A streamlined tailfin pivotably attached to a shaft-shaped member disposed on a vehicle provides for reduced drag in winds varying in direction impinging thereon.

A wheel disc adapted for use in a fabricated vehicle wheel comprising a steel wheel disc defining an axis and including a center mounting portion, an outer rim connecting flange, a plurality of radially outwardly extending spokes connecting the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange and a ventilation opening provided between each pair of adjacent spokes. A width defined by a center wall of the spoke is tapered inwardly along a substantial portion of a radial length thereof as the center wall of the spoke extends generally from the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange or wherein a width defined by outer walls of the spoke is tapered inwardly along a substantial portion of a radial length thereof as the outer walls of the spoke extends generally from the center mounting portion to the outer rim connecting flange.

An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction means and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle wheel, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the point of ground contact are reduced, and the vehicle propulsive forces needed to countervail the resistive forces on the wheel are reduced. The drag reduction means includes: a streamlined wheel cover positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; a streamlined wind-deflecting fairing positioned on a vehicle to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds; an engine exhaust pipe disposed on a vehicle whereby exhaust gases deflect headwinds to shield the faster moving upper wheel surfaces of an automotive wheel; an automotive spoked wheel having streamlined oval-shaped wheel spokes arranged in one or more rows for greater axial strength; a streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a wheel spoke, which thereby may pivot about the spoke in response to varying crosswinds; and a tire having streamlined tread blocks arranged in an aerodynamic pattern.

A wheel disc including a hub located centrally within the wheel disc and defining a wheel axis. The hub has a plurality of bolt holes formed therein. The wheel disc further including an outer circumferential edge and a transition portion radially extending between the hub and the outer circumferential edge. The transition portion has a plurality of vent holes formed therein. The transition portion has a front surface and a rear surface defining a thickness therebetween such that the thickness of the transition portion varies in the radial direction.

A wheel disc includes a hub located centrally within the wheel disc and defining a wheel axis. The wheel disc further includes an outer circumferential edge and a transition portion radially extending between the hub and the outer circumferential edge. The transition portion has a front surface and a rear surface such that the front surface has a relatively smooth profile and the rear surface has a plurality of concentric ring-shaped curvatures formed therein, thereby providing the transition portion with a variable thickness between the front and rear surfaces.

A wheel disc including a hub located centrally within the wheel disc and defining a wheel axis. The wheel disc further including an outer circumferential edge and a transition portion radially extending between the hub and the outer circumferential edge. The transition portion has a front surface and a rear surface such that the front surface has a plurality of concentric ring-shaped first curvatures formed therein, and wherein the rear surface has a plurality of concentric ring-shaped second curvatures formed therein, thereby providing the transition portion with a variable thickness between the front and rear surfaces.

A full face fabricated vehicle wheel having a wheel attached to a wheel disc. The wheel disc includes a hub located centrally within the wheel disc and defining a wheel axis. The wheel disc further includes an outer circumferential edge having an outboard bead seat retaining flange, and an annular transition portion radially extending between the hub and the outer circumferential edge. The transition portion includes a plurality of vent hole regions circumferentially spaced around the transition portion about the wheel axis. At least one vent hole region includes a vent hole formed through the transition portion and defining an outer perimeter such that at least two bridging portions extend inwardly from the perimeter which subdivides the vent hole into at least three smaller holes formed through the transition portion at the at least one vent hole region.

A wheel disc includes a hub located centrally within the wheel disc and defining a wheel axis. The wheel disc further includes an outer circumferential edge and a transition portion radially extending between the hub and the outer circumferential edge. The transition portion has a front surface and a rear surface such that the rear surface has a relatively smooth profile and the front surface has a plurality of concentric ring-shaped curvatures formed therein, thereby providing the transition portion with a variable thickness between the front and rear surfaces.

A composite wheel assembly and method of construction thereof is provided. The composite wheel assembly includes a lightweight annular aluminum barrel having an inner surface and an outer surface configured to support a tire thereon. A lightweight metal central hub assembly is fixed to the barrel. The metal central hub assembly includes a central hub portion and plurality of support spokes extending outwardly from the central hub portion to free ends, wherein the free ends are fixed to the inner surface of the aluminum barrel. A wheel cladding contrasting in at least one of material type, color, texture and surface finish to an outwardly facing surface the central hub assembly is fixed to the outwardly facing surface of the central hub assembly.

A vehicle wheel disc includes a flat plate-shaped hub-mounted part, a cylindrical rim-mounted part, and a hat-shaped part. The hat-shaped part includes a hat top portion, a hat inner peripheral portion, and a hat outer peripheral portion. At a border between the hub-mounted part and the hat inner peripheral portion, a first connecting portion is provided, and at a border between the hat top portion and the hat outer peripheral portion, a second connecting portion is provided. The plate thickness of the hat outer peripheral portion is smaller than the plate thickness of an intermediate portion that is a portion from a border between the first connecting portion and the hat inner peripheral portion to a border between the hat top portion and the second connecting portion in the disc radial direction.