DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[001] This application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202141011209 filed on March 16, 2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[002] The embodiments herein relate to a system and a method for locking a wheel cover onto a wheel rim of the vehicle. Further, embodiments herein relate to a system and a method for restricting the wheel cover plastic snaps to directly contact with the wheel rim thereby preventing melting, wear and tear of wheel cover plastic snaps.

BACKGROUND
[003] Generally, plastic snaps are used to assemble a wheel cover to a wheel rim of a vehicle. Usually, a metallic ring is used to hold the wheel cover and plastic snaps are fitted on the metallic ring for locking the wheel cover to the wheel rim. There is a chance of wheel cover falling due to the melting of plastic snaps by wheel rim high temperature during braking. Further, the plastic snaps are subjected to wear and tear and less serviceability of part. Some solutions involve usage of fasteners (bolts) for mounting the wheel cover to the wheel rim. However, the fasteners are visible to the user of the vehicle thereby affecting the aesthetics of the vehicle.
[004] Therefore, there exists a need for a system and a method for locking the wheel cover onto the wheel rim of the vehicle, which obviates the aforementioned drawbacks. Further, there exists a need for a to a system and a method for restricting the wheel cover plastic snaps to directly contact with the wheel rim thereby preventing melting, wear and tear of wheel cover plastic snaps.

OBJECTS
[005] The principal object of an embodiment herein is to provide a system and a method for locking a wheel cover onto a wheel rim of a vehicle.
[006] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a method for locking the wheel cover to the wheel rim of the vehicle.
[007] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the wheel cover locking system, which is easier to manufacture, involves no child parts and is inexpensive.
[008] Another object of an embodiment herein is to integrate wheel cover locking member on a wheel cover holding ring.
[009] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide the wheel cover locking system, which eliminates the need of wheel cover plastic snaps.
[0010] Another object of an embodiment herein is to provide a system and a method for restricting the wheel cover plastic snaps to directly contact with the wheel rim thereby preventing melting, wear and tear of wheel cover plastic snaps.
[0011] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in the various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0013] Fig. 1 depicts an exploded view of a wheel cover, locking members integrated on wheel cover holder and tyre with wheel rim, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 2 depicts front view of locking members integrated on wheel cover holder, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of the wheel cover holder assembled to the wheel cover, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 4 depicts a flowchart showing steps of a method for locking a wheel cover onto a wheel rim of a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of the wheel cover, wheel cover holder and wheel cover plastic snaps in assembled condition, where an abrasion and temperature resistant section is defined on the wheel cover plastic snaps, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0018] Fig. 6 depicts a flowchart showing steps of a method restricting the wheel cover plastic snaps to directly contact with the wheel rim.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0020] The embodiments herein achieve a wheel cover locking system, which is easier to manufacture, involves no child parts and is inexpensive. Further, embodiments herein achieve a system and a method for restricting for restricting the wheel cover plastic snaps to directly contact with the wheel rim thereby preventing melting, wear and tear of wheel cover plastic snaps. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to Fig. 1 through Fig. 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0021] Fig. 1 depicts an exploded view of a wheel cover (WC), locking members (204) integrated on wheel cover holder (202) and tyre with wheel rim (WR), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the wheel cover locking system (100) includes a plurality of locking members (104) defined on a wheel cover holder (102). The locking members (104) is adapted to be connected to the wheel rim (WR) thereby locking the wheel cover (WC) onto the wheel rim (WR). The locking members (104) are adapted to snap fit the wheel cover (WC) onto the wheel rim (WR). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the wheel cover holder (102) is a ring which is adapted to hold the wheel cover (WC) when the wheel cover (WC) is locked onto the wheel rim (WR) through the locking members (104). In one embodiment, each locking member (104) is an integral part of the wheel cover holder (102). In another embodiment, each locking member (104) is a separate part that is fixedly or detachably connected to the wheel cover holder (102). Each locking member (104) is a protrusion that is located on the wheel cover holder (102). Each locking member (104) is adapted to be received by a groove (WRG) defined in the wheel rim (WR). Each locking member (104) is made of a metallic material or a composite material. In an embodiment, each locking member (104) defines a U-shape configuration. In another embodiment, each locking member (104) defines a L shape or I shape configuration. Each locking member (104) is spaced away from other locking member (104).
[0022] Fig. 4 depicts a flowchart showing steps of a method for locking a wheel cover onto a wheel rim of a vehicle, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. At step (22), the method (10) includes, assembling a wheel cover holder (102) with the wheel cover (WC). At step (24), the method (20) includes, locking, by a plurality of locking members (104) defined on the wheel cover holder (102), the wheel cover (WC) onto the wheel rim (WR) by connecting the locking members (104) with the wheel rim (WR).
[0023] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of the wheel cover (WC), wheel cover holder (R) and wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS) in assembled condition, where an abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) is defined on the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The system (200) is adapted for restricting the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS) to directly contact with the wheel rim (WR). The system (200) includes an abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) defined on the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS). The abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) is interposed between the wheel rim (WR) and the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS) thereby restricting the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS) to directly contact with the wheel rim (WR). The abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) is engaged with the wheel rim (WR) thereby preventing melting, wear and tear of the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS). In an embodiment, the abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) is a metallic layer that is plated on the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS). In another embodiment, the abrasion and temperature resistant member (202) is one of a metallic plate or metallic pad or metallic insert that is connected onto the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS). In another embodiment, abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) is one of an abrasive layer, an abrasive insert, high temperature resistant rubber, and a pad made of composite material.
[0024] Fig. 6 depicts a flowchart showing steps of a method restricting the wheel cover plastic snaps to directly contact with the wheel rim. The method (20) includes, restricting, by an abrasion and temperature resistant section (202), the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS) to directly contact with the wheel rim (WR) thereby preventing melting, wear and tear of the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS).
[0025] The technical advantages of the wheel cover locking system are as follows. Wheel cover locking method is simple and easy to implement. The wheel cover locking system can be used in any type of wheel cover. The wheel cover locking system prevents wheel cover fall off from vehicle. The wheel cover locking system eliminates need of wheel cover plastic snaps. The wheel cover locking member is resistant to wear and tear and can withstand high temperature. The wheel cover locking system, which is easier to manufacture, involves no child parts and is inexpensive.
[0026] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

,CLAIMS:We claim,
1. A system (100) for locking a wheel cover (WC) onto a wheel rim (WR) of a vehicle, said system (100) comprising:
a plurality of locking members (104) defined on a wheel cover holder (102), wherein said locking members (104) is adapted to be connected to the wheel rim (WR) thereby locking the wheel cover (WC) onto the wheel rim (WR).

2. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said locking member (104) is an integral part of said wheel cover holder (102);
each of said locking member (104) is a protrusion located on said wheel cover holder (102);
each of said locking member (104) is adapted to be received by a groove (WRG) defined in the wheel rim (WR);
each of said locking member (104) is made up of one of a metallic material, a composite material and a ceramic material; and
each of said locking member (104) is formed in a shape which enables a corresponding snap fit.

3. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said locking member (104) isa separate part that is fixedly or detachably connected to said wheel cover holder (102).

4. The system (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each of said locking member (104) is spaced away from said other locking member (104);
said wheel cover holder (102) is adapted to hold the wheel cover (WC) when the wheel cover (WC) is locked onto the wheel rim (WR) through said locking members (104);
said wheel cover holder (102) is a ring; and
said locking members (104) is adapted to snap fit the wheel cover (WC) onto the wheel rim (WR).

5. A method (10) for locking a wheel cover (WC) onto a wheel rim (WR) of a vehicle, said method (10) comprising:
assembling a wheel cover holder (102) with the wheel cover (WC); and
locking, by a plurality of locking members (104) defined on the wheel cover holder (102), the wheel cover (WC) onto the wheel rim (WR) by connecting the locking members (104) with the wheel rim (WR),
wherein
each of said locking member (104) is a protrusion; and
each of said locking member (104) is an integral part of said wheel cover holder (102).

6.A system (200) for restricting wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS)to directly contact with a wheel rim (WR), said system (200) comprising:
an abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) defined on the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS), said abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) is interposed between the wheel rim (WR) and the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS) thereby restricting the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS) to directly contact with the wheel rim (WR).

7. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) is engaged with the wheel rim (WR) thereby preventing melting, wear and tear of the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS); and
said abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) is a metallic layer that is plated on the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS).

8. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, where in abrasion and temperature resistant member (202) is one of a metallic plate or metallic pad or metallic insert that is connected onto the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS).

9. The system (200) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) is one of an abrasive layer, an abrasive insert, high temperature resistant rubber, and a pad made of composite material.

10.A method (20) for restricting wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS) to directly contact with a wheel rim (WR), said method (20) comprising:
restricting, by an abrasion and temperature resistant section (202), the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS) to directly contact with the wheel rim (WR),
wherein
the abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) is defined on the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS); and
the abrasion and temperature resistant section (202) is interposed between the wheel rim (WR) and the wheel cover plastic snaps (WCS).