AU758547B2 - Wheel rim - Google Patents

Description

WO 01/28786 PCT/AU00O/01269 TITLE WHEEL RIM This invention relates to a vehicle wheel for automobiles such as passenger cars, trucks, buses and motor cycles, and more particularly to a modified wheel rim for such vehicles BACKGROUND ART.

Most automobile wheels have rims which are manufactured to an internationally recognised standard, an example of which is shown in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings where the rim is attached to a central disc to form the wheel. The purpose of the standardised rim profile is to provide compatibility with the specifically designed tyre sizes and also to ensure that adequate provision is also made for the mounting and demounting of tyres to and from the rim.

Historically these intemrnational rim standards were based on rim profiles that were originally developed by the then current manufacturing processes ie, rolling wrought steel strips into a suitable rim profile and butt welding into a circular wheel rim. The outer profile of the rim thus closely follows the intemrnal profile of the rim resulting in a rim profile which is virtually standard on all wheels. Cover plates, wheel trims, hub caps or the like have been developed to improve the aesthetic appearance of a wheel, often by clipping onto the outer edge of the rim so that the entire rim profile is hidden.

However today there are many processes by which automobile wheels can be manufactured, including stamping, pressing drawing, roll forming, forging, moulding and casting, some of which may allow for the adoption of a modified rim profile which still meets the basic requirements for yre mounting and compatibility. It is essential that the internal configuration of the wheel rim meet the international standards for the support of the bead of the tyre and the mounting and demounting of the tyre.

If the profile of the outer surface of the rim portion of the wheel rim is to be changed, for example in making the outer profile rounded or curved in some way, the result could appear as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 depicts a motor car wheel having a rounded outer surface of the wheel rim, that is the WO 01/28786 PCT/AUOO/01269 2 outer surface which is outermost of the vehicle, and Figure 3 showing a motor cycle wheel in which both sides of the rim are rounded. These wheel rims while being of pleasing appearance may have manufacturing problems, but also have the greater disadvantage of being unduly heavy, there being a greater mass in the rim of the wheel. This greatly increases the unsprung weight of the suspension and detracts from the ride, handling and road holding characteristics of the vehicle.

Reference is also made to US patent Nos 4,854,646 and 5,749,982 which show various wheel rim profiles, the outer contours of which follow the internal profile of the rim. Australian patent specification shows a further wheel rim in which the outer profile follows the internal profile of the rim, a further example being show in Australian Registered Design No 66313.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide a profile of a wheel rim which, while maintaining the fitment and performance characteristics of the tyre seat and safety hump permits the outer surface or surfaces of the wheel rim to have varying profiles.

It is a further object of the invention to be able to vary the outer profile of a wheel rim without appreciably increasing the mass of the rim of the vehicle wheel while maintaining the inner profile of the rim.

Thus there is provided according to the invention a wheel rim in which at least one tyre bead seat extends inwardly of the rim from an outer contoured surface of the rim while maintaining the fitment and performance characteristics of the tyre bead seat and safety hump of the wheel rim.

Preferably the tyre bead seat extends inwardly in cantilever fashion from the internal surface of the rim wall.

Preferably the wheel rim has a cantilevered bead seat extending from each side of the rim whereby both sides of the wheel rim may be contoured.

Preferably the tyre bead seat is additionally supported by webs or the like from the base of the rim.

PCT/AUOO/O 1269 Received 11 September 2001 3 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS As noted above Figure 1 is an illustration of one form of prior art and Figures 2 and 3 as described above are examples of the problem the present invention overcomes, Figure 4 shows a motor vehicle rim according to the invention, Figure 5 shows a motor cycle rim according to the invention, and Figure 6 shows the motor cycle wheel embodying the rim of Figure BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Referring to Figure 4, the wheel rim 1 has a base portion 2, an inner tyre bead seat 3 and an outer tyre bead seat 4 The rim extends to the edges and 6. The outer contour of the outer surface 7 of the rim in this example is curved to have a smooth surface.

The tyre bead seat 4 extends in cantilever fashion from the inner wall of the rim. In this way the mass of the rim compared with the example as shown in Figure 2 is greatly reduced, while the critical dimensions along with the intent of the recognised rim standard for the wheel are maintained. The internal structure of the rim maintains the important fitment and performance characteristics of the tyre bead seat and the safety hump of the wheel rim but allows the area under the cantilevered bead seat to be relatively open and free of material.

As noted this results in a light weight wheel rim while resulting in a wheel rim which can have varying outer surface profiles as desired.

Figures 5 and 6 show an example of a motor cycle wheel rim 8 and wheel embodying the invention, the rim 8 in this embodiment having a cantilevered bead seat 9 and 10 one on each side of the rim, thus permitting the wheel rim to have a curved profile on each side of the rim. As shown the rim can be connected by wire spokes 12 to a hub 13 to complete the wheel.

AMENDED SHEE' jIcIPENAU WO 01/28786 PCT/AU00/01269 4 The rim may be attached to the hub of the wheel by wire or cast metal spokes, or by a central disc portion which can be bolted to the rim, welded to the rim, and welded or bolted to the hub of the wheel.

While the embodiments show a curved outer surface of a wheel rim, it is to be realised that various profiles of the outer surface of a wheel rim may be provided by the invention, the outer surface can be curved or profiled in any manner, there may be circumferential flat surfaces or surfaces of other shape and configuration.

Wheels with the proposed cantilevered tyre bead seat may be constructed of one or more pieces which may be manufactured by pressing, stamping, drawing, roll forming, spinning, forging, moulding, casting or other process.

The various portions may be joined together to make a multipiece rim or wheel by welding, riveting, roll forming, shrink fit ,gluing, screw fastening, and the rim can be attached to a hub by wire spokes, discs or any other method.

Thus it can be seen that there is provided according to the invention an automotive wheel such as for trucks, buses, motor vehicles and motor cycles which can have an outer profile which is not dictated by the inner profile of the rim thus resulting in an outer profile which can have a pleasing appearance.

Claims (4)

1. A wheel rim to support and receive a tyre, a pair of tyre bead seats on the rim, at least one tyre bead seat adjacent a first side of the wheel rim, said at least one tyre bead seat extending in cantilever fashion from said first side of the wheel rim, thus minimising the mass of the wheel rim while maintaining the fitment and performance characteristics of the tyre bead seat and safety hump of the wheel rim and whereby the outer surface of the said first side of the wheel rim is not dictated by the said at least one bead seat contour.

2. A wheel rim as defined in claim 1 where in the tyre bead seat is spaced from the upper edge of the respective rim.

3. A wheel rim as defined in claim 1 wherein each said tyre bead seat extends inwardly in cantilever fashion from the internal surface of the respective rim wall.

4. A vehicle wheel rim having a pair of side walls and a base, a tyre bead seat extending inwardly in cantilever fashion from the internal surface of each side wall, the upper edge of each side wall being spaced above the tyre bead seat to form the locating surface of the bead while maintaining the fitment and performance characteristics of the tyre bead seat and performance characteristics of the tyre bead seat, the outer surface of each side wall having a contour not dictated by the intemrnal shape of each side wall. AMENDED SHEET IPENAU