Cap For A Valve Stem

A cap for a valve stem extending from a tire through a rim of a wheel, said cap comprising:

• a housing extending along an axis from a first end to a second end and having a bore extending along said axis from said first end toward said second end and a cup-shaped wall extending circumferentially about said bore for receiving the valve stem;
• a threaded surface disposed in said bore for threadedly engaging the valve stem;
• a flange extending from said first end transversely to said axis and circumferentially around said bore for abutting the rim of the wheel to stabilize said housing relative to the rim of the wheel;
• said housing defining a height from said first end to said second end and said flange having an outer diameter greater than said height;
• said bore having a diameter and said outer diameter of said flange being at least twice the size of said bore diameter so that said flange is capable of firmly seating against the rim;
• ribs radially spaced about said housing and extending outwardly from said wall of said housing to said flange reinforcing said housing relative to said flange;
• each of said ribs having three sides defining a generally triangular shape with a first side integral with and extending along said flange outwardly relative to said axis, with a second side integral with and extending along said wall generally along said axis, and with a third side extending from said first side to said second side;
• said first side of said rib extending a first length along said flange and said second side of said rib extending a second length along said wall, said first length is at least one third as along as said second length;
• and
• said housing, said flange, and said ribs being integrally formed of glass filled nylon.

A wheel for a vehicle, said wheel comprising:

• a rim;
• a tire disposed about said rim;
• a valve stem extending from said tire through said rim;
• and
• a cap having a housing extending along an axis from a first end to a second end and having a bore extending along said axis from said first end toward said second end and a cup-shaped wall extending circumferentially about said bore receiving said valve stem;
• said cap having a threaded surface disposed in said bore threadedly engaging said valve stem;
• said cap having a flange extending from said first end transversely to said axis and circumferentially around said bore and abutting said rim of said wheel to stabilize said housing relative to said rim;
• and
• said cap having ribs radially spaced about said housing and extending outwardly from said wall of said housing to said flange reinforcing said housing relative to said flange.