Rim illuminating device

• US 6,871,987 B1
• Filed: 03/28/2002
• Issued: 03/29/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kenny F. Morton
• Original Assignee: Kenny F. Morton
• Inventors: Morton, Kenny F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choi, Jacob Y.
• Application Number:
  US10/107,109
• Time in Patent Office: 1,097 Days
• Field of Search: 362/191, 362/500, 362/396, 362/158, 362/439
• US Class Current: 362/500
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels

Abstract

A rim illuminating device for removably mounting to a rim of a motor vehicle in order to create a visual effect when the motor vehicle is moving. The illuminating device includes a housing that has a first surface and a second surface. A cover is mounted to the first surface of the housing for covering the housing. An illuminating member is mounted to the first surface of the housing for emitting light. A power supply is mounted to the housing and electrically connected to the illuminating member for selectively providing power thereto. A coupling member is mounted to the second surface of the housing for removably mounting the housing to the rim of the vehicle.

Claims

1. A rim illuminating device being removably mountable to a rim of a motor vehicle, said device comprising:

a housing having an first surface and a second surface;

a cover being removably mounted to said first surface of said housing;

an illuminating member being mounted to said first surface of said housing for emitting light;

a power supply being mounted to said housing and electrically connected to said illuminating member for selectively providing power thereto, said first surface of said housing has a cavity extending therein for receiving said power supply;

a coupling member being mounted to said second surface of said housing for removably mounting said housing to the rim of the vehicle; and

an insulating member having a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending away therefrom, wherein said bottom and peripheral walls define an inset for receiving said power supply, said insulating member being mounted to an inner surface of said housing defining said cavity, wherein said power supply is insulated from adverse weather conditions.

2. A rim illuminating device being removably mountable to a rim of a motor vehicle, said device comprising:

a housing having a first surface and a second surface;

a cover being removably mounted to said fault surface of said housing;

an illuminating member being mounted to said first surface of said housing for emitting light;

a power supply being mounted to said housing and electrically connected to said illuminating member for selectively providing power thereto, said first surface of said housing has a cavity extending therein for receiving said power supply;

a coupling member being mounted to said second surface of said housing for removably mounting said housing to the rim of the vehicle; and

a securing member being mounted to said first surface of said housing and removably positionable over and abutting said power supply for removably securing said power supply in said cavity of said housing wherein said securing member comprises an elongate strap having a pair of opposed ends, at least one of said opposed ends being removably couplable to said first surface of said housing.

6. The rim illuminating device of claim 2, further including a coupling member being mounted to said second surface of said housing for removably mounting said housing to the rim of the vehicle, wherein said coupling member includes a securing portion secured to said second surface of said housing, said securing portion having a length extending generally beyond a side surface of said housing, a clamp portion for releasably clamping onto the rim of the vehicle, a coupling portion extending between an end of said securing portion and said clamp portion, said clamp portion having a free end, said free end having a lip extending away therefrom and extending toward said housing, said lip being orientated generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said clamp portion, such that said clamp portion has a generally u-shaped cross-section.

3. A rim illuminating device being removably mountable to a rim of a motor vehicle, said device comprising:

a housing having an first surface and a second surface;

a cover being removably mounted to said first surface of said housing;

an illuminating member being mounted to said first surface of said housing for emitting light;

a power supply being mounted to said housing and electrically connected to said illuminating member for selectively providing power thereto; and

a coupling member being mounted to said second surface of said housing for removably mounting said housing to the rim of the vehicle, wherein said coupling member includes a securing portion secured to said second surface of said housing, said securing portion having a length extending generally beyond a side surface of said housing, a clamp portion for releasably clamping onto the rim of the vehicle, a coupling portion extending between an end of said securing portion and said clamp portion, said clamp portion having a free end, said free end having a lip extending away therefrom and extending toward said housing, said lip being orientated generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said clamp portion, such that said clamp portion has a generally u-shaped cross-section.

4. The rim illuminating device of claim 3, wherein said coupling member has a generally hook transverse cross section taken substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said coupling member.

5. The rim illuminating device of claim 3, additionally including a means of fastening said securing portion to said second surface of said housing, said means of fastening extending through said securing portion and into said second surface of said housing.