Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Wheel making
Reexamination Certificate
2002-05-31
2004-06-29
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Wheel making
C029S894323, C301S064101
Reexamination Certificate
active
06754957
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to vehicle wheels and in particular to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing the same.
A conventional fabricated vehicle wheel is typically of a two-piece construction and includes an inner disc and an outer “full” rim. The disc can be cast, forged, or fabricated from steel, aluminum, or other alloys, and includes an inner annular wheel mounting portion and an outer annular portion. The wheel mounting portion defines an inboard mounting surface and includes a center pilot or hub hole, and a plurality of lug receiving holes formed therethrough for mounting the wheel to an axle of the vehicle. The rim is fabricated from steel, aluminum, or other alloys, and includes an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, an axially extending well, an outboard tire bead seat, and an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. In some instances, a three-piece wheel construction having a mounting cup secured to the disc is used. In both types of constructions, the outer annular portion of the disc is typically secured to the rim by welding.
A fabricated vehicle wheel is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,042,194 to Fitz et al. As shown in the embodiment illustrated in
FIGS. 4 and 5
of the Fitz et al. patent, the wheel includes an outer full rim and an inner one piece disc having a plurality of spoke members. Each spoke member includes an outer end which is welded to the rim to produce the vehicle wheel. The Fitz et al. patent discloses other embodiments of a wheel construction having individual spoke members which are secured to the rim in a similar manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing the same. The method for producing the fabricated vehicle wheel comprises the steps of: (a) providing a wheel rim defining a rim axis and including an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a generally axially extending well portion, an outboard tire bead seat and an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange; (b) providing a wheel disc blank; (c) subjecting the wheel disc blank to a metal forming operation to produce a partially formed wheel disc having a plurality of outwardly extending spoke portions which are spaced circumferentially about the disc blank; (d) subjecting the partially formed wheel disc to a metal forming operation to produce a wheel disc preform, the wheel disc preform including an inner mounting portion, a plurality of outer spoke portions, and an intermediate spoke portion defined in the region between the inner mounting portion and outer spoke portions, the intermediate spoke portion including a plurality of generally globe shaped spoke portions; (e) subjecting the wheel disc preform to one or more metal forming operations to produce a finished wheel disc, the finished wheel disc including a centrally located wheel mounting surface and a plurality of outwardly extending spokes; and (f) securing the wheel disc and the wheel rim together to produce the fabricated vehicle wheel.
Other advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1473406 (1923-11-01), Harroun
patent: 1601628 (1926-09-01), Kranz
patent: 1677104 (1928-07-01), Reaney
patent: 1682715 (1928-08-01), Watrous
patent: 2041657 (1936-05-01), Hight
patent: 2047137 (1936-07-01), Eksergian
patent: 2073924 (1937-03-01), Eksergian
patent: 2083229 (1937-06-01), Horn et al.
patent: 2100885 (1937-11-01), Trumble
patent: 2120633 (1938-06-01), Sinclair
patent: 2187032 (1940-01-01), Horn et al.
patent: 3346301 (1967-10-01), Hurst, Jr. et al.
patent: 3874054 (1975-04-01), Reppert
patent: 4256347 (1981-03-01), Reppert
patent: 4319785 (1982-03-01), Sato et al.
patent: 5533260 (1996-07-01), Kier, Jr.
patent: 6042194 (2000-03-01), Fitz et al.
patent: 6244669 (2001-06-01), Braunschweiler
patent: 2002/0003374 (2002-01-01), Braunschweiler
patent: 0 935 536 (2001-12-01), None
patent: 98/19874 (1998-05-01), None
patent: 99/65709 (1999-12-01), None
Coleman Alan
Raymond Robert
Hayes Lemmerz International Inc.
MacMillan Sobanski & Todd LLC
Stormer Russell D.
LandOfFree
Fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing the same does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing the same, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing the same will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3366120