FR2573825A1 - IMPROVED WHEEL NUT. - Google Patents

Abstract

THIS ADVANCED WHEEL NUT IS INTENDED TO FIX A WHEEL TO A VEHICLE HUB OR EQUIVALENT AND TO RETAIN A WHEEL COVER ON THE WHEEL. THE WHEEL NUT PREFERABLY CONSISTS OF A NUT BODY AND A CAP14 FIXED TO THE BODY, LEAVING A FREE AXIAL SPACE40 BETWEEN THE END32 OF THE CAP AND PART26 OF THE BODY OF THE NUT. A RETAINING RING42 IS PLACED IN THIS FREE AXIAL SPACE40 AND EXTENDS RADIALLY TO THE EXTERIOR BEYOND THE BODY OF THE NUT TO RETAIN A WHEEL COVER ON THE WHEEL AND PREVENT THE COVER FROM RELEASING FROM THE WHEEL BEFORE L THE WHEEL NUT WAS NOT PREVIOUSLY UNSCREWED.

Description

The present invention relates to the nuts of

  wheel and, more particularly, to a wheel nut

  prepared for retaining a wheel on a hub and at the same time retaining a wheel cover in position on the wheel.

  Prior to the invention, there were essentially

  There are three types of wheel nuts for retaining

  fix the vehicle wheels on the hubs. The term "hub" designates the end of the shaft or axle on which the wheel is mounted. The hub has a plurality of threaded studs, for example, five, which it projects outwardly, and a wheel having five holes is mounted on the hub by aligning the holes of the wheel with the hub studs. Naturally, the

  wheel is fitted with a tire mounted on its circumference-

  this. When the wheel is mounted on the hub, the wheel nuts are screwed onto the studs to retain the wheel on the hub. A decorative wheel cover or wheel cover

  can then be force-fitted onto the wheel,

blurring a removable link.

  The first type of wheel nut used so far was a thin, flat, disc-shaped steel member with a through threaded central bore. The nut had six peripheral flat facets, called clamping faces, and the nut was hexagonal in plan view. This first type of wheel nut is the oldest type, which is still of a

widespread use.

  A second type of wheel nut was the decorative wheel nut, which was formed from a single element, in the shape of an elongated, chrome-plated rod. This wheel nut

  in one piece and chromed had a file hole-

  internally extending over almost the entire

  length of the nut but the hole was closed at an ex-

  extremity. This wheel nut also bore a plurali-

  clamping tee, normally sixg so that 2-

  the wheel nut could be tightened on the standard stud

  only projecting outwards on the hub, thereby fixing the wheel to the hub. This type of chrome wheel nut

is commercially available.

  A third type of wheel nut used a steel nut body to which a decorative stainless steel cap was attached. The nut body was analogous to the first type of wheel nut, and included a threaded center hole and a plurality of clamping flanges. Decorative cap covered one end

  drilling, as well as the clamping flaps. In this way

  lesson, the cap protected the end of the stud from the

  weather, shock and equivalent damage

  slow and when the wheel nuts fitted with caps were screwed onto the studs to fix the wheel to the hub, only the decorative stainless steel cap was visible. This hooded wheel nut is located

also commercially.

  Many types of wheel covers or hub caps have been put on the market to improve

  the appearance of the wheel mounted on the hub. When using

  is the first type of nut, the wheel cover trim or

  hub cover is attached to the wheel to conceal and protect

  manage the nuts and studs. When using either the chrome-plated one-piece wheel nuts or the hooded wheel nuts, two other types of hubcaps have been used to date. In the first type, the hubcap has a plurality of holes, so that when the wheel cover is in place on the wheel, the hooded wheel nuts, or alternatively, the

  chrome wheel nuts, pass through the holes in the trim

  wheel veur. In the second type, the hubcap does not pre-

  feels no holes but is of sufficient diameter

  small so that there is no overlap between

  the wheel cover and the wheel nuts.

  Typically, the wheel cover has a plurality of elastic projections which cooperate with the wheel to retain the cover on the wheel. However, a wheel cover may occasionally drop from

  the wheel when the vehicle is traveling on an irre-

  regular, or in the case where the hubcap has been incorrectly placed on the wheel, for example

  after replacing a wheel or equivalent.

  Various attempts have already been proposed to solve the problem of the inadvertent fall (or even theft) of the hubcap. As described in more detail, none of these attempts has been completely satisfactory.

  In addition, as the embellishments

  have become more decorative and more expensive, there has been a problem that many wheel covers are stolen because, normally,

  a flat blade screwdriver is sufficient to separate the

  wheel trim. This is particularly true in the case of new cars, where the wheel covers

  are frequently stolen from the car dealer.

  It is for this reason that many automobiles are shipped from the factory with wheel covers.

in the trunk.

  The present invention relates to an improved wheel nut, of the type comprising a nut body and a cap, and in which a retaining ring is

  interposed between the nut body and the cap, the

  retaining strip constituting a peripheral flange which projects radially outwards. When

  the hooded wheel nuts are attached to the gou-

  studs which project outwards on the hub and the wheel cover is in place, the wheel cover is interposed between the hub and the retaining ring of each of the wheel nuts o Radial flanges or retaining rings protrude radially outside

  enough distance that we cannot

  pull off the hubcaps without first removing each

  one of the hooded wheel nuts. Although we have de-

  I used retaining rings with the wheel nuts

  for this purpose, previous attempts (which will be de-

  written in more detail) have not been complete-

  satisfactory as will be explained.

  In addition, the cap of the hooded wheel nut

  chon now has a new function. In the

  prior art, the cap was not used alone-

  decorative element but it also carried the tightening flaps. Now, according to the principles of the present invention, the cap also plays the role

  a stop for the retaining ring, thus contributing

  if to keep the retaining ring in position.

  The various advantages and characteristics of the present invention, as well as other advantages which can be obtained by its use, will emerge

  more clearly from reading the detail description-

  lée of the invention which is given below opposite

drawings.

  In these drawings, in which the same reference numbers designate corresponding elements, FIG. 1 is a sectional representation

  a prior art hooded wheel nut

  re; Figure 2 is a sectional view of a prior art hooded wheel nut which forms a retaining ring; Figure 3 is a sectional view of a single piece nut of the prior art which forms a retaining ring; Figure 4 is a sectional view of a prior art hooded wheel nut which includes a retaining flange on its nut body; Figure 5 is a sectional view of a hooded wheel nut including a retaining ring in accordance with the principles of the present invention; Figure 6 is a perspective view of

  the hooded wheel nut of FIG. 5, which has been

  pulled the retaining ring for the sake of illustration

tion; and

  Figure 7 is a perspective view of the base

  retainer used with the hooded wheel nut of the present invention, as well as with the wheel nut

Figures 2 and 3.

  In Figure 1, there is shown in section a wheel nut provided with a cap. The hooded wheel nut may be of the type described in the U.S. patent.

  4,123,961. Typically, the hooded wheel nut comprises

  takes a nut body 12 in steel and a cap 14 in

stainless steel.

  The body 12 of the nut, frequently called the nut core, has a threaded central hole 16, and

  a plurality of clamping plates 18 arranged sensibly-

  parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nut body. It is conventional to provide this type of tightening hexagon and, seen at the end, the body of the nut is therefore

of a hexagonal configuration.

  The body 12 of the nut has first and second ends 20, 22 and the second end is normally provided with a conical surface 24 which is

  suitable for mating with normal conical depressions

  improperly formed around the through holes of the studs of the vehicle wheels. The conical part ends

by a short cylindrical cord 26.

  At the top of the cord 26, the body of the nut may be provided with a shoulder 27, The cord 26 is similar

  to a radial flange formed on the body of the nut.

  The body 12 of the nut is covered with a gai-

  or a cap preferably made of stainless steel

  corn. The cap includes an upper wall 28 which

  can be domed, flat or hollow. The upper wall

  lower 28 covers the first end 20 of the body of

  the nut and a skirt portion 30 extending downwards

  covers the clamping panels 18. The skirt part 30 can

  be of a configuration which corresponds to the service sections

  rage 18. The free end of the skirt part of the cap, that is to say the end which is opposite the upper wall, can project radially outwards for a small distance and may correspond in outside diameter to the outside diameter of the cord 26

  of the nut body. There is a little play between the ex-

  free end 32 of the cap and the shoulder 27 of the body of the nut. Typically this clearance is less than 0.1 mm and

  it is intended only as a release. The capu-

  chon can preferably be fixed to the body of the nut

  by a weld as shown in 33. The structure describes

  te so far with regard to figure 1 is considered

  as in the prior art.

  Referring to Figure 2, we will now describe

  holding a prior art resolution mode

  imagined to solve the problem of restraint of child-

  wheel trim on the wheel. This tech solution

  anterior screw consists in machining a circumferential groove

  34 in the cord 26 of the body of the nut, so as to allow a retaining ring to be placed in the groove 34. The retaining ring must protrude outward beyond the groove and retain the hubcap

  to protect it from both accidental dislodgement

  such and deliberate disassembly, unless you unscrew the

wheel nuts.

  This prior art solution poses

  many problems, not the least of which is the

  thought incurred in machining the throat in the body

of the nut.

  A second solution has been proposed to re-

  hold the wheel trim on the wheel, which is intended to be used with a chromed one-piece wheel nut 35. More specifically, the one-piece nut,

  as shown in Figure 3, is initial-

  ment provided with a groove 34. Here too, a retaining ring is positioned in the groove. Although this type of device has worked well, it is easy to

  understand that the one-piece wheel nuts are

  més are relatively expensive and they present other

  very undesirable features. The nut of a single

  piece is therefore not entirely satisfactory.

  FIG. 4 illustrates another prior mode of solving the problem, in which the body 12 of

  the nut has a radial flange 36 to replace it

  ment of a cord 26. The collar 36 cooperates with a clip or an equivalent element provided on the hubcap

  wheel 80 so that the wheel cover cannot

  not come off untimely. However, the glue

  rette and the clip do not form a bearing surface covering entirely 360 on the underside 37 of the collar, at the point where contact is established with

the hubcap.

  The invention will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The cap 14 of the wheel nut

  is generally similar to the cap 14 of the fig-

  res 1, 2 and 4, except that the skirt part 38 is shorter

  in axial length as the skirt part 30 corresponding to

  te of the cap of FIGS. 1 and 2. The skirt part 38 is provided with a flange 32 which projects radially outwards and which corresponds to the flange 32 of the skirt part 30 of the cap of FIGS. 11 2 and 4. From in this way, a free axial space 40 is formed between the free end of the cap and the shoulder 27 of the

  body 12 of the nut. In the preferred embodiment

  tion, this free axial space is sufficient to allow the retaining ring to be placed there. By way of illustrative example, a retaining ring previously proposed for use with the device of FIG. 2 and which is proposed for the present invention, has

  an approximate thickness of 3 millimeters.

  The retaining ring 42 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. The retaining ring can be made of nylon and has a thickness of approximately 3 millimeters. The retaining ring can be a split stop ring such as a ring of the type having a slot 44 extending through the entire thickness of the ring, so that the ring can be placed in the axial space

  free 40 by snap-fastening. The ring as it is

  crite is also considered to belong to the prior art since this ring has been proposed for use in the device of FIGS. 2 and

  3. In these previous uses, the retaining ring

  bare extends radially outwards beyond the

  body of the nut to retain the hubcap on the nut.

  When the ring 42 is placed in space

  free axial 40, this ring naturally overflows radia-

  outwardly beyond the bead 26 of the nut body to the extent necessary to allow this

  ring to prevent disassembly of the hubcap. However,

  lon the principles of the present invention, the retaining ring, in particular, its upper surface 46, can abut against the free end 32 of the cap, so

  that the cap, which is fixed to the body of the nut, exerts

  this the retaining function of the ring, like a

  stop, preventing it from describing an axial movement nota-

corn.

  It is easy to understand that, comparative-

  to the chrome-plated nut body in one piece,

  nant a retaining ring which belongs to the prior art, the present invention provides an improved device forming a wheel nut and retaining stopper hubcap.

Claims (13)

R E V E N D I C A T I O N S   1 - Wheel nut with cap, of the type which   takes a nut body (12) and a cap (14) fixed to   this body, the nut body having a central hole fi-   flatness (16), a first end (22) adapted for coo-   pee with a wheel, a second end (20) adapted   to fit in the cap and a shoulder (27) if-   killed between the first and second ends, the capu-   chon (14) comprising a first part (28) for covering the second end (20) of the nut, and a second part (30) which covers the sides of the body of the nut and ends with a flange (32 ) which does   projecting radially outwards, this nut being   characterized in that it includes: a free space (40) in   turning the periphery of the nut body, this space li-   bre being substantially represented by the distance   rant the flange (32) of the cap (14) which makes sail-   links radially outwards and the shoulder (27) of the   body (12) of the nut; and a retaining ring (42) for   located in said free space (40) and which overflows   dialing outwards beyond the flange   dial (26) of the body (12) of the nut, said retaining ring   held (42) being adapted to retain a hubcap wheel on a wheel.   2 - wheel nut according to claim 1, ca-   characterized in that the retaining ring (42) is adapted to abut against the flange (32) of the cap (14)   which projects radially outward.   3 - wheel nut according to claim 1, ca-   characterized in that the cap (14) is welded to the body (12) of the nut.   4 - wheel nut according to claim 1, ca-   characterized in that the body (12) of the nut has polygonal sides and in that said second part   (30) of the cap covers the polygonal sides.   - Wheel nut according to claim 1, characterized in that the body (12) of the nut has six   sides and that said second part (30) of the cap pos- sedes six sides.   6 - Wheel nut according to claim 1, characterized in that the cap (14) is formed of stainless steel.   7 - wheel nut according to claim 1, ca-   characterized in that said retaining ring (42) is formed nylon mesh.   8 - wheel nut according to claim 1, ca-   characterized in that said retaining ring (42) is assembled   t removable in said free space (40).   9 - Hooded wheel nut of the type comprising   a nut body (12) which has a central threaded hole   tee (16), a first end (22), a second end   mite (20), and a part (26) which projects appreciably-   outwardly between these two ends, and a cap (14) serving to cover the body of the nut,   the cap having a first part (28) which covers   vre one end (20) of the nut body and a second   th part (30) which covers at least part of the body of the nut and ends with a flange (32) which projects radially outwards, this nut being characterized in that it comprises: a free space ( 40) which surrounds the periphery of said body (12) of the nut, the free space being represented by the distance separating the flange (32) from the cap (14) which projects radially outwards and the part (26) the body of the nut which projects radially outwards; and a retaining ring (42) placed in said free space (40) and which projects radially towards   the exterior beyond the body (12) of the nut and is suitable   tee to retain a wheel cover on a wheel.   10 - Wheel nut according to claim 9, ca-   characterized in that said flange (32) of the cap   which protrudes radially outwards overflows   dialing outward from a smaller distance the retaining ring (42).   11 - Compressed-type wheel nut   a nut body (12) having a threaded central hole (16), polygonal sides (18), first and second ends (22, 20), and a portion (26) which   protrudes substantially outward between these ex-   hoppers, said first end (22) being adapted to cooperate with a wheel, and a cap (14) intended   to cover said wheel nut, this cap (14) has   dant a first part (28) intended to cover the second end (20) of the body (12) of the nut and a second part (30) which covers the polygonal sides (18) and ends with a radial flange (32) , this nut being characterized in that it comprises a free space (40) which surrounds the periphery of the wheel nut   provided with its cap, said free space being represented   felt by the distance between the part (26) of the body of   the nut which projects outwards and the adhesive   rette (32) of the cap (14); and a retaining ring (42) placed in said free space (40) and which projects radially outwards beyond the body (12) of the nut to retain a wheel cover on a wheel   by preventing it from untimely detaching from it.   12 - Wheel nut with cap as claimed   cation 11, characterized in that said retaining ring   (42) is placed in said free space (40) in a manner mountable.   13 - Wheel nut according to claim 11, characterized in that said retaining ring (42) is trapped between said cap (14) and said body (12) of the nut to oppose L any axial movement notable of the retaining ring.   14 - Wheel nut with cap as claimed   cation 11, characterized in that said free space (40) is uAn úbC rc ky-L,