Wheel plugs for vehicle wheels
OwnerGary R Seitzinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A wheel insert for removable placement within the apertures of the wheel rim of a vehicle wheel for preventing mud, dirt and debris from entering and blocking the apertures and marring the vehicle wheel includes a tubular body portion insertable into the aperture, a closed end flange engaging the rear surface of the wheel rim, a front flange spaced from the end flange for engaging the front surface of the wheel rim, and a pair of inwardly projecting receiving flanges adjacent the front flange for holding a stiffening and closure member that locks the wheel insert within the aperture and to the wheel rim with the stiffening and closure member having both reflective and decorative elements for enhancing the safety and aesthetic features of the wheel insert by enhancing the visibility of the vehicle wheels at night.
Claims21
A wheel insert for insertion into an aperture of a wheel rim of a vehicle wheel, comprising:
- a wheel plug including:
- a tubular body portion having a first end, an opposite second end, an inner annular surface and an outer annular surface;
- a cavity within the tubular body portion and defined by the inner annular surface;
- a closed end flange integrally formed at the second end;
- a front flange integrally formed at the first end;
- a pair of inner receiving flanges adjacent the first end and projecting from the inner annular surface into the cavity;
- whereupon the end flange, the outer annular surface, and the front flange engage and contact the wheel rim when the wheel plug is pressed into the aperture for seating the wheel plug within the aperture and sealing off the aperture so that dirt, mud, and debris is prevented from reaching and collecting on the vehicle wheel;
- and
- a stiffening and closure member for mounting between the inner receiving flanges so that the stiffening and closure member can seal off the cavity and lock the wheel plug in place within the aperture.
A wheel insert for insertion into an aperture of a wheel rim of a vehicle wheel wherein the wheel rim includes a rear surface, a front surface, and an inner wheel rim surface circumjacent the aperture, the wheel insert comprising:
- a wheel plug including:
- a first end and a second end;
- a cavity extending substantially through the wheel plug from the first end to the second end;
- a continuous exterior seating and engaging surface extending from the first end to the second end for contacting the rear surface, the front surface and the inner wheel rim surface of the vehicle wheel when the wheel plug is inserted into the aperture of the vehicle wheel;
- a pair of spaced-apart inner receiving flanges adjacent the first end opposite of the exterior seating and engaging surface and extending slightly into the cavity;
- a removable locking and closure means for mounting between the inner receiving flanges in order to close off the cavity and maintain the contact of the continuous exterior seating and engaging surface with the wheel rim and locking the wheel plug in place within the aperture of the wheel rim;
- and
- means for allowing passage therethrough of a valve stem for the vehicle wheel formed on the second end of the wheel plug so that the valve stem can project into the cavity when the wheel plug is mounted within the aperture of the wheel rim of the vehicle wheel.
A wheel insert for insertion into an aperture of a wheel rim of a vehicle wheel with the wheel rim including a rear surface, a front surface, and an inner wheel rim surface circumjacent the aperture, the wheel insert comprising:
- a wheel plug including:
- a first end and an opposite second end;
- a cavity extending substantially through the wheel plug from the first end to the second end;
- a membrane formed at the second end for closing off the cavity at that respective end;
- a cross-shaped slit formed on the membrane for allowing passage therethrough of a valve stem for the vehicle wheel;
- a continuous exterior seating and engaging surface extending from the first end to the second end for abutting the wheel rim when the wheel plug is inserted into the aperture;
- a pair of spaced-apart inner receiving flanges adjacent the first end opposite the continuous exterior seating and engaging surface with the inner receiving flanges projecting slightly into the cavity;
- and
- a removable locking and closure means for mounting to the inner receiving flanges in order to close off the cavity and maintain the abutting contact of the continuous exterior seating and receiving surface with the wheel rim to thereby lock the wheel plug in place within the aperture of the wheel rim.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.