Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – Nonresilient tire
Reexamination Certificate
1997-07-18
2001-02-06
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
Nonresilient tire
C029S894350
Reexamination Certificate
active
06183047
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wheel rims and, more specifically, to a wheel rim that has a top cover to provide added strength to the wheel rim.
2. Background of the Art
Wheel rims made from rolled and welded steel or aluminum are common. Sheet stock of the metal is cut in a generally rectangular shape to the appropriate length and width dimensions. The metal blank is then formed into a closed circle and the formerly opposing ends are butt welded together. The metal circle or tube is then roll-formed to create the desired profile of the wheel rim for retaining the tire, any inner tube, anchoring spokes if used, and the like. Because the wheel rim is formed of a single sheet, the strength of the wheel rim is determined largely from the thickness of the metal selected for use in the manufacture of the wheel. While heavier stock can be used to increase the strength of the wheel rim, forming of the heavier material may require different, stronger machines and tools at a significantly higher cost. There is a need, accordingly, for a roll-formed wheel rim that has added strength without using a heavier stock of material and that can be manufactured using standard roll-forming machines and tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention consists of a wheel rim including a first wheel rim section having a base and a pair of circumferential support flanges at opposite sides of the base, each of which extends radially outwardly from said base. A second wheel rim section has a base and a pair of circumferential support flanges at opposite sides of the base, each of which curves axially and radially outwardly. The second wheel rim section is sized to fit inside the first wheel rim section with the bases of the respective wheel rim sections in contact engagement. The outer peripheral edges of the flanges of both rim sections meet along the circumference of the wheel rim and are joint together by weldments that extend around the entire circumference of the wheel. The result is a composite wheel rim having an inner contour of a conventional roll-formed wheel rim and an outer, distinct contour. In an alternative embodiment, a composite wheel rim is formed of an extrusion having a cross section corresponding to the cross section of the joined two wheel rim sections of the preferred embodiment. A straight section of the extrusion is cut to length and rolled into a circle or tube. The formerly opposing ends are then butt welded together to form a wheel rim having strength and contours corresponding substantially to that of the preferred embodiment wheel rim.
An object of the present invention is to provide a wheel rim of standard stock material using standard machinery and tools but having an increased strength.
Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel rim having an inner, conventional contour for supporting a tire but having an outer, distinct profile for adding strength to the composite wheel rim.
A further object of the invention is to provide a composite wheel rim formed of an extrusion to provide a wheel rim having an inner, conventional contour for supporting a tire but having an outer, distinct profile for adding strength to the composite wheel rim.
These and other objects of the invention will be made apparent to those of skill in the art upon a review and understanding of this specification, the associated drawings, and appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2028536 (1936-01-01), Eksergian
patent: 2083325 (1937-06-01), Farr
patent: 2126222 (1938-08-01), Schwinn
patent: 2126223 (1938-08-01), Schwinn
patent: 3008770 (1961-11-01), Mueller
patent: 4266417 (1981-05-01), Imamura et al.
patent: 484183 (1936-07-01), None
patent: 450998 (1949-08-01), None
Davis Brown Law Firm
Herink Kent A.
Rosenberg Daniel A.
Stormer Russell D.
Titan Wheel International Inc.
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