Hubcap
A hubcap includes a monolithic main body. The monolithic main body includes (i) a sidewall having an annular cross-section, a hub end, and a vent end opposite the hub end, (ii) an end-cap abutting and spanning across the vent end, and (iii) a flange abutting and at least partially surrounding the hub end. The flange has an outer flange-surface facing the vent end and, opposite the outer flange-surface, an inner flange-surface that defines an annular channel.
1. A hubcap comprising:
a monolithic main body including (i) a sidewall having an annular cross-section, a hub end, and a vent end opposite the hub end, (ii) an end-cap abutting and spanning across the vent end, and (iii) a flange abutting and at least partially surrounding the hub end;
the flange having an outer flange-surface facing the vent end and, opposite the outer flange-surface, an inner flange-surface that defines an annular channel; and
the monolithic main body including a plurality of communication holes each spanning between the annular channel and the outer flange-surface.
2. The hubcap of claim 1 , further comprising an overmold covering, and conformal to, at least part of each of (i) the outer flange-surface and (ii) an exterior surface of the sidewall.
3. The hubcap of claim 2 , the overmold also covering, and conformal to, at least part of the end-cap.
4. The hubcap of claim 2 , the overmold comprising a thermoplastic elastomer.
5. The hubcap of claim 2 , further comprising a sealing ring disposed in the annular channel.
6. The hubcap of claim 5 , the sealing ring and the overmold being unconnected.
7. The hubcap of claim 5 , the inner flange-surface including a recessed region that defines the annular channel, the sealing ring being bonded to the recessed region.
8. The hubcap of claim 5 , the inner flange-surface including a recessed region that defines the annular channel,
the hubcap further comprising a plurality of spokes, each of the plurality of spokes (a) extending through a respective communication hole of the plurality of communication holes, and (b) connecting a respective region of the sealing ring with a respective region of the overmold that covers the respective communication hole.
9. The hubcap of claim 8 , a number of the plurality of communication holes being between two and eight.
10. The hubcap of claim 8 , each of the plurality of communication holes having a hydraulic diameter between 1.0 millimeters and 1.5 millimeters.
11. The hubcap of claim 8 , the inner flange-surface including a recessed region that defines the annular channel, each of the plurality of communication holes each spanning between the recessed region and one of (i) the outer flange-surface and (ii) a surface of the sidewall.
12. The hubcap of claim 8 , the main body having a plurality of interior surfaces, each of the plurality of interior surfaces (i) defining a respective one of the plurality of communication holes and (ii) spanning between the recessed region and a surface of the hubcap covered by the overmold.
13. The hubcap of claim 1 , the main body being formed of a high-impact plastic.
14. The hubcap of claim 1 , the main body being transparent to visible light.
15. The hubcap of claim 1 , the main body being opaque to visible light.
16. The hubcap of claim 1 , a thickness of the main body being between 4.5 mm and 8.0 mm.
17. The hubcap of claim 1 , the monolithic main body having an Izod Impact Strength of at least 860 joules per meter.
18. The hubcap of claim 1 , the inner flange-surface being a bottom surface of the hubcap.
19. The hubcap of claim 1 , further comprising:
a vent attached to an outer-facing surface of the end-cap; and
a filter removably attached in an inner-facing surface of the end-cap.