Including Resilient Securing Means Patents (Class 301/37.31)
  • Patent number: 11472227
    Abstract: An improved snap-on automotive wheel cover overlay with extended surround having hook-shaped members for the purpose of securing the wheel cover overlay of the present invention to a damaged manufacturer's wheel cover. The wheel cover overlay of the present invention is further secured by inserting a tension rotation device from the reversed position of a tire into a manufactured in wheel cover overlay tension tabs assembly, and having an extended surround covering the entire rim of a vehicle when installed there on. During manufacturing of the present invention, a three dimensional (3D) scanned imaging of the individual embodiment component parts is generated, after rigorous testing, and is transferred to an injection molding computer to generate the injection molding designed precisely corresponding to each individual component parts of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Neo Design, LLC
    Inventor: Naje Fattouche
  • Patent number: 10865964
    Abstract: A trim assembly adapted to be mounted in an engaged assembly includes a spring fixing part and a first contact spring. The spring fixing part protrudes from a trim base of the trim assembly and adapted to be inserted into a containing part of the engaged assembly. The first contact spring is connected to the spring fixing part and adapted to abut on an inner wall of the containing part. The first contact spring includes a connecting part, an abutting part, and an extending arm. The connecting part is connected to the spring fixing part. The abutting part bends from a terminal of the connecting part and extends to form a first abutting face. The extending arm has a second abutting face and extends from a side of the first abutting face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: AMLINE PRODUCTS LTD.
    Inventor: Shu-Hsiang Cheng
  • Patent number: 10661601
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel trim is provided which includes a disc (1) and provisions for fastening the disc (1) to a wheel of a vehicle. The provisions for fastening the disc (1) to the wheel include a plurality of magnets (2) that can be fastened to screws (7) that fasten the wheel to the vehicle. Each of the magnets (2) is placed on the inside of a housing (3) and is associated with a fastening element (4, 4b, 4c, 4d) for fastening the magnet (2) to said housing (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: ZANINI AUTO GRUP, S.A.
    Inventors: August Mayer Pujadas, Guillem Domínguez Santaló, Marçal Mascaró Hereza
  • Patent number: 9770941
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a wheel cover assembly for a wheel assembly of a vehicle. The wheel cover assembly can include a bracket configured to be mounted onto the wheel assembly, an outer ring configured to be coupled with the bracket, and an inner cover removably couplable with the outer ring. The inner cover can comprise at least one attachment mechanism having a spring element, a catch and a handle, where the spring element can bias the catch to engage with the bracket or the outer ring to removably secure the inner cover to the outer ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Lund, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent L. Rose, William Franklin Bibb
  • Patent number: 8851577
    Abstract: There is provided a cap attachment structure, including: a cap that is attached to a wheel of a vehicle; a first elastic deformation portion that is provided at the cap, the first elastic deformation portion being elastically deformed and engaging with the wheel while the cap is attached to the wheel; and a second elastic deformation portion that is provided at the cap, the second elastic deformation portion not being elastically deformed while the cap is attached to the wheel, and the second elastic deformation portion being elastically deformed by engaging with the wheel when the cap is detached from the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Satoshi Onishi
  • Patent number: 8677623
    Abstract: A wheel trim adapter adapted to be securely affixed to the wheel of a vehicle without the use of tools, wherein the adapter can be used in a system for affixing a wheel trim or wheel cover to said vehicle, and methods for using same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: J A E Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Rayburn, John Samuel Coons, Ron Jackson, Bobby Atkins, Michael Rushing
  • Patent number: 8454213
    Abstract: A decorative lighting device, adapted to be installed onto wheel rim of vehicle, includes a telescopically fixing mechanism and a light-emitting assembly connected thereon. The light-emitting assembly includes a lid plate and a plurality of light-emitting units fixed thereto. The telescopically fixing mechanism includes a support seat, a clipping-and-abutting plate connected fixedly to the support seat, a plurality of telescopic links, one end of each of which is accommodated between and pivoted to the support seat and the clipping-and-abutting plate, and another end of each of which is wedged by being fixed in a central hole of the wheel ring when extended outwardly, and a rotating wheel pivoted to the support seat and capable of driving the telescopic links to make actions of shrinking inwardly or extending outwardly. Thereby, it is possible to simplify the manner of installing a decorative lighting device or a light-emitting assembly onto a wheel rim, without doing any machining process thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Inventor: Rocky Yi-Ping Lin
  • Patent number: 8276992
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventor: Greg Smith
  • Publication number: 20120212035
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventor: Jonathan E. Fleck
  • Patent number: 8201894
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly includes a vehicle wheel having an outer surface, and a wheel cladding having an outer surface, an inner surface facing the outer surface of the wheel, and at least one aperture extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The vehicle wheel assembly further includes a trim insert assembly that includes a first member that abuts the outer surface of the wheel cladding substantially proximate the at least one aperture of the wheel cladding, and at least one first portion of a coupler, and a second member including an outer surface having an aesthetic outer appearance, and at least one second portion of a coupler, wherein the first portion of the coupler and the second portion of the coupler are coupled with one another, thereby securing the trim insert within the aperture of the wheel cladding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Chinavare, Harvey D. Hammond
  • Publication number: 20110291464
    Abstract: There is provided a cap attachment structure, including: a cap that is attached to a wheel of a vehicle; a first elastic deformation portion that is provided at the cap, the first elastic deformation portion being elastically deformed and engaging with the wheel while the cap is attached to the wheel; and a second elastic deformation portion that is provided at the cap, the second elastic deformation portion not being elastically deformed while the cap is attached to the wheel, and the second elastic deformation portion being elastically deformed by engaging with the wheel when the cap is detached from the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha Tokai-Rika-Denki-Seisakusho
    Inventor: Satoshi ONISHI
  • Publication number: 20110291463
    Abstract: A wheel rim protective structure has a closed ring made of a semi-rigid durable plastic material. A plurality of spaced apart durable curved metal clips extend from the inner edge of the ring and are oriented to insert between the tire and rim. Each clip has a number of unidirectional barbs that facilitate installation but resist unwanted extraction by engaging the tire portion. Knurling on the opposite side provides more static friction against the wheel surface. The metal clips also provided a situs for a low profile fastener to allow other structures to be attached to the ring such as decorative panels, lights, flags streamers, or other decorative or counterbalancing structures. The ring and clips can be made from a unitary piece of injection molded material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: December 1, 2011
    Inventors: Slobodan Milicevic, Srdjan Markovic
  • Patent number: 7997662
    Abstract: A rim shield device for covering a rim of a tire featuring a circular base having a raised side along its outer edge; a plurality of channels disposed on the base extending radially from the center to the raised side; a cable disposed in each channel, the second end of each cable extends out of its respective channel; a hook disposed on the second end of each cable; and a tightening system comprising a spring-loaded button disposed in the center of the base, the first ends of each of the cables are engaged in the spring-loaded button, the spring-loaded button can move between an in position and an out position, an inner spring of the spring-loaded button biases the spring-loaded button in the out position, wherein in the out position the cables are effectively shortened in length and in the in position the cables are effectively lengthened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Inventor: Joseph A. Babineaux, Sr.
  • Publication number: 20110101766
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel assembly includes a vehicle wheel having an outer surface, and a wheel cladding having an outer surface, an inner surface facing the outer surface of the wheel, and at least one aperture extending between the outer surface and the inner surface. The vehicle wheel assembly further includes a trim insert assembly that includes a first member that abuts the outer surface of the wheel cladding substantially proximate the at least one aperture of the wheel cladding, and at least one first portion of a coupler, and a second member including an outer surface having an aesthetic outer appearance, and at least one second portion of a coupler, wherein the first portion of the coupler and the second portion of the coupler are coupled with one another, thereby securing the trim insert within the aperture of the wheel cladding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2009
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventors: Kevin M. Chinavare, Harvey D. Hammond
  • Publication number: 20100301661
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel cover retention system comprises a wheel defining an axis and formed from a suitable material and including a wheel rim and a wheel disc. The wheel disc includes a generally centrally located wheel mounting surface and an outer annular portion which defines an outboard face. The wheel disc has a generally radially outwardly extending retention groove formed in a generally axially extending portion of the inner mounting surface thereof. The wheel cover is formed from a suitable material and includes an inner surface, an outer surface and an inner portion having a central opening. The inner portion is provided with at least one wheel cover retention member. The at least one wheel cover retention member provided with at least one tab. A center cap is provided and is formed from a suitable material and includes at least one center cap retention member. The at least one center cap retention member provided with at least one tab.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Inventors: Thomas E. Heck, Douglas P. Mason, David Frankling, Rick Wyatt
  • Patent number: 7806484
    Abstract: The removable wheel protector apparatus has a round flat disc with a plurality of spaced apart covered clips affixed to the perimeter. The handle is disposed in the center of the disc. The bottom perimeter of the disc features a rubberized seal. The apparatus is pushed onto and pulled off of a wheel and removably held via the clips. The suction cup further aids in retention of the cover on the wheel. The apparatus provides a hands-free seal against invasion of any foreign substance, including water. Edges of various apparatus components are coated or rounded to ensure against scratching any surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Roy K. Young
  • Publication number: 20100231029
    Abstract: The present invention comprises an affixment system for securing wheel cladding to a vehicle wheel, with the wheel including a hub and a plurality of radial spokes extending between the hub and a wheel rim. Each wheel spoke includes at least one aperture for seating a mushroom head expansion clip mounted to the inner face of corresponding spokes of the wheel cladding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Publication date: September 16, 2010
    Inventor: Martin Russell
  • Publication number: 20100194181
    Abstract: An aftermarket custom engineered deep lip wheel cover in any design, that mates with a custom engineered aftermarket metal wheel that fits most passenger cars, light trucks, and SUV, or golf cart type vehicles. A painted metal wheel custom engineered to jointly except a custom engineered deep lip ABS plastic wheel cover. The wheel cover is designed and contoured to fit exclusively on to the custom engineered metal wheel using a plastic cap, screws, molded attachment clips, magnets, and a special bead system on the lip portion of the wheel cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Frank Noriega
  • Patent number: 7753815
    Abstract: A bicycle chain wheel assembly is provided with a chain wheel and a chain wheel cover. The chain wheel has a central mounting portion and an outer gear with a plurality of outer gear teeth. The chain wheel cover is disposed on an exteriorly facing side of the chain wheel. The chain wheel cover has a mounting portion coupled to the chain wheel and an outer peripheral portion with a chain drop prevention protrusion projecting outwardly from the outer peripheral portion at a location that is radially inward of the outer gear teeth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Shimano Components (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
    Inventors: Muhd Àdi Saifuddin, Noor Adian Bin Mohsin, Masahiro Hanatani
  • Patent number: 7651171
    Abstract: A cap assembly for a wheel including a cup-shaped cap member having a plurality of annular ridges disposed around a circumference thereof, and a retainer ring having a plurality of axially extending flange portions disposed around a circumference thereof. The retainer ring is slidably coupled to the cup-shaped member, the axially extending flange portions are angled relative to a position normal to the ring, and the plurality of axially extending flange portions correspond to the plurality of annular ridges. When the cap assembly is inserted into the wheel, the retainer ring slides along the cup-shaped member and the annular ridges force the axially extending flange portions to the position normal to the ring to attach the flange portions to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Chrysler Group LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Kinslow, Jack H. Preston, Trevor L. Enge, Edward G. Bajek, Paul J. Leibold, Dave Slone, Eric Krupitzer
  • Publication number: 20090284070
    Abstract: This invention relates to an interlocking method and its structure for wheel-rim cover, which mainly has a wheel-rim body and a wheel-rim cover body. A plurality of engaging seats is integrally formed along the peripheral edge at the rear side of the wheel-rim cover body. Each engaging seat is pivotally contacted with an interlocking block. When the interlocking blocks are rotated with the pivotal contact portions as the axis and the other ends of the interlocking blocks pass through the horizontal radial line of the axis, both ends of each interlocking block will abut tightly against the wheel-rim body and the wheel-rim cover body respectively in view of the length between both ends of each said interlocking block being made to be larger than the vertical distance from the engaging groove of the wheel-rim body to the inside edge of the pivotal contact end of the interlocking block and the wheel-rim cover body. In this manner, the wheel-rim cover body can be stably inserted and fixed in the wheel-rim body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Chen-Chun Chen
  • Patent number: 7611211
    Abstract: A wheel cover attachment system including a cover for a wheel wherein the wheel includes a plurality of wheel fasteners and a valve stem. The cover comprises a cover circumference, cover axis, an exposed side simulating a wheel, an attachment side opposite the exposed side, at least one cover fastener, and at least one attachment bracket. The attachment bracket is removeably secured to the attachment side and includes a post shaped to accept the cover fastener, first and second concavities, and at least one biasing armature. Each concavity is shaped to accept one of the wheel fasteners and the biasing armature is shaped to engage one of the wheel fasteners in the first concavity and secure the bracket to one of the wheel fasteners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Phoenix USA, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry L. Roberts
  • Publication number: 20090021071
    Abstract: A cap assembly for a wheel including a cup-shaped cap member having a plurality of annular ridges disposed around a circumference thereof, and a retainer ring having a plurality of axially extending flange portions disposed around a circumference thereof. The retainer ring is slidably coupled to the cup-shaped member, the axially extending flange portions are angled relative to a position normal to the ring, and the plurality of axially extending flange portions correspond to the plurality of annular ridges. When the cap assembly is inserted into the wheel, the retainer ring slides along the cup-shaped member and the annular ridges force the axially extending flange portions to the position normal to the ring to attach the flange portions to the wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2007
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Inventors: Kenneth A. Kinslow, Jack H. Preston, Trevor L. Enge, Edward G. Bajek, Paul J. Leibold, Dave Slone, Eric Krupitzer
  • Patent number: 7472966
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Static Media Group, LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Goodman, Mark J. Sampson, Anthony J. DoVale, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7467829
    Abstract: An attachment system including an attachment sleeve or attachment arm is provided for attaching a wheel cover, or wheel trim to a vehicle. The attachment sleeve attaches to a nut present on the vehicle. The arm located within the axle housing of the wheel cover provides a compression fitting against parts of the rear hub of a vehicle. It is by compression engagement that the attachment sleeve or arm provides attachment of the wheel cover to the vehicle. Also disclosed is an attachment system kit and method of use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Inventors: James P. Wright, Barry L Roberts, Timothy L Bates
  • Publication number: 20080309151
    Abstract: A wheel barrier assembly is disclosed for creating a physical barrier between a wheel hub, a wheel and a plurality of lugs securing the wheel to the wheel hub. The wheel barrier assembly may include a plate extending between the wheel hub and the wheel to insulate the wheel from the wheel hub. The wheel barrier assembly may also include a plurality of collets extending through the wheel and secured to the plate to insulate the wheel from the lugs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 18, 2008
    Applicant: GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Richard M. Kleber, Ravi Verma
  • Patent number: 7452037
    Abstract: An alloy vehicle wheel (20) that includes a mating wheel cover (22), with the wheel consisting of a centrally located hub (24), a rim (26), and a number of integral spokes (28) attached to both the hub and rim. Slots (30) are incorporated into the spokes of the wheel and are configured to receive attachments. The molded wheel cover (22) is shaped to replicate the wheel and incorporates decorative design configurations (40) on its visual surfaces. Mushroom head studs (46) are integrally formed into the interior surface of the wheel cover and are positioned to penetrate the slots in the spokes as attachments for fastening the wheel cover to the alloy wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Inventor: Mitchell Nunes
  • Patent number: 7448695
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel cover retention system for securing a wheel cover to a vehicle wheel. In one embodiment, the vehicle wheel cover retention system comprises a wheel formed from a suitable material and including an outboard face having a retention groove formed therein near an outboard flange thereof; and a wheel cover formed from a suitable material and including an outer portion having a tab formed thereon and an outer annular extension extending radially outwardly relative to the tab toward the outboard flange of the wheel; wherein the tab is received in the retention groove to secure the wheel cover to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Wolf
  • Patent number: 7416259
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for mounting a wheel cap on a vehicle, the vehicle having rims with exposed fasteners for fastening to a wheel hub. The method includes mounting of a holder by fasteners of the rim, the holder having a first contact surface for resting against the rim and a second contact surface lying substantially parallel to and at a distance from the first contact surface, and where the mounting of the holder is done by at least two fasteners of the rims interacting with openings in the first contact surface of the holder. The method includes mounting of the wheel cap on the holder by a plurality of fasteners on the inner side of the wheel cap interacting with openings for the fasteners of the rim in the second contact surface of the holder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Volvo Lastvagner AB
    Inventors: Ingemar Dagh, Anders Trygg
  • Patent number: 7374249
    Abstract: The device, a wheel cover assembly, covers at least a portion of a wheel. The wheel cover assembly is secured to the wheel by a lug nut having a flange. The wheel cover assembly has a wheel cover which has an inner surface and an outer surface. The wheel cover assembly also has a plurality of lug wells. Each lug well includes a plurality of extensions extending from the inner surface of the wheel cover to the distal end of the lug well. The extensions have an engagement leg at the distal end of the lug well. Additionally, at least one of the engagement legs is non-axisymmetrical with respect to the remaining engagement legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2008
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies LLC
    Inventor: Paul Willmer
  • Patent number: 7300117
    Abstract: A wheel ornamentation assembly is provided for attachment to a wheel secured to a wheel hub with a plurality of lug nuts. The wheel ornamentation assembly includes a wheel ornamentation body having an outboard surface and an inboard surface. The wheel ornamentation assembly includes clusters of retention legs that extend axially from the inboard surface and are arranged in circular patterns to receive the lug nuts therein. Each of the clusters of retention legs includes a gap which extends to the inboard surface. Each of the clusters of retention legs further includes a plurality of primary retention legs arranged in opposed pairs on either side of the gap and a pair of secondary retention legs arranged in opposed positions on either side of the gap. Standoff structures for abutting a front edge of the lug nuts are provided on only the primary retention legs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: McKechnie Vehicle Components (USA), Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Bruce, Eric Jensen, Roger Renaud
  • Patent number: 7300116
    Abstract: A center lock for a wheel cover of a wheel assembly that includes a wheel cover and a wheel. The wheel includes a recessed hub area that is surrounded by an annular wall having a protrusion formed therein. The wheel cover is configured to engage the protrusion and thereby lock the center of the wheel cover onto the wheel. The wheel assembly may also include a rim lock by providing a recess in the outer periphery of the wheel and a lip in the outer periphery of the wheel cover that is configured to engage the recess in the outer periphery of the wheel. The wheel assembly can include a central cap that includes clasp elements which engage the protrusion formed in the annular wall of the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: McKechnie Vehicle Components (USA), Inc.
    Inventors: Jeff Bruce, Kent Wellhoff
  • Patent number: 7156470
    Abstract: An attachment system including an attachment sleeve or attachment arm is provided for attaching a wheel cover, or wheel trim to a vehicle. The attachment sleeve attaches to a nut present on the vehicle. The arm located within the axle housing of the wheel cover provides a compression fitting against parts of the rear hub of a vehicle. It is by compression engagement that the attachment sleeve or arm provides attachment of the wheel cover to the vehicle. Also disclosed is an attachment system kit and method of use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Inventors: James P. Wright, Timothy L. Bates, Barry L. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7147550
    Abstract: A holding apparatus for grinding members includes two clamping disks that have respectively a plurality of anchor plates and a plurality of anchor slots on different perimeters. The anchor plates and anchor slots may be wedged to form a mechanical interference between the two clamping disks to hold a grinding member securely. The apparatus thus constructed can enhance the structural strength of the grinding member and prevent the grinding member from deforming at high speed rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Sunmatch Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lung-Pao Chen
  • Patent number: 7147289
    Abstract: A wheel cover (10) has a plurality of vent holes (15) along an outer peripheral portion of a wheel cover body (11) at positions opposed to solid portions (8) between disc openings (6) in a road wheel (1). An engagement member (12) projects from the edge portion (16) of the vent hole (15), toward the wheel disc (2) of the road wheel (1). A disc-locking portion (18) projects from the tip end portion of the engagement member (12), toward the vent hole (15), and preferably includes locking protrusions (31, 32) engageable with a peripheral portion (7) of the disc opening (6), so that a retainer (24) is engaged with a retainer locking concave portion (35) to urge and hold the disc-locking portion (18).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Altia Hashimoto Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takao Nakamura
  • Patent number: 6986553
    Abstract: A wheel ornamentation assembly is provided for attachment to a wheel secured to a wheel hub with a plurality of lug nuts. The wheel ornamentation assembly includes a wheel ornamentation having an outboard surface and an inboard surface. The wheel ornamentation assembly also includes a plurality of retention legs extending axially from the inboard surface for engaging the lug nuts. The wheel ornamentation also includes a wire retainer cooperating with the retention legs to provide mechanical support to the retention legs and prevent the wheel ornamentation from disengaging the lug nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2006
    Assignee: McKechnie Vehicle Components (USA), Inc.
    Inventors: Eric Earl Jensen, Roger Andrew Renaud, David Browning Ferriss
  • Patent number: 6857708
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2005
    Assignee: Bayerische Motoren Werke AG
    Inventors: Robert Hartl, Ulrich Lindner
  • Patent number: 6755484
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Inventor: Mark K. Wallach
  • Patent number: 6637832
    Abstract: A wheel and cladding includes a cladding having an outer decorative surface and an inner surface which faces a wheel to be covered. The cladding includes a plurality of openings for receiving wheel mounting lugs. Spaced from the openings are a plurality of spaced snap-locking tabs extending from the inner facing surface of the cladding toward the wheel to which the cladding is to be mounted. The wheel includes a generally circular relief cut or other recess extending around the central hub or in spaced relationship thereto and aligned with the spaced tabs of the cladding to snap-receive the cladding for holding it in place while adhesive applied to the wheel and/or cladding is cured to permanently bond the decorative cladding to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Lacks Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian C. Wrase, Philip O. Gerard
  • Patent number: 6464303
    Abstract: A decorative safety attachment for tire rims including a circular plate dimensioned for positioning over the tire rim. The circular plate has a diameter consistent with a diameter of the tire rim. The circular plate has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a peripheral edge. The outer surface is coated with a reflective surface. The outer surface has a plurality of concentric annular grooves formed therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2002
    Inventor: Ronnie Stembridge
  • Publication number: 20020125763
    Abstract: A decorative safety attachment for tire rims including a circular plate dimensioned for positioning over the tire rim. The circular plate has a diameter consistent with a diameter of the tire rim. The circular plate has an inner surface, an outer surface, and a peripheral edge. The outer surface is coated with a reflective surface. The outer surface has a plurality of concentric annular grooves formed therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Ronnie Stembridge
  • Patent number: 6402254
    Abstract: A retaining assembly secures ornamentation having an inboard surface and a plurality of protrusions to a wheel. The retaining assembly includes a ring. The ring includes a plurality of openings extending therethrough. The openings receive protrusions that extend out from the ornamentation. Legs extend out from the ring and engage multiple sides of a portion of the lug nuts. This secures the ornamentation to the wheel hub. The retaining assembly also includes supports that are secured between the legs. The supports provide support and prevent over-travel of the legs when the ornamentation is being installed by securing the ring to the lug nuts. The supports include an extension and a cross member. The extension positions the supports with respect to the ring and the cross members are bent and welded to the legs that are disposed adjacent thereto to provide support and prevent the over-travel of the legs as the legs pass over the lug nuts to which they are being secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: McKechnie Vehicle Components (USA), Inc.
    Inventors: Ted E. Eikhoff, Douglas J. Cutcher, Ted J. Wieczorek
  • Patent number: 6378955
    Abstract: An axle cover for covering a wheel axle of an automobile comprises a lock frame, seating elements, and a cover. The lock frame has at least one through hole in which the seating element is inserted and extends therefrom. The cover has at least one settling hole whose position is adapted to correspond to the through hole of the lock frame. After securing the lock frame to the wheel axle, the cover can be easily sleeved on to the wheel axle and have it blocked by settling blocks on the seating element. The seating element is further designed to be a flexible structure so that the cover can be easily sleeved on and easily moved off the wheel axle just by pushing the flexibly mounted settling blocks inside the lock frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Inventors: Gary E. Adamson, John R. Wright, Long-Chuan Hsu, Lung-Hung Hsu
  • Publication number: 20010033103
    Abstract: A vehicle wheel cover (10) having a design (36) which replicates the intrinsic design (20) of a vehicle wheel (12), and which includes a central aperture (38) which encompasses a set of lug nuts located on the vehicle wheel (12). The wheel cover (10) also includes a plurality of spaced wheel cover fasteners (44). When the wheel cover (10) is pressed against the vehicle wheel (12) the wheel cover fasteners (44) clip onto a peripheral edge (14) on the vehicle wheel (12) to securely hold the wheel cover (10) to the vehicle wheel (12). When the wheel cover (10) is attached, the vehicle wheel simulates the appearance of a solid, chrome plated vehicle wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Mitchell Nunes, Calvin Wang
  • Patent number: 6238007
    Abstract: A retaining article secures ornamentation, namely wheel caps and wheel covers, to a wheel. The retaining article is a unitary structure. It is received by the ornamentation which has an inboard surface with a number of protrusions extending out therefrom. The protrusions are cylindrical in shape. The retaining article has a ring with a number of openings. The openings receive the protruding cylinders therein and are secured thereto by a number of tabs. The tabs are bent by the protruding cylinders. Legs extend out from the ring. The legs are forced over lug nuts which secure the wheel to a wheel hub. The legs engage a recess in the lug nuts creating a positive engagement with the lug nuts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: McKechnie Vehicle Components (USA), Inc.
    Inventors: Ted John Wieczorek, Robert J. DiMarco, Ted E. Eikhoff, Eric E. Jensen