Lockable automobile wheel assembly

Details Lockable automobile wheel assembly Lockable automobile wheel assembly

2000-08-21

2001-11-27

Morano, S. Joseph (Department: 3617)

Land vehicles: wheels and axles

Wheel

Device for attaching wheel to axle

C301S114000, C301S035580, C070S225000, C070S386000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06322158

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention pertains generally to lockable automobile wheels and more particularly to a lockable automobile wheel assembly that incorporates a hub adapter attached to wheel studs and a detachable hub securing spinner.
BACKGROUND ART
Previously many types of wheel attachments have been used to provide an effective means for quick wheel removal and installation along with locks to prevent theft. In most instances prior art has concentrated on locking a lug stud by replacing the stud's nut with a tamper proof lug nut that requires some type of key or other special device for removal. Others have utilized locked cover plates to protect and hide the lug nuts underneath. Unfortunately, none of these device can provide total protection from theft while remaining aesthetically pleasing.
A search of the prior art did not disclose nay patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention, however the following U.S. patents are considered related:
U.S PAT. NO.
INVENTOR
ISSUED
Des.407,363
Schardt
30 March 1999
4,574,602
Mitsuru
11 March 1986
4,336,698
Hurd
29 June 1982
3,995,461
Hudson
7 December 1976
3,978,698
Ono
7 September 1976
3,952,563
Yamashita
27 April 1976
The U.S. Pat. No. Des. 4,574,602 patent discloses a wheel locking device where one of the lug nuts is secured to the wheel by a lockable nut which cannot be removed without the use of a key.
The U.S. Pat. No. Des. 4,336,698 patent discloses a tamper proof lug nut or bolt lock which includes a cylinder on which is rotatably mounted a sleeve with a hex for receiving a wrench and a coupling assembly disposed within the sleeve for selectively coupling and uncoupling the sleeve to the nut assembly by means of a key.
The U.S. Pat. No. Des. 3,995,461 patent discloses a wheel lock consisting of a cover plate which blocks access to the wheel bolts. The plate is attached by screws passing through the plate with the plate held in position by a lock passing therethrough.
The U.S. Pat. No. Des. 3,978,698 patent discloses a lock assembly including threads for fasting one lug on one of the plurality of wheel attaching threaded fasteners. The assembly is locked and unlocked with a key.
The U.S. Pat. No. Des. 3,952,563 patent discloses a lock assembly for coupling a wheel to a vehicle using the vehicles studs. The assembly requires a key for access.
For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the search:
U.S. PAT. NO.
INYENTOR
ISSUED
5,941,105
Macey
August 1999
5,934,118
Henness
August 1999
5,887,952
Gandellini
March 1999
5,820,224
Dimatteo, Jr.
October 1998
5,636,905
Pagacz
June 1997
5,584,537
Miansian
December 1996
5,492,391
Snook
February 1996
5,352,026
Snook
October 1994
4,621,673
Weinstein et al
November 1986
2,231.194
Peterson
February 1941
2,046,779
Hack
July 1936
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The lockable automobile wheel assembly is designed to provide an aesthetic and practical method for locking a vehicle wheel to an automobile. The need for locking the wheels has become more critical as the industry has developed more costly and highly sought-after wheels. This is particularly true with the spoked wheels that are popular at the present time and create an open invitation for theft if no preventive measures, such as locking, are utilized.
The instant invention easily fulfills this locking need as an hub adapter is employed that is attached to a vehicle brake drum with conventional lug nuts. The nuts are completely covered and hidden by a separate central hub which attaches over the hub adapter, thus protecting the nuts and making them inaccessible. The automobile wheel is quickly detachable as the hub adapter interfaces with the central hub on the vehicle and is held in place by a hub securing member in the form of a hollow hex nut or spinner that mates with a hub. The nut or spinner is both threaded onto a center hub on the adapter using mating male and female threads and subsequently bolted.
In view of the above disclosure, the primary object of the invention is to provide a structure that is easily and safely utilized to secure a vehicle wheel to an automobile.
An important object of the invention is also the strength that is added into the assembly, as prior art in this type of mounting system utilizes only gear teeth cut into the corner of the outside edge of an adapter flange, and matting teeth tin the integral shoulder of the center hub. While this is the arrangement has been acceptable in the past, if the center hub becomes loose the teeth immediately disengages, thereby creating a dangerous condition with no braking control on the wheel. By utilizing a mating spline over a large surface this problem is completely eliminated; the ultimate structural integrity of the union is greatly enhanced and maximum security is realized.
Another object of the invention is in the strength of the locking mechanism, as the invention does not rely on the soundness of the lock itself but instead on a direct metal to metal interference fit.
In addition to the above object of the invention it is also an object of the invention to produce a lockable automobile wheel assembly that:
can be utilized on both spoked wheels and non-spoked wheels of various sizes,
can be produced in various type of finishes,
is easily installed and removed,
is maintenance free, and
is cost effective from both a manufacturer's and consumer's point of view.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims taken in conjunct ion with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a hub adapter which comprises an element of the lockable automobile
FIG. 2
is a side sectional view of the hub adapter.
FIG. 3
is a front elevational view of the hub adapter.
FIG. 4
is a rear elevational view of the hub adapter.
FIG. 5
is a side elevational view of the hub adapter.
FIG. 6
is a front elevational view of a hub securing member which comprises an element of the lockable automobile wheel assembly.
FIG. 7
is a partial side elevational view and a partial sectional view of the hub securing member.
FIG. 8
is a front elevational view of a hub securing member having eight sides and a pair of spaced arms.
FIG. 9
is a front elevational view of a hub securing member having eight sides and three equally
FIG. 10
is a front elevational view of a hub securing member having eight sides and six equally spaced arms.
FIG. 11
is a front elevational view of a hub securing member having ten sides and a pair of opposed arms.
FIG. 12
is a front elevational view of a hub securing member having ten sides and three squally spaced arms.
FIG. 13
is a front elevational view of a hub securing member having ten sides and six equally spaced
FIG. 14
is a front elevational view of a hub securing member having twelve sides and a pair of opposed arms.
FIG. 15
is a front elevational view of a hub securing member having twelve sides and three equally spaced arms.
FIG. 16
is a front elevational view of a hub securing member having twelve sides and six equally spaced arms.
FIG. 17
is a front elevational view of a second design for a hub securing member shown with eight faceted sides, wherein the sides can be located as shown by the solid lines or as shown by the broken lines.
FIG. 18
is a side elevational view of the hub securing member shown in FIG.
17
.
FIG. 19
is a front elevational view of a third design for a hub receiving member.
FIG. 20
is a partial side elevational view and a partial sectional view of the hub receiving member shown in FIG.
19
.
FIG. 21
is a perspective view of a typical automobile
12
wire wheel to which is attached the lockable automobile wheel assembly.


REFERENCES:
patent: 2046779 (1936-07-01), Hack
patent: 2231194 (1941-02-01), Peterson
patent: 4621873 (1986-11-01), Weinstein et al.
patent: 5352026 (1994-10-01), Snook

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