Abstract:
A wheel comprising a rim portion and a centre portion for supporting the rim portion, wherein the rim portion is adapted to allow attachment of the centre portion to the rim at a selected position of a plurality of available positions. In one arrangement the available positions are disposed in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. There is also provided the rim and the centre portion and a method for constructing the wheel.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to wheels. 
         [0002]    The invention has been devised particularly, although not necessarily solely, in relation to wheels for automotive vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    The following discussion of the background art is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any of the material referred to is or was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application. 
         [0004]    There are various types of wheel constructions and wheel specifications which differ between vehicles. The specifications for the wheel, which can vary between vehicles, include the number and relative positions of the mounting holes, and also the lateral position of the centre portion of wheel relative to the rim portion. 
         [0005]    The wheels that are currently available have a laterally fixed offset/backspace design. This is referring to the specification of a particular wheel centre which cannot be laterally adjusted by a plain sliding action to an alternate offset/backspace location, within the existing rim body. Currently available wheels do not allow the end user to retain all the original components and adjust the offset/backspace position by a plain sliding action. This means that the specification of a particular wheel cannot be varied in order to fit a multitude of different type of vehicles. Thus, not necessarily any wheel may be fitted to a particular vehicle. 
         [0006]    Moreover, on occasions drivers of vehicles are interested in varying the external appearance of a vehicle. An option for changing external appearance of a vehicle is to replace the wheels of the vehicles. In particular, the driver may want to replace the appearance of the centre disk of the wheels that are mounted on the driver&#39;s vehicle. For example, the driver of the vehicle may prefer to replace the shallow dish wheels with deep dish wheels. 
         [0007]    Furthermore, vehicles are typically provided to their purchaser with a standard set of wheels. However, on occasions the purchaser of the vehicle would like to fit aftermarket wheels that differ from the wheels provided by the vehicle dealership. However, fitting of aftermarket wheels typically is a cumbersome task. The reason for this is that the wheels that are currently available have fixed designs. The fixed designs of the wheel represent great difficulties for fitting aftermarket wheels to different type of vehicles. 
         [0008]    It is against this background that the present invention has been developed. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0009]    According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a wheel comprising a rim portion and a centre portion for supporting the rim portion, wherein the rim portion is adapted to allow attachment of the centre portion to the rim at a selected position of a plurality of available positions. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the available positions are disposed in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the wheel comprises means for attaching the centre portion to the rim. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the means for attaching the centre portion to the rim are adapted to transfer rotary movement of the centre portion to the rim portion. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the means for attaching the centre portion to the rim comprises at least one spline and at least one groove adapted to receive the spline to allow sliding of the centre portion into the rim portion to one of the plurality of available positions. 
         [0014]    Preferably, the rim portion presents a radially inner face comprising the groove. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the centre portion is configured as a disc structure having an outer periphery dimensioned to be received within the confines of the radially inner face of the rim portion, the outer periphery comprising the spline. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the wheel further comprises means for securing the centre portion to the rim portion at one of the available positions. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the means for securing the centre portion to the rim portion comprises at least one opening traversing the outer periphery of the disc structure, the at least one opening being adapted to receive a screw. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the means for securing the centre portion to the rim portion further comprises at least one threaded indentation adapted to receive the screw, the threaded indentation extending into the radially inner face of the rim. 
         [0019]    Preferably, there are a plurality of grooves arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other around the radially inner face of the rim. 
         [0020]    Preferably, there are a plurality of splines arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other around the outer periphery of the disc structure of the centre portion. 
         [0021]    Preferably, there is at least one threaded indentation located between two neighbouring grooves and at least one opening traversing the outer periphery of the disc structure located between two neighbouring grooves. 
         [0022]    Preferably, there are a plurality of threaded indentions defining a set of threaded indentations, each of the threaded indentations are arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other and parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel, each of the at least one threaded indentations providing a position of the plurality of available positions for securing the centre portion at a location along the rotational axis of the rim portion. 
         [0023]    Preferably, there are more than one set of threaded indentions, the sets being arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other around the periphery of the radially inner face of the rim portion. 
         [0024]    Preferably, there are a first set of threaded indentations and a second set of threaded indentations, the first set of threaded indentations and the second set of threaded indentations being alternatively arranged around the radially inner face of the rim. 
         [0025]    Preferably, the first set of threaded indentations comprises at least one threaded indentation located at a first location parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel and the second set of threaded indentations comprises at least one threaded indentation located at a second location parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel, the second location being a different location with respect to the first location. In this arrangement, the second set of threaded indentations provide at least one second available position for securing the centre portion to the rim along the axis of rotation of the wheel, the second available positions being at a different location along the axis of rotation of the wheel with respect to the first available positions. In this arrangement, to locate the centre portion at any of the available positions provided by the first set of threaded indentations, the centre portion must be presented to the rim such that, when the centre portion is being inserted into the rim, the openings of the centre portion coincide with the threaded indentations of the first set of threaded indentations. However, to locate the centre portion at any of the available positions provided by the second set of threaded indentations, the centre portion must be presented to the rim such that, when the centre portion is being inserted into the rim, the openings of the centre portion coincide with the threaded indentations of the second set of threaded indentations. 
         [0026]    Preferably, at least one spline and at least one groove are configured to have matching cross sections to allow the spline to be slideably received by the groove. This arrangement is particularly advantageous because it allows fitting particular centre portions to particular rims. 
         [0027]    According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a wheel comprising a rim portion and a centre portion for supporting the rim portion, wherein the centre portion is realisably attached to the rim portion. 
         [0028]    Preferably, the wheel comprises means for attaching the centre portion to the rim. 
         [0029]    Preferably, the means for attaching the centre portion to the rim comprises screw means. 
         [0030]    Preferably, the means for attaching the centre portion to the rim comprises at least one spline and at least one groove adapted to receive the spline to allow sliding of the centre portion into the rim portion. 
         [0031]    Preferably, the rim portion presents a radially inner face comprising the groove. 
         [0032]    Preferably, the centre portion is configured as a disc structure having an outer periphery dimensioned to be received within the confines of the radially inner face of the rim portion, the outer periphery comprising the spline. 
         [0033]    In alternative arrangement, the means for securing the centre portion to the rim portion comprises at least one keyed joint. 
         [0034]    Preferably, the outer periphery of the centre disc and the radially inner face of the rim portion may be configured to define at least one keyway adapted to receive a key defining the keyed joint. 
         [0035]    According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a wheel rim comprising a radially inner portion defining a radially inner face to which a centre portion can be attached, wherein the radially inner portion is adapted to releasably attaching the centre portion to the radially inner face of the rim. 
         [0036]    Preferably, the radially inner face of the wheel rim is adapted to attach the centre portion at a selected position of a plurality of available positions extending in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. 
         [0037]    Preferably, the radially inner face comprising at least one groove adapted to slideably receive a spline of an outer periphery of the centre portion. 
         [0038]    Preferably, the radially inner face comprises at least one threaded indentation adapted to receive a screw traversing the outer periphery of the centre portion for securing the centre portion to the rim. 
         [0039]    Preferably, there are a plurality of threaded indentations arranged in a spaced apart relationship with respect to each other providing the plurality of available positions extending in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel. 
         [0040]    According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a centre portion to be secured to a wheel rim, the centre portion being configured as a disc structure having an outer periphery dimensioned to be received within the rim, wherein the outer periphery is adapted to be releasably attached to the rim portion. 
         [0041]    Preferably, the outer periphery comprises at least one spline adapted to be received by a groove of a radially inner face of the rim. 
         [0042]    Preferably, the outer periphery comprises at least one opening traversing the outer periphery and adapted to receive a screw for securing the centre portion to the rim. 
         [0043]    Preferably, the disc structure comprises a planar disc. 
         [0044]    Preferably, the planar disc comprises a wheel shallow dish. 
         [0045]    Preferably, the planar disc comprises a wheel deep dish. 
         [0046]    According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of constructing a wheel having a rim portion and a centre portion adapted to be attached to the rim portion, the method comprising the steps of:
       locating the centre portion to the rim portion at a selected position; and   releasably attaching the centre portion to the rim portion at the selected position       
 
         [0049]    Preferably, the method further comprises the step of sliding the centre portion parallel to the rotational axis of the wheel to the selected position. 
         [0050]    Preferably, the method further comprises the step of rotating the centre portion around the rotational axis of the wheel to insert at least one spline of the centre portion into a groove of the rim portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0051]    Further features of the present invention are more fully described in the following description of a non-limiting embodiment thereof. This description is included solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above. The description will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0052]      FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a wheel according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0053]      FIG. 1   b  is a side view of the wheel shown in  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0054]      FIG. 2  is a rear view of the rim of the wheel shown in  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0055]      FIG. 3   a  is a rear view of an arrangement of the centre disc of the wheel shown in  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0056]      FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of an arrangement of the centre disc of the wheel shown in  FIG. 1   a;    
           [0057]      FIG. 4   a  is a side cross-sectional view of the wheel shown in  FIG. 1   a  during mounting of the hub member into the rim; 
           [0058]      FIG. 4   b  is a perspective view of the wheel shown in  FIG. 1   a  incorporating the hub member; and 
           [0059]      FIGS. 5   a  to  5   d  are side cross-sectional views of the first to fourth arrangements of the centre disk in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0060]      FIGS. 1 to 4  show a wheel  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The wheel  10  comprises a rim portion  12  (see  FIG. 1 ) and a central portion  14  configured as a centre disc or centre portion  16  (see  FIG. 3 ).  FIGS. 5   a  to  5   d  show first to fourth arrangements of the centre disc  16  in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention. The centre disc  16  is adapted to be attached to the rim portion  12  of the wheel  10 . In accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, the centre disc  16  may be attached along the axis of rotation of the rim portion  12  at one of a plurality available positions of the rim portion  12 . In this manner, additional offset positions for the wheel  10  are provided. This allows fitting a particular wheel  10  to, a multitude of different type of vehicles in view that the offset/backspace position of the wheel may be varied, for example, by a plain sliding action which moves laterally the centre member or portion  14 . In accordance with the present embodiment of embodiments of the invention the sliding action may be accomplished in view that the rim portion  12  is adapted to slideably receive the centre portion  14 , via for example, via spline/groove arrangements or keyways. 
         [0061]    Further, in a further embodiment of the invention the centre disc  16  is releasably attached to the rim portion  12 . This is particularly useful because it allows changing the external appearance of the wheel  10  (by replacing the centre disc  16  with a different centre disc  16 ). This allows ongoing modification of the wheel  10  to keep up with latest trends in accordance with the preferences of the driver of the vehicle. 
         [0062]    The rim portion  12  comprises an annular body  18  incorporating rim flanges  20  at opposed sides thereof and a rim well  22 . The rim well  22  defines a radially inner portion  24  of the rim portion  12  which presents a radially inner face  26 . The radially inner face  26  is of an annular configuration centred about the axis of rotation of the wheel  10 . 
         [0063]    The rim portion  12  comprises a front portion  30  and a rear portion  28 . The front portion  30  is oriented to the exterior of the vehicle to which the wheel  10  is attached. The rear portion  28  is directed to the interior of the vehicle. 
         [0064]    The annular inner face  26  of the rim portion  12  comprises two sections  34  and  32  (see  FIG. 1   b ). The first section  34  is located in the front portion  30  of the rim portion  12 . The second section  32  is located at the rear portion  28  of the rim portion  12 . The second section  32  is adapted for receiving the centre disc  16 . The second section  32  comprises means  36  for attaching the centre disc  16  to the rim portion  12 . 
         [0065]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  and  4   a,  the centre disc  16  comprises a generally circular plate  38  formed of appropriate material. The plate  38  has a rear portion  40 , a front portion  42  and an outer periphery  44 . The plate  38  incorporates a centre hole  46  and circumferentially spaced mounting holes  48  for receiving wheel studs. The outer periphery  44  is of a diameter which allows the plate  38  to be received within the confines of the annular inner face  26  of the rim portion  12 . The centre disc  16  comprises splines  50 . The splines  50  are extended around the periphery  44  of the centre disc  16  and spaced apart with respect to each other. In this manner a spacing  55  is defined between each neighbouring spline  50 . A plurality of openings  52  is arranged around the periphery of the centre disc  16 . The openings  52  traverse radially the outer periphery  44  of the centre disc  16 . As will be described with reference to the method of assembly of the wheel  10 , the fact that the openings  52  traverse radially the centre disc  16  allows securing the centre disc  16  to the rim portion  12  via screws (see  FIG. 4   a ). Each opening  52  is located between particular neighbouring splines  50  in the respective spacing  55 . As shown in  FIG. 3   b,  five openings  52  are arranged around the periphery of the centre disc  16  such that two splines  50  and one spacing  55  is located between neighbouring openings  52 . 
         [0066]    The splines  50  of the centre disc  16  are adapted to be received by grooves  54  located at the rim portion  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1   a,  the rim portion  12  comprises the grooves  54  and a plurality of sets of threaded indentations  56  for securing the centre disc  16  to the rim portion  12 . The grooves  54  and the threaded indentations  56  extend around the inner face  26  of the rim portion  12 . The grooves  54  are arranged around the rim portion  12  such that a spacing  55  is defined between each neighbouring groove  54 . A ridge  57  is defined at each spacing  55 . Each set of threaded indentations  56  traverse a particular ridge  57 . 
         [0067]    The set of threaded indentations  56  comprise a plurality of threaded indentations  56  aligned in a straight line parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel  10 . There are two sets of threaded indentations  56 . A first set of threaded indentations  56  comprises four threaded indentations  56 . A second set of threaded indentations  56  comprises three threaded indentations  56 . The first set and the second set of threaded indentations  56  are alternatively arranged around the inner face  26  of the rim portion  12 . 
         [0068]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the rim portion  12  comprises the grooves  54  around the inner face  26  of the rim portion  12 . The grooves  54  extend around the inner face  26  and spaced apart with respect to each other. In this manner ridges  57  are defined between each neighbouring groove  54 . As will be explained, with reference to the method of assembly of the wheel  10 , the grooves  54  of the rim portion are adapted to receive the splines  50  of the centre disc  16  and the spacing  55  of the centre disc  16  are adapted to receive the ridges  57  of the rim portion  12  when the centre disc  16  is mounted into the rim portion  12 . 
         [0069]    The splines  50  allow transfer of the torque provided by the vehicle during use of the wheel  10 . 
         [0070]    As mentioned before, the rim portion  12  comprises first and second set of threaded indentations  56  arranged around the inner periphery of the rim portion  12 . The threaded indentations  56  are adapted to receive the, screws referred to previously when describing the centre disc  16 . As said before, in this manner the centre disc  16  is releasably attached to the rim portion  12 . 
         [0071]    Further, as previously described, the threaded indentations  56  are arranged in a straight line parallel to the axis of rotation. This allows locating the centre disc  16  along the axis of rotation of the wheel  10  in any of a plurality of available positions. In this manner, different offset or backspace positions for the centre disc  16  may be provided. 
         [0072]    In the arrangement shown in the figures, the different available positions include seven available positions. The centre disc  16  can be secured to the rim portion  12  at any of the seven available positions. By securing the centre disc  16  at different available positions, the wheel centre offset may be adjusted. As will be described with the method of assembly of the wheel  10 , this allows fitting any type of centre disc  16  to a multitude of different type of vehicles. 
         [0073]    The number of available positions depends on the number of threaded indentations  56  that are arranged parallel to the axis of rotation of the wheel  10 . As mentioned before, the wheel  10  in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention comprises seven available positions. 
         [0074]    Referring to  FIG. 1   a,  the first and second sets of threaded indentations  56  are alternatively arranged around the radially inner face of the rim. Thus, between two first sets of threaded indentations  56  is located a second set of threaded indentations  56 . As shown in  FIG. 1   a,  the first set of threaded indentations  56  provides four available positions. The second set of threaded indentations  56  provides three available positions. The reason that the first set of threaded indentations  56  provides a number of available positions that differ from the number of available positions provided by the second set of threaded indentations  56  is that the second set of threaded indentations  56  is located offset with respect to the first set of threaded indentations  56 . Each of the threaded indentations  56  of the second set is located at a different position. 
         [0075]    As will be explained with reference to the method of assembly of the wheel  10 , the fact that there are the first and the second set of threaded indentations  56  facilitates locating particular centre discs  16  at the proper available positions which allow proper fitting of the wheel  10  to the vehicle. 
         [0076]    The arrangement in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention allows releasable attachment to the rim portion  12  a great variety of different types of centre discs  16  in accordance with the preference of the user of the vehicle. In particular, the embodiment of the present invention is particularly useful for fitting wheels  10  having wheel deep dishes and wheel shallow dishes. This is because the rim portion  12  provides a plurality of available positions along the axis of rotation of the wheel  10 . Depending on the type of centre disc  16  (wheel deep dish centre disc or wheel shallow dish centre disc) that is to be secured to the rim portion  12  of the wheel  10  (incorporating the particular centre disc  16 ) may be fitted to any of a multitude of vehicles. This is accomplished by securing the particular centre disc  16  at the available position of the rim portion  12  which allows fitting the wheel  10  properly to a particular vehicle. By locating the particular centre disc  16  at a different available position of the rim portion  12  the wheel  10  may be fitted to a different type of vehicle. 
         [0077]      FIGS. 5   a  to  5   d  shows an example of a plurality of centre discs  16  in accordance with the present embodiment.  FIGS. 5   a,    5   c  and  5   d  show a variety of arrangements of positive and negative offset/backspace adjustments in centre disc  16 ,  FIG. 5   b  shows a variety of arrangements of negative offset/backspace adjustments in centre disc  16  in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention. 
         [0078]    The fact that the centre disc  16  is releasably attached to the rim portion  12  allows varying the centre disc  16  after manufacture of the wheel  10 . This allows varying the wheel  10  in accordance with current trends or the preference of a particular owner of a vehicle. This is particularly advantageous because it allows the user of the vehicle to choose the type of centre disc  16  in accordance with the user&#39;s preference or the parameters of a particular vehicle without having to change the entire wheel  10 . 
         [0079]    For manufacturing the wheel, the centre disc  16  is secured within the rim portion  12  by sliding the splines  50  of the centre disc  16  into the respective grooves  54  of the rim portion  12 .  FIG. 4   a  shows a centre disc  16  being presented to the rim portion  12  for securing the centre disc  16  onto the wheel  10 . For securing the centre disc  16  to the rim portion  12 , each spline  50  is presented to the respective groove  54  of the rim portion  12  and pressure is applied to the centre disc  16  to locate the centre disc  16  to the desired available position. At the desired available position the openings  52  of the centre disc  16  are aligned with the threaded indentations  56  of the rim portion  12  located at that particular available position. At this stage, the centre disc  16  may be secured to the rim portion  12  by inserting the screws into the openings  52  of the centre disc  16  and screwing the screws into the threaded indentations  56  of the rim portion  12 . 
         [0080]    As mentioned before, in the arrangement of the present embodiment of the invention shown in the figures, there are first and second sets of threaded indentations  56 . Each of the set of threaded indentations  56  provide different available positions for locating the centre disc  16  within the rim portion  12  at a particular location along the axis of rotation of the wheel  10 . The first set of threaded indentations  56  provides four available positions; the second set of threaded indentations  56  provides three available positions. 
         [0081]    As mentioned before, the centre disc  16  comprises openings  52  which are located at particular locations around the periphery of the disc. In the arrangement shown in  FIG. 3 , there are five openings  52  wherein each neighbouring opening is separated by a pair of splines  50  separated by a spacing  55 . In contrast, as shown in  FIG. 2 , each threaded indentations  56  of the rim portion  12  is separated by a groove  54 . In view of this arrangement of centre disc  16  and rim portion  12  the centre disc  16  must be rotated around the axis of rotation of the wheel  10  in order to locate the centre disc  16  at a particular available position. 
         [0082]    To locate the centre disc  16  at any of the available positions provided by the first set of threaded indentations  56 , the centre disc  16  must be presented to the rim portion  12  such that, when the centre disc  16  is being inserted into the rim portion  12 , the openings  52  of the centre disc  16  coincide with the threaded indentations  56  of the first set of threaded indentations  56 . However, to locate the centre disc  16  at any of the available positions provided by the second set of threaded indentations  56 , the centre disc  16  must be presented to the rim portion  12  such that, when the centre disc  16  is being inserted into the rim portion  12 , the openings  52  of the centre disc  16  coincide with the threaded indentations  56  of the second set of threaded indentations  56 . 
         [0083]    The fact that the centre disc  16  must be presented at a different rotational orientation for being located at particular available locations is particularly advantageous. This allows guidance to the wheel fitter in charge of fitting the wheel  10  to the vehicle to secure particular centre discs  16  to the available positions which are appropriate in order for the wheel  10  to properly fit to the vehicle. For example, the first and second set of threaded indentations  56  may be arranged on the rim portion  12  such that deep dish centre discs are rotated such that when inserted into the rim portion  12  the openings  52  of the deep dish centre disc must align with the threaded indentations  56  of the first set of threaded indentations  56 . The shallow dish centre discs may be rotated such that the openings  52  of the shallow dish centre disc must align with the threaded indentations  56  of the first set of internal indentations. As mentioned before, this facilitates fitting the wheel  10  on the vehicle because it provides a guide to the wheel fitter for which available positions may be appropriate for a particular centre disc  16 . 
         [0084]    In a particular arrangement of the present embodiment of the invention, the grooves  54  (of the rim portion  12 ) and splines  50  (of the centre disc  16 ) may be configured such that the centre disc can be mounted onto particular rims. In an arrangement, the splines  50  and grooves  54  have matching cross sections. This is the cross section of the splines  50  is such that it coincides with the cross section of particular grooves  54 . For example, the spline  50  could have a hexagonal cross section. In this particular case the spline  50  would fit in a groove  54  having a hexagonal cross section. This arrangement is particularly advantageous because it allows fitting particular centre discs  16  only to particular rims  12 . The reason for this is that the cross section of the spline and of the groove must coincide such that a particular centre disc  16  fits into a particular rim portion  12 . 
         [0085]    As mentioned before, in accordance with the present invention the wheel  10  can be constructed in accordance with the specifications required for installation on a particular vehicle. Once the relative position of the centre disc  16  relative to the rim portion  12  is known for a particular vehicle, the centre disc  16  can be fitted in position at the required available position of the rim portion  12 . This allows fitting a particular type of wheel  10  to a multitude of different type of vehicles. Thus, in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention a wheel  10  can be assembled according to a required specification by fitting the centre disc  16  to the rim portion  12  at the available position such that the wheel  10  may be fitted to a particular vehicle. 
         [0086]    Moreover, as explained before, in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention it is possible to modify the wheel  10  after the wheel  10  has been manufactured. For this, the centre disc  16  is removed and a different centre disc  16  may be secured to the rim portion  12 . Thus, there is no need to change the entire wheel  10  if the owner of a vehicle wants to change the external appearance of the wheels  10  of the vehicle. This is possible in view that the centre disc  16  is releasably attached to the rim portion  12 . 
         [0087]    From the foregoing, it is evident that the present embodiment provides an arrangement which allows a wheel  10  to be assembled to fit a particular vehicle in a simple yet highly effective manner. 
         [0088]    Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention. For example, in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, the centre disc  16  comprises the splines  50  and the inner face  26  of the rim portion  12  comprises the grooves  54 . Alternatively, the splines may be located at the inner face  26  and the grooves  54  may be incorporated in the centre disc  16 . 
         [0089]    Moreover, in an alternative embodiment, the means for releasably attaching the centre disc  16  to the rim portion  12  may not incorporate a spline-groove assembly as is the case in the present embodiment of the invention. Instead, the means for releasably attaching the centre disc  16  to the rim portion  12  may include, for example, screw means or other for securing the centre disc  16  to the rim portion  12  as well as for transferring the torque applied to the centre disc  16  to the rim portion  12 . 
         [0090]    In a further arrangement, the outer periphery  44  of the centre disc  16  and the inner face  26  of the rim portion  12  may be configured to define keyways adapted to receive a key for fastening the centre disc  16 . The key would fasten the centre disc  16  and the rim portion  12  to allow torque to be transferred from the centre disc  16  to the rim portion  12 . In a further alternative arrangement, the spline  50  and grooves  54  may be configured such that each pair of spline  50  and groove  54  define a keyway adapted to receive a key for fastening of the centre disc  16  to the rim portion  12  and allow transference to the rim portion  12  of the torque applied to the centre disc  16  or transference of forces from the rim portion  12  to the centre disc  16  while driving/braking forces are applied. 
         [0091]    Further, it should be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the scope of the embodiments disclosed. 
         [0092]    Throughout the specification and claims, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.