Patent ID: 6022081
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: B60B

Abstract:
A wheel cover comprising:a wheel cover base having a front surface and an oppositely disposed rear surface;a plurality of elongated tubular extensions having an outboard surface, an end basal portion attached to said wheel cover base and an opposite end extending in a direction away from said rear surface, said plurality of elongated tubular extensions being circumferentially spaced about said rear surface, said end basal portion of each said tubular extension being a solid tubular body, said opposite end of each of said plurality of tubular extensions being hollow and axially slotted to define a plurality of cantilevered fingers to an apical end;each tubular extension of said plurality of tubular extensions having a radially inboard peripheral surface having at least one rib extending therefrom;each finger of said plurality of cantilevered fingers defining (having) an undercut groove between said apical end and said at least one rib extending from said radially inboard peripheral surface, said at least one rib having at least one shoulder communicating with a lug nut to define a positive stop such that as said wheel cover is mounted to a wheel said at least one shoulder provides a positive axial stop for said wheel cover; andeach finger of said plurality of cantilevered fingers further having a bulbous end portion at said apical end, said bulbous end portion having a contoured surface along a wall of said undercut groove, said contoured surface of said undercut groove communicating with said lug nut to restrain said wheel cover from removal from said lug nut after said wheel cover is installed on said wheel.