VEHICLE WHEEL AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND USING A VEHICLE WHEEL

Abstract

A vehicle wheel for mounting at least two tires, an assembly comprising the vehicle wheel, methods for manufacturing the vehicle wheel, and methods for using the vehicle wheel. The vehicle wheel comprises a first generally cylindrical region, a second generally cylindrical region, a third region, and a fourth region. The first region comprises a first tire assembly arranged around a circumference of an outer surface of the first region. The second region comprises a second tire assembly arranged around a circumference of an outer surface of the second region. The third region is intermediately disposed and connects the first and second regions. The fourth region is integrated with, and extends radially inward from, an inner surface of the third region. The fourth region is configured to be mounted on a vehicle axle.The first, second, third, and fourth regions are regions of a monolithic body.

Description

Medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, such as semi-trailers, can carry loads exceeding 10 tons. To efficiently distribute these heavy loads to the ground, some heavy-duty vehicles utilize dual-tire wheels mounted on each wheel hub of the vehicle's drive or trailer axle. Designing a vehicle wheel with dual tires that can be efficiently replaced and operated presents challenges. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, a vehicle wheel is provided. The vehicle wheel comprises a generally cylindrical first region, a generally cylindrical second region, a third region, and a fourth region. The first region comprises a first tire assembly arranged around a circumference of an outer surface of the first region. The second region comprises a second tire assembly arranged around a circumference of an outer surface of the second region. The third region is arranged in an intermediate manner and connects the first and second regions. The fourth region is integrated with, and extends radially inward from, an inner surface of the third region. The fourth region is configured to be mounted on a vehicle axle. The first, second, third, and fourth regions are regions of a monolithic body. In another aspect, an assembly (assembly) is provided for a vehicle.The assembly comprises a vehicle wheel, a first tire, and a second tire. The vehicle wheel comprises a generally cylindrical first region, a generally cylindrical second region, a third region, and a fourth region. The first region comprises a first tire assembly arranged around a circumference of an outer surface of the first region. The second region comprises a second tire assembly arranged around a circumference of an outer surface of the second region. The third region is intermediate and connects the first and second regions. The fourth region is integrated with, and extends radially inward from, an inner surface of the third region. The fourth region is configured to be mounted on a vehicle axle. The first, second, third, and fourth regions are monolithic.The first tire is mounted on the first part of the vehicle's wheel. The second tire is mounted on the second part of the vehicle's wheel. There is a gap between the first and second tires when they are mounted on the first and second parts, respectively. In another aspect, a method is provided comprising mounting a vehicle wheel on a vehicle drive axle or a trailer axle. The vehicle wheel comprises a first generally cylindrical region, a second generally cylindrical region, a third region, and a fourth region. The first region comprises a first tire assembly arranged around a circumference of an outer surface of the first region. The second region comprises a second tire assembly arranged around a circumference of an outer surface of the second region. The third region is intermediately disposed and connects the first and second regions. The fourth region is integrated with, and extends radially inward from, an inner surface of the third region. The fourth region is configured to be mounted on a vehicle axle.The first, second, third, and fourth regions are regions of a monolithic body. In a further aspect, a method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel is provided. The method comprises bonding, welding, forming, curing, forging, molding, or additively manufacturing at least one of a metal, metal alloy, plastic, or composite to provide a monolithic vehicle wheel. The vehicle wheel comprises a first generally cylindrical region, a second generally cylindrical region, a third region, and a fourth region. The first region comprises a first tire assembly arranged around a circumference of an outer surface of the first region. The second region comprises a second tire assembly arranged around a circumference of an outer surface of the second region. The third region is intermediately disposed of and connects the first and second regions. The fourth region is integrated with, and extends radially inward from, an inner surface of the third region.The fourth region is configured to be mounted on a vehicle axle. The first, second, third, and fourth regions are monolithic body regions. It is understood that the invention disclosed and described herein is not limited to the aspects summarized in this Summary. The reader will appreciate the foregoing details, as well as others, when considering the following detailed description of various non-exhaustive aspects in accordance with this description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES The features and advantages of the examples, and how to achieve them, will become clearer, and the examples will be better understood, with reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, where: FIGURE 1A is a perspective view of a non-exhaustive modality of a vehicle wheel according to the present description; FIGURE 1B is a detailed side elevation view of the wheel of the vehicle in FIGURE 1A; FIGURE 1C is a cross-sectional view of the vehicle wheel of FIGURE 1A; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a non-exhaustive embodiment of an assembly comprising the vehicle wheel of FIGURE 1A. The corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts in the different views. The illustrations provided in this description illustrate certain embodiments in one way, and these illustrations shall not be construed as limiting the scope of the appended claims in any way. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This document describes and illustrates various examples to provide a general understanding of the structure, function, and use of the articles and methods described. The various examples described and illustrated herein are not exhaustive and are not limiting. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the CI CHOn / ί7P7 / E / YI description of the various non-exhaustive and non-mandatory examples described herein. Rather, the invention is defined solely by the claims. The elements and features illustrated and / or described in connection with various examples may be combined with the elements and features of other examples. Such modifications and variations are intended to be included within the scope of the description. As such, the claims may be amended to enumerate any element or feature that is expressly or inherently described, or otherwise expressly or inherently supported, in this description. Furthermore, the Applicant reserves the right to amend the claims to affirmatively disclaim elements or features that may be present in the prior art. Such amendments therefore comply with the requirements of 35 U.S.C. § 112 and 35 U.S.C. § 132(a).The various modalities disclosed and described in this descriptive report may comprise, consist of, or consist substantially of the elements and characteristics, as described in various ways herein. Any reference hereto to “various examples,” “some examples,” “one example,” or similar expressions means that a particular element, structure, or feature described in relation to the example is included in at least one example. Therefore, occurrences of the expressions “in various examples,” “in some examples,” “in one example,” or similar expressions in the descriptive report do not necessarily refer to the same example. Furthermore, the particular elements, structures, or features described may be combined in any appropriate manner in one or more examples. Therefore, the particular elements, structures, or features illustrated or described in relation to an example may be combined, in whole or in part, with the elements, structures, or features of one or more additional, non-exhaustive examples.It is intended that such modifications and variations be included within the scope of the examples herein. In this description, unless otherwise stated, all numerical parameters shall be understood as preceded and modified, in all cases, by the term "around," where the numerical parameters possess the characteristic of inherent variability of the underlying measurement techniques used to determine the numerical value of the parameter. At least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter described herein shall be interpreted at least by virtue of the number of significant digits reported and by applying common rounding techniques. Furthermore, any numerical range mentioned herein includes all subranges within that range. For example, a range of “1 to 10” includes all subranges between the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10 (inclusive), meaning that it has a minimum value equal to or greater than 1 and a maximum value equal to or less than 10. Any maximum numerical limit mentioned herein is intended to include all lower numerical limits included herein, and any minimum numerical limit mentioned herein is intended to include all upper numerical limits included herein. Accordingly, the Applicant reserves the right to amend this specification, including the claims, to expressly mention any subranges included within the expressly mentioned ranges.All these intervals are inherently described in this descriptive report. c LC^nn / ίζηζ / Β / γι The grammatical articles “a,” “an,” and “the,” as used herein, are intended to include “at least one” or “one or more,” unless otherwise indicated, even if “at least one” or “one or more” is expressly used in certain cases. Therefore, the above grammatical articles are used herein to refer to one or more of one (i.e., “at least one”) of the particular identified items. Furthermore, the use of a singular noun includes the plural, and the use of a plural noun includes the singular, unless the context of use requires otherwise. As used herein, for a mentioned element or region to be “intermediate” with respect to two other elements or regions means that the mentioned element / region is situated between, but not necessarily in contact with, the other two elements / regions. Therefore, for example, a mentioned element that is “intermediate” with respect to a first element and a second element may or may not be adjacent to or in contact with the first and / or second element, and other elements may be situated between the mentioned element and the first and / or second element. A semi-trailer can use dual wheels or a wide-base wheel, which comprises a single tire spanning the width of dual wheels on a drive axle or trailer axle. The wide-base wheel may have a lower rotating mass compared to dual wheels, which can result in increased fuel economy. However, the wide-base wheel can be more complex to manufacture, maintain, and repair compared to dual wheels. A vehicle wheel is provided herein that may be simpler to manufacture, maintain, and repair compared to the wide-base wheel, and may have a lower rotating mass than dual wheels. [The following appears to be a separate, unrelated section:] Also provided C LCfrnn / ί7Π7 / Β / ΥΙ various ways to use the vehicle wheel and manufacture the vehicle wheel. As illustrated in Figures 1A-C, a vehicle wheel 100 is provided. The vehicle wheel 100 comprises a first region 102, a second region 104, a third region 106, and a fourth region 108. The first region 102 is generally cylindrical and comprises an outer surface 102a and an inner surface 102b. The first region 102 further comprises a first tire assembly 110 arranged around a circumference of the outer surface 102a of the first region 102. The second region 104 is generally cylindrical and comprises an outer surface 104a and an inner surface 104b. The second region 104 further comprises a second tire assembly 112 arranged around a circumference of the outer surface 104b of the second region 104.The first tire assembly 110 and the second tire assembly 112 can be configured so that one tire can be mounted on each of the first tire assembly 110 and the second tire assembly 112. For example, the first tire assembly 110 can comprise a tire bead seat configured to receive one tire, and the second tire assembly 112 can also comprise a tire bead seat configured to receive one tire. The mounting of one tire on each of the first tire assembly 110 and the second tire assembly 112 is illustrated in Figure 2 and described below. In several modalities, the first region 102 and the second region 104 extend in substantially parallel directions. In several modalities, the first region 102 is symmetrical with respect to the second region 104. In other modalities, the first region 102 and the second region 104 do not extend in substantially parallel directions and / or are not symmetrical. CI Cbnn / L7R7 / B / YI Region 102 and region 104 may comprise a nominal rim width and a nominal rim diameter adapted to receive a tire. Region 102 may comprise a nominal rim width, wi, in the range of 6 inches (152.4 mm) to 12 inches (304.8 mm). For example, and not limited to, the nominal rim width, wi, of region 102 may be 209.6 mm (8.25 inches) or 279.4 mm (11 inches). Region 104 may comprise a nominal rim width, w2, in the range of 152.4 mm (6 inches) to 304.8 mm (12 inches). For example, and not limited to, the nominal rim width, w2, of region 104 may be 209.6 mm (8.25 inches) or 279.4 mm (11 inches). The first region 102 may comprise a nominal rim diameter, di, in the range of 406.4 mm (14 in) to 635 mm (25 in). For example, and not limited to, the nominal rim diameter, di, of the first region 102 may be 571.5 mm (22.5 in) or 622.3 mm (24.5 in). The second region 104 may comprise a nominal rim diameter, d, in the range of 406.4 mm (14 in) to 635 mm (25 in). For example, and not limited to, the nominal rim diameter, d, of the second region 104 may be 571.5 mm (22.5 in) or 622.3 mm (24.5 in). The third region 106 is located midway between the first region 102 and the second region 104. In several embodiments, the third region 106 can connect the first region 102 and the second region 104. The third region 106 comprises an outer surface 106a and an inner surface 106b. The third region 106 can transfer force from the first region 102 and the second region 104 to the fourth region 108. In several embodiments, the third region 106 is adjacent to the first region 102 and the second region 104. In several embodiments, the third region c LC^nn / Lznz / B / Yi 106 is generally cylindrical. In several embodiments, the third region 106 may comprise openings. The fourth region 108 is integrated with, and extends radially inward from, the inner surface 106b of the third region 106. In several embodiments, the fourth region 108 extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface 106b of the third region 106. The fourth region 108 is configured to be mounted on a vehicle axle (not shown). For example, the fourth region 108 may comprise at least two holes 118, each configured to receive a bolt in a hub of a vehicle axle. The center of each hole 118 may be uniformly arranged around a circle 124. In several embodiments, the circle 124 has a common center with the fourth region 108. The circle 124 may comprise a diameter, da, in the range of 127 mm (5 in.) to 381 mm (15 in.). For example, and not exhaustively, circle 124 may comprise a diameter, da, of 285.75 mm (11.25 inches).In various configurations, each hole 118 can have a diameter ranging from 2.54 mm (0.1 in) to 50.8 mm (2 in). For example, hole 118 can have a diameter of 26 mm (1.023 in). In several embodiments, the fourth region 108 may comprise a single bore suitable for mounting on a vehicle axle having a single bolt. The single bore may have a diameter in the range of 25.4 mm (1 in.) to 254 mm (10 in.). In several embodiments, the fourth region 108 comprises an integral hub section configured to mount the vehicle wheel 100 to a vehicle axle by means of a single fastener. The fourth region 108 may comprise a shape suitable for transferring force between a vehicle axle and the third region 106. In various embodiments, the fourth region 108 comprises a generally circular plate shape. In various embodiments, a central portion 108a of the fourth region 108 comprises an opening 114. The opening 114 may reduce the weight of the vehicle wheel 100. In several embodiments, the fourth region 108 comprises at least two openings 116 arranged around a periphery 108b of the fourth region 108 and near the inner surface 106b of the third region 106. The at least two openings 116 can reduce the weight of the vehicle wheel 100. In several embodiments, the fourth region 108 can comprise 10 openings 116. The openings 116 can be offset from the holes 118. The offset arrangement of the holes 118 and the openings 116 can minimize the reduction in the load-carrying capacity, if any, of the vehicle wheel 100. Each opening 116 can be uniformly arranged around a circle 126. In several embodiments, the circle 126 has a common center with the fourth region 108. The circle 126 can have a diameter, ck, within a range of 254 mm. (10 inches) to 558.8 mm (22 inches). For example, circle 126 may comprise a diameter, ck, of 439.42 mm (17.3 inches). Regions 102, 104, 106, and 108, the first, second, third, and fourth, are regions of a monolithic body of the vehicle wheel 110. The monolithic body is a single, continuous piece of material. The monolithic nature of the body can improve force transfer between regions 102, 104, 106, and 108 and can allow for a reduction in the weight of the vehicle wheel 110 compared to conventional wheels on which two tires are mounted. In several embodiments, the monolithic body does not include fasteners for joining regions 102, 104, 106, and 108 together. In various embodiments, the vehicle wheel 100 may be at least one of a bonded wheel, a welded wheel, a formed wheel (e.g., vacuum formed), a cured wheel, a molded wheel, a forged wheel, and an additively manufactured wheel. The bonded, welded, formed, cured, molded, forged, or additively manufactured wheel may have undergone further processing to provide the final vehicle wheel. The vehicle wheel 100 may comprise at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, a plastic, and a composite. For example, the wheel of vehicle 100 may comprise several materials suitable for manufacturing bonded, welded, formed, cured, molded, forged and / or additively manufactured parts, such as, for example, at least one of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, magnesium, magnesium alloy, iron, iron alloy, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. In certain non-exhaustive categories, the wheel of vehicle 100 may not weigh more than 34.02 kg (75 lbs), such as, for example, no more than 31.75 kg (70 lbs), or no more than 29.48 kg (65 lbs). In several non-exhaustive categories, the wheel of vehicle 100 may weigh at least 2122 kg (60 lbs), such as, for example, at least 29.48 kg (65 lbs) or at least 31.75 kg (70 lbs). In several categories, the vehicle wheel may have a weight in the range of 27.22 kg (60 lbs) to 34.02 kg (75 lbs). In several configurations, the wheel load capacity may be at least 453.59 kg (1000 lbs), such as, for example, at least 2267.96 kg (5000 lbs), at least 4535.92 kg (10,000 lbs), or at least 6803.88 kg (15,000 lbs). In several configurations, the wheel load capacity may not exceed 9071.84 kg (20,000 lbs), such as, for example, no more than 6803.88 kg (15,000 lbs), no more than 4535.92 kg (10,000 lbs), or no more than 2267.96 kg (5000 lbs). In various configurations, the load capacity of the wheel can range from 453.59 kg (1000 lbs) to 9071.84 kg (20,000 lbs), such as, for example, from 2267.96 kg (5000 lbs) to 6803.88 kg. Kg (15,000 Ibs) or from 4082.33 Kg (9000 Ibs) to 5896.70 Kg (13,000 Ibs). In several non-exhaustive embodiments, the first region 102 may comprise a first valve stem assembly 128 and a first valve stem 130. In several non-exhaustive embodiments, the second region 104 may comprise a second valve stem assembly 132 and a second valve stem 134. The valve stems 130, 134 are suitable for conveying air to a tire mounted in the first region 102 and a tire mounted in the second region 104, respectively. In non-exhaustive modalities where the vehicle wheel 100 is configured to be mounted on an axle of a vehicle and / or trailer with the first region 102 near an outer part of the vehicle and / or trailer, the second valve stem assembly 132 and the second valve stem 134 can be aligned with an orifice 116, so that the second valve stem 134 can be accessed through the orifice 116 without having to remove a vehicle wheel 100 from the axle. As illustrated in Figure 2, an assembly 200 may comprise the vehicle wheel 100, a first tire 220 mounted on the first tire assembly 110, and a second tire 222 mounted on the second tire assembly 112. The first tire 220 may contact the first tire assembly 110 such that the outer walls 220a of the first tire 220 are retained by the first tire assembly 110. The second tire 222 may contact the second tire assembly 112 such that the outer walls 222a of the second tire 222 are retained by the second tire assembly 112. The first tire assembly 110 and the second tire assembly 112 can be axially separated by a distance, X, configured to provide a space, g, between the first tire 220 and the second tire 222 ci rnnn / i znz / e / Yl· when the tires are mounted on the first tire assembly 110 and the second tire assembly 112, respectively. The space, g, may be of a suitable size to prevent or inhibit contact between the first 220 tire and the second 222 tire. The first 220 tire and the second 222 tire may comprise various dimensions suitable for mounting on the wheel of vehicle 100. For example, in various non-exhaustive embodiments, the first 220 tire and the second 222 tire may comprise dimensions selected from at least one of 11 R22.5, 295 / 75R22.5, 11 R24.5 and 285 / 75R24.5. A method for using the vehicle wheel according to the hereof description is provided. The method comprises mounting the vehicle wheel according to the hereof description on a vehicle drive axle or a trailer axle. The vehicle may comprise a vehicle weight class within the range of 1 to 8, such as, for example, 3 to 8, as defined by the U.S. Federal Highway Administration. For example, the gross vehicle weight may be at least 4536.37 kg (10,001 lb). The vehicle may be a light-duty, medium-duty, or heavy-duty vehicle, such as, for example, a medium-duty or heavy-duty vehicle. By way of non-exhaustive example, the vehicle may be a truck (e.g., pickup, full-size, tractor (e.g., semi-trailer)), a van, or a bus.The vehicle may comprise at least two axles, such as, for example, at least three axles, at least four axles, at least five axles, or at least six axles. In various non-exhaustive embodiments, the vehicle may comprise no more than ten axles, such as, for example, no more than six axles, no more than five axles, no more than four axles, or no more than three axles. In various non-exhaustive embodiments, the vehicle may comprise a number of axles in a range of two to ten. The trailer may comprise a single axle or at least two axles, such as, for example, at least three axles, at least four axles, at least five axles, or at least six axles. In various non-exhaustive embodiments, the trailer may comprise no more than ten axles, such as, for example, no more than six axles, no more than five axles, no more than four axles, or no more than three axles. In various non-exhaustive embodiments, the trailer may comprise a number of axles ranging from one to ten. A method for manufacturing a vehicle wheel in accordance with the description herein is also provided. The method comprises bonding, welding, forming, curing, forging, molding, or additively manufacturing at least one of a metal, metal alloy, plastic, or composite to provide a vehicle wheel in accordance with the description herein. In various non-exhaustive embodiments, the method for manufacturing the vehicle wheel comprises steps other than bonding, welding, forming, curing, forging, molding, or additively manufacturing.For example, the at least one of the metal, metal alloy, plastic, and composite used to manufacture the vehicle wheel may be various materials suitable for bonding, welding, forming, curing, forging, molding, or additive manufacturing, such as, for example, at least one of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, magnesium, magnesium alloy, iron, iron alloy, fiberglass, and carbon fiber.

Claims

1. A vehicle wheel comprising: a first generally cylindrical region comprising a first tire assembly arranged around a circumference of an outer surface of the first region; a second generally cylindrical region comprising a second tire assembly arranged around a circumference of an outer surface of the second region; a third region arranged intermediately and connecting the first and second regions; and a fourth region integrated with, and extending radially inwards from, an inner surface of the third region, the fourth region being configured to be mounted on a vehicle axle, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth regions are regions of a monolithic body.

2. The wheel of the vehicle of arrangement 1, wherein the first region and the second region extend in directions that are substantially parallel.

3. The wheel of the vehicle of any of the arrangements 1-2, wherein the fourth region extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the third region.

4. The wheel of the vehicle of any of the arrangements 1-3, wherein the fourth region comprises a generally circular plate shape.

5. The wheel of the vehicle of arrangement 4, wherein a central part of the fourth region comprises an opening.

6. The wheel of the vehicle of any of the arrangements 4-5, wherein the fourth region comprises at least two openings arranged around a periphery of the fourth region and close to the inner surface of the third region.

7. The vehicle wheel of any of the provisions 1-6, wherein the fourth region comprises an integral hub section configured to mount the vehicle wheel on a vehicle axle by means of a single fastener.

8. The vehicle wheel of any of the provisions 1-7, wherein the fourth region comprises at least two holes configured to receive a CI Cbnn / L7R7 / B / YI bolt on a hub of a vehicle axle.

9. The vehicle wheel of any of the arrangements 1-8, wherein at least one of the first tire assembly and the second tire assembly comprises a tire bead seat.

10. The wheel of the vehicle of any of the provisions 1-9, wherein at least one of the first region and the second region comprises a nominal rim diameter in a range of 25.4 mm (1 inch) to 5080 mm (200 inches), inclusive.

11. The vehicle wheel of any of the provisions 1-10, wherein at least one of the first region and the second region comprises a nominal rim width in a range of 25.4 mm (1 inch) to 2540 mm (100 inches), inclusive.

12. The wheel of the vehicle of any of the arrangements 1-11, wherein the first tire assembly and the second tire assembly are axially separated by a distance configured to form a space between a first tire mounted on the first tire assembly and a second tire mounted on the second tire assembly.

13. The vehicle wheel of provision 12, wherein at least one of the first region and the second region comprises a nominal rim diameter in the range of 355.6 mm (14 inches) to 635 mm (25 inches), inclusive, and at least one of the first region and the second region comprises a nominal rim width in the range of 152.4 mm (6 inches) to 304.8 mm (12 inches), inclusive.

14. The vehicle wheel of any of the provisions 1-13, wherein the vehicle wheel is at least one of an attached wheel, a welded wheel, a formed wheel, a cured wheel, a molded wheel, a forged wheel, and an additively manufactured wheel.

15. The vehicle wheel of any of the provisions 1-14, wherein the vehicle wheel comprises at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, a plastic, and a composite.

16. The vehicle wheel of any of the provisions 1-15, wherein the vehicle wheel comprises at least one of aluminum, an aluminum alloy, titanium, titanium alloy, magnesium, magnesium alloy, iron, iron alloy, glass fiber, and carbon fiber.

17. The wheel of the vehicle of any of the arrangements 1-16, wherein the monolithic body does not comprise fasteners to join the first, second, third and fourth regions.

18. A vehicle assembly comprising: the vehicle wheel referred to in any of provisions 1-17; a first tire mounted in the first region of the vehicle wheel; and a second tire mounted in the second region of the vehicle wheel; wherein there is a space between the first wheel and the second wheel.

19. A method comprising mounting the vehicle wheel of any of the arrangements 1-17 on a drive axle of a vehicle or on a trailer axle of a trailer.

20. A method for producing a vehicle wheel, the method comprising: providing a monolithic vehicle wheel by a method comprising at least one of adhering, welding, forming, curing, forging, molding, and additively manufacturing at least one of a metal, a metal alloy, a plastic, and a composite, the vehicle wheel comprising: a first generally cylindrical region comprising a first tire assembly disposed around a circumference of an outer surface of the first region; a second generally cylindrical region comprising a second tire assembly disposed around a circumference of an outer surface of the second region; a third generally cylindrical region arranged intermediately and connecting the first and second regions; and a fourth region integrated with, and extending radially inwardly from, an inner surface of the third region.The fourth region is configured to be mounted on a vehicle axle, where the first, second, third, and fourth regions are regions of the monolithic vehicle wheel. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the articles and methods described herein, and the accompanying explanation, are used as examples for the purpose of conceptual clarity, and that various configuration modifications are contemplated. Accordingly, as used herein, the specific examples / modalities set forth, and the accompanying explanation, are intended to be representative of their more general classes. In general, the use of any specific example is intended to be representative of its class, and the omission of components, devices,The specific operations / actions and objects described herein should not be considered exhaustive. Although this description provides descriptions of various specific aspects to illustrate different aspects of this description and / or its possible applications, it is understood that those skilled in the art will consider variations and modifications. Accordingly, the invention or inventions described herein shall be understood to be at least as broad as claimed and not more narrowly defined by the particular illustrative aspects provided herein.

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