Convertible wire wheel hub cover

Abstract

A conversion kit for an automotive wheel cover, which has a central opening defined therein, is provided by securing a hub spacer to a vehicle wheel against a bolt-on flange formed as part of the vehicle wheel. The hub spacer is secured by lug bolts or nuts. The hub spacer forms a guide which extends from the vehicle wheel toward the central opening of the wheel cover. A fastener, which is longitudinally constrained with respect to the hub spacer, is included within the guide and is laterally movable to allow the fastener to be aligned within the central opening of the wheel cover. A replacement hub cap is mounted in place of the conventional non-locking hub cap. An annular concentric recess is formed in the replacement hub cap and is disposed in a direction away from the automotive wheel. The annular recess forms a narrow bearing shoulder and a small diameter axial bore through which the fastener is disposed. A lockable fastening bolt is seated in the recess of the replacement hub cap against the narrow shoulder and engages the fastener in the guide. The lockable fastening bolt is characterized by having a highly contoured interfaced surfce. A removable locking key is provided which snugly seats in the recess and engages the contoured interface surface of the lockable fastening bolt. The key is used for engaging and disengaging the lockable fastening bolt from the fastener in the guide to thereby unlock and lock the replacement hub cap. A cap cover is mounted in the replacement hub cap to conceal the recess and the lockable fastening bolt.