US3575035A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for forming wheel rims
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1968-07-11
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Granted: 1971-04-13
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Expires: 1988-07-11
Abstract
Abstract A process and apparatus for forming a drop center wheel rim wherein a substantially rectangular piece of metal is shaped into a cylindrical blank and the central portion thereof is engaged and progressively urged inwardly by pressure applying medium to form the drop center or well of the wheel rim. The partially formed wheel rim is then subjected to the action of first-stage male and female dies to further form the wheel rim and is then subjected to the action of male and female finishing dies to completely form the wheel rim. The process and apparatus permits wheel rims to be formed while minimizing, if not elimination, any tendency of the cylindrical blank to thin at areas known to be subjected to stress. The process and apparatus also permits the formation of wheel rims with reduced requirements as to space and time.
Inventors
- 👤 Earl T Nokes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 13:00
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D53/00; B21D53/26; B21D53/30; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49481; Y10T29/49492; Y10T29/49524; Y10T29/49529
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
283 words
Apparatus system for continuously forming drop center wheel rims, comprising: a drop-center forming device for receiving and supporting a cylindrical blank, and comprising a generAlly cylindrical segmented die mechanism shiftable between an expanded retracted position and an advanced contracted position, said die mechanism including a plurality of substantially identical die elements, a plurality of shiftable support members supporting said die elements, adjacent die elements when in the expanded retracted position having adjacent edges spaced from each other whereby said die elements are disposed out of engaging relation with respect to the cylindrical blank, and when shifted to the advanced contracted position adjacent edges of adjacent die elements engaging each other whereby said die elements engage the central exterior circumferential portion only of the cylindrical blank to deform the central portion of the cylinder uniformly inwardly and to shape the cylinder into a partially formed wheel rim including a pair of cylindrical end portions of substantially the same diameter, a cylindrical reduced central portion of substantially uniform diameter, and intermediate tapered portions interconnecting the central cylindrical portion with the end portions, the reduced central portion corresponding to the drop center of the finished wheel rim, and means for shifting said support members between advanced and retracted positions; a first-stage die device engaging the inner and outer surfaces of the partially formed wheel rim to deform each cylindrical end portion into a shoulder portion and a flange portion; a finishing die device engaging the inner and outer surfaces of the partially formed wheel rim to deform each shoulder portion into substantially coaxial relation with respect to said drop center portion, and to deform each flange portion to extend substantially radially from its associated shoulder portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
283 words
Apparatus system for continuously forming drop center wheel rims, comprising: a drop-center forming device for receiving and supporting a cylindrical blank, and comprising a generAlly cylindrical segmented die mechanism shiftable between an expanded retracted position and an advanced contracted position, said die mechanism including a plurality of substantially identical die elements, a plurality of shiftable support members supporting said die elements, adjacent die elements when in the expanded retracted position having adjacent edges spaced from each other whereby said die elements are disposed out of engaging relation with respect to the cylindrical blank, and when shifted to the advanced contracted position adjacent edges of adjacent die elements engaging each other whereby said die elements engage the central exterior circumferential portion only of the cylindrical blank to deform the central portion of the cylinder uniformly inwardly and to shape the cylinder into a partially formed wheel rim including a pair of cylindrical end portions of substantially the same diameter, a cylindrical reduced central portion of substantially uniform diameter, and intermediate tapered portions interconnecting the central cylindrical portion with the end portions, the reduced central portion corresponding to the drop center of the finished wheel rim, and means for shifting said support members between advanced and retracted positions; a first-stage die device engaging the inner and outer surfaces of the partially formed wheel rim to deform each cylindrical end portion into a shoulder portion and a flange portion; a finishing die device engaging the inner and outer surfaces of the partially formed wheel rim to deform each shoulder portion into substantially coaxial relation with respect to said drop center portion, and to deform each flange portion to extend substantially radially from its associated shoulder portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus system as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for shifting said support members include a plurality of toggle linkages each being connected to one of said support members, and piston and cylinder units connected with said toggle linkages for shifting the support members between expanded and retracted positions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus system as defined in claim 1 wherein said die elements each have a plurality of teeth formed along adjacent edges thereof, the teeth on one die element being shiftable into mating relation with the teeth on the adjacent die element when the die elements are in the advanced contracted position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus system as defined in claim 1 wherein said first-stage die device and said finishing die device each includes a pair of similar male die members each having a die face and each being inserted into the partially formed wheel rim, and a pair of similar female die members each having a die face, the die face of said female die members embracing the exterior surface of the partially formed wheel rim.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
97 words
The apparatus system as defined in claim 1 and means for supporting and moving a strip of metallic material through a predetermined path of travel, a cutting mechanism in the path of travel of the strip and being operable to cut the strip into a rectangular sheet of predetermined size, means for coiling the sheet into cylindrical configuration, and means for coiling the sheet into cylindrical configuration, and means for welding the abutting ends of the coil sheet together to form the same into the cylindrical blank prior to positioning the same in said drop-center forming device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
208 words
In an apparatus system for continuously forming drop center wheel rims, comprising: a drop-center forming device for receiving and supporting a cylindrical blank, and comprising a generally cylindrical segmented die mechanism shiftable between an expanded retracted position and an advanced contracted position, said die mechanism including a plurality of substantially identical die elements, a plurality of shiftable support members supporting said die elements, adjacent die elements when in the expanded retracted position having adjacent edges spaced from each other whereby said die elements ARE disposed out of engaging relation with respect to the cylindrical blank, and when shifted to the advanced contracted position adjacent edges of adjacent die elements engaging each other whereby said die elements engage the central exterior circumferential portion only of the cylindrical blank to deform the central portion of the cylinder uniformly inwardly and to shape the cylinder into a partially formed wheel rim including a pair of cylindrical end portions of substantially the same diameter, a cylindrical reduced central portion of substantially uniform diameter, and intermediate tapered portions interconnecting the central cylindrical portion with the end portions, the reduced central portion corresponding to the drop center of the finished wheel rim, and means for shifting said support members between advanced and retracted positions.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
208 words
In an apparatus system for continuously forming drop center wheel rims, comprising: a drop-center forming device for receiving and supporting a cylindrical blank, and comprising a generally cylindrical segmented die mechanism shiftable between an expanded retracted position and an advanced contracted position, said die mechanism including a plurality of substantially identical die elements, a plurality of shiftable support members supporting said die elements, adjacent die elements when in the expanded retracted position having adjacent edges spaced from each other whereby said die elements ARE disposed out of engaging relation with respect to the cylindrical blank, and when shifted to the advanced contracted position adjacent edges of adjacent die elements engaging each other whereby said die elements engage the central exterior circumferential portion only of the cylindrical blank to deform the central portion of the cylinder uniformly inwardly and to shape the cylinder into a partially formed wheel rim including a pair of cylindrical end portions of substantially the same diameter, a cylindrical reduced central portion of substantially uniform diameter, and intermediate tapered portions interconnecting the central cylindrical portion with the end portions, the reduced central portion corresponding to the drop center of the finished wheel rim, and means for shifting said support members between advanced and retracted positions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The apparatus system as defined in claim 6 wherein said means for shifting said support members include a plurality of toggle linkages each being connected to one of said support members, and piston and cylinder units connected with said toggle linkages for shifting the support members between expanded and retracted positions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The apparatus system as defined in claim 6 wherein said die elements each have a plurality of teeth formed along adjacent edges thereof, the teeth on one die element being shiftable into mating relation with the teeth on the adjacent die element when the die elements are in the advanced contracted position.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus system defined in claim 1 wherein said finishing die device includes a pair of male die members and a pair of female die members, each female die member having a die face provided with annular arcuate recess therein adjacent the marginal portion thereof coacting with said male die members to form an annular arcuate roll back bead integral with each shoulder portion of the wheel rim.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-04-12 | 1974-10-12 | 1975-04-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-04-12 | 1978-10-12 | 1979-04-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-04-12 | 1982-10-12 | 1983-04-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |