Sealed hub cap and method

Claim 1

A hub cap assembly comprising, in combination, a rigid hub cap body having a generally axially extending sidewall portion, a radially outwardly extending mounting flange formed on one axial end of said sidewall, means on said mounting flange for accommodating a cap fastener, and a radially inwardly extending, window-receiving flange portion, said window-receiving flange portion including inner and outer axially directed surfaces and an inner edge defining an opening in said body, a window unit including a transparent central panel and a mounting portion comprising first and second annular, generally axially extending window-mounting flanges being spaced radially apart from each other so as to define therebetween an annular seal-receiving groove, said first window-mounting flange having an axially facing end portion snugly received against said outer axially directed surface, and said second window-mounting flange having a portion extending through said body opening, and said second window mounting flange having a portion extending through said body opening and having at least two surfaces lying in different planes, thereby forming a shoulder for receiving and locating a locking ring, a generally annular locking ring having a generally radially extending outer portion snugly engaging said inner axially directed surface and having a radially inner portion bonded to said shoulder forming portion of said second window mounting flange along said at least two surfaces forming said shoulder, and a seal ring disposed in said seal-receiving groove, said outer portion of said locking ring and said first window-mounting flange cooperating to compress said seal ring axially thereof between a portion of said groove and said outer axially directed surface, and thereby establishing an oil-tight seal between said cap body and said window unit.

Claim 8

A method of forming a seal in a hub cap assembly, said method including providing a rigid hub cap body having a generally axially extending sidewall portion and a radially inwardly extending, window-receiving flange portion having inner and outer axially directed surfaces and an inner edge defining an opening in said body, providing a window unit having a transparent central panel and a mounting portion comprising first and second annular, generally axially extending window-mounting flanges spaced radially apart from each other and defining therebetween an annular seal receiving groove, positioning a seal ring within said seal receiving groove, positioning said window unit such that the axial end face portion of said first window-mounting flange snugly engages said outer axially directed surface, such that said seal ring is compressed between a portion of its receiving groove and said outer surface, and such that a portion of said second window-mounting flange extends axially through said opening, and ultrasonically deforming said portion of said second window-mounting flange radially outwardly into a position of snug engagement with said inner axially directed surface.

Claim 9

A method of forming a seal in a hub cap assembly, said method including providing a rigid hub cap body having a generally axially extending sidewall portion and a radially inwardly extending, window-receiving flange portion having inner and outer axially directed surfaces and an inner edge defining an opening in said body, providing a window unit having a transparent central panel and a mounting portion comprising first and second annular, generally axially extending window-mounting flanges spaced radially apart from each other and defining therebetween an annular seal receiving groove, positioning a seal ring within said seal receiving groove, positioning said window unit such that the axial end face portion of said first window-mounting flange snugly engages said outer axially directed surface, such that said seal ring is compressed between a portion of its receiving groove and said outer surface, and such that a portion of said second window-mounting flange extends axially through said opening, and ultrasonically deforming said portion of said second window-mounting flange radially outwardly into a position of snug engagement with said inner axially directed surface.

Claim 10

A method of forming a seal in a hub cap assembly, said method including providing a rigid hub cap body having a generally axially extending sidewall portion and a radially inwardly extending, window-receiving flange portion having inner and outer axially directed surfaces and an inner edge defining an opening in said body, providing a window unit having a transparent central panel and a mounting portion comprising first and second annular, generally axially extending window-mounting flanges each having an axially inner end, said window-mounting flanges being spaced radially apart from each other and defining therebetween an annular seal receiving groove, positioning a seal ring within said seal receiving groove, positioning said window unit such that the axial end face portion of said first window-mounting flange snugly engages said outer axially directed surface, such that said seal ring is compressed between a portion of its receiving groove and said outer surface, and such that a portion of said second window-mounting flange extends axially through said opening, positioning a locking ring such that the inner margin thereof overlies said axially inner end of said second window-mounting flange, and such that the radially outer portion thereof snugly engages said inner axially directed surface of said window-receiving flange, and forming a welded bond between said locking ring and said second flange while said locking ring and said window unit are so positioned.

Claim 11

A method of forming a seal in a hub cap assembly, said method including providing a rigid hub cap body having a generally axially extending sidewall portion and a radially inwardly extending, window-receiving flange portion having inner and outer axially directed surfaces and an inner edge defining an opening in said body, providing a window unit having a transparent central panel and a mounting portion comprising first and second annular, generally axially extending window-mounting flanges each having an axially inner end, said window-mounting flanges being spaced radially apart from each other and defining therebetween an annular seal receiving groove, positioning a seal ring within said seal receiving groove, positioning said window unit such that the axial end face portion of said first window-mounting flange snugly engages said outer axially directed surface, such that said seal ring is compressed between a portion of its receiving groove and said outer surface, and such that a portion of said second window-mounting flange extends axially through said opening, positioning a locking ring such that the inner margin thereof overlies said axially inner end of said second window-mounting flange, and such that the radially outer portion thereof snugly engages said inner axially directed surface of said window-receiving flange, and forming a welded bond between said locking ring and said second flange while said locking ring and said window unit are so positioned.