Device for protecting a rim of a motor vehicle

Abstract

Device for protecting a rim (2) of a motor vehicle, wherein an outer side of a rim flange (4) is covered by the device (3), wherein the device (3) consists of a ring (5) whose diameter is matched to that of the rim flange (4), wherein the ring (5) for fastening the device (3) to the rim flange (4) has a circumferential tongue (5.1) which can be clamped between an inner side of the rim flange (4) and a sidewall of a tire (1), characterized in that the single ring (5) is made of a hard material and has a continuous radial gap (6), and that end faces (5.3) of the ring formed by the gap (6) can be connected by means of a clamping screw (8).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for protecting a rim of a motor vehicle, wherein an outer side of a rim flange is covered by the device, wherein the device consists of a ring whose diameter is matched to that of the rim flange, and wherein the ring for fastening the device to the rim flange has a circumferential tongue which can be clamped between an inner side of the rim flange and a sidewall of a tire.

[0002] Such devices are well known, for example, under the term rim protection ring. They are used primarily to protect valuable rims, such as light alloy rims, from mechanical damage. Such damage can occur while driving, for example, in the form of scratches caused by contact with objects on the road or, in particular, curbs. The outward-facing sides of the outer rim flanges are particularly affected by this damage, and are annoying due to their high visibility.

[0003] Motor vehicle rims generally consist of a disc-shaped rim with a rim well arranged around its circumference. The rim well is bordered on each side by a rim flange. A tire is clamped to the rim well between the rim flanges. The rim and tire form a wheel.

[0004] DE 20 2010 004 397 U1 discloses a rim protection ring that is clamped between the tire and the rim flange. The rim protection ring covers only part of the tire's sidewall, while the rim itself remains unprotected from the outside. The rim protection ring can only be mounted on the rim together with the tire.

[0005] DE 10 2012 015 516 A1 discloses a rim protection ring designed as a decorative ring. It is shaped such that it protrudes outward from a plane on the outer surface of the rim, but does not cover it. This provides only minimal protection for the rim. The rim protection ring can only be mounted on the rim together with the tire.

[0006] DE 40 09 757 A1 describes a rim protection ring made of elastic material with a specially shaped circumferential groove. This groove allows the rim protection ring to be clamped onto a rim flange. This must be done before mounting the tire.

[0007] EP 2 150 421 B1 discloses a rim protection ring made of elastic material with a thin inner section and a wide head section. The inner section is clamped between the inner side of a rim flange and a tire, while the head section overlaps the outer side of the rim flange and, with a special design, fits snugly against the rim flange. The rim protection ring can only be mounted on the rim together with the tire. Due to the elasticity of the material, the head section yields under greater loads and does not provide effective protection.

[0008] The same applies to US 2014 / 0167490 A1, although the fastening section is not continuous but has corresponding wings.

[0009] US Pat. No. 2,964,357 A discloses a decorative ring that is attached to a wheel rim flange by means of spring-loaded clips. This attachment appears relatively insecure because the decorative ring is only attached to the corresponding clip by a second spring element.

[0010] US 2007 / 0290548 A1 describes a ring for protecting a rim, which is clamped to the rim flange by means of screws.

[0011] WO 2005 / 009761 A1 discloses a rim protection ring that can be attached to the outside of a rim flange using a clamp. The rim protection ring can easily pop off the rim under radial load.

[0012] DE 20 2009 013 418 U1 shows a rim with a protective ring (rim attachment) screwed onto the outside. This ring can only be used with certain rims.

[0013] DE 10 2016 113 234 A1 describes a rim protection ring in which a plurality of fastening elements are detachably attached to the ring and can be clamped between a tire and the inside of a rim flange.

[0014] KR 101 465 055 B1 describes a rim protector in which a strip-shaped profile is cut to the required length and then bent into a ring. A strip can be clamped to the profile as a reflector.

[0015] WO 2009 / 121120 A1 discloses a rim protection ring made of soft material that can be slipped over a rim flange. A decorative strip can be attached to the ring.

[0016] DE 10 2019 107 128 B3, from which the invention is based, discloses a device for protecting a rim, which is formed from two rings. A first of the rings has a circumferential tongue and a continuous radial gap. The tongue ensures a secure hold of the device on the rim and thus on the wheel because an inner diameter of the tongue is smaller than a largest diameter of the rim flange. The assembly of the first ring is made possible by the gap, which allows a brief elastic opening of the first ring and thus its insertion over the rim flange. An unintentional opening of the gap is prevented by a second of the rings, which is detachably attached to the first ring. The rings are made of hard material. The object of the invention is to create a device for protecting a rim that is securely held on the rim even at very high speeds and correspondingly large forces acting on the device.No changes to the rim should be necessary.

[0017] The problem is solved by the features of claim 1. The single ring is made of a hard material, has a continuous radial gap, and end faces of the ring formed by the gap can be connected by means of a clamping screw.

[0018] Connecting does not mean that the end faces must be in direct contact after the connection. In most cases, the end faces will have a gap when the fixture is mounted, which is bridged by the clamping screw.

[0019] The ring, and thus the device, is made of a hard material. This ensures high stability and durability, thus providing good protection for the rim and tire. "Wobble" and its amplitude during rapid wheel rotation, such as when a vehicle is traveling at high speed, are at least minimized.

[0020] The gap allows assembly or disassembly of the device.

[0021] Connecting the end faces with a clamping screw ensures the secure hold of the mounted device on the rim, creating a virtually closed ring that can only be removed from the rim after loosening the clamping screw. Manufacturing tolerances of both the rim and the device can be compensated for by varying the gap width, so that the ring can be mounted on the rim flange with at least no play. If necessary, the preload of the ring on the rim flange can also be adjusted. This ensures that the device and the rim are perfectly matched, ensuring a firm and centered hold of the ring on the rim flange. Furthermore, the play-free assembly prevents mutual damage to the rim and the device.

[0022] No modifications to the rim are required to attach the device. The rim remains in its original condition and retains its value.

[0023] The ring significantly determines the visible appearance of the wheel rim and thus positively influences the overall appearance of the vehicle. The design of the ring, such as color and / or pattern, is largely freely selectable. Decorative elements such as screws can also be attached to the ring or imitated.

[0024] The subclaims relate to the advantageous embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the rings are made of a light metal or a light metal alloy. The device can be manufactured as a whole to be lightweight while still maintaining high strength.

[0025] In an alternative design, the rings are made of a carbon composite material, further reducing weight.

[0026] In a further embodiment, the gap has a width of 5 mm to 20 mm when the ring is unclamped. The unclamped state means that no forces act to open or close the gap. This width facilitates assembly and disassembly and allows for the compensation of even larger manufacturing tolerances.

[0027] In a further embodiment, the clamping screw has different nominal thread diameters. This simplifies assembly of the fixture because any incorrect alignment of the clamping screw to the end faces is immediately noticeable.

[0028] In a further embodiment, the gap can be covered with a cover. This improves the visual impact of the device, reduces the accumulation of dirt, and can thus facilitate disassembly.

[0029] As an alternative to the cover, a decorative ring can be attached to an outward-facing side of the ring. The decorative ring covers a predetermined portion of the rim and, if necessary, part of the tire's outer flank. This increases the overall protective effect. Furthermore, the overall design of the wheel can be further varied.

[0030] Preferably, the cover or decorative ring includes a means for securing the clamping screw against rotation. The means is designed, for example, as a pin that interacts with a corresponding hole in the clamping screw, or as a clamp. This prevents the clamping screw from accidentally loosening, which could render the device unstable or even cause it to pop off the rim.

[0031] The invention is further explained with reference to the schematic drawing. Fig. 1 a view of a wheel with a mounted device for protecting a rim, Fig. 2 a cross-section through a part of the wheel of the Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a cross-section through a ring of the device, Fig. 4 a longitudinal section through the ring in the area of ​​a gap as a detail and Fig. 5 a rear view (a) and a side view (b) of a panel as a detail and Fig. 6 a cross-section of the ring with a decorative ring.

[0032] As can be seen from the Fig. As can be seen from Figures 1 to 4, a wheel of a motor vehicle (motor vehicle) comprises a tire 1 mounted on a rim 2 in the usual manner. On an outer side of the wheel, that is, the circular surface that is readily visible when the wheel is attached to the motor vehicle, a device 3 for protecting the rim 2 is arranged.

[0033] The rim 2 comprises, as usual, a rim disc, on whose outer circumference a rim well is arranged. Each circumferential side of the rim well is bordered by a rim flange 4. The tire 1, fully mounted on the rim 2, is clamped with its sidewalls in the area of ​​its beads between the rim flanges 4. An annular thickening of rubber can be formed on the outside of the tire 1, i.e., visible when the wheel is mounted, on the sidewall near the rim flange 4.

[0034] The device 3 consists of a single ring 5, whose mean diameter is adapted to the nominal diameter of the rim 2. The ring 5 is arranged on an outer one of the rim flanges 4 and faces outward.

[0035] Ring 5 is in the Fig. 3. It is radially severed at a single point along its circumference (thus, the ring 5 is strictly speaking a ring section over, for example, approximately 350° to approximately 359°) and thus forms a gap 6. As a result of the severance, two end faces 5.3 are formed at the severance point, which delimit the gap 6.

[0036] The ring has a base body 5.1 which is essentially rectangular in cross-section.

[0037] In one after the Fig. 3 In the upper end region of a first longitudinal side of the base body 5.1, a tongue 5.2 is formed integrally therewith. The tongue 5.2 extends over the circumference of the first ring 5 and has a curvature whose concave side points towards the base body 5.1. A concave boundary of the tongue 5.2 is formed from a circular segment and a straight line and is adapted to the shape of an associated part of the rim flange 4. The tongue 5.2 tapers towards its free end, which means that a radius of the circular segment of a convex boundary is greater than a radius of the concave boundary of the tongue 5.2; the free end is rounded in a semicircle. The convex boundary, in extension, also bounds an associated upper, radially outer broad side of the base body 5.1.

[0038] As shown, a V-shaped groove 5.4, for example, can be embedded in this radially outer broad side of the base body 5.1.

[0039] In each of the end faces 5.3 and perpendicular to this, a first blind hole 7 is recessed, as can be seen from the Fig. 4 is particularly clearly visible. The two first blind bores 7 preferably have different diameters. In each of the first blind bores 7 there is an internal thread (not explicitly shown), the two internal threads running in opposite directions. A clamping screw 8 is arranged between the end faces 5.3 and engaging in the internal threads of the first blind bores 7. As usual, this clamping screw has two opposing external threads (not shown) which have different diameters to match the internal threads of the first blind bores 7. An intermediate part is formed between the external threads, which has no thread and a larger enveloping diameter than the larger of the external threads.Two radial through-holes arranged at right angles to each other are recessed into the intermediate part; alternatively to the through-holes, the intermediate part is hexagonal in shape (not shown) so that it can be rotated axially with a suitable open-end wrench.

[0040] The ring 5 is made of a hard material, such as a light metal alloy or carbon composite. The clamping screw 8 is made of steel.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the gap 6 is covered on the outside by means of a removable cover 9, which is Fig. 5 is shown as a detail.

[0042] The aperture 9 has the shape of a ring section, the mean radius of which largely corresponds to that of the ring 5. The length of the aperture 9 is, for example, 3 cm to 6 cm. The aperture 9 has a U-shaped cross-section, with the assembled legs of the U at least partially enclosing the broad sides of the base body 5.1. Longitudinal ends of the aperture 9 can be Fig. 5, be semicircularly rounded. A means for securing the clamping screw 8 against rotation is arranged centrally in the longitudinal direction and offset closer to the convex side. Here, it takes the form of a mandrel 10 with a circular cross-section. The mandrel 10 protrudes vertically from an inner surface of the cover 9 with a length greater than the height of the legs of the U and at least large enough for the mandrel 10 to completely penetrate one of the through holes of the clamping screw 8 when the cover 9 is mounted.

[0043] A detent spring 11 is arranged radially in front of and behind the mandrel 10 such that the pair of detent springs 11 engages the intermediate part of the clamping screw 8 in a clamping manner. Thus, the aperture 9 is held in a locking and releasable manner on the ring 5. Facing sides of the detent springs 11 are shaped according to the intermediate part, so that the hexagonal intermediate part secures the clamping screw 8 against rotation.

[0044] The maximum length of the locking springs 11 is as large as the axial length of the intermediate part.

[0045] A surface of the cover 9 that is visible when mounted, i.e. the outer surface, may have an ornament such as a logo or a trademark.

[0046] Several second blind or through holes with internal threads can be provided in the outer side of the base body 5.1, evenly distributed over the circumference of the ring 5. Fig.6 shows, as an alternative to the arrangement of the cover 9, the outer side of the ring 5 is covered with a decorative ring 12 in which third through-bores corresponding to the above-mentioned bores are arranged. The decorative ring 12 is adapted to the diameter of the rim 2 and is essentially flat with the exception of a short angle piece formed on its radially outer edge. The angle piece is a few mm wide and, in the fully assembled device 3, points inwards at a right angle so that it has no or only slight play with the radially outer broad side of the base body 5.1. The decorative ring 12 is fastened to the ring 5, for example, by means of head screws. Alternatively, the angle piece is somewhat wider and has a locking lug that can be snapped into the groove 5.4. The decorative ring 12 can have a wide variety of designs and is easily replaceable.

[0047] To mount the device 3 on a wheel, first open the ring 5 by turning the clamping screw 8 sufficiently so that the tongue 5.2 can be slipped over the rim flange 4. The clamping screw 8 should not be completely removed from the first blind holes 7, so that only a few threads remain in them. By turning the clamping screw 8 in the opposite direction, the diameter of the device is reduced until the tongue 5.2 fits snugly against the rim flange 4 with slight preload. Finally, the wheel is attached to the motor vehicle. The device is securely attached to the wheel: on the one hand, by the larger outer diameter of the rim flange 4 compared to the smallest diameter of the tongue 5.2, and on the other hand, by clamping the tongue 5.2 between the rim flange 4 and the tire 1.

[0048] If necessary, the cover 9 or alternatively the decorative ring 12 is attached to the outside of the base body 5.1.

[0049] To remove the device 3 from the wheel—e.g., to replace the device or when changing a tire—the cover 9 or the decorative ring 12 is removed from the base body 5.1, if necessary. The ring 5 is opened by turning the clamping screw 8 sufficiently so that the tongue 5.2 is pulled away from the rim flange 4, allowing the device 3 to be removed from the wheel. List of reference symbols 1 tire 2 rims 3 Device 4 rim flange 5 rings 5.1 Basic body 5.2 Tongue 5.3 Front side 5.4 Groove 6 gap 7 first blind hole 8 clamping screw 9 aperture 10 thorn 11 locking spring 12 decorative ring QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2010 004 397 U1

[0004] DE 10 2012 015 516 A1

[0005] DE 40 09 757 A1

[0006] EP 2 150 421 B1

[0007] US 2014 / 0167490 A1

[0008] US 2,964,357 A

[0009] US 2007 / 0290548 A1

[0010] WO 2005 / 009761 A1

[0011] DE 20 2009 013 418 U1

[0012] DE 10 2016 113 234 A1

[0013] KR 101 465 055 B1

[0014] WO 2009 / 121120 A1

[0015] DE 10 2019 107 128 B3

[0016]

Claims

[1] Device for protecting a rim (2) of a motor vehicle, wherein an outer side of a rim flange (4) is covered by the device (3), wherein the device (3) consists of a ring (5) whose diameter is matched to that of the rim flange (4), wherein the ring (5) for fastening the device (3) to the rim flange (4) has a circumferential tongue (5.1) which can be clamped between an inner side of the rim flange (4) and a sidewall of a tire (1), characterized by that the single ring (5) is made of a hard material and has a continuous radial gap (6), and that end faces (5.3) of the ring formed by the gap (6) can be connected by means of a clamping screw (8). [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the ring (5) is made of a light metal or a light metal alloy. [3] Device according to claim 1, characterized bythat the ring (5) is made of a carbon composite material. [4] Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by that the gap (6) has a width of 5 mm to 20 mm when the ring (5) is in an untensioned state. [5] Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by that the clamping screw (8) has different nominal diameters of its threads. [6] Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that the gap (6) can be covered by means of a cover (9). [7] Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by that a decorative ring (12) can be fastened to an outward-facing side of the ring (5). [8] Device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by that the cover (9) or the decorative ring (12) comprises a means (9) for securing the clamping screw (8) against twisting.

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