Modified mini stock racing car wheel hub

• US 5,281,004 A
• Filed: 05/11/1992
• Issued: 01/25/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raymond Jr O'Leary
• Original Assignee: Raymond Jr O'Leary
• Inventors: O'Leary, Raymond Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stormer, Russell D.
• Application Number:
  US07/881,175
• Time in Patent Office: 624 Days
• Field of Search: 301/105.1, 301/108.1, 301/108.4, 301/111, 301/124.1, 301/126, 301/131, 301/125
• US Class Current: 301/105.1
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/001 with roller-bearings
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 27/02 adapted to be rotatably arranged on axle
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 2065/1392 Connection elements
• CPC Class Codes: F16D 65/123 comprising an annular disc secured to a hub member; Discs characterised by means for mounting

Abstract

Each of a number of wheel hubs of a modified mini stock racing car is removably affixed to a corresponding one of a number of brake rotors in coaxial relation with its corresponding axle. Each of the wheel hubs has a hollow cylindrical base portion coaxially positioned around the corresponding axle on the side of the corresponding brake rotor closer to the corresponding end of the corresponding axle than the opposite side of the brake rotor. The base portion has a first end and a spaced opposite second end axially farther from the corresponding brake rotor than the first end. A number of equiangularly spaced ears extend radially from the second end of the base portion of the hub for equal radial distances and a plurality of equiangularly spaced gussets equal in number to the ears extend radially from the base portion. Each of the gussets extends from a corresponding one of the ears along the base portion to the first end of the base portion and each of the gussets has a coupling component at its end adjacent the first end of the base portion to enable the rotor to be removably affixed to its corresponding wheel hub. Bearings are positioned between the axles and each of the wheel hubs and in contact with both the wheel hubs and the axles.

Claims

1. In an automotive vehicle having a front axle having spaced opposite first and second ends, a rear axle having spaced opposite first and second ends, a plurality of brake rotors, each in proximity with a corresponding one of the ends of said axles in coaxial relation with its corresponding axle,

a universal wheel hub removably affixed to a brake rotor in coaxial relation with its axle, said wheel hub comprising a hollow substantially cylindrical base portion coaxially positioned around said axle on the side of said brake rotor closer to the end of said axle than the opposite side of said brake rotor, said base portion having a first end and a spaced opposite second end axially farther from said brake rotor than said first end, a plurality of equiangularly spaced ears extending radially from said second end of said base portion of said hub for equal radial distances and a plurality of equiangularly spaced gussets equal in number to said ears extending radially from said base portion, each of said gussets extending from a corresponding one of said ears along said base portion to said first end of said base portion, each of said gussets having coupling means at its end adjacent said first end of said base portion to enable said rotor to be removably affixed to said wheel hub whereby said gussets reinforce said ears thereby maintaining the structural integrity of said wheel hub and the spaces between said ears and gussets permit the flow of cooling air over said wheel hub and to said brake rotor, and

bearing means positioned between said axle and said wheel hub and in contact with both said wheel hub and said axle, and axle end locking means at an end of said axle for removably securing said wheel hub and bearing means to its axle at the end of said axle.

2. In an automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base portion of said wheel hub has five equiangularly spaced ears and five equiangularly spaced gussets.

3. In an automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said vehicle is a modified mini stock racing car.

4. In an automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of said gussets tapers down from its end at its corresponding ear to said first end of said base portion.

5. In an automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 4, wherein said locking means comprises a lock nut and wherein said vehicle further has a dust cap at said end of said axle for capping end thereby covering the lock nut.

6. An automotive vehicle, comprising

a front axle, having spaced opposite first and second ends;

a rear axle having spaced opposite first and second ends;

a plurality of brake rotors, each in proximity with a corresponding one of the ends of said axles in coaxial relation with its corresponding axle;

a universal wheel hub removably affixed to a brake rotor in coaxial relation with its axle, said wheel hub having a hollow cylindrical base portion coaxially positioned around said axle on the side of said brake rotor closer to the end of said axle than the opposite side of said brake rotor, said base portion having a first end and a spaced opposite second end axially farther from said brake rotor than said first end, a plurality of equinangularly spaced ears extending radially from said second end of said base portion of said hub for equal radial distances and a plurality of equiangularly spaced gussets equal in number to said ears extending radially from said base portion, each of said gussets extending from a corresponding one of said ears along said base portion to said first end of said base portion, each of said gussets having coupling means at its end adjacent said first end of said base portion to enable said brake rotor to be removably affixed to said wheel hub whereby said gussets reinforce said ears thereby maintaining the structural integrity of said wheel hub and the spaces between said ears and gussets permit the flow of cooling air over said wheel hub and to said brake rotor;

bearing means positioned between said axle and hub and in contact with both said wheel axle; and

a lock nut at an end of said axle for removably securing said wheel hub to its axle at the end of said axle.

7. An automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein said base portion of said wheel hub has five equiangularly spaced ears and five equiangularly spaced gussets.

8. An automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 6, wherein said vehicle is a modified mini stock racing ear.

9. An automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 7, wherein each of said gussets tapers down from its end at its corresponding ear to said first end of said base portion.

10. An automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a dust cap at said end of said axle for capping said end thereby covering the lock nut.

11. An automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 9, wherein said rear axle is a drive axle and further comprising a plurality of lock nuts, each at a corresponding end of a corresponding one of said axles, a pair of dust caps, each at a corresponding end of said front axle for capping the ends of said front axle thereby covering the corresponding lock nut and a pair of drive flanges, each at a corresponding end of said rear axle for capping the ends of said rear axle thereby covering the corresponding lock nut.

12. An automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 11, wherein each of said drive flanges has 24 splines and accommodates eight bolts.

13. An automotive vehicle as claimed in claim 7, further comprising a pair of front spindles each at a corresponding end of one of said axles, each of said front spindles having a hollow hub, an externally threaded connector extending coaxially from said hub and opening thereinto and a pair of oppositely extending radial drive arms extending from said hub, each opening into said hub and consisting of a tube.

14. A modified mini stock racing car, comprising

a front axle having spaced opposite first and second ends;

a rear drive axle having spaced opposite first and second ends;

a plurality of brake rotors, each in proximity with a corresponding one of the ends of said axles in coaxial relation with its coresponding axle;

a universal wheel hub removably affixed to a brake rotor in coaxial relation with its axle, said wheel hub having a hollow cylindrical base portion coaxially positioned around said axle on the side of said brake rotor closer to the end of said axle than the opposite side of said brake rotor, said base portion having a first end and a spaced opposite second end axially farther from said brake rotor than said first end, five equiangularly spaced ears extending radially from said second end of said base portion of said hub for equal radial distances and five equiangularly spaced gussets extending radially from said base portion, each of said gussets extending from a corresponding one of said ears along said base portion to said first end of said base portion, each of said gussets tapering down from its end at its corresponding ear to said first end of said base portion and each of said gussets having coupling means at its end adjacent said first end of said base portion to enable said brake rotor to be removably affixed to said wheel hub whereby said gussets reinforce said ears thereby maintaining the structural integrity of said wheel hub and the spaces between said ears and gussets permit the flow of cooling air over said wheel hub and to said brake rotor;

bearing means positioned between said axle and said wheel hub and in contact with both said wheel hub and said axle; and

a lock nut at an end of said axle for removably securing said wheel hub to its axle at the end of said axle.

15. A modified mini stock racing car as claimed in claim 14, further comprising a pair of dust caps, each at a corresponding end of said front axle for capping the ends of said front axle thereby covering the corresponding lock nut.

16. A modified mini stock racing car as claimed in claim 15, further comprising a pair of drive flanges each at a corresponding end of said rear axle for capping the ends of said rear axle thereby covering the corresponding lock nut.

17. A modified mini stock racing car as claimed in claim 16, wherein each of said drive flanges has 24 splines and accommodates eight bolts.