GB2223462A

GB2223462A - A wheel trim for a vehicle

Info

Publication number: GB2223462A
Application number: GB8922442A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Joseph Stapleton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-10-05
Filing date: 1989-10-05
Publication date: 1990-04-11
Also published as: GB8922442D0

Abstract

The wheel trim comprises a disc-type body (12) having an annular skirt (14) defining an aperture (15), guiding formations in the form of vanes (18) and a central body part (19). the central body part (19) covering the aperture (15) and being axially spaced from the skirt (14) by the vanes (18). When fitted to a rotating vehicle wheel air will be guided through the aperture (15) by the vanes, thus ensuring effective cooling of the wheel hub and particularly its associated braking mechanism. <IMAGE>

Description

A WHEEL TRIM FOR VEHICLES THIS INVENTION relates to a wheel trim for vehicles and, particularly, heavy vehicles.

More particularly, this invention relates to a wheel trim for heavy vehicles such as trucks, buses, and the like, which is in the nature of a hub cap.

Wheel trims in the form of hub caps are not commonly used on heavy vehicles, such as trucks, because it is required to keep the vehicle wheel hubs and their associated braking mechanisms exposed to air flow during vehicle motion, thereby providing for necessary air cooling which can reduce brake failures that often occur as a result of excessive heat generation during braking.

Wheel hubs and their associated braking mechanisms are thus always exposed to dust and other dirt and are not aesthetically pleasing.

According to this invention there is provided a wheel trim for a vehicle wheel, which includes a disc-type body which can be fitted on a vehicle wheel, said disc-type body defining an operative external side and an operative internal side when fitted on a vehicle wheel and having an aperture through the body and at least one guiding formation for directing flow of air through the aperture from the external side of the body to the internal side.

Particularly, the disc-type body may comprise an annular skirt about an axis defined by the aperture, and guiding formations comprising a plurality of vane formations and a central body part covering the said aperture, the central body part being axially spaced from the said skirt by the vane formations.

The annular skirt, the central body part and the vane formations may be integral with one another.

Alternatively, the annular skirt, the central body part and the vane formations may be fixedly secured to one another.

The vane formations may be in the nature of turbine vanes. The annular skirt may be provided with apertures for accommodating wheel studs and nuts associated with the mounting of a vehicle wheel on a vehicle axle, when the wheel trim is fitted on a vehicle wheel.

Further, the annular skirt may have at least one aperture for providing access to at least one inflation valve for a vehicle tyre, when the wheel trim is fitted on a vehicle wheel.

The wheel trim may further include a pressure equaliser fitted to the disc-type body, said equaliser being connectable in line with the inflation valves of twin wheel vehicle tyres, when the wheel trim is fitted on a vehicle wheel.

Still further, the wheel trim may include fitting means for fitting the wheel trim on a vehicle wheel.

Particularly, the fitting means may include formations adapted to co-operate with wheel studs and nuts associated with the mounting of a vehicle wheel on a wheel axle, for fitting the wheel trim on a vehicle wheel. Alternatively, or in addition, the fitting means may include clips that can clip on to a wheel hub.

Suitable markings can be applied on at least a part of the operative external side of the disc-type body of the wheel trim, in accordance with the invention. Also, at least a part of the operative external side of the disc-type body of the wheel trim may be luminous and/or reflective.

The wheel trim may be particularly adapted to be fitted on wheels, and particularly the hubs of wheels of heavy vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and the like.

The invention is now described, by way of an example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front plan view of a wheel trim, according to this invention; and Figure 2 shows a side view of the wheel trim of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, a wheel trim, in the form of a hub cap for heavy vehicles, in accordance with the invention, is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10.

The wheel trim 10 comprises a disc-type body 12 comprising an annular skirt 14 about an axis defined by an aperture 15, and guiding formations comprising a plurality of turbine type vane formations 18 and a central body part 19, covering the said aperture 15, the central body part 19 being axially spaced from the annular skirt 14 by the vane formations 18.

The disc-type body 12 defines an operative external side 30 and an operative internal side 32 when fitted on a vehicle wheel (not shown). The vane formations 18 and central body part 19 direct flow of air through the aperture 15 from the external side 30 of the body 12 to the internal side upon rotation of a wheel on to which the trim 10 is mounted, i.e. during vehicle motion.

The annular skirt 14 and the central body part 19 with the vane formations 18 are moulded from a synthetic plastics material, the annular skirt 14, the central body part 19 and the vane formations 18 being fixedly secured to one another.

Alternatively, these components of the disc-type body 12 can be integral with one another. The wheel trim may particularly be made of PVC, polypropylene, high density polyethylene, or the like.

The annular skirt 14 is provided with apertures 16 for accommodating wheel studs and nuts associated with the mounting of a vehicle wheel on a vehicle axle when the wheel trim 10 is fitted on a vehicle wheel. The apertures 16 permit access to the wheel nuts so that a wheel can be removed from its axle without removing the wheel trim 10.

The annular skirt has a further aperture 22 (only shown in dotted lines in Figure 1 for the sake of clarity) for providing access to an inflation valve (not shown) for a vehicle tyre, when the wheel trim 10 is fitted on a vehicle wheel.

The wheel trim 10 can also include a pressure equaliser 24 (also only shown in dotted lines) fitted to the disc-type body 12.

The equaliser 24 is connectable in line with the inflation valves of twin wheel vehicle tyres, when the wheel trim 10 is fitted on a vehicle wheel.

The wheel trim 10 further includes fitting means in the form of brackets 26 (only one shown in dotted lines) for fitting the wheel trim on a vehicle wheel. The brackets 26 are adapted to co-operate with wheel studs and nuts associated with the mounting of a vehicle wheel on a wheel axle, for fitting the wheel trim 10 on a vehicle wheel. Additional clips (not shown) that can clip on to a wheel hub can also be incorporated.

Clearly the exact configuration of the fitting means may be determined by the configuration of a wheel hub on which the wheel trim 10 is to be fitted.

In use, the wheel trim 10 is particalarly adapted to be fitted on wheels of heavy vehicles, such as trucks, buses and the like.

All the exposed wheels of a heavy vehicle can have a wheel trim fitted thereon. The general configuration of the wheel trim 10 is such as to enhance air flow from the external side 30 to the internal side 32, upon rotation of a wheel on which the wheel trim 10 is fitted. Air flow is thus directed into a space 20 between a wheel hub and the wheel trim 10, in its operative configuration, so that the braking mechanism associated with the vehicle wheel can be effectively air cooled upon heating thereof. The overall profile of the wheel trim 10 is such that air resistance is minimised.

It is believed by the Applicant that such cooling can be rendered more effective than the cooling that conventionally occurs as a result of air flow over vehicle wheel hubs, during vehicle motion. The design of the vane formations 18 is clearly very important in order to render brake cooling most efficient.

In addition, the wheel trim will also ensure that the wheels and the hub and brake mechanism remain dirt free.

It is also believed by the Applicant that wheel trims 10 will significantly enhance the appearance of a vehicle on which they are fitted. Markings can also be applied on the external side 30 of the wheel trim 10 and particularly on the exposed surface of the central body part 13. Such markings will further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the wheel trim and the vehicle as a whole.

It is envisaged that the wheel trim 10 or at least a part of the operative external side 30 of the disc-type body 12 is luminous or reflective. A vehicle, having such luminous and/or reflective wheel trims 10 fitted on its wheels, will be easily sighted and identifiable at night, particularly in poor visibility conditions. A luminous or light reflective sheet material can clearly be applied to the external surface of the wheel trim body.

The exact configuration of the wheel trim, in accordance with the invention is clearly greatly variable and the invention extends also to alternative configuration wheel trims which include the essential features of the wheel trim as are disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A wheel trim for a vehicle wheel, which includes a disc-type body which can be fitted on a vehicle wheel, said disc-type body defining an operative external side and an operative internal side when fitted on a vehicle wheel and having an aperture through the body and at least one guiding formation for directing flow of air through the aperture from the external side of the body to the internal side.

2. A wheel trim as claimed in Claim 1, in which the disc-type body comprises an annular skirt about an axis defined by the aperture, and guiding formations comprising a plurality of vane formations and a central body part covering the said aperture, the central body part being axially spaced from the said skirt by the vane formations.

3. A wheel trim as claimed in Claim 2, in which the annular skirt, the central body part and the vane formations are integral with one another.

4. A wheel trim as claimed in Claim 2, in which the annular skirt, the central body part and the vane formations are fixedly secured to one another.

5. A wheel trim as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 4, in which the vane formations are in the nature of turbine vanes.

6. A wheel trim as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 5, in which the annular skirt is provided with apertures for accommodating wheel studs and nuts associated with the mounting of a vehicle wheel on a vehicle axle, when the wheel trim is fitted on a vehicle wheel.

7. A wheel trim as claimed in any one of Claims 2 to 6, in which the annular skirt has at least one aperture for providing access to at least one inflation valve for a vehicle tyre, when the wheel trim is fitted on a vehicle wheel.

8. A wheel trim as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes a pressure equaliser fitted to the disc-type body, said equaliser being connectable in line with the inflation valves of twin wheel vehicle tyres, when the wheel trim is fitted on a vehicle wheel.

9. A wheel trim as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which includes fitting means for fitting the wheel trim on a vehicle wheel.

10. A wheel trim as claimed in Claim 9, in which the fitting means includes formations adapted to co-operate with wheel studs and nuts associated with the mounting of a vehicle wheel on a wheel axle, for fitting the wheel trim on a vehicle wheel.

11. A wheel trim as claimed in Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which the fitting means includes clips that can clip on to a wheel hub.

12. A wheel trim as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, on which markings can be applied on at least a part of the operative external side of the disc-type body.

13. A wheel trim as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least a part of the operative external side of the disc-type body is luminous.

14. A wheel trim as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which at least a part of the operative external side of the disc-type body is light reflective.

15. A wheel trim as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which is particularly adapted to be fitted on wheels, and particularly the hubs of wheels of heavy vehicles, such as trucks, buses, and the like.

16. A wheel trim substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.