Rim Guard for an Automobile Rim

Abstract

This invention is a rim shield for covering an automobile rim and providing a seal between a flange of the automobile rim and a sidewall of the tire around the rim. The rim shield has a circular shaped body with a handle positioned on the side of the body and a channel formed along a periphery of the body on its bottom side, or the side that faces the rim. The channel houses an O-ring that is shaped in a manner that allows the O-ring to seal the space between the sidewall and the flange. Once in this position, the rim shield can be rotated using the handle in a secure seal between the O-ring and space defined by the sidewall and flange.

Claims

1. A wheel rim shield comprising: a body having a top side, a bottom side and a periphery edge around the body; a handle centrally disposed on the top side of the body; a channel formed along the bottom side of the body adjacent the periphery of the body; and a flexible gasket disposed within the channel.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the body seals a wheel rim.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gasket seals against the tire bead and sidewall of an automobile tire.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises an extending flange portion adapted to couple to a peripheral edge of a wheel rim.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the gasket comprises an O-ring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is top view of a rim guard with an O-ring seal along the periphery according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0013] FIG. 2A is a side view of the rim guard with an O-ring seal along the periphery according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0014] FIG. 2B is an alternative side view of the rim guard with an O-ring seal along the periphery according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective and cut-away view of is a perspective view of an applicable use of a rim guard with a wheel rim and tire according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that the embodiments may be combined, or that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural and logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is a top view of a rim guard with an O-ring seal along the periphery of the rim guard and is denoted generally as 10. The rim guard 10 includes a top body 12, a handle 14 on the top body 12 for maneuvering the rim guard, an outer periphery 16 of the body 12, and an inner channel 18 with an O-ring positioned within the inner channel 18. The inner channel 18 can also include a divider and the O-ring can be in separate pieces with each piece positioned within a divided section. The purpose of such is to prevent the O-ring from slipping or moving when pressure is applied. Although, it should be understood a purpose of the channel is to keep the O-ring in a stationary position and, as such, the channel can be designed in a manner to partially and securely enclose the O-ring so that movement is minimized. Furthermore, the channel provides a support structure that assists in sealing the O-ring with the rim. The rim guard 10 can be placed over a wheel rim of an automobile and depending on the shape and size of the wheel rim and tire around the wheel rim, the O-ring positioned within the channel 18 will have a size and shape that will accommodate the size and shape of the wheel rim necessary to seal the rim guard 10 with the wheel rim.

[0018] Referring now to FIG. 2A, illustrated is a side view of the rim guard 10 with an O-ring seal along the periphery and is denoted generally 30. The rim guard 30 includes the top body 12, the handle 14, the outer periphery 16, the inner channel 18, and an O-ring 20. In this embodiment, the inner channel 18 and the O-ring 20 are positioned in a manner along the periphery 16 of the rim guard 30 so that the O-ring 20 can best seat and possibly seal with a wheel rim and possibly tire of a certain style and shape. In other words, automobile wheel rims and tires are not of a standard form and are typically unique regardless of whether the wheel rim and tire is a product of before market or after-market sale. As such, the shape and position of the channel 18 and O-ring 20 will be unique pursuant to the requirements of the wheel rim and tire.

[0019] In this particular embodiment, the O-ring 20 includes a base body and a flange portion extending therefrom. The flange portion can be many different shapes but would include a shaped fit-able or conformable with a space between a flange of an automobile wheel rim and the space between the sidewall defined by the tire bead. It should also be understood that the location of the channel 18 could be positioned anyway along the periphery 16. Stated differently, the manner of the teaching herein is directed to an O-ring that can seal the gap between a flange of an automobile rim and the sidewall of the tire fitted therewith. The specific shape of the O-ring in this application is not universal but rather specific to the wheel rim and possibly tire design.

[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2B, illustrated is an alternative side view of the rim guard 10 with an O-ring seal along the periphery and is denoted generally 40. The rim guard 40 includes the top body 12, the handle 14, the outer periphery 16, an inner channel 42, and an O-ring 44. In this embodiment, the inner channel 18 and the O-ring 42 are positioned in a manner along the periphery 16 of the rim guard 30 so that the O-ring 20 can best seat and possibly seal with a wheel rim and possibly tire of a certain type and style. In other words, automobile wheel rims and tires are not of a standard form and are typically unique regardless of whether the wheel rim and tire is a product of before market or after-market sale. As such, the shape and position of the channel 18 and O-ring 44 will be unique pursuant to the requirements of the wheel rim and tire.

[0021] In this particular embodiment, the O-ring 44 includes a rounded base body and no flange portion extending therefrom. Although, a flange portion is possible depending on the wheel rim and tire. However, the rounded base body can be many different shapes and sizes but would include a shape fit-able or conformable with a space compatible with an internal side flange of an automobile wheel rim, i.e. not the space between the outer flange and space defined by the side wall bead of the automobile tire. It should also be understood that the location of the channel 18 could be positioned anywhere along the periphery 16 suitable to fit on the internal flange of the wheel rim.

[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is a perspective and cut-away view of an applicable use of a rim guard with a wheel rim and tire and is denoted generally as 50. The illustration 50 includes a wheel rim 52, a tire 54, and rim guard 56. The rim guard 56 includes a handle 58 and an inner channel and O-ring denoted generally as 60 around the periphery of the rim guard 56. However, the placement of the inner channel and O-ring 60 along the periphery of the rim guard 56 is dependent on specifics of the design and shape of the wheel rim and possible tire used with the rim. Preferably, the rim guard 60 and the inner channel may be made of plastic, e.g. using injection molding and the O-ring made of rubber.

[0023] In this example illustration, the wheel rim 52 is of a design and shape wherein the design and shape of the rim guard 56 necessitates the need that the rim guard 56 includes an inner channel and O-ring 60 is positioned on an inner flange 62 of the wheel rim 52. However, it should be understood that in other embodiments the inner channel and O-ring 60 could be placed between the outer flange and side wall of the tire, denoted generally at 64, of the wheel rim 52. As such, depending on the shape, style, and configuration of the wheel rim 52 and tire 54, the rim guard 56 may be configured in a way to necessitate the specific needs. In any configuration, the wheel rim 52 and inner channel and O-ring 60 can be seal-able with the fitted forms of the flanges, e.g. using force applied using the handle 58 and the shape and configuration of the O-ring. Alternatively, an adhesive could be applied to the O-ring that could apply the force necessary to create the seal.

[0024] While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the invention.