Patent ID: 6409277
Filing Date: 2002-06-25
Classification: B60B,Y10T

Abstract:
A process for producing an enhanced finish vehicle wheel cover, said process comprising the following steps:a) select a vehicle wheel constructed of common grade material having a peripheral edge, spaced lug nuts and an intrinsic design, b) produce a replica of the exterior surface of said vehicle wheel, c) place said replica against the exterior surface of said vehicle wheel and make any modifications and adjustments to assure a close interface with said vehicle wheel, d) produce a mold patterned after said modified and adjusted vehicle wheel replica, e) produce from said mold a thin-walled plastic vehicle wheel cover having an exterior surface, an interior surface and a peripheral edge, wherein the exterior surface has a design which replicates the intrinsic design of said vehicle wheel, f) apply an enhanced finish, such as chrome plating to said plastic wheel cover, g) inspect the selected finish wheel cover for general appearance, fit, valve stem clearance, and quality of the chrome plating, h) attach a plurality of vehicle wheel attachment means spaced around the interior surface and adjacent the peripheral edge of said vehicle wheel cover, and i) attach a set of wheel covers to a set of vehicle wheels by pressing the attachment means against the peripheral edges of said vehicle wheels, wherein when attached, the vehicle wheels simulate the appearance of solid, chrome-plated vehicle wheels.