Wheel hole insert for protecting and altering the appearance of wheels

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for altering and protecting the appearance of wheels and more particularly to a wheel insert which may be placed within a wheel spoke hole in order to alter the appearance of the wheel spoke hole and keep the wheel spoke hole clean.

[0004] 2. Problems in the Art

[0005] Currently, automotive-type wheels are often chrome plated or covered in some other type of material in order to give the wheels a more appealing appearance. These wheels often contain many holes of various shapes and sizes which are difficult to finish or coat in a decorative material. Further, such holes are difficult to clean because they are both non-finished and simply hard to get to.

[0006] There is therefore a need to provide a wheel insert which may be used in wheel holes of various sizes and shapes. Additionally, there is a need to provide a wheel insert which may increase the aesthetic appeal of the wheel. Further, it is desirable to have a wheel insert which allows a user to keep the wheel portion defining the wheel hole clean. There is therefore an unfulfilled need for a wheel insert which solves these and other problems. This invention has as its primary objective fulfillment of this need.

[0007] A general feature of the present invention is the provision of a wheel insert which overcomes the problems found in the prior art.

[0008] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a wheel insert which changes the aesthetic appearance of a wheel hole.

[0009] Another feather of the present invention is the provision of a wheel insert which simplifies cleaning of the wheel.

[0010] As still further feature of the present invention is the provision of a wheel insert which snaps into a wheel hole.

[0011] Another feature of the present invention is the provision of a wheel insert which is friction fit into a wheel hole.

[0012] A further feature of the present invention is the provision of a wheel insert which is chrome plated.

[0013] Another feature of the present invention is the provision of wheel inserts of various sizes and shapes.

[0014] These, as well as other features and advantages of the present invention, will become apparent from the following specification and claims.

[0015] The present invention generally comprises a wheel insert including a lining portion, an exterior portion, and a securing portion. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a lining portion which extends radially along the outer edge of the wheel hole, parallel to the wheel hole's radial axis, an exterior rim extending beyond the outer surface of the wheel hole and beyond the diameter of the wheel hole, and a means for securing the wheel insert in the wheel hole. The wheel insert of the present invention may be altered to fit any size or shape of wheel hole and may be further altered to give any desired appearance. The wheel insert of the present invention may simply line the wheel hole, or may include a solid surface on which various designs, logos, words, etc. may be displayed.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical automotive-type wheel containing several wheel holes into which the wheel insert of the present invention may be placed.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the wheel insert of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 3 is a rear, axial view of the wheel insert of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 4 is a side view of a wheel hole taken along line 5—5 of FIG. 1 including one embodiment of an installed wheel insert of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 5 is a side view of a wheel hole taken along line 5—5 of FIG. 1 including another embodiment of an installed wheel insert of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an oval-shaped wheel insert of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternatively shaped wheel insert of the present invention.

[0023] The present invention will be described as it applies to its preferred embodiment. It is not intended that the present invention be limited to the described embodiment. It is intended that the invention cover all modifications and alternatives which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0024] A typical automotive-type wheel 10 is shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the automotive-type wheel includes several spoke holes or wheel holes 12, which may have various shapes and dimensions. It is these types of wheel holes 12 in which the present invention is needed.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 2, the wheel insert 14 of the present invention is comprised of a liner 16 which has an inner surface 18 and an outer surface 20. Additionally, the wheel insert 14 includes an exterior member 22. The exterior member 22 is a rim which extends beyond the diameter of the liner 16 as shown in FIG. 3. However, the exterior member 22 may also be a solid surface capable of covering, at least partially, the wheel hole 12 and/or displaying varying types of emblems, symbols, words, etc. as shown in FIG. 6. Some type of securing means is also incorporated into the wheel insert 14 of the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the securing means is a plurality of tabs 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the tabs 30 extend beyond the rear surface of the wheel 10 defining the wheel hole 12. Therefore, the tabs 30, in conjunction with the exterior member 22 maintain the wheel insert 14 of the present invention in a proper position.

[0026] An alternative to the tabs 30 is shown in FIG. 5. Plugs or detents 32 may be used to secure the wheel insert 14. The wheel insert 14 may be simply pushed into the wheel hole 12 until the plug 32 is secured behind the wheel 10. Therefore, the wheel insert 14 may be pressure fit inside the wheel hole 12 rather than snap fit. Of course, the wheel insert 14 of the present invention may be glued or secured in a proper position in any manner known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[0027] The wheel insert 14 of the present invention may have many different sizes and shapes as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG. 6 illustrates a wheel insert 14 wherein the wheel insert is shaped like an oval and has a solid exterior member 22. FIG. 7 illustrates that the wheel insert 14 of the present invention may be shaped in any desired shape or size. Referring again to FIG. 2, the outer surface 20 and the exterior member 22 of the present invention may be colored or plated to match any corresponding coloring or plating of the wheel 10 in which the wheel insert 14 is to be used. Preferably, the wheel insert 14 of the present invention is made of ABS injection-molded plastic and is then chrome plated. Additionally, the exterior member 22 may be adapted to accommodate a solid surface, a sculpted surface, or any design, logo, word, etc. Therefore, the present invention will allow the user of the wheel insert 14 to easily modify the appearance of the wheel holes 12 and the corresponding wheel 10.

[0028] A general description of the present invention as well as a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been set forth above. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains will recognize and be able to practice additional variations in the methods and systems described which fall within the teachings of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications and additions are deemed to be within the scope of the invention which is to be limited only by the claims appended hereto.