GB2175261A

GB2175261A - Vehicle wheel cover

Info

Publication number: GB2175261A
Application number: GB08611896A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Fred Cook
Original assignee: COOK BARBARA JOAN
Current assignee: COOK BARBARA JOAN
Priority date: 1985-05-17
Filing date: 1986-05-15
Publication date: 1986-11-26
Also published as: GB8611896D0; GB8512554D0

Abstract

A vehicle wheel cover (1) comprises covering means (2) adapted to cover a wheel (3) of a vehicle. A front face (5) and a rear face (6) of the covering means (2) defines a volume within which the wheel (3) can be received. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vehicle wheel cover This invention relates to a vehicle wheel cover.

According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle wheel cover comprising covering means adapted to cover a wheel of a vehicle.

Advantageously the covering means is adapted to be removably secured to the wheel.

Preferably the covering means comprises a sleeve member, and the sleeve member is desirably closed at one end.

The sleeve member may comprise front and rear faces which define a volume therebetween in which the wheel can be received; the front and rear faces may be connected by a side face. The vehicle wheel cover is capable of covering both faces of a vehicle wheel, and thus can cover substantially the entire wheel.

In a preferred construction part of the front and rear face is hemispherical, and the radius of the hemispherical part is substantially equal to, or greater than, the radius of the wheel to be covered.

The covering means may be made of a flexible material to facilitate folding the cover, so that it can be stored easily when not in use. Conveniently the covering means is made from a plastics coated fabric, such as cotton coated with polyvinyl chloride.

Desirably the covering means is adapted to receive an axle connected to the wheel. To this end, the covering means is preferably provided with an aperture having a slot communicating therewith, to facilitate fitting the covering means around an axle connected to the wheel. The aperture and the slot may be formed in one of the faces of the cover, such as the rear face. The slot advantageously extends to an edge of the covering means.

The cover may be provided with securing means for securing the cover to the wheel.

In one embodiment the securing means comprises a zip fastener which may be provided in the slot so that whenr the axle is received in the aperture, the zip fastener can be fastened thereby preventing removal of the cover without unfastening the zip.

In another embodiment the securing means comprises at least one pair of eyelets arranged on opposing sides of the slot. A fastener may be passed through the or each pair of eyelets so that after the axle has been received in the aperture, the cover cannot be removed without removing the fastener. The fastener may comprise, for example, an elongate material such as a cord or wire, or a padlock which extends through the eyelets; thus the cover cannot be removed from the wheel without either untying the elongate material or unlocking the padlock.

The present invention provides a cover for a wheel which protects the wheel against dirt and the effects of the weather, and which may be provided with a decorative appearance.

The wheel cover according to the invention reduces the need to wash the vehicle wheel; when the cover is dirty it may be removed from the wheel and washed.

The invention is particularly useful for use with the wheels of vehicles such as caravans and mobile homes, which are often kept stationery on a site for long periods; often the sites may be very muddy so that the wheels tend to get very dirty.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings in which.

Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle wheel cover according to the invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle wheel cover according to the invention; and Figure 3 is a side view of the wheel cover according to the invention.

In the drawings a vehicle wheel cover generally designated 1 comprises covering means 2 adapted to receive a wheel 3 (shown in dotted lines) therein.

The covering means 2 comprises a sleeve member having an open end generally designated 4, and having a front face 5, a rear face 6, and side face 7.

The front face 5 and the rear face 6 are each provided with hemispherical portions 5a and 6a respectively. The radius of the hemispherical portions is substantially equal to a radius of the wheel 3. The height of the front and rear faces 5 and 6 (indicated by H in Figure 3) is substantially equal to the diameter of the wheel 3.

The front face 5 is secured to the side face 7 by means of stitching 8, and the rear face 6 is secured to the side face 7 by means of the stitching 8. The width of the side face 7 (indicated by W in Figure 3) is substantially equal to the width of the wheel 3.

The wheel cover 1 is provided with an aperture 9 and a slot 10 to facilitate fitting the wheel cover around an axle 11 of the wheel 3. The slot 10 communicates with the aperture 9 and extends to an edge of the rear face 6.

Securing means including two pairs of eyelets 12 and 13 are disposed on opposite sides of the slot 10. The pair of eyelets 12 are connected together by cord 14, and the pair of eyelets 13 are connected together by cord 15. The cover 1 may be removed from the wheel 3 by unfastening the cord 14 and 15, then pulling the cover off the wheel so that the axle slides through the slot 10.

The cover 1 can be provided with a decorative appearance in order to increase its aesthetic appeal. This is particularly important for covers used for protecting the wheels of caravans on a caravan site. The cover 1 may be personalised by printing names or initials on its surface.

It will be appreciated that the cord 14 and 15 can be replaced with a single length of cord.

1. A vehicle wheel cover comprising covering means adapted to cover a wheel of a vehicle.

2. A vehicle wheel cover according to Claim 1, in which the covering means is adapted to be removably secured to the wheel.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Vehicle wheel cover This invention relates to a vehicle wheel cover. According to the present invention there is provided a vehicle wheel cover comprising covering means adapted to cover a wheel of a vehicle. Advantageously the covering means is adapted to be removably secured to the wheel. Preferably the covering means comprises a sleeve member, and the sleeve member is desirably closed at one end. The sleeve member may comprise front and rear faces which define a volume therebetween in which the wheel can be received; the front and rear faces may be connected by a side face. The vehicle wheel cover is capable of covering both faces of a vehicle wheel, and thus can cover substantially the entire wheel. In a preferred construction part of the front and rear face is hemispherical, and the radius of the hemispherical part is substantially equal to, or greater than, the radius of the wheel to be covered. The covering means may be made of a flexible material to facilitate folding the cover, so that it can be stored easily when not in use. Conveniently the covering means is made from a plastics coated fabric, such as cotton coated with polyvinyl chloride. Desirably the covering means is adapted to receive an axle connected to the wheel. To this end, the covering means is preferably provided with an aperture having a slot communicating therewith, to facilitate fitting the covering means around an axle connected to the wheel. The aperture and the slot may be formed in one of the faces of the cover, such as the rear face. The slot advantageously extends to an edge of the covering means. The cover may be provided with securing means for securing the cover to the wheel. In one embodiment the securing means comprises a zip fastener which may be provided in the slot so that whenr the axle is received in the aperture, the zip fastener can be fastened thereby preventing removal of the cover without unfastening the zip. In another embodiment the securing means comprises at least one pair of eyelets arranged on opposing sides of the slot. A fastener may be passed through the or each pair of eyelets so that after the axle has been received in the aperture, the cover cannot be removed without removing the fastener. The fastener may comprise, for example, an elongate material such as a cord or wire, or a padlock which extends through the eyelets; thus the cover cannot be removed from the wheel without either untying the elongate material or unlocking the padlock. The present invention provides a cover for a wheel which protects the wheel against dirt and the effects of the weather, and which may be provided with a decorative appearance. The wheel cover according to the invention reduces the need to wash the vehicle wheel; when the cover is dirty it may be removed from the wheel and washed. The invention is particularly useful for use with the wheels of vehicles such as caravans and mobile homes, which are often kept stationery on a site for long periods; often the sites may be very muddy so that the wheels tend to get very dirty. Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings in which. Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a vehicle wheel cover according to the invention; Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of a vehicle wheel cover according to the invention; and Figure 3 is a side view of the wheel cover according to the invention. In the drawings a vehicle wheel cover generally designated 1 comprises covering means 2 adapted to receive a wheel 3 (shown in dotted lines) therein. The covering means 2 comprises a sleeve member having an open end generally designated 4, and having a front face 5, a rear face 6, and side face 7. The front face 5 and the rear face 6 are each provided with hemispherical portions 5a and 6a respectively. The radius of the hemispherical portions is substantially equal to a radius of the wheel 3. The height of the front and rear faces 5 and 6 (indicated by H in Figure 3) is substantially equal to the diameter of the wheel 3. The front face 5 is secured to the side face 7 by means of stitching 8, and the rear face 6 is secured to the side face 7 by means of the stitching 8. The width of the side face 7 (indicated by W in Figure 3) is substantially equal to the width of the wheel 3. The wheel cover 1 is provided with an aperture 9 and a slot 10 to facilitate fitting the wheel cover around an axle 11 of the wheel 3. The slot 10 communicates with the aperture 9 and extends to an edge of the rear face 6. Securing means including two pairs of eyelets 12 and 13 are disposed on opposite sides of the slot 10. The pair of eyelets 12 are connected together by cord 14, and the pair of eyelets 13 are connected together by cord 15. The cover 1 may be removed from the wheel 3 by unfastening the cord 14 and 15, then pulling the cover off the wheel so that the axle slides through the slot 10. The cover 1 can be provided with a decorative appearance in order to increase its aesthetic appeal. This is particularly important for covers used for protecting the wheels of caravans on a caravan site. The cover 1 may be personalised by printing names or initials on its surface. It will be appreciated that the cord 14 and 15 can be replaced with a single length of cord. CLAIMS

3. A vehicle wheel cover according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the covering means comprises a sleeve which is closed at one end.

4. A vehicle wheel cover according to Claim 3, in which the sleeve comprises front and rear faces which define a volume within which the vehicle wheel can be received.

5. A vehicle wheel cover according to Claim 4, in which at least part of the front and/or the rear face is of hemispherical configuration.

6. A vehicle wheel cover according to any preceding claim, in which the covering means comprises a fiexible material.

7. A vehicle wheel cover according to any preceding claim, in which the covering means comprises a plastics coated fabric.

8. A vehicle wheel cover according to any preceding claim, in which the covering means is adapted to receive an axle connected to the wheel.

8. A vehicle wheel cover according to any preceding claim, in which the covering means is provided with an aperture having a slot communicating therewith, said aperture and slot being adapted to receive an axle connected to the vehicle wheel.

9. A vehicle wheel cover according to Claim 8 when dependent upon Claim 4, in which the aperture and slot are provided in the rear face of the sleeve.

10. A vehicle wheel cover according to any preceding claim, in which the covering means is provided with securing means adapted to secure the covering means to the wheel.

11. A vehicle wheel cover according to Claim 10, in which the securing means comprises a zip fastener.

12. A vehicle wheel cover according to Claim 11 when dependent upon Claim 8, in which the zip fastener is provided in the slot.

13. A vehicle wheel cover according to Claim 10 when dependent upon Claim 8, in which the securing means comprises at least one pair of apertures disposed on opposing sides of the slot and a fastener extending through the or each pair of apertures.

14. A vehicle wheel cover substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.