Howmet Aerospace Inc.

Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.

Douglas P Mason

Spencer Wallace

Mateusz Kowalski

Logan Klink

Thomas E Heck

Grant A DeGeorge

Gabriele F Ciccola

Romulo A Prieto

Michael C McGrath

John D Nitz

Garth Lawrence

David T Frankling

Rick Wyatt

Michael Cuevas

Kellen M Finn

Vehicle wheels and methods of making vehicle wheels are provided. A vehicle wheel comprises a generally annular first region, a second region, and a flange extension. The first region comprises an inner surface and an outer surface comprising a tire bead seat. The second region extends radially inwardly from the first region. The second region is configured to mount to a vehicle axle. The flange extension extends from the first region in a direction away from the second region. The flange extension comprises a first extension end integral with the first region, a second extension end, and an elongate portion intermediate the first extension end and the second extension end. The elongate portion comprising a first portion with a thickness less than a thickness of the second extension end.

Vehicle wheels and methods of making vehicle wheels

Wheel cover and wheel

Vehicle wheel hub cover

Wheel cover

Vehicle wheel cover

A vehicle wheel cover retention system includes a wheel defining an axis and includes a wheel rim and a wheel disc. The wheel disc has a generally radially outwardly extending retention groove formed in a generally axially extending portion of an inner mounting surface thereof. The cover includes an inner portion having a central opening. The inner portion is provided with at least one wheel cover retention member having at least one tab. A center cap is provided and includes at least one center cap retention member having at least one tab. The at least one tab of the at least one wheel cover retention member and the at least one tab of the center cap retention member are both received in the retention groove to secure both the wheel cover and the center cap to the wheel.

Vehicle wheel cover and vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same

This invention relates to a vehicle wheel cover retention system for securing a wheel cover to a vehicle wheel using an adhesive. According to one feature of the invention, the wheel cover has a portion which extends to a backside of a window, the portion having a lip formed thereon which is received in a cut provided on the backside of the window in order to retain the wheel cover in place on the wheel for a time sufficient to enable the adhesive to cure in order to permanently secure the wheel cover to the wheel. According to another feature of the invention, the wheel cover has an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface provided with a lip formed thereon which is received in a groove formed in an outboard face of the wheel in order to retain the wheel cover in place on the wheel for a time sufficient to enable the adhesive to cure in order to permanently secure the wheel cover to the wheel. According to yet another feature of the invention, the wheel cover has portion which covers a portion of a spoke of the wheel, the portion provided with at least one end which is provided with a lip which is received behind a rear surface of the spoke in order to retain the wheel cover in place on the wheel for a time sufficient to enable the adhesive to cure in order to permanently secure the wheel cover to the wheel.

Vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same

A process for casting or forging a wheel disc upon the end of a metal hoop. The metal hoop is then formed into a wheel rim. The rim and disc are machined to assure concentric tire bead seats.

Process for forming a vehicle wheel disc directly upon a vehicle wheel rim

A mold for casting a vehicle wheel includes a movable top core which cooperates with a base member to define a mold cavity. The mold also includes a plurality of movable segments mounted upon the top core. The movable segments define a central gate which communicates with the mold cavity. The central gate receives a charge of molten metal and feeds the charge into the mold cavity. A porous filter is disposed within the gate.

Vehicle wheel mold with a retractable ball cap

A one piece commercial highway vehicle wheel cast from a light weight metal in mold having a core insert which forms a circumferential lightener recess in the outboard end of the wheel.

Light weight cast wheel and apparatus for casting same

At least one bimetal tab is disposed in a groove between a wheel disc formed from a first metal and a wheel rim formed from a second metal which is different from the first metal. The bimetal tab is formed by roll bonding a layer of the first metal to a layer of the second metal. The first metal layer of the bimetal tab is adjacent to the wheel disc while the second metal layer of the tab is adjacent to the wheel disc. A spot weld which extends through the bimetal tab secures the wheel disc to the wheel rim.

Bimetal vehicle wheel with bimetal transition insert

Growing community of inventors

Livonia, MI, United States of America

Douglas P Mason