Claims:1. A vehicle wheel for fitment of a hub cap comprising: a step recess formed on an inner circumference of an inner contact surface of the vehicle wheel, wherein the step recess is configured to accommodate a flange of the hub cap to be fitted with the vehicle wheel.

2. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vehicle wheel is characterized by absence of any change in an axial gap between an outer contact surface of the vehicle wheel and the inner contact surface, as compared to a vehicle wheel having higher axial gap.

3. The vehicle wheel as claimed in claim 1, wherein an axial gap between an outer contact surface of the vehicle wheel and the inner contact surface is in a range of from 0.05-0.5mm.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of wheels used in automobiles. In particular, the present disclosure relates to an improved wheel for vehicles that provides for fitment of a hub cap without affecting fitment of the wheel on the vehicle and and without deteriorating the endurance and useful life of the wheel

BACKGROUND
[0002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[0003] Vehicle wheels are typically fitted with a hub cap to cover the hub portion as well as to improve aesthetics of the vehicle. A typical hub cap 100 is shown in FIG. 1, which includes a flange 102 located on an open end 104 of the hub cap 100, which is fitted with the wheel from the back /inner side of the wheel. Thickness of the flange 102 on the hub cap 100 varies from 0.7mm to 1mm.
[0004] Seating/mounting face of the wheels, such as wheel 200 shown in FIG. 2A, in general makes contact with the mating part at two radially spaced circumferential locations, referred to as an outer contact surface 202, i.e., the one that is farther from rotational axis 206 of the wheel 200, and an inner contact surface 208, i.e., the one that is closer to the rotational axis 206 of the wheel 200. The outer contact surface 202 touches the mating part, i.e., the seating surface 212 of the hub, first, and, when the wheel 200 is tightened, the inner contact surface 208 makes contact with the seating surface 212 of the hub. Typically, the axial difference 204, i.e., along the direction of the rotational axis 206 of the wheel 200, between the outer contact surface 202 and the inner contact surface 208 varies from 0.05-0.5mm. This axial difference 204 gives spring-washer effect and prevents loosening of bolts used for fixing the wheel 200 to the mating part.
[0005] Wheels for hub cap fitment are specially made with the axial gap 204 between the outer contact surface 202 and the inner contact surface 208 as 1.3±0.3mm. The higher axial gap 204 is meant to accommodate the thickness of the flange 102 of the hub cap 100, which is sandwiched between the inner contact surface 208 and the seating surface 212 of the hub. However, if the wheel 200 were to be fitted without the hub cap, the higher axial gap 204 results in reduced/ improper contact between the outer contact surface 202 due to tilting of the outer contact surface 202, as shown in FIG. 2B, resulting in a tapered gap 210 between the outer contact surface 202 and the seating surface 212. This in-turn results in pre-mature fatigue failures from the wheel outer mounting surface region.
[0006] Therefore, a conventional vehicle wheel for fitment of a hub cap suffers from drawbacks: (i) they cannot be satisfactorily fitted without a hub cap, a situation which every user is likely to face during lifetime of the wheel, and (ii) if wheels are fitted without hub cap, the pre-mature failures from the mounting surface of the wheel becomes very high and it is a dangerous situation for the user.
[0007] There is therefore a need in the art to provide an improved vehicle wheel that overcomes above drawbacks of the conventional vehicle wheels for fitment of a hub cap.
[0008] All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
[0009] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0010] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.
[0011] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A general object of the present disclosure is to provide an improved vehicle wheel for fitment of a hub cap that overcomes drawbacks of the conventional vehicle wheels available for fitment of hub cap.
[0013] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle wheel for fitment of a hub cap that can be manufactured along with normal vehicle wheels using a common set of forming tools.
[0014] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a vehicle wheel for fitment of a hub cap that can be fitted to vehicle with or without a hub cap without any detrimental effect or any occurrence of pre-mature cracks from mounting surface location of the wheel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a vehicle wheel that is configured for fitment of a hub cap. Specifically, the disclosed vehicle wheel for fitment of a hub cap includes features that allow the vehicle wheel to be manufactured using same set of tools as for a normal vehicle wheel, i.e., not configured for fitment of a hub cap, and can be used with or without a hub cap without any detrimental effects.
[0016] In an aspect, the disclosed vehicle wheel for fitment of a hub cap includes a step recess formed on an inner circumference of an inner contact surface of the vehicle wheel. The step recess is configured to accommodate a flange of the hub cap to be fitted with the vehicle wheel.
[0017] In an embodiment, the proposed vehicle wheel is characterized by absence of any change in an axial gap between an outer contact surface of the vehicle wheel and the inner contact surface, as compared to a vehicle wheel having higher axial gap.
[0018] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the present disclosure, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrate a typical hub cap having a flange.
[0021] FIG. 2A illustrates a part sectional view of a conventional vehicle wheel, showing an outer contact surface and an inner contact surface with axial distance therebetween.
[0022] FIG. 2B illustrates a part sectional view of a conventional vehicle wheel for fitment of a hub cap, showing fitment thereof without a hub cap resulting in improper seating of the outer contact surface.
[0023] FIGs. 3A and 3B illustrate exemplary sectional views of the proposed vehicle wheel for fitment of a hub cap, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.
[0024] FIG. 3C illustrates an exemplary sectional view showing fitment of the hub cap with the disclosed vehicle wheel of FIGs. 2A and 2B, in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0026] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0027] Various terms are used herein. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in printed publications and issued patents at the time of filing.
[0028] Embodiments explained herein relate to a vehicle wheel used in motorized vehicles for mounting a pneumatic tyre. In particular, the proposed wheel includes a feature that allows fitment of a hub cap. More particularly, the feature that allows the vehicle wheel to be used with or without a hub cap without any detrimental effect.
[0029] Referring now to FIGs. 3A to 3C, where sectional views of the disclosed vehicle wheel are shown, the vehicle wheel 300 (hereinafter, also referred to simply as wheel) can include a step recess 302. The step recess 302 can be located on an inner circumference of seating/mounting face of the wheel 300. As known, seating/mounting face of the wheels typically includes an outer contact surface 306 and an inner contact surface 304. The step recess 302, being at the inner circumference of the wheel 300, shall be located at the inner contact surface 304. The step recess 302 can be configured to accommodate a flange, such as flange of a hub cap, such as flange 102 of the hub cap 100 shown in FIG. 1. The dimensions and shape of the step recess can vary as per specific requirements of the hub caps.
[0030] As can be understood, since the flange of the hub cap is accommodated in the step recess 302, there is no requirement of the wheel 300 having a higher axial distance between the outer contact surface 306 and an inner contact surface 304, which is typically present in conventional vehicle wheels configured to accommodate a hub cap. Therefore, the axial distance between the outer contact surface 306 and an inner contact surface 304 can be same as of similar wheel but not configured for fitment of a hub cap. In an exemplary implementation, the axial distance between the outer contact surface 306 and an inner contact surface 304 for the wheel 300 can be in a range of from 0.05-0.5mm.
[0031] As can be understood, since the wheel 300 does not require a higher axial distance, it can be formed using same tooling as used for a conventional wheel. The step recess can be formed after forming by any suitable process, such as but not limited to machining. Also, since the wheel 300 has same axial distance as a normal wheel that is not configured for fitment of a hub cap, the wheel 300, if exigency demands, can be fitted without a hub cap, without any adverse effect associated with higher axial distance. Thus, it does not have any pre-mature failures from the mounting region of the wheel as seen generally in case of wheels with higher axial difference.
[0032] Thus, the present disclosure provides a vehicle wheel configured for fitment of a hub cap that is economical to manufacture and does not have other drawbacks of conventional wheels for fitment of hub cap.
[0033] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
[0034] The present disclosure provides an improved vehicle wheel for fitment of a hub cap that overcomes drawbacks of the conventional vehicle wheels available for fitment of hub cap.
[0035] The present disclosure provides a vehicle wheel for fitment of a hub cap that can be manufactured along with normal vehicle wheels using a common set of forming tools.
[0036] The present disclosure provides a vehicle wheel for fitment of a hub cap that can be fitted to vehicle with or without a hub cap without any detrimental effect or without any occurrence of pre-mature failures coming from the mounting region of the wheel.