A method for producing a vehicle wheel comprises the steps of: (a) providing a wheel including an outboard face; (b) providing a wheel cover including an inner surface; (c) providing an external surface feature on at least one of the outboard face of the wheel and the inner surface of the cover; (d) positioning the wheel and the cover relative to one another to form a first gap between at least selected portions of the wheel outboard face of the cover inner surface and to form at least a second gap in the area of the external surface feature between adjacent surfaces of the wheel and the wheel cover, the first gap to the second gap defining an indirect flow path; and (e) securing the cover to the wheel by using an expandable foam adhesive material, wherein the adhesive material initially fills selected portions of the first gap and then follows the indirect flow path to then flow into the second gap whereby the adhesive material cures and stops expanding before completely filling the second gap.

Vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same

A composite vehicular wheel assembly (10) has a permanent ornamental surface treatment. The wheel assembly (10) includes an annular rim (12) having two rim flanges (14). A spider (20) is fixed within the rim (12) and attached to a rotating hub (22). The spider (20) includes a plurality of radial spokes (24). Lug stud holes (32) are formed in the spider (20) and are circumferentially spaced about a central axis of the assembly (10). A stamped sheet metal applique (34) conforming to the outer surface curvature of the rim (12) and spider (20) is adhesively attached with an epoxy (42). The applique (34) is chrome-plated to stimulate a conventional prior art electroplate chrome wheel assembly. The applique (34) includes vent openings (40) positioned between the spokes (24) of the spider (20), and apertures (52) aligned over each of the lug stud holes (32) of the spider (20) for passage of the lug studs (31). A separately detachable center cap (29) attaches to the spider (20) and/or the hub (22).

Vehicle wheel construction

A wheel and overlay assembly employing an overlay configured to more fully control the aesthetic appearance of the assembly. The wheel and overlay assembly employs an overlay that more completely establishes the decorative appearance of the assembly, thereby enabling the use of a standardized wheel whose design and construction considerations are based almost solely on the structural requirements of the assembly. As such, the overlay is adapted to enable the functions of structural integrity and outward appearance of the assembly to be addressed separately, resulting in a more fully integrated appearance in which the two-component construction of the assembly is fully concealed, such that a substantial reduction in manufacturing costs is achieved due to the reduced functional demands on the wheel.

Wheel and overlay assembly

A composite wheel assembly includes a wheel having a trim ring, a cladding, and a hubcap attached to the wheel. The wheel includes a disc and a rim flange circumscribing the disc with the disc and rim flange defining an outboard surface of the wheel. A trim ring mounts to and radially locates with respect to the rim flange and radially extends inward toward the disc. The cladding mounts to and radially locates with respect to the disc and radially extends outward toward the rim flange. The cladding overlaps the trim ring so that a continuous bright appearance extends across the entire outboard surface of the composite wheel assembly and so that any radial dimensional variation in the trim ring and cladding is taken up by the overlapping relationship therebetween.

Composite wheel assembly and method for producing same

A vehicle wheel cover retention system wherein the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the associated wheel includes a unique construction for securing a wheel cover to the wheel. In particular, the vehicle wheel includes a disc which defines an outboard facing wheel surface and includes an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard tire bead seat retaining flange includes an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein. A relatively thin wheel cover (which may or may not conform to the exact contour of the disc) covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel disc surface. In particular, the wheel cover includes an outer annular lip which extends into the groove.

Vehicle wheel cover retention system

An improved vehicle cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a vehicle wheel having a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange (12). The outboard bead seat retaining flange includes an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having a circumferential, radially outwardly facing grooves (64) formed therein. The vehicle wheel further includes a wheel cover (13) 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 inner cover surface and an outer annular lip (78) which extends into the groove when the wheel cover is installed on the disc. The method for producing the vehicle wheel includes the step of applying an adhesive to one of the outboard facing wheel surface and the inner cover surface.

Wheel cover retention system

Cette roue comprend un voile (12) definissant une surface de roue, orientee vers l'exterieur, et comprenant un rebord exterieur (20) de retenue de siege de talon de pneu. Ce rebord comprend une surface exterieure dans lequel est forme une rainure ou evidement (40) circonferentiel oriente radialement vers l'interieur. Cette rainure est definie par une premiere surface (41) s'etendant axialement d'une facon generale et une seconde surface (42) inclinee par rapport a la premiere surface. La roue comprend, en outre, un enjoliveur (13) recouvrant au moins une partie de la surface de la roue qui est orientee vers l'exterieur. L'enjoliveur comprend une levre annulaire exterieure (52) qui s'etend jusque dans la rainure et est disposee de facon adjacente a la premiere surface. La rainure et la levre ont une configuration qui permet a la levre de penetrer brusquement de facon elastique dans la rainure quand on presse l'enjoliveur sur le voile.

Roue de véhicule pourvue d'un système perfectionné de retenue d'enjoliveur et procédé de fabrication d'une telle roue.

An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same wherein the wheel includes a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The flange includes an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein. The groove (40) is defined by a generally axially extending first surface (41) and a second surface (42) angled relative to the first surface. The wheel further includes a wheel cover covering at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface. The cover (13) includes an outer annular lip (52) which extends into the groove and is positioned adjacent the first surface. The groove (40) and the lip (52) have a configuration which enables the lip to spring outwardly into the groove when the cover is pressed on the disc. The method for producing the vehicle wheel includes the steps of: a) providing a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange, the outboard bead seat retaining flange including an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein, the groove defining an inner diameter; b) providing a wheel cover (13) including an outer annular lip which defines an outer diameter which generally corresponds to the inner diameter of the groove; and c) moving the disc and the cover toward one another whereby the wheel cover initials deflects inwardly and then expands outwardly into the groove to secure the wheel cover to the disc.

Michael V. Maloney

Papers

Vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same

Vehicle wheel cover retention system

Wheel cover retention system

Roue de véhicule pourvue d'un système perfectionné de retenue d'enjoliveur et procédé de fabrication d'une telle roue.

Vehicle wheel retention system and method for producing the same