Patent ID: 7452036
Filing Date: 2008-11-18
Classification: B60B

Abstract:
1. A vehicle wheel assembly comprising: a wheel having a central axis, an annular rim portion having outboard and inboard bead seats for mounting a pneumatic tire thereon and a disk portion extending radially inwardly from said rim portion, said disk portion including a central hub portion provided with a plurality of lug mounting apertures extending therethrough; said rim portion defining an annular outboard rim flange extending radially outwardly from said outboard bead seat and an annular inboard rim flange extending radially outwardly from said inboard bead seat and disposed opposite said outboard rim flange; said outboard rim flange having an annular inner peripheral surface facing said inboard rim flange and an annular outer peripheral surface disposed opposite said inner peripheral surface and facing away from said inboard rim flange; said outboard rim flange having an annular retention groove formed on said outer peripheral surface of said outboard rim flange concentrically to said central axis; and an annular transition member mounted in said annular retention groove in said outboard rim flange of said wheel; said annular retention groove forming an open annular cavity defined by an annular base wall and outer and inner concentric annular side walls extending axially outwardly from said base wall; said annular transition member having an annular, axially inner surface complementary to said annular base wall of said annular retention groove preformed prior to being inserted into said retention groove so as to be mounted in said annular retention groove without being deformed; wherein said outer side wall of said annular retention groove is radially inwardly spaced from a radially outer edge of said outboard rim flange, and wherein said inner side wall of said annular retention groove is radially outwardly spaced from a radially inner edge of said outboard rim flange.