GB2159778A

GB2159778A - Simulated wire wheel cover

Info

Publication number: GB2159778A
Application number: GB08513763A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Norman Loren
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-06-04
Filing date: 1985-05-31
Publication date: 1985-12-11
Also published as: GB8513763D0; SE8502094L; AU4204085A; CA1239174A; JPS60261701A; BR8502661A; AU568015B2; GB2159778B; IT1180746B; IT8548084A1; DE3519371A1; FR2565167A1; SE8502094D0; IT8548084A0

Abstract

A plastics simulated wire wheel cover has an axially outer member mounted on an axially inner member. Each member has radially extending spokes (18,42,44) moulded integrally therewith. On the outer member each spoke (42) intersects two other spokes (44) at radially spaced points. The spokes (42,44) are moulded integrally together at their points (46,48) of intersection. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Simulated wire wheel cover This invention relates to plastics wheel covers and, more particularly, to a simulated wire wheel cover moulded from plastics material.

A conventional simulated wire wheel cover normally incorporates a multiplicity of wirelike spokes aligned in two or more separate individual planes or conical surfaces to achieve an authentic depth appearance of a wire wheel. The manufacture and assembly of a simulated wire wheel cover made from metal or plastics and having independently formed spokes is time-consuming and expensive. For this reason, in recent years attempts have been made to mould a simulated wire wheel cover from plastics with integrally moulded spokes. Such plastics wire-wheel covers are frequently moulded as two separate members, an axially inner member and an axially outer member which are secured together by suitable means. The use of twopiece plastics moulded covers has been adopted to avoid the complicated and costly mould construction required for a one-piece plastics cover with integrally moulded spokes.

While the axially inner member is normally designed to be substantially structurally rigid, but, in any event, is physically protected from impact by the outer member, the axially outer member is normally of light construction, since it frequently consists of merely two radially spaced annular portions interconnected by long radial spokes. Such axially outer members are especially vulnerable to damage due to impacts by foreign objects, such as stones and the like. In addition, the axially outer member of a wheel cover of this type frequently projects axially outwardly beyond the tyre of the vehicle wheel on which it is mounted and is therefore also subject to breakage due to impact against kerbs and the like.

The present invention has for an object the provision of a plastics, simulated wire wheel cover having a construction which renders it substantially stronger than such covers of present-day design.

In one of its aspects, the present invention resides in a plastics, simulated wire wheel cover having a radially outer annular portion adjacent its outer periphery and a radially inner annular portion concentric with the centre axis of the cover, spokes extending radially between said portions, the radially outer ends of the spokes being moulded integrally with the radially outer portion and the radially inner ends of the spokes being moulded integrally with said radially inner portion, the spokes being arranged circumferentially in successive pairs, the spokes in each pair being inclined circumferentially in opposite directions, each spoke inclined in one direction intersecting two spokes inclined in the opposite direction, said spokes being moulded integrally together where they intersect.

In another of its aspects, the invention resides in a plastics, simulated wire wheel cover comprising an axially inner member and an axially outer member, said inner member having a central annular section and an outer peripheral rim spaced radially apart, a first set of spokes extending radially between said central section and said rim, and said axially outer member comprising a radially inner annular portion secured to said central section of the outer member and a radially outer annular portion secured to said rim, a second set of spokes extending radially between said annular portions and integrally moulded therewith at their opposite ends, the spokes in the second set being arranged circumferentially in successive pairs with the spokes in each pair inclined circumferentially in opposite directions, each spoke in the second set inclined circumferentially in one direction intersecting two spokes inclined circumferentially in the opposite direction, the spokes being integrally moulded together at their points of intersection.

Rigidity is imparted to the axially outer member by arranging the spokes so that each spoke intersects and is integrally connected to an adjacent spoke sdjacent its radially inner end and also intersects and is integrally connected with another adjacent spoke adjacent its radially outer end. The integral connection of each spoke with two other crossing spokes adds considerable strength to the outer member of the cover and reduces substantially its tendency to be easily broken from impact with foreign objects, such as stones, etc.

The invention is further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a wheel cover according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view along the line 2-2 in Fig.1; Figure 3 is a sectional view along the line 3-3 in Fig.1; Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of another wheel cover according to the present invention; and Figure 5 is a sectional view along the line 5-5 in Fig.4.

The wheel cover shown in the drawings generally comprises an axially inner member 10 and an axially outer member 12. Inner member 10 comprises a central hub portion 1 4 and an annular outer rim 1 6 interconnected by short radially extending spokes 18.

The central hub portion 1 4 has a flanged socket 20 at the centre thereof for receiving an ornamental medallion 22. As indicated in Fig.2, the hub portion 14 is of generally conical shape in section so as to be relatively rigid. The outer rim 1 6 includes a radially outwardly extending flange 24 at the axially outer face thereof and a radially inwardly extending flange 26 at the axially inner face thereof. A plurality of axially inwardly projecting lugs 28 are moulded integrally with flange 26 and are spaced circumferentially around rim 1 6 for receiving a wire ring 30 for retaining the wheel cover on a vehicle wheel rim.

The arrangement of lugs 28 and ring 30 is substantially identical with that shown in U.S.A. Patent No.4,207,919. When the wheel cover is applied to a vehicle wheel, flange 24 overlies the outer periphery of the wheel rim at the axially outer face of the wheel.

The axially outer member 12 of the cover comprises a radially inner annular portion 32 of U-shape in cross section and a radially outer annular portion 34 which is also Ushaped in cross section. Portions 32,34 are formed with axially inwardly projecting studs 36 spaced circumferentially around these portions. The outer member 1 2 is adapted to be seated within the inner member 1 0. Thus, the radially inner portion 32 is centrally apertured to have a close fit with an axially outwardly extending, generally cylindrical portion 38 adjacent the centre of hub 14. The radially outer portion 34 has a close fit with a circumferential flange 40 on the inner member 10 extending axially between flanges 24 and 26.

The annular portions 32,34 are interconnected by integrally moulded spokes 42,44 which incline axially inwardly in a radially outward direction, as shown in Fig.2. Adjoining spokes 42,44 incline radially in generally opposite directions and are integrally moulded at their opposite ends with portions 32,34.

Furthermore, as clearly indicated in Fig.2, each spoke 42 intersects and is integrally connected to two underlying spokes 44 as at 46 and 48. Thus, each of the spokes on outer member 1 2 intersects and is integrally connected to two adjacent spokes, one intersection being adjacent the radially inner portion 32 and the other being spaced radially therefrom and somewhat closer to the radially outer portion 34. As shown in Fig.3, the extent of axial overlap of the spokes at their intersections is greater than half the axial dimension of the spokes in cross section.

Therefore, the two intersections on each of the adjoining spokes substantially strengthen the axially outer member 1 2 of the wheel cover. In addition, by making the spokes numerous and by intersecting as shown in Fig. 1 the spokes 42,44 provide a grille work barrier at the axially outer face of the wheel, which prevents the penetration of large foreign objects into and against the axially inner member 10 of the wheel cover. It will be observed from Fig.1 that, at their radially inner ends, spokes 42,44 extend in a generally radial direction for a very short distance and, thereafter, are inclined to the radius. This particular configuration, which is also applied to the intersecting spokes 1 8 on the axially inner member 10 of the cover, imparts added ornamentation to the cover.

The members 10 and 1 2 are secured together in any suitable fashion. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, these two members are secured together by screws 50 extending through flange portion 52 of hub 14 and flange 26 of rim member 16 into the studs 36 on the outer member 1 2.

The wheel cover illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5 differs slightly from the previous embodiment described. Like the previously described embodiment, the wheel cover of Figs. 4 and 5 includes an axially inner member 54 and an axially outer member 56. In this arrangement the axially outer member 56 has a central hub 58 in which is secured a medallion 60. The outer member 56 includes an outer rim portion 62 connected with hub 58 by successive pairs of spokes 64,66 which incline axially inwardly in a radially outward direction as shown in Fig.5. At their inner ends, adjoining spokes 64,66, instead of being circumferentially spaced, emanate from a single point as at 68. Each spoke 64 intersects and is integrally connected to two underlying spokes 66 as at 70,72.As in the previous embodiment described, each of the spokes on the outer member 56 is integrally connected to two adjacent spokes, one intersection being adjacent the hub 58 and the other being spaced radially therefrom and closer to the rim portion 62. A plurality of circumferentially spaced lugs 74 are moulded on the underside of rim portion 62 for accommodating the wire ring 76 utilized to retain the wheel cover on a vehicle wheel rim, such as shown at 78.

The axially inner member 54 is formed with a central flange 80 on which the hub 58 is seated, a curved body portion 82 and an annular outer rim portion 84 on which the rim portion 62 of the outer member is seated. The rim portion 84 is connected with the curved body portion 82 by a plurality of short radially extending intersecting spokes 86. The two members 54,56 are connected together by means of screws 88 extending outwardly through flange 80 and rim portion 84 into studs 90 moulded on the underside of the outer member 56. The extent of axial overlap of spokes 64,66 at their points of intersection corresponds to that shown in Fig.3.

Claims

1. A plastics, simulated wire wheel cover having a radially outer annular portion adjacent its outer periphery and a radially inner annular portion concentric with the centre axis of the cover, spokes extending radially between said portions, the radially outer ends of the spokes being moulded integrally with the radially outer portion and the radially inner ends of the spokes being moulded integrally with said radially inner portion, the spokes being arranged circumferentially in successive pairs, the spokes in each pair being inclined circumferentially in opposite directions, each spoke inclined in one direction intersecting two spokes inclined in the opposite direction, said spokes being moulded integrally together where they intersect.

2. A wheel cover as claimed in claim 1, wherein the integrally moulded portion of the two spokes at each intersection has an axial dimension substantially greater than half the axial dimension of a spoke in cross section.

3. A wheel cover as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the two points of intersection on each spoke are spaced apart radially, one closer to the inner annular portion and the other closer to the outer annular portion.

4. A wheel cover as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the inner and outer annular portions are spaced apart axially and the spokes incline axially inwardly of the cover from the inner annular portion to the outer annular portion.

5. A wheel cover as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the radially inner and outer ends of adjoining spokes are spaced apart circumferentially on the inner and outer annular portions.

6. A wheel cover as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the radially inner ends of the spokes in each pair radiate outwardly from substantially the same point on the inner annular portion.

7. A plastics, simulated wire wheel cover comprising an axially inner member and an axially outer member, said inner member having a central annular section and an outer peripheral rim spaced radially apart, a first set of spokes extending radially between said central section and said rim, and said axially outer member comprising a radially inner annular portion secured to said central section of the outer member and a radially outer annular portion secured to said rim, a second set of spokes extending radially between said annular portions and integrally moulded therewith at their opposite ends, the spokes in the second set being arranged circumferentially in successive pairs with the spokes in each pair inclined circumferentially in opposite directions, each spoke in the second set inclined circumferentially in one direction intersecting two spokes inclined circumferentially in the opposite direction, the spokes being integrally moulded together at their points of intersection.

8. A wheel cover as claimed in claim 7, wherein said central section comprises a hub of generally conical shape and the spokes of the first set incline axially inwardly from the axially inner end of the hub to said rim.

9. A wheel cover as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein the radially inner and outer annular portions of the axially outer member are spaced apart axially and the spokes of the second set incline axially inwardly from the radially inner portion.

1 0. A wheel cover as claimed in claim 7, 8 or 9, wherein the circumferentially adjacent spokes of the first set are inclined circumferentially in opposite directions and intersect intermediate their ends, said last-mentioned spokes being moulded integrally together at their intersections.

11. A wheel cover as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the integrally moulded portion of each spoke intersection has an axial dimension substantially greater than half the axial dimension of a spoke in cross section.

1 2. A wheel cover as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the inner annular portion of the axially outer member comprises a hub spaced axially outwardly from the radially outer annular portion and the spokes of the second set are inclined axially inwardly from said hub to said radially outer annular portion.

1 3. A plastics, simulated wire wheel cover, constructed substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.