Patent ID: 7246860

Claim:
A wheel insert for insertion into an aperture of a wheel rim of a vehicle wheel, comprising: a wheel plug including: a tubular body portion having a first end, an opposite second end, an inner annular surface and an outer annular surface; a cavity within the tubular body portion and defined by the inner annular surface; a closed end flange integrally formed at the second end; a front flange integrally formed at the first end; a pair of inner receiving flanges adjacent the first end and projecting from the inner annular surface into the cavity; whereupon the end flange, the outer annular surface, and the front flange engage and contact the wheel rim when the wheel plug is pressed into the aperture for seating the wheel plug within the aperture and sealing off the aperture so that dirt, mud, and debris is prevented from reaching and collecting on the vehicle wheel; and a stiffening and closure member for mounting between the inner receiving flanges so that the stiffening and closure member can seal off the cavity and lock the wheel plug in place within the aperture.