Hayes Lemmerz International, Inc.

Hayes Wheels International, Inc.

Michael V Maloney

Thomas E Heck

James H Kemmerer

James A Lumm

A vehicle wheel cover retention system wherein the outboard tire bead seat retaining flange of the associated wheel includes a unique construction for securing a wheel cover to the wheel. In particular, the vehicle wheel includes a disc which defines an outboard facing wheel surface and includes an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard tire bead seat retaining flange includes an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein. A relatively thin wheel cover (which may or may not conform to the exact contour of the disc) covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel disc surface. In particular, the wheel cover includes an outer annular lip which extends into the groove.

Vehicle wheel cover retention system

Vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing same

An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same wherein the wheel includes a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The flange includes an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein. The groove is defined by a generally axially extending first surface and a second surface angled relative to the first surface. The wheel further includes a wheel cover covering at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface. The cover includes an outer annular lip which extends into the groove and is positioned adjacent the first surface. The groove and the lip have a configuration which enables the lip to spring outwardly into the groove when the cover is pressed on the disc. The method for producing the vehicle wheel includes the the steps of: (a) providing a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange, the outboard bead seat retaining flange including an outer surface having a circumferential, radially inwardly facing groove formed therein, the groove defining an inner diameter; (b) providing a wheel cover including an outer annular lip which defines an outer diameter which generally corresponds to the inner diameter of the groove; and (c) moving the disc and the cover toward one another whereby the wheel cover initials deflects inwardly and then expands outwardly into the groove to secure the wheel cover to the disc.

An improved vehicle wheel cover retention system and method for producing the same includes a vehicle wheel having a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange. The outboard bead seat retaining flange includes an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having a circumferential, radially outwardly facing groove formed therein. The vehicle wheel further includes a wheel cover which covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion of the outer peripheral end of the outboard bead seat retaining flange. The wheel cover includes an inner cover surface and an outer annular lip which extends into the groove when the wheel cover is installed on the disc. The method for producing the vehicle wheel includes the steps of: (a) providing a vehicle wheel including a disc defining an outboard facing wheel surface and including an outboard tire bead seat retaining flange, the outboard bead seat retaining flange including an outer peripheral end and an inner surface having a circumferential, radially outwardly facing groove formed therein; (b) providing a wheel cover defining an inner cover surface and an outer cover surface, the wheel cover including an outer annular lip; (c) applying an adhesive to one of the outboard facing wheel surface and the inner cover surface; (d) supporting the wheel and the cover in coaxial relationship relative to one another; (e) selectively moving the wheel and the cover toward one another to enable the adhesive to secure the wheel and the cover together; and (f) subjecting the outer annular lip of the wheel cover to an operation to deform the outer annular lip and cause the outer annular lip to be received into the groove whereby the wheel cover covers at least a portion of the outboard facing wheel surface and the entire portion of the outer peripheral end of the outboard bead seat retaining flange.

Growing community of inventors

Belleville, MI, United States of America

Michael V Maloney