Patent Application
20220063328
The presently disclosed subject matter generally pertains to an improved automotive wheel cover overlay, and more specifically to an automotive wheel cover overlay capable of snapping over an identical, previously installed wheel cover of an automobile. The purpose of the formerly described automobile wheel cover overlay is to cover up the latterly described manufacturer's or aftermarket's automobile wheel cover which was damaged, for example, during an automobile collision, or in the absence of an automobile collision but in the presence of other non-collision damage, to provide a snap-on automobile wheel cover overlay of the present invention with an enhanced cosmetic finish and an attractive appearance.
In general, aftermarket components are used to enhance automobile cosmetic appearances which can be added to an automobile to add decoration and customization to a vehicle beyond what is supplied by the vehicle manufacturer. One component is an automobile wheel cover overlay which fits over the manufacturer's or aftermarket's installed automobile wheel cover and provides a customized look. An aftermarket automobile wheel cover overlay is typically custom manufactured to precisely fit over a specific one or more wheel cover of a specific vehicle or vehicles. Commonly, aftermarket automobile wheel cover overlays are finished in a chrome or black finish, thus providing a new look to the automobile installed thereon.
Aftermarket automobile wheel cover overlays are comprised of different shapes and designs and are used to fit over automobile factory wheel covers when said wheel covers are damaged, for example, in an automobile collision or when said wheel covers demonstrate severe wear and tear and are unattractive due to being exposed to the environmental elements for a significant amount of time. When installed, the wheel cover overlays cover the damaged wheel covers and provide the automobiles with new cosmetic and new decorative finishes which enhance said automobiles' appearances and increase their resale value.
Most automobile wheel covers which are known in the prior art are typically designed to replace a damaged manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel covers. Replacing a manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover requires expending significant resources on labor needed to first remove a manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover, and second to replace a manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover with the replacement aftermarket wheel cover. Next the replacement wheel cover is painted, which blends the wheel cover with the appearance of the rest of the vehicle.
Prior to this invention, most prior art taught automobile wheel covers were used to outright replace manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel covers when damaged, for example, during a automobile collision, or when damaged, for example, during long exposure to the environmental elements. In addition, these prior art replacement wheel covers and wheel cover overlays used clips, integral legs, snap tabs, protruding strips and adhesive that failed and that led to the wheel covers and the replacement wheel cover overlays frequently separating from rims of the cars or frequently separating from existing, damaged wheel covers respectively.
First, the prior art Van Houten in U.S. Pat. No. 6,517,168 teaches a wheel cover assembly with pocket inserts fastened to the wheel cover using an integral snap tab arrangement including integral snap tabs that extend in an inboard direction from the inboard surface of the wheel cover and that are disposed around each turbine pocket. Second, the prior art Wang in U.S. Pat. Application No. 2007/0096545 teaches a wheel rim covering structure with costal bodies and engraved holes with shrinking hole edge equipped with a plastic made fastener assembly having a suitable length stem. Third, the prior art Wang in U.S. Pat. No. 7,510,248 teaches a wheel rim cover mounting structure having a plurality of equiangularly spaced through holes, a plurality of protruding flanges perpendicularly protruded from the back side of the cover body around the border of each of the through holes and a plurality of plugholes respectively provided at two sides of each of the protruding flanges, etc. Fourth, the prior art Wang in U.S. Pat. Application 2013/0278043 teaches an automobile wheel rim cover having a plurality of mounting holes, a plurality of through holes cut through opposing front and back walls of a cover body thereof corresponding to the mounting holes of the steel wheel, a plurality of upright flanges protruding from the back wall of the cover body around the through holes, a plurality of beveled retaining devices protruding from an outer wall of each upright flange and insertable with the respective upright flanges through the mounting holes of the steel wheel for hooking on a back wall of the rim of the steel wheel. Fifth, the prior art Hsieh in U.S. Pat. No. 9,227,463 teaches an adjustable wheel cover for aluminum alloy rim wherein a peripheral wall is extended axially from an inner surface of the wheel cover and along a periphery of each through hole with an assembly part disposed with a plurality of adjustment holes radially and a locking block on a spring of the fixing part secured in the adjustment hole correspondingly.
The present invention has a unique geometric shape which differs from clips, integral legs, snap tabs, protruding strips and adhesive and prevents vibration from separating the wheel cover overlay of the present invention from a vehicle's original wheel cover after being snapped on. No prior art wheel cover or wheel cover overlay to date has fastening or retaining devices using the geometric shape and material composition similar or identical to the snap on wheel cover technology employed by the present invention. Thus, that because the fastening or retaining devices mounted on the prior art automotive wheel covers and after market wheel covers overlays do not have the requisite geometric shape and overall strength, they require the application of secondary components for affixing an original manufacturer's or aftermarket's automotive wheel cover (i.e. tape, glue, clips, etc.). This makes installation somewhat tedious, inconvenient, expansive and perhaps even messy. Furthermore, these prior art automotive wheel covers and aftermarket wheel cover overlays are prone to loosen over time with repeated use of the automobile, and requiring numerous, labor intensive and costly repairs over the life span of the automobile.
A primary objective of the present invention is to provide an automotive wheel cover overlay that has the identical configuration of a damaged manufacturer's or aftermarket's automotive wheel cover and capable of being securely snapped on into place over the latter, and providing the appearance of a new or enhance manufacturer's or after market's automotive wheel cover without the need of first removing the damaged automotive wheel cover.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automotive wheel cover overlay capable of being snapped onto an existing manufacturer's or aftermarket's automotive wheel cover, without requiring the use of double-sided tape or other bonding materials, or clips, to hold the automotive wheel cover overlay in place.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automotive wheel cover overlay constructed of rigid material capable of being flexed and optionally constructed of a single piece of polymer material rather than a hybrid polymer material capable of affixing over an existing manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover without any additional components.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide an improved automotive wheel cover overlay capable of being snapped over a manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover to cover up damage or wear and tear of the latter without being noticeable to consumers that said improved automotive wheel cover overlay had been installed.
Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide an improved automotive wheel cover overlay capable of being snapped over a manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover to cover up damage or wear and tear of the latter without requiring numerous, labor intensive and costly repairs over the life span of the automobile.
In accordance with certain aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter, there is provided an improved automotive wheel cover overlay capable of being snapped over a manufacturer's existing wheel cover to cover up damage or wear and tear of the latter, said automotive wheel cover overlay of the present invention comprising fastening or retaining devices with a unique geometric shape and unique angles used for snapping over corresponding regions of a manufacturer's or aftermarket's existing wheel cover in need of repair or appearance enhancement.
In accordance with further aspects and, optionally, in combination with other aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter, the fastening or retaining devices of the present invention's automotive wheel cover overlay containing the snap-on technology used for snapping over corresponding regions of a manufacturer's existing wheel cover or an existing aftermarket cover is comprised of a hook-shaped member comprising of rigid polymer extending from an upper end of a flange, wherein said flange is protruding from the rear inward side of the wheel cover overlay of the present invention, and protruding continuously along a right-rigid polymer longitudinal portions and a rigid-right polymer upper arm edge which form a geometric orientation that permits the flanges of the wheel cover overlay of the present invention when inserted into through holes bearing the corresponding shapes of said flanges to firmly attached to the rear surface of the manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover when snapped into place; and protruding continuously along a left-rigid polymer longitudinal portion and a left-rigid polymer upper arm edge which form a geometric orientation that permits flanges of the wheel cover overlay of the present invention when inserted into through holes bearing the corresponding shapes of said flanges to firmly attach to the rear surface of the manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover when snapped into place.
In accordance with further aspects and, optionally, in combination with other aspects of the presently disclose subject matter, the fastening or retaining devices of the present invention's automotive wheel cover overlay containing the snap-on technology used for snapping over corresponding regions of a manufacturer's existing wheel cover or an aftermarket's existing wheel cover is comprised of right-rigid polymer hook-shaped members that protrude from either the flanges or the log nut towers and defines an interior region which grippingly engages right portions behind protruding walls of corresponding mounting slots of an existing manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover, and left-rigid polymer hook-shaped members that protrude from either the flanges or the log nut towers and defines an interior region which grippingly engages a left portions behind protruding walls of corresponding mounting slots of an existing manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover.
Still, in accordance with further aspects and, optionally, in combination with other aspects of the presently disclose subject matter, the fastening or retaining devices of the present invention's automotive wheel cover overlay containing the snap-on technology is used for snapping over corresponding regions of an existing manufacturer's or aftermarket wheel cover, wherein upon engagement of said rigid polymer hook-shaped members that protrude from either the flanges or the log nut towers of the present invention's automotive wheel cover overlay with the corresponding portions of a manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover, the present invention's automotive wheel cover overlay is firmly affixed to said manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover.
Still, in accordance with further aspects and, optionally, in combination with other aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter, an interior surface of said automotive wheel cover overlay's fastening and retaining devices of the present invention is contoured to precisely conform to the rear surface behind the protruding walls of corresponding slots of an existing manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover, such that upon engagement of the rigid polymer hook-shaped members that protrude from either the flanges or the log nut towers with the rear or back side walls of said manufacturer's or aftermarket's automotive wheel cover overlay, said automotive wheel cover overlay of the present invention is intended to be flush against the rear surface of the manufacturer's or the aftermarket wheel cover.
Still, in accordance with further aspects and, optionally, in combination with other aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter, the fastening or retaining devices mounted on the flanges or the log nut towers of the automotive wheel cover overlay of the present invention may be composed of a rigid polymer material that can be temporarily flexed during installation of said automotive wheel cover overlay over an existing manufacturer's or aftermarket wheel cover.
Yet, in accordance with further aspects and, optionally, in combination with other aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter, the fastening or retaining devices mounted on the flanges or the log nut towers of the automotive wheel cover overlay of the present invention are manufactured from a rigid material that allows for manipulation of the fastening or retaining devices during installation over an existing manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover to facilitate engagement of the major and the minor rigid polymer hook-shaped members snap-on technology of the present invention with corresponding rear upper surface portion and rear lower surface portion of the protruding walls of the corresponding mounting slots of the existing manufacturer's or aftermarket's wheel cover respectively.
Yet still, in accordance with further aspects and, optionally, in combination with other aspects of the presently disclosed subject matter, the front surface of the automotive wheel cover overlay of the present invention is finished in a decorative finish.
Among advantages of certain embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter is that the improved automotive wheel cover overlay of the present invention can be snapped on to an existing manufacturer's or after market's existing wheel cover and held firmly in place by means of hook-shaped members of the fastening or retaining devices of the automotive wheel cover overlay of the present invention without requiring the use of double sided tape or clips to hold the automotive wheel overlay in place.
In order to understand the invention and to see how it can be carried out in practice, embodiments will be described, by the way of non-limiting examples, with references to accompanying drawings, in which:
In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the presently disclosed subject matter may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the presently disclosed subject matter.
Bearing in mind, attention is drawn to
As shown in
A rear surface of a prior art depicting a wheel cover 35 is illustrated in
Referring to an embodiment of this present invention,
Still referring to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
Still referring to
It should be noted that the entire structure of
Yet still, referring to a preferred embodiment of the present invention,
Still referring to
Further, referring to
It should be noted that the entire structure described in paragraph fifty-four constitutes the snap-on wheel cover overlay assembly 170 of the present invention's major snap-on hook-shaped member 120 preferred embodiment after installation over an existing wheel cover. It should also be noted that the inventor anticipates right and left rigid polymer arm edges forming right angles (or 90 degrees) and acute angles (or less than 90 degrees) with right and left polymer longitudinal portions respectively to accommodate firmly fitting the snap-on wheel overlay of the present invention over all possible damaged and existing wheel covers needing repairs in the market today. It should further be noted that the minor snap-on hook-shaped member 110 when designed on said log nuts towers will comprise of various forms of rigid polymer arm edges and rigid polymer longitudinal portions, wherein said longitudinal portions and arm edges form preferably obtuse angles when said wheel overlay cover of the present invention is snapped into place to form an installed assembly 170. In addition, the inventor anticipates rigid polymer arm edges forming right angles (or 90 degrees) and acute angles (or less than 90 degrees) with rigid polymer longitudinal portions respectively, so as to accommodate firmly fitting the snap-on wheel overlay of the present invention over all possible damaged and existing wheel covers needing repairs in the market today. It should be noted that the minor and major hook-shaped members and the left-rigid and right-rigid arm edges, along with all of the longitudinal portions are capable of being designed as both linear and curved versions depending on their applications.
That to produce the finished embodiment described in the specification, suitable polymer materials well known in the art are first selected and tested for strength, durability, malleability and resistance, etc. to meet after-market standards and particularly to meet the rigid original equipment manufacturer (OEM) standards demanded by established automobile manufacturers and distributors. Suitable rigid polymer materials are used straightly and without mixing or proportionally in percentile combination with other polymer materials, including but not limited to, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene, poly vinyl chloride, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
First, these materials (prior to being chrome plated and after being chrome plated) are placed through thermal cycle test(s) and exposed to predetermined temperature to examine for dimensional changes, deformation, clearance gaps, waviness, unevenness, creases, split, crack, breakage, blister, peeling and discoloration, etc. Second, these materials (prior to being chrome plated and after being chrome plated) are placed through chemical resistance test(s) and exposed to predetermined chemical concentrations, such as artificial perspiration, detergent, insect repellent, sun tan oil, sun screening cream and liquid paraffin, etc. to examine for dissolving, cloudiness, stains, discoloration, deformation, uneven surfaces, blooming, sticky surfaces, contamination, glossiness, cracking, breakage, softening, hardening, swelling, thinning and shrinkage, etc. Third, these materials (prior to being chrome plated and after being chrome plated) are placed falling ball impact test(s) by dropping a steel ball from a predetermined height to examine for cracks, breakage, detrimental deformation on the materials visible surface, and for conforming, etc. Fourth, these materials (prior to being chrome plated and after being chrome plated) are placed through pencil scratch test(s) and exposed to predetermined variable models of pencils, so as to examine for surface hardness and scratch resistance, etc. Fifth, these materials (prior to being chrome plated and after being chrome plated) are placed through abrasion resistance test(s) or TABER and exposed to predetermined abrasion wheels, load and rotation speed, etc. so as to examine for glossiness before gloss, after gloss and overall gloss retention. Sixth, these materials (prior to being chrome plated and after being chrome plated) are placed through scratch resistance test(s) and exposed to predetermined load, scratching speed and scratch length using sand paper, glass bead and abrasion tester to examine for based surface exposure, flaw observation rank and the difference between gloss value after test and initial gloss value.
After the suitable materials are selected and tested as describe above, a three dimensional (3D) scanned imaging of the individual embodiment component parts are generated. Next, the three dimensional scanned imaging of said individual embodiment component parts are transferred to an injection molding computer to generate the injection molding designed precisely corresponding to each individual component parts of the three embodiments of the present invention. Next, the desired material (preferably, but not limited to, rigid polymer material) is placed in the injection molding to form the individual component parts. After the individual component parts are formed from the injection molding, a fine tuning/finishing process ensues where the component parts are smoothed to remove all/any sharp and/or rough edges. Finally, the individual component parts of the present invention are chromed to obtain the final product.
It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details set forth in the description contained herein or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Hence, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the presently disclosed subject matter. The snap-on technology of this present invention with variation and unique contours can be used for other car accessories such as wheels, view mirrors, side mirrors, license plate covers, etc. These accessories are capable of being fitted with LEDs as deemed necessary and appropriate and consistent with various regulations.
Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various modifications and changes can be applied to the embodiment of the invention as herein before described without departing from its scope, defined in and by the appended claims.
