Illuminated skate wheel

• US 5,957,541 A
• Filed: 07/14/1997
• Issued: 09/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 07/14/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kendle International Incorporated (Research Intermediate LLC)
• Original Assignee: Kendle International Incorporated (Research Intermediate LLC)
• Inventors: Seigler, Kenneth
• Primary Examiner(s): Stormer, Russell D.
• Application Number:
  US08/892,440
• Time in Patent Office: 806 Days
• Field of Search: 301/5.3, 301/5.7, 301/64.7, 280/11.19, 280/11.22, 280/11.23, 362/78, 362/103
• US Class Current: 301/5.301
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 17/26 with special auxiliary arrangements, e.g. illuminating, marking, or push-off devices
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2203/14 Lighting means
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels

Abstract

An illuminating device cooperative with an in-line skate or roller skate wheel the illuminating device having a power source, a centrifugal switch and a light emitting diode or similar illuminating device, the light emitting diode or illuminating device positioned within a radial bore of the wheel, and the power source and centrifugal switch mounted on an annular ring which is snap fit into the wheel of the in-line skate wheel or roller skate wheel.

Claims

1. A self-illuminating wheel rotatable about an axis of rotation comprising:

a wheel for mounting on and rotation about an axle, said wheel being of honeycombed construction having a plurality of spokes and a plurality of concentric inner supports thereby defining voids in said wheel;

a translucent traction tire mounted on said wheel, said traction tire encapsulating the outer circumference of said wheel;

a ring member removably secured to said wheel, said ring member dimensioned to that portion of said wheel that is not encapsulated;

a plurality of battery mounts positioned on said ring member for receipt in mounting of a plurality of power sources, said battery mounts and said power sources positioned on said ring member in 180 degree relationship;

a centrifugal switch and manual override mounted on said ring member, said centrifugal switch open when said wheel is stationery and closed when said wheel is rotated;

an illuminating means positioned through said outer circumference of said wheel and into said translucent traction tire, said illuminating means in electrical communication with said power source and said centrifugal/manual switch, such that said illuminating means is illuminated when said wheel is rotated;

said battery mounts and said centrifugal switch and said manual override positioned within said voids of said wheel being of said honeycombed construction.

2. A self-illuminating wheel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said plurality of battery mounts comprises two battery mounts positioned approximately 180 degrees apart on said circumferential mounting element.

3. A self-illuminating wheel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said centrifugal switch and said manual override and said illuminating means are positioned on said circumferential mounting element in approximately 180 degree relationship to each other.

4. A self-illuminating wheel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said illuminating means comprises one or more light emitting diodes.

5. A self-illuminating wheel in accordance with claim 1, wherein said ring member is maintained in position on said wheel by means of a circumferential plug which snap fits over said circumferential mounting element.