Spoke wheel protector

Abstract

A Spoke Seal Protector that comprises a visually pleasing outer shape with an internal cavity, where the internal cavity has a lower portion shaped complimentary to the industry standard wheel adjusters on the wheel spokes of either motorcycles, bicycles, or other motor conveyances using spoked wheels. The Spoke Seal Protector is adhered onto the spoke adjustor and the internal cavity encases the spoke adjuster. Spring clips may be secured on the adjuster nut and frictionally bear against the spoke seal protector, or the spring clips may be secured on the spoke seal protector and frictionally bear against the adjuster nut. The spoke seal protector and adjustor nut may additionally have a knurled surface to provide additional fiction to secure the spoke seal protector to the adjustor nut. A common automotive or industry sealant can also be placed in the lower counterbored portion of the Spoke Seal Protector and “glue” the Spoke Seal Protector to the spoke adjuster nut and additionally create an environmental seal between the components.

1 . A spoke seal protector, comprising:
 a. an exterior surface, said exterior surface having a top and a bottom defined thereon, said top of said exterior surface having a hole defined therethrough, said hole being linear and exiting through said bottom of said exterior surface;   b. said hole having a lower counterbored portion, said lower counterbored portion penetrating said bottom of said exterior surface, said lower counterbored portion being positioned in proximity of said bottom of said exterior surface, said lower counterbored portion being adapted to allow a clearance fit to a spoke adjuster; and   c. a retaining means, said retaining means securing said spoke seal protector onto a wheel rim.   
   
   
       2 . The spoke seal protector of  claim 1 , wherein a common automotive or industrial sealant is placed within said lower counterbored portion and is used to adhere said spoke seal protector to the spoke adjuster and creates an environmental seal thereby. 
   
   
       3 . The spoke seal protector of  claim 1 , wherein said spoke seal protector has a lower surface, said lower surface is shaped to intimately contact a bearing surface on a tire rim. 
   
   
       4 . The spoke seal protector of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining means comprises a retaining clip, said retaining clip is positioned in said spoke seal protector, said spoke seal protector has a groove defined in said lower counterbored portion, said retaining clip being secured in said groove and frictionally bearing against said adjuster nut. 
   
   
       5 . The spoke seal protector of  claim 1 , wherein the retaining means comprises a retaining clip, said retaining clip is positioned in said adjuster nut, said adjuster nut has a groove defined therein, said retaining clip being secured in said groove and frictionally bearing against said spoke seal protector. 
   
   
       6 . The spoke seal protector of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining means comprises:
 a. said counterbored portion of said spoke seal protector having an upper portion, said upper portion of said counterbored portion having an arrow shaped cavity defined therein, said adjuster nut is adapted to have a complimentary arrow shaped section, said complimentary arrow shaped section being biased towards an upper portion of said adjuster nut, said complimentary arrow shaped section and said arrow shaped cavity has a clearance defined there between, permitting said spoke seal protector to slip over said adjuster nut; and   b. a shaped grommet is provided to be secured in said upper portion of said arrow shaped cavity, said shaped grommet providing an interference fit between said arrow shaped cavity and said arrow shaped section creating a snug fit there between, said shaped grommet creating a small ledge thereby, and allowing said arrow shaped section of said adjuster nut to bear against said ledge when said spoke seal protector is installed.   
   
   
       7 . The spoke seal protector of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining means comprises:
 a. said upper portion of said counterbored portion of said spoke seal protector has a tubular-in-shape said upper portion of said adjuster nut, an arrow shaped section defined thereon positioned below said arrow shaped section, a series of projecting serrations are provided, said arrow shaped section and said projecting serrations being biased towards an upper portion of said adjuster nut, said arrow shaped section and said projecting serrations being sized to frictionally bear against said tubular shape of said spoke seal protector; and   b. a grommet is provided to be situated between said spoke seal protector and a wheel rim providing a moisture and debris barrier thereby, a sealant may additionally be inserted into said counterbored portion of said spoke seal protector.   
   
   
       8 . The spoke seal protector of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining means comprises:
 a. a series of prongs, said spoke seal protector has a series of cavities defined therein, said series of prongs are inserted within said series of cavities defined within said spoke seal protector, said series of prongs frictionally bear against said adjuster nut when installed onto a wire wheel assembly.   
   
   
       9 . The spoke seal protector of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining means comprises:
 a. at least one retaining rod being secured within said spoke seal protector, said spoke seal protector has a circular hole defined therein, said retaining rod is slip fit within said circular hole into said spoke seal protector, said retaining rod may penetrate through the exterior of said spoke seal protector, said retaining rod penetrates through said hole in the spoke seal protector and creates a restricted area there between, creating a friction fit between said retaining rod(s), and said adjuster nut, positionally securing said spoke seal protector.   
   
   
       10 . The spoke seal protector of  claim 9 , wherein said adjuster nut further has flat areas defined therein, said flat areas secure said retaining rod(s) and hence said spoke seal protector thereon. 
   
   
       11 . The spoke seal protector of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining means comprises:
 a. said upper portion of said counterbored portion of said spoke seal protector has an arrow shaped cavity defined therein, said adjuster nut having a complimentary arrow shaped section, said complimentary arrow shaped section being biased towards an upper portion of said adjuster nut, said arrow shaped section and said arrow shaped cavity define a clearance therebetween, allowing said spoke seal protector to slip over said adjuster nut, a small ledge is maintained on said spoke seal protector securing said arrow shaped section of said adjuster nut; and   b. said lower counterbored portion of said spoke seal protector has a knurled surface defined thereon, said spoke adjuster nut, has a complimentary knurled surface defined thereon, said knurled surface on said spoke seal protector and the complimentary knurled surface on said adjuster nut create a positive frictional fit securing said spoke seal protector in place on the wire wheel assembly.   
   
   
       12 . The spoke seal protector of  claim 1 , wherein said retaining means comprises:
 a. said spoke seal protector having a groove defined therein, said groove secures a retaining clip in place, said lower counterbored portion of said spoke seal protector has a knurled surface defined thereon, said adjuster nut has a complimentary knurled surface defined thereon to frictionally lock said spoke seal protector against said adjuster nut, said adjuster nut is provided with a series of prongs, said series of prongs extend outwards from said adjuster nut and bear against the hole in said spoke seal protector.   
   
   
       13 . The spoke seal protector of  claim 12  wherein said complimentary knurled surface on said adjuster nut is a separate knurled component frictionally biased towards the wheel rim and securely placed on said adjuster nut.