Hubcap locking device

• US 5,902,018 A
• Filed: 08/05/1997
• Issued: 05/11/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Custom Engineered Wheels, Inc. (CEW Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Spartech Industries, Inc. (CEW Holdings, Inc.)
• Inventors: Harrison, Bruce E., Owen, Robert H., Barnes, Devlin J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Stormer, Russell D.
• Application Number:
  US08/906,057
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 301/108.1, 301/108.3, 301/111, 301/112, 301/119, 301/121, 301/122, 301/120
• US Class Current: 301/111.04
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 37/10 the wheels being individually rotatable around the axles

Abstract

A wheel assembly which includes a wheel having a central bore and an attached hubcap. An axle is fitted into the central bore of the wheel assembly and interlocks with the hubcap, serving to secure the wheel assembly to the axle while permitting movement of the wheel relative to the axle.

Claims

1. Wheel assembly comprising a wheel having a central bore, an axle having an end thereof extending into said bore, and a hubcap having an end wall extending transversely with respect to said bore, said hubcap including first attachment means extending from said endwall and engaging said wheel for locking the hubcap to the wheel and second attachment means extending into said bore for engaging said axle, said end of the axle including cooperating latching means for latching the second attachment means to the axle.

2. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bore terminates in an end surface extending transversely across said bore, said end of said axle being adjacent said end surface.

3. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first attachment means includes lugs extending from the hubcap securing the hubcap to said wheel.

4. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said second attachment means includes fingers extending from said end wall into said bore, said fingers engaging said axle.

5. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said end of the axle terminates in a beveled end and a groove offset axially from said beveled end, said beveled end being adapted to deflect said fingers as the axle is installed in the bore to permit the fingers to engage the groove.

6. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second attachment means includes fingers extending from said end wall into said bore, said fingers terminating in hooks engaging said axle.

7. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein said end of the axle terminates in a beveled end and a groove offset axially from said beveled end, said beveled end being adapted to deflect said fingers as the axle is installed in the bore to permit the fingers to engage the groove.

8. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein said fingers extend through openings in said wheel.

9. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said wheel includes a wheel part and a sleeve received in said wheel part, said sleeve including said end surface, and interlocking means for interlocking said sleeve with the wheel part.

10. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said interlocking means include a pair of tab sets projecting outwardly from said sleeve, one of said tab sets engaging one side of said wheel part, the other tab set engaging an opposite side of the wheel part.

11. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein one of said tab sets include fingers spaced circumferentially and extending axially with respect to said sleeve, said fingers being deflectable inwardly with respect to said sleeve.

12. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first attachment means includes lugs engaging apertures in said sleeve.

13. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said sleeve is attached to said hubcap.

14. Wheel assembly as claimed in claim 9, wherein said sleeve is formed integrally with said hubcap.