The parties and the patent
The case is Howmet Aerospace Inc. v. Accuride Corporation, No. 1:26-cv-01301 (D. Del.). Howmet asserts one patent, U.S. Patent 11,738,595, titled Vehicle Wheels, Methods of Making Vehicle Wheels, and Dual Wheel Assemblies, which issued on August 29, 2023. The complaint says both companies are Delaware corporations, with Howmet based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Accuride, on information and belief, based in Livonia, Michigan, and it rests venue on Accuride's Delaware incorporation. The complaint says Howmet sells wheels with what it calls vHub Bore Technology, which reduces the hub-to-wheel contact area.
What the patent covers
Claim 1 covers a vehicle wheel with a generally cylindrical first region and a second region that extends radially inward to mount to a vehicle axle. The second region has a thickness between two surfaces, an opening for the axle hub, and a hub surface around the opening that extends from one surface to the other. That hub surface has a first portion that engages the axle hub and a relief portion that surrounds the opening, abuts at least one of the two surfaces, and extends along the hub surface for at least 25% of the thickness.
What the complaint alleges
The accused product is the Accu-Lite 22.5 x 8.25 38# Tubeless Aluminum Wheel, product number 43644, and any wheels with the same or similar structure. The complaint alleges, on information and belief, that Accuride copied Howmet's vHub wheels. The complaint quotes Accuride's 2026 catalog describing a "chamfered hub design" and points to photographs of the hub bore as the claimed relief portion. Count I alleges direct infringement under 35 U.S.C. 271(a), induced infringement under 271(b), and contributory infringement under 271(c), with knowledge pleaded from the filing of the complaint, and it alleges willfulness on information and belief.
Howmet asks for a judgment of direct and indirect infringement, a permanent injunction, an accounting of damages including lost profits, damages under 35 U.S.C. 284 of up to three times the amount found, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, and costs and attorneys' fees under 35 U.S.C. 285. It demands a jury.
What it means
This is a single-claim, single-product case between two wheel makers, and a central question is whether the chamfer on the 43644 wheel is a relief portion that runs at least 25% of the mounting-plate thickness, as claim 1 requires. The complaint's photographs show a measured thickness of 0.757 inches and a relief portion of 0.2485 inches, about 33% of the thickness. The complaint identifies no pre-suit notice letter, so its willfulness allegation, made on information and belief, rests as pleaded on conduct after the complaint was filed.
What to watch next
Watch for Accuride's answer or motion to dismiss, any inter partes review petition against claim 1, and whether Howmet adds other Accuride part numbers.