Wheel with spokes including integral step providing improved access to a cargo bed of a motor vehicle

Abstract

A wheel is provided for a motor vehicle. The wheel includes a hub, a rim and a plurality of spokes that extend between the hub and the rim. At least one of the spokes includes an integral step having a slip resistant surface.

Claims

1. A motor vehicle wheel, comprising: a hub; a rim; and a plurality of spokes extending between said hub and said rim wherein at least one spoke of said plurality of spokes includes an integral step having a slip resistant surface, wherein said slip resistant surface includes a skid resistant liner and a raised lip.

2. The wheel of claim 1, wherein said slip resistant surface yields an increased coefficient of friction with a sole of a shoe.

3. The wheel of claim 1, wherein a space is provided between two spokes so as to allow a predetermined size boot to be centered on a lower spoke of said two spokes and articulated through a predetermined climbing angle without contacting an upper spoke of said two spokes.

4. A motor vehicle including said wheel of claim 1.

5. A method of improving access to a cargo bed or rooftop of a motor vehicle, comprising: equipping the motor vehicle with at least one wheel including a spoke wherein said spoke has an integral step with a slip resistant surface; and providing said slip resistant surface with a skid resistant liner and a raised lip.

6. The method of claim 5, including providing said wheel with a number of spokes having a thickness, a depth and an angle along said depth designed so that a predetermined size boot may be centered on a lower spoke and the boot may articulate through a climbing angle without contacting an upper spoke.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

(1) The accompanying drawing figures incorporated herein and forming a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the wheel and together with the description serve to explain certain principles thereof. In the drawing figures:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wheel that is the subject matter of this document.

(3) FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view through a spoke of the wheel illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the integral step having a slip resistant surface.

(4) FIG. 3 is a detailed perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a wheel incorporating a spoke with a slip resistant surface including a raised lip and a skid resistant liner.

(5) FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view illustrating yet another embodiment of the wheel incorporating a spoke with a slip resistant surface including corrugations and air channels for directing air to a brake assembly associated with and adjacent to the wheel.

(6) Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the wheel, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(7) Reference is now made to FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrating a first embodiment of a wheel 10 for a motor vehicle. As illustrated, the wheel 10 includes a hub 12 and a rim 14 adapted to hold a tire 16. A plurality of spokes 18 extend between the hub 12 and the rim 14. At least one and preferably all of the spokes 18 include an integral step 20 having a slip resistant surface 22.

(8) The slip resistant surface 22 is designed and engineered to yield an increased coefficient of friction when engaged with the sole of a shoe such as would occur when an individual places his shoed foot in the opening 24 between two spokes 18, engages the integral step 20, bringing the sole of the shoe into contact with the slip resistant surface 22, and raises his body vertically up from the ground in order to improve his access to an item in the cargo bed or on the rooftop of the motor vehicle to which the wheel is connected. More specifically, the opening or space 24 provided between adjacent spokes is designed to allow a predetermined size boot to be centered on a lower spoke and articulated through a climbing angle without contacting an upper spoke of the two, adjacent spokes.

(9) In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the slip resistant surface 22 comprises a skid resistant liner (particularly FIG. 2). The skid resistant liner 22 may be made from a grippy polymer material such as manufactured and sold under the trademark Rhino TuffGrip by Rhino Linings Corporation.

(10) In an alternative embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the slip resistant surface 22 comprises a raised lip 28. Of course, the slip resistant surface 22 of this embodiment may also comprise a skid resistant liner.

(11) In yet another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the skid resistant surface 22 includes a series of corrugations 32. In the illustrated embodiment, those corrugations 32 are on a bias or are oriented at a diagonal with respect to the front face 34 of the spoke 18.

(12) As further illustrated in FIG. 4, those corrugations 32 include a plurality of channels 36 that are oriented to direct air outwardly from the hub 12 toward the rim 14 as the air travels inwardly across the spokes 18 from the front face 34 of the spokes. Thus, the air is directed inwardly to provide extra cooling for the vehicle brake assembly (not shown) that is located adjacent to/inside the wheel 10.

(13) As should be further appreciated, the wheel 10 facilitates a method of improving access to a cargo bed or rooftop of a motor vehicle. That method may be broadly described as comprising the step of equipping the motor vehicle with at least one wheel 10 including a spoke 18 wherein the spoke has an integral step 20 with a slip resistant surface 22.

(14) In one possible embodiment, the method includes providing the slip resistant surface 22 with a raised lip 28. In another possible embodiment, the method includes providing the slip resistant surface 22 with a skid resistant liner. In yet another embodiment, the method includes providing the slip resistant surface 22 with both a raised lip 28 and a skid resistant liner.

(15) In yet another possible embodiment, the method includes providing the slip resistant surface 22 with corrugations 32. In one possible embodiment the method includes providing those corrugations 32 on a bias or at a diagonal with respect to a front face 34 of the spoke 18. In still another embodiment the method includes directing air toward a brake of the motor vehicle by means of air channels 36 in the corrugations 32.

(16) Still further, the method may also include the step of providing the wheel with a number of spokes, a spoke thickness, a spoke depth and an angle along that spoke depth designed so as to allow a predetermined size boot to be: (a) centered on lower of two adjacent spokes and (b) articulated through a climbing angle without contacting an upper spoke of two adjacent spokes.

(17) In any of the embodiments disclosed, the wheel 10 provides a number of benefits and advantages. By providing one or more spokes 18 of the wheel 10 with an integral step 20 having a slip resistant surface 22, it is possible to provide an operator with more convenient access to items in a cargo bed or on the rooftop of the vehicle. Advantageously, this is accomplished while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing design and avoiding any moving parts which could fail and/or cause wheel imbalance issues. Further, it should be appreciated that the integral step 20, including any raised lip 28 or corrugations 31 and channels 36 are self-cleaning as the rotational speed of the wheel increases with increased vehicle speed. More specifically, dirt and debris are flung off of the wheel 10 and do not cause imbalance.

(18) The foregoing has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the slip resistant surface 22 of the integral step 20 may include a tread pattern of nubs, ridges or any other design adapted to engage and provide grip with the lugs provided on tennis shoes and boots worn by a vehicle operator. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.