially as indicated on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of another form of tire
carrying rim seated and locked by the fastening assembly of Fig.
1 on the wheel felloe of Fig. 1 according to the invention;
Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the tire carrying rim of
Fig. 4 seated and locked by yet another form of fastening
assembly on yet another form of wheel felloe according to the
invention;
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Fig. 6 is a fragmentary outer view, taken substan-
tially as indicated on line 6-6 of Fig. S;
Fig. 7 is a sectional view of yet another form of tire
carrying rim seated and locked by the fastening assembly of Fig.
1 on a wheel felloe similar to Fig. 1 according to the invention;
Fig. 8 is a fragmentary plan view, taken substantially
as indicated on line 8-8 of Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is another sectional view of another form of
tire carrying rim seated and locked by ano~her form of fastening
assembly on a wheel felloe surface similar to Fig. 5 according
to the invention;
Fig. 9A is a detached fragmentary rear elevation on a
reduced scale, taken substantially as indicated on line 9A-9A of
Fig. 9;
Fig. 10 is a sectional view of yet another form of
tire carrying rim according to the invention;
Fig. 11 is another sectional view of yet another tire
carrying rim seated and locked as the outer dual by yet another
form of fastening assembly on yet another form of wheel felloe
according to the invention; and,
Fig. 12 is another sectional view of the tire carrying
rim of Fig. 11 seated and locked as the inner dual by yet another
form of fastening assembly on yet another form of wheel felloe
according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A wheel for use with a tire carrying rim according to
the invention is referred to generally by the numeral 20 or 120.
A tire carrying rim according to the invention is referred to
generally by the numeral 21. The fastening assemblies which are
tightened for seating and locking of a rim 21 are referred to
generally by the numeral 22 or 122.
10~743~8
In general, a wheel 20 for mounting a tire carrying
rim 21 has a plurality of spaced-apart spoke members 23 extend-
ing radially from a conventional hub area (not shown) adapted
for attachment of the wheel to a vehicle axle (not shown). On a
wheel 20 for mounting dual inner and outer rims 21, the inner
. spoke members are indicated by 23(I) and the outer spoke members
by 23(0).
Each spoke member 23 terminates in a felloe, felly or
load-bearing portion referred to generally by the numeral 25.
On a wheel 20 for mounting dual rims 21, the inner felloes are
indicated by 25(I) and the outer felloes by 25~0).
Each wheel felloe 25 has a predetermined mounting
location indicated generally at 26 for the axially projecting
component of a fastening assembly 22. As shown, the axially
projecting component of a fastening assembly 22 is an elongated
stud 27 having an inner end with peripheral threads 28 for
mating engagement with bore threads 29. Alternatively, the
studs 27 may be attached to the felloe portions 25 as by a
conventional arc stud or capacitor-discharge welds.
As shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 7, wheels 2C for single or
inner dual rim mounting have felloe portions 25 or 25(I) with a
radially inclined surface 30 and an adjacent radially inwardly
directed surface 31. Each surface 31 has a mounting location 26
for the elongated stud 27 of a fastening assembly 22 and is
substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of a wheel
20.
As shown in Fig. 2, a wheel 20 for outer dual rim
mountinq may have a felloe portion 25(0) with a radially
inwardly directed surface 32. Each surface 32 has a mounting
location 26 for the elongated stud 27 of a fastening assembly 22
and is substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of a
wheel 20.
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iO7~3~
As shown in Fiqs. 5 and 9, wheels for outer dual rim
mounting may have a felloe portion 25(0) with spaced-apart
axially projecting wing portions 33 providing outwardly facing
dual axially oriented surfaces 34 extending transversely of a
radially directed surface 35. Each surface 35 extends inwardly
between the axially oriented surfaces 34 substantially perpen-
dicular to the rotational axis of a wheel 20 and has a mounting
location 26 for the elongated stud 27 of a fastening assembly
22.
As shown in Figs. 1-9, 11 and 12, a tire carrying rim
21 has a fixed bead flange (not shown) and a removable bead
flange 36 for seating the beads (not shown) of a tire in a
conventional manner. As shown in Figs. 1-9, the removable bead
flange 36 may have a transversely split lock ring 37~ In all
embodiments of a rim 21, the removable bead flange 36 is carried
by an annular rim base edge portion 38.
The rim base edge portion 38 has a radially inclined
axially inner surface 39 intersecting an axially oriented
radially inner surface 40 intersecting a radially directed
axially outer surface 41. As shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 7, the
radially inwardly facing rim surface 39 may conform to and be
seated on the radially outer surfaces 30 on a felloe portion 25
or 25(I). Or, as shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 9, the rim surface 39
may conform to and be seated on radially outer surfaces on stud
supported clamp elements of the fastening assemblies 22.
A rim base edge portion 38 has securely attached or
connected thereto, as by a weld 44, clamp lugs referred to
generally by the numeral 45. The radially inwardly directed leg
portion 46 of each clamp lug 45 is substantially perpendicular
to the rotational axis of a rim 21 and has a bore 47 for receiv-
ing the axially projecting component 27 of a fastening assembly
22 or 122.
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1074368
A clamp lug 45 may have an axially oriented surface 50
intersecting a radially directed surface 51, securely attached
to the conforming surfaces 40 and 41 on the rim base edge portion
38, as by welds 44. As shown in Figs. 1-3, a clamp lug 45 may
have axially extending wing or side portions 52 for guiding
movement of a rim 21 during mounting on a felloe portion 25.
As shown in Figs. 1, 4, 7 and 8, the fastening
assembly 22 has a rotatable nut 53 carried on the stud 27 for
locking the clamp lugs 45 on the felloe portions 25 or 25(I).
As shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 7, the radially inwardly
directed leg portion 46 of a clamp lug 45 is in mating or full
surface engagement with a radially inwardly directed felloe
surface 31.
As shown in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the clamp lugs 45 are
locked on the felloe portions 25(0) by a fastening assembly
comprising an elongated stud 27, a rotatable nut 53 and a clamp
element 54. A clamp element 54 has a bore 55 for receiving the
stud 27. Although not shown, a clamp element 54 may also have an
axially inwardly directed lower leg portion, substantially
equivalent to the element identified by the numeral 68 on the
clamp element 64 as shown in Fig. 9, for mating engagement
against a clamp lug lower leg portion 46. As shown in Figs. 5
and 6, a clamp element 54 may also have lateral wing portions 56
providing downwardly facing dual axially oriented surfaces 57
for seating on conforming wheel felloe surfaces 34. As shown in
Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6, the radially outer portion of a clamp
element 54 has a radially inclined surface 58 for mating engage-
ment with a conforming rim base edge portion surface 39.
Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, a clamp lug 45 may be
formed with lateral boss or side portions 59 extending radially
outwardly of an axially extending surface 60. The clamp lug 45
~11-
iO743~;8
is attached to the rim base edge portion 38 by positioning a lug
surface 60 against a conforming rim surface 40 and thereafter
securing the lug boss portions 5g to a conforming rim surface
41, as by welds 44.
Referring to Fig. 9, a clamp lug 45 having in cross
section a generally rectangular shape is secured, as by a weld
44, to a conforming rim surface 41. As shown, the clamp lug leg
portion 46 is locked against the surface 35 on a felloe portion
25 or 25(0) by a fastening assembly comprising an elongated stud
27, a clamp element 64 and a rotatable nut 53. A clamp element
64 has a bore 65 for receiving the stud 27. A clamp element 64
also has lateral wing portions 66 providing downwardly facing
dual axially oriented surfaces 67 for seating on conforming
wheel felloe surfaces 34. A clamp element 64 also preferably
has an axially inwardly directed lower leg portion 68 for mating
engagement against a clamp lug leg portion 46. The radially
outer portion of a clamp element 64 has a radially inclined
surface 69 intersecting an axially oriented surface 70 for
mating engagement with conforming rim base edge portion surfaces
39 and 40.
Referring to Fig. 10, a clamp lug 45 according to the
invention may be used on a rim 21 having a radially inwardly
projecting flange 75 terminating in a rim base portion 78. The
base portion 78 has a radially inclined axially inner surface 79
intersecting an axially oriented radially inner surface 80
intersecting a radially directed axially outer surface 81. The
radially inclined inwardly facing surface 79 may conform to and
be seated on a conforming surface of a felloe portion 25(I) or
25. Al~ernatively, the rim surface 79 may conform to and be
seated on a radially inclined surface on a stud supported clamp
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1074368
element of a fastening assembly 22. A clamp lug 45 having an
axially oriented surface 50 intersecting a radially directed
surface 51 is securely attached to the conforming surfaces 80
and 81 on the rim base portion 78, as by welds 44.
Referring to Figs. 11 and 12, tire carrying rims 21
may be dual mounted on a vehicle wheel referred to generally by
the numeral 120 using fastening assemblies referred to generally
by the numeral 122.
As shown, a clamp lug 45 having in cross section a
generally rectangular shape is secured, as by a weld 44, to an
axially outer radially directed rim surface 41. The axially
oriented rim surfaces 40 are in mating engagement with axially
oriented surfaces on the felloe of a wheel 120.
A wheel 120 has a plurality of spoke members 123
extending radially from a conventional hub area (not shown)
adapted for attachment of a wheel 120 to a vehicle axle (not
shown).
Each spoke member 123 terminates in a felloe portion
referred to generally by the numeral 125. The inner felloes are
indicated by 125(I) and the outer felloes are indicated by
125(0).
Each felloe portion 125 has a predetermined mounting
location indicated generally at 126 for the axially projecting
component of a fastening means or assembly 122. As shown, the
a~ially projecting component attached to the felloe portion 125
at a mounting location 126 is an elongated stud 127 having an
inner end with peripheral threads 128 for mating engagement with
bore threads 129. Alternatively, the studs 127 may be attached
to the felloe portions 125 at a mounting location 126 as by a
conventional arc stud or capacitor-discharge welds.
1074;~8
The wheel felloe portions 125(I) have outwardly facing
dual axially oriented surfaces 135 extending substantially
parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel 12Q. Each surface
135 intersects a radially inclined surface 136, extending
outwardly away from a surface 135 at a suitable angle. A
radially directed surface 137 extends inwardly away from and
between each surface 135, preferably substantially perpendicular
to the rotational axis of the wheel 120. Each surface 137 has a
mounting location 126 for the axially projecting component 127
of a fastening means 122.
The wheel felloe portions 125(0) have dual axially
oriented surfaces 138 extending substantially parallel to the
rotational axis of the wheel. Each surface 138 intersects a
radially directed surface 139. A surface 139 is oriented
transversely to and between the surfaces 138, preferably
substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the wheel
20. Each sueface 139 has a mounting location 126 for the axially
projecting component of a fastening assembly 122. Each wheel
felloe portion 125(0) has spaced-apart axially projecting wing
portions 141 providing for outwardly facing dual axially
oriented surfaces 138.
The axially oriented surfaces 135 and 138 on each
spoke member 123 have the same or identical diameter as measured
from the rotational axis of the wheel 120.
A dual rim wheel 120 preferably has ten alternating
spoke members 123 with an axially spaced-apart and staggered
relation to an adjacent spoke member~
The inner and outer spoke members 123 may be intercon-
nected by web members 143.
iV7~3~
The fastening assemblies 122 for locking the inner rim
21 on the felloe portions 25(I), with the rim surface 40 in
mating engagement with the axially oriented felloe surfaces 135
and the clamp lug leg portions 46 in mating or full surface
engagement with the radially directed felloe surfaces 137, have
a rotatable nut 153 carried on the stud 127.
The fastening assemblies 122 for locking the outer rim
21 on the felloe portions 125(0), with the rim surface 40 in
mating engagement with the axially oriented felloe surfaces 138
and the clamp lug leg portions 46 in mating or full surface
engagement with the radially directed felloe surfaces 139,
include an elongated stud 127, a rotatable nut 153 and a clamp
element 154. A clamp element 154 has a bore 155 for receiving
the stud 127. Although not shown, a clamp element 154 may also
have an axially inwardly directed lower leg portion, substan-
tially equivalent to the element identified by the numeral 68 on
the clamp element 64 as shown in Fig. 9, for mating engagement
against a clamp lug lower leg portion 46. A clamp element 154
may also have lateral wing portions 156 providing for downwardly
facing dual axially oriented surfaces 157 for seating on
conforming wheel felloe surfaces 138. The radially outer
portion of a clamp element has a radially inclined surface 158
for mating engagement with a conforming rim surface 39.
The clamp lugs 45 may be a series of individual
elements. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 9A, a clamp lug 45 may
be an annular or substantially circumferentially continuous
element having the radially inwardly projecting leg portions 46
therein at spaced intervals.
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1074368
In all embodiments of a rim 21, as disclosed herein,
the axially oriented rim base surfaces 40 or 80 extend substan-
tially parallel to the rotational axis of the rim and the
radially inclined rim base surfaces 39 or 79 extend outwardly
away from a surface 40 or 80 at a suitable angle to provide a
conical surface for mating engagement with either surface 30 on
a wheel felloe portion 25 or 25(I) or a surface 58, 69 or 158 on
a clamp element 54, 64 or 154.
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