The present invention is directed to a shield for rims of tires for helping to protect the rims from being sprayed with cleaning solutions as a user cleans the surrounding tires.
When individuals clean the tires of their vehicle, they often spray the entire tire, including the rim, with the cleaning solution. This requires that the individual wipe and scrub the cleaning solution off of the rims, which can be time consuming. The present invention features a rim shield device for covering and protecting the rims of the tires while the tires are sprayed with cleaning solution. The rim shield device helps save users time when cleaning the tires of their vehicle.
Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.
Referring now to
Extending radially from the center of the base 110 is a plurality of cables 150, each cable 150 having a first end and a second end, the first end being positioned in the center of the base 110. The second ends of each of the cables 150 are positioned at or near the edge of the raised side 114 of the base 110. In some embodiments, each cable 150 is housed in a channel 140 disposed in the base 110 or on the base 110, for example on the outer surface as shown in
The first ends of the cables 150 are each engaged in a tightening system, which allows the cables to be loosened and tightened slightly for proper attachment and securing to the rim. For example, in some embodiments, the tightening system comprises a spring-loaded button 160 disposed in the center of the base 110. The spring-loaded button 160 can move between multiple positions including but not limited to an in position and an out position. An inner spring 162 of the spring-loaded button 160 biases the spring-loaded button 160 in the out position. The first ends of the cables 150 are engaged in the spring-loaded button 160, wherein when the spring-loaded button is in the out position the cables 150 are effectively shortened in length (the cables 150 are slightly retracted into the spring-loaded button 160) and when the spring-loaded button is in the in position the cables 150 are effectively lengthened (the cables 150 are slightly extended from the spring-loaded button 160). Thus, when a user wishes to attach the device 100 to the rim, the user moves the button 160 to the in position, effectively lengthening the cables 150 and allowing the hooks to be hooked around the rim. When the user is finished hooking the device 100 onto the rim, he/she can release the button 160, causing it to move back to the out position. In the out position, the cables 150 are effectively shortened, thus tightening the grip the shield device 100 has on the rim.
As shown in
Without wishing to limit the present invention to any theory or mechanism, it is believed that the device 100 of the present invention is advantageous because the cables 150 (with hooks 120) that engage a spring-loaded button 160 help grip the device on the rim allowing for hands-free attachment and easy attachment/removal.
The disclosures of the following U.S. patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,694; U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,276; U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,177; U.S. Pat. No. 6,692,085; U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,972; U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,440; U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,599; U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,206.
Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims.
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Number | Date | Country |
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430348 | Jun 1991 | EP |