IP Library Granted Patent US 11,173,742
Granted Patent B2
US 11,173,742 · App. 15/997,134 · Granted Nov 16, 2021

Clear hubcaps with oil range markings

Inventors: Jason Weyer (Fargo, ND); Nathan J. Carlson (West Fargo, ND); Brian D. Vik (Barnesville, MN); Jason K. Novacek (West Fargo, ND); Daniel J. Klein (Mequon, WI); Thomas M. Curley (Fargo, ND); Anna J. Reisenauer (West Fargo, ND)
Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLC
B60B7/0013B60B7/002B60B19/08B62D55/092B60B2900/531B60B2900/561
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,173,742
App. No.
15/997,134
Granted
Nov 16, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

A vehicle including at least one wheel and at least one hub assembly associated with the at least one wheel. The at least one hub assembly includes a hubcap. The hubcap has a transparent body configured for housing a lubricant, a fill port, and at least one continuous indication feature such that a lubricant volume is indicated in any orientation of the hubcap.

Claims (21)

1. A vehicle, comprising:

at least one wheel; and

at least one hub assembly associated with said at least one wheel and including a hubcap, said hubcap having a transparent body configured for housing a lubricant, a fill port, and at least one continuous indication feature such that a lubricant volume is indicated in any orientation of the hubcap, wherein said at least one continuous indication feature is in the form of a first circular indication feature and a second circular indication feature that is concentric with the first circular indication feature,

wherein the fill port has a bottom within the hubcap, and a diameter of the first circular indication feature corresponds to the bottom of the fill port, and

wherein the transparent body is in the form of a transparent pyramidal frustum having a top and a circular indentation disposed in the top.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein the transparent body is in the form of a six-sided transparent pyramidal frustum with a filleted, substantially circular base.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 , wherein a side of the transparent pyramidal frustum includes the fill port.

4. A vehicle, comprising:

at least one wheel; and

at least one hub assembly associated with said at least one wheel and including a hubcap, said hubcap having a transparent body configured for housing a lubricant, a fill port, and at least one continuous indication feature such that a lubricant volume is indicated in any orientation of the hubcap, wherein the at least one continuous indication feature is in the form of a first circular indication feature and a second circular indication feature that is concentric with the first circular indication feature, wherein the first circular indication feature has a larger diameter than the second circular indication feature, and the first circular indication feature indicates the maximum lubricant fill level, and the second circular indication feature indicates the minimum lubricant fill level,

wherein the transparent body is in the form of a transparent pyramidal frustum having a top and a circular indentation disposed in the top.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 , wherein the first circular indication feature is located on the top and encircles the circular indentation and the second circular indication feature is located on the circular indentation.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 , wherein the larger diameter of the first circular indication feature is defined by an outer perimeter of the top, which marks the transition between a side of the hubcap and the top, and a smaller diameter of the second circular indication feature is defined by a diameter of the circular indentation.

7. A hub assembly for a wheel of a vehicle, comprising:

a hubcap having a transparent body configured for housing a lubricant, a fill port, and at least one continuous indication feature such that a lubricant volume is indicated in any orientation of the hubcap, wherein the at least one continuous indication feature is in the form of a first circular indication feature and a second circular indication feature that is concentric with the first circular indication feature, and wherein the first circular indication feature has a larger diameter than the second circular indication feature, and the first circular indication feature indicates the maximum lubricant fill level, and the second circular indication feature indicates the minimum lubricant fill level,

wherein the transparent body is in the form of a transparent pyramidal frustum having a top and a circular indentation disposed in the top.

8. The hub assembly of claim 7 , wherein the transparent body is in the form of a six-sided transparent pyramidal frustum with a filleted, substantially circular base.

9. The hub assembly of claim 7 , wherein a side of the transparent pyramidal frustum includes the fill port.

10. The hub assembly of claim 7 , wherein the first circular indication feature is located on the top and encircles the circular indentation and the second circular indication feature is located on the circular indentation.

11. The hub assembly of claim 10 , wherein the larger diameter of the first circular indication feature is defined by an outer perimeter of the top, which marks the transition between a side of the hubcap and the top, and a smaller diameter of the second circular indication feature is defined by a diameter of the circular indentation.

12. The hub assembly of claim 7 , wherein the fill port has a bottom within the hubcap, and a diameter of the first circular indication feature corresponds to the bottom of the fill port.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2022
From: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
To: BLUE LEAF I.P., INC.
Reel/Frame 059262/0495 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2018
From: WEYER, JASON E.; CARLSON, NATHAN J.; VIK, BRIAN D.; NOVACEK, JASON K.; KLEIN, DANIEL J.; CURLEY, THOMAS M.; REISENAUER, ANNA J.
To: CNH INDUSTRIAL AMERICA LLC
Reel/Frame 047857/0973 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20190367108A1 · Dec 5, 2019
Cited By (2)
US 1,081,515 US 12,654,487