Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
312 words
For use in conjunction with a vehicle having an axle with a hub at at least one axial end, said hub having a plurality of outwardly extending circumferentially spaced threaded studs, said threaded studs each having an exposed threaded portion which extends outwardly from the hub a distance sufficient for attaching one axial side of one wheel to said hub, an adaptor for securing two substantially identical wheels to one hub, said wheels each having a flat portion in abutting relationship with the flat portion of the other said wheel, apertures in each of said flat portions, said apertures having the same spacing as said threaded studs, said adaptor comprising: a tubular and cylindrical housing, said housing having an axial length greater than the length of the exposed threaded portions of the studs; said housing having a first and second set of circumferentially spaced axial bores formed therethrough, said axial bores having a length substantially equal to the axial length of the housing, wherein said first set of bores register with and receive said exposed portions of said threaded studs therein; a nut threadably engaging each of said threaded studs to thereby secure one axial end of said housing to said hub; an elongated threaded member disposed in and through each bore of said second set so that one end of each of said threaded members extends axially outwardly from the other axial end of said housing, said threaded members being longer than the exposed portion of said threaded studs; and said threaded members extending through the apertures in said abutting flat portions of both of said wheels and a nut threadably engaging each of said elongated threaded members to selectively attach both of said wheels to said housing and thus to said hub and wherein the other axial side of one wheel abuts against the other axial end of the housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
312 words
For use in conjunction with a vehicle having an axle with a hub at at least one axial end, said hub having a plurality of outwardly extending circumferentially spaced threaded studs, said threaded studs each having an exposed threaded portion which extends outwardly from the hub a distance sufficient for attaching one axial side of one wheel to said hub, an adaptor for securing two substantially identical wheels to one hub, said wheels each having a flat portion in abutting relationship with the flat portion of the other said wheel, apertures in each of said flat portions, said apertures having the same spacing as said threaded studs, said adaptor comprising: a tubular and cylindrical housing, said housing having an axial length greater than the length of the exposed threaded portions of the studs; said housing having a first and second set of circumferentially spaced axial bores formed therethrough, said axial bores having a length substantially equal to the axial length of the housing, wherein said first set of bores register with and receive said exposed portions of said threaded studs therein; a nut threadably engaging each of said threaded studs to thereby secure one axial end of said housing to said hub; an elongated threaded member disposed in and through each bore of said second set so that one end of each of said threaded members extends axially outwardly from the other axial end of said housing, said threaded members being longer than the exposed portion of said threaded studs; and said threaded members extending through the apertures in said abutting flat portions of both of said wheels and a nut threadably engaging each of said elongated threaded members to selectively attach both of said wheels to said housing and thus to said hub and wherein the other axial side of one wheel abuts against the other axial end of the housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated threaded members are press fit into said second set bores.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said elongated threaded members includes axial splines which coact with the housing to prevent rotation of said elongated threaded members in said second set of bores.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said first set bores includes an axially outer enlarged diameter portion, adapted for rotatably receiving said first-mentioned nuts.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said housing is constructed of steel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said housing is formed from tubular and cylindrical bar stock.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the housing is of an axial length sufficient to space the inner wheel outwardly from the vehicle to thereby prevent the inner wheel from contacting the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 and in which the difference in length between the elongated threaded members and the exposed portion of the threaded studs is substantially equal to the axial width of the housing.