Wheel clip

• US 20030047988A1
• Filed: 08/26/2002
• Published: 03/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mark K. Wallach
• Original Assignee: Mark K. Wallach
• Inventors: Wallach, Mark K.
• Granted Patent: US 6,755,484 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 301/37.102
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/105 the spring clip mounted on the rim

Abstract

A wheel rim assembly including a wheel rim and a wheel cover is disclosed. The wheel rim assembly comprises a clip assembly for attaching a wheel cover to a wheel rim. The clip assembly includes a bracket portion and a base portion. The bracket portion affixes to the wheel cover. The base portion is a planar strip that is curved to conform and affix to an inner periphery of the wheel rim.

Claims

1. A wheel rim assembly including a wheel cover and a wheel rim, comprising:

a clip assembly for attaching a wheel cover to a wheel rim, wherein the clip assembly includes;

a bracket portion that affixes to the wheel cover, and

a base portion that affixes to the wheel rim, wherein the base portion is a planar strip that is curved to conform to an inner periphery of the wheel rim.

2. The wheel rim assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket portion further comprises a first end and a second end.

3. The wheel rim assembly of claim 2, wherein the second end further comprises a spring clip and a fastening stud that allows attachment of the wheel clip assembly to the wheel cover.

4. The wheel rim assembly of claim 3, wherein the spring clip is permanently affixed to the second end by protrusions that extend from the second end in opposing relationship about a passage that provides clearance for the fastening stud for engagement about the spring clip.

5. The wheel rim assembly of claim 4, wherein the fastening stud is a Dzus fastener that may be twisted and fastened about the spring clip in order to draw the wheel cover adjacent to second end of the bracket portion.

6. The wheel rim assembly of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises an adhesive about an outer side for adhering the wheel clip assembly to the inner periphery of the wheel rim.

7. The wheel rim assembly of claim 1, wherein the base portion is welded to the inner periphery of the wheel rim.

8. The wheel rim assembly of claim 1, wherein the base portion is bolted to the inner periphery of the wheel rim.

9. The wheel rim assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket portion and the base portion comprise a rigid material.

10. The wheel rim assembly of claim 9, wherein the rigid material is stainless steel.

11. The wheel rim assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket portion comprises a first rigid material and the base portion comprises a second rigid material.

12. The wheel rim assembly of claim 11, wherein the first rigid material is stainless steel and the second rigid material is plastic.

13. A wheel rim assembly including a wheel cover and a wheel rim, comprising:

a clip assembly for attaching a wheel cover to a wheel rim, wherein the clip assembly includes;

a bracket portion that affixes to the wheel cover, wherein the bracket portion further comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the second end further comprises a spring clip and a Dzus fastener that allows attachment of the wheel clip assembly to the wheel cover, wherein the spring clip is permanently affixed to the second end by protrusions that extend from the second end in opposing relationship about a passage that provides clearance for the Dzus fastener for engagement about the spring clip, wherein the Dzus fastener is twisted and fastened about the spring clip in order to draw the wheel cover adjacent to second end of the bracket portion, and

a base portion that affixes to the wheel rim, wherein the base portion is a planar strip that is curved to conform to an inner periphery of the wheel rim, wherein the base portion comprises an adhesive about an outer side for adhering the wheel clip assembly to the inner periphery of the wheel rim.

14. The wheel rim assembly of claim 13, wherein the bracket portion and the base portion comprise a rigid material.

15. The wheel rim assembly of claim 14, wherein the rigid material is stainless steel.

16. The wheel rim assembly of claim 13, wherein the bracket portion comprises a first rigid material and the base portion comprises a second rigid material.

17. The wheel rim assembly of claim 16, wherein the first rigid material is stainless steel and the second rigid material is plastic.

18. A wheel rim assembly including a wheel cover and a wheel rim, comprising:

means for affixing a wheel cover to a wheel rim;

means for affixing to a wheel cover; and

means for affixing to a wheel rim.

19. The wheel rim assembly of claim 18, wherein the means for affixing a wheel cover to a wheel rim is a wheel clip assembly,.

20. The wheel rim assembly of claim 18, wherein the means for affixing to a wheel cover is a bracket portion, wherein the bracket portion further comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the second end further comprises a spring clip and a Dzus fastener that allows attachment of the wheel clip assembly to the wheel cover, wherein the spring clip is permanently affixed to the second end by protrusions that extend from the second end in opposing relationship about a passage that provides clearance for the Dzus fastener for engagement about the spring clip, wherein the Dzus fastener is twisted and fastened about the spring clip in order to draw the wheel cover adjacent to second end of the bracket portion.

21. The wheel rim assembly of claim 18, wherein the means for affixing to a wheel rim is a base portion, wherein the base portion is a planar strip that is curved to conform to an inner periphery of the wheel rim, wherein the base portion comprises an adhesive about an outer side for adhering the wheel clip assembly to the inner periphery of the wheel rim.