Abstract:
A central cover for covering a concave central axle cut-out area of a wheel includes a frame that is generally cup-shaped having a round outer surface. the round outer surface has a circumference smaller than an inner circumference of the concave central axle cut-out area of the wheel so that the central cover seats in the concave central axle cut-out area. A permanent magnet is seated within the frame for holding the central cover to the wheel. The permanent magnet having a central cutout area for clearance of an axle bolt when the axle bolt is present.

Description:
FIELD 
     This invention relates to the field of automobiles and more particularly to a system and apparatus for wheel covering. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, many individuals have been attracted to automobiles that show various hardware features that have been hidden or camouflaged in the past. For example, several manufacturers of sport utility vehicles have produced vehicles having chrome plated bolts or screws as part of the design of those vehicles. Such bolts or screws are usually functional, securing components or trim, but in some circumstances, the bolts or screws are simply decorative. 
     It is apparent that owners of such vehicles take pride in the appearance of their vehicle and such visible hardware is desirable to those people. 
     Being such, some vehicles are equipped with after-market wheels that are decorative and often have exposed lug nuts, those typically being chrome plated. Alternately, some owners wish to keep their original equipment wheels, but for some vehicles, there is a cover over the central portion of the wheel where the lug nuts are located. The cover also hides the bearing or axle cut-out area of the wheel. Again, for many there is a desire to have visible lug nuts, moving this cover exposes the bearing or axle cut-out area that is not especially attractive to many. 
     Unfortunately, there has not been a way to successfully cover the bearing or axle cut-out area of the wheel with a decorative or ornamental device. 
     What is needed is a system and apparatus that will cover the bearing/axle cut-out of the wheel. 
     SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, a central cover for covering a concave central axle cut-out area of a wheel is disclosed. The central cover includes a frame that is generally cup-shaped having a round outer surface. the round outer surface has a circumference smaller than an inner circumference of the concave central axle cut-out area of the wheel so that the central cover seats in the concave central axle cut-out area. A permanent magnet is seated within the frame for holding the central cover to the wheel. The permanent magnet having a central cutout area for clearance of an axle bolt when the axle bolt is present. 
     In another embodiment, a central cover for covering a concave central axle cut-out area of a wheel is disclosed. The central cover includes a frame that is generally cup-shaped having a round outer surface. A guard band encircles the round outer surface and the round outer surface and guard band have a circumference smaller than an inner circumference of the concave central axle cut-out area of the wheel so that the central cover seats in the concave central axle cut-out area. A permanent magnet is seated within the frame for holding the central cover to the wheel. The permanent magnet having a central cutout area for clearance of an axle bolt when the axle bolt is present. 
     In another embodiment, a central cover for covering a concave central axle cut-out area of a wheel is disclosed. The central cover includes a frame that is generally cup-shaped having a round outer surface and made of metal. A guard band that is made of rubber encircles the round outer surface and the round outer surface and guard band have a circumference smaller than an inner circumference of the concave central axle cut-out area of the wheel so that the central cover seats in the concave central axle cut-out area. A permanent magnet is seated within the frame for holding the central cover to the wheel. The permanent magnet having a central cutout area for clearance of an axle bolt when the axle bolt is present. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate perspective views of an existing wheel with the wheel cover removed. 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate perspective views of an existing wheel with the wheel cover removed and the central cover of the present invention being installed. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an existing wheel with the wheel cover removed and the central cover of the present invention installed. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a sectional view of the central cover installed over an axle bolt. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures. 
     Throughout this description, the term, “axle bolt or axle cut-out area,” refers to a central area of the wheel having, for example a concave shape for some wheels or, a convex/bulging shape for other wheels. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , perspective views of an existing wheel  12  with the wheel cover removed are shown. The wheel  12  is shown having a tire  10  and being held to the vehicle (not shown for clarity and brevity reasons) by a plurality of lug nuts  14 . 
     The wheel  12  of  FIG. 1A  has a generally concave central axle cut-out area  16  while the wheel  12  has an axle bolt  18  extending from the central area. As discussed, many vehicle owners like showing the entire wheel portion and lug nuts  14 , but find the central axle cut-out area  16  and the axle bolt  18  unappealing, especially as there is often rust in these areas/components. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , perspective views of an existing wheel  14  with the wheel cover removed and the central cover  20  of the present invention being installed. Being that many vehicle wheels configured as shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are designed to be covered by the wheel cover, there is no mechanical facility to cover the generally concave central axle cut-out area  16  or the axle bolt  18 . For example, there are no mechanical features that will hold and bond a cover, being that such cover will be subject to high-speed rotation and shock during driving, especially at high speeds and/or on rough pavement. 
     To provide a pleasing look and to protect, for example, the axle bolt  18 , the central cover  20  of the present invention is held to the wheel  12  by magnetic force. Details of an exemplary construction of the central cover  20  will be discussed along with  FIG. 4 . Note that the central cover  20  shown has an outer shell  24  with a guard band  22  that fits within the circumference  25  of either the generally concave central axle cut-out area  16  or the axle bolt  18 . 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of an existing wheel  14  with the wheel cover removed and the central cover  20  of the present invention installed within the circumference of either the generally concave central axle cut-out area  16  or the axle bolt  18 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a sectional view of the central cover  20  installed over an axle bolt  18  is shown. In this view, the permanent magnet  26  is visible. The permanent magnet  26  is bonded to the frame  24 . 
     In some embodiments, the frame  24  is made of a material that is magnetically attracted, for example, including steel or iron. In such, the permanent magnet  26  holds to the frame  24  by magnetic force. In some embodiments, the frame  24  is made of a material that is not sufficiently magnetically attracted, for example, plastic. In such, the permanent magnet  26  is bonded to the frame  24  with, for example, an adhesive, double-sided tape, etc. The frame  24  is generally cup-shaped to fit within the concave central axle cut-out area  16  and to contain the permanent magnet  26  and, when present, the axle bolt  18 . 
     In some embodiments, the frame  24  is coated, painted, textured, etc., for aesthetic reasons and to reduce corrosion. In some embodiments, a decorative figure or logo  35  is formed or installed on the face surface  27  of the frame  24 , for example, a star or a logo  35  corresponding to the vehicle on which the central cover  20  is to be installed. 
     The permanent magnet  26  has a generally open central cutout area  28 , providing clearance for the axle bolt  18  when installed on wheels  12  having an axle bolt  18 . The generally concave central axle cut-out area  16  is typically made of a ferro-magnetic material (e.g. iron or steel). When the central cover  20  is placed into the concave central axle cut-out area  16 , the permanent magnet  26  attracts and holds to the concave central axle cut-out area  16  by way of magnetic force. The magnetic force is strong enough to hold the central cover  20  within the concave central axle cut-out area  16  even under stress from rough pavement and high speed driving. 
     In some embodiments, a guard band  22  encircles the outer edge of the frame  24 . The guard band  22  is typically made of a material that is softer and more pliable than the frame  24 , allowing for variations in tolerance and providing an enclosed look when the central cover  20  is installed within the concave central axle cut-out area  16 . In some embodiments, the guard band  22  is made of rubber, as in a thick rubber band. Another purpose for the guard band  22  is removal. As the permanent magnet  26  must be a very strong magnet, it is often impossible to remove the central cover  20  by hand without tools. By having the guard band  22 , one is able to insert a tool between the concave central axle cut-out area  16  and the frame  24  (e.g., a screwdriver), displacing the guard band  22  and prying out the central cover  20 . 
     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result. 
     It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.