Adapter for dual-wheel vehicle

摘要

A kit for a dual wheel assembly for a vehicle is provided having a drive shaft adapter with an outwardly projecting extension attachable to an inner wheel by a flange and a drive shaft coupler having an outwardly projecting receiver attachable to an outer wheel with a flange, whereby drive shaft extension and receiver are telescopically engageable over a range of distances, which allows the inner wheel and outer wheel to be mounted with the tires abutting or the tires spaced apart by incorporating a spacer element into the assembly.

主权项

1. A dual wheel assembly for a vehicle having an inner wheel mounted on a hub and an outer wheel, comprising:
(a) a drive shaft adapter having a flange and a drive shaft extension perpendicular to the flange, whereby the drive shaft adapter flange has a plurality of spaced openings corresponding to wheel studs extending from the hub of the vehicle and the flange is mounted on the studs, over an exterior facing side of the inner wheel, and whereby the drive shaft extension is characterized by an outer surface along its length; (b) a drive shaft coupler having a flange and a drive shaft receiver extending perpendicular from the flange, whereby the drive shaft coupler flange has a plurality of spaced apart openings corresponding to respective openings in the outer wheel and a central opening, and the flange is fastened to the outer wheel by fasteners extending through the openings in the flange and the outer wheel, and whereby the drive shaft receiver has an interior opening extending along its length and the interior opening is characterized by an inner surface corresponding to the shape of the outer surface of the drive shaft extension, and the drive shaft receiver is telescopically engaged with the drive shaft extension with the inner wheel and outer wheel in parallel alignment, wherein the drive shaft extension and the drive shaft receiver are mateable, with a geometric cross-section selected from the group consisting of structures having a polygonal cross-section with internal angles in the range of 60° to 135°, such that power is transferred from the outer surface of the drive shaft extension to the inner surface of the drive shaft receiver along a length where the drive shaft extension and drive shaft receiver overlap, and wherein the length of the overlap may be varied; (c) a rod having a first end threaded into an internal thread in the drive shaft extension, the rod extending through the drive shaft receiver, the central opening in the drive shaft coupler flange and an opening in the center of the outer wheel, the rod having a second end with a fastener connecting the rod to the outer wheel, whereby tightening the rod varies the length of the overlap of the drive shaft extension and the drive shaft receiver; and (d) wherein the inner wheel includes a tire having an exterior facing surface and the outer wheel includes a tire having an interior facing surface, and wherein the exterior facing side of the inner wheel tire is pressed into contact with the interior facing surface of the outer wheel tire, without the drive shaft receiver abutting the flange of the drive shaft adapter.