Lighted wheel rim system

• US 6,322,237 B1
• Filed: 07/17/2000
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis Ray Lee
• Original Assignee: Dennis Ray Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Dennis Ray
• Primary Examiner(s): Cariaso, Alan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S.
• Application Number:
  US09/617,914
• Time in Patent Office: 498 Days
• Field of Search: 362/500, 362/234, 362/249
• US Class Current: 362/500
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels

Abstract

A lighted wheel rim system is provided for illuminating the wheel of a vehicle by projecting visible light through decorative openings disposed within the rim of a tire. The lighted wheel rim system includes a plurality of individual lights or lamps, which, together, form an arrangement which is stimulating and aesthetically pleasing to the human eye. The lighted wheel rim system has two major parts, including a light housing assembly and a lighting assembly. Flange portions on the light housing assembly are configured for mounting to the brake rotor splash guards or brake shield of a vehicle. The flange portions are dimensioned to correspond to the outer curvature, shape, and size of the brake shield and to hold the light housing assembly in spaced apart relation therefrom. Each wheel of a vehicle is configured with a ring of individual lights as an integrated electrical system.

Claims

1. A lighting apparatus for mounting on the brake shield of a vehicle comprising:

(a) a lighting assembly and at least one power source, said lighting assembly including at least one light unit and a respective electrical conductor for supplying electrical power from said power source to said at least one light unit; and

,

(b) a light housing assembly, said light housing assembly comprising a housing body, said housing body being removably fastened to a brake shield of a vehicle.

2. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing body is hollow and adapted for containing said electrical conductor therein.

3. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrical conductor comprises at least one wire.

4. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing body comprises at least one aperture for frictionally supporting said at least one light unit within said aperture.

5. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said lighting assembly is removably fastened to said light housing assembly.

6. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said housing body comprises at least one flange portion dimensioned for mounting to said brake shield;

said apparatus further comprising at least one fastener for connecting said flange portion to said brake shield.

7. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a tire rim defining apertures to allow an observer to see said at least one light through said apertures when said tire rim and said lighting apparatus are mounted to a wheel of a vehicle.

8. The lighting apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further comprises a brake shield;

said apparatus further comprising a light cover for covering said at least one light unit.

9. The lighting apparatus of claim 8, wherein said brake shield comprises an aperture for receiving said electrical conductor therethrough.

10. A lighting apparatus for mounting on the brake shield of a vehicle comprising:

a substantially circular housing and at least one power source, said housing defining an interior passageway for containing a cord of at least one light of a light assembly, said cord for supplying electrical power to said at least one light from said power source;

said housing having at least one flange portion for mounting said housing to the brake shield of a wheel;

said apparatus further comprising at least one fastener for connecting said flange portion to said brake shield.

11. The lighting apparatus of claim 10, wherein said housing comprises at least one aperture for receiving said at least one light of said light assembly and for frictionally supporting said at least one light within said aperture.

12. The lighting apparatus of claim 11, wherein said apparatus further comprises at least one switch for electrically activating said apparatus when connected to a power source;

said apparatus further comprising a light cover for covering said at least one light.

13. The lighting apparatus of claim 12, wherein said apparatus further comprises a brake shield, said lighting apparatus being adapted to be mounted to said brake shield.

14. The lighting apparatus of claim 13, wherein said brake shield comprises an aperture for receiving said cord therethrough.

15. The lighting apparatus of claim 14, wherein said apparatus further comprises a tire rim defining an aperture.

16. The lighting apparatus of claim 15, wherein said tire rim comprises means for transmitting light.

17. A lighting apparatus for automobiles comprising in combination with at least one tire and rim assembly:

(a) a lighting assembly and at least one power source, said lighting assembly including at least one set of light units and at least one electrical conductor circuit for supplying electrical power to said at least one set of light units from said power source; and

,

(b) a light housing assembly, said light housing assembly comprising a housing body, said housing body being removably fastened to a brake shield of a vehicle;

said housing body being hollow and adapted for containing said electrical conductor circuit therein;

said lighting assembly being fastened to said light housing assembly;

said housing body including at least one aperture for frictionally supporting said at least one light unit within said aperture;

said apparatus further comprising at least one fastener for connecting said housing body to said brake shield.

18. The lighting apparatus of claim 17, wherein said apparatus further comprises a tire rim defining apertures to allow an observer to see said at least one light through said apertures when said tire rim and said lighting apparatus are mounted to a wheel of a vehicle.

19. The lighting apparatus of claim 18, wherein said apparatus further comprises a brake shield;

said brake shield comprising an aperture for receiving said electrical conductor therethrough.

20. The lighting apparatus of claim 17, further comprising a means for switching on said at least one set of lights, said at least one set of lights being interconnected by a single circuit, said at least one set of lights being interconnected in parallel.