JPS62218201A - Wheel cover with pre-load mechanism - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure the engagement of the wheel cover in the caption by pressingly fitting a spring among an inner engaging rib and both of outer engaging ribs, which ribs are provided around the reverse side of a wheel cover body to be coupled with each other, and thereby energizing the pre-load for engaging with a wheel disk. CONSTITUTION:An inner engaging rib 1 and both of outer engaging ribs 2 and 2' are monolithically formed around the reverse side of a wheel cover H, and arms 3 and 3' having hook portions (a) and (a') engaged with each other at their tip ends respectively are provided among those ribs 1, 2 and 2'. In the aforementioned constitution, a U-shaped spring 4 is insertingly attached among said each of the ribs 1, 2 and 2' so as to direct its opening side upwardly. And, the inner side of each of the ribs 1, 2 and 2' is pressed by both sides of the spring 4, so that the hook portions (a) and (a') of the arms 3 and 3' are engaged to be stopped at a constant space, thereby a pre-load is applied. Therefore, when the wheel cover H is pushed into the hump portion (d), of a disk wheel D, the outer engaging ribs 3 and 2' are pressingly contacted and engaged with a hump portion (d).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION "Industrial Applications" The present invention relates to an automobile wheel cover, and particularly relates to a mechanism for attaching the cover.

``Prior art'' Conventionally, this type of technology involves attaching an annular body made of wire from the inside to a locking rib provided around the back surface of the wheel cover body to lock a wheel cover to a disc wheel of an automobile. This locking rib is elastically projected outward, and a portion of this annular body is curved to apply a preload (bias pressure). On the other hand, a U-shaped leaf spring or the like is inserted between the outer locking rib and the inner locking rib, and this spring pressure is applied to hold the wheel cover on the disc wheel. This has been proposed by the applicant (Utility Application No. 60-66209).

``Problems to be solved by the invention'' Early occurrence of poor locking due to deterioration of the material (synthetic resin material) of the inner and outer locking ribs, deterioration of the annular body made of wire, deterioration of the spring pressure of the leaf spring, and moderate The difficulty of adjusting the spring pressure is a problem, and the high cost of manufacturing these spring materials is also a cause of the problem. A good solution was pointed out as a problem waiting to be solved.

"Means for Solving the Problem" This invention provides a means for solving the problem between the inner and outer locking ribs of the wheel cover.
It adopts a structure that always applies a constant preload. In other words, a spring with a wider width than the spacing between the interconnected inner and outer locking ribs provided around the back surface of the wheel cover body is press-fitted, and a preload is applied to lock the wheel disc. This wheel cover has a preload mechanism characterized by:

"Function" Inner and outer locking ribs are integrally molded around the back surface of the wheel cover, and an adjustment member such as a locking arm or a bellows-like elastic body is formed between them, and the inner and outer locking ribs are formed between the inner and outer locking ribs. By press-fitting a spring into the wheel disc, the gap between them is prevented from becoming wider than a predetermined distance, and a preload is applied to the outer locking rib. When these locking ribs are inserted into the wheel cover, the inner and outer locking ribs reduce the distance between them together with the spring, and are elastically pressed against the hump of the wheel cover. When it is held and removed, it is removed from the hump part by the same operation as described above, and a constant preload state is established again.

``Example'' Figure 1 shows an inner locking rib (1) and an outer locking rib (2) at several locations around the back surface of the wheel cover (H).
, (2') are integrally molded, and the arm <
3).

(3゛), these arms (3), (3'
) have key parts (a) and (a') that engage with each other. These inner and outer locking ribs (1), (
2) A U-shaped spring (4) is inserted between the springs (2') with the open side thereof facing upward. On this occasion,
The distance between the inner surfaces of the inner and outer locking ribs (1), (2), and (2°) is smaller than the normal opening width of the spring (4) (when not inserted). Spring there (4)
This spring (
Both sides of arm (3) press the inner surfaces of the inner and outer locking ribs (1) and (2) to open the gap between them.
, (3'') are locked and fixed at a constant interval, thereby applying a preload.

In other words, the keys (a) and (a') of the arms U) and (3'') stop the force of the spring (4) from opening outward, preventing it from opening any further. This acts to stop the opening of the inner and outer locking ribs (1), (2), and (2'), and this prevents the wheel cover (H) from being pushed into the hump (d) of the disc wheel (D). (See Figure 2)
, the outer locking rib (2>, (2°) is pushed inward, at which time it is inserted against the spring pressure of the spring (4), expands into the hump part (d) and engages the wheel disc (D). ) will be completely locked.

Figure 3a shows the inner locking rib (1) and the outer locking rib (2).
A bellows-shaped elastic body (5) is integrally formed between the two. Figure 3 shows the bellows-like elastic body of the pond deformation (5°).

These include the inner locking rib (l) and the outer locking rib (2).
) When the spring (4) is inserted between the springs (4) and 4), a preload is applied to open and open as shown in Figure 1. In this example, the inner edge of the inner locking rib (1) and the outer side Locking rib (2
) A preload is applied by press-fitting and inserting a U-shaped spring (4) whose expansion width is wider than the distance between the inner edges of the springs (4).

The spring used in Figures 1 to 3a and 3b may be a coiled wire spring or a torsion spring in addition to the above-mentioned U-shaped leaf spring.

"Effects of the Invention" This invention provides a constant and moderate preload between the inner and outer locking ribs provided around the back surface of the wheel cover main body.
As a result, even if there are variations in dimensions at the locking point on the wheel disc side, it can be absorbed to the maximum extent during insertion or removal, and on the other hand, even if a spring with a small spring constant is used. By applying preload, it is possible to obtain a large locking force.

Furthermore, by eliminating the need for the annular spring material used in conventional wheel covers of this type, there is a great advantage of cost reduction.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of an embodiment of a wheel cover having a preload mechanism according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a part of an embodiment of a wheel cover having a preload mechanism according to the present invention, and FIG. 3a and 3b are perspective views of other embodiments of the wheel cover having the preload mechanism of the present invention. (H) , , , , , wheel cover (+>
...Inner locking rib (2), (2')...Outer locking rib (3), (3')...Arm m, (a')...Key part (4) ... U-shaped springs (5), (5') ... Bellows-like elastic body Figure 1 Atsushi 2 Figure 3 a

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A spring whose expansion width is larger than the interval between the mutually connected inner and outer locking ribs provided around the back surface of the wheel cover body is press-fitted, and the spring is locked to the wheel disc. A wheel cover having a preload mechanism, which is characterized by applying a preload to make the wheel cover. 2. A wheel cover having a preload mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that an arm is provided between the inner and outer locking ribs to lock them together. 3. A wheel cover having a preload mechanism according to claim 1, characterized in that a bellows-like elastic body is provided between the inner and outer locking ribs. 4 U-shaped leaf springs, coiled wire springs,
Claim 1, characterized in that it consists of a torsion spring.
, A wheel cover having the preload mechanism according to items 2 and 3.