Metal working – Method of mechanical manufacture – Wheel making
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-14
2001-08-28
Echols, P. W. (Department: 3726)
Metal working
Method of mechanical manufacture
Wheel making
C029S894380
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279230
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for fabricating a wheel cover. More specifically, the invention relates to a method for fabricating a wheel cover by forming an outer diameter having a mechanical lock at the outer edge thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Wheel covers are used to inexpensively provide an enhanced appearance for a steel wheel. Some wheel covers add a chromed or colored surface to the steel wheel without the costly step of actually chroming or painting the steel wheel. Chroming the steel wheel is costly because a steel wheel requires a great deal of surface finishing before it can receive the chrome material. Other wheel covers simulate an aluminum wheel. Because steel and aluminum wheels are capable of being manufactured to be as aesthetically pleasing as wheel covers, the primary advantage of the use of a wheel cover is to provide an aesthetically pleasing wheel surface at a low cost.
Therefore, the method for manufacturing wheel covers having a minimal number of flaws while maintaining the cost advantages is desired. One such method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,214,220, issued to Foster et al. on Oct. 26, 1965. This patent discloses a wheel cover which is secured to an outer rim of a wheel. The wheel cover has a curl at its outer edge. The curl is created by rolling a disc of material inwardly. This curl is then forced into a groove formed within the outer rim of the wheel. Rolling is the act of forcing the outer rim of a disc out of its plane using a device which is moving radially outwardly from the center of the disc. Therefore, when a wheel cover is rolled, a roller or similar mechanism is rolled over the disc radially outwardly and then over the edge of the disc forcing the disc or wheel cover to have its outer edge curled. A crimping tool may be used in place of the rollers. This method is not desired because it forces anomalies in the thicknesses, i.e., bumps, of the disc due to the malleability thereof. Further, several rollers are required to ensure the rolling of the wheel cover is uniform. If several rollers or crimping tools are not used, the cycle time for such a mechanism will increase resulting in a higher manufacturing cost.
Another method for manufacturing a wheel cover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,550, issued to Toal et al. on Jun. 13, 1978. This patent discloses a method for forming a wheel cover on a wheel. This patent also discloses folding or rolling over the edge of the trim ring, or wheel cover, to clinch a second piece of the resulting wheel cover. This act of rolling over is similar to that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,214,220, discussed above. A series of circumferentially spaced indentations are provided on the folded over portion of the trim ring member so as to prevent relative rotation between the members or pieces of the wheel cover and for the purpose of reducing noise. This rolled over edge does not enhance the ability of the wheel cover to be secured to the wheel. It is merely a point at which a support is secured to the wheel cover.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method is disclosed for fabricating a wheel cover to permanently attach the wheel cover to a wheel. The wheel includes an outer rim flange. The method includes the step of forming a disc from a sheet of metal. The disc defines an outboard surface and an inboard surface, an outer edge and a central axis perpendicular to the outboard and inboard surfaces. The method also includes the step of stamping the disc to bend the disc through three dimensions. The method further includes the step of spinning the disc about the central axis. Finally, the method includes the step of applying a force to the outer edge of the disc while the disc is spinning to force the outer edge to bend over the inboard surface to create a wrap to be received by the outer rim of the wheel.
One advantage associated with the invention is the ability to manufacture a wheel cover to be mechanically locked to a wheel at the outer rim thereof. Another advantage associated with the invention is the ability to produce wheel covers through a reduced cycle time. Yet another advantage associated with the invention is the ability to eliminate bumps and any other anomalies which may be created when manufacturing a mechanical lock at the outer edge of the wheel cover. Still another advantage associated with the invention is to reduce the number of die operations into a single operation. A further advantage is the reduction of costs in the manufacturing of the wheel cover. Due to the versatility of the method, the method is advantageously interchangeable providing a single machine capable of manufacturing several different designs of wheel covers.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2057565 (1936-10-01), Eksergian
patent: 3025819 (1962-03-01), Lyon
patent: 3214220 (1965-10-01), Foster et al.
patent: 4094550 (1978-06-01), Toal et al.
patent: 5072509 (1991-12-01), Bichel et al.
patent: 38905 (1965-08-01), None
Eikhoff Ted E.
Johnson David H.
MacNish Dannie J.
Bliss McGlynn P.C.
Echols P. W.
McKechnie Vehicle Components (USA), Inc.
LandOfFree
Method for fabricating a wheel cover does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method for fabricating a wheel cover, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for fabricating a wheel cover will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2454563