Abstract:
The present disclosure provides a locking hub cap having at least one locking feature that engages at least one locking feature on a vehicle hub assembly to prevent a spin-on nut from being removed while the locking hub cap is in place.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 61/034,875, filed Mar. 7, 2008, and entitled LOCKING HUB CAP FOR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY, the specification of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The following disclosure relates to vehicle wheel assemblies and, more particularly, to a locking hub cap for a spin-on nut. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    It is well known to use multiple fasteners such as lug nuts to couple a wheel to a vehicle. It is also well known to use a single fastener such as a spinner to couple a wheel to a vehicle. However, particularly in the case of a single fastener, there is a concern that the fastener might loosen while the vehicle is in motion, allowing the wheel to wobble or come off the vehicle entirely. Therefore, a need exists for an improved locking solution for a vehicle mounted wheel. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a hub assembly comprising a hub, a spin-on nut, and a locking hub cap. The hub has a base and a hub shaft extending substantially perpendicularly from the base. The hub shaft includes a threaded surface and at least a first locking feature. The spin-on nut has a threaded bore formed therethrough, wherein threads of the threaded bore are configured to engage threads of the threaded surface. The locking hub cap has at least a second locking feature configured to engage the first locking feature in a releasable manner. The first and second locking features resist movement of the locking hub cap in a direction substantially parallel to the hub shaft when engaged. 
         [0005]    In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a locking hub cap comprising a base having an inner and outer surface, a shaft extending substantially perpendicularly from the inner surface, and at least a first locking feature. The first locking feature is positioned on the shaft and configured to align with at least a second locking feature positioned on a vehicle hub assembly. The base is rotatable relative to the vehicle hub assembly to align the first locking feature with the second locking feature. Alignment of the first and second locking features enables the locking hub cap to remain coupled to the vehicle hub assembly when pressure is applied in a direction substantially parallel to the shaft towards the inner surface. 
         [0006]    In still another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a hub assembly comprising a hub, a spin-on nut, and a locking hub cap. The hub has a base and a hub shaft extending substantially perpendicularly from the base. The hub shaft includes an external surface that is at least partially threaded and a first locking feature. The spin-on nut has a plurality of arms extending at an angle from a central nut portion. The central nut-portion includes a threaded bore having threads that are configured to engage threads of the external surface. An exterior surface of the central nut portion includes a circular indentation centered around the threaded bore. The locking hub cap has at least a second locking feature configured to align with the first locking feature to engage the locking hub cap with the hub in a releasable manner. The first and second locking features are configured to enable the locking hub cap to resist movement relative to the hub in a direction substantially parallel to the hub shaft and away from the hub. An interior edge of the locking hub cap fits within the circular indentation of the spin-on nut. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    For a more complete understanding, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings in which: 
           [0008]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrate two perspective views of a hub assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a spin-on nut that can be used with the hub assembly of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b;    
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of the hub assembly of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  with the spin-on nut of  FIG. 2  and one embodiment of a locking hub cap; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a locking hub cap; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   c  illustrate diagrammatic views of various embodiments of the locking hub cap of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 6   a - 6   c  illustrate a perspective view, a top view, and a cross-sectional view, respectively, of one embodiment of a wheel assembly with the spin-on nut of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a wheel assembly and tire with the spin-on nut of  FIG. 2  and locking hub cap of  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers are used herein to designate like elements throughout, the various views and embodiments of a locking hub cap for wheel hub assembly. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale, and in some instances the drawings have been exaggerated and/or simplified in places for illustrative purposes only. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the many possible applications and variations based on the following examples of possible embodiments. 
         [0016]    Referring to  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b , one embodiment of a hub assembly  100  that may be used to couple a wheel to a vehicle is illustrated. The hub assembly  100  includes a suspension member  102 , a spindle  104 , a bearing assembly (not shown), and a hub  106 . The suspension member  102  may be coupled to suspension arms or other members of a vehicle (not shown). The spindle  104  is coupled to the suspension member  102  in such a way that the spindle cannot rotate relative to the suspension member. For example, the spindle  104  may be coupled to the suspension member  102  using multiple screws or bolts that pass through holes in the spindle. The hub  106  may be coupled to the spindle  104  in a rotatable manner. For example, the bearing assembly may be positioned between the hub  106  and spindle  104  to both retain the hub on the spindle and to allow rotation of the hub relative to the spindle. 
         [0017]    The hub  106  includes a substantially flat base  108  having multiple protrusions  110  (e.g., studs) configured to engage corresponding cavities (e.g., stud holes) in a wheel (not shown). A shaft  112  is substantially centered on the base  110  and sized to fit within a center bore in the wheel. The shaft  112  includes a bore  114 , a threaded surface  116 , and one or more locking features  118 , which may be apertures, protrusions, threads, etc. In the present example, the locking features  118  are slotted apertures, and it is understood that the aperture configuration may vary and may include different numbers, positions, and shapes of apertures. Accordingly, the use of two slots in the present example is only one possible configuration of the locking features  118 . Although not shown, it is understood that other components, such as rotors for disc brakes, may be coupled to the hub assembly  100 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , one embodiment of a spin-on nut  200  that may be used with the hub assembly  100  of  FIG. 1  is illustrated. The spin-on nut  200  includes arms  202  extending from a nut portion  204 . Although three arms are shown, it is understood that the number, placement, and shape of the arms may vary in other embodiments. The nut portion  204  includes a bore  206  that is at least partially threaded, with the threads configured to engage the threaded surface  116  of the shaft  112 . In the present embodiment, a raised lip  208  extends around the bore  206  and slopes down into an indentation  210  formed in the body of the nut portion  204 . 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the hub assembly  100  of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  is illustrated with the spin-on nut  200  of  FIG. 2  and a locking hub cap  300 . In the present example, the spin-on nut  200  is threadably engaged to the shaft  112  via the threaded surface  116 . The locking hub cap  300  is configured with one or more locking features (not shown) configured to engage locking features  118 , thereby preventing the spin-on nut  200  from backing off of the shaft  112  as well as providing an aesthetically pleasing cover for an outer end of the shaft. An outer edge of the locking hub cap (e.g., the edge abutting or proximal to the spin-on nut  200 ) may be positioned in the indentation  210 . 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , one embodiment of an exterior surface  400  of the locking hub cap  300  is illustrated. It is understood that while the exterior surface  400  in the present example is relatively smooth, other embodiments of the locking hub cap  300  may have exterior surfaces  300  that are of many different dimensions, shapes, and textures (e.g., to provide one or more gripping surfaces). 
         [0021]    With additional reference to  FIGS. 5   a - 5   c , different embodiments of the locking hub cap  300  of  FIG. 3  are illustrated. The locking hub cap  300  in the various embodiments of  FIGS. 3   a - 3   c  is not necessarily to scale and may be simplified in order to better illustrate various features. In the present examples, the locking hub cap  300  is to resist outward pressure from the spin-on nut  200  that may be applied substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the shaft  112 , but may rotate during placement and removal. In some embodiments, the locking hub cap  300  may rotate even after placement as long as it is resistive to the outward pressure that may be applied by the spin-on nut  200 . 
         [0022]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 5   a , the locking hub cap  300  includes a shaft  500  extending substantially perpendicularly from an inner surface  502 . The shaft  500  may be sized to fit within the bore  114  of the shaft  112 . The shaft  500  includes one or more locking features  504  that may be coupled to or formed out of the shaft. In the present example, the locking features  504  are protrusions configured to engage the locking features  118  (i.e., apertures) of the shaft  112 . For example, the protrusions  504  may be coupled to a spring mechanism that forces the protrusions through the apertures  118  when the protrusions and apertures are aligned. 
         [0023]    In operation, the locking hub cap  300  may be placed over the spin-on nut  200  and the shaft  500  inserted at least partially into the bore  114 . If spring loaded, the protrusions  504  may be forced into the body of the shaft  500 . The locking hub cap  300  may be rotated either during insertion of the shaft  500  or afterwards to align the protrusions  504  with the apertures  118 . Once aligned, the protrusions  504  may enter the apertures  118  to retain the locking hub cap  300  on the hub assembly  100 , which in turn prevents the removal of the spin-on nut  200 . 
         [0024]    In an alternative embodiment, the shaft  500  may contain a lock mechanism that uses a key for purposes of actuation. A key hole (not shown) may be placed on the exterior surface  400  and aligned with the shaft  500 . In operation, a key may be inserted into the key hole and turned, thereby actuating the lock mechanism and forcing the protrusions  504  through the apertures  118 . To remove the locking hub cap  300 , the key may again be inserted and turned, thereby withdrawing the protrusions  504  out of the apertures  118  and back into the shaft  500 . 
         [0025]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 5   b , the locking hub cap  300  includes the shaft  500  extending substantially perpendicularly from the inner surface  502 . In the present embodiment, the shaft  500  includes a bore  506  sized to receive the shaft  112 . The shaft  500  includes one or more locking features (not shown) positioned inside the bore  506 . In the present example, the locking features are protrusions configured to engage the locking features  118  (i.e., apertures) of the shaft  112 , such as the protrusions described previously with respect to  FIG. 5   a.    
         [0026]    In operation, the locking hub cap  300  may be placed over the spin-on nut  200  and the shaft  112  inserted at least partially into the bore  506 . If spring loaded, the protrusions may be forced into the body of the shaft  500 . The locking hub cap  300  may be rotated either during insertion of the shaft  112  or afterwards to align the protrusions with the apertures  118 . Once aligned, the protrusions may enter the apertures  118  to retain the locking hub cap  300  on the hub assembly  100 , which in turn prevents the removal of the spin-on nut  200 . 
         [0027]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 5   c , the locking hub cap  300  includes one or more locking features  504  that are apertures. In some embodiments, multiple aligned apertures  504  may be provided that form a path from the exterior surface  400  on one side of the locking hub cap  300  through to the exterior surface  400  on the other side of the locking hub cap. If the shaft  500  is present in the locking hub cap  300 , an aperture that aligns with the other apertures  504  may extend through the shaft. When the locking hub cap  300  is in place on the hub assembly  100  and the apertures  504  are aligned with the apertures  118 , a locking member (not shown) such as a pin or a bar may be inserted through the aligned apertures. The locking member may have a spring loaded bearing on the end that is inserted through the apertures or may have other means for preventing the locking member from easily sliding out of the apertures. 
         [0028]    It is understood that there are many different embodiments of locking features that may be used with the hub  106  and locking hub cap  300 . For example, with respect to the hub  106 , locking features may be located on the inside and/or outside surfaces of the shaft  112  or may be located elsewhere on the hub. With respect to the locking hub cap  300 , the locking features may be located on the inside and/or outside surfaces of the shaft  500 , on an interior surface of the locking hub cap itself, or elsewhere. 
         [0029]    Furthermore, the locking features may be reversed from those shown. For example, the shaft  112  may have protrusions that are configured to fit into cavities or apertures in the locking hub cap  300 . In other embodiments, rather than protrusions or apertures such as those shown, the shaft  112  and/or locking hub cap  300  may have a protruding lip or indented ring. In still other embodiments, a friction or interference fit may be used. In other embodiments, the shaft  112  and locking hub cap  300  may be threaded, and the direction of the threads may be reversed from the direction of the threads of the threaded surface  116  and bore  206 . Although not shown, some surfaces of the protrusions and aperture/cavity edges may be angled or curved to assist in placement and removal of the locking hub cap  300  when pressure is applied in a certain direction (e.g., rotational pressure), and other surfaces may be flat or angled to resist pressure applied from another direction (e.g., pressure parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shaft  112 ). In still other embodiments, a mechanism may be coupled to the protrusions to aid in the extension and retraction of the protrusions upon the application of specific pressure (e.g., rotational pressure). 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 6   a - 6   c , one embodiment of a wheel  600  is illustrated with the spin-on nut  200  of  FIG. 2  in perspective, top, and cross-sectional views, respectively. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , one embodiment of a wheel assembly  700  and tire  702  is illustrated with the spin-on nut  200  of  FIG. 2  and locking hub cap  300  of  FIG. 3  in a perspective view. 
         [0032]    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art having the benefit of this disclosure provides a locking hub cap for wheel hub assembly. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description herein are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive manner, and are not intended to be limiting to the particular forms and examples disclosed. On the contrary, included are any further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope hereof, as defined by the following claims. Thus, it is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such further modifications, changes, rearrangements, substitutions, alternatives, design choices, and embodiments.