Wheel shipping member

Abstract

An apparatus for shipping a vehicle wheel. The apparatus includes an annular member adapted to be placed on the vehicle wheel specifically on the outer rim portion thereof. A partition member is connected to the annular member and extends into an interior area defined by the outer peripheral edge of the annular member. Accordingly, the partition member provides a buffer or protective member that protects the outer surface of the vehicle wheel from damage.

1 . A shipping member used for transporting a vehicle wheel comprising: 
 an annular member including an outer peripheral edge and having an interior area circumscribed by said outer peripheral edge; and    a partition member, said partition member connected to said annular member and extending into said interior area.    
   
   
       2 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 1  including said annular member having an inner peripheral edge and having a circumferential groove between said outer peripheral edge and said inner peripheral edge, said interior area circumscribed by said inner peripheral edge.  
   
   
       3 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said partition member occupies said interior area.  
   
   
       4 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said partition member occupies a portion of said interior area.  
   
   
       5 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said partition member includes a plurality of spokes, said spokes connected to said annular member and extending inward into said interior area.  
   
   
       6 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 5  including a hub, said spokes connected to said hub.  
   
   
       7 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said spokes have first and second ends, said first ends connected to said annular member and said second ends connected to each other.  
   
   
       8 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said partition member has at least one opening therein.  
   
   
       9 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said partition member includes a plate member having top and bottom surfaces.  
   
   
       10 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 1  including said plate member having a multi-level configuration and having a plurality of openings extending between said top and bottom surfaces.  
   
   
       11 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 1  including a plurality of shipping members joined together at adjacent annular members to form a single layer.  
   
   
       12 . A shipping member for transporting a vehicle wheel comprising: 
 an annular member including an outer circumferential flange and an inner circumferential flange, a base member extending between said outer circumferential flange and said inner circumferential flange, said base member cooperating with said outer circumferential flange and said inner circumferential flange to form a circumferential groove configured to receive a rim flange of the wheel, said inner circumferential flange circumscribing a cylindrical opening; and    a partition member located in said cylindrical opening.    
   
   
       13 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said partition member is connected to said annular member.  
   
   
       14 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said partition member has a multi-level configuration.  
   
   
       15 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 12  including said partition member including a hub; and 
 a plurality of spokes connected at one end to said annular member and at an opposite end to said hub.    
   
   
       16 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said partition member includes a top surface, a bottom surface and a plurality of openings extending between said top surface and said bottom surface.  
   
   
       17 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 12  including said base member of said circumferential groove having a lower surface, said lower surface lying in a plane and said bottom surface of said partition member lies above said plane.  
   
   
       18 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 12  wherein said partition member has at least one opening therein.  
   
   
       19 . A shipping member for transporting a vehicle wheel comprising: 
 an annular member including an outer circumferential flange and an inner circumferential flange, a base member extending between said outer circumferential flange and said inner circumferential flange, said base member cooperating with said outer circumferential flange and said inner circumferential flange to form a circumferential groove configured to receive a rim flange of the wheel, said inner circumferential flange circumscribing a cylindrical area; and    a partition member located in said cylindrical area, said partition member connected to said annular member and having at least one opening therein.    
   
   
       20 . A shipping member as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said partition member has a multi-level configuration.