Circuit for providing illumination on a motor vehicle wheel

• US 5,392,200 A
• Filed: 02/25/1994
• Issued: 02/21/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Marcus K. Milde
• Original Assignee: Marcus K. Milde
• Inventors: Milde, Marcus K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan B.
• Application Number:
  US08/201,561
• Time in Patent Office: 361 Days
• Field of Search: 362/35, 362/78, 362/190, 362/191, 362/184, 362/252, 362/251, 362/269, 362/271, 362/276, 362/800, 362/802, 362/806, 362/394, 200/52 R, 200/61.39, 200/61.45 R, 200/61.46, 200/61.47, 200/61.49, 200/80 A, 200/80 B, 200/80 R, 446/47, 446/242, 446/438, 446/439
• US Class Current: 362/464
• 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 circuit for providing illumination on a wheel hub cap comprises a plurality of electric lights, adapted to be arranged on the hub cap; an electric battery, adapted to be arranged on the hub cap; and at least one inertial switch connected electrically in series between the battery and the electric lights and adapted to be arranged on the hub cap in spaced relationship to the central axis of the hub cap and with such orientation as to be closed by centrifugal force upon rotation of the hub cap.

Claims

1. Circuit apparatus for providing illumination on a hub cap for a rotatable wheel, said hub cap having a central axis of rotation, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a plurality of electric lights arranged on said hub cap;

(b) an electric battery adapted to be arranged on said hub cap substantially at said central axis;

(c) at least three inertial switches connected electrically in series between said battery and said electric lights and arranged on said hub cap in spaced relationship to said central axis and with such orientation as to be closed by centrifugal force upon rotation of said hub cap with said wheel, said switches being substantially circumferentially symmetrically arranged on said hub cap; and

(d) control means connected electrically in series with the battery for switching the battery power on and off.

2. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said switches each include a switching element formed of a movable conductor.

3. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said movable conductor comprises mercury.

4. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said switches are normally open.

5. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said battery and said switches are attached to said hub cap by means of a silicone glue.

6. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said lights are arranged on said hub cap at substantially the same radial distance from said central axis and are substantially equally spaced in the circumferential direction.

7. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said control means includes a photocell which is responsive to daylight to switch off the battery power in the presence of daylight.

8. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said control means includes a receiver which is responsive to a transmitted signal to switch the battery power on and off.

9. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 1, wherein said control means includes a manually operated switch.

10. Circuit apparatus for providing illumination on a hub cap for a rotatable wheel, said hub cap having a central axis of rotation, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a plurality of electric lights arranged on said hub cap;

(b) an electric battery adapted to be arranged on said hub cap substantially at said central axis;

(c) a single inertial switch connected electrically in series between said battery and said electric lights and arranged on said hub cap in spaced relationship to said central axis and with such orientation as to be closed by centrifugal force upon rotation of said hub cap with said wheel when said hub cap reaches a prescribed minimum rotational speed; and

(d) control means connected electrically in series with the battery for switching the battery power on and off.

11. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein said switch includes a switching element formed of a movable conductor.

12. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein said movable conductor comprises a metal spring.

13. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein said switch is normally open.

14. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein said battery and said switch are attached to said hub cap by means of a silicone glue.

15. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein said lights are arranged on said hub cap at substantially the same radial distance from said central axis and are substantially equally spaced in the circumferential direction.

16. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein said control means includes a photocell which is responsive to daylight to switch off the battery power in the presence of daylight.

17. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein said control means includes a receiver which is responsive to a transmitted signal to switch the battery power on and off.

18. The circuit apparatus defined in claim 10, wherein said control means includes a manually operated switch.