Patent Application
20060055161
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to wheel covers and, more specifically, to a wheel cover which would be attached to a spare tire to protect the spare tire from the elements and which would further function as a storage device for holding different items.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of a vehicle wheel cover is well known in the prior art. One well known type of wheel cover is a flexible tire cover for a spare tire. The flexible wheel cover is placed over a spare tire which is mounted on the rear of a vehicle in an exposed manner. These types of wheel covers are used to protect the spare wheels from the elements. To add aesthetic value to these types of wheel covers, readily visible personalized messages or artwork are sometimes applied thereto.
The main problem with current flexible wheel covers is their lack of functionality. Other than protecting the spare tire from the elements, the flexible wheel cover has no other functionality. One cannot use current flexible wheel covers for any other purpose besides covering a spare tire.
Therefore, there is a need to provide an improved flexible wheel cover. The improved flexible wheel cover must overcome the problems associated with prior art flexible wheel covers. The improved flexible wheel cover must have more functionality than prior art flexible wheel covers. The improved flexible wheel cover must be able to hold and store a plurality of different items.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved flexible wheel cover.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved flexible wheel cover that overcomes the problems associated with prior art flexible wheel covers.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved flexible wheel cover that has more functionality than prior art flexible wheel covers.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide an improved flexible wheel cover that is able to hold and store a plurality of different items.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention a wheel cover is disclosed. The wheel cover has a front panel. A top panel is coupled to the front panel. The top panel is semi-circular in shape and covers a top portion of the wheel. The top panel has a flap member which extends down from the top panel and covers part of a rear side of the wheel. An attachment device is coupled to the top panel and the front panel. The attachment device is used to couple the wheel cover to the wheel so that the wheel cover will not fall off when driving.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention a wheel cover for a spare tire is disclosed. The wheel cover has a front panel. A top panel is coupled to the front panel. The top panel is semi-circular in shape and covers a top portion of the spare tire. The top panel has a flap member which extends down from the top panel and covers part of a rear side of the spare tire. Side panels are coupled to the front panel and the top panel to further protect the spare tire. An attachment device is coupled to the top panel and the front panel. The attachment device is used to couple the wheel cover to the spare tire so that the wheel cover will not fall off when driving. At least one pocket member is coupled to the front panel for storing items. At least one strap holder is coupled to the front panel and used to hold large objects that do not fit in the pocket members. At least one side pocket member is coupled to the side panel to hold and store items.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular, description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, as well as a preferred mode of use, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrated embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to
The wheel cover 10 is made out of a flexible material which is placed over the spare tire. The material is generally water repellent to protect the spare tire from the elements. In general, a material like vinyl, nylon, ballistic nylon, or the like. However, the listing of the above should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.
The wheel cover 10 has a front panel 12. The front panel 12 is used to cover the front of the spare tire. A top panel 14 is coupled to the front panel. The top panel 14 is semi-circular in shape so that the top panel 14 will cover the top portion of the spare tire. The top panel 14 further has a flap member 16 which extends down from the top panel 14 and covers part of the rear side of the spare tire.
An attachment device 18 is coupled to the top panel 14 and the front panel 12. The attachment device 18 is used to couple the wheel cover 10 to the spare tire so that the wheel cover 10 will not fall off when driving. The attachment device 18 is generally comprised of a pair of strap members 20. A first strap member 22 is coupled to the bottom edge portion of the flap member 16 which extends down from the top panel 14. A second strap member 24 is coupled to a bottom edge portion of the front panel 12. A coupling mechanism 26 is used to attach the first strap member 22 to the second strap member 24. The coupling mechanism 26 can be a buckle, a male/female connector, or the like. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the coupling mechanism 26 is a male female connector 28. A first member 30 of the male female connector 28 is coupled to an end of the first strap member 22. A second member 32 of the male female connector 28 is coupled to an end of the second strap member 24.
A plurality of pocket members 34 are coupled to the front panel 12. The pocket members 34 are used to hold and store any item a person chooses to place inside. Each pocket member 34 is formed by having a pocket panel 34A coupled to the front panel 12. The pocket panel 34A is coupled on both side edges and a bottom edge section to the front panel 12. A top edge section is left open so that items may be placed inside the pocket member 34. A flap 36 is coupled to a top section of the pocket members 34. The flap 36 is used to cover the opening in the pocket member 34 to keep items inside the pocket members 34.
The pocket members 34 may come in varying shapes and sizes. As seen In
Referring now to
The wheel cover 10′ is similar to the wheel cover 10 discussed above. The main difference is that side panels 40 are coupled to the front panel 12 and the top panel 14. The side panels 40 are coupled to each side of the front panel 12 and are used to further protect the spare tire. Attached to the side panels 40 is a plurality of side pocket members 34′. These side pocket members 34′ are the same as those coupled to the front panel 12. The side pocket members 34′ are used to hold and store any item a person chooses to place inside. Each side pocket member 34′ is formed by having a side pocket panel 34A′ coupled to the side panel 40. The side pocket panel 34A′ is coupled on both side edges and a bottom edge section to the side panel 40. A top edge section is left open so that items may be placed inside the side pocket member 34′. A flap 36′ is coupled to a top section of the side pocket members 34′. The flap 36′ is used to cover the opening in the side pocket member 34′ to keep items inside the side pocket members 34′.
The wheel cover 10′ also differs from the wheel cover 10 by including a pair of strap holders 42. The strap holders 42 are coupled to the front panel 12 and are used to hold large objects that do not fit in the pocket members 34. Each strap holder 42 comprises an elongated strap 44 having a central portion coupled to the front panel 12. Each end of the strap 44 will have coupling means 46 to coupled the ends together in order to hold an object. The coupling means can be a like a belt buckle and holes, hook and loop material, snap connectors and the like. The listing of the above should not be seen as to limit the scope of the present invention.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
