Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.

John R Kinstler

Thomas E Heck

An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a disc, a first wheel cover and a second wheel cover. The disc defines an outboard facing wheel surface and includes an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard tire bead seat retaining flange includes an inner surface having a circumferential, radially outwardly facing groove formed therein. The first wheel cover is secured to the disc and covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface. The second wheel cover is secured to the disc and covers at least the entire portion of the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The second wheel cover includes an inner portion which extends into the groove when the second wheel cover is secured to the disc. When the first wheel cover and the second wheel cover are secured to the disc, the first wheel cover and the second wheel cover do not interfere with the attachment of a balance weight to the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the disc.

Vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same

An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a vehicle wheel including a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The vehicle wheel further includes a first wheel cover and a second wheel cover. The first wheel cover covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface, and the second wheel cover covers the entire portion of the outer peripheral end of the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. Preferably, an adhesive is applied to one of the outboard facing wheel surface and the first wheel cover inner surface to permanently secure the first wheel cover and the disc together. The method for producing the vehicle wheel includes the steps: (a) providing a vehicle wheel including a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange; (b) providing a first wheel cover and a second wheel cover; (c) supporting the first wheel cover, the second wheel cover, and the vehicle wheel in coaxial relationship relative to one another; (d) securing the first wheel cover to the vehicle wheel, the first wheel cover covering at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface; and (e) securing the second wheel cover to the vehicle wheel, the second wheel cover covering the entire portion of the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the disc.

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Whitmore Lake, MI, United States of America

John R Kinstler