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US 4,900,096 AGranted
Wheel trim
AssigneeNI Industries, Inc.
InventorsHeinrich J. Hempelmann, Thomas J. Mack
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wheel trim assembly including a plurality of radial extending spoke members is characterized by a spoke retention plate integrally formed from a polymeric material for gripping the inward radial ends of a first and second plurality of spoke members, respectively, on a first and second axial layer in a secure manner so as to inhibit annoying noise-generating vibration as well as to securely retain the center hub assembly, spokes and outer ring in assembled relationship. The center retention contemplates a separate lock collar being insertably, nonrotatably captivated within a central plate opening and the integral arrangement for inhibiting rotation of the lock nut rotatably disposed therewithin.
Claims21
A simulated wire wheel trim for a motor vehicle wheel comprising:
- an outer ring member having a plurality of axially and radially spaced apertures,
- a center hub assembly;
- a plurality of spoke members extending generally radially between and interconnecting said outer ring and said center hub assembly,
- said center hub assembly including
- a one piece decorative outer cover member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings, said plurality of spoke members extending through respective ones of said openings;
- a spoke retainer member including means defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets for receiving the radial inner ends of said plurality of spokes, each of said pockets being operative to restrict movement of said spoke members so as to aid in retaining said plurality of spoke members, said center hub assembly and said outer ring in assembled relationship;
- and
- means securing said spoke retainer and said outer cover member together.
5 more elements
A simulated wire wheel trim for a motor vehicle wheel comprising:
- an outer ring member having a plurality of axially and radially spaced apertures,
- a center hub assembly;
- a plurality of spoke members extending generally radially between and interconnecting said outer ring and said center hub assembly,
- said center hub assembly including
- a one piece decorative outer cover member having a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings, said plurality of spoke members extending through respective ones of said openings;
- a one piece spoke retainer member including a plurality of circumferentially spaced pockets for receiving the radial inner ends of said plurality of spokes, each of said pockets being operative to restrict movement of said spoke members in axial and radial inward directions so as to aid in retaining said plurality of spoke members, said center hub assembly and said outer ring in assembled relationship, each of said pockets includes first and second flange portions overlying axial inner and outer surfaces of said spoke members respectively;
- said flange portions being axially spaced a distance less than the axial thickness of said spoke members prior to receiving said spoke members;
- and
- means securing said spoke retainer and said outer cover member together.
6 more elements
A simulated wire wheel trim for a motor vehicle wheel comprising:
- an outer ring member having a plurality of axially and radially spaced apertures,
- a center hub assembly;
- a first plurality of spoke members having radially outer ends thereof disposed in selected ones of said apertures and extending generally radially inwardly to said center hub assembly,
- a second plurality of spoke members having radially outer ends disposed in said apertures and radially inner ends received within said center hub assembly in axially spaced relationship to said first plurality of spoke members,
- said center hub assembly including
- a one piece decorative outer cover member having a first plurality of circumferentially spaced openings and a second plurality of circumferentially spaced openings axially spaced from said first plurality of openings, radially inner ends of said first plurality of spoke members extending through respective ones of said first plurality of openings and radially inner ends of said second plurality of spoke members extending through respective ones of said second plurality of openings;
- a one piece spoke retainer member including means defining first and second axially spaced annular arrays of circumferentially spaced pockets for receiving the radial inner ends of said first and second plurality of spokes, each of said pockets including means for restricting axial movement and radial inward movement of respective of said first and second plurality of spoke members so as to retain said first and second plurality of spoke members, said center hub assembly and said outer ring in assembled relationship;
- and
- means securing said spoke retainer and said outer cover member together.
6 more elements
A simulated wire wheel trim for a motor vehicle wheel comprising:
- an outer ring member having a plurality of axially and radially spaced apertures,
- a center hub assembly;
- a first plurality of spoke members having radially outer ends thereof disposed in selected ones of said apertures and extending generally radially inwardly to said center hub assembly,
- a second plurality of spoke members having radially outer ends disposed in said apertures and radially inner ends received within said center hub assembly in axially spaced relationship to said first plurality of spoke members,
- said center hub assembly including
- a one piece decorative outer cover member having a first plurality of circumferentially spaced openings and a second plurality of circumferentially spaced openings axially spaced from said first plurality of openings, radially inner ends of said first plurality of spoke members extending through respective ones of said first plurality of openings and radially inner ends of said second plurality of spoke members extending through respective ones of said second plurality of openings;
- a one piece spoke retainer member including first and second axially spaced annular arrays of circumferentially spaced pockets for receiving the radial inner ends of said first and second plurality of spokes, each of said pockets including a radially inner surface operative to inhibit radial inward movement of respective ones of said first and second plurality of spoke members and an axially outer wall, said axially outer wall of each said first annular array of pockets being axially spaced from a first annular flange portion provided on said retainer member and cooperating therewith to grasp the radially inner ends of said first plurality of spoke members therebetween and said axially outer wall of each of said second annular array of pockets being axially spaced from a second annular flange portion provided on said retainer member and cooperating therewith to grasp the radially inner ends of said second plurality of spoke members so as to retain said first and second plurality of spoke members, said center hub assembly and said outer ring in assembled relationship;
- and
- means securing said spoke retainer and said outer cover member together.
6 more elements
A method of assembling a simulated wire wheel trim having an annular outer ring, a first plurality of spoke members, a second plurality of spoke members and a center hub assembly including a spoke retainer member and a decorative center hub member, said method comprising:
- inserting the radially outer ends of said first plurality of spoke members into openings provided in said outer ring;
- positioning said decorative center hub member centrally within said outer ring;
- inserting the radially inner ends of said second plurality of spoke members through openings provided in said decorative center hub member;
- inserting the radially outer ends of said second plurality of spoke members into openings provided in said annular ring;
- positioning said spoke retainer member in axially aligned relationship with and on the axially inner side of said decorative center hub;
- rotating said spoke retainer member with respect to said decorative center hub to move the radially inner ends of said first and second plurality of spoke members into respective pockets provided on said retainer member.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.