Automobile wheel lighting system

• US 20040042227A1
• Filed: 08/29/2003
• Published: 03/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Halah Abed
• Original Assignee: JZC, LLC
• Inventors: Gloodt, Cary E., Hutchison, James S.
• Granted Patent: US 6,962,427 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/500
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels

Abstract

An assembly for providing illumination to an automobile wheel having an at least partially transparent wheel covering. The assembly includes a bracket nondestructively secured to a non-rotating portion of an automobile wheel, a light emitting array connected to the bracket, and a power source electrically connected to the light emitting array. The light emitting array is positioned to intermittently shine light through the at least partially transparent wheel covering. The bracket is adjustably positionable relative the non-rotating portion of the wheel.

Claims

1. An assembly for providing illumination to an automobile wheel having an at least partially transparent wheel covering, comprising:

a bracket assembly mounted to a brake caliper of an automobile wheel;

a lighting assembly mounted to the bracket assembly; and

an electrical power source electrically connected to the lighting assembly.

2. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the electrical power source is an automobile battery.

3. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracket assembly further comprises:

at least one elongated member extending from the lighting assembly to the brake caliper; and

at least one fastener connecting the at least one elongated member to the brake caliper.

4. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracket assembly further comprises:

a plurality of elongated members pivotally connected to each other to form a generally rectangular framework;

at least two connecting members extending between the generally rectangular framework and the brake caliper;

at least two fasteners connecting the at least two connecting member to the brake caliper;

wherein the dimensions of the generally rectangular framework may be reconfigured by pivoting the elongated members relative to one another.

5. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracket assembly is bolted to the brake caliper.

6. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the bracket assembly is clamped to the brake caliper.

7. The assembly of claim 1 wherein the lighting assembly further comprises:

a circular frame; and

a plurality of light emitting diodes positioned within the frame;

wherein the light emitting diodes are operationally connected to the power source.

8. An assembly for providing illumination to an automobile wheel having an at least partially transparent wheel covering, comprising:

a bracket assembly mounted to an automobile axel;

a lighting assembly mounted to the bracket assembly; and

an electrical power source electrically connected to the lighting assembly.

9. The assembly of claim 8 wherein the bracket assembly further comprises:

an axel-encircling member mounted to the axel; and

at least one elongated member extending between the axel-encircling member and the lighting assembly.

10. An assembly for providing illumination to an automobile wheel having an at least partially transparent wheel covering, comprising:

a bracket assembly mounted to a wheel strut;

a lighting assembly mounted to the bracket assembly; and

an electrical power source electrically connected to the lighting assembly.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the wheel strut is an upper control arm.

12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein the bracket assembly further comprises:

a clamp mounted to the wheel strut; and

an elongated connecting member extending between the clamp and the lighting assembly.

13. An assembly for providing illumination to an automobile wheel having an at least partially transparent wheel covering, comprising:

a bracket assembly nondestructively connected to a non-rotating portion of an automobile wheel;

a lighting assembly mounted to the bracket assembly; and

an electrical power source electrically connected to the lighting assembly.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein the non-rotating portion of the automobile wheel is selected from the group consisting of:

a brake caliper, an automobile axel, and a wheel strut.

15. An assembly for illuminating to an automobile wheel having an at least partially transparent wheel covering, comprising:

a bracket nondestructively secured to a non-rotating portion of an automobile wheel;

a light emitting array connected to the bracket; and

a power source electrically connected to the light emitting array;

wherein the light emitting array is positioned to intermittently shine light through the at least partially transparent wheel covering; and

wherein the bracket is adjustably positionable relative the non-rotating portion of the automobile wheel.

16. The assembly of claim 15 wherein the non-rotating portion of the automobile wheel is selected from the group consisting of:

a brake caliper, an automobile axel, and a wheel strut.

17. The assembly of claim 15 further comprising a stabilizing member extending to the a brake shield;

wherein the stabilizing member is pivotingly connected to the bracket and wherein the stabilizing member is stabalizingly connected to the brake shield.

18. The assembly of claim 17 wherein the stabilizing member is magnetically connected to the brake shield.

19. An assembly for illuminating an automobile wheel having an at least partially transparent wheel covering, comprising:

a bracket secured to a non-rotating portion of an automobile wheel;

a light emitting array connected to the bracket;

a power source electrically connected to the light emitting array; and

an electronic controller operationally connected to the light emitting array;

wherein the light emitting array is positioned to intermittently shine light through the at least partially transparent wheel covering; and

wherein the electronic controller is operable to sequence the actuation of the light emitting array.

20. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the electronic controller is further adapted to receive a control signal;

wherein the light emitting array has a first light emitting state and a second light emitting state; and

wherein receipt of the control signal by the relay actuates a changing of the state of the light emitting array.

21. The assembly of claim 19 wherein the light emitting array includes a plurality of triluminary diodes.

22. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the electronic controller may actuate the light emitting array to provide a plurality of colors.

23. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the electronic controller is operable to flash the light emitting array at a predetermined pulsation rate.

24. The assembly of claim 21 wherein the electronic controller is operable to flash the light emitting array in a predetermined pulsation pattern.

25. The assembly of claim 21 further comprising a rotation sensor operationally connected to the electronic controller and adapted to measure the rotation rate of the at least partially transparent wheel cover, and wherein the electronic controller may be actuated to vary the pulsation rate as a function of the rotation rate.