Patents by Inventor Lawrence C. Ladouceur

Lawrence C. Ladouceur has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5667281
    Abstract: A wheel cover is formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings corresponding in number and arrangement to the wheel studs of a vehicle wheel. A decorative cap member is provided in each opening for threaded engagement with external screw threads of the vehicle's lug nuts to secure the wheel cover on the wheel. A retainer member is mounted on the inner end of each cap member presenting a radially outwardly extending shoulder that prevents the cap members from being separated from the wheel cover once installed. The retainer members further act between the cap members and their lug nuts in such manner as to hold the cap members securely but releasably against unthreading from the lug nuts during normal use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Textron Automotive Company Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 5595422
    Abstract: A wheel cover assembly for covering the wheel of an automotive vehicle has a main body portion formed with a plurality of circumferentially spaced wells having integral cap portions to receive and conceal the lug nuts of the wheel. Locking arms project axially from the wells and embrace the lug nuts to lock the cover member securely on the wheel. Expansion slots are provided between the locking arms of each well to facilitate the disengagement of the locking arms from the lug nuts. A special anti-theft release tool is insertable into the expansion slots forcing the locking arms radially outwardly of one another sufficiently to release the lug nuts and permit the wheel cover to be removed from the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1996
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Assignee: Textron Automotive Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 4559689
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing a metal and plastic lightweight wheel cover. An annular riser supports the wheel cover assembly while several curling rolls roll curl the outermost flange of an outer ornamental member onto a lightweight plastic insert and retaining ring capturing the insert between the outer member and the retaining ring. The roll curling prevents relative rotation between the outer ornamental face and the retaining ring. The curling rolls embed a plurality of jagged edged barbs, formed on the retaining ring, in the insert. The barbs prevent the insert from rotating relative to the retaining ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Randall Wheel Trim, Inc.
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 4542569
    Abstract: A method of preventing insert rotation in an ornamental wheel cover that employs a plastic insert for lightweight reinforcement and decorative ornamentation of the wheel cover. An outer ornamental member, a lightweight insert, and a retaining ring are all formed with complementary annular radially extending flanges at their outer periphery. Prior to assembly, the annular flange of the retaining ring is spiked so as to form sharp edged barbs on its outboard surface. The components are then assembled by sandwiching the insert between the outer member and retaining ring and placed in a die curling and stamping apparatus. The outermost flange of the outer ornamental member is die curled to join the member with the retaining ring. Pressure is then applied to the retaining ring in the vicinity of the barbs to embed the barbs in the insert so as to prevent the insert from rotating relative to the retaining ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: September 24, 1985
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Ladouceur
  • Patent number: 4509256
    Abstract: An apparatus for manufacturing the laminate structure of a metal and plastic lightweight wheel cover. An annular riser supports the wheel cover assembly while a curl ring die curls the outermost flange of an outer ornamental member onto a lightweight plastic insert and retaining means capturing the insert between the outer member and the retaining means. The die curling prevents relative rotation between the outer ornamental face and the retaining means. An annular seating ring embeds a plurality of jagged edged barbs, formed on the retaining means, in the insert. The barbs prevent the insert from rotating relative to the retaining means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Rockwell International Corporation
    Inventor: Lawrence C. Ladouceur