Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.

Hayes Wheels International, Inc.

Kelsey-hayes Company

Thomas E Heck

Alan Coleman

Michael V Maloney

James H Kemmerer

James A Lumm

Todd Duffield

Patrick McCorry

Douglas P Mason

Joseph W Wolf

Werner Kermelk

Karl Rode

John Holm

Michael Miller

Charles Andrew Turner

Gunter Stelzer

Günter Stelzer

Daniel F Jansen

Robert J Wendt

Christopher A Putz

Robert Raymond

David T Frankling

John R Kinstler

Zvonko Dimovski

Montgomery D Csapo

Thomas Czarniecki

Michael Cuevas

Rick Wyatt

Gary Arnold

William J Fysh

Joseph J Plaza

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

A method for producing a multi-piece vehicle wheel retention system comprising the steps of: (a) providing a wheel having a wheel disc defining and axis and an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange; (b) providing a first outer wheel cover formed from a first material, the first outer wheel cover covering at least a portion of outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the wheel disc; (c) providing a second inner wheel cover formed from a second material, the second inner wheel cover covering at least a substantial portion of the outboard facing wheel surface of the wheel disc, the second wheel cover including an outboard surface and an inboard surface; (d) securing the first outer wheel cover and the second inner wheel cover together by at least an interference fit therewith; and (e) non-permanently securing the assembled wheel covers of step (d) and the wheel to one another by a non-permanent mechanical attachment feature to produce the multi-piece vehicle wheel retention system.

Multi-piece vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same

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.

Fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing same

A method for producing a multi-piece vehicle wheel retention system comprises the steps of: (a) providing a wheel having a wheel disc defining and axis and an outboard facing wheel surface; (b) providing a first outer wheel cover formed from a metal material, the first outer wheel cover covering at least a portion of the an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the wheel disc; (c) providing a second inner wheel cover formed from a plastic material, the second inner wheel cover covering at least a substantial portion of the outboard facing wheel surface of the wheel disc; (d) providing an insert formed from a foam material and which generally corresponds to at least the shape of a space which formed between the outboard facing wheel surface and the inboard surface of the second wheel cover; (e) securing the first and second inner wheel covers together by at least an interference fit therewith; and (f) permanently securing the assembled wheel covers of step (e), the insert and the wheel to one another by adhesive to produce the multi-piece vehicle wheel retention system.

A fabricated bead seat attached vehicle wheel includes a wheel rim and wheel disc joined together. The wheel rim includes an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inner tire bead seat, a well, an outer tire bead seat, and an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The wheel defines a wheel axis and includes a generally centrally located wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion which defines a wheel disc outer flange The wheel disc outer annular flange is segmented around a circumference thereof and includes at least a first plurality of segments and a second plurality of segments. The first plurality of segments extending a first axial distance relative to an adjacent outer surface of the wheel disc and the second plurality of segments extending a second axial distance relative to the adjacent outer surface of the wheel disc which is less than the first axial distance.

Fabricated bead seat attached vehicle wheel, wheel disc for such wheel and method for producing same

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.

Method and apparatus for producing a wheel cover and vehicle wheel including such a wheel cover

An improved fabricated wheel disc and a fabricated vehicle wheel including such a fabricated wheel disc and a fabricated wheel rim secured thereto by suitable methods. The fabricated wheel disc defines an axis and includes a wheel mounting surface portion, a plurality of spokes, an outer rim connecting flange, a plurality of lug bolt receiving holes and an outboard face. The wheel mounting surface includes at least one rib formed therein between at least one pair of the lug bolt receiving holes. The rib has a straight outer surface which extends at an angle with respect to the fabricated wheel disc axis throughout an entire length thereof.

Fabricated vehicle wheel having a disc with a plurality of strengthening ribs

According to the invention, the fabricated vehicle wheel includes a conventional full wheel rim and a unique wheel disc joined to the wheel rim. The wheel disc includes an inner wheel mounting pad, an outer annular rim connecting flange and a plurality of radial spokes connecting the inner wheel mounting pad to the rim connecting flange. The rim connecting flange extends in an axial direction and defines a side edge surface extending between each pair of adjacent spokes. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc. Each of the windows has a predetermined shape defined by the adjacent spokes and the side edge surface of the rim connecting flange. The rim connecting flange and the side edge surface are configured such that the window extends to an outermost periphery of the wheel disc. The inner wheel mounting pad includes at least one rib provided therein. The rib has an outer surface and an inner surface, at least one of the outer surface and the inner surface is provided with a flat planar surface.

Fabricated vehicle wheel having spokes and stiffening ribs

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

This invention relates to an improved fabricated spoked vehicle wheel. According to the invention, the fabricated vehicle wheel includes a conventional full wheel rim and a unique wheel disc joined to the wheel rim and defining a wheel axis. The wheel disc includes an inner wheel mounting pad, an outer annular rim connecting flange and a plurality of radial spokes connecting the inner wheel mounting pad to the rim connecting flange. The rim connecting flange extends in an axial direction and defines a side edge surface extending between each pair of adjacent spokes. A plurality of windows are formed in the wheel disc. Each of the windows has a predetermined shape defined by the adjacent spokes and the side edge surface of the rim connecting flange. The rim connecting flange and the side edge surface are configured such that the window extends to an outermost periphery of the wheel disc.

Fabricated vehicle wheel

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 two holes 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 a fastener extending through each of the at least two holes of each of the spokes and through an associated at least two holes of the plurality of holes of the rim to secure the rim and disc together.

A high offset dual vehicle wheel assembly includes a pair of full face wheels ( ) each defining an axis and including a wheel rim and a full face wheel disc. The rim includes an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a generally axially extending well, and an outboard tire bead seat surface. The disc ( ) includes a centrally located wheel mounting flange and an outer annular portion which defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the vehicle wheel and is located wholly outside a plane defined by the inboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The inboard tire bead seat ( ) is provided with a radially in-turned flange having a generally radially inwardly sloping surface, a generally radially extending surface, and an axially extending surface. When the in-turned flange of the rim is positioned against an adjacent inner surface of the disc, a recess is formed between the inwardly sloping surface of the in-turned flange and the inner surface of disc, and a welding area is formed between the axially extending surface of the in-turned flange and the inner surface of disc. The recess ( ) defines a groove for receiving a first weld ( ), and the welding area defines an area for receiving a second weld ( ). The welds cooperate to join the rim ( ) and disc together and produce the full face vehicle wheel.

Full face vehicle wheel for use in a high offset dual vehicle wheel assembly

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.

This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel. According to one embodiment of the invention, the fabricated 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; an adhesive deposited in at least some portion of the rim to disc interface area; and at least one fastener extending through the holes of the rim and the spokes to secure the rim and disc together.

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.

Growing community of inventors

Monroe, MI, United States of America

Thomas E Heck