Miniature centrifugal lighting assembly

• US 5,839,814 A
• Filed: 03/04/1996
• Issued: 11/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Thomas J. Robertson
• Original Assignee: Thomas J. Robertson
• Inventors: Roberts, Thomas J.
• Primary Examiner(s): CARIASO, ALAN B
• Application Number:
  US08/610,496
• Time in Patent Office: 995 Days
• Field of Search: 362/78, 362/103, 362/157, 362/158, 362/190, 362/191, 362/800, 362/802, 200/61.45, 200/61.46, 200/61.48, 200/61.49, 280/11.19, 280/11.22, 301/5.3
• US Class Current: 362/545
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/06 single-track type
• 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: B62J 6/20 Arrangement of reflectors , e.g. on the wheel spokes pedals incorporating reflectors B62M3/12 ; Lighting devices mounted on wheel spokes
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 23/04 the elements being switches safety devices F21V25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 35/10 Centrifugal switches level of mercury displaced by centrifugal action H01H29/26
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A miniaturized lighting apparatus for a rotating object includes a light-emitting diode (LED), a centrifugal switch, a tiny 3 volt power source, and electrical conduits. The switch is configured to provide power to the LED only upon application of a specific centrifugal force. As applied to an in-line roller skate wheel, the switch and LED may be sealed within the wheel, and the batteries never need replacement because the battery life exceeds the expected wheel life. An in-line skate wheel incorporating the lighting apparatus within it is activated to light the wheel at a predetermined centrifugal force equivalent to a given rotational speed of the wheel, such as 80 rpm. As applied to a reflector light for a bicycle wheel, the light draws power from the battery(ies) only while the wheel is turning at a minimum predetermined rotational speed such as 20 rpm. As applied to a rotatable flying disc, lighting apparatus are mounted on opposite sides of the disc, near the disc periphery. The switch is constructed to actuate the LED at a low rotational speed, and the disc itself is constructed of a phosphorescent material with persistent afterglow. Alternatively, a time delay may be incorporated into the lighting circuit to provide a delayed shut-off of current to the LED.

Claims

1. A centrifugal switch for mounting on a member rotating about an axis to provide electrical energy from a battery source to an electrical consuming device, comprising:

a switch housing;

a first electrical contact member having a first conductive connection;

an elongate elastic reed having a first portion with a second electrical contact member thereon said first portion spacedly separated from said first electrical contact member, and a second portion fixed to said housing, said first portion of said reed having a second conductive connection thereon, said first portion movable about said second portion fixed to said housing, said first electrical contact member spaced from said second electrical contact member in a first direction;

a mass of dense material configured to force said second electrical contact member into contact with said first electrical contact member upon application of a predetermined centrifugal force in said first direction; and

an in-line skate wheel sealingly encapsulating said switch housing, elastic reed, and mass of dense material.

2. A lighted wheel for an in-line skate with a plurality of axles, comprising:

an axial hub mountable on an axle of an in-line skate;

a generally solid elastomeric tire member having an axial hub passage therethrough, said hub axially mounted within said hub passage for rotation of said hub and said tire member about said axle; and

a lighting module including a light emitting diode, two miniature batteries, a switch and conductor means providing an electrical circuit through said diode, batteries and switch, said lighting module positioned within said tire member in weight-balanced relationship about said hub whereby the weight of said lighting module is generally equivalent to the weight of elastomeric tire member displaced by said lighting module in said tire member.

3. A lighted wheel for an in-line skate with a plurality of axles, comprising:

a generally solid elastomeric tire member having an axial axle passage therethrough for rotation about said axle; and

a lighting module including a light emitting diode, two miniature batteries, a switch and conductor means providing an electrical circuit through said diode, batteries and switch, said lighting module positioned within said tire member in weight-balanced relationship about said axle whereby the weight of said lighting module is generally equivalent to the weight of elastomeric tire member displaced by said lighting module.

4. A centrifugal switch for mounting in an in-line skate wheel having an axis of rotation to selectively conduct electrical energy therethrough from a battery power source to a light, comprising:

a switch housing;

a first electrical contact member having a first conductive connection;

an elastic electrically conductive member having a second conductive connection thereon and spacedly separated from said first electrical contact member and having an elastically moveable first portion and a second portion fixed to said housing; and

a mass of electrically conducting dense material unattached to said elastic conductive member, said mass comprising a second electrical contact member normally spaced from said first electrical contact member and configured to forcibly impinge on said elastic conductive member during rotation of the switch to deflect said elastic conductive member whereby said second electrical contact member contacts said first electrical contact member upon application of a predetermined centrifugal force in a radial direction.

5. A centrifugal switch for mounting in an in-line skate wheel having an axis of rotation to selectively conduct electrical energy therethrough from a battery power source to a light, said wheel having a central hub and an outer tire attached to said hub;

said switch comprising;

a switch housing;

a first electrical contact member having a first conductive connection;

an elastic electrically conductive member having a first portion with a second conductive connection thereon and spacedly separated from said first electrical contact member and having a second portion fixed relative to said housing; and

a mass of electrically conducting dense material affixed to said first portion of said elastic conductive member, said mass comprising a second electrical contact member normally spaced from said first electrical contact member and configured to forcibly move said first portion of said elastic conductive member under centrifugal force during rotation of the switch to deflect said first portion of said elastic conductive member whereby said second electrical contact member contacts said first electrical contact member upon application of a predetermined centrifugal force in a radial direction;

wherein said switch housing and battery source are encapsulated within said outer tire; and

wherein the predicted life of said battery source is configured to be commensurate with the predicted life of said outer tire.

6. A lighted wheel for an in-line skate, comprising:

a generally solid elastomeric tire portion having an axis of rotation, said tire portion having one of a transparent and translucent light transmission character;

a lighting module comprising a light emitting diode, at least one battery, a switch and conductor means providing an electrical circuit through said diode, batteries and switch, said lighting module positioned wholly within said tire portion in weight-balanced relationship about said axis of rotation, whereby the weight of said lighting module is generally equivalent to the weight of elastomeric tire member displaced by said lighting module.

7. The lighted wheel of claim 6, wherein said switch comprises a centrifugal switch.

8. The lighted wheel of claim 6, wherein said battery comprises at least one miniature wafer battery.