Lighted wheel

• US 6,565,243 B1
• Filed: 03/25/2002
• Issued: 05/20/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Cheung
• Original Assignee: James Cheung
• Inventors: Cheung, James
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sawhney, Hargobind S.
• Application Number:
  US10/105,844
• Time in Patent Office: 421 Days
• Field of Search: 362/500, 362/545, 362/473, 362/800, 362/103, 362/486, 362/42, 362/806, 405/87
• US Class Current: 362/500
• 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: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode

Abstract

The present invention 10 discloses lighted wheels using centrifugal force from a turning wheel 12 to close a magnetic switch 54, turning on a light source 26, 28 powered by batteries 56. The present invention consists of a control housing 18 which is placed inside the inner portion of a motorcycle rim 20 so that it may be acted upon by centrifugal force. The control housing 18 has a lighting control 62 with a plurality of magnetic switches 34 to activate selective lighting 26, 28 and batteries 56 to power the lighting and a processor 58 to give the lighting a blinking or oscillating effect. Within the housing are tension springs. 60 having varying lengths so that different amounts of centrifugal forces are needed to activate the switches. The tension springs 60 are attached to the center of the housing body with a magnetic switch 54 attached to the other end facing its corresponding attraction plate 66 so that when centrifugal forces act upon the magnet switch 54, the tension spring 60 will expand allowing the magnetic switch 54 to activate its corresponding lighting.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing lights on the wheel of a vehicle, the wheel having a rim and a tire thereon, comprising:

a) a plurality of light housings disposed on the sidewall of the tire for receiving lights therein, said housings being spaced about the tire, said housings having a top side and a bottom side;

b) means for lights disposed in said light housings whereby a plurality of lights are provided on the tires;

c) a control housing disposed on the inner portion of the rim for receiving controls therein, said housing having an inner and outer side; and

,

d) means for a light control disposed in said control housing whereby a plurality of lights are controlled.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said light housings are elongated and arcuate, said arcuate being complimentary shaped as the tire to permit attachment to the tire.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising an adhesive surface on said bottom of said light housings to permit attachment of said light housings to the sidewall of the tire, and a peel-off backing disposed on said adhesive surface to protect said adhesive surface until use.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said means for lights comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed in said light housing.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said means for lights comprises:

a) a primary light fixture and a secondary light fixture for receiving said light emitting diodes;

b) a primary receptacle for receiving said primary light fixture therein and a secondary receptacle for receiving said secondary light fixture therein; and

,

c) a primary light cover disposed on said primary light fixture and a secondary light cover disposed on said secondary light fixture.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said control housing is complimentarily shaped as the rim of the vehicle, wherein said outer side has a recess therein, said recess for receiving the inner portion of the rim of a wheel therein to permit attachment of the control housing to the wheel.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for a light control comprises:

a) a photovoltaic switch to turn said plurality of lights off during the daylight;

b) means for a magnetic switch to control said plurality of lights whereby said lights respond to changing centrifugal force upon said means for a magnetic switch;

c) a power supply; and

,

d) electrical wiring for connecting the components to each other.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said power supply comprises a battery.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said means for a magnetic switch further comprises an attraction plate to which said magnetic switch is attracted and a tension spring for biasing said magnetic switch away from said attraction plate.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said control housing has at least one wire outlet therein, said outlet for passage therethrough of said electrical wiring.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a hubcap being disposed on the wheel of the vehicle, wherein said plurality of light housings, said means for lights, said control housing and said means for a light control are disposed on said hubcap, said hubcap further comprising an enlarged peripheral edge extending beyond the inner edge of the rim.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said primary and said secondary light fixtures are disposed on said enlarged peripheral edge of said hubcap.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said control housing and said means for a light control are disposed centrally internal of said hubcap.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said hubcap further comprises a plurality of attachment flanges disposed on the inner face of said hubcap to permit attachment of said hubcap to the wheel of the vehicle.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for a light control is circularly shaped to permit installation on a vehicle.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising means for generating sound disposed on an outer surface of said primary and secondary light fixture.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said means for generating sound comprises a first larger air inlet and a second smaller air outlet to permit sound generation.