Importance

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Abstract

A conceal band for a painted or chromed stylized steel vehicle wheel overlies an annular concave peripheral channel of a wheel rim to conceal unsightly surfaces and wheel balance weights. The band, formed of sheet steel, is generally concave in transverse cross section facing the wheel and is of a radial width sufficient to overly and conceal the channel. The band carries a plurality of mounting clips retained between opposed inturned peripheral edges of the band. Each clip includes an arcuate body which spans radially across the band between the peripheral edges of the band. A cantilever leaf spring section projects beyond a radially outer end of the body with the leaf spring section being connected to the body by a sharp bend. The leaf spring section includes a curved engagement surface which is biased against the concave peripheral channel to retain the band. In an alternate embodiment, the leaf section projects from the radially inner end of the body and the engagement surface seats in notches formed in a wheel web adjacent the juncture of the wheel web and the wheel rim.

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First Claim