Abstract:
An image board for a rotary wheel which is mounted on a rotary wheel of a vehicle and displays a stationary image regardless of the rotation of the rotary wheel, the image board including: a base plate which is uprightly arranged on the outer portion or the inside of a wheel frame provided on the rotary wheel and mounted to be independently rotatable with respect to the wheel frame, and on one side or both sides of which a predetermined image is arranged, the base plate including a chamber on which a space is formed to be extended along the circumferential direction with respect to a rotational axis; a main weight which is fixedly mounted on the bottom of the base plate and applies a load to the bottom of the base plate; and a compensation weight which moves within the space as the main weight rotates in any direction and applies a load to the main weight so that the main weight returns to the original position thereof, the compensation weight being arranged within the space.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an image board for a rotary wheel and a rotary wheel including the same, and more particularly, to an image board for a rotary wheel that is mounted on a rotary wheel of a vehicle such as a car or a bicycle and displays an image at a fixed position regardless of rotation of the rotary wheel, and a rotary wheel including the image board. 
         [0003]    Description of Related Art 
         [0004]      FIGS. 1 to 2  illustrate the configuration of an image board  10  for a rotary wheel in the related art. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the image board  10  of the related art is vertically mounted on a wheel frame  20  of a vehicle  1  to be rotatable through a bearing (not shown). Further, the image board  10  has a weight  11  for predetermined load at a lower portion and various images I such as a logo, an emblem, or and advertising image on the outer side. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, even though the wheel frame  20  is rotated while the vehicle  1  runs, the weight  11  keeps the position without rotating by the load of the weight  11  and the image I is displayed at a fixed position, so the image board  10  can provide an advertising effect and a decorative effect as an accessory. 
         [0006]    However, while the bearing is rotated such that a wheel frame  20  and the image board  10  are rotated relative to each other, friction is generated on bearing balls inside the bearing. Further, while the vehicle  1  runs, driving wind generates friction on the image board  10  exposed to the outside, so torque F 1  is generated in the image board  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Accordingly, the image board  10  that is not rotated when the vehicle  1  runs at a low speed is rotated with the wheel frame  20  when the vehicle  1  runs at a high speed. 
         [0007]    Further, when the vehicle  1  that is running stops, inertia for forward movement is generated in the weight  11 , so the image board  10  is rotated in the opposite direction to the wheel frame  210 . 
         [0008]    Further, since the weight  11  is eccentrically disposed at the lower portion of the image board  10 , when the weight  11  is rotated with the image board  10  due to malfunction of the bearing, vibration is generated by an eccentric weight change of the weight  11 , in which the heavier the weight  11 , the more the vibration increases, and it adversely influences the steering function of the vehicle  1 . 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems and an object of the present invention is to provide an image board for a rotary wheel that can always display a still image by applying load to return a main weight disposed at a lower portion of a base plate to the original position using a compensating weight even if the main weight is rotated with the base plate that is rotated by friction on bearing balls, driving wind, and inertia force, and a rotary wheel including the image board. 
         [0010]    According to an aspect of the present invention, an image board for a rotary wheel, which is mounted on a rotary wheel of a vehicle and displays an image at a fixed position regardless of rotation of the rotary wheel, includes: a base plate that is vertically disposed on the outer side of or inside a wheel frame of the rotary wheel to be rotatable independently from the wheel frame, has a predetermined image on one or both sides, and has a chamber having a space circumferentially extending around a rotational axis; a main weight that is fixed at a lower potion of the base plate and applies load to the lower portion of the base plate; and a compensating weight that is disposed in the space and applies load to return the main weight to an original position by moving in the space when the main weight rotates in a predetermined direction. 
         [0011]    The main weight may be an impeller that is rotated in the opposite direction to the wheel frame by driving wind that comes when the vehicle runs. 
         [0012]    The compensating weight may be fluid that is injected in the space by a predetermined amount and applies load to the base plate by moving to be leveled by its weight when the main weight rotates. 
         [0013]    The image board may further include an expansion plate that is vertically disposed, is larger in diameter than the base plate, is mounted on a side or around the edge of the base plate, and has a predetermined image on one or both sides. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, a rotary wheel that is mounted at a lower portion of a vehicle, moves the vehicle by rotating, and displays an image at a fixed position, includes: a wheel frame that is fitted in a tire and rotated by power; and an image board that includes a base plate that is vertically disposed on the outer side of or inside the wheel frame of the rotary wheel to be rotatable independently from the wheel frame, has a predetermined image on one or both sides, and has a chamber having a space circumferentially extending around a rotational axis, a main weight that is fixed at a lower potion of the base plate and applies load to the lower portion of the base plate, and a compensating weight that is disposed in the space and applies load to return the main weight to an original position by moving in the space when the main weight rotates in a predetermined direction. 
         [0015]    According to the present invention, the following effects can be achieved. 
         [0016]    First, even if the base plate is rotated and the main weight at the lower portion is accordingly rotated by friction between bearing balls generated while the vehicle runs and inertia generated by driving wind or stop of the vehicle, the compensating weight in the chamber of the base plate applies load to return the main weight to the original position by moving in the space of the chamber, so it is possible to display an image at a fixed position. 
         [0017]    Second, when an impeller that is rotated in the opposite direction to the wheel frame by driving wind that comes when the vehicle runs is used as the main weight, the faster the wheel frame rotates, the larger the rotational speed of the impeller and the larger the inertia force and the friction force generated by the impeller, so it is possible to minimize the torque of the base plate at a high speed. 
         [0018]    Third, when fluid injected in the space by a predetermined amount is used as the compensating weight, the weight can apply load by instantaneously moving to be leveled in the space when the main weight is rotated, so it is possible to maximize the response speed for applying load to return the main weight to the original position. 
         [0019]    Fourth, since the expansion plate having a predetermined image on the outer side is vertically disposed on a side or around the edge of the base plate, it is possible to make the base plate thin and it is also possible to largely increase the area where an image can be disposed in accordance with the diameter of the wheel frame. 
         [0020]    Further, since the expansion plate can be separated from the base plate, a user can freely change the image. Furthermore, when the base plate is vertically disposed inside the wheel frame, it is possible to fit the expansion plate inside the spokes of the wheel frame through the slit formed at a predetermined position on the expansion plate, so convenience for the user is improved and the expansion plate can be easily replaced. 
         [0021]    These and other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description and the accompanying drawing. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating a preferred embodiment of the present invention, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit thereof, and the invention includes all such modifications. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, illustrating the configuration and the operational principle of an image board for a rotary wheel in the related art; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 3 and 4  are an exploded perspective view and a lateral cross-sectional view, respectively, illustrating a configuration in which an image board for a rotary wheel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the outer side of a wheel frame; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 5 and 6  are side views illustrating a configuration in which the image board for a rotary wheel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is mounted on various vehicles; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view illustrating another configuration for mounting an image board for a rotary wheel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention on the outer side of a wheel frame; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 8 and 9  are an exploded perspective view and a lateral cross-sectional view, respectively, illustrating a configuration in which an image board for a rotary wheel according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is mounted inside a wheel frame; 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating a configuration in which a main weight according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed in the shape of an impeller; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11  is a side view illustrating the operational principle of the main weight having the shape of an impeller according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 12 and 13  are an exploded perspective view, a lateral cross-sectional view, and a perspective view illustrating the configuration of an expansion plate according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIGS. 14 and 15  are side views illustrating the operational principle of a compensating weight according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0031]      FIGS. 16 and 17  are perspective views illustrating the operational principle of a disc and a spherical compensating weight according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0032]    The objects, features, and advantages of the present invention described above will be made clear by the following detailed description. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0033]    A rotary wheel  200  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is a rotary wheel mounted at a lower portion of a vehicle  1  such as a car or a bicycle and displaying an image I at a fixed position while moving the vehicle ( 1 ) by rotating, includes a wheel frame  210  and an image board  100 . 
         [0034]    Herein, the vehicle  1  can be moved by the rotary wheel  200  and the rotary wheel  200  is a moving device having the wheel frame  210  on which the image board  100  can be mounted. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 5, and 6 , the vehicle  1  includes all of not only a car, bicycle, and a cart, but also other vehicles equipped with the rotary wheel  200  having the wheel frame  210  such as a motor cycle, a golf cart, a wheelchair, and a baby walker. 
         [0035]    The wheel frame  210 , which is a wheel member to be fitted in a tire  212  and rotated by power, is mounted with the image board  100  that can independently rotate, may be formed in an integrated type such as the wheel frames for cars, depending on the type of the vehicle  1 , and may be fitted on a driving shaft to be rotatable. Alternatively, the wheel frame  210 , similar to those of a bicycle, may include a rim  214  that is fitted in a tire  212 , a rotary shaft  211  that is disposed at the center of the rim  214  and rotated by torque from a chain or an engine, and a plurality of spokes  215  that connects the rotary shaft  211  and the rim  214  to each other to support load. 
         [0036]    The image board  100 , a part independently rotatably mounted on the wheel frame  210  and displaying an image I at a fixed position regardless of rotation of the wheel frame  210 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 to 9 , includes a base plate  110 , a main weight  120 , and a compensating weight  130 . 
         [0037]    The base plate  110 , which is a disc-shaped member forming the body of the image board  100 , is vertically disposed on the outer side of or inside the wheel frame  210  of the rotary wheel  200  to be rotatable independently from the wheel frame  210 . 
         [0038]    Further, the base plate  110  has a predetermined image I on a side or both sides and has a chamber  112  providing a space  111  circumferentially extending around a rotational axis L. 
         [0039]    Herein, the base plate  110  may be coupled to a bearing  150  and vertically disposed on the outer side of or inside the wheel frame  210  such that it can rotate independently from the wheel frame  210  through the bearing  150 . 
         [0040]    The image I, which includes various design images such as a logo, an emblem, or an advertising image, may be intactly printed on the base plate  110  as it is, a sheet printed with the image I may be attached to the base plate  110 , a specific image plate printed with the image I may be mounted on the base plate  110 , or a symbol having a specific shape may be mounted on the base plate  110 . 
         [0041]    Further, when the image I is not exposed (illustrated) on the inner side connected to the driving shaft like the wheel frame  210  of a car, but is exposed to the outside on the outer side, it is disposed on the outer side of the base plate  110 . Further, when the image I is exposed to the outside on both sides through the spoke  215  like the wheel frame  210  of a bicycle, it is preferable to dispose the image on both sides of the base plate  110 , thereby increasing the effect of exposing the image. 
         [0042]    Further, the chamber  112 , which provides a space and a passage for moving the compensating weight  130 , has a ring-shaped space  111  that is disposed at a side or at the center of the base plate  110  and rotated about the rotational axis L of the base plate  110 . 
         [0043]    Although the disc-shaped base plate  110  is exemplified in the drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto and the entire shape is not limited, including an ellipse, a triangle, a rectangle, and a polygon etc. However, it is preferable that the chamber  112  has an entirely circular shape such as an O-shape or a C-shape. 
         [0044]    Further, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , when the wheel frame  210  is exposed to the outside on the outer side, the image board  100  is rotatably mounted on the outer side of the wheel frame  210 , and to this end, a coupling plate  140 , a bearing  150 , and a fixing shaft  160  are further included. 
         [0045]    In more detail, the coupling plate  140 , which is a plate vertically coupled to a side of the wheel frame  210  to support the image board  100  so that the image board  100  is rotatably mounted on the wheel frame  210 , is formed in a plate shape and has a plurality of fastening holes  141  around it for inserting screws  217  protruding from the wheel frame  210  and a fastening hole  142  at the center for coupling the bearing  150 . 
         [0046]    Further, the bearing  150 , which is coupled to the center of the coupling plate  140  to physically isolate the image board  100  from rotation of the wheel frame  210 , is fixed to the center of the coupling plate  140  around the outer side and is fitted on the fixing shaft  160 . 
         [0047]    Herein, the bearing  150  is composed of a plurality of individual bearings  151  and  152  having different inner diameters and sequentially fitted in larger ones, so torque F 1  (see  FIG. 11 ) that rotates the image board  100  can be reduced by friction and inertia force generated by rotation of the individual bearings  151  and  152 . 
         [0048]    The fixing shaft  160 , which is fitted in the center of the bearing  150  between the bearing  150  and the base plate  110  and is rotatably coupled to the coupling plate  140  through the bearing  150 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , has a first end fitted in the bearing  150  and a second end coupled to the center of the base plate  110 . 
         [0049]    Further, fastening holes  160  for thread-fastening are formed at the second end of the fixing shaft  160 , so, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the fixing shaft  160  can be firmly fastened inside the base plate  110  by screws  162  that are tightened in fastening holes  113  formed through the base plate  110  at positions corresponding to the fastening holes  161 . 
         [0050]    On the other hand, when both sides of the wheel frame  210  are exposed through the spoke  215  such as bicycle, a motor cycle, a golf cart, a wheelchair, and a cart, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the image board  100  may be mounted on the outer side of the wheel frame  210 , but, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the image board  100  may be rotatably mounted inside the wheel frame  210 . 
         [0051]    In more detail, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the bearing  150  is fitted on a rotary shaft  211  of the wheel frame  210  and the bearing  150  is fitted in the center of the base plate  110 , whereby the image board  100  can be vertically mounted on the outer side of the wheel frame  210  to be independently rotatable. 
         [0052]    In this configuration, as in the type of fastening an image board to the wheel frame  210  of a car, a specific coupling plate (not illustrated) may be provided to more strongly fit the bearing  150  on the rotary shaft  211  or more strongly fit the bearing  150  in the base plate  110 . 
         [0053]    Further, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the base plate  110  may be vertically disposed inside the wheel frame  210 , whereby the image board  100  can be protected from the outside by the spoke  215  without protruding to the outside and the external appearance can be improved. 
         [0054]    To this end, the bearing  150  may be laterally fitted on the horizontal rotary shaft  211  of the wheel frame  210  by the hole therein and the base plate  110  may be fitted on the bearing  150  and vertically disposed inside the wheel frame  210  such that it can be rotated independently from the wheel frame  210  by the bearing  150 . 
         [0055]    The main weight  120 , which is a part applying load to the lower portion of the base plate  110  so that the image I on the image board  100  can be displayed always at a fixed position even though the wheel frame  210  is rotated, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , is fixed at an eccentric lower portion on the base plate  110  with the image I vertically disposed to be displayed to the outside and applies load to the lower portion of the base plate  110 . 
         [0056]    Herein, although the main weight  120  is exemplified as a smooth curved bar in the drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto and the shape is not limited as long as it can minimize friction with external air while applying load to the lower portion of the base plate  110  such as a disc or a sphere. 
         [0057]    Further, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the main weight  120  may be an impeller  120  that is rotated in the opposite direction to the wheel frame  210  by driving wind that comes when the vehicle  1  runs. 
         [0058]    The impeller  120  generates torque F 2  (see  FIG. 11 ) in the opposite direction to offset the torque F 1  generated by rotation of the wheel frame  210  to display the image I always at a fixed position on the base plate  110  even though the wheel frame  210  is rotated at a high speed. 
         [0059]    In more detail, an end of a rotary shaft  121  of the impeller  120  is fixed to the lower portion of the base plate  110  and a plurality of blades  122  that is curved or inclined to be rotated in the opposite direction to the wheel frame  210  by the driving wind from the front is arranged around the rotary shaft  121 . Accordingly, as the blades  122  are rotated about the rotary shaft  121  by driving wind, the torque F 2  is generated. 
         [0060]    As described above, since the impeller  120  that is rotated in the opposite direction to the wheel frame  210  by driving wind that comes when the vehicle  1  runs is mounted at the lower portion of the base plate  110 , the torque F 1  generated by the wheel frame  210  rotating when the vehicle  1  runs is offset by inertial force F 2  generated by rotation of the impeller  120  and friction force F 2  on the blades  122 , whereby it is possible to display the image I at a fixed position regardless of the rotation of the wheel frame  210 . Herein, the inertia force F 2  generated in the opposite direction to the rotational direction of the wheel frame  210  when the blades  122  are rotated is caused by a gyro phenomenon. 
         [0061]    On the other hand, the image board may further include an expansion plate  113  that is relatively larger in diameter than the base plate  110 , is vertically disposed on a side or around the edge of the base plate  110 , and has a predetermined image I on one or both sides. 
         [0062]    In more detail, as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the expansion plate  113  is a large-diameter disc covering a side of the base plate  110  and, may be fastened to the base plate  110  at the center of the inner side and may have the image I on the outer side. 
         [0063]    Further, as illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the expansion plate  113  may be formed in a ring shape to be fitted around the base plate  110  and may have an image I, which relates to or is independent from the image on the base plate  110 , on the outer side. Herein, as illustrated in the figures, a step  116  for supporting a side around the inner edge of the expansion plate  113  is formed around the edge of the base plate  110  and the expansion plate  113  is thread-fastened firmly to the base plate  110  with the side around the inner edge supported on the step  116  and the other side around the inner edge pressed by a fastening ring. 
         [0064]    Herein, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , when the expansion plate  113  is mounted on the base plate  110 , the main weight  120  applying load to the lower portion may be mounted at an eccentric lower portion of the expansion plate  113 . Accordingly, the main weight  120  is further spaced from the rotational axis L as compared with the main weight disposed at a lower portion of the chamber  112 , the torque F 2  generated in the base plate  110  is increased. 
         [0065]    Further, when the expansion plate  113  is formed in a ring shape and fitted around the base plate, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , it is preferable that the expansion plate  113  is made of a flexible material and has a slit  115  formed in the width direction at a predetermined position so that it can be fitted inside the spokes  215  through the slit  115  to be detachably coupled to the base plate  110 . 
         [0066]    The compensating weight  130  is disposed in the space  111  and, applies load to return the main weight  120  to the original position by moving in the space  111  when the main weight  120  is rotated in any directions together with the base plate  110 . 
         [0067]    Herein, as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the compensating weight  130  may be fluid  130  that is injected in the space  111  by a predetermined amount to apply load to the base plate  110  so that the main weight  120  can return to the original position, by moving to be leveled by its load when the main weight  120  is rotated. 
         [0068]    Accordingly, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , when the main weight  120  is rotated clockwise with rotation of the base plate  110 , the right part of the fluid  130  moves down and the left part moves up in the space  111 , so the load of the fluid  130  acts down to the base plate  110 , whereby the main weight  120  returns counterclockwise to the original position and accordingly the image I on the base plate  110  can keep the position. 
         [0069]    On the contrary, when the main weight  120  is rotated counterclockwise, the left part of the fluid  130  moves down and the right part moves up in the space  111 , so the weight of the fluid  130  acts down to the base plate  110 , whereby the main weight  120  returns clockwise to the original position and accordingly the image I on the base plate  110  can keep the position. 
         [0070]    Further, using antifreezing liquid having a low freezing temperature relative to common liquid such as water makes it possible to normally operate the image board  100  without the fluid  130  freezing in a coldest season such as winter or in an intensively cold area such as Russia. 
         [0071]    As described above, when the fluid  130  injected by a predetermined amount in the space  111  of the chamber  112  is used as the compensating weight  130 , the liquid instantaneously moves to be leveled in the space  111  when the main weight  120  rotates, so it is possible to maximize the response speed for applying load to return the main weight  120  to the original position. 
         [0072]    On the other hand, as illustrated in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the compensating weight  130  may be a disc or a sphere to apply load to a wheel cover  140  so that the main weight  120  returns to the original position, by rolling on the inner side of the space  111  to move down in the space  111  when the main weight  120  rotates. 
         [0073]    Further, it may be possible to adjust the size of the disc or the sphere or it may be possible to provide a plurality of compensating weights in the space  111 , depending on the magnitude of the load for returning the main weight  120  to the original position. 
         [0074]    It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing present invention is not limited by the foregoing embodiments and the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.