Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – Device for attaching wheel to axle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-06
2001-05-29
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
Device for attaching wheel to axle
C301S035623
Reexamination Certificate
active
06238009
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to mounting wheels on vehicles, and more particularly to a wheel and adapter that effectively decreases the distance between tires of the vehicle to facilitate the use of the vehicle on a railroad track.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The concept of using a wheel adapter is not new. A typical purpose of a wheel adapter is to install a wheel that is different from the original equipment manufacturers' wheel. Wheel adapters may be used: to install a wheel that has a different bolt pattern; to install a wheel that has a different tire size; to install a wheel to increase the tire track (center to center of tire); and to convert a single rear wheel to a dual rear wheel.
In each of the above uses the final position of the wheel and associated tire is moved outwardly of the original position. In situations where the opposite effect is desired, the reduction in the distance between the wheel and associated tire sets typically has an undesirable affect on riding and handling characteristics of the vehicle. When the wheel and tire sets of the front end suspension are moved inwardly, the turning radius of the vehicle is restricted due to interference between the tire and the frame and/or the brake calipers. In certain vehicles, it is required that the tire track be reduced to allow the tires of the vehicle to be properly positioned on a railroad track.
For a railroad application, the tire size is typically increased from 16-inches to 19.5 inches, which is the maximum size allowable to ensure for adequate clearances. The normal offset of the 16-inch wheel is 0.50 inches. To allow the tire to ride on railroad track, a special wheel is required that has enough clearance to clear a brake caliper or use a deep offset rim such as for example, a 5-inch offset, and use an adapter to bring the rim to the final desired position.
Heretofore, a means has not been available to produce a wheel of different size that will allow a single rear wheel truck such as a one-half-ton, three-quarter-ton, or single rear wheel one ton truck that will interchange with the given wheel mounted on a wheel hub and allow the tire to be positioned on railroad track. Thus, there is a need for such a wheel adapter.
An object of the present invention is to produce a wheel adapter which provides the option of mounting a wheel of different size and wheel track than the wheel originally supplied on the wheel hub.
Another object of the present invention is to produce a wheel adapter that minimizes the length of the wheel mounting stud which thereby minimizes the thickness of the adapter allowing the adapted wheel to be moved inward so the tire will sit on the railroad rail.
Still another object of the present invention is to produce a wheel adapter, which allows the adapter to be mounted to a hub that has various bolt circles, various number of mounting studs and various size mounting studs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The above, as well as other objects of the invention, may be readily achieved by a wheel and adapter for mounting a wheel on a vehicle having an annular array of spaced apart wheel mounting studs on a wheel hub with a pilot, comprising: an annular rim having spaced apart marginal edges, the edges lying in spaced apart parallel planes; a web having a first end integral with the rim and a second end terminating in a centrally disposed aperture in a plane parallel with the planes of the edges of the rim and spaced outwardly from one of the planes, the second end of the web having an annular array of spaced apart stud receiving holes formed therein; an adapter plate having an annular array of spaced apart holes therethrough, the holes through the adapter plate being adapted to respectively receive the wheel mounting studs, the adapter plate having a central aperture formed by an inner surface of the adapter, the inner surface of the adapter providing a bearing surface for the wheel hub pilot; a plurality of studs protruding from the adapter plate and arranged so as to extend respectively through the stud receiving holes in the web; and a raised circular pilot protruding outwardly from the adapter plate substantially parallel to the studs and extending radially outwardly from the aperture of the adapter plate, the pilot providing a bearing surface for the second end of the web.
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Fraser Donald R.
Mitchell Equipment Corporation
Stormer Russell D.
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