# US 2019/0319907 A1 · Automotive wheel overlay attachment system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2019/0319907 A1 - Document ID: US20190319907A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/155,251 - Filed: 2018-10-09 - Published: 2019-10-17 - Earliest claimed: 2016-08-31 - Assignees: Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc. - Applicants: Keystone Automotive Operations, Inc. - Inventors: Mitchell Nunes; Kurt Kruse - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190319907A1 ## CPC - G06Q 10/107: Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing] - B60B 7/0013: {Hub caps} - B60B 7/04: built-up of several main parts (B60B7/01, B60B7/20 take precedence) - B60B 7/066: {to the hub} - B60B 7/14: comprising screw-threaded means - G06F 3/048: Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI] - G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus - G06T 11/26: Drawing of charts or graphs - H04L 51/212: using filtering or selective blocking - H04L 51/214: using selective forwarding - H04L 51/216: Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads - H04L 51/234: for tracking messages - H04L 51/42: Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes - H04L 51/48: Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases - H04L 51/52: for supporting social networking services - H04L 61/4555: {Directories for electronic mail or instant messaging} - H04L 65/1069: Session establishment or de-establishment - H04L 65/611: for multicast or broadcast (systems for broadcast or conference H04L12/18; arrangements for broadcast or distribution combined with broadcast H04H20/00; arrangements for broadcast applications with a direct linkage to broadcast information or to broadcast space-time H04H60/00; selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS], H04W4/06) - B60B 2360/10: Metallic materials - B60B 2360/32: Plastic compositions - B60B 2900/325: Reliability - B60B 2900/572: Visual appearance - H04L 51/04: Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM] - G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR - B60B: VEHICLE WHEELS (making wheels or wheel parts by rolling B21H1/00, by forging, hammering or pressing B21K1/28); CASTORS; AXLES FOR WHEELS OR CASTORS; INCREASING WHEEL ADHESION - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - G06T: IMAGE DATA PROCESSING OR GENERATION, IN GENERAL - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A vehicle wheel overlay attachment system disclosed herein provides for wheel overlays, or wheel skins, that are readily installable over existing wheels by securing directly to a wheel center cap. The center cap is adapted to be inserted into the center hub portion of the wheel, much like a traditional center cap, but also contains a system for securing a wheel overlay to the center cap. When properly installed on the center cap, the wheel overlay will be snugly positioned over the wheel thereby changing the appearance of the vehicle wheel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle wheel center cap assembly comprising: a center cap that engages a center recess of a vehicle wheel; and a mechanism for securing a vehicle wheel overlay to the center cap. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The center cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for securing is selected from a group consisting of a washer bolt, a tension washer, a washer, and a nut. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The center cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the vehicle wheel overlay is configured to engage a second center cap. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The center cap assembly of claim 3, wherein the second center cap contains at least one ornamental design or is an original equipment manufacturer center cap. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The center cap assembly of claim 1, wherein the mechanism for securing the vehicle wheel overlay to the center cap includes at least one selected from a group consisting of an adhesive strip, a magnet, a screw, a rivet, a bolt, and a clip engaging a portion of the wheel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The center cap assembly of claim 1 wherein the center cap has threads in the center, and the mechanism for securing a vehicle wheel overlay to the center cap is configured to engage a portion of the threads in the center cap and a portion of the vehicle wheel overlay. ### Claim 7 A vehicle wheel overlay attachment system comprising: a vehicle wheel overlay having: a shape corresponding to a shape of a vehicle wheel, wherein the vehicle wheel has a center recess; a center cap engaging area corresponding to the center recess of the vehicle wheel; a center cap that engages the center cap engaging area of the vehicle wheel overlay; and a mechanism for securing a vehicle wheel overlay to the center cap. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The vehicle wheel overlay attachment system of claim 7, wherein the mechanism for securing a vehicle wheel overlay to the center cap is selected from a group consisting of a screw, a rivet, and a bolt. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The vehicle wheel overlay attachment system of claim 7 wherein the center cap has threads in the center, and the mechanism for securing a vehicle wheel overlay to the center cap is configured to engage a portion of the threads in the center cap and a portion of the vehicle wheel overlay. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The vehicle wheel overlay attachment system of claim 9, wherein the vehicle wheel overlay includes at least one additional mechanism for securing the vehicle wheel overlay to the vehicle wheel. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The vehicle wheel overlay attachment system of claim 10, wherein the additional mechanism for securing the vehicle wheel overlay to the vehicle wheel is a plurality of mushroom head studs; wherein the mushroom head studs are integrally formed with the wheel overlay, wherein the vehicle wheel has a plurality of spokes and the spokes have at least one spoke, and wherein the mushroom head studs are positioned to penetrate the at least one slot in each spoke, and wherein the mushroom head studs engage the at least one slot in each spoke to attach the vehicle wheel overlay to the vehicle wheel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The vehicle wheel overlay of claim 9, wherein the vehicle wheel overlay includes at least one ornamental feature. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The vehicle wheel overlay of claim 9, wherein the vehicle wheel overlay is made of a material selected from the group consisting of: plastic polycarbonate, metal, and acrylic. ### Claim 14 A vehicle wheel overlay comprising: a body with a shape corresponding to a shape of a vehicle wheel; and a plurality of lug nut engaging areas; wherein the vehicle wheel includes a plurality of recesses into which a lug nut is inserted; wherein the plurality of lug nut engaging areas secure the vehicle wheel overlay to the vehicle wheel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The vehicle wheel overlay of claim 14, wherein each lug nut engaging area includes at least one extension configured to engage a portion of a lug nut after the lug nut has been tightened. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The vehicle wheel overlay of claim 15, wherein the plurality of lug nut engaging areas for engaging with and disengaging from a corresponding lug nut are selected from the group consisting of at least: rounded, angled and wedge-shaped.