Wheel cover

Claim 2

A wheel cover fOr a multiflanged drop center automotive wheel, comprising a circular decorative member, a metal mounting ring extending around the periphery of said decorative member, said mounting ring having a generally axially extending generally cylindrical mounting flange overlying the periphery of said decorative member, a plurality of tapered locking bosses projecting radially outwardly from said peripheral edge at spaced positions therearound into engaging means in said mounting flange, the configuration of said bosses being such as to keep at least one of such assembled parts resiliently distorted to noncircular form and insure firm compressive engagement between them under normal conditions, said mounting ring also including means for engaging a generally cylindrical flange on the rim of said wheel to secure said wheel cover against accidental removal from and rotation relative to said wheel, said engaging means comprise holes in said mounting flange, at least one dimension of said holes being less than the corresponding dimension of said tapered locking bosses at radial locations capable of being aligned with said mounting flange when both said decorative member and said mounting ring are undistorted, whereby only the outer portions of said bosses can project into said holes and at least one of said parts is resiliently distorted to noncircular form.

Claim 3

A wheel cover for a multiflanged drop center automotive wheel, comprising a circular decorative member, a metal mounting ring extending around the periphery of said decorative member, said mounting ring having a generally axially extending generally cylindrical mounting flange overlying the periphery of said decorative member, a plurality of tapered locking bosses projecting radially outwardly from said peripheral edge at spaced positions therearound into engaging means in said mounting flange, the configuration of said bosses being such as to keep at least one of such assembled parts resiliently distorted to noncircular form and insure firm compressive engagement between them under normal conditions, said mounting ring also including means for engaging a generally cylindrical flange on the rim of said wheel to secure said wheel cover against accidental removal from and rotation relative to said wheel, said engaging means comprises holes in said mounting flange and said tapered locking bosses each comprises an axially facing bevelled surface to facilitate assembly of said wheel cover, whereby said wheel cover assembly may be assembled by coaxially aligning said decorative member and said mounting ring with said axially facing bevelled surfaces adjacent said mounting ring and said holes and said tapered locking bosses axially aligned, axially pressing said parts together such that said mounting ring engages said bevelled surfaces and is elastically distorted radially outwardly therealong until said holes are reached and said mounting flange snaps radially inwardly with said tapered locking bosses projecting radially outwardly through said holes.

Claim 4

A wheel cover for a multiflanged drop center automotive wheel, comprising a circular decorative member, a metal mounting ring extending around the periphery of said decorative member, said mounting ring having a generally axially extending generally cylindrical mounting flange overlying the periphery of said decorative member, a plurality of tapered locking bosses projecting radially outwardly from said peripheral edge at spaced positions therearound into engaging means in said mounting flange, the configuration of said bosses being such as to keep at least one of such assembled parts resiliently distorted to noncircular form and insure firm compressive engagement between them under normal conditions, said mounting ring also including means for engaging a generally cylindrical flange on the rim of said wheel to secure said wheel cover against accidental removal from and rotation relative to said wheel, said engaging means comprises holes in said mounting flange and said tapered locking bosses each comprises an axially facing bevelled surface to facilitate assembly of said wheel cover, whereby said wheel cover assembly may be assembled by coaxially aligning said decorative member and said mounting ring with said axially facing bevelled surfaces adjacent said mounting ring and said holes and said tapered locking bosses axially aligned, axially pressing said parts together such that said mounting ring engages said bevelled surfaces and is elastically distorted radially outwardly therealong until said holes are reached and said mounting flange snaps radially inwardly with said tapered locking bosses projecting radially outwardly through said holes.

Claim 5

A wheel cover as described in claim 2 in which the axial dimension of said holes is less than the corresponding axial dimension of said tapered locking bosses at radial locations aligned with said mounting flange when said decorative member and said mounting ring are coaxially aligned in their undistorted states prior to initial assembly, whereby only the outer portions of said bosses can project into said holes and at least one of said parts is resiliently distorted to noncircular form.

Claim 6

A wheel cover as described in claim 3 in which said mounting flange further includes an annular skirt portion extending generally radially outwardly from the front side of said mounting flange for overlying and substantially concealing an annular marginal area of said wheel and a peripherally continuous supporting flange extending generally axially rearwardly from the rear side of said mounting flange, said means for securing said wheel cover on said wheel comprising a plurality of spring retAining fingers projecting generally axially rearwardly from said supporting flange, said fingers being bent to provide relatively short and stiff terminal portions extending generally radially outwardly and slightly forwardly therefrom, said terminal portions having outer sharp edges lying substantially along a circle of such diameter that, as said wheel cover is pressed onto said wheel, said retaining fingers will engage said cylindrical rim flange and be cammed resiliently inwardly to maintain said sharp edges in firm biting engagement with said rim flange.

Claim 7

A wheel cover as described in claim 4 in which said sharp edges are provided with one or more arcuate indentations forming sharp projecting spurs which bite into the flange of said rim.

Claim 8

A wheel cover as described in claim 5 in which said decorative member is formed of molded plastic.

Claim 9

A wheel cover as described in claim 6 in which said axially facing bevelled surfaces for facilitating assembly of said wheel cover are, when the parts are fully assembled, adjacent said supporting flange, said bevelled surfaces being engaged during assembly of said parts by peripherally spaced portions of the annular juncture between said mounting flange and said annular skirt.

Claim 10

A wheel cover as described by claim 7 in which the undistorted diameter of said mounting flange is slightly greater than the undistorted diameter of said circular member.