Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02294136 1999-12-17
TIRE TRIM RING IN PARTICULAR FOR MOTOR VEHICLE WHEELS
DESCRIPTION
The invention relates to a tire trim ring, in
particular for motor vehicle wheels, in accordance with the
preamble of patent claim 1, as used in particular for
achieving a special aesthetic/visual effect.
Various options are known particularly for trans-
forming motor vehicle wheels visually by trim rings, these
options specifically comprising:
1. Molding on so-called white wall rings as trim
rings onto the outside of the tire.
2. Attaching premanufactured trim rings between the
tire and rim flange of the wheel rim (US patent 2,696,409
and US patent 2,573,996). In view of the operational relia-
bility of tubeless tires, these embodiments are not possible
therein.
3. Using attachment parts, such as wheel caps and
wheel rim trim rings (DE 196 08 238 A1, DE 33 90 292 T1,
US patent 3,367,720). However, because of their reduced
radial dimensions these trim attachment parts have
relatively little scope for aesthetic design and in
particular are not well-suited to having writing on the
front side.
4. Attaching tire trim rings to the wheel rim of the
completely fitted wheel by means of mounts via which said
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rings are held in place (e. g. US patent 2,696,409, US patent
2,819,119, US patent 2,915,335, US patent 2,926,960,
US patent 2,996,336 and FR patent 1 051 278). These known
tire trim rings, i.e. trim rings which in their outer radial
extent extend beyond the rim flange and bear against the
front side of the tire, are bonded to a radial flange of the
wheel cover and fixed detachably to the wheel rim by said
flange, in which case the trim ring is composed of parts
formed from different material (US patent 2,819,119),
resulting in a complex mode of construction which can only
be used in this assignment. Additional attachment parts
cannot be fixed to the rim flange, for example. The manner
of fixing to the rim flange via a plurality of clips
arranged on the circumference of the trim ring has the
disadvantage, in particular, that the clips have to be
distributed extremely precisely and uniformly in order to
avoid an imbalance.
Finally, there is known from U.S.2,996,336 a tire
trim ring which, with its inner bulge-shaped mounting part
registers congruently in the radial groove of the wheel
flange. It is secured by clamping to the outer edge of the
wheel flange, by a clip securement which simultaneously
clamps tightly around the securement part. In connection
with this known rim trim ring an extra mounting is always
necessary in order to fasten it securely to the rim.
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The options known hitherto for transforming motor
vehicle wheels have a number of disadvantages:
- fitting on and removal sometimes require a high amount
of labor,
- a combination of a plurality of attachment parts is not
readily possible,
- a special tool is often required,
- the rim surface is very rapidly damaged,
- additional mounting support are necessary,
- in order to avoid an imbalance, the mounting supports
must be distributed extremely precisely and uniformly on the
wheel rim.
The object of the invention is to specify a tire
trim ring of the above generic type which is of simple
construction, can be reliably, rapidly and simply fitted and
retrofitted or exchanged, has the option of being used and
combined simultaneously with other and existing attachment
parts of the wheel rim, and also enables simple spare part
replacement, all without additional mounting.
According to the invention, this object is
achieved by a tire trim ring of the generic type with the
defining features of patent claim 1. Advantageous
refinements are defined in the subclaims.
Accordingly, the fixing part of the tire trim
ring, comprising an inner, axially pointing fixing part and
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an outer, radially extending trim part, engages in a radial
indentation of the inner cover of the wheel rim in a manner
such that, without additional mounting, it snaps in
radially. By this means, the tire trim ring can very
advantageously be placed upon or inserted in the wheel rim
and also removed again from the latter in a rapid and simple
manner. The only thing that needs attention is to see that
the radial press-on forces of the trim ring are of
sufficient strength in the wheel rim indentations so that
the positive engagement, available through the indentation,
between the wheel rim and trim ring ensures, because of the
additional flow of force, that the trim ring is well-
fastened against the wheel rim. In addition, the inner
diameter of the trim ring is approximately the same as the
inner diameter of the rim shoulder, which means that conven-
tional attachment parts can still be fixed.
It is of particular advantage if, in order to fix
the ring to the rim flange, the fixing part of the trim ring
is designed such that it engages in said flange radially
from the inside. For this purpose, the fixing part has a
ring bead which points radially outward and corresponds to
the profile of the inner rounding of the rim flange or is
matched to said profile. However, the bead may have a
somewhat smaller radius than that of the indentation of the
rim flange, so that there is good profile matching under
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relatively strong radial pressure. Instead of the annular
bead, a plurality of studs or ring segments can be arranged
uniformly around the outer circumference of the fixing part,
as a result of which there is advantageously at the same
time the possibility of fixing a plurality of gaps in the
fixing part for the purpose of additionally or subsequently
fixing additional components, such as a wheel cover,
counterbalance weights or wheel rim trim rings.
It is advantageous if a plurality of leaf spring
elements which protrude radially outward and extend axially
are provided on the fixing part of the tire trim ring, which
leaf spring elements resiliently yield, at least during
installation, in order then to secure the trim ring fixedly
on the inside of the rim flange. A leaf spring element of
this type may have two legs which are arranged with respect
to each other in the shape of a roof and whose outer ends
are fixed to the outer circumference of the fixing part in a
manner known per se, for example by bonding, insertion into
oblique pockets or by incisions or putting in place while
the trim ring is being formed. A wave shape ~s also very
advantageous.
However, the leaf spring element may also only
comprise one straight part which is arranged at an angle
obliquely in the installation insertion direction and
enables easy insertion and then puts into the indentation of
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the rim flange in the removal direction. A trim ring of this
type can easily be inserted but can only be pushed out with
considerable force and damage. When the leaf-spring mounts
are designed appropriately, said mounts cannot be pressed
out of the rim flange during the attempt to remove them;
rather, they would be pressed in more strongly. Depending
on the design of the wheel rim trim ring, the mounts would
have to be raised in order to remove them, or the wheel rim
trim ring would have to have a releasable connection (for
example a screw connection), so that it is able to lose its
inherent stability due to this interruption and can be
removed as a result. Depending on the design of the
releasable connection, installation in a reverse order is
possible, i.e. a tire trim ring which is placed in the rim
flange and is pressed into the rim flange by actuating or
closing the connection. Such a tire trim ring, which cannot
easily be removed after having been fitted, offers
protection against misuse by third parties. A wheel rim trim
ring is thereby provided with antitheft protection.
As already mentioned above, the tire trim ring
according to the invention permits the subsequent arrange-
ment of conventional wheel covers which engage with their
axially extending fixing arms radially in the rim shoulder
and in particular in the rim hump. If the cover extends
radially into the vicinity of the rim flange, then in the
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arrangement of a tire trim ring according to the invention
at least its fixing part is arranged between the radial part
of the rim flange and outer ring of the wheel cover, i.e. in
the free space formed between them, so that the trim ring is
additionally securely held by the wheel cover or by another
commercially available wheel rim attachment part.
In order to ensure that the attachment part (for
example a wheel cover) continues to be sufficiently held in
place despite possibly being axially displaced by the
additional tire trim ring, via its fixing arms, i.e. even in
the state in which the positive engagement of the ends of
the fixing arms with the indentation of the rim hump is no
longer ensured, according to the invention an adapter in the
form of a sleeve is advantageously provided. This adapter is
designed corresponding to the inner cover of the wheel rim
and at its inner end has a ring or stud which engages in the
rim hump and on its inner cover has a plurality of circum-
ferential grooves. The fixing arms then engage securely in
the circumferential grooves, so that even trim rings of
differing thickness can be securely held in place with the
same good reliability via a known wheel rim attachment part.
Most tapered rims (trucks) are used without a
wheel cover, so that a trim ring according to the invention
can grip with its mounts or fixing parts into the rim flange
which is free at some point. A trim ring of this type can at
the same time replace the retaining elements for wheel caps
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in trucks by said wheel caps being fixed directly on said
trim ring.
The trim ring according to the invention can
therefore be fitted into the wheel rim and removed therefrom
as a finished and complete shaped component in precisely as
simple a manner as other attachment parts (wheel caps, wheel
rim trim rings). In order to make possible a combination of
the individual attachment parts, the trim ring is fitted in
or to the rim flange. The balance weight is generally fixed
to the rim flange. Other rim attachment parts are held by
gripping onto the rim shoulder, rim hump or rim base. These
attachment parts are for a large part designed in such a
manner that the entire wheel rim or the entire rim flange is
completely covered. Free room or space is produced here on
the wheel rim, which rim or space serves to accommodate the
trim ring with the space requirement for the balance weight
being taken into consideration. The trim ring is placed into
the rim flange and, by means of the subsequently fitted
attachment part, receives additional securement by being
partially covered. The trim ring is therefore attached
without an additional mount. Exchange and removal are
similarly uncomplicated.
Attachment parts for motor vehicle wheels, such as
REPLACEMENT PAGE (RULE 26)
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a wheel cover, wheel rim trim rings, and balance weights can
be fitted individually without problems in/on the wheel rim
because none of these parts have to be combined with
another. However, in the attachment of a trim ring which is
additionally attached in or on the wheel rim, combination
problems are produced in individual cases. The different
designs of the wheel caps conventionally do not always
permit the rim flange to be covered or do not provide a
sufficient clearance to enable the tire trim ring to pass
between the outer edge of the rim flange and the attachment
part. Wheel rim trim rings or else wheel caps which engage
in the hump can no longer readily be used after a trim ring
of this type is attached, since because of the space
required by the ring the retaining devices of the particular
attachment part can no longer be pushed in until they reach
the hump, and instead slip against the rim shoulders and so
no longer ensure a firm grip. By means of the adapter
designed according to the invention and attached to the
wheel rim, the desired attachment parts can be fitted on or
are securely gripped by the latter.
Owing to the fact that the adapter according to
the invention, which is placed over the rim shoulder and rim
hump because of its corresponding shaping, has a particular
type of surface and/or shaping, there is the great advantage
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of providing attachment parts with the necessary grip.
Whether because of roughness or bumps or depressions, such
as circumferential grooves, imitation of the hump or because
of elasticity which enables the mount of the attachment
parts to be pressed in, the attachment parts can be
positioned until they reach the desired location in the
wheel rim.
According to a further embodiment, an adapter is
provided,which, like the above-described adapter, engages in
the inner cover of the wheel rim in a positive and non-
positive manner, and in addition leads axially outward in
order finally to extend radially outward until shortly above
the rim flange, so that the trim ring which is placed into
the rim flange or into the space is covered and held
similarly to when wheel covers and wheel rim trim rings are
used.
In a further embodiment, the adapter, whose
engagement part is designed in the same manner as previously
described adapters, has, at its end which is opposite the
insertion end, its own accommodation option for tire trim
rings, for example flanges which extend radially outward and
have axially pointing ends for the box-type fastening of the
trim ring fixing part. This gives the advantage that the
trim ring can be attached directly via the adapter, without
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consideration of the rim flange, since according to EURO
standards, depending on the type of wheel rim, differences
in shape and dimensions of the rim flange are possible.
By means of the adapter itself further decorative
and color design options for the wheel rim are produced. By
means of the covering of the rim flange and when the adapter
ring is accordingly designed, an additional, independent
decorative attachment part is produced. The adapter consti-
tutes a basic module of a modular system for wheel rim
attachment parts. Novel options for designing motor vehicle
wheels are also produced here.
In the following text, the invention is explained
in more detail with reference to a number of exemplary
embodiments and with respect to the drawing.
In the drawing:
Fig. 1 shows a partial, axial section of a wheel rim with
a tire trim ring in a first embodiment, as a continuous
ring,
Fig. 2 shows a section as in Fig. 1, with a tire trim
ring in a second embodiment, with a perforated fixing
part of the trim ring,
Fig. 3 shows a section as above, in a further embodiment
of the trim ring, with a fixing leaf spring with two
legs,
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Fig. 4 shows a section as in Fig. 3, with a fixing leaf
spring having one leg,
Fig. 5 shows an axial section through a further
embodiment, with an attachment part and adapter sleeve,
Fig. 6 shows an adapter embodiment with an attachment
part, and
Fig. 7 shows an embodiment with an adapter designed as a
trim ring fixing means.
As can be seen in Fig. 1, a conventional motor
vehicle wheel rim 1 has a rim shoulder 2 with a rim hump 3
which has an indentation 4. Toward the inside a rim base 5
is provided, while toward the outside there is a rim flange
6 which has an indentation 7. A tire trim ring 10 is
composed of a fixing part 11 and a trim part 13, the fixing
part 11 having a bead 12 which is matched in terms of shape
to the indentation 7 of the rim flange 6.
In the embodiment according to Fig. 2, the bead 12
of the tire trim ring 10 has a somewhat smaller radius than
the indentation 7 of the rim flange 6. In addition, a
plurality of gaps 14 are provided in the fixing part 11,
which gaps extend radially until they reach over the rim
flange 6, enabling access to said rim flange.
Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of a tire trim ring
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whose fixing part 11 has attached to it a leaf spring
element 15 which is in the shape of a roof or a V or a wave
and which has an introductory leg 16 and a pull-out leg 17
and overall' engages in terms of shape in the indentation 7
of the rim flange 6.
With the embodiment according to Fig. 4~there are
arranged a plurality of leaf spring elements 18 which are
arranged pointing obliquely outward in the introductory
direction and which consist of a single introductory leg 16,
which legs are attached securely to the fixing part by their
end 19 at the fixing end in a known manner, by bonding,
incorporating during production or the like.
In the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 5,
an additional means of fixing the tire trim ring, which in
particular can be designed according to Figs. 1 and 2, via
an attachment part 20, which can, for example, be a conven-
tional wheel cover or a wheel rim trim ring, is provided.
The attachment part 20 has, in a known manner, an axially
extending fixing element 21 which can be a cylindrical
element or consists of a plurality of fixing arms. At the
outer end, on the circumferential side, a bead 22 is
provided which is designed in terms of shape to engage in
the indentation 4 of the rim hump 3. By virtue of the fact
that now the radial flange 23 of the attachment part 20 is
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arranged axially offset outward because of the trim ring
inserted between said attachment part and the rim flange 6,
the bead 22 of the fixing element 21 no longer engages in
terms of shape in the indentation 4 of the rim hump 3, but
rather is supported radially on the inner cover of the rim
shoulder 2. In order to prevent axial slipping of the
attachment part 20, an adapter 25 in the form of a sleeve is
placed between the wheel rim and fixing element 21. Said
adapter has, at its one end, a bead 26 which is designed in
the same manner as the bead 22 of the fixing element 21, for
the purpose of engaging in the hump 3. At the inner cover
surface the adapter 25 has circumferential channels or
grooves 27 in which the bead 22 of the fixing element 21 of
the attachment part 20 engages, as a result of which axial
securement against displacement for the attachment part 20
is realized in a simple manner. In order to allow a more
easy introduction of the attachment part 20 via the fixing
element 21, that end of the adapter 25 which points toward
the attachment part 20 is matched in the form of a bow 28 to
the transition between the rim shoulder 2 and rim flange 6,
thereby forming an introductory slope for the fixing element
21.
In the exemplary embodiment according to Fig. 6 an
attachment part 30 is provided whose axially pointing fixing
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element 31 is designed in a similar manner to the adapter 25
from Fig. 5, namely with a bead 26 engaging in the hump 3
and inner circumferential grooves 27. In this arrangement,
the axial length of the fixing element 31 is configured in
such a manner that when the bead 26 snaps into the hump 3
its flange part 32, which points radially outward, firmly
and securely fastens a trim ring in the rim flange 6 in a
similar manner as the flange 23 of the attachment part 20
from Fig. 5. The circumferential grooves 27 serve here for
the fixing of further attachment parts, for example of a
conventional wheel cover, like the attachment part 20 from
Fig. 5.
Finally, Fig. 7 shows, in the last embodiment, a
tire trim ring 33 whose fixing part 11 engages in the
interior of the wheel rim via a fixing element 34, in a
similar manner as the fixing element 31 according to the
embodiment of Fig. 6. In order to fix the fixing part 11 of
the trim ring to the fixing element 34, the corresponding
end of the fixing element 34 is designed in order to fasten
the fixing part 11. For this purpose, a type of box shape 35
can be provided, or the fixing element 34 has a radial
flange 32, as in the exemplary embodiment according to
Fig. 6, to which the trim ring is fixed on the front side,
on the inside or outside, for example by bonding.
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List of reference numbers
1. Wheel rim 28. Bow
2. Rim shoulder 29. -
3. Rim hump 30. Attachment parts
4. Tndentation 31. Fixing element
5. Rim base 32. Flange part
6. Rim flange 33. Tire trim ring
7. Indentation 34. Fixing element
8. - 35. Box shape
9. -
10. Tire trim ring
11. Fixing part
12. Bead
13. Trim part
14. Gap,
15. Leaf spring element
16. Introductory leg
17. Pull-out leg
18. Leaf spring element
19. End
20. Attachment part
21. Fixing element
22. Bead
23. Flange
24: -
25. Adapter
26. Bead
27. Circumferential grooves
