Patent US5890141A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3757401A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method of manufacturing vehicle wheel trim
Assignee: Sargent Industries Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-31
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Granted: 1973-09-11
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Expires: 1992-03-31
Abstract
Abstract This disclosure pertains to an improved method of manufacturing trim rings for automotive wheels from a single blank of material utilizing the normally-scrapped center portion thereof, such method comprising forming the outer peripheral portion of the blank into a shape approximating that of a trim ring, forming the inner peripheral portion into retention means, separating the two portions and reassembling them into a trim ring assembly. Also disclosed in a novel trim ring.
Inventors
- 👤 H Beisch
- 👤 W Trute
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:33
CPC Classifications
B; B21; B21D; B21D53/00; B21D53/26; B21D53/30; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49481; Y10T29/49492; Y10T29/4954; Y10T29/49542; Y10T29/49813
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 49
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of manufacturing trim rings for vehicle wheels, comprising: stamping a plurality of generally circular members out of generally flat sheet material; forming the outer portion of each said member into an approximate trim ring configuration; forming wheel retention means on the inner portion of each said member and forming each said inner portion into a shape complimentary to the configuration of each said outer portion; severing said outer and inner portions of each said member into first and second separate pieces, respectively; and assemblying and connecting each said second piece to one of said first pieces.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of manufacturing trim rings for vehicle wheels, comprising: stamping a plurality of generally circular members out of generally flat sheet material; forming the outer portion of each said member into an approximate trim ring configuration; forming wheel retention means on the inner portion of each said member and forming each said inner portion into a shape complimentary to the configuration of each said outer portion; severing said outer and inner portions of each said member into first and second separate pieces, respectively; and assemblying and connecting each said second piece to one of said first pieces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said severing is performed after formation of said retention means and prior to complete formation of said complimentary shape.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of inverting each said second piece with respect to said first piece after severing and prior to assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retention means is formed by lancing fingers out of said inner portion when the latter is disposed generally in a flat plane, said fingers being disposed on one side of said plane and said outer portion being disposed on the opposite side of said plane.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of manufacturing trim rings for vehicle wheels, comprising: stamping generally circular members out of generally flat sheet material; forming the outer portion of each said member into an approximate trim ring configuration; removing the center of the inner portion of each said member and forming the remainder of said inner portion into a generally cylindrical configuration having wheel retention means thereon; severing said outer and inner portions of each said member into first and second separate generally annular pieces, respectively; and assemblying and connecting each of said second pieces to one of said first pieces.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
97 words
A method of manufacturing trim rings for vehicle wheels, comprising: stamping generally circular members out of generally flat sheet material; forming the outer portion of each said member into an approximate trim ring configuration; removing the center of the inner portion of each said member and forming the remainder of said inner portion into a generally cylindrical configuration having wheel retention means thereon; severing said outer and inner portions of each said member into first and second separate generally annular pieces, respectively; and assemblying and connecting each of said second pieces to one of said first pieces.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said retention means is formed prior to formation of said generally cylindrical configuration.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, further comprising the step of expanding each said second piece into a shape complimentary to that of said outer portions, prior to assembly.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the severed edge of each said second piece is expanded substantially less than its opposite edge.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method as claimed in claim 5, wherein said retention means is formed by lancing fingers out of said inner portion when the latter is disposed generally in a flat plane, said fingers being disposed on one side of said plane and said outer portion being disposed on the opposite side of said plane.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of manufacturing trim rings for vehicle wheels, comprising: stamping a plurality of generally circular members out of generally flat sheet material, each said member having a center axis generally peripendicular thereto; cutting a generally circular opening in the center of each said member, said opening being centered about said axis; cutting a plurality of substantially equal length slots extending radially outwardly from the edge of said opening in each said member, thereby defining a plurality of radially inwardly extending segments on each said member, the outer ends of said segments being integral with the outer portion of said member; forming projecting wheel-engaging fingers from the mAterial of a portion of each of said segments on each said member; forming all of said segments and a portion of said adjoining outer portion of each said member into a generally cylindrical configuration concentric with said axis; severing the remainder of said outer portion and said generally cylindrical portion of each said member into first and second pieces, respectively; expanding each said second piece until its inside and outside diameters generally correspond to those of said first piece; and assembling and connecting each of said first pieces to one of said second pieces.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
202 words
A method of manufacturing trim rings for vehicle wheels, comprising: stamping a plurality of generally circular members out of generally flat sheet material, each said member having a center axis generally peripendicular thereto; cutting a generally circular opening in the center of each said member, said opening being centered about said axis; cutting a plurality of substantially equal length slots extending radially outwardly from the edge of said opening in each said member, thereby defining a plurality of radially inwardly extending segments on each said member, the outer ends of said segments being integral with the outer portion of said member; forming projecting wheel-engaging fingers from the mAterial of a portion of each of said segments on each said member; forming all of said segments and a portion of said adjoining outer portion of each said member into a generally cylindrical configuration concentric with said axis; severing the remainder of said outer portion and said generally cylindrical portion of each said member into first and second pieces, respectively; expanding each said second piece until its inside and outside diameters generally correspond to those of said first piece; and assembling and connecting each of said first pieces to one of said second pieces.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said generally circular opening is defined by a plurality of relatively short straight edges.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein each said slot extends from the intersection of two of said straight edges, whereby said segments have straight inner edges.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the severed edge of each said second piece is expanded less than the opposite edge thereof.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said slots and opening are cut at the same time on each said member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said fingers are formed on each said member prior to severing and expanding said second piece.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said expanding of each said second piece is performed subsequent to said severing thereof.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the step of piercing a valve hole in each said first piece prior to said assemblying.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein each said member is severed along a circular line concentric with said axis and disposed between the outer ends of said slots and the outer edge of said member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein each said second piece is inverted with respect to said first piece after being expanded and prior to said assemblying.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first and second pieces are connected by clinching.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first and second pieces are connected by spinning.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first and second pieces are connected by curling.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said fingers are formed on each said segment on each said member prior to the forming of said inner portion into a generally cylindrical configuration.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said fingers are formed by lancing them out of said segments.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method as claimed in claim 24, wherein the opposite side edges of the opening from which each of said fingers is lanced are flanged in order to prevent engagement of said fingers with the sides of said opening.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as claimed in claim 25, wherein said edges are flanged away from said fingers.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein wheel locating surfaces are formed on each of said segments on each said member prior to said severing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the step of flanging the sides of each of said segments on each said member to increase the stiffness thereof, prior to said severing.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the step of forming at least one stiffening rib extending along a portion of each said segment and its wheel-engaging finger.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said fingers on each said member project outwardly from each said segment when the latter are disposed in a generally cylindrical configuration.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said assembled first and second pieces are connected together solely at the inner and outer peripheries thereof.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein said outer portion of each said member is disposed on one side of an intermediate plane perpendicular to said axis, and wherein said generally cylindrical portion is disposed on the opposite side of said plane.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein each said first piece is flanged outwardly along the severed edge thereof prior to assembly with one of said second pieces.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of manufacturing trim rings for vehicle wheels, comprising: stamping a plurality of members out of generally flat sheet material; forming the outer portion of each said member into a first annular piece having at least an approximate trim ring configuration; forming the inner pOrtion of each said member into a separate second piece having an annular configuration; forming wheel retention means on each said second piece; expanding each said second piece into a shape generally complimentary to the configuration of each said first piece; and assemblying and connecting each said second piece to one of said first pieces.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
100 words
A method of manufacturing trim rings for vehicle wheels, comprising: stamping a plurality of members out of generally flat sheet material; forming the outer portion of each said member into a first annular piece having at least an approximate trim ring configuration; forming the inner pOrtion of each said member into a separate second piece having an annular configuration; forming wheel retention means on each said second piece; expanding each said second piece into a shape generally complimentary to the configuration of each said first piece; and assemblying and connecting each said second piece to one of said first pieces.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as claimed in claim 34, wherein said retention means is formed prior to separation of said first and second pieces of each said member.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of manufacturing wheel trim for a vehicle wheel, including the following steps: providing an annular member with an opening at the center of the annular member to define inner and outer peripheries on the member, forming a plurality of radial slits in the annular member at spaced positions around the inner annular periphery of the member where the slits extend only a partial distance from the inner annular periphery to the outer annular periphery of the member, forming a plurality of retention means in the annular member at positions between the successive pairs of slits at radial distances intermediate the lengths of the slits, separating from the annular member the inner portion of the annular member at a position radially outwardly displaced from the ends of the slits to form an annular body and reinforcing member having a plurality of reinforcing means defined by the slitted portions, and attaching the reinforcing member at its opposite ends to the opposite ends of the annular body.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
166 words
A method of manufacturing wheel trim for a vehicle wheel, including the following steps: providing an annular member with an opening at the center of the annular member to define inner and outer peripheries on the member, forming a plurality of radial slits in the annular member at spaced positions around the inner annular periphery of the member where the slits extend only a partial distance from the inner annular periphery to the outer annular periphery of the member, forming a plurality of retention means in the annular member at positions between the successive pairs of slits at radial distances intermediate the lengths of the slits, separating from the annular member the inner portion of the annular member at a position radially outwardly displaced from the ends of the slits to form an annular body and reinforcing member having a plurality of reinforcing means defined by the slitted portions, and attaching the reinforcing member at its opposite ends to the opposite ends of the annular body.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
50 words
A method as set forth in claim 36 wherein the outer periphery of the annular body is shpaed to retain the inner periphery of the slitted portions of the reinforcing member and the inner periphery of the annular body is shaped to retain the outer periphery of the reinforcing member.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method as set forth in claim 37 wherein the annular member is provided, prior to the slitting, with a generally conical side wall and a generally flat center portion and wherein the flat center portion is radially slitted to extend toward the generally conical side wall.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method as set forth in claim 38 wherein the flat center portion is shaped to stiffen this portion at positions near the inner periphery.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method as set forth in claim 39 wherein the slitted portions of the reinforcing member are retained in crimped relationship with the annular member at the outer periphery of the annular body and wherein the outer periphery of the reinforcing member is retained in crimped relationship with the inner periphery of the annular body.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of manufacturing wheel trim for a vehicle wheel, including the following steps: providing an annular member having inner and outer annular peripheries, slitting the annular member radially from the inner periphery to a distance intermediate the inner and outer peripheries at spaced positions around the annular periphery of the member, forming the unslitted portion of the member into a conical configuration with the outer periphery forming the base of the conical configuration, forming teeth in the slitted portions of the annular member at positions intermediate along the radial length of the slit and intermediate the distance between adjacent slits, separating the inner portion of the annular member from the outer portion of the annular member at a position beyond the radial ends of the slits to form an annular body and a reinforcing member having a plurality of reinforcing means defined by the slitted portions, and attaching the reinforcing member at its inner end to the oUter periphery of the annular body and the reinforcing member at its outer end to the inner end of the annular body.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
180 words
A method of manufacturing wheel trim for a vehicle wheel, including the following steps: providing an annular member having inner and outer annular peripheries, slitting the annular member radially from the inner periphery to a distance intermediate the inner and outer peripheries at spaced positions around the annular periphery of the member, forming the unslitted portion of the member into a conical configuration with the outer periphery forming the base of the conical configuration, forming teeth in the slitted portions of the annular member at positions intermediate along the radial length of the slit and intermediate the distance between adjacent slits, separating the inner portion of the annular member from the outer portion of the annular member at a position beyond the radial ends of the slits to form an annular body and a reinforcing member having a plurality of reinforcing means defined by the slitted portions, and attaching the reinforcing member at its inner end to the oUter periphery of the annular body and the reinforcing member at its outer end to the inner end of the annular body.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method as set forth in claim 41, including the following step: shaping the slitted portions of the annular member at positions between the inner periphery of the annular member and the teeth to stiffen the slitted portions at these positions.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
71 words
A method as set forth in claim 42, including the step of: forming the outer periphery of the annular body to provide for a retention of the inner periphery of the reinforcing member by the outer periphery of the annular body and forming the inner periphery of the annular body to provide for a retention of the outer periphery of the reinforcing member by the inner periphery of the annular body.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-09-10 | 1977-03-12 | 1977-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-09-10 | 1981-03-12 | 1981-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-09-10 | 1985-03-12 | 1985-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |