Dual wheel centering system, method and kit
OwnerJames H. Anderseninventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A centering system for centering the inner and outer wheels of a dual wheel assembly on a hub includes at least three centering sets. Each centering set has an inner sleeve and a separate outer sleeve. Each inner sleeve fits between a wheel stud on the hub and a bolt hole in the inner wheel to center the inner wheel. Each outer sleeve fits between the wheel stud and a bolt hole in the outer wheel to center the outer wheel. The inner sleeves can also include a section that fits between the wheel stud on the hub and a bolt hole in the brake drum to center the brake drum.
Claims19
A centering system for centering a dual wheel assembly on a hub, said wheel assembly having an inner wheel and an outer wheel, comprising:
- a plurality of centering sets each including an inner sleeve and a separate outer sleeve, said inner sleeve having an interior surface defining an interior bore sized to slide onto a wheel stud on said hub, said inner sleeve including a wheel aperture portion with an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on said inner wheel, said wheel aperture portion having a length less than the thickness of said inner wheel, said outer sleeve having an interior bore sized to slide onto said wheel stud, said outer sleeve including a wheel aperture portion with an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on said outer wheel, said wheel aperture portion having a length less than the thickness of said outer wheel.
A system for centering a dual wheel assembly on a hub, said wheel assembly having an inner wheel and an outer wheel, comprising:
- a plurality of centering sets each including an inner sleeve and a separate outer sleeve,
- said inner sleeve having an interior surface defining an interior bore sized to slide onto a wheel stud on said hub, said inner sleeve including a wheel aperture portion with an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on said inner wheel, said wheel aperture portion having a length less than the thickness of said inner wheel, said exterior surface of said wheel aperture portion having a circumferential grease groove, said inner sleeve including a drum aperture portion connected to said wheel aperture portion, said drum aperture portion having an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on a brake drum mounted between said hub and said inner wheel, said drum aperture portion having a length less than the thickness of said brake drum,
- said outer sleeve having an interior bore sized to slide onto said wheel stud, said outer sleeve including a wheel aperture portion with an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on said outer wheel, said wheel aperture portion having a length less than the thickness of said outer wheel, said exterior surface of said wheel aperture portion having a circumferential grease groove, said outer sleeve having a flange that projects radially outwardly from said wheel aperture portion.
A centering set for a system for centering a dual wheel assembly on a hub, said wheel assembly having an inner wheel and an outer wheel, comprising:
- an inner sleeve with an interior surface defining an interior bore sized to slide onto a wheel stud on said hub and having a wheel aperture portion with an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on said inner wheel, said wheel aperture portion having a length less than the thickness of said inner wheel, and
- a separate outer sleeve with an interior bore sized to slide onto said wheel stud and having a wheel aperture portion with an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on said outer wheel, said wheel aperture portion having a length less than the thickness of said outer wheel.
A centering set for a system for centering a dual wheel assembly on a hub, said wheel assembly having an inner wheel and an outer wheel, comprising:
- an inner sleeve with an interior surface defining an interior bore sized to slide onto a wheel stud on said hub, said inner sleeve having a wheel aperture portion with an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on said inner wheel, said wheel aperture portion having a length less than the thickness of said inner wheel, said exterior surface of said wheel aperture portion having a circumferential grease groove, said inner sleeve including a drum aperture portion connected to said wheel aperture portion, said drum aperture portion having an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on a brake drum mounted between said hub and said inner wheel, said drum aperture portion having a length less than the thickness of said brake drum, and
- a separate outer sleeve with an interior bore sized to slide onto said wheel stud, said outer sleeve having a wheel aperture portion with an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on said outer wheel, said wheel aperture portion having a length less than the thickness of said outer wheel, said exterior surface of said wheel aperture portion having a circumferential grease groove, said outer sleeve having a flange that projects radially outwardly from said wheel aperture portion.
A kit for centering dual wheel assemblies on both hubs on an axle, each wheel assembly having an inner wheel and an outer wheel, comprising:
- at least six centering sets each including an inner sleeve and a separate outer sleeve, said inner sleeve having an interior surface defining an interior bore sized to slide onto a wheel stud on said hub, said inner sleeve including a wheel aperture portion with an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on said inner wheel, said wheel aperture portion having a length less than the thickness of said inner wheel, said outer sleeve having an interior bore sized to slide onto said wheel stud, said outer sleeve including a wheel aperture portion with an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on said outer wheel, said wheel aperture portion having a length less than the thickness of said outer wheel,
- whereby three said centering sets center said dual wheel assembly on one hub and three said centering sets center said dual wheel assembly on the other hub.
A method for centering a dual wheel assembly on a hub, said wheel assembly having an inner wheel and an outer wheel, comprising the steps of:
- providing a plurality of centering sets each including an inner sleeve and a separate outer sleeve, said inner sleeve including a wheel aperture portion with an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on said inner wheel, said outer sleeve including a wheel aperture portion with an exterior surface sized to slide into a bolt aperture on said outer wheel,
- assembling said inner sleeves onto selected wheel studs on said hub,
- mounting said inner wheel onto said hub, with said wheel aperture portions of said inner sleeves extending into said bolt apertures of said inner wheel,
- then mounting said outer wheel onto said hub, and
- then assembling said outer sleeves onto said selected wheel studs on said hub with said wheel aperture portions of said outer sleeves extending into said bolt apertures of said outer wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.