Abstract: The present invention relates to a selectively attachable wheel cover for a motor vehicle. The invention comprises a base member, a shaft member, and a display member. The base member is secured to the rim of a motor vehicle. The shaft member is connected to an outer portion of the base member, extending substantially transverse from the rim and substantially co-linearly with the longitudinal axis of the axle. The display member is connected to the shaft member such that it can rotate in relation to the base member and, thus, the rim. A portion of the display member is sufficiently weighted such that, when the rim rotates (when the vehicle is in motion) the display member remains substantially static.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for attaching an ornamental overlay to a vehicle wheel by injecting adhesive foam through an aperture of the wheel and into a cavity formed between the wheel and the overlay. A first nest engages the outboard side of the wheel/overlay assembly to seal the inner periphery of the overlay, the valve stem opening of the overlay, the lug bolt receiving holes of the wheel, the pilot aperture of the wheel, and/or the valve stem opening of the wheel. A secondary nest engages the inboard side of the wheel/overlay assembly to seal the wheel apertures and a plurality of turbine openings in the overlay. A nozzle disposed within the secondary nest is adapted to inject the adhesive foam into the cavity through either a gap between the periphery of a wheel aperture and the periphery of a corresponding turbine opening in the overlay, through a straight or angled hole within a spoke, or through a groove within a spoke.

Abstract: A wheel upon which interchangeable components may be mounted to the change the appearance thereof, is provided. The wheel may include a base wheel skeleton including a rim, a hub and spokes. Each spoke may include threaded holes adjacent the rim. Additional threaded holes may be disposed generally around a periphery of the hub. A hub cap may be attachable to the wheel on a first side of the wheel and include mounting extensions for attachment of the hub cap to the threaded holes around hub. Skin elements may be attachable to the wheel and include holes for attachment of one end of the skin element to one of the threaded holes adjacent the connection of the spokes to the rim. The skin elements may further include an extension disposable under a portion of the hub cap for retention of another end of the skin element by the hub cap.

Abstract: An extensional hubcap docking structure. The structure includes anchoring mounts positioned on the back surface of a hubcap. Clip components are coupled onto the anchoring mounts, and elastic components are situated between each hubcap anchoring mount and clip component. When the hubcap is fully installed onto the wheel of a tire and the hubcap is subjected to an outward force that subsequently pulls the anchoring mounts, the elastic components compress and rebound such that the hubcap is kept safely and tightly positioned on the wheel rim.

Abstract: A wheel cover retention system for a wheel having a plurality of lug studs extending through the wheel. The wheel cover includes a base having an outboard surface and an inboard surface opposite the outboard surface, and also having lug towers formed integrally therein and projecting inboard from the inboard surface. The wheel cover includes thermal isolator itegrally fixed coaxially and apically to each of the lug towers, each lug stud extending through each lug tower and each thermal isolator. A lug nut threads to each lug stud to fasten the wheel cover between the wheel and a shoulder on the lug nut. The thermal isolator thermally isolates the base of the wheel cover from heat transfer from a brake component through the lug stud and nut.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a movable decorative member to be mounted on a rotatable wheel hub including a weighted mass having a mounting portion carrying a ball bearing disposed on a boss provided on a securement cap stud. The stud includes a threaded shaft engageable with the coupler or hub per se. The coupler is a flanged base or a base having radially projecting legs wherein either the flanged base or the radial legs are detachably connected with the hub. The bearing has a turning axis and the weighted mass decorative member is eccentric or off-center of the turning axis so that the decorative member downwardly depends from the bearing in a static appearing condition. A fixed, decorative member may be included which is secured to the hub so as to rotate therewith while the movable decorative member appears stationary.

Abstract: A wheel cover for a vehicle wheel has a holding device which is activated by a lateral pressing-on of the appropriately position wheel cover, to fix the wheel cover on the wheel body. The holding device is deactivated by another pressing-on of the wheel cover in the same direction, so that the wheel cover can then easily be removed from the wheel body. For this purpose, the holding device includes a connecting link path as well as a detent pin guided therein during the mounting of the wheel cover. During mounting of the wheel cover on the wheel body, the free end of the detent pin is guided in the connecting link path such that, a first pressing-on of the wheel cover causes it to arrive in a detent position in the connecting link path, while a second pressing-on changes it out of the detent position, into a connecting link path section by way of which the detent pin can be guided out of the connecting link path. The wheel cover can preferably be pressed onto the wheel body against a spring force.

Abstract: A wheel rim cover engagement device includes an engage ring and a steel ring. The engage ring is fixed in the recess of the flange of a wheel rim, and a wheel rim cover has its inner fastening members tightly clasp the engage ring and is fixedly assembled on the wheel rim, able to solve the problem that a wheel rim cover cannot directly be installed on the wheel rim of a large-size car because the radian of the flange of the wheel rim is too large and the inner circumferential edge of the wheel rim is too straight.

Abstract: A wheel upon which interchangeable components may be mounted to the change the appearance thereof, is provided. The wheel may include a base wheel skeleton including a rim, a hub and spokes. Each spoke may include threaded holes adjacent the rim. Additional threaded holes may be disposed generally around a periphery of the hub. A hub cap may be attachable to the wheel on a first side of the wheel and include mounting extensions for attachment of the hub cap to the threaded holes around hub. Skin elements may be attachable to the wheel and include holes for attachment of one end of the skin element to one of the threaded holes adjacent the connection of the spokes to the rim. The skin elements may further include an extension disposable under a portion of the hub cap for retention of another end of the skin element by the hub cap.

Abstract: An automobile spider wheel is made of aluminum alloys and has an outer face layer made of stainless steel. A process for manufacturing the automobile spider wheel includes working the stainless steel insert by a known press process based on side face shapes of an automobile wheel. Joining faces of the insert are treated roughly by sanding or brushing for joining with melted aluminum alloys. Protrusions are fixed on the joining faces of the insert in positions corresponding to rim support faces of the insert. The stainless steel insert is inserted in surface-to-surface relationship with a surface of a lower mold of a molding device with the protrusions projecting upwardly. The stainless steel insert is integrally molded-to the melted alloys to form the wheel by a known die casting process after closing the molding device.

Abstract: A wheel rim assembly includes a wheel rim and a wheel cover. The wheel rim assembly also includes a clip assembly for attaching a wheel cover to a wheel rim. The clip assembly includes a bracket portion and a base portion. The bracket portion affixes to the wheel cover. The base portion is a planar strip that is curved to conform and affix to an inner periphery of the wheel rim.

Abstract: A garnish light alloy wheel includes a light alloy wheel and a garnish. The light alloy wheel includes an outboard surface and a recess located at a portion of the light alloy wheel including a spoke portion. The recess recedes from the outboard surface of the light alloy wheel. The garnish is manufactured separately from the light alloy wheel and is exchangeably mounted to the light alloy wheel at the recess. The light alloy wheel and the garnish construct a design surface of the garnish light alloy wheel, and the garnish has an outboard surface constructing a portion of the design surface of the garnish light alloy wheel.

Abstract: A mud cap assembly for attachment to a wheel rim comprising a member expandable for forming interlocking engagement with a wheel rim, a cover having an outer surface to inhibit track material from accumulating thereon and a plurality of fasteners for temporarily securing the cover to the member so that track material impinging on the cover slides off the cover to inhibit the creation of an unbalanced condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a decorative tire sidewall shield cover that provides the tire sidewall (16) with added beauty and protection. The device is a substantially planar ring-like member having a central aperture (42) substantially of the same diameter as the wheel or hub (20) opening of the tire (18). The decorative sidewall shield can also have a centrally disposed flange or lip (30) that will be positioned between the tire rim (18) and wheel rim (20) being held in place by tire air pressure. In addition to an exterior shield for tires such as motor vehicles, the tire shield covers both sides of a tire, such as for a motorcycle. The material used would have abrasion resistance properties.

Abstract: A wheel covering apparatus for a heavy-duty vehicle is provided. The wheel covering apparatus includes a bracket that attaches to a wheel of the vehicle. The bracket has extending therefrom a guiding rod and a guiding barrel. The apparatus further includes a wheel cover and a wheel axle cover coupled thereto. The wheel cover is formed with an engagement hole and a guiding hole disposed in open communication with one another, such that the guiding hole may receive and transversely guide the guiding rod into engagement with the engagement hole. The wheel cover and wheel axle cover are secured to the bracket by a bolt passing therethrough to engage a threaded hole formed in the bracket.

Abstract: A retainer retains a wheel cover to the portion of the studs retaining a wheel to the hub of an axle, which extends beyond the lug nuts. The retainer has a metal retainer body with a planar upper and lower surface and a long end. Two arcuate portions are spaced along the long end and the metal body is beveled in the vicinity of the arcuate portions so that the arcuate portions will engage the threaded portions extending beyond the lug nuts for two adjacent studs.

Abstract: A wheel rim assembly including a wheel rim and a wheel cover is disclosed. The wheel rim assembly comprises a clip assembly for attaching a wheel cover to a wheel rim. The clip assembly includes a bracket portion and a base portion. The bracket portion affixes to the wheel cover. The base portion is a planar strip that is curved to conform and affix to an inner periphery of the wheel rim.

Abstract: A mounting assembly for a movable decorative member to be mounted on a rotatable wheel hub including a weighted mass having a mounting portion carrying a ball bearing disposed on a boss provided on a securement cap stud. The stud includes a threaded shaft engageable with the coupler or hub per se. The coupler is a flanged base or a base having radially projecting legs wherein either the flanged base or the radial legs are detachably connected with the hub. The bearing has a turning axis and the weighted mass decorative member is eccentric or off-center of the turning axis so that the decorative member downwardly depends from the bearing in a static appearing condition. A fixed, decorative member may be included which is secured to the hub so as to rotate therewith while the movable decorative member appears stationary.

Abstract: An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a wheel cover (16) secured to a vehicle wheel.

Abstract: Tim invention concerns a light alloy rim Im car wheels, consisting of a hub with a center hole and an external border or ring, which ends in a boundary edge. The rim is furnished with a covering element (6, 14) in stainless steel on at least one part of the front surface of the rim, this covering element (6, 14) being fixed in place by mechanically upsetting or chamfering it to at least one part of the rim.

Abstract: A plurality of elastic, deformable fixing pieces (22) the front end (22a) of each of which is engaged with a second curved concave part (16) of a rim (14), are disposed on the reverse side (21a) of a cover body (21) made of synthetic resin, and a plurality of engagement convex parts (23) that are engaged with engagement holes (26) of the fixing piece (22), respectively, and maintain a state in which the fixing pieces (22) are curved are disposed on the reverse side (21a) thereof. Each fixing piece (22) and each engagement convex part (23) that are the attaching elements of the wheel cover (20) are formed integrally with the cover body (21) made of synthetic resin, and all the wheel cover (20) is made of synthetic resin, and therefore recyclability can be improved. Additionally, since other members, such as wire rings, are not needed, weight saving can be achieved.

Abstract: A cover for a vehicle wheel having a drop center is generally complementary in shape to the wheel and has a plurality of connectors spaced around the inside surface thereof. Each connector has a moveable hook and an adjusting bolt. Rotation of the adjusting bolt in one direction extends the hook until it engages the shoulder in the cylindrical portion of the wheel formed by the drop center to thereby retain the cover to the wheel. Rotation of the adjusting bolt in the opposite direction withdraws the hook out of engagement with the shoulder such that the cover can be removed from or reinstalled to the wheel.

Abstract: A cover for light-metal wheels during protracted transport is provided by a round, closed, and inherently rigid film moulding which engages over the outer face of the light-metal rim beyond the rim flange in a surface-covering manner. The cover is positively fastened centrally in wheel-side recesses by elevations integrally formed in the film moulding. A centering bore, known per se, is utilized for a more secure central fastening of the film moulding to the vehicle wheel. The film moulding carries, in its center, a cylindrical extension which is pressed into the centering bore of the vehicle wheel. The inner surface of the centering bore may have a circumferential groove of preferably trapezoidal cross section. The cylindrical extension of the film moulding carries circumferentially a plurality of catch noses which correspond in axial position and cross-sectional shape to the wheel-side circumferential groove and engage positively into the latter.

Abstract: A wheel liner system for attaching a wheel liner to a wheel of a vehicle having a mounting surface and lug nuts engaging lugs adjacent the mounting surface. The wheel liner has an annular peripheral portion with an inner perimeter, and a center portion with a step sidewall extending from the inner perimeter to a plateau having a plurality of holes which receive the lug nuts. The plateau is preferably spaced from the mounting surface to position the plurality of holes adjacent corner portions of the lug nuts, which enables the wheel liner to transitionally contact and support the corner portions of the lug nuts during installation. Preferably the wheel liner is releasably secured to the wheel using a hub cover having a deck portion with at least two apertures and an outer skirt extending below the deck portion. The outer skirt matingly abuts and surrounds the step sidewall of the wheel liner to center the hub cover and the wheel liner relative to each other.