Abstract:
A non-rotating display wheel cover assembly connectable to a rotatable wheel and supporting axle of a vehicle. An inner member including a support bearing member with inner member mounting apertures which are adapted to align and fit onto threaded axle lugs. A plurality of elongated wheel attaching first lug nuts are each threadably engagable from one end thereof onto one of the wheel lugs to rigidly connect the wheel to the axle. Another end of each first lug nut receives a second lug nut after the inner member is positioned thereover whereby said inner member is secured to the wheel and axle. A wheel cover is supported for rotation by the support bearing member. An elongated locking member releasably locks the inner member and wheel cover together for relative rotation only therebetween. A counterweight attached to the wheel cover prevents substantial rotation of 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 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 as well as all passenger cars. 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 a rotatable wheel of a vehicle. This invention includes an inner member rigidly connectable by unique replacement lug nuts to the outside of the wheel serving as combination spacers and lug extensions and having a support-bearing member positioned coaxially with the wheel. Another embodiment includes double-ended lugs which first threadably engage into at least some of the lugs attached to threaded holes formed into the axle hub of heavy trucks. A wheel cover 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. A cam member, connected to a distal end of the locking member, has a non-symmetric periphery such that, when properly rotatably orientated, are 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 an object of this invention to provide a non-rotating wheel cover for commercial utility vehicles, trucks and automobiles 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]     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)  
       [0029]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of the invention shown in conjunction with a wheel of a vehicle.  
         [0030]      FIG. 1A  is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment for attachment to vehicles having a central axle hub bolt pattern.  
         [0031]      FIG. 2  is an exploded side elevation view in section of  FIG. 1  also showing the axle of the vehicle.  
         [0032]      FIG. 3  is an enlargement of the central area of  FIG. 2  assembled.  
         [0033]      FIG. 4  is an inside elevation view of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a section view in the direction of arrows  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0035]      FIG. 6  is an inside perspective view of the support shaft and locking mechanism which is mechanically attachable to the inner surface of the wheel cover as shown in FIGS.  1  to  3 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view from the wheel side of the central area of the inner member and locking mechanism.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0037]     Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIG. 1  generally at numeral  10 . An alternate embodiment is shown generally at numeral  10 ′ in  FIG. 2 , the difference in the embodiments  10  and  10 ′ being in the forms of the outer wheel covers  12  and  12 ′. Each of these wheel cover assembly embodiments  10  and  10 ′ are attachable to a wheel R of a preferably commercial vehicle (not shown), the wheel R supporting a conventional inflatable pneumatic tire (not shown) for supporting the vehicle. The wheel cover assemblies  10  and  10 ′ each include the outer wheel cover  12  or  12 ′, respectively, having a replaceable disc-shaped display member  32  or  21 , respectively, attached to the outer surface thereof. These display members  32  and  21 , preferably in the form of adhesive backed thin film imprinted with any desired viewable indicia, may each bear any form of commercial advertising indicia as desired and may be replaced with another display member having a different commercial message at appropriate times. Facilitated by the present invention  10  and  10 ′, then, the readable indicia on each display member  32  and  21  are maintained in a stationary orientation with respect to the vehicle even while the vehicle is in motion.  
         [0038]     Each of the assemblies  10  and  10 ′ also includes an inner member shown generally at numeral  14  connectable for relative rotation only to the outer wheel cover  12  as described herebelow. The inner member  14  includes a generally flat disc-member  26  which is circular about a centerline D coaxial with the center line of the rim R of the wheel W. Circular wheel cover  12  in  FIG. 1  receives the generally flat circular display or advertising disc  32  attached thereto by conventional means (not shown). The wheel cover  12 ′ in  FIG. 2  also includes an elongated cross sectional configuration, the circular, flat outside surface  22  receiving the generally flat circular display or advertising disc  21  attached thereto by conventional means (not shown). The outer periphery  20  of the wheel cover  12 ′ extends outwardly and inwardly from the generally flat central portion  18  so as to protectively surround the outer periphery of the inner member  14 .  
         [0039]     The circular disc  26  includes apertures  28  which are adapted to align with the size, spacing and configuration of wheel lugs G seen in  FIG. 2  attached to the axle of a drive line B. These lugs G also pass through the wheel mounting holes H of the wheel R.  
         [0040]     A uniquely configured elongated wheel attaching lug  32 , also acting as a spacer or lug extension, is also provided. One end  42  of this lug or lug extension  32  is adapted to threadably engage over the lug G after the wheel R is positioned against axle A to effect secure installation of the wheel R. Note that at least three, and alternately up to all, of the lugs G receive one of the elongated threaded lug extensions  32 , the remaining lugs receiving one of the existing lug nuts (not shown) for economy. However, it is envisioned that at least three of the threaded lugs or extensions  32  would be required to stabilize the installation of the inner member  14  as described immediately herebelow.  
         [0041]     After the wheel R is secured to the lugs G of axle A, the circular disc  26  is fitted onto the opposite end  44  of each of the lugs  32  through its mounting holes  28 . Thereafter, lug nuts  62  are tightened in place onto threaded portion  44  to effect full and secure installation of the inner member  14 . Note that, for economy, the existing lug nuts originally installed on lugs G by the vehicle manufacturer may be used in place of the lug nuts  62  provided. Circular disc  26  is provided with material lightening apertures  30  for economy and inspection purposes. Note also that lug extension  32  may be of any selected overall length which will establish a desired spaced relationship between the inner member  14  and the facing surface of wheel R.  
         [0042]     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 L of the rim R′ as shown.  
         [0043]     To accommodate this axle hub M arrangement, an elongated attaching lug  32 ′ is provided. This attaching lug  32 ′ has a first end 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 ′.  
         [0044]     As previously described, the inner member  14 ′ includes a flat disc member  26  having apertures  28 ′ which are sized in diameter and adapted to align with, the spacing and configuration of the bolt pattern of the axle hub M. After the attaching lugs  32 ′ are installed into a portion of the threaded holes H′, the threaded opposite ends  44 ′ of the attaching lugs  32 ′ are passed through the mounting holes  28 ′ and thereafter, lug nuts (not shown) are threadably tightened in place onto each of the threaded portions  44 ′ to effect full and secure installation of the inner member  14 ′.  
         [0045]     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the inner member  14  further includes a support bearing member  54  which is rigidly connected to the outer surface of member  26  by its annular flange  54   b  and radial flange  54   a.  Included within the support bearing member  54  are two spaced roller bearings  56  and  58  which supportively receive a support shaft  36  having an enlarged mounting flange  16  which is rigidly attached to the central inner surface of the wheel cover  12 ′ within a mating cavity  24  by threaded evenly spaced threaded fasteners  59 . The mounting flange  16  is alternately rigidly attached to the inner surface of wheel cover  12  by threaded fasteners  59  (not shown in  FIG. 1 ). For lighter-duty vehicles, fasteners  59  are eliminated and replaced by over molding mounting flange  16  when mold forming the wheel cover  12 ′.  
         [0046]     The outer cylindrical surface of the support shaft  36  is closely aligned for snug or close sliding fit within the inside diameter of the support bearings  56  and  58 . By this arrangement, the support shaft with the display cover  12  rigidly connected thereto and outwardly positioned therefrom, is slidably engageable into the bearings  56  and  58  of the support bearing member  54 .  
         [0047]     The locking and anti-theft features of the invention are best seen in FIGS.  3  to  7 . An elongated cylindrical locking member is there shown at numeral  38  including an elongated cylindrical shaft and an enlarged headed portion having a unique drive slot  55  formed therein. The locking member  38  snugly and slidably engages within an elongated aperture formed longitudinally through the support shaft  36 . Note importantly that the axis E of the elongated locking member  38  is offset from the longitudinal axis D which is concentric with the outer cylindrical surface of the support member  36 , the wheel W and the inner member  14 .  
         [0048]     A cam member  40  is mechanically attached by a set screw  50  to the distal end of the locking member  38 . A detent ball  42  and spring as seen in  FIG. 6  form a detent which snapably engage into a cavity  44  formed in the inner face of the cam  40  which mates against the distal end surface of the support shaft  36 . A tab  52 , which extends inwardly from the distal surface of the support shaft  36 , engages against a notched surface  46  or  48  of the cam member  40  to limit the rotation in the direction of the arrow about axis E as best seen in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0049]     By this arrangement, the cam member  40  may be moved into a rotational orientation as shown in  FIG. 6  so that it is in substantially cylindrical alignment within the cylindrical projected envelope defined by the support shaft  36  allowing insertion of the support shaft  36  into the support bearing member  54  as best shown in  FIG. 7 . Thereafter, the locking member  38  may be rotated to another orientation of the cam member  40  by the insertion of a uniquely configured turning member or key (not shown) into cavity  55  wherein the cam member  40  rotating about offset axis E, causes an interference against the distal end of the support shaft  36  preventing removal of the wheel cover  12 .  
         [0050]     By this arrangement of providing a uniquely configured cavity  55  or a key slot arrangement, the locking member  38  may only be rotated into the unlocked position of cam member  40  shown in  FIG. 6  for removal of the wheel cover  12  by the holder of such a turning member or key.  
         [0051]     Note that the above-described locking cam member  40  and accompanying mechanism may be replaced with a well-known quick-release arrangement such as spring loaded laterally extending locking balls which withdraw upon depressing a release shaft having a tapered ramp portion acting upon the locking balls to effect lateral movement thereof between a locked and a released position of shaft  16  within.  
         [0052]     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.