Abstract:
A receptacle for attachment to a rim is disclosed, being primarily used to store wheel lug nuts into said receptacle for storage and transportation of lug nuts with their associated wheels. The receptacle comprises a lid, a container and a securing pin. The container secures the wheel lug nuts, while the lid fastens onto the container to secure its contents, and meanwhile the securing pin secures the lid onto the container and ultimately onto the rim of the wheel, such that the wheel lug nuts are easily stored with the rim. This procedure is primarily performed before the winter or summer seasons, or when the wheels are changed for wheel leasing purposes or the transportation of wheels with their associated lug nuts, to ensure that the wheel lug nuts are never misplaced or lost.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application for patent claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/693,764 entitled “Receptacle for Attachment to a Rim” filed Aug. 27, 2012, the entire disclosure of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to the field of receptacles, and more specifically to receptacles that contain objects such as automotive wheel nuts. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    Tire changing procedures and practices have become commonplace, especially in countries with cold winter climates. Before the first snowfall, and shortly after the last snowfall of the winter season, it is habitual for persons to change the tires on their cars, opting for a softer compound tire with a more open tread pattern for the winter months and a harder tread compound tire with a less open (finer) tread pattern for summer months. In fact, snow tires are required by law in some states and provinces, as is the case in the province of Quebec, Canada. To increase tire and rim longevity it is much easier and better that the summer rim be removed with the summer tire, such that both are replaced and reinstalled before and after the winter season. However, the requirement to change tires is not only limited to seasonal changes. Indeed, leasing tires and wheels has become a growing business in North America for drivers who want different wheels for aesthetic or business purposes. When removing the tires, one must first remove the wheel nuts. Often, the different wheels require a different nut so the off season wheel nuts (or bolts), as well as the corresponding locker nut, are stored with the tires themselves, or put in a location to be found when the rims need to be reinstalled on the vehicle. Since the rims are usually removed for many months, this leads to misplacing the wheel nuts (or bolts) and locker nut, or losing them altogether. 
         [0006]    Many patents have already been devised, with specific purpose to store equipment or various objects, along with the rim of the vehicle by fastening a container to said rim. Such types of patents include U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,684,160 (Tinker), 4,498,614 (Guar), 5,118,017 (Buck), 5,429,285 (Kim) and 7,036,697 (Hwang et al.). Tinker&#39;s device provides for storage space within a spare tire rim, to be utilized for carrying various objects such as tools, accessories, etc. The container is secured to the rim by means of clamping the container around the rim. Guar also discloses a storage device for a spare tire. More specifically, Guar teaches a closed bottom container which fastens to the tire with the same fasteners that mount the wheel to the mounting bracket. Meanwhile, Buck discloses a storage device which mounts on the exterior wheel of a vehicle. Buck&#39;s device is mounted to the rim by means of a mounting shaft which extends outwardly from the rim and one can screw the container onto the mounting shaft and thus onto the rim. Kim discloses a receptacle which is again adapted to be secured to a rim of a vehicle Kim&#39;s device is mounted onto the rim by means of securing an external thread of a cover to an internal thread of the receptacle by the use of a bolt. Finally, Hwang&#39;s device discloses another type of storage device to fit inside of the rim of a vehicle, and attached thereon by means of its shape. Indeed, Hwang&#39;s invention does not specifically explain or teach of a means of secure the container within the rim, only that it fits snugly within it. 
         [0007]    Unfortunately, all of these patents have similar problems, or other issues that need to be overcome. Namely, Tinker, Guar, Kim and Hwang&#39;s devices cannot apply to various shapes and sizes of rims. They are meant to fit within specific types of rims due to their method of attachment to said rims due to their own specific shape and size. Further, while they are meant to be mounted on the inside of a spare tire, Buck&#39;s device is specifically meant to be mounted to the outside of the rim. While this method may prove useful for easy access, it is completely inconvenient for storage purposes when rims are stored tightly together and stacked on top of each other. Another issue is that Guarr, Hwang and Tinker&#39;s devices do not use a single securing pin or bolt to secure their respective devices within the rims. 
         [0008]    Overall, all five enumerated patents have problems that need to be overcome in order for a device to properly utilize a single securing pin to quickly, securely and conveniently fasten a container that can contain wheel nuts and the locker nut to rims that have been removed from a vehicle and stored and/or transported for a certain amount of time. The present device can overcome all of the aforementioned issues, and is described in further detail below. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    The present invention provides a receptacle for attachment to a rim. 
         [0010]    In a first aspect, the present invention provides a receptacle for attachment to a rim comprising a container to store lug nuts, a lid connected to the container, a securing pin for connecting the lid to the container and to the rim. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    It will now be convenient to describe the invention with particular reference to one embodiment of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the drawings may relate to one embodiment of the present invention only and are not to be taken as limiting the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a receptacle for attachment to a rim, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top view of a receptacle without a lid according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3   a  is a lower perspective view of a lid of a receptacle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3   b  is an upper perspective view of a lid of a receptacle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a side view of a receptacle for attachment to a rim with a lid partially removed from the receptacle, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of a receptacle for attachment to a rim, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a receptacle for attachment to a rim, about to be secured onto a rim, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a receptacle for attachment to a rim, secured onto a rim which is in turn fastened onto a tire, according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 8   a  is a perspective view of a securing pin for a receptacle for attachment to a rim, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 8   b  is a cross-sectional view of a securing pin for a receptacle for attachment to a rim, according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 9   a  is a perspective view of a securing pin for a receptacle for attachment to a rim, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9   b  is a cross-sectional view of a securing pin for a receptacle for attachment to a rim, according to a third embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of a receptacle for attachment to a rim, along with first and second foam inserts and accompanying lug nuts, according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred and other embodiments of the invention are shown. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that are not described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. The applicants, inventors or owners reserve all rights that they may have in any invention claimed in this document, for example the right to claim such an invention in a continuing application and do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document. 
         [0026]    The terms “coupled” and “connected,” along with their derivatives, may be used herein. It should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each other. Rather, in particular embodiments, “connected” may be used to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. “Coupled” may be used to indicated that two or more elements are in either direct or indirect (with other intervening elements between them) physical or electrical contact with each other, or that the two or more elements co-operate or interact with each other (e.g. as in a cause and effect relationship). 
         [0027]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a receptacle  10  for attachment to a rim is shown. The receptacle  10  is primarily comprised of a lid  15 , a container  20  and a securing pin  25 . The container  20  is meant to be a casing for lug nuts, as commonly found on the rims of most vehicles. A worker skilled in the relevant art would appreciate that lug nuts can include bolts, washers, lug nut key, or any similar type of item utilized to secure a rim onto a threaded wheel stud or wheel hub and ultimately onto an automobile or any of its associated parts. Once the lug nuts are inserted within the container  20 , the lid  15 , being pivotally-connected to said container  20 , is rotated until it is fastened to the lid  15  by means of tab (not shown), creating a type of snap-fit and thus securing the lug nuts within said container  20 . The lid  15  is further fastened to the container  20  by means of its connection to the securing pin  25 , which is inserted into the container  20  and screwed into a nut (not shown) secured within a recess (not shown) of the lid  15 . For easy storage, and in order for the lug nuts not to be lost, the receptacle  10  is securely fastened to a rim of a vehicle, said rim having just been removed from the vehicle. The connection between the receptacle  10  and the rim is explained in further detail below. 
         [0028]    A worker skilled in the relevant art would appreciate that the receptacle  10  could be made of various materials, and could come in a variety of shapes and sizes, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention, while still fitting to all shapes and sizes of rims of vehicles. The lid  15  could also be secured to the container  20  in a variety of ways, including a threaded connection, a connection involving screws or pins, or could even be secured through the rim itself The lid  15  could also be pressed onto the container  20  through the use of an O-ring. The lid  15  could also be secured to the container  20  by means of a latch or lock or other similar device. One could also appreciate that a bolt could be inserted into a lid, through to the container and the threads of the bolt would screw into a nut on the other side of a rim. This concept would also be possible if the threads of the bolt and nut were inverted, such that the nut would be inserted into the bolt instead of vice-versa. Another concept could include a molded female thread on the lid such that there is no need for a nut, or could also include a locking snap integrated directly onto the lid which snaps onto the bolt and holds it firmly in place. Finally, other miscellaneous concepts could include elastic or Velcro cords that secure the lid to the container through the rim, or other means such as a buckle system, a chain system or a tying mechanism, each of which could fasten the lid onto the container and ultimately onto the rim. 
         [0029]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3   a , and  3   b  the interior of the container  20  and lid  15  are shown in greater detail. The securing pin  25  is shown inserted into, and extending out of, a protrusion  30  of the container  20 . The protrusion  30  is meant to guide the securing pin  25  into an aperture  40  of a recess  45  of the lid  15 . A nut (not shown) is secured within the recess  45  of the lid  15 , such that the securing pin  25  can be easily threaded onto the nut (not shown). A hinge  35  is also shown which connects to a connecting member  50  of the lid  15  and serves to pivot said lid  15  around the container  20 . The lid  15  is also comprised of a tab  55 , which is located opposite the hinge  35 , and serves to clasp onto a lip  60  of the container  20 . Once the tab  55  is clasped onto the lip  60  of the container  20 , the lid  15  is secured to the container  20  and remains closed until manually re-opened. As was previously explained, said lid  15  is further secured to the container  20  by the installation of securing pin  25  into the nut (not shown) located in the recess  45  of the lid  15 . The container as shown can be of any shape as long as there is sufficient storage space within the container to store at least twenty nuts as commonly found to secure rims on a vehicle. 
         [0030]    With specific reference to  FIG. 3   b  and according to a second embodiment of the present device, the lid  15  as shown could include several ribs  62  that would run along the diameter of said lid  15 , from one extremity of the perimeter of the lid  15  to the other, in order to strengthen and increase the sturdiness of the lid  15 . 
         [0031]    With specific reference to  FIG. 2 , the securing pin  25  is shown inserted into the protrusion  30  of the container  20 . Instead of a threaded connection as the one proposed in the present embodiment, the securing pin  25  could involve a snap fit wherein the securing pin  25  simply snaps onto a nut positioned either on the lid  15  or is separate from the lid  15 . A worker skilled in the relevant art would be familiar with various methods to couple the securing pin  25  to the container  20  and lid  15  such as a pressure fit or through the use of a locking pin wherein the locking pin is installed on the far end of the securing pin once the securing pin  25  has been secured through the lid  15 . Such alternate embodiments were also described above. 
         [0032]    With reference to  FIG. 4 , the receptacle  10  is shown having the lid  15  unfastened from the container  20 . The connecting member  50  of the lid  15  is shown in greater detail which is connected to the hinge  35  of the container  20 , and together the hinge  35  and connecting member  50  create the pivotal connection between the container  20  and lid  15 . The tab  55  is also shown in greater detail, which serves to clasp onto the lip  60  of the container. The securing pin  25  is shown completely inserted into an opening  62  of a lower surface  64  of the container  20 . Said opening  62  connects to the protrusion (not shown) which guides the securing pin  25  to the aperture (not shown) of the recess  45  of the lid  15 . 
         [0033]    With reference to  FIG. 5  the lid  15  is shown secured onto the container  20 . The securing pin  25  is shown completely inserted into the opening  62  of the lower surface  64  of the container  20 . Said securing pin  25  can also be seen through the aperture  40  and through the recess  45  of the lid  15 , and threaded through the nut  65 , nestled securely within said recess  45 . Said nut  65  is secured within said recess  45  by means of abutments  67 ,  68 . Said abutments  67 ,  68  have a sloping front face which allows the nut  65  to slide along the abutments  67 ,  68 , ultimately locking the nut  65  in place and preventing said nut  65  from being removed from the recess  45 . While  FIG. 5  only shows two abutments  67 ,  68 , the receptacle  10  could have three or more abutments in order to properly secure the nut  65  within said recess  45 . The threaded connection between the securing pin  25  and the nut  65  further secures together the lid  15  to the container  20 . 
         [0034]    With reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , in order to secure the receptacle  10  to a rim  70  of a vehicle, one must first insert the securing pin  25  within one of the existing wheel bolt apertures  75  of a rim  70 . When the securing pin  25  is completely inserted within the wheel bolt aperture  75 , the securing pin  25  must be aligned with the opening  62  of the container  20 . Once aligned with said opening  62 , the securing pin  25  is guided through the protrusion  30  of the container  20  and into the aperture  40  of the recess  45  of the lid  15 . Once through the aperture  40 , the securing pin  25  makes contact with the nut  65  and must be threaded through the nut  65 . Once threaded, the lower surface  64  of the container  20  makes contact with the underside of the rim  70  in such a way so as to securely fasten the receptacle  10  to said rim  70 . 
         [0035]    With specific reference to  FIG. 6 , the receptacle  10  is shown being attached to a rim  70 . The stippled line serves to show the alignment between the opening (not shown) of the container  20  and the securing pin  25 . As was explained above, the securing pin  25  is inserted into a wheel bolt aperture  75  of the rim  70 , and connects with the opening (not shown) of the container  20  and ultimately to the nut (not shown) of the lid  15 . 
         [0036]    With reference to  FIG. 7 , the receptacle  10  is shown fastened to the rim  70  of a tire  80  through a wheel bolt aperture  75 . When stored for long periods of time, the receptacle  10  is easily accessible within the tire rim  70  of the tire  80  and it greatly decreases the chance of the wheel nuts being lost or misplaced. 
         [0037]    With reference to  FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b ,  9   a  and  9   b , a securing pin  125  is shown according to a second embodiment of the present device. The securing pin  125  is comprised of a threaded end  129  and an operating end  128 . The operating end  128  has to be wider than any diameter commonly found on a wheel bolt aperture (not shown), while the threaded end  129  must be narrower than said wheel bolt aperture (not shown) in order for the securing pin  125  to secure the container (not shown) onto a rim. Specifically, in this second embodiment, said securing pin  125  is stronger and sturdier than the first embodiment of the present device, by means of a strengthening element  126  or strengthening sleeve  127 . Said strengthening element  126  is a metal pin that is inserted within the securing pin  125 , while the strengthening sleeve  127  is a metal envelope that is fastened around an upper portion of the securing pin  125  in order to reinforce it should the receptacle (not shown) be dropped or handled roughly. Indeed, the strengthening element  126  and strengthening sleeve  127  are meant to prevent the securing pin  125  from breaking, especially under very cold temperatures. A worker skilled in the relevant art would appreciate that the securing pin  125  could be comprised of other strengthening elements to make said securing pin  125  sturdier, or that the securing pin  125  could be fabricated of die cast metal, polyurethane or silicone, or a fiber-reinforced polymer without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0038]    With reference to  FIG. 10  and according to a first embodiment of the present design, first and second foam inserts  90 ,  92  are shown for insertion into the receptacle  10 . First foam insert  90  is comprised of several smaller cavities  94  meant to secure lug nuts  95  within said cavities  94 . Indeed, the cavities  94  of the first foam insert  90  are shaped in such a way so as to releasably secure the lug nuts  95  such that they do not move around within the receptacle  10 . In order to further restrict the movement of the lug nuts  95 , the second foam insert  92  is inserted over the lug nuts  95  such that they become trapped in between the apertures  94  of the first foam insert  90  and the second foam insert  92 . Once the lug nuts  95  have been sandwiched in between the first and second foam inserts  90 ,  92  of the container  20 , the lid  15  is pivoted and is snap-fitted onto said container  20 . A worker skilled in the relevant art would appreciate that while eighteen lug nuts  95  are shown, the container could hold a smaller or larger finite number of lug nuts  95 , up to a maximum amount of lug nuts  95  as would be physically possible by virtue of the size of the container  20  without restricting the closure of the lid  15 . 
         [0039]    Although the invention has been described above by reference to certain embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Modifications and variations of the embodiments described above will occur to those skilled in the art in light of the above teachings. Moreover, with respect to the above description, it is to be repulsed that the optimum dimensional relationships for the component members of the present invention may include variations in size, material, shape, form, funding and manner of operation. 
         [0040]    While the present embodiments of this invention have been described, it should be understood that various changes, adaptations and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.