Wheel assembly and elastomeric guard member
AssigneeUretech International, Inc.
InventorsScott L. Murray, Paul N. Skotynsky, James E. Muir
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An elastomeric guard member for use with a vehicle wheel is disclosed. The wheel includes a wheel disc and rim. The wheel disc defines a plurality of circumferential openings. In prior art wheel assemblies, debris was apparent at the wheel openings. The elastomeric guard member is positioned in a circular configuration within the space to retard water and debris from entering the space and to present a better visual appearance.
Claims10
A vehicle wheel assembly, comprising a wheel having a wheel disc and a circular rim connected to said wheel disc for mounting a tire, said wheel disc defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings having outer edges, said wheel disc having an outboard surface and an inboard surface, said rim and said inboard surface of said wheel disc defining a circular space adjacent said openings and an elastomeric guard member positioned within said space adjacent said inboard surface, said outer edges of said openings adjacent said rim defining a concentric line spaced radially inward from said circular rim, said elastomeric guard member having an outer side adjacent said rim and an inner side, said inner side having a plurality of circumferentially spaced first portions adjacent the outer edges of said openings and a plurality of second protuberance portions, positioned between adjacent openings, said second protuberance portions having an inner surface spaced inwardly from said concentric line defined by the outer edges of said openings, whereby said second protuberance portions act as dams to retard the ponding of water between said spaced openings.
A vehicle wheel assembly, comprising a wheel having a wheel disc and a circular rim connected to said wheel disc for mounting a tire, said wheel disc defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings, said wheel disc having an outboard surface and an inboard surface, said rim and said inboard surface defining a circular space adjacent said openings and an elastomeric guard member positioned within said space adjacent said inner surface, said elastomeric guard member having an outer side adjacent said rim and an inner side, a plurality of circumferentially spaced first portions positioned adjacent the outer edges of said spaced openings, a rod positioned within said elastomeric guard member and a plurality of second protuberance portions of a predetermined thickness positioned between adjacent ones of said spaced openings, wherein said second protuberance portions act as dams to retard ponding of water and debris between said spaced openings of said wheel disc.
An elastomeric guard member for use with a wheel having a wheel disc and a circular rim connected to said wheel disc, said wheel disc defining a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings, said wheel disc having an outboard surface and an inboard surface, said rim and said inboard surface defining a circular space adjacent said spaced openings, said elastomeric guard member being shaped for positioning within said space, said elastomeric guard member having an outer side for positioning adjacent said rim and an inner side having a plurality of circumferentially spaced first portions for positioning adjacent the outer edges of said spaced openings and a plurality of second protuberance portions of a predetermined thickness for positioning between adjacent ones of said spaced openings, said second protuberance portions having a thickness greater than said predetermined thickness, wherein said second protuberance portions act as dams to retard the ponding of water and debris between said spaced openings of said wheel disc.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.