Patents by Inventor Timothy L. Bates

Timothy L. Bates 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: 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
  • 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: 6152537
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a clip mechanism having a first clip and a second clip and a crossed orientation. This crossed clip mechanism has opposed ends which are biased to frictionally or biasedly grasp the lip of a hub or the hub itself. If the lip of the hub is not available, holes can be placed in the opposed ends to receive the bolts on the face of the hub. The opposed ends also extend outwardly to be releasibly received by the inside of the hub cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: Phoenix USA, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Wright, Garry Rodgers, Timothy L. Bates
  • Patent number: 5722735
    Abstract: The present system discloses a universal wheel trim attachment system in which a wheel liner is attached to a wheel under the wheel lug nuts. Universal wheel trim attachment system has a center piece which can act as a hub cover. Surrounding the opening is a plateau on substantially an X-axis and perpendicular to a Y-axis. Around the plateau there is placed a first incline. Around the first incline there is placed a ledge which merely shows the change in direction between a first incline and a second incline which surrounds the first incline. A valley surrounds the second incline. A ridge surrounds the valley. A lip surrounds the ridge and rests upon the outer portions of the wheel. The wheel liners are also provided with lug holes, oval holes, and hand holes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Pheonix USA, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Wright, Timothy L. Bates, Kevin D. Nash, Barry Lynn Roberts, John Davenport
  • Patent number: 5695257
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a wheel trim attachment system that uses a continuous attachment ring having mounting brackets which are pivotally and/or slidably attached to it thereby allowing it to be adjustable for different configurations of wheels. Additionally, the pivoting allows use for either a large diameter such as a spoked wheel or a small diameter such as a standard wheel. The attachment bracket receives an existing lug. Jam nuts are then placed over the bracket to hold the attachment bracket onto the existing lugs. Attachment screws are placed through holes in the liner and are received by mounting lips attached to the attachment ring to coordinate and correspond to the holes in the liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Phoenix USA, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Wright, Timothy L. Bates, Kevin D. Nash, Barry Lynn Roberts, John Davenport
  • Patent number: 5676430
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a device for attaching a wheel liner to a wheel having a hub. In both preferred embodiments, a spring clip is attached to a hub. The spring clip then has a biased finger which can engage a hub cover fictionally and hold it in place. However, this biased finger also allows the hub cover to be easily removed. In the first preferred embodiment, the spring clip is attached either at a screw on the hub, under a ring attached to the screws on the hub, or attached to the screws under a ring on the hub. The second embodiment attaches to a lip of the hub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 14, 1997
    Assignee: Phoenix USA, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Wright, Timothy L. Bates, Kevin D. Nash, Barry Lynn Roberts, John Davenport
  • Patent number: 5669672
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a wheel trim attachment system for trailer wheels. In the present invention, a bracket is provided having a cloverleaf hole which can receive lugs sized and spaced for a six lug, eight lug, and ten lug variety. Additionally, a mounting orifice is provided which can be placed on the wheel at a constant radius from the center of the wheel to allow a single wheel liner to be attached to different sized wheels. Attachments can be used to attach the wheel liner to the bracket. The wheel liner can have lug covers and hub covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Pheonix USA, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Wright, Timothy L. Bates, Kevin D. Nash, Barry Lynn Roberts, John Davenport
  • Patent number: 5645324
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a wheel trim attachment system that attaches to a yoke having a pair of collars, substantially half-moon shaped, separated by a tab. The collar is sized to fit within the offset of lug nut pairs. A bias member such as a rubber band can be used or any other kind of elastic member can be used to keep the yoke on the lug nut pairs. A mounting orifice is attached to or placed into the tab. Screws are then used to attach the wheel liner to the yoke.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: Phoenix USA, Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Wright, Timothy L. Bates, Kevin D. Nash, Barry Lynn Roberts, John Davenport
  • Patent number: D536291
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Inventors: James P. Wright, Timothy L. Bates, Barry L. Roberts
  • Patent number: D538726
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventors: James P. Wright, Timothy L. Bates, Barry L. Roberts
  • Patent number: D538727
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Inventors: James P. Wright, Timothy L. Bates, Barry L. Roberts
  • Patent number: D566028
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Inventors: James P. Wright, Timothy L. Bates, Barry L. Roberts