Molded wheel with integral axle retainer
First Claim
1. A molded plastic wheel comprising, an annular hub having a bore, a plurality of spokes, and a rim having a wheel support surface, wherein said spokes radially extend between said rim and hub, wherein said bore includes first and second regions or differing diameters, and wherein said bore includes a plurality of integral tabs which protect from the walls of said bore intermediate the first and second regions and which tabs are formed to flex along a longitudinal axis of the bore, whereby said tabs are capable of restraining an axle to said wheel.
2 Assignments
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Accused Products
Abstract
A molded plastic wheel having an integrally formed axle retainer which mates to an annular axle groove. In a blow molded wheel construction, a number of flexible tabs radially project into an axle bore. A portion of each tab is acutely displaced to the bore walls adjacent to a region of relief which facilitates tab flexion. The tabs are die cut from flashed material at the bore. Internal trusses formed intermediate external traction lugs at the tread to sidewall transition stabilize the wheel rim.
48 Citations
12 Claims
- 1. A molded plastic wheel comprising, an annular hub having a bore, a plurality of spokes, and a rim having a wheel support surface, wherein said spokes radially extend between said rim and hub, wherein said bore includes first and second regions or differing diameters, and wherein said bore includes a plurality of integral tabs which protect from the walls of said bore intermediate the first and second regions and which tabs are formed to flex along a longitudinal axis of the bore, whereby said tabs are capable of restraining an axle to said wheel.
- 10. A blow molded plastic wheel comprising, a hollow annular hub having a bore containing a first region of a first diameter and a second region of a second diameter greater than the first diameter, a plurality of hollow spokes, a plurality of webs which integrally extend between adjacent ones of said plurality of spokes, and a hollow rim having a wheel support surface, wherein said spokes and webs radially extend between said rim and hub, wherein said bore includes a plurality of integral tabs which radially project at an acute angle to the bore walls from said first region into said second region, such that said tabs can flex and bend into the second region.
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12. A blow molded plastic wheel comprising, a hollow annular hub having a bore and a hollow rim integrally molded with said hub having a wheel support surface, wherein said bore includes first and second regions or differing diameters, and wherein said bore includes a plurality of integral tabs which radially project from the bore walls into said bore intermediate the first and second regions.
Specification