Quick fastening wheel weight system

• US 20050280308A1
• Filed: 06/21/2004
• Published: 12/22/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sop Services Incorporated (Escalade Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sop Services Incorporated (Escalade Incorporated)
• Inventors: Thomas, Scott, Zirkelbach, Andrew J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,182,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 301/53.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 15/28 Wheel-ballasting weights; Their attachment

Abstract

In one form, the present system includes a post mounted to a wheel rim, a weight directly supported by the post, and a quick release fastener connected to the post. The quick release fastener releaseably secures the weight on the post in a fixed position to the wheel rim. In another form, the present system includes a post mounted to a wheel rim wherein the post has a cavity, a weight supported by the post, and a quick release fastener. Further, the quick release fastener has a portion received by the cavity of the post and the quick release fastener releaseably secures the weight on the post in a fixed relation to the wheel rim.

Claims

1. A weight attachment apparatus, comprising:

a. at least one post mounted to a wheel;

b. at least one weight supported by said post; and

c. a quick release fastener connected to said post to releaseably secure said weight on said post and in a fixed position to said wheel rim.

2. The weight attachment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said quick release fastener comprises a moveable eccentric cam.

3. The weight attachment apparatus of claim 1, wherein a portion of said post extends through said wheel rim.

4. The weight attachment apparatus of claim 3, further comprising a nut threaded onto said portion of said post extending through said wheel rim and opposite the side of said weight wherein said portion is threaded.

5. The weight attachment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said post has a cavity configured to receive a portion of said quick release fastener.

6. The weight attachment apparatus of claim 5, wherein said cavity is threaded and said portion of said quick release fastener extending into said cavity is at least partially threaded.

7. The weight attachment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of posts mounted to said wheel rim.

8. The weight attachment apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of weights supported by said plurality of posts.

9. A system, comprising:

a. a vehicle having one or more wheel rims;

b. at least one post mounted to at least one of said wheel rims wherein a portion of said at least one post extends through said wheel rim;

c. at least one weight supported by said at least one post;

d. a quick release fastener connected to said at least one post; and

e. wherein said quick release fastener releaseably secures said weight on said at least one post to said wheel rim.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said weight comprises at least one passageway configured to receive said at least one post.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said weight comprises at least one open portion suitable for allowing access to a tire inflation valve on a wheel mounted to said wheel rim.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein said quick release fastener has a moveable eccentric cam.

13. The system of claim 9, further comprising at least one nut threaded onto said portion of said at least one post extending through said wheel rim opposite said weight, wherein said portion is configured to receive said at least one nut.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein said at least one post has a cavity configured to receive a portion of said quick release fastener.

15. The system of claim 9, comprising a plurality of weights directly supported by a plurality of posts mounted to said at least one wheel rim.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said plurality of weights are configured to at least partially fit within said one or more wheel rims.

17. A method, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a post and a wheel rim;

b. securing said post to said wheel rim;

c. supporting a weight directly on said post; and

d. securing said weight on said post to said wheel rim with said quick release fastener.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising extending a portion of said post through said wheel rim and threading a nut onto said portion of said post extending through said wheel rim to secure said post to said wheel rim.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein supporting said weight includes aligning a passageway of said weight with said post and sliding said weight onto said post.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising connecting a quick release fastener to said post and inserting a portion of said quick release fastener into a cavity of said post.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said quick release fastener comprises a moveable cam.

22. A weight kit for a vehicle wheel rim, comprising:

a. a kit container, holding;

b. a pair of posts configured to be mounted horizontally to a vehicle wheel rim, wherein each post has an end portion suitable for extending at least partially through said wheel rim;

c. at least one weight configured to be slidably received upon and supported by said pair of posts; and

d. a pair of quick release locks operable with said pair of posts to retain said at least one weight from horizontally sliding on said pair of posts.

23. The weight kit of claim 22, further comprising a pair of fasteners suitable for securing said end portions of said pair of posts to said wheel rim.

24. The weight kit of claim 22, wherein said end portions of said pair of posts are threaded and said pair of fasteners are nuts threadably received on said end portions.

25. The weight kit of claim 22, wherein said pair of posts each have a cavity and said pair of quick release locks each have a component internally received in said cavity of a corresponding post.

26. The weight kit of claim 25, wherein said cavities and said components are threaded, and said components are each threadably received in said cavity of said corresponding post.

27. The weight kit of claim 22, wherein said pair of quick release locks are eccentric cam locks.

28. The weight kit of claim 22, wherein said weight includes an outer shell of molded plastic.

29. The weight kit of claim 22, wherein said kit container includes a pair of openings suitable for receiving said pair of posts.

30. The weight kit of claim 22, wherein said kit container includes a pair of openings suitable for receiving said pair of quick release locks.

31. The weight kit of claim 22, wherein said kit container includes at least one opening suitable for receiving said at least one weight.

32. A weight kit for a vehicle wheel rim, consisting essentially of:

a. a kit container, holding;

b. a pair of posts configured to be mounted horizontally to a vehicle wheel rim, wherein each post has an end portion suitable for extending at least partially through said wheel rim;

c. one weight configured to be received on and supported by said pair of posts;

d. a pair of fasteners suitable for securing said end portions of said pair of posts to said wheel rim; and

e. a pair of quick release locks operable with said pair of posts to releaseably secure said at least one weight on said pair of posts to said wheel rim.