Abstract: The present invention provides a tool for forming an underground cast-in-situ pile having an enlarged base, the tool comprising: a first pile-forming member having a first base-forming member; a second pile-forming member having a second base-forming member, the pile-forming members extending collinearly and being movable in a longitudinal direction relative to one another between: a digging state wherein the base-forming members are proximate to one another so that the pile-forming members can be driven underground; and a base-forming state wherein the base-forming members are spaced from one another so as to form an underground void between the first and second base-forming members, the void being tillable with a flowable fill to form the enlarged base of the underground cast-in-situ pile; and jack screw means, rotation of which causes relative longitudinal movement between the pile-forming members.

Abstract: A surface shield for an underlying object is disclosed. The surface shield includes a first structure. The first structure has an inner surface and an outer surface. The outer surface includes a plurality of slots. The inner surface is in contact with an underlying surface to be protected. The first structure includes one of a single-part structure or a multi-part structure. The surface shield includes a plurality of clamps removably coupled to the slots of the first structure. Each clamp is coupled to a corresponding slot of the first structure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wheel cover for a vehicle. The wheel cover is supported to be relatively rotatable with rotation of a wheel having a tire attached to an outer periphery of the wheel. The wheel cover has a shape indicating a moving direction of a vehicle or a figure indicating the moving direction of the vehicle outward in a vehicle width direction, and is configured to be turned by an actuator such that, when the moving direction of the vehicle is changed, the shape or the figure indicates the moving direction of the vehicle.

Abstract: A wheel mounted display provides one or more presentations at one or more wheels of a vehicle. The presentations may provide advertising, informational, or other material, and are maintained in an upright position even while the vehicle is in motion. The wheel mounted display comprises a display showing one or more presentations may be rotatably attached to a wheel. A ballast is provided to aid in maintaining an upright position for the presentations. A mount allows attachment to a variety of wheels without requiring modification of the wheels.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes and teaches a wheel cover that is used to cover the disc portion of a vehicle wheel. The wheel cover has at least an inner plate and an outer shield, both of which are attached to the wheel disc by screwing bolts and bolt heads, ensuring secure attachment of the wheel cover. The inner plate and the outer shield are preferred to have gaps and openings that are overlapping with the wheel spoke gaps. Preferably, the wheel cover also includes a set of audio speakers that are positioned between the inner plate and the outer shield, or beneath the inner plate. In either case, the audio speakers are disposed within the gaps and openings of the wheel cover, allowing more satisfying sound effects. The outer shield may have a decorative side that has patterns, logos, or pictures printed or engraved thereon.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) is disclosed for covering a cavity (11) of a wheel of a long-haul tractor-trailer, truck or the like for decoration, streamlining, and/or advertising display. Such wheels have a face, a rim, the interior of the rim defining the cavity, a boss (30) on the rim having a relatively smaller diameter and spaced from the face. The disclosed method includes providing a device (10) comprising a generally flat cover portion sized to cover the outwardly facing opening of the wheel cavity, an opening through the device, and a releasable fastener (15) for selectively closing the opening through the device, and an attachment system (12) that is sized to extend axially across the boss of the wheel to the covered, accessing the attachment system through the opening, positioning the attachment system over the boss of the wheel by way of the opening, and closing the opening, such that the cover portion closes substantially all the outwardly facing opening of the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel cover assembly which includes a generally flat, circular wheel cover portion, an attachment assembly, and a manually releasable fastener selectively connecting the wheel cover portion to the attachment assembly, the wheel cover being predominately made from flexible laminar materials, the wheel cover portion comprising a mostly transparent window affixed to the manually releasable fastener, the window having an inwardly facing face which includes a flap for retaining a display card on the inside surface of the window.

Abstract: A universal wheel cover assembly for covering a variety of different vehicle's wheels. The universal wheel cover assembly comprises: (a) a covering disc sized to cover the vehicle's wheel, (b) a universal bolt pattern plate, the universal bolt pattern plate including (i) a series of sections, each of the sections having a plurality of engagement members, wherein the sections are adapted for matching a pattern of threaded rods welded on the vehicle's axle hub used for attaching the vehicle's wheel, and (ii) a retaining system for connecting the universal bolt pattern plate to the covering disc, and (c) a spring biasing base comprising of a plurality of coil units, each coil unit for coupling one bolt in the pattern of bolts to the engagement members of the universal bolt pattern plate. The removable wheel cover assembly may be used in a variety of different vehicle tire rims and is aesthetically pleasing.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel accessory includes a hub, a plurality of blades having ornamental designs on opposite surfaces thereof, a plurality of radially extending spokes, coupled to said hub by a hinged spoke coupler; a biasing device contained within each blade for biasing the blade toward said hub and yet permitting said blade to be pulled outwardly away from said hub, enabling each blade to be rotated about an associated spoke for causing a first design on a first side of a blade to be displaced by a second design on a second opposite side of said blade; and wherein a plurality of anti-rotation locking devices are coupled to said hub for preventing blade rotation when lower portions of associated blades remain seated therein.

Abstract: The present invention describes a non-rotating bicycle wheel display assembly that remains absolutely upright in relation to the rotation of a bicycle wheel and in relation to a parked bicycle wheel. The invention consists of a pair of disk assemblies mounted to both sides of a conventional bicycle wheel and in turn, to the front and rear of a bicycle frame. The disk assemblies are manufactured of a light weight inexpensive material that is formed to the convex shape of an outer surface of the bicycle wheel and includes a bearing assembly made of a high density, self lubricating plastic. A plastic retaining mechanism is secured to an outer disk and a bicycle frame member to hold the outer disk in an upright position at all times whether the bicycle is in motion or stationary.

Abstract: A wheel cover system comprising a first bearing element mountable to a vehicle's wheel or rim, and a second bearing element rotatable on the first element supportive of a wheel cover assembly that, when mounted to the vehicle, is non-symmetrical in appearance about a first vertical plane extending through the axis of rotation and containing the gravitational direction. The wheel cover itself is also non-symmetrical in shape and/or mass about a second plane extending through the pivot axis of the wheel cover and coincident with the first plane. Balance is provided by weights to the wheel cover on opposite sides of the second plane at differing radial distances from the center of rotation. The weights may differ in mass. In a currently preferred embodiment, the asymmetrical shape of a wheel cover is in the form of an indicium such as a number, alphabetic letter, abstract symbol, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a selectively attachable wheel cover for a motor vehicle. The invention comprises a base member and a display member. The base member is selectively secured to the vehicle rim and the display member is rotatably mounted relative to the base member such that it can rotate in relation to the base member and, thus, the vehicle rim. In one aspect, 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 hubcap spinning device is disclosed which utilizes the rotation of a vehicle wheel to turn a hubcap. The hubcap can turn at a different speed and a different direction than the rotation of the wheel. The hubcap uses a central sun gear that nrovides toruue to planetary gears and a ring rigidly connected to a rotatable hubcap. By using different gear ratios or number of gears, the direction and relative speed of the rotating hubcap may be changed.

Abstract: A wheel mountable car wheel cover provides a design element that is visible while the wheel is rotated. A circular rotation case has a liquid filled floating chamber. A bearing for mounting the rotation case to a wheel is provided on the rotation case. A disk-type design plate is disposed floating in the floating chamber, and a weight disposed on a lower side of the design plate causes the design plate to remain in a stable, upright position despite rotation of the rotation case. A surface of the rotation case is transparent such that a surface of the design plate is visible through the surface of the rotation case. Thus, a picture or logo disposed on the surface of the design plate is visible through the surface of the rotation case. In one embodiment, the rotation case is disposed within a protection case which is mountable on a wheel.

Abstract: An internal spinning system includes an annular attachment section having a front portion and a flange extending outwardly from the front portion in a substantially perpendicular manner. At least one bearing is coupled to the flange and extend outwardly therefrom in a substantially parallel manner. A back portion opposes the front portion, wherein the back portion and the front portion define a plurality of bolt holes.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel is provided that includes an image receiving area defined by a first surface of the wheel; and an image reflecting area defined by a second surface of the wheel that is disposed in close proximity to the image receiving area, wherein the image receiving area includes an image that is reflected by the image reflecting area into a line of sight of a viewer.

Abstract: A spoked wheel spinner (20) that is used on an automotive wheel (22) that includes an adapter plate (24) that is mounted onto the automotive wheel (22) with a spinner bearing (26) retained within the adapter plate. A spinner shaft (30) is positioned onto the bearing with a bladed spinner (38) attached onto the spinner shaft. This arrangement permits the bladed spinner (38) to freely rotate independent of the automotive wheel. A cap bearing (50) is located on the spinner shaft (30) with a non-rotating cap (52) interfacing with the cap bearing. The non-rotating cap (52) includes a counter-weight (60) on the bottom edge so that when the automotive wheel (22) is rotating, the cap remains in a relatively fixed position without rotating. A cover (64) having indicia is attached to the cap permitting writing, symbols, designs and the like to be displayed.

Abstract: A wheel rim device with patterned light capable of automatically generating electric power has a wheel rim, an automatic generating assembly, a rectifier/filter circuit, a circuit board, a programmable chip and several light emitting components. The automatic generating assembly is accommodated on an end face of a wheel axle of the wheel rim. The circuit board is disposed on a wheel spoke of the wheel rim. The rectifier/filter circuit, the programmable chip and the light emitting components are disposed on the circuit board. Input terminals of the rectifier/filter circuit are connected to lead out wires of the automatic generating assembly. The programmable chip has a power source terminal, a trigger terminal and several I/O terminals. The power source terminal is connected with the output terminal of the rectifier/filter circuit. Each of the I/O terminals is connected with one of the light emitting components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a wheel assembly for a motor vehicle. The wheel assembly includes a rim for a tire and a hub including a central portion and a connecting portion that radiates from the central portion to the rim. A plurality of lug holes are formed in a central portion of the hub through which lug studs pass when a rear side of the central portion is mounted against an axle hub of a motor vehicle. A functioning clock is mounted to a front side of the connecting portion of the hub to conceal the lug holes from view.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling an aperture in a wheel disposed on a vehicle is disclosed herein. A wheel insert and a combination wheel and wheel insert are disclosed. The wheel insert fits into an aperture in the wheel with the edge surface engaging the aperture snugly. The wheel insert and a front surface of the wheel may be aligned horizontally where they are joined. Fasteners may extend through apertures in the wheel insert and extend into orifices in the wheel to secure the wheel insert into the aperture. The method includes fitting the wheel insert into the aperture. The wheel insert is then secured into the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel cover for a vehicle wheel with a sprag clutch providing the connection to the cover so that the cover can overrun the wheel. A second clutch of the centrifugal type connects the sprag clutch to the vehicle wheel so that at elevated speeds the cover is not driven by the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel cover having an emblem plate for automobiles wherein the emblem plate is designed such that it is maintained at an upright position regardless of a rotation of the remaining part of the wheel cover along with the wheels of an automobile. The wheel cover includes a central depression formed at the center of the wheel cover, with a bearing mounted at the center of the rear surface of the depression. An emblem plate is rotatably set in the central depression such that the rotating shaft is inserted into the bearing. A balance weight is attached to the lower portion of the rear surface of the emblem plate. A rotor is rotatably mounted to the center of the rear surface of the weight. This rotor thus almost completely prevents a rotation of the emblem plate. The wheel cover of this invention allows observers to clearly recognize the emblem, symbol, message or figure formed on the emblem plate during rotation of the wheels.

Abstract: A hub cap (3) with a picture for a rim (2) of a wheel of a vehicle comprises a housing connected to the rim (2) and a disc connected rotatably to the housing (4). The picture is arranged on the side of the disc (5) remote from the housing. The rotatable connection between the housing and the disc is formed by a pivot pin (6) which is received rotatably in a pivot hole. A mass is connected to the disc at a distance from the pivot pin. The mass (11) is connected to the disc for pivoting on a first shaft parallel to the pivot pin, so that the stabilizing effect of the mass (11) on the disc works better during rotation of the rim.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel ideal for buggy, stroller, carriage, tricycle, dolly buggy, and the like, having a wheel rim mounted on a wheel axle and holding an outer tire, movable parts mounted on an inner table suspended in the wheel rim, and a cartoon-Figured wheel cover fixedly fastened to the inner table. When the vehicle goes forward, the cartoon Figured wheel cover doesn't move at all, on the contrary, the Figure's eyes, nose, and ears start to swing.