Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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 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 regula-
tions seek longer tire life and complete safety in operation,even under the most severe of vehicle operating conditions. 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.
Heretofore, the spoked wheel structure of a tire-rim-
wheel assembly has been regarded primarily as a load carr~ing
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, fas-
tening 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
conscientious mechanic, the prior art rim mounting techniques
would not deteriorate, hinder or impair the performance char-
acteristics of the tires. However, environmental or extrinsic
factors such as warpage, deformation or damage to the rim and
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spacer or wear of the fastening assemblies could lead to
relative displacement or non-alignment of the assembly com-
ponents 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.
This application provides the art with various em-
bodiments of base flanged rims and fastening assemblies there-
for which, when used with the wheel adapted thereto, positively
control and reduce lateral (axial) and radial runout, resist
rim warpage and deformation, restrict or lock out the possi-
bility of rim rotation relative to the wheel and provide better
balance for the tire-rim-wheel assembly during vehicle opera-
tion.
This application also provldes the art with complete
interchangeability of a particular rim embodiment with either
a single or dual wheel adapted thereto. So long as the wheels
and a particular rim embodiment are matched according to the
subject matter disclosure, a rim can be used as either a single
or inner or outer dual.
It has now been found that improved results can be
achieved without the use of radially inclined wheel felloe
surfaces while maintaining the advantages of complete rim
interchangeability, for use as either a single or inner or outer
dual. This improved subject matter concept permits the use of
a lighter weight, less expensive wheel and is thought to be
particularly efficient or effective when relatively light
mounting flanges attached to the rim base ed~e portion are
piloted by axially oriented wheel felloe surfaces or axially
oriented fastening assembly surfaces during tightening of the
fastening assemblies and mating engagement with mounting sur-
faces. As a result, this application discloses various embodi-
ments of middle range tire-rim-wheel assemblies useful in light
or medium duty vehicle application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the invention is to provide an improved
combination of at least one tire carrying rim seated and locked
by fastening assemblies on a vehicle wheel.
It is a further object of the invention to provide
tire carrying rims, interchangeable for use as a single or inner
or outer dual, having base attached mounting flanges or adap-
tors seated or locked on wheels adapted thereto having din~en-
sioned felloe surfaces and by coacting fastening assemblies.
It is a further object of the invention to provide
interchangeable base flanged tire carrying rims which can be
seated and locked by fastening assemblies on a vehicie wheel
without the use of radially inclined wheel felloe surfaces.
These and other objects of the invention, as well as
the advantages thereof, will be apparent in view of the detailed
description thereof as set forth below.
The wheel spoke members have felloes comprising a
radially inwardly directed surface substantially perpendicular
to the rotational axis of the wheel and providing a mounting
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location for an axially projecting component of the fastening
assemblies. The inner dual wheel spoke members also have
felloes with a radially outer axially oriented surface for
piloting of conforming clamp lug lateral surfaces.
The outer dual spoke members also may have a felloe
with a radially inner axially oriented lateral surface for
piloting of conforming fastening assembly clamp element sur-
faces. The outer dual spoke members may have spaced-apart
axially projecting wing portions providing for a pair of
axially oriented felloe surfaces.
The tire carrying rims have radially outwardly pro-
jecting bead flanges and radially inwardly projecting mounting
flanges. Each mounting flange has a radially outer portion
integrally attached to a con~orming annular sura~e on a base
portion of the rim between the bead flanges. Each mounting
flange further has a medial portion comprising a radially
inclined axially inner surface intersecting an axially ori-
ented radially inner surface. Each mounting flange still
further has a radially inwardly directed terminal or leg
portion adjacent an axially oriented surface and oriented
substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of the rim
having a bore therein for receiving the axially pro~ecting
component of the fastening assemblies.
Each mounting flange leg portion has a bore with an
effective diameter greater than the effective diameter of the
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axially projecting componen'c OL the fastening assembliesO
The fastening assemblies for use in mounting a tire
carrying rim on an inner dual wheel comprise an axially pro-
jecting component and a rotatable nut carried thereon for
bearing engagement against the axially outer face of a clamp lug
leg portion.
The fastening assemblies for use in mounting a tire
carrying rim on an outer dual wheel comprise an axially pro-
jecting component and a clamp element and a rotatable nut
carried thereon. Each clamp element has a bore therein for
receiving the axially projecting component of the fasteningassemblies. The clamp element bore has an effective diameter
greater than the effective diameter of the axic!lly projecting
component. ~ -
The clamp element of one embodiment has dual concen-
tric and segmental axially movable axially oriented surfaces
and parallel axially movable radially directed surfaces.
The clamp element of another embodiment has lateral
wing portions with a segmental radially outer axially oriented
surface and providing for radially inwardly facing dual axially
oriented surfaces. This clamp element embodiment also has
parallel axially movable radially directed surfaces~
In general, the tire carrying rims are seated on, and
thereafter locked on, a wheel by initial and final tightening
of the fastening assemblies against each clamp lug leg portion.
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Initial tightening of the ~astening assemblies will
seat the axially oriented mounting flange surfaces on each rim
in concentric radial registry with conforming axially oriented
surfaces.
Final tightening of the fastening assemblies to apply
a load will lock the rim on the wheel, in lateral (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.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a sectional view oE one embodiment of a dual
wheel with interchangeable inner and outer tire carrying rims
and fastening assemblies according to the invention;
Fig. 2 is a plan view of a mounting flange used on the
; rims of Fig~ l;
Fig. 3 is a plan view of a clamp element used in the
fastening assemblies of Fig. l;
Fig. 4 is a sectional view of another embodiment of
a dual wheel with interchangeable lnner and outer tire carrying
rims and fastening assemblies according to the invention
Fig. 5 is a plan view taken substantially as indicated
on line 5-5 of Fig. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Figs. 1-3 Embodiment
In the Figs. 1-3 embodiment, a wheel is indicated
generally by the numeral 120, the dual inner and outer carrying
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rims are indicated generally by the numeral 121, the inner rim
fastening assemblies are indicated generally by the numeral 22
and the outer rim fastening assemblies are indicated generally
by the numeral 122.
A dual wheel 120 has a plurality of alternating inner
and outer spoke members, 123(I) and 123(0), with an axially
spaced-apart and staggered relation to an adjacent spoke mem-
ber. Each spoke member extendsradially from a conventional hub
area 124 and terminates in a ~elloe portion. The inner felloes
are referred to generally by the numeral 125(I); the outer
felloes are referred to generally by the numeral 125(0).
Each wheel felloe 125(I) and 125(0) has a predeter-
mined mounting location indicated generally at 26 for the
axially projecting component of a fastening assembly 22 or 122.
As shown, the axially projecting component of a fastening
assembly 22 or 122 is a stud 27 having an inner end with
peripheral threads 28 for mating engagement with bore threads
29. Alternatively, the studs 27 may be attached at the mounting
locations 26, as by conventional arc stud or ^apacitor dis-
charge welds.
Each inner felloe 125(I) on a dual wheel 120 comprisesa radially outer axially oriented surface 131 and an adjacent
radially inwardly directed surface 132. Each surface 131 is
substantially parallel to the rotational axis of a wheel 120.
Each surface 132 has a mounting location 26 for the axially
projecting component of a fastening assembly 22 and is substan-
tially perpendicular to the rotational axis of a wheel 120.
Each Eelloe 125(I) is preferably interconnected with an ad-
jacent outer felloe 125(0) by web portions 133 which may be
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extended radially toward the hub area 124 of a wheel 120 for
purposes of styling or aesthetic design or improving mechanical
strength.
Each outer felloe 125(0) on a dual wheel 120 compeises
a radially inwardly directed surface 137 and an adjacent
radially inner axially oriented lateral surface 138. Each
surface 137 is preferably coterminous with the axially outer
face of the web portions 133, has a mounting locativn 26 Eor the
axially projecting component of a fastening assembly 122 and is
substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of a wheel
120. Each lateral surface 138 is substantially parallel to the
rotatational axis of a wheel 120.
As shown, a tire carryin~ rim 121 has dual bead
flanges 45 and 46 for seating the beads (not shown) of a tire
in a conventional manner. The bead flanges are radially
outwardly directed from an annular rim base or medial portion
47. The medial rim base portion has a conforming annular
sur~ace 48 for integral attachment thereto, as by welds 49, of
~ he radially outer or end portion o~ a plurality of radially
inwardly projecting mounting or adaptor flanges referred to
generally by the numeral 150. :
Each mounting flange 150 has a medial or body portion
comprising a radially inclined axially inner surface 151 in-
tersecting an axially oriented radially inner surface 152.
Each mounting flange 150 also has a radially inwardly
; directed terminal or leg portion 153 adjacent an axially
oriented surface 152. Each flange portion 153 is oriented
substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of a rim 121
and has a bore 154 therein for receiving the axially projecting
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component of a lastening assembly 22 or 122. Each bore lS4 has
an effective diameter greater or larger than the effective
diameter of the axially projecting component of a fastening
assembly 22 or 122.
The fastening assemblies 22 have a rotatable nut 59
carried on the stud 27 for use in mounting a rim 121 on the wheel
felloes 125(I). When the rim mounting flanges 150 are seated
and locked on the felloes 125(I), after tightening of the
rotatable nuts S9 against the leg portions 153, the axially
oriented surfaces 152 will be in mating engagement with the
felloe surfaces 131 and the leg portions 153 will be in mating
engagement with the radially inwardly directed felloe surfaces
l32.
The fastening assemblies 122 have a rotatable nut 59
and an axially movable clamp element, referred to generally by
the numeral 160, carried on the stud 27 for use in mounting a
rim 121 on the wheel felloes 125(0). A clamp element 160 has
a bore 161 for receiving the stud 27. Each bore 161 has an
effective diameter greater or larger than the effective dia-
: 20 meter of the stud 27.
A clamp element 160 has dual concentric and segmentaJ.
axially movable surfaces; a radially outer axially oriented
surface 163 and a radially inner axially oriented surface 164.
Both surfaces 163 and 164 are substantially parallel to the
rotational axis of a wheel 120 or rim 121. A clamp element 160
also has dual and parallel axially movable surfaces; an axially
inner radially directed surface 165 and an ax.ially outer
radially directed surface 166. Both surfaces 165 and 166 are
substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of a wheel
120 or rim 121.
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When the mounting flanges 150 are seated and locked
on the felloes 125(0), after tightening of the rotatable nuts
59 against the clamp element surfaces 166, the clamp element
surfaces 165 will be in mating engagement with the leg portions
153, the clamp element surfaces 164 will be in mating engagement
with the wheel felloe surfaces 138, and the clamp element
surfaces 1~3 will be in mating engagement with the axially
oriented surfaces 152.
As shown, ihe wheel 120 is a dual wheel for mounting
interchangeable inner and outer rims 121. However, the inner
felloes 125(I) could be embodied in a single wheel for mounting
a single rim 121 using the Eastening assemblies 22.
As shown, the mounting flanges 150 are a series of
individual elements. Alternatively, a mounting flange 150 may
be an annular or substantially circumferentially continuous
element having the radially inwardly projecting leg portions
153 thereon at spaced intervals conforming to the location of
the fastening assemblies 22 or 122.
Figs. 4 ~ 5 Embodiment
In the Figs. 4 & 5 embodiment, a wheel is indicated
generally by the numeral 220, the dual inner and outer carrying
rims are indicated generally by the numeral 121, the inner rim
fastening assemblies are indicated generally by the numeral 22
and the outer rim fastening assemblies are indicated generally
by the numeral 222.
A dual wheel 220 has a plurality of alternating inner
and outer spoke members, 123(I) and 223(0), with an axially
spaced-apart and staggered relation to an adjacent spoke mem-
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ber. Each spoke member extends radially from a conventional hub
area 124 and terminates in a felloe portion. The inner felloes
are referred to generally by the numeral 125(I); the outer
felloes are referred to generally by the numeral 225(0).
Each wheel felloe 125(I) and 225(0) has a predeter-
mined mounting location indicated generally at 26 for the
axially projecting component of a fastening assembly 22 or 222.
As shown, the axially projecting component of a fastening
assembly 22 or 222 is a stud 27 having an inner end with
peripheral threads 28 for mating engagement with bore threads
29. Alternatively, the studs 27 may be attached at the mounting
locations 26, as by conventional arc stud or capacitor dis-
charge welds.
Each inner felloe 125(I) on a dual wheel 220 comprises
a radialy outer axially oriented surface 131 and an adjacent
radially inwardly directed surface 132. Each surface 131 is
substantially parallel to the rotational axis of a wheel 220.
Each surface 132 has a mounting location 26 for the axially
projecting component of a fastening assembly 22 and is sub-
stantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of a wheel 220.
Each felloe 125(I) is preferably interconnected with an ad-
jacent outer felloe 225(0) by web portions 133 which may be
extended radially toward the hub area 124 of a wheel 220 for
purposes of styling or aesthetic design or improving mechanical
strength.
Each outer felloe 225(0) on a dual wheel 220 has
spaced-apart axially projecting wing portions 23~. The axial
wing portions 234 provide for a pair of axially oriented
surfaces 235. The wing portions 234 may be extended radially
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toward the hub area 124 o~ a wheel 220 for purposes of styling
or aesthetic design or improving mechanical strength. Each
surface 235 is substantially parallel to the rotational axis of
a wheel 220.
Each felloe 225(0) also has a radially inwardly
directed surface 237 extending transversely of and between the
pair of axially oriented surfaces 235. Each surface 237 is
preferably coterminous with the axially outer face of the web
portions 133, has a mounting location 26 for the axially pro-
jecting component of a fastening assembly 222 and is substan-
tially perpendicular to the rotational axis of a wheel 220.
Fig. 4 shows dual rims 121, as more fully described,
supra, with reference to Fig. 1.
The fastening assemblies 222 have a rotatable nut 5
and an axially movable, generally T-shaped clamp element,
referred to generally by the numeral 260, carried on the stud
27 for use in mounting a rim 221 on the wheel felloes 225(0).
A clamp element 260 has a bore 261 for receivin~ the stud 27.
Each bore 261 has an effective diameter greater or larger than
the effective diameter of the stud 27.
A clamp element 260 also has lateral wing portions
262, with a radially outer axially oriented surface 263, and
providing for radially inwardly facing dual axially oriented
surfaces 264. The three axially movable surfaces 263 and 264
are concentic and segmental and substantially parallel to the
rotational axis of a wheel 220 or rim 221. A clamp element 260
also has dual and parallel axially movable surfaces; an axially
inner radially directed surface 265 and an axially outer
radially directed surface 266. Both surfaces 265 and 266 are
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substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis of a wheel
220 or rim 221.
When the mounting flanges 150 are seated and locked
on the felloes 225(0), after tightening of the rotatable nuts
59 against the clamp element surfaces 266, the clamp element
surfaces 265 will be in mating engagement with the leg portions
153, the clamp element surfaces 264 will be in mating engagement
with the wheel felloe surfaces 235, and the clamp lug surfaces
263 will be in mating engagement with the axially oriented
surfaces 152.
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