Abstract:
This invention relates to an automobile road-wheel cover and, more particularly, this invention relates to a road-wheel cover with an extension that extends beyond that of the road-wheel it covers, giving the illusion of an over sized rim paired with a low profile tire.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/684,887, filed on May, 25, 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     This invention relates to an automobile road-wheel cover and, more particularly, this invention relates to a road-wheel cover with at least a one inch integral extension of its radius beyond that of the road-wheel it covers, thereby having a diameter at least two inches more than that of the road wheel that extends out and over part of the tire, thus giving the illusion of an over sized rim paired with a low profile tire.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Related Arts  
         [0005]     The function of this invention is carried out today by purchasing expensive, low profile tires paired with expensive, oversized rims. It is possible to purchase wheel covers instead of expensive rims, but currently there are no wheel covers that cover more than just the existing wheel. As such, there is no illusion of an expensive, custom rim, nor is there the appearance of a low profile tire. The present invention provides users a low cost option of having the appearance of a sporty custom wheel with a low profile tire at minimal cost.  
         [0006]     The present invention provides several advantages over currently existing wheel covers. With respect to currently existing wheel covers, none of them provide the illusion of an expensive, oversized custom rim. Nor do they provide the appearance of an expensive, low profile tire. Further, the present invention provides a low cost option to purchasers to have an easily installable wheel cover that gives the appearance of an expensive wheel paired with a low profile tire. Finally, it provides the ability for purchasers to keep their existing wheel cover and to only purchase a separate wheel cover extender to give the allusion of an expensive wheel paired with a low profile tire, thereby further minimizing the costs to the consumer. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0007]     The above and other objects and the attendant advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention from a frontal viewpoint.  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective, side view of the present invention showing the angled portion.  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a perspective, side view of the present invention showing the flexible extender.  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective frontal view of the separate extender ring of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
     Brief Description of the Invention  
       [0012]     As the basis for the present invention, the conventional art involves purchasing expensive, chrome wheels paired with expensive, low profile tires. It is presently popular to have large, expensive chrome wheels combined with expensive, low profile tires.  
         [0013]     The present invention utilizes a low cost wheel cover that fits directly onto the existing automobile rim that comprises a central wheel cover portion and an extender or a separate extender that can be utilized with an existing wheel cover. Alternatively, the central wheel cover portion can have an integrated, flexible lip that extends out and over the wheel and can either lay directly on the wheel or be slightly raised above the wheel. All of the embodiments give the appearance of an expensive, high end wheel paired with an expensive, high end, low profile tire. There is a potential problem with the extension protruding out over the wheel in that if the driver experiences a flat tire or the tire loses air the tire will widen. If this occurs the tire will ultimately put pressure on the wheel cover extender and could possibly cause the wheel cover to become detached and thus to be forced off the wheel. Therefore, a feature of one design is a flexible extender. In yet another model the extender is hingedly attached to the central.  
         [0014]     The features of the invention believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, both as to organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
       Embodiments of the Invention  
       [0015]     The present invention provides a wheel cover that gives the illusion of an expensive wheel paired with an expensive, low profile wheel. Examples of this invention are explained with reference to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2   FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a the wheel extender shown from a frontal view.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a perspective side view of the wheel extender utilizing an angled extender.  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective, side view of the present invention showing the flexible extender.  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective frontal view of the separate extender ring of the present invention.  
         [0020]     The operation of the wheel cover  10  can be understood by reference to  FIG. 1 . To operate the wheel cover  10  a standard tire  30  is mounted on a standard wheel. The wheel cover  10  is affixed to the standard wheel the same as you would affix any wheel cover of the existing art. The difference is that the wheel cover  10  of the present invention gives the appearance of an expensive custom wheel paired with an expensive, low profile wheel due the wheel cover extender portion  15 .  
         [0021]     In one form the central wheel portion  20  and the extender portion  16  are constructed from one material and in one piece, as is shown in  FIG. 3 . The material must be somewhat flexible because the extender portion  16  protrudes out over the existing wheel  30  and may actually make contact with the wheel  30  thereby providing an exceptionally clean look. However, because the extender portion is in contact with the wheel  30  it must be able to flex and adjust in order to maintain contact with the tire  30 . Because the tire  30  tends to change shape due to rotational speed, fluctuating air pressure or flats, the extender portion  16  must be totally adaptive, flexing and changing with the shape of the tire  30 . Thus, if the extender  16  is made from a flexible material it will not crack or break when the tire changes shape; it will conform to the contour of the wheel as the wheel changes in size and shape; and it will continuously provide a clean look due to the perpetual contact with the wheel surface.  
         [0022]     In another form the central wheel portion  20  and the extender portion  15  of the wheel cover  10  are made from a more solid material, such as metal, chrome or a solid inflexible plastic. There are at least two ways to configure this rigid material.  
         [0023]     This first is to hingedly attach the extender portion  15  to the central wheel portion  20 . By using a hinge it would allow for the extender to maintain contact with the wheel  30  and would allow for variation in wheel size, as described above, thereby preventing breakage of the extender portion  15  and preventing the wheel portion  20  from coming off of the wheel.  
         [0024]     A second variation would be to angle the extender portion  15  away from the wheel  30 . This would not allow the extender to make contact with the tire  30  but it would prevent the extender portion  15  from breaking if the tire changes shape. This configuration is also very simple and would be inexpensive to produce. The extender portion  15  and the central wheel portion  20  could be made in one piece or they could be separate.  
         [0025]      FIG. 2  shows the present invention from a side view utilizing a solid material. As is more clearly shown in this figure, the cover extender  15  may be angled in order to allow room for the tire  30 . This angling prevents the tire  30  from rubbing on the cover extender  15  and prevents breakage of the cover extender  15 .  
         [0026]     Another variation is where the cover extender  15  is angled and is hingedly attached to the center portion of the wheel cover  10 . This could be in the form of a piano hinge or any other hinge. In this way the cover extender would tightly fit against the tire  30  thereby increasing and improving the illusion.  
         [0027]     Yet another variation of this angle to prevent rubbing is a flexible wheel cover extender  16 , as previously described. The wheel cover extender  16  could be angled and could be made of a flexible plastic, rubber or any other flexible material that could match the wheel cover  10 .  
         [0028]     Still another variation is an extender that simply attaches to an existing wheel cover but again provides the appearance of a more expensive wheel. The extender is shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0029]     It is readily apparent that the above-described invention has the advantages of wide commercial utility. It may be understood that the specific form of the invention hereinabove described is intended to be representative only, and certain modifications within the scope of those teachings will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.  
         [0030]     While the foregoing invention has been shown and described with reference to preferred variations, it will be understood by those possessing skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the following claims in determining the full scope of the invention.