An apparatus for a single-track motor vehicle includes a first wheel disc and a second wheel disc. The first wheel disc and the second wheel disc are configured on the wheel rim so as to be mutually spaced apart in a transverse direction parallel to the rotation axis (A) of the disc wheel, and extend from the wheel rim in the direction of the wheel hub. The wheel discs converge in the direction of the wheel hub and are connected to one another in such a manner that at least one cavity between the wheel discs and the wheel rim is formed. At least one cutout toward the at least one cavity is formed in a rim well of the wheel rim.

Vehicle wheel comprising a rim part and a disc part formed from a one-piece sheet metal blank and including a central portion with bolt holes and a plurality of radially extending spoke arrangements merging into a disc edge delimiting together with the spoke arrangements ventilation apertures which extend over the region between the edge webs and the disc edge. In order to create steel wheels with four-hole fixing in which high strength and stiffness are achieved the number of spoke arrangements and of bolt holes is four and these are in each case arranged mirror-symmetrically with respect to a common radial line, with the width of each spoke arrangement narrowing radially towards the outside and each ventilation aperture extending in the circumferential direction over an arc length of more than ? of the circumference of the disc part. Further, each ventilation aperture is having on a radial line a maximum radial clear width which is equal to or preferably greater than the radial width of the metal portion of the disc part on the same radial line.

A spare wheel assembly comprising a tire and a rim to which the tire is attached is disclosed. The rim includes a center mounting plate having a center bore, inner and outer opposed flanges, and a disk between the center bore and the flanges. The disk includes a pair of elongated, curved slots formed on opposite sides of the center bore. Each of the slots is an ergonomically-formed hand hold for receiving fingers of an operator's hand. The inner and outer opposed flanges of the rim define perimeters of the rim between which the tire is held. The curved slots are concentric with respect to the perimeter of the outer flange and with respect to the center bore. A centerline is formed radially through the assembly. The disk is positioned on one side of the centerline and the mounting plate is positioned on the other side of the centerline.

A wheel assembly for use in an automotive vehicle is provided. The wheel assembly is configured to improve the aerodynamics of the moving automotive vehicle yet maintain the aesthetic appearance of a spoked wheel. The wheel assembly includes a plurality of spokes extending radially from the hub and interconnected to the rim. The spokes spaced apart from each other so as to define a plurality of openings, giving the wheel an aesthetic look. The spokes having a first part operatively connected to a second part. The wheel assembly includes an actuator mechanically attached to each of the plurality of spokes. The actuator is configured to move the first part with respect to the second part so as to cover each of the plurality of openings and form a generally solid disk when the wheel assembly reaches a predetermined speed so as to improve the aerodynamics of the wheel assembly.

An aerodynamically optimized drag-reduction apparatus and method for optimal minimization of the drag-induced resistive forces upon a terrestrial vehicle, where the drag-induced resistive moments on wheel surfaces pivoting about the stationary 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 apparatus includes: a streamlined fairing or wind deflector 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; a wheel assembly with a streamlined tailfin rotatably attached to a wheel spoke; a wheel with a tapered spoke having a thin aerodynamic profile near the rim and tapering to a round profile toward the central hub; and a tire having streamlined tread blocks arranged in an aerodynamic pattern.

A method and apparatus for shielding critical faster-moving upper wheel surfaces from headwinds reduces vehicle propulsive counterforces needed to countervail mechanically magnified upper wheel drag forces combined with drag forces on the apparatus itself. The apparatus includes various upper wheel fairings of FIGS. 1-6. Each fairing shields a critical primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surface from headwinds otherwise impinging thereon.

A wheel for a vehicle, the wheel having a mount configured to mount the wheel to a hub of the vehicle; a colored substrate; and a contoured reflective surface that is contoured to reflect coloring of the colored substrate out of the wheel, thereby appearing to alter coloring of the reflective surface.

A wheel disc for a wheel with a radially extending hub connection flange and a disc rim connected to a wheel rim and a transition region extending between the disc rim and the connection flange. The transition region is provided with ventilation holes. The holes extend in the radial direction from a first inner pitch circle located closer to the connection flange to a second outer pitch circle located closer to the rim. The transition region in the radial section in a first sectional area extending between the connection flange and the radially inner first pitch circle has a material thickness reduced by at least 30% compared to a material thickness of the connection flange and/or wherein the holes have a hole region with a hole width increasing in the circumferential direction of the disc from the radially inner, first pitch circle towards the radially outer, second pitch circle.

A vehicle exhaust pipe disposed for gases ejected therefrom to divert headwinds from otherwise impinging directly upon critical faster-moving upper wheel surfaces reduces vehicle propulsive counterforces needed to countervail mechanically magnified upper wheel drag forces upon the primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surfaces.

Provided is a wheel which is inexpensive, light, and sufficiently rigid. A wheel 6a includes an annular rim 60 to which a tire 6b is externally fitted, a hub 61 which is arranged at a center portion of the rim 60 and to which an axle is connected, and a disk 62 which is attached with the rim 60 at a periphery portion and which covers one side of the wheel 6a. The disk 62 includes a planar portion 62a and a first rib 62b provided at a surface of one side of the planar portion 62a and extending in the radial direction. The planar portion 62a is provided with a first groove 62d at a surface of the other side at a position corresponding to the first rib 62b.