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:
Dec. 03, 1996
Filed:
Oct. 27, 1993
Walter L Ashley, Jr, Detroit, MI (US);
Hayes Wheels International, Inc., Romulus, MI (US);
Abstract
An improved method is disclosed for producing a wheel rim for use in a vehicle wheel. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a flat sheet of material; (b) forming the flat sheet into a hoop having a first predetermined axial length; (c) expanding the hoop to a predetermined inner hoop diameter; (d) flow spinning the hoop to produce a wheel rim preform having a second predetermined axial length greater than the first predetermined axial length, the wheel rim preform including opposed axial ends and a thinned axially extending intermediate portion located between the axial ends; (e) subsequent to step (d), flaring at least one axial end of the wheel rim preform; and (f) subsequent to step (e), subjecting the wheel rim preform to a series of roll forming operations to produce a finished wheel rim having at least one tire bead seat retaining flange, at least one tire bead seat surface, and a generally axially extending well.