Abstract:
A wheel spinner assembly for mounting on a bicycle and enhancement of the bicycle&#39;s aesthetic features. The bicycle wheel spinner assembly is adapted for use on a bicycle wheel having an axle and a plurality of spokes, includes a hub assembly, an end cap member and a rotor. The end cap member is operatively connected to the hub assembly and configured to contact an axle of a bicycle wheel and the rotor is operatively connected to the hub assembly and extends radially outwardly therefrom.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 of U.S. Application Ser. No. 60/743,694 filed Mar. 23, 2006. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention is directed to bicycle wheels, and more particularly to a bicycle wheel provided with a spinner assembly that rotates at a speed independent of the bicycle wheel. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Accessories for the wheels of motor vehicles, such as cars and trucks, are well known in the art. For example, many vehicle wheels are provided with chrome wheel rims, illuminating nuts and/or spinning hubcaps. Still other wheel modifications include illuminating features and graphics mounted to the side of the wheel or rim in order to enhance the vehicle&#39;s overall aesthetic effect. As such, there are various accessories designed for use in conjunction with the wheels of a vehicle. However, due to the inherent differences between bicycle and car wheels, few bicycle wheel enhancements have been developed. 
         [0004]    Additionally, most known enhancement devices attach directly to the vehicle wheel or rim and, therefore, rotate at the wheel&#39;s speed and in its direction of rotation. Still other known wheel accessories require the user to remove the wheel assembly from the vehicle in order to attach the accessory. As such, there remains a continuing need for bicycle wheel accessories that is adapted for easy mounting on a conventional bicycle wheel without removal of the wheel and is adapted for rotation at speeds and directions of rotation different than the speed and direction of rotation of the bicycle wheel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention provides improvements in bicycle wheel accessories and provides for the easy mounting on a conventional bicycle wheel. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, the bicycle wheel spinner assembly is adapted for use on a bicycle wheel having an axle and a plurality of spokes. The bicycle wheel spinner assembly comprises: a hub assembly, an end cap member, and a rotor. The end cap member is operatively connected to the hub assembly and configured to contact an axle of a bicycle wheel, and the rotor is operatively connected to the hub assembly and extends radially outwardly therefrom. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, the bicycle wheel spinner assembly comprises a bicycle wheel, hub assembly, end cap member, and a plurality of rotors. The bicycle wheel having an axle and a plurality of spokes, the hub assembly adapted to be positioned around the axle, the end cap member operatively connected to the hub assembly and configured to contact the axle, and the plurality of rotors operatively connected to the hub assembly and extending radially outwardly therefrom. The rotor being positioned inside the plurality of spokes. 
         [0008]    In an additional embodiment, the bicycle wheel spinner assembly comprises a bicycle wheel, hub assembly, end cap member, a plurality of C-clamps and a plurality of rotors. The bicycle wheel having an axle and a plurality of spokes, the hub assembly positioned around the axle, the end cap member connected to the hub assembly and configured to contact the axle, the plurality of C-clamps positioned around the axle, and the plurality of rotors connected to the hub assembly and extending radially outwardly therefrom. The rotor being positioned inside the plurality of spokes. 
         [0009]    Still other embodiments, combinations, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following descriptions wherein there are shown and described alternative exemplary embodiments of this invention for illustrative purposes. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different aspects and embodiments all without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the drawings, objects, and description should be regarded as illustrative and exemplary in nature only and not as restrictive. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a bicycle with a wheel spinner assembly attached in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a wheel spinner assembly, which is made and operates in accordance with principles of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of an example embodiment of a wheel spinner assembly with C-Clamps, which is made and operates in accordance with principles of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an example embodiment of a hub assembly with bolts and nuts in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a front view of a hub member in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a hub member with rotor adapted in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an example embodiment of a hub assembly in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a front view of an end cap member in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a side view of an end cap member in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a front view of an example embodiment of rotors in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side view of a rotor in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view of an example embodiment of a hub member with lock screw in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of other example embodiments of the wheel spinner assembly, which are made and operate in accordance with principles of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0024]    The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature and not intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims. Moreover, individual features of the drawings and the invention will be more fully apparent and understood in view of the detailed description. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Referring to the drawing figures in detail, wherein like numerals indicate the same elements throughout the drawing figures,  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate various embodiments of a bicycle wheel spinner assembly and its components. The present invention is directed to wheel spinner assemblies, designated generally as  10  in the drawings, that are adapted to be removably mounted to either the front  52  or back  54  wheel of a bicycle  50 . On the front wheel  52 , the spinner assembly  10  can be positioned between the front wheel fork  53 , inside the spokes  59  and about the front axle  56 . Similarly, on the back wheel  54  the spinner assembly  10  can be positioned between the back wheel fork  55 , inside the spokes  59  and about the rear axle  56 . 
         [0026]    A wheel spinner assembly  10  according to the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 1A , comprises a hub assembly  20 , an end cap member  30 , and a plurality of rotors  40 . The size, shape, and color of any component part of the wheel assembly  10  may be varied, as desired, to accommodate, for example, different sized bicycle parts (e.g., wheels, axle, etc.) and for use on different sized bicycles  50 . 
         [0027]    In the embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the hub assembly  20  may comprise front and rear hub members  22 ,  23  adapted to be assembled around either the front or rear axle  56  of the bicycle  50 . In another embodiment, the front and rear hub members  22 ,  23  may be adapted to be assembled around a bearing assembly (not shown) attached to the axle  56 . In one specific embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the front and rear hub members  22 ,  23  may be comprised of hub elements  27  configured to be fitted together and assembled around the axle  56 . For example, in the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the hub elements  27  may be fitted together through the use of male and female  28 ,  29  portions to form the hub members  22 , 23 . However, it is envisioned that any means of attachment may be provided for assembly of the hub members  22 ,  23 . 
         [0028]    In a specific embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the hub members  22 ,  23  may be formed with a plurality of through openings  24 , each sized and configured to receive a bolt  60  therethrough. In this embodiment, the bolt  60  is adapted to be received in a corresponding nut  70  during assembly of the front and rear hub members  22 ,  23  around the axle  56 . For example, in the assembly of the specific embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the bolt  60  may enter and extend through an opening  24  in the outer face of the front hub member  22   a , proceed through an opening (not shown) in the rear hub member and engage a nut  70  positioned about the outer face (not shown) of the rear hub member  23 . In still another embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , the hub members  22 ,  23  may be formed with at least one lock aperture  80 , sized and configured to receive a lock screw  81  and adapted to prevent rotation of the rotors  40 , which are described in further detail herein, when engaged. 
         [0029]    As further shown in  FIGS. 3 and 6 , the illustrated embodiment of the hub assembly  20  may include a hub groove  25  comprised of both a front (not shown) and rear hub groove element  25   b  adapted to receive rotors  40 . For example, as illustrated in the specific non-limiting embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the rear hub groove element  25   b  may be positioned about the outer edge portion  26   b  of the inner face  23   b  of the rear hub member  23 . In another embodiment, for example, the front hub groove element (not shown) may be positioned about the outer edge portion of the inner face (not shown) of the front hub member  22 . 
         [0030]    In a further specific embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3-6 , the outer faces of the front and rear hub members may include a plurality of end cap member locks  21  positioned about their outer edge portions and adapted to receive and secure an end cap member  30  in assembly of the wheel spinner assembly  10 . In one embodiment, the end cap member locks  21  are adapted to contact and engage an outer edge portion  32  of the end cap members  30   a ,  30   b , described in further detail herein. For example, in the non-limiting embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the end cap member locks  21  positioned about the outer face of the front hub member  22   a  may engage the outer edge portion  32  of the front end cap member  30   a . Additionally, even though the front and rear hub members  22 ,  23  are illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4  and  6  to include four end cap member locks  21 , any number of locks  21  may be used to secure the end cap members  30   a ,  30   b , as desired. 
         [0031]    As illustrated in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , the wheel spinner assembly  10  may comprise front and rear end cap members  30   a ,  30   b  adapted to be assembled around either the front or rear axle  56  of the bicycle  50 . In another embodiment, the front and rear end cap members  30   a ,  30   b  may be adapted to be assembled around a bearing assembly (not shown) attached to the axle  56 . Additionally, even though the embodiment of the wheel spinner assembly  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , includes only front and rear end cap members  30   a ,  30   b , any number of end cap members  30  may be used, as desired. In a further specific embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the rear and front end cap members  30   a ,  30   b  may be comprised of end cap elements  37  configured to be fitted together for assemble around the axle  56 . For example, in one non-limiting embodiment, the end cap elements  37  may be fitted together through the use of male and female  38 ,  39  portions to form the end cap members  30   a ,  30   b . However, it is envisioned that any means of attachment may be provided for assembly of the end cap members  30   a ,  30   b.    
         [0032]    In a further specific embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the end cap members  30   a ,  30   b  may comprise an inner edge portion  31  adapted to contact the axle  56  of the bicycle  50 . In one embodiment, the inner edge portion  31  increase in thickness as it extends radially away from the axle  56  or, in other words, the edge portion  31  tapers as it approaches the axle  56 . Although not intended to be bound by any theory, it is believed that tapered nature of the inner edge portion  31  allows for increased rotation of the spinner assembly  10  about the axle  56  due to the reduced contact area and rotational friction between the end cap member  30  and axle  56 . In one embodiment, lubrication may be added to the inner edge portion  31  to increase rotation of the spinner assembly  10  through a reduction in friction. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  5  the wheel spinner assembly  10  also includes a plurality of rotors  40  operatively connected to and extending radially outward from the hub assembly  20 . In one specific non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wheel spinner assembly  10  comprises three rotors  40 . However, it is envisioned in other embodiments, for example  FIG. 12 , that any number of rotors  40  may be used as desired. In one embodiment, the rotors  40  may comprise rotor lip portions  42  positioned about the inner edge portion of the rotor  41 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , and adapted to be received in the hub groove  25 . Additionally, as illustrated in the non-limiting embodiment shown in  FIG. 9 , the rotors  40  may be fitted together through the use of male and female  48 ,  49  portions to form the rotors  40 . However, it is envisioned that any means of attachment may be provided for assembly of the rotors  40 . 
         [0034]    In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the rotors  40  may increase in thickness as they extend radially away from the hub members  22 ,  23  or, in other words, the rotors  40  taper as they approach the hub members  22 ,  23 . Although not intended to be bound by any theory, it is believed that the tapered nature of the rotors  40  allows for increased rotation of the spinner assembly  10  about the axle  56  due to the increased mass weight towards the outside of the rotors  40  and corresponding increase in the overall angular momentum. Similarly, in yet other embodiments, additional weight may be mounted to the rotors  40  to increase the overall angular momentum and, therefore, rotation of the spinner assembly  10  about the axle  56 . 
         [0035]    In one embodiment, the rotors  40  may be formed of a thin plastic material that is durable, and, in some embodiments, can be made to appear chrome or metallic. However, it is envisioned, without departing from the scope of the present invention, that the rotors  40  may be formed of any material, can be made to appear in any manner, and can be provided with a variety of accessories. For example, in one embodiment, reflective tape or any other reflective material may be added to the rotors  40  in order to increase overall night visibility. In yet another specific non-limiting embodiment, the rotors  40  can be mounted with lights (e.g., LED, etc.) powered by an energy source provided on the spinner assembly  10  or bicycle  50  (e.g., batteries, solar panels, magnetic induction drawn from the spinning of the assembly  10  about the axle  56 , etc.). In another non-limiting embodiment, the rotors  40  can be mounted with a whistle sound device that can utilize the wind during spinning to produce a whistle sound. In still other embodiments, graphics can be added to the rotors  40  by, for example, adhesive labels or paint. 
         [0036]    In yet another specific non-limiting embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wheel spinner assembly  10  may also be used in conjunction with a C-Clamp  90 . In this embodiment, the C-Clamp  90  is adapted to engage the axle  56  and enables the wheel spinner assembly  10  to stay positioned about the axle, as desired. Additionally, although the embodiment of the wheel spinner assembly  10  with C-Clamp  90  members, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , only includes two C-Clamp  90  members, any number of C-Clamp members  90  may be used. 
         [0037]    In order to assemble an exemplary embodiment of the wheel spinner assembly  10  of the present invention onto a bicycle  50 , a C-Clamp  90  may be positioned about the axle  56 . Two end cap elements  37  may then be fitted together around the axle  56  to form the rear end cap member  30   b . Next, two hub elements  27  may be fitted together around the axle  56  to form the rear hub member  23  with its end cap member locks  21  positioned about the outer face  23   a . Additionally, in a specific embodiment, a plurality of nuts  70  are positioned about the outer face of the rear hub member  23   a . The rear end cap member locks  21  may then be fitted over the outer edge portion  32  of the rear end cap member  30   b . A plurality of rotor  40  may then be fitted together with the rotor lip portions  42  engaging the rear hub groove element  25   b.    
         [0038]    Similarly, the process of assembly is reversed. Two hub elements  27  may be fitted together around the axle  56  to form the front hub member  22  and slid along the axle so that the rotor lip portions  42  of the rotors may engage the front hub groove element  25   a . Next, a plurality of bolts  60  are inserted into the openings  24   a  in the outer face  22   a  of the front hub member  22 , proceed through an opening  24   b  in the rear hub member and engage a nut  70  positioned about the outer face of the rear hub member  23   a . The bolts  60  and nuts  70  may then by tightened. Two end cap elements  37  may then be fitted together around the axle  56  to form the front end cap member  30   a . The front end cap member locks  21  may then be fitted over the outer edge portion  32  of the front end cap member  30   a . In a specific embodiment, a C-Clamp  90  may then be positioned about the axle  56  next to the front end cap member  30   a . As such, the wheel spinner assembly  10  may be assembled and positioned without removal of the bicycle wheel. Additionally, since the wheel spinner assembly  10  may be positioned inside the existing spokes  59  of the bicycle  50 , the present invention prevents users from accidentally being injured due to objects (e.g., fingers, toes, etc.) unintentionally coming into contact with the rotating rotors  40 . 
         [0039]    The foregoing description of the various embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. For example, some principles of the invention may be used in different bicycle configurations and types of wheels. Moreover, although multiple inventive aspects have been presented, such aspects need not be utilized in combination, and various combinations of inventive aspects are possible in light of the various embodiments provided above. Accordingly, the above description is intended to embrace all possible alternatives, modifications, combinations, and variations that have been discussed or suggested herein, as well as all others that fall with the principles, spirit and broad scope of the inventions as defined by the claims.