US4178043A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Simulated wire wheel trim for automotive wheels
Assignee: MASCOTECH INDUSTRIAL COMPONENTS Inc
•
Filing: 1977-07-21
•
Granted: 1979-12-11
•
Expires: 1997-07-21
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed herein a simulated wire wheel cover having a construction which allows for the reduction of the number of separate parts required in the fabrication of such wheel covers and, further, also reduces the total weight of such wheel covers. This simulated wire wheel comprises a generally round base member having an irregular cross-sectional shape and retention system affixed to the outer periphery thereof which is adapted to engage a conventional vehicle safety wheel rim. An axially elongated center hub member is adapted to be coaxially positioned over the axially outer surface of this base member and is adapted to secure the radially inner ends of a plurality of spokes radiating outward from its axially inner end. A cap member is disposed over this hub member and is adapted to clamp a second plurality of spokes extending radially outward from the axially outer end of the hub member. A single ring of fasteners secures this cap member to the base member in such a manner as to exert a clamping force which is transmitted from the cap member to the center hub member and therethrough to the base member. Thus, the simulated wire wheel construction of the present invention provides a system by which a plurality of spokes extending radially outward from two axially spaced apart locations of a center hub member may be clamped through the agency of a single ring of fasteners. Also, the present invention may be fabricated with hollow spoke members thereby further reducing the overall weight thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans R. Beisch
- 👤 Frederick A. Apczynski
- 👤 James E. Gillespie
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:24
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B7/00; B60B7/18; Y; Y02; Y02T; Y02T10/00; Y02T10/80; Y02T10/86
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
177 words
A simulated wire wheel cover comprising: a center hub member; a circular base member of a diameter greater than said hub member engaging one end of said hub member; a cap member engaging another end of said center hub member; a first plurality of spoke members extending radially outward from between said center hub member and said base member; a second plurality of spoke members extending radially outward from between said center hub member and said cap member, said first plurality of spoke members and said second plurality of spoke members each having radially outer ends engaging portions of said base member; retention means secured to a peripheral edge of said base member and operative to retain said wheel trim on a vehicle wheel; and a plurality of fasteners, each of said fasteners extending between and engaging said base member and said cap member so as to clamp said first plurality of spoke members between said hub member and said base member and said second plurality of spoke members between said hub member and said cap member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
177 words
A simulated wire wheel cover comprising: a center hub member; a circular base member of a diameter greater than said hub member engaging one end of said hub member; a cap member engaging another end of said center hub member; a first plurality of spoke members extending radially outward from between said center hub member and said base member; a second plurality of spoke members extending radially outward from between said center hub member and said cap member, said first plurality of spoke members and said second plurality of spoke members each having radially outer ends engaging portions of said base member; retention means secured to a peripheral edge of said base member and operative to retain said wheel trim on a vehicle wheel; and a plurality of fasteners, each of said fasteners extending between and engaging said base member and said cap member so as to clamp said first plurality of spoke members between said hub member and said base member and said second plurality of spoke members between said hub member and said cap member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one of said first and second plurality of spoke members are fabricated from hollow tubes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said cap member has an axially inwardly extending annular flange portion adapted to fit over said another end of said center hub member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 3 wherein said annular flange portion engages said second plurality of spoke members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 4 wherein said flange portion of said cap member is conically shaped so as to radially position said center hub member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said one end of said center hub member has a plurality of equally spaced apart slots provided therein, said first plurality of spoke members passing therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
38 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 6 wherein said another end of said center hub member has a plurality of equally spaced apart slots provided therein, said second plurality of spoke members passing therethrough.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
47 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 7 wherein said cap member has a plurality of slots spaced apart so as to cooperate with said slots provided in said another end of said center hub member to clamp said second plurality of spoke members.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 8 wherein each of said first and second plurality of spoke members have a pair of radially extending leg portions and a rounded radially inner end portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
42 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 9 wherein one leg portion of each of said first plurality of spoke members passes through each of said plurality of slots provided on said one edge of said center hub member.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
47 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 9 wherein one leg portion from each of two adjacent spoke members of said second plurality of spoke members pass through each of said plurality of slots provided on said another edge of said center hub member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
34 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base member has a flange portion for supporting the radially outer ends of said first and second pluralities of spoke members.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
40 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base member has an axially outwardly extending annular flange portion, said center hub member having a portion engaging said flange portion so as to be radially positioned.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
58 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 1 wherein said base member has a radially extending annular flange portion, an axially inward annular indentation provided thereon, and said one end of said center hub member is disposed in said indentation so as to radially position said center hub member with respect to said base member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
47 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of axially inward extending protrusions on said cap member, a plurality of apertures provided in said base member, and said fasteners comprised of screws passing through said apertures and engaging said protrusions.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
237 words
A simulated wire wheel cover comprising: a center hub member having an axially inwardly extending annular flange portion and a radially inwardly spaced axially outwardly extending annular flange portion; a first group of spoke members extending generally radially outward from said axially outwardly extending flange portion of said center hub member; a second group of spoke members extending generally radially outward from said axially inwardly extending flange portion of said center hub member; a circular base member, said base member having at least one portion adapted for supporting the radially outer ends of said first and second groups of spoke members; a cap member engaging said axially outwardly extending flange portion of said center hub member; a plurality of protrusions extending axially inwardly from said cap member toward said base member; retention means secured to a peripheral edge of said base member and operative to retain said wheel trim on a vehicle wheel; and a plurality of fasteners, each of said fasteners extending between and engaging said base member and said protrusions so as to exert a clamping force between said cap member and said axially outwardly extending flange portion of said center hub member thereby securing said first group of spoke members in position and to exert a clamping force between said base member and said axially inwardly extending flange portion of said center hub member thereby securing said second group of spoke members in position.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
237 words
A simulated wire wheel cover comprising: a center hub member having an axially inwardly extending annular flange portion and a radially inwardly spaced axially outwardly extending annular flange portion; a first group of spoke members extending generally radially outward from said axially outwardly extending flange portion of said center hub member; a second group of spoke members extending generally radially outward from said axially inwardly extending flange portion of said center hub member; a circular base member, said base member having at least one portion adapted for supporting the radially outer ends of said first and second groups of spoke members; a cap member engaging said axially outwardly extending flange portion of said center hub member; a plurality of protrusions extending axially inwardly from said cap member toward said base member; retention means secured to a peripheral edge of said base member and operative to retain said wheel trim on a vehicle wheel; and a plurality of fasteners, each of said fasteners extending between and engaging said base member and said protrusions so as to exert a clamping force between said cap member and said axially outwardly extending flange portion of said center hub member thereby securing said first group of spoke members in position and to exert a clamping force between said base member and said axially inwardly extending flange portion of said center hub member thereby securing said second group of spoke members in position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 16 wherein said fasteners lie along the circumference of a circle having a diameter less than a minimum diameter of said center hub member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 17 wherein said fasteners are screws threadingly engaging said protrusions.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
45 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 17 wherein said cap member has an inclined axially inwardly extending annular flange portion adapted to engage said axially outwardly extending flange portion of said center hub member thereby radially positioning said center hub member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
69 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 19 wherein said annular flange portion of said cap member and said axially outward extending flange portion of said center hub member are each provided with a plurality of cooperating spaced apart slots through which said first group of spoke members extend, said slots cooperating to clamp said first group of spoke members against radial and axial movement thereof.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
60 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 20 wherein said axially inward extending flange portion of said center hub member has a plurality of spaced apart slots through which said second group of spoke members pass and which cooperate with said base member to clamp said second group of spoke members against radial and axial movement thereof.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
48 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 17 wherein said base member has an axially outwardly extending annular flange provided thereon, a portion of said center hub member engaging said annular flange portion thereby radially positioning said center hub member relative to said base member.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
55 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 17 wherein said base member has a radially extending annular flange portion with an axially inward indentation provided therein, said axially inwardly extending flange portion of said center hub member being disposed in said indentation and thereby being radially positioned relative to said base member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
41 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 16 wherein said protrusions are of such a length as to be slightly spaced apart from said base member thereby insuring a maximum clamping force is exerted on said spoke member.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
A simulated wire wheel cover as set forth in claim 16 wherein at least one of said first and second groups of spoke members are fabricated from hollow tubes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-12-10 | 1983-06-11 | 1983-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-12-10 | 1987-06-11 | 1987-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-12-10 | 1991-06-11 | 1991-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |