Decorative lug nut

Abstract

A decorative lug nut comprises a threaded metal portion for attaching a wheel to a vehicle with an outer exposed end of the nut formed with a recess for receiving a gem stone. The gem stone may be a synthetic stone such as cubic zirconia having a tapered base that fits into the recess. A resilient liner is attached to cover the base of the stone to isolate the stone from the metal of the nut.

1 . A decorative lug nut comprising an elongate metal member having a first end adapted for engagement with a wheel of a vehicle and having a second end adapted for receiving and retaining a gem stone.  
   
   
       2 . The lug nut of  claim 1  wherein the gem stone is seated in a recess formed in the second end of the metal member.  
   
   
       3 . The lug nut of  claim 2  wherein the gem stone is a cut stone having a tapered rear segment for seating in the recess in the second end of the metal member.  
   
   
       4 . The lug nut of  claim 3  and including a resilient sheet material surrounding the tapered rear segment of the gem stone.  
   
   
       5 . The lug nut of  claim 4  wherein the recess in the metal member is shaped to conform to the general configuration of the tapered rear segment of the gem stone whereby the gem stone presses against inner walls of the recess through the resilient sheet member.  
   
   
       6 . The lug nut of  claim 5  wherein gem stone is retained in the recess by a retaining ring circumscribing the gem stone at an outer rim of the stone, the ring being positioned about an inner diameter of the recess.  
   
   
       7 . The lug nut of  claim 6  wherein the resilient sheet material reacts against the inner walls of the recess to maintain the gem stone in pressing engagement with the retaining ring.  
   
   
       8 . The lug nut of  claim 7  wherein the retaining ring comprises a deformation of the outer edge of the metal member circumscribing the gem stone.  
   
   
       9 . The lug nut of  claim 7  wherein the retaining ring comprises a ring compressed into a slot formed in the recess.  
   
   
       10 . The lug nut of  claim 5  and including a reflective foil coating on the tapered rear segment of the gem stone.