GB2518762A

GB2518762A - Wheel adaptor, alignment device and alignment method therefor

Info

Publication number: GB2518762A
Application number: GB1419131.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Azhar Mannaf; Amjad Mannaf
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-22
Filing date: 2011-09-22
Publication date: 2015-04-01
Anticipated expiration: 2031-09-22
Also published as: GB2518762B; GB201116398D0; GB2494899B; GB201419131D0; GB2494899A

Abstract

An alignment apparatus is described, for aligning at least one adaptor in a predetermined orientation in a respective aperture of a wheel, so as to adapt the wheel for mounting to wheel hub assembly having a predetermined pitch circle diameter. An adaptor comprises a bore, located eccentrically with respect to a central axis of the adaptor and adapted to receive a fastener for fixing the wheel to a hub assembly A portion of the adaptor is adapted to form an interference fit with the respective aperture of the wheel. The alignment apparatus comprises a base member, at least one first alignment member adapted to engage a wheel for controlling the position and orientation of the wheel with respect to the alignment apparatus, and at least one second alignment member for defining a position of an eccentric bore of a respective adaptor relative to a respective aperture of the wheel. An alignment method is also described.

Description

WHEEL ADAPTOR, ALIGNMENT DEVICE AND ALIGNMENT METHOD TI-IEREFOR The present invention relates to an adaptor for a wheel, for adapting a wheel for mounting to a hub assembly having a predetermined pitch circle diameter. In addition, the present invention relates to an alignment device and method for aligning an adaptor in a wheel.

Vehicle wheels are provided with a plurality of mounting holes for fixing the wheels to wheel hub assemblies of a vehicle, using fasteners such as threaded studs or bolts. The wheel hub assembly comprises studs or holes arranged around a circumference of a circle, the diameter of which is known as the pitch circle diameter (PCD) of the wheel hub assembly.

The pitch circle diameter varies from one manufacturer to another, and often between vehicle models from a single manufacturer. Typical pitch circle diameters vary from around 95mm to around 170mm, with popular values being 100mm and 114.3mm. The number of bolts or studs also varies, with cars typically having between 3 and 6, although larger vehicles may have more. This is a problem for stockists of replacement wheels, because wheels must be stocked to fit vehicles having a large range of different pitch circle diameters.

One solution to this problem is to provide wheels having a dual drill pattern, comprising two or more sets of holes, each set corresponding to a different pitch circle diameter (PCD) . However, this is not aesthetically acceptable for all consumers.

Another solution is to provide wheels with a blank mounting plate covered by a cap. The mounting holes are drilled in the blank to order prior to fitting the wheel to a particular vehicle. However, this is time-consuming and increases costs. The cap is required to protect the mounting holes, which are susceptible to corrosion unless refinished with a protective coating.

Another solution is to manufacture wheels with oversize mounting holes, into which adaptors are fitted. Known adaptors are disc shaped and have a bore located eccentrically with respect to the centre of the adaptor. The adaptors can be rotated within the mounting hole of the wheel in order to align the eccentric bores of the adaptors with the studs or holes of a wheel hub assembly to which the wheel is to be mounted. In this way, adaptors can be used with wheels manufactured to a single design, to obtain a range of pitch circle diameters. A problem with this system is that it is time consuming to align the adaptors. In addition, an end user must be instructed in the method of fitting and aligning the adaptors in order to be able to fit such a wheel on a vehicle, or to be able to reinstall it after removing the wheel for maintenance.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to overcome one or more of the above disadvantages of the prior art.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an alignment apparatus, for aligning at least one adaptor in a predetermined orientation in a respective aperture of a wheel, the adaptor comprising a bore located eccentrically with respect to a central axis of the adaptor and adapted to receive a fastener f or fixing the wheel to a hub assembly, the alignment apparatus comprising: a base member; at least one first alignment member adapted to engage a wheel for controlling the position and orientation of the wheel with respect to the alignment apparatus; and at least one second alignment member for defining a position of an eccentric bore of a respective adaptor relative to a respective aperture of the wheel.

Advantageously, the alignment apparatus enables adaptors to be aligned in a wheel prior to fitting the wheel to a vehicle, thereby saving time when fitting the wheel to a vehicle. In particular, the alignment apparatus enables the eccentric bores of the adaptors to be aligned accurately, to comply with the tolerance required for mounting the wheel to a particular vehicle. In addition, the alignment apparatus enables adaptors to be aligned more easily and rapidly in a wheel. In contrast, it is difficult to align adaptors in the apertures of a wheel when fitting the wheel to a vehicle, because the orientation of the wheel relative to the hub assembly is not correctly fixed until a number of the adaptors are correctly inserted and aligned, and the adaptors may rotate out of alignment prior to being fixed in place.

At least one first alignment member comprises a protrusion extending from the base member and adapted to engage a respective recess in the wheel.

The recess may be continuous with said aperture.

The protrusion may have a substantially circular cross-section and said recess may be concentric with said aperture.

The protrusion may comprise a substantially cylindrical portion, and said recess may be an end portion of said aperture.

By adapting the first alignment members to engage end portions of the wheel apertures into which the adaptors are to be located, it is not necessary to provide separate recesses in the wheels for this purpose, thereby reducing the cost of manufacturing wheels for use with the alignment apparatus and adaptors.

At least one said second alignment member may comprise a rod extending from the base member for engaging said eccentric bore.

This simplifies the alignment process, as an adaptor may be received on the rod and simply rotated until it is centred on the aperture of the wheel.

The rod may extend from a respective first alignment member.

The rod may have a cross-section smaller than a cross-section of the respective first alignment member.

The rod may comprise a threaded portion.

At least one said second alignment member may comprise a hole adapted to receive a rod or bolt.

Advantageously, the holes may receive replaceable rods.

The hole may pass through a respective first alignment member.

The alignment apparatus may comprise a plurality of said first alignment members and a plurality of said second alignment members.

Increasing the number of second alignment members improves the accuracy of control of the position and orientation of a wheel with respect to the alignment device.

The alignment apparatus may comprise: a first set of first and second alignment members, for aligning said at least one adaptor for attachment of the wheel to a hub assembly having a first configuration; and a second set of first and second alignment members, for aligning said at least one adaptor for attachment of the wheel to a hub assembly having a second configuration, different from said first configuration.

Advantageously, a single alignment apparatus may be used to align adaptors in the apertures of wheels in accordance with more than one predetermined pitch circle diameter.

The first and second sets may be provided on a first side and a second side respectively of the base member.

The base portion may comprise a star-shaped central aperture.

By providing a star-shaped central aperture, the alignment apparatus may be non-rotatably mounted on a stand comprising a base and a post having a profile adapted to engage the central aperture. Preferably, the star-shaped central aperture is adapted to engage a post having a square profile at two different orientations rotated by less than 900 from each other. This allows the alignment apparatus to mounted to a square post in a number of different orientations, without having to change the position of the post or stand.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of aligning at least one adaptor in a predetermined orientation within a respective aperture of a wheel, the adaptor comprising a bore located eccentrically with respect to a central axis of the adaptor and adapted to receive a fastener for fixing the wheel to a hub assembly, the method comprising: providing an alignment apparatus as defined above; positioning a wheel on the alignment apparatus such that at least one first alignment member engages the wheel to control the position and orientation of the wheel with respect to the alignment apparatus; and positioning an adaptor into or adjacent to said respective aperture of the wheel such that the eccentric bore of the adaptor is aligned with the respective second alignment member.

At least one second alignment member of the alignment apparatus may comprise a rod extending from the base member for engaging the eccentric bore of the adaptor, and the step of positioning said adaptor into or adjacent to said respective aperture of the wheel may comprise engaging the eccentric bore of the adaptor around a respective rod and rotating the adaptor about the rod to align it with the respective aperture of the wheel.

At least one second alignment member of the alignment apparatus may comprise a hole adapted to receive a rod or bolt, and the step of positioning said adaptor into or adjacent to said respective aperture of the wheel may comprise engaging a bolt in the eccentric bore of the adaptor, engaging the bolt in said hole, and rotating the adaptor about the bolt to align it with the respective aperture of the wheel.

The method may further comprise a step of applying a force to drive the adaptor into the aperture.

At least one second alignment member of the alignment apparatus may comprise a rod extending from the base member for engaging the eccentric bore of the adaptor, and said step of applying a force may comprise: engaging a nut on the threaded portion of the rod; and tightening the nut to force the adaptor into the aperture.

At least one second alignment member of the alignment apparatus may comprise a hole adapted to receive a rod or bolt, and said method may further comprise: engaging a bolt in said hole via said eccentric bore, and tightening the bolt to force the adaptor into the aperture.

The method may further comprise a step of securing the alignment apparatus to a mount or stand.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an adaptor, receivable in a respective aperture of a wheel for adapting the wheel for mounting to a wheel hub assembly having a predetermined pitch circle diameter, the adaptor comprising: a main body portion having a substantially cylindrical exterior and an eccentric bore therethrough, wherein the main body portion is adapted to form an interference fit with the aperture of the wheel.

Advantageously, by forming an interference fit with the wheel, the position and alignment of the adaptor can be fixed, thereby allowing wheels to be adapted to a predetermined pitch circle diameter prior to fitting the wheels to a vehicle. The wheels may be stored and transported without the adaptors becoming misaligned, so can be sold and fitted as a conventional wheel of fixed pitch circle diameter. importantly, an end user can then fit the wheel with the same ease as a conventional wheel, without needing to align the adaptors, and can remove the wheel from a vehicle and reinstall it without having to realign the adaptors. This enables a distributor or retailer to provide wheels of fixed pitch circle diameter, for a wide range of vehicles specifying a range of different pitch circle diameters, while saving warehouse space by stocking wheels of a single specification. Similarly, a retailer with limited warehouse space is able to supply wheels of fixed pitch diameter for a wider range of vehicles, rather than having to order specific configurations on demand from a distributor.

The exterior surface of the main body portion may be knurled.

Advantageously, knurling is a convenient means for providing the interference fit. The knuris bite into the material around the wheel aperture.

S The knurling may comprise ridges oriented parallel to a central axis of the adaptor.

Advantageously, such ridges are oriented along the direction in which in the adaptor is driven into a wheel aperture, and is therefore particularly adapted far inserting the adaptor and for preventing rotation of the adaptor.

The adaptor may further comprise an end portion, continuous with the main body portion, the eccentric bore continuing through the end portion, wherein the exterior surface of the end portion tapers inwards from the knurled surface towards the end of the adaptor.

The advantage of this feature is that it aids alignment of the adaptor in a wheel. Without the tapered end portion, friction between the knurled surface and an adjacent surface would make it difficult to rotate the adaptor when positioning it on the wheel. In addition, the tapered end portion helps centre the adaptor in the aperture of the wheel.

The adaptor may further comprise a head portion, continuous with the main body portion and having a larger cross-section than the main body portion, wherein the exterior surface of the adaptor is tapered between the main body portion and the head portion.

This feature ensures that the adaptor is correctly centred and seated when fixed in place in the wheel.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there S is provided a wheel adapted for mounting to a wheel hub assembly having a predetermined pitch circle diameter, the wheel comprising at least one aperture, and at least one adaptor as defined above received at least partly within said aperture.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit comprising a plurality of alignment devices as defined above, wherein at least one alignment device is configured for aligning adaptors in a wheel for mounting to a wheel hub assembly having a first configuration, and at least one alignment device is configured for aligning adaptors in wheel for mounting to a wheel hub assembly having a second configuration different from the first configuration.

According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit comprising at least one alignment device as defined above, and a plurality of adaptors as defined above.

Pref erred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 illustrates a wheel comprising adaptors according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 2A-D illustrate an adaptor according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein 2A, C and D show the adaptor from the side, above and below respectively, and Figure 2B shows a perspective view; Figure 3 illustrates an aperture of a wheel for use in conjunction with an adaptor according to an embodiment of the invention; Figures 4A-C illustrates an alignment apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein Figure 4A shows a perspective view, Figures 4B shows a side view, and Figure 40 shows a plan view; and Figure 5 illustrates an alignment apparatus according to an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a wheel 10 which includes a plurality of adaptors 20 which determine the pitch circle diameter of the wheel 10. The wheel 10 has a plurality of bores 12 which each receives an adaptor 20. Each adaptor 20 has an eccentric bore 22 for securing the wheel 10 to a wheel hub assembly (not shown) by means of a fastener such as a stud or bolt. The rotational orientation of each adaptor 20 within the respective bore 12 of the wheel 10 is selected to align the eccentric bores 22 with the studs or bolt holes of a wheel hub assembly. In this way, the wheel 10 can be adapted for mounting to a wheel hub assembly having a pitch circle diameter within a range of possible values. The wheel 10 shown in Figure 1 has five bores 12 and five adaptors 20, but the present invention is equally applicable to wheels having different numbers of mounting bores.

Figures 2A-D show an adaptor 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The adaptor 20 comprises a main body portion 24, a head portion 26, and an end portion 28. Figure 3 illustrates a cross-section of a bore 12 of the wheel 10, suitable for use with the adaptors 20. The wheel bore 12 comprises an aperture 14 for engaging S the main body portion 24 of the adaptor 20, and a socket 16 which receives the head portion 28 of the adaptor 20.

The main body portion 24 of the adaptor 20 has a substantially circular cross-section and is adapted to engage the aperture 14 of the wheel bore 12. The eccentric bore 22 of the adaptor 20 passes through the main body portion 24 and continues through the end potion 28 of the adaptor, and is dimensioned to receive a stud or bolt for fastening the wheel to a hub assembly. The eccentric bore 22 is located eccentrically with respect to a central axis of the main body portion 24. The rotational orientation of the adaptors 20 with respect to respective apertures 14 of the wheel 10, thereby determines the positions of the eccentric bores 22 relative to the wheel 10, so that the adaptors 20 can be aligned for mounting to the wheel to a wheel hub assembly having a predetermined pitch circle diameter.

As can be seen in Figure 1, the wheel bores 12 lie on an imaginary circle Cl, whereas the eccentric bores 22 of the adaptors 20 lie on an imaginary circle C2. In this case, the adaptors 20 are oriented to give the smallest possible pitch circle diameter: the diameter of pitch circle C2 is smaller than the diameter of circle Cl by twice the offset of the eccentric bore from the centre of the adaptor 20. similarly, the greatest possible pitch circle diameter is greater than the diameter of circle Cl by twice the offset of the eccentric bore from the centre of the adaptor 20. By adjusting the angular orientation of the adaptors 20, a continuous range of pitch circle diameters between these two values can be obtained.

As an example, a wheel bore 12 as shown in Figure 3 may have the following dimensions: A=24mm, B=31.Gmm, 0=12mm, D38mm. The adaptors 20 may have a main body 24 adapted to fit into the 24mm apertures 14 of the wheel bore 12, and an eccentric bore 22 offset by 3mm from the centre of the adaptor 20. Then, if the wheel bores 12 are located on a circle Cl having a diameter of 114mm, the adaptors 20 may be adjusted to obtain any wheel pitch circle diameter (POD) in the range from 108mm to 120mm. On the other hand, if the wheel bores 12 are drilled on a circle Cl having a diameter of 106mm, the adaptors 20 may be adjusted to obtain any wheel pitch circle diameter (POD) in the range from 100mm to 112mm.

The head portion 26 of the adaptor 20 ensures that the adaptor 20 is correctly seated in the wheel bore 12. The head portion 26 has a larger cross-section than the main body portion 24, and includes a tapered portion 27 such that the outer surface of the adaptor 20 tapers inwards from the head portion 26 to the main body portion 24. The tapered portion 27 of the adaptor 20 matches a corresponding tapered portion 17 of the socket 16 of the wheel bore 12. The tapered portion 27 may taper at an angle of, for example, 45 degrees to a central axis of the adaptor 20.

The eccentric bore 22 of the adaptor 20 broadens into a cup part 23 in the head portion 26, shaped to receive a lug nut or bolt head when the wheel 10 is fastened to a wheel hub assembly. The shape and size of the cup part 23 may vary depending on the application. It may be tapered at 60 degrees to receive a typical tapered lug nut.

The exterior surface 25 of main body portion 24 of the adaptor 20 is knurled so that the adaptor 20 can be fixed in the aperture 14 of the wheel bore 12. The knurling increases the diameter of the main body portion 22 of the adaptor 20 so that it is slightly greater than the diameter of the aperture 14 of the wheel 10. Therefore the main body portion 22 can only be inserted into the aperture 14 by applying force to the adaptor 20. when the adaptor 20 is driven into the aperture 14, the knurls cut into the material surrounding the aperture 14 of the wheel to fix the adaptor 20 in place.

Importantly, this method of fixing the adaptor 20 to the wheel 10 prevents rotation of the adaptor 20 within the wheel bore 12, and thereby fixes the pitch circle diameter (PCD) of the wheel 10.

The end portion 28 of the adaptor 20 is also tapered, so that the end of the adaptor 20 has a smaller cross-section than the main body portion 26. This feature is important because the knurling would otherwise prevent the adaptor 20 from being rotated within the wheel bore 12 during the alignment procedure. Rather, the tapered surface 29 of the end portion 26 engages the wheel 10 or wheel bore 12 and allows the adaptor 20 to be rotated to the correct alignment.

The tapered surface 29 of the end portion 26 also allows for centring of the adaptor 20 before it is driven into the aperture 14. In a preferred embodiment, the end portion 28 has a length of about 2mm.

The adaptors 20 are preferably made of steel or forged aluminium so that they do not deform when driven into an alloy wheel.

Figures 4A-C show an alignment apparatus 30 for aligning adaptors 20 in a predetermined rotational orientation in respective apertures 14 of a wheel 10. The alignment apparatus 30 comprises a base 32, first alignment members in the form of central protrusion 34 and protrusions 36, and second alignment members in the form of rods 38.

The central protrusion 34 is adapted to engage with the centre bore 19 in the rear of the wheel 10, and each of the protrusions 36 is adapted to engage with a recess 18 of the wheel 10, to correctly align the wheel on the alignment device. The protrusions 34, 36 are adapted to fit snugly in the respective recesses 19, 18 in order to accurately control the position and orientation of the wheel 10. In this embodiment, the recesses 18 correspond to the end portions of the apertures 14. That is, the recesses 18 and apertures 14 are concentric and have the same diameter. This reduces the production time and cost of manufacturing wheels for use with the adaptors, since the apertures 14 and recesses 18 can be drilled in a single step. However, the skilled person will appreciate that separate recesses could be provided on the wheel 10 for this purpose. In this embodiment, the protrusions 34, 36 are all of circular cross-section because the centre bore 19 and recesses 18 with which they engage are all cylindrical. As a result, more than one protrusion 34, 36 is required to control the rotational and translational position of the wheel 10 on the alignment device 30.

However, the skilled person will appreciate that a single protrusion could be used if configured to simultaneously define a translational and rotational position of the wheel 10. Nonetheless, by using a plurality of protrusions, the alignment accuracy is increased as the wheel 10 is more securely constrained on the alignment apparatus 30.

Once the wheel 10 is aligned on the alignment device 30, the rods 38 define the required positions for the eccentric bores 22 of the adaptors 20. Since the protrusions 36 are adapted to engage recesses 18 in the wheel 10 which are concentric and continuous with the apertures 14 of the wheel 10, the rods 38 extend from the protrusions 36. The rods 38 are threaded to receive a nut (not shown) for driving the adaptors 20 into the apertures 14 of the wheel 10 as described below.

The alignment apparatus 30 also includes a star-shaped central hole 40 which enables the alignment apparatus 30 to be non-rotatably mounted on a stand (not shown) . A suitable stand comprises a post having a profile adapted to engage the star-shaped central hole 40, mounted to a base or bench. The star-shaped central hole 40 of the present embodiment is dimensioned to engage a square-profile post at eight different orientations separated by angles of approximately 45°. It is not necessary to use any further securing means because no upward forces are applied to the alignment apparatus 30 during use. This means that alignment apparatuses corresponding to different pitch circle diameters can be rapidly mounted or exchanged on such a stand.

The base 32 has a number of indentations 42 around its edge, in order to reduce the weight and cost of the alignment apparatus 30.

A method of using the alignment apparatus 30 will now be described. First, the alignment apparatus 30 is mounted securely, for example to a bench mount or a tyre machine stand, by means of the central star hole 40. Next, the wheel is placed onto the alignment apparatus 30 so that the protrusions 34, 36 respectively engage the centre bore 19 and recesses 18 of the wheel 10. An adaptor 20 is then placed over each of the rods 38, which defines the desired position of the eccentric bores 22. The adaptors 20 are lowered onto the wheel 10 and are rotated until correctly aligned with the apertures 14 of the wheel 10. The tapered surface 20 of the end portions 28 of the adaptors 20 helps to centre the adaptors 20 over the apertures 14. In order to drive the adaptors 20 into the respective apertures 14, a nut (not shown) is threaded onto each of the rods 38 and tightened.

Preferably, the nuts are first hand-tightened, and are then tightened in a diagonal sequence until all the nuts are tight and the adaptors 20 are all fixed into the wheel 10. The nuts can then be removed, and the wheel 10 removed from the alignment apparatus 30.

The finished wheel 10 includes adaptors 20 fixed in place, and has a fixed pitch circle diameter for mounting to a hub assembly of the same pitch circle diameter.

The skilled person will appreciate that a separate alignment device 30 is required for each desired pitch circle diameter. As discussed above, the star-shaped central hole 40 provides a means for rapidly mounting the required alignment device 30 to a stand.

In an alternative embodiment, a double-sided alignment apparatus (not shown) may be provided, wherein each side of the base 32 is provided with a separate set of protrusions 34, 36 and rods 38, each set being used for aligning adaptors in a wheel 10 at different pitch circle diameters.

Figure 5 shows an alignment apparatus 30' according to an alternative embodiment. As in the first embodiment, the alignment apparatus 30' includes a base 32, a central protrusion 34, protrusions 36 and a central star hole 40.

However instead of rods 38, the alignment apparatus 30' includes threaded holes 39, in which threaded rods may be installed. An advantage of this embodiment is that the rods may be replaced if they are damaged or worn in use.

when rods are installed in the threaded holes 39, the alignment apparatus 30' may be used as described above.

Alternatively, the alignment apparatus 30' may be used in conjunction with bolts (not shown) instead of threaded rods and nuts. In this method, a wheel 10 is placed on the alignment apparatus 30' so that the protrusions 34, 36 respectively engage the centre bore 19 and recesses 18 of the wheel 10. An adaptor 20 is then placed into the wheel bores 12, adjacent to apertures 14. The adaptors 20 are rotated until the eccentric bores 22 of the adaptors 20 are aligned with the threaded holes 39 of the alignment apparatus 30', which define the desired position of the eccentric bores 22.

Bolts are then inserted through the eccentric bores 22 of the adaptors 20 into the respective threaded holes 39 of the alignment apparatus 30', and tightened to drive the adaptors 20 into the apertures 14 of the wheel 10.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the above embodiments have been described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, and that various alterations and modifications are possible without departure from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An adaptor, receivable in a respective aperture of a wheel for adapting the wheel for mounting to a wheel hub assembly having a predetermined pitch circle diameter, the adaptor comprising: a main body portion having a substantially cylindrical exterior and an eccentric bore therethrOugh, wherein the main body portion is adapted to form an interference fit with the aperture of the wheel.
2. An adaptor according to claim 1, wherein the exterior surface of the main body portion is knurled.
3. An adaptor according to claim 2, wherein said knurling comprises ridges oriented parallel to a central axis of the adaptor.
4. An adaptor according to any of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an end portion, continuous with the main body portion, the eccentric bore continuing through the end portion, wherein the exterior surface of the end portion tapers inwards from the knurled surface towards the end of the adaptor.
5. An adaptor according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a head portion, continuous with the main body portion and having a larger cross-section than the main body portion, wherein the exterior surface of the adaptor is tapered between the main body portion and the head portion.
6. A wheel adapted for mounting to a wheel hub assembly having a predetermined pitch circle diameter, the wheel comprising at least one aperture, and at least one adaptor according to any of claims 1 to 5 received at least partly within a respective said aperture.
7. A kit comprising: a plurality of adaptors according to any of claims 1 to 5; and at least one alignment device, for aligning at least one said adaptor in a predetermined orientation in a respective aperture of a wheel, the adaptor being adapted to receive a fastener for fixing the wheel to a hub assembly, the alignment device comprising: a base member; at least one first alignment member adapted to engage a wheel for controlling the position and orientation of the wheel with respect to the alignment apparatus; and at least one second alignment member for defining a position of the eccentric bore of a respective said adaptor.
8. An adaptor substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.