With Wheel Cover Patents (Class 301/37.101)
  • Publication number: 20030020322
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheel overmask for a vehicle having a wheel made of aluminum or aluminium alloy, the overmask being characterized in that it comprises a body of the same material as the said wheel and conformed to the same shape as the contact surface of the said wheel to which it is applied.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: Giovanni Zaniboni
  • Patent number: 6499591
    Abstract: A golf cart wheel covering device for protecting the cart wheels of a golf cart from a ground surface during use. The golf cart wheel covering device includes a panel comprising a generally flexible material. The panel has a generally circular shape. The panel has a peripheral edge. An elastic band is securely coupled to and extends along a length of the peripheral edge of the panel. The elastic band biases the peripheral edge inward such that a housing is defined, wherein the elastic band encircles an opening into the housing. The elastic band has a stretched position and a relaxed position. The elastic band is stretched to position a golf cart wheel through the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventors: Vito Frank Rizzo, Dorothea Rizzo
  • Publication number: 20020175559
    Abstract: A wheel cap is detachably joined to a disc wheel and having air discharge openings formed in the outer periphery thereof. The wheel cap has a plurality of radial fins provided for the reverse side of the wheel cap and formed from the wheel cap center toward the outside. Further, the wheel cap has an annular air suction opening, and a center plate disposed more adjacent to the center thereof as compared with the air suction opening. The inner distance between the innermost wall of the air suction opening and the center of the wheel cap is shorter than securing distance between a hub nut for securing the disc wheel to an axle hub and the center of the disc wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2001
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Applicant: TOYODA GOSEI CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tomokazu Inoue, Takahiro Komori
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6443528
    Abstract: A cover for a vehicle wheel having a drop center is generally complementary in shape to the wheel and has a plurality of connectors spaced around the inside surface thereof. Each connector has a moveable hook and an adjusting bolt. Rotation of the adjusting bolt in one direction extends the hook until it engages the shoulder in the cylindrical portion of the wheel formed by the drop center to thereby retain the cover to the wheel. Rotation of the adjusting bolt in the opposite direction withdraws the hook out of engagement with the shoulder such that the cover can be removed from or reinstalled to the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2002
    Inventor: John G. Polka
  • Patent number: 6439670
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for protecting and altering the appearance of wheels. This apparatus, a wheel insert, is adapted to fit within a wheel hole of a wheel and thereby alter the wheel's appearance, protect the wheel hole, and keep the wheel hole clean. The wheel insert has a lining portion adapted to fit within a wheel hole, and exterior portion extending beyond the outer surface of the wheel hole and a securing portion for maintaining the wheel insert in a proper position. The wheel insert may be friction fit or snap fit within the wheel hole through the use of tabs of plugs. The wheel insert is made of plastic and is chrome plated. The wheel insert may be any desired shape or size and include a solid surface or rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2002
    Inventor: David Winters
  • Patent number: 6409277
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Inventors: Mitchell Nunes, Calvin Wang
  • Patent number: 6402253
    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), then the wheel cover (10) is attached, the vehicle wheel simulates the appearance of a solid, chrome plated vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Inventors: Mitchell M. Nunes, Calvin S. Wang
  • Patent number: 6371569
    Abstract: A dust cover for placement between a wheel and brake assembly for preventing dust from the brakes to fall upon the wheel rim. The dust cover for placement between a wheel and brake assembly includes a plate having a front side, a back side and a peripheral edge. The front and back sides generally have a circular shape. The plate has an aperture therethrough. The aperture is generally positioned in a central portion of the plate and has a size adapted for receiving the hub of a vehicle. The plate has a plurality of openings therein. Each of the openings is positioned to receive one of the lug studs of the hub. The plate has a plurality of elongate slots therein. Each of the slots radially extends toward the peripheral edge. The plate comprises a substantially rigid material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2002
    Inventor: Edward R. Dean
  • Patent number: 6336685
    Abstract: A wheel for small vehicles and similar applications is provided, the wheel having a molded hub concentric about its axis, said hub having a single, precision bushing journaled within the hub concentric about said axis. Two thread guards sandwich the wheel, the guards having shanks which meet in the middle of the bushing and affix the guards to the wheel by friction. The guards may have a variety of axle channel diameters for various applications for the same wheel. The guards include wheel cover shields on their distal extremes which widen the effective diameter of the enclosed bushing and protect it from contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2002
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Orr
  • Publication number: 20010048241
    Abstract: According to the invention, a waterproof structure is formed by disposing a seal ring on members communicated with a center hole (50) including a hub hole (17), a liner (53) for preventing contact corrosion between different kinds of metals from occurring is interposed between a hub flange (2) and a hub (4), and a mounting face (18) of a wheel (1) to an axle (3), and a flanged washer (44) having a recessed section shape is used at a place where a fastening member (43) for the wheel (1) and a rim (42) abuts against a disk (7) of the magnesium alloy wheel (1), the flanged washer having a property that a contact potential difference between a surface of the washer and magnesium is small, whereby contact corrosion due to retention of an electrically conductive medium such as water or salt water is prevented from occurring, so that the durability is remarkably improved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 1998
    Publication date: December 6, 2001
    Inventor: KATSUNORI YOSHIMURA