Abstract:
A video display made by light emitting diodes (LEDS), liquid crystal displays (LCD) or digital light processing displays (DLP) is mounted on the specialty hubcap. The video display is maintained in an up down position as the automobile moves. The device is cooled with vanes, thermoelectric cooler, or radiator plate. The device is powered by wheel generators or from the car battery. Manual or electronic controls manage the video sources which can be VCR, DVD, or ordinary video TV as well as a computer video source.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention is concerned with novelty hubcaps for vehicles such as automobiles and trucks. More specifically, the invention is concerned with displays of detailed illustrations on the surface of hubcaps using light emitting diodes (LEDS), liquid crystal displays (LCD) digital light processing displays (DLP) or other current technology. Later use of the term display will refer to anyone of known display technologies. 
       BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
       [0002]    In America, many subgroups of usually young adult males have a great interest and spent time customizing their automobiles and light trucks into show pieces. A common feature of such customized automobiles is the use of novelty hubcaps. In some instances the hubcaps are ordinary hubcaps that are highly polished and have novelty ornamental features. In the recent past the “spinning” hubcaps have become common ornamental features for customized automobiles. That is the hubcaps are not firmly affixed to the wheel hub, but the hubcap rotates independently of the movement of the wheels. 
         [0003]    The present invention is concerned with such novelty hubcaps wherein the novelty consists of a display of a detailed picture or video on the hubcaps. It is a further feature that such picture or video are created by LED&#39;s or other display method to present an actual picture or video. 
         [0004]    The present invention is a moving visual display that is mounted in the core of a wheel to act as a hub cap. The invention has a mounting bracket which is affixed to the hub of the wheel. Removably affixed to the center of that mounting bracket is a series of discs with grooves for ball bearings to allow any device mounted to remain stationary as the wheel rotates. The invention has several cooling means including air vents with vanes so that as the car moves the air vents with vanes forces air over the heated hubcaps. Likewise, a second means of cooling the device is a thermoelectric sink. Mounted in the core of the device that remains stationary is a display, LCD optionally a LED display. Associated with the display is a video receiver as well as controls to adjust the input on the LED display. The invention may be powered either by a battery and generator or by electricity which is transferred via contacts to wires which go through the body of the wheel. Internal contacts transfer electricity to the stationary device. 
       SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
       [0005]    A display which provides a moving picture or illustration on the hubcap of an automobile has a display wheel mount with a cone cylinder and an axle depression void and as well as cylindrical extensions with holes for lug bolts. The cone cylinder has a housing cylinder with an attachment ring to retain a free wheeling bearing device. A circular mounting plate is affixed to freewheeling bearing device through mounting plate hole into a T-spacer. In turn, a thermoelectric cooler and radiator plate is fastened to the mounting plate and a heatsink is affixed to the thermoelectric cooler and radiator plate. The heatsink has an outer ridge and an inner ridge with a power means. Likewise, the inventive unit has a video source, a video receiver, and display control. There is a means to keep the video display in an updown position. The device is covered by an attached Plexiglas™ or Lexan™ cover; The free wheeling bearing device is a plate bearing device or a roller bearing. Additional cooling means are vanes on the wheel. The device can be powered by a dry battery, a wheel movement powered generator, or a slipring connectors with wires which allows power from the car battery. The video source is a video link to a VCR, DVD, or ordinary video TV as well as computer video sources. The display control is a manual control device or electronically controlled device via radio or infrared signals. The video display is kept in an updown position with a counterweight rotation inhibiting mass or an electric motor timed to spin at the same time the wheel spins. The displays of detailed illustrations on the surface of hubcaps use light emitting diodes (LEDS), liquid crystal displays (LCD) or digital light processing displays (DLP). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES 
         [0006]    The Diagram is a schematic outline of the invention to provide an overall look at the elements of the present invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the assembled invention. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  A) shows a head on view of the invention looking from the outside to the car wheel. B) illustrates a cross-section of the customized wheel of a car that received invention. C) is a view of the wheel hub from the inside out. 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  shows display wheel mount head on view A and a section view B mounted on core of wheel. 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  shows detail of T-spacer. 
           [0012]      FIG. 6  shows head on view of heatsink. 
           [0013]      FIG. 7  shows an alternative bearing means, a roller bearing. 
           [0014]      FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment with a wheel movement powered generator. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
       [0015]    The Diagram is a schematic outline of the invention to provide an overall look at the elements of the present invention. In broad outline A shows a tire, B shows the hub, and C shows video display which is the object of the present invention. The inventive device provides a moving picture or illustration on the rectangle C in the central part of the hubcap. The elements required for the present invention are D which is a bearing device to allow freewheeling. Examples of bearing devices are roller bearings and plate bearings. E is a means to maintain the moving picture in a stationary matter, up and down. This up down orientation is provided by a counterweight or an electric motor timed to spin at the same time the wheel spins allowing the display to be stationary. Such a device is called a stepper motor or servo motor. F is a power source for the device. The power source can be the automobile battery transferring electricity through the wheel by means of brushes. A second source is an ordinary disposable battery. A third source is a rechargeable battery that is recharged by a generator that is activated as the inventive device remains still relative to the motion of the turning tire. G is a cooling means to prevent excess heat buildup caused by the movement of the wheel and other heat sources. These cooling means are vanes on the wheel, a heatsink, and/or a thermoelectric refrigerator. Element H is the video signal source. H is the signal source for the video display C of the invention. Signal sources can be via radio video link to a VCR, DVD or ordinary video TV as well as computer video sources. J is a transforming and transferring means to process a signal from the source of the pictures transferring them to the display panel. K is the device to control the series of pictures. These can be controlled by either a manual control device or electronically controlled via radio or infrared signals to be illuminated on video display. It is to be understood that these are the basic elements of the invention. However, other equivalent means could usefully help process the current invention. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of the assembled invention  201 . In the central part of the invention is the LCD display covered with Plexiglas  289 . Workpiece outer rim  103  and workpiece outer wheel wall  105  are shown. Manual control switch is shown as  195 . Electronic controls to receive instructional infra red or radio control signals is  197   
         [0017]      FIG. 2  A) shows a head on view of the invention  201  looking from the outside to the car wheel. B) illustrates a cross-section of the customized wheel of a car that received invention. C) is a view of the wheel hub from the inside out. In detail, A) the wheel  101  has an outer rim  103 , an outer wheel wall curvature  105 , and Plexiglas cover  289 . Manual control switch is shown as  195 . Electronic controls to receive instructional infra red or radio control signals is  197 . B) is a cross-section through the center of the wheel hub. Outer tire rim holder  103  and inner tire rim holder  106  are shown. The inner curvature  105  for the tire wheel is shown. Lug bolt hole(s)  109  are shown in mounting plane  107 . The customized wheel has an inner pair of sliprings  119  connects with wires  117  which allows power from the car battery to be transferred via outer sliprings  118  to the stationary display device. View C) shows an inner view of the wheel hub  10 . Inner rim holder  103  terminates inwardly to tire mounting hub plane  121  with holes  109 . Cooling vanes  303  are present. Core opening for wheel axle is  309 . 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  shows display wheel mount  293  head on view A and a section view B mounted on core  117  of wheel. Offset arrows G and H illustrate section view B. Display wheel mount  293  has cone cylinder  205  with axle depression void  211 . Cone cylinder has cylindrical extensions  221  with holes  207  for workpiece lug bolts  209 . Inner side  203  of depression void  211  terminates in axle depression base  213 . Cone cylinder  205  has a first progression to make housing cylinder  222  which housing cylinder  222  houses free wheeling bearing device  231 . Likewise, a second progression of cone cylinder  205  extends inwardly as inner support  235  of axle depression base. Housing cylinder mounting plane  265  has screw holes  225 . Outer rim holder  106  terminates inwardly to tire mounting hub plane  121  with holes  109 . Core opening for wheel axle is  309 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of the invention  201 . Display wheel mount  293  cast section view shows that display wheel mount  203  has cone cylinder  205  with axle depression void  211 . Cone cylinder  205  has outer cylindrical extensions  221  with holes  207  for workpiece lug bolts  209 . Inner side  230  of depression void  211  terminates in inner support  235  of axle depression base  213 . Cone cylinder  205  has a first progression to make housing cylinder  222  which housing cylinder  222  surrounds free wheeling bearing device  231 . Likewise, a second progression of cone cylinder  205  extends inwardly as inner support  235  of axle depression base. Housing cylinder  222  ends in housing cylinder mounting plane  265  which has screw holes  225 . 
         [0020]    Attachment ring  226  is affixed to mounting plane  265  of housing cylinder  222  with screws  227 . Attachment ring  226  encloses freewheeling plate bearing device  231  which is a means to prevent display  277  rotation when wheel of auto is turning. Freewheeling plate bearing device  231  has an inner disk  233 , a middle disk  235 , and an outer disk  239 . Inner disk  233  as a ball bearing groove  239 . Complimentary with inner disk  233  ball bearing groove  239  is middle disk  235  inner ball bearing groove  241 . Ball bearing groove  239  and ball bearing groove  241  complement each other and have ball bearings  243  to allow freewheeling between inner disk  233  and middle disk  235 . Likewise middle disk  235  has an outer ball bearing groove  245 . Ball bearing groove  245  complements the ball bearing groove  247  which is along the inner plane of outer disk  239 . T-spacer  249  is affixed to the central part of middle disk  235 . Cap  505  of spacer disk  249  is thicker then the thickness of attachment ring  226 . In the center of cap  505  spacer disk  249  is a hollow  252  which receives attachment screw  251 . (See details in  FIG. 5 ) Assembled freewheeling plate bearing device  231  is received into hollow  219  created by housing cylinder  222 . 
         [0021]    Circular mounting plate  261  is affixed to freewheeling bearing device  231  by means of attachment screw  251  through mounting plate hole  263  into threaded hollow  252  in the center of cap  505  of T-spacer disk  249 . Heat radiator plate  267  in cooperation with air vents  303  (See  FIG. 1 ) radiates heat generated by wheel  101  and display. Mounted on circular mounting plate  261  is a rotation inhibiting mass  298 . A battery holding  292  hollow is within rotation inhibiting mass  298 . Cooling is likewise regulated by cooling heatsink  271 . Cooling heatsink  271  is affixed to thermoelectric cooler  269  and radiator plate  267 . Cooling heatsink  271  has an outer ridge  273  and an inner ridge  275 . Affixed within the inner ridge  275  is the display  277 . Video receiver  281  and display control  283  are placed between outer ridge  273  and inner ridge  275 . Affixed within cooling heatsink  271  and connected to video receiver  281  and display control  283  is video display  277 . When assembled the entire invention  201  is covered by Plexiglas cover  289 . Plexiglas cover  289  is held in place by affixing means such as screws  291 . 
         [0022]      FIG. 5  shows detail of T-spacer  249 . Cap  505  is shown in side view as A and top view as B. In the center  252  of cap  505  spacer disk  249  is a hollow  252  which receives attachment screw  251 . Bolt finger  507  passes through central tunnel  509  of outer disk  239 . Central tunnel  509  has a slightly larger diameter than diameter of finger bolt  507  to allow free rotation. As shown in side view A, finger bolt  507  terminates in bearing screw  511 . Bearing screw  511  is threaded into bearing screw tap  503  in center of middle disk  235 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 6  shows head on view of heatsink  271 . Cooling heatsink  271  has an outer ridge  273  and an inner ridge  275 . Affixed within the inner ridge  275  is the display  277 . Video receiver  281  and display control  283  are placed between outer ridge  273  and inner ridge  275 . Plexiglas cover  289  (Shown in outline) is held in place by affixing means such as screws  291 . 
         [0024]      FIG. 7  shows an alternative bearing means, in this instance a roller bearing. Display wheel mount  293  cast section view shows display wheel mount  293  has cone cylinder  205  with axle depression void  211 . Cone cylinder  205  has outer cylindrical extensions  221  with holes  207  for workpiece lug bolts  209 . Inner side  203  of depression void  211  terminates in inner support  235  of axle depression base  213 . Cone cylinder  205  has a first progression to make housing cylinder  222  which housing cylinder  222  surrounds free willing bearing device  731 . Likewise, a second progression of cone cylinder  205  extends inwardly as inner support  235  of axle depression base. Housing cylinder  222  ends in housing cylinder mounting plane  265  which has screw holes  225 . 
         [0025]    Outer bearing race  709  complements inner bearing race  711  to enclose bearings  707 . While bearing  707  is a roller bearing it is within the spirit of the invention to have ball bearings or tapered bearings. One or more roller bearing assemblies may be used. Internal cylinder  721  is internal relative to inner bearing race  711 . Internal cylinder  721  is held within inner bearing race  711  by washer  715  and affixing screw  713 . Bearing assembly  731  is held by attachment ring  226  which is affixed to mounting plane  265  of housing cylinder  222  with screws  227 . Washer  715  is affixed by screw  713  which is twisted into first threaded hole  723  of internal cylinder  721  which affixes internal cylinder  721  to bearing  707 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 8  shows an exploded view of the invention  201  similar to the view in  FIG. 4 . However,  FIG. 8  illustrates an embodiment with a wheel movement powered generator for low power display. Display wheel mount  293  cast section view shows display wheel mount  293 . Cone cylinder  205  has outer cylindrical extensions  221  with holes  207  for workpiece lug bolts  209 . Inner side  230  of depression void  211  terminates in inner support  235 . Cone cylinder  205  has a first progression to make housing cylinder  222  which housing cylinder  222  surrounds free willing bearing device  231 . Likewise, a second progression of cone cylinder  205  extends inwardly as inner support  235  of axle depression base. 
         [0027]    Affixed to and surrounding housing cylinder  222  is generator stator  808 . Generator stator  808  has a series of permanent magnets. Housing cylinder  222  ends in housing cylinder mounting plane  265  which has screw holes  225 . An addition or modification of circular mounting plate  261  is the rotors of wheel generator  830 . A generator rotor has a wound series of electromagnets which generates electrical current necessary to operate cooling heatsink  271 , display  277 , video receiver  281  and display control  283 . 
         [0028]    Attachment ring  226  is affixed to mounting plane  265  of housing cylinder  222  with screws  227 . Freewheeling plate bearing device  231  has an inner disk  233 , a middle disk  235 , and an outer disk  239 . Inner disk  233  has a ball bearing groove  239 . Complimentary with inner disk  233  ball bearing groove  239  is middle disk  235  inner ball bearing groove  241 . Ball bearing groove  239  and ball bearing groove  241  complement each other and have ball bearings  243  to allow freewheeling between inner disk  233  and middle disk  235 . Likewise middle disk  235  has an outer ball bearing groove  245 . Ball bearing groove  245  complements the ball bearing groove  247  which is along the inner plane of outer disk  239 . T-spacer  249  is affixed to the central part of inner disk  239 . Cap  505  of spacer disk  249  is thicker then the thickness of attachment ring  225 . In the center of cap  505  spacer disk  249  is a hollow  252  which receives attachment screw  251 . (See detail in  FIG. 5 ) Assembled freewheeling plate bearing device  231  is received into hollow  219  created by housing cylinder  222 . 
         [0029]    Circular mounting plate  261  is affixed to freewheeling bearing device  231  by means of attachment screw  251  through mounting plate hole  263  into threaded hollow  252  of outer disk  239 . Heat radiator plate  267  in cooperation with air vents  303  (See  FIG. 1 ) radiates heat generated by wheel  101 . Mounted on heat radiator plate  267  is a rotation inhibiting mass  290 . A battery holding  292  hollow is within rotation inhibiting mass  290 . This battery receives current from generator rotor  826 .