AU2012243851B2 - Multi-piece rim wheel and method for mounting the same - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a multi-part rim wheel enabling a tire to be removed without removing a wedge ring from a hub, and a method for mounting the multi-part rim wheel. [Solution] A multi-part rim wheel (100e) mounted on a tire (6e) and attached on an outer periphery of a hub (5) of a vehicle, wherein the multi-part rim wheel is provided with: an annular, circumferentially discontinuous wedge ring (20) inserted between the multi-part rim wheel and a hub, the wedge ring having a tapered part (20s) and the wedge ring being secured on an axially outward side to the hub; a rim base (1e) having a gutter band part (11) provided on both ends, and protruding parts (11s) protruding radially inward; a side ring (2) arranged on both ends of the rim base; a bead seat band (3) for supporting the side ring on the gutter band part from the outside in the axial direction of the rim base; and a lock ring (4) for supporting the bead seat band from the outside in the axial direction of the rim base, the lock ring fitted into a groove formed on an outer surface of the gutter band part. The length (20L) of the wedge ring is less than the gap between the protruding parts, in the axial direction.

Description

FA12-591PCTtrans MULTI-PIECE RIM WHEEL AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING THE SAME Field of the Invention 5 [0001] The present invention relates to a multi-piece rim wheel that is fitted into a large tire for construction machines, mining machines, and the like, and a method for mounting the same. 10 Description of the Related Art [0002] Large tires for large construction machines or mining machines have different stiffness from tires for passenger cars, and therefore often cannot be fitted onto a single-piece rim. Thus, a so-called multi-piece rim wheel, in 15 which a cylindrical rim base and side rings, arranged at both ends of the rim base, are capable of being separated from each other, is used as a wheel that can be fitted into such a large tire. This multi-piece rim wheel is classified, according to the way of mounting it to a hub of a vehicle, either into (1) a so-called disk wheel in 20 which a disk portion provided in the rim base is bolted to the hub, or into (2) a so-called rim wheel in which a gutter band 11 (a protruding portion, see Fig. 13) is utilized to fix the rim wheel to the hub without providing the disk portion. [0003] 25 The rim wheel (2) described above has such a structure as shown in Fig. 13. Fig. 13 shows a structure having tires and rims on both a vehicle outer side and a vehicle inner side in the axial direction, that is, a hub-mounting structure 1000 of so-called dual-tire (twin-tire) rim wheels. The "vehicle inner side in the axial direction" refers to the side of a wheel mounted to the 30 vehicle which is closer to the vehicle. The opposite side to the "vehicle inner side in the axial direction" is referred to as "vehicle outer side in the axial direction." 1 FA12-591PCTtrans The hub-mounting structure 1000 includes a hub 5, an inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i onto which an inner tire 6i is mounted, and an outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100k onto which an outer tire 6e is mounted, in which an annular spacer band 15 is interposed between the inner-tire 5 multi-piece rim wheel 100i and the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100k. [0004] The inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i and the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100k have the same configuration, and are mounted to the hub 5 to be opposed to each other in the axial direction. The inner-tire 10 multi-piece rim wheel 100i includes a rim base i that is provided with a gutter band portion 11 at an end of the rim base i on the vehicle outer side in the axial direction, side rings 2 that are arranged at both ends of the rim base i, and a bead seat band 3 that supports the side ring 2 on the gutter band portion 11 from the axial-end side of the rim base i, le. A lock ring 4 15 is fitted in a groove 1 la of the gutter band portion 11 to support the bead seat band 3 from the axial-end side of the rim bases i, le. Meanwhile, the gutter band portion 11 is not provided at an end of the rim base i on the vehicle inner side in the axial direction, and at this end, a back flange 12 is formed to support the side ring 2 from the axial-end side. 20 [0005] The gutter band portion 11 includes a protruding portion 1 is that protrudes in a tapered manner toward the radially inward side of the rim base 11. Meanwhile, the diameter of the rim base i on its inside surface is increased from the vicinity of the axial center toward the back flange 12. At 25 an axial-center portion of the hub 5, a hub-side tapered portion 5s is formed to extend obliquely to decrease its diameter toward the vehicle outer side in the axial direction. When the inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i is mounted to the hub 5 from the vehicle outer side in the axial direction, the protruding portion 11s 30 of the gutter band portion 11 is locked by the hub-side tapered portion 5s, thereby positioning the inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i on the hub 5. [0006] 2 3 In contrast, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100k, having the same configuration as the inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i, is mounted to the hub 5 with the gutter band portion 11-side directed toward the vehicle inner side in the axial direction. A single-piece annular wedge ring 20 that includes a tapered portion 20s is press-fitted into a gap between the hub 5 and a rim base 1k of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100k. While the tapered portion 20s engages with the protruding portion 11s, the diameter of the wedge ring 20 is decreased, thereby securely fixing the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100k to the hub 5. Further, while a plate clamp 30 presses an end surface 20t of the wedge ring 20, the clamp 30 is fixed to an end surface 5t of the hub 5 with a bolt 31. Various types of structures for the wedge ring 20 to be fixed to the hub 5 have been developed (Patent Literatures 1 and 2). Patent Literature [0007] [Patent Literature 1] Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Application Publication No. 4 129301 [Patent Literature 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2000-247102 [0008] Recently, there has been a demand for improvement of the utilization rate of vehicles such as construction machines. Particularly when rotation of tires mounted onto the above rim wheels is performed, the demand makes it necessary to immediately remove the outer tire 6e that is one of rear twin tires. However, in the case of the conventional rim wheel, the back flange 12 is positioned on the axially outer side of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100k. Therefore, in order to remove the outer tire 6e, it is necessary to first remove the wedge ring 20 from the hub 5, then remove the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100k along with the tire from the hub 5, and remove the lock ring 4. Because the wedge ring 20 is fixed to the hub 5 with many bolts 31, a great amount of time is required for removing the wedge ring 20. Also, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100k with the tire mounted thereto is so heavy that a large amount of workload is required for removing the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100k.

4 Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to at least substantially overcome or amerliorate one or more of the above disadvantages Summary [0009] An aspect of the present invention provides a multi-piece rim wheel that is fitted into a tire, and that is mounted to an outside periphery of a hub of a vehicle, the rim wheel comprising: one single-piece annular wedge ring that is inserted between the multi-piece rim wheel and the hub, that includes a tapered portion at its inner end and the outer surface of axially outer than the tapered portion is parallel to its axial direction, that is fixed to the hub on its own axially outer side, that is provided with one or more openings in a circumferential direction to be capable of increasing and decreasing a diameter of the wedge ring, and that extends in an interrupted manner; a rim base that is provided with gutter band portions at both ends thereof, each of the gutter band portions including a protruding portion that protrudes radially inward; side rings that are arranged at both ends of the rim base; bead seat bands, each of which supports the side ring on the gutter band portion from an axially outer side of the rim base; and lock rings, each of which is fitted in a groove formed on an outside surface of the gutter band portion, and supports the bead seat band from the axially outer side of the rim base, wherein in an axial direction, a length of the wedge ring is shorter than a spacing between the protruding portions, and each of the openings is formed on both ends of the wedge ring and each of the openings does not communicate from one end through the other end in the axial direction. According to the multi-piece rim wheel, on the vehicle outer side in the axial direction of the multi-piece rim wheel, the lock ring fitted in the groove of the gutter band portion is removed, and then the bead seat band and the side ring are removed from the rim base, and therefore the tire can be removed to the vehicle outer side in the axial direction. Thus, because the tire can be removed without removing the wedge ring and the rim base from the hub, an amount of workload and an amount of time required for removing the tire are reduced, thereby improving the utilization rate of the vehicle. Further, because only the tire can be removed from the multi-piece rim wheel, it is unnecessary to remove the multi-piece rim wheel in its heavy entirety with the tire mounted thereto.

5 [0010] Preferably, the wedge ring has a shape with an opening that does not communicate from one end through the other end in the axial direction. With this configuration, the diameter of the wedge ring is not excessively increased, and the wedge ring is hardly damaged, even when an excessive force is applied to the wedge ring, as compared to the case where an opening communicates from one end through the other end in the axial direction. [0011] Preferably, the present invention provides a method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel, wherein the wedge ring is provided with one or more openings in a circumferential direction, and is capable of increasing and decreasing a diameter of the wedge ring, an outside diameter of the wedge ring in an unloaded state is larger than an inside diameter of the rim base, the wedge ring is fitted into the rim base in advance so as to come into contact with an inside surface of the rim base, and then the multi-piece rim wheel and the wedge ring are mounted to the outside periphery of the hub, and further, the tapered portion of the wedge ring is inserted between the multi-piece rim wheel and the hub. [0012] Preferably, the present invention provides a method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel, wherein the wedge ring is provided with one or more openings in a circumferential direction, and is capable of increasing and decreasing a diameter of the wedge ring, an outside diameter of the wedge ring in an unloaded state is smaller than an inside diameter of the rim base, a holding member is interposed in a gap between the wedge ring and the rim base in a state where the wedge ring is loosely fitted to an inside surface of the rim base, and then the multi piece rim wheel and the wedge ring are mounted to the outside periphery of the hub, and further, the tapered portion of the wedge ring is inserted between the multi-piece rim wheel and the hub.

6 [0013] Preferably, the present invention provides a method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel, wherein the wedge ring is provided with one or more openings in a circumferential direction, and is capable of increasing and decreasing a diameter of the wedge ring, an outside diameter of the wedge ring in an unloaded state is smaller than an inside diameter of the rim base, the wedge ring is arranged on an inside surface of the rim base, is pressed radially outward to increase the diameter of the wedge ring, and is fitted to the rim base so as to come into contact with the inside surface of the rim base, and then the multi-piece rim wheel and the wedge ring are mounted to the outside periphery of the hub, next, a radially-outward pressure applied to the wedge ring is released to bring the wedge ring into proximity to, or contact with, an outside surface of the hub, and further, the tapered portion of the wedge ring is inserted between the multi-piece rim wheel and the hub. [0014] Preferably, the present invention provides a method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel, wherein the wedge ring is provided with one or more openings in a circumferential direction, and is capable of increasing and decreasing a diameter of the wedge ring, an outside diameter of the wedge ring in an unloaded state is larger than an inside diameter of the gutter band portions, and is also the same as or larger than an outside diameter of the hub, one of the gutter band portions of the multi-piece rim wheel is inserted through the hub, and the other gutter band portion is arranged on a vehicle outer side in the axial direction relative to the hub, while the wedge ring is pressed radially inward to decrease the diameter of the wedge ring in order to become smaller than the inside diameter of the gutter band portions, the wedge ring passes over the other gutter band portion to be arranged on an inside surface of the rim base, next, a radially-inward pressure applied to the wedge ring is released, the multi-piece rim wheel and the wedge ring are inserted through the hub to a predetermined position, and further, the tapered portion of the wedge ring is inserted between the multi-piece rim wheel and the hub. [0015] In a preferred embodiment, a large tire can be removed without removing a wedge ring from a hub.

7 Brief Description of the Drawings [0016] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a hub-mounting structure of dual-tire (twin-tire) rim wheels; Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a wedge ring along its axial direction (Fig. 2(a)), and a plan view of the wedge ring when viewed from its axial direction (Fig. 2(b)), respectively; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a method for removing an outer tire from a multi-piece rim wheel; Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a positional relationship between the wedge ring and gutter band portions arranged at both ends of a multi-piece rim wheel according to an embodiment of the present invention (a tire is not shown); Fig. 5 shows a method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel of the present invention (a tire is not shown); Fig. 6 shows a method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel according to a first embodiment of the present invention (a tire is not shown); Fig. 7 shows a method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel according to a FA12-591PCTtrans second embodiment of the present invention (a tire is not shown); Fig. 8 shows a method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel according to a third embodiment of the present invention (a tire is not shown); Fig. 9 is plan views showing a state where a diameter-changing mechanism 5 is attached to the wedge ring, when viewed from the axial direction; Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a state where another diameter-changing mechanism is attached to the wedge ring; Fig. 11 shows a method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention (a tire is not shown); 10 Fig. 12 is perspective views of a wedge ring with another configuration along its axial direction; Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view showing a hub-mounting structure of conventional dual-tire (twin-tire) rim wheels; Fig. 14 is a plan view showing another mode of attaching the 15 diameter-changing mechanism in Fig. 10 to the wedge ring; Fig. 15 is a plan view showing a state where still another diameter-changing mechanism is attached to the wedge ring; and Fig. 16 is top views showing a state where still further another diameter-changing mechanism is attached to the wedge ring. 20 Description of the Embodiments [0017] Embodiments of the present invention are described below. Fig. 1 shows a structure having tires and rims on both the vehicle inner 25 side and the vehicle outer side in the axial direction, that is, a hub-mounting structure 200 of so-called dual-tire (twin-tire) rim wheels. The hub-mounting structure 200 includes a hub 5, an inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i onto which an inner tire 6i is mounted, and an outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e onto which an outer tire 6e is mounted. The 30 inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i is mounted to an outside periphery of the hub 5 on the vehicle inner side in the axial direction. The outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e is mounted to the outside periphery of the hub 5 8 FA12-591PCTtrans on the vehicle outer side in the axial direction. An annular spacer band 15 is fitted onto the outside periphery of the hub 5 between the inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i and the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e to space the inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i and the outer-tire multi-piece 5 rim wheel 100e apart from each other. [0018] The inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i includes a rim base i that is provided with a gutter band portion 11 at an end of the rim base i on the vehicle outer side in the axial direction, side rings 2 that are arranged at 10 both ends of the rim base li, and a bead seat band 3 that supports the side ring 2 on the gutter band portion 11 from the axial-end side of the rim base li. A lock ring 4 is fitted in a groove 1 la of the gutter band portion 11 to support the bead seat band 3 from the axial-end side of the rim base i. Meanwhile, the gutter band portion 11 is not provided at an end of the rim base i on the 15 vehicle inner side in the axial direction, and at this end, a back flange 12 is formed to support the side ring 2 from the axial-end side. The lock ring 4 has a C shape with one opening in its circumferential direction. The gutter band portion 11 includes a protruding portion 1 is that protrudes in a tapered manner toward the radially inward side of the rim 20 base i. The diameter of the rim base i on its inside surface is increased toward the back flange 12. A hub-side tapered portion 5s is formed on the side slightly closer to the vehicle (on the inner side) relative to the axial center of the hub 5. The diameter of the hub-side tapered portion 5s is decreased toward the vehicle outer side in the axial direction. An outside 25 diameter p5i of a large-diameter portion 5i of the hub 5 on the vehicle inner side in the axial direction relative to the hub-side tapered portion 5s is slightly smaller than an inside diameter of the rim base i at its axial center, and is also larger than an inside diameter of the gutter band portion 11. An outside diameter w5e of a small-diameter portion of the hub 5 on the vehicle 30 outer side in the axial direction relative to the hub-side tapered portion 5s is slightly smaller than an inside diameter w 11 of the gutter band portion 11. When the inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i is mounted to the hub 5 9 FA12-591PCTtrans from the vehicle outer side in the axial direction, the protruding portion 11s of the gutter band portion 11 is locked by the hub-side tapered portion 5s, thereby positioning the inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i on the hub 5. [0019] 5 Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e includes a rim base le that is provided with the gutter band portions 11 at both axial ends of the rim base le, the side rings 2 that are arranged at both ends of the rim base le, and the bead seat bands 3, each of which supports the side ring 2 on the gutter band portion 11 from the 10 axial-end side of the rim base le. Each of the lock rings 4 is fitted in the groove 1 la of the gutter band portion 11 to support the bead seat band 3 from the axial-end side of the rim base le. The gutter band portion 11 includes the protruding portion 1 is that protrudes in a tapered manner toward the radially inward side of the rim base le. 15 When the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e is mounted to the hub 5, the gutter band portion 11 on the vehicle inner side in the axial direction comes into contact with the spacer band 15, thereby positioning the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e on a small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5. Further, an inside diameter ple of the rim base le between the 20 gutter band portions 11 is larger than the outside diameter p5e of the hub 5. A metallic annular wedge ring 20 that includes a tapered portion 20s is inserted into a gap between an inside surface of the rim base le and an outside surface of the hub 5. While the tapered portion 20s of the wedge ring 20 engages with the protruding portion 11s, the diameter of the wedge 25 ring 20 is decreased, thereby securely fixing the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e to the hub 5. Many plate clamps 30 are locked, along a circumferential direction, on the outside of an end surface 20t of the wedge ring 20 on the vehicle outer side in the axial direction. The clamps 30 are fixed, along the circumferential direction, with many bolts 31 to an end 30 surface 5t of the hub 5 on the vehicle outer side in the axial direction. [0020] In this example, the "axial-end side" refers to the outside of a tire when 10 FA12-591PCTtrans viewed in its axial direction. When air is injected into the tire, and the air pressure in the tire increases, then the tire expands toward the axial-end sides, and accordingly the side rings 2 arranged on both sides of the tire also move to the axial-end sides, and the bead seat bands 3 also move to the 5 axial-end sides. However, the lock rings 4 regulate further movement of the side rings 2 and the bead seat bands 3 to reliably hold the tires to the multi-piece rims 100i and 100e. [0021] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the wedge ring 20 along its axial 10 direction (Fig. 2(a)), and a plan view of the wedge ring 20 when viewed from its axial direction (Fig. 2(b)), respectively. When viewed from the axial direction, the wedge ring 20 has a C shape with one opening 20v in its circumferential direction, and is capable of increasing and decreasing its diameter due to its own elasticity. The wedge ring 20 includes the tapered 15 potion 20s at its one end. The axial length of the wedge ring 20 is designated as 20L. The inside and outside diameters of the wedge ring 20 are designated as p20i and p20e, respectively. The wedge ring 20 is a single piece. The "single piece" does not cover a plural number of separate wedge rings in the axial direction, but is defined 20 as one wedge ring. Because the axes of the separate wedge rings in the axial direction are misaligned, the separate wedge rings do not fix a multi-piece rim wheel to a hub in a stable manner. Therefore, these separate wedge rings are not included in the present invention. [0022] 25 As shown in Fig. 12(a), a wedge ring 25 may have a shape with notched openings 25v that do not communicate from one end through the other end in the axial direction. In this case, when the notched openings 25v are formed on both ends of the wedge ring 25, it is possible to increase and decrease the diameter of the wedge ring 25 at both ends thereof. 30 As shown in Fig. 12(b), it is preferable to form notched openings 26v on a wedge ring 26, and also to form a tip portion 26s, at each notched distal end of the openings 26v, into a circle with its diameter larger than the width of 11 FA12-591PCTtrans the opening 26v in order to prevent material stress concentration on the tip portion 26s, and to prevent the tip portion 26s from being torn. [0023] Fig. 3 shows a method for removing the outer tire 6e from the outer-tire 5 multi-piece rim wheel 100e. On the vehicle outer side in the axial direction of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e, the lock ring 4, fitted in the groove 11a of the gutter band portion 11, is removed, and then the bead seat band 3 and the side ring 2 are removed from the rim base le. Therefore, the outer tire 6e can be removed to the vehicle outer side in the axial direction. 10 As described above, the outer tire 6e that is one of twin tires can be removed without removing the wedge ring 20 and the rim base le from the hub 5. Therefore, the amount of workload and the amount of time required for removing the outer tire 6e are reduced, thereby improving the utilization rate of the vehicle. Further, because only the outer tire 6e can be removed 15 from the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e, it is unnecessary to remove the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e in its heavy entirety with the outer tire 6e mounted thereto. After the outer tire 6e is removed, the lock ring 4, the bead seat band 3, and the side ring 2 are removed from the rim base i on the vehicle outer side 20 in the axial direction of the inner-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100i in the same manner as the outer tire 6e. Therefore, the inner tire 6i can also be removed to the vehicle outer side in the axial direction without removing the wedge ring 20 from the hub 5. Further, in order to improve the workability, the tire 6e and 6i, the side ring 2, and the bead seat band 3 may be 25 mounted/removed simultaneously, while remaining assembled together, and the tire 6i, the side rings 2, and the bead seat bands 3 may be mounted/removed simultaneously, while remaining assembled together. [0024] As described above, the gutter band portions 11 are provided at both 30 axial ends of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e according to the present embodiment. As shown in Fig. 4, although the inside diameter w 1 1 of the gutter band portions 11 is larger than the outside diameter w5e of the 12 FA12-591PCTtrans small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5, the wedge ring 20 is thicker than a gap between the gutter band portion 11 and the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5 (the gap is one half of the difference between the inside diameter p1l of the gutter band portion 11 and the outside diameter p5e of the 5 small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5). After the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e is mounted to the hub 5, the wedge ring 20 cannot be inserted into the gap between the inside surface of the rim base le and the outside surface of the hub 5. [0025] 10 Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5, in a method for mounting an outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel of the present invention, the wedge ring 20 is arranged inside of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e at a position between the gutter band portions 11 of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e, and then the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e and the wedge ring 20 are 15 mounted to the hub 5. Several embodiments of the method for mounting the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel are described below. The method for mounting the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel of the present invention uses the wedge ring 20 that is provided with one opening 20v or two or more openings 20v in its circumferential direction, and that is 20 capable of increasing and decreasing its diameter (see Fig. 2 and 12). [0026] Fig. 6 shows a method for mounting the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the outside diameter 20e of the wedge ring 20 in an 25 unloaded state is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the inside diameter ple of the rim base le between the gutter band portions 11. First, the wedge ring 20 is fitted into the rim base le in advance so as to come into contact with the inside surface of the rim base le (Fig. 6(a)). Prior to fitting the wedge ring 20 into the rim base le, the outside diameter 30 20e of the wedge ring 20 is decreased to become smaller than the inside diameter p1l of the gutter band portions 11, and in this state, the wedge ring 20 is arranged inside of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e. The 13 FA12-591PCTtrans diameter of the wedge ring 20 is then elastically increased to bring the wedge ring 20 into tight contact with the inside surface of the rim base le. Therefore, the rim base le and the wedge ring 20 can be mounted together to the hub 5 without misaligning their axes. In contrast to that, when the 5 wedge ring 20 is arranged within the rim base le with play, the rim base le and the wedge ring 20 are mounted to the hub 5 with their axes misaligned. This increases the amount of labor required for aligning the axes of the rim base le and the wedge ring 20 with the axis of the hub 5. The "unloaded state" refers to a free state in which no radial-direction 10 load is applied to the wedge ring 20. It suffices that a predetermined diameter-changing mechanism (for example, diameter-changing mechanisms 50 and 60 to be described later) is used for decreasing the diameter of the wedge ring 20. [0027] 15 Next, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e, into which the wedge ring 20 has been fitted, is inserted through the outside periphery of the hub 5 to a predetermined position where the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e comes into contact with the spacer band 15 (Fig. 6(b)). At this time, the inside diameter p20i of the wedge ring 20 is larger than the outside diameter 20 p5e of the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5. When the wedge ring 20 is further press-fitted to bring the tapered portion 20s into contact with the protruding portion 11s, a taper of the protruding portion 11s presses the tapered portion 20s (the wedge ring 20) in an arrow Sh direction, thereby decreasing the diameter of the wedge ring 20. Also, while the inside surface 25 of the wedge ring 20 is closely fitted to the outside surface of the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e is fixed to the hub 5 (see Fig. 1). After the wedge ring 20 is press-fitted to the predetermined position, the clamps 30 are locked on the end surface 20t of the wedge ring 20, and are 30 bolted to the end surface 5t of the hub 5, as shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e can be mounted to the hub 5. [0028] 14 FA12-591PCTtrans Fig. 7 shows a method for mounting the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the outside diameter p20e of the wedge ring 20 in an unloaded state is smaller than the inside diameter ple of the rim base le. 5 First, the wedge ring 20 is loosely fitted into the rim base le in advance with a gap (play) provided between the wedge ring 20 and the inside surface of the rim base le (Fig. 7(a)). The outside diameter p20e of the wedge ring 20 in an unloaded state is larger than the inside diameter p1l of the gutter band portions 11, but is smaller than the inside diameter ple of the rim base 10 le. Therefore, when the outside diameter of the wedge ring 20 is decreased to become smaller than an inside diameter plls of the gutter band portions 11, and the wedge ring 20 is arranged inside of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e, then the diameter of the wedge ring 20 is elastically increased. However, the wedge ring 20 is not closely fitted to the inside surface of the 15 rim base le, thereby creating a gap between them. Thus, a holding member (a holding ring) 40, having a thickness to fill the gap between the wedge ring 20 and the rim base le, is interposed in this gap. Consequently, similarly to the first embodiment, the rim base le and the wedge ring 20 can be mounted together to the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5 without misaligning 20 their axes, and also the outside diameter 20e of the wedge ring 20 can be made so small that the wedge ring 20 is easily inserted into the rim base le. Further, because the inside diameter 20i of the wedge ring 20 approximates to the outside diameter p5e of the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5, the rim base le can be reliably fixed to the hub 5. In contrast to that, when the 25 holding ring 40 is not used, the wedge ring 20 is loosely fitted into the rim base le, and the axes of the rim base le and the wedge ring 20 are misaligned. This increases the amount of labor required for aligning the axes of the rim base le and the wedge ring 20 with the axis of the hub 5. It suffices that the predetermined diameter-changing mechanism (for 30 example, the diameter-changing mechanisms 50 and 60 to be described later) is used for decreasing the diameter of the wedge ring 20. In this case, a load applied to the clamps 30 and the bolts 31, which is required to contract the 15 FA12-591PCTtrans wedge ring 20, can be reduced as compared to the case where the wedge ring 20 is fitted into the rim base le in advance so as to come into contact with the inside surface of the rim base le (Fig. 6(a)). [0029] 5 In an example in Fig. 7, the holding ring 40 that is provided with one opening in its circumferential direction is used as a holding member. However, the holding member is not limited to having a ring shape, and plural board pieces that are as thick as the gap between the wedge ring 20 and the rim base le may be interposed in this gap along the outside 10 periphery of the wedge ring 20, for example. Further, when the holding member has lower stiffness than the wedge ring 20, the holding member is more easily fitted, thereby improving the workability. Furthermore, in the example in Fig. 7, an end surface of the holding ring 40 on the vehicle outer side in the axial direction protrudes radially inward, and this end surface 15 engages with an end surface of the wedge ring 20. Therefore, the holding ring 40 and the wedge ring 20 are easily positioned, and also the holding ring 40 can easily be removed later. Still furthermore, in the example in Fig. 7, the holding member is interposed in the gap after the wedge ring 20 is fitted into the rim base le. 20 However, the holding member may be attached to the outside surface of the wedge ring 20 or to the inside surface of the rim base le in advance, and then may be interposed by the rim base le or the wedge ring 20. [0030] Next, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e, into which the wedge 25 ring 20 has been fitted, is inserted through the outside periphery of the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5 to a predetermined position where the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e comes into contact with the spacer band 15 (Fig. 7(b)). At this time, the inside diameter p20i of the wedge ring 20 is larger than the outside diameter w5e of the small-diameter portion 5e of 30 the hub 5, and therefore the wedge ring 20 can be reliably fitted onto the hub 5 without being misaligned. When the wedge ring 20 is further pressed in to bring the tapered portion 20s into contact with the protruding portion 11s, 16 FA12-591PCTtrans a taper of the protruding portion 11s presses the tapered portion 20s (the wedge ring 20), thereby decreasing the diameter of the wedge ring 20. Also, while the inside surface of the wedge ring 20 is closely fitted to the outside surface of the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5, the outer-tire 5 multi-piece rim wheel 100e is fixed to the hub 5 (see Fig. 1). After the wedge ring 20 is press-fitted into the predetermined position, the clamps 30 are locked on the end surface 20t of the wedge ring 20, and are bolted to the end surface 5t of the hub 5, as shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e can be mounted to the hub 5. 10 [0031] Fig. 8 shows a method for mounting the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, the outside diameter p20e of the wedge ring 20 in an unloaded state is smaller than the inside diameter wle of the rim base le. 15 First, the wedge ring 20 is arranged on the inside surface of the rim base le (Fig. 8(a)). As described above, the outside diameter w20e of the wedge ring 20 in an unloaded state is smaller than the inside diameter wle of the rim base le. When the outside diameter p20e is further made smaller than the inside diameter w 11 of the gutter band portions 11, the wedge ring 20 20 can be easily arranged inside of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e without decreasing the diameter of the wedge ring 20. However, in a case where the outside diameter w2Oe of the wedge ring 20 is larger than the inside diameter w 11 of the gutter band portions 11, the outside diameter of the wedge ring 20 is decreased to become smaller than the inside diameter 25 w 11 , and in this state, the wedge ring 20 is arranged inside of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e. The diameter-changing mechanism (see Fig. 9) 50 described above is attached to the inside surface of the wedge ring 20 on the vehicle outer side in the axial direction. The wedge ring 20 is arranged on the inside surface 30 of the rim base le, and then the diameter-changing mechanism 50 increases the diameter of the wedge ring 20 in an arrow Ex direction to bring the wedge ring 20 into contact with the inside surface of the rim base le. The 17 FA12-591PCTtrans wedge ring 20 may be brought into contact with the inside surface of the rim base le through the holding member 40. As described above, the diameter of the wedge ring 20 is increased to bring the wedge ring 20 into tight contact with the inside surface of the rim base le. Therefore, similarly to the first 5 embodiment, the rim base le and the wedge ring 20 can be mounted together to the hub 5 without misaligning their axes. [0032] Next, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e, into which the wedge ring 20 has been fitted, is inserted through the outside periphery of the hub 5 10 to a predetermined position where the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e comes into contact with the spacer band 15 (Fig. 8(b)). At this time, the inside diameter p20i of the wedge ring 20 is larger than the outside diameter w5e of the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5, and therefore the wedge ring 20 can be easily fitted onto the hub 5. When the diameter-changing 15 mechanism 50 is removed, the wedge ring 20 comes into an unloaded state, and the diameter of the wedge ring 20 is decreased in the arrow Sh direction due to its own elastic force. The wedge ring 20 approaches or comes into contact with the outside periphery of the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5. Next, when the wedge ring 20 is further pressed in to bring the 20 tapered portion 20s into contact with the protruding portion 11s, a taper of the protruding portion 11s presses the tapered portion 20s (the wedge ring 20), thereby further decreasing the diameter of the wedge ring 20. Also, while the inside surface of the wedge ring 20 is closely fitted to the outside surface of the hub 5, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e is fixed to the 25 hub 5 (see Fig. 1). After the wedge ring 20 is pressed into the predetermined position, the clamps 30 are locked on the end surface 20t of the wedge ring 20, and are bolted to the end surface 5t of the hub 5, as shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e can be mounted to the hub 5. 30 [0033] Fig. 9 is plan views showing a state where the diameter-changing mechanism 50 is attached to the wedge ring 20, when viewed from the axial 18 FA12-591PCTtrans direction (Fig. 9(a)). The diameter-changing mechanism 50 includes three arms 51, 52, and 53 that extend from the center to three positions in the circumferential direction at almost equal spacing. Each radially-outward distal end of the 5 arms 51, 52, and 53 comes into contact with the inside surface of the wedge ring 20. Further, a screw jack 53a is attached partway along the arm 53. By extending the jack 53a, the arms 51, 52, and 53 are pressed radially outward such that the diameter of the wedge ring 20, to which each distal end of the arms 51, 52, and 53 is attached, can be increased. The jack 53a 10 may also be a hydraulic jack. As shown in Fig. 9(b), each distal end of the arms 51, 52, and 53 is used as a male screw through a universal joint 52x (the universal joint 52x of the arm 52 is only shown), while the inside surface of the wedge ring 20 at a position corresponding to the male screw is used as a female screw. 15 Therefore, each distal end of the arms 51, 52, and 53 can be fixed to the inside surface of the wedge ring 20. In this fixing, each arm may be locked to an inside surface of a wedge ring by a hook structure or the like. With the above configuration in which each distal end of the arms 51, 52, and 53 is fixed to the inside surface of the wedge ring 20, the diameter of the wedge 20 ring 20 can be decreased from the diameter in its unloaded state by contracting the jack 53a. This can also be used in the above first and second embodiments. However, when it is only required to increase the diameter of the wedge ring 20, it suffices that each distal end of the arms 51, 52, and 52 solely comes into contact with the inside surface of the wedge ring 20. 25 [0034] Upon arranging the wedge ring 20 on the inside surface of the rim base le, the outside diameter p20e is made smaller than the inside diameter P11 without extending the arm 53. Therefore, the wedge ring 20 can be arranged inside of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e without 30 interfering with the gutter band portion 11. After the wedge ring 20 is arranged on the inside surface of the rim base le, the arm 53 is extended. Therefore, the diameter of the wedge ring 20 can be increased to bring the 19 FA12-591PCTtrans wedge ring 20 into contact with the inside surface of the rim base le (see Fig. 8(a)). [0035] Fig. 10 is a plan view showing a state where another 5 diameter-changing mechanism 60 is attached to the wedge ring 20. The diameter-changing mechanism 60 includes a first fixing piece 61 and a second fixing piece 62 that are fixed to respective ends of the wedge ring 20, across which the opening 20v extends, and also includes a bolt portion 63 that passes through the first fixing piece 61 and the second fixing piece 62. 10 Recessed portions 20m are provided respectively at the ends of the wedge ring 20, across which the opening 20v extends. Protrusion portions 61s and 62s are provided respectively in the first fixing piece 61 and the second fixing piece 62 to engage with the recessed portions 20m. The bolt portion includes a male screw portion on its distal-end side, 15 while the first fixing piece 61 includes a through hole as a female screw portion. Therefore, when the bolt portion 63 is rotated in a predetermined direction, the first fixing piece 61 moves away from the second fixing piece 62 on the distal-end side of the bolt portion 63, and therefore it is possible to increase the diameter of the wedge ring 20. 20 When the bolt portion 63 is rotated in the opposite direction, the first fixing piece 61 approaches the second fixing piece 62, and therefore the diameter of the wedge ring 20 can be decreased from the diameter in its unloaded state. This can also be used in the above first and second embodiments. A diameter-changing mechanism may be hydraulically 25 extended or contracted. [0036] Fig. 11 shows a method for mounting the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In the fourth embodiment, the outside diameter p20e of the wedge ring 20 in an 30 unloaded state is larger than the inside diameter p1le of the gutter band portions 11. First, one (on the vehicle inner side in the axial direction) of the gutter 20 FA12-591PCTtrans band portions 11 of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e is inserted through the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5, and the other gutter band portion 11 (on the vehicle outer side in the axial direction) is arranged on the vehicle outer side in the axial direction relative to the hub 5. While 5 the wedge ring 20 is pressed radially inward to decrease its diameter in order to become smaller than the inside diameter w 11 of the gutter band portions 11, the wedge ring 20 passes over the other gutter band portion 11 (on the vehicle outer side in the axial direction) to be arranged on the inside surface of the rim base le (Fig. 11(a)). The length 20L of the wedge ring 20 10 is required to be shorter than a projecting length Lx of the inside surface of the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e between the gutter band portions 11, which protrudes from the end surface 5t of the hub 5 toward the vehicle outer side in the axial direction. The diameter-changing mechanism (see Fig. 9) 50 described above is 15 attached to the inside surface of the wedge ring 20 on the vehicle outer side in the axial direction, and therefore it is possible to decrease the diameter of the wedge ring 20. [0037] Next, the radially inward pressure applied to the wedge ring 20 is 20 released. In a case where the outside diameter p20e of the wedge ring 20 in an unloaded state is the same as or larger than the inside diameter wle of the rim base le, when the diameter-changing mechanism 50 is removed, the diameter of the wedge ring 20 is increased, thereby bringing the wedge ring 20 into tight contact with the inside surface of the rim base le. Therefore, 25 similarly to the first embodiment, the rim base le and the wedge ring 20 can be mounted together to the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5 without misaligning their axes. In contrast, in a case where the outside diameter p20e of the wedge ring 20 in an unloaded state is smaller than the inside diameter wle of the rim base le, it is preferable to increase the diameter of 30 the wedge ring 20 without removing the diameter-changing mechanism 50, thereby bringing the wedge ring 20 into tight contact with the inside surface of the rim base le (Fig. 11(b)). 21 FA12-591PCTtrans [0038] Next, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e, into which the wedge ring 20 has been fitted, is inserted through the outside periphery of the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5 to a predetermined position where the 5 outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e comes into contact with the spacer band 15 (Fig. 11(c)). At this time, when the inside diameter p20i of the wedge ring 20 is made larger than the outside diameter p5e of the hub 5, the wedge ring 20 can be easily fitted onto the hub 5. When the wedge ring 20 is further pressed in to bring the tapered portion 20s into contact with the 10 protruding portion 11s, a taper of the protruding portion 11s presses the tapered portion 20s (the wedge ring 20), thereby further decreasing the diameter of the wedge ring 20. Also, while the inside surface of the wedge ring 20 is closely fitted to the outside surface of the small-diameter portion 5e of the hub 5, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e is fixed to the hub 5 15 (see Fig. 1). After the wedge ring 20 is pressed into the predetermined position, the clamps 30 are locked on the end surface 20t of the wedge ring 20, and are bolted to the end surface 5t of the hub 5, as shown in Fig. 1. Therefore, the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e can be mounted to the hub 5. 20 [0039] In the fourth embodiment, as the length 20L of the wedge ring 20 is shorter, the wedge ring 20 can be arranged within the rim base le in a state where the outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 100e is more deeply inserted through the hub 5. 25 [0040] Fig. 14 is a plan view showing another mode of attaching the diameter-changing mechanism 60 shown in Fig. 10 to the wedge ring 20. In Fig. 14, the recessed portions 20m are not provided in the wedge ring 20, and outside-facing surfaces of the protrusion portions 61s and 62s of the 30 diameter-changing mechanism 60 directly engage with respective end edges of the wedge ring 20, across which the opening 20v extends. Therefore, when the bolt portion 63 is rotated in a predetermined 22 FA12-591PCTtrans direction, the first fixing piece 61 moves away from the second fixing piece 62 on the distal-end side of the bolt portion 63, and therefore it is possible to increase the diameter of the wedge ring 20 similarly to the case in Fig. 10. [0041] 5 Fig. 15 is a plan view showing a state where still another diameter-changing mechanism 70 is attached to the wedge ring. The diameter-changing mechanism 70 includes a first fixing piece 71 and a second fixing piece 72 that are fixed to the respective end edges of the wedge ring 20, across which the opening 20v extends, and also includes a turn 10 buckle 74 that is arranged between the first fixing piece 61 and the second fixing piece 62. At both longitudinal ends of the turn buckle 74, a right screw and a left screw are formed as female screws. A bolt (a male screw) 73a is screwed into the right screw, and a bolt (a male screw) 73b is screwed into the left screw. A distal end of the bolt 73a engages with the second 15 fixing piece 72, and a distal end of the bolt 73b engages with the first fixing piece 71. When the turn buckle 74 is rotated in an arrow direction in Fig. 15, the bolts 73a and 73b arranged at the ends of the turn buckle 74 move away from each other from the turn buckle 74, thereby increasing the spacing between the first fixing piece 71 and the second fixing piece 72. 20 Protrusion portions 71s and 72s are provided in the first fixing piece 71 and the second fixing piece 72, respectively. Outside-facing surfaces of the protrusion portions 71s and 72s directly engage with the respective end edges of the wedge ring 20, across which the opening 20v extends. Therefore, when the turn buckle 74 is rotated in the arrow direction in Fig. 25 15, the spacing between the protrusion portions 71s and 72s is increased, and thus it is possible to increase the diameter of the wedge ring 20. [0042] Fig. 16 is top views showing a state where still further another diameter-changing mechanism 80 is attached to the wedge ring. As shown 30 in Fig. 16(a), the diameter-changing mechanism 80 includes a wedge-shaped first fixing piece 81 and a wedge-shaped second fixing piece 82 that are fixed to the respective end edges of the wedge ring 20, across which the opening 23 FA12-591PCTtrans 20v extends, a base 84 that supports the first fixing piece 81 and the second fixing piece 82 so as to be advanceable/retractable in one direction, a bolt portion 83 that is screwed into a female screw portion formed through the base 84, and a truncated-conical pressing portion 85 through which the bolt 5 portion 83 is inserted. Anut 86 is attached to a distal end of the bolt portion 83, which protrudes from an upper surface of the pressing portion 85, thereby preventing the pressing portion 85 from coming off the distal end of the bolt portion 83. The first fixing piece 81 and the second fixing piece 82 advance/retract 10 along a groove (not shown) formed on an upper surface of the base 84. Outside-facing surfaces of the first fixing piece 81 and the second fixing piece 82 are perpendicular to the base 84. Inside-facing surfaces of the first fixing piece 81 and the second fixing piece 82 are inclined to narrow the spacing therebetween toward the bottom (on the base 84-side). In contrast, the 15 pressing portion 85 is narrowed toward the bottom (on the base 84-side) such that an outside surface of the pressing portion 85 comes into contact with the inside-facing surfaces of the first fixing piece 81 and the second fixing piece 82. When the bolt portion 83 is rotated in an arrow direction in Fig. 16(a), the bolt portion 83 moves downward toward the base 84, and accordingly the 20 pressing portion 85, attached to the distal end of the bolt portion 83, moves downward (in an arrow direction in Fig. 16(a)). While an inside surface of the pressing portion 85 comes into contact with the inside-facing surfaces of the first fixing piece 81 and the second fixing piece 82, the inside surface of the pressing portion 85 presses the first fixing piece 81 and the second fixing 25 piece 82, and increases the spacing therebetween (Fig. 16(b)). The outside-facing surfaces of the first fixing piece 81 and the second fixing piece 82 directly engage with the respective end edges of the wedge ring 20, across which the opening 20v extends. Therefore, when the bolt portion 83 is rotated in the arrow direction in Fig. 16(a), the spacing between 30 the first fixing piece 81 and the second fixing piece 82 is increased, and thus it is possible to increase the diameter of the wedge ring 20. [0043] 24 FA12-591PCTtrans It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and covers various modifications and equivalents that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. 5 Description of Reference Numerals and Symbols [0044] le, lirim base 2 side ring 3 bead seat band 10 4 lock ring 5 hub 6e outer tire 11 gutter band portion 11s protruding portion of gutter band portion 15 20, 25, 26 wedge ring 20s tapered portion 20L length of wedge ring 20v, 25v, 26v opening of wedge ring 40 holding member 20 100e outer-tire multi-piece rim wheel 25

Claims (5)

1. A multi-piece rim wheel that is fitted into a tire, and that is mounted to an outside periphery of a hub of a vehicle, the rim wheel comprising: one single-piece annular wedge ring that is inserted between the multi-piece rim wheel and the hub, that includes a tapered portion at its inner end and the outer surface of axially outer than the tapered portion is parallel to its axial direction, that is fixed to the hub on its own axially outer side, that is provided with one or more openings in a circumferential direction to be capable of increasing and decreasing a diameter of the wedge ring, and that extends in an interrupted manner; a rim base that is provided with gutter band portions at both ends thereof, each of the gutter band portions including a protruding portion that protrudes radially inward; side rings that are arranged at both ends of the rim base; bead seat bands, each of which supports the side ring on the gutter band portion from an axially outer side of the rim base; and lock rings, each of which is fitted in a groove formed on an outside surface of the gutter band portion, and supports the bead seat band from the axially outer side of the rim base, wherein in an axial direction, a length of the wedge ring is shorter than a spacing between the protruding portions, and each of the openings is formed on both ends of the wedge ring and each of the openings does not communicate from one end through the other end in the axial direction.

2. A method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel according to claim 1, wherein the wedge ring is provided with one or more openings in a circumferential direction, and is capable of increasing and decreasing a diameter of the wedge ring, an outside diameter of the wedge ring in an unloaded state is larger than an inside diameter of the rim base, the wedge ring is fitted into the rim base in advance so as to come into contact with an inside surface of the rim base, and then the multi-piece rim wheel and the wedge ring are mounted to the outside periphery of the hub, and further, the tapered portion of the wedge ring is inserted between the multi-piece rim wheel and the hub. 27

3. A method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel according to claim 1, wherein the wedge ring is provided with one or more openings in a circumferential direction, and is capable of increasing and decreasing a diameter of the wedge ring, an outside diameter of the wedge ring in an unloaded state is smaller than an inside diameter of the rim base, a holding member is interposed in a gap between the wedge ring and the rim base in a state where the wedge ring is loosely fitted to an inside surface of the rim base, and then the multi piece rim wheel and the wedge ring are mounted to the outside periphery of the hub, and further, the tapered portion of the wedge ring is inserted between the multi-piece rim wheel and the hub.

4. A method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel according to claim 1, wherein the wedge ring is provided with one or more openings in a circumferential direction, and is capable of increasing and decreasing a diameter of the wedge ring, an outside diameter of the wedge ring in an unloaded state is smaller than an inside diameter of the rim base, the wedge ring is arranged on an inside surface of the rim base, is pressed radially outward to increase the diameter of the wedge ring, and is fitted to the rim base so as to come into contact with the inside surface of the rim base, and then the multi-piece rim wheel and the wedge ring are mounted to the outside periphery of the hub, next, a radially-outward pressure applied to the wedge ring is released to bring the wedge ring into proximity to, or contact with, an outside surface of the hub, and further, the tapered portion of the wedge ring is inserted between the multi-piece rim wheel and the hub.

5. A method for mounting the multi-piece rim wheel according to claim 1, wherein the wedge ring is provided with one or more openings in a circumferential direction, and is capable of increasing and decreasing a diameter of the wedge ring, an outside diameter of the wedge ring in an unloaded state is larger than an inside diameter of the gutter band portions, and is also the same as or larger than an outside diameter of the hub, one of the gutter band portions of the multi-piece rim wheel is inserted through the hub, and the other gutter band portion is arranged on a vehicle outer side in the axial direction relative to the hub, 28 while the wedge ring is pressed radially inward to decrease the diameter of the wedge ring in order to become smaller than the inside diameter of the gutter band portions, the wedge ring passes over the other gutter band portion to be arranged on an inside surface of the rim base, next, a radially-inward pressure applied to the wedge ring is released, the multi-piece rim wheel and the wedge ring are inserted through the hub to a predetermined position, and further, the tapered portion of the wedge ring is inserted between the multi-piece rim wheel and the hub. Topy Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha Patent Attorneys for the Applicant SPRUSON & FERGUSON