Tire changing light

• US 6,332,700 B1
• Filed: 09/19/2000
• Issued: 12/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Albert L. Baines
• Original Assignee: Albert L. Baines
• Inventors: Baines, Albert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Guiyoung
• Application Number:
  US09/666,071
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 362/399, 362/486, 362/506, 362/500, 362/362, 362/387, 362/375
• US Class Current: 362/486
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 7/00 Arrangement or adaptation of portable emergency signal devices on vehicles

Abstract

A lighting assembly is detachably mounted in an opening in the wheel well panel of an vehicle. The lighting assembly has a base member with flexible sidewalls and end walls. The base member defines an opening near the first end wall forming a finger pull. A lamp holder is mounted on the base member near the second end wall. A clear lens covers a lamp in the lamp. An extensible power cable is attached to the lamp holder. The lighting assembly detaches from the wheel well to illuminate the wheel when changing a tire.

Claims

1. A lighting assembly for a wheel well of a vehicle, said wheel well defining an opening, said lighting assembly comprising:

a base member having first and second sidewalls and a panel extending between said first and second sidewalls dividing said base member into first and second compartments, said sidewalls being flexible to fit said base member into said opening of said wheel well, said base member defining an opening in said second compartment;

a curved member attached to said base member partially covering said opening in said second compartment of said base member forming a finger pull for removing said base member from said opening of said wheel well;

a lamp holder mounted on said base member in said first compartment;

a lens covering said lamp holder and being removably attached to said base member; and

a power cable attached to said lamp holder to deliver electrical energy to said lamp holder, said power cable having a coiled portion so that said power cable is extensible.

2. A lighting assembly, as set forth in claim 1 including a spring loaded reel mounted on said vehicle, said power cable being wound on said reel, said power cable unwinding from said reel through said opening of said wheel well to extend to said lighting assembly.

3. A vehicle, comprising:

a wheel well housing a tire, said wheel well having a sidewall defining a sidewall opening;

a base member having first and second sidewalls and a panel extending between said first and second sidewalls dividing said base member into first and second compartments, said sidewalls flexing to fit said base meter into said sidewall opening;

a lamp holder mounted on said base member in said first compartment;

a lens covering said lamp holder and being removably attached to said base member;

a power cable attached to said lamp holder to deliver electrical energy to said lamp holder; and

a spring loaded reel mounted on said vehicle, said power cable being wound on said reel, said power cable unwinding from said reel through said opening of said wheel well to extend to said base member and lamp holder, said power cable rewinding on said reel as said base member seats in said opening of said wheel well.

4. A vehicle, comprising:

a wheel well housing a tire, said wheel well having a sidewall defining a sidewall opening;

a base member having first and second sidewalls and a panel extending between said first and second sidewalls dividing said base member into first and second compartments, said base member defining an opening in said second compartment;

a curved member attached to said base member partially covering said opening in said second compartment of said base member forming a finger pull for removing said base member from said sidewall opening, said sidewalls flexing to fit said base member into said sidewall opening;

a lamp holder mounted on said base member in said first compartment;

a lens covering said lamp holder and being removably attached to said base member;

a power cable attached to said lamp holder to deliver electrical energy to said lamp holder; and

a spring loaded reel mounted on said vehicle, said power cable being wound on said reel, said power cable unwinding from said reel through said sidewall opening to extend said base member toward said tire, said power cable rewinding on said reel as said base member seats in said sidewall opening.