Wheel light device

• US 20040264207A1
• Filed: 06/24/2003
• Published: 12/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bo T. Jones
• Original Assignee: Bo T. Jones
• Inventors: Jones, Bo T.
• Granted Patent: US 6,910,788 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/500
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/442 visible on the front side of the vehicle, e.g. for pedestrians

Abstract

A wheel light device for a vehicle with an electrical battery, wheels, fenders and wheel wells that shine light onto and in front of one of each of the wheels of the vehicle. There are several different embodiments of the invention that include an outer fender flare mounted embodiment with multiple LED bulbs, an inner fender mounted embodiment with multiple LED bulbs, provisions to address arched wheel wells or horizontally straight wheel wells, various safety light provisions in addition to additional supplemental features.

Claims

1. A wheel light device for a vehicle with a right side and a left side, with an electrical battery, fenders, wheels with a front side, and wheel wells, that shines light onto and in front of one of the wheels of the vehicle, comprising:

a body with a generally thin casing to hold components of the wheel light device;

LED bulbs set within the generally thin casing, to provide light for the wheel light device;

a plurality of quick connect sockets with metal prongs within the generally thin casing for holding the LED bulbs;

a reflector that attaches to the LED bulbs to direct light from the LED bulbs onto the wheels of the vehicle;

a transparent and clear lens to protect the components of the wheel light device;

a reflective fixture to direct light from the LED bulbs downward through the transparent and clear lens and towards the front of and onto each of the vehicle'"'"'s wheels;

a plurality of mounting screws and mounting adhesive, to hold the wheel light device to one of the wheel wells and one of the fenders of the vehicle;

a plurality of apertures to accommodate the plurality of mounting screws;

a waterseal canal to drain any water and condensation that may accumulate within the wheel light device;

a waterproofing gasket to seal and to protect the wheel light device from any water reaching the components of the wheel light device; and

a plurality of resistors to provide a specific amount of resistance to current flow of the wheel light device, with the battery of the vehicle providing power to the wheel light device.

2. The wheel light device according to claim 1, wherein the wheel light device is mounted to the inside of the vehicle'"'"'s fender above the wheels to illuminate one of the vehicle'"'"'s wheels.

3. The wheel light device according to claim 1, wherein the wheel light device is inside of a fender flare casing and mounted to the outside of the vehicle'"'"'s fender to illuminate one of the vehicle'"'"'s wheels.

4. The wheel light device according to claim 1, wherein the body of the wheel light device is arched to accommodate an arched wheel well of the vehicle.

5. The wheel light device according to claim 1, wherein the body of the wheel light device is horizontally straight to accommodate a horizontally straight wheel well of the vehicle.

6. The wheel light device according to claim 1, further comprising different colored LED bulbs activated by the vehicle'"'"'s brake lights, parking lights and signal lights.

7. The wheel light device according to claim 1, wherein laser sensors are provided to detect a vehicle'"'"'s tire within a specified distance from the wheel light device.

8. The wheel light device according to claim 7, wherein laser sensors are provided to detect one of the vehicle'"'"'s wheels within 16 inches of the wheel light device.

9. The wheel light device according to claim 1, further comprising wheel light devices on both the right and the left sides of the vehicle, yellow LEDs on the right side of the vehicle activated by a right turn signal and yellow LEDs in the wheel light devices on the left side of the vehicle activated by a left turn signal.

10. The wheel light device according to claim 9, wherein white LEDs in the wheel light device are activated by a vehicle'"'"'s parking lights.

11. The wheel light device according to claim 9, wherein all red LEDs in the wheel light device are configured so as to be activated by a vehicle'"'"'s brake lights.

12. The wheel light device according to claim 1, wherein the wheel light device is provided with a noise response switch and a sensor.

13. The wheel light device according to claim 1, wherein the wheel light device is provided with an adjustable timer and delay cut-off switch.

14. The wheel light device according to claim 1, wherein the wheel light device is provided with a dimmer switch.

15. The wheel light device according to claim 1, wherein the wheel light device is provided with a strobe light sensor and a switch.

16. The wheel light device according to claim 1, wherein the outer fender flare is made of thermoplastic.

17. The wheel light device according to claim 1, wherein the outer fender flare is made of fiberglass.

18. The wheel light device according to claim 1, wherein the outer fender flare is made of carbon fiber material.