Abstract:
A rim and hubcap protector is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the rim and hubcap protector includes a housing and a plurality of protector sections rotatably carried by the housing. The protector sections are capable of deployment between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration.

Description:
FIELD 
   The present invention relates to devices for protecting rims and hubcaps of automobiles from cleaning agents. More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-sectional rim and hubcap protector which can be folded or collapsed for storage. 
   BACKGROUND 
   During the washing and waxing of an automobile or of automobile tires, it is frequently desirable to cover the rims and hubcaps on the wheels of the automobile in order to protect the rims and hubcaps from coating or cleaning chemicals. Conventional rim and hubcap protectors, however, are typically incapable of being folded or collapsed for space-efficient storage. Therefore, a rim and hubcap protector which is capable of being folded or collapsed when not in use is needed. 
   SUMMARY 
   The present invention is generally directed to a rim and hubcap protector. An illustrative embodiment of the rim and hubcap protector includes a rim and hubcap protector is disclosed. An illustrative embodiment of the rim and hubcap protector includes a housing and a plurality of protector sections rotatably carried by the housing. The protector sections are capable of deployment between an extended configuration and a collapsed configuration. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an automobile wheel, with an illustrative embodiment of the rim and hubcap protector placed over a rim (not shown) of the wheel in typical application of the rim and hubcap protector; 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded, perspective view illustrating placement of the rim and hubcap protector over a rim of the wheel; 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view, taken along section lines  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a front perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the rim and hubcap protector, illustrating initial folding of the rim and hubcap protector from an extended, functional configuration to a folded, storage configuration; and 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of the rim and hubcap protector, shown in a fully-collapsed or folded configuration. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to the drawings, an illustrative embodiment of the rim and hubcap protector, hereinafter protector, is generally indicated by reference numeral  1 . The protector  1  has a generally circular shape and includes multiple protector sections  2 . Each of the protector sections  2  is typically plastic, although metal or suitable alternative materials may be used. Each protector section  2  includes a generally elongated, triangular main portion  3 ; and a generally curved, rectangular flange portion  4  which extends from the main portion  3 . The flange portion  4  is disposed at a generally obtuse degree angle with respect to the plane of the main portion  3  of each protector section  2 . 
   As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the protector sections  2  include a large terminal protector section  2   a ; a small terminal protector section  2   c ; and multiple adjacent middle protector sections  2   b . Accordingly, the main portion  3  and flange portion  4  of the large terminal protector section  2   a  have a greater area than the main portion  3  and flange portion  4 , respectively, of each of the middle protector sections  2   b  and the small terminal protector section  2   c . Similarly, the areas of the main portion  3  and flange portion  4  of the middle protector sections  2   b  become progressively larger from the small terminal protector section  2   c  to the large terminal protector section  2   a.    
   At least one of the large terminal protector section  2   a  and the small terminal protector section  2   c , as well as each of the middle protector sections  2   b , is rotatably mounted in a housing  8 . Accordingly, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the large terminal protector section  2   a , the small terminal protector section  2   c  and the middle protector sections  2   b  are capable of being deployed in a fanned-out, spreaded or extended position, in which the protector sections  2  are deployed in adjacent relationship with respect to each other and impart a generally conical shape to the protector  1 . Conversely, the protector sections  2  are capable of being deployed in a folded or collapsed configuration in which the protector sections  2  are rotated with respect to the housing  8  and each protector section  2  is nested in the adjacent protector section  2  of larger size, as shown in  FIG. 5 . A U-shaped clamp  12  can be extended around the protector sections  2  to maintain the protector sections  2  in the folded position. In  FIG. 4 , the small terminal protector section  2   c  is nested in the adjacent middle protector section  2   b , which is likewise nested in the adjacent middle protector section  2   b . A handle  9  is typically provided on the housing  8 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , in typical use, the protector  1  is deployed in the extended, fanned-out, functional configuration and placed over a wheel rim  17  of an automobile wheel  16 . A tire  18  is mounted on the wheel rim  17 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the flange portion  4  of each section  2  receives the exterior portion of the wheel rim  17  and engages the tire  18 . Accordingly, the sections  2  of the protector  1  cover the entire rim  17  and any hubcap (not shown) which may be mounted in the wheel rim  17 . Clamps (not shown) may be provided on the protector  1  to facilitate attachment of the protector  1  to the automobile wheel  16 . The protector  1  remains on the wheel rim  17  during the washing and/or waxing of an automobile (not shown) of which the automobile wheel  16  is a part or during the washing and/or coating of the tire  18  and prevents washing chemicals and/or coatings from inadvertently falling on the wheel rim  17 . 
   After use, the protector  1  is removed from the wheel rim  17  of the automobile wheel  16 . The protector  1  is folded or collapsed as the sections  2  are rotated with respect to the housing  8  and each section  2  is nested in the adjacent section  2 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . This facilitates space-efficient storage of the protector  1  when not in use. 
   While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.