Vehicle wheel balance weights

Abstract

A vehicle wheel weight comprises a mass portion cold-formed of nonlead material having a first side for juxtaposition against a wheel rim and an opposite second side. The mass portion defines a clip attachment slot extending along an entire axial length of the mass portion. A spring clip having an extended portion for engaging the wheel rim is also provided. The spring clip further has an attachment portion inserted into and retained in the slot such that the spring clip is attached to the mass portion.

1 - 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . A vehicle wheel weight comprising: 
 a mass portion cold-formed of nonlead material having a first side for juxtaposition against a wheel rim and an opposite second side, said mass portion defining a clip attachment slot extending along an entire axial length of said mass portion; and    a spring clip having an extended portion for engaging said wheel rim, said spring clip further having an attachment portion inserted into and retained in said slot such that said spring clip is attached to said mass portion.    
   
   
       13 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein slot is closed against said attachment portion of said spring clip so as to attach said spring clip to said mass portion.  
   
   
       14 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 13 , wherein said attachment portion of said spring clip defines at least one surface irregularity so as to facilitate retention of said attachment portion in said slot.  
   
   
       15 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein said at least one surface irregularity comprises at least one hole defined through said attachment portion of said spring clip.  
   
   
       16 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said mass portion has a generally V-shaped configuration before attachment of said spring clip.  
   
   
       17 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said spring clip has a generally C-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       18 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said nonlead material is iron.  
   
   
       19 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein said nonlead material is steel.  
   
   
       20 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 19 , wherein said nonlead material is low carbon steel.  
   
   
       21 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 20 , wherein said nonlead material is 1008 steel.  
   
   
       22 . A method of forming a vehicle wheel weight having a mass portion and a spring clip, said method comprising steps of: 
 (a) providing an elongate piece of nonlead material from which multiple of said mass portions will be produced;    (b) modifying a cross section of said elongate piece through cold-forming techniques such that each of the multiple mass portions will define a clip attachment slot extending along an entire axial length thereof;    (c) cutting said elongate piece so as to separate said mass portions;    (d) inserting an attachment portion of said spring clip into said clip attachment slot of each said mass portion, said spring clip further having an extended portion for engaging said wheel rim; and    (e) closing said clip attachment slot against said attachment portion so as to attach said mass portion to said spring clip.    
   
   
       23 . A method as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said nonlead material is low carbon steel.  
   
   
       24 . A method as set forth in  claim 23 , wherein said nonlead material is 1008 steel.  
   
   
       25 . A method as set forth in  claim 22 , wherein said nonlead material is iron.  
   
   
       26 . A method as set forth in  claim 25 , wherein said attachment portion of said spring clip defines at least one surface irregularity so as to facilitate retention of said attachment portion in said clip attachment slot.  
   
   
       27 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 26 , wherein said at least one surface irregularity comprises at least one hole defined through said attachment portion of said spring clip.  
   
   
       28 . A vehicle wheel weight comprising: 
 a mass portion of a nonlead material configured as a strip having a plurality of weight segments;    adjacent weight segments being separated by a transverse groove defined in said strip, each of said grooves being configured so as to provide a reduced thickness web, said web flexibly interconnecting adjacent segments;    an adhesive at a back surface of said strip to permit attachment of said strip to a vehicle wheel; and    a release liner located on said adhesive to protect said adhesive prior to use.    
   
   
       29 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein said adhesive is carried by a double-sided tape.  
   
   
       30 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 29 , further comprising a release liner pull tab extending from an end of said strip.  
   
   
       31 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein said strip has between two and twelve segments inclusive.  
   
   
       32 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein said reduced thickness web has a thickness no greater than approximately 20 thousandths of an inch.  
   
   
       33 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 32 , wherein said reduced thickness web has a thickness of at least approximately three thousandths of an inch.  
   
   
       34 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein each of said transverse grooves has a widest width of at least about fifty thousandths of an inch.  
   
   
       35 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 34 , wherein said widest width of each of said transverse grooves is approximately one hundred thirty thousandths of an inch.  
   
   
       36 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein said mass portion is painted.  
   
   
       37 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 28 , wherein said nonlead material is low carbon steel.  
   
   
       38 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 37 , wherein said nonlead material is 1008 steel.  
   
   
       39 . A vehicle wheel weight comprising: 
 a mass portion of steel material configured to be juxtaposed against a wheel rim, said mass portion defining a clip groove; and    a clip having an extended portion for engaging said wheel rim, said clip further having an attachment portion seated in clip groove such that said clip is fixed to said mass portion.    
   
   
       40 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein said clip has a generally C-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       41 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein said clip has a generally L-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       42 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein said clip is secured to said mass portion by welding.  
   
   
       43 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein said clip is secured to said mass portion by swaging material over top of said attachment portion thereof.  
   
   
       44 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein said attachment portion of said clip defines interference features on lateral sides thereof to facilitate attachment of said clip to said mass portion.  
   
   
       45 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 44 , wherein said interference features comprise serrations defined on said lateral sides of said clip.  
   
   
       46 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 44 , wherein said interference features comprise indentations defined on said lateral sides of said clip.  
   
   
       47 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein said clip is secured to said mass portion by adhesive.  
   
   
       48 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein said steel material is low carbon steel.  
   
   
       49 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein said steel material is 1008 steel.  
   
   
       50 . A vehicle wheel weight as set forth in  claim 39 , wherein said clip groove is defined in a side of said mass portion opposite a side facing said wheel rim.