Wheel cover

• US 20030051545A1
• Filed: 08/26/2002
• Published: 03/20/2003
• 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 6,820,475 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/146
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/006 the surface being reflective or including lighting
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/0086 having cooling fins
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/02 made essentially in one part B60B7/0006, B60B7/01 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/04 built-up of several main parts B60B7/01, B60B7/20 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/063 to the rim
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/10 comprising a plurality of spaced spring clips individually mounted on the cover, e.g. riveted, welded or readily releasable
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses

Abstract

A wheel cover is disclosed. The wheel cover reduces the drag and operating temperatures of a tire/wheel arrangement. The wheel cover includes an exhaust port, a bridge section located over the exhaust port, and a pressure sensor arrangement disposed on the bridge section.

Claims

1. A vehicle tire/wheel arrangement including a tire, a valve stem, a wheel rim, and a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies, comprising:

a wheel cover that reduces the drag and operating temperatures of the tire/wheel arrangement, wherein the wheel cover includes an exhaust port;

a bridge section located over the exhaust port; and

a pressure sensor arrangement disposed on the bridge section.

2. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the wheel cover further comprises a plurality of reflectors.

3. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the wheel cover is fastened to the wheel rim by a fastener.

4. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the fastener is a wheel clip.

5. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the fastener is double-sided adhesive tape.

6. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the fastener is a plurality of nuts that may be affixed to the interior of the wheel cover.

7. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the fastener comprises a welding of the wheel cover to the wheel rim.

8. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the fastener comprises a bolting of the wheel cover to the wheel rim.

9. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the wheel cover is defined by an elliptically-shaped dome, wherein airflow drag is diverted by the elliptically-shaped dome.

10. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the wheel cover is defined by an outer diameter and a depth.

11. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 10, wherein the exhaust port is defined by a diameter that creates a low pressure within the wheel cover.

12. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 11, wherein the outer diameter is 22.5 inches, the depth is 6 vinches, and the diameter of the exhaust port is 9 inches.

13. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the pressure sensor arrangement includes a gauge and a valve arrangement, wherein the valve arrangement includes an intake valve and a valve and hose arrangement connected to the valve stem.

14. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 1, wherein a low pressure is created in the wheel cover and a Bernoulli effect causes warm air generated by the vehicle in the area of the tire/wheel arrangement to be evacuated from the wheel cover through the exhaust port.

15. A vehicle tire/wheel arrangement including a tire, a valve stem, a wheel, and a plurality of nut and bolt assemblies, comprising:

a wheel cover fastened to the wheel rim by a fastener, wherein the wheel rim is defined by a diameter, a depth, and an elliptically-shaped dome that reduces drag and creates a low pressure by a Bernoulli effect that causes warm air generated by the vehicle in the area of the tire/wheel arrangement to be evacuated from the wheel cover through an exhaust port diameter;

a bridge section located over the exhaust port diameter;

a plurality of reflectors; and

a pressure sensor arrangement disposed on the bridge section, wherein the pressure sensor arrangement includes a gauge and a valve arrangement, wherein the valve arrangement includes an intake valve and a valve and hose arrangement connected to the valve stem.

16. The tire/wheel arrangement according to claim 15, wherein the fastener is a wheel clip.