Expanded – threaded – driven – headed – tool-deformed – or locked-thr – Internally threaded fastener element – e.g. – nut – etc. – Having cap
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-16
2001-11-20
Wilson, Neill (Department: 3627)
Expanded, threaded, driven, headed, tool-deformed, or locked-thr
Internally threaded fastener element, e.g., nut, etc.
Having cap
C411S429000, C411S374000, C411S910000, C301S037373
Reexamination Certificate
active
06318942
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to ornamentation for vehicular wheels. More specifically, the invention relates to a lug cap having retention detents to retain the lug caps on the lug nuts.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wheels are often adorned with ornamentation to make them more aesthetically pleasing. One wheel, the aluminum wheel, requires little ornamentation as it can be manufactured having a finish that requires little attention.
The aluminum wheel does not, however, have a counterpart lug nut. More specifically, the lug nut has remained a steel product. A lug cap must be used to cover the steel lug nut to allow it to provide the desired aesthetic appearance. Lug caps are retained on the lug nut through various means. It is difficult to design a retention system for the lug cap because it must not interfere with the overall design of the wheel and must result in little body and/or weight added to the overall design. This light-weight feature, coupled with the extreme harsh environment in which the lug caps exist, make it difficult to design a lug cap that will be retained on the lug nut.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A lug cap covers a lug nut having an outer lug nut surface and an outer threaded portion. The lug cap includes a cylindrical body having an inner wall and an outer wall. The cylindrical body extends between a nut engaging end and a distal end. The lug cap also includes a cover closing the distal end. An inner thread is fixedly secured to a first portion of the inner wall of the cylindrical body. The inner thread engages the outer threaded portion of the lug nut. A detent extends along a second portion of the inner wall of the cylindrical body. The detent engages the lug nut when the lug cap is rotated over the lug nut such that the inner thread of the lug cap engages the outer threaded portion of the lug nut.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2545130 (1951-03-01), Ash
patent: 3653719 (1972-04-01), Osawa et al.
patent: 4382635 (1983-05-01), Brown et al.
patent: 4842339 (1989-06-01), Roulinson
patent: 4895415 (1990-01-01), Stay et al.
patent: 4968202 (1990-11-01), Lanham
patent: 4998780 (1991-03-01), Eshler et al
patent: 5082409 (1992-01-01), Bias
patent: 5163739 (1992-11-01), Stanlake
patent: 5181767 (1993-01-01), Hudgins et al.
patent: 5193884 (1993-03-01), Sheu et al.
patent: 5205614 (1993-04-01), Wright
patent: 5249845 (1993-10-01), Dubost
patent: 5286092 (1994-02-01), Maxwell, Jr.
patent: 5286093 (1994-02-01), Wright
patent: 5294189 (1994-03-01), Price et al.
patent: 5380070 (1995-01-01), FitzGerald
patent: 5503465 (1996-04-01), Price et al.
patent: 5520445 (1996-05-01), Toth
patent: 5595422 (1997-01-01), Ladouceur
patent: 5667281 (1997-09-01), Ladouceur
patent: 5707113 (1998-01-01), Russell
patent: 5752794 (1998-05-01), Krawczak
Bliss McGlynn & Nolan, P.C.
McKechnie Vehicle Components (USA), Inc.
Wilson Neill
LandOfFree
Lug cap having retention detents does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Lug cap having retention detents, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Lug cap having retention detents will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2617388