Vehicle wheel manufacturing apparatus

Abstract

A vehicle wheel manufacturing apparatus to connect a wheel rim and a spider by accurately press fitting the spider into the rim and then cold working portions of the rim into a plurality of depressions within the periphery of the spider. The cold working is accomplished by a separate actuator for each portion with the manifold assembly connecting together all of the actuators so the actuators will all act simultaneously.

What is claimed is: .[. 
     
       1.  A vehicle wheel manufacturing apparatus to construct a vehicle wheel assembly, said assembly being composed of a rim to be capable of supporting an inflatable vehicle tire and a spider located interiorly of said rim, said manufacturing apparatus comprising: first means to position said spider within said rim, said spider having hiatus structure located directly adjacent said rim; and   second means to effect deformation of said rim into cooperation with said hiatus structure ..]. .[.   
     
     
       2. Apparatus as defined within claim 1 wherein: said spider being of such a size that said spider must be forcibly inserted within said rim, said first means including an actuator to forcibly move said spider within said rim..]. .[.   
     
     
       3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein: said actuator being actuated pneumatically..]. .[. 
     
     
       4. Apparatus as defined within claim 1 including: third means to support said rim within said apparatus, said third means being variable to support different sized rims..].   
     
     
       5. A vehicle wheel manufacturing apparatus to construct the vehicle wheel assembly, said assembly being composed of a rim to be capable of supporting an inflatable vehicle tire and a spider located interiorly of said rim, said manufacturing apparatus comprising: a first means to position said spider within said rim, said spider having .Iadd.formed therein .Iaddend.a plurality of .Iadd.separate .Iaddend.depressions .Iadd.arranged in a circumferential row about said spider .Iaddend..[.formed therein and located directly adjacent said rim.].; and   second means to effect deformation of said rim into cooperation with said depressions, said second means includes an actuator assembly, said actuator assembly including a separate actuator for each of said depressions, a manifold assembly to connect together a plurality of said actuator to maintain such in a predetermined fixed relationship relative to said apparatus.   
     
     
       6. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: each of said actuators having an actuating head to physically contact said rim and effect deformation thereof, each of said actuators to move its respective actuating head in a radial direction with respect to said rim.   
     
     
       7. Apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein: said manifold assembly includes a plurality of separate manifold units, each of said manifold units to retain three in number of said actuators.   
     
     
       8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein: there being five in number of said manifold units being equidistantly spaced apart about said rim.   
     
     
       9. Apparatus as defined within claim 5 wherein: said rim to be deformed plastically within said depression but not to exceed the ultimate strength of the rim material.   
     
     
       10. Apparatus as defined within claim 9 wherein: said rim being in a circular configuration, said depressions being generally disposed in a radial direction with respect to said rim.   
     
     
       11. Apparatus as defined within claim 10 wherein: the sidewall of each of said depressions forming substantially a 45 degree angle with respect to the exterior surface of said spider.   
     
     
       12. A vehicle wheel manufacturing apparatus to construct a vehicle wheel assembly, said assembly being composed of a rim to be capable of supporting an inflatable vehicle tire and a spider located interiorly of said rim, said manufacturing apparatus comprising: first means to position said spider within said rim, said spider having .Iadd.formed therein .Iaddend.a plurality of .Iadd.separate .Iaddend.depressions .Iadd.arranged in a circumferential row about said spider .Iaddend..[.located directly adjacent said rim.].; and   second means to effect deformation of said rim into cooperation with said depressions.   
     
     
       13. Apparatus as defined within claim 12 wherein: said spider being of such a size that said spider must be forcibly inserted within said rim.   
     
     
       14. Apparatus as defined within claim 12 including: third means to support said rim within said apparatus, said third means being variable to support different size rims.   
     
     
       15. Apparatus as defined within claim 12 wherein: said second means includes an actuator assembly, said actuator assembly including a separate actuator for each of said depressions.   
     
     
       16. Apparatus as defined within claim 15 including: a manifold assembly to connect together a plurality of said actuators to maintain such in a predetermined fixed relationship relative to said apparatus.   
     
     
       17. Apparatus as defined within claim 12 wherein: the side wall of each of said depressions forming substantially a 45 degree angle with respect to the exterior surface of said spider. .Iadd. 18. A vehicle wheel manufacturing apparatus to construct a vehicle wheel assembly, said assembly being composed of a rim to be capable of supporting an inflatable vehicle tire and a spider located interiorly of said rim, said manufacturing apparatus comprising:   first means to position said spider within said rim, said spider having hiatus structure located directly adjacent said rim;   second means to effect deformation of said rim into cooperation with said hiatus structure; and   third means to support said rim within said apparatus, said third means being variable to support different sized rims. .Iaddend..Iadd. 19. Apparatus as defined in claim 18 wherein:   said spider being of such a size that said spider must be forcibly inserted within said rim, said first means including an actuator to forcibly move said spider within said rim. .Iaddend..Iadd. 20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19 wherein:   said actuator being actuated pneumatically.