Spare wheel cover

Abstract

There is disclosed a vehicle spare wheel comprising a rim (30) with a tyre (39) fitted onto it, with the spare wheel cover (1) including a main cover (2), a mounting bracket (3), and two sliders (4A, 4B); with the main cover (2) including means for releasably securing it to the rim (30), a set of guide slots (9, 10, 11, 12) on sides thereof each configured to slidingly receive a slider (4A, 4B) that operatively extends adjacent the sidewall of the tyre (39), with each slider (4A, 4B) being slidingly adjustable within its set of guide slots for an end of the slider (4A, 4B) to be adjustable relative to the tyre (39) sidewall at least for the end of the slider (4A, 4B) to align with the shoulder of the tyre (39), allowing the sliders (4A, 4B) to be adjustable to have a complimentary fit to a range of spare wheel rim (30) sizes and sidewall heights.

Description

[0001] SPARE WHEEL COVER

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to a cover for a vehicle spare wheel.

[0004] BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0005] Many vehicles, especially SUV’s, have spare wheels that are mounted on the vehicle’s rear door. Such doors typically hinge open on one side, and the mounted spare wheel move along with the door. Some configurations have rear doors that hinge at their top edge, and open to the top. For such vehicle, spare wheels are mounted on frames that are hingedly secured to the side of the door. To open such a rear door, the spare wheel on its frame is first rotated to the side which then allows the door to hinge open to the top.

[0006] Irrespective the configuration, such rear mounted spare wheels are often provided with covers. Such covers are, to some extent protective, especially when they comprise a sleeve that fit over the tyre to protect the treat against UV exposure. Generally, such covers perform a combined aesthetic and functional purpose, being made to complement the appearance of the vehicle, carrying number plates and providing fitment locations for reverse cameras, park distance control sensors, and the like that may be integrated into the vehicle’s infotainment system.

[0007] The covers typically include a circular plate that is secured to the wheel rim, with extensions that extend past the tyre sidewalls and at least partly over the tyre tread. A problem with the portion that extends over the tyre tread is that it sized to fit over the tread of a factory fitted tyre. In some instances, vehicles are fitted with wheels with larger rim sizes and / or tyres with higher profiles. Such wheels and / or tyres result in a wheel with a greater diameter than the factory fitted wheels.

[0008] Either of these configurations render the factory fitted spare wheel cover useless if it includes a portion that extends at least partly over the tyre tread since the larger diameter of such a wheel prevents the cover from being fitted to the wheel. That leaves the vehicle without a spare wheel cover which is not aesthetically pleasing and may also have a negative functional impact by removing fitment locations for number plates, reverse cameras, park distance control sensors, and the like. OBJECTIVE OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is an objective of the invention to provide a spare wheel cover for a vehicle with a mounted spare wheel which at least partly overcomes the abovementioned problem.

[0010] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] In accordance with this invention there is provided a vehicle spare wheel comprising a rim with a tyre fitted onto it, with the spare wheel cover including a main cover, a mounting bracket, and two sliders; with the main cover including means for releasably securing it to the rim, a set of guide slots on sides thereof each configured to slidingly receive a slider that operatively extends adjacent the sidewall of the tyre, with each slider being slidingly adjustable within its set of guide slots for an end of the slider to be adjustable relative to the tyre sidewall at least for the end of the slider to align with the shoulder of the tyre, allowing the sliders to be adjustable to have a complimentary fit to a range of spare wheel rim sizes and sidewall heights.

[0012] There is further provided for each slider to terminate in a curved end, which is shaped and configured to extend at least partly over the shoulder of the tyre.

[0013] There is still further provided for each slider to terminate in a curved end, which is shaped and configured to extend over the shoulder of the tyre and at least partly over the tread of the tyre.

[0014] There is further provided for the main cover to include a base, preferably having a rectangular shape, that extends into a circular cover plate, with the circular cover plate being shaped and sized to be larger than a predetermined size commensurate to a maximum rim size of a wheel that can be fitted to the vehicle.

[0015] There is further provided for the main cover base to have four corners, and for the base to include proximate each of its four corners a set of guide slots, each of which includes a first slot and a second slot having between them a guide slot rib that is provided with a row of spaced apart locking formations.

[0016] There is further provided for the base to include between each set of two guide slots on either side thereof a row of spaced apart teeth which is shaped, sized and configured to be complimentary to and cooperate with a pawl on each of the two sliders, operatively enabling each slider to be slidingly movable through positions in the row of teeth, with each slider being releasably securable in any one of the discrete positions defined by the interaction of its pawl with the row of spaced apart teeth associated with it.

[0017] There is still further provided for each slider to comprise a slider end from which two arms extend, with each arm comprising a hollow rib which extends into an edge on either side thereof, with the hollow rib of each arm being shaped and sized to fit over a guide slot rib, and with the slider end being complimentary shaped and sized to the base.

[0018] There is further provided for each guide slot to include a protruding L-shaped lip, with the lips of each set of guide slots facing each other and defining between them a distance that is substantially the same as the distance between the operatively outer edges of the arms of the slider associated with the guide slots, and with the edges of slider arms being shaped and configured for each arm to slide underneath an L-shaped lip in the guide slots to slidingly locate the arms of the slider within the guide slots.

[0019] There is still further provided for each arm to include an aperture in its hollow rib configured that for each of the discrete positions determined by each pawl and its row of teeth the aperture in the arm is aligned with one of the apertures in the row of apertures located underneath it, operatively allowing a locking pin to be pushed through each aperture to releasably secure the arm in that discrete position.

[0020] There is still further provided for the spare wheel cover to include a logo cover that is complimentarily shaped and sized to the base and is removably secured to the main cover over the base.

[0021] There is also provided for the base to be securable to rim by means of bolts engaging at least some of the lug holes in the rim.

[0022] These and other features of the invention are described in more detail below.

[0023] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] A preferred embodiment of the invention is described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front isometric view of a spare wheel cover;

[0025] Figure 2 is a rear isometric view of the spare wheel cover of Figure 1 ;

[0026] Figure 3 is a front elevation view of the spare wheel cover of Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figure 4 is a plan view of the spare wheel cover of Figure 1 ;

[0028] Figure 5 is a rear elevation view of the spare wheel cover of Figure 1 ;

[0029] Figure 6 is a bottom view of the spare wheel cover of Figure 1 ;

[0030] Figure 7 is a left side view of the spare wheel cover of Figure 1 ;

[0031] Figure 8 is a right side view of the spare wheel cover of Figure 1 ;

[0032] Figure 9 is a front isometric view of a spare wheel cover over a large size wheel;

[0033] Figure 10 is a front isometric view of a spare wheel cover over a standard size wheel;

[0034] Figure 11 is a sectional plan view of a spare wheel cover over a large size wheel;

[0035] Figure 12 is a sectional plan view of a spare wheel cover over a standard size wheel;

[0036] Figure 13 is an exploded front isometric view of the spare wheel cover of Figure 1 ;

[0037] Figure 14 shows detail of the left slider shown in Figure 13;

[0038] Figure 15 shows detail of the right slider shown in Figure 13;

[0039] Figure 16 shows detail of the main cover shown in Figure 13;

[0040] Figure 17 is an exploded front elevation view of the spare wheel cover of Figure 1 ; and

[0041] Figure 18 shows the right slider engaged with the main cover, with detail of right sider located by the L-shaped lip in the guide slots.

[0042] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] Before embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.

[0044] The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0045] The use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

[0046] Unless specified or limited otherwise, the terms "mounted", "connected", "engaged" and variations thereof are used broadly and encompass both direct and indirect mountings, connections, supports, and couplings and are thus intended to include direct connections between two members without any other members interposed therebetween and indirect connections between members in which one or more other members are interposed therebetween. Further, "connected" and "engaged" are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings. Additionally, the words "lower", "upper", "upward", "down" and "downward" designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made.

[0047] The terminology includes the words specifically mentioned above, derivatives thereof, and words or similar import. It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," and any singular use of any word, include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.

[0048] As used herein, the term “include” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.

[0049] A preferred embodiment of a spare wheel cover assembly (1) for a vehicle according to the invention comprises a main cover (2), a mounting bracket (3), two sliders (4A, 4B), and a logo cover (5).

[0050] The main cover (2) includes a rectangular base (6) that extends into a circular cover plate (7). The base (6) and circular cover plate (7) are shaped and sized to be larger than the largest rim of a wheel that can be fitted (without body alterations) to the vehicle (not shown) to which the spare wheel cover (1) is fitted. In an example embodiment for a Suzuki Jimny for which the present embodiment of the spare wheel cover (1) is designed, that means a wheel with a rim no larger than about 17”.

[0051] The base (6) is provided with a set of spaced apart apertures (8A, 8B) in its centre. This cooperates with the mounting bracket (3), which is described below.

[0052] The base (6) includes proximate each of its four corners a set of guide slots (9, 10, 11 , 12). Each set of guide slots (9, 10, 11 , 12) includes a first slot (9A, 10A, 11 A, 12A) and a second slot (9B, 10B, 11 B, 12B). Each set of guide slots (9, 10, 11 , 12) include between them a rib (13, 14, 15, 16) that is provided with a row of spaced apart locking apertures (13A, 14A, 15A, 16A). On either end of the base (6) between its two guide slots (9 and 10, 11 and 12) there is a row of teeth (17A, 18A) which cooperates with a pawl (17B, 18B) on each of the two sliders (4A, 4B), which is described below.

[0053] Within each of the sets of guide slots (9A and 9B, 10A and 10B, 11A and 11 B, 12A and 12B) there is an L-shaped lip (19A and 19B; 20A and 20B; 21A and 21 B, 22A and 22B), with the lips (19A and 19B; 20A and 20B; 21A and 21 B, 22A and 22B) in each set of guide slots (9A and 9B, 10A and 10B, 11A and 11 B, 12A and 12B) facing each other. Each of the lips (19A and 19B; 20A and 20B; 21A and 21 B, 22A and 22B) cooperate with an edge (33A1a and 33A1 b; 33B1 a and 33B1 b; 34A1 a and 34A1 b; 34B1 a and 34B1 b) on arms (33, 34) of the two sliders (4A, 4B), which is described below.

[0054] Each arm (33A, 33B, 34A, 34B) comprises a hollow rib (33A1 , 33B1 , 34A1 , 34B1) which extends into an edge (33A1a and 33A1b; 33B1a and 33B1b; 34A1a and 34A1 b; 34B1a and 34B1 b) on either side thereof.

[0055] The mounting bracket (3) comprises a base (23) with as set or spaced apart apertures (25A, 25B), which are complimentary sized and configured to the apertures (8A, 8B) in the rectangular base (6) of the main cover (2).

[0056] The base (23) of the mounting bracket (3) extends from it to terminate in two flanges, a wide flange (26) and a narrow flange (27). The wide flange (26) is provided with two spaced apart apertures (28A, 28B) and the narrow flange (27) is provided with a single aperture (29). The apertures (28, 29) of the flanges (26, 27) are sized and configured to be aligned with the wheel rim (30) apertures. This allows the mounting bracket (3) to be bolted onto the wheel rim (30).

[0057] The base apertures (25) are in turn sized and configured for the apertures (8A, 8B) in the rectangular base (6) of the main cover (2) to be aligned with them, which allows the rectangular base (6) of the main cover (2) to be bolted onto the mounting bracket (3).

[0058] This removably secures the main cover (2) to the wheel rim (30).

[0059] The two sliders (4A, 4B) of the wheel cover assembly (1) each comprises a wing (31 , 32) from which two arms (33A and 33B; 34A and 34B) extend. Each arm (33A, 33B, 34A, 34B) comprises a hollow rib (33A1 , 33B1 , 34A1 , 34B1) which extends into an edge (33A1a and 33A1b; 33B1a and 33B1b; 34A1a and 34A1 b; 34B1a and 34B1 b) on either side thereof.

[0060] The hollow rib (33A1 , 33B1 , 34A1 , 34B1) of each arm is shaped and sized to fit over a rib (13, 14, 15, 16) of the guide slots (9A and 9B, 10A and 10B). The edges (33A1a and 33A1b; 33B1a and 33B1b; 34A1a and 34A1b; 34B1a and 34B1b) of each arm is shaped and configured to slide underneath an L-shaped lip (19A and 19B; 20A and 20B; 21 A and 21 B; 22A and 22B) in the guide slots (9A and 9B; 10A and 10B; 11A and 11 B; 12A and 12B). This is shown in Figure 18 in respect of the top arm (34A) of right slider (4B).

[0061] The left slider (4A) is complimentary shaped and configured to the left side (35) of the rectangular base (6) of the main cover (2), and the right slider (4B) is complimentary shaped and configured to the right side (36) of the rectangular base (6) of the main cover (2).

[0062] The two arms (33A, 33B) of the left slider (4A) are respectively slidably located within the set of guide slots (9, 10) on the left side (35) of the rectangular base (6). The operatively upper arm (33A) is slidably received within the upper guide slot (9), and the operatively lower arm (33B) is slidably received within the lower guide slot (10).

[0063] The two arms (34A, 34B) of the right slider (4B) are respectively slidably located within the set of guide slots (11 , 12) on the right side (36) of the rectangular base (6). The operatively upper arm (34A) is slidably received within the upper guide slot (11), and the operatively lower arm (34B) is slidably received within the lower guide slot (12).

[0064] When the arms (33, 34) are slid in and out of the guide slots (9 and 10, 11 and 12), contained therein by the lips (19, 20, 21 , 22) and edges (33A1a and 33A1b; 33B1a and 33B1b; 34A1a and 34A1 b; 34B1a and 34B1b), each of the pawls (17B, 18B) on the two sliders (4A, 4B) moves through positions in the row of teeth (17A, 18A). Each slider (4A, 4B) is releasably secured in any one of the discrete positions defined by the interaction of its pawl (17B, 18B) and its row of teeth (17A, 18A).

[0065] Each arm (33A, 33B, 34A, 34B) is further provided with an aperture (35, 36, 37, 38) in its hollow rib (33A1 , 33B1 , 34A1 , 34B1). For each of the discrete positions determined by each pawl (17B, 18B) and its row of teeth (17A, 18A) the aperture (35, 36, 37, 38) in the arm (33A, 33B, 34A, 34B) is aligned with one of the apertures in the row of apertures (13A, 14A, 15A, 16A) located underneath it. This allows a locking pin (not shown) to be pushed through each aperture (35, 36, 37, 38) to releasably secure the arm (33A, 33B, 34A, 34B) in that position.

[0066] In use, a tyre within a range of typical sizes, in this instance with a rim size between about 15” and 17”, and varying profile depths cam be fitted. The cover is adjusted to fit the tyre. For this, the logo cover (5) is removed from the cover assembly. This exposes the base (2) and sliders (4A, 4B). The locking pins (not shown) that secure the sliders in position are removed. The arms (33A, 33B, 34A, 34B) are slid in or out of the guide slots (9 and 10, 11 and 12) to the desired depth where the sliders extend partly around the tread of the tyre without touching it. The pins are returned to lock the sliders (4A, 4B) in position, and the logo cover (5) is clipped back into position.

[0067] Figures 9 and 11 show the situation where a tyre (39) with a large rim and deep profile is fitted. As shown in Figure 9 and 11 , the sliders (4Aa, 4Ba) are extended outward to accommodate the large tyre (39).

[0068] Figures 10 and 12 show the situation where a tyre (40) with a small rim and low profile is fitted. As shown in Figures 10 and 12, the sliders (4Ab, 4Bb) are extended inward to accommodate the small tyre (40).

[0069] It will be appreciated that the embodiment described above is given by way of example only and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. It is possible to alter aspects of the embodiment without departing from the essence of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A spare wheel cover for a vehicle spare wheel comprising a rim with a tyre fitted onto it, with the spare wheel cover including a main cover, a mounting bracket, and two sliders; with the main cover including means for releasably securing it to the rim, a set of guide slots on sides thereof each configured to slidingly receive a slider that operatively extends adjacent the sidewall of the tyre, with each slider being slidingly adjustable within its set of guide slots for an end of the slider to be adjustable relative to the tyre sidewall at least for the end of the slider to align with the shoulder of the tyre, allowing the sliders to be adjustable to have a complimentary fit to a range of spare wheel rim sizes and sidewall heights.

2. A spare wheel as claimed in claim 1 in which each slider terminates in a curved end, which is shaped and configured to extend at least partly over the shoulder of the tyre.

3. A spare wheel as claimed in claim 1 in which each slider terminates in a curved end, which is shaped and configured to extend over the shoulder of the tyre and at least partly over the tread of the tyre.

4. A spare wheel cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the main cover includes a base that extends into a circular cover plate, with the circular cover plate being shaped and sized to be larger than a predetermined size commensurate to a maximum rim size of a wheel that can be fitted to the vehicle.

5. A spare wheel cover as claimed in claim 4 in which the base has four corners, and the base includes proximate each of its four corners a set of guide slots, each of which includes a first slot and a second slot having between them a guide slot rib that is provided with a row of spaced apart locking formations.

6. A spare wheel cover as claimed in claim 5 in which the base includes between each set of two guide slots on either side thereof a row of spaced apart teeth which is shaped, sized and configured to be complimentary to and cooperate with a pawl on each of the two sliders, operatively enabling each slider to be slidingly movable through positions in the row of teeth, with each slider being releasably securable inany one of the discrete positions defined by the interaction of its pawl with the row of spaced apart teeth associated with it.

7. A spare wheel cover as claimed in claim 6 in which each slider comprises a slider end from which two arms extend, with each arm comprising a hollow rib which extends into an edge on either side thereof, with the hollow rib of each arm being shaped and sized to fit over a guide slot rib, and with the slider end being complimentary shaped and sized to the base.

8. A spare wheel cover as claimed in claim 7 in which each guide slot includes a protruding L-shaped lip, with the lips of each set of guide slots facing each other and defining between them a distance that is substantially the same as the distance between the operatively outer edges of the arms of the slider associated with the guide slots, and with the edges of slider arms being shaped and configured for each arm to slide underneath an L-shaped lip in the guide slots to slidingly locate the arms of the slider within the guide slots.

9. A spare wheel cover as claimed in claim 8 in which each arm includes an aperture in its hollow rib configured that for each of the discrete positions determined by each pawl and its row of teeth the aperture in the arm is aligned with one of the apertures in the row of apertures located underneath it, operatively allowing a locking pin to be pushed through each aperture to releasably secure the arm in that discrete position.

10. A spare wheel cover as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 7 in which the base has a rectangular shape.

11. A spare wheel cover, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a logo cover that is complimentarily shaped and sized to the base and is removably secured to the main cover over the base.

12. A spare wheel cover, as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the base is securable to rim by means of bolts engaging at least some of the lug holes in the rim.

Images