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US3669501A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Vehicle wheel construction

Assignee: Motor Wheel Corp
•
Filing: 1970-03-03
•
Granted: 1972-06-13
•
Expires: 1990-03-03
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Abstract

Abstract A vehicle disc wheel construction wherein at least a portion of the outboard face of the disc and/or rim of a conventional steel disc wheel is covered by an ornamental plastic wheel cover. The cover has its inner and outer margins in contact with the wheel but intermediate its margins the cover is spaced outwardly from the outboard face of the wheel. The void between the cover and wheel face is filled by a low density adhesive material such as polyurethane foam which adherently secures the cover permanently to the wheel.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert J Derleth

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-27 08:33
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B5/00; B60B5/02

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim 326 words
A composite metal and plastic vehicle wheel including in combination a metallic portion comprising a disc for mounting and supporting said wheel on a rotary vehicular part such as a wheel hub, brake drum, axle or the like and a rim encircling and secured to said disc and adapted to demountably receive a tire thereon, and a plastic portion disposed adjacent and covering at least part of the outboard facE of said metallic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion comprising a body of plastic material having inboard and outboard surfaces spaced from one another axially of said wheel with said inboard surface disposed adjacent and having the same contour as said covered part of said outboard face, the distance between said inboard and outboard surfaces axially of said wheel varying in a direction transverse to the axis of said wheel such that said outboard surface has a threedimensional contour differing from that of said inboard surface and adapted to provide decorative contour exposed to view on the outboard side of said wheel, said plastic material of said body filling the space between said inboard and outboard surfaces, said inboard surface of said body being adhesively secured to said covered part of said outboard face whereby said plastic portion of said wheel is permanently affixed to said metallic portion of said wheel, said disc having a plurality of holes therein for receiving wheel mounting means therethrough for detachably mounting said wheel to said rotary vehicular part, said plastic portion overlying at least a portion of said disc surrounding said holes, said outboard surface of said plastic portion converging with said outboard face of said disc to define at least one access aperture registering with said disc holes, said converging surface of said plastic portion being spaced radially away from each of said disc holes to provide a zone of access thereto from the outboard side of said wheel for mounting and demounting the wheel mounting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 326 words
A composite metal and plastic vehicle wheel including in combination a metallic portion comprising a disc for mounting and supporting said wheel on a rotary vehicular part such as a wheel hub, brake drum, axle or the like and a rim encircling and secured to said disc and adapted to demountably receive a tire thereon, and a plastic portion disposed adjacent and covering at least part of the outboard facE of said metallic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion comprising a body of plastic material having inboard and outboard surfaces spaced from one another axially of said wheel with said inboard surface disposed adjacent and having the same contour as said covered part of said outboard face, the distance between said inboard and outboard surfaces axially of said wheel varying in a direction transverse to the axis of said wheel such that said outboard surface has a threedimensional contour differing from that of said inboard surface and adapted to provide decorative contour exposed to view on the outboard side of said wheel, said plastic material of said body filling the space between said inboard and outboard surfaces, said inboard surface of said body being adhesively secured to said covered part of said outboard face whereby said plastic portion of said wheel is permanently affixed to said metallic portion of said wheel, said disc having a plurality of holes therein for receiving wheel mounting means therethrough for detachably mounting said wheel to said rotary vehicular part, said plastic portion overlying at least a portion of said disc surrounding said holes, said outboard surface of said plastic portion converging with said outboard face of said disc to define at least one access aperture registering with said disc holes, said converging surface of said plastic portion being spaced radially away from each of said disc holes to provide a zone of access thereto from the outboard side of said wheel for mounting and demounting the wheel mounting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 68 words
The wheel as set forth in claim 1 wherein said plastic portion of said wheel comprises an ornamental cover having an outer surface defining said outboard surface of said plastic portion and a body of adhesive plastic material filling the space between the inner surface of said cover and said inboard surface of said plastic portion and adherently securing said cover to said metallic portion of said wheel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 35 words
The wheel as set forth in claim 2 wherein said rim and disc are steel, said cover is a unitary member made of thermo-plastic material and said adhesive material comprises a resilient cellular foam body.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 18 words
The wheel as set forth in claim 3 wherein said body of adhesive material comprises a foamed-in-place material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 31 words
The wheel as set forth in claim 4 wherein said adhesive material comprises polyurethane foam and said cover is preformed prior to assembly to said wheel from an acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene plastic material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 82 words
The wheel as set forth in claim 4 wherein said cover is preformed prior to assembly to said wheel and has a corresponding series of holes registering with said disc holes to define a plurality of said access apertures in said plastic portion of said wheel, and all the space between said cover and said covered area of said outboard face of said wheel communicates with said cover holes to provide venting apertures for said adhesive material during the foaming stage thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 220 words
A composite steel and plastic styled vehicle wheel including in combination a wheel mounting disc, a rim secured to said disc adapted to demountably receive a resilient elastomer tire thereon, said disc and rim each comprising a part made as one piece from a single layer of cold worked steel, and an ornamental plastic overlay disposed adjacent the outboard faces of said disc and rim and exposed to view from the outboard side of said wheel with at least a portion of said overlay overlying a substantial portion of at least one of said faces and having sections thicker axially of said wheel than the thickness of said layer overlaid by said overlay, said sections of said overlay consisting of a body of elastomer material filling the space between the outer exposed surface of said portion of said overlay and said one face and permanently adherently securing said overlay to said one face, the outboard exposed surface of said overlay having a three-dimensional ornamental contour with variations therein in a direction transverse to the axis of said wheel exceeding that of said one face, said exposed surface contour thereby differing from that of said one face and having symmetry about the axis of rotation of said wheel to thereby impart an aesthetic appearance to the outboard side of said wheel.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 220 words
A composite steel and plastic styled vehicle wheel including in combination a wheel mounting disc, a rim secured to said disc adapted to demountably receive a resilient elastomer tire thereon, said disc and rim each comprising a part made as one piece from a single layer of cold worked steel, and an ornamental plastic overlay disposed adjacent the outboard faces of said disc and rim and exposed to view from the outboard side of said wheel with at least a portion of said overlay overlying a substantial portion of at least one of said faces and having sections thicker axially of said wheel than the thickness of said layer overlaid by said overlay, said sections of said overlay consisting of a body of elastomer material filling the space between the outer exposed surface of said portion of said overlay and said one face and permanently adherently securing said overlay to said one face, the outboard exposed surface of said overlay having a three-dimensional ornamental contour with variations therein in a direction transverse to the axis of said wheel exceeding that of said one face, said exposed surface contour thereby differing from that of said one face and having symmetry about the axis of rotation of said wheel to thereby impart an aesthetic appearance to the outboard side of said wheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 38 words
The wheel as set forth in claim 7 wherein said elastomer material comprises a cast-in-place urethane elastomer occupying at least a major portion of the axial space between said one face and the outboard face of said overlay.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 289 words
A wheel including in combination a wheel mounting disc, a rim secured to said disc adapted to receive a tire thereon, an ornamental cover disposed adjacent the outboard faces of said disc and rim with at least a portion of the said cover being spaced axially from at least one of said faces, and a body of adhesive material filling the space between the said portion of said cover and said one face, said material adherently securing said cover to said one face, said disc having a central aperture therein, said wheel further including a sleeve mounted in said aperture and extending axially outwardly from the outboard face of said disc, said cover having a hub portion axially receiving said sleeve therethrough and being radially spaced outwardly therefrom, the outer ends of said hub portion of said cover and said sleeve having interengaging portions providing a continuous sealed joint therebetween, the inner end of said sleeve and said disc likewise having interengaging portions forming a continuous sealed joint therebetween, said body of adhesive material also filling the space between said sleeve and said hub portion of said cover, said disc having an outwardly directed flange defining said center aperture therein, and including a cap inserted in the outer end of said sleeve to close the same, the inner end of said sleeve being open and having an outwardly flared flange at said inner end engaging said disc flange to provide said interengaging portions of said disc and sleeve, said hub portion of said cover having an inwardly directed flange at its outer end and said sleeve having a circumferential portion engaging said flange of said hub portion to provide said interengaging portions of said hub portion and said sleeve.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 289 words
A wheel including in combination a wheel mounting disc, a rim secured to said disc adapted to receive a tire thereon, an ornamental cover disposed adjacent the outboard faces of said disc and rim with at least a portion of the said cover being spaced axially from at least one of said faces, and a body of adhesive material filling the space between the said portion of said cover and said one face, said material adherently securing said cover to said one face, said disc having a central aperture therein, said wheel further including a sleeve mounted in said aperture and extending axially outwardly from the outboard face of said disc, said cover having a hub portion axially receiving said sleeve therethrough and being radially spaced outwardly therefrom, the outer ends of said hub portion of said cover and said sleeve having interengaging portions providing a continuous sealed joint therebetween, the inner end of said sleeve and said disc likewise having interengaging portions forming a continuous sealed joint therebetween, said body of adhesive material also filling the space between said sleeve and said hub portion of said cover, said disc having an outwardly directed flange defining said center aperture therein, and including a cap inserted in the outer end of said sleeve to close the same, the inner end of said sleeve being open and having an outwardly flared flange at said inner end engaging said disc flange to provide said interengaging portions of said disc and sleeve, said hub portion of said cover having an inwardly directed flange at its outer end and said sleeve having a circumferential portion engaging said flange of said hub portion to provide said interengaging portions of said hub portion and said sleeve.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 225 words
A composite metal and plastic automotive-type styled wheel including in combination a metal portion comprising a metal disc and a metal rim secured to said disc and adapted to removably receive a pneumatic tire thereon and a plastic portion covering at least part of the outboard face of said metal portion of said wheel, said plastic portion comprising a body of urethane plastic material having an inboard mounting surface complimentally contoured to said covered part of said outboard face of said metal portion, the contour of the outboard surface of said plastic portion differing from the contour of said covered part of said outboard face of said metal portion and having sections thicker than and variations in contour greater than that of said covered part of said metal portion to provide decorative configuration exposed to view on the outboard side of said wheel, said urethane plastic material of said body generally filling the space between said inboard mounting surface and an outboard surface of said body and providing at least a semi-resilient reinforcement for said plastic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion being densest adjacent said outboard surface thereof, said inboard mounting surface of said body being adhesively secured to said covered part of said outboard face whereby said plastic portion of said wheel is permanently affixed to said metal portion of said wheel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 225 words
A composite metal and plastic automotive-type styled wheel including in combination a metal portion comprising a metal disc and a metal rim secured to said disc and adapted to removably receive a pneumatic tire thereon and a plastic portion covering at least part of the outboard face of said metal portion of said wheel, said plastic portion comprising a body of urethane plastic material having an inboard mounting surface complimentally contoured to said covered part of said outboard face of said metal portion, the contour of the outboard surface of said plastic portion differing from the contour of said covered part of said outboard face of said metal portion and having sections thicker than and variations in contour greater than that of said covered part of said metal portion to provide decorative configuration exposed to view on the outboard side of said wheel, said urethane plastic material of said body generally filling the space between said inboard mounting surface and an outboard surface of said body and providing at least a semi-resilient reinforcement for said plastic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion being densest adjacent said outboard surface thereof, said inboard mounting surface of said body being adhesively secured to said covered part of said outboard face whereby said plastic portion of said wheel is permanently affixed to said metal portion of said wheel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 193 words
A composite metal and plastic demountable automotive-type styled wheel including in combination metal members including a wheel mounting disc and a rim secured to said disc adapted to receive a resilient elastomeric tire thereon, and an ornamental plastic overlay for the outboard face of at least one of said disc and rim members with said Overlay overlying at least part of one of said faces and having portions extending axially outwardly from said one face by a distance greater than the thickness of the metal of said one member, said overlay including a body of elastomer material in the space between the outer exposed surface of said overlay and said one face and adherently securing said overlay to said one face, the outboard face of said overlay having an ornamental contour differing from that of said one face and adapted to impart an aesthetic appearance to the outboard side of said wheel, said disc having a plurality of holes therein for receiving wheel mounting members therethrough, said overlay having an apertured portion extending inwardly to said one face and around said disc holes to accommodate and provide access to the wheel mounting members.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 193 words
A composite metal and plastic demountable automotive-type styled wheel including in combination metal members including a wheel mounting disc and a rim secured to said disc adapted to receive a resilient elastomeric tire thereon, and an ornamental plastic overlay for the outboard face of at least one of said disc and rim members with said Overlay overlying at least part of one of said faces and having portions extending axially outwardly from said one face by a distance greater than the thickness of the metal of said one member, said overlay including a body of elastomer material in the space between the outer exposed surface of said overlay and said one face and adherently securing said overlay to said one face, the outboard face of said overlay having an ornamental contour differing from that of said one face and adapted to impart an aesthetic appearance to the outboard side of said wheel, said disc having a plurality of holes therein for receiving wheel mounting members therethrough, said overlay having an apertured portion extending inwardly to said one face and around said disc holes to accommodate and provide access to the wheel mounting members.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 218 words
A composite metal and plastic demountable automotive-type styled wheel including in combination a metal portion comprising a metal disc and a metal rim secured to said disc and adapted to receive a tire thereon, and a plastic portion disposed adjacent and covering at least part of the outboard face of said metal portion of said wheel, said plastic portion comprising a body of plastic material having an inboard mounting surface complimentally contoured to the covered part of said outboard face of said metal portion, said plastic portion having sections thicker than said disc and rim and an outboard surface contour differing from the outboard face contour of said metal portion to impart a decorative configuration thereto, said disc having a plurality of holes therein for receiving wheel mounting members therethrough, said plastic portion having an apertured portion extending inwardly to said outboard face of said metal portion around said disc holes to accommodate and provide access to the wheel mounting members and to expose said disc holes from the outboard side of said wheel, said inboard mounting surface of said body being adhesively secured to said outboard face of said metal portion at said apertured portion and also radially outwardly therefrom whereby said plastic portion of said wheel is permanently affixed to said metal portion of said wheel.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 218 words
A composite metal and plastic demountable automotive-type styled wheel including in combination a metal portion comprising a metal disc and a metal rim secured to said disc and adapted to receive a tire thereon, and a plastic portion disposed adjacent and covering at least part of the outboard face of said metal portion of said wheel, said plastic portion comprising a body of plastic material having an inboard mounting surface complimentally contoured to the covered part of said outboard face of said metal portion, said plastic portion having sections thicker than said disc and rim and an outboard surface contour differing from the outboard face contour of said metal portion to impart a decorative configuration thereto, said disc having a plurality of holes therein for receiving wheel mounting members therethrough, said plastic portion having an apertured portion extending inwardly to said outboard face of said metal portion around said disc holes to accommodate and provide access to the wheel mounting members and to expose said disc holes from the outboard side of said wheel, said inboard mounting surface of said body being adhesively secured to said outboard face of said metal portion at said apertured portion and also radially outwardly therefrom whereby said plastic portion of said wheel is permanently affixed to said metal portion of said wheel.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 15 words
The wheel as set forth in claim 12 wherein said body comprises a urethane plastic.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 15 words
The wheel as set forth in claim 13 wherein said body comprises a molded-in-place material.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 324 words
A composite metal and plastic vehicle wheel including in combination a metallic portion comprising a disc for mounting and supporting said wheel on a rotary vehicular part such as a wheel hub, brake drum, axle or the like and a rim encircling and secured to said disc and adapted to receive a tire thereon, and a plastic portion disposed adjacent and covering at least part of the outboard face of said metallic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion comprising a body of plastic material having inboard and outboard surfaces spaced from one another axially of said wheel with said inboard surface disposed adjacent and having the same contour as said covered part of said outboard face, the distance between said inboard and outboard surfaces axially of said wheel varying in a direction transverse to the axis of said wheel such that said outboard surface has a three-dimensional contour differing from that of said inboard surface and adapted to provide decorative contour exposed to view on the outboard side of said wheel, said plastic material of said body filling the space between said inboard and outboard surfaces, said inboard surface of said body being adhesively secured to said covered part of said outboard face whereby said plastic portion of said wheel is permanently affixed to said metallic portion of said wheel, said disc having a plurality of holes for receiving mounting means therethrough and said plastic portion overlying said disc and having a corresponding series of holes registering with said disc holes, said outboard surface of said plastic portion converging with said outboard face of said disc in the vicInity of said holes to provide access pockets for individually exposing said mounting means to the outboard side of said wheel, said disc having metallic means exposed at and in contact with the margin of each of said holes in said plastic portion adapted to engage said mounting means associated with each said disc hole.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 324 words
A composite metal and plastic vehicle wheel including in combination a metallic portion comprising a disc for mounting and supporting said wheel on a rotary vehicular part such as a wheel hub, brake drum, axle or the like and a rim encircling and secured to said disc and adapted to receive a tire thereon, and a plastic portion disposed adjacent and covering at least part of the outboard face of said metallic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion comprising a body of plastic material having inboard and outboard surfaces spaced from one another axially of said wheel with said inboard surface disposed adjacent and having the same contour as said covered part of said outboard face, the distance between said inboard and outboard surfaces axially of said wheel varying in a direction transverse to the axis of said wheel such that said outboard surface has a three-dimensional contour differing from that of said inboard surface and adapted to provide decorative contour exposed to view on the outboard side of said wheel, said plastic material of said body filling the space between said inboard and outboard surfaces, said inboard surface of said body being adhesively secured to said covered part of said outboard face whereby said plastic portion of said wheel is permanently affixed to said metallic portion of said wheel, said disc having a plurality of holes for receiving mounting means therethrough and said plastic portion overlying said disc and having a corresponding series of holes registering with said disc holes, said outboard surface of said plastic portion converging with said outboard face of said disc in the vicInity of said holes to provide access pockets for individually exposing said mounting means to the outboard side of said wheel, said disc having metallic means exposed at and in contact with the margin of each of said holes in said plastic portion adapted to engage said mounting means associated with each said disc hole.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 388 words
A composite metal and plastic vehicle wheel including in combination a metallic portion comprising a disc for mounting and supporting said wheel on a rotary vehicular part such as a wheel hub, brake drum, axle or the like and a rim encircling and secured to said disc and adapted to receive a tire thereon, and a plastic portion disposed adjacent and covering at least part of the outboard face of said metallic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion comprising a body of plastic material having inboard and outboard surfaces spaced from one another axially of said wheel with said inboard surface disposed adjacent and having the same contour as said covered part of said outboard face, the distance between said inboard and outboard surfaces axially of said wheel varying in a direction transverse to the axis of said wheel such that said outboard surface has a three-dimensional contour differing from that of said inboard surface and adapted to provide decorative contour exposed to view on the outboard side of said wheel, said plastic material of said body filling the space between said inboard and outboard surfaces, said inboard surface of said body being adhesively secured to said covered part of said outboard face whereby said plastic portion of said wheel is permanently affixed to said metallic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion of said wheel comprising an ornamental plastic cover having an outer surface defining said outboard surface of said plastic portion and a body of adhesive plastic material filling the space between the inner surface of said cover and said inboard surface of said plastic portion and adherently securing said cover to said metallic portion of said wheel, said disc having a central aperture therein, said wheel further including a sleeve mounted in said disc central aperture and extending axially outwardly from the outboard face of said disc, said cover having a hub portion axially receiving said sleeve therethrough and being radially spaced outwardly therefrom, the outer ends of said hub portion of said cover and said sleeve having interengaging portions providing a continuous sealed joint therebetween, the inner end of said sleeve and said disc likewise having interengaging portions forming a continuous sealed joint therebetween, said body of adhesive material also filling the space between said sleeve and said hub portion of said cover.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 388 words
A composite metal and plastic vehicle wheel including in combination a metallic portion comprising a disc for mounting and supporting said wheel on a rotary vehicular part such as a wheel hub, brake drum, axle or the like and a rim encircling and secured to said disc and adapted to receive a tire thereon, and a plastic portion disposed adjacent and covering at least part of the outboard face of said metallic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion comprising a body of plastic material having inboard and outboard surfaces spaced from one another axially of said wheel with said inboard surface disposed adjacent and having the same contour as said covered part of said outboard face, the distance between said inboard and outboard surfaces axially of said wheel varying in a direction transverse to the axis of said wheel such that said outboard surface has a three-dimensional contour differing from that of said inboard surface and adapted to provide decorative contour exposed to view on the outboard side of said wheel, said plastic material of said body filling the space between said inboard and outboard surfaces, said inboard surface of said body being adhesively secured to said covered part of said outboard face whereby said plastic portion of said wheel is permanently affixed to said metallic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion of said wheel comprising an ornamental plastic cover having an outer surface defining said outboard surface of said plastic portion and a body of adhesive plastic material filling the space between the inner surface of said cover and said inboard surface of said plastic portion and adherently securing said cover to said metallic portion of said wheel, said disc having a central aperture therein, said wheel further including a sleeve mounted in said disc central aperture and extending axially outwardly from the outboard face of said disc, said cover having a hub portion axially receiving said sleeve therethrough and being radially spaced outwardly therefrom, the outer ends of said hub portion of said cover and said sleeve having interengaging portions providing a continuous sealed joint therebetween, the inner end of said sleeve and said disc likewise having interengaging portions forming a continuous sealed joint therebetween, said body of adhesive material also filling the space between said sleeve and said hub portion of said cover.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 436 words
A composite metal and plastic vehicle wheel including in combination a metallic portion comprising a disc for mounting and supporting said wheel on a rotary vehicular part such as a wheel hub, brake drum, axle or the like and a rim encircling and secured to said disc and adapted to receive a tire thereon, and a plastic portion disposed adjacent and covering at least part of the outboard face of said metallic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion comprising a body of plastic material having inboard and outboard surfaces spaced from one another axially of said wheel with said inboard surface disposed adjacent and having the same contour as said covered part of said outboard face, the distance between said inboard and outboard surfaces axially of said wheel varying in a direction transverse to the axis of said wheel such that said outboard surface has a three-dimensional contour differing from that of said inboard surface and adapted to provide decorative contour exposed to view on the outboard side of said wheel, said plastic material of said body filling the space between said inboard and outboard surfaces, said inboard surface of said body being adhesively secured to said covered part of said outboard face whereby said plastic portion of said wheel is permanently affixed to sAid metallic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion of said wheel comprising an ornamental plastic cover having an outer surface defining said outboard surface of said plastic portion and a body of adhesive plastic material filling the space between the inner surface of said cover and said inboard surface of said plastic portion and adherently securing said cover to said metallic portion of said wheel, said rim and disc being steel, said cover being a unitary member made of thermo-plastic material and said adhesive material comprising a resilient cellular foam body, said disc having a plurality of holes for receiving mounting bolts therethrough, said cover having a corresponding series of holes registering with said disc holes, all the space between said cover and said covered area of said outboard face of said wheel communicating with said cover holes to provide venting apertures for said adhesive material during the foaming stage thereof, said cover entirely overlying said outboard faces of said disc and said rim and being spaced from said faces except at the outer peripheral margin of said cover and in the vicinity of said disc holes, said outer peripheral margin of said cover contacting the outer margin of said rim continuously circumferentially therearound, said foam filling all of the space between said cover and said disc and rim faces.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 436 words
A composite metal and plastic vehicle wheel including in combination a metallic portion comprising a disc for mounting and supporting said wheel on a rotary vehicular part such as a wheel hub, brake drum, axle or the like and a rim encircling and secured to said disc and adapted to receive a tire thereon, and a plastic portion disposed adjacent and covering at least part of the outboard face of said metallic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion comprising a body of plastic material having inboard and outboard surfaces spaced from one another axially of said wheel with said inboard surface disposed adjacent and having the same contour as said covered part of said outboard face, the distance between said inboard and outboard surfaces axially of said wheel varying in a direction transverse to the axis of said wheel such that said outboard surface has a three-dimensional contour differing from that of said inboard surface and adapted to provide decorative contour exposed to view on the outboard side of said wheel, said plastic material of said body filling the space between said inboard and outboard surfaces, said inboard surface of said body being adhesively secured to said covered part of said outboard face whereby said plastic portion of said wheel is permanently affixed to sAid metallic portion of said wheel, said plastic portion of said wheel comprising an ornamental plastic cover having an outer surface defining said outboard surface of said plastic portion and a body of adhesive plastic material filling the space between the inner surface of said cover and said inboard surface of said plastic portion and adherently securing said cover to said metallic portion of said wheel, said rim and disc being steel, said cover being a unitary member made of thermo-plastic material and said adhesive material comprising a resilient cellular foam body, said disc having a plurality of holes for receiving mounting bolts therethrough, said cover having a corresponding series of holes registering with said disc holes, all the space between said cover and said covered area of said outboard face of said wheel communicating with said cover holes to provide venting apertures for said adhesive material during the foaming stage thereof, said cover entirely overlying said outboard faces of said disc and said rim and being spaced from said faces except at the outer peripheral margin of said cover and in the vicinity of said disc holes, said outer peripheral margin of said cover contacting the outer margin of said rim continuously circumferentially therearound, said foam filling all of the space between said cover and said disc and rim faces.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 320 words
A composite steel and plastic automotive wheel including in combination a wheel mounting disc, a rim secured to said disc adapted to receive a tire thereon, said disc and rim each comprising a single layer of cold worked steel, and an ornamental plastic overlay disposed adjacent the outboard faces of said disc and rim and exposed to view from the outboard side of said wheel with at least a portion of said overlay being spaced axially outwardly from and overlying at least one of said faces, said overlay including a body of elastomer material filling the space between the outer exposed surface of said portion of said overlay and said one face and adherently securing said overlay to said one face, the outboard face of said overlay having a three-dimensional ornamental contour differing from that of said one face and adapted to impart an aesthetic appearance to the outboard side of said wheel, said elastomer material comprising a cast-in-place urethane elastomer occupying at least a major portion of the axial space between said one face and the outboard face of said overlay, said one face comprising the outboard face of said disc and said disc having a central aperture therein, said wheel further including a metallic sleeve mounted in said disc aperture and extending axially outwardly from the outboard face of said disc, said plastic overlay having a hub portion encircling and axially receiving said sleeve therethrough and having an outer surface spaced radially outwardly from said sleeve, the outer end of said sleeve being disposed adjacent the outer end of said hub portion, the inner end of said sleeve and said disc having interengaging portions forming a sealed joint therebetween, said body of elastomer material filling the space between said sleeve and the outer surface of said hub portion and adherently securing said sleeve to said overlay to thereby at least in part secure said sleeve to said disc.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 320 words
A composite steel and plastic automotive wheel including in combination a wheel mounting disc, a rim secured to said disc adapted to receive a tire thereon, said disc and rim each comprising a single layer of cold worked steel, and an ornamental plastic overlay disposed adjacent the outboard faces of said disc and rim and exposed to view from the outboard side of said wheel with at least a portion of said overlay being spaced axially outwardly from and overlying at least one of said faces, said overlay including a body of elastomer material filling the space between the outer exposed surface of said portion of said overlay and said one face and adherently securing said overlay to said one face, the outboard face of said overlay having a three-dimensional ornamental contour differing from that of said one face and adapted to impart an aesthetic appearance to the outboard side of said wheel, said elastomer material comprising a cast-in-place urethane elastomer occupying at least a major portion of the axial space between said one face and the outboard face of said overlay, said one face comprising the outboard face of said disc and said disc having a central aperture therein, said wheel further including a metallic sleeve mounted in said disc aperture and extending axially outwardly from the outboard face of said disc, said plastic overlay having a hub portion encircling and axially receiving said sleeve therethrough and having an outer surface spaced radially outwardly from said sleeve, the outer end of said sleeve being disposed adjacent the outer end of said hub portion, the inner end of said sleeve and said disc having interengaging portions forming a sealed joint therebetween, said body of elastomer material filling the space between said sleeve and the outer surface of said hub portion and adherently securing said sleeve to said overlay to thereby at least in part secure said sleeve to said disc.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1975-06-13 1975-12-13 1976-06-13 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1979-06-13 1979-12-13 1980-06-13 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1983-06-13 1983-12-13 1984-06-13 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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