Vehicle wheels, methods of making vehicle wheels, and dual wheel assemblies are provided. The vehicle wheel comprises a generally cylindrical first region and a second region extending radially inwardly from the first region. The second region comprises a first surface, a second surface, an opening, and a hub surface. A distance from the first surface to the second surface defines a thickness. The opening is configured to receive at least a portion of a hub of the vehicle axle. The hub surface is adjacent to and surrounds the opening and extends from the first surface to the second surface. The hub surface comprises a generally flat portion and a relief portion adjacent to at least one of the first surface and the second surface. The relief portion surrounds the opening and extends along the hub surface for a distance of at least 25% of the thickness.

The invention is directed to a method for producing a rim (2) comprising at least one three-dimensionally shaped layer of reinforcing fibers (26). In a first step a forming tool (25) is provided which comprises a three-dimensionally shaped outer contour. In a subsequent step a band of reinforcing fibers (26) is wound onto the forming tool (25) such that the reinforcing fibers follow the outer contour of the forming tool (25) and are arranged in at least one of reinforcing fibers. A draping device (27) is provided by which the band of reinforcing fibers (26) is preformed before the band of reinforcing fibers (26) is wound onto the forming tool (25).

A wheel with flexible spokes, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength.

The present invention regards a group for supporting and tightening a rim of or for a tired wheel, and such group includes a base, a wheel-holder table, an upright or column projecting upward from the base and supporting at the top the wheel-holder table, a shaft or pin mounted in or alongside the upright or column, a sleeve element or ring nut element constrainable or mountable on the shaft or pin and means for the relative movement of the shaft or pin and of the table.

An aircraft landing gear bogie beam including first and second ends and a mounting bearing for connection to an aircraft landing gear main strut between the ends. Each end has a respective axle, and each axle defines a wheel mounting portion on each side of the bogie beam. The bogie beam is arranged to enable the first and second axles to each pivot relative to the bearing about a respective longitudinal axis of the bogie beam by an amount that is sufficient to place a wheel rim of a wheel assembly in contact with the ground in the event of a tyre of the wheel assembly deflating.

A cover for a rim of a wheel of a vehicle. The cover, with fastening of the cover on the rim, can be arranged in at least partially overlap with a through opening of the rim delimited in the circumferential direction of the rim by respective spokes of the rim, whereby the through opening can be at least partially covered by the cover. The cover is directionally formed and has at least two slats, which delimit at least one channel arranged between the slats, through which air can flow in the installed position of the cover diagonally to a plane extending perpendicularly to the axial direction of the rim. The slats at least partially mutually overlap with respect to the installed position of the cover in the circumferential direction of the rim and along the axial direction of the rim.

A disc brake hub and rotor assembly for a heavy-duty vehicle. The disc brake hub and rotor assembly includes a hub receivable on and rotatable about an axle spindle of a heavy-duty vehicle. A rotor is connectable with the hub for rotation with the hub. The rotor includes a disc segment, a flange mounting segment, and a cylindrical sleeve segment connecting the disc segment and the flange mounting segment. A flange is connectable with the flange mounting segment and separately with the hub. The flange mounting segment of the rotor has an inboard facing surface at least part of which is for engaging head portions of wheel studs. The inboard facing surface is substantially planar and free of wheel stud clearance reliefs. A transition region is located between the flange mounting segment and sleeve segment and is also free of wheel stud clearance reliefs.

A combined wheel includes spokes, steel bushings, a rim, a brake pad, pins and a backing ring. The spokes are placed in respective empty slots between adjacent connecting blocks, and clamping grooves therein are matched with the connecting blocks. The pins are installed into holes of the spokes and the connecting blocks. A left end face of a backing ring is matched with the back of the spokes. A plurality of screws connect the backing ring, the connecting blocks and the spokes and are fitted into the steel bushings. The brake pad is fixed to two pluralities of bosses by a second plurality of screws. In use of the combined wheel, both radial force and axial force generated in the running of the wheel can be counteracted on the spokes. The annular brake pad is installed on the inner wall of the rim, thereby increasing the brake radius.

A tensile element connection, comprising first and second bracing elements and a tensile element having a first portion connected to the first bracing element and a second portion opposed to the first portion and connected to the second bracing element, and an applied tensile load along the tensile element. The tensile element includes a preformed rod that is comprised of reinforcement fibers in a matrix. At a temporarily elevated temperature greater than the service temperature, a localized region of the matrix is in a softened state of increased deformability such that a localized region of the rod is deformed under pressure to include a laterally outwardly projecting engagement surface. The tensile element is comprised of said rod with the engagement surface formed therein and is connected to one of the first and second bracing elements by means of an overlie engagement at the engagement surface to restrain the tension load.

A hub for a heavy-duty vehicle and for mounting a wheel for relative rotation comprises a substantially cylindrical body having axially opposite end portions and a longitudinal central axis. Each of a pair of bearing receiving bores is formed in the cylindrical body at a respective axially opposite end portion of the cylindrical body. A circumferential envelope has an outer diameter and is formed on the cylindrical body about one of the pair of bearing receiving bores. A flange extends radially outward from the cylindrical body at a location between the pair of bearing receiving bores. A barrel portion of the cylindrical body extends between the flange and the circumferential envelope and has an outer diameter. The hub provides sufficient strength and minimizes weight by incorporating specific longitudinal profiles and ratios and/or relationships of various dimensions of the barrel portion 104.