Abstract:
An improved wheel construction includes a disc and a rim secured together and which define a radially inwardly facing circumferential cavity in the wheel. In accordance with the present invention, a filler material is disposed in a substantial portion of the cavity to prevent road material or other debris from accumulating in the cavity and causing an out-of-balance wheel condition.
Abstract:
A full face fabricated euroflange vehicle wheel comprises a full face wheel disc defining an axis and having an outer end and a wheel rim having an outer end joined to the outer end of the wheel disc by at least one weld to produce the full face fabricated euroflange vehicle wheel. The full face fabricated euroflange vehicle wheel includes only a generally radially outwardly extending outer end formed by a combination of at least a portion of two of the outer end of the wheel disc, the outer end of the wheel rim and the at least one weld.
Abstract:
A full face fabricated euroflange vehicle wheel comprises a full face wheel disc defining an axis and formed from a suitable material, the wheel disc having an outer end; and a wheel rim formed from a suitable material and having an outer end joined to the outer end of the wheel disc by at least one weld to produce the fabricated euroflange vehicle wheel; wherein the fabricated euroflange vehicle wheel includes only a generally radially outwardly extending outer end formed by a combination of at least a portion of two of the outer end of the wheel disc, the outer end of the wheel rim and the at least one weld.
Abstract:
An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a disc, a first wheel cover and a second wheel cover. The disc defines an outboard facing wheel surface and includes an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard tire bead seat retaining flange includes an inner surface having a circumferential, radially outwardly facing groove formed therein. The first wheel cover is secured to the disc and covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface. The second wheel cover is secured to the disc and covers at least the entire portion of the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The second wheel cover includes an inner portion which extends into the groove when the second wheel cover is secured to the disc. When the first wheel cover and the second wheel cover are secured to the disc, the first wheel cover and the second wheel cover do not interfere with the attachment of a balance weight to the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the disc.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an improved full face vehicle wheel including a wheel rim joined to a wheel disc. The wheel rim defines an axis and includes an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, an axially extending well, and an outboard tire bead seat. The outboard tire bead seat of the wheel rim terminates at an endmost surface. The wheel disc includes a body having a centrally located wheel mounting surface and an outer annular portion. The outer annular portion of the wheel disc defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the full face wheel. The outer annular portion of the wheel disc includes a protuberance formed therein. The protuberance defines a generally radially extending non-flat outer surface and a generally radially extending inner surface. The inner surface of the protuberance defines a fit-up surface for receiving the endmost surface of the wheel rim and a weld to join the wheel disc to the wheel rim. The protuberance in the outer flange of the wheel disc is effective to improve the styling of the full face wheel.
Abstract:
A full face fabricated euroflange vehicle wheel comprises a full face wheel disc defining an axis and formed from a suitable material, the wheel disc having an outer end; and a wheel rim formed from a suitable material and having an outer end joined to the outer end of the wheel disc by at least one weld to produce the fabricated euroflange vehicle wheel; wherein the fabricated euroflange vehicle wheel includes only a generally radially outwardly extending outer end formed by a combination of at least a portion of two of the outer end of the wheel disc the outer end of the wheel rim and the at least one weld.
Abstract:
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a wheel cover and a vehicle wheel including such a wheel cover. The method for producing the vehicle wheel cover comprises the steps of: (a) providing a tooling fixture including at least a first tooling member and a second tooling member; (b) providing a wheel cover having at least a preformed outer end; (c) positioning the wheel cover onto the tooling fixture wherein the wheel cover is supported on the first tooling member and spaced apart from the second tooling member; (d) actuating the tooling fixture whereby the second tooling member is operative to engage and reshape the outer end of the wheel cover to produce a desired outer end shape; and (e) removing the wheel cover from the tooling fixture.
Abstract:
This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel. According to one embodiment of the invention, the vehicle wheel includes a wheel rim having a plurality of holes formed therein; a wheel disc having a central mounting surface and a plurality of outwardly extending spokes, each of the spokes having at least one hole formed therein; at least one rim to disc interface area provided along each of the spokes wherein some portion of a surface of the rim and some portion of a surface of the spoke contact one another; and at least one fastener extending through the holes of the rim and the spokes to secure the rim and disc together; wherein the mounting surface includes a section which extends between each pair of the spokes, the section including a first wall and a second wall, the first wall extending generally radially outwardly at an angle in the range from about 5 degrees to about 85 degrees with respect to the back wall of the mounting surface, the second wall extending at an angle in the range from about 0 degrees to about 30 degrees with respect to the back wall of the mounting surface.
Abstract:
An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same wherein the wheel includes a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The flange includes an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein. The groove is defined by a generally axially extending first surface and a second surface angled relative to the first surface. The wheel further includes a wheel cover covering at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface. The cover includes an outer annular lip which extends into the groove and is positioned adjacent the first surface. The groove and the lip have a configuration which enables the lip to spring outwardly into the groove when the cover is pressed on the disc. The method for producing the vehicle wheel includes the the steps of: (a) providing a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange, the outboard bead seat retaining flange including an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein, the groove defining an inner diameter; (b) providing a wheel cover including an outer annular lip which defines an outer diameter which generally corresponds to the inner diameter of the groove; and (c) moving the disc and the cover toward one another whereby the wheel cover initials deflects inwardly and then expands outwardly into the groove to secure the wheel cover to the disc.
Abstract:
An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a vehicle wheel having a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard bead seat retaining flange includes an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having a circumferential, radially outwardly facing groove formed therein. The vehicle wheel further includes a wheel cover which covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion of the outer peripheral end of the outboard bead seat retaining flange. The wheel cover includes an inner cover surface and an outer annular lip which extends into the groove when the wheel cover is installed on the disc. The method for producing the vehicle wheel includes the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle wheel including a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange, the outboard bead seat retaining flange including an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having a circumferential, radially outwardly facing groove formed therein; (b) providing a wheel cover defining an inner cover surface and an outer cover surface, the wheel cover including an outer annular lip; (c) applying an adhesive to one of the outboard facing wheel surface and the inner cover surface; (d) supporting the wheel and the cover in coaxial relationship relative to one another; (e) selectively moving the wheel and the cover toward one another to enable the adhesive to secure the wheel and the cover together; and (f) subjecting the outer annular lip of the wheel cover to an operation to deform the outer annular lip and cause the outer annular lip to be received into the groove whereby the wheel cover covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion of the outer peripheral end of the outboard bead seat retaining flange.