US4171149A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wheel trim retention means
Assignee: Thompson International Inc
•
Filing: 1977-12-05
•
Granted: 1979-10-16
•
Expires: 1997-12-05
Abstract
Abstract This invention pertains to an improved light duty retention clip particularly suited for use in retaining automotive wheel covers, trim rings, and the like. The invention employs structure which provide an improved two point attachment to the wheel trim. The outer attachment comprises a flange at the clips' outer edge over which the outer edge of the wheel trim may be crimped, and the inner edge of the clip has a pair of integrally formed fingers which wrap around and grip an inner edge forming part of trim, thereby affording a two-point attachment. The clip also has a resilient biting member extending radially outward between the pair of gripping fingers for engaging the axial flange portion of a wheel rim to retain the wheel trim thereon. An embossed protrusion on the clip may be provided to give the resilient biting member stiffness and to aid in dispersing the retention forces over the entire surface area of the clip. Because the clip does not require any rivets or other piercing attachment devices to secure it to the wheel trim it is ideally suited for use with plastic wheel trim and/or trim having plastic or reduced-gauge metal backing rings.
Inventors
- 👤 Harold C. Marks
- 👤 James E. Gillespie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 13:03
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B7/00; B60B7/06; B60B7/10; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/30; Y10T24/304
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
150 words
Wheel trim means for a wheel comprising: an ornamental trim member; retention means integrally formed on said trim member defining a generally axially inwardly extending flange portion; a plurality of clips circumferentially spaced around the outside of said trim member and means affixing the outer portion of each said clips to said trim member adjacent the outer periphery thereof; auxiliary attachment means integral with each said clips and including at least one pair of opposed fingers, one of said fingers being disposed radially inwardly from another of said fingers and said fingers resiliently grasping said flange portion in a non-biting relationship therebetween; and a toothed member integral with said clip and adapted to bitingly engage said wheel, said clip engaging the radially outer surface of said flange portion so as to aid said biting engagement of said toothed member with said wheel when said wheel trim means is assembled thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
150 words
Wheel trim means for a wheel comprising: an ornamental trim member; retention means integrally formed on said trim member defining a generally axially inwardly extending flange portion; a plurality of clips circumferentially spaced around the outside of said trim member and means affixing the outer portion of each said clips to said trim member adjacent the outer periphery thereof; auxiliary attachment means integral with each said clips and including at least one pair of opposed fingers, one of said fingers being disposed radially inwardly from another of said fingers and said fingers resiliently grasping said flange portion in a non-biting relationship therebetween; and a toothed member integral with said clip and adapted to bitingly engage said wheel, said clip engaging the radially outer surface of said flange portion so as to aid said biting engagement of said toothed member with said wheel when said wheel trim means is assembled thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
Wheel trim means as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer periphery of said trim member is crimped over said outer portion of each said clip to affix the two together.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
Wheel trim means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ornamental trim member is a trim ring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
Wheel trim means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ornamental trim is a wheel cover.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
Wheel trim means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retention means is formed of plastic.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
Wheel trim means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retention means is formed of sheet metal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
Wheel trim means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said auxiliary attachment means includes two pairs of opposed fingers arranged to resiliently grasp said flange portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
Wheel trim means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retention means and each said clip have complementary configurations with each said clip disposed in a back-to-back relationship with said retention means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
Wheel trim means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said retention means includes a protrusion engaging each said clip to reduce relative movement between said clip and said retention means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
41 words
Wheel trim means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said axially inwardly extending flange portion on said ornamental trim member comprises a plurality of discrete circumferentially spaced flange portions each of which is provided with a single one of said clips.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
Wheel trim means as claimed in claim 1, wherein said axially inwardly extending flange portion is of continuous annular configuration.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
153 words
A clip for securing ornamental wheel trim to a wheel, comprising: a body portion extending generally axially and radially inwardly from the outer periphery of the wheel trim; integral flange means at the outer end of said body portion affixed to the wheel trim; a pair of resilient opposed fingers integral with said body portion and disposed at the inner end thereof, one of said fingers extending radially inwardly and axially outwardly from said body portion and being sized so as to resiliently grasp a portion of the wheel trim in a non-biting relationship; an integral retention member extending generally radially and axially outwardly from said body portion and having an outer edge arranged to bitingly engage said wheel when said clip and ornamental wheel trim are assembled to a wheel; and an integral shoulder portion engageable with a portion of said wheel to position said wheel trim with respect to said wheel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
153 words
A clip for securing ornamental wheel trim to a wheel, comprising: a body portion extending generally axially and radially inwardly from the outer periphery of the wheel trim; integral flange means at the outer end of said body portion affixed to the wheel trim; a pair of resilient opposed fingers integral with said body portion and disposed at the inner end thereof, one of said fingers extending radially inwardly and axially outwardly from said body portion and being sized so as to resiliently grasp a portion of the wheel trim in a non-biting relationship; an integral retention member extending generally radially and axially outwardly from said body portion and having an outer edge arranged to bitingly engage said wheel when said clip and ornamental wheel trim are assembled to a wheel; and an integral shoulder portion engageable with a portion of said wheel to position said wheel trim with respect to said wheel.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
A clip as claimed in claim 12, wherein two of said pairs of resilient opposed fingers are provided on each clip.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
27 words
A clip as claimed in claim 13, wherein one of said pairs of opposed fingers is circumferentially spaced from the other of said pairs of opposed fingers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
35 words
A clip as claimed in claim 12, wherein said portion of said wheel trim extends in a generally axial direction and the pinching force exerted by said opposed fingers is in a generally radial direction.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
A clip as claimed in claim 12, wherein said retention member is resiliently deflectable with respect to said body portion.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
A clip as claimed in claim 12, wherein said retention member is resiliently deflectable with respect to said opposed fingers.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A clip as claimed in claim 12, wherein said body portion is provided with at least one reinforcing ridge.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
26 words
A clip as claimed in claim 12, wherein said shoulder portion is adapted to engage the wheel to axially and radially locate the wheel trim thereon.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
21 words
A clip as claimed in claim 12, wherein said retention member incorporates a reinforcing ridge thereon to increase the stiffness thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR1015295A
Cited
GB854833A
Cited
US3043632A
Cited
US3095241A
Cited
US3265441A
Cited
US3970346A
Cited
US3973801A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-10-15 | 1983-04-16 | 1983-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-15 | 1987-04-16 | 1987-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-15 | 1991-04-16 | 1991-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |