Patent Abstract:
There is described a spinning hub cap assembly comprising: a base section connectable on its inside to the end face of the wheel center hub and on its outside to an outer section; and an outer section rotatably connected to the base section, wherein the rotatable connection permits rotation of the outer section about the wheel axis of rotation. The outer section may further comprises an outer face and an inner face, wherein the inner face further comprises a bearing mounted thereon on a bearing mount; wherein the base section outside further comprises a receiving well for receiving the bearing in mated, attached relationship. The assembly may further comprise a retention shaft employed to retain together, in rotational relationship, the outer section and the base section. In another embodiment, the base section further comprises a rotational assembly on its outside which is fixably connectable to the cap outer section.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Not applicable. 
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to vehicle hubcaps or wheel center caps that spin. More particularly, the present invention relates to spinning vehicle hubcaps that are attached to the outer ends of the central hubs of wire spoke vehicle wheels, such as the 30-spoke wire wheels offered and sold by Texan Wire Wheels, LLC. (texanwirewheels.com). 
         [0004]    BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
         [0005]    In one embodiment of the present invention there is described a spinning hub cap assembly, for use on the end face of a center hub of a wheel (such as, for example, a wire wheel, or a 30-spoke wire wheel), the wheel having an axis of rotation, comprising: a base section connectable on its inside to the end face of the wheel center hub and on its outside to an outer section; and an outer section rotatably connected to the base section, wherein the rotatable connection permits rotation of the outer section about the wheel axis of rotation. In another embodiment, the outer section may further comprise an outer face and an inner face, wherein the inner face further comprises a bearing (such as a sealed bearing) mounted thereon on a bearing mount; wherein the base section outside further comprises a receiving well for receiving the bearing in mated, attached relationship. The assembly may further comprise a retention shaft employed to retain together, in rotational relationship, the outer section and the base section. In another embodiment, the base section further comprises a rotational assembly on its outside which is fixably connectable to the cap outer section. The outer section may comprise a central section, and two or more spaced-apart winged sections. The outer section may also comprise a central section, and two opposed winged sections. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1A  presents a perspective view of a  30 -spoke prior art wire wheel offered and sold by Texan Wire Wheels, LLC (texanwirewheels.com) containing a fixed, non-spinning hub cap, here shown with a 2-bar variety fixed (non-spinning) wheel center cap. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1B  presents a side view of a 30-spoke prior art wire wheel offered and sold by Texan Wire Wheels, LLC (texanwirewheels.com) containing a fixed, non-spinning hub cap, here shown with a 2-bar variety fixed (non-spinning) wheel center cap. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1C  presents a perspective, topside view of a prior art wire wheel center cap offered and sold by Texan Wire Wheels, LLC (texanwirewheels.com) (here, shown in the hexagonal shape) for attaching in a fixed, non-spinning relationship to the center hub extension of the wheel. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1D  presents a perspective, underside view of a prior art wire wheel center cap offered and sold by Texan Wire Wheels, LLC (texanwirewheels.com) (here, shown in the hexagonal shape) for attaching in a fixed, non-spinning relationship to the center hub extension of the wheel via the threaded post connection shown or other suitable attachment configuration. The hexagonal hub is shown resting on the wheel center hub end face. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1E  presents a perspective, topside view of a prior art wire wheel center cap offered and sold by Texan Wire Wheels, LLC (texanwirewheels.com) (here, shown in the 2-bar shape) for attaching in a fixed, non-spinning relationship to the center hub extension of the wheel. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows topside view of a spinning wheel center cap according to the present invention (here, shown in the 2-bar or wing shape, but other cap shapes are possible) for attaching to the center hub extension of the wheel in a manner that permits the outer portion of the cap to rotate freely relative to the wheel center hub. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3A  shows an underside perspective view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention (here, shown in the 2-bar or wing shape, but other cap shapes are possible). The upper section of the cap is mounted to the lower section in a rotatable, spinnable relationship. The lower base section is fixably mounted to the center hub extension of the wheel via the threaded post connection shown or via other suitable attachment configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3B  shows an underside perspective view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention (here, shown in the 2-bar or wing shape, but other cap shapes are possible). The upper section of the cap is mounted to the lower section in a rotatable, spinnable relationship. The lower base section is fixably mounted to the center hub extension of the wheel via the threaded post connection shown or via other suitable attachment configuration. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3C  shows a side view close up of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention (here, shown in the 2-bar or wing shape, but other cap shapes are possible) for attaching in a rotatable, spinning relationship to the center hub extension of the wheel. The upper section of the cap is mounted to the lower section in a rotatable, spinnable relationship. The lower base section is fixably mounted to the center hub extension of the wheel via suitable attachment configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3D  shows a side view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention (here, shown in the 2-bar or wing shape, but other cap shapes are possible) for attaching in a rotatable, spinning relationship to the center hub extension of the wheel. The upper section of the cap is mounted to the lower section in a rotatable, spinnable relationship. The lower base section is fixably mounted to the center hub extension of the wheel via suitable attachment configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4A  shows an underside view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention (here, shown in the 2-bar or wing shape, but other cap shapes are possible). The underside of the lower or base section can be fixably attached to the center hub extension of the wheel via the threaded post connection on the connection member shown or other suitable attachment configuration. The connection member shown is mounted in a recessed fashion and secured with screws or other suitable securing mechanisms. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4B  shows a perspective underside view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 4A  according to the present invention. The underside of the lower or base section can be fixably attached to the center hub extension of the wheel via the threaded post connection member (shown partially removed and in topside perspective view) or via other suitable attachment configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4C  shows a perspective underside view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 4A  according to the present invention. The underside of the lower or base section can be fixably attached to the center hub extension of the wheel via the threaded post connection member insert (shown removed from the recessed well and in underside perspective view) or via other suitable attachment configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 4D  shows an underside view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 4A  according to the present invention. The underside of the lower or base section can be fixably attached to the center hub extension of the wheel via the threaded post connection member (not shown, removed from the recessed well) or via other suitable attachment configuration. A recessed well for receiving the connection member is shown. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4E  shows a close up underside view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 4D  according to the present invention showing a securing bolt in the connection member recessed well. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4F  shows a perspective underside view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIGS. 4D and 4E  according to the present invention showing the securing bolt partially removed. 
           [0022]      FIG. 4G  shows a close up underside view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIGS. 4D-F  according to the present invention showing the securing bolt partially removed. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4H  shows a close up underside view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 4G  according to the present invention showing the securing bolt or retaining shaft removed. 
           [0024]      FIG. 4I  shows a close up underside view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 4H  according to the present invention showing the threaded post in the base for receiving the securing bolt, and showing the threaded apertures for receiving the screws that secure the connection member insert. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4J  shows a close up of the receiving well of  FIG. 4I . 
           [0026]      FIG. 4K  shows another close up of the receiving well of  FIG. 4I . 
           [0027]      FIG. 5A  shows a side view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 4H  according to the present invention wherein the upper section is shown partially removed from the lower base section. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5B  shows a perspective view of the upper section (on left) and the lower base section (on right) separated from each other. The upper section is shown in an underside perspective view and shows a sealed bearing mounted on a threaded post. The base section is shown in topside perspective to illustrate how the top and bottom sections fit together in mated fashion with the securing bolt. 
           [0029]      FIG. 5C  shows a perspective view of the upper section (on left) and the lower base section (on right) separated from each other. The upper section is shown in an underside perspective view and shows a sealed bearing mounted on a threaded post. The base section is shown in topside perspective to illustrate how the top and bottom sections fit together in mated fashion with the securing bolt (not shown). 
           [0030]      FIG. 6A  shows an underside view of the top section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 6B  shows an underside perspective view of the top section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0032]      FIG. 6C  shows an underside close up perspective view of the top section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0033]      FIG. 6D  shows another underside perspective view of the top section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0034]      FIG. 6E  shows another underside close up perspective view of the top section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention showing here, for illustration purposes (and without the base in place), how the securing bolt secures to the threaded post. 
           [0035]      FIG. 7A  shows a topside perspective view of the bottom (base) section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0036]      FIG. 7B  shows a side view of the bottom (base) section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 7A  according to the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 7C  shows a topside view of the bottom (base) section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 7A  according to the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 7D  shows an underside view of the bottom (base) section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 7A  according to the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 7E  shows an underside perspective view of the bottom (base) section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 7A  according to the present invention. 
           [0040]      FIG. 7F  shows a side view of the bottom (base) section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 7A  according to the present invention where the base contains the hub connection insert shown without the top section in place. 
           [0041]      FIG. 7G  shows an underside perspective view of the bottom (base) section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 7F  according to the present invention where the base contains the hub connection insert shown without the top section in place. 
           [0042]      FIG. 8A  shows a topside view of the connection member insert of the bottom (base) section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0043]      FIG. 8B  shows an underside view of the connection member insert of the bottom (base) section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0044]      FIG. 8C  shows a side view of the connection member insert of the bottom (base) section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 9A  shows a side view of the securing bolt (retaining shaft) of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0046]      FIG. 9B  shows a top view of the securing bolt of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0047]      FIG. 9C  shows an underside perspective view of the securing bolt of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0048]      FIG. 9D  shows another side view of the securing bolt of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0049]      FIG. 10A  shows an exploded view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0050]      FIG. 10B  shows another exploded view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
           [0051]      FIG. 10C  shows another exploded view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0052]    Referring to  FIGS. 1A-1B , there is shown an exemplary 30-spoke prior art wire wheel  10  offered and sold by Texan Wire Wheels, LLC (texanwirewheels.com) containing a fixed, non-spinning hub cap, here shown with a 2-bar variety fixed (non-spinning) wheel center cap  30 . The fixed hub cap is mounted to the end face  22  of the wheel center hub  20 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 1C  presents a perspective, topside  35   a  view of a prior art wire wheel center cap offered and sold by Texan Wire Wheels, LLC (texanwirewheels.com) (here, shown in the hexagonal shape)  35  for attaching in a fixed, non-spinning relationship to the end face  22  of the center hub extension  20  of the wheel  10 .  FIG. 1D  presents a perspective, underside  35   b  view of a prior art wire wheel center cap offered and sold by Texan Wire Wheels, LLC (texanwirewheels.com) (here, shown in the hexagonal shape)  35  for attaching in a fixed, non-spinning relationship to the end face  22  of the center hub extension  22  of the wheel  10  via the post connection  36  shown (with threaded aperture  38 ) or other suitable attachment configuration. The hexagonal hub cap  34  is shown resting on the wheel center hub  20  end face  22 . These fixed caps  35 , have an underside lip  39  spanning a diameter  36  that permits the cap to fit over the outer diameter of the wheel center hub end face  22  to facilitate a clean, mated point of connection  40  between the fixed hub cap  30  and the wheel center hub  20  end face  22 . 
         [0054]      FIG. 1E  presents a perspective, topside view of a prior art wire wheel center cap offered and sold by Texan Wire Wheels, LLC (texanwirewheels.com) (here, shown in the 2-bar shape)  30  for attaching in a fixed, non-spinning relationship to the face  22  of the center hub extension  20  of the wheel  10 . This two-bar or winged cap has an outer side  110 , and underside  120 , and two or more wings or bars  32 . Many different configurations are available, the 2-bar variety and the hex cap variety are being shown here for illustration purposes. 
         [0055]      FIG. 2  shows topside view of a spinning wheel center cap  50  according to the present invention (here, shown in the 2-bar or wing shape, but other cap shapes are possible) for attaching to the end face  22  of the center hub extension  20  of the wheel  10  in a manner that permits the outer or top portion  100  of the cap to rotate freely relative to the wheel center hub  20 . In this 2-bar variety spinning center cap  50 , the cap upper spinning section  100  may comprise wings  102 . In a preferred embodiment, the cap  50  comprises two opposed wings  102  that have aerodynamically designed edges to permit wind friction to cause the cap spinning section  100  to rotate. The cap upper (spinning) section  100  has an outer side  110  that may contain decorative elements visible when looking at the cap  50  mounted on the wheel  10 . The cap upper section  100  also has an underside  120 . 
         [0056]    Referring also to  FIGS. 3A-3D , there is shown various views of the spinning wheel center cap  50  of  FIG. 2 . The upper section  100  of the cap  50  is mounted to the lower section  200  in a rotatable, spinnable relationship. The lower base section  200  is fixably mounted to the face  22  of the center hub extension  20  (not shown) of the wheel  10  (not shown) via the threaded post  310  of connection insert  300  shown or via other suitable attachment configuration. In a preferred embodiment, the lower base  200  comprises a lip  250  that fits snugly over the outer diameter of the end face  22  of the wheel center hub  20 . In this embodiment, the base is fitted with an insert connection  300  that is secured in place via screws  330  to the underside  220  of the base  200 . The insert connection  300  comprises a connection post  310  of desired height, and preferably includes threaded aperture  320  for receiving a connection bolt (not shown) used to secure the cap  50  to the wheel center hub end face  22 . The upper section  100  is permitted to rotate about the lower section  200  along axis of rotation  60 . The upper section  100  of the cap  50  is mounted to the lower section  200  in a rotatable, spinnable relationship in a manner that creates a gap  190  separating the lower edges  122  of the upper section  100  from the upper edges  212  of the base section  200 . The cap lower or base section  200  comprises a topside  210  and an underside  220 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 4A  shows an underside view of the spinning wheel center cap  50  of  FIG. 2 . The underside  220  of the lower or base section  200  can be fixably attached to the face  22  of center hub extension of the wheel (not shown) via the threaded post connection  310  on the connection member  300  shown or via other suitable attachment configuration. The connection member  300  shown is mounted in a recessed fashion within base insert well  230  and secured with screws  330  or other suitable securing mechanisms.  FIG. 4B  shows a perspective underside view of the spinning wheel center cap  50  of  FIG. 4A . The threaded post connection member  300  is shown partially removed and in topside perspective view. The connection insert  300  sits within receiving well  230  and is secured in place, for example, by screws  330  that are passed through the hub insert attachment apertures  340  and secured into the base insert well threaded apertures  236 . 
         [0058]    Referring also to  FIGS. 4C-4K , the base insert receiving well  230  has a diameter  235  that is adapted to receive the hub connection insert  300  having an outer diameter  350 . The connection member insert  300  is shown fully removed from the recessed well  230  and in underside perspective view. A retaining shaft  400  with external retaining ring  410  mounted in retaining ring groove  412  is employed to secure the cap upper section  100  to the cap lower section  200  in a manner that permits rotation of the upper section  100  about the axis  60  relative to the lower section  200 . In a preferred embodiment, the lower base  200  comprises a lip  250  having a diameter  260  that fits snugly over the outer diameter of the end face  22  of the wheel center hub  20 .  FIGS. 4F-4G  show the securing bolt or retaining shaft  400  partially removed. The securing bolt or retaining shaft  400  employs threads  420  that are mated to be received in the threaded aperture  142  in the bearing mount post  140  located in the center of the cap spinning section underside  120  (shown in later figures).  FIG. 4H  shows the securing bolt or retaining shaft  400  removed to reveal the threaded aperture  142 . The receiving well  230  has a depth  232  that in one preferred embodiment matches the height  306  of the insert  300  (see  FIG. 8C ). 
         [0059]      FIG. 5A  shows a side view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 4H  according to the present invention wherein the upper section is shown partially removed from the lower base section.  FIGS. 5B-5C  show the upper section  100  and the lower base section  200  separated from each other. Referring also to  FIGS. 6A-E , the upper section  100  has a sealed bearing  130  fixably mounted on bearing mount post  140  in a manner that permits free rotational movement of the bearing  130  (i.e., there is a gap  134  between bearing  130  and cap spinning section underside  120 ). The bearing can freely rotate about the bearing mount post about axis  60 . The bearing  130  is preferably a sealed bearing such as the rubber sealed variety sold by VXB.com under the model number 6202RS (15×35×11 mm) or the like. Other suitable bearing configurations known in the art may be employed. The upper side  210  of the base section  200  is configured with a base extension stem  240  of desired height. Within the base extension stem  240  is a bearing receiving well  270  having in inside diameter  272  capable of receiving in snug relationship the outside diameter  132  of bearing  130  so as to permit the cap upper section  100  to be secured to bearing  130  to permit the upper section  100  to rotate on the bearing  130  about axis  60 . The top  100  and bottom  200  sections fit together in mated fashion with the bearing  130  being received into the bearing receiving well  270 , and securing bolt or retaining shaft  400  being used to retain the top  100  and base  200  sections together. The securing bolt  400  fits through base retaining shaft aperture  280 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 6E  shows another underside close up perspective view of the top section of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention showing here, for illustration purposes (and without the base in place), how the securing bolt  400  secures via its threads  420  to the bearing mount post  140  threaded aperture  142 . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 7A-7G  show various views of the bottom (base) section  200  of the spinning wheel center cap  50  of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention.  FIGS. 7F-7G  illustrate the mounted relationship of hub connection insert  300  with its connection post  310  shown (for illustration purposes) without the top section  100  in place. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 8A-8C  shows various views of the connection member insert  300  of the bottom (base) section  200  of the spinning wheel center cap  50  of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. The insert  300  has a topside  301  and a bottom side  302 . On the bottom side is located an insert underside well to permit clearance for the top of retaining shaft  400 . 
         [0063]      FIGS. 9A-9C  illustrate various views of a preferred securing bolt (retaining shaft)  400 . The bolt  400  is outfitted with a retaining ring groove  412  to receive an external retaining ring  410  such as those made by Rotor Clip Company (www.rotorclip.com) of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. Other suitable retaining shaft configurations may be employed. 
         [0064]      FIGS. 10A-10C  shows an exploded view of the spinning wheel center cap of  FIG. 2  according to the present invention. As will be understood from the above descriptions of a preferred embodiment, the spinning cap outer section  100  is outfitted with a bearing  130 . The bearing  130  is then mounted in fixed position within the base  200  to permit the upper section  100  to freely rotate (via bearing  130 ) about axis  60  relative to the base  200 . The retainer shaft or other suitable mechanism is employed to retain the upper  100  and lower  200  sections together while also permitting the upper section  100  to freely rotate. The retainer shaft is mounted within the base, and the connection insert  300  is then mounted over the retainer  400 . The cap  50  may then be attached, via attachment post  310  or via other suitable attachment configuration, to the wheel center hub end face  22  of a desired wheel. 
         [0065]    The various components of the above-described spinning cap  50  invention may be manufactured out of materials known in the art for these purposes, such as, metals, plastics, composite materials, and the like, and combinations thereof. The various fastening mechanisms may be varied, and one of ordinary skill in the art, having the benefit of the present disclosure, would be able to engineer other suitable embodiments within the spirit and scope of the present invention and its pending claims. Additionally, although the present disclosure describes the use of a bearing that is mounted on the inside of the outer section  100 , one of ordinary skill in the art with the benefit of the present disclosure could mount the bearing assembly in other suitable locations on the device, or in connection with the attachment of the outer section  100  to the wheel hub face  22 . 
         [0066]    All references referred to herein are incorporated herein by reference. While the apparatus, systems and methods of this invention have been described in terms of preferred or illustrative embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the process and system described herein without departing from the concept and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the scope and concept of the invention. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the method and apparatus of the present invention has many applications, and that the present invention is not limited to the representative examples disclosed herein. Moreover, the scope of the present invention covers conventionally known variations and modifications to the system components described herein, as would be known by those skilled in the art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1