Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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MOUNTING ARRANGEMENT FOR INSTALLING AUXILIARY VEHICLE WHEELS
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation in part of U.S. serial no. 14/702,853 filed
on May 4,
2015 which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application no.
62/146,529 filed on
April 13, 2015.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This application concerns a mounting arrangement allowing one or more wheels
to be
added to a motor vehicle axle for achieving improved traction and support for
the vehicle weight
when being driven on unpaved surfaces.
It has long been realized that adding one or more auxiliary wheels to at least
two vehicle
axles will greatly improve mobility particularly when driving off road.
Various adapters and extensions have been devised to add such auxiliary
wheels, but
none of these have provided a practical and conveniently installed mounting of
such wheels.
Any mounting must provide adequate support for the auxiliary wheel and should
be
convenient to install in the field when extra traction and support is needed.
Some prior mounting arrangements are complex and require special wheel rims,
which
add substantially to the expense of adding auxiliary wheels.
In other mountings, the mounted wheels are spaced too close together allowing
mud to
become packed into the gap between the wheels, which must be removed
periodically.
Also, mountings for auxiliary wheels must not have any gaps or clearances
between the
moving components because the presence of such clearances may lead to
loosening of the
components over time. At the same time, some clearances are necessary in order
to be able to
easily assemble the components and connect them to an existing axle.
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The components themselves must also be sufficiently sturdy to adequately
support the
auxiliary wheels, but also should not be too heavy such as to make the vehicle
heavier and thus
affect the rate of fuel consumption of the vehicle.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a mounting arrangement for
adding
auxiliary wheels to trucks or other motor vehicles, which also provides
adequate support for any
auxiliary wheels.
It is an additional object to provide such mounting arrangement which allows
the use of
standard wheel rims and is easy and quick to install when needed.
It is a further object to provide such mounting arrangement for adding
auxiliary wheels
which eliminates any clearances which could cause looseness over time while
still allowing
assembly of the wheel to the mounting components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above recited objects and other objects which will be understood by those
skilled in
the art are achieved by a mounting arrangement including two or more generally
cylindrical
spacers detachably connected together.
An inner spacer closest to the axle has a series of counterbored holes
arranged about its
perimeter opening into an outer end of the inner spacer, a larger diameter
section of each hole is
aligned with a smaller diameter hole opening into the inside end of the inner
spacer. A series of
wheel mounting studs projecting from an existing member of a brake assembly
are inserted into
the small diameter hole to have their ends disposed in the larger diameter
hole sections. Lug nuts
are inserted into the larger diameter holes from the outer end of the inner
spacer and threaded
onto the studs and advanced to engage the tapered end of the large diameter
hole sections. The
inner spacer has a shoulder projecting through a central wheel rim opening,
with a lip extending
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around the rim opening compressed by tightening the lug nuts to seat the inner
spacer against the
wheel rim and brake assembly member to be deflected inwardly into tight
engagement with the
outside diameter of a shoulder on the inner spacer to eliminate any clearances
between the rim
and the inner spacer.
An outer spacer is detachably connected to the inner spacer, to either have
one end in
direct abutment with an inside spacer end or with the inner and outer spacers
separated and
connected together by a separate intermediate spacer. If intermediate spacer
is included, the
outer spacer has its inner end held in abutment with the outside end of the
intermediate spacer.
A counterbored opening is recessed into the inner side of the outer spacer
which slidably
receives a shoulder projecting from the outside end of the intermediate
spacer.
The inside end of the outer spacer abuts the outside end of the intermediate
spacer and is
tightly held in that position by an annular series of bolts received into
corresponding set of
counterbored holes extending into the outside end of the outer spacer and
received into
corresponding threaded holes in the outside end of the intermediate spacer.
A series of interspaced stud bolts are received in a corresponding set of
axial holes
extending out from the inner end of the outer spacer and project out from the
outer end of the
outer spacer.
A rim of an auxiliary wheel to be installed has a large central opening
defined by an
inwardly angled lip is received onto an outer reduced diameter shoulder at the
end of the outer
spacer. The wheel rim has a set of holes into which is received the outer
spacer stud bolts. Lug
nuts are threaded onto the stud bolts and compress the wheel rim lip against a
shoulder formed
by the reduced diameter shoulder on the outer spacer deforming the lip
inwardly and against the
outside diameter of the reduced diameter shoulder to eliminate any clearance
spaces.
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The separate intermediate spacer may be eliminated by incorporating a larger
outer
spacer in the mounting arrangement. The stud holes are then extended through
the longer outer
spacer, and the outer spacer is bolted directly to the inner spacer thereby
having ends in direct
abutment.
The outer stud and lug nut holes are aligned with each other in this
construction when the
inner and outer spacers are bolted together. The inner and outer spacers are
not joined together
when the mounting arrangement is initiated installation. The separated inner
spacer is first
installed on the studs projecting from the braking disc/hub assembly by lug
nuts inserted into
holes extending in from the outer end of the inner spacer, these holes large
enough to
accommodate a socket wrench to enable tightening of the lug nuts from the
outside end.
The outer spacer is then attached to the inner spacer after the studs for
mounting the
auxiliary wheel rim have been installed, inserted into holes extending out
from the inside end
thereof and press fit in smaller holes which engage the studs to hold the
threaded ends projecting
from having shanks outer end of the outer spacer, ready to receive the outer
wheel rim therein.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a pictorial rear view of a pickup truck having an auxiliary wheel
installed on
each rear axle using mounting arrangements according to the invention.
Figure 2 is a partially sectional view of the mounting arrangement according
to the
invention assembled to each rear axle with a pair of auxiliary wheel rims
installed thereon.
Figure 3 is an exploded pictorial view from the left of the components of the
mounting
arrangement and the two wheel rims to be installed shown in Figure 2.
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Figure 4 is an exploded pictorial view from the left of an original equipment
wheel and
some of the components of the mounting arrangement shown in Figures 2 and 3
associated
therewith.
Figure 5 is an enlarged exploded pictorial view from the left of an auxiliary
wheel to be
installed and the components of the arrangement shown in Figures 2 and 3
associated therewith.
Figure 6 is an exploded pictorial view of three spacer from the right included
in the
mounting arrangement according to the invention.
Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the partially
sectional view of
Figure 2 on the right side.
Figure 7A is an enlarged portion of Figure 7 showing optional anti-loosening
features for
the lug nuts.
Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the sectional view of
Figure 2 on
the left side.
Figure 9 is a partially exploded sectional view of another embodiment of an
auxiliary
wheel mounting arrangement according to the invention with a brake rotor and
hub assembly
normally attached thereto but shown separated therefrom in the Figure 9.
Figure 10 is a pictorial view of a mounting arrangement assembled to the brake
rotor and
hub assembly.
Figure 11 is an end view of the mounting arrangement shown in Figures 9 and
10.
Figure 12 is a pictorial view of an inner spacer included in the mounting
arrangement
shown in Figure 9.
Figure 13 is an end view of the inner spacer shown in Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a view of the section 14-14 taken in Figure 13.
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Figure 15 is a pictorial view of an outer spacer included in the mounting
arrangement
shown in Figure 9.
Figure 16 is an end view of the outer spacer shown in Figure 15.
Figure 17 is a view of the section 17-17 taken in Figure 16.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following detailed description, certain specific terminology will be
employed for
the sake of clarity and a particular embodiment described in accordance with
the requirements of
35 USC 112, but it is to be understood that the same is not intended to be
limiting and should not
be so construed inasmuch as the invention is capable of taking many forms and
variations within
the scope of the appended claims.
Referring to the Drawings, Figure 1 shows a pickup truck 10 in which an
auxiliary wheel
12 has been added on each side by means of a mounting arrangement 14 according
to the
invention.
Each auxiliary wheel 12 is located spaced outwardly spaced from the
preexisting original
equipment wheel 16 by the mounting arrangement 14.
The wheels 12, 16 are installed by attaching the standard rims 18, 20 of the
wheels 12, 16
to a respective mounting arrangement 14 as described in detail hereinafter.
Referring to Figure 2, each mounting arrangement 14 is here comprised of three
joined
together spacers, a first or inner spacer 22, a second or intermediate spacer
24 and a third or outer
spacer 26, each preferably made of aluminum and of a generally annular
cylindrical shape.
The inner spacer 22 is fixedly attached to an existing brake assembly member
28 by a set
of stud bolts 30 which each pass through one of the holes 32 arranged around
the wheel rim 20
(Figure 4) and thence through an annular array of aligned counterbored holes
34 in the inner
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spacer 22. Lug nuts 36 are accommodated by the larger diameter portion 34A of
counterbored
holes 34 aligned with stud bolt receiving hole portions 34B so as to allow a
socket wrench to be
used to tighten the lug nuts 36 against the tapered ends and secure the wheel
rim 20 in place by
being clamped between the right side of the inner spacer 22 and the left side
of a brake assembly
member 28.
As best seen in Figure 5, a large diameter opening 38 centered in the wheel
rim 20
(Figure 4) receives a reduced diameter shoulder 40 of inner spacer 22
projecting through the
opening 38. Clearances are provided to enable assembly together of the wheel
rim 20, inner
spacer 22 over the stud bolts 30, the inside diameter 23 and a shoulder 29 of
the brake assembly
rotor 28. However, these clearances could cause development of looseness in
the connections
over time as the wheels and the mounting spacers 22, 24, 26 are rotated at
high speed when the
vehicle is being driven.
The standard wheel rim 20 therefore is formed with an angled lip 42 formed
around the
opening 38, which is compressed by tightening of the lug nuts 36. This
tightening of the lug nuts
36 forces the lip 42 to be deflected inwardly to engage the shoulder 40
(Figure 6) and completely
eliminate any clearance to create a tight fit of the wheel rim 20 onto the
inner spacer 22.
This compressive loading also maintains high frictional forces preventing
loosening of
the lug nuts.
Optionally, spring washers 31 or set screws 33 (Figure 7A) can be used to
further secure
the lug nuts 36 (and other described herein) against loosening.
The intermediate spacer 24 is formed with a reduced diameter right side
shoulder 44
which is slidably received in the inside diameter of a left side counterbore
46 in the inner spacer
22 (Figure 2) to be centered thereon.
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The right end face 48 of the intermediate spacer 24 is held in abutment
against the left
end face 50 of the inner spacer 22 by a circular array of long bolts 52 each
received and passing
through holes 54 extending axially completely through the intermediate spacer
24, with the
threaded end of each bolt 52 advanced into a threaded hole 56 extending into
the outer side of the
inner spacer 22. The head 53 of each bolt 52 seats at the bottom of a
counterbore 54A of an
associated hole 54.
The outer spacer 26 has a recess 58 receiving therein a left side reduced
diameter
shoulder 60 with a sliding fit therebetween.
A right end face 62 of outer spacer 26 is held in abutment against a left end
face 64 of the
intermediate spacer 24 by a circular array of bolts 66 received in a
respective one of holes 68. A
counterbore 68A of each hole 68 accommodates the head of the bolt 66 received
therein with
sufficient clearance so as to allow tightening with a socket wrench (not
shown).
A circular array of stud bolts 70 are installed to extend through holes 22 in
outer spacer
26 with counterbores 72A accommodating the heads thereof. A press fit holds
the stud bolts 70
therein in the well known manner.
The stud bolts 70 project through the left end of the outer spacer 26 and
through
mounting holes 74 of a conventional rim 76 of the auxiliary wheel 16.
Lug nuts 78 installed on the lug bolts 70 draw the rim 76 tightly against a
left end 80 of
outer spacer 26, as best seen in Figure 8.
Outer spacer 26 has a reduced diameter shoulder 82 which slidably passes into
the center
hole 84 in the wheel rim 76.
The lug nuts 78 when tightened compress an angled lip 86 formed into the
perimeter of
the opening 84 (Figure 8) against the step formed by shoulder 82.
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The perimeter of the opening 84 has a radial clearance with shoulder 82 to
allow
assembly but upon tightening of the lug nuts 78 and inward deflection of the
lip 86 to engage the
shoulder 82, all clearance therebetween is eliminated so that a tight fit is
produced. This insures
that no looseness develops over time, while assembly and disassembly of the
wheel 12 is
facilitated by the clearances which exists prior to tightening of the lug nuts
70.
The interfit spacers 22, 24, 26 when bolted together end to end provide a very
sturdy
cantilevered support for the auxiliary wheel 12 forming a unitary structure
which will not loosen
over time.
The thick walls of the annular spacers allow the use of aluminum in their
construction to
lighten their weight to enable easy handling when being installed and to
reduce the rotating mass
and unspring weight.
Standard wheel rims are used to lower the cost of the installation while the
mounting
ensures adequate spacing between the original and auxiliary wheels to avoid
packing the space
with dirt and other debris.
The deflection of the wheel rim lips insures a tight fit onto the mating
spacers while
allowing ready assembly of the wheel rims to the spacer assembly thereby
provides achievement
of the objects of the invention recited above by the arrangement described.
Figures 9-17 show a second embodiment of the mounting arrangement 88 which is
mounted to a brake rotor 90 and hub assembly 92.
In this embodiment the separate intermediate spacer is omitted with an annular
inner
spacer 94 interfit to an annular outer spacer 96 by being fit over a shoulder
97 which are bolted
together with a series of long bolts 98 received in counterbores 100 and
threaded into aligned
threaded holes 102 in the inner spacer 94.
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Thus, the inner spacer 94 and outer spacer 96 are detachably connected
directly together
in direct contact with each other rather than by an intermediate spacer as
described above. The
outer spacer 96 is made longer than in the first described embodiment to
provide adequate
spacing to accommodate the auxiliary wheel (not shown).
The inner spacer 94 is also formed with counterbore holes 104 large enough to
receive
lug nuts 105 with sufficient clearance to accommodate a socket wrench to
enable advance or lug
nuts 106 onto studs 108 held on brake rotor 90 and hub 92 and projecting
through smaller hole
104 where the lug nut 106 is confined and advanced onto the stud bolt 108.
The outer spacer 96 has counterbored holes 100 which are sized to each accept
a stud bolt
112 with an aligned smaller diameter hole 114 allowing the body of a stud bolt
112 to pass out
the end of outer spacer 96 and through holes in a wheel (not shown) received
over shoulder 122
to enable securement thereon by a lug nut 112. The stud bolts 112 have splined
features on their
shanks press fit into the holes 114 to be held projecting out of outer spacer
96 as shown.
The inner spacer 94 has a shoulder 118 used to create a tight joint with the
wheel as
described above. The outer spacer 96 has a shoulder 120 on the right end as
shown in the
drawings which receives thereon left end of the inner spacer 94 in order to
align the two spacers
94, 96.
The outer spacer also has a shoulder 122 which creates a tight fit with
respect to the
auxiliary wheel rim (not shown), as described in connection with the first
embodiment 14.
