GB2166096A - Split wheel rims - Google Patents

Abstract

A split wheel rim comprises a bayonet-type locking or closure member for preventing accidents from occurring due to accidental disassembly when there is still some air pressure subsisting. The bayonet- type member comprises collared bolts which are each guided in a respective elongate slot (39). When internal pressure subsists, the collars 33 associated with such bolts automatically move into a clamping position 40 as a result of the subsisting internal pressure, thereby producing a simple, uncomplicated, automatic locking means. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION An arrangement for securing a divided vehicle wheel The present invention relates to an arrangement for securing a divided or split vehicle wheel or portions thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to an arrangement for securing a divided vehicle wheel, a divided rim or detachably interconnected wheel portions, more especially rim portions, against the possibility of bursting open as a result of the air pressure subsisting inside an associated vehicle tyre.

In known, divided vehicle wheels or rims, as well as in known rims composed of rim portions, the portions are joined together partly with and partly without centering utilising an identical distribution of holes, and are screwconnected to one another or secured by means of a spring ring. Reference is made, in this connection, to "WdK-Leitlinie" 105, Page 2, Figs. 7-15, ISO 3911-1977 (E) Fig. 3, German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2 361 066 or German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2 729 079.

According to a Professional Body directive known in the Federal Republic of Germany, the nuts to be loosened or, in the case of welded nuts, the respective screw heads, have to be located on the inside of the wheel (rear surface) which is not accessible. It is necessary to ensure that the air valve has been opened and that the wheel-and-tyre unit is pressureless before the securing means are loosened. This measure is to prevent accidents from occurring as a result of the securing means being inadvertently unscrewed when the wheel-and-tyre unit still has some air pressure subsisting internally. If such an accident occurs, however, the component parts burst apart with such powerful pressure that it is comparable with an explosion.

In practice, however, this directive cannot satisfactorily prevent divided wheels from coming apart or splitting when the tyre still contains air pressure.

To eliminate the cause of such accidents, German Offenlegungsschrift No. 2 709 160 has proposed that wheel bodies or rims be provided so that the pneumatic tyre automatically becomes pressureless once a rim accessory is loosened. For this purpose, a pressure release channel and a detachable cover plate are provided with separate screw connection means.

This known arrangement requires many component parts. It may be improved so that it can be assembled and disassembled more economically and be more universally utilisable.

The invention seeks to develop an arrangement of the above-described type for securing divided or split wheels and for preventing accidents so that, by using a simple construction, a reliable securing means is achieved without making the wheel-and-tyre unit pressureless, and the pressure which subsists is used as an auxiliary means for securing purposes so that a simple, non-problematical arrangement is achieved for securing the dividable wheel-and-tyre unit by more economical means and use thereof.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by using a bayonet-type locking or closure member. In such a case, the wheel or rim portions are displaceable relative to one another over the length of a securing passage (arcuate path or angle). Plug-in connection means are provided on a wheel portion in accordance with a prescribed distribution, such means being disposed so as to be connectable to the other wheel portion in the plane perpendicular to the securing passage.

In a preferred arrangement, the bayonet-type locking member comprises a pattern of holes, which are widened to form elongate holes, and a respective elongate slot is provided with a central countersunk hole. The latter has a corresponding collared bolt as the plug-in connection means, and such bolts are disposed in accordance with a pattern of holes and guided in the elongate slot, the bolt collars being pressed by the subsisting pressure for securement in the countersunk hole. A clamping effect is thereby produced which mades it absolutely impossible to dismantle the wheel. Such securement by means of a bayonet-type closure member ensures that accidents caused by accidental or inadvertent loosening of the screws when the wheel-andtyre unit contains some pressure are eliminated.The means necessary for the bayonettype closure member merely include holes, slots and bolts or teeth and necessitate few component parts and little space. Depending on the nature of the divided wheel, the divided rim or portions thereof, the distribution of holes and the pattern of holes, according to additional features of the invention, may lie on different or identical diameters of graduated circles. In the latter case, the securing collared bolt is incorporated in the securing screw.

The arrangement is uncomplicated and reliable to use, requires little space and may be used both on conventionally divided wheels or rims and on new types of wheels or rims having a rim shoulder provided radially internally.

The present invention will be further illustrated, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a partial, sectional view of a divided vehicle wheel showing a bayonet-type locking member in cross-section; Figure 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken along the line B-B and a sectional view taken along the line C-C of Fig. 2 (on an enlarged scale); Figure 4 is a partial, sectional view of a divided vehicle rim, showing a bayonet-type locking member, which is incorporated in the screw, in cross-section (on an enlarged scale); Figure 5 is a view taken in the direction of D-D in Fig. 4 (on an enlarged scale); Figure 6 is a partial, cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a divided wheel with a bayonet-type locking member;; Figure 7 is a sectional view of a divided rim taken along the line G-G of Fig. 8; Figure 8 is a view taken in the direction of arrow E in Fig. 7; and Figure 9 is a sectional view taken along the line F-F of Fig. 8 (on an enlarged scale).

In Fig. 1, there is shown an axially divided vehicle wheel 1 which basically comprises two wheel halves 1a and 1with respective rim shoulders 2a and 2b and rim flanges 3a and 3b of a rim 2 provided thereon. The rim might also be a divided rim. A pneumatic tyre 4 is shown schematically in its assembled position after it has been filled with compressed air.

The wheel halves are firmly, but detachably, interconnected by means of screws 5 and nuts 6 in accordance with a prescribed distribution of holes. The distribution of holes 7 lies on the radially outer diameter 8 of a graduated circle. The additional distribution of holes 9 is provided for securing the screws (not shown) to the wheel hub (not shown); cf.

Fig. 2.

This vehicle wheel additionaliy has an arrangement for securing the wheel halves in the form of a bayonet-type locking member 10. The latter is explained in conjunction with the views shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

One of the wheel halves, e.g. 1a, has a specific, prescribed, but selectable pattern of holes 12 on the radially inner diameter 11 of a graduated circle.

The holes 13 with the inside diameter D are widened at a depth T in the circumferential direction to form an elongate hole 14. Furthermore, the material existing in the region of the elongate hole is slit so that an elongate slit 15, having the radius r, is formed in the region of the centre line 16 and terminates with open ends in the hole 13. Moreover, centrically relative to 16, there is provided a countersunk hole 17 having a diameter D' which is identical to, or rather smaller than, D and having a countersunk depth t. This countersunk depth t is, for example, half a miilimetre to three millimetres and extends more deeply than the abovementioned depth T of the elongate hole 14.

The length of the elongate slot 15 from the centre of the hole 13 to the centre line 16 is the so-called securing rotational distance a.

The other wheel half, e.g. 1b, has a collared bolt 20 to correspond with the pattern of holes 12 on the side facing the holes 13. It is screwed in position by means of threaded portion 21 and has a protruding bolt 22 with a diameter which is rather smaller than d=2r, r defining the radius of the slot. This bolt terminates in a collar 23 having a diameter almost equal to D', so that it can be inserted through the hole 13. The width b of the collar 23 may be rather smaller than T in millimetres; e.g. if T=2 mm, then b is, for example, 1.8 mm.

For assembly purposes, the wheel halves are placed together in a position which is slightly offset from the final assembly position, the collared bolts 20 being inserted through the holes 13. By rotating such bolts relative to one another, the bayonet-type locking or closure member is connected in position. By this movement, the bolts 20 are inserted into the elongate slots 15. Each collar 23 of each and every collared bolt 20 is located in front of the countersunk hole 17 at the end of the rotational distance a. The bayonet-type closure member is closed. The screws 5 may now be inserted into the holes in accordance with the distribution of holes 7, and the nuts 6 may be placed iri position and screwed tightly.

The arrangement for securing the wheel halves (or rim portions) against the possibility of accidentally becoming detached when there is still some air pressure subsisting therein operates such that, when the screws are loosened, the specific pressure per unit area on the inner portion of the wheel halves becomes effective in the plane of separation, and the wheel halves are moved apart until the collar 23 of the bolt 20 abuts firmly, by contact pressure, against the slot surface or against the surface of the countersunk hole 17. The wheel halves are now locked to prevent any further movement. They are clamped because of the internal pressure which acts upon the bayonet-type locking or closure member.

This locking means can only be released when the tyre is made pressureless. For this purpose, the air valve has to be operated.

When this is done, and after removal of the screws, the bayonet-type locking member can be unlocked by covering the rotational distance and by taking apart the wheel halves.

In Figs. 4 and 5, there is shown an arrangement for securing the wheel halves or rim portions 30a and 30b, wherein the securing screw 31 has the locking bolt 32 and the collar 33 incorporated therein. In this embodiment, the distribution of holes 34 and the pattern of holes 35 are provided on a diameter 36 of a graduated circle. The hole 37 is again widened to form an elongate hole 38. An elongate slot 39 and a countersunk hole 40 are provided. The installation of the wheel halves is effected as in the previous embodiment. The arrangement operates in the same manner as when a separate bayonet-type locking member and screw connection are used. In this case also, the screw nut is placed in position and screwed tightly in the final, assembled position where the bolt 32 is located in the slot 39.The only additional, practical safety measure is a pin 41 in the vicinity of the elongate hole. Such pin 41 prevents cross-threading when the hole 37 is in its assembled position, because the nut cannot be screwed in position here as a result of the pin.

In Fig. 6, there is shown an embodiment for a test bed vehicle wheel 50. The design of the wheel portions differs from that shown in Fig. 1. The bayonet-type locking member 49 is the same. It is shown in its connected position. The positive arrangement for the bayonet-type locking member-which requires few component parts-and the reliable locking means for preventing accidental disassembly-which means is easy to operate-are also provided here. Such means ensures that accidents are prevented simply and with few component parts. However, the bayonet-type locking member can also be used with different rim designs, e.g. with those rims which have bead seats located radially internally, to secure the tyre bead by means of a clamping member or by means of an additional alternative rim portion.

A divided rim is shown in Fig. 7. It mainly comprises a lateral ring 60 and the rim or wheel portion 63. The toothing 61 is visible in Fig. 8 as a component part of the bayonettype locking member. The teeth are provided, for example, on the lateral ring 60. For connection purposes, the lateral ring assumes a slightly offset position and is pressed against the wheel portion 63, and the teeth 61-which are disposed in a prescribed distribution 62 are inserted into corresponding insert apertures 64 which are distributed along the circumference. The teeth 61 are connected in position by a transverse movement and rotated through the securing distance a.

Transverse slots 65 and recesses 66 are provided for this purpose, as can be seen from Fig. 9. An additional connection stop member may be provided in the form of a stop collar 67. The closed bayonet-type locking member is visible in Figs. 7 and 8 by the dotted line of this tooth. Such a bayonet-type locking member also constitutes a secure, uncomplicated means for preventing a wheel which contains some air pressure from becoming accidentally disassembled.

Claims (9)

1. An arrangement for securing a divided vehicle wheel, a divided rim or detachably interconnected wheel portions, more especially rim portions, against the possibility of bursting open as a result of the air pressure subsisting inside an associated vehicle tyre, wherein the wheel halves or rim portions are provided with securing means, more especially securing screws, in a predetermined, selectable distribution and are firmly, but detachably, interconnected by such securing means, characterised by a bayonet-type locking member, wherein the wheel portions are displaceable relative to one another over the length of a securing passage, and wherein plug-in connection means are provided on at least one wheel portion in a prescribed bayonet distribution, such means being disposed so as to be connectable to the other wheel portion in the plane perpendicular to the securing passage.

2. A securing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein each hole in a pattern of holes is widened in the circumferential direction to form an elongate hole and has an elongate slot, and wherein the plug-in connection means are collared bolts, the bolt being provided to correspond with the elongate slot in the final installation position.

3. An arrangement as claimed in claim 2, wherein, in addition to the elongate slot being provided, a countersunk hole is provided centrically relative to the elongate hole.

4. A securing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the distribution of holes for the securing screws and the bayonet distribution for the bayonet-type locking member lie on separate diameters of graduated circles.

5. A securing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the distribution of holes and the bayonet distribution lie on a diameter of a graduated circle.

6. A securing arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a securing bolt is provided with a bolt collar and is incorporated in the screw-and-nut unit, and wherein the distribution of holes and the bayonet distribution are identical.

7. A securing arrangement as claimed in claim 1, wherein a wheel portion has connecting teeth provided in a prescribed distribution, and wherein one or each wheel portion, according to the number of connecting teeth, has an insert aperture provided with a transverse slot, and one or each wheel portion, according to the bayonet distribution, has a recess for receiving the connecting teeth in the connected position.

8. A securing arrangement as claimed in claim 7, wherein a stop member is additionally provided and limits the recess at the insert aperture end.

9. An arrangement for securing a divided vehicle wheel, a divided rim or detachably interconnected wheel portions, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs.

1 to 5 or Figs. 6 to 9 of the accompanying drawings.