Vehicle tire illuminating apparatus

• US 6,945,679 B2
• Filed: 06/17/2002
• Issued: 09/20/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raymond Young
• Original Assignee: Raymond Young
• Inventors: Young, Raymond
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea, Sandra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choi, Jacob Y.
• Application Number:
  US10/172,658
• Publication Number:
  US 20030231507A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,191 Days
• Field of Search: 362/506, 362/500, 362/514, 362/322
• US Class Current: 362/500
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/326 on or for wheels

Abstract

A tire illuminating apparatus 12 for illuminating the tires 14 of a vehicle 10 is provided. The tire illuminating apparatus 12 includes a base member 20 which is coupled to the vehicle 10 above the tire 14. The illuminating apparatus 12 is also provided with a light directing member 36 which is coupled to the base member 20 which directs light so that diagonally extending light beams are cast on the tire 14. An illuminating member 44 for providing a predetermined source of light is also provided. The illuminating member 44 is coupled in the base member 20 so that light is provided to the light directing member 36 to illuminate the tire 14 as desired.

Claims

1. A tire illuminating apparatus for illuminating the tires of a vehicle including:

a base member having an opening formed therein;

means for coupling the base member to the side of the vehicle above the tire so that the opening in the base member is aligned with an opening in the side of the vehicle above the tire;

means, having an opening formed therein, for directing light in a predetermined direction to a predetermined position adjacent the tire;

means for pivotably coupling the light directing means to the base member so that the opening in the light directing means is aligned with the opening in the base member;

an illuminating means for providing a predetermined source of light; and

means for coupling the illuminating means in the opening in the base member so that light is provided to the directing means to illuminate the tire.

2. A tire illuminating apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the base member further includes an aperture formed through each outermost end thereof for facilitating coupling of the base member of the vehicle.

3. A tire illuminating apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the base member includes a coupling member for engaging each aperture formed through the outermost end of the base member so that the base member is coupled to the vehicle.

4. A tire illuminating apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the light directing means includes:

an outer member having an opening formed therethrough; and

an inner member having an opening formed therethrough mounted for slidable pivoting-movement in the outer member, the inner member being slidably pivoted in the outer member so that the light can be adjusted vertically relative to the tire.

5. A tire illuminating apparatus as defined in claim 3 wherein the outer member and the inner member of the light directing means each include:

an upper member; and

a lower member formed integrally with the upper member so that an opening is formed therebetween and so that light is transmitted therethrough to cast a diagonally extending beam of light onto the tire.

6. A tire illuminating apparatus as defined in claim 5 wherein the light directing means coupling means includes a coupling member which extends through the upper member of the light directing means into the base member for facilitating the pivotable coupling of the light directing means to the base member.

7. A tire illuminating apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the upper members of the light directing means include:

a semi-circularly shaped member; and

the lower member of the light directing means includes a substantially u-shaped member.

8. A tire illuminating apparatus as defined in claim 7 wherein the illuminating means includes a light bulb electrically coupled to a voltage source of the vehicle so that a predetermined source of light is provided.

9. A tire illuminating apparatus as defined in claim 8 wherein the illuminating means coupling means includes a pair of spring biased members for releasably engaging the vehicle adjacent the opening in the base member so that the light bulb is secured in the opening in a predetermined position.