Vehicle wheel mounting

Claim 2

A vehicle wheel-mounting assembly comprising, a wheel knuckle having a first pair of vertically spaced projections formed with aligned apertures the longitudinal center axes of which define a common generally vertically extending steer axis about which the vehicle wheel is movable, an axle end portion having a second pair of vertically spaced projections disposed in vertically staggered relation with said first pair of spaced projections, a pair of tension-loaded ball joints each including a socket portion and a ball portion, a stud carrying said ball portion and extending into said socket portion, means rigidly mounting said socket portion on each of said second pair of spaced projections along said steer axis, means securing one of said studs in one of said apertures in vertically fixed relation thereto, means mounting the other of said studs in the other of said apertures in vertically adjustable relation thereto, and means for locking said last mentioned stud in fixed relation to said other aperture upon establishment of a predetermined tension loading of the ball joint associated therewith.

Claim 3

The vehicle wheel-mounting assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said means securing one of said studs in one of said apertures in vertically fixed relation thereto comprises a tapered surface formed on said one of said studs adapted for locking engagement with a corresponding tapered surface formed in said one of said apertures.

Claim 4

The wheel-mounting assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said mounting means for said vertically adjustable stud includes a cylindrical shank formed on the other of said studs, a bearing sleeve mounted in said other aperture and having a cylindrical inner face for supporting said cylindrical shank for axial movement along said steer axis, said bearing sleeve being formed with a tapered outer face adapted for locking engagement with a corresponding tapered face formed in said other of said apertures so that any diametrical variations in said other of said apertures will be taken up by the seating of said bearing sleeve.

Claim 5

The vehicle wheel-mounting assembly as recited in claim 3 wherein said bearing sleeve mounted in said other aperture is formed with said cylindrical inner face having its center axis located eccentrically relative to the center axis of said other of said apertures so that wheel camber of the vehicle can be adjusted by rotating said bearing sleeve about its center axis relative to said steering knuckle projection.

Claim 6

A vehicle wheel-mounting assembly comprising, a wheel knuckle having a pair of vertically spaced upper and lower projections with aligned tapered apertures; and axle having an end portion with a pair of vertically spaced upper and lower projections formed with apertures disposed below and in vertically staggered relation with said apertures in said wheel knuckle projections; a pair of tension-loadEd ball joints each including a socket portion, a ball portion bearing against the inside of said socket portion and a stud extending through said ball portion and into said socket portion, the socket portion of each of said ball joints being rigidly mounted within the apertures in said axle projections, means rigidly securing the stud of one of said ball joints within the aperture formed in said lower knuckle projection, said means including a tapered shank formed on said stud and adapted for vertically locked engagement with said tapered aperture in the lower projection of said wheel knuckle, means adjustably securing the stud of the other of said ball joints within said tapered aperture formed in the upper knuckle projection, said last-mentioned means including a cylindrical shank formed on said stud and a bearing sleeve having a tapered outer face corresponding to and mounted within said tapered aperture in said upper projection of said wheel knuckle projection, said bearing sleeve having a cylindrical inner face with its center eccentrically located relative to the center of the accommodating tapered aperture so that wheel camber can be adjusted by rotating the bearing sleeve relative to said upper wheel knuckle projection, a nut threaded on the stud of the other of said ball joints and bearing against said bearing sleeve so that upon tightening said nut the load carried by the latter-mentioned ball joint can be preset to a desired tension loading, and a lubricant seal carried by each socket portion and sealingly engaging the socket portion, the stud shank and the wheel knuckle projection associated therewith to effectively seal the ball joint.

Claim 7

A vehicle wheel-mounting assembly comprising, a wheel knuckle having a pair of vertically spaced upper and lower projections with aligned tapered apertures; and axle having an end portion with a pair of vertically spaced upper and lower projections formed with apertures disposed below and in vertically staggered relation with said apertures in said wheel knuckle projections; a pair of tension-loadEd ball joints each including a socket portion, a ball portion bearing against the inside of said socket portion and a stud extending through said ball portion and into said socket portion, the socket portion of each of said ball joints being rigidly mounted within the apertures in said axle projections, means rigidly securing the stud of one of said ball joints within the aperture formed in said lower knuckle projection, said means including a tapered shank formed on said stud and adapted for vertically locked engagement with said tapered aperture in the lower projection of said wheel knuckle, means adjustably securing the stud of the other of said ball joints within said tapered aperture formed in the upper knuckle projection, said last-mentioned means including a cylindrical shank formed on said stud and a bearing sleeve having a tapered outer face corresponding to and mounted within said tapered aperture in said upper projection of said wheel knuckle projection, said bearing sleeve having a cylindrical inner face with its center eccentrically located relative to the center of the accommodating tapered aperture so that wheel camber can be adjusted by rotating the bearing sleeve relative to said upper wheel knuckle projection, a nut threaded on the stud of the other of said ball joints and bearing against said bearing sleeve so that upon tightening said nut the load carried by the latter-mentioned ball joint can be preset to a desired tension loading, and a lubricant seal carried by each socket portion and sealingly engaging the socket portion, the stud shank and the wheel knuckle projection associated therewith to effectively seal the ball joint.