Importance

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Abstract

This invention relates to an improved fabricated vehicle wheel and method for producing the same. The method for producing the fabricated vehicle wheel includes the steps of: (a) providing a wheel rim defining a rim axis and including an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange, an inboard tire bead seat, a generally axially extending well portion, an outboard tire bead seat and an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange; (b) providing a wheel disc blank; (c) subjecting the wheel disc blank to a metal forming operation to produce a partially formed wheel disc having a plurality of outwardly extending spoke portions which are spaced circumferentially about the disc blank; (d) subjecting the partially formed wheel disc to a metal forming operation to produce a wheel disc preform, the wheel disc preform including an inner mounting portion, a plurality of outer spoke portions, and an intermediate spoke portion defined in the region between the inner mounting portion and outer spoke portions, the intermediate spoke portion including a plurality of generally globe shaped spoke portions; (e) subjecting the wheel disc preform to one or more metal forming operations to produce a finished wheel disc, the finished wheel disc including a centrally located wheel mounting surface and a plurality of outwardly extending spokes; and (f) securing the wheel disc and the wheel rim together to produce the fabricated vehicle wheel.

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First Claim