Wheel cap

Abstract

To obtain a wheel cap which is inhibited from rattling relative to a wheel.SOLUTION: In a cap body 14 of a wheel cap 10, engagement claws 22, 24 are erected making a pair. The engagement claw 22 is inserted into an attachment hole 18 to cause a facing surface 26A of a stud 26 to contact with a first attachment part 18A at a peripheral edge of the attachment hole 18. The engagement claw 24 is inserted into the attachment hole 18 to cause an inclined surface 34A of a claw part 34 to contact with a second attachment part 18B at the peripheral edge of the attachment hole 18. An angle α1 between the facing surface 26A and a center line C is set so as to be smaller than an angle α2 between the inclined surface 34A and the center line C. The structure inhibits movement of the engagement claws 22, 24 relative to the attachment hole 18 to inhibit rattling from occurring in the cap body 14.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a wheel cap attached to a wheel of a vehicle.

Background Art

[0002] In the wheel cap of Cited Document 1, mounting claws are engaged and held, and the mounting claws are bent in an open-legged shape with two claw bodies. Thereby, the wheel cap is attached to the wheel disk by engaging the claw bodies of the mounting claws across the edges of two heat dissipation holes of the wheel disk.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the mounting claws, two claw bodies are similarly elastically deformed and engaged with the edges of two heat dissipation holes.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above facts, and an object thereof is to provide a wheel cap that suppresses rattling with respect to the wheel.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The wheel cap according to the first aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object includes a cap body having a design surface on the surface opposite to the wheel, and a first engaging leg that is erected on the surface of the cap body on the wheel side, inserted into the through hole of the wheel, and abuts against a first mounting portion at the peripheral edge of the through hole at a first angle with respect to the insertion direction to suppress detachment of the cap body from the wheel, and a second engaging leg that is erected on the surface of the cap body on the wheel side opposite to the first engaging leg, inserted into the through hole of the wheel, and abuts against a second mounting portion at the peripheral edge of the through hole at a second angle greater than the first angle with respect to the insertion direction to bias the first engaging leg toward the first mounting portion and suppress detachment of the cap body from the wheel.

[0007] The wheel cap according to the second aspect is such that, in the first aspect, the first angle is 0°.

[0008] The wheel cap according to the third aspect includes a biasing member that biases the first engaging leg toward the first mounting portion and biases the second engaging leg toward the second mounting portion in the first or second aspect.

[0009] The wheel cap according to the fourth aspect is such that, in any one of the first to third aspects, the first engaging leg is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes toward the first mounting portion on the portion protruding from the through hole of the wheel.

Advantages of the Invention

[0010] In the wheel cap of the first aspect, the surface of the cap body opposite to the wheel is defined as the design surface, and on the cap body, a first engaging leg and a second engaging leg are provided upright in a pair on the wheel-side surface. The first engaging leg is inserted into the through-hole of the wheel and abuts against the first mounting portion at the peripheral edge of the through-hole, thereby suppressing the detachment of the cap body from the wheel. Further, the second engaging leg is inserted into the through-hole of the wheel and abuts against the second mounting portion at the peripheral edge of the through-hole, thereby biasing the first engaging leg toward the first mounting portion and suppressing the detachment of the cap body from the wheel. Therefore, the detachment of the cap body from the wheel is suppressed by the first engaging leg and the second engaging leg.

[0011] Here, the first engaging leg abuts against the first mounting portion at the peripheral edge of the through-hole at a first angle with respect to the insertion direction, and the second engaging leg abuts against the second mounting portion at the peripheral edge of the through-hole at a second angle with respect to the insertion direction, and the first angle is smaller than the second angle.

[0012] Thereby, the first engaging leg can receive the biasing force of the second engaging leg, the play of the first engaging leg and the second engaging leg with respect to the through-hole can be suppressed, and the play of the cap body with respect to the wheel can be suppressed.

[0013] In the wheel cap of the second aspect, the first angle is 0°. Thereby, the first engaging leg can effectively receive the biasing force of the second engaging leg, and the play of the cap body with respect to the wheel can be suppressed.

[0014] In the wheel cap of the third aspect, the biasing member biases the first engaging leg toward the first mounting portion and biases the second engaging leg toward the second mounting portion. Thereby, the play of the cap body with respect to the wheel can be effectively suppressed.

[0015] In the wheel cap according to the fourth aspect, the protruding portion provided on the first engaging leg protrudes from the through hole of the wheel. As a result, the movement of the protruding portion in the pulling-out direction from the through holes of the first engaging leg and the second engaging leg can be effectively suppressed, and the detachment of the cap body from the wheel can be effectively suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 〔First Embodiment〕 In FIG. 2, the schematic configuration of the wheel cap 10 according to the first embodiment is shown in a front view seen from the front side. Further, in FIG. 1, the main part of the wheel cap 10 is shown in a cross-sectional view along line 1-1 of FIG. 2. In the drawings, the front side of the wheel cap 10 is indicated by an arrow FS, the circumferential direction of the wheel cap 10 is indicated by an arrow L, and the radially outer side of the wheel cap 10 is indicated by an arrow R.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the wheel cap 10 is mounted (attached) on the front side of the wheel 12. The wheel cap 10 includes a resin cap body 14 having a substantially disc-shaped outer shape, and one axial side of the cap body 14 is a design surface 14A. A plurality of decorative holes 16A and 16B, each having a substantially trapezoidal shape, are formed through the cap body 14. The decorative holes 16A and 16B are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction of the cap body 14 and are formed radially on the cap body 14 as a whole.

[0019] The wheel 12 is made of metal (for example, aluminum or steel), and the wheel 12 is attached to a hub provided on the outer side in the vehicle width direction (automobile) of the vehicle (both are not shown). The wheel cap 10 is attached to the outer side in the vehicle width direction (axial direction) of the wheel 12 with the cap body 14 and is visible from the outer side in the vehicle width direction (outside the vehicle). The wheel cap 10 covers and decorates the wheel 12.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wheel 12 has mounting holes 18 as through holes formed through a portion (a portion facing between the decorative holes 16A and 16B) covered by the cap body 14 at the outer peripheral portion. A plurality of the mounting holes 18 are formed at predetermined intervals along the circumferential direction of the wheel 12 (not shown). In the first embodiment, the mounting holes 18 have the opening center line C substantially parallel to the axis (central axis) of the wheel 12. Note that the mounting holes 18 may be circular or rectangular.

[0021] The cap body 14 is provided with engaging portions 20 at positions corresponding to each of the mounting holes 18 of the wheel 12. In the first embodiment, the engaging portion 20 has an engaging claw 22 as a first engaging leg and an engaging claw 24 as a second engaging leg standing opposite to each other on the back surface of the cap body 14 (the surface opposite to the design surface 14A). The cap body 14 is attached to the wheel 12 by inserting and arranging the engaging claws 22 and 24 into the mounting holes 18 of the wheel 12 to a predetermined position (mounting position) and engaging with the wheel 12 at each of the plurality of engaging portions 20.

[0022] At the peripheral edge of the mounting hole 18, the portion of the wheel 12 facing the engaging claw 22 is the first mounting portion 18A, and the portion facing the engaging claw 24 is the second mounting portion 18B.

[0023] The engaging claws 22 and 24 are integrally formed with the cap body 14 so as to obtain a given rigidity and elasticity. The engaging claws 22 and 24 have their respective leg columns 26 and 28 extending in a direction along the opening center line C (axial direction of the mounting hole 18) of the mounting hole 18, and ribs 30 are formed between the base portions of the respective leg columns 26 and 28 and the back surface of the cap body 14. Further, on the engaging claw 22, a protruding portion and a claw portion 32 as a first protruding portion are formed at the tip of the leg column 26, and on the engaging claw 24, a claw portion 34 as a second protruding portion is formed at the tip of the leg column 28.

[0024] The claw portion 32 of the engaging claw 22 protrudes to the side opposite to the engaging claw 24. When the engaging claw 22 is inserted into the mounting hole 18 to a predetermined position, the claw portion 32 is disposed inside the mounting hole 18 in the vehicle width direction, and the opposing surface 26A of the leg column 26 faces the first mounting portion 18A of the mounting hole 18.

[0025] The claw portion 34 of the engaging claw 24 protrudes to the side opposite to the engaging claw 22. Further, the claw portion 34 is thicker on the surface of the leg column 28 on the side of the second mounting portion 18B than the claw portion 32 (the shape corresponding to the claw portion 32 is shown by a two-dot chain line). Thereby, in the engaging claw 24, an inclined surface 34A inclined in a direction away from the second mounting portion 18B extends toward the base of the leg column 28 from the protruding tip of the claw portion 34. When the engaging claw 24 is inserted into the mounting hole 18 to a predetermined position, the inclined surface 34A of the claw portion 34 abuts against the corner portion inside the mounting hole 18 in the vehicle width direction (opposite to the cap body 14 of the wheel 12) of the second mounting portion 18B.

[0026] Here, the opposing surface 26A of the engaging claw 22 has an angle α1 as the first angle with respect to the opening center line C of the mounting hole 18. Further, the inclined surface 34A of the engaging claw 24 has an angle α2 as the second angle with respect to the opening center line C of the mounting hole 18. In the engaging portion 20, the angle α2 is an acute angle (0 < α2 < 90°), and the angle α1 is smaller than the angle α2. Also, in the engaging portion 20, the angle α1 is 0° (α1 = 0°).

[0027] Moreover, in the engaging portion 20, the distance between the surface on the side opposite to the engaging claw 24 of the leg column 26 of the engaging claw 22 (the surface on the side of the first mounting portion 18A) and the surface on the side opposite to the engaging claw 22 of the leg column 28 of the engaging claw 24 (the surface on the side of the second mounting portion 18B) is made smaller than the opening width of the mounting hole 18. Also, in the engaging portion 20, the distance between the surface on the side opposite to the engaging claw 24 of the leg column 26 of the engaging claw 22 (the surface on the side of the first mounting portion 18A, the opposing surface 26A) and the protruding tip of the claw portion 34 of the engaging claw 24 is made larger than the opening width of the mounting hole 18. As a result, in the engaging portion 20, by tilting the tip portions of the claw portions 32 and 34 of the engaging claws 22 and 24 in the approaching direction, the engaging claws 22 and 24 can be moved in the insertion direction and the pulling-out direction with respect to the mounting hole 18.

[0028] On the other hand, an engaging spring 36 as a biasing member is provided in the engaging portion 20. The engaging spring 36 is in a strip shape made of metal and is curved in a substantially U shape. The center of curvature of the engaging spring 36 is on the side of the cap body 14 and is disposed between the engaging claws 22 and 24.

[0029] Protrusions 38 for locking the engaging spring 36 are formed on the claw portion 32 of the engaging claw 22 and the claw portion 34 of the engaging claw 24. The protrusions 38 protrude toward each other at the upper end portions of the claw portion 32 and the claw portion 34.

[0030] Locking portions 40 are formed at the respective tip portions of the engaging spring 36. The locking portions 40 are formed with curved portions 40A curved in a direction approaching each other at the intermediate portions, and the tips are provided in a direction separating from each other.

[0031] The engaging spring 36 is locked to each of the engaging claws 22 and 24 by the protrusions 38 of the engaging claws 22 and 24 being received in the curved portions 40A of the locking portions 40, and biases the engaging claws 22 and 24 in a direction away from each other. In each of the curved portions 40A of the engaging spring 36, a recess or through-hole into which the tip of the protrusion 38 is fitted is formed, and even if the wheel 12 vibrates, the protrusion 38 is prevented from coming off the curved portion 40A and the engaging spring 36 from coming off the engaging claws 22 and 24.

[0032] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described. On the wheel 12 to which the wheel cap 10 is attached, a plurality of mounting holes 18 are arranged along the circumferential direction, and the mounting holes 18 are formed to penetrate therethrough. Further, on the cap body 14 of the wheel cap 10, engaging portions 20 are formed corresponding to each of the mounting holes 18. The engaging portion 20 has a pair of engaging claws 22 having claw portions 32 formed on the leg column 26 and engaging claws 24 having claw portions 34 formed on the leg column 28. Further, an engaging spring 36 is provided on the engaging portion 20, and the engaging spring 36 is arranged across the engaging claws 22 and 24.

[0033] The cap body 14 has the design surface 14A as the front side, and the engaging claws 22 and 24 arranged on the surface opposite to the design surface 14A are brought close to each other against the biasing force of the engaging spring 36 and inserted into the mounting hole 18 and arranged therein, whereby the cap body 14 is attached to the wheel 12 and decorates the front side of the wheel 12.

[0034] When the engaging claw 22 is inserted into the mounting hole 18, the claw portion 32 protrudes from the mounting hole 18 toward the inner side (back side) in the vehicle width direction, and the opposing surface 26A of the leg column 26 faces the first mounting portion 18A at the periphery of the mounting hole 18. Further, when the engaging claw 24 is inserted into the mounting hole 18, the tip portion of the claw portion 34 protrudes from the mounting hole 18 toward the inner side (back side) in the vehicle width direction, and the inclined surface 34A of the claw portion 34 abuts against the corner portion of the second mounting portion 18B at the periphery of the mounting hole 18.

[0035] In the engaging portion 20, when the inclined surface 34A of the claw portion 34 of the engaging claw 24 abuts against the second mounting portion 18A, the opposing surface 26A of the engaging claw 22 abuts against and presses the first mounting portion 18A, and the inclined surface 34A of the engaging claw 24 abuts against and presses the second mounting portion 18B. Further, in the engaging portion 20, the engaging spring 36 biases each of the engaging claws 22 and 24 toward the first mounting portion 18A and the second mounting portion 18B, respectively.

[0036] As a result, in the engaging portion 20, although the load generated on the engaging claw 22 is different from the load generated on the engaging claw 24, a predetermined load can be applied to the peripheral portion of the mounting hole 18 to enable engagement. Further, in the engaging portion 20, by engaging the engaging claws 22 and 24 with the peripheral portion of the mounting hole 18 of the wheel 12, the cap body 14 can be engaged with the wheel 12.

[0037] Further, since a large force is required for the engaging portion 20 to be pulled out from the mounting hole 18 to be in a disengaged state, detachment from the mounting hole 18 is suppressed. The wheel cap 10 is attached to the wheel 12 by engaging the cap body 14 with the wheel 12 at a plurality of locations in the circumferential direction of the wheel 12.

[0038] FIG. 3 schematically shows, in a diagram, the change in load with respect to the pulling stroke of the engaging claws 22 and 24 from the mounting hole 18. In FIG. 3, the horizontal axis represents the pulling stroke of the engaging claws 22 and 24 from the mounting hole 18, and the vertical axis represents the load generated on the engaging claws 22 and 24 and the engaging portion 20 (similarly for the wheel 12). Further, the pulling position in FIG. 3 is the position where the engaging claws 22 and 24 are pulled out from the mounting hole 18 (the position where the engagement with the mounting hole 18 is released), and the mounting position is the position where the engaging claws 22 and 24 are engaged with the mounting hole 18.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, in the engaging portion 20, at the mounting position where the cap body 14 is mounted on the wheel 12, a predetermined load is applied because the inclined surface 34A of the engaging claw 24 abuts against the second mounting portion 18B. As a result, the engaging portion 20 is held within the mounting hole 18, and the cap body 14 is held by the wheel 12.

[0040] From here, when pulling out the engaging claws 22 and 24 from the mounting hole 18, in the engaging claw 22, when the claw portion 32 reaches the first mounting portion 18A, the load (pull-out load) greatly increases, and when the protruding tip of the claw portion 32 passes through the first mounting portion 18A, the load gradually decreases. Also, in the engaging claw 22, the load disappears when passing through the pull-out position where the claw portion 32 is pulled out from the mounting hole 18.

[0041] Also, when pulling out the engaging claws 22 and 24 from the mounting hole 18, in the engaging claw 24, since the second mounting portion 18B moves relative to the protruding tip of the claw portion 34 along the inclined surface 34A of the claw portion 34, the load (pull-out load) gradually increases. Also, in the engaging claw 24, the load becomes the largest at the protruding tip of the claw portion 34 where the second mounting portion 18B is located, and when the second mounting portion 18B passes through the protruding tip of the claw portion 34, the load decreases. Also, in the engaging claw 24, the load disappears when passing through the pull-out position where the claw portion 34 is pulled out from the mounting hole 18.

[0042] Furthermore, in the engaging portion 20, since a biasing force is applied to the engaging claws 22 and 24 by the engaging spring 36, the load of the engaging claws 22 and 24 in the pull-out stroke increases due to the biasing force of the engaging spring 36. As a result, since the load greatly increases in the pull-out stroke of the engaging portion 20 from the mounting hole 18, the detachment of the engaging portion 20 from the mounting hole 18 is prevented. Moreover, an engaging spring 36 is disposed between the engaging claw 22 and the engaging claw 24. For this reason, when the claw portion 32 of the engaging claw 22 engages with the first mounting portion 18A, the engaging claw 22 presses the engaging spring 36 toward the engaging claw 24, and the engaging spring 36 presses the engaging claw 24 (the second protruding portion) toward the second mounting portion 18B. As a result, since the load for pulling out the engaging portion 20 from the mounting hole 18 increases (see FIG. 3), the detachment of the engaging portion 20 from the mounting hole 18 can be effectively prevented.

[0043] On one hand, in the engaging portion 20, an engaging spring 36 is disposed between the engaging claws 22 and 24, and the engaging spring 36 biases each of the engaging claws 22 and 24 toward the first mounting portion 18A and the second mounting portion 18B. Thereby, the cap body 14 is effectively engaged with the mounting hole 18 of the wheel 12, and the wheel cap 10 is effectively attached to the wheel 12.

[0044] Further, each of the locking portions 40 of the engaging spring 36 is locked to the protrusion 38 at the tip of each of the engaging claws 22 and 24, and the engaging spring 36 biases the tips of the engaging claws 22 and 24. For this reason, the leg portions 26 and 28 of the engaging claws 22 and 24 are biased in a direction of being stretched with the first mounting portion 18A and the second mounting portion 18B as fulcrums by the engaging spring 36. Thereby, when the leg portions 26 and 28 of the engaging claws 22 and 24 are bent, the bending of the leg portions 26 and 28 is removed, so that the engaging claws 22 and 24 are suppressed from undergoing creep deformation.

[0045] On one hand, in the engaging portion 20, the angle α1 of the opposing surface 26A of the engaging claw 22 that abuts against the first mounting portion 18A is made smaller than the angle α2 of the inclined surface 34A of the engaging claw 24 that abuts against the second mounting portion 18A (α1 < α2 < 90°). For this reason, in the engaging portion 20, the engaging claw 22 can receive the biasing force of the engaging claw 24, and the movement of each of the engaging claws 22 and 24 with respect to the mounting hole 18 is suppressed as compared with the case where the angle α1 and the angle α2 are the same. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of play in the wheel cap 10.

[0046] Also, in the engaging portion 20, the angle α1 is 0° (α1 = 0°). Thereby, in the engaging portion 20, when the engaging claws 22 and 24 are inserted and disposed in the mounting hole 18, the engaging claw 22 is held against the first mounting portion 18A by the biasing force of the engaging claw 24, so that the engaging portion 20 can hold the cap body 14 at a fixed position with respect to the wheel 12.

[0047] 〔Second Embodiment〕 Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 4 shows the main part of the wheel cap 50 according to the second embodiment in a front view, and FIG. 5 shows the wheel cap 50 in a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 4, the wheel cap 50 is mounted on the front side of the wheel 52. The wheel cap 50 includes a resin cap body 54 having a substantially disc-shaped outer shape (only a part is shown in FIG. 4), and one side in the axial direction of the cap body 54 is a design surface 54A. A plurality of decorative holes 16C having a substantially trapezoidal shape, for example, are formed through the cap body 54. The decorative holes 16C are arranged in the circumferential direction of the cap body 54 and are formed radially on the cap body 54 as a whole.

[0049] A plurality of spokes 56 (partially shown in FIG. 5) are formed radially on the wheel 52 decorated by the cap body 54, and the cap body 54 covers the spokes 56 of the wheel 52 between the circumferentially adjacent decorative holes 16C. In the second embodiment, a heat dissipation hole 58 (see FIG. 5) formed through between the circumferentially adjacent spokes 56 in the wheel 52 is a through hole, and the heat dissipation hole 58 penetrates in the axial direction of the wheel 52.

[0050] Engaging portions 60 are provided at positions corresponding to each of the spokes 56 of the wheel 52 on the cap body 54. An engaging claw 62 as a first engaging leg and an engaging claw 64 as a second engaging leg are provided upright in pairs on the back surface of the cap body 54 (the surface opposite to the design surface 54A). The engaging portion 60 has the engaging claw 62 corresponding to the heat dissipation hole 58 on one side in the circumferential direction of the spoke 56, and the engaging claw 64 corresponding to the heat dissipation hole 58 on the other side in the circumferential direction of the spoke 56. The engaging claws 62 and 64 are inserted into the heat dissipation hole 58 along the axial direction of the wheel 52.

[0051] The engaging portion 60 is configured such that the engaging claw 62 has the same outer shape as the engaging claw 22 of the engaging portion 20, and the engaging claw 62 has the same outer shape as the engaging claw 24 of the engaging portion 20. The engaging portion 60 is arranged such that the engaging claw 62 is inserted into the heat dissipation hole 58 on one side in the circumferential direction of the spoke 56 to a predetermined position, and the engaging claw 64 is inserted into the heat dissipation hole 58 on the other side in the circumferential direction of the spoke 56 to a predetermined position. The engaging claws 62 and 64 are each engaged with the spoke 56 by being inserted into the heat dissipation hole 58 to a predetermined position, and the cap body 54 is attached to the wheel 52.

[0052] In the wheel 52, the portion where the engaging claw 62 faces the peripheral edge of the heat dissipation hole 58 on one side in the circumferential direction of the spoke 56 is defined as the first attachment portion 56A, and the portion where the engaging claw 64 faces the peripheral edge of the heat dissipation hole 58 on the other side in the circumferential direction of the spoke 56 is defined as the second attachment portion 56B.

[0053] The engaging claws 62 and 64 are integrally formed with the cap body 54 so as to obtain a given rigidity and elasticity. The engaging claws 62 and 64 are each extended in a direction along a line P substantially parallel to the axis of the wheel 52, and ribs (for example, rib 30) (not shown) are formed between the base of each of the leg columns 66 and 68 and the back surface of the cap body 54.

[0054] Further, a protruding portion and a claw portion 70 as a first protruding portion are formed at the tip of the leg column 66 of the engaging claw 62, and a claw portion 72 as a second protruding portion is formed at the tip of the leg column 68 of the engaging claw 64. The claw portion 70 of the engaging claw 62 protrudes toward the engaging claw 64 side (the first attachment portion 56A side). When the engaging claw 62 is inserted into the heat dissipation hole 58 to a predetermined position, the claw portion 70 protrudes inward in the vehicle width direction from the heat dissipation hole 58, and the opposing surface 66A of the leg column 66 faces the first attachment portion 56A of the spoke 56.

[0055] Further, the claw portion 72 of the engaging claw 64 protrudes toward the engaging claw 62 side (the second attachment portion 56B side), and an inclined surface 72A is formed from the protruding tip toward the leg post 68 side. The engaging claw 64 is inserted into the heat dissipation hole 58 to a predetermined position, so that the inclined surface 72A of the claw portion 72 abuts (contacts) the inner corner portion in the vehicle width direction of the second attachment portion 56B of the spoke 56.

[0056] Here, the opposing surface 66A of the engaging claw 62 has an angle α1 as the first angle between the lines P along the insertion direction. Also, the inclined surface 72A of the engaging claw 64 has an angle α2 as the second angle between the lines P along the insertion direction. The angle α2 is an acute angle (0 < α2 < 90°), the angle α1 is smaller than the angle α2, and in the engaging portion 60, the angle α1 is 0° (α1 = 0°).

[0057] In the engaging portion 60, the distance between the surface of the leg post 66 of the engaging claw 62 on the engaging claw 64 side (the surface on the first attachment portion 56A side) and the surface of the leg post 68 of the engaging claw 64 on the engaging claw 62 side (the surface on the second attachment portion 56B side) is made larger than the width of the spoke 56. Also, in the engaging portion 60, the distance between the surface of the leg post 66 of the engaging claw 62 on the engaging claw 64 side (the surface on the first attachment portion 56A side, the opposing surface 66A) and the protruding tip of the claw portion 72 of the engaging claw 64 is made smaller than the width of the spoke 56. Thereby, in the engaging portion 60, the tip portions of the claw portions 70 and 72 of the engaging claws 62 and 64 are tilted in the direction of separation, so that the engaging claws 62 and 64 can be inserted into and pulled out from the respective heat dissipation holes 58, and the engagement with and disengagement from the spoke 56 can be achieved.

[0058] On the other hand, engaging springs 74 and 76 as biasing members are provided in the engaging portion 60, and the engaging springs 74 and 76 are in the form of metal bands. The base end sides of the engaging springs 74 and 76 are locked to the back surface of the cap body 54, and the tip end sides extend toward the claw portion 70 of the engaging claw 62 and the claw portion 72 of the engaging claw 64.

[0059] Protrusions 78 for locking engagement springs 74 and 76 are formed on the claw portions 70 of the engaging claw 62 and the claw portions 72 of the engaging claw 64, and the protrusions 78 protrude in a direction away from each other from the upper end portions of the engaging claw 62 and the engaging claw 64 respectively.

[0060] The engaging springs 74 and 76 are each formed with a curved portion 80 that is curved in a substantially U shape at the tip. The engaging spring 74 has the curved portion 80 opened toward the claw portion 70 of the engaging claw 62, and the engaging spring 76 has the curved portion 80 opened toward the claw portion 72 of the engaging claw 64. The engaging spring 74 has the protrusion 78 of the engaging claw 62 received in the curved portion 80 and locked to the engaging claw 62, and the engaging spring 76 has the protrusion 78 of the engaging claw 64 received in the curved portion 80 and locked to the engaging claw 64. Also, in the engaging portion 60, the engaging springs 74 and 76 are connected by a ring spring (not shown), and a biasing force is applied to the tip sides of the engaging springs 74 and 76 in a direction approaching each other.

[0061] In the second embodiment configured as described above, the design surface 54A of the cap body 54 is the front side, and the engaging claws 62 and 64 are separated from each other against the biasing force of the engaging springs 74 and 76 and inserted and arranged in the heat dissipation holes 58 of the wheel 52, so that the engaging claws 62 and 64 engage with the spokes 56 of the wheel 52. Thereby, the wheel cap 50 has the cap body 54 attached to the wheel 52 to decorate the front side of the wheel 52.

[0062] By being inserted into the heat dissipation hole 58 of the wheel 52, the engaging claw 62 is arranged on the inner side (back side) in the vehicle width direction of the spoke 56, and the opposing surface 66A of the leg column 66 abuts against the first attachment portion 56A of the spoke 56. Also, by being inserted into the heat dissipation hole 58 of the wheel 52, the tip of the claw portion 72 of the engaging claw 64 is arranged on the inner side (back side) in the vehicle width direction of the spoke 56, and the inclined surface 72A of the claw portion 72 abuts against the corner portion of the second attachment portion 56B of the spoke 56.

[0063] At the engaging portion 60, when the inclined surface 72A of the claw portion 72 of the engaging claw 64 abuts against the second attachment portion 56B, the opposing surface 66A of the engaging claw 62 against the engaging claw 64 abuts against the first attachment portion 56A. As a result, the engaging claws 62 and 64 engage with the spoke 56 with the spoke 56 interposed therebetween. At this time, by the engaging claw 64 pressing the second attachment portion 56B, the engaging claw 62 receives the biasing force of the engaging claw 64 and biases the first attachment portion 56A, and the engaging portion 60 is engaged with the wheel 52.

[0064] In this way, at the engaging portion 60, a predetermined load can be applied to the peripheral portion of the spoke 56 of the wheel 52 for engagement. Further, when releasing the engagement of the engaging portion 60 with the spoke 56, a large load acts. Therefore, at the engaging portion 60, the engaging claws 62 and 64 engage with the spoke 56 of the wheel 52, so that the cap body 54 can be engaged with the wheel 52. Further, since a large force is required for the engaging portion 60 to be in a state of releasing the engagement with the spoke 56, the detachment of the cap body 54 from the wheel 52 can be suppressed. At this time, at the engaging portion 60, the engaging springs 74 and 76 bias the engaging claws 62 and 64, respectively. As a result, the cap body 54 is effectively engaged with the spoke 56 of the wheel 52, and the wheel cap 50 is effectively attached to the wheel 52.

[0065] Further, at the engaging portion 60, the engaging springs 74 and 76 are attached to the engaging claws 62 and 64, and the engaging springs 74 and 76 bias the engaging claws 62 and 64 in a direction approaching each other. As a result, the engaging portion 60 is effectively engaged with the spoke 56 (wheel 52).

[0066] Further, the engaging spring 74 is locked to the tip of the engaging claw 62, and the engaging spring 76 is locked to the tip of the engaging claw 64. Therefore, the leg posts 66 and 68 of the engaging claws 62 and 64 are biased in a direction of being extended with the first attachment portion 56A and the second attachment portion 56B as fulcrums by the engaging springs 74 and 76. As a result, the engaging claws 62 and 64 suppress the occurrence of deflection in the leg posts 26 and 28, and suppress the creep deformation of the engaging claws 62 and 64.

[0067] In the engaging portion 60, the angle α1 of the opposing surface 66A of the engaging claw 62 that contacts the first attachment portion 56A is made smaller than the angle α2 of the inclined surface 72A of the engaging claw 64 that contacts the second attachment portion 56B (α1 < α2 < 90°). For this reason, compared with the case where the angle α1 and the angle α2 are made the same, the movement of each of the engaging claws 62 and 64 is suppressed. Thereby, in the engaging portion 60, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of play between the cap body 54 and the spoke 56.

[0068] Also, in the engaging portion 60, since the angle α1 is 0° (α1 = 0°), the movement of the engaging claw 62 with respect to the first attachment portion 56A is suppressed, so that the engaging portion 60 can suppress and hold the cap body 54 from rattling with respect to the wheel 52.

[0069] In the second embodiment, the engaging spring 74 and the engaging spring 76 are separate bodies, but the biasing member may be such that the engaging spring 74 and the engaging spring 76 are integrally connected. Thereby, an urging force can be effectively applied between the engaging claws 62 and 64.

[0070] Also, in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the inclined surfaces 34A and 72A are formed in the engaging claw 24 and the engaging claw 64 so as to reach the protruding tips of the claw portions 34 and 72, respectively. However, the protruding tips of the claw portion 34 and the claw portion 72 may protrude further toward the second attachment portion 18A side and the second attachment portion 56B side than the inclined surfaces 34A and 72A, respectively. Thereby, it is possible to effectively prevent the detachment from the attachment hole 18 of the engaging portion 20 and the release of the engagement from the spoke 56 of the engaging portion 60.

[0071] In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the engaging claws 22, 24 and the engaging claws 62, 64 are arranged in a direction intersecting the radial direction of the wheels 12, 52. However, the first engaging leg and the second engaging leg may be arranged in the radial direction of the wheel.

[0072] In addition, in the first and second embodiments, engaging claws 22, 24 and engaging claws 62, 64 are used respectively. However, the first engaging leg is erected on the wheel-side surface of the cap body, inserted into the through-hole of the wheel, and abuts against the first mounting portion at the peripheral edge of the through-hole at a first angle with respect to the insertion direction to suppress the detachment of the cap body from the wheel. The second engaging leg is erected on the wheel-side surface of the cap body opposite to the first engaging leg, inserted into the through-hole of the wheel, and abuts against the second mounting portion at the peripheral edge of the through-hole at a second angle larger than the first angle with respect to the insertion direction to bias the first engaging leg toward the first mounting portion and suppress the detachment of the cap body from the wheel, as long as it has such a configuration.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0073] 10, 50... wheel caps, 12, 52... wheels, 14, 54... cap bodies, 18... mounting holes (through-holes), 18A, 56A... first mounting portions, 18B, 56B... second mounting portions, 22, 62... engaging claws (first engaging legs), 24, 64... mounting claws (second engaging legs), 26A, 66A... opposing surfaces, 34A, 72A... inclined surfaces, 32, 70... claw portions (protrusions), 34, 72... claw portions, 36, 74, 76... engaging springs (biasing members).

Claims

1. A cap body having a surface opposite to the wheel as a design surface, A first engaging leg that is erected on the surface of the cap body on the wheel side, is inserted into the through hole of the wheel, and contacts a first mounting portion at the peripheral edge of the through hole at a first angle with respect to the insertion direction to suppress detachment of the cap body from the wheel. A second engaging leg that is erected on the surface of the cap body on the wheel side opposite to the first engaging leg, is inserted into the through hole of the wheel, and contacts a second mounting portion at the peripheral edge of the through hole at a second angle greater than the first angle with respect to the insertion direction to bias the first engaging leg toward the first mounting portion and suppress detachment of the cap body from the wheel. A wheel cap including the above.

2. The wheel cap according to claim 1, wherein the first angle is 0°.

3. The wheel cap according to claim 1 or claim 2, further including a biasing member that biases the first engaging leg toward the first mounting portion and biases the second engaging leg toward the second mounting portion.

4. The wheel cap according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first engaging leg is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes toward the first mounting portion on a portion protruding from the through hole of the wheel.

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