Wheel with extended outer flange

Abstract

The present invention provides an improved wheel and tire for simulating the appearance of a larger-diameter wheel mounted within a low-profile tire. The wheel has an inboard side and an outboard side. The outboard side includes a wide outer flange which extends around the outer circumference of the wheel. The outer flange and/or the outboard face of the wheel is preferably detachable from the remainder of the wheel. The inboard side may include a wide inboard flange which is preferably detachable. The flanges preferably cover a substantial portion of the wall of the outer tire within which the wheel is mounted. A design, preferably comprised of, for example, a plurality of protrusions, indentations, and slits, extends across at least a portion of the outboard face of the wheel, including the outboard face of the extended outer flange.

1 . A wheel, comprising: 
 a central hub having an inboard side and an outboard side;    an outer flange removably attached to the outboard side of the hub and extending radially outwardly, the outer flange having an inner diameter and an outer diameter, wherein the difference between the inner and outer diameters is at least about 1 inch; and    a plurality of at least one of either protrusions, indentations, or slits formed on the outboard face of the wheel and extending across at least a portion of the outer flange, whereby the wheel is adapted to give an appearance of a larger-diameter wheel when mounted within a tire.