WO2017048765A1

WO2017048765A1 - Styled vehicle wheel and method for producing such a styled vehicle wheel

Info

Publication number: WO2017048765A1
Application number: PCT/US2016/051609
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wald Karel Emmy WESTELINK; Joseph W. WOLF
Original assignee: Maxion Wheels U.S.A. Llc
Priority date: 2015-09-14
Filing date: 2016-09-14
Publication date: 2017-03-23

Abstract

A method for producing a styled vehicle wheel comprising the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle wheel including an outer face having at least a center hub hole and a plurality of lug bolt holes; (b) positioning at least one locating member in at least one of the center hub hole and/or the lug bolt holes; (c) providing a multi-layer sheet having at least an outer layer and an inner decorative layer secured to the outer layer; (d) positioning the sheet on the wheel utilizing the at least one locating member, wherein during this step and adhesive is interposed between the inner decorative layer of the sheet and the outer face of the wheel; (e) securing the inner decorative layer to at least a portion of the outer face of the wheel by the adhesive interposed there between; and (f) removing the outer layer of the sheet to produce a styled vehicle wheel.

Description

TITLE

STYLED VEHICLE WHEEL AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING SUCH A STYLED VEHICLE WHEEL

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62/218,101 filed September 14, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to vehicle wheels and in particular to an improved styled vehicle wheel and method for producing such an improved styled vehicle wheel.

[0003] A typical aluminum vehicle wheel can be of a one-piece cast type of wheel, a fabricated two-piece type of wheel and a one-piece forge type of wheel. In all these types of wheels, the aluminum vehicle wheel can be manufactured and processed so as to have a "styled" outer wheel face.

[0004] To accomplish, an outer face of the wheel or portions thereof are subjected to a conventional bright face finish machining operation during the aluminum wheel processing to provide the vehicle wheel with a bright face machined or cut finish. However, this machining may be costly and/or in some instances cannot provide the aluminum vehicle wheel with a bright face finish on areas of the associated vehicle wheel that cannot be accessed and machined on the associated machine or lathe. Thus, it would be desirable to provide a wheel with a bright face machine or cut finish appearance which may cost less than current machining processes and/or which could provide the wheel with a bright face machine or cut finish appearance on areas of the wheel that cannot be accessed and machined using current machining equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The present invention relates to an improved styled vehicle wheel and method for producing such an improved styled vehicle wheel.

[0006] According to an embodiment, the an improved styled vehicle wheel and method for producing such an improved styled vehicle wheel may comprise, individually and/or in combination, one or more of the following features and/or steps: (a) providing a vehicle wheel including an outer face having at least a center hub hole and a plurality of lug bolt holes; (b) positioning at least one locating member in at least one of the center hub hole and/or the lug bolt holes; (c) providing a multi-layer sheet having at least an outer layer and an inner decorative layer secured to the outer layer; (d) positioning the sheet on the wheel utilizing the at least one locating member, wherein during this step and adhesive is interposed between the inner decorative layer of the sheet and the outer face of the wheel; (e) securing the inner decorative layer to at least a portion of the outer face of the wheel by the adhesive interposed therebetween; and (f) removing the outer layer of the sheet to produce a styled vehicle wheel. [0007] According to this embodiment, the adhesive is a layer of the sheet and disposed on the inner surface of the decorative layer.

[0008] According to this embodiment, the sheet further includes a release layer disposed on an inner surface of the adhesive layer; and the release layer is removed from the sheet prior to performing step (d).

[0009] According to this embodiment, the adhesive is a self-adhering adhesive.

[0010] According to this embodiment, a locating member is provided in each of the lug bolt holes.

[0011] According to this embodiment, the wheel includes a plurality of spokes and the decorative layer covers at least a portion of each of the spokes.

[0012] According to this embodiment, the wheel is an aluminum wheel and the decorative layer is an aluminum layer.

[0013] According to this embodiment, the decorative layer has at least one of an ornamental configuration, design, shape, color, finish and/or material which is different from that of the outer face of the wheel. [0014] According to this embodiment, a styed vehicle wheel is produced according to the method.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the improved styled vehicle wheel and method for producing such an improved styled vehicle wheel may comprise, individually and/or in combination, one or more of the following features and/or steps: (a) providing a vehicle wheel including an outer face having at least a center hub hole and a plurality of lug bolt holes; (b) positioning at least one locating member in at least one of the center hub hole and/or the lug bolt holes; (c) providing a multi-layer sheet having at least an outer layer and an inner decorative metal layer secured to the outer layer; (d) positioning the sheet on the wheel utilizing the at least one locating member, wherein during this step and adhesive is interposed between the inner decorative metal layer of the sheet and the outer face of the wheel; (e) securing the inner decorative layer to at least a portion of the outer face of the wheel by the adhesive interposed therebetween; and (f) removing the outer layer of the sheet to produce a styled vehicle wheel.

[0016] According to this embodiment, the adhesive is a layer of the sheet and disposed on the inner surface of the decorative metal layer.

[0017] According to this embodiment, the sheet further includes a release layer disposed on an inner surface of the adhesive layer; and the release layer is removed from the sheet prior to performing step (d). [0018] According to this embodiment, the adhesive is a self-adhering adhesive.

[0019] According to this embodiment, a locating member is provided in each of the lug bolt holes.

[0020] According to this embodiment, the wheel includes a plurality of spokes and the decorative layer covers at least a portion of each of the spokes.

[0021] According to this embodiment, the wheel is an aluminum wheel and the decorative metal layer is an aluminum layer.

[0022] According to this embodiment, the decorative layer has at least one of an ornamental configuration, design, shape, color, finish and/or material which is different from that of the outer face of the wheel.

[0023] According to this embodiment, a styled vehicle wheel is produced according to the method.

[0024] According to an embodiment, the an improved styled vehicle wheel and method for producing such an improved styled vehicle wheel may comprise, individually and/or in combination, one or more of the following features and/or steps: (a) providing a vehicle wheel including an outer face having at least a center hub hole and a plurality of lug bolt holes; (b) positioning at least one locating member in at least one of the center hub hole and/or the lug bolt holes; (c) providing a multi-layer sheet having at least an outer layer, an inner decorative layer secured to the outer layer, an adhesive layer secured to the inner decorative layer, and an inner layer secured to the adhesive layer; (d) positioning the sheet on the wheel utilizing the at least one locating member, wherein prior to performing this step the inner layer is removed exposing the adhesive layer to the outer face of the wheel; (e) securing the inner decorative layer to at least a portion of the outer face of the wheel by the adhesive; and (f) removing the outer layer of the sheet to produce a styled vehicle wheel.

[0025] According to this embodiment, the wheel is an aluminum wheel and the decorative metal layer is an aluminum layer.

[0026] According to this embodiment, the decorative layer has at least one of an ornamental configuration, design, shape, color, finish and/or material which is different from that of the outer face of the wheel.

[0027] Other advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention and preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] Figs. 1-6 illustrate an embodiment of a method for applying an aluminum film to an outer face of a vehicle wheel to produce a styled vehicle wheel, in accordance with this invention. [0029] Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a sequence of steps for performing the method of Figs. 1-6 to produce the styled vehicle wheel shown in Fig. 6.

[0030] Fig. 8 is a sectional view of an embodiment of a portion of a sheet used in the method of Figs. 1-6 to produce the styled vehicle wheel shown in Fig. 6.

[0031] Figs. 9 and 9A are views of another embodiment of an aluminum film applied to an outer face of a vehicle wheel in accordance with the present invention.

[0032] Fig. 10 is a view of yet another embodiment of an aluminum film applied to an outer face of a vehicle wheel in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in Figs. 1-6 an embodiment of a vehicle wheel, indicated generally at 10 in Fig. 1 and method for applying one or more decorative films or trim members 12 shown in Figs. 2-4, to selective portions of an outer face or surface, indicated generally at 14, of the vehicle wheel 10, to produce a finish "styled" vehicle wheel, indicated generally at 10' in Figs. 5 and 6, in accordance with this invention. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle wheel 10, 10' is illustrated as being a spoked aluminum vehicle wheel. In the illustrated embodiment, the vehicle wheel 10, 10' includes ten spokes 16, five lug bolt holes 18 and a center hub hole 20.

[0034] The vehicle wheel 10, 10' can be of any suitable constructions, such as a cast one-piece vehicle wheel, such as shown for example in U.S. Patent No. 5,340,418 to Wei, a two-piece fabricated vehicle wheel, such as shown for example in U.S. Patent No. 5,435,633 to Jaskierny, or a one-piece forged vehicle wheel, the disclosures of each of these patents incorporated by reference in entirety herein. Alternatively, the configuration, construction, structure, material and/or shape of the vehicle wheel 10 may be other than illustrated and described, if so desired.

[0035] Also, it will be appreciated that the invention can be used in conjunction with other types of vehicle wheel constructions and/or constructed from different materials, including for example non-aluminum types of vehicle wheel constructions, if so desired. For example, as shown herein or with modifications thereto, the present invention may be used in connection with other types of vehicle wheels, such as shown for example in a "full face" type of vehicle wheel, such as shown in Fig. 5A of U.S. Patent No. 5,533,261 to Kemmerer, in a "well attached" type of vehicle wheel, such as shown for example in Fig. 3 of U.S. Patent No. 5,188,429 to Heck et al., a "bimetal" type of vehicle wheel construction including an aluminum disc and a steel rim, such as shown for example in U.S. Patent No. 5,421,642 to Wei et al., a "modular wheel" type of construction, such as shown for example in U.S. Patent No. 5,360,261 to Archibald et al., and a "euroflange wheel" type of constructions, such as shown in U.S. Patent No. 5,564,792 to Archibald, the disclosures of each of these patents incorporated by reference in entirety herein. [0036] As shown in Fig. 1, in step 20 one or more locating or positioning members, such as legs or extensions 32, are positioned and secured in one or more of the lug bolt holes 18 in the vehicle wheel 10 so as to have portions thereof which extend radially outwardly relative to wheel outer face 14. In the illustrated embodiment, a member 32 is preferably positioned and secured in each of the lug bolt holes 32. The members 32 are preferably re -usable and may be formed from any suitable material and may be positioned and secured in the lug bolt holes 18 by any suitable method.

[0037] In the illustrated embodiment, the members 32 are formed from a plastic material and are positioned and secured in the lug bolt holes 18 by an interference or frictional fit therein. Alternatively, the number, configuration, construction, structure, material and/or shape of one or more of the members 32 may be other than illustrated and described, if so desired. In addition, in some applications, depending on the wheel configuration and indicia styling and other characteristics of these two components, no such members 32 may be necessary to perform the method to produce the styled vehicle wheel 10' . Also, other locating members can be used in addition to the members 32 or in place of the members 32. For example, a single member and or multiple members could be positioned and secured in the lug bolt holes 18 and/or other parts or portions of the wheel 10, such as for example the windows or openings between the spokes 16 and/or the center hub hole 20.

[0038] In step 22, a "decorative" sheet or panel, indicated generally at 34, including the one or more decorative films or trim members 12, is provided. The sheet 34 includes openings 36 provided therein which preferably correspond to the shape and number of the members 32 for accurately positioning the sheet 34 onto the outer face 14 of the vehicle wheel 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the sheet 34 is provided with the same number of openings 36 having generally the same size, albeit slightly larger, then the number and size of the members 32. This enables the sheet 36 to be accurately positioned on the vehicle wheel 10 as will be discussed below.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 8, in the illustrated embodiment, the sheet 34 is a multi-layer sheet and includes a first or inner layer 40, a second layer 42, the decorative or third layer 12 and a fourth or outer layer 46. The first layer 40 is a paper or film release layer formed from a suitable material, such as for example. The second layer 42 is an adhesive layer formed from a suitable material, such as for example a self-adhesive material or a heat activated adhesive material. The third layer 12 is the decorative films or trim members and is preferably formed from a suitable metal or plastic material, such as for example a thin aluminum material having a desired shape, configuration, color, thickness and any other suitable indicia that is desired. The fourth layer 46 is formed from a suitable material. Alternatively, the construction, material, make-up, configuration and/or styling of the sheet 12 and/or one or more of the layers 40, 42, 12 and 46 thereof can be other than illustrated and described, if so desired.

[0040] In step 24, the sheet 34 is positioned onto the wheel 10 as shown in Fig. 3. In the illustrated embodiment, due to the construction of the sheet 34, prior to performing step 24 the first "release" layer 40 of the sheet 34 is removed thereby exposing the second adhesive layer 42. Thus, once this is done the sheet 34 is accurately or positively positioned on the outer face 14 of the wheel 10 via the members 32 passing through the corresponding openings 36 provided in the sheet 34. During step 34, when the sheet 34 is positioned on the outer face 14 of the wheel 10 the second adhesive layer 42 contacts or engages selected portions of the outer face 14. In the case of a self- securing adhesive, sufficient pressure is applied to ensure that the adhesive layer 42 is in full contact with the selected portions of the outer face 14. In the case of a heat-activated adhesive, a sufficient heat is applied by suitable means to ensure that the adhesive is activated.

[0041] Next, in step 26 as shown in Fig. 4, the top layer 46 of the sheet 34 is removed leaving the decorative third layer 12 of the sheet 34 secured onto the selected portions of the outer face 14 of the wheel 10 to thereby produce the styled vehicle wheel 10' . In "optional" step 28, the wheel 10' can be inspected, manually or automatically, and any "cosmetic" deficiencies in the decorative third layer 12, such as bubbles, can be corrected to produce the styled vehicle wheel of step 30 shown in Fig. 6.

[0042] In the illustrated embodiment, the sheet 34 includes ten individual decorative third layer pieces or members 12 which are identical to each other and which generally correspond to the shape of each of the spokes 16 of the associated wheel 10. In the illustrated embodiment, the exterior color and/or finish of the third layers 12 is preferably different from that of the outer face 14 of the wheel 10; however, the exterior color and/or finish of the third layers 12 can be the same as that of the outer face 14 of the wheel 10 but have a different styling or indicia or other characteristic, if so desired. Alternatively, the decorative third layer 12 can be any desired "ornamental" configuration(s), styling(s), color(s), shape(s), material(s), indicia, number and/or material(s) and configured to cover any selected portion or portions of the outer face 14 of the wheel 10, including covering substantially the entire portion of the outer face 14 of the associated wheel 10. Also, the construction, material, make-up, configuration and/or attachment of and/or positioning of the decorative layers 12 of the sheet 34 on and then to the wheel 10 can be other than illustrated and/or described if so desired. For example, the sheet 34 could only include the layer 12 and 46 if an adhesive or similar material is applied to the selected portions of the outer face 14 of the wheel 10 which are to be styled by the layer 12.

[0043] Referring now to Figs. 9 and 9A, there is illustrated another embodiment of a styled finished wheel, indicated generally at 50, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As shown therein, in the illustrated embodiment the wheel 50 includes five spokes 52 and the decorative layer includes five decorative layer members 54A-54E interconnected together at their associated outer portions by a "continuous" ring or circular member 54F. As shown in this embodiment, four of the members 54A-54D have the same shape and the member 54E has a shape which is different from that of the members 54A-54D.

[0044] Referring now to Fig. 10, there is illustrated yet another embodiment of a styled finished wheel, indicated generally at 56, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As shown therein, in the illustrated embodiment the wheel 60 includes five spokes 62 and the decorative layer includes ten individual decorative layer members 64A-64J. A pair of members 64A and 64B, 64C and 64D, 64E and 64F, 64G and 64H and 641 and 64J are disposed on a respective one of each of the five spokes 62 and have the same but opposed shape or configuration. Additionally, in this embodiment the members 641 and 64J include additional markings or indicia on each of them not found in the other members 64A-64H. [0045] One potential and/or realized advantage or feature of the invention and/or modifications within the teachings is that it can replace the bright face finish machining operation typically used in known aluminum wheel processing with a decorative aluminum (or other desired material) member or members to provide the styled finished wheel with a similar finish as a bright face machined "cut" finish. This decorative member application can be cheaper than the bright face machining operation, and also can reduce scrap and rework sometimes required in the machining operation.

[0046] Additionally, the invention provides the ability to have a bright face finish on a feature(s)/surface(s) of an associated vehicle wheel that cannot be machined on a lathe operation. Thus, by applying and securing the member or members on the outer face of the wheel, the bright face finish appearance can be provided on portions that could not be machined using a conventional lathe bright face finish machining operation. Also, the sheet 34 and thus the decorative member or members 12 carried thereon can be easily modified or customized so as to provide an infinite number of styling or ornamental designs or configurations. In addition, the sheet 34 can be used in any number of settings, such as by an original equipment manufacturer or in the aftermarket business.

[0047] The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been described in its various embodiments. However, it should be noted that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its scope.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A method for producing a styled vehicle wheel comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a vehicle wheel including an outer face having at least a center hub hole and a plurality of lug bolt holes;

(b) positioning at least one locating member in at least one of the center hub hole and/or the lug bolt holes;

(c) providing a multi-layer sheet having at least an outer layer and an inner decorative layer secured to the outer layer;

(d) positioning the sheet on the wheel utilizing the at least one locating member, wherein during this step and adhesive is interposed between the inner decorative layer of the sheet and the outer face of the wheel;

(e) securing the inner decorative layer to at least a portion of the outer face of the wheel by the adhesive interposed therebetween; and

(f) removing the outer layer of the sheet to produce a styled vehicle wheel.

2. The method of Claim 1 wherein the adhesive is a layer of the sheet and disposed on the inner surface of the decorative layer.

3. The method of Claim 2 wherein the sheet further includes a release layer disposed on an inner surface of the adhesive layer; and the release layer is removed from the sheet prior to performing step (d).

4. The method of Claim 1 wherein the adhesive is a self-adhering adhesive.

5. The method of Claim 1 wherein a locating member is provided in each of the lug bolt holes.

6. The method of Claim 1 wherein the wheel includes a plurality of spokes and the decorative layer covers at least a portion of each of the spokes.

7. The method of Claim 1 wherein the wheel is an aluminum wheel and the decorative layer is an aluminum layer.

8. The method of Claim 1 wherein the decorative layer has at least one of an ornamental configuration, design, shape, color, finish and/or material which is different from that of the outer face of the wheel.

9. A styled vehicle wheel produced according to the method of Claim 1.

10. A method for producing a styled vehicle wheel comprising the steps of:

(c) providing a multi-layer sheet having at least an outer layer and an inner decorative metal layer secured to the outer layer; (d) positioning the sheet on the wheel utilizing the at least one locating member, wherein during this step and adhesive is interposed between the inner decorative metal layer of the sheet and the outer face of the wheel;

(f) removing the outer layer of the sheet to produce a styled vehicle wheel.

11. The method of Claim 10 wherein the adhesive is a layer of the sheet and disposed on the inner surface of the decorative metal layer.

12. The method of Claim 11 wherein the sheet further includes a release layer disposed on an inner surface of the adhesive layer; and the release layer is removed from the sheet prior to performing step (d).

13. The method of Claim 10 wherein the adhesive is a self-adhering adhesive.

14. The method of Claim 10 wherein a locating member is provided in each of the lug bolt holes.

15. The method of Claim 10 wherein the wheel includes a plurality of spokes and the decorative layer covers at least a portion of each of the spokes.

16. The method of Claim 10 wherein the wheel is an aluminum wheel and the decorative metal layer is an aluminum layer.

17. The method of Claim 10 wherein the decorative layer has at least one of an ornamental configuration, design, shape, color, finish and/or material which is different from that of the outer face of the wheel.

18. A styled vehicle wheel produced according to the method of Claim 10.

19. A method for producing a styled vehicle wheel comprising the steps of:

(c) providing a multi-layer sheet having at least an outer layer, an inner decorative layer secured to the outer layer, an adhesive layer secured to the inner decorative layer, and an inner layer secured to the adhesive layer;

(d) positioning the sheet on the wheel utilizing the at least one locating member, wherein prior to performing this step the inner layer is removed exposing the adhesive layer to the outer face of the wheel;

(e) securing the inner decorative layer to at least a portion of the outer face of the wheel by the adhesive; and

(f) removing the outer layer of the sheet to produce a styled vehicle wheel.

20. The method of Claim 19 wherein the wheel is an aluminum wheel and the decorative metal layer is an aluminum layer.

21. The method of Claim 19 wherein the decorative layer has at least one of an ornamental configuration, design, shape, color, finish and/or material which is different from that of the outer face of the wheel.