Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Wheel making
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-08
2001-04-03
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Wheel making
C301S037360, C301S037430
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209204
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to vehicle wheels of the type having an ornamental wheel applique secured over the wheel for aesthetic purposes. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for securing a wheel applique over the wheel and securing the wheel applique thereto.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is becoming more popular to utilize wheel appliques on vehicle wheels to decorate the external surface thereof to improve the aesthetics of plain steel wheels or any other type of wheel. It is less expensive to place wheel appliques over wheels, as compared to the forming and finishing of the wheels.
One example of a wheel assembly with such a wheel applique is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,370 issued Nov. 29, 1994 in the name of Beam, and assigned to the assignee of the invention. The wheel applique is locked under the rim flange of the vehicle wheel to secure the wheel applique to the vehicle wheel. The periphery of the wheel applique is snapped under the rim flange of the vehicle wheel to lock the wheel applique thereto.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,213, issued on Jan. 28, 1997 in the name of Chase, and assigned to Lacks Industries, Inc., discloses a wheel applique that is secured to an outboard surface of a wheel using adhesive. Because the wheel applique and the wheel do not change dimensions through the mounting procedure, clearance must be provided between the rim flange and the periphery of the wheel applique so that the inboard surface of the wheel applique can abut the outboard surface of the wheel. The gap presents a break in the continuity of the design and provides an area where contaminants may collect. This is undesirable aesthetically and functionally as the contaminants may weaken the adhesive allowing the wheel applique to be dislodged from the wheel.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,566 issued Apr. 10, 1973 illustrates a wheel applique which includes lips which circumferentially extend about the entire periphery of the wheel applique and rim. German Patent DE 28 13 412 discloses a wheel applique with the edges thereof profiled to grip into fitting grooves.
There are general requirements for any wheel assembly having a permanent ornamental surface treatment. There should be access to the lug nuts. Tire mounting/demounting machinery should be able to operate without damaging the ornamental surface treatment. The wheel assembly should be capable of receiving the standard clip-on balance weights at the rim flanges. There can be no loose components which would cause vibration and noise. The ornamental surface treatment should be secured so that it will not become accidentally disassembled or stolen. The wheel assembly should be durable so that it will not rust or corrode. And finally, the permanent ornamental surface treatment should be economical relative to other prior art surface treatments and ornamentation
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method is disclosed for making a vehicle wheel assembly having an ornamental surface treatment. The method includes providing a vehicle wheel having an annular rim, a rim flange, a rim flange protrusion and a spider. The spider is concentrically fixed within the rim for connecting the vehicle wheel to a rotating hub. A wheel applique is formed having an inboard surface, an outboard surface and periphery to be disposed adjacent the rim flange. The vehicle wheel is heated to a temperature allowing the rim flange protrusion to expand to a diameter greater than the periphery of the wheel applique. The inboard surface of the wheel applique is abutted against the spider of the vehicle wheel coaxially therewith. The vehicle wheel is then cooled such that the outboard surface of the wheel applique disposed adjacent the periphery abuts the rim flange protrusion locking the wheel applique to the vehicle wheel.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4316637 (1982-02-01), Reynolds et al.
patent: 4530542 (1985-07-01), Spiegel et al.
patent: 5368370 (1994-11-01), Beam
patent: 5664845 (1997-09-01), Maloney et al.
Bliss McGlynn P.C.
McKechnie Vehicle Components (USA), Inc.
Stormer Russell D.
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