U.S. patent application number 09/730029 was filed with the patent office on 2001-11-29 for vehicle wheel cover retention system.
Invention is credited to Heck, Thomas E., Kemmerer, James H., Lumm, James A., Maloney, Michael V..
Application Number | 20010045769 09/730029 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 22752309 |
Filed Date | 2001-11-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010045769 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maloney, Michael V. ; et
al. |
November 29, 2001 |
Vehicle wheel cover retention system
Abstract
A vehicle wheel cover retention system wherein the outboard tire
bead seat retaining flange of the associated wheel includes a
unique construction for securing a wheel cover to the wheel. In
particular, the vehicle wheel includes a disc which defines an
outboard facing wheel surface and includes an outboard tire bead
seat retaining flange. The outboard tire bead seat retaining flange
includes an outer surface having a circumferential, radially
inwardly facing groove formed therein. A relatively thin wheel
cover (which may or may not conform to the exact contour of the
disc) covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel disc
surface. In particular, the wheel cover includes an outer annular
lip which extends into the groove.
Inventors: |
Maloney, Michael V.;
(Belleville, MI) ; Heck, Thomas E.; (Monroe,
MI) ; Lumm, James A.; (Whitmore Lake, MI) ;
Kemmerer, James H.; (Sweet Springs, MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MACMILLAN SOBANSKI & TODD, LLC
ONE MARITIME PLAZA FOURTH FLOOR
720 WATER STREET
TOLEDO
OH
43604-1619
US
|
Family ID: |
22752309 |
Appl. No.: |
09/730029 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09730029 |
Dec 5, 2000 |
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09473237 |
Dec 27, 1999 |
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6286908 |
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09473237 |
Dec 27, 1999 |
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08886264 |
Jul 1, 1997 |
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6007158 |
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08886264 |
Jul 1, 1997 |
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08389867 |
Feb 23, 1995 |
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5664845 |
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08389867 |
Feb 23, 1995 |
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08203058 |
Feb 28, 1994 |
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5435631 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
301/37.43 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60B 7/14 20130101; B60B
7/18 20130101; B60B 7/00 20130101; B60B 7/0013 20130101; B60B 7/063
20130101; B60B 7/065 20130101; B60B 7/004 20130101; B60B 7/02
20130101; B60B 7/066 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
301/37.43 |
International
Class: |
B60B 007/00 |
Claims
18. A method for securing a wheel cover to a vehicle wheel
comprising the steps of: +P1 (a) providing a vehicle wheel
including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange and a wheel
disc, the retaining flange and the wheel disc cooperating to define
an outboard surface of the vehicle wheel, the wheel disc having a
plurality of windows formed therein; +P1 (b) providing a wheel
cover having an outer surface and an inner surface, the wheel cover
having a styled configuration including selected portions which do
not closely follow the contour of the vehicle wheel outboard
surface, the wheel cover having a plurality of decorative openings
formed therein, at least some of the decorative openings formed in
the wheel cover defining an edge; +P1 (c) positioning the wheel
cover and the vehicle wheel relative to one another so that the
selected portions of the wheel cover inner surface are spaced apart
from the vehicle wheel outboard surface and the edge of the wheel
cover decorative openings extends slightly past an adjacent edge of
the wheel disc windows to effectively overlap the edge of the
windows; and +P1 (d) permanently securing the wheel cover to the
vehicle wheel by using an expandable foam adhesive which is applied
at least between the spaced apart surfaces of the selected portions
of the wheel cover inner surface and the vehicle wheel outboard
surface for contact therewith to thereby enable the expandable foam
adhesive to secure the wheel cover to the vehicle wheel.
19. The method according to claim 18 wherein at least some of the
decorative openings formed in the wheel cover corresponding to the
windows formed in the wheel disc.
20. The method according to claim 18 wherein the wheel cover
includes an outer peripheral portion which covers only a portion of
the retaining flange.
21. The method according to claim 20 wherein the wheel cover outer
peipheral portion which covers only a portion of the retaining
flange generally follows the contour of the vehicle wheel outboard
surface.
22. The method according to claim 20 wherein the uncovered portion
of the retaining flange is painted silver.
23. The method according to claim 18 wherein the wheel cover
includes an inner peripheral portion which extends toward but does
not cover a plurality of lug bolt holes formed in the wheel
disc.
24. The method according to claim 18 wherein the expandable foam
adhesive covers substantially an entire interface between the wheel
cover inner surface and the vehicle wheel outboard surface.
25. The method according to claim 18 wherein the wheel cover
includes an outer peripheral portion which is attached to the
retaining flange of the vehicle wheel by a mechanical lock.
26. The method according to claim 18 wherein the vehicle wheel is
constructed from steel.
27. The method according to claim 18 wherein the vehicle wheel is
constructed from aluminum.
28. The method according to claim 18 wherein the wheel cover outer
surface is chrome plated.
29. The method according to claim 18 wherein the vehicle wheel
includes a wheel rim and a wheel disc which are joined together by
a weld.
30. A method for securing a wheel cover to a vehicle wheel
comprising the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle wheel including an
outboard tire bead seat retaining flange and a wheel disc, the
retaining flange and the wheel disc cooperating to define an
outboard surface of the vehicle wheel, the wheel disc having a
plurality of windows formed therein; (b) providing a wheel cover
having an outer surface and an inner surface, the wheel cover
having a styled configuration including selected portions which do
not closely follow the contour of the vehicle wheel outboard
surface, the wheel cover having a plurality of decorative openings
formed therein, at least some of the decorative openings formed in
the wheel cover defining an edge, the wheel cover including an
outer peripheral portion which covers only a portion of the
retaining flange and an inner peripheral portion which extends
toward but does not cover a plurality of lug bolt holes formed in
the wheel disc, the wheel cover outer peripheral portion which
covers only a portion of the retaining flange generally following
the contour of the vehicle wheel outboard surface; (c) positioning
the wheel cover and the vehicle wheel relative to one another so
that the selected portions of the wheel cover inner surface are
spaced apart from the vehicle wheel outboard surface and the edge
of the wheel cover decorative openings extends slightly past the
adjacent edge of the wheel disc windows which extends slightly past
an adjacent edge of the windows to effectively overlap the edge of
the windows; and (d) permanently securing the wheel cover to the
vehicle wheel by using an expandable foam adhesive which is applied
at least between the spaced apart surfaces of the selected portions
of the wheel cover inner surface and the vehicle wheel outboard
surface for contact therewith to thereby enable the expandable foam
adhesive to secure the wheel cover to the vehicle wheel.
31. The method according to claim 30 wherein at least some of the
decorative openings formed in the wheel cover corresponding to the
windows formed in the wheel disc.
32. The method according to claim 30 wherein the uncovered portion
of the retaining flange is painted silver.
33. The method according to claim 30 wherein the expandable foam
adhesive covers substantially an entire interface between the wheel
cover inner surface and the vehicle wheel outboard surface.
34. The method according to claim 30 wherein the wheel cover
includes an outer peripheral portion which is attached to the
retaining flange by a mechanical lock.
35. The method according to claim 30 wherein the vehicle wheel is
constructed from steel.
36. The method according to claim 30 wherein the vehicle wheel is
constructed from aluminum.
37. The method according to claim 30 wherein the wheel cover outer
surface is chrome plated.
38. The method according to claim 30 wherein the vehicle wheel
includes a wheel rim and a wheel disc which are joined together by
a weld.
39. A method for securing a wheel cover to a vehicle wheel
comprising the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle wheel including a
wheel rim and a wheel disc joined together by a weld, the vehicle
wheel including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange which
cooperates with the wheel disc to define an outboard surface of the
vehicle wheel, the wheel disc having a plurality of windows formed
therein; (b) providing a wheel cover having a chrome plated outer
surface and an inner surface, the wheel cover having a styled
configuration including selected portions which do not closely
follow the contour of the vehicle wheel outboard surface, the wheel
cover having a plurality of decorative openings formed therein, at
least some of the decorative openings formed in the wheel cover
corresponding to the windows formed in the wheel disc and defining
an edge, the wheel cover including an outer peripheral portion
which covers only a portion of the retaining flange and an inner
peripheral portion which extends toward but does not cover a
plurality of lug bolt holes formed in the wheel disc, the wheel
cover outer peripheral portion which covers only a portion of the
retaining flange generally following the contour of the vehicle
wheel outboard surface; (c) positioning the wheel cover and the
vehicle wheel relative to one another so that the selected portions
of the wheel cover inner surface are spaced apart from the vehicle
wheel outboard surface and the edge of the wheel cover decorative
openings extends slightly past the adjacent edge of the wheel disc
windows to effectively overlap the edge of the windows; (d)
permanently securing the wheel cover to the vehicle wheel by using
an expandable foam adhesive which is applied at least between the
spaced apart surfaces of the selected portions of the wheel cover
inner surface and the vehicle wheel outboard surface for contact
therewith to thereby enable the expandable foam adhesive to secure
the wheel cover to the vehicle wheel.
40. The method according to claim 39 wherein at least some of the
decorative openings formed in the wheel cover corresponding to the
windows formed in the wheel disc.
41. The method according to claim 39 wherein the uncovered portion
of the retaining flange is painted silver.
42. The method according to claim 39 wherein the expandable foam
adhesive covers substantially an entire interface between the wheel
cover inner surface and the vehicle wheel outboard surface.
43. The method according to claim 39 wherein the wheel cover
includes an outer peripheral portion which is attached to the
retaining flange by a mechanical lock.
44. The method according to claim 39 wherein the vehicle wheel is
constructed from steel.
45. The method according to claim 39 wherein the vehicle wheel is
constructed from aluminum.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to vehicle wheels and, in particular,
to an improved vehicle wheel cover retention system.
[0002] Full or partial vehicle wheel covers of the removable type
are well known, and have been used for many years to enhance the
styling of conventional, stamped wheel discs. Also, it is known to
permanently secure a full or partial wheel cover to a vehicle wheel
using an adhesive material.
[0003] One example of a vehicle wheel construction wherein an
ornamental plastic wheel cover having a chrome-plated outer surface
is permanently secured to an outboard facing surface of a wheel is
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,669,501 to Derleth. In the Derleth
patent, the wheel cover includes an outer peripheral flange which
overhangs the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the
wheel, an inner peripheral flange which seats against an outboard
surface of a hub sleeve, and an intermediate portion which is
spaced outwardly from the face of the wheel. An expanding adhesive
material is applied to the outboard surfaces of the wheel. When the
adhesive material is expanded, it is operative to fill the void
between the wheel and the wheel cover to permanently secure the
wheel cover to the outboard face of the wheel.
[0004] Another example of a vehicle wheel construction having an
ornamental wheel cover permanently secured to an outboard facing
surface of the wheel is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,966 to
Oakey. In the Oakey patent, a cast aluminum wheel cover is secured
to a disc of a steel wheel using a-high density structural
adhesive.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention relates to a vehicle wheel cover retention
system wherein the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the
associated wheel includes a unique construction for securing a
wheel cover to the wheel.
[0006] In particular, the vehicle wheel includes a disc which
defines an outboard facing wheel surface and includes an outboard
tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard tire bead seat
retaining flange includes an outer surface having a
circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein. A
relatively thin wheel cover (which may or may not conform to the
exact contour of the disc) covers at least a portion of the
outboard facing wheel disc surface. In particular, the wheel cover
includes an outer annular lip which extends into the groove. The
groove functions, in part, to hide a peripheral edge of the cover.
Preferably, an adhesive material is applied to the outboard facing
wheel surface of the disc, and the cover is then pressed against
the adhesive covered to permanently secure the wheel cover to the
disc. Such a construction is especially advantageous when it is
desired to produce a "chrome plated" wheel. It has been found that
the cost of forming the cover, chrome plating the cover, and then
securing it to the disc is substantially less that plating a wheel
disc by a conventional process.
[0007] Other advantages of this invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of
the preferred embodiment, when read in light of the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an improved
vehicle wheel constructed in accordance with the present
invention
[0009] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the adhesive pattern for the
vehicle wheel illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a selected portion of
the vehicle wheel illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a selected
portion of the vehicle wheel illustrated in FIG. 3
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 3, and
showing an alternate embodiment of a vehicle wheel
construction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in FIG.
1 an exploded perspective view of an improved vehicle wheel,
indicated generally at 10, and constructed in accordance with the
present invention. The vehicle wheel 10 shown in this embodiment is
a full face fabricated type of wheel, and includes a rim 12, a full
face wheel disc 14, a wheel cover 16, and a cap 18. However, it
will be appreciated that the invention is applicable for used with
other wheel constructions. For example, the wheel can be a "bead
seat attached wheel" (such as shown in FIG. 4 of U.S. Pat. No.
5,188,429 to Heck et al.), a "well attached wheel" (such as shown
in FIG. 3 of U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,429 to Heck et al.), a one-piece
cast or forged alloy wheel (such as shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,078,453 to Siwek), or a wheel construction including a partial
rim and a full face wheel disc (such as shown in U.S. Pat. No.
5,027,508 to Cissell II), all of these patents incorporated herein
by reference.
[0014] The rim 12 is preferably painted black, and is a fabricated
rim constructed of steel, aluminum, or other alloy materials. The
rim 12 includes an inboard tire bead seat retaining flange 20, an
inboard tire bead seat 22, a generally axially extending well 24,
and an outboard tire bead seat 26.
[0015] The disc 14 is a forged, cast or fabricated disc constructed
of steel, aluminum, or other alloy materials, and includes a
generally centrally located wheel mounting surface 30, and an outer
annular flange 32. The wheel mounting surface 30 is provided with a
centrally located pilot aperture 34, and a plurality of lug bolt
receiving holes 36. The lug bolt receiving holes 36 receive lug
bolts and nuts (not shown) for securing the wheel 10 on an axle
(not shown) of a vehicle. The outer annular flange 32 of the disc
14 defines an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the wheel
10, and includes an outer surface 40 and an inner surface 42. The
disc 14 further includes a plurality of decorative openings or
windows 38. Preferably, the annular flange 32 is painted silver and
the rest of the disc 14 is painted black.
[0016] As shown in this embodiment, the cap 18 is secured to the
disc 14 by a plurality of fasteners 19 (only one fastener 19 being
illustrated). The fasteners 19 extend through openings 21 formed in
the cap, and are received in threaded openings 23 provided in the
wheel mounting surface 30 of the disc 14.
[0017] As best shown in FIG. 4, the annular flange 32 of the disc
14 defines a radially extending outer end surface 50, an axially
extending inner side surface 52, and an axially extending outer
side surface 54. To assemble the wheel 10, an outboard end 28 of
the rim 12 is positioned against the inner surface 42 of the disc
14 and a weld 44 is provided to join the disc 14 and rim 12
together as shown in FIG. 3.
[0018] In accordance with the present invention, the outer surface
40 of the disc 14 is provided with a circumferential, radially
inwardly facing groove or recess 46. Preferably, the groove 46 is
formed by a machining operation to predetermined specifications.
However, the groove 46 can be formed by other methods. For example,
the groove 46 can be formed by a stamping operation or a spinning
operation.
[0019] As best shown in FIG. 4, the groove 46 is defined by a first
surface 58 which extends in a generally axial direction, and a
second surface 56 which extends in a generally radial direction a
predetermined distance X. In particular, the surfaces, 58, and 56
are oriented at predetermined angles A and B, respectively,
relative to a reference line C which is generally parallel to the
wheel axis. The angle A is in the range of 0.degree. to 30.degree.,
and the angle B is in the range of 60.degree. to 120.degree..
Preferably, the angle A is approximately 20.degree., and the angle
B is approximately 90.degree.. As will be discussed below, the
distance X is selected so that an outer annular lip of the wheel
cover 16 is completely recessed within the groove 46.
[0020] The wheel cover 16 shown in this embodiment is preferably
formed from stainless steel having a thickness of approximately
0.020 inch, and is painted or chrome plated. The wheel cover 16 is
prefabricated to generally match the particular configuration of
the outboard facing surface of the disc 14. In particular, the
wheel cover 16 includes a plurality of openings 60 which correspond
to the windows 38 formed in the disc 14, and an enlarged central
opening 62.
[0021] The openings 60 in the cover 16 are preferably formed by a
stamping operation. As best shown in FIG. 3, edges 63 of the
openings 60 extend slightly past edges 39 of the windows 38. As a
result of this, when the cover 16 is secured to the disc 14, the
completely assembled wheel 10 of the present invention has the
appearance of a "chrome plated" wheel.
[0022] The cover 16 further defines an outer surface 64, an inner
surface 65, and an outer annular lip 65. The annular lip 66 of the
cover 16 defines an outer peripheral edge 68 which is preferably
slightly spaced from the adjacent second surface 56 of the groove
46 to form a gap 72 therebetween to accommodate small dimensional
changes in the outer edge 68 of the wheel cover 16; however, in
some instances, there may be some contact between the outer edge 68
of the cover 16 and the second surface 56 of the groove 46. Also,
the outer annular lip 66 of the cover 16 is prefabricated in such a
manner (as shown in phantom in FIG. 4) that, when the cover 16 is
positioned on the disc 14, inner surface 66A of the lip 66 is
biased outwardly against surface 58 of the groove 46. The outer
peripheral edge 68 of the cover 16 defines an inner circle 68A.
[0023] In order to permanently secure the cover 16 to the disc 14,
an adhesive 70, such as a two-part epoxy, is utilized. A suitable
epoxy is FUSOR 380/382 manufactured by Lord Corporation. As shown
in FIG. 2, the adhesive 70 is preferably applied on the outboard
face of the disc 14 in a predetermined pattern as represented by
the heavy lines consisting of an inner circle 70B, an outer circle
70A, and angled radial lines 70C.
[0024] The pattern of the adhesive 70 is selected so that when the
wheel cover 16 is positioned on the disc 14 and pressure applied
thereto, a smearing of the adhesive 70 over substantially the
entire outboard face of the disc 14 occurs. The adhesive 70
functions to permanently secure the cover 16 to the disc 14. Also,
since the adhesive 70 covers substantially the entire interface
between the cover 16 and the disc 14, it is effective to provide a
seal and prevent water, mud, and other debris from entering between
the cover 16 and the outboard facing surface of the disc 14.
[0025] The distance X of the second surface 56 of the groove 46 is
at least equal to the combined thicknesses of the wheel cover 16
and the adhesive material so that the inner circle 68A of the wheel
cover 16 is recessed relative to the inner side surface 52 of the
annular flange 32 of the disc 14. This effectively hides the outer
peripheral edge 68 of the cover 16. This is also important to
ensure that the wheel cover 16 does not interfere with the
attachment of a wheel balance weight 90 (as shown in FIG. 5)
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an alternate embodiment of a wheel cover
80 which is similar to the wheel cover 16 shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,
except that the wheel cover 80 has a styled configuration different
from the associated wheel disc. This enhances the styling of the
associated vehicle wheel as compared to the disc. It also enables
different styled covers to be used with a common disc.
[0027] In particular, the wheel cover 80 includes a predetermined
profile which positions an inner surface 82 thereof a substantial
distance from the outboard facing surface of the disc 14. In this
embodiment, an expandable foam adhesive material 84 is used to
permanently secure the cover 80 to the disc 14. Preferably, the
adhesive material 84 is applied to the outer surface of the disc 14
in a predetermined pattern so that when the adhesive material 84
expands, it covers substantially the entire interface between the
cover 80 and the disc 14. The adhesive material 84 functions to
permanently secure the cover 80 to the disc 14, and prevents water,
mud, and other debris from entering therebetween.
[0028] Also, the cover 80 includes an outer annular lip 86 which is
prefabricated and secured in a manner similar to that discussed
above with respect to the cover 14 of FIGS. 1-4.
[0029] It will be appreciated that while the invention has been
illustrated and described as having the wheel cover only a portion
of the outboard facing surface of the disc, other wheel cover
configurations are possible. For example, a wheel cover (not shown)
can be provided to cover substantially the entire outboard facing
surface of the disc.
[0030] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes,
the principle and mode of operation of this invention have been
described and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it
must be understood that the invention may be practiced otherwise
than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing
from the spirit or scope of the attached claims.
* * * * *