Automotive wheel covers

Abstract

We provide an automotive wheel cover that protects the disc (design portion) of an automobile tire wheel. [Solution] The invention comprises a disc-shaped transparent or translucent outer cover 7 positioned on the front side of the wheel 2, a disc-shaped transparent or translucent inner cover 6 positioned on the back side of the wheel, and fixing means for sandwiching and protecting the wheel disc between these two covers. The transparent outer cover and inner cover cover the front and back sides of the wheel, respectively, protecting the wheel disc while keeping it visible. Although the wheel disc has an elaborate design, conventionally, cleaning this part has been difficult, and the accumulation of dirt such as brake dust and mud, as well as scratches on the wheel, have been problems. With this invention, cleaning is easy as only the disc-shaped cover needs to be cleaned, and since the wheel disc is not hidden, it does not give an odd appearance to the vehicle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cover for a wheel of an automobile that protects the design part of the tire wheel of the automobile. In particular, it relates to a structure in which both the front and back sides of the wheel are covered with a transparent or translucent disc-shaped cover.

Background Art

[0002] The design part of the automobile wheel is an important part that bears the design and color on the surface part of the wheel, and is referred to by the part name of the disc (including the center cap, center disc, and spokes). The disc is called the face of the wheel, and there are many original three-dimensional designs according to the requirements of fluid dynamics and the driving environment. Since it is the closest to the ground in the vehicle body, it is easy for brake dust, mud, oil, etc. to adhere during driving, and it takes a lot of effort to clean. In particular, the design of the disc - wheel design part greatly affects the aesthetics of the entire vehicle as an element that gives to the appearance style of the vehicle body. The more excellent the design is, the more it is not desired to hide it as something that looks solid, but on the other hand, it is also necessary to protect it by some means from scratches with the curb and the adhesion of dust and mud.

[0003] In response to such a protection requirement, as described in the following prior art documents, a wheel guard that attaches a ring-shaped protection member to the outer peripheral rim of the wheel is known to prevent damage caused by contact with the curb, etc.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0005]

Patent Document 2

[0006] [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 08-188003, "Fixing ring for automobile wheel caps," and other examples include Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 64-1841, "Wheel cover," and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 06-35682, "Tire tightening band for tubeless tire replacement."

[0007] However, conventional wheel guards only protect the outer rim of the wheel and cannot prevent dirt from accumulating on the surface and back of the disc (the design portion of the wheel).

[0008] Additionally, there are wheel covers that enclose the entire wheel, including the tire, but these are not suitable for use while driving. They also conceal the wheel design (disc design), making them unsuitable for protecting the wheel disc while maintaining its aesthetic appeal during driving. We are not aware of any covers made of transparent material used to conceal the design (disc design) of automotive wheels.

[0009] Furthermore, there is no indication of a sandwich-type cover design where disc-shaped covers are placed on the front and back surfaces of the wheel, enclosing both sides of the wheel. At least in typical examples, there is no precedent for covering the entire design of the wheel disc. [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0010] The objective of this invention is to develop an automobile wheel cover, which consists of a transparent or translucent cover, that prevents automobile wheels, particularly wheel discs, from getting dirty and allows them to be clearly seen.

[0011] The specific problems that this invention aims to solve are: (1) To block dirt from entering from both the front and back sides of the automobile wheel. It also prevents brake dust from accumulating on the back of the wheels. (2) The structure should allow for easy retrofitting. (3) The mounting must achieve a fixed structure that can withstand centrifugal force, heat, and vibration during driving. (4) The wheel disc design (wheel design) shall not be obscured and shall remain visible, without compromising the appearance. (5) The cover itself should be easy to clean. That is the case. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] This invention is a wheel cover that covers the wheel disc of an automobile tire wheel from both the front and back sides. Wheels come in various configurations, such as Mecanum wheels, but at least a wheel cover is fitted to the outside of the wheel disc surface.

[0013] This invention has the following configuration. (1) The wheel comprises a disc-shaped outer cover positioned on the front side of the wheel and a disc-shaped inner cover positioned on the back side of the wheel. While some wheels consist only of a disc-shaped outer cover, the basic design includes both an outer and inner cover. If the configuration consists only of an outer cover, it is preferable to provide an inner member on the back side that clamps and secures the wheel disc. The outer cover and inner cover are securely fixed to the wheel, but the proposed methods of fixing them include fixing them independently, connecting the outer and inner covers, or fixing them in a way that allows for easy attachment and detachment.

[0014] (2) The outer cover is made of a transparent or translucent material such as transparent synthetic resin. The transparent material is not a thin material like PPF (transparent film), but a transparent material that maintains its shape with a certain degree of strength. Applying a film material to the surface and covering it with a transparent film requires specialized skills for installation, and it lacks the rich feel of a framed glass cover that leaves space between the layers. (3) The inner cover is formed of a transparent material such as transparent resin or translucent resin, or an opaque material.

[0015] Both of these covers are provided with means for fixing them with the wheel disk of the wheel interposed therebetween. (4) The means for fixing the outer cover to the wheel is by an engaging member provided at the peripheral edge of the outer cover. The fixing means discloses a structure in which a plurality of hook-shaped fixing portions are provided on an edge ring fitted on the periphery of the outer cover and hooked on the inner diameter edge of the wheel. In addition, a clamp structure for sandwiching the flange portion of the wheel, or a snap fit (a fixing means in which the outer cover is formed of an elastic material and the fitting state is maintained by elastic force) to the flange portion of the wheel by a claw portion provided at the peripheral edge of the outer cover may also be such a structure.

[0016] (5) The inner cover closes and protects the wheel disk from the inside, and presents a configuration for joining and attaching to the flange inside the wheel or a configuration for fixing to the wheel disk. It protects against brake dust and dust sucked in from the inside. (6) A configuration in which the outer cover and the inner cover are connected with the wheel disk interposed therebetween is also proposed. The above configuration is devised to protect the wheel disk from getting dirty, but in order to make the defense more meticulous, the following configuration may be added.

[0017] For sealing, a sealing material may be provided at the peripheral edges of the outer cover and the inner cover to seal the space between them and the wheel. An antifouling coating may be applied to the inner surface of the outer cover and / or the inner cover. The outer cover and the inner cover may be provided with small-diameter ventilation holes for preventing rotation noise, preventing water immersion, and dissipating heat. The outer cover and the inner cover are configured to be easily attachable as a retrofit.

Effects of the Invention

[0018] The wheel cover according to this invention can cover both the front and back surfaces of the wheel disc of an automobile tire, and provides a wheel cover that can prevent dirt from adhering to it and scratches from scratching it without obscuring the design portion of the wheel, thus providing the following effects. (1) It can protect both the front and back sides of the wheel disc at the same time. This allows for protection of the underside of the wheel, which was not possible with conventional wheel guards. In particular, with wheel designs that have spokes, cleaning the dirt that gets into the gaps between the spokes was a time-consuming task. Because it has a lightweight cover attached to both the front and back sides, it has virtually no impact on wheel balance. (2) The outer cover shall be made of a transparent or translucent material and shall not conceal the wheel design. It allows for the addition of protective functionality while maintaining a stylish appearance. It can significantly prevent and reduce the accumulation of brake dust and mud. The frequency of cleaning is reduced, the time spent washing the car is shortened, and maintenance is improved. It is also highly effective in preventing scratches on the wheels (prevention of stone chip damage and reduction of curb contact scratches).

[0019] (3) It can be easily installed as an add-on. No professional installation is required. (4) The fixing means can be used to create a structure that can withstand centrifugal force and heat during operation. (5) As a secondary benefit, the cover extends the lifespan of the wheel and protects it from de-icing agents scattered on the road and, in areas near the coast, from salt damage. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows Embodiment 1 of the wheel cover according to the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram of a central longitudinal section showing the attachment of the hemispherical outer cover and inner cover. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a front view showing the tire wheel with the outer cover attached, also in Example 1. [Figure 3]Figure 3 is a reference perspective view showing that the design of the wheel disc is visible when a transparent outer cover is attached to the tire wheel, also in Example 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a front view of the inner cover used in Example 1.

[0021] [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows Embodiment 2 of the wheel cover according to the present invention, and is an explanatory diagram of a wheel cover consisting of a flat outer cover and an inner cover that is joined to the flange portion of the wheel, with the central longitudinal section cut out.

[0022] [Figure 6] Figure 6(1) shows Example 3, a wheel cover consisting of a hemispherical outer cover and an inner cover that is attached to the flange portion of the wheel. Figure 6(2) shows Example 4, a wheel cover consisting of a hemispherical outer cover and a hemispherical inner cover. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a hook-shaped standalone fixing bracket. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a side view illustrating the edge ring and fixing bracket provided on the periphery of the outer cover. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is an explanatory diagram of the fixing bracket edge ring, which is also provided on the periphery of the outer cover. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] The embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The basic embodiment involves covering the wheel disc 5 of the wheel 2 of the automobile tire 1 with a disc-shaped, shape-retaining transparent cover, leaving a small gap between them. The transparent cover is provided with fixing means that allow it to be detachably attached to the wheel.

[0024] This invention is a wheel cover that covers the wheel disc 5 of the wheel 2 of an automobile tire 1 from both the front and back sides with outer covers 7-70 and inner covers 6-60. An essential embodiment of the present invention comprises a disc-shaped outer cover 7-70 positioned on the front side of the wheel 2, a disc-shaped inner cover 6-60 positioned on the back side of the wheel 2, means for fixing the outer cover 7-70 to the flange portion of the wheel 2, and means for fixing the inner cover 6-60 to the inside of the wheel 2, wherein the outer cover 7-70 and the inner cover 6-60 cover the front and back surfaces of the wheel disc 5, respectively.

[0025] A wheel cover configuration more suitable for preventing detachment is one in which the outer cover 7-70 and the inner cover 6-60 are equipped with fixing means that clamp onto the wheel disc 5, and in addition, means are provided to connect the outer cover 7-70 and the inner cover 6-60. In a configuration where the outer covers 7 and 70 and the inner covers 6 and 60 cover the front and back surfaces of the wheel disc 5 respectively, and are connected to each other, they are integrally connected, thus eliminating the risk of them falling off. The following describes specific examples. [Examples]

[0026] Embodiment 1, shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4, is a wheel cover that covers the wheel disc 5 of the wheel 2 of an automobile tire 1 from both the front and back sides. The wheel cover comprises a disc-shaped outer cover 7 positioned on the front side of the wheel 2, a disc-shaped inner cover 6 positioned on the back side of the wheel 2, means for fixing the outer cover 7 to the flange portion of the wheel 2, and means for fixing the inner cover 6 to the inside of the wheel 2, wherein the outer cover 7 and the inner cover 6 cover the front and back sides of the wheel disc 5, respectively.

[0027] Embodiment 1 is a wheel cover more suitable for preventing detachment, and the outer cover 7 and the inner cover 6 are provided with means for connecting and fixing the outer cover 7 and the inner cover 6 with the wheel disc 5 in between. The two covers are connected and secured by hooking the outer cover 7 onto the wheel flange and fixing the inner cover 6 to bolts 8 that are fixed to the outer cover. The outer cover 7 and the inner cover 6 are connected and form a single unit that connects and / or integrally covers the front and back surfaces of the wheel disc 5, respectively.

[0028] The outer cover 7 shown in Figures 1, 2, and 3 of Example 1 is a transparent disc-shaped member made of polycarbonate, a transparent disc with a hemispherical shape that bulges in the center, protecting the wheel disc 5 without obscuring its design. The transparent disc, which is bulging in the center, is shaped to surround the design of wheel disc 5, even if it has a convex protrusion. The outer cover 7 is preferably made of a transparent material, but a translucent material is also acceptable. There are no restrictions on the degree of transparency; it just needs to be transparent enough so that the design of the wheel disc 5 is visible. Previously, there were no wheel covers that covered only the wheel disc portion 5, and even fewer transparent wheel covers, so this transparent cover 7 itself is a novel design.

[0029] The outer cover 7 has an overall disc shape that conforms to the outer circumference of the wheel, and its side shape may be designed to match the design of the wheel disc 5. If the design of the wheel disc 5 does not protrude beyond the wheel rim, the outer cover 7 may be a circular flat plate.

[0030] As shown in Figure 2, the outer edge of the outer cover 7 is provided with an edge ring 17 as shown in Figures 8 and 9, and is provided at four locations (arranged at 90-degree angles) of the edge ring 17 and hook-shaped fixing parts 10A, 10B, 10C, and 11D hook-shaped standalone fixing part, which elastically engage with the flange portion of the wheel 2. As shown in Figure 7, the hook-shaped standalone fixing part 11D is a small plate 19 equipped with a mounting hole 16, with a claw portion (fixing tip) 12 provided on it, which is attached to the edge ring 17 with a screw 15. It is part of a hook-shaped standalone fixing bracket 19, whose overall shape is horizontally L-shaped when viewed from the side. The hook-shaped independent fixing part 11D attaches the outer cover 7 to the front side of the wheel 2 by hooking its claw portion 12 into the contact groove 13 of the wheel 2. In Example 1, the hook-shaped fixing part 10A, hook-shaped fixing part 10B, and hook-shaped fixing part 10C are used to secure the part, and finally, the hook-shaped single fixing part 11D is used to fasten it with a screw, so it can be installed stably without falling off. No special tools are required.

[0031] The outer cover 7 is secured by a claw portion 12 provided on the edge ring 17 of the outer cover 7, but the method of securing is not limited to this. The outer cover 7 may be made of an elastic material and snap-fit ​​into the contact groove 13 of the flange portion of the wheel 2 (snap-fit ​​is a method of fixing by snapping it into place using the elasticity of a material such as plastic).

[0032] The outer cover 7 is a disc-shaped member formed from a transparent resin (TPU, PC, PET, ABS acrylic, etc.) and is positioned along the front side of the wheel 2 without exposing the wheel disc 5. As shown in Figure 3, the outer cover 7 itself is transparent, like the front glass of a picture frame, and is an invisible cover that only provides gloss to the entire surface. Because the outer cover 7 is either curved or flat, dirt such as mud and dust can be easily wiped off and washed away in one go.

[0033] The outer cover 7 and inner cover 6 are preferably highly transparent, heat-resistant, and elastic. The thickness of the outer cover 7 and inner cover 6 is 1 mm to 3 mm, but in Example 1, a 2 mm thick transparent elastic material was used. Since it has sufficient strength even with a wall thickness of 0.5 mm, further thinning is possible.

[0034] The inner cover 6 shown in Figures 1 and 4 is a disc-shaped member made of ABS resin, formed from transparent or translucent resin, and is mounted on the back side of the wheel disc 5. A central hole is provided in the middle section for passing the tire's rotation drive shaft.

[0035] The inner cover 6 is positioned on the back side of the wheel disc 5 as shown in Figure 1, and is secured by bolts 8 and nuts 14 using bolt holes 9 in the disc. The inner cover 6 and outer cover 7 shown in Figure 1 are connected by a bolt 8 connecting means. Both are securely attached without any risk of falling off. It is preferable to make the means members for fixing the outer cover 7 and the inner cover 6, as well as the connecting bolts and nuts, out of transparent material so as not to obscure the design of the wheel disc 5. [Examples]

[0036] Embodiment 2 in Figure 5 comprises a flat, disc-shaped outer cover 70 positioned on the front side of the wheel 2, a flat, disc-shaped inner cover 60 whose circumferential edge is hooked onto the flange portion on the back side of the wheel 2, means for fixing the outer cover 70 to the flange portion of the wheel 2, and means for fixing the circumferential edge of the inner cover 60 to the flange portion on the back side of the wheel 2.

[0037] The outer cover 70 and the inner cover 60 are wheel covers that sandwich the wheel disc 5 and cover its front and back surfaces, respectively. The inner cover 60 in Figure 5 is installed with its circumferential edge in contact with the flange portion of the wheel 2, and is secured with a long bolt 8 and a nut 14 using the bolt hole 9 of the wheel disc 5. The outer cover 70 and the inner cover 60 are provided with fixing means for engaging with the flange portion of the wheel 2 at their peripheral edges.

[0038] The fixing mechanism consists of a claw portion, an engaging member, a clamp structure that grips the flange portion of the wheel 2, etc. The fixing mechanism is not limited as long as it has sufficient holding power to withstand the centrifugal force during driving. If necessary, sealing material (O-ring, sponge, vibration-damping rubber) is provided around the periphery to seal the gap with the wheel and prevent dirt from entering. The inner surfaces of the outer cover 70 and the inner cover 60 can be coated with an anti-fouling coating. Furthermore, since the space created by the outer cover 70 and the inner cover 60 is sealed or partially sealed, ventilation holes may be provided in either to release heat during driving. [Examples]

[0039] As shown in Figure 6, Figure 6(1) shows Embodiment 3, which is a wheel cover consisting of a hemispherical outer cover 7 and an inner cover 60 that is joined to the flange portion of the wheel. The outer cover 7 is made of transparent acrylic resin, and the inner cover 60 is made of polypropylene resin. The structure that holds the wheel disc 5 can be designed with different spacing, as in Example 1 and Example 2. In addition to being connected by bolts, the clamping and fixing means can also be elastically engaged by having flexible claws that clamp the wheel disc 5.

[0040] Although not shown in the diagram, the connecting mechanism consists of connecting members that connect the outer cover 7 and the inner cover 60 at multiple points. This ensures that both covers are held together as a single unit, preventing wear and tear caused by vibration. [Examples]

[0041] Figure 6(2) shows Example 4, which is a wheel cover consisting of a hemispherical outer cover 7 and a hemispherical inner cover 61. The outer cover 7 is made of transparent polycarbonate, and the inner cover 61 is made of glass fiber reinforced resin, providing high rigidity.

[0042] This wheel cover is of the type in which the outer cover 7 is snap-fitted to the wheel flange, and the inner cover 61 is snap-fitted to the wheel flange and secured with latches. It can be secured simply by clamping it onto the wheel disc, eliminating the need for additional bolts or other fasteners. Although not shown in the diagram, the connecting means may also include connecting members that connect the outer cover 7 and the inner cover 60 at multiple points. Because it fastens with a snap-fit ​​mechanism, it can be easily attached and detached. You can put it on when speeding through muddy fields and remove it when you return to the city. [Industrial applicability]

[0043] We have no prior experience with automotive wheel covers, nor can we find any such products on the market. While it might seem unnecessary to develop a product specifically for wheels, since dirty wheels can simply be washed, the recent increase in Sports Utility Vehicles and the growing popularity of driving in uncharted territories and natural environments have created a demand for wheel covers that protect wheels from dirt without obscuring their design. It has market value as an automotive part. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0044] 1... Tires 2... Wheels 3... Hub hole 4... Rim (wheel rim) 5... Disc 6. Inner cover (flat) 60... Inner cover (flat) 61... Inner cover (hemispherical) 7. Outer cover (hemispherical) 71... Outer cover (flat) 8... Bolts 9... Bolt holes 10 … Hook-shaped fixing part 11… Hook-shaped independent fixing part 12 … Tip of fixed part 13. Tire wheel contact grooves 14… Nut 15… Screw 16… Screw holes 17… Edge ring 18… Valve hole 19… Hook-shaped individual fixing bracket

Claims

1. A wheel cover for an automobile tire wheel, comprising: a disc-shaped transparent or translucent outer cover disposed on the front side of the wheel; a disc-shaped transparent or translucent inner cover disposed on the back side of the wheel; a fixing means for engaging the outer cover with the flange portion of the wheel; and a means for fixing the inner cover to the inside of the wheel, wherein the outer cover and the inner cover cover the front and back surfaces of the wheel disc, respectively.

2. A wheel cover for an automobile tire wheel, comprising a disc-shaped outer cover positioned on the front side of the wheel, a disc-shaped inner cover positioned on the back side of the wheel, and fixing means for sandwiching and securing the wheel disc between the outer cover and the inner cover, and means for connecting the outer cover and the inner cover, wherein the outer cover and the inner cover integrally connect and cover the front and back surfaces of the wheel disc.

3. The automobile wheel cover according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fixing means for the outer cover has a structure that snaps onto the flange portion of the wheel by claws provided on the peripheral edge of the outer cover.

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