WHEEL ASSEMBLY WITH COVER RETENTION SYSTEM
A wheel assembly includes a rim element having an annular configuration defining an axis, and a spider defining a central element circumscribing the axis with a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly between the central element and the rim element. Adjacent of the spokes define an opening therebetween and are interconnected by a web circumscribing the opening. A cover defines a connector that is disposed over the spider concealing a portion of the spider and opening circumscribed by the web. The web defines a receptor configured to engage the connector thereby retaining the cover to the spider.
1 . A wheel assembly, comprising:
a rim element having an annular configuration defining an axis;
a spider defining a central element circumscribing said axis and defining a plurality of spokes extending radially outwardly between said central element and said rim element;
adjacent of said spokes defining an opening therebetween and being interconnected by a web circumscribing said opening;
a cover defining a connector and being disposed over said spider thereby concealing a portion of said spider; and
said web defining a receptor configured to engage said connector thereby retaining said cover to said spider.
2 . The assembly set forth in claim 1 , wherein spider defines a face and a rear portion with said receptor being disposed at said rear portion.
3 . The assembly set forth in claim 2 , wherein said receptor is defined as a groove defined by said web and disposed in said rim.
4 . The assembly set forth in claim 2 , wherein said receptor is defined by a boss disposed in said web of said spider.
5 . The assembly set forth in claim 2 , wherein said connector defines an engagement member for engaging said receptor thereby retaining said cover to said wheel.
6 . The assembly set forth in claim 5 , wherein said face defines an abutment for abutting said cover thereby providing a mating force to said engagement member.
7 . The assembly set forth in claim 5 , wherein said receptor defined by said spider includes an as-cast boss configuration.
8 . The assembly set forth in claim 7 , wherein said receptor includes a milled surface being substantially perpendicular to said axis of said wheel and said milled surface is engaged by said engagement member of said connector.
9 . The assembly set forth in claim 1 , wherein said receptor is defined by said web at a location disposed between adjacent of said spokes.
10 . The assembly set forth in claim 1 , wherein said receptor is disposed at a mating seam defined in said spider.
11 . The assembly set forth in claim 1 , wherein said receptor is disposed in said web at said wheel rim.