Auxiliary wheel attaching means

Claim 2

In combination with a dual rim assembly of the type wherein an auxiliary rim is spaced by a cylindrical ring means from a main rim of a vehicle wheel having a plurality of clamp lugs with hook engaging means thereon, and said auxiliary rim includes inner and outer axially outwardly extending terminal rim edge flanges and therebetween a central base portion and a stepped portion including an axially extending tire bead seat flange, the improvement comprising at least three independent releasable and longitudinally adjustable connecting devices extending between and releasably engaging each hook engaging means and said auxiliary rim, each device comprising: A. link means having a hook portion for attachment to one of said hook engaging means on the main vehicle wheel, B. a flat strip means bridging said axially extending tire bead seat flange and supported by and parallel to the central base portion of said auxiliary rim, said strip means having a hook portion at one end for removably engaging the outer axially extending terminal rim edge flange of said auxiliary rim, and C. adjustable means secured to said link means and engaging said flat strip means near its other end for varying the distance between said link means and said strip means.

Claim 3

In the combination of claim 1 wherein said link means includes a threaded means for adjusting its length.

Claim 4

In the combination of claim 1 wherein said hook engaging means comprises an eye nut.

Claim 5

In the combination of claim 1 wherein said strip means bridges the central base portion of said rim of said auxiliary wheel.

Claim 6

In combination with a dual rim assembly of the type wherein an auxiliary rim is spaced by a cylindrical ring means from a main rim of a vehicle wheel having a plurality of clamp lugs with hook engaging means thereon, and said auxiliary rim includes inner and outer axially outwardly extending terminal rim edge flanges and therebetween a central base portion and a stepped portion including an axially extending tire bead seat flange, the improvement comprising at least three independent releasable and longitudinally adjustable connecting devices extending between and releasably engaging each hook engaging means and said auxiliary rim, each device comprising: A. link means having a hook portion for attachment to one of the hook engaging means on said main vehicle wheel, B. a hook means bridging said axially extending tire bead seat flange, being supported by the central base portion, and engaging the outer axially extending terminal rim edge flange of said auxiliary rim, and C. toggle clamp means secured to said link means and to said hook means for varying the distance between them.

Claim 7

In combination with a dual rim assembly of the type wherein an auxiliary rim is spaced by a cylindrical ring means from a main rim of a vehicle wheel having a plurality of clamp lugs with hook engaging means thereon, and said auxiliary rim includes inner and outer axially outwardly extending terminal rim edge flanges and therebetween a central base portion and a stepped portion including an axially extending tire bead seat flange, the improvement comprising at least three independent releasable and longitudinally adjustable connecting devices extending between and releasably engaging each hook engaging means and said auxiliary rim, each device comprising: A. link means having a hook portion for attachment to one of the hook engaging means on said main vehicle wheel, B. a hook means bridging said axially extending tire bead seat flange, being supported by the central base portion, and engaging the outer axially extending terminal rim edge flange of said auxiliary rim, and C. toggle clamp means secured to said link means and to said hook means for varying the distance between them.

Claim 8

In the combination of claim 5 wherein said link means includes a threaded means for adjusting its length.

Claim 9

In the combination of claim 5 wherein said toggle clamp means comprises: a lever means, a pivotal connection between said link means and said lever means; and said hook means comprises a bracket in which said lever means fulcrums.

Claim 10

In the combination of claim 7 wherein said toggle clamp means comprises: a bracket mounted on said hook means, a circular cam journalled in said bracket, an eccentric pin in said circular cam connected to said link means, and means for rotating said circular cam.

Claim 11

In the combination of claim 8 wherein said means for rotating said circular cam comprises a lever attached to said cam.

Claim 12

In the combination of claim 8 wherein said means for rotating said circular cam comprises wrench engaging surfaces on said cam.

Claim 13

In the combination of claim 7 wherein said toggle clamp means includes means on said hook means for limiting the over-center position of said toggle clamp means.

Claim 14

In the combination of claim 5 wherein said link means includes a birfurcated portion adjustably connected to said hook portion, and means for journalling said toggle clamp means between the bifurcations of said bifurcated portion.

Claim 15

In combination with a dual wheel assembly for a vehicle having a pair of wheels arranged in side-by-side coaxial relation, each wheel including a wheel rim, each wheel rim including a central base portion and a stepped portion including an axially extending tire bead seat flange and inner and outer axially outwardly extending terminal edge flanges integrally formed therewith, one of said wheel rims having a hub and including a plurality of hook engaging means, a mounting ring having first and second rim engaging portions axially engaging the surface of each inner rim flange, the improvement comprising at least three independent releasable and longitudinally adjustable devices extending between and releasably engaging the hook engaging means on the one wheel and the outer terminal edge flange on the rim of the other wheel for retaining the wheels in interlocked relationship, each device comprising: A. a hook insertable at one end into said hook engaging means and being threaded at its other end, B. a U-shaped link having at one end a threaded opening receiving the threaded end of said hook and having a pivot hole in its other end, C. a mounting bracket bridging said axially extending tire bead seat flange, being supported by the central base portion, and having a hook portion for engaging the outer axially extending terminal rim edge flange of the rim of said other wheel, D. a rotatable member journalled in said mounting bracket having an eccentric opening therein, E. stop means on said mounting bracket for limiting the rotation of said rotatable member, F. pivot means in said eccentric opening and said pivot hole of said U-shaped link connecting said U-shaped link to said rotatable member, and G. means for rotating said rotatable member to an over-center locking position against said stop means.

Claim 16

In combination with a dual wheel assembly for a vehicle having a pair of wheels arranged in side-by-side coaxial relation, each wheel including a wheel rim, each wheel rim including a central base portion and a stepped portion including an axially extending tire bead seat flange and inner and outer axially outwardly extending terminal edge flanges integrally formed therewith, one of said wheel rims having a hub and including a plurality of hook engaging means, a mounting ring having first and second rim engaging portions axially engaging the surface of each inner rim flange, the improvement comprising at least three independent releasable and longitudinally adjustable devices extending between and releasably engaging the hook engaging means on the one wheel and the outer terminal edge flange on the rim of the other wheel for retaining the wheels in interlocked relationship, each device comprising: A. a hook insertable at one end into said hook engaging means and being threaded at its other end, B. a U-shaped link having at one end a threaded opening receiving the threaded end of said hook and having a pivot hole in its other end, C. a mounting bracket bridging said axially extending tire bead seat flange, being supported by the central base portion, and having a hook portion for engaging the outer axially extending terminal rim edge flange of the rim of said other wheel, D. a rotatable member journalled in said mounting bracket having an eccentric opening therein, E. stop means on said mounting bracket for limiting the rotation of said rotatable member, F. pivot means in said eccentric opening and said pivot hole of said U-shaped link connecting said U-shaped link to said rotatable member, and G. means for rotating said rotatable member to an over-center locking position against said stop means.