Abstract:
A motorcycle wheel assembly having a wheel with a central hub and an axle extending centrally through the hub with interior wheel bearings and at least one brake disc in abutment with the outside surface of the hub is provided with at least a wheel cover fitted onto a spacer surrounding the axle between the brake disc and the lower extremity of an adjacent fork in order to protect the wheel bearings and the mounting bolts from sand and grit. The wheel cover includes a shoulder portion on one side through which a spacer and an axle extend and an outer lip overlying the brake disc and mounting bolts.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    Not Applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
       [0003]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0005]    The present invention relates to motorcycle wheel assemblies that are designed to protect bearings and provide security for mounting bolts. 
         [0006]    2. Related Art 
         [0007]    A variety of motorcycle wheel assemblies exist for enhancing the appearance of the wheel; however, a rider&#39;s enjoyment will often come more from the performance of his machine than from merely its appearance. During the course of a ride, a motorcycle can encounter a multitude of terrains and an array of weather conditions. Also a consideration is the rider&#39;s safety, as well as the security of the motorcycle. What is needed, therefore, is a motorcycle wheel assembly that protects the front wheel bearings and mounting bolts while also securing the mounting bolts from vandalism and theft. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    A preferred form of a motorcycle wheel assembly in accordance with the present invention comprises a wheel, an axle, wheel bearings, a pair of brake discs, mounting bolts, a pair of spaced forks and a pair of wheel covers for protecting the wheel bearings and mounting bolts, and providing security for the mounting bolts. The wheel has a central hub with opposing outside surfaces. The axle extends centrally through the hub, with wheel bearings located between the axle and hub so as to permit the wheel to rotate freely. Each of the two brake discs abut a corresponding outside surface of the hub with the mounting bolts securing each brake disc to its corresponding outside hub surface. Each of the two forks has an opening at its lower extremity for receiving one end of the axle, with the wheel, hub, wheel bearings and brake discs all positioned between the extremities of the two forks. This invention provides a single wheel cover or a pair of wheel covers, with each wheel cover fitted onto the axle between a corresponding brake disc and a corresponding fork, so as to be positioned in close proximity to the brake disc. Each wheel cover is then secured in place along the axle utilizing a spacer extending through the wheel cover. In this way, the wheel cover offers protection to the adjacent wheel bearings and mounting bolts, while also providing security for the mounting bolts. 
         [0009]    The wheel cover could be fabricated from a metal or plastic. If fabricated from metal, the wheel cover may be machined from one piece of material or fashioned from more than one piece. If created from plastic, similarly the wheel cover can be molded from one piece of material. 
         [0010]    In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a motorcycle wheel cover for protecting the front wheel bearings in order to prevent and/or reduce costly repairs. The introduction of dirt and grime into the wheel bearings can result in damage not only to the bearings, but also to the hub and axle. Repairs can be relatively expensive, particularly if the wheel&#39;s hub or axle is scored due to faulty wheel bearings. Preventing the introduction of dirt and grime into the wheel bearings can extend the life of the bearings, thus deferring the cost of repairs. 
         [0011]    In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a motorcycle wheel cover for enhancing a rider&#39;s safety. Front wheel bearings are critical to the steering and handling of a motorcycle. In helping to protect the front wheel bearings from the dirt and grime of the road, the wheel cover protects the rider from potential accidents due to faulty steering and handling. In addition, the motorcycle wheel cover offers protection from tampering. The wheel cover securely covers the mounting bolts so as to prevent vandals from gaining access to loosen or remove them. 
         [0012]    In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a motorcycle wheel cover for securing the front mounting bolts so as to prevent theft. The wheel cover securely covers the mounting bolts so as to prevent thieves from gaining access to them. 
         [0013]    In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a motorcycle wheel cover for alleviating the toil of cleaning the mounting bolts and the nooks and crannies around the mounting bolts where dirt tends to collect and where cleaning can be difficult. 
         [0014]    In another aspect of the present invention there is provided a motorcycle wheel cover for enhancing the appearance of the wheel by substantially overlying and covering the heads of the mounting bolts. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
         [0015]    The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a prior art motorcycle front wheel assembly; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a prior art brake disc, caliper sub-assembly, and fork sub-assembly; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective of a prior art motorcycle front wheel assembly; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the brake disc, caliper sub-assembly, and fork sub-assembly shown in  FIG. 2 , along with a wheel cover in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a motorcycle front wheel assembly in accordance with this invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective of the motorcycle front wheel assembly of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 7  is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the motorcycle wheel cover shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the motorcycle wheel cover along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0024]      FIG. 9  is a partial front view of the motorcycle front wheel assembly of  FIG. 5 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    While the present invention is described in connection with a wheel construction that employs a spoked wheel, an axle, interior wheel bearings, two outside spacers and a pair of disc brakes, it will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention can be utilized with other wheel constructions as well. In particular, the present invention may find use with a front wheel assembly that encompasses the use of a solid wheel, or one that encompasses the use of a single disc brake, or one that encompasses the use of a braking system other than disc brakes, or one that encompasses some combination of the aforementioned, or even one that encompasses some other combination of elements. 
         [0026]      FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a prior art motorcycle front wheel assembly identified generally by numeral  10 . The motorcycle front wheel assembly  10  comprises a wheel  12 , an axle  14 , a tire  18 , brake discs  20 , a plurality of mounting bolts  22 , a brake caliper sub-assembly  26 , and a fork sub-assembly  30 . The wheel  12  also comprises a rim  13 , a cylindrical hub  15  and a plurality of spaced spokes  16 . The rim  13  extends around the circumference of the wheel  12  and has a bottom surface  87  for attaching one end of each spoke  16 . The hub  15  resides at the center of the wheel  12  and comprises an axle hole  82  for receiving the axle  14 , opposing outside surfaces  83 , a plurality of fastener holes  81  for accepting fasteners such as mounting bolts  22  into the outside surfaces  83 , and a top surface  84  for attaching one end of each spoke  16 . The axle hole  82  of the hub  15  extends through the middle of the hub  15  and is axial with respect to the rim  13 . The axle hole  82  of the hub  15  is of a sufficient diameter to receive the axle  14 . The fastener holes  81  of the hub  15  are spaced about each outer surface  83  of the hub  15 . One end of each spoke  16  is attached to the bottom surface  87  of the rim  13 , while the opposite end of each spoke  16  is attached to the top surface  84  of the hub  15 . The spokes  16  are spaced one from the other and oriented generally radially to the axle hole  82  of the hub  15 . The axle  14  comprises an axle head  91  and an axle end  92 . Each brake disc  20  comprises an axle hole  97  for receiving the axle  14 , a plurality of fastener holes  95  for accepting the mounting bolts  22 , an outer surface  28 , and an edge  21 . The axle hole  97  of the brake disc  20  extends through the middle of each brake disc  20  and is of a sufficient diameter to receive the axle  14 . The fastener holes  95  are spaced about each outer surface  28  of the brake disc  20 . The fork sub-assembly  30  comprises opposing forks  32 ,  33  (not shown separately in  FIGS. 1-3 , but see  FIG. 5 ). Each fork  32 ,  33  comprises a lower portion  36  and an axle hole  38  for receiving the axle  14 . The axle hole  38  of the forks  32 ,  33  extends through the lower portion  36  of each and is oriented generally laterally to the vertical direction of each fork  32 ,  33  and is of a sufficient diameter to receive the axle  14 . 
         [0027]    The tire  18 , shown only in  FIG. 1 , is mounted on the rim  13  of the wheel  12  in the customary manner. A brake caliper sub-assembly  26 , one of which is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , is mounted on each fork  32 ,  33  and aligned over a corresponding brake disc  20  so as to allow the brake disc  20  to rotate freely within the brake caliper sub-assembly  26  when the brake is not engaged. Each brake disc  20  is secured to the wheel  12  by mounting bolts  22  that pass through the fastener holes  95  of each brake disc  20 , and through the fastener holes  81  of the hub  15  to secure each brake disc  20  and the wheel  12  together. The left and right brake discs  20 , the hub  15  and the left and right forks  32 ,  33  are axially aligned such that the axle  14  can be received therein. 
         [0028]    In the specific prior art construction shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the axle  14  passes through the axle hole  38  of one of the forks  32 ,  33  on one side of the wheel  12 , through the axle hole  97  of a first brake disc  20 , through the axle hole  82  of the hub  15 , through the axle hole  97  of the other brake disc  20  on the opposite side of the wheel  12 , and through the axle hole  38  of the other fork  32 ,  33 . The axle head  91  is positioned adjacent to the lower portion  36  of one fork  32 ,  33 , while the axle end  92  protrudes from the axle hole  38  of the other fork  32 ,  33 . The axle end  92  is secured by a fastener, such as an axle nut  37 . A center spacer  86  fits over the axle  14  and is completely housed within the axle hole  82  of the hub  15 . On each of the left and right sides of the wheel  12 , wheel bearings  90  fit over the axle  14  and are positioned within the axle hole  82  of the hub  15 , adjacent to the center spacer  86 . On each of the left and right sides of the wheel  12 , an outside spacer  98  fits over the axle  14  outwardly with respect to the adjacent bearing  90 . This configuration results in the lower portion  36  of each fork  32 ,  33  residing adjacent to the corresponding outside spacer  98 . 
         [0029]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a motorcycle wheel assembly and method for protecting the wheel bearings and providing security for the mounting bolts. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIGS. 4-9 , where the motorcycle wheel assembly comprises those prior art components described above with reference to  FIGS. 1-3 , or equivalents, and further comprises a wheel cover  100  having the features described below. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 4-9 , the preferred embodiment of the cover  100  comprises a plate-like cover member  110  having an exterior surface  120 , a central axle opening  160  and a flange or lip  130 . The lip  130  extends around the circumference of the body cover  100  and is of a sufficient dimension so as to form a cavity  140  therein capable of covering the bearings  90  and mounting bolts  22 . As seen in  FIG. 5 , the diameter of the cover  100  is generally equal to the diameter of the hub  15  since the mounting bolts  22  are threadedly connected to the hub  15  and are located within the circumference of the hub  15 , resulting in each wheel cover  100  leaving an outer portion of the brake disc  20  uncovered to avoid interference with the operation of the brakes  26 . 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the cover member  110  also comprises a shoulder  150  of smaller circumference than the cover member  110 , with the shoulder  150  extending generally outwardly from the exterior surface  120 . The shoulder  150  comprises a generally cylindrical wall  154  and a centrally-located axle opening  156  that is defined by the circumference of the wall  154 . The resulting wall  154  is of a sufficient width along at least one portion of its length so as to receive a set screw  170 . The axle opening  156  of the shoulder  150  is axially aligned with the axle opening  160  of the exterior surface  120  of the cover  100  such that the axle  14 , with the bearings  90  and spacers  86 ,  98  installed thereon, passes through both the shoulder  150  and the cover member  110 . The wall  154  comprises an exterior surface  151 , an interior surface  152  and at least one cavity  155 . The cavity  155  extends laterally through both the exterior  151  and interior surfaces  152  of the wall  154  at a point in the wall  154  where the width of the wall  154  is of a sufficient depth to house the set screw  170 . The cavity  155  is of a sufficient dimension to receive the set screw  170 . The set screw  170  engages the spacer  98 , thereby securing the wheel cover  100  in a fixed manner. 
         [0032]    Each wheel cover  100  is positioned between the adjacent fork  32 ,  33  and the adjacent brake disc  20 , such that the cavity  140  of the cover  100  fits over the mounting bolts  22  and the adjacent bearings  90 , and the spacer  98  extends through the axle hole  160  of the exterior surface  120  of the cover  100  and into the axle hole  156  of the shoulder  150 . Each wheel cover  100  fits in close proximity to the adjacent brake disc  20  so as to significantly reduce the amount of dirt and debris entering the bearings  90 . Since the wheel covers  100  do not engage the brake discs  20 , the wheel covers  100  are prevented from rotating with the brake discs (see  FIGS. 5 and 9 ). 
         [0033]    The wheel cover  100  can be employed on at least one side of a motorcycle, but preferably is employed on both sides, as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The wheel cover  100  also can be employed adjacent to the outer surface  83  of the hub  15  in those configurations where there is no adjacent brake disc  20 . In such case, the wheel cover  100  fits in close proximity to the adjacent outer surface  83  of the hub  15  so as to significantly reduce the amount of dirt and debris entering the bearings  90 . Since the wheel cover  100  does not engage the hub  15 , the wheel cover  100  is prevented from rotating with the hub  15 . 
         [0034]    The wheel cover  100 , for which a preferred embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , may take other shapes that achieve the features of being spaced from the adjacent brake disc  20  while creating an intervening cavity. In those configurations where there is no adjacent brake disc  20 , the wheel cover  100  may take other shapes that achieve the features of being spaced from the adjacent outer surface  83  of the hub  15  while creating an intervening cavity  140 . 
         [0035]    While the invention has been described with respect to certain specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.