Vent plug for a hubcap and method of manufacturing the same

摘要

A heavy duty vehicle hubcap preferably made from a plastic material and having a sidewall, an end wall with a transparent window insert formed therein, and further including a radial mounting flange. The hubcap also includes an access port formed in the hubcap body sidewall and a vent plug removably positioned in liquid tight relation within the access port defined in the hubcap. Preferably, the hubcap is vented to permit passage of gas and vapor therethrough without permitting liquid to pass into the sealed region.

主权项

1. A hubcap assembly connected to a wheel hub surrounding a spindle surrounding a central axis extending through the wheel hub, said hubcap assembly comprising:
a hubcap body having a sidewall extending to a mounting flange portions to connect with the wheel hub; an insert portion mechanically interlocked with said sidewall of said hubcap body, said insert portion presenting an opening; an elastomeric plug surrounding the central axis, said elastomeric plug adaptable to be mechanically engaged with said insert portion and presenting a cylindrical surface, an end surface, and a shoulder surface to mechanically engage said insert portion; and a vent portion of said elastomeric plug, said vent portion including a first section of a first thickness and a second section of a second thickness, said vent portion extending from an idle position as said first section and said section are located along and coplanar with said end surface with said first section being sealed and a venting position as said first section extends above said end surface thereby forming a funnel shape and stretching to form an opening to release pressure out of said hubcap body and elastically returning back to said idle position thereby eliminating leakage of fluids from said hubcap body and preventing debris and foreign object to enter said hubcap body.