Abstract:
A wheel weight segment for use on a wheel including a rim, having a body with a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side disposed opposite the first side. A top lip portion with a top surface extends outwardly from the first side of the body and a bottom lip portion with a bottom surface extends outwardly from the second side of the body. The top surface of the body and the top surface of the top lip portion lie in a first plane, and the bottom surface of the body and the bottom surface of the bottom lip portion lie in a second plane.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos. 61/041,056 filed Mar. 31, 2008, and 61/041,807 filed Apr. 2, 2008, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to wheel weights. More particularly, the invention relates to adhesive wheel weights placed on the rim of a wheel. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]    In order to reduce excessive vibration, vehicle wheels are often balanced by placing weights at selected locations. The weights typically include a mass portion which is attached to a rim of the wheel using a spring clip or a suitable adhesive. Due to high mass and low cost, such weights have been made of lead. Because of various factors, however, it is becoming desirable to manufacture such weights of materials other than lead. The shape of the traditional adhesive weights may not be advantageous for placing the weight on a curved surface, such as the inner periphery of the wheel&#39;s rim. 
         [0004]    Additionally, adhesive weights typically have a tape liner attached to an adhesive tape on a bottom surface area of the weight. In order to apply the weight to the wheel&#39;s rim, the tape liner must first be removed by the user. In some circumstances, it can be difficult for the user of the adhesive weight to remove the tape liner from the tape. Also, the tape liner may be inadvertently removed from too many weight segments, thus creating adhesive weight segments that are wasted. 
         [0005]    The adhesive weights are typically produced in strips containing 12 or 24 weight segments. In some instances, strips of wheel weights are produced as a roll. Once it is determined how many weight segments are needed for a particular application, an equivalent number of weight segments are removed from the strip of wheel weight segments. In some cases, a tool is needed to separate the desired number of weight segments from the roll. This step adds time and expense to the wheel weight application process. 
         [0006]    Thus there is a need for wheel weight with a design that allows for easier application by the user. The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing considerations, and others, of prior art construction and methods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]    The present invention provides a variety of configurations for vehicle wheel weights. Preferred embodiments may utilize iron or low carbon steel for mass instead of lead, as has generally been used in the past. As understood by those skilled in the art, any suitable material may be used. 
         [0008]    One embodiment of the present invention provides a wheel weight for use with a wheel including a rim having a first wheel weight segment including a top surface, a bottom surface, a top lip portion and a bottom lip portion, the top lip portion and the bottom lip portion extending outwardly from opposing sides of the first wheel weight segment, and a second wheel weight segment including a top surface, a bottom surface, a top lip portion and a bottom lip portion, the top lip portion and the bottom lip portion extending outwardly from opposing sides of the second wheel weight segment. The top lip portion of the first wheel weight segment overlaps the bottom lip portion of the second wheel weight segment when the first wheel weight segment is positioned adjacent the second wheel weight segment. 
         [0009]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides a wheel weight segment for use on a wheel including a rim having a body with a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side disposed opposite the first side, a top lip portion with a top surface, the top lip portion extending outwardly from the first side of the body, and a bottom lip portion with a bottom surface, the bottom lip portion extending outwardly from the second side of the body. The top surface of the body and the top surface of the top lip portion lie in a first plane, and the bottom surface of the body and the bottom surface of the bottom lip portion lie in a second plane. 
         [0010]    Another embodiment of the present invention provides a wheel weight segment for use on a wheel including a rim having a body with a top surface, a bottom surface, a first side and a second side disposed opposite the first side, the first side and the second side extending between the top surface and the bottom surface, an adhesive tape including an adhesive top surface and an adhesive bottom surface, the bottom surface of the body of the wheel weight segment being secured to the adhesive top surface of the adhesive tape, and a tape liner releasably secured to the adhesive bottom surface of the adhesive tape. The tape liner includes a tab that is formed by cutting through the tape liner such that the tab can be separated from the adhesive bottom surface of the adhesive tape while the remainder of the tape liner remains releasably secured to the adhesive tape. 
         [0011]    A final embodiment of the present invention provides a method of removing a wheel weight from a rim of a wheel with a tool, including the steps of providing a first wheel weight segment having a top surface, a bottom surface, a top lip portion and a bottom lip portion, the top lip portion and the bottom lip portion extending outwardly from opposing sides of the first wheel weight segment, the first wheel weight segment being adhesively secured to the rim such that the top lip portion of the first wheel weight segment forms a recess with the rim, and a second wheel weight segment including a top surface, a bottom surface, a top lip portion and a bottom lip portion, the top lip portion and the bottom lip portion extending outwardly from opposing sides of the second wheel weight segment, the second wheel weight segment being adhesively secured to the rim such that the top lip portion of the second wheel weight segment overlapping the bottom lip portion of the first wheel weight segment, placing a first portion of the tool in the recess formed by the top lip portion of the first wheel weight segment and the rim, and applying force on a second portion of the tool such that the second end of the tool pivots away from the rim and applies a lifting force on the top lip portion of the first wheel weight segment. 
         [0012]    In accordance with embodiments discussed herein, the various configurations of the wheel weights allow the wheel weights to be attached to a curved surface of a vehicle wheel rim. The adhesive wheel weight segments making up the wheel weight preferably have an upper protruding lip on one end and a lower protruding lip on the other end. When aligned in a strip of weight segments, the lower protruding lip creates a cutout which receives the upper lip of the adjacent weight segment in an interlocking fashion. 
         [0013]    In accordance with other embodiments of the present invention, the wheel weight may have a removable tape liner adhered to adhesive tape on the bottom surface of the wheel weight segments. In order to aid in the removal of the tape liner from the wheel weight, the tape liner preferably contains a series of serrations or perforations that form lift tabs. The tabs can be gripped by the user when removing the tape liner from the wheel weight prior to application to the vehicle&#39;s wheel. Also, in some embodiments, the tape liner has additional serrations or perforations to aid in the separation of individual weight segments from the remainder with the wheel weight. The serrations or perforations may be transverse to the longitudinal axis of the strip of wheel weights. In some embodiments, the serrations or perforations may be aligned with the joint between adjacent wheel weight segments, thus allowing adjacent weight segments to be easily separated, preferably without the use of a separate tool. 
         [0014]    In other embodiments, the strip wheel weight segments may also include a strip of tape located on the top surface opposite to the bottom surface containing the adhesive tape. This additional strip of tape makes the strip of wheel weight segments more rigid and, therefore, easier to install. Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are discussed in greater detail below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0015]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, including reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a vehicle wheel weight segment constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a vehicle wheel weight segment constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 1C  is a perspective view of a vehicle wheel weight segment constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 1D  is a perspective view of a vehicle wheel weight segment constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 1E  is a perspective view of a vehicle wheel weight segment constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a side elevational view of a vehicle wheel weight segment constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a side elevational view, similar to  FIG. 2 , showing a series of vehicle wheel weight segments arranged in a strip; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a series of vehicle wheel weight segments arranged in a strip; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  shows a series of vehicle wheel weight segments located on a double-sided tape which has been flexed; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of vehicle wheel weight segments in accordance with the present invention, attached to a surface of a wheel; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7A  is a top view of a tape liner in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7B  is a perspective view of a strip of wheel weight segments including a tape liner in accordance with the present invention, further showing removal thereof; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a series of vehicle wheel weight segments arranged in a strip; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a series of vehicle wheel weight segments arranged in a strip with a top tape in accordance with the present invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a series of vehicle wheel weight segments, such as those shown in  FIG. 9 , without a top tape, as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
       [0031]    Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0032]    Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation, not limitation, of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 1A through 1E  illustrate a vehicle wheel weight segment  10  constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, wheel weight segment  10  preferably includes a top lip portion  12  and a bottom lip portion  14 . In preferred embodiments, the lip portions extend across the entire width of the wheel weight segment, although this is not necessary. For example, the lip portions need not extend across the entire width so long as they extend outwardly from wheel weight segment  10  opposite one another, as discussed in greater detail below. Wheel weight segment  10  may be any desired mass, such as 0.5 oz., 0.25 oz., etc. In some embodiments, the mass of the wheel weight segment may be indicated on the wheel weight segment, as shown in  FIGS. 1B ,  1 C and  1 E. The width of wheel weight segment  10  may vary as well. For instance, for wheel weight segments with a lower side profile, the width of wheel weight segment  10  may be increased to maintain the weight of the segment although the height of the segment has been decreased. An example of a low profile wheel weight segment  10  is shown in  FIG. 1D . Such configurations may be used when a wheel weight segment with a reduced height is desirable, such as for aesthetic reasons. As shown in  FIGS. 1A through 1E , the overall width, weight and length of each wheel weight segment  10  is variable. Preferably, top lip portion  12  is of the same depth as bottom lip portion  14 . In some embodiments, however, these depths may differ. 
         [0034]    As shown in a side elevation of wheel weight segment  10 , illustrated by  FIG. 2 , top lip portion  12  and bottom lip portion  14  extend outward, respectively, thus creating a somewhat “Z-shaped” profile. 
         [0035]    Adhesive wheel weights are traditionally assembled in strips or rolls of multiple wheel weights segments  10 . In some instances,  12  or  24  wheel weight segments are affixed in a strip. The user then severs, or otherwise breaks off, the necessary amount of wheel weight segments from the strip and attaches them to a wheel. When arranged sequentially in a strip, top lip portion  12  and bottom lip portion  14  allow adjacent wheel weight segments  10  to overlap. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , top lip portion  12  preferably sits on top of bottom lip portion  14  of the adjacent wheel weight segment  10 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , an adhesive tape  18  may be mounted onto a surface of wheel weight segments  10  (the bottom surface). Adhesive tape  18  preferably is double-sided and therefore has adhesive on both top and bottom surfaces. In the preferred embodiment, adhesive tape  18  extends across multiple wheel weights segments  10 . In other embodiments, glue or other adequate adhesive may be applied to the bottom side of wheel weight segments  10 . A tape liner  20  is preferably adhered to the surface of adhesive tape  18  opposite wheel weight segments  10 . Tape liner  20  is removed by the user in order to expose adhesive tape  18  so that it can be mounted onto a desired object, such as a vehicle wheel rim. 
         [0037]    The interlocking wheel weight segments  10  allow for the strip of wheel weight segments  10  to be curved to fit a variety of different curved surfaces of a wheel rim. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a strip of wheel weight segments  10  is flexible to follow the contour of the wheel rim. Such flexibility aids the user when installing the strip of wheel weight segments  10  onto the rim of the wheel. The interlocking nature of top lip portion  12  and bottom lip portion  14  also aids in keeping the wheel weight segments  10  affixed to the rim of the wheel during typical high speed rotation of an automobile wheel. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  illustrates a preferred process for removing multiple wheel weight segments  10  from a surface such as wheel rim  24  (Although wheel rim  24  is shown to be straight I this example, one skilled in the art will appreciate that wheel rim  24  will actually be cured). As shown, when mounted on rim  24  of the wheel, top lip portion  12  creates a cavity between the lip and wheel rim  24 . A tool  22  may be placed in the cavity in order to apply prying force to top lip portion  12 . Tool  22  may be a screwdriver, or any other tool capable of performing a prying function. When enough force is applied, the adhesive force from adhesive tape  18  may be overcome and allow wheel weight segments  10  to be separated from wheel rim  24 . Furthermore, due to the interlocking nature of the wheel weight segments, the “leading” wheel weight segment  10  that is pried from wheel rim  24  with tool  22  will pull the “trailing” wheel weight segments  10  from wheel rim  24  as well. Specifically, as the first wheel weight segment  10 , or leading segment, is pried from wheel rim  24 , the bottom lip portion  14  of that wheel weight segment  10  will apply force to top lip portion  12  of the adjacent wheel weight segment  10  in the strip, lifting it off wheel rim  24 . Thus, removing an entire strip of interlocking wheel weight segments  10  in accordance with the present invention is different than removing a strip of typical wheel weight segments that are not interlocked, where each wheel weight segment has to be pried off the wheel rim independently. 
         [0039]    Preferred embodiments of tape liner  20  are further illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . As shown, tape liner  20  contains tabs  26  which are preferably cut into the liner. Tabs  26  are preferably flush with tape liner  20 , but may be lifted off of adhesive tape  18  by the user during the installation process. Once a tab  26  is lifted from tape liner  20 , the user may continue to pull tab  26  to remove the rest of the liner from the wheel weight segments  10 . For instance, if the user would like to install four wheel weight segments  10  onto a vehicle wheel, the user would only have to pull up on a tab  26  to remove the liner from all four wheel weight segments. 
         [0040]    As shown, tabs  26  may correspond to each individual wheel weight segment  10 . In some embodiments, there can be a higher than one to one ratio of wheel weight segments  10  to tabs. Conversely, in other embodiments, there can be a higher than one to one ratio of tabs to wheel weight segments. In some embodiments, tab  26  may be generally “C-shaped”, as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . In other embodiments, tab  26  may form an arch, a triangle, or any other acceptable shape. Further, tab  26  may be arranged to hinge transverse to the longitudinal axis A, or any other suitable configuration, such as parallel to longitudinal axis A ( FIG. 7B ), or oblique to longitudinal axis A (not shown). 
         [0041]    In some embodiments, tape liner  20  and adhesive tape  18  also include perforations  28  ( FIG. 7A ) extending across tape liner  20  transverse to longitudinal axis A. Perforations  28  are preferably located at each joint  30  ( FIG. 8 ) of adjacent wheel weight segments  10 . Perforations  28  allow the user to separate the desired number of wheel weight segments  10  from a larger strip of wheel weight segments  10 . Preferably, this separation may be preformed without the use of additional tools. In some embodiments, perforations  28  may be an extended dash or a series of dashes (as shown in  FIG. 7A ) cut through tape liner  20 . In other embodiments, perforations  28  may be a series of holes, or a combination of holes and dashes. Perforations  28  may only be cut into tape liner  20 , but are preferably also cut into adhesive tape  18  as well. Accordingly, separation of adhesive tape  18  near the joints  30  of adjacent weight segments is facilitated. 
         [0042]    As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , some embodiments may utilize a top tape  32 . Top tape  32  is preferably an elongated strip of tape that has adhesive on one side. The adhesive side is preferably attached to the top surfaces of wheel weight segments  10 . Once attached, top tape  32  keeps adjacent wheel weights  10  in a semi-rigid state so that they are easier to install. As shown in  FIG. 10 , without the use of top tape  32 , adjacent wheel weight segments  10  may have the tendency to hinge about adhesive tape  18 . By using top tape  32 , adjacent wheel weight segments  10  maintain a certain amount of rigidity so that they can be curved to match the inner periphery of the wheel rim. Top tape  32  may be removed from wheel weight segments  10  after application, or it can be left adhered to wheel weight segments  10 . 
         [0043]    While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are described above, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope and spirit thereof. It is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their equivalents.