Wheel cover having concealed snap-fit retention structure

A wheel trim assembly for use with a wheel, said wheel having at least one lug nut extending axially outboard therefrom, said at least one lug nut having a flange portion thereon, said wheel trim assembly comprising:

• a wheel cover having an inboard face facing in a direction toward said wheel, an outboard face opposite said inboard face, and at least one aperture extending therethrough and being complementarily adapted to receive said at least one lug nut such that said at least one lug nut extends axially through said at least one aperture when said wheel cover is assembled to said wheel;
• at least one retainer mounted to said inboard face of said wheel cover, said at least one retainer having a plurality of resilient tabs disposed approximately concentric with said at least one aperture of said wheel cover, said plurality of resilient tabs having a portion projecting radially inwardly toward the center of said at least one aperture, said plurality of resilient tabs extending axially inboard from said inboard face of said wheel cover, said plurality of resilient tabs engaging said flange portion of said at least one lug nut to retain said wheel trim assembly to said wheel;
• and
• means for securing said at least one retainer to said inboard face of said wheel cover;
• whereby said wheel trim assembly assembles to said wheel when said wheel trim assembly is aligned with and urged toward said wheel, wherein said plurality of resilient tabs engage said flange portion of said at least one lug nut and deflect radially outwardly with respect to the center of said at least one aperture, said plurality of resilient tabs resiliently rebounding radially inwardly behind said flange portion to engage said flange portion in a resilient interference fit for detachably retaining said wheel trim assembly to said wheel such that said at least one retainer is not visible when said wheel trim assembly is viewed from a direction normal to said outboard face of said wheel cover.

A wheel trim assembly for use with a wheel, said wheel having at least one lug nut extending axially outboard therefrom, said at least one lug nut having an annular flange therearound, said wheel trim assembly comprising:

• a wheel cover having an inboard face facing said wheel, an outboard face opposite said inboard face, and at least one aperture extending therethrough, said at least one lug nut extending axially through said at least one aperture when said wheel cover is assembled to said wheel, said at least one aperture having an inside diameter smaller than said outside diameter of said annular flange of said at least one lug nut;
• at least one retainer mounted to said inboard face of said wheel cover, said at least one retainer having a plurality of resilient tabs disposed approximately concentric with said at least one aperture of said wheel cover, said plurality of resilient tabs facing radially inwardly toward the center of said at least one aperture, said plurality of resilient tabs extending axially inboard from said inboard face of said wheel cover, said plurality of resilient tabs engaging said annular flange of said at least one lug nut to retain said wheel trim assembly to said wheel;
• and
• means for securing said at least one retainer to said inboard face of said wheel cover;
• whereby said wheel trim assembly assembles to said wheel when said wheel trim assembly is aligned with and urged toward said wheel, said plurality of resilient tabs engage said annular flange of said at least one lug nut and deflect radially outwardly with respect to the center of said at least one aperture, and said plurality of resilient tabs resiliently rebound radially inwardly behind said annular flange to engage said annular flange in a resilient interference fit for detachably retaining said wheel trim assembly to said wheel such that said at least one retainer is disposed behind said annular flange radially outside of said inside diameter of said at least one aperture to hide said at least one retainer when said wheel trim assembly is viewed from a direction normal to said outboard face of said wheel cover.