Rim protector

• US 20060145528A1
• Filed: 01/04/2005
• Published: 07/06/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Adam Dangleman
• Original Assignee: Adam Dangleman
• Inventors: Dangleman, Adam
• Granted Patent: US 7,296,860 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 301/37.101
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/004 the surface being painted
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/0046 the surface being plated or coated
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/0053 the surface being decorated
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/006 the surface being reflective or including lighting
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/01 Rings specially adapted for covering only the wheel rim or the tyre sidewall, e.g. removable tyre sidewall trim rings
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/06 Fastening arrangements therefor B60B7/01, B60B7/20 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B60B 7/063 to the rim

Abstract

A rim protection apparatus fitted around a periphery of a rim of a motor vehicle wheel is provided. The rim protection apparatus covers the circumferential edge of the rim. The apparatus has substantially planar circular protective ring and means for fitting the protective ring around the periphery of the rim. The protective ring has a front surface and a back surface, the back surface being coupled with the rim of the wheel when the apparatus is fitted around the periphery of the rim of the wheel, the front surface being a decorative surface accenting the color and appearance of the wheel. The protective ring is fitted around the periphery of the rim with an adhesive layer disposed on the back surface of the protective ring.

Claims

1. A rim protection apparatus fitted around a periphery of a rim of a motor vehicle wheel, the apparatus comprising:

a substantially planar circular shock-absorbing protective ring comprising;

a first part covering a first surface of the rim in a first plane, the first plane being the plane of a sidewall of the motor vehicle wheel;

a second part perpendicular to the first part covering a second surface of the rim, the second surface of the rim being perpendicular to the first surface of the rim; and

a means for fitting the protective ring around the periphery of the rim, the apparatus covering the circumferential edge of the rim wherein the protective ring is tightly coupled to the wheel;

wherein said first part and said second part are configured to be gradually placed to cup the rim so that said first part and said second part are no longer substantially planar but perpendicular to one another.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the circular shock-absorbing protective ring comprises a front surface and a back surface, the back surface being coupled with the rim of the wheel when the apparatus is fitted around the periphery of the rim of the wheel, the front surface being a decorative surface accenting the color and appearance of the wheel, the protective ring having an inner edge and an outer edge.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for fitting comprises an adhesive layer disposed on the back surface of the shock-absorbing protective ring.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the means for fitting further comprises a removable backing tape for covering an adhesive layer prior to being coupled with the rim of the wheel.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is flush mounted around the periphery of the rim of the wheel.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is fitted around a periphery of a rim of at least one of a wheel without spokes and a wheel with spokes.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is fitted around a periphery of a rim of a wheel with spokes by using a lip coupled to at least one of the inner edge and the outer edge of the protective ring, the lip being disposed on the rain of the wheel.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 protecting a rim and spokes when the apparatus is fitted around a periphery of a rim of a wheel with spokes, the protective ring covering the surface of the rim, the protective ring comprising a plurality of extensions extending from at least one of the inner edge and the outer edge of the protective ring to a center of the wheel, each extension covering at least one spoke of the wheel.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the protective ring is constructed using an abrasion resistant and shock-absorbing material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the protective ring is constructed using a material that is one of a plastic, a metal, a carbon fiber or fiberglass.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apparatus is removed from the wheel by peeling off the protective ring, the ring being removed in case of damage, the damage being indicated by a damage indicator disposed underneath the first part of the protective ring, the damage indicator being disposed above an adhesive layer.

12. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the front surface of the shock-absorbing protective ring is custom designed to match the color and design of the wheel, the protective ring accentuating the color and design of the wheel while protecting the rim of the wheel.

13. A protection apparatus for a rim, comprising:

a first surface;

a second surface in communication with and in the same plane as said first surface;

wherein said first surface and said second surface are configured to perpendicularly communicate when said first surface and said second surface are placed over the rim.

14. The protection apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first surface covers a sidewall of the rim.

15. The protection apparatus of claim 13 wherein said second surface covers a front surface of the rim.

16. The protection apparatus of claim 14 wherein said second surface covers a front surface of the rim.