Unitary vehicle wheel rim protector

Abstract

A wheel rim protective structure has a closed ring made of a semi-rigid durable plastic material. A plurality of spaced apart durable curved metal clips extend from the inner edge of the ring and are oriented to insert between the tire and rim. Each clip has a number of unidirectional barbs that facilitate installation but resist unwanted extraction by engaging the tire portion. Knurling on the opposite side provides more static friction against the wheel surface. The metal clips also provided a situs for a low profile fastener to allow other structures to be attached to the ring such as decorative panels, lights, flags streamers, or other decorative or counterbalancing structures. The ring and clips can be made from a unitary piece of injection molded material.

1 . A detachable protective device for vehicle wheels, said device comprises:
 a substantially circular closed ring having an axial outer surface and an axial inner surface;   a plurality of angularly spaced apart clips extending inwardly from said inner surface;   wherein each of said clips comprises:
 an arcuate body having a first proximal portion secured to said ring, and a second distal portion shaped and dimensioned to be inserted between a wheel rim and a tire. 
   wherein said ring and said clips are formed integrally from a unitary piece of substantially semi-rigid injection moldable material.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said injection-moldable material is selected from the group consisting of plastic, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PVC (polyvinyl chloride), acetal, acrylic, nylon, phenylene oxide, polycarbonate, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, polysulfone, styrene, urethane, and vinyl plastics and combinations and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said clips are uniformly angularly spaced apart. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said distal portion has a first surface oriented to contact said tire and an opposite second surface oriented to contact said wheel rim. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said first surface comprises a first substantially unidirectional friction-enhancing element. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said first surface comprises at least one barb structure oriented to resist extraction of said clip. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein said second surface comprises a second friction-enhancing element. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said second surface comprises at least one barb structure oriented to resist extraction of said clip. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein said second friction-enhancing element comprises texturing. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said outer surface is convex and said inner surface is concave. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said device further comprises at least one fastening element oriented to releaseably secure a first attachment to said ring. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said at least one fastening element comprises a threaded aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 11 , wherein said first attachment is selected from the group consisting of: mirrors, flags, streamers, light modules, reflectors, balancing weights, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein said body comprises a sheet having a thickness of between about 1 millimeter and about 3 millimeters. 
     
     
         15 . The combination of a vehicle wheel rim and a tire mounted thereon, and a detachable protective device, wherein said device comprises:
 a substantially circular closed ring having an outer surface and an inner surface;   a plurality of angularly spaced apart clips extending axially rearwardly and inwardly from said inner surface;   wherein each of said clips comprises:
 an arcuate body having a first proximal portion secured to said ring, and a second distal portion inserted between said wheel rim and said tire; and, 
   wherein said ring and said clips are formed integrally from a unitary piece of substantially semi-rigid injection moldable material.