A retainer for connecting two panels of a heat shield assembly, the retainer comprising: a central elongate panel having a length l and a width w, a top end, a bottom end and first and second long sides extending from the top end to the bottom end; a first side panel extending along the first long side of the central elongate panel and a second side panel extending along the second long side of the central elongate panel; a first U-shaped fold joining the central elongate panel first long side to the first side panel, and a second U-shaped fold joining the second long side to the second side panel.

A retainer for connecting two panels of a heat shield assembly, the retainer comprising: a central elongate panel having a length l and a width w, a top end, a bottom end and first and second long sides extending from the top end to the bottom end; a first side panel extending along the first long side of the central elongate panel and a second side panel extending along the second long side of the central elongate panel; a first U-shaped fold joining the central elongate panel first long side to the first side panel, and a second U-shaped fold joining the second long side to the second side panel.

The present specification relates generally to protective wheel accessories, and specifically to an improved apparatus for protecting a rim of a wheel of a vehicle. The rim protector includes a flexible strip with a rim protector portion, which is disposed along a length of the flexible strip and is configured to be seatable on and abut an outer surface of a circumference of a rim of a wheel. Opposite the rim protector portion, the flexible strip has an insertion edge, which is insertable between the rim of the wheel and a tire. The rim protector also includes a fastening mechanism, which allows the flexible strip to be securable in a substantially circular configuration, and at least one set of teeth disposed along a longitudinal axis of the flexible strip. A related method of installing a rim protector for a rim of a wheel of a vehicle is also described.

Apparatuses, systems, and methods are provided for improving fuel efficiency of a vehicle using a mountable wheel cap coupleable to a wheel. The mountable wheel cap includes a center section and an outer section. The outer section includes a plurality of tabs extending outwardly from the center section, and at least one gripper section coupled to at least one of the plurality of tabs, the at least one gripper section including a gripper configured to be placed in contact with the at least one of the outer section and/or the outer lip to secure the mountable wheel cap to the wheel.

An apparatus and method for holding a lug nut. The apparatus includes a base (150), a barrel (140), a lug nut engagement assembly (130), a plunger and a cam guide (170). The barrel (140) is coupled with the base (152) in a manner allowing the barrel (140) to move upwardly or downwardly within the base (150). The barrel (140) has an internal cam track portion (145). The lug nut engagement assembly (130) includes retractable fingers (132). The lug nut engagement assembly (130) is removeably affixed to the barrel (140). The plunger (160) is disposed within a portion of the lug nut engagement assembly (130), the barrel (140) and the cam guide (170). The plunger (160) has a tip for engagement with the retractable fingers (132). The cam guide (170) is disposed and moveable within a bottom portion of the barrel (140). The cam guide (170) has longitudinal rails (172) for engagement with the internal cam track (145) of the barrel (140).

Implementations disclosed and claimed herein provide a wheel cover system. In one implementation, an inward force exerted against a wheel cover of the wheel cover assembly in an inward direction towards the hub is received. The inward force overcomes a spring bias of a spring of the receiver and translates the wheel cover assembly in the inward direction. A first rotational force rotating the wheel cover assembly in a first direction is received. The first post guides and engages the first hook, and the second post guides and engages the second hook during rotation. A first positive feedback is generated in response to the inward force and the first rotational force. The wheel cover assembly is releasably locked to the receiver by translating the wheel cover assembly in the outward direction using an outward force generated by the spring bias. The outward force provides a second positive feedback.

A hub cap assembly with a retaining device (100), and at least one housing portion (34) with an annular recess (98) in an inner surface with a sight glass (12) disposed in the annular recess and positioned axially between the retaining device and the housing portion. The hub cap assembly can be part of a wheel end assembly for use with a central tire inflation system (CTIS).

A wheel assembly that provides a simulated center lock wheel look that also enables exchanging of ornamental face plates with a center hub attachment device that will allow car enthusiasts to easily change the look of their automotive wheels while maintaining a center lock wheel appearance. The assembly includes three components: a base wheel, a plurality of ornamental face plates, and a center hub attachment extending from one of either the hub or the ornamental face plate.

Wheel center caps and related methods are disclosed herein. An example wheel center cap includes a body, a first protrusion extending radially outward from the body, and a second protrusion extending radially outward from the body. The first and second protrusions define a gap therebetween. The example wheel center cap includes a leg disposed in the gap and coupled to the body. The leg includes a foot. The foot extends radially outward relative to the body. The foot includes a chamfered face facing away from the body.

The present disclosure pertains to a two piece center cap design which can be securably affixed to a wheel in a manner that does not require the center cap to be removed when installing and removing the wheels from a vehicle. This is achieved by rotating the center cap from a first position covering the lug nuts, to a second position, which does not cover the lug nuts, thereby providing access to the wheel lugs to allow the wheel to be installed and removed.