SEGMENT WHEEL BALLAST FOR A TRACTOR

• US 3,774,970 A
• Filed: 09/13/1972
• Issued: 11/27/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/1972
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gerald Francis Murphy, Stanley Harold Ehlers
• Original Assignee: Gerald Francis Murphy, Stanley Harold Ehlers
• Inventors: Murphy, Gerald Francis, Ehlers, Stanley Harold
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Richard J.
• Application Number:
  US05/288,656
• Time in Patent Office: 440 Days
• Field of Search: 301/41R,41W 280/150,15E
• US Class Current: 301/53.5
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 15/28 Wheel-ballasting weights; Their attachment

Abstract

A ring-shaped wheel ballast composed of a plurality of weight segments for increasing the traction of a tractor is configured in such a manner that only one bolt is required to mount each weight segment to the wheel disc. Each weight segment has a beveled longitudinal edge and a complementary beveled transverse edge. The segments are mounted on the wheel disc in abutting relationship such that the longitudinal edge of one weight segment mates with the transverse edge of an adjoining segment. This mating laterally locks one end of each weight segment and a solitary bolt and nut arrangement securely fastens the opposite end of each segment to the wheel disc. The weight segments are also adapted for releasably carrying perpendicular projecting threaded dowls or bolts such that a succeeding wheel ballast can be mounted on the wheel disc in side-by-side stacking relationship with the first wheel ballast.

Claims

1. A wheel ballast carried by the outer surface of the disc of a wheel comprising:

a. a plurality of weight segments arranged in a circular configuration on the outer surface of the disc of the wheel and in abutting relationship with each other;

each of the weight segments having an inner beveled longitudinal edge and a complementary beveled transverse edge;

b. singular means for each weight segment for detachably securing the weight segment to the outer surface of the disc of a wheel so that the longitudinal edge of one weight segment mates with the transverse edge of an abutting weight segment whereby one weight segment outwardly locks an abutting weight segment.

2. A wheel ballast as in claim 1 wherein each of said weight segments possesses a transverse aperture and wherein said singular means for each weight segment for detachably securing each weight segment to the outer face of the wheel disc comprises a dowl for each of the weight segments extending outwardly from the outer surface of the wheel disc and projecting through the respective apertures in the weight segments;

and nut means threadedly engaging said dowl outwardly of the wheel segments whereby said weight segments are held in pressure engagement to said wheel disc.

3. A wheel ballast as in claim 1 wherein said wheel ballast has an open center to permit access to the hub of the wheel.

4. A wheel ballast as in claim 1 wherein each of said weight segments carries means to accept and retain a second wheel ballast, identical to said first wheel ballast.

5. A wheel ballast as in claim 4 wherein said means to accept and retain said second wheel ballast comprises an outwardly projecting dowl carried by each of said weight segments.

6. A wheel ballast as in claim 4 wherein each of said weight segments possesses an inwardly projecting circumferential lip surface and a peripheral fluted recess on the outer face thereof whereby the first wheel ballast possesses a seating surface upon which the lip surface of the second wheel ballast rides.