# US 2019/0168328 A1 · Wheel Repair Method and Hardware > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0168328 A1 - Document ID: US20190168328A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/211,163 - Filed: 2018-12-05 - Published: 2019-06-06 - Earliest claimed: 2017-12-05 - Inventors: Creighton Harmon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190168328A1 ## CPC - B23K 9/04: Welding for other purposes than joining, e.g. built-up welding - B23K 9/167: and of a non-consumable electrode - B23P 6/00: Restoring or reconditioning objects (straightening or restoring form of sheet metal, metal rods, metal tubes, metal profiles, or specific articles made therefrom B21D1/00, B21D3/00; repairing defective or damaged objects by casting techniques B22D19/10) - B23P 6/04: Repairing fractures or cracked metal parts or products, e.g. castings - B23P 2700/50: Other automobile vehicle parts, i.e. manufactured in assembly lines - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM - B23P: METAL-WORKING NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; COMBINED OPERATIONS; UNIVERSAL MACHINE TOOLS (arrangements for copying or controlling B23Q) ## Abstract A method of repairing a vehicle wheel along with hardware suitable for carrying out the method. Any crack in the wheel is repaired by conventional welding. Any deformation is preferably trued as well. A reinforcing ring is then provided for the wheel's inner flange. This reinforcing ring is placed proximate the wheel's inboard flange. The reinforcing ring is then welded to the wheel. The process and hardware typically create a wheel that is stronger than it was in its original state and may also be used to reinforce undamaged wheels. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of repairing a crack in a wheel having an inboard flange, an outboard flange, and a barrel connecting said inboard and outboard flanges, comprising: (a) welding said crack; (b) providing a reinforcing ring having an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, and a thickness; (c) placing said reinforcing ring proximate said inboard flange of said wheel; and (d) while said reinforcing ring remains proximate said inboard flange of said wheel, welding said reinforcing ring to said wheel. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of repairing a crack in a wheel as recited in claim 1, wherein said step of welding said reinforcing ring to said wheel comprises welding said outer perimeter of said reinforcing ring to said wheel. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The method of repairing a crack in a wheel as recited in claim 2, wherein said outer perimeter of said reinforcing ring is welded to an inboard lip found on said inboard flange of said wheel. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of repairing a crack in a wheel as recited in claim 1, wherein said welding is done using the gas tungsten arc welding method. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of repairing a crack in a wheel as recited in claim 1, wherein a diameter of said outer perimeter of said reinforcing ring is made to fit closely inside an inner diameter of a lip on said inboard flange of said wheel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The method of repairing a crack in a wheel as recited in claim 5, wherein a diameter of said inner perimeter of said reinforcing ring is made large enough to clear a brake disc and a brake caliper on a vehicle that said wheel will be used on. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of repairing a crack in a wheel as recited in claim 1, further comprising placing a plurality of tack weld beads at 90-degree intervals between said reinforcing ring and said wheel. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The method of repairing a crack in a wheel as recited in claim 3, further comprising welding said outer perimeter of said reinforcing ring to said inboard lip in one-quarter increments around said outer perimeter of said reinforcing ring while allowing said wheel and reinforcing ring to cool in between said one-quarter increments. ### Claim 9 A method of reinforcing a wheel having an inboard flange, an outboard flange, and a barrel connecting said inboard and outboard flanges, comprising: (a) providing a reinforcing ring having an inner perimeter, an outer perimeter, and a thickness; (b) placing said reinforcing ring proximate said inboard flange of said wheel; and (c) while said reinforcing ring remains proximate said inboard flange of said wheel, welding said reinforcing ring to said wheel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of reinforcing a wheel as recited in claim 9, wherein said step of welding said reinforcing ring to said wheel comprises welding said outer perimeter of said reinforcing ring to said wheel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of reinforcing a wheel as recited in claim 10, wherein said outer perimeter of said reinforcing ring is welded to an inboard lip found on said inboard flange of said wheel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The method of reinforcing a wheel as recited in claim 9, wherein said welding is done using the gas tungsten arc welding method. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The method of reinforcing a wheel as recited in claim 9, wherein a diameter of said outer perimeter of said reinforcing ring is made to fit closely inside an inner diameter of a lip on said inboard flange of said wheel. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The method of reinforcing a wheel as recited in claim 13, wherein a diameter of said inner perimeter of said reinforcing ring is made large enough to clear a brake disc and a brake caliper on a vehicle that said wheel will be used on. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The method of reinforcing a wheel as recited in claim 9, further comprising placing a plurality of tack weld beads at 90-degree intervals between said reinforcing ring and said wheel. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The method of reinforcing a wheel as recited in claim 11, further comprising welding said outer perimeter of said reinforcing ring to said inboard lip in one-quarter increments around said outer perimeter of said reinforcing ring while allowing said wheel and reinforcing ring to cool in between said one-quarter increments.