CA1186715A - Wheel cover mounting device - Google Patents
Wheel cover mounting deviceInfo
- Publication number
- CA1186715A CA1186715A CA000394525A CA394525A CA1186715A CA 1186715 A CA1186715 A CA 1186715A CA 000394525 A CA000394525 A CA 000394525A CA 394525 A CA394525 A CA 394525A CA 1186715 A CA1186715 A CA 1186715A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wheel
- vehicle wheel
- locking element
- trim
- vehicle
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Landscapes
- Connection Of Plates (AREA)
Abstract
Abstract:
The invention relates to automotive wheel trim and to ways of retaining such trim on a vehicle wheel. The trim has a number of separate locking elements for positively holding the trim to the wheel. The locking elements are capable of biting engagement with an axial surface of the wheel. The locking elements have a radially outwardly extending element capable of sliding non-binding contact with the axial surface. The outwardly extending element engages the axial surface upon radial movement of the wheel trim during vehicle operation in a manner to resist the radial movement of the wheel trim. This keeps the wheel trim in place.
The invention relates to automotive wheel trim and to ways of retaining such trim on a vehicle wheel. The trim has a number of separate locking elements for positively holding the trim to the wheel. The locking elements are capable of biting engagement with an axial surface of the wheel. The locking elements have a radially outwardly extending element capable of sliding non-binding contact with the axial surface. The outwardly extending element engages the axial surface upon radial movement of the wheel trim during vehicle operation in a manner to resist the radial movement of the wheel trim. This keeps the wheel trim in place.
Description
7~
WHEEL COVER MOUNTING DEYICE
Field of the Inventionc This invention relates to automotive wheel trim assembly and means for retaining these assemblies on an automotive vehicle wheel.
Specifically, the invention relates to a means for limiting the radial movement of a wheel trim mounted on a vehicle wheel.
Description of the Prior Art. There has lon~
].0 been rPcognized a need to limit the radial movement of a wheel trim member mounted on an automotive vehicle wheel. It has been found that excessive movement of the wheel trim mcmber caused by abrupt movement of the vehicle wheel, such as that caused when a wheel hits a pothole or a bump in the road, would cause the w~eel trim to disengage itself from the wheel.
Various schemes have been utilized to ensure that no disengagement of the wheel trim from the wheel occursO One of these schemes i5 shown in Figure L, labeled prior art, includes an abuse bump 32 which can be defined as a dimple formed in the peripheral edge of the wheel COVeE 30. Th~ typical wheel cover has several fingerlike projections which engage the vehicle wheel and retain the wheel cover theraon~ The function of the abuse bump of Figure 1 is to limit the deflection of these fingerllke proiections so that the fingerlike projection remains in constant contact with the vehicle wheel as the wheel trim member moves radially witnin the wheel. If "",~
the wheel cover in one wheel direction and could disengage momentarily when the vehicle wheel abruptly changes direction. This movement may occur when the wheel hits a sharp bump. If this were to happen the wheel cover or wheel trim member couLd disengae from the wheel.
U. S. patent 3 174 803 issued March 23 1965 to W. A. Mulhern et al teach t:he use of a staDilizing shoulder that is disposed in close approximate relation the axially extending flange on a vehicle wheel. This stabilizing shoulder precludes canting of the wheel cover relative to the the wheel. It precludes the initial radial displacement or canting of the wheel cover relative to the vehicle wheel which has been found to take place prior to disengagement o the wheel cover from the wheel. Unlike ~he projection of the present invention the st~bilizing shoulder does not toucn the axial surface of the vehicle wheel. Since the s~abilizing shoulder extends for the entire circumference ~0 oE the wheel trim it would be impossible to install the wheel trim if the stabilizing shoulder were to contact the vehicle wheel when the wheel cover is centered prior to installation. It would difficult to supply sufficient force to deform ~he entire stabilizing shoulder upon installation. To ensure timely contact with the axial surface of the venicle wheel the stabilizing shoulder of U.S. Patent 3 174 803 must be positioned wlthin several thousands of an inch o the axial surface. Holding tolerances like these in stamped-out sheet metal is extremely difficult. Tha projection of the present invention is located on a separate locking element and extends for only a short circumferential distance over several positions about the wheel trim circumerence.
This projection is always in contact with the vehicle wheel and thereby eliminates tolerance problems in both the wheel trim assembly and the locking element.
Summary of the Invention lt is, therefore, an object oE the present inven tion to provide an attachment clip for fastening a wheel cover to a vehicle wheel which resists radi.al movement of the wheel cover upon shock loading of the vehicle wheel.
It is a further object of this invention to provide the clip which can be attached to various de~ign wheel covers which will positively retain ~he wheel covers on a vehicle wheel and in addition limit the radial move-ment thereof during operation of the vehicle~
It is yet an additional object of this invention to provide a curved finger integral with the attachment clip of a wheel cover which will limit the rad.ial movement of the wheel cover during vehicle operation.
According to the invention there is provided a locking element for a vehicle wheel trim, said vehicle wheel trim having an axially inwardly extending annular flange, said locking element being supported by said flange~ said locking element having formed on one end ~0 thereof teeth which project generally radially outwardly for engaging the annular rim of a vehicle wheel for locking the wheel trim on said vehicle wheel, the im-provement comprising a radially outwardly extending curved finger formed integrally Erom the material of said locking element said finger being capable of non-bending con~act with said axially extending surface of said vehicle wheel .rim as well as being capable of radially deflecting upon movement of said wheel trim with respect to said vehicle wheel during normal dynamic rotational operation of vehicle wheel to thereby reduce the radial movement of said teeth during said vehicle wheel operation~ said locking element ex~ending radially outwardly for a distance sufficient to ensure constant engagement with said axially extending surface of said vehicle wheel ~5 during dynamic rotational operation of said vehicle wheel and said finger being capable of sliding engagement with - 3a -said axial surface of said vehicle without any biting engagement therebetween, said locking element ~eing supported on said axially inwardly extending annular flange of said wheel trim and being attached thereto by fastening means which fastens said locking element to said annular flange, there be:ing two such fastening means each being provided generally near the ends of an axially inwardly projecting portion of said locking elementl said finger being provided midway between said fastening means.
6~
B f Descr ~
Figure 1 is a cross section of the prior art wheel cover showin~ one of the abuse bumps.
Figwre 2 is an isometric view of ~he locking elenent and a fragmentary view of the wheel cover.
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the cover and locking element shown in Figure 20 Figure 4 is a rear e!levation view of ~he locking element shown in Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a sectional view of ~he vehicle wheel rim and the wheel cover with the locking element engaging the rim.
Referring to Figures 2 through 5, there i5 shown a wheel cover assembly generally denoted as 10.
The wheel cover assembly 10 is comprised of a wheel cover l~ and a locking element 14.
In the preferred embodiment, the plurali~y of locking elements 14 would be at~ached around the circumferellce of wheel cover 12. For simplicity9 Figure
WHEEL COVER MOUNTING DEYICE
Field of the Inventionc This invention relates to automotive wheel trim assembly and means for retaining these assemblies on an automotive vehicle wheel.
Specifically, the invention relates to a means for limiting the radial movement of a wheel trim mounted on a vehicle wheel.
Description of the Prior Art. There has lon~
].0 been rPcognized a need to limit the radial movement of a wheel trim member mounted on an automotive vehicle wheel. It has been found that excessive movement of the wheel trim mcmber caused by abrupt movement of the vehicle wheel, such as that caused when a wheel hits a pothole or a bump in the road, would cause the w~eel trim to disengage itself from the wheel.
Various schemes have been utilized to ensure that no disengagement of the wheel trim from the wheel occursO One of these schemes i5 shown in Figure L, labeled prior art, includes an abuse bump 32 which can be defined as a dimple formed in the peripheral edge of the wheel COVeE 30. Th~ typical wheel cover has several fingerlike projections which engage the vehicle wheel and retain the wheel cover theraon~ The function of the abuse bump of Figure 1 is to limit the deflection of these fingerllke proiections so that the fingerlike projection remains in constant contact with the vehicle wheel as the wheel trim member moves radially witnin the wheel. If "",~
the wheel cover in one wheel direction and could disengage momentarily when the vehicle wheel abruptly changes direction. This movement may occur when the wheel hits a sharp bump. If this were to happen the wheel cover or wheel trim member couLd disengae from the wheel.
U. S. patent 3 174 803 issued March 23 1965 to W. A. Mulhern et al teach t:he use of a staDilizing shoulder that is disposed in close approximate relation the axially extending flange on a vehicle wheel. This stabilizing shoulder precludes canting of the wheel cover relative to the the wheel. It precludes the initial radial displacement or canting of the wheel cover relative to the vehicle wheel which has been found to take place prior to disengagement o the wheel cover from the wheel. Unlike ~he projection of the present invention the st~bilizing shoulder does not toucn the axial surface of the vehicle wheel. Since the s~abilizing shoulder extends for the entire circumference ~0 oE the wheel trim it would be impossible to install the wheel trim if the stabilizing shoulder were to contact the vehicle wheel when the wheel cover is centered prior to installation. It would difficult to supply sufficient force to deform ~he entire stabilizing shoulder upon installation. To ensure timely contact with the axial surface of the venicle wheel the stabilizing shoulder of U.S. Patent 3 174 803 must be positioned wlthin several thousands of an inch o the axial surface. Holding tolerances like these in stamped-out sheet metal is extremely difficult. Tha projection of the present invention is located on a separate locking element and extends for only a short circumferential distance over several positions about the wheel trim circumerence.
This projection is always in contact with the vehicle wheel and thereby eliminates tolerance problems in both the wheel trim assembly and the locking element.
Summary of the Invention lt is, therefore, an object oE the present inven tion to provide an attachment clip for fastening a wheel cover to a vehicle wheel which resists radi.al movement of the wheel cover upon shock loading of the vehicle wheel.
It is a further object of this invention to provide the clip which can be attached to various de~ign wheel covers which will positively retain ~he wheel covers on a vehicle wheel and in addition limit the radial move-ment thereof during operation of the vehicle~
It is yet an additional object of this invention to provide a curved finger integral with the attachment clip of a wheel cover which will limit the rad.ial movement of the wheel cover during vehicle operation.
According to the invention there is provided a locking element for a vehicle wheel trim, said vehicle wheel trim having an axially inwardly extending annular flange, said locking element being supported by said flange~ said locking element having formed on one end ~0 thereof teeth which project generally radially outwardly for engaging the annular rim of a vehicle wheel for locking the wheel trim on said vehicle wheel, the im-provement comprising a radially outwardly extending curved finger formed integrally Erom the material of said locking element said finger being capable of non-bending con~act with said axially extending surface of said vehicle wheel .rim as well as being capable of radially deflecting upon movement of said wheel trim with respect to said vehicle wheel during normal dynamic rotational operation of vehicle wheel to thereby reduce the radial movement of said teeth during said vehicle wheel operation~ said locking element ex~ending radially outwardly for a distance sufficient to ensure constant engagement with said axially extending surface of said vehicle wheel ~5 during dynamic rotational operation of said vehicle wheel and said finger being capable of sliding engagement with - 3a -said axial surface of said vehicle without any biting engagement therebetween, said locking element ~eing supported on said axially inwardly extending annular flange of said wheel trim and being attached thereto by fastening means which fastens said locking element to said annular flange, there be:ing two such fastening means each being provided generally near the ends of an axially inwardly projecting portion of said locking elementl said finger being provided midway between said fastening means.
6~
B f Descr ~
Figure 1 is a cross section of the prior art wheel cover showin~ one of the abuse bumps.
Figwre 2 is an isometric view of ~he locking elenent and a fragmentary view of the wheel cover.
Figure 3 is a top plan view of the cover and locking element shown in Figure 20 Figure 4 is a rear e!levation view of ~he locking element shown in Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a sectional view of ~he vehicle wheel rim and the wheel cover with the locking element engaging the rim.
Referring to Figures 2 through 5, there i5 shown a wheel cover assembly generally denoted as 10.
The wheel cover assembly 10 is comprised of a wheel cover l~ and a locking element 14.
In the preferred embodiment, the plurali~y of locking elements 14 would be at~ached around the circumferellce of wheel cover 12. For simplicity9 Figure
2 shows a fragmentary view of the wheel cover 12 and a singl.e locking element 14. In the preferred embodiment, the locking elemen~ 14 would be at~ached to the wheel cover 12 by rivets 16. It is obvious that various other methods of attachment could be used. For example, the clip could be slid into a recess stamped on the surface 18 of the wheel cover and locked thereon by metal tabs (not shown) The locking element 14 includes a plurality of teeth 20, which can be best seen in Figure 4, that b-itingly engage the rim 22 of the vehicle wheel. This bitin~ engagement between the teeth 20 and vehicle wheel rim 22 retains the wheel cover assembly 10 on the vehicle wheel rim 22 during vehicle operation. In the preferred embodiment, the sping clip 14, has a curved portion 24 cadially inward of the teeth 20.
It has been found that excessive movement of the wheel cover during operation of the vehicle may occur when the tire 2~ hits a bump or a pothole thereby f~.'7~
abruptly changing direction of the wheel rim 22. When this occurs, inertia forces cause the wheel cover to first move radially in the direction opposite from that of tne wheel 22 thereby subjecting the curved portion 24 of the lock;ng element 14 to deformation. As the force increases, the teeth 20 on one side of the wheel cover will be forced into greater locking contact with the wheel 22 and the teeth 20 on a locking element located on the opposi~e side of the wheel cover may tend ~o disengage or at lea~t bite with less force on the wheel rim 22 thereby causing the wheel cover assembly lO to fall off the wheel.
As can be best seen in Figure 5 the radially extending element 26, being in constan engagement with the vehicle wheel 22, must al~o be deflected whenever the wheel cover moves in a radial direction opposite that of the wheel. The force required for the deflection of radially ext~nding elemen~ 26 helps reduce the deElection oE portion 24 thereby preventing the teeth 22 on the opposite side of the wbeel cover (the side moving away from the rim) from disengaging~ The stifEness of the fingerlike projection 26 can be increased or decreased to provide greater resistance to the radial movement of the wheel trim lO as required. The simplest way to increase the resistance of element 6 is to increase the thickness of the material it formed from.
In a preferred embodiment the dimensions o~ the radially extending projection are .3 inches wide, with a radial extens;on of approximately l/8 inch. The radially extending ~imension must be sufficient to ensure that the radially extending element is in constant contact with the wheel rim 22.
As can be best seen in Fi~ure 5, radial movement of the wheel cover assembly 10 will cause deflection of the locking eLement throughout the curved portion 24. The inclusion of the curved portion 24 in the preferred embodiment greatly increases tne fatigue life of the locking element 14 by reducing the magnitude of tne stresses produced from the radial movement of the wheel cover during vehicle operation.
It has sometimes been found that even with the curved portion 24, the fatigue life of the locking element 14 i5 insufficient to meet design criteria. It has been found that the cause of the premature failure is tne magnitude of the deflection of the curved section 24 caused by the movement of the wheel cover 10 to contact with the wheel rim 22 during operation of the vehicle~
An additionaL function of the radially outwardly es~tending element ~6 provided integral wi~h the locking element 14 is t~at it reduces the deflection of the curved portion 24. As can be seen in Figure 5, ~he de~lection of the curved portion 24 of locking element 14 is simultaneous with Lhe deflection of the radially ou~wardly extending element 26. The outwardly extending element 26 extends a radial distance to be in constant engagement with the vehicle wheel rim 22 when the wheel trim is in its centered position within the vehicle wheel. The Eorce required to deflect the outwardly extending element 26 reduces ~he movement oE the wheel trim 10. Consequently the deflection of the curved portion 2~ is reduced a sufficient amount to ex~end the fatigue life of the locking element.
In the preferred embodiment, the thicktless of the radially outwardly extending element is identical to 25 the thickness of the material for the entire locking element 14. This thickness usually ranges from .030 to .050 inches. The radially outwardly extending element 26 is formed during the same operation w~ich forms the rest of the Lo~king element 14 thereby not adding significantly to the cost locking element 14O
It will be apparent that the invention herein disclosed is well calculated and achieve the benefits and ad-~antages hereinabove set forth. It will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modifications, variation and change without departing from the spirit hereof.
It has been found that excessive movement of the wheel cover during operation of the vehicle may occur when the tire 2~ hits a bump or a pothole thereby f~.'7~
abruptly changing direction of the wheel rim 22. When this occurs, inertia forces cause the wheel cover to first move radially in the direction opposite from that of tne wheel 22 thereby subjecting the curved portion 24 of the lock;ng element 14 to deformation. As the force increases, the teeth 20 on one side of the wheel cover will be forced into greater locking contact with the wheel 22 and the teeth 20 on a locking element located on the opposi~e side of the wheel cover may tend ~o disengage or at lea~t bite with less force on the wheel rim 22 thereby causing the wheel cover assembly lO to fall off the wheel.
As can be best seen in Figure 5 the radially extending element 26, being in constan engagement with the vehicle wheel 22, must al~o be deflected whenever the wheel cover moves in a radial direction opposite that of the wheel. The force required for the deflection of radially ext~nding elemen~ 26 helps reduce the deElection oE portion 24 thereby preventing the teeth 22 on the opposite side of the wbeel cover (the side moving away from the rim) from disengaging~ The stifEness of the fingerlike projection 26 can be increased or decreased to provide greater resistance to the radial movement of the wheel trim lO as required. The simplest way to increase the resistance of element 6 is to increase the thickness of the material it formed from.
In a preferred embodiment the dimensions o~ the radially extending projection are .3 inches wide, with a radial extens;on of approximately l/8 inch. The radially extending ~imension must be sufficient to ensure that the radially extending element is in constant contact with the wheel rim 22.
As can be best seen in Fi~ure 5, radial movement of the wheel cover assembly 10 will cause deflection of the locking eLement throughout the curved portion 24. The inclusion of the curved portion 24 in the preferred embodiment greatly increases tne fatigue life of the locking element 14 by reducing the magnitude of tne stresses produced from the radial movement of the wheel cover during vehicle operation.
It has sometimes been found that even with the curved portion 24, the fatigue life of the locking element 14 i5 insufficient to meet design criteria. It has been found that the cause of the premature failure is tne magnitude of the deflection of the curved section 24 caused by the movement of the wheel cover 10 to contact with the wheel rim 22 during operation of the vehicle~
An additionaL function of the radially outwardly es~tending element ~6 provided integral wi~h the locking element 14 is t~at it reduces the deflection of the curved portion 24. As can be seen in Figure 5, ~he de~lection of the curved portion 24 of locking element 14 is simultaneous with Lhe deflection of the radially ou~wardly extending element 26. The outwardly extending element 26 extends a radial distance to be in constant engagement with the vehicle wheel rim 22 when the wheel trim is in its centered position within the vehicle wheel. The Eorce required to deflect the outwardly extending element 26 reduces ~he movement oE the wheel trim 10. Consequently the deflection of the curved portion 2~ is reduced a sufficient amount to ex~end the fatigue life of the locking element.
In the preferred embodiment, the thicktless of the radially outwardly extending element is identical to 25 the thickness of the material for the entire locking element 14. This thickness usually ranges from .030 to .050 inches. The radially outwardly extending element 26 is formed during the same operation w~ich forms the rest of the Lo~king element 14 thereby not adding significantly to the cost locking element 14O
It will be apparent that the invention herein disclosed is well calculated and achieve the benefits and ad-~antages hereinabove set forth. It will be appreciated that the invention is susceptible to modifications, variation and change without departing from the spirit hereof.
Claims
1. A locking element for a vehicle wheel trim, said vehicle wheel trim having an axially inwardly extending annular flange, said locking element being supported by said flange, said locking element having formed on one end thereof teeth which project generally radially out-wardly for engaging the annular rim of a vehicle wheel for locking the wheel trim on said vehicle wheel, the improvement comprising a radially outwardly extending curved finger formed integrally from the material of said locking element said finger being capable of non bending contact with said axially extending surface of said vehicle wheel rim as well as being capable of radially deflecting upon movement of said wheel trim with respect to said vehicle wheel during normal dynamic rotational operation of vehicle wheel to thereby reduce the radial movement of said teeth during said vehicle wheel opera-tion, said locking element extending radially outwardly for a distance sufficient to ensure constant engagement with said axially extending surface of said vehicle wheel during dynamic rotational operation of said vehicle wheel and said finger being capable of sliding engagement with said axial surface of said vehicle without any biting engagement therebetween, said locking element being supported on said axially inwardly extending annular flange of said wheel trim and being attached thereto by fastening means which fastens said locking element to said annular flange, there being two such fastening means each being provided generally near the ends of an axially inwardly projecting portion of said locking element, said finger being provided midway between said fastening means.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US22736981A | 1981-01-22 | 1981-01-22 | |
| US227,369 | 1994-04-14 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1186715A true CA1186715A (en) | 1985-05-07 |
Family
ID=22852826
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000394525A Expired CA1186715A (en) | 1981-01-22 | 1982-01-20 | Wheel cover mounting device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1186715A (en) |
-
1982
- 1982-01-20 CA CA000394525A patent/CA1186715A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US6022081A (en) | Ornamental wheel cover retention system | |
| US5166611A (en) | Tone wheel with coined serrations for engaging an annular support surface and method of assembling same on a wheel bearing seal | |
| US5860495A (en) | Floating caliper-type disk brake for automotive vehicles | |
| US4122929A (en) | Friction clutch, especially for motor vehicles | |
| US5419539A (en) | Elastomeric shock absorber with positioning insert | |
| US5520445A (en) | Wheel trim and lug nut retention system | |
| EP0852299B1 (en) | A system for mounting a wheel hub bearing unit to a motor vehicle suspension standard | |
| US4438979A (en) | Wheel cover | |
| KR100495561B1 (en) | Automobile friction clutch with wear compensation device | |
| US4531786A (en) | Wheel cover for wheels of a passenger motor vehicle | |
| US4316638A (en) | Wheel trim | |
| US4461514A (en) | Retention clip for wheel covers | |
| US5944157A (en) | Friction clutch, in particular for a motor vehicle, including a wear compensating device | |
| US4254853A (en) | Friction clutch | |
| GB2118491A (en) | Wheel trim | |
| CA1186715A (en) | Wheel cover mounting device | |
| CA1273271A (en) | Wheel cover mounting | |
| US4523789A (en) | Wheel cover and retention clip | |
| US3973801A (en) | Wheel trim retention means | |
| CA1037997A (en) | Wheel trim assembly | |
| CA1050087A (en) | Trim ring assembly | |
| US4149754A (en) | Wheel trim retention | |
| US4697679A (en) | Clutch cover assembly | |
| GB2144813A (en) | Friction clutch | |
| US4749234A (en) | Anti-rotation/retention clip for wheel trim |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |