Abstract:
A display wheel cover assembly uniquely connectable to, and removable from, a rotatable wheel of a vehicle. This invention includes an adapter plate releasably connectable by unique replacement lug nuts to the outside of the wheel serving as combination spacers and lug nuts. A support bearing member is connected coaxially with a hub of the adapter plate. A wheel cover including a key-actuated locking support having a coaxially extending support shaft is rotatably supported in the support bearing member. An elongated cylindrical locking member is positioned within a longitudinal aperture formed through the support shaft, while a cam member, connected to a distal end of the locking member, has a non-symmetric periphery such that, when properly rotatably orientated, is fully insertable into said support bearing member. In a second rotational orientation, the cam member prevents withdrawal of the support shaft from the support bearing member. A counterweight attached to the wheel cover prevents rotation of the wheel cover. Interchangeable display indicia attach to the wheel cover.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     Not applicable  
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     Not applicable  
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC  
       [0003]     Not applicable  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0005]     This invention relates generally to vehicle wheel covers, and more particularly to a commercial display wheel cover including a quick disconnect mechanism permitting convenient wheel lug nut retorqueing and a replaceable display disc which remains substantially stationary with respect to the vehicle while the vehicle is moving.  
         [0006]     2. Description of Related Art  
         [0007]     The central outer portion of a vehicle wheel, being fully viewable while the vehicle is in motion, provides an opportunity for the placement of readable graphics in this otherwise merely decorative or unornamental portion of the wheel of larger utility vehicles such as buses or trucks. The utilization of this otherwise merely unadorned space is contingent upon the readability of graphics and word messages being held relatively stationary with respect to the vehicle in motion. A number of prior art patented inventions address this display and advertising opportunity.  
         [0008]     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,659,989, Hsiao teaches a wheel cover which includes an outer disc member which is rotatably mounted to an inner base member so that the display indicia applied to the disc member will remain substantially rotation free under vehicle movement. This disclosure includes stabilizing structure to maintain alignment and restrict oscillation of the outer disc member bearing the viewable indicia thereon.  
         [0009]     Boothe, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,542 discloses a theft-proof, non-rotational wheel cover with replaceable ornamental outer surface. This arrangement relies upon and is engageable within the central cavity of the automotive wheel.  
         [0010]     Another advertising display device for a vehicle wheel is disclosed by Ryan in U.S. Pat. No. 2,548,070. In this arrangement, however, the device is adapted for attachment to a non-rotatable axle of the motor vehicle.  
         [0011]     In U.S. Pat. No. 2,869,262, Lucas teaches another wheel-supported advertising sign arrangement which appears to attach in rotatable fashion to the outer hubcap of the wheel assembly.  
         [0012]     In the disclosure of Kovalenko, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,280,293, a stationary display member is attachable to the vehicle hub and utilizes a flowable material such as mercury acting upon veins within a chamber of the device to substantially eliminate rotation of the bearing-mounted outer display member.  
         [0013]     A non-rotating wheel cover assembly shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,715 invented by Harlen teaches yet another wheel cover assembly which is attachable to the outer end of an axle by separate bracketry to support the bearing mounted display member. A thickened lower portion of the wheel cover provides sufficient counterbalance to inhibit or prevent rotation of the display cover while the vehicle is in motion.  
         [0014]     Matsushita discloses a free wheel cap in U.S. Pat. No. 4,678,239 which teaches a non-rotating wheel cover having a counterbalanced disc-like body which is bearing connected to an inner multi-arm structure having spring-like clips connected at the outer periphery of the device which interengage with the wheel rim.  
         [0015]     Another wheel cover was invented by Okamoto and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,104 teaching a flexible side feature connected to the center of the wheel in support of a display wheel cover. An air current guide is formed into the display cover which assists in stabilizing the display portion without substantial rotational movement as the vehicle is moving.  
         [0016]     Other prior art devices which teach vehicle wheel display covers are as follows: 
        U.S. Pat. No. 710,195 to Jones     U.S. Pat. No. 2,014,058 to Tonai     U.S. Pat. No. 2,169,237 to Gasco     U.S. Pat. No. 4,781,419 to Boothe     U.S. Pat. No. 5,190,354 to Levy     U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,342 to Ruterman        
 
         [0023]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,536,848 discloses a display wheel cover which is substantially non-rotating with respect to the vehicle when in motion and which, in a preferred embodiment, utilizes a unique inner member having an elongated hat-shaped section that facilitates attachment to the rim of the wheel by threadably adjustable rim-engaging members that align into the concave groove formed in the outer wheel rim. A unique cam-locking device both retains the outer display wheel cover in place and also prevents its theft removal as a separate security feature requiring a special tool for removal.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]     This invention is directed to a display wheel cover assembly uniquely connectable to, and removable from, a rotatable wheel of a vehicle. This invention includes an adapter plate releasably connectable by unique replacement lug nuts to the outside of the wheel serving as combination spacers and lug nuts. A support bearing member is connected coaxially with a hub of the adapter plate. A wheel cover including a key-actuated locking support having a coaxially extending support shaft is rotatably supported in the support bearing member. An elongated cylindrical locking member is positioned within a longitudinal aperture formed through the support shaft, while a cam member, connected to a distal end of the locking member, has a non-symmetric periphery such that, when properly rotatably orientated, is fully insertable into said support bearing member. In a second rotational orientation, the cam member prevents withdrawal of the support shaft from the support-bearing member. A counterweight attached to the wheel cover prevents rotation of the wheel cover. Interchangeable display indicia attach to the wheel cover.  
         [0025]     It is therefore a broad object of this invention to provide a non-rotating wheel cover for a commercial utility vehicle or truck which will facilitate the application of decorative and readable commercial display indicia such as in advertising while the vehicle is moving.  
         [0026]     It is yet another object of this invention to provide an advertising display cover for the wheel of a commercial vehicle which is easily interchangeable and which is rendered secure from inadvertent or theft removal by a unique locking arrangement.  
         [0027]     Still another object of this invention is to provide an advertising display cover for the wheel of a vehicle which receives support from the lugs of the axle of the vehicle through the use of uniquely configured double-duty wheel lug nuts serving as spacers and lug extensions.  
         [0028]     Yet another object of this invention is to provide an advertising display cover for the wheels of commercial vehicles which is easily removable to facilitate regular servicing and tightening of the unique lug nuts which hold the wheel onto the axle and also support the wheel cover.  
         [0029]     In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)  
       [0030]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the invention shown in conjunction with a wheel of a vehicle.  
         [0031]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment for attachment to vehicles having a central axle hub bolt pattern.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is a front elevation view of the assembled invention shown in  FIG. 1  in a locked position absent retainer plate ( 20 ) for clarity.  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a view similar to  FIG. 2  in an unlocked position.  
         [0034]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged section view in the direction of arrows  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged section view in the direction of arrows  5 - 5  in  FIG. 3 .  
         [0036]      FIGS. 6 and 8  are front elevation views of the assembled invention of  FIG. 1  in the locked and unlocked position, respectively.  
         [0037]      FIGS. 7 and 9  are enlargements of areas  7  and  9  of  FIGS. 6 and 8 , respectively.  
         [0038]      FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a universal embodiment of the invention.  
         [0039]      FIG. 11  is a cross section view of the assembled embodiment of the invention of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 12  is an enlargement of area  12  of  FIG. 11 .  
         [0041]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view of the wheel cover locking support assembly  100  shown in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0042]      FIG. 14  is a front elevation view of  FIG. 13  in the locked position.  
         [0043]      FIG. 15  is a section view in the direction of arrows  15 - 15  in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0044]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view of  FIG. 15  absent member  102 .  
         [0045]      FIG. 17  is a front elevation view of  FIG. 13  in the unlocked position.  
         [0046]      FIG. 18  is a section view in the direction of arrows  18 - 18  in  FIG. 17 .  
         [0047]      FIG. 19  is a perspective view of  FIG. 18  absent member  102 .  
         [0048]      FIG. 20A  is a perspective view of the retainer  68  of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of the wheel rim universal adapter plate, and retainer of  FIG. 10  in the unlocked orientation.  
         [0050]      FIG. 21  is an enlargement of area  21  of  FIG. 20 .  
         [0051]      FIG. 22  is a perspective view of the wheel rim, universal adapter plate, and retainer of  FIG. 10  in the locked orientation.  
         [0052]      FIG. 23  is an enlargement of area  23  of  FIG. 22 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 24  is a top plan view of a locking key in position for actuating the wheel cover locking support  100  of  FIG. 10 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 25  is a section view in the direction of arrows  25 - 25  of  FIG. 24 .  
         [0055]      FIG. 26  is a perspective view of  FIG. 24 .  
         [0056]      FIG. 27  is a perspective view of the locking key of  FIG. 24 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0057]     Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS.  1  to  9 , one broad aspect of the invention is there shown generally at numeral  10  in  FIG. 1 . This aspect  10  of the invention includes an adapter plate  12  which supports a bearing arrangement  16  connected in coaxial alignment with a bearing support hub  28  of the adapter plate  12 . This aspect  10  also includes a retainer  18  which is supported over the hub  28  and held from relative rotation by a retainer plate  20 .  
         [0058]     Attachment of the adapter plate  12  to a rim R of a wheel for a vehicle about the axle center line D is effected through the use of a uniquely configured lug nut  22 . As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , each of the lug nuts  22  is threadably adapted at a first end thereof  24  to threadably engage over a lug L anchored into the axle C which passes through each wheel mounting hole H of the rim R. For economy, it is preferred that at least three of these uniquely configured lug nuts  22  be utilized to attach the rim R to the axle C. The remaining conventional lug nuts (not shown) may be utilized to further secure the rim R to the axle C. The opposite or distal end of each of the lug nuts  22  includes a groove  26  radially inwardly extending as shown to define a head H, the purposes of which will be described herebelow.  
         [0059]     The adapter plate  12  includes a central dish-shaped area  14  supporting the hub  28  which supports the bearing arrangement  16  as previously described. A mounting flange  54 , offset and radially extending from the central area  14 , has threaded mounting holes  52  which provide the attaching means through aligned holes  50  adjacent the periphery of retainer plate  20  by conventional threaded fasteners (not shown for clarity).  
         [0060]     Also disposed on the central area  14  is a plurality of apertures  32  each having a partial cover  30  defining an interior cavity  34  associated therewith. The diameter of the mounting apertures  32  is sized for close snug fitting over the distal head  26  of each of the lug nuts  22 . The cylindrical cavity  34  is also similarly sized as a uniform extension of mounting aperture  32  to receive the head  26  as best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The distal end surface  26   a  of each of the heads  26  abuts against the bottom of the cavity  34  and against the inner surface of the cover  30 . Note that shoulder  22   a  of each of the lugs nuts  22  also bears against the inner surface of each of the mounting apertures  32  for added support and arcuate positioning of the groove  36  with respect to the outer surface of central area  14  for the purposes described herebelow.  
         [0061]     The retainer  18  receives support for rotation by the close sliding alignment of the central aperture  56  over hub  28 . The retainer plate  20  is, as previously described, attached to the outer flange  54  of the adapter plate  12  by threaded fasteners through aligned holes  50  and  52 . The retainer  18  is attached at threaded cavity  42  to the retainer plate  20  by a threaded fastener  44  fitted through elongated slot  46  of the retainer plate  20 . As will be described herebelow, the retainer  18  is thus held for very limited rotational movement about axis D when fastener  44  is loosened as limited by the elongated slot  46 , the purposes of which will be described herebelow.  
         [0062]     The retainer  18  also includes a plurality of spaced radially extending locking tabs or fingers  38  which are laterally offset from the central portion  40  of the retainer  18 . Tabs or fingers  38  are spaced rotationally about axis D to be identical to (or matching) the rotational spacing of each of the mounting apertures  32  and corresponding lug nuts  22 . Again, for economy, only three such combinations of lug nuts  22 , mounting apertures  32  and fingers or tabs  38  are provided as being deemed sufficient for attachment of this entire arrangement  10  to the rim R as previously described.  
         [0063]     With this arrangement  10  assembled onto the rim R as previously described, the retainer  18  may be rotated about axis D only very limited amount as permitted by slot  46  when the threaded fastener  44  is loosened. Movement of this retainer  18  is between an unlocked and a locked position with respect to the retention or release of the adapter plate  12  with respect to the lug nuts  22  and the heads  26  thereof. As seen in  FIGS. 2, 4 ,  8  and  9 , when the threaded fastener  46  is tightened after limited rotational movement of the retainer  18  in the direction of arrow A in  FIG. 2 , the locked position of the retainer  18  is established. In this orientation, each of the tabs or fingers  38  are positioned into the grooves  36  to prevent any axial movement of the adapter plate  12  with respect to the lug nuts  22 . In this locked orientation of the adapter plate  12 , the additional components of the entire system (described herebelow) including the wheel cover locking support  100  and the wheel cover  130  itself as shown in  FIG. 10 , which bears the advertising or viewable indicia which remains stationary during vehicle movement, may then be attached as described herebelow.  
         [0064]     To release or unlock the adapter plate  12  from the lug nuts  22 , threaded fastener  44  is simply loosened and then may be utilized to rotate the retainer  18  in the direction of arrow B in  FIG. 3  to disengage each of the fingers or tabs  38  from the corresponding grooves  36 . Note that the partial covers  30  partially surrounding each of the mounting apertures  32  also provide a relative degree of protection from dirt accumulation in this critical engagement area between the heads  26  and corresponding grooves  36 , mounting apertures  32  and locking tabs or fingers  38 .  
         [0065]     Referring now to  FIG. 1A , a rear axle flange M associated with large trucks and busses is assembled together by lugs N through mating apertures H′ which are separate from the lugs J and lug nuts K which attached the rim R′ to the axle of the truck or bus. The larger bolt circle for the wheel mounting lugs J and lug buts K are formed into the central web P of the rim R′ as shown.  
         [0066]     To accommodate this axle hub M arrangement, a shortened elongated attaching lug  22 ′ is provided. This attaching lug  22 ′ has a first end  24 ′ which is threaded similar to lug N and is threadable into the threaded cavities H′ of the axle hub M. Typically, there are eight or ten such lugs N utilized to assemble the axle hub M and it is thus preferred to replace only a portion (typically three) of those standard lugs N by the attaching lugs  32 ′ to provide adequate strength. As previously described, after the attaching lugs  22 ′ are installed into the portion of the threaded holes H′, the hreaded opposite ends  26  of the attaching lugs  22 ′ are passed through the mounting holes  32  and thereafter, into locking engagement within cavities  34 .  
         [0067]     Once the adapter plate  12  is lockingly secured to the lug nuts  22  by the retainer  18  and retainer plate  20 , the outer commercial display wheel cover  130  as seen in FIGS.  10  to  12 , may then be installed. The wheel cover locking support  100 , as shown in detail in FIGS.  13  to  18 , is provided to effect installation of the wheel cover  130 . The wheel cover locking support  100  includes an elongated support shaft  104  and an enlarged orthogonally extending mounting flange  102  having threaded attaching apertures  138  which are aligned with apertures  136  of the wheel cover  130  as seen in  FIG. 10 . The outer cylindrical surface of the support shaft  104  is closely aligned for snug close sliding insertion into the inside diameter of the bearing arrangement  16  in  FIG. 1  and  66  in  FIG. 10 . By this arrangement, the support shaft  104  with the wheel cover  130  rigidly attached to flange  102 , is slidably supportively engageable into the bearing arrangement  16  or  66 .  
         [0068]     The locking or anti-theft features of this invention include an elongated locking member  106  which snugly and slidably engages for rotation within an elongated aperture or passageway formed longitudinally through the support shaft  104 . Note importantly that the separate axis E of the elongated locking member  106  and mating passageway are offset and parallel to the longitudinal axis D which is concentric with the outer cylindrical surface of the support member  104 , the rim R and the vehicle axle.  
         [0069]     A cam member  120  is mechanically attached by a threaded nut  122  onto the distal end of the support shaft  104 . A detent plunger  114  is biased by spring  118  to act within an arcuate cavity  142  of actuator  110  which is engaged over the head  108  within mating cavity  124  of locking support  100 . Relative axial rotation of the support shaft  104  is thus limited by the sliding movement of the detent plunger  114  within the arcuate cavity  142 . When in the position shown in FIGS.  14  to  16 , the detent plunger  114  is urged into a locking cavity  112  formed at one end of the arcuate groove  142 . This locked position coincides with the cam member  120  being misaligned at  154  as best seen in  FIG. 15  with the outer cylindrical surface of the support shaft  36 . This establishes the locked position of the cam member  120  wherein shoulder  152  and surface  154  precisely straddle and mate against the outer end surfaces of the bearing arrangement  16  or  66 .  
         [0070]     When the locking member  106  is rotated into the position shown in FIGS.  17  to  19  wherein the plunger  114  moves out of the locking cavity  112  to the opposite end of the arcuate cavity  142 , the cam member  120  is precisely aligned with the cylindrical outer surface of the support member  104  whereupon the wheel cover locking support  100  may be slidably withdrawn axially from engagement within the bearing arrangement  16  or  66 .  
         [0071]     Referring additionally to FIGS.  24  to  27 , a locking key  144  is there shown. This locking key  144 , which includes a longitudinal body  146  and a handle  148 , is shown engaged within mating cavities  156  of the adapter  110 . One of the pins  150  is shown inserted into one of these cavities  156  which is aligned with locking detent cavity  112 , while the other cavity receives the other drive pin  150  to effect rotation of the locking member  106 . By insertion of the pins  150  into these cavities  156  when the locking member  106  is in the locked position shown in FIGS.  14  to  16 , the detent plunger  114  is forced to withdraw against biased spring pressure from spring  118  from detent cavity  112  a distance sufficient to then allow rotation of the locking member  106  and the sliding movement of the detent plunger  114  along the arcuate cavity  142  to effect unlocking and removal of the wheel cover locking support  100  as previously described.  
         [0072]     Referring now to FIGS.  10  to  12  and  20 A to  23 , a universal embodiment of the invention is there shown generally at numeral  60  in  FIG. 10 . The majority of the components, including the rim R, each of the lug nuts  72  except with respect to overall length as compared to lug nut  22 , the bearing arrangement  66  which is substantially identical to the bearing arrangement  16  previously described, and retainer plate  70  which is structured for attachment to the flange  58  of the universal adapter plate  62  (described herebelow) are as previously described. Likewise, the same wheel cover locking support  100  and wheel cover  130  having an adaptive outer surface for receiving printed indicia such as in the form of advertising display material are included in this embodiment  60 .  
         [0073]     The distinctive aspect of this embodiment  60  surrounds the universal adapter plate  62  and the associated universal retainer  68  as best seen in  FIG. 20A . In this embodiment  60 , the special multi-task lug nuts  72  as previously described, having a groove  86  and head  76  at the distal end thereof, are threadably engaged onto all of the lugs L provided with the axle of the vehicle through mounting holes H in the rim R. However, there are several axle stud and rim mounting hole H patterns of different bolt circle diameters and spacing, and even differences in the overall number of lugs provided for supporting the rim R. To accommodate a plurality of the more popular bolt patterns for mounting the rim R, the universal retainer  68  shown in  FIG. 20A  is provided.  
         [0074]     This universal retainer  68  includes the disc-shaped central portion  90  having mounting aperture  92  which aligns with the threaded fastener  94  within a slotted hole formed into the retainer plate  70  as previously described. Likewise, the central hole  158  is sized to slidably receive and be supported on the central neck  78  of the universal adapter plate  62 . However, this retainer  68  is provided with locking lugs or tabs  88  each of which include three separate tabs locking edge portions  88   a,    88   b  and  88   c  in five separate evenly spaced arrays to match the bolt circle pattern shown in  FIG. 10  and for engagement with all five of the lug nuts  72 .  
         [0075]     As best seen in FIGS.  20  to  23 , the universal adapter plate  62  also provides five separate clusters of three mounting apertures (not shown) formed through the central portion  64  which are sized to snugly receive the heads  76  of each of the lug nuts  72 . Each of these five groups of three mounting apertures has a partial cover  80  which includes cover portions  80   a,    80   b  and  80   c.  Each of these cover portions  80   a,    80   b  and  80   c  provide a cylindrical interior surface which mates and is continuous with each of the mounting apertures as previously described with respect to the embodiment  12  previously described for proper stable positioning over each head  76 .  
         [0076]     As seen in  FIGS. 20 and 21 , when the universal adapter plate  62  is rotated in the direction of the arrow as limited by the loosened threaded fastener  94 , each of the locking tab portions  88   a,    88   b  and  88   c  become disengaged from the corresponding grooves  86  within each of the lug nuts  72 . In this unlocked configuration, the universal adapter plate  62  is removable from the lug nuts  72  which then may be tightened to required specifications or removed for tire replacement.  
         [0077]     In the locked position shown in  FIGS. 22 and 23 , the universal adapter plate  62  has been rotated in the opposite direction of that arrow as limited by the threaded fastener  94  as previously described. In this locked configuration, each of the locking tab portions  88   a,    88   b  and  88   c  are engaged into the corresponding groove  86  of each of the lug nuts  72 , whereupon the threaded fastener  94  is tightened and secured to maintain this locked and assembled deployment of the universal adapter plate  62 , retainer  68  and retainer plate  70  (not shown in these figures) during vehicle use.  
         [0078]     While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein, but is to be afforded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.