Abstract: According to embodiments described in the specification, a method and apparatus are provided for producing an acoustic component. The acoustic component comprises a first compression-molded member comprising a first material; and a second injection-molded member coupled to and substantially surrounding the first member, the second member comprising a second material.

Abstract: A wheel trim adapter adapted to be securely affixed to the wheel of a vehicle without the use of tools, wherein the adapter can be used in a system for affixing a wheel trim or wheel cover to said vehicle, and methods for using same.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an affixment system for securing wheel cladding to a vehicle wheel, with the wheel including a hub and a plurality of radial spokes extending between the hub and a wheel rim. Each wheel spoke includes at least one aperture for seating a mushroom head expansion clip mounted to the inner face of corresponding spokes of the wheel cladding.

Abstract: A hubcap configured for attachment to a wheel of a vehicle via a plurality of nutcaps that are removably attachable to a plurality of lugnuts of the vehicle includes a chrome-plated body and a standoff. The chrome-plated body defines an inner surface having a sidewall. The standoff is configured to distribute a force, arising during attachment of the plurality of nutcaps to the plurality of lugnuts, through the hubcap to the wheel of the vehicle. The standoff includes a proximal portion spaced apart from the sidewall and a distal portion including a hollow tubular member defining a bore. A wheel assembly configured for attachment to an axle of the vehicle includes the plurality of nutcaps, the wheel, the hubcap, and an insulator configured to protect the hubcap from heat and disposed within the hollow tubular member of the standoff.

Abstract: A wheel cover attachment system including a cover for a wheel wherein the wheel includes a plurality of wheel fasteners and a valve stem. The cover comprises a cover circumference, cover axis, an exposed side simulating a wheel, an attachment side opposite the exposed side, at least one cover fastener, and at least one attachment bracket. The attachment bracket is removeably secured to the attachment side and includes a post shaped to accept the cover fastener, first and second concavities, and at least one biasing armature. Each concavity is shaped to accept one of the wheel fasteners and the biasing armature is shaped to engage one of the wheel fasteners in the first concavity and secure the bracket to one of the wheel fasteners.

Abstract: The interchangeable spoke wheel cover in this case will be used to add some decorative flare to the wheel of an automobile by allowing an individual to easily add a decorative wheel insert. The device will not require modification of the existing wheel and will be placed over the existing wheel. Additionally, the wheel can be easily removed and changed depending on the particular tastes and desires of the consumer.

Abstract: A motor vehicle wheel, comprising a structural body formed by an outer rim with which the tire is to be associated, by a hub and by at least one spoke for connecting the rim to the hub; the structural body is made of steel. The wheel advantageously comprises a wheel cover for covering the exposed parts of the structural body which is made of metallic light alloy. The wheel cover is fixed to the structural body by way of elements for mechanical interconnection of the type which can be removed at least from the wheel cover. The wheel cover is provided with receptacles for the insertion of the bolts for fixing the rim to the axle of the motor vehicle. The mechanical interconnection elements are separate from the bolts for fixing the wheel to the axle of the motor vehicle.

Abstract: A wheel cover assembly comprises a wheel cover that includes a body portion having an outer surface and an inner surface opposed across the body portion from the outer surface, and at least one elongated tubularly-shaped extension having a proximal portion connected to the body portion, and a distal portion extending in a direction away from the inner surface of the body portion. The wheel cover assembly also includes at least one connector member having a proximal end snappably coupled with the distal end of the extension of the wheel cover, and a distal end adapted to releasably couple with a vehicle wheel.

Abstract: A cover for a wheel or hub may be rotationally attached and removed from the hub by hand due to a mounting clip on the cover defining a space for a single lug nut and a tangentially oriented entryway.

Abstract: A cover is retained over the central portions of the wheel of a vehicle retained by a plurality of lug nuts by a retainer that attaches to two adjacent lug nuts. The retainer has first and second opposing retainer members with each retainer member having a pair of arcuate portions for fitting under the corners between flats of two adjacent lug nuts and against the tapered lower portion of the two lug nuts.

Abstract: An ornamental wheel cover integrally retained on the lug nuts of a vehicle wheel that provides positive positioning of the cover to the lug nuts. The cover is provided with a number of elongated tubular extensions axially projecting therefrom that are each partially slotted to provide a plurality of cantilevered fingers. Each finger has an undercut groove that positively positions the cover to the lug nuts of the wheel. When the cover is attached to the wheel, the elongated tubular extensions are aligned with the lug nuts and the cover is moved axially inwardly of the wheel so that the cantilevered fingers separate slightly as they pass over the flange of the lug nut. The wheel cover further includes a wire band retainer to bias the innermost cantilevered fingers into continual engagement with the lug nuts, even during temperatures that would otherwise cause the plastic to distort due to heat creep.

Abstract: The hub cap has first end wall portion, a sidewall portion and a laterally extending mounting flange. There are plural fastener-receiving openings in the flange. A second endwall portion is integrally formed on the flange and is free from engagement with the hold-down ring. The second end wall portion has a plurality of integral retainers of reduced diameter with respect to the remainder of the wall. There is a hold down ring made from a stiff metal material, overlying the flange on the hub cap. The hold down ring has plural fastener-receiving openings therein, and the retainers snugly secure the hold-down ring in its installed position.

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 body having an outboard surface and an inboard surface. The wheel ornamentation assembly also includes a first annular wall extending axially from the inboard surface. The wheel ornamentation assembly includes a plurality of first retention legs extending axially from the first annular wall. The wheel ornamentation assembly also includes a second annular wall extending axially from the inboard surface. The second annular wall is spaced radially from the first annular wall. The wheel ornamentation assembly further includes a plurality of second retention legs extending axially from the second annular wall. The first annular wall and the second annular wall of the wheel ornamentation assembly cooperate to define a plurality of lug cavities adapted to receive a lug nut.

Abstract: A wheel cover retention system for a wheel having a plurality of lug studs extending through the wheel. The wheel cover includes a base having an outboard surface and an inboard surface opposite the outboard surface, and also having lug towers formed integrally therein and projecting inboard from the inboard surface. The wheel cover includes thermal isolator itegrally fixed coaxially and apically to each of the lug towers, each lug stud extending through each lug tower and each thermal isolator. A lug nut threads to each lug stud to fasten the wheel cover between the wheel and a shoulder on the lug nut. The thermal isolator thermally isolates the base of the wheel cover from heat transfer from a brake component through the lug stud and nut.

Abstract: The invention relates to a hub cap with built-in rim-fixing screws, of the type that comprises a wheel cover which Covers all or part of the metal rim of the wheel and which comprises a series of tubular projections or cylindrical sleeves that are used to house a nut or screw for fixing the wheel to the cap. The aforementioned sleeve comprises an element which is used to fix the nut or screw permanently to the hubcap. Said element is formed by a peripheral lip on the inner surface of the sleeve which is housed in a cylindrical neck or groove of the screw, said groove being defined between two end stops. The above-mentioned fixing means enables the screw or nut to be moved in an axial manner between two defined positions, without allowing said screw or nut to be removed fully- from the hubcap, an operation which can only be carried out using an applicable tool.

Abstract: An ornamental wheel cover integrally retained on the lug nuts of a vehicle wheel that provides positive positioning of the cover to the lug nuts. The cover is provided with a number of elongated tubular extensions axially projecting therefrom that are each partially slotted to provide a plurality of cantilevered fingers. Each finger has an undercut groove that positively positions the cover to the lug nuts of the wheel. When the cover is attached to the wheel, the elongated tubular extensions are aligned with the lug nuts and the cover is moved axially inwardly of the wheel so that the cantilevered fingers separate slightly as they pass over the flange of the lug nut. The wheel cover further includes a wire band retainer to bias the innermost cantilevered fingers into continual engagement with the lug nuts, even during temperatures that would otherwise cause the plastic to distort due to heat creep.

Abstract: An improved tire step that is capable of mounting to a vehicle wheel's support studs to enable a person to use the step to elevate himself off of the ground to reach a portion of the vehicle. In one form, the tire step comprises a first ring having a plurality of holes positioned in a spaced apart relationship around the ring. A second ring is provided and a plurality of spaced apart bars joins the first ring to the second ring.

Abstract: A wheel cover snap fastens to stylized lug nuts of a wheel using resilient retainers that are integrally fastened to the wheel cover. The stylized lug nuts correspond and axially extend through apertures in the wheel cover when the wheel cover is assembled to the wheel. The retainers are secured to an inboard face of the wheel cover and correspondingly engage the stylized lug nuts to retain the wheel trim assembly to the wheel such that retainers are not visible when the wheel trim assembly is viewed from a direction normal to the outboard face of the wheel cover. The apertures are sized in relation to annular flanges on the lug nuts and to the resilient tabs of the retainers such that the wheel cover and/or annular flanges of the lug nuts conceal the retainers from view, and thereby provide an uninterrupted chrome appearance.

Abstract: A Locking Lug Cover assembly is disclosed which utilizes an annulus secured by a locking mechanism to the specialy designed lug nuts or studs of a vehicle wheel for prohibiting access to the aforementioned lug nuts or studs of a vehicle, The annulus is constructed of a rigid, machineable material substantial in construction as to not allow deflection or breakage by applied force. The annulus is connected to the vehicle hub with mounting attachments that connect to the specially designed extended lug nuts or studs of a vehicle. A locking mechanism such as a cam lock extends through the cross section of the annulus to communicate with the lug nuts or bolts and hold the lug cover securely in place.

Abstract: A wheel liner system for attaching a wheel liner to a wheel of a vehicle having a mounting surface and lug nuts engaging lugs adjacent the mounting surface. The wheel liner has an annular peripheral portion with an inner perimeter, and a center portion with a step sidewall extending from the inner perimeter to a plateau having a plurality of holes which receive the lug nuts. The plateau is preferably spaced from the mounting surface to position the plurality of holes adjacent corner portions of the lug nuts, which enables the wheel liner to transitionally contact and support the corner portions of the lug nuts during installation. Preferably the wheel liner is releasably secured to the wheel using a hub cover having a deck portion with at least two apertures and an outer skirt extending below the deck portion. The outer skirt matingly abuts and surrounds the step sidewall of the wheel liner to center the hub cover and the wheel liner relative to each other.