Abstract: A mechanical locking system secures a wheel cover to a vehicular wheel. A rim lock includes a rim clasp which extends around at least a portion of the outer rim of the wheel. The rim clasp forces the wheel cover into abutting engagement with the outboard surface of the wheel. A hub lock includes a protrusion in the wheel cover which matingly engages a channel or recess in the wheel. The hub lock is located adjacent the hub portion of the wheel. The hub lock may include a spring to apply a force against the protrusion forcing the protrusion into the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel cover includes a cover with a number of lug wells. The lug wells extend to a distal end. The lug nuts used to hold the wheel to the wheel hub also hold the wheel cover to the wheel. A nut cap covers the lug nuts to further aesthetically enhance the wheel. The lug wells include anti-rotational projections and nut cap stops to ensure the nut caps remain secured to the wheel cover. The anti-rotational projections and the nut cap stops extend up from locking flanges located at the distal end of the lug well. The anti-rotational projections and the nut cap stops do not intersect each other. The threads on the nut cap abut the anti-rotational projections as the nut cap is rotated over them and the nut cap stop prevents the nut cap from rotating past its engagement with the threads located within the lug wells.

Abstract: A wheel assembly (10) includes a vehicle wheel (12) and an ornamental applique (14) which may be chrome plated, painted, etc. The applique (14) includes an extension flange (54) which extends over the peripheral rim edge (19) of the rim flange (18). Further, the applique (14) is locked to the rim flange (18) by a shoulder (64) coacting with the rim flange (18).

Abstract: A lug nut lock is used to mechanically lock a cover assembly to a lug nut resulting in a lock to the wheel and/or hub. The lug nut lock includes a lug well extending out from its inboard surface to a distal end. An engagable surface extends out from the distal end. Retention legs extend outwardly from the walls of the lug well. The retention legs include threaded surfaces engagable with a threaded surface of a compression nut. The compression nut forces or compress the retention legs inwardly forcing the engagable surfaces to engage a bottom surface of a lug nut locking the cover assembly to the lug nut.

Abstract: A wheel ornament assembly (10) includes a nut cap assembly (16) threadingly engaging an externally threaded lug (20) of a vehicle wheel (14). The nut cap assembly (16) retains a decorative wheel ornament (12) to the wheel (14). The nut cap assembly (16) includes an insert member (32) within and non-rotatably fixed to a cap cover (34) to provide desired aesthetics. The insert member (32) includes a threaded interior bore (35) with relief slots (44) therein to allow the walls of the insert member (32) to flex or expand after full threading of the nut cap assembly (16) on the lug nut (20) to prevent stripping of the threads. The cap cover (34) provides clearance to allow flexibility of the insert member (32) while maintaining its fixed connection.

Abstract: A wheel assembly (10) includes a vehicle wheel (12) and an ornamental applique (14) which may be chrome plated, painted, etc. The applique (14) includes an extension flange (54) which extends over the peripheral edge of the rim flange (18). Further, the applique (14) is locked to the rim flange (18) by a shoulder (64) coacting with the rim flange (18).

Abstract: A wheel assembly (10) includes an applique (40) of sheet material adhered to a molded insert member (50) of structural rigidity. The insert member (50) is molded to change the depth and contour of the wheel face from the original steel wheel (12). The insert member (50) is adhered and/or locked to the steel wheel.