The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 29, 1983
Filed:
Sep. 10, 1981
Richard W Smith, Lansing, MI (US);
William J Waugaman, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI (US);
Motor Wheel Corporation, Lansing, MI (US);
Abstract
A wire spoke vehicle wheel and method of assembly wherein the wheel rim comprises separate rim segments permanently joined to each other preferably in a friction welding operation. The outboard rim segment includes at least a first portion which cooperates with the inboard rim segment to function as an outboard rim bead retaining flange, and a second portion which extends radially inwardly therefrom. A hub, which includes openings for mounting to a vehicle axle spindle, is centrally mounted within the rim by a circumferential array of wire spokes extending between the hub and the inwardly extending portion of the second rim segment. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the second rim segment is friction welded to the first rim segment outboardly adjacent the outboard bead seat which forms a part of the first rim segment, and the centrally mounting hub is carried generally radially inwardly of the outboard bead seat so as to provide clearance beneath the rim base for a disc brake package, such that the preferred embodiments of the wheel are adapted for use on conventional front wheel drive vehicles.