Patent ID: 8052223

Claim:
A multi-piece wheel cover assembly comprising: a first wheel cover defining an axis and including a generally U-shaped outer end, a first leg which extends generally parallel with respect to said axis, and a second leg which extends generally perpendicular to said first leg; and a second wheel cover secured to said first wheel cover, said second wheel cover including an outboard surface and an inboard surface; wherein at least a portion of said second leg of said first wheel cover extends behind said second wheel cover so as to be adjacent said inboard surface of said second wheel cover and wherein said at least a portion of said second leg of said first wheel cover is at least secured to said second wheel cover by said at least a portion of said second leg being disposed within a surface feature provided only on said inboard surface of said second wheel cover; wherein said second leg of said first wheel cover includes a plurality of first leg members and a plurality of second leg members, said first leg members extending a first radial distance and said second leg members extending a second radial distance which is less than said first radial distance, said first leg members extending a first angular extent and said second leg members extending a second angular extent which is greater than said first angular extent, wherein said inboard surface of said second wheel cover includes an outer peripheral edge which includes a generally flat continuous surface and a plurality of spaced apart raised circumferentially extending fingers spaced circumferentially away from said flat continuous surface, said fingers extending a third angular extent and extend outwardly toward but stopping short of an outermost circumferential side edge of said second wheel cover so as to provide a circumferential groove in said outer peripheral edge of said second wheel cover, said flat portion of said outer peripheral edge which extends between each of a pair of said fingers extending a fourth angular extent, wherein said first angular extent of said first wheel cover is at least slightly less than said fourth angular extent of said second wheel cover and said second angular extent of said first wheel cover is at least slightly greater than said third angular extent of said second wheel cover to allow said first wheel cover to be disposed adjacent said outer peripheral edge of said second wheel cover with said first leg members of said first wheel cover aligned with said flat portion of said outer peripheral edge which extends between each of a pair of said fingers whereby at least one of said first and second wheel covers can be rotated causing said first leg members of said first wheel cover to be received in said circumferential groove of said second wheel cover to thereby secure said first and second wheel covers together.