Wheel trim retention means
AssigneeNorris Industries, Inc.
InventorsHans R. Beisch, Heinrich J. Hempelmann
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This disclosure relates to a novel retention for retaining wheel trim on the outer face of a vehicle wheel. The invention is especially adaptable for use with wheel trim made of plastic or the like. The retention comprises specially designed spring clips which consist of both a spring portion and a tab portion, the tab portion being inserted and permanently secured in slots on the underside of said wheel trim.
Claims19
Retention means for retaining wheel trim formed of a plastic material on the axially outer face of a vehicle wheel having an annular wheel flange, said retention means comprising:
- means defining a generally axially inwardly opening recess on said wheel trim;
- means defining a generally radially outwardly facing support surface on said wheel trim positioned radially inwardly of said recess;
- a spring clip having a tab portion at one end thereof, a terminal portion at the other end thereof and a retention portion intermediate the ends thereof;
- said tab portion having a cut out portion provided therein and being disposed within said recess,
- said terminal portion engaging said support surface and being operative to bias said retention portion into biting engagement with said vehicle wheel when said trim member is assembled thereto;
- and
- securing means for permanently securing said tab portion in said recess, said securing means including a mechanical interlock created by said plastic material of said wheel trim being at least partially disposed within said cut out portion of said tab portion.
A method of fabricating a wheel trim retention system including a retention clip for securing a wheel trim on a portion of a vehicle wheel, said method comprising:
- forming a clip receiving recess on said wheel trim;
- forming a radially outwardly facing support surface on said wheel trim;
- forming said retention clip with a tab portion at one end, a terminal portion adjacent another end and retention means intermediate said tab portion and terminal portion;
- providing at least one cut out portion in said tab portion;
- inserting said tab portion into said recess with said terminal portion engaging said support surface;
- and
- mechanically interlocking said tab portion and said wheel trim by causing a portion of the material of said wheel trim to enter said cut out portion.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.