Wheel Cover Assembly and Method of Mounting

• US 20140265533A1
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Published: 09/18/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RealWheels Corporation
• Original Assignee: RealWheels Corporation
• Inventors: Polka, John
• Granted Patent: US 9,365,074 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 301/37.102
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 2900/1216 due to air-drag
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/0073 being completely closed, i.e. having no cooling openings for the brakes
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/04 built-up of several main parts B60B7/01, B60B7/20 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/066 to the hub
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/068 to the wheel bolts or wheel nuts
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/14 comprising screw-threaded means
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 29/06 Accessories for tyre-inflating valves, e.g. housings, guards, covers for valve caps, locks, not otherwise provided for B60C23/0496 takes precedence; tools for screwing and unscrewing valve caps B25B27/0057; pump connectors F04B33/005
• CPC Class Codes: Y02T 10/88 Optimized components or subsystems, e.g. lighting, actively controlled glasses
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49542 with means for retaining trim member on wheel

Abstract

The present invention relates to attaching aerodynamic wheel covers to the wheel of a truck or other heavy duty vehicle, and to a method of installation that does not require the removal of the nuts retaining the wheel to the hub of the axle and allows the air pressure of tires on such wheels to be easily adjusted.

Claims

1. A cover for covering a wheel of a vehicle, the vehicle having a hub surrounded by a plurality of parallel spaced studs, each of the studs having a longitudinal axis and there being a fixed distance between adjacent ones of the longitudinal axes, the wheel having a web with a plurality of holes therein for receiving the studs and a nut threaded on each of the studs to retain the wheel to the hub, the cover comprising:

a first retainer member having a planar portion for contacting one of the parallel spaced studs, the planar portion having a surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stud while in contact with the parallel spaced studs;

a second retainer member having a planar portion for contacting one of the parallel spaced studs, the planar portion having a surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stud while in contact with the parallel spaced studs;

a connecting member spanning the first and second retainer members;

an adjustment member for adjusting the relative position of the connecting member with respect to the first and second retainer members.

2. The cover of claim 1 including a member for rigidly locking and unlocking the connecting member to the first and second retainer members.

3. The cover of claim 2 wherein the locking member is a threaded fastener and a nut.

4. The cover of claim 1 including a first mounting arm extending from the connecting member.

5. The cover of claim 4 including a second mounting arm extending from the connecting member.

6. The cover of claim 1 including two mounting arms extending from connecting member.

7. The cover of claim 1 including a first air valve extension positioned on the connecting member.

8. The cover of claim 7 including a second air valve extension positioned on the connecting member.

9. The cover of claim 4 including a first air valve extension, the first air valve extension attached to the first mounting arm.

10. The cover of claim 5 including a second air valve extension, the second air valve extension attached to the first mounting arm.

11. The cover of claim 9 wherein the first air valve extension is attached to the first mounting arm through a threaded connection.

12. The cover of claim 10 wherein the second air valve extension is attached to the second mounting arm through a threaded connection.

14. The cover assembly of claim 1 including a member for rigidly locking and unlocking the connecting member to the first and second retainer members.

15. The cover assembly of claim 14 wherein the locking member is a threaded fastener and a nut.

16. The cover assembly of claim 14 including a spacer element positioned between the connecting member and the cover for spacing the cover from the wheel.

13. An aerodynamic cover assembly for covering a wheel of a vehicle, the vehicle having a hub surrounded by a plurality of parallel spaced studs, each of the studs having a longitudinal axis and there being a fixed distance between adjacent ones of the longitudinal axes, the wheel having an opening with a web with a plurality of holes therein for receiving the studs and a nut threaded on each of the studs to retain the wheel to the hub, the cover assembly comprising:

a first retainer member having a planar portion for contacting two of the parallel spaced studs, the planar portion having a surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stud while in contact with the parallel spaced studs;

a second retainer member having a planar portion for contacting two of the parallel spaced studs, the planar portion having a surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stud while in contact with the parallel spaced studs;

a connecting member spanning the first and second retainer members;

an adjustment member for adjusting the relative position of the connecting member with respect to the first and second retainer members;

a first mounting arm extending from the connecting member;

a first air valve extension positioned on the first mounting arm;

an aerodynamic wheel cover attached to the connecting member for covering the opening of the wheel and allowing access to the first air valve extension.

17. The cover assembly of claim 13 including a second mounting arm extending from the connecting member.

18. The cover assembly of claim 17 including a second air valve extension positioned on the second mounting arm.

19. The cover assembly of claim 18 wherein the first air valve extension and the second air valve extensions are threaded to the first mounting arm and second mount arm, respectively.

20. A method of mounting an aerodynamic cover to a wheel of a vehicle, the vehicle having a hub surrounded by a plurality of parallel spaced studs, each of the studs having a longitudinal axis and there being a fixed distance between adjacent ones of the longitudinal axes, the wheel having an opening with a web with a plurality of holes therein for receiving the studs and a nut threaded on each of the studs to retain the wheel to the hub, the method including:

placing a first retainer member having a planar portion on two of the parallel spaced studs, the planar portion having a surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stud while in contact with the parallel spaced studs;

placing a second retainer member having a planar portion on two of the parallel spaced studs, the planar portion having a surface perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stud while in contact with the parallel spaced studs;

positioning a connecting member across the first and second retainer members;

placing an adjustment member for adjusting the relative position of the connecting member with respect to the first and second retainer members;

mounting a first mounting arm to the connecting member and extending therefrom;

positioning a first air valve extension on the first mounting arm;

fastening an aerodynamic wheel cover to the connecting member for covering the opening of the wheel and providing access to the first air valve extension.

21. The method of claim 20 including rigidly locking and unlocking the connecting member to the first and second retainer members.

22. The method of claim 20 including a spacer element positioned between the connecting member and the cover for spacing the cover from the wheel during installation.

23. The method of claim 20 including mounting a second mounting arm to the connecting member and extending therefrom and positioning a second air valve extension on the second mounting arm.