Wheel cover retaining assembly

Abstract

A wheel cover may include a cover portion that may include an inner surface that may face inward toward the wheel and an outer surface that may face outward away from the wheel, and a retention assembly that may be disposed on the inner surface, wherein the retention assembly may operatively couple the wheel cover to the wheel. The retention assembly may include a first retention clip that may extend perpendicularly from the inner surface and interface with a retention notch of the wheel, and a first biasing member that may operatively couple a front and a rear side of the first retention clip. The first biasing member may bias the first retention clip to operatively engage the retention notch by engaging the front side to urge the rear side in a radially outward direction relative to the cover portion.

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0001] Example embodiments relate generally to wheel covers and, more particularly, to a retaining assembly for securing a wheel cover to a wheel of a vehicle. BACKGROUND

[0002] Many modern vehicles, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), and internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEs), may wish to maximize efficiency and thus achieve maximum possible operating range. To achieve this goal, vehicles are being manufactured with increasingly lightweight components and more aerodynamic components to reduce the vehicle's weight and drag coefficient. An example of a common component used on modern vehicles might be alloy wheels, due to their relatively low weight and high durability compared to other types of wheels.To increase the aerodynamic performance of the alloy wheels and thus reduce their drag coefficient, many vehicles may include the option of having wheel covers fitted to the wheels to provide a more aerodynamic design that creates less drag and increases the overall efficiency and operating range of the vehicle.

[0003] The wheel covers can be made of a plastic, polymer, or composite material due to their lightweight and ease of manufacture. The challenge of securing the wheel covers to the wheel in a reliable and efficient manner has led many current designs to permanently secure the wheel cover to the wheel via fasteners or, in some other cases, to secure the wheel cover to the wheel using elaborate clamp-and-spring combinations. Thus, it may be necessary to develop a retaining assembly to secure the wheel cover to the wheels in a reliable, efficient, and easy-to-install manner. BRIEF PRESENTATION OF SOME EXAMPLES

[0004] According to an exemplary embodiment, therefore, a wheel cover for a wheel of a vehicle of an exemplary embodiment may be provided. The wheel cover may include a cover portion that may include an inner surface that may face inward toward the wheel and an outer surface that may face outward away from the wheel, and a retention assembly that may be disposed on the inner surface, wherein the retention assembly may operatively couple the wheel cover to the wheel. The retention assembly may include a first retention clip that may extend perpendicularly from the inner surface and may interface with a retention notch of the wheel, and a first biasing member that may operatively couple to a front and a rear of the first retention clip.The first biasing member may bias the first retaining clip to operatively engage the retaining notch by engaging the front side to urge the rear side in a radially outward direction relative to the cover portion.

[0005] In another exemplary embodiment, a retention assembly may be provided for operatively coupling a wheel cover to a wheel of a vehicle. The retention assembly may include a first retention clip that may extend perpendicularly from an inner surface of the wheel cover and interface with a retention notch of the wheel, and a first biasing member that may operatively couple a front and a rear side of the first retention clip. The first biasing member may bias the first retention clip to operatively engage the retention notch by engaging the front side to urge the rear side in a radially outward direction relative to the cover portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE MULTIPLE VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[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: Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a wheel cover retaining clip according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 2 illustrates a perspective view of the retaining clip according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 3 illustrates a front view of the retaining clip according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 4 illustrates a top view of the retaining clip according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 5 illustrates a side view of the retaining clip according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 6 illustrates a rear perspective view of the retaining clip according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the retaining clip operatively coupling the wheel cover to the wheel, according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of a wheel cover support assembly according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 9 illustrates a rear perspective view of the wheel cover operatively coupled to the wheel, according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. Figure 10 illustrates an enlarged rear perspective view of the wheel cover operatively coupled to the wheel shown in box 10 in Fig. 9, according to an exemplary embodiment; Fig. 11 illustrates a front perspective view of the wheel cover operatively coupled to the wheel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0007] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, of the exemplary embodiments are illustrated. Indeed, the examples described and illustrated herein should not be construed as limiting the scope, applicability, or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Furthermore, the term "or," as used herein, should be interpreted as a logical operator that evaluates to true when one or more of its operands are true.As used herein, operative coupling means a direct or indirect connection which in each case enables a functional connection of components which are operatively coupled to one another.

[0008] Some embodiments described herein may address the problems described above. In this regard, for example, some embodiments may provide a wheel cover retention assembly for a wheel of a vehicle that may make the wheel cover easier to install and remove, more durable, and more efficient. Some embodiments may provide for the retention assembly to be radially disposed around the wheel cover to operatively couple the wheel cover to the wheel with a more even distribution of force around the wheel cover. As a result, installation of the wheel cover may require less effort and less time and may thus be more efficient. Additionally, the wheel cover may be more robustly operatively coupled to the wheel, and thus the wheel cover is less likely to be accidentally removed from the wheel, and the retention assembly may be stronger.

[0009] In some cases, the retaining clip 100 may be part of a retaining assembly 110 of a wheel cover 120. The retaining assembly 110, which may include, among other components, a plurality of individual retaining clips 100, may operatively couple the wheel cover 120 to a wheel 130 of a vehicle. The wheel cover 120, in some example embodiments, may include a cover portion 122, and the cover portion 122 may include an inner surface 124 that may face inward toward the wheel 130 and an outer surface 126 that may face outward away from the wheel 130 when the wheel cover 120 may be operatively coupled to the wheel 130. The cover portion 122 may provide aerodynamic design improvements to the wheel 130 (e.g., a reduced drag coefficient of the wheel 130) by covering the wheel 130 and redirecting airflow to flow more smoothly past the wheel 130 when the vehicle is driven.The retaining assembly 110 can therefore operatively couple the wheel cover 120 to an outer surface of the wheel 130 so that the wheel spokes 230 can be covered by the cover portion 122.

[0010] Fig. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a retaining clip 100 according to an exemplary embodiment and Fig. 2-6 illustrate various views of the retaining clip 100 according to another exemplary embodiment. Referring now to Fig. 1-6, the retaining clip 100 may operatively couple the wheel cover 120 to the wheel 130. In this regard, the retaining clip 100 may, in some cases, include a first leg 140, a second leg 150, an engagement portion 160, and a base portion 170. The first leg 140 and the second leg 150 may be operatively coupled to the inner surface 124 of the cover portion 122 and may extend perpendicularly from the inner surface 124 of the wheel cover 120. In this regard, the first and second legs (140, 150) may be formed from the same material as the wheel cover 120 itself, perhaps via an injection molding process. Thus, the first and second legs (140, 150) may extend directly from the inner surface 124. The base portion 170 may operatively couple to the first and second legs (140, 150) and to the inner surface 124 to provide additional support for the first and second legs (140, 150).Accordingly, the base portion 170 may be operatively coupled to each of the inner surface 124, the first leg 140, and the second leg 150 to support the retaining clip 100. During installation of the wheel cover 120 and while the wheel cover 120 is in use on a vehicle, the first and second legs (140, 150) may be subject to tensional forces within the material of the first and second legs (140, 150) because the retaining clip 100 may be in use to couple the wheel cover 120 to the wheel 130. The base portion 170 may therefore be operatively coupled to the first and second legs (140, 150) to provide additional support against the tensional forces experienced by the first leg 140 and the second leg 150.

[0011] In some cases, the base portion 170 may include a first flange 172 and a second flange 174. The first and second flanges (172, 174) may extend vertically upward from the inner surface 124 along the first and second legs (140, 150), respectively. The first and second flanges (172, 174) may be operatively coupled to the first and second legs (140, 150), respectively, and may help distribute some of the stress forces that may build up in the first and second legs (140, 150). As shown in Fig. 2-6, the first and second flanges (172, 174) may be substantially planar. In this regard, the first and second flanges (172, 174) may lie in respective first and second planes (200, 202). The first and second planes (200, 202) may be substantially parallel to each other and spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to a width of the base portion 170. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second planes (200, 202) may be parallel to each other within a range of about 0° to about 5° to be considered "substantially" parallel. As also shown in Fig. 2-6, the first and second legs (140, 150) may also be substantially planar. In this regard, the first and second legs (140, 150) may be substantially coplanar, and they may both lie in a third plane 204. In some cases, the third plane 204 may be substantially perpendicular to both the first and second planes (200, 202). In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second planes (200, 202) may be within a range of about 0° to about 5° perpendicular to the third plane 204 to be considered "substantially" perpendicular. The first and second flanges (172, 174) may extend through the first and second legs (140, 150), and thus the first and second planes (200, 202) may also extend through the third plane 204.Accordingly, the respective intersection points of the first and second flanges (172, 174) with the first and second legs (140, 150) may substantially resemble a "plus" shape (+). The reason for this may be that the first and second flanges (172, 174) may be able to provide stronger support for the first and second legs (140, 150), respectively, so that the first and second legs (140, 150) are less likely to move or bend in the direction substantially parallel to the direction of extension of the first and second planes (200, 202).

[0012] At a distal end of the first and second legs (140, 150) of the base portion 170, the retaining clip 100 may include the engagement portion 160. The engagement portion 160 of the retaining clip 100 may be the portion of the clip 100 that physically engages a retaining recess 132 of the wheel 130 to operatively couple the wheel cover 120 to the wheel 130. The operative coupling of the engagement portion 160 to the wheel 130 is described below with reference to Fig. 7 discussed in more detail. In Fig. 1, the engagement portion 160 is shown as the area above the dashed lines 161 and 162. The dashed lines 161 and 162 merely represent where the engagement portion 160 begins and the first and second legs (140, 150) end, since the engagement portion 160 may be formed integrally with the first and second legs (140, 150). The engagement portion 160 of the clip 100 may include an engagement projection 164, which may be defined by an area of ​​increased thickness of the engagement portion 160 at the distal end of the first and second legs (140, 150). The engagement projection 164 may be shaped and sized to operatively couple with the retaining notch 132 of the wheel 130, which will be described below with respect to Fig. 7 is discussed in more detail. At a distal-most edge of the retaining clip 100 in the engagement portion 160, the first leg 140 and the second leg 150 may be operatively coupled to one another such that the engagement portion 160 may be a continuous surface disposed on top of the clip 100 that may divide into the first and second legs (140, 150) that move toward the base portion 170.

[0013] In some cases, the retention assembly 110 may further include a biasing member 180 operatively coupled to the retention clip 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the retention assembly 110 may include a plurality of retention clips 100 and a plurality of biasing members 180, wherein each individual instance of the retention clip 100 may include a respective biasing member 180 operatively coupled thereto. In some cases, the biasing member 180 may bias the engagement portion 160, and in particular, the engagement projection 164, into engagement with the retention notch 132 of the wheel 130. To do this, the biasing member 180 may be operatively coupled to the base portion 170 and the engagement portion 160 to provide a biasing force on the engagement portion 160 in a direction perpendicular to the extension direction of the first and second legs (140, 150) and into the retaining notch 132.In some cases, the biasing member 180 may be a structural wire disposed around an exterior surface of the retaining clip 100 and may exert a spring force on the engaging portion 160. In such cases, the base portion 170, the first leg 140, the second leg 150, and the engaging portion 160 may each include locking members 190 that may receive the biasing member 180 therein. The locking members 190 may define a gap within the locking members 190 that may extend around the clip 100 and may receive the biasing member 180 therein. In other words, the locking members 190 may include tabs, as seen on the base portion 170 and the engaging portion 160 shown in FIG. Fig. 2-6, which may define the gap between the tabs. On the first and second legs (140, 150), the gap may simply be formed into an outer edge of the first and second legs (140, 150). In either case, the biasing member 180 may operatively couple to the clamp 100 by snap-fitting into the gap and being held in place accordingly by the locking members 190.

[0014] The biasing member 180 of some embodiments may be a continuous wire that may extend around the bracket 100. In this regard, the biasing member 180 may extend along a front side 176 of the base portion 170 and be operatively coupled thereto by the locking members 190. The biasing member 180 may then wrap at approximately 90° around the corners of the base portion 170 and extend parallel to the first and second planes (200, 202) toward and beyond the first and second legs (140, 150). On an opposite side of the first and second legs (140, 150) from the front side 176, the biasing element 180 may be bent upwardly toward the engagement portion 160 to operatively couple with the engagement portion 160 on a rear side 168 of the retaining clip 100.In this regard, the biasing element 180 can utilize its operative coupling to the front side 176 to create the biasing force that can be exerted in a radially outward direction on the rear side 168 of the engaging portion 160. In other words, the biasing element 180 can use the front side 176 as an anchor to exert the biasing force on the rear side 168 of the engaging portion 160.

[0015] The biasing member 180 may extend upwardly toward the back surface 168 at an angle α measured from the portion of the biasing member 180 extending through the first and second legs (140, 150) to the bent portion of the biasing member 180 extending upwardly toward the engaging portion 160. In some cases, the angle α may be within the range of about 50° to about 80°. In some cases, the angle α may be approximately 65°. The value of the angle α may define the magnitude of the biasing force that the biasing member 180 can exert on the engaging portion 160. On the other hand, if, for example, the angle α were too large, then the magnitude of the preload force may be too small and the retaining clip 100 may not exert enough force on the retaining recess 132 to properly couple the wheel cover 120 to the wheel 130.On the other hand, if the angle α were too small, the magnitude of the preload force may be too high and the retaining clip 100 may make it difficult to install the wheel cover 120 on the wheel 130 or reduce the longevity of the retaining clip 100 by being too rigid.

[0016] How best in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, the first and second legs (140, 150) of some embodiments of the bracket 100 may be symmetrical to each other about a longitudinal axis 210. The symmetry of the first and second legs (140, 150) may allow the retaining bracket 100 to distribute forces more evenly across the components of the bracket 100, so that the bracket 100 can provide a more robust operative coupling of the wheel cover 120 to the wheel 130. Additionally, this symmetry may help the first and second legs (140, 150) of the retaining bracket 100 move and react together so that one leg is no longer deflected, or deflects due to a smaller force, than the other. In other words, the first and second legs (140, 150) may be more likely to have the same properties and operate in the same way because they are symmetrical to each other, which may improve the performance and durability of the retaining clip 100.

[0017] The retention assembly 110 may further include a plurality of spacer elements 220 disposed on the inner surface 124. Similar to the retention clip 100, the spacer elements 220 may be formed from the same material as the cover portion 122 during an injection molding process. The spacer elements 220 may also extend perpendicularly from the inner surface 124, but may be shorter than the retention clip 100. In this regard, the spacer elements 220 may have approximately the same height as the front surface 176 of the base portion 170 of the clip 100.The spacer elements 220 can contact the wheel 130 when the wheel cover 120 is installed on the wheel 130 to define an offset space between the cover portion 122 and an outer lip 134 of the wheel 130, so that the cover portion 122 cannot contact the outer lip 134 of the wheel 130 and does not generate unwanted vibrations and noise while the vehicle is being driven. According to an exemplary embodiment, each retaining bracket 100 can be flanked on each side by a spacer element 220. In other words, the retaining assembly 110 can include two spacer elements 220 for each individual retaining bracket 100.

[0018] In some cases, the spacer elements 220 may simply be extrusions of the inner surface 124. In an exemplary embodiment, the spacer elements 220 may be substantially U-shaped. The U-shape may make the spacer elements 220 less likely to break away from the inner surface 124 due to repeated use over time than would be the case with planar-shaped spacer elements 220. In some other cases, the spacer elements 220 may include an insulating cover that may interface with the wheel 130 to further reduce vibration and noise. In an exemplary embodiment, the offset space between the cover portion 122 and the wheel 130 defined by the spacer elements 220 may be within a range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm.In some cases, the offset space defined by the spacer elements 220 may be approximately 2.5 mm. The offset space should not be too large, as this could reduce the aerodynamic performance of the wheel cover 120 if the wheel cover 120 were to protrude too far from the wheel 130. The offset space should also not be too small, as this could increase the likelihood of the cover portion 122 rattling against the outer lip 134 of the wheel 130 while the vehicle is being driven.

[0019] Fig. Figure 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the operative coupling between the wheel cover 120 and the wheel 130. As previously mentioned, the retaining clip 100 may include an engagement portion 160 that may be disposed at the distal end of the first and second legs (140, 150). The engagement portion 160 may include the engagement projection 164, which may be biased by the biasing member 180 into the retaining notch 132 of the wheel 130 to operatively couple the wheel cover 120 to the wheel 130. Fig. 7, the light gray shaded area represents the sectional view through the cover portion 122 and the dark gray shaded area represents the sectional view through the wheel 130. As in Fig. 7, the outer lip 134 of the wheel 130 and the edge of the cover portion 122 may be the portions of the wheel 130 and the wheel cover 120 that may be disposed closest to each other when the wheel cover 120 may be operatively connected to the wheel 130.

[0020] Fig. 7 also illustrates how the spacer element 220 contacts the wheel 130 at an arcuate portion 136 of the wheel 130, which is located radially inward from the outer lip 134. Thus, the spacer element 220 may be sized such that, due to its contact with the wheel 130 at the arcuate portion 136, the offset space between the outer lip 134 and the edge of the cover portion 122 may be within a range of about 1 mm to about 3 mm. The engagement projection 164 may include a convex, rounded profile that facilitates operative coupling of the engagement portion 160 to the retaining notch 132. In this regard, the retaining notch 132 may include a complementarily shaped concave, rounded profile such that the engaging projection 164 may be easily, yet reliably, operatively coupled to the retaining notch 132.The rounded profiles of both the retaining notch 132 and the engaging projection 164 can not only enhance the installation of the wheel cover 120, but also its removal. In this regard, the wheel cover 120 can be removed simply by applying a force to the cover portion 122 in a direction parallel to a rotational axis of the wheel 130. The complementary rounded profiles of the retaining notch 132 and the engaging projection 164 can ensure that the retaining clip 100 can slide out of its operative engagement with the wheel 130 without exerting sufficient force on the cover portion 122 to fracture any components of the retaining assembly 110.

[0021] Fig. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the wheel cover 120 and the retention assembly 110. As mentioned above, the retention assembly 110 may include a plurality of retention clips 100, a plurality of biasing members 180, and a plurality of spacer members 220. According to an exemplary embodiment, the components of the retention assembly 110 may be radially distributed along the inner surface 124 of the cover portion 122 and spaced apart from each other at an equal distance. In this regard, the retention assembly 110 may therefore symmetrically distribute tension forces from each retention clip 100 evenly throughout the retention assembly 110, and all of the retention clips 100 may accordingly act as a single spring. The number of respective retaining clips 100, preload elements 180 and spacer elements 220 may depend on many factors, including, but not limited to, the size of the wheel 130 and the configuration of the spoke 230 of the wheel 130.In some cases, the retention assembly 110 may include anything between eight and sixteen individual retention clips 100 and biasing members 180. The retention assembly 110 may, in some exemplary embodiments, enable tool-free installation and removal of the wheel cover 120.

[0022] Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 each depicts rear perspective views of the wheel 130 with the wheel cover 120 operatively coupled to a front side of the wheel 130. Fig. Figure 10 shows a close-up view of a retaining clip that comes out of the box 10 in Fig. 9 was recorded. Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 both show how the retaining clips 100 of the wheel cover 120 extend through a gap between successive spokes 230 of the wheel 130 to reach the retaining notch 132 and operatively couple the wheel cover 120 to the wheel 130. As mentioned above, the total number of retaining clips 100 of the retainer assembly 110 may vary depending on the specific wheel 130 and the configuration of the spokes 230 of the wheel 130 (e.g., how many spokes 230 there are, how the spokes 230 are spaced). This may be because, in some cases, the retaining clips 100 must extend beyond the spokes 230 to reach the retaining notch 132 of the wheel 130.

[0023] Fig.Figure 11 illustrates a front perspective view of the wheel cover 120 operatively coupled to the wheel 130. In this view, the retainer assembly 110 may not be visible, which may be due to design constraints. The retainer assembly 110 may be concealed between the cover portion 122 and the wheel 130, allowing the outer surface 126 of the wheel cover 120 to be optimized for aerodynamic performance and visual appeal.

[0024] Therefore, a wheel cover for a wheel of a vehicle of an exemplary embodiment may be provided. The wheel cover may include a cover portion that may include an inner surface that may face inward toward the wheel and an outer surface that may face outward away from the wheel, and a retention assembly that may be disposed on the inner surface, wherein the retention assembly may operatively couple the wheel cover to the wheel. The retention assembly may include a first retention clip that may extend perpendicularly from the inner surface and may interface with a retention notch of the wheel, and a first biasing member that may operatively couple to a front and a rear of the first retention clip.The first biasing member may bias the first retaining clip to operatively engage the retaining notch by engaging the front side to urge the rear side in a radially outward direction relative to the cover portion.

[0025] The wheel cover of some embodiments may include additional features, modifications, enhancements, and / or the like to further accomplish objects or improve the performance of the wheel cover. The additional features, modifications, enhancements, and / or the like may be added in any combination with one another. The following is a list of various additional features, modifications, and enhancements, each of which may be added individually or in any combination with one another. For example, the engagement portion may include an engagement projection that can engage the retention notch of the wheel to hold the wheel cover to the wheel. In an exemplary embodiment, the base portion, the first leg, the second leg, and the engagement portion may each include locking elements to operatively couple to the first biasing element.In some cases, the first biasing member may be operatively coupled to the locking members via a snap connection. In an exemplary embodiment, the retention assembly may include a plurality of retention clips and biasing members disposed on the inner surface. In some cases, each retention clip of the plurality of retention clips may be operatively coupled to a respective biasing member. In an exemplary embodiment, the plurality of retention clips may be radially disposed around the inner surface and equally spaced from one another. In some cases, the retention assembly may further include a plurality of spacer members radially disposed around the inner surface. In an exemplary embodiment, the spacer members may contact the wheel to space the inner surface from the wheel.In some cases, the base portion may include a first flange operatively coupled to the first leg and a second flange operatively coupled to the second leg. In an exemplary embodiment, the first flange and the second flange may distribute tension forces from the first and second legs. In some cases, the first flange and the second flange may lie in first and second planes, respectively, and the first leg and the second leg may lie in a third plane. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second planes may be parallel to each other and perpendicular to the third plane. In some cases, the first leg and the second leg may be operatively coupled to each other at the engagement portion. In an exemplary embodiment, the first and second legs may be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the first retaining clip.In some cases, the first retaining clip may include a first leg that may extend perpendicularly away from the inner surface, a second leg that may extend perpendicularly away from the inner surface, an engagement portion that may be disposed at a distal end of the first and second legs, the engagement portion that may be operatively coupled to the retention notch, and a base portion that may be operatively coupled to the first leg, the second leg, and the inner surface to support the first retaining clip. In an exemplary embodiment, the first biasing member may be operatively coupled to each of the base portion and the engagement portion of the first retaining clip to bias the engagement portion into the retention notch.

[0026] A retention assembly for operatively coupling a wheel cover to a wheel of a vehicle may thus be provided. The retention assembly may include a first retention clip that may extend perpendicularly from an inner surface of the wheel cover and interface with a retention notch of the wheel, and a first biasing member that may operatively couple a front and a rear side of the first retention clip. The first biasing member may bias the first retention clip to operatively engage the retention notch by engaging the front side to urge the rear side in a radially outward direction relative to the cover portion.

[0027] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which these inventions belong in light of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the accompanying drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the particular implementations disclosed, and that modifications and other implementations are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that, while the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe exemplary embodiments in terms of certain exemplary combinations of elements and / or functions, different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims.In this regard, other combinations of elements and / or functions than those expressly described above are also contemplated, for example, as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Where advantages, benefits, or solutions to problems are described herein, it is to be understood that such advantages, benefits, and / or solutions may be applicable to some example embodiments, but not necessarily to all example embodiments. Thus, any advantages, benefits, or solutions described herein should not be considered critical, required, or essential to all embodiments or to what is claimed herein. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0028] According to the present invention, there is provided a wheel cover for a wheel of a vehicle, the wheel cover comprising: a cover portion including an inner surface facing inward toward the wheel and an outer surface facing outward away from the wheel; and a retention assembly disposed on the inner surface, the retention assembly configured to operatively couple the wheel cover to the wheel, the retention assembly comprising: a first retention clip extending perpendicularly from the inner surface and interfacing with a retention notch of the wheel;and a first biasing member operatively coupled to a front side and a rear side of the first retaining clip, the first biasing member biasing the first retaining clip to operatively engage the retaining notch by engaging the front side to urge the rear side in a radially outward direction relative to the cover portion;

[0029] According to one embodiment, the first retaining clip comprises: a first leg extending perpendicularly from the inner surface; a second leg extending perpendicularly from the inner surface; an engagement portion disposed at a distal end of the first and second legs, the engagement portion configured to operatively engage the retaining notch; and a base portion operatively coupled to the first leg, the second leg, and the inner surface to support the first retaining clip, wherein the first biasing member is operatively coupled to each of the base portion and the engagement portion of the first retaining clip to bias the engagement portion into the retaining notch.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the engagement portion comprises an engagement projection that engages the retaining notch of the wheel to hold the wheel cover to the wheel.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the base portion, the first leg, the second leg and the engagement portion each comprise locking elements for operatively coupling to the first biasing element.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the first pretensioning element is operatively coupled to the locking elements via a snap connection.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the base portion comprises a first flange operatively coupled to the first leg and a second flange operatively coupled to the second leg, wherein the first flange and the second flange distribute tension forces from the first and second legs.

[0034] According to one embodiment, the first leg and the second leg are operatively coupled to one another at the engagement portion.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the first and second legs are symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the first retaining clip.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the retaining assembly comprises a plurality of retaining clips and biasing elements arranged on the inner surface, and wherein each retaining clip of the plurality of retaining clips is operatively coupled to a respective biasing element.

[0037] According to one embodiment, the plurality of retaining clips are arranged radially around the inner surface and spaced equally apart from one another.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the retaining assembly further comprises a plurality of spacer elements arranged radially around the inner surface, and wherein the spacer elements contact the wheel to space the cover portion from the wheel.

[0039] According to the present invention, there is provided a retention assembly for operatively coupling a wheel cover to a wheel of a vehicle, the retention assembly comprising: a first retention clip extending perpendicularly from the inner surface and interfacing with a retention notch of the wheel; and a first biasing member operatively coupled to a front and a rear side of the first retention clip, the first biasing member biasing the first retention clip to operatively engage the retention notch by engaging the front side to urge the rear side in a radially outward direction relative to the cover portion.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the first retaining clip comprises: a first leg extending perpendicularly from the inner surface; a second leg extending perpendicularly from the inner surface; an engagement portion disposed at a distal end of the first and second legs, the engagement portion configured to operatively engage the retaining notch; and a base portion operatively coupled to the first leg, the second leg, and the inner surface to support the first retaining clip, wherein the first biasing member is operatively coupled to each of the base portion and the engagement portion of the first retaining clip to bias the engagement portion into the retaining notch.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the engagement portion comprises an engagement projection that engages the retaining notch of the wheel to hold the wheel cover to the wheel.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the base portion, the first leg, the second leg and the engagement portion each comprise locking elements for operatively coupling to the first biasing element.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the base portion comprises a first flange operatively coupled to the first leg and a second flange operatively coupled to the second leg, wherein the first flange and the second flange distribute tension forces from the first and second legs.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the first leg and the second leg are operatively coupled to one another at the engagement portion, and wherein the first and the second leg are symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the first retaining clip.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the retaining assembly comprises a plurality of retaining clips and biasing elements arranged on the inner surface, and wherein each retaining clip of the plurality of retaining clips is operatively coupled to a respective biasing element.

[0046] According to one embodiment, the plurality of retaining clips are arranged radially around the inner surface and spaced equally apart from one another.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the retaining assembly further comprises a plurality of spacer elements arranged radially around the inner surface, and wherein the spacer elements contact the wheel to space the wheel cover from the wheel.

Claims

[1] Wheel cover for a wheel of a vehicle, the wheel cover comprising: a cover portion comprising an inner surface facing inwardly toward the wheel and an outer surface facing outwardly away from the wheel; and a retaining assembly disposed on the inner surface, the retaining assembly configured to operatively couple the wheel cover to the wheel, the retaining assembly comprising: a first retaining clip extending perpendicularly from the inner surface and interfacing with a retaining notch of the wheel; and a first biasing element operatively coupled to a front side and a rear side of the first retaining clip, wherein the first biasing member biases the first retaining clip to operatively engage the retaining notch by engaging the front side to urge the rear side in a radially outward direction relative to the cover portion. [2] The wheel cover of claim 1, wherein the first retaining clip comprises: a first leg extending perpendicularly from the inner surface; a second leg extending perpendicularly from the inner surface; an engagement portion disposed at a distal end of the first and second legs, the engagement portion configured to operatively engage the retaining notch; and a base portion operatively coupled to the first leg, the second leg, and the inner surface to support the first retaining clip, wherein the first biasing member is operatively coupled to each of the base portion and the engaging portion of the first retaining clip to bias the engaging portion into the retaining notch. [3] The wheel cover according to claim 2, wherein the engaging portion comprises an engaging projection that engages the retaining notch of the wheel to hold the wheel cover to the wheel. [4] The wheel cover of claim 2, wherein the base portion, the first leg, the second leg, and the engagement portion each comprise locking elements for operatively coupling to the first biasing element, and wherein the first biasing element is operatively coupled to the locking elements via a snap connection. [5] The wheel cover of claim 2, wherein the base portion includes a first flange operatively coupled to the first leg and a second flange operatively coupled to the second leg, the first flange and the second flange distributing tension forces from the first and second legs. [6] Wheel cover according to claim 2, wherein the first leg and the second leg are operatively coupled to each other at the engagement portion or wherein the first and the second leg are symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the first retaining clip. [7] Wheel cover according to claim 1, wherein the retaining assembly comprises a plurality of retaining clips and biasing elements arranged on the inner surface, wherein each retaining clip of the plurality of retaining clips is operatively coupled to a respective biasing element and wherein the plurality of retaining clips are arranged radially around the inner surface and spaced equally apart from one another. [8] The wheel cover of claim 1, wherein the retaining assembly further comprises a plurality of spacer elements disposed radially around the inner surface, and wherein the spacer elements contact the wheel to space the cover portion from the wheel. [9] A retaining assembly for operatively coupling a wheel cover to a wheel of a vehicle, the retaining assembly comprising: a first retaining clip extending perpendicularly from an inner surface of the wheel cover and interfacing with a retaining notch of the wheel; and a first biasing element operatively coupled to a front side and a rear side of the first retaining clip, wherein the first biasing member biases the first retaining clip to operatively engage the retaining notch by engaging the front side to urge the rear side in a radially outward direction relative to the cover portion. [10] The retaining assembly of claim 9, wherein the first retaining clip comprises: a first leg extending perpendicularly from the inner surface; a second leg extending perpendicularly from the inner surface; an engagement portion disposed at a distal end of the first and second legs, the engagement portion configured to operatively engage the retaining notch; and a base portion operatively coupled to the first leg, the second leg, and the inner surface to support the first retaining clip, wherein the first biasing member is operatively coupled to each of the base portion and the engaging portion of the first retaining clip to bias the engaging portion into the retaining notch. [11] The retaining assembly of claim 10, wherein the engaging portion comprises an engaging projection that engages the retaining notch of the wheel to retain the wheel cover to the wheel, or wherein the base portion, the first leg, the second leg, and the engaging portion each comprise locking elements to operatively couple to the first biasing element. [12] The retaining assembly of claim 10, wherein the base portion comprises a first flange operatively coupled to the first leg and a second flange operatively coupled to the second leg, the first flange and the second flange distributing tension forces from the first and second legs. [13] The retaining assembly of claim 10, wherein the first leg and the second leg are operatively coupled to each other at the engagement portion, and wherein the first and second legs are symmetrical about a longitudinal axis of the first retaining clip. [14] The retaining assembly of claim 9, wherein the retaining assembly comprises a plurality of retaining clips and biasing members disposed on the inner surface, wherein each retaining clip of the plurality of retaining clips is operatively coupled to a respective biasing element and wherein the plurality of retaining clips are arranged radially around the inner surface and spaced equally apart from one another. [15] The retainer assembly of claim 9, wherein the retainer assembly further comprises a plurality of spacer elements disposed radially around the inner surface, and wherein the spacer elements contact the wheel to space the wheel cover from the wheel.

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