Adjustable weighted wheel assembly

• US 8,167,380 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2010
• Issued: 05/01/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/10/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vanquish Products, LLC
• Original Assignee: Vanquish Products, LLC
• Inventors: Eaton, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kotter, Kip T
• Application Number:
  US12/832,850
• Publication Number:
  US 20100276987A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 301/9.2, 301/35.629, 301/35.63, 301/53.5, 301/64.202, 301/64.203, 301/64.302, 301/64.303, 301/64.305, 301/105.1, 152/381.4, 152/396, 152/397, 152/398, 152/409, 295/6, 295/7
• US Class Current: 301/53.5
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 17/262 Chassis; Wheel mountings; Wheels; Axles; Suspensions; Fitting body portions to chassis
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 15/28 Wheel-ballasting weights; Their attachment

Abstract

The application discloses a wheel assembly comprising a wheel comprising a main body, a substantially cylindrical wall, a front hub face comprising a central portion connecting a hub to an outer rim, wherein the front hub face comprises a socket for receiving a removable weight, wherein the socket or the weight is configured with a stop for preventing the weight from dislodging from the socket; a back face comprising a back central portion connecting the hub to the back outer rim; and the wheel assembly comprising at least one fastener for securing the weigh in the socket on the main body of the wheel.

Claims

1. A wheel assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a wheel comprising a main body having a first portion and a second portion, a substantially cylindrical wall, a front hub face and a back hub face comprising a central portion connecting a hub to an outer rim;

the back hub face comprising a back central portion connecting the hub to the back outer rim;

wherein the main body is configured to provide a variable width of the main body or a variable width of the rim; and

wherein one or more removable spacers are provided in the space between the first portion and the second portion of the main body to vary the overall width of the main body or the width of the rim and wherein the spacers are individual washer-shaped bodies that are provided concentrically with fasteners, and wherein the washer-shaped bodies and fasteners couple a bead lock comprising openings, to the second portion of the main body.

2. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a first portion and a second portion having a space between the first portion and the second portion, and wherein the amount of space between the first portion and the second portion of the main body determines the width of the main body or the width of the rim.

3. The wheel assembly of claim 2, wherein the fasteners pass through the openings and the first portion of the main body and through the removable spacers to engage threaded holes in the second portion.

4. The wheel assembly of claim 1, wherein an insert is coupled to the hub with removable fasteners.

5. The wheel assembly of claim 4, wherein the wheel assembly is configured for the use of a deep insert instead of a shallow insert that increases the wheel-to-wheel width of the vehicle by approximately 0.5 inches.