CA1056875A - Emergency wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An emergency wheel is provided for use in conjunction with a vehicle wheel of the type including recessed central portion mounted on a vehicle hub by fasteners secured through the central portion and supported from the hub.
The emergency wheel defines a center axis thereof and includes a first portion having a plurality of large and small diameter openings formed therethrough spaced about and equally from the center axis with the openings being arranged in the conventional wheel lug pattern. A plurality of washers are provided for disposition over the large diameter openings and the latter are of a size to receive conventional lug nuts or heads therethrough. A second portion is sup-ported from the first portion for rotation relative thereto about the center axis and the first and second portions include radially outwardly projecting partial circular flange segments which, upon relative rotation of the first and second portions, are shiftable between first positions in registry with each other and second positions out of registry with each other forming a substanti-ally continuous disc concentric with the center axis. Further, structure is provided for releasably locking the first and second portions in the second positions out of registry with each other to form the aforementioned disc.

Description

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Various forms of emergency wheels have been heretofore designed to provide a readily attachable wheel on the ou~er side of a vehicle wheel having a flat tire mounted thereon so as to enable ~he associated vehicle to be driven without repair or removal of the fla~ tire. In addition, various forms of SUp-plemental wheels have been heretofore designed for the purpose oi mounting on the outside of a conventional vehicle wheel haviRg an inflated tire thereon, whereby the supplemental wheel may be utilized to provida additional traction. An example of one form of emergency wheel for use in conjunction with a vehiele wheel having a flat tire mounted thereon is discloaed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,001.
~owever, this form of emergency wheel requires additional attaching l~g nuts for a specially constructed wheel.
The emergency wheel of the instant invention includes first and -~;
second portions rotatable relative to each other about a center axis and the iirst portion of the emergency wheel includes a central portion therevf for re- ;
movable support from the central portion of a vehicle wheel having a deflated tire thereon. The central portion of the emergency wheel is equipped with lug bolt openings including large diameter openis~gs and 8~all diameter openings, the large d~ameter openings being adapted to receive conventional lug nuts or heads therethrough and shouldered washers being provided for utilization over :~ -the large diameter openings. The first and ~econd relatively rotatable por-~ions of the emergency wheel include first and second radially outwardly pr~-ecting partial cir~ular 1~nge segme~ts, respectively, and the segments are relatively rotatable between first positions in registry with each other and s~cond positions out of registry wlth each other ~ogether forming a substantially ~ continuous d~sc concentric with the center axis of the emergency wheel~ the :, .
latter baing provided with structure for releasably locking the first and second portions thereof ln the second positions thereof vith the flange segments coact-ing to define a substantially continuous disc. ~ ~ -The first portion to be supported from the centraI portion of the `~ 30 as~ociated vehicle ~heel haYing a deflated tire thereon includes ramp surfaces 1 - ~ .
extendi~g outward to the opposlte ends of the arcaate outer peripheral edge of the flange segment thereof whereby rolling movement of the flattened tire along , :: .: .:
I the ground ~ill bring one of the ramp surfaces into engagement with the ground ~, ~ ',:'.. -'''.

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~ 56~3'75 and thus elevate the associated vehicle wheel until such time as the outer peripheral arcuate surface of the ~irst flcmge segment rests upon the road sur-face.
The main object of this invention is to provide an emergency vehicle ; wheel which may be readily mounted on the exterior of an associated vehicle wheel having a flat tlre thereon without jacking up the vehicle wheel by con~en-tional means and with the emergency wheel capable of serving the operational function of the vehicle wheel when i~s tire i3 inflated.
Another object of this invention, in accordance wi~h the immediately preceding object, i~ to provide an acceRsory wheel which may be readily mounted to the exterior of 8 conYentional vehicle wheel and utilized to provide addi-tional traction.
A still further object of this invention is ~o provide an emergency wheel which ~ay be used in conjunction ~ith a conventional vehicle wheel as a replacement ~herefor when the supportive bearings of that wheel have been damaged to the extent that they may no longer perform their intended function.
A final object of this invention to be Rpecifically enumerated herein to pro~ide an emergency wheel in accordance with the preceding objects and , which will conform to conven~ionsl forms of manufacture, be of simple construc-20 tion and ea8y to use 90 a8 to provide a device tha~ will be economically feasi-ble, lon~ lasti~g and rela~ively trouble free in operation.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of ~ conventional vehicle wheel having a deflatet tire thereon and wlth two of the lug nues oE the conventional wheel i~ re~oved, the central portio~ of the e~ergency wheel being fragmentarily illus- -trated in explodad position prior ~o applica~on of the emergency ~heel over the ; e~ter~or Df the conventional ~heel;
Figure 2 is an inner side elevationsl view of the emergency wheel as initially applied to the associated vehicle wheel;
Figure 3 is a view si~ilar to Figure 2 but with the emergency wheel `~ ~ 30 in a fully operative condition;
Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantially ~ -upon the plane indica~ed by the section line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an outer side eleva~ional view of the e~ergency wheel;

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Figure 6 is a view similar to Fi,gure 5 but with the outer cover and spring biased follower for the axi~lly shif~able por~ion of the ~emerg,æncy wheel removed;
Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the emergency wheel;
Figu,i~,re 8 is a fra,~mentary perspective view illustrating a portion vf the emergency whe,e,l's controllable outer cover shifted mid-way bet',weenlts limit , ' ?;
positions;

- Figure 9 i9 a fragmentary perspective view illustrating ona of the - retractable abutments by which the relatively rotatable and sxially shiftable portions of the emergency wheel are retained against axisl separation;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary enlarged sectional view of the a~,s,emblage illustrated i~ Figure '~; snd ~ --: :
Figure 11 is a perspective view of one of a plurali~,~,y of shouldered washers to be used in unting the emergency wheel over a vehicle wheel.
Referring now more specifically to the draw'ngs, the numeral 10 generally indicates a conventional vehicle ~,Jheel having a pneumatic tire 12 thereon. The tire 12 is in a deflated position and rests upon a suitable sup- -.. . .. .
por~ surface 14 therefor.

The wheel 10 includes a central hub portion 16 having circumferenti- :

ally spaced bores 18 formed ~rherein for receiving threaded wheel mou~ting s~uds ~20 (carried by an associated v~ehicle hub portion) therethrough. The wheel 10 ~'s conventionally mounted in position on ~he studs 20 by means of threaded lug ' n~uts 22.

,~ ~ The foregoing comprise~ a description of conventional vehicle wheel mounting structure.

The emergency wheel of the in~tant invention is rPferred to in general by the reference numeral 24 and i~cludes fi~st and second portions 26 and 28.
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The port?on 26 includes a cylindrical body 30 having a disc-shaped hub 32 journaled in the outer end thereof by~,~Me~ns of a bearing sssembly 34. The hub .
32 includes a pair of circumferentially spaced small diame~er bores 36 an~d a pair ,s~f circumferentially spaced large diameter bores 38. The bores 36 are of a s~e to snugly receive the stud6 20 therethrou,gh and the bores 38 are of a , si~e to receive th~ nuts 22 therethrough. A pair o~ shoultered washers 40 in-:, . .

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cluding diametrically reduced portions 42 snugly re~eivable in the bores 38 are also provided. The first portion 26 may be mounted on the wheel 10 by removing two diametrically opposite nuts 22 and thereafter positioning the first portion 26 so that the studs 20 from which the nuts have been remDved are received ; through ths bores 36 and the nuts remaining on the other studs are received through the bores 38. Then, the first removed nuts are reapplied o~er the studs ; 20 received ~hrough the bores 36. Thereafter, the other pair of lug nuts 22 are removed, the shouldered washers 40 have their diametrically reduced portions 42 positioned in ~he bores 38 after being applied to the studs 20 and the last removed psir of lug nuts 22 are thereafter reapplied to the corresponding studs 20 over the washers 40. In ~his manner, the emergency wheel 24 may be applied to the outer side of the wheel 10 without re ving all of the nuts 22 at one time.
The second portion 28 includes a cylindrical body 44 rotatable and slidable on the end of ~he body 30 remote fro~ the hub 32. The body 44 includes three peripherally spaced inclined slots 46 in whlch followers 48 spaced about the body 30 are slidably received. In addiltion, the inner end o~ the body 44 includes ~hree peripherally spaced and radially outwardly projecting lugs S0 and three peripherally spaced notches 52, the notches 52 opening endwise outwardly of the body 44. Also, the boty 44 includes three peripherally spaced internally threaded sleeve~ 54 extending longi~udinally of i~s outer sur~ace.
The body 30 includes three peripherally spaced longitudinal slots SS
and three locking tabs 56 pivotalb supported from the inner surface of the body ~0 as st 58~ see Figures 6 and 7, with the locking tabs 5~ pro~ecting through the slots 55. The tabs 56 are swingable bet~een substantia}ly radially outwardly pro~e~ting positions and collapsed positions extending about the circumference of ~he body 30. When the tabs 56 are in their extended positions, they project through the notches 52 and when the body 44 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 7, the portions of the body 44 defining the ~ ;
~` 30 notches 52 cam the locking tcabs toward their retracted positions.
The body 30 includes a first radially out~ardly pro~ecting parti~

circular flange segment 60 and the inner periphery Qf the flange segment 60 ;~
includes three unequally peripherally spaced lugs 61 pro~ecting axially of the "'"
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body 30 away from the hub 32 and unequally spaced from the center axis of the hub 32.
The second portion 28 includes a disc 62 defining a second radially outwa~dly projecting partial ~ircular flange segment mounted on the body 44 between the inner ends of the sleeves 54 and the lugs 50. The side of the disc or flange segment 62 opposing the lugs 50 is recessed as at 64 and provided with three unequally circumfe~entially spacPd opsnings 66 spaced uneq~ally out-wardly of ~he central opening 68 in the disc 62 and in which the abutments or : .
lugs 61 are reseivable when the flange segments 60 and 62 are relatively ro-ta~ed to prede~ermined positions thereof with the flange segment 60 registered with the recess 64. The flang~ segment 60 includes an arcuate outer periphery 70 having a rubber tread surface 72 secured thereover and the flange segment ~2 includes a partial circular outer periphery 74 having a rubber tread surface 76 secured thereover.
When the flange segment 60 is registered with the ~ecess 64 and the lug8 61 are registered wi~h the openings 6~, the disc 62 may be shif~ed inwardly along the body 44 whereby the lugs 61 willlbe received in the openingq 66 and the flange segment 60 will be keyed in the recess 64. ~ith the flange segments 60 and 62 thus keyed together the outer peripheries 70 and 74 define a substan-tiRlly c~tinuous circular outer periphery coaxial with ~he center axis of the - hub 32.
The outer side of the flan~e segment 62 includes an annular ou~wardly and axially pro~ecting dust shield 77 and a frame-like cage 78 is dispo~ed about the body 44 i~wardly of the shield 77 and has a plurality of ~heels 80 journaled there~rom at points spaced peripherally thereabout.
A follower disc 8~ provided with inner peripheral notches 84 is tele-scoped over the outer end of the body 44 with ~he notches 84 receiving the sleeves 54 therethrough. Thus, the disc B2 ~ay be axially shifted relative to the body 44, bu the engagem~nt of the sleeves 54 and the notche 84 prevent .:
rotation of the follower dise 82 relative to the body 44.

A cover assembly referred to in general by the reference numeral 86 ., i5 provided and includes an outer cylindrical ~all 88, an inner cylindrlcal ~ wall 90 and an outer annular wall 92 extending between and interconneeting the .~ .
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8~5 outer ends of the walls 88 and 90. A plurality of headed fasteners 94 are secured through peripherally spaced portions of the outer annular wall 92 and are threadedly en~aged in the sleeves 54, a plurality of compression springs 96 being disposed between ~he inner surface of the outer annular wall 92 and ~:
ehe outer surface of the follower disc 82 and thereby yielding~y biasing the follower disc 82 inwardly against the wheels 80. Accordingly, the wheels 80 yieldingly bias the disc 62 ax~ally along the body 44 toward the disc 60, but the engagement of the abutments or lugs 61 with the inner end of the recess 64 prevents the disc 62 from contacting the segment 60 until such time as the lugs 10 61 are registered with the opening 66 and the segment 60 is properly registered ~:
with the recess 64.
A spring biased latch asse~bly 100 is pivotally supported from the outer annular wall 9~ and includes a latching portion 102 projectable into one of a pair of openings 104 and 106 formed in the body 30. When the body 44 is :.-rotated to its limi~ position in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 7 of ~ :
the drawings, the followers 48 are seated in the outer ends of the slots 46 and the lugs 61 are registered with the openings 66. Further, the springs 96 are compresset and therefore biss the disc 62 inwardly whereby the lugs 61 are re- :
ceived in the openings 66 and the segment 60 is keyed in the recess 64. At this ~0 time, the latch portion 102 is engaged in the opening 104. Further, as the cover assembly 87, and thus the body 44, are rotated to its limit position relative to -:~
the body 30 in a clockwise direction, the notches 52 are registered with the 1 slots 55. However, the inner periphery of the disc 62 is registered with the ~ free swinging ends of the locking tabs 56 and retain the latter in at least par tially collapsed posit~ons un~il such time as the biasing action of the springs :
96 acting ~hrough the wheels 80 sauses ~he disc 62 to he sh~ted inwardly to a position wieh the flange segment 60 seated in the recess 64 and the lugs 61 re-ceived in ~he openings 66. At this time, the locking tabs 56 are disposed on the outer side of the disc 62 and thus free to swing to their radially ouewardly :` 30 projecting extendiTIg positioTIs locking the disc 62 against outward movement re-lative to the flange segmen~ 60. However, when the cover assembly 86 and thus ~ .
the body 44 are rotated in a counterclockwise dire~tion to their limit positions ~ -. defined by the inner ends of the slots 46, the body 44 cams the locking tabs 56 .. ..

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inwardly toward their retracted positions, the springs 96 are allowed to expand and the lugs 50 engage the inner side of the disc 62 within the rec~ss 64 so as to axially shift ~he disc 62 away from the flange segment 60. In this position, the portion 102 of the latch assembly 100 is seated in the opening 106.
In operation, when the tire 12 experiences a puncture thus lowering the wheel 10 downwardly toward the ground 14, the hub 32 of the emergen~y wheel 24 is mounted on the studs 20 in the manner hereinbefore se~ forth with the -flange segments 60 and 62 arranged in the manner illustrated in Figure 2. Then, the outer cover assembly 86 and thus the body 44 are rotated to their limit posi-tions of movement in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 7 of the dra~ingsand are secured in position by means of the latch portion 102 being received in :-the opening 106. Thereafter, a weight body 110 slidably mounted in a slot 112 .
formed in the outer side of the disc 62 is shifted from the left-hand end oE theslot 112 to the right-hand end of the slot 112 as illustrated in Figure 5 of thedrawings. Then, the wheel 10, and thus the hub 32, are caused to rotate in a clockwise direction as illustrated in Fig~re 2 of the drawings whereupon the leading ramp surface 61 of the flange segmen~ 60 will roll into contact with theground 14 and thereafter elevate the hub 32 to the position thereof illustrated in Figure 3 of the drawings as a result of a 180 degree angular displacement o~
the hub 32 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figures 2 and 3 from the posi-` tlon thereof illustrated in Figure 2 to the position thereof illustrated in .~ Figure 3. At t~ls poin~, the hub 32, and ~hus the wheel 10, are elevated rela-~ive ~o the ground 14 and that portion of the weight vf the associated vehicle normally supported from the tire 12 is suppor~ed from the rubber tread surface 72 of the flange section 60. The weight 110 causes the disc 62 to be eccentri- :
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CLlly weigh~ed and to therefore resist rotation with the hub 32 and body 30 whereupon the lugs or abutments 61 will be registered with the openings 66 and the flange seg~en~ 60 will be registered with the recess 64 formed in the disc :
62, thereby allowing the disc 62 to be axially shifted under the influence of 30 the springs 96 and the wheels 80 along the body 44 to a position with the flange segment 60 keyed in the recess 64. At this point, the emergency wheel 24 :
defines ~ continuous circular outer periphery and may be utili~ed in lieu of the tire 12. Of course, the diameter of ~he emergency wheel 24 is to be equal '.- "',.~

~5S~875 to the diameter of the tire 12 when the latter is inflated. Thus, when the tire 12 is deflated it is supported above the surface 14 and when the tire is inflated the tire 12 and the emergency wheel 24 provide traction in excess o that which can be prov~ded by the tire 12 by itself.
After the emergency wheel 24 assumes the po~ition illustrated in Figure 3 with the disc 62 locked inwardly of the tabs 56 the weigh~ 110 may be slid along and disposed in the other end of ~he slot 112.
In the event the conventlonal wheel bsarings are "fr~zen" tight, the bearing 34 is capable of journaling the wheel 24, from ~he hub 32 and ~ ;
thereby serves the ~unction of the "fro~en" ~heel bearing. ~owe~er, the body 30 includes peripherally spaced inwardly projecting apertured tabs 31 overlying the inner surface of the hub 32 in slightly spaced relation relative thereto and the hub 32 has threaded bores (not shown) formed therethrough with which ~-the apertured tabs 31 are registrable. If relative rotation between the hub 32 and body 30 is not desired, threaded fasteners 33 may be secured through the tabs 31 and in the hub 32 to thereby releasably lock the hub 32 and body 30 ;~
together. The fasteners 33 would, of course, be used in the event the emergency ~heel 24 is to be used in conjunction wlth one of the drive wheels of the ~ ~ ;
associated vehicle.
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Claims (11)

The embodiments of the invention, in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed, are defined as follows:

1. For use in conjunction with a vehicle wheel of the type includ-ing a center portion mounted on a vehicle hub by fasteners secured through the central portion and supported from the hub, an emergency wheel defining a center axis thereof and including a first portion having means adapted for removable support from said central portion with said center axis substantially centered relative to said central portion and including a first radially out-wardly projecting partial circular flange segment, a second portion, mounting means mounting said second portion on said first portion for rotation and shifting relative thereto about and along said axis between first and second relatively rotated and shifted positions, said second portion including a second radially outwardly projecting partial circular flange segment, said segments being disposed in axially spaced overlapped positions in axial registry with each other when said first and second portions are in said first positions and in positions out of axial registry with each other and disposed in a single plane normal to said axis and together forming a substantial continuous disc concentric with said axis when in said second positions, and means operative to releasably lock said first and second portions in said second positions.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first and second segments include arcuate outer edges, the angular extent of the outer edge of said second segment being greater than the angular extent of the outer edge of said first segment.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes means mounting said second portion on said first portion for automatic shifting of said second portion along said axis relative to said first portion in response to relative rotation of said first and second portions, said first and second portions each including central hub portions, said means operative to releasably lock said first and second portions in said second positions comprising at least one axially projecting abutment carried by one of said first and second portions and an axially opening recess defined by the other of said first and second portions in which said abutment is receivable when said first and second por-tions are in said second positions to lock said first and second portions against relative rotation.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said means operative to re-leasably lock said first and second portions in said second positions also includes means operative to lock said central hub portions against relative axial separation.

5. The combination of claim 3 wherein said means operative to releas-ably lock said first and second portions in said second positions including means yieldingly biasing said second portion hub portion axially toward the hub portion of said first portion.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said one portion includes a plurality of said abutments spaced circumferentially about said axis at dif-ferent radial distances from said axis, said other portion including an equal number of said recesses similarly spaced about and from said axis and concentric axially facing annular surfaces through which said recesses open, said abutments being slidingly engageable with said annular surfaces.

7. The combination of claim 6 wherein said abutments and recesses are similarly unequally spaced about said axis.

8. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first portion includes a central hub portion, the first mentioned means comprising a plurality of large and small diameter openings formed through said central hub portion spaced about and equally from said axis, said openings being arranged in a con-ventional wheel lug pattern, and a plurality of washers for disposition over said large diameter openings, the latter being adapted to receive conventional lug nuts or heads therethrough.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said first and second segments include arcuate outer edges, the angular extent of the outer edge of said second segment being greater than the angular extent of the outer edge of said first segment.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said mounting means includes means mounting said second portion on said first portion for automatic shift-ing of said second portion along said axis relative to said first portion in response to relative rotation of said first and second portions, said first and second portions each including central hub portions, said means operative to releasably lock said first and second portions in said second positions comprising at least one axially projecting abutment carried by one of said first and second portions and an axially opening recess defined by the other of said first and second portions in which said abutment is receivable when said first and second portions are in said second positions to releasably lock said first and second portions against relative rotation.

11. The combination of claim 1 wherein said first portion includes a center hub portion including the first mentioned means and a second disc portion journaled from the center hub portion for rotation relative thereto about an axis coinciding with said center axis, said first flange segment being carried by said disc portion, said mounting means mounting said second portion from said disc portion, and means operative to releasably lock said disc por-tion against rotation relative to said center hub portion.