BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates a top isometric view of a disc according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a disc through line 2-2 of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric exploded view of a wheel assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of a wheel assembly in a first configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of a wheel assembly in a second configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of a wheel assembly in a third configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of a wheel assembly in a fourth configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a top isometric view of a disc 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The disc 10 includes a base 12 integrally formed with an upstanding circumferential wall 14. As shown in FIG. 1, the disc 10 may be circular. Further, the base 12 and the circumferential wall 14 may form a pan-like configuration. The base 12 may include a central opening 15 and fastener through-holes 17 that allow the disc to be secured to an axle assembly.
A series of securing ledges, tabs, areas, surfaces, flaps, wings, or the like 16 and 18 extend outwardly from the upstanding wall 14. The securing ledges 16 are lower than the ledges 18. For example, the securing ledges 16 are positioned at a first height above the base 12, while the securing ledges 18 are at a second height above the base 12. The securing ledges 16 may be in a first plane, while the securing ledges 18 may be in a second plane. The difference in height between the securing ledges 16 and 18 allows the disc to be secured to the rim, as discussed below, at different positions.
The disc 10 may include more or less securing ledges 16 and 18 than those shown in FIG. 1. Further, the securing ledges 16 and 18 may be at different heights than those shown in FIG. 1. Also, additional securing ledges at different heights may be used. For example, a first set of ledges may be at a first height, a second set of ledges may be at a second height, a third set of ledges may be at a third height, etc.
Each securing ledge 16 and 18 includes a plurality of fastener through-holes 20 formed therethrough. The fastener through-holes 20 allow the disc 10 to be secured to a rim, such as through bolts, screws, or the like. While each securing ledge 16 and 18 includes three fastener through-holes 20, more or less through-holes 20 than those shown in FIG. 1 may be used.
As shown in FIG. 1, the disc may be “waved,” such that the securing ledges 18 are high points, while the securing ledges 16 are low points. The waved nature of the disc 10 may provide additional strength and rigidity to the disc 10. That is, the alternating height of the ledges 16 and 18 may provide added rigidity to the disc 10 and act to brace and support the disc 10.
FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the waved disc 10 through line 2-2 of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the securing ledges 16 are at a first height h1 above the base 12, while the securing ledges 18 are at a second height h2 above the base 12. As noted above, additional securing ledges set at different heights with respect to the base 12 may be used in addition to, or in lieu of, the securing ledges 16 and 18.
FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric exploded view of a wheel assembly 22 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wheel assembly 22 includes a rim 24 configured to be secured to the waved disc 10 in a variety of configurations.
The rim 24 includes an hour-glass main body 26 having a circumferential wall 28. An outer surface of the circumferential wall 28 is configured to receive and retain a tire (not shown). A central opening 30 is formed through the rim 24. The waved disc 10 is configured to be secured to a flange ring 32 within the rim 24.
The flange ring 32 extends inwardly from the circumferential wall 28 within the central opening 30. The flange ring 32 may be integrally formed with the rim 24, or the flange ring 32 may be separately secured to the rim 24, such as through bonding or welding. The flange ring 32 includes a plurality of fastener through-holes 34 configured to align with the fastener through holes 20 of the waved disc 10. The ledges 16 and 18 are configured to abut against the flange ring 32 such that the fastener through-holes 20 align with the fastener through-holes 34. Once the fastener through holes 20 and 34 are aligned, the waved disc 10 may be secured to the flange ring 32, and therefore the rim 24, through fasteners such as nuts 36, washers 38, and bolts 40. Optionally, various other fasteners may be used instead of the nuts and bolts shown. For example, screws, latches, clasps, or the like may be used to secure the waved disc 10 to the rim 24.
Because the ledges 16 and 18 of the waved disc 10 are at different heights with respect to one another, the waved disc 10 may be secured within the rim 24 at different positions. That is, securing the waved disc 10 to the flange ring 32 through the ledges 16 locates the waved disc 10 at a first position with respect to the rim 24; while securing the waved disc 10 to the flange ring 32 through the ledges 18 locates the waved disc 10 at a second position with respect to the rim 24. As such, the position of the wheel assembly 22 with respect to the axle assembly (not shown) may be changed between various positions. That is, the offset of the wheel assembly 22 with respect to the axle assembly may be adjusted to different positions, depending on the preferences of a particular user.
FIG. 4 illustrates a sectional view of the wheel assembly 22 in a first configuration. As shown in FIG. 4, the disc 10 is urged through a first end 42 of the rim 24 into the central opening 30 in the direction of arrow A so that the ledges 16 and 18 are moved into the central opening 30 before the base 12. The ledges 18 engage the flange ring 32 and are secured to the flange ring 32 through fasteners. Thus, the disc 10 may be secured to the rim 24 in a first orientation.
FIG. 5 illustrates a sectional view of the wheel assembly 22 in a second configuration. As shown in FIG. 5, the disc 10 is urged through the first end 42 of the rim 24 into the central opening 30 in the direction of arrow A so that the base 12 is moved into the central opening 30 before the ledges 16 and 18. The flange ring 32 is configured to allow the base 12 to pass therebetween. However, as the base 12 moves between the flange ring 32, the ledges 16 abut against the flange ring 32. The through-holes of the flange ring 32 and the through-holes of the ledges 16 are aligned, and fasteners are positioned therethrough to secure the disc 10 to the rim 24 in a second orientation. As shown in FIG. 5, the second orientation is different from the first orientation (shown in FIG. 4) and allows the wheel assembly 22 to be positioned at a different position with respect to an axle assembly (not shown).
FIG. 6 illustrates a sectional view of the wheel assembly 22 in a third configuration. As shown in FIG. 5, the disc 10 is urged through a second end 44 of the rim 24 into the central opening 30 in the direction of arrow B so that the base 12 is moved into the central opening 30 before the ledges 16 and 18. The flange ring 32 is configured to allow the base 12 to pass therebetween. However, as the base 12 moves between the flange ring 32, the ledges 16 abut against the flange ring 32. The through-holes of the flange ring 32 and the through-holes of the ledges 16 are aligned, and fasteners are positioned therethrough to secure the disc 10 to the rim 24 in a third orientation. As shown in FIG. 6, the third position is different from the first and second orientations (shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, respectively) and allows the wheel assembly 22 to be positioned at a different position with respect to an axle assembly (not shown).
FIG. 7 illustrates a sectional view of the wheel assembly 22 in a fourth configuration. As shown in FIG. 7, the disc 10 is urged through the second end 44 of the rim 24 into the central opening 30 in the direction of arrow B so that the ledges 16 and 18 are lead into the central opening 30 before the base 12. The ledges 18 engage the flange ring 32 and are secured to the flange ring 32 through fasteners. Thus, the waved disc 10 is secured to the rim 24 in a fourth orientation.
As shown in FIGS. 4-7, the flange ring 32 extends into the central opening at such that the flange ring 32 offset from the center C of the rim 24. As such, the first configuration differs from the fourth configuration. Moreover, the third configuration is different from the second configuration. The flange ring 32 may be positioned at various positions with respect to the rim 24. However, positioning the flange ring 32 at the center C of a symmetrical rim may provide two wheel configurations. Because the flange ring 32 is offset from the center C, urging the waved disc 10 into the rim 24 from different ends 42 and 44 provides additional configurations.
Referring to FIGS. 4-7, in order to switch between configurations, a user unfastens the disc 10 from the rim 24, and secures it in another configuration. For example, if the wheel assembly 22 is in the first configuration shown in FIG. 4, a user unbolts the disc 10 from the flange ring 32. If the user prefers the fourth configuration, the user removes the disc 10 from the rim 24 through the first end 42 of the rim 24. The user may then flip the disc 10 around and urge it through the second end 44 of the rim 24 until the securing ledges 18 abut against the flange ring 32. The waved disc 10 may then be secured to the flange ring 32, as discussed above.
Overall, embodiments of the present invention provide a durable wheel assembly that may be easily switched between a variety of configurations. Embodiments of the present invention provide a disc assembly that may be used with a wheel of agricultural equipment in order to selectively change the treadwidth of the wheel base. Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a cost-effective, reliable wheel assembly that does not use separate spacers in order to provide different wheel configurations. Instead of using a multi-surfaced flange ring that is relatively expensive to manufacture and susceptible to warping, embodiments of the present invention provide a strong, durable disc that allows for a variety of wheel configurations.
Additionally, the waved disc may be used with a multi-surfaced flange ring to provide even more configurations.
While the invention has been described with reference to certain embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20080054714
