Abstract: A wheel for supporting tires for vehicles which is made of composite material based on carbon fiber, which includes an insert which is made of metallic material at its central region configured to be fixed to the hub of the respective vehicle. The insert is coupled between external contoured laminated shells made of composite material, with the interposition of at least one interface film having a thickness that can vary between 0.05 mm and 1.0 mm. The interface film is made of a material preferably chosen from among epoxy polymers, polyurethane polymers, acrylic polymers, silicone polymers, polyamide polymers, glass fibers, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for seasoning food products in a production line. In one example, a system includes a motor assembly, a substantially cylindrical drum coupled to a ring mount, and a drive ring assembly includes magnets within the drive ring assembly to selectively retain the drum.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automobile wheel having a vibration damping function. The automobile wheel includes a disk member connected with an axle hub and a rim member for mounting a tire. A hub cap is to be attached to or detached from one side of the disk member. A vibration damping plate in a shape corresponding to the hub cap is placed on one side of the hub cap to be in contact with the disk member. Vibration damping bushings are positioned at the vibration damping plate to be in contact with the disk member. The vibration damping plate and vibration damping bushings work together to attenuate vibration of the wheel.

Abstract: An industrially applicable method for preparing color-coated vehicle wheel components and vehicle wheels, which is characterized in that the metal body is at first machined at least in areas to be coated, after which at least two layers of paint are applied one after another, and at least one layer of paint is removed by machining in a partial area of the wheel. A component according to the present invention with a surface coating is thus characterized by areas machined with high precision and provided with a coating, wherein said coating has at least two layers of paint applied one on top of another, of which at least a first layer of paint is exposed in visible partial areas of the metal body, by a second layer of paint covering it being mechanically removed in partial areas not covered by it.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a wheel cover having a relatively-planar disc shape covering a concavity of a truck wheel rim, and a retainer for holding the wheel cover on the wheel rim. In one form, the retainer includes a hula-hoop-shaped ring that engages a channel in the outer lip of the wheel rim (or engages a channel formed by brackets attached to the outer lip). In another form, the retainer includes a clamp ring retainer attached to the rim's axle portion, and coil springs biasingly retaining the wheel cover to the truck wheel. The wheel cover includes radial ribs each having an outer end that forms a pocket shaped to engage an outer lip on the truck rim, thus holding and centering the wheel cover on the truck wheel. Anti-wear foam components are attached to reduce wear by the wheel cover on the rim.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a wheel (1) which comprises a rim (4) and a thereto connected spoke structure (3) made out of fiber reinforced plastic material. An insert (2) is embedded in the fiber reinforced material at the center of the spoke structure (3). The insert (2) protrudes in at least one region above the surface of the fiber reinforced plastic material (16) forming at least one contact area (10, 14, 5).

Abstract: A rustproof cover for an automobile disk brake which is attached to a surface portion of a disk portion of a automobile wheel so as to shield a plurality of penetration portions penetrating the disk portion in a direction from the surface portion of the disk portion to a rear-surface portion thereof, the rustproof cover comprising, a recessed portion which is recessed from the surface portion of the disk portion to the rear-surface portion thereof so as to follow the shape of each penetration portion, wherein each recessed portion includes a protrusion portion which engages with a rear surface of the disk portion at the rear-surface portion of the disk portion so as to prevent a separation of the rustproof cover, and wherein the rustproof cover is formed of a flexible resin.

Abstract: An interchangeable wheel cover for a wheel of a piece of luggage, including a center cap assembly and a trim ring assembly. The center cap assembly interchangeable affixes the trim ring assembly to the wheel of the piece of luggage.

Abstract: Improved variable color wheel covers for tractor wheels are provided.

Abstract: An attachment for two-wheeled vehicles and a wheel for a two-wheeled vehicle having these attachments are provided. The wheel includes a hub, a rim and separate spokes connecting the hub and the rim. Portions of the spoke nipples protruding radially inwardly from the rim are covered by cover caps. The cover cap is configured small in structure and aerodynamic in shape. To this end, the length in the peripheral direction is larger than the width.

Abstract: A removable wheel cover includes a dome-shaped body having a perimeter edge and a central core. A body elevation increases from the perimeter edge to a maximum elevation between the perimeter edge and the central core. Concentric raised ribs between the perimeter edge and the maximum elevation decrease in diameter between successive raised ribs toward the maximum elevation. A central core sleeve wall has an end face. An apex of each of multiple sleeve wall tabs positioned proximate the end face together define a first plane positioned with respect to a perimeter edge second plane. A wheel having a central hub is mounted to a tire. In an installed position, the perimeter edge is positioned in continuous contact with the tire or the wheel and the body is elastically deflected toward the wheel to engage the tabs against a wheel hub aperture raised edge thereby resisting wheel cover removal.

Abstract: A method of securing wheel covers to the outboard surfaces of wheels to form wheel assemblies. The method involves applying resist coating patterns to portions or the entire inboard surfaces of the wheel covers prior to subjecting the wheel cover to a plating process which is intended to plate the outboard surfaces of the wheel covers. The resist coating pattern prevents plating material from attaching to areas of the inboard surfaces of the wheel covers to which the resist coat has been applied or which have been framed in or outlined by the resist coating. Areas that are coated with the resist and areas that have been framed in or outlined by the resist coating are more susceptible and compatible to adhesive bonding of the wheel covers to the wheels.

Abstract: A wheel cover or panel assembly for use on a long haul truck is provided. These wheel covers can provide enhanced aerodynamic effects to a truck or other vehicle thereby reducing wind drag and enhancing fuel efficiency. Still further, the wheel covers can articulate or turn along with the steering by design.

Abstract: A rustproof cover for an automobile disk brake which is attached to a surface portion of a disk portion of a automobile wheel so as to shield a plurality of penetration portions penetrating the disk portion in a direction from the surface portion of the disk portion to a rear-surface portion thereof, the rustproof cover comprising, a recessed portion which is recessed from the surface portion of the disk portion to the rear-surface portion thereof so as to follow the shape of each penetration portion, wherein each recessed portion includes a protrusion portion which engages with a rear surface of the disk portion at the rear-surface portion of the disk portion so as to prevent a separation of the rustproof cover, and wherein the rustproof cover is formed of a flexible resin.

Abstract: A wheel cover suitable for being mounted on vehicle wheels having an outer surface adapted for facing away from a wheel of a vehicle and an inner surface adapted for facing towards the wheel when mounting the wheel cover. Central fasteners and peripheral fasteners extend from the inner surface towards the wheel of the vehicle. The central fasteners are arranged at bolts of the wheel. Both the central fasteners and the peripheral fasteners are shaped so as to make an exclusively snap-type mounting of the wheel cover on elements of the wheel. A ridge projects from the inner surface of the wheel cover to make abutment with the head of the bolt at the same time the rib or tooth abuts onto the sloped section of the bolt head to stop the insertion movement.

Abstract: A wheel cladding system (18) includes a wheel (10) having a wheel rim (14) and a wheel disk (16) attached to the wheel rim (14). The wheel disk (16) includes a peripheral flange (18) extending circumferentially about a central section (20) having radially extending disk spokes (22). The peripheral flange (18) includes a slot (24). A wheel cladding (12) is secured to the wheel (10) and includes an inner side (36) and an outer side (38) relative to the wheel disk (16). The wheel cladding (12) includes a peripheral edge (40) extending about a central wheel cladding section (42) having wheel cladding spokes (44). The peripheral edge (40) is engaged with the slot (24) and the wheel cladding spokes (44) are engaged with the disk spokes (12) to secure the wheel cladding (12) on the wheel (10).

Abstract: A decorative overlay comprised of thin plastic or metal may be securely fastened to a wheel using one or more preformed, solid, dimensionally stable, heat-activatable adhesive bodies. The use of such adhesive bodies offers significant processing and performance advantages over conventional methods for cladding wheels.

Abstract: A wheel assembly comprising a wheel having an outer surface and a plurality of exposed lug apertures located about a central hub region of the wheel, and a wheel cladding including a body conforming to the outer surface of the wheel that has an exposed decorative surface, an inner surface that faces the wheel when the cladding is attached to the wheel, and a plurality of lug wells that are axially aligned with the lug apertures of the wheel. The wheel assembly also includes a plurality of cladding lug well sleeves made from a high-temperature and ultraviolet light stable material that includes a plurality of snap-locking tabs for lockably fitting within the cladding lug wells. The cladding lug well sleeves are adapted to thermally insulate the cladding from the high temperatures of the lug nuts and studs from heat generated during vehicle operation.

Abstract: A wheelchair is provided with front anti-tip wheels adapted to assist the wheelchair in mounting an obstacle that the wheelchair approaches obliquely. The anti-tip wheels may function as casters, capable of rotating about a vertical axis, or may be fixed for rotation about a horizontal axis only. The anti-tip wheels may include lateral convex surfaces which tend to allow the anti-tip wheel to slide or roll over the obstacle. The lateral convex surfaces may be provided by a laterally oriented rolling element, a convex-shaped hub, a convex-shaped housing that partially surrounds the wheel, or a ball-shaped wheel. Alternatively, rotation of the anti-tip wheel may be controlled such that the wheel rolling surface faces and engages the obstacle.

Abstract: A freestanding automotive tire and wheel cover comprises a shell that is open against the ground and inside the wheel well adjacent to an interior sidewall of a tire. The bottom edge of the shell rests on the ground. The shell protects the outer sidewall and tread from ultraviolet radiation, weather and other damaging elements. The shell may include corner braces or a flared section for extra rigidity and support, or a separate base member may be attached to the shell for the same purpose. A retention strap is secured to the shell by buckles or snaps. An inner wheel shroud provides extra security is attaching to the tire and wheel and protects most of the interior side of the tire and wheel. The shells may be tapered to permit multiple shells to nest together and a planar sidewall cover permits attachment of a decal.

Abstract: An ornamental wheel cover integrally retained on the lug nuts of a vehicle wheel that provides positive positioning of the cover to the lug nuts. The cover is provided with a number of elongated tubular extensions axially projecting therefrom that are each partially slotted to provide a plurality of cantilevered fingers. Each finger has an undercut groove that positively positions the cover to the lug nuts of the wheel. When the cover is attached to the wheel, the elongated tubular extensions are aligned with the lug nuts and the cover is moved axially inwardly of the wheel so that the cantilevered fingers separate slightly as they pass over the flange of the lug nut. The wheel cover further includes a wire band retainer to bias the innermost cantilevered fingers into continual engagement with the lug nuts, even during temperatures that would otherwise cause the plastic to distort due to heat creep.

Abstract: Wheel covers are removably attached to a spoked wheel vehicle to provide, identity, protection, illumination and audible sound for safety and pride of ownership. The wheel covers are shaped as disks placed on opposite sides of a wheel. Fasteners on each disk engage the spokes of the wheel to secure the wheel covers in place.

Abstract: In a wheel cap structure of the present invention, a wheel cap is formed by, for example, a wheel cap main body and concealing portion pieces. The concealing portion pieces are engaged with and mounted to reverse surface sides of design holes formed in the wheel cap main body, and function to conceal a wheel portion, which includes punched holes of a steel wheel, such that the wheel portion cannot be seen from an exterior. Further, the concealing portion pieces are mounted such that gaps for cooling are formed between the concealing portion pieces and the wheel cap main body. Accordingly, a performance of cooling the steel wheel is ensured. Namely, the present invention provides the wheel cap structure in which, even if the design holes are made large, appearance of a vehicle is not deteriorated, and further, the performance for cooling the wheel is ensured.

Abstract: The contact area between the wheel cover and an engaged part of a disc wheel is increased by providing a projecting part (21) on an outer surface (18a1) of a bulge part (18a), which is an engaging surface of a mounting claw (18) to be engaged with the annular engaged part of the disc wheel and used for mounting a wheel cover. Further, the friction therebetween is increased. Thus, an operation of hindering rotation of the wheel cover is achieved without forming a rib on the wheel cover and without forming a stopper on the disc wheel.

Abstract: Removable decorative wheel covers for covering central wheel portions on wheels on various types of moving vehicles from automobiles to buses to trucks to golf carts. The covers can have perforated patterns that can be punched out as needed to allow different sized wheel protrusions such as valve stems, central raised hub members, and the like, to pass therethrough. The perforations can include a single pattern, a ring pattern, and the like. A novel blank wheel cover can allow for customizable indicia to be applied by various methods including stencils, peel & stick decals, static cling decals, and/or magnetic decals to be selectively applied thereon. Another version allows for removable fasteners to be on both sides of the discs so that the user can selectively make either side of the disc visible.

Abstract: A wheel cover assembly having an array of pocket inserts correspondingly disposed within an array of turbine pockets of a wheel cover for providing multitudes of different decorative wheel appearances. The pocket inserts are fastened to the wheel cover using an integral snap tab arrangement including integral snap tabs that extend in an inboard direction from the inboard surface of the wheel cover and that are disposed around each turbine pocket. The pocket inserts include integral snap tabs, corresponding to the integral snap tabs of the wheel cover, that extend in an inboard direction from an inboard surface of the pocket insert, and thereby interlock with the integral snap tabs of the wheel cover to retain the pocket inserts within the turbine pockets of the wheel cover. Surface treatments of the wheel cover and pocket inserts can be varied to provide a contrasting decorative appearance across the wheel cover assembly.

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 method of making a wheel cover having a decorative outboard surface and an inboard surface for placement on a vehicle wheel includes the steps of forming a wheel cover substrate having a substrate contour providing the inboard substrate surface and with an outer substrate surface for bonding a skin thereto. The skin has a decoration applied to an inner skin surface for placement between the skin and the substrate. The skin has a decoration applied thereto. It is then cut to a desired shape complementing the substrate. It may, at that point, be deformed to also complement to contour of the substrate. The skin is bonded to the substrate by welding the materials to one another or by an adhesive.

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: The degree of tightness, which a wheel is attached to the wheel of an automobile, may be varied by selectively engaging the ends of a retention ring in a specially formed retention tab ring supporter. The retention ring is supported on a plurality of circumferentially spaced ring supports provided on the wheel cover, and the ends of the ring are retained by the retention tab ring supporter. The retention tab is provided with an opening to receive a blunt end of the retaining ring and two adjacent vertical slots for receiving a finger end of the retaining ring. Selection of either of the two vertical slots for receiving the finger end varies the practical diameter of the retention ring when engaged with the ring supporters thereby providing and adjustment in tightness between the wheel cover and the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel cover retention system includes a wheel having lug studs extending through the wheel, with lug nuts fastened to the lug studs to retain the wheel to the vehicle. A full-face wheel cover includes a base portion having an inboard surface thereon and lug nut passages extending therethrough, and further includes lug towers circumferentially spaced and integral with the base portion. Each of the lug towers is concentric with each of the lug nut passages and extends axially inwardly from the inboard surface of the base portion thereby terminating in an inboard end. Each lug tower is slotted to define cantilevered fingers thereon. A groove located inside each lug tower positively fixes the axial position of each of the lug towers on each of the lug nuts.

Abstract: Removable decorative wheel covers for covering central wheel portions on wheels on various types of moving vehicles from automobiles to buses to trucks. The covers have perforated patterns of circles, rectangles, and the like, that can be punched out as needed to allow different sized wheel protrusions such as valve stems, central raised hub members, and the like to pass therethrough. The perforations can include a single closed pattern that allows a single opening to be created. Additionally, the perforations can be in a ring pattern about the outer perimeter of the disc. Still furthermore, the perforations can be in a central region of the disc. Still furthermore, the openings can be punched out to allow components on the wheel that heat up such as brakes, and the like, to be air cooled. The placement of the perforations does not overlap the areas of the design type indicia that can be placed on the external surface of the wheel cover.

Abstract: A noise inhibiting wheel cover for a wheel assembly having a wheel includes a substrate adapted to engage the wheel of the wheel assembly. The noise inhibiting wheel cover also includes a layer of noise inhibiting material located at contact sites between the substrate and the wheel of the wheel assembly to reduce noise caused by mechanical actions therebetween.

Abstract: A wheel cover assembly includes a cover and a plurality of lug wells. The cover is manufactured from a first material that is capable of being decorated with paint and/or plating. The lug wells are fabricated from a second material. The second material is chosen for its high thermal resistive characteristics. The second material insulates the first material from the thermal energy generated by the wheel hub assembly and, in particular, the brake systems of the wheel hub assembly. Each of the lug wells includes a wall having an annular recess circumscribing the interior surface of the wall and an exterior ridge extending around the periphery of the wall. The annular recess and the exterior ridge prevent the first material from flowing therepast creating a barrier of the second material used to manufacture the lug wells to the lug nuts, the conductors of the thermal energy created by the brake systems. Protrusions and elongated holes aid in the bonding of the first material to the second material.

Abstract: A protective shield for the wheel rim of an automobile, to be held against the wheel rim during the application of a protectant/cleanser to the side wall of a tire mounted on the wheel rim. The protective shield comprises a circular, generally flat body, preferably formed of plastic, of a size to overlie the wheel rim. The circular body includes a first annular, outwardly extending rib, a second continuous, outwardly extending rib spaced radially inwardly therefrom to define an annular channel, a continuous, yieldable foam-like member positioned within the channel, and a handle means. The foam-like member preferably extends above the respective ribs to provide a moisture sealing barrier between the body and wheel rim when held against the wheel rim.

Abstract: An article is coated with a multi-layer coating comprising a polymeric layer deposited on the surface of the article, a zirconium compound or titanium compound layer deposited on the polymeric layer, and a polyurethane layer deposited on the zirconium compound or titanium compound layer.