GB2387873A

GB2387873A - Motor vehicle wheel trims

Info

Publication number: GB2387873A
Application number: GB0220513A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter John Clark
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-04-27
Filing date: 2002-09-04
Publication date: 2003-10-29
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-04
Also published as: GB2387873B; GB0220513D0; GB0209702D0

Abstract

A wheel trim (10) has means for attachment to a vehicle wheel (13) in the form of a plurality of butterfly fasteners (14). Each butterfly fastener (14) includes a stem (15) arranged to pass through an opening (11) in the wheel trim and an aligned opening (12) in the vehicle wheel (13).

Description

MOTOR VEHICLE WHEEL TRIMS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to motor vehicle wheel trims.

One of the problems faced by motorists is the theft of wheel trims and, in this respect, the more attractive the wheel trims, the more likely it is that they will be stolen.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved wheel trim.

Summarv of the Invention According to the present invention there is provided a wheel trim having means for attachment to a vehicle wheel, the attachment means comprising a plurality of butterfly fasteners, each butterfly fastener including a stem arranged to pass through an opening in the wheel trim and an aligned opening in the vehicle wheel.

/ The butterfly fasteners are preferably provided formed with a plurality of different forms of release means. Thus, there may be at least three butterfly fasteners and at least three different forms of release means.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a view of the presented face of a wheel trim fitted to a vehicle tyre, Figure 2 is a sectional view illustrating the fitment of the wheel trim to the wheel, Figure 3 is a view of the rear face of the wheel, and Figure 4 is an exploded view illustrating the method of fitment of the wheel trim.

Descrintion of the Preferred Embodiment The wheel trim 10 shown in the drawings is of an aesthetically pleasing design and has four equiangularly spaced openings 11 arranged for alignment with openings 12 in a vehicle wheel 13. Four butterfly fasteners 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D are provided for attaching the wheel trim 10 to the wheel 13. Each butterfly fastener 14 includes a threaded stem 15 and a pair of pivotally connected plates 16. The arrangement is such that, when

the stem 15 is rotated in one direction, the two plates 16 are pivoted relative to one another in one direction whereas, when the stem 15 is rotated in the opposite direction, the plates 16 are pivoted relative to one another in the opposite direction.

The lengths of the plates 16 are such that, when the two plates 16 are at right angles to each other, as shown in Figures 2 and 4, the two plates 16 can pass through an opening 12 in the vehicle wheel 13 whereas, when the two plates 16 are in line with one another, as shown in Figure 3, the two plates 16 cannot pass through the opening 12.

The stem 15 of each fastener 14 is rotatable by means of a suitable tool (not shown) and the designs of the fasteners 14 are such that a different tool is required for each fastener 14. In the particular arrangement shown in Figure 1, fastener 14A has a head formed with a slot so that fastener 14A is rotatable by a screwdriver. Fastener 14B has a head formed with intersecting slots and is accordingly operable by means of a tool terminating in a spider. Fastener 14C has a head formed with a square cross-

section recess and is accordingly operable by means of a tool having a square end. Fastener 14D has a head which includes a lock plug and is operable by means of a key.

To attach the wheel trim 10 to the vehicle wheel 13, the stems 15 of the fasteners 14 are passed through the openings 11 in the wheel trim 10 and the plates 16 are engaged with the stems of the fasteners 14, in the manner shown in Figure 4. The wheel

trim 10 is then presented to the wheel 13 and the plates 16 of the fasteners 14 are passed through the openings 12 in the wheel 13, with the plates 16 extending at right angles to each other.

Once the wheel trim 10 has been presented to the wheel 13, the stems 1 5 of the fasteners 14 are rotated, using the tool appropriate for each fastener, so as to move the plates 16 into the positions shown in Figure 3. The wheel trim 10 can then not be detached from the wheel 13 until all of the fasteners 14 have been released. Each of the fasteners 14 provides a degree of security and the combined effect of the four fasteners 14 is such as to deter opportunistic thieves from attempting to steal the wheel trim 10.

The time required for releasing each of the fasteners 14 is a significant factor in this respect.

Claims

Claims:

1. A wheel trim having means for attachment to a vehicle wheel, the attachment means comprising a plurality of butterfly fasteners, each butterfly fastener including a stem arranged to pass through an opening in the wheel trim and an aligned opening in the vehicle wheel.

2. A wheel trim as claimed in Claim 1, in which the butterfly fasteners are provided with a plurality of different forms of release means.

3. A wheel trim as claimed in Claim 2, in which there are at least three butterfly fasteners and at least three different forms of release means.

4. A method of fitting a wheel trim to a vehicle wheel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings

4. A wheel trim substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

5. A method of fitting a wheel trim to a vehicle wheel substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: 1. A wheel trim having means for attachment to a vehicle wheel, the attachment means comprising a plurality of butterfly fasteners, each butterfly fastener including a stem arranged to pass through an opening in the wheel trim and an aligned opening in the vehicle wheel, the butterfly fasteners being provided with a plurality of different forms of release means.

2. A wheel trim as claimed in Claim 1, in which there are at least three butterfly fasteners and at least three different forms of release means.

3. A wheel trim substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.