Wheel incorporating a flashing light feature

• US 20040085777A1
• Filed: 11/04/2002
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cheerine Development Limited
• Original Assignee: Cheerine Development Limited
• Inventors: Wong, Wai Kai
• Granted Patent: US 6,851,817 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/500
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0036 with fluorescent or phosphorescent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/22 Wheels for roller skates
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/14 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A wheel incorporating a flashing light feature includes a power source, a plurality of lighting elements and a flashing circuit to selectively provide lighting signals to the plurality of lighting elements. The wheel incorporating a flashing light feature further includes at least two motion switches to activate the flashing circuit. The at least two motion switches include a spring having a fixed end and a free end and a metal cap positioned proximate the free end of the spring for electrical engagement by the free end of the spring. Examples of articles with a wheel incorporating a flashing light feature include scooters, roller skates, in line skates, roller shoes and other types of wheeled footwear.

Claims

1. A wheel incorporating a flashing light feature comprising:

a plurality of light sources;

a flashing circuit to selectively provide lighting signals to the plurality of lighting elements; and

at least two motion switches arranged circumferentially around an axis of rotation of the wheel to activate the flashing circuit when the wheel is in motion, the at least two motion switches including

a spring having a fixed end and a free end, and

a metal cap positioned proximate the free end of the spring for electrical engagement by the free end of the spring.

2. The wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 1 further comprising:

a power source.

3. The wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 1 wherein an angle is formed between the at least two motion switches and the angle formed is greater then about 45 degrees.

4. The wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 1 wherein an angle is formed between the at least two motion switches and the angle formed is less then about 315 degrees.

5. The wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 1 further comprising:

leads coupling the springs of the at least two motion switches and the arches of the at least two motion switches with the flashing circuit.

6. The wheel incorporating flashing light feature of claim 5 further comprising:

a housing containing the power source, the lighting elements, the flashing circuit and the at least two motion switches.

7. The wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 1 wherein the spring base of the at least two motion switches is a printed circuit board.

8. The wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 1 wherein the spring stand of the at least two motion switches is made of conductive material.

9. The wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 1 wherein the arch of the at least two motion switches is made of conductive material.

10. The wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 1 wherein the spring of the at least two motion switches is made of conductive material.

11. The wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 10 wherein the spring of the at least two motion switches is a coil spring.

12. The wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 10 wherein the spring of the at least two motion switches is a leaf spring.

13. The wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 1 wherein the wheel incorporating a flashing light feature is operatively connected to one of:

a scooter;

a roller skate;

an in-line skate; and

a roller shoe.

14. A circuit for a wheel incorporating a flashing light feature comprising:

a resistor;

a plurality of light sources;

a flashing circuit to selectively provide lighting signals to the plurality of lighting elements;

a digital logic gate; and

at least two motion switches arranged circumferentially around an axis of rotation of the wheel such that the flashing circuit is activated only when the wheel is rotated.

15. The circuit for a wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 14 further comprising:

a power source.

16. The circuit for a wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 14 further comprising:

an enable pin on the integrated circuit that requires a low level to enable the integrated circuit.

17. The circuit for a wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 14 further comprising:

a plurality of output pins on the integrated circuit to drain current from the plurality of light sources.

18. The circuit for a wheel incorporating a flashing light feature of claim 14 wherein the digital logic gate is a two input NAND gate.

19. A wheel incorporating a flashing light feature comprising:

a power source;

a resistor;

a plurality of light sources;

a flashing circuit to selectively provide lighting signals to the plurality of lighting elements;

a digital logic gate; and

at least two motion switches arranged circumferentially around an axis of rotation of the wheel with an angle between the at least two motion switches wherein the angle is greater then about 45 degrees to activate the flashing circuit when the wheel is in motion, the at least two motion switches including

a spring having a fixed end and a free end, and

a metal cap positioned proximate the free end of the spring for electrical engagement by the free end of the spring.