Abstract:
The presently claimed invention relates to a road wheel comprising a mounting disc, a dish-shaped transitional wall having an outer edge, a rim with an annular cylindrical wall attached along a first rim edge to the outer edge of the transitional wall, and a stiffening flange attached to the rim along a second rim edge opposite the first rim edge wherein the flange provides radial support to the second rim edge of the cylindrical wall to resist deflection.
Abstract:
A dual wheel assembly for a vehicle having a common hub adapter. The assembly includes an inner wheel having an inner rim; an outer wheel having an outer rim; and a hub portion having a central cylindrical portion disposed between first and second end face portions, wherein the inner rim is mounted to the first end portion, and the outer rim is mounted to the second end face portion. The assembly may further include radially spaced apart holes disposed on the central cylindrical portion, wherein the spaced apart holes have end openings on opposite sides thereof and first and second fasteners extending in opposite directions in an alternating arrangement from the first and second end portions of the hub portion. Each of the first fasteners extends through an end opening of a spaced apart hole and the inner rim, and each of the second fasteners extends through an end opening of a spaced apart hole and the outer rim.
Abstract:
A central tire inflation system. The system includes a central tire inflation valve and a hub bore manifold. The hub bore manifold is connected to and surrounds the central tire inflation valve. The hub bore manifold defines first and second air passageways which are in communication with the central tire inflation valve. The hub bore manifold is configured for removable connection to a hub of a vehicle and is also configured to fit within a central opening of a wheel of the vehicle.
Abstract:
A tire insert attachment apparatus includes a pin attached to a first part of the insert and extending into a second part of the insert to engage an actuator that draws the bolt into the second part. The actuator includes a tool engagement head that transmits rotational motion of a tool to a translator via a converter, the converter transforming the rotational motion of the head into linear motion imparted on the translator. The translator can be a rack and pinion setup or can be a thread arrangement. Preferably, the head rotates a worm, which rotates a pinion that has threads formed on an inner surface and engaging mating threads on the pin, the pin taking the form of a bolt, such as an eyebolt.
Abstract:
This invention describes a system to maintain equal pressure in a pair of dual tires, and also incorporates a valve mechanism that will prevent one dual wheel tire from going flat in the event the other dual wheel tire experiences a rapid air loss. Dual wheels are typically mounted on the vehicle hub with both wheel disc faces in direct contact with each other. To ensure equal pressure in both tires, this invention has air passageways machined into the wheels such that the air passageways meet at the interface between the wheels where the wheel disc faces are in direct contact. These junctions are sealed by a rubber seal or gasket. Both tires can then be inflated or deflated simultaneously through a standard air valve located on either wheel. Where a dual wheel arrangement requires the use of an intermediate piece between the dual wheels, air passageways can connect the two-piece wheels via intermediate air passageways going through the common intermediate piece. A dual pressure equalizing valve is connected to the air passageways and embedded into the wheels or intermediate piece.
Abstract:
This invention teaches a method of coating a vehicle wheel to increase wear resistance which, in its preferred embodiment, includes the steps of providing a vehicle wheel and applying a wear resistant coating between/intermediate a primer and a topcoat. The wear resistant coating is applied to at least the tire bead flange of the vehicle wheel but may be applied to any area of the wheel. It is advantageously comprised of a MIL-P-53022B Type II lead and chromate free, corrosion inhibiting epoxy primer with an addition of 3% polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and is formulated in such a manner so as to allow “wet on wet” application over a cured MIL-P-53084 primer. This application method improves adhesion through surface to surface covalent reaction between the polymerization of polyurethane top coat and the polymerization of intermediate epoxy polyamide wear resistant coating. The wear resistant coating is of particular use with vehicle wheels made from cast or forged aluminum, but may also be used by itself over steel wheels that have been pretreated to TT-C-490. It may also be used over anodized, electrocoated, or DOD-P-15328 wash primed aluminum as a standalone non CARC wear resistant coating.
Abstract:
This nut torque indicator cover includes a cover piece that is joined to an indicator piece. It is fastened to a nut/bolt assembly primarily by pressing it down onto and over the exposed threads of the bolt so that the indicator piece registers with the hex portion of the nut. A snap fit design is incorporated into the nut torque indicator cover such that the cover piece and indicator piece can rotate relative to each other. The cover piece fastens securely to the external threads of the bolt providing protection to the threads, while the indicator piece, secured by the hex flats of the nut, indicates the nut circumferential position, allowing an indication of any torque loss.
Abstract:
A fender for protecting support structures against shocks applied thereto, of an alongside fender type, comprising a rubber piece with appropriate profile adapted for absorbing the shocks and distributing them uniformly over the structure to be protected, which rubber piece is firmly secured by hot galvanization to a rubber frame whose radius is substantially equal to the radius of the structure to be protected, the assembly formed by the piece carried by a frame being fixed to the structure by fixing member integral with the latter, associated possibly with a fixing member integral with the piece and/or with the frame.