A face spline coupling for transmitting torque between a wheel end unit and a driven shaft arranged in a longitudinal axis of a drive-wheel arrangement for a motor vehicle includes a first face spline formed in the wheel end unit and a second face spline formed in the driven shaft. The first face spline is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and faces the driven shaft, and the second face spline is also generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and faces the wheel end unit. The first and second face splines are meshed together and detachably coupled by inter-fitting teeth of each of the first and second face splines. In addition, the teeth in each of the first and second face splines are formed in a helical configuration.

A wheel assembly is disclosed, the wheel assembly including a rigid wheel and an airless tire mounted on the wheel. A portion of the tire is separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure. A spacer is interposed between the wheel and the portion of the tire separated radially from the wheel by a space and is configured to limit the inward flexing of the tire. The spacer may be permanently affixed to the wheel assembly or may be removably attached to the wheel assembly. The spacer may be adjustable between a first size and a second size.

A brake assembly adapted to be mounted to the flange of an axle housing. The brake assembly includes a stationary plate having a plurality of threaded holes therein. The brake assembly also includes a mounting sleeve positioned adjacent to the axle housing flange opposite the stationary plate. A plurality of holes are provided through the mounting sleeve and are aligned with the threaded holes in the stationary plate. A bolt is received through each of the holes in the mounting sleeve and the aligned holes in the axle housing flange and the threaded holes in the stationary plate to secure the brake to the axle housing. The mounting sleeve may be provided in two or more separate pieces in order to facilitate installation.

A bearing device includes a bearing having an outer race with double-row outer raceway surfaces formed on its inner periphery, a hub wheel and an inner race having double-row inner raceway surfaces formed on outer peripheries thereof opposed to the outer raceway surfaces, and double-row rolling elements interposed between the outer and inner raceway surfaces. The bearing has a constant velocity universal joint separably coupled thereto with a screw fastening structure, in which a stem section of an outer joint member of the constant velocity universal joint is fitted to an inner diameter portion of the hub wheel, and in which a plurality of convex portions extending in an axial direction are formed on the stem section, and a plurality of concave portions having an interference with respect to only circumferential side wall portions of each of the plurality of convex portions are formed on the hub wheel.

A method for manufacturing a one-piece wheel by forging includes: producing an integral forging comprising: a disc portion, a rim portion, and an annular protrusion protruding from one side of the disc portion in a forging method; producing an outer bend by bending the annular protrusion through a flow-forming process; and forming a hollow portion by welding one end of the outer bend to one side of the rim portion. The method manufactures the one-piece wheel having stronger shear strength and stiffness and better fatigue life even while reducing the noise using the forging method.

A wheel assembly includes a rigid wheel and an airless flexible tire with certain performance characteristics of a pneumatic tire. The rigid wheel includes a central portion and a plurality of circumferentially spaced mounting elements removably attached to a radially outer margin of the central portion. The tire is mounted on the wheel and engages the mounting elements such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements are separated radially from the wheel by a space. The tire is configured such that portions of the tire not engaging the mounting elements flex inwardly toward the wheel when subject to ground engaging pressure, thereby minimizing ground penetration and soil disruption. The tire may include one or more tension elements embedded in the tire to increase the tire's strength and resilience.

An apparatus for transferring driving force at a wheel for a vehicle may include a housing of a constant velocity joint having a center of a first end portion formed to be penetrated and inserted into a hub bearing, and a step formed on an inner peripheral surface of a middle portion of the housing, a hub flange supporting an expansion part by the step by having one end portion coupled to a wheel side and another end portion inserted into the housing to thereby form the expansion part expanded in a radial direction, and a forming member installed in the housing to face the expansion part and having an outer peripheral surface supported by an inner peripheral surface of the housing.

An axle assembly having an axle housing, an axle shaft, a plurality of axle shaft bearings and a seal. The axle housing has a tubular member and an end flange that is coupled to the tubular member. The axle shaft bearings and the seal are received in the end flange and are engaged to the axle shaft. The axle shaft bearings support the axle shaft for rotation relative to the axle housing. The seal is sealingly engaged to the end flange and the axle shaft. A method for assembling an axle assembly is also provided.

A spoke attachment assembly configured to couple a rim to the spokes of a spoked bicycle wheel. The spoke attachment assembly comprises a nipple having an enlarged head and a stem provided with a coupling portion for coupling with a spoke, at least one shaped washer associated with the nipple and configured to abut on one side with the enlarged head of the nipple and, on the opposite side, with the rim and holding means configured to hold said at least one shaped washer associated with the nipple. The invention also relates to a spoked bicycle wheel and to a process for manufacturing such a wheel.

A vehicle axle body is provided for incorporation into a vehicle axle. The vehicle axle body may be comprised of first and second axle body pieces. The first axle body piece may define at least a portion of a lower surface of the vehicle axle body and at least a portion of one of a front surface and a rear surface of the vehicle axle body. The second axle body piece is secured to the first axle body piece and may define at least a portion of an upper surface of the vehicle axle body and at least a portion of the other one of the front surface and the rear surface of the vehicle axle body. The thickness of the first and second axle body pieces may be different. Suspension component supports may be integrally formed with the upper and/or bottom surfaces of the axle body.