Importance

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Abstract

A vehicle wheel and overlay assembly. The assembly includes a wheel having a rim flange that terminates in a flange lip having an outboard surface and a radially outermost edge. At least one circumferential indentation or groove is formed on the outboard surface of the flange lip to intercept and contain excess adhesive that may radially flow toward the outer edges of the assembly necessitating a costly clean up. An overlay is attached to the wheel outboard surface. The overlay radially extends outward and terminates in a rim flange. This rim flange includes a radially outermost lip, which is aligned with the outermost edge of the wheel flange lip within a predetermined circumferential margin such that, the rim flange of the overlay covers at least a portion of the wheel flange lip without wrapping around the periphery of the wheel. This configuration gives a visible impression that this is a one-piece wheel, and the overlay is not a separately attached component. The circumferential indentation or groove creates cavity on the outboard surface of the flange lip and appreciably reduce surface contact between the overlay and the wheel, resulting in reduced friction between the surfaces. The reduced friction helps minimize the squeaking or noise from the overlay rubbing against the wheel.

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First Claim