JP3469984B2 - Car wheel covers - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wheel cover attached to an automobile disc wheel, and more particularly to a wheel cover configured to attach a wheel cover body to an automobile disc wheel by using a clip as an attaching means. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 10 (a) is a sectional view of a general disc wheel, and FIG. 10 (b) is an enlarged view of a portion B (rim portion) of FIG. 10 (a). As shown,
A hump 3 called a hump 3 is formed at a predetermined position of the rim portion 2 of the disc wheel 1 so as to project radially outward of the disc wheel 1 to prevent the tire end portion from moving inward. . In the figure, the hump portion 3 is drawn large for easy understanding, but the actual hump portion is a slight ridge with a protrusion amount of about 0.5 mm.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 11, the wheel cover 4 attached to the disc wheel 1 of FIG. 10 generally has a disc-shaped main body 4a and a plurality of claw portions 4b protruding from the back surface integrally formed. It is injection molded. Then, the protruding portion 4c at the tip of the claw portion 4b is fitted into the concave portion on the back side of the hump portion 3, and the wire ring 5
The wheel cover 4 is attached to the disc wheel 1 by pressing the tip 4c of the claw portion 4b into the recess on the back side of the hump 3 in the radial direction of the disc wheel 1 using.

[0004]

However, there are many types of disc wheels 1, and there are various types even if they have the same diameter. In many cases, if the model is different, the position and depth of the hump portion 3 are also different.
Therefore, by using the hump portion 3, the disc wheel 1
The wheel cover 4, which is fixed to, has to be a dedicated one for each type of disc wheel 1 and has a problem of poor versatility.

Therefore, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to solve the following problems with disk wheels having the same standard diameter dimension.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a highly versatile wheel cover that can be mounted regardless of its model.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems and Actions / Effects] As described above, if the disc wheel model is different, the hump position is generally different even if the standard diameter dimension is the same. If the standard diameter dimension is the same, the dimension is substantially the same regardless of the model. The present invention has been made in view of this point, by using the rim flange portion instead of the hump portion to attach the wheel cover to the disc wheel,
The above problems are solved.

That is, the wheel cover of the present invention comprises a wheel cover body and a plurality of clips as attachment means for attaching the wheel cover body to a disc wheel of an automobile. The wheel cover body is
A disc-shaped cover portion having a diameter equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rim flange edge of the disc wheel, and a mounting portion extending from the outer peripheral edge portion of the cover portion radially inward of the rear surface side of the cover portion. It has and. Each clip is connected to one of the two sandwiching surfaces and two opposing sandwiching surfaces configured to be sandwiched by being press-fitted into the mounting portion of the wheel cover body from the radial inside of the wheel cover body. And a press-contact piece that elastically press-contacts the inner surface of the rim flange edge of the disk wheel.

In the wheel cover having the above structure, the sandwiching surface of each clip is press-fitted into the mounting portion of the wheel cover body from the inner side in the radial direction, and then the whole is pushed in the axial direction with respect to the disc wheel. Can be mounted on the disc wheel. Generally, the edge portion of the rim flange of the disc wheel has a shape that wraps inward in the radial direction of the disc wheel, and in the above configuration, the pressure contact piece of the clip is in pressure contact with the inner surface of the rim flange edge portion. , The wheel cover can be held securely with the disc wheel. Further, since the wheel cover main body is formed to have a diameter equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the rim flange edge portion of the disc wheel, almost the entire area of the inner diameter side of the rim flange edge portion of the disc wheel is covered. be able to.

In the above structure, the pressure contact piece of the clip sandwiched between the mounting portions of the wheel cover body is in pressure contact with the inner surface of the edge portion of the rim flange of the disc wheel, and if the disc wheel has the same standard diameter. Since the rim flange edge has almost the same dimensional configuration regardless of model, disc wheels with the same standard diameter dimensions can be mounted with high versatility regardless of model, and the hump It is also possible to attach it to a disc wheel on which no is formed.

Further, in the above structure, since the clip can be arranged at any position in the circumferential direction of the rim flange portion, even if the balance weight for adjusting the wheel balance is attached to the rim flange portion, The degree of freedom of attaching the cover is not limited. Further, since the clip is pressed against the inner surface of the rim flange portion of the disc wheel and does not contact the tire, the clip is not affected by the deformation of the tire while the vehicle is running, and the clip is attached to the back side of the cover portion. Since it is located, it cannot be seen from the outside, and therefore the designability does not deteriorate.

In the above structure, instead of using a plurality of clips, a C-shaped ring-shaped clip continuous in the circumferential direction can be used. In this case, a predetermined gap is provided between both ends of the clip. This gap may be set to a size that allows a balance weight that is generally mounted on the disc wheel to be accommodated. According to this structure, since the wheel cover main body is held over substantially the entire circumference, the wheel cover is held more stably.

Further, in the above-mentioned structure, it is preferable that the attaching portion and the clip of the wheel cover main body are provided with a retaining means for preventing the clip from coming off from the attaching portion. The retaining means can be composed of an engaging projection formed on one of the mounting portion and the clip, and an engaging recess formed on the other side so as to engage with the engaging projection. According to this structure, in addition to the effects described above, the effect of improving the mounting stability can be obtained.

Further, instead of the clip having the above structure, a holding piece configured to be press-fitted and held from a radially inner side of the wheel cover body between the cover portion and the mounting portion of the wheel cover body, A clip having a pressure contact piece that is connected to the holding piece and elastically presses against the inner surface of the rim flange edge of the disc wheel may be used.

Even with this construction, the clip holding piece is press-fitted from the inside in the radial direction between the cover portion and the mounting portion of the wheel cover body, and then the whole body is axially mounted with respect to the disc wheel. Since it can be mounted on the disc wheel by pushing it in, the same effect as described above can be obtained, and the mounting stability of the wheel cover is stabilized by using a C-shaped clip or providing a retaining means. It is possible to improve the property.

Further, in the wheel cover having the above structure, unlike the conventional wheel cover, since there is no claw member projecting from a position inside the outer peripheral edge portion, a simple shape is achieved without using injection molding. It can be manufactured from a plate-shaped plastic material using a mold by vacuum molding or the like, and by doing so, it is possible to reduce costs.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of a wheel cover according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9. First, a first example of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which the wheel cover 10 is attached to a disc wheel 1 of an automobile. In the figure, 1 is a disc wheel, and 6 is a tire attached to the disc wheel 1. The wheel cover 10 is composed of a wheel cover body 11 and three clips 12 as attachment means for attaching the wheel cover body 11 to the disc wheel 1.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of the wheel cover body 11, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a state in which the wheel cover 10 is attached to the disc wheel 1. The wheel cover main body 11 includes a disc-shaped cover portion 11a having a diameter equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the rim flange edge portion 2a of the disc wheel 1, and the cover portion 1
The mounting portion 11b extends radially inward from the outer peripheral edge of the cover portion 11a on the back surface side of the cover portion 11a. In this example,
The mounting portion 11b of the wheel cover body 11 is the cover portion 1
It is formed on the entire circumference of 1a and has an annular shape, but the mounting portion 1
1b does not necessarily have to be formed on the entire circumference of the cover portion 11a to form an annular shape, and may be formed partially only on the position where the clip 12 is to be attached, for example.

Each clip 12 is a wheel cover body 1.
The first opposing portion configured to be press-fitted from the radially inner side of the wheel cover body 11 into the mounting portion 11b of the first to be sandwiched.
A C-shaped portion that is connected to the sandwiching surface formed of the piece 12a and the second piece 12b and the second piece 12b that is the inner sandwiching surface, and that is elastically pressed against the inner surface of the rim flange edge portion 2a of the disc wheel 1. The pressure contact piece 12c is integrally formed. As long as the clip 12 has elasticity as a whole, the clip 12 can be made of a bent metal product or a plastic molded product. The clip 12 is slightly curved as a whole in the circumferential direction of the disc wheel 1 along the inner surface of the edge portion 2a of the rim flange 2 of the disc wheel 1.

In the wheel cover 10 having the above-described structure, the sandwiching surfaces 12a and 12b of the respective clips 12 are press-fitted radially inward from the mounting portion 11b of the wheel cover body 11 and then mounted on the disc wheel 1. It can be attached to the disc wheel 1 by pushing it in the axial direction. As shown in FIG. 3, the disc wheel 1
Since the pressure contact piece 12c of the clip 12 is pressure-contacted from the inside to the edge portion 2a of the rim flange 2 which has a shape wrapping inward in the radial direction of the disk wheel 1 after mounting.
The wheel cover 10 is prevented from coming off from the. Also,
Since the wheel cover main body 11 is formed to have a diameter equal to or slightly larger than the diameter of the rim flange edge portion 2a of the disc wheel 1, the wheel cover main body 11 is substantially closer to the inner diameter side than the rim flange edge portion 2a of the disc wheel 1. It can cover all areas.

As described above, in the above structure, the clip 1 sandwiched between the mounting portions 11b of the wheel cover body 11 is inserted.
2 pressure contact pieces 12c, the disc wheel 1 of the same standard diameter
In that case, since the inner diameter of the rim flange edge portion 2a having substantially the same size configuration is pressed against the inner surface, the disc wheel 1 having the same standard diameter dimension has high versatility regardless of the type. Can be installed with
Moreover, it is also possible to attach to the disc wheel 1 on which the hump is not formed.

Further, in the above structure, since the clip 12 can be arranged at any position in the circumferential direction of the rim flange edge 2a, even if the balance weight is attached to the rim flange edge 2a, for example, the wheel cover. The mounting flexibility of 10 is not limited. Further, the clip 12 is a rim flange edge 2 of the disc wheel 1.
Since it is pressed against the inner surface of a and does not contact the tire 6, deformation of the tire 6 during vehicle running does not affect the clip 12, and since the clip 12 is located on the back side of the cover portion 11a, It is not visible from the bottom, and therefore the design is not deteriorated.

When the balance weight W is attached to the rim flange edge 2a of the wheel as shown by the phantom line in FIG. 3, the balance weight W includes the rim flange edge 2a and the attachment portion 11b of the wheel cover body 11. It is accommodated in the space between them and is covered by the outer peripheral edge portion of the wheel cover body 11. Therefore, since the balance weight W is not visible from the outside of the wheel cover 10, the designability does not deteriorate.

In the above structure, the wheel cover 10
Although three clips 12 are arranged at equal intervals for stable attachment to the disc wheel 1, the number and arrangement may be changed appropriately. For example, when the balance weight W is arranged on the surface of the rim flange edge portion 2a,
If the clips 12 cannot be arranged at regular intervals, the balance weight W should be avoided and the clips 12 should be arranged at almost regular intervals.

4 and 5 show the wheel cover body 11
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the molding method of. FIG. 4 shows the mold member 7
It is shown that a plate-shaped plastic material P forming the wheel cover main body 11 is arranged on a mold constituted by a, 7b and 7c. A plurality of holes 7d for venting air are formed in the mold member 7a. From the state of FIG. 4, the plate material P is heated and the air vent hole 7
When the air is evacuated from d, the plate-shaped material P becomes the mold member 7a.
And is deformed into a shape as shown in FIG. Then, the mold members 7b and 7c are slid to the left and right to take out the material P, and the cutter 8 shown by a phantom line in the drawing.
By trimming the unnecessary portion with, the wheel cover main body 11 having the shape shown in FIG. 2 can be formed.

As described above, in the wheel cover having the above-described structure, since there is no claw member that engages with the hump portion of the disc wheel, a plate shape is obtained by using a mold having a simple shape without using injection molding. It can be manufactured from a plastic material by vacuum forming or the like. Therefore, the cost can be reduced.

Next, a second example of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6A is a sectional view of an essential part of the state where the wheel cover 20 is attached to the disc wheel, and FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the clip 22.

The wheel cover body 21 has a disc-shaped cover portion 21a and an annular mounting portion 21b, as in the above-mentioned example.
It is composed of and, but at the inner peripheral edge of the mounting portion 21b,
This is different from the above-mentioned example in that an engaging convex portion 21c is formed to prevent the clip 22 from coming off the mounting portion 21b. The engaging protrusion 21c can be easily formed by adjusting the position of the cutter 8 in the trimming process described with reference to FIG.

The clip 22 has a shape in which both ends are overlapped with each other, and the overlapped first piece 22a and the second piece 22b form a sandwiching surface. The lateral gap 22d of the second piece 22b, which is the inner sandwiching surface, is an engaging recess that engages with the engaging projection 21c of the wheel cover body 21, and these engaging projections 21c and The engagement concave portion 22d constitutes a retaining means for preventing the clip 22 from coming off from the mounting portion 21b of the wheel cover body 21. The engaging protrusion 21c may be formed at a position other than the inner peripheral end of the annular mounting portion 21b, and the engaging protrusion 21c may be formed.
Any of the engagement recess 22d and the wheel cover main body 2
It may be formed on one side or on the clip 22 side.

In the above structure, when the clip 22 is attached to the attachment portion 21b of the wheel cover body 21 from the inside in the radial direction, the second piece 22b is displaced inward by the bending of the pressure contact piece 22c. When pushed to the position shown in FIG. 6A, the second piece 22b returns to the original position, and the engagement protrusion 21c engages with the engagement recess 22d. Therefore, with this configuration, in addition to the various effects described in the first embodiment, the clip 22 can be prevented from coming off even if an external force is applied to the wheel cover main body 21, so that the wheel cover can be attached to the disk wheel 1 more effectively. You can be sure.

Next, a third example of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this example, the clip 22 shown in FIG. 6 is modified. Reference numerals 32a and 32b are first and second pieces constituting a sandwiching surface, 32c is a pressure contact piece, 32d.
Is an engaging recess. The pressure contact piece 32c of this clip 32
Is formed in the central portion of the clip 32 in the width direction and has a shape projecting from the portions 32e on both sides thereof. Therefore, when the clip 32 is attached to the wheel cover body 21, a gap is formed between the engaging protrusion 21c of the attachment portion 21b of the wheel cover body 21 and the end surface 32f of the press contact piece 32c. ing. Also, the first piece 32
A cut-and-raised piece 32g is provided on the mounting portion 21a.
The disengagement of the clip 32 from b is prevented with a stronger force.

According to this structure, the engaging force of the engaging convex portion 21c and the engaging concave portion 32d is equal to the portions 3 on both sides of the pressure contact piece 32c.
Since the pressure contact piece 32c can be strongly pressed against the inner surface of the rim flange edge portion 2a while being secured by 2e, the wheel cover can be firmly held by the disc wheel 1.

Next, a fourth example of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This example is a modification of the clip shown in FIG. The clip 42 has the same cross-sectional shape as the clip of FIG. 6, 42a and 42b are first and second pieces forming a sandwiching surface, 42c is a pressure contact piece, and 42d is an engaging recess. The wheel disc body 21 is the same as that of the example of FIG. The clip 42 is formed in a C-shaped ring shape that is continuous in the circumferential direction, and a predetermined gap is provided between both ends. This gap is generally set to a size that allows the balance weight W mounted on the disc wheel 1 to be inserted therein. According to this structure, in addition to the effects similar to those of the above-described embodiments, the wheel cover main body is held over substantially the entire circumference, so that the wheel cover is held stably.

Next, a fifth example of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The example shown in FIG. 9A is a modified version of the clip shown in FIG. 3, the example shown in FIG. 9B is a modified version of the clip shown in FIG. 6, and FIG.
The example shown in (c) is a modification of the clip shown in FIG. 7.

The examples shown in FIGS. 9A to 9C are as follows.
In both cases, the method of attaching the clips 12, 22, 32 to the wheel cover bodies 11, 21 is changed from the examples of FIGS. 3, 6, and 7. That is, in the above example, the mounting portions 11b and 21b of the wheel cover bodies 11 and 21 are connected to the first piece 12 that is a sandwiching piece of the clips 12, 22, and 32.
Although it is configured to be sandwiched between a, 22a, 32a and the second pieces 12b, 22b, 32b, in the example of FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (c), the cover portion 11 of the wheel cover main body 11, 21 is formed.
a, 21a and the mounting portions 11b, 21b are narrowed, and the first pieces 12a, 22 of the clips 12, 22, 32 are interposed therebetween.
While pressing and holding a and 32a as holding pieces,
First piece 12a, 22a, 3 of clip 12, 22, 32
The distance between 2a and the second pieces 12b, 22b, 32b is made wider than the thickness of the mounting portions 11b, 21b of the wheel cover bodies 11, 21.

As described above, in the example of FIG. 9, the cross-sectional shapes of the wheel cover bodies 11, 21 and the clips 12, 22, 32 are substantially the same as those of the examples of FIGS. 3, 6, and 7 described above, respectively. , The mounting portion 1 of the wheel cover body 11, 21
1b and 21b cooperate with cover parts 11a and 21a to hold pieces (first pieces) 12a and 22 of clips 12, 22, and 32, respectively.
a, 32a holding point and the second piece 12b, 22b, 3
In the example of FIG. 9A, 2b is provided only for connecting the first piece 12a and the pressure contact piece 12c, and FIG.
The examples of (b) and (c) are functionally different in that they are provided only to configure the retaining means.

Even with this structure, the clips 12, 2
The first and second pieces 12a, 22a, 32a of 2, 32 are press-fitted radially inward between the cover portions 11a, 21a of the wheel cover main bodies 11, 21 and the mounting portions 11b, 21b, and then mounted as a whole. By pushing it in the axial direction, it can be mounted on the disc wheel, and the same effect as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3, 6, and 7 can be obtained.

Also, in the example using the C-shaped clip shown in FIG. 8, the wheel cover body 21 and the clip 42 are similar to the cover portion 21a of the wheel cover body 21 as in FIGS. 9 (a) to 9 (c). While narrowing the space between the mounting portions 21b to press and hold the first piece 42a of the clip 42 as a holding piece between them, the wheel cover body 21 is provided between the first piece 42a and the second piece 42b of the clip 42.
It is possible to make the wheel cover wider than the thickness of the mounting portion 21b. By doing so, in addition to the effect of each example shown in FIG. 9, the wheel cover can be held more stably.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a wheel cover according to a first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a disc wheel of an automobile.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a wheel cover body.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a state where a wheel cover is attached to a disc wheel.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of molding the wheel cover body.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a method of molding the wheel cover body.

FIG. 6 shows a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 (a) is a cross-sectional view of an essential part in a state where a wheel cover is attached to a disc wheel, and FIG. 6 (b) is a perspective view of a clip.

FIG. 7 shows a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 7 (a) is a cross-sectional view of an essential part in a state where a wheel cover is attached to a disc wheel, and FIG. 7 (b) is a perspective view of a clip.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a state in which a wheel cover according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is attached to a disc wheel of an automobile.

FIG. 9 (a) is a cross-sectional view of an essential part of a wheel cover according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention mounted on a disc wheel of an automobile, and FIGS. 9 (b) and 9 (c) show the same. This is a modified example.

10 (a) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a conventional general wheel, and FIG. 10 (b) is an enlarged view of a portion B in FIG. 10 (a).

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of essential parts showing a conventional wheel cover mounting structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Disc Wheel 2a Rim Flange Edge 10 Wheel Covers 11, 21 Wheel Cover Main Body 11a, 21a Cover 11b, 21b Attachment 21c Engagement Convex 12, 22, 32, 42 Clip (Attachment Means) 12a, 22a, 32a, 42a 1st piece (sandwiching surface, holding piece) 12b, 22b, 32b, 42b 2nd piece (sandwiching surface) 12c, 22c, 32c, 42c Pressure contact piece 22d, 32d, 42d Engagement recess

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-49-80728 (JP, A) JP-A-6-145382 (JP, A) JP-A-52-55125 (JP, A) Actual development Sho-50- 62226 (JP, U) Actual development 54-66336 (JP, U) Actual development 59-167702 (JP, U) Actual public 46-29684 (JP, Y1) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60B 7/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A wheel cover body (11, 21) and a disc wheel (1) for an automobile, comprising the wheel cover body (11, 21).
A wheel cover for an automobile provided with a mounting means (12, 22, 32) for mounting on the wheel cover body (11, 21), wherein the rim flange edge portion (2a) of the disc wheel (1). Disc-shaped cover part (11a, 2a) with a diameter equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of
1a) and the outer peripheral edge of the cover portion (11a, 21a) to the cover portion
Mounting parts (11b, 21a) that extend inward in the radial direction on the back side of (11a, 21a)
b), the mounting means is composed of a plurality of clips (12,22,32), each clip (12,22,32) is a mounting portion (11b) of the wheel cover body (11,21). , 21b) to the wheel cover body (1
1,21) two opposing sandwiching surfaces (12a, 12b, 22a, 22b, 32a, 32b) configured to be pressed into and sandwiched from the inside in the radial direction.
And, the press contact piece (12a, 12b, 22a, 22b, 32a, 32b) that is connected to one of the sandwiching surface (12a, 12b, 22a, 22b, 32a, 32b) and elastically presses against the inner surface of the rim flange edge portion (2a) of the disc wheel (1). 12c, 22c, 32
c) A wheel cover for an automobile, comprising: 2. A wheel cover body (11, 21) and a disk wheel (1) for an automobile, comprising the wheel cover body (11, 21).
A wheel cover for an automobile provided with an attaching means (42) for attaching to the wheel cover body (11, 21), wherein the outer diameter of the rim flange edge portion (2a) of the disc wheel (1) is Disc-shaped cover parts (11a, 2a) of the same or slightly larger diameter
1a) and the outer peripheral edge of the cover portion (11a, 21a) to the cover portion
Mounting parts (11b, 21a) that extend inward in the radial direction on the back side of (11a, 21a)
b), the attachment means is composed of a clip (42) formed in a C-shaped ring shape continuous in the circumferential direction of the wheel cover body (21), the clip (42) being the wheel cover. At the mounting portion (11b, 21b) of the body (11, 21), the wheel cover body (1
1, 21) two opposing sandwiching surfaces (42a, 42b) configured to be press-fitted from the inside in the radial direction to sandwich the sandwiching surfaces (42a, 42b).
42b) Connected to one side and above the disc wheel
A wheel cover for an automobile, comprising: an inner surface of the rim flange edge portion (2a) of (1); and a pressure contact piece (42c) that elastically pressure contacts. 3. The mounting portion (2) of the wheel cover body (21).
1b) and the clip (22, 32, 42), a retaining means (2) for preventing the clip (22, 32, 42) from being detached from the mounting portion (21b).
1c, 22d, 32d, 42d), and the retaining means (21c, 22d, 32d, 42d) is the mounting portion (21b).
And the engaging protrusion (21c) formed on one side (21b) of the clip (22, 32, 42) and the other side (22, 32, 42) so as to engage with the engaging protrusion (21c). The wheel cover for an automobile according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the wheel cover is formed of an engaging recess (22d, 32d, 42d) formed in the. 4. The wheel cover for an automobile according to claim 1, wherein the wheel cover body (11, 21) is formed from a plate-shaped plastic material by vacuum molding. .