Land vehicles: wheels and axles – Wheel – With wheel cover
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-10
2001-08-07
Stormer, Russell D. (Department: 3617)
Land vehicles: wheels and axles
Wheel
With wheel cover
C301S037360
Reexamination Certificate
active
06270167
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates in general to vehicle wheels and in particular to an improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same.
Full or partial vehicle wheel covers of the removable type are well known., and have been used for many years to enhance the styling of conventional, stamped wheel discs. Also, it is known to permanently secure a full or partial wheel cover to a vehicle wheel using an adhesive.
One example of a vehicle wheel with a permanently secured wheel cover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,423 to Heck et al. In the Heck et al. patent, a wheel cover includes an outer annular lip which extends into a groove formed in an inner surface of an outer peripheral end of the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of a wheel disc.
Another example of a vehicle wheel having a permanently secured wheel cover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,566 to Beith. In the Beith patent, a wheel cover includes a terminal flange lip which is formed to grip an edge of a terminal flange of the wheel rim to aid in fixing the wheel cover to the wheel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same. In particular, the vehicle wheel includes a wheel disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard bead seat retaining flange includes an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having at least one annular groove formed therein. The vehicle wheel further includes a wheel cover which covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion of the outer peripheral end of the outboard bead seat retaining flange. The wheel cover includes an outer end. The wheel cover is secured to the wheel disc by an adhesive/sealant. In particular, the adhesive/sealant is disposed in the annular groove to secure the outer end of the wheel cover to the outer peripheral end of the wheel disc and to provide a seal to prevent water, mud, salt and other debris from entering between the outer end of the wheel cover and the outer peripheral end of the wheel disc.
Other advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, when read in light of the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2158125 (1939-05-01), Horn et al.
patent: 3726566 (1973-04-01), Beith
patent: 5435631 (1995-07-01), Maloney et al.
patent: 5564791 (1996-10-01), Chase et al.
patent: 5595423 (1997-01-01), Heck et al.
patent: 5664845 (1997-09-01), Maloney et al.
patent: 5820225 (1998-10-01), Ferriss et al.
patent: 5829843 (1998-11-01), Eikhoff
patent: 2848790 (1980-05-01), None
Kemmerer James H.
Wuebker Daniel
Hayes Lemmerz International Inc.
MacMillan Sobanski & Todd LLC
Stormer Russell D.
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