FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an insert assembly for fixing insert over alloy wheel of
vehicle. The insert is also called as garnish. Said insert assembly is
implemented for proper positioning of the insert on the alloy wheel for avoiding
misalignment without affecting performance of the alloy wheel.
BACKGROUND/PRIOR ART
Insert constitutes an ornamental piece of plastic which is fixed over the alloy
wheel to enhance aesthetic appeal of said wheel.
Currently available insert is as shown in fig. 1, which consists of a pair of
longitudinal curved members (1A, IB) made of plastic. This pair is required to
be pasted over the alloy wheel (A) with the help of very high bond double side
adhesive tape provided on back surface of the insert to obtain assembly (A') of
the insert adhered to alloy wheel.
As the insert is meant for aesthetics, hence the same is required to be perfectly
aligned with the intended section of the alloy wheel.
As the aforementioned insert does not have any locator to locate the same at
accurate position prior to fixing over alloy wheel, therefore there arc huge
chances of misalignment (M) thereby degrading the aesthetic appeal as in fig. 2.
Since the insert uses very high bonding adhesive, therefore once fixed it can't
be re-aligned.
In order to overcome the above issue, another insert with locator has been
suggested in the art, for which reference may be made to fig.3.
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The insert with locator comprises a pair of plastic longitudinal curved members
(inserts) (2A, 2B) integrated with two locator pins (P) on the back of each of the
members. The locator pin is accommodated in the corresponding counter hole
(H) of the alloy wheel (W) while fixing.
These locator pins can guide the insert perfectly into the alloy wheel having
counter holes. However, this may drastically affect the impact performance
causing failure as well as rust performance of wheel at the holes as indicated in
fig. 4A and 4B respectively.
Now, reference may be made to Patent CN102336117 making disclosure
regarding an ornamental wheel insert attachment system including a snap-fit
attachment to a wheel. Here, multitude of fingers carrying bosses are attached
to an insert body, wherein said, bosses get engaged snappingly in the
corresponding boss abutment of the wheel. Alternatively, a. snap ring
snappingly engages the insert body from inside of the wheel.
The alloy wheel needs to have counter hole so as to receive the snap fits.
Further, reference may be made to US 6663189 directing to garnish light alloy
wheel comprising a light alloy wheel having an outboard surface and a recess
located at a portion of the alloy wheel including a spoke portion.
Here, the garnish is aligned on the alloy wheel by means of nut and bolt, in
which the wheel has counter hole so as to accommodate the bolt and recess for
the insert.
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In the above referenced disclosure, alloy wheel if used without insert/Garnish
looks awkward as the wheel does have the counter geometry of the snap and
insert. Since hole- is required for the snap/nut bolt fitment, the impact
performance of the wheel may be at stake i.e. failure of the wheel occurs al the
holes due to stress concentration.
In the current circumstances, it is necessary to devise an insert assembly
which can address the aforementioned issues of prior arts.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention is to propose an insert assembly for fixing insert
over alloy wheel of vehicle which obviates drawbacks of prior arts.
Another object of this invention is to propose an insert assembly for fixing
insert over alloy wheel of vehicle which results in accurate alignment of the
insert on the alloy wheel.
Further object of this invention is to propose an insert assembly for fixing
insert over alloy wheel of vehicle which avoids high stress concentration at the
holes of alloy wheel thereby avoiding breakage and rusting of the wheel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to this invention, there is provided an insert assembly for fixing
insert over alloy wheel of vehicle comprising a pair of insert members
connected by means of a locator at one end and a connector at other end
constituting a single structure.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Further objects and advantages of this invention will be more apparent from
the ensuing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings of exemplary embodiments of invention and wherein:
Fig. 1 shows:
Fig. 2 shows:
Fig. 3 shows:
Fig. 4A and
4B shows:
Fig. 5 shows:
Fig. 5C shows:
Fig. 6A shows:
Fig. 6B shows:
Fig. 7 shows:
Conventional insert, alloy wheel and assembly of insert over
alloy wheel.
Misalignment of insert over alloy wheel.
Insert with locator pins according to another prior art.
Breakage and rusting at alloy wheel holes in the known art.
Insert assembly according to present invention used on alloy
wheel.
Another embodiment of locator of present invention.
Assembly of novel insert over alloy wheel in present
invention.
Sectional view (B-B) of fig. 6A.
Novel insert assembly and "final assembly of the same over
the alloy wheel in accordance with present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE
ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention provides teaching in respect of an insert assembly for
pasting insert over alloy wheel of vehicle. For the same, reference may be made
to fig. 5.
Said insert assembly includes a pair of insert members (1', 1"), a connector (4')
and a locator (2') for locating the insert members accurately over the alloy
wheel during fixing of the same.
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Thus, the insert assembly comprises a pair of insert members (longitudinal
curved members) (1', 1") which are connected by a locator (2') at one end and
by a connector (4') at other end. The profile of the insert member (s)
corresponds to the shape of spokes (S', S") of alloy wheel.
The connector is approximately a straight longitudinal member. The connector
suitably aligns the insert members at the other end. The locator comprises a
curved member (C) with a locator pin (P', P") at both ends, wherein the pins are
accommodated in the corresponding bolt holes (3', 3") of said alloy wheel while
fixing the insert. The bolt hole is utilized as the locator guide for proper
alignment of the insert over the spokes (S', S") of the alloy wheel.
According to another embodiment, the locator can take configuration of a
curved structure with locator pins at intermediate- points as best seen in fig.
5C.
Thus various shapes of the locator can be devised by a person skilled in the art
serving the same purpose i.e. for the same functionality.
Here, two locator pins are preferred over one locator pin as one locator pin
involves two degree of freedom (one translational and one rotational movement)
out of six, whereas two locator pins involve five degree of freedom including one
translational movement out of six degrees of freedom.
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In case of one locator pin, there are chances of rotational movement in the
course of fixing which ultimately leads to misalignment. Hence, the two locator
pins are adopted.
The insert assembly mentioned hereinabove consisting of a pair of insert
members, locator and connector constitutes a single structure.
The insert assembly can be aligned perfectly over the spokes of alloy wheel
without affecting the impact or rust performance of the alloy wheel. Said alloy
wheel remains intact as no modification in its design/styling needs to be
carried out to adopt insert. Hence the existing wheel can be employed. The
hollow locator pins of the insert assembly are aligned with the two bolt holes of
the alloy wheel. This alignment helps in arresting five out of six degrees of
freedom. Once the "insert assembly" is assembled on the alloy wheel, the
locator and connector can be detached from the "insert assembly" leaving
behind the seamlessly'aligned insert over alloy wheel.
The insert assembly of instant invention is made of any polymer of plastic
preferably manufactured by injection molding.
Reference may be made to fig. 6A indicating the insert assembly assembled
onto the alloy wheel & fig. 6B illustrating engagement of locator pins inside bolt
holes of said wheel.
Again reference may be made to fig. 7 showing novel locator assembly of
invention and final assembly of the same over the alloy wheel.
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Advantageous Features:
- Avoids high stress concentration at the holes of wheel, which in turn
prevents breakage and rusting at the holes.
- Accurate alignment of the insert over the wheel without affecting impact
or rust performance of the alloy wheel.
- Adoptable to existing wheel without necessitating change in its
design/styling.
It is to be noted that the present invention is susceptible to modifications,
adaptations and changes by those skilled in the art. Such variant embodiments
employing the concepts and features of this invention are intended to be within
the scope of the present invention, which is further set forth under the
following claims:-

Claim
An insert assembly for fixing insert over alloy wheel of vehicle, comprising
a pair of insert members connected by means of a locator at one end and
a connector at other end constituting a single structure.
An insert assembly for fixing insert over alloy wheel of vehicle as claimed
in claim 1 wherein the locator includes a curved member with atleast two
locator pins to be accommodated in the corresponding bolt holes of said
alloy wheel during fixing of the insert over the wheel.
An insert assembly for fixing insert over alloy wheel of vehicle as claimed
in any of the preceding claims wherein the locator pins can be placed at
the ends of the curved member.
An insert assembly for fixing insert over alloy wheel of vehicle as claimed
in any of the preceding claims wherein the locator pins can be positioned
at the intermediate points of the curved member.
An insert assembly for fixing insert over alloy wheel of vehicle as claimed
in any of the preceding claims wherein said connector is substantially a
straight longitudinal member, which suitably aligns the insert members
at the other end.
An insert assembly for fixing insert over alloy wheel of vehicle as claimed
in any of the preceding claims wherein the insert member forms a curved
longitudinal member, profile of which corresponds to the shape of spoke
of alloy wheel.
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7. An insert assembly for fixing insert over alloy wheel of vehicle as claimed
in any of the preceding claims wherein the locator and connector are
detachable from the insert assembly once the assembly is assembled on
the alloy wheel to obtain seamlessly aligned insert over the alloy wheel.
8. An insert assembly for fixing insert over alloy wheel of vehicle as claimed
in any of the preceding claims is associated with the advantageous
features such as herein described.
9. An insert assembly for fixing insert over alloy wheel, of vehicle
substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.