Abstract:
An adjustable and expandable shield for a variety of uses and for the rim and the hub of a wheel, to protect them and keep them clean during the detailing process for the tires. Without this shield, the rims and hub which have already been cleaned during the general cleaning of the car become dirty when tire dressing is applied to the tires and would therefore need to be cleaned a second time to remove the tire dressing that sprayed onto the rim and hub. This device covers the rim and hub so that when tire dressing is applied, the rim and hub are shielded from the spray and will not get dirty.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a novel aid for shielding a wheel center. More particularly, the present invention relates to expandable wheel shields that protect the centers, including the rim, spokes, hubcap and the like of wheels of varying diameters, from the over application of tire dressing and other chemicals. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    The shielding and protection of automobile wheels is generally needed because during the detailing process of a car, the entire car is washed, including the rim and hubcaps, before the dressing is applied to the tires. Any dressing that gets on the rim and the hubcaps is not only a waste of product and but also highly inefficient as those wheels must now be cleaned a second time. 
         [0005]    Heretofore, several types of shields and wheel protectors have been devised for just such protection and prevention. These prior art wheels covers generally utilize a circular disc with a radial gap, the sides of which are laid over each other and held in place by tabs, snaps, or other locking mechanisms, thereby giving it a conical shape and decreasing the diameter of the disc to fit the diameter of the tire rim. Another method employed by the prior art is generally that of a folding hand fan, having a plurality of circular-arc sectors overlapping each other and fanning about a central point. Adjusting this type of wheel guard is an involved and tedious process requiring the user to manually adjust each arc sector individually. 
         [0006]    The following eight patents are relevant to the field of the present invention. 
         [0007]    1. U.S. Pat. No. 4,196,692 issued to Marc. Q. Vanstrom on Apr. 8, 1980 for “Adjustable Paint Guard For Windows” (hereafter the “Vanstrom Patent”); 
         [0008]    2. U.S. Pat. No. 4,792,191 issued to Frederick M. Farmer on Dec. 20, 1988 for “Automobile Wheel Protector” (hereafter the “Farmer Patent”); 
         [0009]    3. U.S. Pat. No. D438,835 issued to Kurt A. Maschino on Mar. 13, 2001 for “Protective Wheel Mask For Spraying Vehicle Tires” (hereafter the “Maschino Design Patent”); 
         [0010]    4. U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,878 issued to Henry O. Bell et al. on Jul. 2, 2002 for “Disposable Wheel Shield” (hereafter the “Bell Patent”); 
         [0011]    5. U.S. Pat. No. 6,485,106 issued to Brett Lee Hermansen et al. on Nov. 26, 2002 for “Size Adjustable Wheel Rim Masks” (hereafter the “Hermansen Patent”); 
         [0012]    6. U.S. Pat. No. 6,905,177 issued to Danny Murillo on Jun. 14, 2005 for “Rim Shield” (hereafter the “Murillo Patent”); 
         [0013]    7. U.S. Pat. No. D537,401 issued to Neil Jones on Feb. 27, 2007 for “Wheel Shield” (hereafter the “Jones Design Patent”); 
         [0014]    8. U.S. Pat. No. 7,448,694 issued to LaVern Bentley on Nov. 11, 2008 for “Rim and Hubcap Protection” (hereafter the “Bentley Patent”). 
         [0015]    The Vanstrom Patent discloses an adjustable, rectangular, paint guard for windows, which contains four, identical, overlapping sections, each section having a generally triangular shape with the base of each triangle at the center of the device, and each apex of each triangle oriented at one of the four corners of the rectangle. The device pushes outwardly on each of the four triangle bases thereby expanding the area of the rectangle to cover a rectangular window so that it can be protected during the time when the seal around the outside is painted. 
         [0016]    The Farmer Patent discloses a wheel guard of the adjustable cone type, discussed above, having interlocking slits at predetermined locations to cover the diameters of car rims, and further having five holes located near the radial point as a finger hold for the device. Additionally, the device is scored radially every 45° so that the device may be folded for storage. 
         [0017]    The Maschino Patent is a design patent that is of the adjustable cone type, discussed above, including three-arced rows having a plurality of slits into one of three corresponding tabs interlocks, thereby adjusting the diameter of the device to fit the interior diameter of the wheel of a car, and also having several holes located near the radial center to provide the user with a finger hold for the device. 
         [0018]    The Bell Patent discloses a wheel shield to cover the wheel rim, having a small tab as a handhold and having a plurality of concentric circles perforated close to the outside edge of the device. The Bell device is adjusted by reducing the circumference of the device by removing any of the perforated concentric circles that are larger than the tire rim that is to be protected. 
         [0019]    The Hermansen Patent discloses a wheel guard of the adjustable cone type, discussed above, having a plurality of spaced apart snap bottoms and one mating snap top to adjust the diameter of the device, and holes near the conic apex to be used as a finger hold. 
         [0020]    The Murillo Patent discloses a wheel guard of the hand fan type, having a plurality of arc sectors appending from a shaft, will all shafts pivoting from a single central point. Adjustment of Murillo device is tedious and time consuming in that it requires the user to manually adjust each shaft individually to create the desired diameter of coverage. 
         [0021]    The Jones Patent is a design patent that appears to disclose a wheel shield of one piece that mimics the look and shape of an actual tire, and, because of the curvature of the device and the tabs extending backwardly, the device can sit over the entire wheel, thereby shielding not just the inner rim, but also the tire. 
         [0022]    The Bentley Patent discloses a wheel shield of the hand fan type, having a plurality of circular arc sectors that pivot about a central point. A tab on the central point serves as the hand hold. Although it can fold up like a fan, the Bentley device does not teach the possibility of altering the diameter of its device. 
         [0023]    Most of the prior art are disc shaped devices that deform into a conical section or are devices that are akin to folding hand fans. The prior art does not provide for a wheel shield that quickly and easily adjusts from one wheel rim diameter to another. The prior art does not provide for a wheel shield that adjusts its diameter of coverage without fussing with tabs, slits, snaps, or manual manipulation of each individual segment. The prior art does not provide for a wheel shield that is made of a plurality of segments that are not arc sectors and yet completely cover the interior diameters of automobile tires. The prior art does not provide for a wheel shield that is made of a plurality of segments capable of the effortless increase or decrease in its diameter of coverage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0024]    The present invention is an adjustable and expandable shield for the rim and the hub of a wheel, to protect them and keep them clean during the detailing process for the tires. Without this shield, the rims and hub which have already been cleaned during the general cleaning of the car become dirty when tire dressing is applied to the tires and would therefore need to be cleaned a second time to remove the tire dressing that sprayed onto the rim and hub. This device covers the rim and hub so that when tire dressing is applied, the rim and hub are shielded from the spray and will not get dirty. 
         [0025]    Another feature of the invention is that it is adjustable or expandable. For example, the inner diameter of tires for cars range from 15″ to 24″. The prior art is generally of a single diameter, which means that a car detailer would need at least one shield in every size to protect the range of sizes of wheels. The invention is a multi-pieced device that has, for purposes of being used as a tire shield, a minimum diameter of coverage of 15″. The invention can be of various proportions depending on the requirements of the user. It can expand to any diameter up to 24″ by pulling on the primary plate. Pulling on the primary plate affects the second plate, which has “fans” or “blades”. The blades are on the second plate, sandwiched between the second plate and the first plate. Also sandwiched between the two plates is a device that controllably moves all the blades simultaneously either outwardly or inwardly. Pulling/pushing on the handle on the primary plate activates this device, and all the blades are pushed outwardly or pulled inwardly, respectively, around the circumference of the two plates. The blades overlap each other so that there are no gaps and so that the newly expanded area is entirely closed and can thus protect larger wheels as effectively as the smaller 15″ wheel. The blades, when extruded outwardly to any degree, form a nearly perfect circle. 
         [0026]    Another feature of the present invention is that it can expand and contract using only one hand and a simple flick of the wrist. Depending on the orientation of the blades in relation to the handle, a sharp flick of the wrist counter-clockwise will cause the blades of the present invention to fan outwardly and increase the diameter of coverage. Correspondingly, flicking the device clockwise will cause the blades to retract and thus reduce the area of coverage. The present invention may further be not limited to only opening when flicked in one direction and closed in the other. The blades of the present invention may be made sensitive to any rotational force and reverse their position in response thereto. Additionally, a user may become adept at the application of force such that the user knows how much force to apply to achieve the blades expanding out to a particular distance. 
         [0027]    It can further be seen that the present invention has uses beyond that of shielding tire rims. The compact nature of the invention, the ease of use, and the ability for sudden expansion and retraction, makes the present invention ideal for other uses. One alternate use is for use by auxiliary members of a marching band, wherein the present invention can have blades in the school or team colors and as part of the show, a display of the combination of color and the expansion/retraction of the invention will create a very dynamic display. Another use is by cheerleaders, wherein the present invention can have blades in the school&#39;s or team&#39;s colors, or be colored in such a way that when a plurality of fans are grouped together they form a picture or word. Additionally, a second set of handles may be placed on the other side of the device, and by having different sides of the present invention with different colors for different effects and a handle on either side, it can be seen that one may go from using one side to the other side, quickly and easily, thus the changing effects may be done smoothly and quickly, thereby maximizing the effect of the blades. Another alternate use could be for sporting events, wherein the present invention is passed out to spectators to inspire, rally, cheer, heckle and the like, and further can contain advertising, wording, and various colors and combinations. Other practical uses include the present invention being used as a fan to alleviate the heat, or as an umbrella, which, in the retracted condition, can be carried in a brief case, tote bag or purse and taken out and expanded in the event of rain or need for shielding from the sun. The present invention can also be used as a flying disc for games or sports. 
         [0028]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an adjustable and expandable shield for the rim and the hub of a wheel, to protect them and keep them clean during the detailing process for the tires. 
         [0029]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shield so that the rims and hub which have already been cleaned during the general cleaning of the car will not become dirty when tire dressing is applied to the tires and eliminate to reclean to rims and hub from the tire dressing that sprayed onto the rim and hub. This device covers the rim and hub so that when tire dressing is applied, the rim and hub are shielded from the spray and will not get dirty. 
         [0030]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a shield which is adjustable or expandable. It is an object of the present invention to provide a shield which comprises a multi-piece device that has, for purposes of being used as a tire shield, a minimum diameter of coverage of 15″. The invention can be of various proportions depending on the requirements of the user. It can expand to any diameter up to 24″ by pulling on the primary plate. Pulling on the primary plate affects the second plate, which has “fans” or “blades”. The blades are on the second plate, sandwiched between the second plate and the first plate. Also sandwiched between the two plates is a device that controllably moves all the blades simultaneously either outwardly or inwardly. Pulling/pushing on the handle on the primary plate activates this device, and all the blades are pushed outwardly or pulled inwardly, respectively, around the circumference of the two plates. 
         [0031]    It is also an object of the present invention to have the blades overlap each other so that there are no gaps and so that the newly expanded area is entirely closed and can thus protect larger wheels as effectively as the smaller 15″ wheel. The blades, when extruded outwardly to any degree, form a nearly perfect circle. 
         [0032]    It is an additional object of the present invention to provide a shield where the blade can expand and contract using only one hand and a simple flick of the wrist. Depending on the orientation of the blades in relation to the handle, a sharp flick of the wrist counter-clockwise will cause the blades of the present invention to fan outwardly and increase the diameter of coverage. Correspondingly, flicking the device clockwise will cause the blades to retract and thus reduce the area of coverage. The present invention may further be not limited to only opening when flicked in one direction and closed in the other. The blades of the present invention may be made sensitive to any rotational force and reverse their position in response thereto. Additionally, a user may become adept at the application of force such that the user knows how much force to apply to achieve the blades expanding out to a particular distance. 
         [0033]    Further novel features and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, discussion and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0034]    Referring particularly to the drawings for the purpose of illustration only and not limitation, there is illustrated: 
           [0035]      FIG. 1  is a front and side perspective view of a preferred embodiment, illustrating the present invention in a retracted position; 
           [0036]      FIG. 2  is a rear and side perspective view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the present invention in a retracted position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the present invention in a retracted position; 
           [0038]      FIG. 4  is a is a rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the present invention in a retracted position; 
           [0039]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of the preferred embodiment in use by two hands and further illustrating the hands&#39; clockwise movement to expand the blades and the hands&#39; counter-clockwise movement to retract the blades of the present invention 
           [0040]      FIG. 6  is a front elevational view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the present invention in an expanded position; 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  is a rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the present invention in an expanded position; 
           [0042]      FIG. 8  is a front elevational view of a single blade of the preferred embodiment; 
           [0043]      FIG. 9A  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment, illustrating the assembly of the present invention with only an illustrative three blades and is continued in  FIG. 9B ; 
           [0044]      FIG. 9B  is a continuation of  FIG. 9A  which together illustrate an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0045]      FIG. 10  is an elevational view of part of the present invention detailing the attachment and interconnectivity of an illustrative three blades of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0046]    Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, it should be understood that such embodiments are by way of example only and merely illustrative of but a small number of the many possible specific embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and contemplation of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3  and  4 , there is shown the present invention shield  10  in its fully contracted state. On an obverse side  12  of the present invention tire shield  10  is a first exterior surface  22  on which at least one handle and preferably a pair of handles  26  and  26 A resides. The handles  26  and  26 A are affixed to the first exterior surface  22  by a handle attachments  28  and  28 A. On the reverse side  13  of the present invention tire shield  10  is a second exterior surface  24 . Sandwiched between the first exterior surface  22  and the second exterior surface  24  is a blade assembly  60 . A shaft  30  is located centrally and fastens the first exterior surface  22 , the blade assembly  60 , and the second exterior surface  24  together. The shaft  30  is also the axis about which the blade assembly  60  rotates. 
         [0048]    Also on the first exterior surface  22 , there can be seen the upper assembly  63  of a plurality of threaded bolts or pegs  62 . However on the reverse side  13 , the lower assembly  64  (see  FIG. 9B ) of the pegs  62  are not seen, and instead there are a plurality of posts  66 , the one end of which are seen on second exterior surface  24 . 
         [0049]    The portions of the blade assembly  60  which is readily seen in these views are two panels, first panel  67  and second panel  68 . It is preferable that second exterior surface  24  and second panel  68  are the same article, and they are shown in this way in the figures of the present invention, however, they need not be the same article and may be two distinct items. These panels  67  and  68  house and protect the blades  70 , provide a platform for blades  70  to extend and retract, and set the minimum diameter of coverage. First panel  67  and second panel  68  are preferably of the same diameter. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the present invention shield  10  functions by being gripped by the handles  26  and  26 A. It should be noted that although  FIG. 5  illustrates the present invention being held by two hands, the present invention works also with just a single hand gripping the handle assembly that is provided, whether the handle assembly be a single handle arrangement, a double handle arrangement, a “Y” handle arrangement and the like. The present invention can operate with two hands holding one each of the handles  26  and  26 A of the double handle assembly arrangement, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , and can operate with only one hand holding both of the handles  26  and  26 A. A quick, rotational force on the handles  26  and  26 A of the handle assembly in one direction results in the full or partial extension of the blades  70 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , depending on the amount of force applied to the shield  10 . Subsequently, a quick, rotational force in the opposite direction on the handles  26  and  26 A results in the retraction of the blades  70 . By way of example,  FIG. 6  illustrates that a quick, rotational movement on the handles  26  in a clockwise direction results in the blades  70  extending outward and a quick, rotational movement on the handles  26  in a counterclockwise direction (see  FIG. 5 ) results in the blades  70  retracting inwardly between panels  67  and  68 . It can be seen in  FIG. 7 , that because the blades  70  are overlapped, only one of the three slots is exposed, thus only third slot  83  can be seen, as first slot  81  and second slot  82  are covered by the blade  70  that overlaps on top. Additionally third slot  83  is covered by the blade  70  that is below it. Thus, all three slots  81 ,  82  and  83  are covered by the other blades  70  and provides full coverage and protection from either side of the blades  70 . 
         [0050]    The blades  70  of the present invention shield  10  have a unique shape, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , which resembles a “sleeping bird” or a paisely-like silhouette. At one end of the blade  70  is a curved appendage  72  and at the distal end is a nub  73 . Between the nub  73  and the curved appendage  72  is broad plane  74 , having a blade edge  75  on one side that is preferably of a single smooth arc, and a back edge  76  on the other side that is preferably of two, smoothly connected arcs, first arc  77  and second arc  78 . Located transversely on the plane  74  are three slots, a first slot,  81 , a second slot  82 , and a third slot  83 . First slot  81 , second slot  82 , and third slot  83  have lengths that may be different from each other and trace curvilinear paths that are different from each other. Additionally, although each blade may have all three slots,  81 ,  82 ,  83 , it will be seen that only one slot  81 ,  82 , or  83  is being used and is dependent on the blade&#39;s  70  position in the grouping of all the blades  70 . Blades  70  may be created having only one of the required slots,  81 ,  82  or  83 , but this seems inefficient. The curved appendage  72  has a neck  79  ending in a head  80 . Each blade  70  also has a pivot hole  71 , that is located in the head  80  of the curved appendage  72 . Curved appendage  72  is oriented such that it curls back on the back edge  76  side of the blade  70  leaving a space between the neck  79  and head  80  area of the curved appendage  72  and the first arc  77  of the back edge  76  of the blade  70 . 
         [0051]    Now referring to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , there is shown an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shield  10  with only three of the preferably fifteen blades to illustrate the functionality and the inter-connectivity of the blades  70 . 
         [0052]    Each pivot hole  71  of each blade  70  has a corresponding peg  62 , and resides on the lower assembly  64  of a threaded bolt or peg  62 . The lower assembly  64  of the pegs  62  rises up through a third panel  69 . Third panel  69  has a smaller diameter than those of first panel  67  and second panel  68 . It can be seen that the pegs  62 , pass through and affix first exterior surface  22 , first panel  67 , pivot hole  71  of blade  70 , and third panel  69 . The pegs  62  do not affix to second panel  68 . The result is that the blades  70  are pivotably affixed in this manner only by their pivot holes  71  to third panel  69 , first panel  67  and first exterior surface  22 , as shown on  FIGS. 9A and 9B  by following the tracing lines “a”, “b” and “c”. 
         [0053]    The blade  70  is also affixed to second exterior surface  24  or second panel  68  in the following manner. A group of three blades  70  are arranged so that, although their pivot holes  71  each have their own pegs to which they are pivotably affixed, the three blades  70  share and are slidably affixed to the same post  66 . The three blades  70  are sandwiched together so that the blade  70  on the bottom of the three has the post  66  in its first slot  81 , the middle blade  70  has the same post  66  in its second slot  82 , and the top blade  70  has that same post in its third slot  83 , as illustrated by following tracing line “d”. Thus, while every blade contains a first slot,  81 , a second slot  82  and a third slot  83 , only one of these three slots  81 ,  82 ,  83  is being used at a time. This helps with reduced costs, because any blade can replace any other blade regardless of its position in the blade assembly  60 . Additionally,  FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate that there are fifteen blades in the preferred embodiment, however there can be more blades or fewer blades that would be within the scope and content of this invention. By way of example, in an alternate embodiment, not shown, there are twenty blades, which are grouped in series of four, each group affixed to a respective post assigned to that group. 
         [0054]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , although the heads  80  of the curved appendages  72  are affixed to third panel  69  between the second panel  68  and the first panel  67 , the remainder of the blade  70  is tucked under the third panel  69 . The space between the neck  79  of the curved appendage  72  and the first arc  77  allows the first arc  77  to be tucked under the third panel  69  and most of the rest of the plane  74  of the blade  70  to be thereunder and some portion of the blade edge  75  side not under third panel  69 , but still covered by first panel  67  and second panel  68 , when in the fully retracted position. Additionally, there may be a cover (not shown) or some other protector that lies between first arc  77  and the bottom assembly of the pegs  62  so that the portion of the bottom assembly  64  of the pegs  62  that lies between third panel  69  and second panel  68  do not catch or impede the movement of the blades  70 . The nub  73  of the blade  70  is shaped so that every third blade  70  utilizes a peg  62  as a stop for the fully retracted condition. 
         [0055]    The shaft  30  penetrates the center point of the first exterior surface  22 , the first panel  67 , the third panel  69 , the second panel  68 , and the second exterior surface  24 . Second exterior surface  24  may be the same or a separate article from second panel  68 . The shape of the back edge  76  of the blades  70  is shaped to provide the length necessary for each of the three slots  81 ,  82 ,  83  on the plane  74  of the blade and yet be able to fit around and not be impeded by the shaft  30 . The place where first arc  77  and second arc  78  meet is the part of the back edge  76  of the blade  70  that curves around the shaft  30  when the blades  70  are in the fully retracted condition. 
         [0056]    As mentioned above, each of the three slots  81 ,  82 ,  83  trace out a different path. This is because each slot  81 ,  82 , and  83 , is at a different distance from the pivot hole  71 , thus the different paths for each slot is to maximize coverage and to have proper alignment of the blade edge  75  of the shield regardless of how much of the blades  70  have been extended. Additionally, even at full extension, it is preferred that none of the slots  81 ,  82 ,  83  are open, but instead are covered by the overlap of the other blades  70 , thereby completing the protection of the inner rim and hubcap of a wheel. 
         [0057]    The blades  70  are able to expand and retract in the following manner. The heads  80  of the curved appendages  72  are affixed to third panel  69  between the third panel  69  and the first panel  67 , the slots  81 ,  82 ,  83  are affixed to the second exterior surface  24  or second panel  68 . It can be seen that because part of the blade  70 , the curved appendage  72 , is attached to one surface, first panel  67 , and another part of the blade, the plane  74  by one of its slots,  81 ,  82 , or  83 , is attached to a different surface, second exterior surface  24 , rotating first panel  67  and/or second exterior surface  24 , in a direction opposite to the other, will force the blades  70  to move. By way of example, with the shield fully retracted, keeping first panel  67  still and rotating second exterior surface  24  relative to first panel  67 , the pegs  62  affixed to first panel  67  are not moving and the posts  66  affixed to second exterior surface  24  are moving. Thus, one part of the blade  67 , the curved appendage  72 , is staying in place, but another part of the blade  70 , the plane  74 , is attached to the second exterior surface  24  that is moving. Although the curved appendage  72  is staying in place, it is able to rotate about its respective peg  62  through the pivot hole  71  in the head  80  of the blade  70 . Additionally, the blade  70  is attached to second exterior surface  24  by having a post  66  in one of its slots,  81 ,  82 , or  83 . Rotating the second exterior surface  24  relative to the first panel  67 , means that the post  66  also is moving relative to first panel  67 . The blade  70  is able to move with second exterior surface: the head  80  moves about its pivot hole  71  and the post  66  exerts force on the slot  81 ,  82 ,  83 , in which it resides, causing the blade  70  to move in relation to the post  66 . This makes the slot  81 ,  82 ,  83  move upwardly in relation to the post  66 , causing the blade edge  75  to extend beyond the diameters of first panel  67  and second surface  24 . The blade edge  75  will extend outwardly in relation to the amount of rotation of second surface  24  or the amount of torque experienced by the blade  70 , to a maximum reached when the post  66  hits the end of the slot  81 ,  82 ,  83 . The diameter of the protected area is infinitely adjustable up to the maximum length available, as set by the proportion of the blades  70  and the length of the respective slots  81 ,  82 ,  83 . The length of the slot  81 ,  82 ,  83  is preferably set so that the maximum blade edge  75  is exposed yet the blades  70  maintain a circular perimeter when overlapped. For use as a tire shield, it is preferable that the largest diameter of extension is equal to that of the largest tire rim diameter, which at present is 24 inches. The present invention blade meets this by having a distance from pivot hole  71  center to nub  73  of approximately 29 centimeters. 
         [0058]    Likewise movement or rotational force in the opposite direction will put force on the slots  81 ,  82 ,  83  of the blade  70 , resulting in the slot  81 ,  82 ,  83  moving downwardly relative to the post  66 . This has the effect of the blade  70  retracting and the diameter of coverage decreasing down to the minimum diameter as set by the post  66  being stopped by the other end of the slot  81 ,  82 ,  83  or being stopped by the nub  73  of one of the blades  70  within the group of three unable to retract as prevent by a different post  66  or both. 
         [0059]    Thus it can be seen that as the user becomes adept at using the present invention shield  10 , the user may learn to use the shield  10  with one hand and may learn to know how much torque is required to extract the blades  70  to particular distance. The present invention shield  10  easily can be adapted for cheerleading, parades, and the like. By having the blades  70  of a particular color or set of colors or by having the blades one color on one side and a different color on the other, a team&#39;s colors can be flashed for the crowd. Likewise, one side of the shield  10 , with blades  70  fully extracted, may have a large letter printed on it. Therefore, a cheerleading squad may flash the team color with one side of the shield  10  and with the other side of the shield  10  spell out the team name or “CHARGE” or the like. 
         [0060]    Of course the present invention is not intended to be restricted to any particular form or arrangement, or any specific embodiment, or any specific use, disclosed herein, since the same may be modified in various particulars or relations without departing from the spirit or scope of the claimed invention hereinabove shown and described of which the apparatus or method shown is intended only for illustration and disclosure of an operative embodiment and not to show all of the various forms or modifications in which this invention might be embodied or operated.