Quick fastening wheel weight system

• US 7,182,409 B2
• Filed: 06/21/2004
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sop Services Incorporated (Escalade Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sop Services Incorporated (Escalade Incorporated)
• Inventors: Thomas, Scott, Zirkelbach, Andrew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bellinger; Jason R.
• Application Number:
  US10/872,837
• Publication Number:
  US 20050280308A1
• Time in Patent Office: 981 Days
• Field of Search: 301/53.5, 280758-759, 280/755
• 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, 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. In another form, the present system includes a post mounted to a wheel 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.

Claims

1. A weight attachment apparatus, comprising:

a. at least one post mounted to a wheel wherein said post defines a first post end on a side of the wheel opposite to said weight, wherein said first post end is threaded, and a nut threaded onto said first post end;

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 in a fixed position to the wheel wherein said post has a cavity configured to receive and engage a portion of said quick release fastener to secure said quick release fastener to said post.

2. The weight attachment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said quick release fastener comprises a moveable eccentric cam pivotally mounted to said quick release fastener portion secured to said post.

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

4. The weight attachment apparatus of claim 1, wherein said cavity is threaded and said portion of said quick release fastener extending into said cavity is at least partially threaded.

5. The weight attachment apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of posts mounted to the wheel.

6. The weight attachment apparatus of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of weights supported by said plurality of posts.

7. A system, comprising:

a. a vehicle having one or more wheels;

b. at least one post mounted to at least one of said wheels wherein a portion of said at least one post extends through said wheel and wherein said portion is secured to said wheel using a removable fastener;

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

,

d. a quick release fastener having a post portion connected to said at least one post and an eccentric cam pivotally mounted to said post portion;

e. wherein said quick release fastener releaseably secures said weight, with said eccentric cam abutting said weight when engaged, to secure said weight on said at least one post between said eccentric cam and said wheel.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein said weight comprises at least one passageway configured to receive said at least one post.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein said weight comprises at least one open portion suitable for allowing access to a tire inflation valve on a tire mounted to said wheel.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein said removable fastener is at least one nut threaded onto said portion of said at least one post extending through said wheel opposite said weight, wherein said portion is configured to receive said at least one nut.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein said at least one post has a cavity configured to receive a portion of said quick release fastener.

12. The system of claim 7, comprising a plurality of weights directly supported by a plurality of posts mounted to said at least one wheel.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein said plurality of weights are configured to at least partially fit within said one or more wheels.

14. A method, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a post and a wheel;

b. securing said post to said wheel with a fastener on one side of said wheel;

c. supporting a weight directly on said post on a side opposite said fastener; and

d. securing said weight on said post to said wheel with a quick release fasteners, wherein said quick release fastener includes a pivotally mounted eccentric cam engaged to said post, with said eccentric cam abutting said weight when engaged to secure said weight between said eccentric cam and said wheel.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said securing said post to said wheel comprises extending a portion of said post through said wheel and threading a nut onto said portion of said post extending through said wheel to secure said post to said wheel.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein supporting said weight includes aligning a passageway of said weight with said post and sliding said weight onto said post.

17. The method of claim 14, 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.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said quick release fastener comprises a moveable cam.

19. A weight kit for a vehicle wheel, comprising:

a. a kit container, holding;

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

c. a pair of fasteners suitable for securing said end portions of said pair of posts to said wheel;

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

e. 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 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.

20. The weight kit of claim 19, wherein said end portions of said pair of posts are threaded and said pair of fasteners are nuts threadably received on said end portions.

21. The weight kit of claim 19, wherein said cavities and said components are threaded, and said components are each threadably received in said cavity of said corresponding post.

22. The weight kit of claim 19, wherein said pair of quick release locks are eccentric cam locks.

23. The weight kit of claim 19, wherein said weight includes an outer shell of molded plastic.

24. The weight kit of claim 19, wherein said kit container includes a pair of openings suitable for receiving said pair of posts.

25. The weight kit of claim 19, wherein said kit container includes a pair of openings suitable for receiving said pair of quick release locks.

26. The weight kit of claim 19, wherein said kit container includes at least one opening suitable for receiving said at least one weight.

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

a. a kit container, holding;

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

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; and

e. a pair of quick release locks with eccentric cams operable with said pair of posts to releaseably secure said at least one weight on said pair of posts between said eccentric cams and said wheel, 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.