Wheel anti-theft system

Abstract

The invention provides a wheel anti-theft system. An anti-theft system for a wheel assembly may include a wheel body having a rim portion on which a tire may be mounted and an axis of rotation; a hub operably coupled to an axle or axle of the vehicle and to which the wheel body is mountable; and a lock assembly having a locked condition in which the lock assembly engages both the hub and the wheel body to prevent removal of the wheel body from the hub, and an unlocked condition in which the lock assembly engages both the hub and the wheel body to prevent removal of the wheel body from the hub. The lock assembly does not engage at least one of the hub or the wheel body to enable removal of the wheel body from the hub. The lock assembly can be arranged between the hub and the wheel body and blocked by the wheel body to be invisible.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Example embodiments relate generally to vehicle wheel assemblies and, more particularly, to a wheel theft prevention system for preventing theft of vehicle wheels. Background Art

[0002] An average of 950 complete wheel sets are stolen every day in the U.S. This is often because the lug nuts can be removed and typical anti-theft devices can be forcibly removed from the outside of the wheel.

[0003] Therefore, it may be desirable to provide an anti-theft design that cannot be accessed from the outside of the wheel. In addition, additional security may be provided if the design is not even visible from the outside of the wheel. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to an example embodiment, an anti-theft system for a wheel assembly may be provided. The system may include a wheel body having a rim portion and an axis of rotation on which a tire may be mounted; a hub operatively coupled to a shaft or axle of a vehicle and to which the wheel body may be mounted; and a lock assembly having a locked state in which the lock assembly engages both the hub and the wheel body to prevent removal of the wheel body from the hub, and an unlocked state in which the lock assembly does not engage at least one of the hub or the wheel body to enable removal of the wheel body from the hub. The lock assembly may be disposed between the hub and the wheel body and obscured from view by the wheel body.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment, a lock assembly for providing an anti-theft function for a wheel assembly of a vehicle may be provided. The wheel assembly includes: a wheel body having a rim portion and a rotational axis on which a tire can be mounted; and a hub operatively coupled to an axle or wheel shaft of the vehicle and to which the wheel body can be mounted. The lock assembly includes a locking mechanism operable to transition the lock assembly between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the lock assembly engages both the hub and the wheel body to prevent removal of the wheel body from the hub; and an unlocked state wherein the lock assembly does not engage at least one of the hub or the wheel body to enable removal of the wheel body from the hub without removing the wheel body. The lock assembly also includes a hub contact plate that interfaces with the hub; and a carrier plate that interfaces with the locking mechanism to rotate between the locked and unlocked states in response to operation of the locking mechanism and to support a portion of the lock assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Having thus generally described the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in which:

[0007] Figure 1 A block diagram illustrating an anti-theft system for vehicle wheels according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0008] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a wheel body according to an example embodiment, to which the lock assembly of the anti-theft system can be applied;

[0009] Figure 3 An exploded view illustrating components of a vehicle wheel anti-theft system according to an example embodiment is shown;

[0010] Figure 4A A front view showing portions of the lock assembly and locking mechanism of an example embodiment;

[0011] Figure 4B According to an example embodiment Figure 4A A side view of the lock assembly and locking mechanism;

[0012] Figure 4C shows a schematic diagram according to an example embodiment Figure 4A Rear view of the lock assembly and locking mechanism;

[0013] Figure 5 shows an exploded perspective view of a lock assembly and locking mechanism components according to an example embodiment;

[0014] Figure 6A shows an isolated rear view of a lock assembly in a locked state according to an example embodiment;

[0015] Figure 6B shows an isolated rear view of a lock assembly in an unlocked state according to an example embodiment;

[0016] Figure 7A shows a cross-sectional view of a wheel body according to an example embodiment wherein a protruding area A is circled;

[0017] Figure 7B shows a schematic diagram according to an example embodiment Figure 6A A cross-sectional view of a protruding area A;

[0018] Figure 8 shows a side view of a hub assembly having blade retaining slots formed in a cup-shaped portion thereof according to an example embodiment;

[0019] Figure 9A is a cross-sectional view of components of the anti-theft system according to an example embodiment with the lock assembly in an unlocked state;

[0020] Figure 9Bis a cross-sectional view of components of the anti-theft system according to an example embodiment with the lock assembly in a locked state;

[0021] Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of an interface between a wheel hub and a lock assembly according to an example embodiment;

[0022] Figure 11 is a detailed view of an interface between an electric motor and a carrier plate according to an example embodiment;

[0023] Figure 12A is a side view of the carrier plate and cam body in isolation according to an example embodiment; and

[0024] Figure 12B According to an example embodiment Figure 12A Side view of the protruding part. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] Some example embodiments will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and depicted herein should not be construed as limiting the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will meet applicable requirements. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout. In addition, as used herein, the term "or" will be interpreted as a logical operator whose result is true whenever one or more of its operands are true. As used herein, an operable connection should be understood to involve a direct or indirect connection, in which case the connection realizes the functional interconnection of components that are operably coupled to each other.

[0026] Some example embodiments described herein can enhance the performance of vehicle wheel anti-theft systems by introducing a locking mechanism that is invisible and inaccessible without removing the center cap, which itself locks. This locking mechanism provides an effective solution to wheel theft, allowing vehicle owners to feel confident that their wheels are secure. Not only does this solution provide peace of mind for vehicle owners, but due to its sophisticated design and concealed location, its proliferation can deter potential thieves.

[0027] Figure 1A block diagram of a wheel assembly 100 employing an exemplary embodiment of a lock assembly 110 is shown. Wheel assembly 100 may include a wheel body 120 and a wheel hub 130. Wheel body 120 may include a rim to which a vehicle's tire is operably coupled, and may include retaining holes through which lugs pass, operatively coupling wheel body 120 to the hub via lug nuts attached to the lugs. These lug nuts, even when designed as so-called anti-theft lug nuts, are typically visible and accessible from the exterior of wheel body 120 and, therefore, can often be forcibly pried open by thieves. This vulnerability is a problem that lock assembly 110 is intended to address.

[0028] To achieve this, the lock assembly 110 can be completely hidden from view behind the wheel body 120 and can lock the hub 130 to the wheel body 120. However, the lock assembly 110 can be operated electronically via the locking mechanism 140 or via an external key 150, which accesses / operates the locking mechanism 140 from the outside of the wheel body 120. When operated electronically, the onboard motor can be remotely actuated to operate the locking mechanism 140. In the event of a power outage, if the onboard motor is otherwise inoperable, or if desired, the key 150 can be used to physically interact with the locking mechanism 140 through or behind a cover 160 at the center of the wheel body 120. The cover 160 can otherwise resemble a normal wheel cover with branding or other decorative features thereon.

[0029] When the locking mechanism 140 is operated to lock or unlock the lock assembly 110, some embodiments may employ a cam body 170 that actuates a retaining blade 180. When the locking mechanism 140 is locked (or shifted to a locked state), the cam body 170 may rotate to push the retaining blade 180 to extend and engage both the wheel body 120 and the hub 130. When the locking mechanism 140 is unlocked (or shifted to an unlocked state), the cam body 170 may rotate to pull the retaining blade 180 inward so that at least one, and sometimes both, of the wheel body 120 and the hub 130 are no longer engaged by the retaining blade 180. Figures 2 to 12B It shows that it can be used to implement the above reference Figure 1 Some physical examples of the structure of the components discussed generally.

[0030] Figure 2 The wheel body 200 ( Figure 1 120 in FIG. 1 ), and Figure 3 The wheel body 200 and the Figure 11. An exploded view of various other components of an anti-theft system or interfaced with the anti-theft system of an exemplary implementation of the lock assembly 110. The wheel body 200 includes a rim portion 210 to which a tire may be attached, and a plurality of retaining holes 212 through which lugs 214 pass, which operably couple the wheel body 200 to a hub and bearing assembly 220 (e.g., a wheel hub and bearing assembly 220) via attachment of lug nuts 216 to the lugs 214. Figure 1 130). The lug 214 may also extend through a portion of the brake disc 230, and both the hub and bearing assembly 220 and the brake disc 230 may be secured to the vehicle via a threaded shaft portion 240 of the shaft (or half-shaft) of the axle 242. In this regard, a retaining nut 244 may be attached to the threaded shaft portion 240 to secure the axle 242 to the hub and bearing assembly 220 and the brake disc 230.

[0031] Figure 2 and Figure 3 Also shown are examples of a cover 250 that can be inserted into the center portion of the wheel body 200 and a key 260 that can pass through a flat keyhole or keyhole located in the cover 250. The cover 250 is an example of the cover 160, and the key 260 is an example of the key 260. Figure 1 Example of key 150. At the same time, Figure 1 The lock assembly 110 is composed of Figure 3 The lock assembly 270 is exemplified in FIG. Figure 3 It can be seen (and from Figure 2 As can be understood, when fully assembled, the lock assembly 270 is located behind the wheel body 200 (relative to an outside observer looking at the vehicle from the side). Thus, visibility of the lock assembly 270 is completely obscured, and a potential thief is unaware that the protective measure is even in place. Furthermore, the lock assembly 270 is also physically inaccessible without the key 260. Thus, while the lock assembly 270 can be in either a locked or unlocked state, a potential thief cannot observe the current state nor determine how to transition between states due to the inability to see and interact with the lock assembly 270.

[0032] As described above, in a typical case, the retaining nut 244 can secure the hub and bearing assembly 220 and the brake disc 230, and the wheel body 200 can be secured to the hub and bearing assembly 220 via the lug nut 216 (using the lock assembly 270 between the hub and bearing assembly 220 and the wheel body 200). Although the lug nut 216 can be removed, if the lock assembly 270 is in a locked state, the wheel body 200 can remain secured to the hub and bearing assembly 220 via the lock assembly 270. In this regard, the lock assembly 270 can be included in Figure 4A 、 Figure 4B 、 Figure 4C 、 Figure 5 、 Figure 6A and Figure 6B A locking mechanism 300 is at least partially shown in FIG. 2 , which facilitates transitioning the lock assembly 270 between a locked state and an unlocked state.

[0033] In the locked state, the lock assembly 270 can engage both the hub and bearing assembly 220 and the wheel body 200 to prevent removal of the wheel body 200 from the hub and bearing assembly 220. In the unlocked state, the lock assembly 270 can release one or both of the hub and bearing assembly 220 and the wheel body 200. Thus, for example, in the unlocked state, the lock assembly does not engage at least one of the hub and bearing assembly 220 and the wheel body 200 to enable removal of the wheel body 200 from the hub and bearing assembly 220. Furthermore, this transition between enabling and disabling for removal of the wheel body 200 itself is accomplished without removing the wheel body 200 (to provide visibility and physical access to the lock assembly 270).

[0034] The lock assembly 270 can be physically structured in a variety of different ways to perform the functions described above. Figures 4A to 6B An example of such a structure is shown in FIG. Figures 4A to 6B The lock assembly 270 may include a locking mechanism 300 for switching the lock assembly 270 between a locked state and an unlocked state. The locking mechanism 300 may be operated via a key 260 that passes through a flat keyhole 310 formed in the cover 250. The key 260 ( Figure 5 260) can also have an actuating portion 262 extending substantially perpendicularly away from the shaft portion 264. The oblong keyhole 310 can be shaped to have an opening that is complementary in shape to the actuating portion 262 of the key 260. Thus, devices other than the key 260 or devices shaped differently from the key 260 can not pass through the oblong keyhole 310.

[0035] When inserted through the flat keyhole 310, the actuator portion 262 can then pass through the key slot 312 formed in the carrier plate 320 of the lock assembly 270. After passing through the key slot 312, the key 260 can engage the rotary lock body 330 disposed in the body 340 of the lock assembly 270. The body 340 can house the rotary lock body 330, which can rotate in response to turning the key 260 (based on pushing the actuator portion 262 in response to twisting or rotating the shaft portion 264). The rotary lock body 330 can then be operably coupled to the carrier plate 320 via a protrusion 326 on the carrier plate 320, which interfaces with the rotary lock body 330. Therefore, when the rotary lock body 330 rotates, the carrier plate 320 also rotates.

[0036] The carrier plate 320 may include legs 322 that extend radially outward from the rotary lock body 330 through corresponding rotation slots 342 formed in the main body 340. The legs 322 may engage a cam body 350, which is disposed on an opposite side of the main body 340 relative to the carrier plate 320. The cam body 350 may include a first cam body portion 352 and a second cam body portion 354 that are joined together to form the cam body 350. The shapes of the first cam body portion 352 and the second cam body portion 354 relative to their respective peripheral edges may be substantially complementary to each other. However, each of the first cam body portion 352 and the second cam body portion 354 may have a gap therebetween at the corresponding cam surface 356. The gap may form a vane sliding slot 358 within which the retaining vane 360 may be slidably retained. The retaining blade 360 can be fixed in its angular position relative to the rotational axis of the cam body 350 and the rotary lock body 330, but can be made to slide within the blade sliding slot 358 along the corresponding cam surface 356 to extend the retaining blade 360 radially outward (e.g., Figure 6A 362 in the figure) or by withdrawing the retaining blade 360 radially inward (as shown in the figure). Figure 6B 364 in FIG), which depends on the rotation of the rotation lock body 330 and the carrier plate 320. In an exemplary embodiment, the rotation lock body 330 can be rotated in a first direction as shown by arrow 366 to rotate from Figure 6B The unlock state changes to Figure 6A In contrast, the rotary lock body 330 can be rotated in a second direction indicated by arrow 368 to Figure 6A The locked state changes to Figure 6B unlocked state.

[0037] It is noteworthy that although the rotary lock body 330 can rotate in response to the rotation of the key 260 as described above, automatic or wireless actuation of the locking mechanism 300 can also or alternatively be provided. In this regard, for example, the body 340 of some example embodiments can further accommodate a battery 370 (or other local power source), a wireless communication module 372, and an electric motor 374 (e.g., a servo motor). The wireless communication module 372 and the electric motor 374 can each be powered by the battery 370. In addition, the wireless communication module 372 can be configured to receive a wireless trigger signal transmitted external to the lock assembly 270 and / or the locking mechanism 300, and actuate the electric motor 374. The electric motor 374 can rotate and, via an interface with a gear assembly of the carrier plate 320, cause the carrier plate 320 to also rotate. In some cases (such as Figure 11), the outer periphery of a portion of the electric motor 374 may include a guide gear 376 that interfaces with a corresponding spur gear 378 formed at the peripheral edge of the carrier plate 320. Rotation of the electric motor 374 may then rotate the guide gear 376, which rotates the spur gear 378 and causes the carrier plate 320 to rotate.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, each individual retaining blade 360 can be aligned with a corresponding retaining blade slot in a set of first retaining blade slots 400 formed in a portion of the hub and bearing assembly 220. In this regard, for example, the lock assembly 270 can be configured to fit or nest within the cup-shaped portion 410 of the hub and bearing assembly 220. In an exemplary embodiment, three individual instances of the retaining blade 360 can be provided as part of the lock assembly 270, and the retaining blades 360 can be angularly separated from each other by 120 degrees. The first retaining slots 400 can also be separated from each other by 120 degrees to allow alignment with the retaining blades 360. In addition, a portion of the body 340 (e.g., the hub contact plate 333) can include a locating protrusion 420 that can be aligned with a locating slot 430 formed at the distal end of the cup-shaped portion 410 of the hub and bearing assembly 220. When the locating protrusion 420 is received in the locating slot 430 , the retaining blade 360 may be aligned with (and, in some cases, inserted into) the first retaining blade slot 400 .

[0039] Rotation of the cam body 350 in one direction (in response to rotation of the carrier plate 320 via wireless activation and operation of the key 260 or the electric motor 374) can drive the retaining blade 360 outwardly via the cam surface 356, thereby Figure 7A and Figure 7B As shown in FIG, the retaining blade 360 is pushed outward through the first retaining blade slot 400 and into a set of corresponding second retaining blade slots 450 formed at a portion of the wheel body 200 to shift the lock assembly 270 to the locked state. Rotation in the opposite direction withdraws the retaining blade 360 to shift the lock assembly 270 to the unlocked state. Figure 7B The wheel body 200 is shown in cross section along a plane passing through the axis of rotation of the wheel body 200. The central portion 500 of the wheel body 200 is Figure 7A Highlighted with a circle and in Figure 7B Shown in more detail in .

[0040] The axial channel 510 can extend axially through the wheel body 200 and can include a cap retention slot 520 extending annularly around the axial channel 510 at an outer side 522 of the wheel body 200. The cap 250 can be received and retained in the cap retention slot 520. The axial channel 510 can be further defined by additional reinforcing material (e.g., metal) to form a solid core or hub for the wheel body 200. As this additional reinforcing material extends inwardly away from the outer side 522 of the wheel body 200, it can reach the distal end 530. Near the distal end 530, a second retaining blade slot 450 can be formed in the wheel body 200, aligned with the first retaining blade slot 400. However, it should be noted that in some cases, the second retaining blade slot 450 can be formed as a single continuous slot extending completely around the wheel body 200, rather than being discretely located near the first retaining blade slot 400. Figure 8 A side view of the hub and bearing assembly 220 is shown with the lug 214 removed to specifically illustrate the location of one example of the first retaining vane slot 400 within the cup-shaped portion 410 .

[0041] Now turn Figure 9A and Figure 9B , in the unlocked state ( Figure 9A ) and locked state ( Figure 9B ) shows a cross-sectional view of the entire system in an assembled state. Figure 9A 350, one can see the cam body 350 with one instance of the retaining blade 360 positioned along the cam surface 356 within a corresponding instance of the blade sliding slot 358. In the unlocked state, the retaining blade 360 is not actually within the first retaining blade slot 400 formed in the cup-shaped portion 410 of the hub and bearing assembly 220, nor is it actually within the second retaining blade slot 450 formed near the distal end 530 of the wheel body 200. However, when the locking mechanism 300 is operated to transition the lock assembly 270 to the locked state, the cam body 350 is rotated to Figure 9B , and the retaining blade 360 is located in the blade sliding slot 358 along the cam surface 356 so that the retaining blade 360 extends into the first retaining blade slot 400 formed in the cup-shaped portion 410 of the hub and bearing assembly 220 and the second retaining blade slot 450 formed near the distal end 530 of the wheel body 200, as shown in FIG. Figure 9B As shown in .

[0042] Therefore, a lock assembly for providing an anti-theft function for a wheel assembly of a vehicle can be provided, the wheel assembly comprising: a wheel body having a rim portion and a rotational axis on which a tire can be mounted; and a hub operatively coupled to an axle or wheel shaft of the vehicle and to which the wheel body can be mounted. The lock assembly includes a locking mechanism operable to transition the lock assembly between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein the lock assembly engages both the hub and the wheel body to prevent removal of the wheel body from the hub, and an unlocked state wherein the lock assembly does not engage at least one of the hub or the wheel body to enable removal of the wheel body from the hub without removing the wheel body. The lock assembly also includes a hub contact plate abutting the hub; and a carrier plate abutting the locking mechanism to rotate between the locked and unlocked states in response to operation of the locking mechanism and to carry a portion of the lock assembly.

[0043] Some embodiments of the lock assembly (or the anti-theft system including the lock assembly) may include additional features, modifications, extensions, etc. to further achieve a goal or enhance the performance of the device. These additional features, modifications, extensions, etc. may be added in any combination. The following is a list of various additional features, modifications, and extensions, which may be added individually or in any combination. For example, the lock assembly may be positioned between the hub and the wheel body and hidden from view by the wheel body. In an example embodiment, the locking mechanism may be operated via a remote trigger signal that activates the locking mechanism. Alternatively or additionally, the locking mechanism may be operated via a key that passes through an oblong keyhole formed in a cover disposed at the rotational axis of the wheel body. In some cases, the lock assembly may further include a cam body operably coupled to the carrier plate to move in response to movement of the carrier plate and one or more instances of the retaining blade. The retaining blade may extend radially outward from the rotational axis in response to the carrier plate rotating the cam body in a first direction to transition to a locked state. The retaining blade can also be withdrawn radially inward relative to the rotational axis in response to the cam body being rotated in a second direction to transition to the unlocked state. In an example embodiment, the hub can include a first retaining blade slot, and the wheel body can include a second retaining blade slot, the second retaining blade slot being aligned with the first retaining blade slot to receive the retaining blade in both the first retaining blade slot and the second retaining blade slot when the lock assembly is in the locked state. In some cases, the lock assembly can include a detent protrusion, and the hub includes a detent slot disposed at a distal end of a cup-shaped portion of the hub, and the lock assembly can be nested within the cup-shaped portion, wherein the detent protrusion is received in the detent slot to align the retaining blade with both the first retaining blade slot and the second retaining blade slot. In an example embodiment, the cam body can include a blade sliding slot formed in a peripheral portion of the cam surface, and the retaining blade can slide along the cam surface through the blade sliding slot to transition into and out of engagement with the hub and the wheel body in response to rotation of the cam body in the first and second directions, respectively. In some cases, one or more instances of the retaining blades may include a set of three retaining blades, and the set of three retaining blades may be separated from each other by approximately 120 degrees around the circumference of the cam body. In an example embodiment, the locking mechanism may be operated via a remote trigger signal to rotate the cam body via an electric motor, and in response to a loss of power to the electric motor or inoperability of the electric motor, a driver of the vehicle may be notified to operate the locking mechanism via a key inserted through a flat keyhole formed in a cover provided at the rotational axis of the wheel body.

[0044] Those skilled in the art who have the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings will recognize numerous modifications and other embodiments of the invention described herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, while the foregoing description and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in the context of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be understood that alternative embodiments may provide different combinations of elements and / or functions without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, as may be set forth in some of the appended claims, combinations of elements and / or functions different from those explicitly described above are also contemplated. Where advantages, benefits, or solutions to problems are described herein, it should be understood that such advantages, benefits, and / or solutions may apply to some exemplary embodiments, but not necessarily to all exemplary embodiments. Therefore, any advantages, benefits, or solutions described herein should not be considered critical, required, or essential to all embodiments or the embodiments claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a general and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0045] According to the present invention, an anti-theft system for a wheel assembly is provided, the anti-theft system comprising: a wheel body having a rim portion and a rotation axis on which a tire can be mounted; a wheel hub, the wheel hub being operably connected to an axle or wheel shaft of a vehicle and the wheel body being mountable to the wheel hub; and a lock assembly, the lock assembly having a locked state in which the lock assembly engages both the wheel hub and the wheel body to prevent the wheel body from being removed from the wheel hub, and the lock assembly having an unlocked state in which the lock assembly does not engage at least one of the wheel hub or the wheel body to enable the wheel body to be removed from the wheel hub, wherein the lock assembly is arranged between the wheel hub and the wheel body and is blocked from view by the wheel body.

[0046] According to an embodiment, the lock assembly comprises a locking mechanism operable to transition the lock assembly between the locked state and the unlocked state without removing the wheel.

[0047] According to an embodiment, the locking mechanism is operable via a remote trigger signal actuating the locking mechanism.

[0048] According to an embodiment, the locking mechanism is operable via a key passing through a flat keyhole formed in a cover arranged at the rotation axis of the wheel body.

[0049] According to an embodiment, the lock assembly includes one or more instances of a cam body and a retaining blade, wherein the retaining blade extends radially outward from the rotation axis in response to the cam body rotating in a first direction to transition to the locked state, and wherein the retaining blade is withdrawn radially inward relative to the rotation axis in response to the cam body rotating in a second direction to transition to the unlocked state.

[0050] According to an embodiment, the hub includes a first retaining blade slot and the wheel body includes a second retaining blade slot, which is aligned with the first retaining blade slot to receive the retaining blade in both the first retaining blade slot and the second retaining blade slot when the lock assembly is in the locked state.

[0051] According to an embodiment, the lock assembly includes a locating protrusion and the hub includes a locating slot provided at a distal end of the cup-shaped portion of the hub, and wherein the lock assembly is nested inside the cup-shaped portion, wherein the locating protrusion is received in the locating slot to align the retaining blade with both the first retaining blade slot and the second retaining blade slot.

[0052] According to an embodiment, the cam body includes a blade sliding slot formed in a peripheral portion of the cam surface, and wherein the retaining blade slides along the cam surface through the blade sliding slot to transition into engagement and disengagement with the hub and the wheel body in response to rotation of the cam body in the first direction and the second direction, respectively.

[0053] According to an embodiment, the one or more instances of the retaining blades include a set of three retaining blades, and wherein the set of three retaining blades are approximately 120 degrees apart from one another around the circumference of the cam body.

[0054] According to an embodiment, the locking mechanism is operable via a remote trigger signal to rotate the cam body via an electric motor, and in response to a loss of power to the electric motor or inoperability of the electric motor, a driver of the vehicle is notified to operate the locking mechanism via a key passing through a flat keyhole formed in a cover provided at the rotation axis of the wheel body.

[0055] and a wheel hub that is operably coupled to the wheel hub and the wheel body to prevent the wheel body from being removed from the wheel hub.

[0056] According to an embodiment, the lock assembly is arranged between the wheel hub and the wheel body and is blocked from view by the wheel body.

[0057] According to an embodiment, the locking mechanism is operable via a remote trigger signal actuating the locking mechanism.

[0058] According to an embodiment, the locking mechanism is operable via a key passing through a flat keyhole formed in a cover arranged at the rotation axis of the wheel body.

[0059] According to an embodiment, the present invention is further characterized by a cam body that is operably coupled to the carrier plate to move in response to movement of one or more instances of the carrier plate and the retaining blade, wherein the retaining blade extends radially outward from the rotational axis in response to the carrier plate rotating the cam body in a first direction to transition to the locked state, and wherein the retaining blade is withdrawn radially inward relative to the rotational axis in response to the cam body rotating in a second direction to transition to the unlocked state.

[0060] According to an embodiment, the hub includes a first retaining blade slot and the wheel body includes a second retaining blade slot, which is aligned with the first retaining blade slot to receive the retaining blade in both the first retaining blade slot and the second retaining blade slot when the lock assembly is in the locked state.

[0061] According to an embodiment, the lock assembly includes a locating protrusion formed on the hub contact plate, and the hub includes a locating slot provided at a distal end of the cup-shaped portion of the hub, and wherein the lock assembly is nested inside the cup-shaped portion, wherein the locating protrusion is received in the locating slot to align the retaining blade with both the first retaining blade slot and the second retaining blade slot.

[0062] According to an embodiment, the cam body includes a blade sliding slot formed in a peripheral portion of the cam surface, and wherein the retaining blade slides along the cam surface through the blade sliding slot to transition into engagement and disengagement with the hub and the wheel body in response to rotation of the cam body in the first direction and the second direction, respectively.

[0063] According to an embodiment, the one or more instances of the retaining blades include a set of three retaining blades, and wherein the set of three retaining blades are approximately 120 degrees apart from one another around the circumference of the cam body.

[0064] According to an embodiment, the locking mechanism is operable via a remote trigger signal to rotate the cam body via an electric motor, and in response to a loss of power to the electric motor or inoperability of the electric motor, a driver of the vehicle is notified to operate the locking mechanism via a key passing through a flat keyhole formed in a cover provided at the rotation axis of the wheel body.

Claims

1. A lock assembly for providing an anti-theft function for a wheel assembly of a vehicle, the wheel assembly comprising: a wheel body having a rim portion on which a tire can be mounted and an axis of rotation; and a wheel hub operably coupled to an axle or wheel shaft of the vehicle and to which the wheel body is mountable, the lock assembly comprising: a locking mechanism operable to transition the lock assembly between a locked state in which the lock assembly engages both the hub and the wheel body to prevent removal of the wheel body from the hub, and an unlocked state in which the lock assembly does not engage at least one of the hub or the wheel body to enable removal of the wheel body from the hub; a hub contact plate, the hub contact plate being in contact with the hub; and A carrier plate interfaces with the locking mechanism to rotate between the locked state and the unlocked state in response to operation of the locking mechanism and to carry a portion of the lock assembly.

2. The lock assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lock assembly is disposed between the wheel hub and the wheel body and is blocked from view by the wheel body. 3 . The lock assembly of claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism is operable via a remote trigger signal that actuates the locking mechanism.

4. The lock assembly of claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism is operable via a key passing through a flat keyhole formed in a cover provided at the rotational axis of the wheel body.

5. The lock assembly of claim 1 , further comprising a cam body operably coupled to the carrier plate to move in response to movement of one or more instances of the carrier plate and retaining blade, wherein the retaining blade extends radially outward from the rotational axis in response to the carrier plate rotating the cam body in the first direction to transition to the locked state, and The retaining blade is withdrawn radially inward relative to the rotation axis in response to the cam body rotating in the second direction to transition to the unlocked state.

6. The lock assembly of claim 5 , wherein the hub includes a first retaining blade slot and the wheel body includes a second retaining blade slot, the second retaining blade slot being aligned with the first retaining blade slot to receive the retaining blade in both the first retaining blade slot and the second retaining blade slot when the lock assembly is in the locked state.

7. The lock assembly of claim 6, wherein the lock assembly includes a positioning protrusion formed on the hub contact plate, and the hub includes a positioning slot provided at a distal end of the cup-shaped portion of the hub, and The lock assembly is nested within the cup-shaped portion, wherein the locating projection is received in the locating slot to align the retaining blade with both the first retaining blade slot and the second retaining blade slot.

8. The lock assembly of claim 5, wherein the cam body includes a blade sliding slot formed in a peripheral portion of the cam surface, and The retaining blade slides along the cam surface through the blade sliding slot to transition into and out of engagement with the hub and the wheel body in response to rotation of the cam body in the first direction and the second direction, respectively.

9. The lock assembly of claim 5, wherein said one or more instances of said retaining blades comprise a set of three retaining blades, and The set of three retaining blades are spaced approximately 120 degrees apart from one another around the periphery of the cam body.

10. The lock assembly of claim 5, wherein the locking mechanism is operable via a remote trigger signal to rotate the cam body via an electric motor, and In response to a power loss of the electric motor or inoperability of the electric motor, a driver of the vehicle is notified to operate the locking mechanism via a key passing through a flat keyhole formed in a cover provided at the rotation axis of the wheel body.

11. An anti-theft system for a wheel assembly, the system comprising: a wheel body having a rim portion on which a tire can be mounted and an axis of rotation; a wheel hub operably coupled to a shaft or axle of the vehicle and to which the wheel body is mountable; and The lock assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

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