The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 27, 2020
Filed:
Oct. 11, 2018
Ford Global Technologies, Llc, Dearborn, MI (US);
Raphael Koch, Odenthal NRW, DE;
Lars Bognar, Dormagen NRW, DE;
Ford Global Technologies, LLC, Dearborn, MI (US);
Abstract
A system for connecting a wheel rim to a hub flange of a motor vehicle, having a fastener such a threaded nut or bolt, and a tool which engages the fastener in a positive-locking manner in order to tighten or release the fastener. To provide improved protection against theft of wheel rims and tires, the fastener has an annular groove extending axially from an end surface of the fastener, the groove having an annular base and inner and outer sidewalls shaped to form an undercut wider than an opening of the groove, a recess extending axially below the base for receiving a projection of a complementally-shaped key on the tool to allow rotation of the fastener. The undercut prevents an unauthorized person using a mold-making material, from being able to make an imprint of the groove and producing a tool therefrom to release the fastener.