Abstract:
A wheel upon which interchangeable components may be mounted to the change the appearance thereof, is provided. The wheel may include a base wheel skeleton including a rim, a hub and spokes. Each spoke may include threaded holes adjacent the rim. Additional threaded holes may be disposed generally around a periphery of the hub. A hub cap may be attachable to the wheel on a first side of the wheel and include mounting extensions for attachment of the hub cap to the threaded holes around hub. Skin elements may be attachable to the wheel and include holes for attachment of one end of the skin element to one of the threaded holes adjacent the connection of the spokes to the rim. The skin elements may further include an extension disposable under a portion of the hub cap for retention of another end of the skin element by the hub cap.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation and claims benefit of priority of patent application Ser. No. 10/625,548, filed Jul. 24, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,413 B2, and Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/423,388, filed Nov. 4, 2002, hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 

   BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
   a. Field of Invention 
   The invention relates generally to wheels, and, more particularly to interchangeable wheels for automobiles and the like, wherein the wheels include outer skin elements and/or caps removably affixed to a wheel skeleton, thus enabling the appearance and functionality of the wheel to be changed. 
   b. Description of Related Art 
   Since the invention of the automobile, there has been an increasing demand by consumers and automobile manufactures for wheels and wheel covers having intricate surface patterns. An economical and efficient method of meeting such demands is to provide wheels which can be easily and economically manufactured by the millions. Such wheels can then be then be mounted onto an automobile by a manufacturer at the manufacturing facility, at the point of sale, or thereafter at the consumer&#39;s own expense. This approach has apparent dificiencies which include, for example, the waste involved in disposal of the replaced wheels, and the costs absorbed by a manufacturer for storage of replacement wheels. 
   Another approach in meeting such demands is to provide wheel skeletons on which interchangeable facial components can be affixed to give the wheel a unique appearance, without the need for replacing and/or removing a wheel once mounted on an automobile. This approach has historically had limited consumer response due to the relatively limited variety of wheels on the market which enable attachment of such facial components. Moreover, this approach has had inherent drawbacks with regard to the durability of wheels and associated components, the ease of manufacture and installation of such components, as well as the the susceptibility of such wheel designs to environmental factors. 
   Accordingly, there exists a need for a wheel design, which is efficient and economical to manufacture and modify, which provides a consumer with the desired versatility needed to modify the wheel for a unique appearance as needed, and which has the durability required against wear and tear, as well as environmentally related factors. 
   SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
   The invention solves the problems and overcomes the drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel wheel assembly including a skeleton on which a plurality of wheel skin elements and/or caps may be removably affixed. 
   Specifically, the invention provides a wheel including a base wheel skeleton including a rim, a hub and a plurality of spokes for connecting the rim to the hub. Each of the spokes may include at least two threaded holes adjacent the connection of the spokes to the rim. At least two additional threaded holes may be disposed generally around a periphery of the hub and may be generally symmetrically spaced radially and angularly around the periphery of the hub. A hub cap may be attachable to the wheel on a first side of the wheel and include at least one mounting extension for attachment of the hub cap to the threaded holes disposed generally around the periphery of the hub. At least one skin element may be attachable to the wheel and include at least one hole for attachment of one end of the skin element to one of the threaded holes adjacent the connection of the spokes to the rim. The skin element may further include an extension disposable under a portion of the hub cap to facilitate retention of another end of the skin element by the hub cap. A surface of each of the spokes on the first side of the wheel may remain exposed after attachment of the hub cap and the skin element. 
   For the wheel described above, each of the spokes may include at least one longitudinally extending rib on a surface thereof. The hub cap may include at least two edges contiguously engagable with at least two complementary edges of the skin element. The hub cap and the skin element may be spaced from the wheel by means of spacers mountable between the respective holes in the hub cap and the skin element, and the threaded holes in the spokes and the hub. 
   The invention further provides a wheel including a base wheel skeleton including a rim, a hub and a plurality of spokes for connecting the rim to the hub. Each of the spokes may include at least two threaded holes adjacent the connection of the spokes to the rim. At least two additional threaded holes may be disposed generally around a periphery of the hub and may be generally symmetrically spaced radially and angularly around the periphery of the hub. A hub cap may be attachable to the wheel on a first side of the wheel and may include at least one mounting extension for attachment of the hub cap to the threaded holes disposed generally around the periphery of the hub. At least one skin element may be attachable to the wheel and may include at least one hole for attachment of one end of the skin element to one of the threaded holes adjacent the connection of the spokes to the rim. The skin element may further include an extension for engagement with a respective indentation in the hub cap to facilitate retention of another end of the skin element by the hub cap. A surface of each of the spokes on the first side of the wheel may be substantially covered by the skin element after attachment of the hub cap and the skin element. 
   The invention yet further provides a method of changing the appearance of a wheel. The wheel may include a base wheel skeleton including a rim, a hub and a plurality of spokes for connecting the rim to the hub. Each of the spokes may include at least two threaded holes adjacent the connection of the spokes to the rim. At least two additional threaded holes may be disposed generally around a periphery of the hub and may be generally symmetrically spaced radially and angularly around the periphery of the hub. The method may include mounting a hub cap to the wheel on a first side of the wheel. The hub cap may include at least one mounting extension for attachment of the hub cap to the threaded holes disposed generally around the periphery of the hub. The method may further include mounting at least one skin element to the wheel. The skin element may include at least one hole for attachment of one end of the skin element to one of the threaded holes adjacent the connection of the spokes to the rim. The skin element may further include an extension for engagement with a portion of the hub cap to facilitate retention of another end of the skin element by the hub cap. 
   For the method described above, for one configuration of the wheel, a surface of each of the spokes on the first side of the wheel may remain exposed after attachment of the hub cap and the skin element. For another configuration of the wheel, a surface of each of the spokes on the first side of the wheel may be substantially covered by the skin element after attachment of the hub cap and the skin element. Each of the spokes may include at least one longitudinally extending rib on a surface thereof. The surface of the spoke may be disposed on the same side as the first side of the wheel. The method may further include contiguously engaging at least two edges of the hub cap with at least two complementary edges of the skin element, and spacing the hub cap and the skin element from the wheel by means of spacers mountable between the respective holes in the hub cap and the skin element, and the threaded holes in the spokes and the hub. 
   Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the invention may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the invention and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and together with the detail description serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric front view of a wheel skeleton according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view from a different angle of the wheel skeleton of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3A  is a front view of a first assembly of a first embodiment of a cap and a skin element, each mounted on the wheel skeleton of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3B  is a side view of the assembly of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 4A  is a front view of the first embodiment of the cap of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 4B  is a right-side view of the cap of  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIG. 4C  is a cutout of a bottom view of the cap of  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIG. 4D  is a sectional view of a mounting extension, taken along section  4 D— 4 D in  FIG. 4A ; 
       FIG. 5A  is a front view of the first embodiment of the skin element of  FIG. 3A , including a phantom-view of the cap of  FIG. 3A ; 
       FIG. 5B  is a sectional view of the skin element of  FIG. 5A , taken along section  5 B— 5 B in  FIG. 5A ; 
       FIG. 5C  is a sectional view of the skin element of  FIG. 5A , taken along section  5 C— 5 C in  FIG. 5A ; 
       FIG. 6A  is an illustrative cutout of a first spacer according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 6B  is an illustrative cutout of a second spacer according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 7A  is a front view of a second assembly of the first embodiment of the cap and a second embodiment of a skin element, each mounted on the wheel skeleton of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7B  is a side view of the assembly of  FIG. 7A ; 
       FIG. 8A  is a front view of the second embodiment of the skin element of  FIG. 7A , including a phantom-view of the cap of  FIG. 7A ; 
       FIG. 8B  is a right-side view of the skin element of  FIG. 8A ; 
       FIG. 8C  is a sectional view of the skin element of  FIG. 8A , taken along section  8 C— 8 C in  FIG. 8A ; 
       FIG. 8D  is a sectional view of the skin element of  FIG. 8A , taken along section  8 D— 8 D in  FIG. 8A ; 
       FIG. 9A  is a front view of a third assembly of a second embodiment of a cap and a third embodiment of a skin element, each mounted on the wheel skeleton according of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 9B  is a side view of the assembly of  FIG. 9A ; 
       FIG. 10A  is a front view of the second embodiment of the cap of  FIG. 9A ; 
       FIG. 10B  is a right-side view of the cap of  FIG. 10A ; 
       FIG. 10C  is a partial top view of the cap of  FIG. 10A ; 
       FIG. 10D  is a sectional view of a mounting extension, taken along section  10 D— 10 D in  FIG. 10A ; 
       FIG. 11A  is a front view of the third embodiment of the skin element of  FIG. 9A ; 
       FIG. 11B  is a side view of the skin element of  FIG. 11A ; 
       FIG. 11C  is a sectional view of the skin element of  FIG. 11A , taken along section  11 C— 11 C in  FIG. 11A ; 
       FIG. 11D  is a sectional view of the skin element of  FIG. 11A , taken along section  11 D— 11 D in  FIG. 11A ; 
       FIG. 11E  is a sectional view of the skin element of  FIG. 11A , taken along section  11 E— 11 E in  FIG. 11A ; 
       FIG. 12A  is a front view of a logo according to the present invention; and 
       FIG. 12B  is a side view of the logo of  FIG. 12A , and a phantom-view of the cap of  FIG. 9A . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1–2  illustrate a wheel skeleton according to the present invention, generally designated  20 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1–2 ,  3 A and  3 B, wheel skeleton  20  may include a plurality of spokes  22  formed therein, for example, in a pentagonal orientation. It is foreseeable that other orientations, such as hexagonal, octagonal, etc., may be used as needed. Each spoke  22  may include a raised central rib portion  24  having indentations  26  formed therein for added rigidity. A channel  28  may be provided on each side of rib portion  24  for additional rigidity. Each channel  28  may include a plurality of angularly disposed nibs  32  extending from rib portion  24 . Two or more threaded holes  34  may be provided adjacent the intersection surface of each spoke  22  and rim  36 . As described below, threaded holes  34  may be used to facilitate the assembly of wheel skin elements  54 ,  102  and  126 . Additional threaded holes  38  may be provided adjacent the outer circumference of hub  42 . As described below, threaded holes  38  may be used to facilitate the assembly of caps  52  and  124 . A generally flat surface  44  may provide a transition surface between spokes  22  and the inner surface  46  of rim  36 . Surface  44  may be disposed at a predetermined angle relative to surface  46  (described in greater detail below). Holes  48  may be provided in the usual manner for attachment of wheel skeleton  20  to an automobile and the like. 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a first assembly of a first embodiment of a cap  52  and skin elements  54 , each mounted on wheel skeleton  20 , is illustrated. Referring to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B and  4 A– 4 D, cap  52  is illustrated in greater detail. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 4A–4D , cap  52  may include a plurality of protrusions  56  in a pentagonal configuration. Each protrusion  56  may include edges  58  disposed at a predetermined angle  62  of approximately 112°, for example. It is foreseeable that angle  62  may be of a different dimension, as would be apparent to a skilled artisan. Each protrusion  56  may include generally perpendicular surfaces  60  for facilitating orientation of skin elements  54  adjacent cap  52 . The outer surfaces  64  of each protrusion  56  may be rounded or flat. A plurality of mounting extensions  66  may be fixedly mounted to generally perpendicular surface  68  of cap  52  for mounting cap  52  to wheel skeleton  20 . Mounting extensions  66  may include a bent configuration as shown in  FIG. 4D . Each mounting extension  66  may include a hole  72  for insertion of a threaded screw (now shown). A logo sticker  74  may be affixed to a central surface of cap  52 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5A–5C , the first embodiment of skin element  54  is illustrated. Skin element  54  may include a plurality of angled surfaces (described below) disposed in a generally mirrored configuration relative to axis-A. Specifically, skin element  54  may include edges  76  and  78  disposed at an angle  82  of approximately 112°, for example, for complementary engagement with edges  58  of cap  52 . It is foreseeable that angle  82  may be of a different dimension, as would be apparent to a skilled artisan. Additional curved edges  84  may be provided for overlapping engagement with rim  36 . A first top surface  86  of skin element  54  may be sloped at an angle  80  of approximately 25°, for example, as shown in  FIG. 5B . Edges  87  of top surface  86  may be sloped at an angle  89  of approximately 25°, for example, as shown in  FIG. 5C . A second top surface  88  of skin element  54  may be sloped at an angle  90  of approximately 17°, for example, as shown in  FIG. 5B . A rounded protrusion  92  may be provided adjacent edges  76  and  78  for protruding under cap  52  for facilitating retention of skin element  52 , and for preventing the entry of dirt and other contaminants between cap  52  and skin element  54 . Holes  94  may be provided in radial and angular alignment with threaded holes  34  on wheel skeleton  20  for affixation of skin element  54  to wheel skeleton  20 . An indented surface  96  may be provided in the vicinity of holes  94  for permitting the head of a screw to rest thereon. The remaining edges and surfaces of skin element  54  may be provided as illustrated in  FIGS. 5A–5C . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3A ,  3 B,  6 A,  6 B,  7 A and  7 B, first and second spacers  98  and  100 , respectively, may be provided for proper spacing and alignment of cap  52 , and skin elements  54  and  102  (described below), respectively, from threaded holes  38  and  34 , respectively, on wheel skeleton  20 . Each spacer  98  and  100  may include a hole  101  formed therein for insertion of a screw (not shown) for mounting cap  52 , and skin elements  54  and  102 , respectively. In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 3A and 3B , first and second spacers  98  and  100 , respectively, may have an internal diameter of approximately 0.5″ and an external diameter of approximately ⅜″, an axial length of approximately 1.3″ for mounting cap  52  (i.e. for first spacer  98 ), and an axial length of approximately 2.0″ for mounting skin elements  54  (i.e. for second spacer  100 ). In the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 7A and 7B  (described below), first and second spacers  98  and  100 , respectively, may have an internal diameter of approximately 0.5″ and an external diameter of approximately ⅜″, an axial length of approximately 1.5″ for mounting cap  52  (i.e. for first spacer  98 ), and an axial length of approximately 2.6″ for mounting skin elements  102  (i.e. for second spacer  100 ). It is foreseeable that spacers  98  and  100  may be dimensioned in a different manner in accordance with the required spacing for cap  52 , and skin elements  54  and  102 , as would be apparent to a skilled artisan. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , in order to assemble cap  52  and skin element  54  onto wheel skeleton  20 , cap  52  may first be positioned on hub  42 . Holes  72  on mounting extension  66  may be aligned with threaded holes  38  on wheel skeleton  20 . First spacers  98  may be utilized for aligning and adequately spacing each of the mounting extensions  66  of cap  52  from hub  42 . Adequate screws (not shown) may be utilized within holes  72  of mounting extensions  66  for affixation of cap  52  onto hub  42  of wheel skeleton  20 . Likewise, second spacers  100  may be utilized for aligning and adequately spacing each skin elements  54  onto wheel skeleton  20 . Protrusion  92  on each skin element  54  may be inserted under cap  52 . Thereafter, adequate screws (not shown) may be utilized within holes  94  of skin elements  54  for affixation thereof onto wheel skeleton  20 . 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , a second assembly of the first embodiment of cap  52  and a second embodiment of skin elements  102 , each mounted on wheel skeleton  20 , is illustrated. The cap used in the assembly for  FIGS. 7A and 7B  is identical to cap  52 , described above in reference to  FIGS. 4A–4D . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7A ,  7 B and  8 A– 8 D, the second embodiment of skin element  102  is illustrated. Skin element  102  may include a plurality of angled surfaces (described below) disposed in a generally mirrored configuration relative to axis-A. Specifically, skin element  102  may include edges  104  and  106  disposed at an angle  108  of approximately 77°, for example, for protruding under cap  52  for facilitating retention of skin element  102 , and for preventing the entry of dirt and other contaminants between cap  52  and skin element  102 . It is foreseeable that angle  108  may be of a different dimension, as would be apparent to a skilled artisan. A plurality of additional edges  112 ,  114  and  116  may be provided on each side of axis-A and have angles  113 ,  115  and  117 , respectively, of approximately 14°, 22° and 45°, respectively, therebetween, for providing rigidity to the structure of skin element  102 , and for preventing entry of dirt and other contaminants between skin element  102  and wheel skeleton  20 . Skin element  102  may also include a curved surface  119  for providing rigidity to the structure of skin element  102  and for preventing entry of dirt and other contaminants thereunder. Holes  118  may be provided in radial and angular alignment with threaded holes  34  on wheel skeleton  20  for affixation of skin element  102  to wheel skeleton  20 . The surface  122  adjacent holes  118  may be inclined or may be flat, as illustrated in  FIG. 5C  for skin element  54 . Alternatively, an indented surface may be provided in the vicinity of holes  118  for permitting the head of a screw (not shown) to rest thereon. Edges  120  may be provided on skin clement  102  for overlapping rim  36  of wheel skeleton  20 . Additionally, an edge  121  may be provided on skin element  102  for fitting within the outer diameter of rim  36 . The remaining edges and surfaces of skin element  102  may be provided as illustrated in  FIGS. 8A–8D . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , in order to assemble cap  52  and skin element  102  onto wheel skeleton  20 , cap  52  may first be positioned on hub  42 . Holes  72  on mounting extension  66  may be aligned with threaded holes  38  on wheel skeleton  20 . First spacers  98  may be utilized for aligning and adequately spacing each of the mounting extensions  66  of cap  52  from hub  42 . Adequate screws (not shown) may be utilized within holes  72  of mounting extensions  66  for affixation of cap  52  onto hub  42  of wheel skeleton  20 . Likewise, second spacers  100  may be utilized for aligning and adequately spacing each skin elements  102  onto wheel skeleton  20 . The edge formed by the intersection of edges  104  and  106  on each skin element  102  may be inserted under cap  52 . Thereafter, adequate screws (not shown) may be utilized within holes  118  of skin elements  102  for affixation thereof onto wheel skeleton  20 . 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 9A and 9B , a third assembly of a second embodiment of a cap  124  and a third embodiment of a skin element  126 , each mounted on wheel skeleton  20 , is illustrated. Referring to  FIGS. 10A–10D , cap  124  is illustrated in greater detail. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 10A–10D , cap  124  may be formed of a generally circular configuration. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 10B , cap  124  may include first, second and third circular rings  128 ,  130  and  132 , respectively. Rings  128 ,  130  and  132  may have an outer diameter of approximately 2.3″, 3.7″ and 4.3″, respectively, for example. It is foreseeable that the diameter of rings  128 ,  130  and  132  could be changed as needed, as would be apparent to a skilled artisan. Ring  128  may include an indented central surface for facilitating alignment of logo  170  (described below). Rings  130  and  132  may include an angular surface  134  therebetween for facilitating removal of dirt and contaminants from cap  124 . A plurality of angularly disposed bumps  136  may be provided on surface  138  of cap  124 . Additionally, a plurality of mounting extensions  142  may be fixedly mounted to generally perpendicular outer surface  144  of cap  124 , for facilitating mounting of cap  124  to wheel skeleton  20 . Mounting extensions  142  may include a bent configuration as shown in  FIG. 10D . Each mounting extension  142  may include a hole  145  for insertion of a threaded screw (now shown). Angularly disposed indentations  140  may be provided in cap  124  for engagement with protrusions  152  (described below) on skin element  126 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 11A–11E , the third embodiment of skin element  126  is illustrated. Skin element  126  may include a plurality of angled surfaces (described below) disposed in a generally mirrored configuration relative to axis-A. Specifically, skin element  126  may include an outer generally flat edge  146  and an inner generally circular surface  148 . Outer edge  146  may be dimensioned to engage inner surface  46  of rim  36 , and protrusions  152  on inner surface  148  may engage indentations  140  in cap  124 . Curved surfaces  154  may be provided on skin element  126  for substantially covering the profile of spokes  22  on wheel skeleton  20 , and for preventing entry of dirt and other contaminants between skin element  126  and spokes  22  of wheel skeleton  20 . The outer profile of skin element  126  may include generally flat surfaces  156  and  158  for preventing adhering of dirt and contaminants thereon. Additionally, sloped surfaces  162  and  164  may also be provided for preventing adhering of dirt and contaminants on skin element  126 . Holes  166  may be provided in radial and angular alignment with threaded holes  34  on wheel skeleton  20  for affixation of skin element  126  to wheel skeleton  20 . An indented surface  168  may be provided in the vicinity of holes  166  for permitting the head of a screw to rest thereon. The remaining edges and surfaces of skin element  126  may be provided as illustrated in  FIGS. 11A–11E . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , in order to assemble cap  124  and skin element  126  onto wheel skeleton  20 , cap  124  may first be positioned on hub  42 . Holes  145  on mounting extension  142  may be aligned with threaded holes  38  on wheel skeleton  20 . Adequate screws (not shown) may be utilized within holes  145  of mounting extensions  142  for affixation of cap  124  onto hub  42  of wheel skeleton  20 . Protrusions  152  on each skin element  126  may be inserted into indentations  140  in cap  124 . Thereafter, adequate screws (not shown) may be utilized within holes  166  of skin elements  126  for affixation thereof onto wheel skeleton  20 . 
   Referring next to  FIGS. 12A and 12B , logo  170  (described above) may include a circular member  174  and a text plate  176  encased within a clear covering  178 . Logo  170  may include an adhesive backing for affixation thereof onto cap  124 . 
   Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those particular embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.