Vehicle wheel balance weights
AssigneeHennessy Industries, Inc.
InventorsRalph L. Jenkins, Ross Everhard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A vehicle wheel weight comprises a mass portion cold-formed of nonlead material and a heat-treated spring clip. The mass portion has a front and a back, with the back adapted to be juxtaposed against a wheel rim. The mass portion further defines at least one chamfer on the back thereof. The mass portion also defines a clip securement pocket in which an attachment portion of the spring clip is inserted such that the clip is fixed to the mass portion. The clip further has an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim.
Claims11
A method of forming a vehicle wheel weight having a mass portion and a spring clip, said method comprising steps of:
- (a) providing a mass portion having an arcuate shape along a longitudinal axis thereof;
- (b) cold-forming a clip securement pocket in said mass portion, said clip securement pocket being defined by first and second seamless webs respectively located at each of two ends of said securement pocket such that said ends are closed, said clip securement pocket further including an insertion opening;
- (c) inserting an attachment portion of said spring clip into said insertion opening of said clip securement pocket, said spring clip further having an extended portion for engaging a wheel rim;
- and
- (d) closing said clip securement pocket against said attachment portion so as to attach said mass portion to said spring clip.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.