US4040582A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wind power accessory for a vehicle wheel
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-09-09
•
Granted: 1977-08-09
•
Expires: 1995-09-09
Abstract
Abstract A wind-utilization attachment for pneumatic-tired vehicle for automobiles, aircraft wheels, or the like. The attachment consists of an annular disc with spaced cups to catch head winds and convert their forces into rotational torque. The disc is secured to a wheel by opposing arcuate clamping segments having flanges engaged between the tire side wall and the wheel rim, the adjacent ends of the clamping segments being bolted together. A removable cover cap is engaged in the central aperture of the disc, which when removed, provides access to the securing fasteners of the associated wheels.
Inventors
- 👤 Ronald C. Krauss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 02:41
CPC Classifications
B; B64; B64C; B64C25/00; B64C25/32; B64C25/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A wind-utilization attachment for a vehicle wheel of a type having a flanged rim and a pneumatic tire seated on said rim with securing means at the inner portion of the wheel, said attachment comprising a main body engageable in the wheel and having a central aperture through which said wheel securing means are accessible and having peripheral portions engageable with a rim flange, spaced cup members on said main body facing in the same direction of rotation, and clamp means engageable over said peripheral portions and said rim flange for securing said main body to said rim flange, wherein said peripheral portions of the main body comprise spaced integral lugs engageable on the rim flange, and wherein said clamp means comprises a pair of substantially semi-circular clamping bars engageable on said spaced lugs and having flanges receivable between said rim flange and the adjacent side wall of the pneumatic tire.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
151 words
A wind-utilization attachment for a vehicle wheel of a type having a flanged rim and a pneumatic tire seated on said rim with securing means at the inner portion of the wheel, said attachment comprising a main body engageable in the wheel and having a central aperture through which said wheel securing means are accessible and having peripheral portions engageable with a rim flange, spaced cup members on said main body facing in the same direction of rotation, and clamp means engageable over said peripheral portions and said rim flange for securing said main body to said rim flange, wherein said peripheral portions of the main body comprise spaced integral lugs engageable on the rim flange, and wherein said clamp means comprises a pair of substantially semi-circular clamping bars engageable on said spaced lugs and having flanges receivable between said rim flange and the adjacent side wall of the pneumatic tire.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The wind-utilization attachment of claim 1, and a cover cap lockingly and removably engaged in said central aperture.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The wind-utilization attachment of claim 1, and wherein said clamping bars are provided at their ends with apertured lugs and with connecting bolts engaged through said apertured lugs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The wind-utilization attachment of claim 1, and wherein said cup members are substantially of quarter-spherical shape.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The wind-utilization attachment of claim 1, and wherein said spaced integral lugs engaged on the rim flange define notch-like edge portions therebetween, and further comprising at least one balancing weight secured on an edge portion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The wind-utilization attachment of claim 5, and wherein one of said clamping bars lockingly engages said balancing weight.
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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) | 1980-08-08 | 1981-02-07 | 1981-08-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-08-08 | 1985-02-07 | 1985-08-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-08-08 | 1989-02-07 | 1989-08-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |