Abstract: A breakaway mirror assembly includes a housing forming a cavity therein. The housing has an opening in an end thereof. An applique is fixedly coupled to the door of an automotive vehicle. A pairs of springs has one end mounted to the applique on a pair of spring mounts. The other end of springs extend into the housing through the opening in the housing. An elongated bracket is connected to the opposite end of each spring. The spring force applied to the housing through the bracket holds the housing to the applique during operation of the automotive vehicle.

Abstract: A wheel trim assembly including a plurality of radial extending spoke members is characterized by a plate integrally formed from a polymeric material and includes an arrangement disposed between the plate and vehicle wheel for inhibiting rotation of a lock nut centrally of the plate the nut adapted to releasably engage a threaded spindle from the vehicle wheel to retain the plate thereto, and a spoke retention arrangement for captivating the inward radial ends of a first and second plurality of spoke members, respectively, on a first and second axial layer. The outer retention contemplates a separate lock collar being insertably, nonrotatably captivated within a central plate opening and the integral arrangement for inhibiting rotation of the lock nut rotatably disposed therewithin.

Abstract: A rocker arm is formed from a unitary sheet metal material with a unitary journal and pad with selective welds to provide rigidity.

Abstract: A wheel trim assembly including a plurality of radial extending spoke members is characterized by a plate integrally formed from a polymeric material and includes an arrangement disposed between the plate and vehicle wheel for inhibiting rotation of a lock nut centrally of the plate the nut adapted to releasably engage a threaded spindle from the vehicle wheel to retain the plate thereto, and a spoke retention arrangement for captivating the inward radial ends of a first and second plurality of spoke members, respectively, on a first and second axial layer. The center retention contemplates a separate lock collar being insertably, nonrotatably captivated within a central plate opening and the integral arrangement for inhibiting rotation of the lock nut rotatably disposed therewithin.

Abstract: A wheel trim assembly including a plurality of radial extending spoke members is characterized by a spoke retention plate integrally formed from a polymeric material for gripping the inward radial ends of a first and second plurality of spoke members, respectively, on a first and second axial layer in a secure manner so as to inhibit annoying noise-generating vibration as well as to securely retain the center hub assembly, spokes and outer ring in assembled relationship. The center retention contemplates a separate lock collar being insertably, nonrotatably captivated within a central plate opening and the integral arrangement for inhibiting rotation of the lock nut rotatably disposed therewithin.

Abstract: A wheel trim removeable engaging a wheel rim including an annular fiberglass band having a first end disposed in a groove of the wheel trim and a second end extending axially inwardly therefrom toward the wheel rim and including a hook portion for removeably engaging the safety groove of the rim flange to releasably retain the wheel trim on the wheel rim.

Abstract: A decorative wheel cover for disposition at the outer side of a wheel includes an annular skirt for disposition adjacent to an annular flange of the vehicle wheel, and resilient means connected to the skirt and configured for 360.degree. resilient nonslipping sealing engagement with the annular flange when disposed thereagainst whereby to eliminate any axial gap therebetween and resist or inhibit possible relative rotation thereof.

Abstract: An improved wheel trim retention system which may incorporate anti-theft features is disclosed herein which incorporate both an easily fabricated assembly for effectively preventing relative rotation between the wheel trim and associated vehicle wheel as well as providing an improved arrangement for aiding in centering and spacing of the outer periphery from the adjacent vehicle wheel structure so as to avoid annoying rattling noises emanating therefrom. The spacer centering members are particularly suited to accommodate situations wherein a single wheel trim is intended to be fitted to vehicle wheels fabricated from either aluminum or steel and incorporates a multi-position centering spacer member which is adapted to engage the adjacent annular flange portion of the vehicle wheel which may be positioned at different distances from the trim member.

Abstract: A wheel trim retention system is disclosed herein which incorporates an anti-rotation clip which is adapted to be secured to the peripheral portion of a wheel trim and to cooperatingly engage portions of a vehicle wheel so as to prevent relative rotation between the wheel trim and the vehicle wheel. The anti-rotation clip comprises first and second portions each of which are adapted to engage and be compressed between generally opposed surfaces of the vehicle wheel whereby the force of engagement of one of these surfaces with the vehicle wheel is increased by the action of the engagement of the other of these surfaces within an opposed portion of the vehicle wheel. The first of these portions includes circumferentially spaced radially outwardly turned end portions which are adapted to engage a radially inwardly facing surface of the vehicle wheel so as to inhibit relative rotation between the trim member and wheel.

Abstract: A wheel trim assembly is described having an annular wheel trim member which is removably attached to a central hub member by a centrally located fastener or bolt. The central hub member is adapted to attach to an associated wheel. The annular trim member has a central aperture having a removable cover member disposed therein to conceal the centrally located fastener or bolt from casual view. Also disclosed is a locking bolt which has an outer face with a groove therein adapted to receive a corresponding projection of a wrench to effect rotation thereof and which is maintained in aligment by a bolt retainer located in the interior of the trim member. Several arrangements for preventing rotation of the trim member relative to an associated wheel are also disclosed.

Abstract: An improved wheel trim construction is disclosed herein which is particularly well suited for fabrication of simulated wire wheel trim of the floating center design. The wheel trim of the present invention requires assembly of only four components which assembly is further facilitated by the provision of integrally formed fastening arrangements which cooperate to provide a secure rattle-free wheel trim assembly.

Abstract: An improved construction and method of assembly for forming a simulated wire wheel trim is disclosed herein which employs axially inner and outer spoke retainer plate members which are secured together subsequent to assembly of spoke members thereto and operate to securely clamp the spoke members therebetween. The axially outer spoke retainer plate member is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings which are designed to loosely receive the radially inner ends of the spoke members before the radially outer ends thereof have been inserted in the openings provided in the outer ring assembly.

Abstract: A simulated wire wheel trim for a vehicle wheel is disclosed which requires assembly of only three basic members yet still provides a very realistic appearing interleaved spoke pattern. The wheel trim includes an outer hub member having a plurality of integrally formed spokes, an inner hub member also having a plurality of spokes integrally formed therewith, the outer ends of which are interconnected by an annular flange portion and an annular ring member to which the annular flange portion and other spoke ends are connected. A suitable retention system for retaining the wheel trim on a vehicle wheel may also be attached to the annular ring member. The wheel trim is particularly designed to be fabricated from polymeric compositions so as to provide a very lightweight yet realistic appearing simulated wire wheel trim.

Abstract: An improved center retention system for a wheel trim is disclosed which includes an improved anti-rotation assembly for preventing relative rotation of both the wheel trim and the center securing member with respect to the lock bracket secured to the vehicle wheel. In one embodiment, a plurality of trim engaging clips are secured to the lock bracket and a separate spring biased retainer assembly is provided on the trim member to prevent rotation of the center securing fastener. In another embodiment the clips are replaced by a washer element which includes a plurality of arms engageable with the wheel trim to prevent relative rotation between the trim and the lock bracket. Several alternative arrangements for preventing relative rotation of the center securing fastener with respect to the lock bracket are also disclosed.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a novel retention for retaining wheel trim on the outer face of a vehicle wheel. The invention is especially adaptable for use with wheel trim made of plastic or the like. The retention comprises specially designed spring clips which consist of both a spring portion and a tab portion, the tab portion being inserted and permanently secured in slots on the underside of said wheel trim.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a novel wheel trim retention for retaining wheel trim on the outer face of a vehicle wheel. The invention is especially adaptable for use with wheel trim made of plastic or the like. The retention system comprises specially designed spring clips which contain two members attached to a base portion which limit the radial and circumferential movement of the clip relative to the wheel trim, and a terminal portion which extends radially inwardly to limit the axial movement of the clip and help retain the clip on the wheel trim.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a wheel trim retention for securely and removably attaching a wheel trim member to a vehicle wheel comprising a retention band having a plurality of clip members secured to the wheel facing side thereof each of which has a pair of tooth carrying arms which are adapted to bitingly engage a portion of the wheel so as to form a primary retention arrangement. The retention band may also be provided with an annular or localized radially outwardly extending protrusion which is adapted to engage a safety groove provided on the wheel in response to the distortion of the retention band caused by the forces generated by the engagement of the toothed members with another portion of the wheel thereby providing a secondary mechanically interlocking retention.