CA1118017A - Wheel trim assembly - Google Patents
Wheel trim assemblyInfo
- Publication number
- CA1118017A CA1118017A CA000342953A CA342953A CA1118017A CA 1118017 A CA1118017 A CA 1118017A CA 000342953 A CA000342953 A CA 000342953A CA 342953 A CA342953 A CA 342953A CA 1118017 A CA1118017 A CA 1118017A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- wheel
- retaining ring
- cover member
- flange
- flanges
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 claims description 13
- 230000033001 locomotion Effects 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 claims 2
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 12
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000014759 maintenance of location Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000000875 corresponding effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000002347 injection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007924 injection Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005555 metalworking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 229910001220 stainless steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000010935 stainless steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000008093 supporting effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Connection Of Plates (AREA)
Abstract
A-362 S & S
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A wheel trim assembly for mounting on a vehicle wheel including a decorative cover portion of plastic, a retainer ring for holding the assembly on a wheel and a clamping ring permanent-ly joining the cover and retaining ring without the use of fasteners.
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A wheel trim assembly for mounting on a vehicle wheel including a decorative cover portion of plastic, a retainer ring for holding the assembly on a wheel and a clamping ring permanent-ly joining the cover and retaining ring without the use of fasteners.
Description
This invention relates to decorative trim assemblies for automotive vehicle wheels and more particularly to trim assemblies including both metal and plastic components.
The difficulties and problems of maintaining wheel trim or wheel covers on a vehicle wheel are compounded when the wheel trim is made primarily of plastic material. Typically resilient metal retainers are required to form a good mounting arrangement but problems are created in attaching metal retaining members to the plastic portion of the wheel trim.
It is an object of the invention to provide a wheel trim assembly and particularly an improved retainer arrangement for plastic wheel trim.
Another object of the invention is to provide a trim assembly having a plastic decorative cover portion including a metal retaining assembly which does not require fasteners to form a permanent assembly.
The objects of the invention are accomplished by pro-viding a wheel trim assembly having a disc-shaped cover member made of plastic material with an annular axially extending rib formed integrally on the inboard side of a radially extending peripheral flange. An annular retaining ring is disposed on the inboard side of the cover member and has a plurality of alternative radially and axially extending flanges with a plural-ity of retaining elements mounted on one of the axially extend-ing flanges to grip a vehicle wheel to hold the entire wheeltrim assembly in position. Another of the axially extending flanges is disposed on the radial outer surface of the rib to maintain the cover and retaining ring concentric with each other~
One of the radially extending flanges of the retaining ring engages an outboard surface of the wheel to limit axial inward ~,, ~L8C~1~
movement of the trim assembly rela-tive to the wheel. The cover member and retaininy ring are held in permanently assembled and properly located relationship to each other by a decorative metal clamping ring :forming the periphery of the trim assembly.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a wheel cover embody-in features of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-section, at enlarged scale taken on line 2-2 in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, also at enlarged scale taken on line :3-3 in Figure l;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a sectional view a~onq line 5-5 in Figure 3.
A decorative wheel trim assembly i5 designated generally at 10 and is mounted on a vehicle wheel 12. The wheel trim assembly 10 includes a decorative cover member 14 made of plastic material and a metal retention subassembly or retainer ring 16 held in position on the cover 14 by a clamping ring 18. -The cover member 14 may be injection molded of plastic materials of a ~ariety of types to form a relatively rigid body member. The outboard surface can take a variety of decorative shapes and configurations. The outer periphery of the cover member 14 has a radially extending flange 22 with a flat out-board surface 24 and flat inboard surface 26. The inboard surface 26 is provided with an annular axially extending rib 28 which serves to locate retainer ring 16.
The retainer ring 16 includes a stepped annular ring 16 which is made of a strip of metal cut to a length correspond-ing generally to the circumference of the cover member 14 and shaped to circular form with the ends of the strip overlapped and fastened together as by spot welding indicated at 32 in Figure 4.
The retaining ring 16 has a plurality of axially extending flanges 34, 35, 36 and 37 alternating with radially extending flanges 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42. As seen in Figure 2 and Figure 5 the axial flange 34 supports a plurality of retain-ing elements 44, only one of which is shown but which arearranged in uniformly spaced relationship. At least three such retaining elements 44 are used although a larger number may be used. The retaining elements 44 can be fastened to the flange 34 by means of rivets 46 and have a blade portion 48 with teeth 50. When the wheel trim 10 is supported on a wheel 12, the teeth 50 engage an axially extending wheel flange 52 as seen in Figure 2.
The position of the retainer ring 16 relative to the cover member 14 is established by the flange 22 and the rib 28.
In the assembled position, the radially extending flange 42 of the retaining ring 16 is in abutting relationship with the inboard surface 26 of the flange 22. Also, the axially extending flange 37 abuts the radial outer surface of the rib 28 and the radially extending flange 41 is in engagement with the inboard end of the rib 28.
The retainer ring 16 is held in position at the inboard side of the cover member 14 by means of the clamping ring 18. The clamping ring 18 has a radially inner lip 52 which is disposed in a complementary slot 54. The outer peripheral edge of the clamp-ing ring 18 has a radially inwardly opening trough or channel 56 which receives the flange 22 of the cover member 14 and theradially extending flange 42 of the retainer ring 16. During manufacture the retainer ring 16 is positioned relative to the cover 14 and the clamping ring 18 is deformed in a metal working operation to form the trough 56 to engage the inboard surface of flange 42 and outboard surface 24 of cover flange 22 and serves to permanently secure the cover 14, the retainer ring 16 and the clamping ring 18 in an assembled relationship. The clamping ring 18 preferably is made of a decorative metal such as stainless steel whereas the retainer ring 16 does not require a decorative finish and can be made of a less costly metal.
When the wheel trim assembly 10 is mounted on the wheel 12 it will be noted that the periphera:L outer portions formed by the flange 22 and the clamping ring 18 are disposed coextensively With the outer lip 60 of the wheel 12. Upon attachment of the wheel trim 10 to the wheel 12, the wheel trim 10 is aligned axially with the wheel 12 and upon relative axial movement, the blades 48 on the retaining elements 44 engage ~he axially extend-ing flange 52 of the wheel and are deflected so that the teeth 50 resists axial outward movement of the wheel trim 10 relative to the wheel 12. In the attached position as seen in Fi~ure 2, the axially extending flange 36 and the adjoining radially extending flange 40 form a step indicated at 62 which engages the outboard edge of the axially extending wheel flange 52 to limit inward movement of the wheel trim assembly 10 relative to the wheel 12.
Removal of the wheel trim 10 from the wheel 12 is accomplished by insertion of a tool in the gap formed between the lip 60 of the wheel 12 and the outer peripheral portion of the wheel trim assembly 10. Prying action at selected circumfer-encial areas serves to deflect the retaining elements 44 and permit removal of the wheel trim assembly 10.
Referring now to Figure 3 the retainer ring 16 is positioned relative to the cover member 14 by means of a stop portion 70 which is formed integrally with both the flange 22 and rib 28 in at least one location on the periphery of the cover 14. The stop 70 receives a notch 72 which is formed at the juncture of flanges 37 and 42 of the retainer ring 16 as best seen in Figure 4. The notch 72 is formed by removing a corner of each end of the metal strip forming the retainer ring 16 so that in the assembled condition the notch has the appearance seen in Figure 4. In the assembled condition relative rotation of the retention ring 30 and the cover 14 are prevented by interference between the stop 70 and the notch 72.
The wheel trim assembly has been provided for mounting on a vehicle wheel in which a disc-shaped cover member made of plastic material is provided with a metal retaining ring support-ing retaining elements which engage axially extending portions of the wheel to hold the wheel trim assembly on the wheel. The annular retaining ring is held relative to the plastic cover member by a clamping ring which not only adds decorative aspects -to the wheel trim assembly but serves also to permanently hold the plastic cover member and the metal retainer ring in assembled condition without requiring fasteners.
The difficulties and problems of maintaining wheel trim or wheel covers on a vehicle wheel are compounded when the wheel trim is made primarily of plastic material. Typically resilient metal retainers are required to form a good mounting arrangement but problems are created in attaching metal retaining members to the plastic portion of the wheel trim.
It is an object of the invention to provide a wheel trim assembly and particularly an improved retainer arrangement for plastic wheel trim.
Another object of the invention is to provide a trim assembly having a plastic decorative cover portion including a metal retaining assembly which does not require fasteners to form a permanent assembly.
The objects of the invention are accomplished by pro-viding a wheel trim assembly having a disc-shaped cover member made of plastic material with an annular axially extending rib formed integrally on the inboard side of a radially extending peripheral flange. An annular retaining ring is disposed on the inboard side of the cover member and has a plurality of alternative radially and axially extending flanges with a plural-ity of retaining elements mounted on one of the axially extend-ing flanges to grip a vehicle wheel to hold the entire wheeltrim assembly in position. Another of the axially extending flanges is disposed on the radial outer surface of the rib to maintain the cover and retaining ring concentric with each other~
One of the radially extending flanges of the retaining ring engages an outboard surface of the wheel to limit axial inward ~,, ~L8C~1~
movement of the trim assembly rela-tive to the wheel. The cover member and retaininy ring are held in permanently assembled and properly located relationship to each other by a decorative metal clamping ring :forming the periphery of the trim assembly.
These and other objects of the invention will be apparent from the following description and from the drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front elevation of a wheel cover embody-in features of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-section, at enlarged scale taken on line 2-2 in Figure l;
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view, also at enlarged scale taken on line :3-3 in Figure l;
Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 4-4 in Figure 3, and Figure 5 is a sectional view a~onq line 5-5 in Figure 3.
A decorative wheel trim assembly i5 designated generally at 10 and is mounted on a vehicle wheel 12. The wheel trim assembly 10 includes a decorative cover member 14 made of plastic material and a metal retention subassembly or retainer ring 16 held in position on the cover 14 by a clamping ring 18. -The cover member 14 may be injection molded of plastic materials of a ~ariety of types to form a relatively rigid body member. The outboard surface can take a variety of decorative shapes and configurations. The outer periphery of the cover member 14 has a radially extending flange 22 with a flat out-board surface 24 and flat inboard surface 26. The inboard surface 26 is provided with an annular axially extending rib 28 which serves to locate retainer ring 16.
The retainer ring 16 includes a stepped annular ring 16 which is made of a strip of metal cut to a length correspond-ing generally to the circumference of the cover member 14 and shaped to circular form with the ends of the strip overlapped and fastened together as by spot welding indicated at 32 in Figure 4.
The retaining ring 16 has a plurality of axially extending flanges 34, 35, 36 and 37 alternating with radially extending flanges 38, 39, 40, 41 and 42. As seen in Figure 2 and Figure 5 the axial flange 34 supports a plurality of retain-ing elements 44, only one of which is shown but which arearranged in uniformly spaced relationship. At least three such retaining elements 44 are used although a larger number may be used. The retaining elements 44 can be fastened to the flange 34 by means of rivets 46 and have a blade portion 48 with teeth 50. When the wheel trim 10 is supported on a wheel 12, the teeth 50 engage an axially extending wheel flange 52 as seen in Figure 2.
The position of the retainer ring 16 relative to the cover member 14 is established by the flange 22 and the rib 28.
In the assembled position, the radially extending flange 42 of the retaining ring 16 is in abutting relationship with the inboard surface 26 of the flange 22. Also, the axially extending flange 37 abuts the radial outer surface of the rib 28 and the radially extending flange 41 is in engagement with the inboard end of the rib 28.
The retainer ring 16 is held in position at the inboard side of the cover member 14 by means of the clamping ring 18. The clamping ring 18 has a radially inner lip 52 which is disposed in a complementary slot 54. The outer peripheral edge of the clamp-ing ring 18 has a radially inwardly opening trough or channel 56 which receives the flange 22 of the cover member 14 and theradially extending flange 42 of the retainer ring 16. During manufacture the retainer ring 16 is positioned relative to the cover 14 and the clamping ring 18 is deformed in a metal working operation to form the trough 56 to engage the inboard surface of flange 42 and outboard surface 24 of cover flange 22 and serves to permanently secure the cover 14, the retainer ring 16 and the clamping ring 18 in an assembled relationship. The clamping ring 18 preferably is made of a decorative metal such as stainless steel whereas the retainer ring 16 does not require a decorative finish and can be made of a less costly metal.
When the wheel trim assembly 10 is mounted on the wheel 12 it will be noted that the periphera:L outer portions formed by the flange 22 and the clamping ring 18 are disposed coextensively With the outer lip 60 of the wheel 12. Upon attachment of the wheel trim 10 to the wheel 12, the wheel trim 10 is aligned axially with the wheel 12 and upon relative axial movement, the blades 48 on the retaining elements 44 engage ~he axially extend-ing flange 52 of the wheel and are deflected so that the teeth 50 resists axial outward movement of the wheel trim 10 relative to the wheel 12. In the attached position as seen in Fi~ure 2, the axially extending flange 36 and the adjoining radially extending flange 40 form a step indicated at 62 which engages the outboard edge of the axially extending wheel flange 52 to limit inward movement of the wheel trim assembly 10 relative to the wheel 12.
Removal of the wheel trim 10 from the wheel 12 is accomplished by insertion of a tool in the gap formed between the lip 60 of the wheel 12 and the outer peripheral portion of the wheel trim assembly 10. Prying action at selected circumfer-encial areas serves to deflect the retaining elements 44 and permit removal of the wheel trim assembly 10.
Referring now to Figure 3 the retainer ring 16 is positioned relative to the cover member 14 by means of a stop portion 70 which is formed integrally with both the flange 22 and rib 28 in at least one location on the periphery of the cover 14. The stop 70 receives a notch 72 which is formed at the juncture of flanges 37 and 42 of the retainer ring 16 as best seen in Figure 4. The notch 72 is formed by removing a corner of each end of the metal strip forming the retainer ring 16 so that in the assembled condition the notch has the appearance seen in Figure 4. In the assembled condition relative rotation of the retention ring 30 and the cover 14 are prevented by interference between the stop 70 and the notch 72.
The wheel trim assembly has been provided for mounting on a vehicle wheel in which a disc-shaped cover member made of plastic material is provided with a metal retaining ring support-ing retaining elements which engage axially extending portions of the wheel to hold the wheel trim assembly on the wheel. The annular retaining ring is held relative to the plastic cover member by a clamping ring which not only adds decorative aspects -to the wheel trim assembly but serves also to permanently hold the plastic cover member and the metal retainer ring in assembled condition without requiring fasteners.
Claims (9)
1. A wheel trim assembly for mounting on a vehicle wheel comprising; a cover member having a radially extending peripheral flange, an annular retaining ring disposed at one side of said cover member, a plurality of retaining elements uniformly spaced on said retaining ring and adapted to engage said wheel to maintain said trim assembly on said wheel, an annular axially extending rib radially inset from the outer edge of said peripheral flange and formed on the inboard side of said cover member, said retaining ring having an axially extending flange seated on the radial outer surface of said rib to maintain said retaining ring coaxially to said cover member, said retaining ring having a radially extending flange abutting with the inboard side of said peripheral flange, a clamping ring engaging the inboard surface of said retaining ring flange and the outboard side of said peripheral flange to maintain said flanges in abutting relation-ship to each other.
2. The combination of Claim 1 wherein a stop element is formed on the inboard side of said peripheral flange and where-in a complementary notch is formed at one edge of said retaining ring to receive said stop element and limit relative rotational movement of said cover and said retaining ring.
3. The combination of Claim 1 wherein said retaining ring has a radially extending shoulder intermediate inner and outer edges of said retaining ring engageable with said vehicle wheel to limit axial inward displacement of said wheeled trim assembly relative to said wheel.
4. The combination of Claim 1 wherein said clamping ring has an outer portion forming a radially inwardly opening trough engaging said radially extending flange of said retaining ring and said radially extending peripheral flange of said cover member to maintain said flanges in abutting relationship with each other,
5. The combination of Claim 4 wherein said clamping ring has an axially inwardly extending edge spaced from said outer portion engagable with a complementary surface on the outboard side of said cover member to limit relative radial displacement of said clamping ring and cover member.
6. The combination of Claim 1 wherein said retaining ring is made of a strip of material having its opposite ends fastened together.
7, The combination of Claim 6 wherein said adjoining ends of said strip of material have corner portions removed to form a notch, said notch being engageable with a projection on the inboard side of said cover member.
8, A wheel trim assembly for mounting on a vehicle wheel of the type having an axially extending flange and a circumferential lip disposed radially outwardly from said axially extending flange, comprising; a disc-shaped cover member having a radially extending peripheral flange, an annular axially extend-ing rib formed on the inboard side of said peripheral flange, an annular retaining ring disposed at one side of said cover member and having a plurality of alternate radially extending and axially extending flanges, a plurality of retaining elements uniformly spaced on a first of said axially extending flanges of said retaining ring and adapted to engage said axially extending wheel flange to maintain said trim assembly on said wheel with one of said radially extending flanges extending coextensively with said circumferential lip of said wheel, another of said axially extending flanges of said retaining ring being disposed on the radial outer surface of said rib to maintain said retaining ring coaxially of said cover member, another of said radially extending flanges of said retaining ring being engageable with an outboard surface of said wheel to limit axial inward movement of said cover member relative to said wheel, and a clamping ring engaging the inboard surface of said one of said radially extend-ing flanges and the outboard side of said peripheral flange to maintain said flanges in abutting relationship to each other.
9. A wheel trim assembly set forth in Claim 8 wherein a stop element is formed on said peripheral flange and wherein a notch is formed in said one of said radially extending flanges to engage said stop element and limit relative rotational move-ment of said cover and said retaining ring relative to each other.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US3448579A | 1979-05-03 | 1979-05-03 | |
| US34,485 | 1979-05-03 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1118017A true CA1118017A (en) | 1982-02-09 |
Family
ID=21876718
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000342953A Expired CA1118017A (en) | 1979-05-03 | 1980-01-03 | Wheel trim assembly |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1118017A (en) |
-
1980
- 1980-01-03 CA CA000342953A patent/CA1118017A/en not_active Expired
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| US4133583A (en) | Wheel and trim assembly | |
| US5435631A (en) | Vehicle wheel cover retention system | |
| US7416260B1 (en) | Vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same | |
| US4707035A (en) | Synthetic resin vehicle wheel cover | |
| US4457560A (en) | Hubcap with improved retention structure | |
| CN212148237U (en) | Wheel assembly | |
| EP0932508B1 (en) | Wheel applique and lock | |
| US4316638A (en) | Wheel trim | |
| US5822279A (en) | Watch case with a rotary rim | |
| US3998494A (en) | Wheel and grease cap assembly | |
| US4220373A (en) | Wheel trim and retainer assembly | |
| WO2000043147A1 (en) | Vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same | |
| US4869514A (en) | Contact seal | |
| CA1118017A (en) | Wheel trim assembly | |
| US7300116B2 (en) | Center lock wheel cover | |
| US5340201A (en) | Snap-on dress wheel simulator | |
| CA1037997A (en) | Wheel trim assembly | |
| US4063783A (en) | Retainer for wheel trim | |
| US4793658A (en) | Vehicle wheel cover | |
| US3973801A (en) | Wheel trim retention means | |
| US4149754A (en) | Wheel trim retention | |
| US4183587A (en) | Wheel and hubcap assembly | |
| US3594046A (en) | Wheel cover | |
| JPS5826164Y2 (en) | Center cap or wheel cap mounting structure | |
| US3010764A (en) | Wheel cover |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |