Wheel illumination device

• US 20050099820A1
• Filed: 11/12/2004
• Published: 05/12/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: William G. Cooper
• Original Assignee: William G. Cooper
• Inventors: Cooper, William G.
• Granted Patent: US 7,611,267 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 2900/30 Lamps commanded by wireless transmissions

Abstract

A system for illuminating a motor vehicle wheel assembly of a motor vehicle is provided, the system including a mount configured to be fixed to the wheel assembly, a plurality of lights fixed to the mount, a control circuit coupled to the plurality of lights to regulate a flow of electricity to the plurality of lights; and a power source coupled to the control circuit to provide said control circuit with electrical power for the lights, wherein the power source includes an electrical energy generating element as well as an electrical energy storing element.

Claims

1. A system for illuminating a motor vehicle wheel assembly of a motor vehicle is provided, wherein the wheel assembly includes a hub, a wheel, and a tire, the system comprising:

a mount configured to be fixed to the wheel assembly,

a plurality of lights fixed to the mount,

a control circuit coupled to the plurality of lights to regulate a flow of electricity to the plurality of lights; and

a power source coupled to the control circuit to provide said control circuit with electrical power for the lights, wherein the power source includes an electrical energy generating element as well as an electrical energy storing element.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit includes a switch.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to automatically turn on the plurality of lights.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to store light patterns.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to change light patterns automatically.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit further comprises a remote-control receiver configured to receive remote control signals.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is responsive to remote control signals indicative of a pattern of light illumination.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to change the colors of the plurality of lights.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to turn the plurality of lights on and off.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to change a rate at which the plurality of lights is turned on and off.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to change an intensity of the plurality of lights.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to energize the plurality of lights when the wheel assembly is stationary.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the control circuit is configured to change an intensity of the plurality of lights in synchrony with an audio source.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the audio source is a sound system disposed in the motor vehicle.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical energy generating element is a generator.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the generator includes a stator and a rotor.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein one of the generator rotor and the generator stator is coupled to the wheel assembly to rotate with the wheel assembly when the motor vehicle is driven over the ground.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the generator rotor is coupled to the wheel assembly.

19. The system of claim 16, wherein the generator stator remains stationary as the motor vehicle is driven.

20. The system of claim 16, wherein the generator stator rotates at a rate different than a rate of rotation of the wheel assembly.

21. The system of claim 16, wherein the generator is coupled to the motor vehicle wheel assembly to rotate and generate electricity when the motor vehicle is driven.

22. The system of claim 16, wherein the generator is coupled to the motor vehicle wheel assembly to not rotate and not generate electricity when the motor vehicle is stopped.

23. The system of claim 1, wherein the electrical energy storing element includes a rechargeable battery.

24. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lights includes LEDs or neon lights.

25. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lights includes incandescent lights.

26. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lights includes fluorescent lights or electroluminescent lights.

27. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lights includes ultraviolet lights.

28. The system of claim 1, wherein each light of the plurality of lights has a color different from another light of the plurality of lights.

29. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of light mounts, wherein each light of said plurality of lights is mounted on each of a corresponding one of said plurality of light mounts.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein at least one of the plurality of light mounts is a swivel mount.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein at least one of the plurality of light mounts is a flexible gooseneck mount.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein at least one of the plurality of light mounts is a tube.

33. The system of claim 29, wherein at least one of the plurality of light mounts is an extension tube.

34. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount further comprises a housing, and further wherein the plurality of lights are coupled to the housing and face outward from the housing.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the housing is configured to support a plurality of light mounts.

36. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of lights points to the wheel assembly.

37. The system of claim 34, wherein a plurality of light mounts are fixed to the housing and support the plurality of lights.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein the housing encloses the power source.

39. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount further comprises:

a lower section fixed to the wheel assembly to rotate with the wheel assembly;

an upper section enclosing the control circuit and the power source; and

a bearing disposed between the lower section and the upper section to permit relative rotation between the lower section and the upper section.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the upper section further comprises:

a unit base; and

a cover;

wherein the unit base and the cover are coupled together to define an internal cavity configured to receive and support the control circuit and the power source.

41. The system of claim 40, wherein the plurality of lights are coupled to holes formed in the unit base.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein the plurality of lights are directed toward the wheel.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein the plurality of lights are selected from the group consisting of LEDs, incandescent lights, neon lights, electroluminescent panels, fluorescent lights, and ultraviolet lights.

44. The system of claim 39, wherein the electrical energy generating element further comprises a generator, and further wherein said generator is coupled to said lower section to be driven thereby.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the generator is coupled to and charges the electrical energy storing element.

46. A system for illuminating a motor vehicle wheel assembly of a motor vehicle is provided, wherein the wheel assembly includes a wheel and a tire, the system comprising:

a plurality of lights configured to be supported on the wheel, a control circuit configured to be supported on the wheel, wherein the circuit is coup led to the plurality of lights and regulates a flow of electricity to the plurality of lights; and

a power source configured to be supported on the wheel, wherein the power source is coupled to the control circuit to provide said control circuit and said plurality of lights with electrical power.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein the control circuit further comprises a receiver responsive to a wireless remote control.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the control circuit controls the operation of the plurality of lights in response to signals received from the wireless remote control.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein the control circuit controls the plurality of lights to emit light in a plurality of light patterns, and further wherein the control circuit is responsive to the wireless remote control to change the light patterns.

50. The system of claim 46, wherein the plurality of lights is configured to emit light both when the wheel is not rotating and when the wheel is rotating.

51. The system of claim 46, further comprising a mounting plate having a plurality of holes that are configured to engage lug nuts securing the wheel to the motor vehicle, wherein the plurality of lights, the control circuit, and the power source are supported by the mounting plate.

52. The system of claim 51, further comprising an enclosure supported by the mounting plate, wherein the plurality of lights, the control circuit, and the power source are supported within the enclosure.

53. The system of claim 46, wherein the wheel assembly further comprises a hubcap, and further wherein the plurality of lights, the control circuit, and the power source are configured to be supported by the hubcap.

54. The system of claim 53, further comprising a mounting plate configured to be fixed to the hubcap, wherein the plurality of lights, control circuit, and power source are configured to be supported by the mounting plate.

55. The system of claim 47, further comprising the wireless remote control, which is configured to communicate with the receiver to control electrical power sent to the plurality of lights.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the control circuit and plurality of lights are configured to emit at least one pattern of light, and further wherein said wireless remote control is configured to change said at least one pattern of light.

57. The system of claim 47, wherein the control circuit is configured to change an intensity of the plurality of lights in response to an audio signal received by the receiver.

58. The system of claim 47, wherein the control circuit is configured to change a rate at which the plurality of lights turn on and off in response to signals received by the receiver.