Method and apparatus for producing a wheel cover and vehicle wheel including such a wheel cover

A method for producing a vehicle wheel cover comprising the steps of:

• (a) providing a tooling fixture including a first tooling member, a second tooling member and a third tooling member;
• (b) providing a wheel cover having at least a preformed outer end;
• (c) positioning the wheel cover onto the tooling fixture wherein the wheel cover is supported on the first tooling member and spaced apart from the second and third tooling members;
• (d) actuating the tooling fixture whereby the third tooling member captures a portion of the outer end of the between a portion of the third tooling member and a portion of the first tooling member and the second tooling member is operative to engage and reshape the outer end of the wheel cover to produce a desired outer end shape;
• (e) removing the wheel cover from the tooling fixture;
• and
• (f) applying a decorative finish to at least an outer surface of the wheel cover.

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

• (a) providing a tooling fixture including at least a first tooling member and a second tooling member;
• (b) providing a wheel cover having at least a preformed outer end;
• (c) positioning the wheel cover onto the tooling fixture wherein the wheel cover is supported on the first tooling member and spaced apart from the second tooling member;
• (d) actuating the tooling fixture whereby the second tooling member is operative to engage and reshape the outer end of the wheel cover to produce a desired outer end shape;
• (e) removing the wheel cover from the tooling fixture;
• (f) providing a vehicle wheel having an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange having a groove formed in an outer peripheral end thereof;
• (g) assembling the wheel cover to the vehicle wheel wherein during assembly the outer end of the wheel cover is initially biased open as the wheel cover is initially assembled onto the outer end and then the outer end of the wheel cover returns to nearly its original shape as the outer end of the wheel cover is retained in the groove in a mechanical lock-like manner.