Abstract:
A method and apparatus for filling an aperture in a wheel disposed on a vehicle is disclosed herein. A wheel insert and a combination wheel and wheel insert are disclosed. The wheel insert fits into an aperture in the wheel with the edge surface engaging the aperture snugly and substantially filling the aperture. The wheel insert and a front surface of the wheel may be aligned horizontally where they are joined. At least one fastener may extend through apertures in the wheel insert and extend into orifices in the wheel to secure the wheel insert into the aperture. The method includes placing the wheel insert into the aperture and securing the wheel insert to the wheel.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-Provisional Application Ser. No. 10/358,930 filed on Feb. 5, 2003 which in turn claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 60/357178, filed on Feb. 15, 2002 under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e), the subject matter of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention.  
           [0003]    This invention relates in general to a method and apparatus for filling an aperture in a wheel disposed on a vehicle and more particularly to a combination wheel and wheel insert.  
           [0004]    2. Description of Related Art.  
           [0005]    To provide decoration and enhance a consumer&#39;s love of the automobile, modern wheels are trending toward the appearance of wagon wheels from the turn of the century. Recent wheel designs disclose an assembly upon which a tire is mounted, and an assembly which connects the wheel to an axle. The tire mounting section and the axle mounting section are connected by radially projecting spokes or connecting surfaces having large open areas which leave the brake assembly exposed.  
           [0006]    Exposure of the brake assembly causes damage to occur to the brake disk, brake caliper and brake hydraulic lines. The damage results from dirt, road salt, gravel, road debris and other material entering through the open spaces in the wheel and coming into contact with the brake parts and assembly. Damage to the brake parts and the brake assembly result in extensive repair service and replacement of the damaged brake parts.  
           [0007]    Decorative wheels having large spaces in the wheel assembly are also used in high performance vehicles. The high performance vehicles are often used in racing. Road debris entering the wheel assembly and the entering the brake assembly area may damage the brake assembly with catastrophic results.  
           [0008]    Beyond the safety issue, wheels having large spaces in the wheel assembly provide numerous surfaces that interrupt air flow around the wheel and set up vortices that interact with the streamlined air flow of an automobile driving at high speed. Racing drivers seek to reduce air resistance and drag to glean every bit of speed possible from their vehicles. Interaction of air with the spoke surfaces and other protruding edges of the wheels is a major source of drag.  
           [0009]    It can be seen that there is a need for a method and apparatus to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    To overcome the limitations in the prior art described above, and to overcome other limitations that will become apparent upon reading and understanding the present specification, the present invention discloses a method and apparatus for protecting a brake assembly resident behind a wheel.  
           [0011]    The present invention solves the above-described problems by insertion of wheel inserts into apertures in the wheel.  
           [0012]    A method in accordance with the present invention is a method for filling an aperture in a wheel. The wheel has a tire engaging portion, an axle engaging portion having a plurality of lug receiving openings, and a connecting portion extending between the tire engaging portion and the axle engaging portion. The connecting portion has a front side and a rear side and a plurality of apertures extending from the front side through to the rear side and at least one wheel inserts insertable into at least one of the plurality of apertures in the connecting portion of the wheel, each wheel insert comprising a front insert side and a rear insert side. The method comprises securing a wheel insert into an aperture in the connecting portion of the wheel.  
           [0013]    Another aspect of the present invention is that securing the wheel insert into the connecting portion aperture further comprises inserting the wheel insert into the aperture from the rear side of the connecting portion.  
           [0014]    Another aspect of the present invention is that securing the wheel insert into the aperture further comprises inserting the wheel insert into the aperture from the front side of the connecting portion of the wheel.  
           [0015]    Another aspect of the present invention is that securing the wheel insert into the aperture further comprises securing a plurality wheel inserts into a plurality of apertures into the connecting portion of the wheel.  
           [0016]    Another aspect of the present invention is that securing the wheel insert into the aperture further comprises securing a plurality wheel inserts into a plurality of apertures into connecting portions of a plurality of wheels.  
           [0017]    An apparatus in accordance with the present invention is a combination wheel and wheel insert comprising a wheel having tire engaging portion, an axle engaging portion having a plurality of lug receiving openings, and a connecting portion extending between the tire engaging portion and the axle engaging portion. The connecting portion has a front side and a rear side. The connecting portion has a plurality of apertures extending from the front side through to the rear and a plurality of wheel inserts insertable into the plurality of apertures in the connecting portion of the wheel. Each wheel insert is adapted to substantially fill the apertures in the wheel.  
           [0018]    Another aspect of the present invention is that a side of the wheel insert exposed to view along a front surface of the wheel has design indicia thereon.  
           [0019]    Another apparatus in accordance with the present invention is a wheel insert for insertion into an aperture in a wheel comprising a front side and a rear side. The wheel insert fits into and substantially fills the aperture in the wheel.  
           [0020]    Another aspect of the present invention is that a side exposed to view along a front surface of the wheel has design indicia thereon.  
           [0021]    Another aspect of the present invention is that the wheel insert is fabricated from a same material as the wheel.  
           [0022]    Another aspect of the present invention is that the wheel insert is fabricated from a different material than the wheel.  
           [0023]    Another aspect of the present invention is that the wheel insert is fabricated from a transparent material.  
           [0024]    Another aspect of the present invention is that the wheel insert is fabricated from an opaque colored plastic material.  
           [0025]    Another aspect of the present invention is that the wheel insert is fabricated from a base metal and is covered with another material.  
           [0026]    Another aspect of the present invention is that the wheel insert is fabricated from one of a metal, an alloy of metals, and a composite material.  
           [0027]    Another aspect of the present invention is that the wheel insert further comprises a fastening mechanism for securing the wheel insert to the wheel.  
           [0028]    Another aspect of the present invention is that the wheel insert further comprises at least one edge adapted to cooperatively mate with an interior edge of the aperture in the wheel.  
           [0029]    These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and form a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are illustrated and described specific examples of an apparatus in accordance with the invention.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0030]    Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numbers represent corresponding parts throughout:  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of a prior art wheel showing the exposed brake disk visible through apertures in the connecting portion of the wheel;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 illustrates a side view combination wheel and wheel insert of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 3 illustrates an edge on view of a wheel insert having a convex edge surface of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 4 illustrates a front side view of a wheel insert having a convex edge surface of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 5 illustrates a side edge view of a wheel insert having a convex edge surface of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 6 illustrates an edge on view of a wheel insert having a concave edge surface of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 7 illustrates a front side view of a wheel insert having a concave edge surface of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 8 illustrates a side edge view of a wheel insert having a concave edge surface of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 9 illustrates a rear side view of a wheel insert having a convex edge surface wherein the front side viewable when installed on a wheel of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 10 illustrates a rear side view of a wheel insert having a concave edge surface wherein the front side viewable when installed on a wheel of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 11 illustrates a rear side view of a wheel insert having a convex edge surface wherein the rear side viewable when installed on a wheel of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 12 illustrates a rear side view of a wheel insert having a concave edge surface wherein the rear side viewable when installed on a wheel of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric view of a wheel insert having a concave edge surface of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 14 illustrates an isometric view of a wheel insert having a convex edge surface of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 15 illustrates the connecting portion aperture of a wheel having a convex connecting portion aperture edge surface of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0046]    [0046]FIG. 16 illustrates the connecting portion aperture of a wheel having a concave connecting portion aperture edge surface of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0047]    [0047]FIG. 17 illustrates a Phillips head countersinking screw fastener to connect the wheel insert into a wheel of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 18 illustrates a spring loaded twist latch fastener to connect the wheel insert into a wheel of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 19 illustrates a hexagonal head countersinking screw fastener to connect the wheel insert into a wheel of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic view demonstrating fastening the wheel insert into a wheel using a countersinking screw of an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 21 illustrates a schematic view demonstrating fastening the wheel insert into a wheel using the spring loaded twist latch of an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 22 is a flowchart demonstrating a method of protecting a brake assembly of an embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0053]    In the following description of the exemplary embodiment, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration the specific embodiment in which the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized as structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.  
         [0054]    The present invention provides a method and apparatus for protecting a brake assembly resident behind a wheel disposed on a vehicle and reducing aerodynamic drag produced by a rotating wheel, and more particularly to a combination wheel and wheel insert constructed to cover and protect the brake assembly resident behind the wheel and reduce aerodynamic drag produced by the rotating wheel.  
         [0055]    [0055]FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art wheel mounted on a vehicle  100 . In FIG. 1, a prior art wheel  100  is shown having a tire  110  mounted onto a tire mounting portion  120 . The tire mounting portion  120  is connected to a wheel engaging portion  150  by connecting portion  130 . The connecting portion  130  of the wheel  100  is provided with a plurality of connecting portion apertures  160  through which the brake disk  180  is visible. The brake disk  180  and other brake parts of the brake assembly (not shown) are vulnerable to damage from intrusion of debris through the connecting portion apertures  160 .  
         [0056]    The wheel engaging portion  150  slides over an axle hub (not shown). The wheel  100  is connected to the axle (not shown) with a lug assembly  140  having a plurality of lug receiving openings  145  therein for receiving lugs (not shown) mounted on the axle.  
         [0057]    [0057]FIG. 2 illustrates a wheel and wheel insert combination for carrying out the method of the present invention  200 . In FIG. 2, a wheel  200  is shown having a tire  210  mounted onto a tire mounting portion  220 . The tire mounting portion  220  is connected to a wheel engaging portion  250  by connecting portion  230 . The connecting portion  230  of the wheel  200  is provided with a plurality of connecting portion apertures  260  wherein wheel inserts  290  of an embodiment of the present invention are shown fitted into the connecting portion apertures  260 . The wheel inserts  290  and the connecting portion apertures  260  of the wheel  200  are designed to reciprocatingly fit together such that the entire connecting portion aperture is filled with the wheel insert  290 .  
         [0058]    The wheel inserts  290  and the connecting portion apertures  260  of the wheel  200  are shown in FIG. 2, being generally triangular shaped, however the wheel inserts  290  and the connecting portion apertures  260  in which the wheel insert  290  fits may be round, square, oval, polyhedral or any other shape provided that the limitation, that the wheel insert  290  reciprocatingly fits and entirely fills the connecting portion aperture  260 . The wheel insert  290  may be fabricated of the same material as wheel  200 , or alternatively may be fabricated of a different material. The wheel inserts  290  may be fabricated of metal, composite alloys, transparent plastic, colored plastic and natural or synthetic materials. Transparent plastic wheel inserts may be embedded with glitter or other reflective particulate matter to enhance the aesthetic qualities of the wheel inserts and attract the attention of viewers and bystanders.  
         [0059]    Design indicia  295  is shown on the wheel insert  290 . The design indicia  295  shown is a star in FIG. 2, however the design indicia is not limited to the design shown, but may include indicia that shows the brand name of the tires, the wheels, the vehicle that the wheel is mounted on, or other decorative indicia for aesthetic or advertising purposes.  
         [0060]    The wheel engaging portion  250  slides over an axle hub (not shown). The wheel  200  is connected to the axle (not shown) with a lug assembly  240  having a plurality of lug receiving openings  245  therein for receiving lugs (not shown) mounted on the axle. The brake disk and brake assembly are no longer visible upon implementation of the present invention as shown generally in FIG. 2. The brake assembly is now covered and protected from intrusion of debris.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 3 illustrates a wheel insert  300  of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 3, the wheel insert  300  is shown edge on. The wheel insert  300  has a top side  310 , a bottom side  320 , and an edge  330  having a convex edge surface  340 . Also shown is a wheel insert aperture  360  for fastening the wheel insert  300  to the connecting portion aperture of the wheel. Although the edge surface  340  has been disclosed here as being convex shaped, the edge surface may be concave shaped, triangular shaped, shaped having a plurality of teeth or may be flat and smooth.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIG. 4 illustrates a wheel insert  400  of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the wheel insert  400  is viewed looking at a front side  410 . The front side  410  has design indicia  495  displayed thereon. The wheel insert  400  shows edge  430  having a convex edge surface  440  and a plurality of wheel insert apertures  460  for fastening the wheel insert  400  to the connecting portion aperture of the wheel. Although the wheel insert apertures are disclosed generally centrally located along the length of the edge of the wheel insert  400 , the wheel insert apertures may be located at corners of the wheel insert or anywhere else along the edge of the wheel insert.  
         [0063]    [0063]FIG. 5 illustrates a wheel insert  500  of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 5, the wheel insert  500  is viewed from the side looking at an edge  530  having an edge surface  540 . The front side  510  is horizontal to the rear side  520 . Note that no wheel insert apertures are disclosed in the wheel insert  500  in FIG. 5. In an alternate embodiment, rather than being fastened to the wheel with fasteners, the wheel insert may be welded into place.  
         [0064]    [0064]FIG. 6 illustrates a wheel insert  600  of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, the wheel insert  600  is shown edge on. The wheel insert  600  has a top side  610 , a bottom side  620 , and an edge  630  having a concave edge surface  640 . Also shown is a wheel insert aperture  660  for fastening the wheel insert  600  to the connecting portion aperture of the wheel. Although the edge surface  640  has been disclosed here as being concave shaped, the edge surface may be convex shaped, triangular shaped, shaped having a plurality of teeth or may be flat and smooth.  
         [0065]    [0065]FIG. 7 illustrates a wheel insert  700  of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the wheel insert  700  is viewed looking at a front side  710 . The front side  710  has design indicia  795  displayed thereon. The wheel insert  700  shows edge  730  having a concave edge surface  740  and a plurality of wheel insert apertures  760  for fastening the wheel insert  700  to the connecting portion aperture of the wheel. Although the wheel insert apertures are disclosed generally centrally located along the length of the edge of the wheel insert  700 , the wheel insert apertures may be located at corners of the wheel insert or anywhere else along the edge of the wheel insert.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 8 illustrates a wheel insert  800  of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, the wheel insert  800  is viewed from the side looking at an edge  830  having an edge surface  840 . The front side  810  is horizontal to the rear side  820 . Note that no wheel insert apertures are disclosed in the wheel insert  800  in FIG. 8. In an alternate embodiment, rather than being fastened to the wheel with fasteners, the wheel insert may be welded into place.  
         [0067]    [0067]FIG. 9 illustrates a wheel insert  900  of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 9, the wheel insert  900  is viewed from the rear side  920 . The wheel insert  900 , having an edge  930 , having a convex edge surface  940 , and a plurality of wheel insert apertures  960  for fastening the wheel insert  900  to the connecting portion aperture of the wheel. The embodiment disclosed in FIG. 9 is shown wherein the front side will be visible through the connecting portion aperture of the wheel by a viewer observing the wheel and wheel insert combination mounted on a vehicle. Although the edge surface  940  has been disclosed here as being convex shaped, the edge surface may be concave shaped, triangular shaped, shaped having a plurality of teeth or may be flat and smooth.  
         [0068]    [0068]FIG. 10 illustrates a wheel insert  1000  of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 10, the wheel insert  1000  is viewed from the rear side  1020 . The wheel insert  1000 , having an edge  1030 , having a concave edge surface  1040 , and a plurality of wheel insert apertures  1060  for fastening the wheel insert  1000  to the connecting portion aperture of the wheel. The embodiment disclosed in FIG. 10 is shown wherein the front side will be visible through the connecting portion aperture of the wheel by a viewer observing the wheel and wheel insert combination mounted on a vehicle. Although the edge surface  1040  has been disclosed here as being concave shaped, the edge surface may be convex shaped, triangular shaped, shaped having a plurality of teeth or may be flat and smooth.  
         [0069]    [0069]FIG. 11 illustrates a wheel insert  1100  of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, the wheel insert  1100  is viewed from the rear side  1120 . The wheel insert  1100 , having an edge  1130 , having a convex edge surface  1140 , and a plurality of wheel insert apertures  1160  for fastening the wheel insert  1100  to the connecting portion aperture of the wheel. The embodiment disclosed in FIG. 11 is shown wherein the rear side will be visible through the connecting portion aperture of the wheel by a viewer observing the wheel and wheel insert combination mounted on a vehicle. The rear side  1120  of the wheel insert  1100  is provided with design indicia  1195 . Although the edge surface  1240  has been disclosed here as being convex shaped, the edge surface may be concave shaped, triangular shaped, shaped having a plurality of teeth or may be flat and smooth.  
         [0070]    [0070]FIG. 12 illustrates a wheel insert  1200  of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 12, the wheel insert  1200  is viewed from the rear side  1220 . The wheel insert  1200 , having an edge  1230 , having a concave edge surface  1240 , and a plurality of wheel insert apertures  1260  for fastening the wheel insert  1200  to the connecting portion aperture of the wheel. The embodiment disclosed in FIG. 12 is shown wherein the rear side will be visible through the connecting portion aperture of the wheel by a viewer observing the wheel and wheel insert combination mounted on a vehicle. The rear side  1220  of the wheel insert  1200  is provided with design indicia  1295 .  
         [0071]    [0071]FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric view of a wheel insert of an embodiment of the present invention  1300 . In FIG. 13, the wheel insert  1300  is shown having a front side  1310 , a rear side  1320 , and an edge  1330 , having a concave edge surface  1340 . Also shown are a plurality of wheel insert apertures  1360  disposed in the edge  1330 .  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 14 illustrates an isometric view of a wheel insert of an embodiment of the present invention  1400 . In FIG. 14, the wheel insert  1400  is shown having a front side  1410 , a rear side  1420 , and an edge  1430 , having a concave edge surface  1440 . Also shown are a plurality of wheel insert apertures  1460  disposed in the edge  1430 .  
         [0073]    Regarding FIGS. 3-14, the wheel insert apertures ( 360 - 1460 , respectively) originate from the rear sides ( 320 - 1420 , respectively) of the wheel inserts ( 300 - 1400 , respectively) and extend through the edges ( 330 - 1430 , respectively). In this manner the means for connection of the wheel inserts ( 300 - 1400 , respectively) to the connecting portion apertures of the wheel may be hidden from view, if desired. In FIGS. 11 and 12, the means for connection are decoratively displayed (fasteners not shown).  
         [0074]    [0074]FIG. 15 illustrates a connecting portion aperture of a wheel of an embodiment of the present invention  1500 . In FIG. 15, the connecting portion aperture  1570 , is shown. The connecting portion aperture  1570  has a connecting portion aperture edge  1530 , having a concave connecting portion aperture edge surface  1540 . The connecting portion aperture  1570  is adapted to reciprocatingly receive a wheel insert ( 300 - 500 ,  900  and  1100 ), having a convex wheel insert edge surface ( 340 - 540 ,  940  and  1140 ), wherein the wheel insert ( 300 - 500 ,  900  and  1100 ) entirely fills the connecting portion aperture  1570 . Although the connecting portion aperture edge surface  1540  has been disclosed here as being concave shaped, the edge surface may be convex shaped, triangular shaped, shaped having a plurality of teeth or may be flat and smooth, with the provision that the connecting portion aperture edge surface must reciprocatingly fit with the corresponding wheel insert edge surface.  
         [0075]    [0075]FIG. 16 illustrates a connecting portion aperture of a wheel of an embodiment of the present invention  1600 . In FIG. 16, the connecting portion aperture  1670 , is shown. The connecting portion aperture  1670  has a connecting portion aperture edge  1630 , having a convex connecting portion aperture edge surface  1640 . The connecting portion aperture  1670  is adapted to reciprocatingly receive a wheel insert ( 600 - 800 ,  1000  and  1200 ), having a concave wheel insert edge surface ( 640 - 840 , 1040  and  1240 ), wherein the wheel insert ( 600 - 800 , 1000  and  1200 ) entirely fills the connecting portion aperture  1670 . Although the connecting portion aperture edge surface  1640  has been disclosed here as being convex shaped, the edge surface may be concave shaped, triangular shaped, shaped having a plurality of teeth or may be flat and smooth, with the provision that the connecting portion aperture edge surface must reciprocatingly fit with the corresponding wheel insert edge surface.  
         [0076]    [0076]FIG. 17 illustrates a fastener of an embodiment of the present invention  1700 . In FIG. 17, the fastener  1700  is a countersinking screw. The fastener  1700  has a head  1720  provided with a Phillips type screwdriver orifice. The fastener  1700  is provided with threads  1710  from the top  1720  to the bottom  1730 , wherein the fastener will be completely received within the wheel insert aperture leaving no portion of the fastener exposed to view extending above a surface of the wheel insert. The fastener  1700  is inserted into the wheel insert aperture disposed on a rear side of the wheel insert and extending through the wheel insert and into a reciprocating orifice  2080  in the connecting portion aperture edge shown in FIG. 20.  
         [0077]    [0077]FIG. 18 illustrates a fastener  1800  of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 18, a spring loaded twist latch fastener  1800  is disclosed. The fastener  1800  is provided with a head  1810 , the head having a Phillips type screwdriver orifice therein. However, a regular screwdriver orifice, a hexagonal Allen wrench orifice, or any other type of turning orifice may be applied. The head  1810  is provided with a rod  1880  having a detent  1890  at an end thereof. Between the head  1810  and the detent  1890  a base portion  1870  is mounted to the rod  1880 . A spring  1860  is disposed between the base  1870  and the head  1810  of the fastener  1800  wherein when an application the fastener  1800  secures the wheel insert to the connecting portion of the wheel, as described more fully in FIG. 21.  
         [0078]    [0078]FIG. 19 illustrates a fastener of an embodiment of the present invention  1900 . In FIG. 19, the fastener  1900  is a countersinking screw. The fastener  1900  has a head  1920  provided with a hexagonal type Allen wrench receiving orifice. The fastener  1900  is provided with threads  1910  from the top  1920  to the bottom  1930 , wherein the fastener will be completely received within the wheel insert aperture leaving no portion of the fastener exposed to view extending above a surface of the wheel insert. The fastener  1900  is inserted into the wheel insert aperture disposed on a rear side of the wheel insert and extending through the wheel insert and into a reciprocating orifice  2080  in the connecting portion aperture edge. The Phillips type fastener  2010  as shown in FIG. 20, may be replaced with fasteners  1900  as described in FIG. 19. Although certain fasteners have been disclosed herein for connecting a wheel insert into a connecting portion aperture, other fastener may be used.  
         [0079]    [0079]FIG. 20 illustrates a schematic view demonstrating fastening the wheel insert into a connecting portion wheel aperture of an embodiment of the present invention  2000 . In FIG. 20, broken lines  2011  show the path wherein the fasteners  2010  connect the wheel insert  2066  into the connecting portion aperture  2070  of the wheel. The wheel insert  2066 , when inserted into the connecting portion aperture  2070  is adapted such that the wheel insert edge  2051  reciprocatingly fits with the connecting portion edge  2050 . The wheel insert edge  2051  may be convex and the corresponding connecting portion edge  2050  would then be concave or the wheel insert edge  2051  may be concave and the corresponding connecting portion edge  2050  would then be convex.  
         [0080]    The wheel insert  2066  may be inserted into a front side of the connecting portion of the wheel wherein the rear side of the wheel insert is exposed to view when the wheel is mounted on a vehicle or the wheel insert  2066  may be inserted into a rear side of the connecting portion of the wheel wherein the front side of the wheel insert  2066  is exposed to view when the wheel is mounted on a vehicle. Design indicia is displayed on the side exposed to view.  
         [0081]    The fasteners  2010  are inserted into the rear side  2020  of the wheel insert  2066  and extend through the edge of the wheel insert  2066  and extend into reciprocating orifices  2080  in the curved edge  2050  of the connecting portion aperture  2070 . The fasteners are tightened until the head portions of the fastener no longer extend beyond the rear surface  2020  of the wheel insert  2066 .  
         [0082]    [0082]FIG. 21 illustrates a schematic view demonstrating fastening the wheel insert into a connecting portion wheel aperture of an embodiment of the present invention  2100 . In FIG. 21, broken lines  2111  show the path wherein the fasteners  2110  connect the wheel insert  2166  into the connecting portion aperture  2170  of the wheel. The wheel insert  2166 , when inserted into the connecting portion aperture  2170  is adapted such that the wheel insert edge  2151  reciprocatingly fits with the connecting portion edge  2150 . The wheel insert edge  2151  may be convex and the corresponding connecting portion edge  2150  would then be concave or the wheel insert edge  2151  may be concave and the corresponding connecting portion edge  2150  would then be convex.  
         [0083]    The wheel insert  2166  may be inserted into a front side of the connecting portion of the wheel wherein the rear side of the wheel insert is exposed to view when the wheel is mounted on a vehicle or the wheel insert  2166  may be inserted into a rear side of the connecting portion of the wheel wherein the front side of the wheel insert  2166  is exposed to view when the wheel is mounted on a vehicle. Design indicia is displayed on the side exposed to view.  
         [0084]    The fasteners  2110  are inserted into the rear side  2120  of the wheel insert  2166  and extend through the edge of the wheel insert  2166  wherein the detent  2125  extends into slots  2185  in the reciprocating orifices  2180  in the curved edge  2150  of the connecting portion aperture  2170 . The fasteners  2110  are inserted and twisted until the detent  2125  engages the reciprocating orifices. The springs  2135  maintain tension on the wheel insert, thus securing the wheel insert  2166  into the connecting portion aperture  2170 .  
         [0085]    [0085]FIG. 22 is a flowchart demonstrating a method of protecting a brake assembly of an embodiment of the present invention  2200 . To start  2201  the method, the method includes cleaning each wheel insert edge surface and each connecting portion aperture edge surface  2210 . The method continues by applying a sealant to each wheel insert edge surface and each connecting portion aperture edge surface  2220 . The method continues by fitting a wheel insert into a connecting portion aperture  2203  such that the wheel insert and a front surface of the connecting portion are aligned parallel at a junction thereof  2240 . The method continues fastening the wheel insert to the connecting portion by inserting the fasteners into the apertures in the wheel insert through the wheel insert edge and into reciprocating orifices of the connecting portion  2250 . Then the method continues by allowing the sealant to set to ensure secure connection of the wheel insert to the connecting portion of the wheel  2260 . The method continues by securing the axle engaging portion of the wheel to an axle on a vehicle. The result of the method is that the brake assembly resides behind the wheel and protected from damage  2280 , wherein the method ends  2299 .  
         [0086]    In an alternate embodiment of the method of connecting the wheel insert into the connecting portion aperture of a wheel, the wheel inserts may be welded to the connection portion aperture of the wheel. A sealant would not be required if the wheel insert is welded into the connecting portion aperture of the wheel.  
         [0087]    The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiment of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not with this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.