Patent ID: 6601979
Filing Date: 2003-08-05
Classification: B60Q

Abstract:
A vehicle wheel illumination apparatus for mounting on the wheel of a vehicle that is comprised of a tire mounted on rim, the wheel being rotatable with respect to a non-rotating portion of the vehicle, one wheel hub and a source of electrical power stationarily mounted to the vehicle, said apparatus comprising of:a wheel rim having an outer and central portions in said outer portion attaches to the tire to form an airtight compartment that supports the inflation of the tire and is attached to the central portion that supports the outer portion while mounting the rim onto the wheel hub, both the outer and central portions of the rim having a backside that is adjacent to the wheel hub and a front side that is remote from the wheel hub; a plurality of electrically conductive rings which are rotatable with the wheel; a mounting device for insulatedly attaching the plurality of electrically conductive rings to the backside of the wheel rim so that the plurality of ring are generally coaxial with the wheel rim; an illumination device electrically connected to the plurality of electrically conductive rings; and a plurality of stationary electrical contacts mounted on the vehicle frame, with the at least two stationary electrical contacts connected to the power source and in continuous contact with the plurality of conductive rings.