US4012078A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wheel cover snap on fastener
Assignee: Wachovia Capital Finance Corp Central
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Filing: 1975-12-08
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Granted: 1977-03-15
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Expires: 1995-12-08
Abstract
Abstract A plurality of axially extending resilient prongs on a wheel cover, the free ends of which extend through prong receiving holes in the mounting bolt circle area of a disk of a vehicle wheel. The prongs are bifurcated with a pair of spaced apart axially extending fingers with an integral diagonally and axially extending web therebetween which resiliently biases cam surfaces adjacent the free ends of the fingers. The cam surfaces engage the inner edge of the prong receiving holes to abut the free ends of the prongs with the mounting surface of a hub on which the disk is secured to firmly and tightly retain the wheel cover on the wheel.
Inventors
- 👤 Dale J. Meyers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 08:29
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60B; B60B7/00; B60B7/06; B60B7/061; B60B7/068; B60B7/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim
386 words
A removable wheel cover for a vehicle wheel having a rim and a disk fixed thereto which has a plurality of prong receiving holes in a mounting bolt hole circle area thereof with the disk arranged to provide a space having a predetermined axial dimension between the inner margin of each prong receiving hole and the surface on which a disk bears when mounted on a vehicle, and a fastener comprising; at least two prongs carried by said removable wheel cover and extending generally axially from one face thereof with the free end of each of said prongs being constructed and arranged to pass through one of the prong receiving holes, each of said prongs having a pair of generally axially extending transversely spaced apart fingers and a generally axially extending opening therein between said fingers, cam means on each of said fingers of each said prong adjacent said free end thereof and constructed and arranged to engage the inner margin of its associated prong receiving hole and urge the free end of its associated prong into firm engagement with the surface on which the disk bears when mounted on the vehicle, and a web received in said opening between a pair of fingers of each of said prongs, said web extending generally in a plane between diagonally opposed side edges of said pair of fingers and being homogeneously integral therewith, and said wheel cover, prongs, fingers, cam means, and web being a one-piece homogeneously integral body of a plastic material with said fingers and said web being resiliently flexible whereby when the free end of each of said prongs is inserted into its associated prong receiving hole, the free ends of said fingers of each pair are generally radially displaced toward each other to flex said fingers of said pair and distort their associated web so that when their associated cam means passes through said associated prong receiving hole, said flexed fingers of each pair and their associated distorted web move their associated cam means into engagement with the inner margin of said associated prong receiving hole to urge the free ends of said prongs into firm engagement with the surface on which the disk bears when mounted on a vehicle to securely and tightly releasably mount the removable wheel cover on the vehicle wheel.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
386 words
A removable wheel cover for a vehicle wheel having a rim and a disk fixed thereto which has a plurality of prong receiving holes in a mounting bolt hole circle area thereof with the disk arranged to provide a space having a predetermined axial dimension between the inner margin of each prong receiving hole and the surface on which a disk bears when mounted on a vehicle, and a fastener comprising; at least two prongs carried by said removable wheel cover and extending generally axially from one face thereof with the free end of each of said prongs being constructed and arranged to pass through one of the prong receiving holes, each of said prongs having a pair of generally axially extending transversely spaced apart fingers and a generally axially extending opening therein between said fingers, cam means on each of said fingers of each said prong adjacent said free end thereof and constructed and arranged to engage the inner margin of its associated prong receiving hole and urge the free end of its associated prong into firm engagement with the surface on which the disk bears when mounted on the vehicle, and a web received in said opening between a pair of fingers of each of said prongs, said web extending generally in a plane between diagonally opposed side edges of said pair of fingers and being homogeneously integral therewith, and said wheel cover, prongs, fingers, cam means, and web being a one-piece homogeneously integral body of a plastic material with said fingers and said web being resiliently flexible whereby when the free end of each of said prongs is inserted into its associated prong receiving hole, the free ends of said fingers of each pair are generally radially displaced toward each other to flex said fingers of said pair and distort their associated web so that when their associated cam means passes through said associated prong receiving hole, said flexed fingers of each pair and their associated distorted web move their associated cam means into engagement with the inner margin of said associated prong receiving hole to urge the free ends of said prongs into firm engagement with the surface on which the disk bears when mounted on a vehicle to securely and tightly releasably mount the removable wheel cover on the vehicle wheel.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
67 words
The removable wheel cover of claim 1 wherein the opening between the pair of fingers of each of said prongs extends generally substantially the entire length of said prong to the free end thereof and said web extends generally axially in said opening from the other end of said prong toward said free end to a point adjacent said cam means on said fingers of said prong.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-03-14 | 1980-09-13 | 1981-03-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-03-14 | 1984-09-13 | 1985-03-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-03-14 | 1988-09-13 | 1989-03-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |