Vehicle wheels and methods of making vehicle wheels are provided. A vehicle wheel comprises a generally annular first region, a second region, and a flange extension. The first region comprises an inner surface and an outer surface comprising a tire bead seat. The second region extends radially inwardly from the first region. The second region is configured to mount to a vehicle axle. The flange extension extends from the first region in a direction away from the second region. The flange extension comprises a first extension end integral with the first region, a second extension end, and an elongate portion intermediate the first extension end and the second extension end. The elongate portion comprising a first portion with a thickness less than a thickness of the second extension end.

A cap configured to be connected to a wheel having a hub and a series of openings configured to receive fasteners attaching the wheel to a vehicle. The cap includes a disc defining a series of openings. The number of openings in the cap is less than the number of openings in the wheel. Each opening in the cap is configured to align with a corresponding opening in the wheel. Additionally, the cap is configured to conceal a remainder of the openings in the wheel that are not aligned with the openings in the cap.

A lubricant supported electric motor includes a stator extending along an axis, and a rotor rotatably disposed around the stator in radially surrounding and spaced relationship to define at least one support chamber. A lubricant is disposed in the support chamber for supporting the rotor around the stator. A wheel rim is fixedly attached to the rotor and is disposed in surrounding relationship with the rotor and the stator. Thus, in a first aspect, rotation of the rotor is directly transferred to the wheel rim such that the wheel rim rotates in accordance with the rotation of the rotor. In accordance with another aspect, the rotor is rotatably disposed within the stator, and a planetary gear reduction mechanism is operably interconnected to the rotor, the stator, and the wheel rim and configured to rotate the wheel rim in response to rotation of the rotor within the stator.

Vehicle wheel attachments that are installed and removed easily and are capable of being individually removed and adjusted. These vehicle wheel attachments direct airflow out of the interior of the wheel well.

A snap lock device for securing a wheel assembly to an axle is provided. The snap lock device may be formed from one integral piece. The snap lock device may include a hubcap and a first and second clip extending from the hubcap. The first and second clips may include a spring, an engagement member, and an actuator. The spring may be directly coupled to the hubcap. The snap lock device may be installed in the wheel assembly by inserting the cap assembly in the wheel assembly such that the first and second clip are placed in two apertures of a wheel and the springs bias the engagement members toward a center of a bore defined in the wheel for receiving the axle. The snap lock device can allow for tool-less installation and removal of the axle.

A wheel cover assembly for a vehicle wheel may include a wheel rib that is attachable to a rim inner surface of a wheel rim of the vehicle wheel, a cover body having a cover body outer surface, a cover body inner surface, and a cover body outer edge having an outer diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the wheel rib and less than an inner diameter of an open end flange of the wheel rim. A cover mounting mechanism operatively connected to the cover body has a cover locking position wherein the cover mounting mechanism engages the wheel rib to retain the wheel rib between the cover mounting mechanism and the cover body and secure the wheel cover assembly to the vehicle wheel when the wheel rib is attached to the rim inner surface.

A wheel rim having a central axis and comprising a central hub configured to be fixed to a suspension of a vehicle; a peripheral ring, which is arranged around the hub with a predetermined radial distance from the hub itself and is configured to receive a tire of the vehicle on a radially outermost surface thereof; a plurality of spokes equally spaced angularly from one another around the axis and connecting the peripheral ring to the hub; and at least one projection protruding in a cantilever fashion towards the hub, starting from a radially innermost surface of the peripheral ring, opposite to the radially outermost surface, and defining an airfoil configured to generate, in use, during the forward travel of the vehicle, a channelling of the air towards the outside of the wheel rim.

THIS invention relates to a wheel cover. More specifically, the invention relates to an advertising wheel cover having a wheel mount for push fitting into a vehicle wheel rim and a display disc rotatably mounted to the wheel mount by bayonet-type connectors. The display disc is off-centre weighted so as to remain in a substantially upright and static orientation relative to the wheel mount, which is rotatable with the wheel.

A vehicle wheel comprises a wheel disc, wheel rim, and wheel axis. A first cover spans between the rim and a hub portion of the disc. An axial portion of the first cover extends substantially along the axis. A plurality of first vents in the axial portion are arrayed circumferentially about the axis. Tabs extend perpendicular to the axial portion at each of the first vents. A second cover is secured to the rim and extends radially inward from the rim in a direction perpendicular to the axis. A plurality of second vents are in the second cover and arrayed circumferentially about the axis. The first and second covers are on opposite sides of the wheel. Each of the first and second covers has a greater extent in a radial direction perpendicular to the axis than in an axial direction parallel to the axis.

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.