Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – Tension wheel; e.g. – spoke
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-16
2001-05-15
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
Tension wheel; e.g., spoke
C301S073000, C301S074000, C301S075000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06231127
ABSTRACT:
RELATED APPLICATIONS
There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to automobile wheels and, more particularly, to an automobile wheel having decorative load bearing twisted link lace replacing the conventional wire wheel spokes.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the related art, decorative wheels, particularly spoked for automobiles, are well known. Various novel ways have been developed for conventional automobile wheels having a spoked look. The problem with conventional spoked wheels is that the ends of the spokes protrude through the rim of the wheel requiring a seal on the inside of the tire rim that often leaks. Consequently, conventional tubed tires must be used. Another problem with such wheels is that the spokes require periodic adjustment to keep the proper tension between the wheel hub and outer rim. Failure to do so may cause the wheel to be dangerously unbalanced. The designs in the art solve this problem by adding a non-load bearing simulated spoke structure to a conventional automobile wheel. Examples of these type of designs can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,782 issued to Reppert, U.S. Pat. No. 3,993,357 issued to Reppert, U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,293 issued to Norris, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,478 issued to Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,479 issued to Weld, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,785 issued to Norris, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,339,859 issued to Weld is an automobile wheel manufacturing for the wheel described in '479 also issued to Weld. U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,252 is a design of a wheel having a simulated wire wheel cover.
However, many automobile owners still desire an aesthetically pleasing wheel design that functions like conventional spoked wheels yet still allows the use of conventional tubeless tires. The present invention solves this problem by replacing the load bearing spokes with a decorative load bearing twisted steel link lace design. The twisted steel link lace is pre-tensioned upon assembly and eliminates the need for periodic spoke adjustment as in conventional spoked.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an automobile wheel with a unique chain-link spoke pattern.
It is a feature of the present invention to allow an automobile owner to create a customized vehicle look.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a stylish design.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a both a gold and silver plated design.
It is a feature of the present invention to provide a variety of sizes to fit a variety vehicles.
Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, an automobile wheel with steel twisted link lace replacing the load bearing spokes of a conventional spoked automobile wheel is provided. The steel twisted link lace is pre-tensioned at the factory using a novel adjustment means incorporated into the design of the wheel center assembly. Once the lace is tensioned, the factory welds the spindle assembly in the tensioned position permanently tensioning the lace. The links in the lace are then welded to each other and to the rim forming a rigid spoke structure. The resulting assembly can then be plated in gold or silver finish.
REFERENCES:
patent: 301144 (1884-07-01), Orcutt
patent: 396262 (1889-01-01), Boland
patent: 520845 (1894-06-01), Ray
patent: 725014 (1903-04-01), Westover
patent: 1113577 (1914-10-01), Redfield
patent: 4917162 (1990-04-01), De Longcamp
Corrigan Michael J.
Gugliotta John D.
Stormer Russell D.
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