A capped wheel nut (20) formed of a cap (22) and a nut insert (24) which, when engaged, rotate together such as for removably engaging a wheel to a threaded stud of a hub of a vehicle. The capped wheel nut (20) is rotated by a standard tool which applies a rotational force to the cap (22). Should the cap (22) become disengaged from the nut insert (24), then the nut insert may be rotated by a standard tool which applies a rotational force to the nut insert (24) in the absence of the cap (22).

Three-part vertical stack-up mold apparatus for molding a composite styled wheel (20) wherein the middle mold part is metal disc and rim (22) subassembly operable as metal street wheel when a pneumatic tire is mounted on said rim. The lower mold part defines a mold cavity (260) axially adjacent the outboard face of the disc and rim mold part and has a mold cavity surface to define an ornamental configuration for the outboard face of a plastic body of the composite wheel. An upper mold part seats (52) in the mold-closed condition against the inboard face of the disc urging the same into sealing engagment with the lower mold part. The lower mold part includes outboard body vent pocket forming cores adapted for individual registry with disc air vent openings so as to protrude therethrough into the mold cavity in the closed condition of the mold. The upper mold part includes an expansible lid seal (90) juxtaposed in mold cavity sealing relation to the disc inboard face and the cores in the mold-closed condition. The lid seal is radially outwardly expansible in response to clamping pressure of the upper mold part against the middle mold part as resisted by lower mold part during mold closure to thereby radially outwardly enlarge the sealing engagement of the lid seal against the disc inboard surface in the mold-closed condition, and vice versa during mold opening.

An improved composite metal-elastomer styled auto­motive-type wheel (20) has a three-dimensionally contoured ornamental outboard face formed by a plastic overlay body (26) permanently adhered or affixed to the outboard face. Plastic overlay body (26) has an annular row of outboard pockets (42a,b) disposed in radially offset, axially over­lapping relation with an annular row of inboard pockets (44a,b) which in turn register with vent openings (32) in the disc (24) to thereby provide air passages through the wheel for brake ventilation. The outboard pockets preferably are disposed radially remote from the centre of the wheel close to the wheel rim (22), and a relatively thin cross-­section of plastic material (40) is molded so as to overlie the outboard rim flange (226) to provide a full-face appea­rance to the wheel. In the method and apparatus of the invention the mold cavity is provided with perimeter air vents (224b) to enable thin cross-section molding adjacent the outer perimeter of the mold cavity.

A hubcap (60) for an aircraft wheel (56) includes an internal spider (80) which engages an anti-skid transducer (30) located in the wheel hub. The hubcap (60) is constructed of one piece and has a conical configuration to provide increased strength as well as increased airflow inside the hubcap (60) for improved heat dissipation.

Three-part vertical stack-up mold apparatus for molding a composite styled wheel (20) wherein the middle mold part is metal disc and rim (22) subassembly operable as metal street wheel when a pneumatic tire is mounted on said rim. The lower mold part defines a mold cavity (260) axially adjacent the outboard face of the disc and rim mold part and has a mold cavity surface to define an ornamental configuration for the outboard face of a plastic body of the composite wheel. An upper mold part seats (52) in the mold-closed condition against the inboard face of the disc urging the same into sealing engagment with the lower mold part. The lower mold part includes outboard body vent pocket forming cores adapted for individual registry with disc air vent openings so as to protrude therethrough into the mold cavity in the closed condition of the mold. The upper mold part includes an expansible lid seal (90) juxtaposed in mold cavity sealing relation to the disc inboard face and the cores in the mold-closed condition. The lid seal is radially outwardly expansible in response to clamping pressure of the upper mold part against the middle mold part as resisted by lower mold part during mold closure to thereby radially outwardly enlarge the sealing engagement of the lid seal against the disc inboard surface in the mold-closed condition, and vice versa during mold opening.

An improved composite metal-elastomer styled auto­motive-type wheel (20) has a three-dimensionally contoured ornamental outboard face formed by a plastic overlay body (26) permanently adhered or affixed to the outboard face. Plastic overlay body (26) has an annular row of outboard pockets (42a,b) disposed in radially offset, axially over­lapping relation with an annular row of inboard pockets (44a,b) which in turn register with vent openings (32) in the disc (24) to thereby provide air passages through the wheel for brake ventilation. The outboard pockets preferably are disposed radially remote from the centre of the wheel close to the wheel rim (22), and a relatively thin cross-­section of plastic material (40) is molded so as to overlie the outboard rim flange (226) to provide a full-face appea­rance to the wheel. In the method and apparatus of the invention the mold cavity is provided with perimeter air vents (224b) to enable thin cross-section molding adjacent the outer perimeter of the mold cavity.

A decorative caped wheel nut (10) for holding a wheel on a motor vehicle where the capped wheel nut is exposed to view and to the environment. The nut has an insert (12) with first and second ends (20,24), the first end to engage the wheel of the automobile, and a circumferential edge (30) intermediate the first and second ends. The nut (10) also consists of a cap (14) which includes a side section (36) to cover the sides (38) of the nut insert (12) and a top section (32), joined to the side section (36), to cover the second end (24) of the nut insert (12). The opposite end of the side section terminates in a free edge, flare or flange (38) which contacts the circumferential edge (30) of the nut insert (12). The cap (14) and nut insert (12) are welded together at the contact (58) between the circumferential edge (30) of the nut insert and the free edge of the cap.

A composite styled wheel (20) includes a metallic disc (24), a rim (22) and an ornamental plastic overlay (26) permanently affixed to the disc and/or rim. The overlay (26) has a central cavity (56) adapted to receive a wheel hub. A retainer spring wire (100) is secured to the overlay (26) and is spaced radially outwardly from the cavity surface, the overlay material engulfing the retainer so as to at least partially embed the same in the overlay (100) to thereby hide the retainer (100) from view and assist in securement thereof to the overlay. The overlay and retainer have cooperative detent structure disposed in the vicinity of the outboard face of said overlay encircling the outboard entrance to the overlay cavity and adapted to yieldably releasably engage a center ornament hub cap (60) for removable attachment of the same to the overlay.

A composite styled wheel (20) includes a metallic disc (24), a rim (22) and an ornamental plastic overlay (26) permanently affixed to the disc and/or rim. The overlay (26) has a central cavity (56) adapted to receive a wheel hub. A retainer spring wire (100) is secured to the overlay (26) and is spaced radially outwardly from the cavity surface, the overlay material engulfing the retainer so as to at least partially embed the same in the overlay (100) to thereby hide the retainer (100) from view and assist in securement thereof to the overlay. The overlay and retainer have cooperative detent structure disposed in the vicinity of the outboard face of said overlay encircling the outboard entrance to the overlay cavity and adapted to yieldably releasably engage a center ornament hub cap (60) for removable attachment of the same to the overlay.

Die Erfindung betrifft eine Schraubkapsel für Radachsen zum Verschließen der Radnabe mit einem zylindrischen Teil, an dem ein Außen-oder Innengewinde angeordnet ist und einem vorstehenden, reduzierten Teil mit Schlüsselflächen zum Ansetzen eines Schlüssels und einer geschlossenen Stirnwand. Um die Schraubkapsel sowohl mit einem Schlüssel als auch mit einem Schlagwerkzeug lösen und/oder befestigen zu können, besitzt der reduzierte Teil nur zwei sich gegenüberliegende und parallel zueinander verlaufende Schlüsselflächen, deren achsparallele Ränder innerhalb des zylindrischen Teils enden, und die Ränder sind durch nach außen gekrümmte Schlagflächen miteinander verbunden, die mit den Schlüsselflächen einen stumpfen Winkel a bilden, der gleich oder kleiner als 125° ist.