Wheel and hub assembly

Abstract

A wheel assembly includes a wheel and a hub assembly. The hub assembly includes a retainer housing, retaining member, biasing element, and restraining element. The retainer housing includes a wheel mounting sleeve and pin sleeve. The wheel mounting sleeve includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle and configured to be inserted within a sleeve bore of the wheel. The pin sleeve includes a first end fluidly communicating with the sleeve bore, a second end, and a conduit therebetween. The retaining member, disposed within the conduit, is configured to operatively engage an axle groove and includes a lip wider than a first end shoulder to prevent the retaining member from exiting the first end. The biasing element, disposed within the conduit, is configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore. The restraining element is configured to prevent the retaining member from exiting the second end.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention generally relates to wheel assemblies and the manner of their mounting to and removal from an axle, and more particularly, to wheel and hub assemblies used on refuse carts and the like.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of plastic wheels on a variety of products has dramatically increased in recent years. One area where such plastic wheels have been widely employed is on wheeled refuse or garbage carts or bins of the type commonly employed by homeowners for their trash. These carts traditionally have plastic wheels that are mounted on the ends of a metal axle by a hub member or push-on hat fastener (sometimes referred to as “pawl nut”). The wheel hub is hammered onto the end of the axle to hold the wheel in place. Removal of such plastic wheels in order to replace or repair the wheel or the cart can be difficult because the hammered push-on hat fasteners or hubs require special tools for their removal, or essentially must be destroyed to remove them from the axle. Sometimes this process also damages the axles. Wheel-mounting sleeve assemblies have been devised which snap-on to a pre-machined axle to hold the wheel to the axle. However, these snap-on wheel assemblies have been unduly complex, visually unappealing, and poorly suited to the shock loading and vibration commonly encountered.

SUMMARY

The design of certain prior wheel and hub assemblies limits the extent of automatic assembly of a wheel and hub assembly because the pin and spring would be expelled from the wheel assembly without a portion of the wheel to keep them in place. The hub assembly may be specifically oriented such that the pin and spring do not fall out until coupling to a wheel. However, manipulation of the hub assembly such as transporting, dropping, turning, and especially vibration caused by automating equipment can cause the pin and spring to become lost before assembly, increasing costs and slowing assembly due to insertion of replacement parts. Additionally, foreign debris can enter the open end of a pin sleeve all the way until assembly with a wheel. Thus, the pin and spring are generally installed during coupling of the wheel and a hub assembly. Upon disengagement of the wheel from such hub assemblies, which may occur when a wheel assembly is broken (e.g., due to splitting of the wheel from shock loading), the pin and spring can be expelled from the hub assembly to be lost or damaged.

At least one aspect of the present invention is the realization of the advantages gained from a restraining element such as a plug that prevents the pin and spring from being separated from the hub assembly upon manipulation without being coupled to a wheel. Once the plug is coupled to the pin sleeve after the pin and spring are inserted therein, the hub assembly can be fully manipulated without causing separation of the components because the plug prevents the pin and spring from coming out of the pin sleeve. The hub assembly can thus be formed well before it is coupled to the wheel, allowing resources to be allocated without regard to the quantity of any component (i.e., more hub assemblies can be made even if there are no wheels to couple them to because they can be stored without the fear of losing pieces). The plug also allows fully automated assembly because the hub assembly can be oriented in any direction and can be positioned by a vibratory feeder. Moreover, if a wheel is damaged, the hub assembly, which is typically the more expensive component, can be coupled to another wheel because all of its pieces are still in tact and accounted for.

In certain embodiments, a wheel assembly comprises a wheel and a hub assembly mounted in the wheel. The wheel includes a sleeve bore. The hub assembly includes a retainer housing, a retaining member, a biasing element, and a restraining element. The retainer housing includes a wheel mounting sleeve and a pin sleeve. The wheel mounting sleeve includes an axle bore configured to receive an axle and configured to be inserted within the sleeve bore of the wheel. The pin sleeve includes a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end. The first end is in fluid communication with the sleeve bore 210, 310 axle bore 606. The first end 607 includes a shoulder 612 extending into the conduit 610. In some embodiments, the shoulder 612 may prevent the retaining member 700 from exiting the first end 607 of the pin sleeve 604 (e.g., in conjunction with a lip 704 of a retaining member 700). In the illustrated embodiment, the wheel mounting sleeve 602 is closed at one end such that an axle 150 inserted into the axle bore 606 is not visible on the outer surface of a wheel assembly 200, 300 comprising the hub assembly 400 and an axle 150.

In certain embodiments, the retainer housing 600 includes an end wall 614. The side illustrated in FIG. 6A is on the outer side of a wheel assembly 200, 300 (FIGS. 2A and 3A). In some embodiments, the end wall 614 includes text or a logo (e.g., indicative of a manufacturer of the wheel, wheel assembly, and/or hub assembly, indicative of a type of wheel and/or hub assembly, etc.). In some embodiments, the end wall 614 is shaped to appear integral with a wheel 200, 300 (e.g., including similarly shaped spokes). In some embodiments, the end wall 614 disguises the location of the pin sleeve 604. In certain embodiments, after the hub assembly 400 has been mechanically coupled to the wheel 202, 302, the end wall 614 provides substantially equal distribution of side-shifted loads because the force can be applied substantially all the way around the wheel 202, 302, as opposed to being concentrated, for example, at the junction between the wheel mounting sleeve 602 and the pin sleeve 604.

FIG. 6B illustrates the opposite side of the retainer housing 600, which illustrates that the end wall 614 may include a plurality of raised projections 616. The raised projections 616 can provide a number of advantages. In certain embodiments, the raised projections 616 may increase an amount of surface area that makes contact with the wheel 202, 302. In certain embodiments, the raised projections 616 may properly orient the retainer housing 600 with the wheel 202, 302. In some embodiments, the raised projections 616 allow the retainer housing 600 to be properly aligned (e.g., in a vibratory feeder) for assembly (e.g., automated assembly) with other components of the hub assembly 400. In certain such embodiments, at least some of the plurality of projections 616 may have a common endpoint (e.g., as illustrated by the dotted line 618). In some embodiments, the raised projections 616 allow the hub assembly 400 to be properly aligned (e.g., in a vibratory feeder) for assembly (e.g., automated assembly) with other components of the wheel assembly 200, 300 (e.g., the wheel 202, 302). In certain such embodiments, the assembled hub assembly 400 and the wheel 202, 302 may be automatically assembled (e.g., substantially without human interaction). In some embodiments, the raised projections 616 reinforce a junction or interface between the end wall 614 and the wheel mounting sleeve, which can enhance the distribution of loads (e.g., transverse torque caused by movement of the wheel assembly 110 generally along the longitudinal axis of the axle 150).

In certain embodiments, the retainer housing 600 is injection molded. Injection molding may allow high stricter tolerances than blow molding because the thicknesses of the components may be controlled based on the spacing between the male and female molds. In some embodiments, the end wall 614, the wheel mounting sleeve 602, and the pin sleeve 604 are integrally formed, although the pieces may also be separately formed and coupled (e.g., welded). In certain such embodiments in which the elements are integrally formed, injection molding can increase throughput by reducing the number of downstream steps (e.g., eliminating trimming steps because the bores 604, 606 may be formed open at both ends). Other features of the retainer housing 600 may also be integrally formed (e.g., the raised projections 616). In certain embodiments, the retainer housing 600 comprises plastic (e.g., high density polyethylene (HDPE) (e.g., high molecular weight HDPE)).

In some embodiments, the wheel mounting sleeve 602 comprises an annular rib 620 configured to engage a sidewall 230, 330 of a wheel 202, 302, respectively (FIGS. 5B and 5D). The rib 316 has a width that is wider than the width of the sleeve bore 402. In certain embodiments, the wheel mounting sleeve 602 is press-fit into the sleeve bore 210, 310 of a wheel 202, 302 until the annular rib 620 resiliently snaps out from the sleeve bore 210, 310. In certain such embodiments, the wheel mounting sleeve 602 does not comprise slots. In certain alternative embodiments, the annular rib 620 comprises at least one axial slot 622 that can facilitate passage of the annular rib 620 through the sleeve bore 210, 310. The at least one axial slot 622 can also extend into the wheel mounting sleeve 602, although there may be a tradeoff between the flexibility and strength of and the wheel mounting sleeve 602. In certain embodiments. the annular rib 620 comprises two axial slots 622 and a tooth 624 between the axial slots 622. In a relaxed position, the tooth 624 has a width that is wider than the sleeve bore 210, 310. The axial slots 622 thus can assist in radially inward flexing of the tooth 624 as it is urged through the sleeve bore 210, 310.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example embodiment of a retaining member 700. In some embodiments, the retaining member 700 comprises a pin. The retaining member 700 is configured to operatively engage a groove 152 in an axle 150. In certain embodiments, an axle 150 has a chamfered end such that the retaining member 700 is transversely displaced relative to the movement of the axle 150. In certain alternative embodiments, the retaining member 700 is shaped (e.g., chamfered) such that it is transversely displaced relative to the movement of an axle 150 (e.g., without a chamfered end). In some embodiments, the retaining member 700 is configured (e.g., dimensioned) to reduce (e.g., decrease, minimize, prevent) rubbing of the sides of the groove 152 in the axle 150 by the sides of the retaining member 700.

In some embodiments, the retaining member 700 comprises metal (e.g., stainless steel), which is may be more resistant to damage from typical usage of the wheel assembly 200, 300 than plastic. Metal may also be better suited to shock loading and vibration than plastic. However, other materials (e.g., plastic) are also possible. In some embodiments, the retaining member 700 includes a central body 702 and a lip 704 extending outwardly from the central body 702. In certain such embodiments, the lip 704 is wider than the shoulder 612 of the first end 607 of the pin sleeve 604 and narrower than the conduit 610, and is longitudinally positioned along the central body 702 such that only a portion of the retaining member 700 extends into the axle bore 606. The shoulder 612 may prevent the retaining member 700 from exiting the first end 607 of the pin sleeve 604 by interacting with the lip 704 in such embodiments. Other shapes and types of retaining members 700 are also possible. For example, the retaining member 700 may be shaped to always have a certain orientation within the conduit 610 (e.g., having a flat side 750 that prevents rotation of the retaining member 700 within the conduit 610, as illustrated in FIG. 7B). Such an embodiment may be useful for proper engagement of a chamfered retaining member 700, as illustrated by the portion 752 in FIG. 7, with a non-chamfered axle 150. For another example, the lip 704 may be longitudinally thicker, which can stabilize the retaining member 700, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, by reducing the chance of the retaining member 700 pivoting within the conduit 610. Other possible shapes include those that aid in engaging the retaining member 700 with the biasing element 800.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example embodiment of a biasing element 800. The biasing element 800 is configured to bias the retaining member 700 towards the axle bore 606. In some embodiments, the biasing element 800 comprises a spring. In some embodiments in which the biasing element 800 comprises a spring, a first end 802 mechanically engages the lip 704 of the retaining member 700 and the second end 804 mechanically engages the shoulder 902 of the restraining element 900 to bias the retaining member 700 towards the axle bore 606. In some embodiments, the biasing element 800 comprises metal (e.g., stainless steel), which is may be more resistant to damage from typical usage of the wheel assembly 200, 300 than plastic and which may be better suited to shock loading and vibration than plastic. However, other materials (e.g., plastic) are also possible. Other shapes and types of biasing elements 800 are also possible. In certain embodiments, the retaining member 700 and the biasing element 800 are disposed in a cartridge that can be disposed in the pin sleeve 604. However, it will be appreciated that adding non-essential layers such as the cartridge body would not depart from the invention disclosed herein.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate an example embodiment of a restraining element 900. The restraining element 900 is configured to prevent the retaining member 700 from exiting the second end 608 of the pin sleeve 604. In some embodiments, the restraining element 900 comprises a plug (e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 4A-5D). In some embodiments in which the restraining element 900 comprises a plug, the plug is mechanically coupled to the second end 608 of the pin sleeve 604. The illustrated plug 900 comprises a shoulder 902 and a lip 904. The shoulder 902 is configured to mechanically engage the second end 804 of a biasing element 800. The lip 904 is configured to mechanically engage the pin sleeve 604. After the retaining member 700 and the biasing element 800 are disposed in the pin sleeve 604, the plug 900 may be welded (e.g., heat welded, ultrasonic welded) or otherwise affixed (e.g., adhered, mechanically forced, etc.) to the pin sleeve 604. In some embodiments, the retaining element 900 comprises molded (e.g., blow molded or injection molded) plastic, although other materials are also possible. Other shapes and types of restraining elements 900 are also possible. For example, the restraining element 900 may be mechanically coupled (e.g., welded) to the biasing element 800 prior to assembly in the hub assembly 400. FIGS. 10A-10D illustrate further example embodiments of hub assemblies comprising different types of restraining elements 900.

FIG. 10A illustrates an embodiment of a hub assembly 1002 in which the restraining element 900 comprises an indentation in the second end 608 of the pin sleeve 604. After the retaining member 700 and the biasing element 800 are disposed in the pin sleeve 604, the second end 608 of the pin sleeve 604 is deformed (e.g., heat deformed). The deformation 900 is configured to prevent the retaining member 700 from exiting the second end 608 of the pin sleeve 604 (e.g., by being narrower than the biasing element 800 such that the second end 804 of the biasing element 800 is mechanically engaged therewith). The deformation may be all around the pin sleeve 604, in a single location, in a plurality of locations, etc.

FIG. 10B illustrates an embodiment of a hub assembly 1004 in which the restraining element 900 comprises a disc configured to be inserted proximate to the second end 608 of the pin sleeve 604. After the retaining member 700 and the biasing element 800 are disposed in the pin sleeve 604, the disc 900 is inserted (e.g., into a pin sleeve window 630). The disc 900 may be welded (e.g., heat welded, ultrasonic welded) or otherwise affixed (e.g., adhered, mechanically forced, etc.) to the pin sleeve 604. The disc 900 is configured to prevent the retaining member 700 from exiting the second end 608 of the pin sleeve 604 (e.g., by blocking the second end 608 of the pin sleeve 604 such that the second end 804 of the biasing element 800 is mechanically engaged therewith).

FIG. 10C illustrates an embodiment of a hub assembly 1006 in which the restraining element 900 comprises a plurality of ledges 900 extending into the pin bore 610. The ledges 900 may be formed before or after the retaining member 700 and biasing element 800 are disposed in the pin sleeve 604. For example, if formed before (e.g., by being integrally molded with the retainer housing 600, as illustrated in FIG. 10C), they may be pliable to the insertion of the retaining member 700 and biasing element 800, but rigid against the removal of the retaining member 700 and biasing element 800. The ledges 900 are configured to prevent the retaining member 700 from exiting the second end 608 of the pin sleeve (e.g., by extending into the pin bore 610 wider than the biasing element 800 such that the second end 804 of the biasing element 800 is mechanically engaged therewith).

FIG. 10D illustrates an embodiment of a hub assembly 1008 in which the restraining element 900 comprises a plug 900 including threads 906. In such an embodiment, the second end 608 of the pin sleeve 604 may also comprise threads (e.g., complementary threads). As described above with respect to the plug 900 of FIGS. 9A and 9B, the plug 900 comprises a shoulder 902 configured to mechanically engage the second end 804 of the biasing element 800 and a lip 904 configured to mechanically engage the second end 608 of the pin sleeve 604. After the retaining member 700 and the biasing element 800 are disposed in the pin sleeve 604, the plug 900 is threaded into the pin sleeve 604. In certain embodiments, the plug 900 comprises a fastening device 908 (e.g., a hexagonal hole as illustrated in FIG. 10D, a screwdriver slot, etc.) in which transverse force on the plug 900 causes it to be screwed into the pin sleeve 604. It will be appreciated that the restraining elements 900 illustrated herein are for example purposes only, and that a variety of other restraining elements are also possible.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications and equivalents thereof. In addition, while several variations of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the invention. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with, or substituted for, one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A wheel assembly comprising:

a wheel including a sleeve bore; and

a hub assembly mounted in the wheel, the hub assembly including:

a retainer housing including:

a wheel mounting sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle and configured to be inserted within the sleeve bore of the wheel; and

a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the sleeve axle bore, the first end including a shoulder extending into the conduit;

a retaining member disposed within the conduit of the pin sleeve, the retaining member including a lip wider than the shoulder, the lip and the shoulder interacting to prevent the retaining member from exiting the first end of the pin sleeve;

a biasing element disposed within the conduit of the pin sleeve and configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore, the retaining member configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle; and

a restraining element comprising a plug mechanically coupled to the second end of the pin sleeve, the restraining element configured to prevent the retaining member from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve at least prior to mounting the hub assembly in the wheel.

2. A hub assembly comprising:

a retainer housing including:

a wheel mounting sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle and configured to be inserted within a sleeve bore of a wheel; and

a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the sleeve axle bore, the first end including a shoulder extending into the conduit;

a retaining member disposed within the pin sleeve, the retaining member including a lip wider than the shoulder, the lip and the shoulder interacting to prevent the retaining member from exiting the first end of the pin sleeve;

a biasing element disposed within the conduit of the pin sleeve and configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore, the retaining member configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle; and

a restraining element comprising a plug mechanically coupled to the second end of the pin sleeve, the restraining element configured to prevent the retaining member from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve at least prior to inserting the wheel mounting sleeve in a sleeve bore of a wheel.

3. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the retainer housing includes a tool passageway proximate to the lip of the retaining member.

4. The hub assembly of claim 3, wherein the retainer housing includes a tamper-evident membrane over the tool passageway.

5. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the retaining member comprises a pin.

6. The hub assembly of claim 5, wherein the pin comprises metal.

7. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.

8. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the biasing element abuts the restraining element.

9. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the retainer housing comprises plastic.

10. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the retainer housing includes a plurality of raised projections.

11. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the retainer housing includes a spacer extending from the wheel mounting sleeve.

12. The hub assembly of claim 11, wherein the spacer is integrally formed with the wheel mounting sleeve.

13. A method of manufacturing a wheel assembly, the method comprising:

forming a wheel including a sleeve bore; and

forming a retainer housing including:

forming a wheel mounting sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle and configured to be inserted within the sleeve bore of the wheel; and

forming a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the sleeve axle bore, the first end including a shoulder extending into the conduit;

positioning a retaining member within the pin sleeve, the retaining member including a lip wider than the shoulder, the lip and the shoulder interacting to prevent the retaining member from exiting the first end of the pin sleeve;

positioning a biasing element in the pin sleeve to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore;

occluding the second end of the pin sleeve, wherein occluding the second end of the pin sleeve includes mechanically coupling a restraining element comprising a plug proximate to the second end of the pin sleeve, thereby preventing the retaining member from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve at least prior to inserting the wheel mounting sleeve of the retainer housing into the sleeve bore of the wheel; and

inserting the wheel mounting sleeve of the retainer housing into the sleeve bore of the wheel, thereby coupling the retainer housing to the wheel.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein mechanically coupling the restraining element includes ultrasonic welding the plug to the pin sleeve.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein mechanically coupling the restraining element includes heat welding the plug to the pin sleeve.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein mechanically coupling the restraining element includes mechanically forcing the plug into the pin sleeve.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein mechanically coupling the restraining element includes screwing the plug into the pin sleeve.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the wheel includes blow molding the wheel.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein forming the wheel includes injection molding the wheel.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein inserting the wheel mounting sleeve into the sleeve bore includes aligning the retainer housing with a vibratory feeder.

21. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein an end of the retaining member extending into the axle bore is chamfered.

22. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the retaining member includes a flat surface configured to prevent rotation of the retaining member within the pin sleeve.

23. A hub assembly configured to be mounted in a wheel, the hub assembly comprising:

a retainer housing including:

a wheel mounting sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle and configured to be inserted within a sleeve bore of a wheel; and

a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the sleeve axle bore, the first end including a shoulder extending into the conduit;

a retaining member at least partially disposed within the conduit of the pin sleeve, the retaining member including a lip wider than the shoulder, the lip and the shoulder interacting to prevent the retaining member from exiting the first end of the pin sleeve, the retaining member configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle, the retaining member comprising a chamfered end extending into the axle bore, the chamfered end shaped to transversely displace the retaining member upon movement of a non-chamfered axle into the axle bore, the retaining member shaped to prevent rotation with respect to the axle bore; and

a biasing element disposed within the conduit of the pin sleeve and configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore.

24. The hub assembly of claim 23, further comprising a restraining element configured to prevent the retaining member from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve.

25. The hub assembly of claim 23, wherein the retaining member includes a flat surface configured to prevent rotation of the retaining member within the pin sleeve.

26. The hub assembly of claim 23, wherein the retaining member comprises a pin.

27. The hub assembly of claim 23, wherein the hub assembly is mounted in a sleeve bore of a wheel.

28. The hub assembly of claim 27, wherein the wheel is secured to an axle of a refuse cart.

29. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the retaining member is shaped to transversely displace the retaining member upon movement of an axle into the axle bore.

30. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the retaining member is shaped to have a single rotational orientation with respect to the axle bore.

31. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the plug is mechanically coupled to the pin sleeve by interaction between a threaded surface of the plug and a threaded surface of the pin sleeve.

32. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the plug comprises a shoulder configured to engage the biasing element.

33. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the plug comprises a lip configured to engage the pin sleeve.

34. The hub assembly of claim 2, wherein the plug comprises a portion extending into the pin sleeve.

35. The method of claim 13, wherein mechanically coupling the restraining element includes adhering the plug to the pin sleeve.

36. A method of manufacturing a hub assembly, the method comprising:

forming a retainer housing including:

forming a wheel mounting sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle and configured to be inserted within the sleeve bore of the wheel; and

forming a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the sleeve axle bore, the first end including a shoulder extending into the conduit;

positioning a retaining member within the pin sleeve, the retaining member including a lip wider than the shoulder, the lip and the shoulder interacting to prevent the retaining member from exiting the first end of the pin sleeve;

positioning a biasing element in the pin sleeve to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore; and

occluding the second end of the pin sleeve, wherein occluding the second end of the pin sleeve includes mechanically coupling a restraining element comprising a plug proximate to the second end of the pin sleeve, thereby preventing the retaining member from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve at least prior to inserting the wheel mounting sleeve of the retainer housing into the sleeve bore of the wheel.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein mechanically coupling the restraining element includes ultrasonic welding the plug to the pin sleeve.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein mechanically coupling the restraining element includes heat welding the plug to the pin sleeve.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein mechanically coupling the restraining element includes mechanically forcing the plug into the pin sleeve.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein mechanically coupling the restraining element includes screwing the plug into the pin sleeve.

41. The method of claim 36, wherein mechanically coupling the restraining element includes adhering the plug to the pin sleeve.

42. A hub assembly comprising:

a retainer housing including:

a wheel mounting sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle and configured to be inserted within a sleeve bore of a wheel; and

a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the sleeve axle bore, the first end including a shoulder extending into the conduit;

a retaining member disposed within the pin sleeve, the retaining member including a lip wider than the shoulder, the lip and the shoulder interacting to prevent the retaining member from exiting the first end of the pin sleeve;

a biasing element disposed within the conduit of the pin sleeve and configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore, the retaining member configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle; and

a restraining element comprising a deformation in the pin sleeve, the restraining element configured to prevent the retaining member from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve at least prior to inserting the wheel mounting sleeve in a sleeve bore of a wheel.

43. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the deformation is in a single location.

44. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the deformation is in a plurality of locations.

45. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the deformation is all around the pin sleeve.

46. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the retainer housing includes a tool passageway proximate to the lip of the retaining member.

47. The hub assembly of claim 46, wherein the retainer housing includes a tamper-evident membrane over the tool passageway.

48. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the retaining member comprises a pin.

49. The hub assembly of claim 48, wherein the pin comprises metal.

50. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the biasing element comprises a spring.

51. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the biasing element abuts the restraining element.

52. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the retainer housing comprises plastic.

53. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the retainer housing includes a plurality of raised projections.

54. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the retainer housing includes a spacer extending from the wheel mounting sleeve.

55. The hub assembly of claim 54, wherein the spacer is integrally formed with the wheel mounting sleeve.

56. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein an end of the retaining member extending into the axle bore is chamfered.

57. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the retaining member includes a flat surface configured to prevent rotation of the retaining member within the pin sleeve.

58. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the retaining member is shaped to transversely displace the retaining member upon movement of an axle into the axle bore.

59. The hub assembly of claim 42, wherein the retaining member is shaped to have a single rotational orientation with respect to the axle bore.

60. A method of manufacturing a hub assembly, the method comprising:

forming a retainer housing including:

forming a wheel mounting sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle and configured to be inserted within the sleeve bore of the wheel; and

forming a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the sleeve axle bore, the first end including a shoulder extending into the conduit;

positioning a retaining member within the pin sleeve, the retaining member including a lip wider than the shoulder, the lip and the shoulder interacting to prevent the retaining member from exiting the first end of the pin sleeve;

positioning a biasing element in the pin sleeve to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore; and

occluding the second end of the pin sleeve, wherein occluding the second end of the pin sleeve includes deforming the pin sleeve, thereby preventing the retaining member from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve at least prior to inserting the wheel mounting sleeve of the retainer housing into the sleeve bore of the wheel.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein deforming the pin sleeve comprises heat deforming the pin sleeve.

62. The method of claim 60, wherein deforming the pin sleeve comprises forming a deformation in a single location.

63. The method of claim 60, wherein deforming the pin sleeve comprises forming a deformation in a plurality of locations.

64. The method of claim 60, wherein deforming the pin sleeve comprises forming a deformation all around the pin sleeve.

65. A hub assembly comprising:

a retainer housing including:

a wheel mounting sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle and configured to be inserted within a sleeve bore of a wheel; and

a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the sleeve axle bore, the first end including a shoulder extending into the conduit;

a retaining member disposed within the pin sleeve, the retaining member including a lip wider than the shoulder, the lip and the shoulder interacting to prevent the retaining member from exiting the first end of the pin sleeve;

a biasing element disposed within the conduit of the pin sleeve and configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore, the retaining member configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle; and

a restraining element comprising a disc inserted into a slot in the pin sleeve, the restraining element configured to prevent the retaining member from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve at least prior to inserting the wheel mounting sleeve in a sleeve bore of a wheel.

66. A hub assembly comprising:

a retainer housing including:

a wheel mounting sleeve including an axle bore configured to receive an axle and configured to be inserted within a sleeve bore of a wheel; and

a pin sleeve including a first end, a second end, and a conduit between the first end and the second end, the first end in fluid communication with the sleeve axle bore, the first end including a shoulder extending into the conduit;

a retaining member disposed within the pin sleeve, the retaining member including a lip wider than the shoulder, the lip and the shoulder interacting to prevent the retaining member from exiting the first end of the pin sleeve;

a biasing element disposed within the conduit of the pin sleeve and configured to bias the retaining member towards the axle bore, the retaining member configured to operatively engage a groove in an axle; and

a restraining element comprising a plurality of ledges extending into the pin sleeve, the restraining element configured to prevent the retaining member from exiting the second end of the pin sleeve at least prior to inserting the wheel mounting sleeve in a sleeve bore of a wheel.