Manufacture of ornamental vehicle wheels
AssigneeMotor Wheel Corporation
InventorRichard W. Smith
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Manufacture of ornamental vehicle wheels wherein a mold surface of desired decorative contour is sprayed with one or more layers of a polyurethane reaction mixture and partially cured in situ. A steel wheel is then placed over the mold surface and a polyurethane reaction mixture which includes a foaming agent is poured into the mold cavity formed therebetween. The poured mixture is then cured and the layers are finish-cured in situ to form an integral ornamental elastomeric structure adhered to the wheel.
Claims10
A method of making an ornamental vehicle wheel which includes a metal disc wheel having a disc portion for mounting the wheel to a vehicle and a rim portion for carrying a vehicle tire, said method comprising the steps of (a) providing a mold having a mold surface contoured to provide a desired ornamental configuration and having a circumferential series of fixed trim placement areas on said mold surface, (b) placing ornamental trim pieces in said placement areas, (c) forming and at least partially curing in situ on said mold surface and over said trim pieces a skin of tough resilient elastomeric material, (d) placing a said metal disc wheel over said mold so as to define a cavity between said wheel and said mold surface, (e) molding and curing an elastomeric structure in said cavity to form an integral ornamental composite wheel assembly comprising said skin and said structure adhered to said wheel, and (f) removing said wheel from said mold with said elastomeric structure adhered thereto.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.