Abstract: A wheel of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, has a rim, a hub portion, and at least two spokes connecting the hub portion to the rim. At least one free space between the spokes is covered at least in part by a substantially planar covering element. The covering element is produced from two different material layers.

Abstract: A locking security system for motor vehicle wheel rims comprises a security housing, a locking assembly, and a plurality of grooved lug nuts. The security housing comprises a structure which covers wheel stud portions of an existing wheel rim. The locking assembly comprises a key lock mechanism located on an interior portion of the housing further comprising a plurality of locking plates which engage respective grooved lug nuts.

Abstract: A wheel cover assembly which includes a generally flat, circular wheel cover portion, an attachment assembly, and a manually releasable fastener selectively connecting the wheel cover portion to the attachment assembly, the wheel cover being predominately made from flexible laminar materials, the wheel cover portion comprising a mostly transparent window affixed to the manually releasable fastener, the window having an inwardly facing face which includes a flap for retaining a display card on the inside surface of the window.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) is disclosed for covering a cavity (11) of a wheel of a long-haul tractor-trailer, truck or the like for decoration, streamlining, and/or advertising display. Such wheels have a face, a rim, the interior of the rim defining the cavity, a boss (30) on the rim having a relatively smaller diameter and spaced from the face. The disclosed method includes providing a device (10) comprising a generally flat cover portion sized to cover the outwardly facing opening of the wheel cavity, an opening through the device, and a releasable fastener (15) for selectively closing the opening through the device, and an attachment system (12) that is sized to extend axially across the boss of the wheel to the covered, accessing the attachment system through the opening, positioning the attachment system over the boss of the wheel by way of the opening, and closing the opening, such that the cover portion closes substantially all the outwardly facing opening of the wheel.

Abstract: A wheel cover assembly which includes a generally flat, circular wheel cover portion, an attachment assembly, and a manually releasable fastener selectively connecting the wheel cover portion to the attachment assembly, the wheel cover being predominately made from flexible laminar materials, the wheel cover portion comprising a mostly transparent window affixed to the manually releasable fastener, the window having an inwardly facing face which includes a flap for retaining a display card on the inside surface of the window.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for mounting rim accessories on a vehicle, the vehicle having rims with fasteners for fastening the rim to a wheel hub, the method including mounting of a bracket including at least two sections, the bracket having a first contact surface along its outer periphery for resting against an interesting contact surface on the inner periphery of the rim, the radially inner contact surface lying substantially parallel to and adjoining an axially outer edge of the rim. The method includes mounting the bracket such that adjoining end surfaces of the sections of the brackets are forced apart, thereby clamping the bracket fast to the rim, and mounting of an accessory on the bracket, the bracket having at least a second contact surface extending radially inwards along the inner periphery of the rim. The second contact surface is provided with at least two openings in each of the sections of the bracket for interaction with at least a corresponding number of fasteners on the accessory.

Abstract: A fitting structure for a vehicle wheel cover, having an open loop formed by a curved bar, an elongate connecting cover, an adjusting nut and a plurality of fitting seats mounted to the loop. The loop has at least one end terminated with a bent portion and the other end formed with external threads. The connecting cover movably covers the first and second ends, and the adjusting nut is engaged with the external threads of the second end. Each of the fitting seats has a seat member, a holding member extending from one side of the seat for holding the loop, and a buffer element mounted to the seat member at one side opposite to the holding member. The seat member includes a displacement slot allowing one end of the buffer element to extend through. The other end of the buffer member is configured to engage with a screw member extending through the wheel cover.

Abstract: A wheel cover has several equidistant securing parts near to an edge, which each have a detained portion on an outward side thereof; a first one of the securing parts has an inwards-facing protruding portion; the first securing part has several holes on each of two ends of the detained portion and the protruding portion; a steel ring is inserted in chosen ones of the holes at two free ends and tightly pressed against all the securing parts except the first one such that free ends of the securing parts are radially outwardly displaced, and the securing parts are tightly pressed against an inward edge of a wheel to prevent the wheel cover from falling off; the holes of the first securing part are coplanar therefore there won't be reduction in the moment arm of force when changing steel rings and using other ones of the holes for connection.

Abstract: A wheel ornamentation assembly is provided for attachment to a wheel secured to a wheel hub with a plurality of lug nuts. The wheel ornamentation assembly includes a wheel ornamentation having an outboard surface and an inboard surface. The wheel ornamentation assembly also includes a plurality of retention legs extending axially from the inboard surface for engaging the lug nuts. The wheel ornamentation also includes a wire retainer cooperating with the retention legs to provide mechanical support to the retention legs and prevent the wheel ornamentation from disengaging the lug nuts.

Abstract: A wheel center cap for a vehicle wheel includes a substantially planar body portion, and a plurality of flexibly resilient fingers extending substantially orthogonal to the body portion and adapted to be received within a central aperture of a wheel. Each finger includes a pair of sidewalls and an integrally formed outer wall, wherein the outer wall includes a centrally-located portion defining a first radius of curvature, and rounded abutment portions located proximate the sidewalls and having a second radius of curvature that is less than the first radius of curvature.

Abstract: In a structure of mounting a wheel cap to a wheel, a plurality of pairs of support plates are projectingly provided on an inner wall of the wheel cap made of a synthetic resin and arranged annularly so that the support plates in each pair are opposed to each other in a circumferential direction. A pair of elastic support legs extending from opposed surfaces of the support plates in each pair are integrally connected to each other to form a V-shape. A locking claw is formed on a connection between the support legs and capable of being engaged into a locking recess in an inner peripheral surface of a rim of the wheel. An annular setting spring is connected to the locking claws for biasing the locking claws in a direction to come into engagement in the locking recess. Thus, it is possible to form each of the support legs supporting each of the locking claws sufficiently long to enhance the flexibility of the support leg, thereby improving durability of the support legs and mounting property of the wheel cap.

Abstract: A wheel cover is constructed to include an inner cap for covering a vehicle wheel, the inner cap having back mounting lugs for fastening to a wheel rim. The inner cap has a plurality of through holes and a plurality of stub barrels around the through holes protruding inwardly. An outer cap is adapted to cover the inner cap, the outer cap having a plurality of cylindrical mounting rods protruding inwardly and inserted into the through holes of the inner cap. A plurality of screws equipped with a washer is fastened to the mounting rods of the outer cap and a compression spring surrounds each mounting rod and is mounted in each stub barrel between the inner cap back wall and the washer.

Abstract: A noise abatement ring having a low coefficient of friction is captured in an annular channel on the inner face of a wheel cover and abuts a vehicle wheel when the wheel cover is mounted to the wheel. The wheel cover is assembled by registering radial tabs formed on a wall of the channel and spaced from the base of the channel with notches formed in the ring and seating the ring into the channel. Thereafter, the ring is rotated relative to the wheel cover into a captive position, wherein the tabs and notches are no longer registered and with the tabs overlying reduced thickness stepped portions of the ring. A leaf spring latch, formed in one piece with the ring, seats into a detent on the inner face of the wheel cover to prevent rotation of the ring from the captive position.

Abstract: A wheel cover in the invention has a wheel cover body including fixing bases fixed thereon and each having at least one first hook hole; securing members connected to the fixing bases and each having at least one second hook hole; springs each having both ends for respectively hooking into each of the first hook holes and each of the corresponding second hook holes, whereby the securing members can be connected to the fixing bases and moved to and fro under the resilience of the springs so that in case that a tire of an automobile is forcedly deformed to jostle against the wheel cover while the automobile is driven on a rough road or runs over hard objects, the wheel cover body can follow the resilient to-and-fro movements of the securing members to prevent the wheel cover from coming off or being burst out of a wheel rim.

Abstract: A wheel rim cover includes a cover body and a decorative cover combined at an outer side of the cover body. The cover body has a plurality of fixing members protruding sidewise on an inner surface spaced apart equidistantly in a circle and fixed with a circular ring. The cover body has a plurality of hollow tubes, and a coil spring fitting around each hollow tube. The decorative cover has a diameter larger than that of the cover body, and a plurality of threaded rods standing sidewise on an inner surface with a washer and a nut. The threaded rods directly extend through the hollow tubes and the coil springs, engaging the nuts to press the coil springs. Thus the wheel cover has an elevated effect of visual appearance and a shock-absorbing function.

Abstract: To retain a decorative tubular cover having a given inner diameter over the axle hub of a wheel, a strap having a plurality of radially extending arms thereon is tightened around the circumference of the axle hub. The ends of the arms define a circle having a diameter a little larger than the given inner diameter of the tubular cover. The tubular cover is pushed over the arms until the open end thereof rests against the web of the wheel where it is retained by the outwardly directed forces applied by the arms.

Abstract: A cover body (22) has mounting claws (25), which are provided on a peripheral part thereof and restrained by a wire ring (23) from deforming toward the center of the cover body. The cover body is attached to a disc wheel of a vehicle by these mounting claws in such a way as to cover an outer surface part of the disc wheel. In this wheel cover, the necessity for additionally attaching the wire ring to the cover body is eliminated by inserting the wire ring thereinto and performing die-forming. Further, the stiffness of the cover body can be enhanced. Thus, a forming cycle time can be decreased. Moreover, the thickness of the cover body can be reduced.

Abstract: A mud cap assembly for attachment to a wheel rim comprising a member expandable for forming interlocking engagement with a wheel rim, a cover having an outer surface to inhibit track material from accumulating thereon and a plurality of fasteners for temporarily securing the cover to the member so that track material impinging on the cover slides off the cover to inhibit the creation of an unbalanced condition.

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: The rim guard is a hollow, thin plastic generally bowl-shaped body, having a large diameter open end and a handgrip that is centrally located along with thumb rest on the incline at the small diameter closed end. The rim guard can be made in different sizes to fit accurately over all rims with two locking clamp-like mechanisms located on the periphery right and left side. When the rim guard is secured over the outer flange portion of the wheel, it will rigidly abut the sidewall of the tire with the two clamps closed and locked in place into the crevice formed between the rim portion of the wheel and the inner sidewall of the tire. The rim guard is thereby held detachably on the wheel to prevent detailing solution from draining downward onto the wheel.

Abstract: A double deck wheel cover includes an inner part, and an outer part. The inner part is detachably fitted on a central portion of a wheel. The outer part has spaced connecting plates projecting from the inner side through corresponding slots of the inner part. Tension springs are connected to the connecting plates at outer ends. Inner ends of the springs are connected to a steel ring secured to the inner part. The outer part has a larger diameter than the outer part so that an outer edge thereof covers a portion of a lateral side of a tire joined to the wheel, thus reducing thickness of visible portion of the tire lateral side to make the tire to look like a sport tire that has a relatively low aspect ratio, i.e. the proportion of the thickness of the lateral portion to the width of the tread of the tire.

Abstract: To retain a decorative tubular cover having a given inner diameter over the axle hub of a wheel, a strap having a plurality of radially extending arms thereon is tightened around the circumference of the axle hub. The ends of the arms define a circle having a diameter a little larger than the given inner diameter of the tubular cover. The tubular cover is pushed over the arms until the open end thereof rests against the web of the wheel where it is retained by the outwardly directed forces applied by the arms.