James Thomas Weeks

US Patent:

63153661, Nov 13, 2001

Filed:

Jul 12, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/351959

Inventors:

Charles C. Post - Haslett MI
James B. Weeks - Springfield OH
Michael R. Bernard - Dewitt MI
Joseph S. Reding - Chatham, CA
Gale Raymond - Grand Ledge MI

Assignee:

Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc. - Northville MI

International Classification:

B60B 2500

US Classification:

301 111

Abstract:

A take apart safety vehicle wheel assembly including a disc, an inner rim joined to the disc, and an outer rim joined to the disc. The disc has a generally centrally located wheel mounting surface and includes an outer annular flange which defines an outer cylindrical surface. The inner rim includes an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a generally axially extending well, and an outboard tire bead seat which terminates at an axial endmost surface. The outer rim includes an inner mounting surface and outer annular flange. The outer annular flange of the outer rim defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the take apart safety vehicle wheel assembly and includes an inner surface. An elastomeric member disposed in a cavity defined by the axial endmost surface of the inner rim, the inner surface of the outer annular flange of the outer rim, and the outer cylindrical surface of the outer annular flange of the disc. The take apart safety vehicle wheel assembly further includes only a single weld to join the disc to the inner rim; the outer rim being joined to the disc by a plurality of nuts and bolts which are adapted to compress the elastomeric member in the cavity so as to provide an air-tight seal in the take apart safety vehicle wheel assembly between the associated surfaces of the inner rim, the outer rim, and the disc.

US Patent:

44497563, May 22, 1984

Filed:

Mar 9, 1982

Appl. No.:

6/356457

Inventors:

James B. Weeks - Haslett MI

Assignee:

Motor Wheel Corporation - Lansing MI

International Classification:

B60B 300
B60B 702

US Classification:

301 37P

Abstract:

A road wheel for a track-laying vehicle which comprises a metal disc wheel including a wheel mounting disc, a rim extending axially from the periphery of the disc and a strengthening flange projecting radially inwardly from the disc-remote edge of the rim. An overlay body of foamed elastomeric material is molded onto the disc wheel to fill the area between the disc, rim and flange, and thereby prevent accumulation of mud in this area. The outboard surface of the overlay body is pitched axially from the disc to the rim to self-clean as the wheel is rotating. A solid rubber tire is carried externally of the rim.

US Patent:

44250088, Jan 10, 1984

Filed:

Aug 17, 1981

Appl. No.:

6/293663

Inventors:

James B. Weeks - Haslett MI

Assignee:

Motor Wheel Corporation - Lansing MI

International Classification:

B62D 5514
B62D 5508

US Classification:

305 24

Abstract:

An improved wheel assembly for a track assembly of a crawler-type vehicle, and method of making the same, comprising a dual wheel set wherein each wheel of the set has a wheel disc with a central bolt circle portion, an intermediate generally conical portion extending outwardly from the central portion and an axially extending peripheral flange portion. A rim is mounted on said disc flange and preferably a rubber tire carried on the outer surface of the rim. The disc is a standard-type spun tapered truck wheel disc of current standard specification having an outwardly narrowing tapered cross-section. The rim comprises a cylindrical center section and a pair of inwardly extending, preferably slightly divergent peripheral edge flanges, and the rim is preferably secured to the disc peripheral flange by a circumferentially continuous weld at or near the axial center of the rim. The dual wheels of the set are mounted back-to-back relative to one another so as to be adapted to straddle a centrally located row of guide spikes of an associated track.