Abstract:
A wheel assembly comprising a wheel having an outer surface and a plurality of exposed lug apertures located about a central hub region of the wheel, and a wheel cladding including a body conforming to the outer surface of the wheel that has an exposed decorative surface, an inner surface that faces the wheel when the cladding is attached to the wheel, and a plurality of lug wells that are axially aligned with the lug apertures of the wheel. The wheel assembly also includes a plurality of cladding lug well sleeves made from a high-temperature and ultraviolet light stable material that includes a plurality of snap-locking tabs for lockably fitting within the cladding lug wells. The cladding lug well sleeves are adapted to thermally insulate the cladding from the high temperatures of the lug nuts and studs from heat generated during vehicle operation.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/825,768, filed on Sep. 15, 2006, entitled “CLADDING LUG WELL SLEEVE,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to vehicle wheel assemblies, and in particular, to a wheel assembly including a wheel, a polymeric decorative wheel cladding and a heat insulating sleeve to protect the wheel cladding. 
         [0003]    Ornamental metal-plated polymeric claddings have been employed for providing a decorative surface to the outer exposed surface of wheels for several years. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,564,791; 5,577,809; 5,597,213; 5,630,654; 5,636,906; 5,845,973; and 6,085,829, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference, represent different approaches for providing and attaching such claddings to existing wheels to provide a finished decorative appearing wheel. These wheel claddings offer design flexibility and allow wheel claddings of various configurations to be used to cover a single style metal wheel. 
         [0004]    Heretofore, wheel coverings have been assembled with the associated vehicle wheel by a variety of clips and/or fasteners, many of which having a configuration such that the wheel cladding is in direct contact with at least a portion of the vehicle wheel proximate the hub aperture of the wheel. As a result, a significant amount of heat generated within the vehicle wheel during vehicle operations, such as breaking and the like is transferred from the fastener to the attached wheel cladding. The heat received by the wheel cladding may result in heat fatigue, and thereby reduce the useful life of the wheel clad, as well as distortion and degradation to the aesthetic outer covering associated therewith. Moreover, most previous coupling techniques that attempt to address the problem of heat transfer between the wheel and the wheel cladding are either unnecessarily complicated, or fail to provide a secure retention between the wheel and wheel cladding, thereby resulting in a non-robust design susceptible to fatigue and premature failure. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a current need for an apparatus that insulates the wheel cladding from heat being transferred between the vehicle wheel and the wheel cladding, while simultaneously providing a secure connection between the vehicle wheel and the wheel cladding. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    One aspect of the present invention relates to a wheel assembly that includes a wheel having an outer surface and a plurality of exposed lug apertures located about a central hub region of the wheel, and a wheel cladding including a body conforming to the outer surface of the wheel, an exposed decorative surface, an inner surface facing the wheel when the cladding is attached to the wheel, and a plurality of lug wells extending axially toward the wheel. The wheel assembly also comprises a plurality of heat insulating sleeve members, each received into one of the plurality of lug wells and including a coupler portion that engages the cladding, thereby operably coupling each of the sleeve members to the wheel assembly. 
         [0007]    Another aspect of the present invention relates to an insulating sleeve member for thermally insulating a wheel cladding from a wheel to which the wheel cladding is attached, the insulating sleeve member comprising a cylindrically-shaped body portion, a first end, and a second end including a coupler portion adapted to extend axially beyond the rearward edges of the lug wells. 
         [0008]    Yet another aspect of the present invention relates to a wheel cladding assembly that comprises a wheel cladding including a body adapted to conform to an outer surface of a wheel, a decorative surface, an inner surface adapted to face an outer surface of a wheel when coupled thereto, and a plurality of axially-inwardly extending lug wells. The wheel cladding assembly further comprises a plurality of heat insulating sleeve members, each received into one of the plurality of lug wells and including a coupler portion adapted to engage the wheel cladding assembly. Yet still another aspect of the present invention provides a means for attaching a small diameter decorative center cap into the cladding itself. 
         [0009]    The present inventive wheel assembly provides a durable, heat-resistant sleeve member to protect a wheel cladding that is attached to an associated wheel from heat and damage caused by lug nuts and lug studs. The wheel assembly may be easily and quickly assembled by even unskilled personnel, is economical to manufacture, capable of a long operating life, and is particularly well-adapted for the proposed use. 
         [0010]    These and other advantages of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following written specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a wheel assembly embodying the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the wheel assembly that includes a wheel cladding, a plurality of cladding lug well sleeves, and a small cap. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the wheel assembly; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV,  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of one of the cladding lug well sleeves; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the cladding lug well sleeve; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top axial view of the cladding lug well sleeve; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the cladding lug well sleeve taken along line VIII-VIII,  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, relative dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
         [0020]    The reference numeral  2  ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) generally designates a wheel assembly embodying the present invention. In the illustrated example, the wheel assembly comprises a wheel  18  including an outer surface  24  and a plurality of exposed lug apertures  22  located about a central hub region  28  of the wheel  18 , and a wheel cladding  6  including a body  5  conforming to the outer surface  24  of the wheel  18 , an exposed decorative surface  16 , and an inner surface  7  facing the wheel  18  when the cladding  6  is coupled to the wheel  18 , and a plurality of lug wells  4  extending axially inward toward the wheel  18 . The wheel assembly  2  further comprises a plurality of heat insulative sleeve members  20 , each received into one of the plurality of lug wells  4  and including a coupler portion  9  ( FIG. 4 ) that engages the cladding  6 , thereby operably coupling each of the sleeve members  20  with the cladding  6 . 
         [0021]    The wheel  18  of the composite wheel assembly  2  comprises aluminum, magnesium, steel, or other material conventionally used for manufacturing vehicle wheels. The cladding  6  of the wheel assembly  2  may be injection-molded from a polymeric material, such as ABS or the combination of polycarbonate and ABS having an average thickness of about two to four millimeters. Other polymeric materials may also be used. An outer decorative surface  16  of the cladding  6  is covered with a shiny or satin finish metal plating, such as chrome, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,749,946, issued Jun. 15, 2004, and entitled “Method and Composition for Metallic Finishes,” the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The outer surface  16  of the cladding  6  can also be painted, textured, or otherwise finished for a particular desired appearance. 
         [0022]    The wheel  18  of the illustrated example includes a hub aperture  26  in a central hub region  28  and a plurality of exposed lug nut apertures  22  arranged in a circular pattern and spaced for the particular vehicle on which the composite wheel  2  is to be employed. The hub aperture  26  will typically be enclosed by a relatively small cap that is snapped into the cladding  6 , while the lug nuts or lug bolts themselves (not shown) may be exposed once the wheel  2  is mounted to a vehicle. 
         [0023]    As illustrated, the cladding  6  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) has a geometry which substantially conforms to that of the wheel  18 , such that the cladding  6  matingly fits within a rim  32  of wheel  18 , although other configurations may be utilized. A plurality of axially-spaced spokes  30  extend radially outwardly from a central hub opening  34 , which correspond in size, shape, and location to a plurality of axially-spaced spokes  36  of the wheel  18 . Between the spokes  30  of cladding  6  are spaces  38  shaped to conform to correspond to openings  40  in wheel  18  ( FIG. 2 ). A central hub area surrounding a central hub aperture  34  of cladding  6  also includes a plurality of lug wells  4 , which align with a corresponding plurality of lug bolt apertures  22  of the wheel  18  when the wheel cladding  6  is assembled with the wheel  18 . The central hub aperture  34  of the cladding  6  is aligned with the aperture  26  when attached to the wheel  18 . A small cap  50  ( FIG. 2 ) is received by the cladding  6  to cover the central hub aperture  34 . This cap  50  is coupled to the cladding  6 , by snapping, using shoulder  54  ( FIG. 4 ) on cladding  6 , or other means. Once assembled, the cladding  6  appears as an integral outer surface of the wheel  18 . The lug wells  4  of the cladding  6  define a wall, generally cylindrical in shape. The width of the lug wells  4  ( FIG. 4 ) taper down from the outer decorative surface  16  to a rearward edge  12  of lug well  4 . 
         [0024]    The cladding lug well sleeves  20  ( FIGS. 5-8 ) are illustrated as generally cylindrical, however, other suitable configurations may be utilized. The width of each of the sleeves  20  may change between an upper end  42  and a lower end  46 . For example, the width of the sleeve  20  may taper down between the upper end  42  and the lower end  46 . In the illustrated example, the shape of the cladding lug well sleeve  20  should generally conform to the shape of the cladding lug well  4 . 
         [0025]    The coupler portion  9  includes a circumferentially and radially outward extending tab  10  that, when positioned within the associated lug well  4 , abuts the rearward edge  12  of lug well  4  to ensure positive axial retention of the sleeve  20  within the lug well  4  of the cladding  6 . In addition, the upper end  42  of sleeve  20  abuts a shoulder  52  formed in the lug well  4  of the cladding  6 . The tab  10  of each sleeve member  20  further extends axially inward of the cladding lug well  4  in close proximity of the wheel  18 . The cladding lug well sleeve  20  also provides support for the center of cladding  6  when it comes under clamp load P in certain tire changing equipment. The cladding lug well sleeve  20  will interface with wheel  18  when clamp load P is applied to cladding  6 . 
         [0026]    Each of the sleeve members  20  further includes one or more axially extending raised ribs  8  that are formed on the cladding lug well sleeve  20  to ensure a close fit between each cladding lug well sleeve  20  and the associated cladding lug well  4  to minimize rattling of the cladding lug well sleeve  20  within lug well  4 . Circumferentially extending ribs (not shown) may be used with or in place of the axially extending raised ribs  8  to help ensure a close fit between the cladding lug well sleeve  20  and the cladding lug well  4 . 
         [0027]    In the embodiments illustrated in the figures, the material used to fabricate the sleeves  20  differs from that of the material used to fabricate the cladding  6  to maximize the properties of these materials in the location needed for the wheel assembly  2 . More specifically, the cladding  6  is fabricated from a first material, which is inexpensive, lightweight, and capable of being painted or plated in a decorative fashion, as described above. Not needing to be decorated, the sleeves  20  are fabricated from a second material differing from the first material. The second material is selected from materials capable of withstanding temperatures generated by the vehicle lug nuts and lugs. Additionally, the second material could also be stable under ultraviolet light to reduce degradation thereof. The material may be any material, such as stainless steel, however, the materials are preferably selected from a thermoplastic injection-molded resin, such as nylon, or nylon reinforced with other materials, ASA, etc. 
         [0028]    In the assembly, the sleeves  20  are inserted into the lug wells  4  of cladding  6  such that the tabs  10  of the sleeves  20  secure the sleeves  20  into the wheel assembly  2 . In operation, heat generated within the wheel  18  due to vehicle operation, such as braking, is received by the sleeves  20 , rather than directly by the cladding  6 , thereby acting as a heat shield and reducing heat-induced fatigue or cosmetic problems to the cladding  6 . The sleeves  20  further protect the cladding  6  from wear by providing a relatively wear-resistant surface in direct contact with the lug nut drivers or sockets during disassembly and reassembly of the wheel assembly  2 , as necessitated by vehicle maintenance and repair. 
         [0029]    The present inventive sleeve and associated wheel assembly provides a durable, heat-resistant and secure coupler of a wheel cladding sleeve to an associated cladding. The wheel assembly may be operated/installed by even unskilled personnel, can be easily and quickly assembled, is economical to manufacture, capable of long operating life while installed on an associated vehicle wheel, and is particularly well-adapted for the proposed use. Further, the wheel cladding assembly is significantly resistant to heat-induced fatigue, thereby reducing the chances of the cladding blistering, melting, peeling, or discoloring. Moreover, the sleeves help to provide support when a tire balancing machine applies pressure to the face of the cladding, due to the sleeve interfacing with the wheel. Additionally, this cladding design can allow for a small inexpensive center cap to be snappably installed into the cladding. 
         [0030]    In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.