Patent Application
20130076106
This invention relates to commercial and non-commercial display wheel covers, and more particularly to non-rotating wheel covers that mount to wheels by extended lug nuts and a universal lug mounting bracket that mounts on various lug patterns and wheel diameters.
Conventional wheel covers include hubcaps that attach to an outer edge of a wheel rim. Such conventional wheel covers rotate with the wheel. Improvements to such conventional wheel covers include adding advertising or other non-commercial designs, such as sports logos. However, the designs can only be seen properly while the wheels are at rest and not while the wheels are rotating. There have been attempts to develop non-rotating wheel covers that allow designs on the covers to be seen while a vehicle is in motion and the wheels are rotating. However, prior non-rotating wheel covers have been prone to failure due to the design and structure of the brackets used to attach the wheel covers to the wheels, especially if the wheel cover comes into contact with a curb or other object. This is especially of concern due to the danger a wheel cover can pose if it comes off of a wheel while a vehicle is in motion. Another drawback of prior non-rotating wheel covers is that the brackets were not universal and thus, multiple sized brackets were needed for wheels having different lug patterns and diameters. An even further problem with conventional non-rotating wheel covers is the excessive time it takes to change out covers. This is especially important for commercial covers used on vehicles such as taxi cabs, where the taxi cabs cannot be kept off the road for an extensive period of time to change the covers from one advertiser to another advertiser.
Therefore, a need exists for a non-rotating wheel cover having a universal lug mounting bracket that securely holds the cover to a wheel, fits any sized lug pattern or lug diameter and that can be removed and installed quickly.
The relevant prior art includes the following references:
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a non-rotating wheel cover assembly having a universal lug mounting bracket that securely holds the wheel cover to a wheel.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-rotating wheel cover assembly having a universal lug mounting bracket that fits any sized lug pattern or wheel diameter.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a non-rotating wheel cover assembly having a universal lug mounting bracket that allows a user to easily change wheel covers.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-rotating wheel cover assembly having a universal lug mounting bracket that prevents damage when the wheel cover makes contact with a street curb.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a non-rotating wheel cover assembly having a universal lug mounting bracket that is weatherproof.
The present invention fulfills the above and other objects by providing a non-rotating wheel cover assembly that attaches to lugs of a vehicle using a universal lug mounting bracket. The universal lug mounting bracket is made up of a preferably circular mounting plate having a plurality of slots extending from a central point to an outer edge of the mounting plate. The slots are positioned around the mounting plate to accommodate various lug patterns, such as wheels having five lugs or six lugs. The slots also accommodate wheels having various diameters where the lugs are spaced further from or closer to the center of the wheel. The mounting plate is secured to lugs of a wheel using extended lug nuts having a threaded aperture at one end to accommodate the lugs and a threaded aperture at the opposite end to accommodate an attachment means, such as a bolt. An inner plate having a central portion that extends outward to create a ridge that rests against the front surface of the mounting plate while the central portion rests inside a central aperture located on the mounting plate. The inner plate is attached to the mounting plate via at least one attachment means, such as a screw, bolt and so forth. The central portion of the inner plate is hollowed out to create a cup that a bearing rests in. An axle extending from a central portion of an outer plate extends through an aperture located on a front surface of the inner plate and into the bearing. A ridge located at a base of the axle prevents the front surface of the inner plate from coming into contact with a rear surface of the outer plate, thereby preventing rubbing and damage to the wheel cover if the wheel cover comes into contact with a curb. At least two apertures are preferably located on a front surface of the outer plate for engaging at least two posts located on a rear surface of the wheel cover, thereby allowing for easy alignment and installation of the wheel cover on the outer plate during installation. The wheel cover is attached to the outer plate via an attachment means, such as a bolt, that passes through an aperture located at the center of the wheel cover and into a threaded aperture located in the center of the outer plate and axle. A weight is preferably located on the rear surface of the wheel cover to further prevent the wheel cover from rotating while the wheel is in motion. An outer edge of the wheel cover may be beveled.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become even more readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
In the following detailed description, reference will be made to the attached drawings in which:
For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the terminology used in reference to the numbered accessories in the drawings is as follows:
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It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and drawings.
