Patent ID: 8414086
Filing Date: 2013-04-09
Classification: B29C,F16F,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A vehicle wheel weight comprising: (a) a mass portion formed of nonlead metal, said mass portion having an arcuate shape and being configured to be juxtaposed against a wheel rim; (b) said mass portion defining a clip groove on an exterior side thereof having an upper radial end and a lower radial end, said clip groove delimited by opposed first and second sidewalls; (c) said first and second sidewalls being separated by an upper width at said upper radial end and a lower width at said lower radial end, said upper width being substantially equal to said lower width such that said first and second sidewalls are substantially parallel with each other in a generally radial direction of the mass portion relative to an axis of rotation of said wheel rim; (d) a clip having an extended portion for engaging said wheel rim, said clip further having an attachment portion seated in said clip groove; (e) said attachment portion of said clip having a pair of side edges, at least one of said side edges defining therein a lateral feature to facilitate attachment of said clip to said mass portion; and (f) said mass portion defining swage lines at respective locations outside of said groove but adjacent to said first and second sidewalls such that material of said mass portion has been forced along the lateral edges of the attachment portion from a configuration in which said sidewalls of said groove are substantially straight into engagement with said at least one lateral feature as well as over portions of an exterior surface of said clip between said side edges of said attachment portion of the clip, whereby said clip is fixedly secured to said mass portion.