The invention is directed to a heat shield structure (8) for a wheel (1) which comprises a base structure (11) that is at least partially made from a composite material. The heat shield structure (8) is arranged on the base structure (11) and is at least partially covering the base structure (11).

A hermetically sealed wheel assembly which has been welding autogenously is provided, along with a method and system for welding the wheel assembly. The wheel assembly is made up of at least two components which are laser welded to each other without the use of filler material to create a hermetically sealed wheel assembly.

The present invention relates to a wheel rim extender device (1) removably mountable on a wheel (3) having a tire retaining rim (27) for engaging an outer surface of a tire (5). The device (1) has an annular member (11) for location adjacent a sidewall (7) of a tire (5) mounted on the wheel (3). The annular member (11) comprises an edge portion (33a, 33b) which defines an outer circumference of the annular member (11) and a support portion (35a, 35b), disposed radially inward of the edge portion (33a, 33b), for mounting on the wheel (3), wherein the edge portion (33a, 33b) has a greater flexibility than the support portion (35a, 35b). The invention also relates to the combination of a wheel rim extender device (1) and a wheel (3).

A method for the production of a closed hollow profile for a vehicle axle including the following steps: a) provision of a board made out of a sheet of metal, wherein the board has at least a length in a longitudinal direction and at least a width in a transverse direction, b) forming of the board, creating an open profile with a channel running in a longitudinal direction of the board, c) forming the lateral surfaces of the board, creating a hollow profile with a circumference and a longitudinal gap and d) joining together the longitudinal gap.

A method of manufacturing a wheel sub-assembly for a wheel of a very large vehicle, such as those used for mobile cranes, quarry excavation or transport of mined material. The method includes providing first and second cylindrical blank components and an annular disc blank; press forming the first blank component to form a one piece, axially outer rim portion; press forming the second blank component to form a one piece, axially inner rim portion; circumferentially Joining, the outer and inner rim portions to form an annular wheel rim having a base; machining the inside diameter of the wheel rim base; press forming the disc blank to form a press-formed disc; machining the outside edge of the press-formed disc; press fitting the press-formed disc to the wheel rim base at the machined inside diameter; and welding the press-formed disc to the wheel rim base at the machined inside diameter.

A vehicle wheel including a disc segment and a rim segment. The disc segment includes a wheel mounting surface for connecting the vehicle wheel to a vehicle hub and a transition element, wherein the transition element is arranged between the wheel mounting surface and an outer rim flange. The rim segment includes the outer rim flange and an inner rim flange as well as a drop center arranged between the two flanges. The segments of the vehicle wheel are integrally formed in order to shape a one-piece, continuously running vehicle wheel contour profile.