Apparatus and method for attaching a wheel to an axle
AssigneeDEKA Products Limited Partnership
InventorsJ. Douglas Field, Joseph A. Hoell, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus and method for attaching a wheel to an axle. The apparatus comprises a wheel with a hub for insertion into an indentation in the end of the axle and a single bolt that is offset from the axis of rotation of the wheel and axle and that attaches the wheel to the axle.
Claims12
A wheel and axle system, the system comprising:
- a. an axle having a longitudinal axis and a wheel-coupling end, the wheel-coupling end having an indentation in the wheel-coupling end substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis;
- b. a wheel having a rotational axis, and a clearance hole parallel to and offset from the rotational axis of the wheel, the wheel further comprising a hub for insertion into the indentation in the wheel-coupling end of the axle;
- and
- c. a fastener, for insertion through the clearance hole for securing the wheel to the axle.
A wheel and axle system, the system comprising:
- a. an axle having an indentation at a distal end for a wheel hub;
- b. a lug stud, nonconcentric with the axle, extending from the distal end of the axle;
- c. a wheel having a rotational axis through a center and a clearance hole to admit the lug stud, the clearance hole offset from the center of the wheel and parallel to the rotational axis;
- d. a wheel hub, the wheel hub connected to the wheel and disposed within the indentation of the axle;
- and
- e. a lug nut for attaching the wheel to the lug stud.
A method for attaching a wheel to an axle, the wheel having a rotational axis and a hub centered about the rotational axis and the axle having a longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
- a. aligning the rotational axis of the wheel with the longitudinal axis of the axle;
- b. inserting the wheel hub into an indentation in an end of the axle, the indentation substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis of the axle;
- and
- c. fastening the wheel to the axle at a point offset from the rotational axis of the wheel.
A wheel, the wheel characterized by a rotational axis and a plane of rotation, the wheel comprising:
- a. a clearance hole parallel to and offset from the rotational axis of the wheel for admission of a fastener;
- and
- b. a hub extending about the rotational axis outside the plane of rotation for insertion into an indentation in a wheel-coupling end of an axle, the indentation substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis of the axle.
An axle, the axle characterized by a longitudinal axis, the axle comprising:
- a. an indentation at a distal end for a wheel hub, the indentation substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis of the axle;
- and
- b. a fastener, nonconcentric with the axle, extending from the distal end of the axle for securing a wheel.
An axle, the axle characterized by a longitudinal axis, the axle comprising:
- a. an indentation at a distal end for a wheel hub;
- and
- b. a threaded bolt hole parallel to the longitudinal axis of the axle and offset from the longitudinal axis for receiving a bolt to secure a wheel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.