Abstract:
The present disclosure describes and teaches a wheel cover that is used to cover the disc portion of a vehicle wheel. The wheel cover has at least an inner plate and an outer shield, both of which are attached to the wheel disc by screwing bolts and bolt heads, ensuring secure attachment of the wheel cover. The inner plate and the outer shield are preferred to have gaps and openings that are overlapping with the wheel spoke gaps. Preferably, the wheel cover also includes a set of audio speakers that are positioned between the inner plate and the outer shield, or beneath the inner plate. In either case, the audio speakers are disposed within the gaps and openings of the wheel cover, allowing more satisfying sound effects. The outer shield may have a decorative side that has patterns, logos, or pictures printed or engraved thereon.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Application Serial No. 61/775,941 entitled “Wheel Cover” which was filed on Mar. 11, 2013, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to automobile accessories. In particular, the current invention relates to an ornamental and/or protective covering apparatus for automobile wheels. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Automobiles such as cars and trucks are an indispensible part of everyday life. In most cases, these automobiles use wheels that are mounted on a wheel hub connected to a brake disc. Aside from the tire, a wheel can be divided into a central disc portion and a peripheral rim portion. It is desirable that the center disc portion of the automobile wheels facing away from the automobile are covered for protective or ornamental purposes. 
         [0004]    Nowadays, in general, the automobile manufacturers provide uniform wheel covers, center caps, and hubcaps. In most cases, these covering structures are added to improve aesthetic qualities of the wheels and the automobile as a whole. However, these factory-designed uniform wheel covers are not customarily made and may not fit the automobile owner&#39;s requirements or aesthetic preferences. 
         [0005]    Another problem with the current uniform wheel covers is that the attachments are generally not secure enough. The disc portion of an automobile wheels generally does not include structures that can ensure a firm attachment. The common wheel covers and hubcaps used in current markets are “snapped” or “clipped” to a groove on the side of the wheel. Alternatively, some so-called “bolt-on” wheel covers and hubcaps are actually retained to the wheels by threaded fasteners engaging a receiving structure covering the bolt nuts on the wheels. These attachments, in general, are not very firm because the wheel covers and hubcaps are attached only to the outer surface of the wheels, not directly to the wheel hub to which the wheels themselves are attached. 
         [0006]    Although the general concept of an automobile wheel cover is known in the art, the existing models suffer from shortcomings described above. On the other hand, the present invention addresses these issues with simple and elegant designs. Moreover, the current invention enhances the wheel cover function and aesthetic appeal by adding specific visual and audio elements. 
       REVIEW OF THE RELATED TECHNOLOGY 
       [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,276,992 discloses a universal wheel cover assembly for covering a variety of different vehicle&#39;s wheels. The universal wheel cover assembly comprises: (a) a covering disc sized to cover the vehicle&#39;s wheel, (b) a universal bolt pattern plate, the universal bolt pattern plate including (i) a series of sections, each of the sections having a plurality of engagement members, wherein the sections are adapted for matching a pattern of threaded rods welded on the vehicle&#39;s axle hub used for attaching the vehicle&#39;s wheel, and (ii) a retaining system for connecting the universal bolt pattern plate to the covering disc, and (c) a spring biasing base comprising of a plurality of coil units, each coil unit for coupling one bolt in the pattern of bolts to the engagement members of the universal bolt pattern plate. The removable wheel cover assembly may be used in a variety of different vehicle tire rims and is aesthetically pleasing. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,471,966 discloses a selectively attachable wheel cover for a motor vehicle. The invention comprises a base member, a shaft member, and a display member. The base member is secured to the rim of a motor vehicle. The shaft member is connected to an outer portion of the base member, extending substantially transverse from the rim and substantially co-linearly with the longitudinal axis of the axle. The display member is connected to the shaft member such that it can rotate in relation to the base member and, thus, the rim. A portion of the display member is sufficiently weighted such that, when the rim rotates (when the vehicle is in motion) the display member remains substantially static. 
         [0009]    Various implements are known in the art, but fail to address all the problems solved by the invention described herein. One embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention discloses a wheel cover that may be used to cover the disc portion of a vehicle wheel. The wheel cover comprises: an inner plate having a wheel side, a shield side, and a plurality of inner plate through holes; and an outer shield having a shielding side, a decorative side, and a plurality of outer shield through holes, wherein the inner plate fittingly embraces the disc portion of the wheel, the wheel side of the inner plate faces the wheel, the outer shield covers the inner plate, the plate side of the outer shield facing the shield side of the inner plate, the inner plate through holes align with the outer shield through holes, capable of receiving bolts extending from a wheel hub and allowing bolt heads to affix both the outer shield and the inter plate to the wheel. 
         [0011]    In the current invention, both the inner plate and the outer shield are affixed to the disc portion of the wheel with a bolt-bolt head combination. This design of the wheel cover ensures that it is fully secured to the wheel. Compared with the snap-on designs used by other wheel covers, which easily fall off, the design disclosed in the current invention effectively prevents theft and incidental loss and damages to the wheel covers. 
         [0012]    The wheel cover as a whole provides ornamental and/or protective benefits to the wheel and the vehicle. The decorative side of the outer plate serves to improve the aesthetic appeal of the wheel cover. On the decorative side the outer plate, there may be images, logos, inscriptions, words, colors, and/or patterns, and any combinations thereof. These decorations may be printed or inscribed on the decorative side of the outer plate. In addition, there may be lights such as light-emitting diode (LED) attached to the decorative side, providing further ornamental effects, especially when the vehicle is moving and the wheels are rotating. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the wheel cover further includes a set of speakers that serve as audio outlets for an external or on-vehicle audio player. The speakers may be mounted between the inner plate and the outer shield. Alternatively, the speakers may be positioned beneath the inner plate. For most wheel designs, there are wheel spokes on the disc portion radial-symmetrically distributed around a central axle and defining a series of wheel spoke gaps. Correspondingly, the inner plate and the outer shield have gaps that overlay wheel spoke gaps, wherein the speakers may be mounted. Such positioning allows the speakers to transmit and spread sound, providing more satisfying acoustic effects. 
         [0014]    In another embodiment, instead of two layers, the wheel cover has only one layer, which may be considered a combination of the inner plate and the outer shield. The single-layered wheel cover may have a decorative side facing away from the wheel and a wheel side. Similar to the descriptions above: there are through holes on the wheel cover, allowing the fastening of the wheel cover to the wheel with bolt-bolt head combinations; the decorative side may bear various decorations to enhance aesthetic appeal; lights may be attached to the decorative side; and audio speakers may be attached to the gaps on the wheel cover, wherein the audio speakers may be positioned beneath the wheel cover. 
         [0015]    Therefore, the present invention succeeds in conferring the following, and others not mentioned, desirable and useful benefits and objectives. 
         [0016]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a wheel cover that is securely attached to the disc portion of a vehicle wheel. 
         [0017]    It is another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel cover that is bolted, together with the wheel, to the wheel hub. 
         [0018]    It is another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel cover that is either single-layered or double-layered. 
         [0019]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel cover that is reasonably light and easy to handle. 
         [0020]    It is another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel cover that is durable and strong, providing protection to the wheel. 
         [0021]    It is another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel cover that is easy to manufacture. 
         [0022]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel cover that has a decorative side. 
         [0023]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel cover having a decorative side with images, logos, inscriptions, words, colors, and/or patterns inscribed or printed thereon. 
         [0024]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel cover that includes a set of audio speakers connected to an audio player. 
         [0025]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel cover having a decorative side with LED lights ornaments. 
         [0026]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a wheel cover that is capable of being firmly secured to the wheel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0027]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, demonstrating the individual components. 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a car having a battery, which is connected to a set of audio speakers, as a part of the wheel cover. 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of the preferred embodiment, demonstrating the decorative side of the outer shield and the speakers. 
           [0030]      FIG. 4A  shows a sectional view of the preferred embodiment at a wheel spoke location when the components are fully assembled. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4B  shows a sectional view of the preferred embodiment at a wheel spoke gap location when the components are fully assembled. 
           [0032]      FIG. 5  is a front view of another embodiment of the present invention, demonstrating the decorative side of the outer shield and the ornamental disc. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0033]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. Such embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the present invention, which is not intended to be limited thereto. In fact, those of ordinary skill in the art may appreciate upon reading the present specification and viewing the present drawings that various modifications and variations can be made thereto. 
         [0034]      FIG. 1  shows an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of present invention, demonstrating the individual components in the relative positioning when they are assembled together. Shown in  FIG. 1  are a wheel hub  25  attached to a brake disc  21 , wheel bolts  30  extending from the wheel hub  25 , a wheel body  10  that may be attached to the wheel hub  25 , the wheel body  10  having a disc portion  15  with disc portion through holes  16 , and a wheel cover  1  covering the disc portion  15  of the wheel body  10 , the wheel cover  1  comprising an inner plate  50 , the inner plate  50  having inner plate through holes  55 , an inner plate wheel side  60  (shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ), and an inner plate shield side  63 , and outer shield  75 , the outer shield  75  having outer shield through holes  80 , a shielding side  81  (shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ), and a decorative side  84 . Also shown in  FIG. 1  are a set of audio speakers  90  and speaker fasteners  95 . The disc portion  15  of the wheel body has wheel spokes  18  radial-symmetrically distributed, defining wheel spoke gaps  20 , partially exposing the structures inside the wheel. Similarly, while the inner plate  50  has inner plate gaps  66 , the outer shield  75  has outer shield gaps  85 , wherein the inner plate gaps  66  overlay with the outer shield gaps  85 , as well as the wheel spoke gaps  20 , if the wheel cover  1  is fully assembled. The speakers  90  are located between the inner plate  50  and the outer shield  75 , behind the outer shield gaps  85 , allowing efficient audio outlet.  FIG. 1  also shows the bolt heads  35 , which may be connected to the wheel bolts  30 , securing the wheel body  10 , the inner plate  50 , and the outer shield  75  to the wheel hub  25 . For clarity purposes, not all identical elements are fully marked. 
         [0035]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a car  5  having a battery  40 , which is connected to the speakers  90  through wires  45 . Also shown in  FIG. 2  are the speaker fasteners  95 , affixing the speakers to the other parts of the wheel cover. For clarity purposes, not all identical elements are fully marked. 
         [0036]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of the preferred embodiment when the components are fully assembled. Shown in  FIG. 3  is the wheel cover  1  having an outer shield  80  with a decorative side  84  and outer shield gaps  85 . Also shown in  FIG. 3  are the bolt heads  35  and the speakers  90  positioned beneath the outer shield  80  and using the outer shield gaps  85  as sound outlets. For clarity purposes, not all identical elements are fully marked. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4A  shows a sectional view of the preferred embodiment when the components are fully assembled, at a wheel spoke location as indicated by A-A′ in  FIG. 3 . Shown in  FIG. 4A  are a wheel hub  25 , wheel bolts  30  extending from the wheel hub  25 , a disc portion  15  of a wheel body that is attached to the wheel hub  25 , a wheel cover  1  covering the disc portion  15 , the wheel cover  1  comprising an inner plate  50 , the inner plate  50  having inner plate through holes  55 , an inner plate wheel side  60 , and an inner plate shield side  63 , and an outer shield  75 , the outer shield  75  having outer shield through holes  80 , a shielding side  81 , and a decorative side  84 . The wheel bolts  30  extend through the holes on the disc portion  15 , the inner plate through holes  55 , and the outer shield through hole  80 . The disc portion  15  of the wheel body has wheel spokes  18 , which are embraced by the inner plate  50 . Also shown in  FIG. 4A  are the bolt heads  35 , which are connected to the wheel bolts  30 , securing the wheel body  10 , the inner plate  50 , and the outer shield  75  to the wheel hub  25 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4B  shows a sectional view of the preferred embodiment when the components are fully assembled, at a wheel spoke gap location as indicated by B-B′ in  FIG. 3 . Shown in  FIG. 4B  are a wheel hub  25 , a disc portion  15  of a wheel body that is attached to the wheel hub  25 , a wheel cover  1  covering the disc portion  15 , the wheel cover  1  comprising an inner plate  50 , the inner plate  50  having an inner plate wheel side  60  and an inner plate shield side  63 , and an outer shield  75 , the outer shield  75  having a shielding side  81  and a decorative side  84 . The disc portion  15  of the wheel body is embraced by the inner plate  50 . Radial-symmetrically distributed wheel spokes define wheel spoke gaps  20 , which overlap with inner plate gaps  66  and outer plate gaps  85 . Also shown in  FIG. 4B  is the speaker  90  between the inner plate  50  and outer shield  75 , the speaker  90  being positioned behind the outer shield gaps  85  and in front of inner plate gaps  66 , allowing wires to go through and effective audio outlet. The speaker  90  is affixed to the outer shield  75  with speaker fasteners  95 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the present invention. Here, a front view of a wheel employing the present invention is shown. The tire  105  surrounds the internal wheel structure. The outer shield  75  is plainly visible. The decorative side  84  may bear patterns, textures, logos, words, colors, and the like or some combination thereof. Further, the outer shield  75  has outer shield gaps  85 . These gaps  85  allow the ornamental disc  100  to be visible to a passerby. The ornamental disc  100  may have various patterns, colors, textures, logos, engravings, words, images, and the like or any combination thereof. The ornamental disc  100  is preferably a plastic disc but may be composed of a number of suitable materials including metals, composites, resins, and the like or any combination thereof. There may be light emitting diodes  110  disposed along the outer shield  75  or the ornamental disc  100 . The light emitting diodes  110  may flash in variable patterns and may flash in synchronization with music or other external stimuli. The configuration of the light emitting diodes  110  can vary and may be set in custom configurations depending on the desired preferences. The light emitting diodes may be integrated with the ornamental disc  100 . The inner plate  50  (not shown), ornamental disc  100 , and the outer shield  75  are held on the wheel hub  25  via wheel bolts  30  (not shown) and securing bolt heads  35 . This embodiment is not limited to any particular design and may readily include components of other embodiments described herein and otherwise such as speakers. 
         [0040]    The wheel cover  1  generally described by the figures has two essential components: the 1) inner plate  50  and the 2) outer shield  75 . Both of these structures are fastened to the wheel body  1  with bolts  30  and bolt heads  35 , ensuring a secure connection, preventing theft and incidental dislodging. As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 A and  4 B, the inner plate  50  is preferred to fittingly embrace the disc portion  15  of the wheel body  10 , while the outer shield  75  may bend more away from the wheel to accommodate the speaker  90 . As indicated above, in an alternative embodiment, the wheel cover  1  may include a single layer, combining the inner plate  50  and the outer shield  75 . In that case, if the speakers  90  are also included, the single-layered wheel cover  1  may not fully embrace the disc portion  15  of the wheel, leaving space between the wheel cover  1  and the disc portion  15  for the installation of the speakers  90 . 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the wheel cover  1 , including the inner plate  50  and the outer shield  75 , is preferred to have a round shape, ensuring full coverage of the disc portion  15 . However, the wheel cover  1  may use different shapes. The sizes of the inner plate  50  and the outer shield  75 —measured by the diameters of such components—may generally be close, wherein the outer shield  75  is the same or slightly bigger than the inner plate  50 . However, in some special formats, the inner plate  50  may be larger than the outer shield  75 . The sizes of the two structures may be adjusted to fit the varying sizes of the disc portion  15  of the wheel body. The diameters of the inner plate  50  and the outer shield  75  may range from 3 to 100 inches (7.62 cm to 2.54 m), with the preferred scope of 5 to 30 inches (12.7 cm to 76.2 cm). The average thickness of the inner plate  50  and the outer shield  75  may range from 0.1 to 200 mm. 
         [0042]    The inner plate  50  and the outer shield  75  may be made from the same or different materials, which are preferred to be strong, durable, and moldable. For either the inner plate  50  or the outer shield  75 , the structures can be uniform or uneven. The inner plate  50  and the outer shield  75  may be made from materials such as but not limited to: metals such as aluminum alloy, alloy, steel, and iron, plastics such as but not limited to polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS) and polycarbonate (PC), composite materials, glass or fiberglass, rubber, fabric, and/or any combinations thereof. Preferably, the materials making up the wheel cover  1  may be relatively light, allowing the wheel cover  1  to be portable, easy to install, and change. 
         [0043]    The decorative side  84  of the outer shield  75  may bear images, logos, inscriptions, words, colors, and/or patterns, and any combinations thereof. These decorations may be printed, molded, or inscribed on the decorative side  75 . The combinations and designs are almost limitless. Such additions may not only improve aesthetic appeal but also serve as promotional materials. In addition, there may be lights such as light-emitting diode (LED) attached to the decorative side  75 , wherein the patterns and the LED light may change with factors such as but not limited to the speed of the vehicle, the ambient light, and/or the subjected to control of the user. 
         [0044]    The speakers  90 , as indicated in  FIGS. 2 and 4A , may be positioned between the inner plate  50  and the outer shield  75 . Alternatively, the speakers  90  may be disposed behind the inner plate  50 —between the inner plate  50  and the disc portion  15  of the wheel. The speakers  90  may be any kind of electronic audio outlets and it may use any kind of power source. The speakers  90  may be connected to the car battery  40  using wires  45 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Nevertheless, the speakers  90  may be battery-powered so that no wires are needed, preventing complications in installation and accidental power loss. 
         [0045]    The speaker  90  generally serve as audio outlets for an audio player, such as but not limited to the audio player or radio associated with the vehicle, or mp3, CD, or radio players off the vehicle. The wire  45 , in addition to serving as power lines, may also carry audio signals to the speakers  90  from the audio player. Alternatively, wireless connection and transmission technology such as Bluetooth® may be used to transfer the signal from the audio player to the speaker  90 , ensuring quality sound effects and avoid the complications associated with wire connections. 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 4B , the speakers  90  are affixed the outer shield  75  using speaker fasteners  95 . Alternatively, the speakers  90  may be attached to other parts of the wheel cover  1 , such as the inner plate  50 , or to the wheel body, such as the disc portion  15 , or even to the wheel hub. The fasteners  95  may be any kind of connecting structure, such as but not limited to: a bolt on connection, a snap-on connection; a connecting strap, a magnetic attachment; a molded-on  or welded-on connection, a hook and loop connection, or any combinations thereof. 
         [0047]    The current invention discloses a wheel cover that provides a full range of functionalities, including improved protection and aesthetic appeals. In addition, the current invention develops an entertainment aspect for the automobile accessories. The inclusion of a set speakers allows the user to enjoy music and other audio programs when the vehicle is parked and the user is outside. Such a design is particularly useful for occasions such as social gathering and picnics. 
         [0048]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.