Abstract:
A system for illuminating a motor vehicle wheel assembly of a motor vehicle is provided, the system including a mount configured to be fixed to the wheel assembly, a plurality of lights fixed to the mount, a control circuit coupled to the plurality of lights to regulate a flow of electricity to the plurality of lights; and a power source coupled to the control circuit to provide said control circuit with electrical power for the lights, wherein the power source includes an electrical energy generating element as well as an electrical energy storing element.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims priority from U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/519,227, which was invented by the same inventor, was filed on Nov. 12, 2003, and was entitled “Wheel Illumination Device”. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates generally to motor vehicle accessories. More particularly, it relates to lights and sound systems for motor vehicles. Even more particularly, it relates to systems for lighting motor vehicle wheels.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Lighting systems for automobiles have been known ever since automobiles were first invented. The first lighting systems consisted of kerosene lamps with clear or colored lenses mounted at various places on the body of the automobile to provide notice to others that the automobile was approaching, and to illuminate the automobile&#39;s surroundings. A major drawback to this system was the need to continuously recharge the lamps by filling them with oil, and trim the wicks. Further, the lamps put out a limited amount of light. Even further, unless adjusted carefully, they sooted up their reflectors.  
         [0004]     Later, gas lighting systems were provided including lamps with integral to settling gas generators often called “carbide lamps”. Carbide lamps provide an intense light that is particularly suited for illuminating the road around the automobile. While it solved the problem of wick replacement, light intensity, and wick trimming, it still required each lamp to be separately filled and cleaned regularly.  
         [0005]     As the systems further developed, centralized gas systems were devised in which a large central gas generator provided gas to several lamps disposed about the periphery of the vehicle. This problem reduce the need for maintaining each one of several different lamps, replacing it with a single, central problem of filling, emptying, and cleaning the central gas generator. Carbide gas generators produce a noxious mix of corrosive chemicals and sludge that cannot be disposed of easily  
         [0006]     By the 1910&#39;s, battery-powered electrical lighting systems have been developed to replace the centralized gas arrangements. In these battery-powered systems, a battery disposed in the central location provided electrical energy to several lights mounted on the body of the vehicle. Wires extending from the battery were coupled to light bulbs that, in turn, illuminated the road in the surroundings of the vehicle. This solved the problem of periodic lamp cleaning, but replaced it with the problems of battery charging and battery maintenance. The batteries needed to be periodically charged. To do this, they must be either removed from the vehicle and taken to a charging station or the charging equipment must be brought to the battery in the vehicle. Either way, the lights require regular, even daily, adjustments and maintenance.  
         [0007]     Not long after this, generators were provided on automobiles to charge the batteries used for lighting. These generators operated whenever the vehicles were running, charging the batteries to maintain a supply of electricity. This battery/generator arrangement is the most common form of present-day automotive lighting. Light elements, which include incandescent light bulbs as well as LEDs, are fixed to the body of the vehicle at various locations. Wires are coupled to these lighting elements to provide them with power. The power is provided by an alternator driven by the engine, which in turn is coupled to a battery. The battery acts as a reservoir of the electrical energy when the engine is stopped.  
         [0008]     In addition to the centralized vehicle lighting systems, certain peripheral systems have been devised to provide extra lighting. For example, the automotive aftermarket product industry offers portable lights that plug into cigarette lighter outlets (more recently called “power outlets” since cigarettes have fallen on disfavor). These aftermarket lights can be fixed to a stalk supported by the outlet, or they can be disposed at the end of a flexible power cord that is plugged into the outlet. With these arrangements, the operator supports the light with his hand at the end of the power cord, which permits him to manipulate it and will, either inside or outside the operator&#39;s compartment.  
         [0009]     Lights have been fixed to the interior of automobiles to light up upon the occurrence of various events, such as the unlocking of an automobile by remote control or other manipulation of remote control buttons, the opening of the door, or the opening of the trunk (boot) or hood (bonnet). Of course, it has been common to turn automotive lights on and off with electrical switches virtually since they were first used in automobiles.  
         [0010]     Other automotive lighting systems have been triggered by optical sensors to turn on whenever the automobile (or rather, the optical sensor) is in darkness. These sensor arrangements are used with running lights (taillights and headlights) to ensure that the operator never drives the vehicle in the dark. Running lights serve two purposes: to illuminate the road for the operator&#39;s benefit, and to indicate to drivers ahead of the lighted automobile on the road and drivers behind the lighted automobile on the road of the automobile&#39;s presence.  
         [0011]     Novelty lighting systems are a more recent development. Novelty lighting systems can be understood generally as lighting systems intended to enhance the beauty are stylishness of the automobile, and are not intended as safety measures or basic operational features. Running lights and courtesy or interior lights are not novelty lights.  
         [0012]     Running lights, which include taillights, headlights, turn signals, parking lights, and reverse lights, are intended to enhance the safe operation of the vehicle over the road by indicating the presence of the automobile and its intentions to other automobile operators on the road. They are not “novelty lights”, although they may have novelty aspects such as special colors.  
         [0013]     Courtesy or interior lights, which include dome lights, side lights, dashboard lights, console lights, indicator lights, map lights, and instrument lights, are not intended for operators of other vehicles, but for the operators and passengers of the vehicle itself, to permit them to enter and exit the vehicle safely, and to operate the various controls within the vehicle with ease, comfort and speed. They also are not novelty lights.  
         [0014]     Novelty lights fall in the class of lights that are not necessary or required for safe operation of the vehicle or for the operator and passenger&#39;s ease and comfort, but for the personal satisfaction of the operator. Indeed, novelty lights, if viewable from outside the car, may be specifically banned in certain jurisdictions as interfering with vehicle running lights. Add-on or aftermarket lights may only be permissible to the extent they imitate already-permissible running lights. For example, large, high output, beamed white lights can only be used on the front of automobiles, and only if they are pointed in the same direction as the automobiles and headlights. In this sense, these aftermarket lights are not “novelty” lights, but supplements to (or replacements for) headlights.  
         [0015]     Novelty lights are not the only customizable feature of an automobile. Wheels and wheel trim have been another area of novelty customization. Automobile wheels were originally imitations of wagon wheels, having a wooden hub, with wooden spokes that extended outward to a wooden rim with metal binding. As time passed, the hub was replaced with a steel hub and the individual wooden spokes were replaced with metal spokes. By the 1920&#39;s, the entire wheel was made out of stamped or pressed metal.  
         [0016]     Not long after this, the enthusiasm for customizing automobiles expanded to include customizing wheels. Hubcaps were devised that provided a shiny or sparkling appearance to what was otherwise plain painted metal. Hub caps originally covered just the hub of the wheel. As time passed, and wheels became solid pressed or stamped metal structures, hubcaps extended all the way across the wheel from one side of the rim to the other.  
         [0017]     Until recently, hubcaps were fixed to the wheel itself. Either attached to the rim, or attached to the hub, they are fixed to the wheel and rotated at exactly the same speed as the wheel. These devices had no moving parts. They achieved their eye-catching effects merely by the many reflections of ambient light off their numerous faceted reflective surfaces. Recently, however, caps have been designed to sparkle even when the vehicle is stopped by mounting them on the wheel (or wheel hub) with bearings. In normal operation, as the automobile travels down the road, the hubcap is gradually accelerated to the rotational speed of the wheel. Although it is bearing mounted, and thus can spend relatively freely with respect to the wheel, the close coupling between the wheel and the hubcap causes air currents and a certain amount of mechanical drag to accelerate the hubcap. The particular advantage to this arrangement is what happens when the car is stopped. When the operator breaks the vehicle, the wheels slow down. The hubcaps, however, keep spinning even after the vehicle is stopped (for example at a stoplight). Only gradually do the frictional drag of the surrounding air and the slight residual drag of the bearing supporting the hubcap on the wheel cause the hubcap to slow down. During this deceleration, the hubcap (which typically has many bright reflective faceted surfaces), sparkles and appears to an outside observer viewing the automobile from the side as a multiplicity of bright twinkling lights.  
         [0018]     This arrangement, however, is limited. First, the hubcap only sparkles and twinkles with light when it rotates. When it is stopped, it no longer attracts the eye of the observer. Second, the speed at which the light reflected from the hubcap twinkles and sparkles is uncontrolled. It is strictly a function of the speed at which the hubcap turns, which depends upon the maximum speed of the car before deceleration, the speed of deceleration, and the friction between the hubcap and the wheel. None of these can be controlled with any accuracy. Third, the hubcap only sparkles and twinkles with light when an external light source is shined upon it. Without street lights, lights from surrounding buildings, or lighted signage, the spinning hubcaps are virtually invisible.  
         [0019]     What is needed, therefore, is an improved lighting system for automobile wheels. What is also needed is a wheel illuminating system. What is also needed is a means for lighting the wheels as they rotate. What is also needed is a means of providing the wheels with rotating lights. It is an object of this invention to provide such a system.  
         [0020]     These and other objects of the invention will become dear upon reading the description and examining the drawings below in which like-numbered items in all the drawings and the description represent the same elements, features, devices, structures, processes, or methods in all the other drawings and description.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]     In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, a system for illuminating an automobile wheel assembly of an automobile is provided, the wheel assembly including a hub, a wheel, and a tire, the system including a mount configured to be fixed to the wheel assembly, a plurality of lights fixed to the mount, a control circuit coupled to the plurality of lights to regulate the flow of electricity to the plurality of lights, and a power source coupled to the control circuit to provide said control circuit with electrical power for the lights, wherein the power source includes an electrical energy generating element as well as an electrical energy storing element.  
         [0022]     The control circuit may be a switch. The control circuit may be configured to automatically turn the plurality of lights on and off. The control circuit can be configured to store light patterns. The control circuit can be configured to change light patterns automatically. The control circuit can further comprise a remote-control receiver configured to receive remote-control signals. The control circuit can be responsive to remote-control signals indicative of a pattern of light illumination. The control circuit can be configured to change the colors of the lights. The control circuit can be configured to turn the lights on and off. The control circuit can be configured to change the rate at which the lights are turned on and off. The control circuit can be responsive to automatically turn off the lights. The control circuit can be configured to energize the lights when the wheel assembly is stationary. The control circuit can be configured to change the intensity of the plurality of lights in synchrony with an audio source. The audio source may be a sound system disposed in the automobile.  
         [0023]     The electrical energy generating element may be a generator. The generator may have a generator rotor and a generator stator. The generator rotor may be coupled to the wheel assembly to rotate with the wheel assembly when the automobile is driven over the ground. The generator stator may remain stationary as the automobile is driven or rotate at varying rates as long as the rate of rotation is less than the rate of rotation of the generator. The generator may be coupled to the automobile wheel assembly to rotate and generate electricity when the automobile is driven. The generator may be coupled to the automobile wheel assembly to not rotate and not generate electricity when the automobile is stopped. The electrical energy generating element may include a solar panel for direct conversion of light to electrical energy.  
         [0024]     The plurality of lights may include LEDs, incandescent lights, fluorescent lights, neon, electroluminescent panels, and ultraviolet lights. Each of the plurality of lights may have a color different from others of the plurality of lights. The lights may be mounted in light mounts, such as swivels, flexible goosenecks, tubes, or extension tubes.  
         [0025]     The lights may be coupled to a housing and face outward. The housing may support the light mounts in which the lights are mounted. The lights may be pointed to the wheel assembly to reflect light off the wheel assembly toward an observer. The lights may be coupled to a wheel of the wheel assembly. The lights may be coupled to a hole formed in the wheel. The lights may be stuck to the wheel.  
         [0026]     The mount may include a housing. The housing may enclose the lights. The housing may enclose the control circuit. The housing may enclose the power source. The housing may include a cap removably fixed to a cylindrical unit base or a unit base which corresponds to the configuration of the cap. The cap may be screwed to the unit base. The cap may be configured as a spinner. The spinner may have three points, or be a three-point star. The spinner may have four points or be a four-point star. The solar panel may be fixed to an outer surface of the housing.  
         [0027]     The system for illuminating a wheel assembly may further include a remote control configured to communicate with the control circuit. The remote control may be a wireless remote control. The remote control may be configured to activate the lights. The remote control may be configured to control the lights.  
         [0028]     The mount may include a lower section fixed to the wheel assembly to rotate with the wheel assembly; an upper section enclosing the control circuit and the power source; and a bearing disposed between the lower section and the upper section to permit relative rotation between the lower section and the upper section. The upper section may include a unit base; and a cover; wherein the unit base and the cover are coupled together to define an internal cavity configured to receive and support the control circuit and the power source. The plurality of lights may be coupled to holes formed in the unit base. The plurality of lights may be coupled to the unit base and are directed toward the wheel. The plurality of lights may be selected from the group consisting of LEDs, incandescent, electroluminescent panels, neon, fluorescent lights, and ultraviolet lights. The electrical energy generating element may include a generator, and further wherein said generator may be coupled to said lower section to be driven thereby. The generator may be coupled to and charges the electrical energy storing element.  
         [0029]     In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, a system for illuminating an automobile wheel assembly of an automobile is provided, wherein the wheel assembly includes a wheel and a tire, the system including: a plurality of lights configured to be supported on the wheel, a control circuit configured to be supported on the wheel, wherein the circuit is coupled to the plurality of lights and regulates a flow of electricity to the plurality of lights; and a power source configured to be supported on the wheel, wherein the power source is coupled to the control circuit to provide said control circuit and said plurality of lights with electrical power.  
         [0030]     The control circuit may include a receiver responsive to a wireless remote control. The receiver may control the operation of the plurality of lights in response to signals received from the wireless remote control. The control circuit may control the plurality of lights to emit light in a plurality of light patterns, and further wherein the control circuit is responsive to the remote control to change the light patterns. The plurality of lights may be capable of emitting light when the wheel is not rotating and when the wheel is rotating. The system may further include a mounting plate having a plurality of holes that are configured to engage lug nuts securing the wheel to the automobile, wherein the plurality of lights, control circuit, and power source are supported by the mounting plate. The system may further include an enclosure supported by the mounting plate, wherein the plurality of lights, control circuit, and power source are supported within the enclosure. The wheel assembly may further include a hubcap, and further wherein the plurality of lights, control circuit, and power source are configured to be supported by the hubcap. The system may further include a mounting plate configured to be fixed to the hubcap, wherein the plurality of lights, control circuit, and power source are configured to be supported by the mounting plate. The system may further include the wireless remote control, which is configured to communicate with the receiver to control electrical power sent to the plurality of lights. The control circuit and plurality of lights may be configured to emit at least one pattern of light, and further wherein said wireless remote control is configured to change said at least one pattern of light. The control circuit may be configured to change an intensity of the plurality of lights in response to an audio signal received by the receiver. The control circuit may be configured to change a rate at which the plurality of lights go on and off in response to signals received by the receiver. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0031]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an automobile having a wheel assembly with a wheel illumination device in accordance with the present invention attached thereto.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the wheel illumination device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is an end view of the lower section of the wheel illumination device of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0034]      FIGS. 4-5  are opposing end views of the unit base of the upper section of the wheel illumination device of  FIGS. 1-3  showing the electronics box, rechargeable batteries, and lights installed inside the unit base.  
         [0035]      FIGS. 6-9  are perspective views of four alternative covers for the upper section of wheel illumination device of  FIGS. 1-3 .  
         [0036]      FIGS. 10-13  are perspective side views of alternative light mounts for the wheel illumination device of  FIGS. 1-5 .  
         [0037]      FIGS. 14-15  are cross-sectional side and end views of the unit base of the wheel illumination system with the electronics box, rechargeable batteries, lights, and wiring removed to better show a generator.  
         [0038]      FIG. 16  is a partial cross sectional view of the wheel assembly and wheel illumination device of the foregoing figures, wherein the wheel illumination device is coupled directly to a hubcap.  
         [0039]      FIG. 17  is a plan view of a universal attachment plate for coupling the base of the wheel illumination device to a wheel.  
         [0040]      FIG. 18  is a partial cross sectional view of the wheel illumination device of the foregoing FIGURES coupled to the universal attachment plate of  FIG. 17 , which is in turn coupled to lug nuts of the wheel assembly.  
         [0041]      FIG. 19  is a partial cross sectional view of the wheel illumination device of the foregoing FIGURES, coupled to a hub cover, which is in turn coupled to the universal attachment plate of  FIG. 17 , which is in turn coupled to lug nuts of the wheel assembly.  
         [0042]      FIG. 20  is a schematic representation of the control circuit of the wheel illumination device, including the circuitry in the electronics box, the battery and the generator.  
         [0043]      FIG. 21  is a schematic representation of an in-car remote control system configured to communicate with and program the control circuit of the wheel illumination device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0044]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an automobile  98  having a wheel assembly  114 , the wheel assembly having a wheel illumination device  100  attached thereto. Wheel illumination device  100  includes a housing  102  further comprising a cylindrical unit base  104  that is enclosed with a cover  106 . Several fasteners  108  extend through holes in cover  106  and are threadedly engaged with matching or corresponding holes (not shown) in base  104 . Lights  110  extend through apertures in the back of the wheel illumination device  100 , extending around the edges of the wheel illumination device where they are directed toward the wheel itself. Lights  110  are controlled by control circuitry (not shown) inside housing or enclosure  102 . A solar panel  112  is fixed to cover  106  to receive solar radiation and power the lights. Other power sources, discussed below, may also be used in place off, or in addition to solar panel  112 .  
         [0045]     Housing  102  is fixed to universal mounting plate  300 , which is, in turn, fixed to lug nuts on the wheel. This mounting arrangement is shown in more detail in  FIG. 18 .  
         [0046]     Wheel assembly  114  includes a wheel  116  and a tire  118  mounted thereon. Wheel assembly  114  also includes a wheel hub (see e.g. the wheel of  FIG. 19 ).  
         [0047]     The wheel  116  of the automobile  98  is a front wheel that is steerable with respect to the rest of automobile  98 . Although wheel  116  is illustrated as a front wheel, it may also be a rear wheel. Automobile  98  has a wheel illumination device  100  fixed to each of the four wheels.  
         [0048]     In  FIG. 1 , the additional unused holes and slots in plate  300  have been removed for ease of illustration. It should be understood, however, that the plate  300  in  FIG. 1  is the same plate  300  shown in  FIGS. 17, 18 , and  19 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 2  is an exploded view of the wheel illumination device  100  of  FIG. 1  with lights  110  and fasteners  108  removed. The wheel illumination device includes a lower section  200  and an upper section  202 . Lower section  200  includes a base  204  and a shaft  206 . Upper section  202  comprises housing  102 , which includes a unit base  104  that is enclosed by a cap or cover  106 . Upper section  202  supports lights  110 , and electronics box  214 , and rechargeable batteries  216 . A solar panel  112  is affixed to the outside of cap or cover  106 .  
         [0050]     Lower section  200  is provided to couple the remainder of the illumination device to the wheel assembly  114 . It has a base  204  for attaching the illumination device  100  to the wheel assembly  114  from which shaft  206  extends.  
         [0051]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-3 , base  204  is preferably a planar and circular disk; however, it is not limited to this configuration. It has several features that enable it to be easily coupled to the wheel assembly. These features include several narrow slots or cuts  220  that extend radially from the periphery of the base inward toward the center of the base. Several slots  220  (preferably three or four) are preferably provided in base  204 . They are preferably spaced equidistantly around the periphery of the base. In addition to slots  220 , base  204  has a series of holes  222 , preferably three or four (as shown here), that are positioned equidistant from the periphery of base  204  and preferably in a symmetrical pattern. Base  204  also has a central hole  224  that, like slots  220  and holes  222 , extends completely through the base. Base  204  is preferably made of a lightweight metal or metal alloy. It may also be formed of a polymer or plastic that may be fiber reinforced, such as by carbon fibers. Other lightweight and durable materials may also be used. Base  204  is preferably between 1½ and 5 inches across.  
         [0052]     Shaft  206  is fixed (preferably welded or swaged) to base  204 . It is coupled to and between base  204  and unit base  104  of upper section  202 . Shaft  206  is hollow and cylindrical defining a central aperture  226  that extends the length of the shaft. Shaft  206  is coupled to base  204  such that a continuous passageway is formed that extends completely through central hole  224  and aperture  226  of shaft  206 , extending completely through base  204  and shaft  206 . Shaft  206  is preferably mounted perpendicular to base  204  and fixed to the center of base  204 . It is preferably constructed of lightweight metal or metal alloy, but may also be formed of a plastic or polymer that may be reinforced, such as by carbon fiber. Other lightweight and durable materials may also be used.  
         [0053]     Upper section  202  of wheel illumination device  100  includes a unit base  104  and a cap or cover  106  that encloses the unit base defining a hollow cavity. Upper section  202  also includes lights  110  ( FIGS. 1, 16 ,  18 - 19 ), electronics box  214  ( FIG. 5 ), and rechargeable batteries  216  ( FIG. 5 ). The lights, electronics box and rechargeable batteries or disposed inside the hollow cavity formed by unit base  104  and cap or cover  106 . Upper section  202  also includes solar panel  112  that is fixed to the outside of cap or cover  106 .  
         [0054]     Referring to  FIGS. 2, 4  and  5 , unit base  104  has a planar bottom  228  coupled to a cylindrical wall  230 . Bottom  228  has a central hole  232 . Unit base  104  is coupled to shaft  206  by inserting a shaft  206  through central hole  232  and tightening jam nuts  233  on either side of bottom  228 . When unit base  104  is fixed to shaft  206  in this manner, bottom  228  is parallel to base  104  and perpendicular to shaft  206 . To assemble unit base  104  to shaft  206 , the operator first places a jam nut  233  on shaft  206 . The operator then inserts the free end of shaft  206  into and through central hole  232 . The operator then threads a second jam nut  233  on to the free end of shaft  206 , and tightens the jam nuts together.  
         [0055]     Retaining rings are preferably used in place of jam nuts  233  if shaft  206  is not threaded. Unit base  104  can be positioned either closer to or farther from base  204  (coupled to the wheel) by adjusting the relative position of jam nuts  233 . This is particularly valuable when adjusting the wheel illumination device  100  to an optimum position that will most pleasingly illuminate the wheel.  
         [0056]     Bottom  228  has several holes  234  that extend completely through bottom  228 . These holes provide electrical access to a series of illumination systems, such as lights  110 . There are preferably at least four holes  234  distributed equally about the periphery of bottom  228  and adjacent an outer edge of bottom  228 . Each of holes  234  supports at least one associated light  110 . These lights are preferably LEDs, although other illumination sources may be used. Bottom  228  is preferably larger than the diameter of base  204 .  
         [0057]     Unit base  104  is supported on the end of shaft  206 . In the preferred embodiment, it is free to rotate with respect to shaft  206 , and preferably to stay stationary as the automobile  98  travels down the road and the wheel (and shaft  206  fixed to the wheel) rotates. This free rotation of unit base  104  is provided by bearing  236 , which is fixed to bottom  228  and defines central hole  232 . When shaft  206  is fixed to bottom  228 , with jam nuts, it is fixed to bearing  236 . Bearing  236 , in turn, is fixed to bottom  228 . Bearing  236  is preferably a sealed bearing, it may also be an oil impregnated brass fitting. By this arrangement, unit base  104  rotates with respect to shaft  206 .  
         [0058]     Cylindrical wall  230  preferably has a thickness of between 1 and 5 mm and is preferably about ½” to 2 inches in height. Wall  230  has a series of openings or holes  238 . These holes are positioned generally vertically with respect to the planar surface of bottom  228 . This enables various height positions.  
         [0059]      FIG. 5  is a plan view of the open end  240  of unit base  104  with cover  106  and shaft  206  removed. Unit base  104  supports lights  110 , electronics box  214 , and rechargeable batteries  216 . Lights  110  are electrically coupled to electronics box  214 , which is electrically coupled to batteries  216 , which, in turn, may be electrically coupled to generator  282  and/or solar panel  112 .  
         [0060]     Electronics box  214  is preferably secured to the inside of bottom  228  and is positioned off center. This provides room to fix jam nut  233  ( FIG. 2 ) onto shaft  206  inside unit base  104 . It also provides an off-center counterweight inside the upper section  202  that tends to keep the upper section  202  from rotating. Alternatively, electronics box  214  may be attached to the inside of cylindrical wall  230  or to the inside of cover  106  (preferably off-center).  
         [0061]     Electronics box  214  contains a modular circuit board (with circuitry shown in  FIG. 20 ), which controls the functions of the wheel illumination system. Box  214  receives its electrical power from wiring harness  242 . Wiring harness  242  is coupled to rechargeable batteries  216 . Box  214  emits an electrical charge into wiring harness  244 . Wiring harness  244  is coupled to four lights  110 , each light  110  being mounted in and supported by a corresponding hole  234 . Lights  110  face outwards, toward the wheel.  
         [0062]     Rechargeable batteries  216  are preferably secured to bottom  228  of base  104 . Batteries  216  are positioned off center, like electronics box  214 , and for the same reason. Alternatively, batteries  216  may be attached to the inside surface of cylindrical wall  230 , or alternatively to the inside of cover  106  (preferably off-center). Batteries  216  may alternatively be coupled to upper section  202  in any position that allows the weight of the batteries to counterweight the upper section to control the amount of rotation as the wheel rotates and the automobile  98  travels down the road.  
         [0063]     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , upper section  202  further includes a seal  246  that is generally circular and preferably made of rubber. Seal  246  is placed over the outside of cylindrical wall  230  and placed in either of two shallow grooves  248 . Grooves  248  are circular and extend around the outside of cylindrical wall  230 . Grooves  248  are spaced approximately a half an inch apart. Each groove  248  is parallel to bottom  228  of unit base  104 . Holes  234  are formed in the cylindrical wall  230  adjacent to each of parallel grooves  248 . Holes  234  are on the side of grooves  248  closer to bottom  228 .  
         [0064]     Cover  106  includes a cylindrical wall  250  that is slightly larger in diameter than cylindrical wall  230  of unit base  104 . The height of wall  250  is preferably between  1  and  3  inches. Several holes  252  are formed in cylindrical wall  250  that correspond in location with holes  238  in cylindrical wall  230  or preferably equal in number to holes  238 .  
         [0065]     Holes  252  and holes  238  are disposed and can be aligned such that fasteners  108  such as bolts, screws or rivets can be inserted into holes  252  and into holes  238  to removably fix cover  106  to unit base  104 . Cylindrical wall  250  is sized to cover cylindrical wall  230  and abut seal  246 . Seal  246  prevents water and other contaminants from leaking into upper section  202  between unit base  104  and cover  106 .  
         [0066]     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-9 , alternative covers  106  include a top  254  that extends across and encloses cylindrical wall  250 . Top  254  may have various shapes, such as those shown in  FIGS. 6-9 , including a flat top ( FIG. 6 ), a rounded top ( FIG. 7 ), a four-pointed spinner ( FIG. 8 ) and a three-pointed spinner ( FIG. 9 ).  
         [0067]     The outside diameter of cover  106  is preferably between  3  inches and  8  inches. Cover  106  is preferably composed of a lightweight metal or metal alloy, although various types of plastics or carbon fiber reinforced plastics may be used. Cover  106  is preferably reflective, having a chrome, chrome-plated, brushed, or polished aluminum finish. In the alternative, it may also be painted with visually pleasing paints such as metallic paints and fluorescent paints. It may also have patterns or designs on its outer surface.  
         [0068]     Illumination sources or lights  110  can be coupled directly to holes  234 , or alternatively, they can be mounted to holes  234  using light mounts, such as those light mounts shown in  FIGS. 10-13 . Examples of these light mounts as installed can be found in  FIG. 1,16 ,  18 , and  19 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 10  shows a swiveling light mount  256  having a collar  258  that is fixed in hole  234 , and a flexible shaft  260  to which light  110  is coupled.  FIG. 11  shows a gooseneck light mount  262  including a collar  264  that is fixed in hole  234 , and a flexible shaft  266  to which light  110  is coupled.  FIG. 12  shows up a tubular light mount  268  having a collar  270  that is fixed to hole  234  and an elongated tubular shaft  272  to which light  110  is coupled.  FIG. 13  shows an extension tube light mount  274  that includes a collar  276  from which two nested tubes  278 ,  280  extend. Tubes  278 ,  280  are nested, with tube  280  nested inside tube  278 . Tube  280  can be extended from tube  278  by pulling gently on the end of tube  280 . Light  110  is fixed to the end of tube  280  such that it can be extended and retracted whenever tube  280  is extended and retracted.  
         [0070]     In each of the examples of  FIGS. 10-13 , light  110  is preferably an LED that extends outward away from its associated light mount and hole  234 , directing light outward away from device  100  and toward the wheel to which device  100  is mounted. These lights provide illumination for the wheel. Electrical power is provided to each of lights  110  in  FIGS. 10-13  by wires (not shown) that are coupled to lights  110 , that extend through the light mounts and that pass through holes  234  in bottom  228 .  FIG. 5  shows how electricity is carried to each of holes  234 . Each of the lights is electrically connected to the modular circuit board of electronics box  214  by wiring harness  244 .  
         [0071]     In an alternative embodiment, lights  110 , and light mounts  256 ,  262 ,  268 ,  274  may be disposed in a similar matter on any or all of cover  106 , wall  230 , and wall  250  as they are on bottom  228 . In another alternative arrangement, lights  1110  need not be fixed to the outside of upper section  202 , but may be mounted inside upper section  202  as well. In this configuration, holes may be provided in the walls of upper section  202 , such as holes  234  in bottom  228  or other holes formed in unit base  104  or cover  106 , through which light from lights  1110  located inside upper section  202  radiate.  
         [0072]     Referring back to  FIG. 2 , solar panel  112  is preferably fixed to the outer surface of top  254  of cover  106 , with electrical wires from solar panel  112  passing through an opening (not shown) in cover  106 . These wires are also coupled to rechargeable batteries  216  (see  FIG. 5 ). Solar panel  112  is preferably circular, as shown in  FIG. 2 , although it may be square or have an irregular shaped boundary. While a single solar panel is preferred, one or more solar panel  112  may be employed.  
         [0073]     The generator  282  is the power source of the device. The power supply is from the generator  282  with the solar panel  112  as the alternative, or can be used in addition to the generator  282 .  
         [0074]     The power source is shown  FIGS. 14-15 . The power source includes a generator  282  which supplies electricity to lights  110  and serves to recharge batteries  216 . In  FIGS. 14-15 , the electronics box, lights, and wiring harnesses (shown in  FIG. 5 ) have been removed to better show the arrangement of generator  282  to unit base  104 .  
         [0075]     Generator  282  is mounted inside bottom  228  of unit base  104 . The stator of generator  282  is coupled to bottom  228  by adjustable mounting brackets  284 , which allow for various sizes of gears. Generator  282  has a rotor with a generator shaft  286  on which a generator gear  288  is mounted. Generator gear  288 , in turn, is engaged to shaft gear  290 , which is fixed to shaft  206 . Shaft  206  rotates with respect to upper section  202  whenever the vehicle is moving.  
         [0076]     When the vehicle is moving, the wheel assembly rotates. When the wheel assembly rotates, it rotates lower section  200 , which is fixed to the wheel assembly. Shaft  206  of lower section  200  rotates as the vehicle moves. Upper section  202 , however, does not rotate or rotates less than the rotation of the lower section  200  when the vehicle moves. Upper section  202  is eccentrically weighted by the off-center location of one or more of its internal components (the batteries, generator, and electronics box) or by the addition of special weights (not shown). Since upper section  202  is supported on a bearing and it is eccentrically weighted it does not rotate.  
         [0077]     Since shaft  206  rotates and upper section  202  does not rotate or rotates less than the rotation of the lower section  200  when the vehicle moves, relative motion between shaft  206  and a generator is provided. Shaft gear  290  turns generator gear  288  and drives the generator. When the generator is driven, it provides electricity to the electronics box and the batteries  216  to which it is connected by power supply leads  291 . The relative sizes of gears  288  and  290  can be varied to provide the desired electrical output.  
         [0078]     There are several preferred methods for attaching wheel illumination device  100  to wheel assembly  114 . These are illustrated in  FIGS. 16-19  herein.  
         [0079]     In the first of these arrangements, shown in  FIG. 16 , lower section  200  is fixed to the center of a hubcap (or hub cover)  292 . Hubcap  292  can be one provided by the automobile  98  manufacturer, or it may be a custom aftermarket hubcap. Hubcap  292  is fixed to wheel assembly  114  in the conventional manner. Fasteners  294  extend through holes  222  in base  204  to a lower better fit to surface being attached to if needed (such as concave or convex). The fasteners go through holes  222 . Fasteners  294 , in turn, pass through corresponding holes  296  in hubcap  292 , and are fixed thereto by nuts  298  threaded onto the free end of fasteners  294 . Before tightening nuts  298 , the operator adjusts the position of lower section  200  until shaft  206  of lower section  200  is coaxial with the axis of rotation of wheel assembly  114 . The operator then tightens nuts  298 . Holes  296  in hubcap  292  may be made by the aftermarket installer of wheel illumination system  100  on hubcap  292 . Slots  220  provide base  204  with some limited flexibility, permitting it to conform more easily with irregularly shaped hubcaps  292 .  
         [0080]     In a second arrangement, shown in  FIG. 18 , a universal attachment plate  300  ( FIG. 17 ) is fixed to the free ends of lug nuts  302  of wheel assembly  114 . Base  204  of lower section  200  is subsequently fixed to plate  300 . Upper section  202  is subsequently fixed to lower section  200 .  
         [0081]     If the automobile  98  has one, the existing hubcap on the vehicle is removed and universal attachment plate  300  replaces it. Plate  300  has a plurality of holes  304  that are disposed about its periphery. These holes are selected and disposed to match several different lug nut patterns on a variety of automobiles.  
         [0082]     Universal attachment plate  300  is formed as a series of two (shown here) or three concentric rings, each of said rings having a plurality of holes  304  arranged to match different lug nut patterns. For larger vehicles with wider spaced lug nuts, plate  300  can be fixed to lug nuts  302  by bolts  306  passing through holes  304  in the outer concentric ring  308 . For smaller vehicles with closely spaced lug nuts, plate three can be fixed to lug nuts  302  by bolts  306  passing through holes  304  in the inner concentric ring  310 . In the event inner concentric ring  310  is fixed to lug nuts, outer concentric ring  308  can be removed by sawing through tabs  312  that couple the inner and outer concentric rings. The figures herein show two concentric rings that are connected by tabs  312 . In an alternative embodiment, an additional one or two concentric rings can be provided to match even larger lug nut patterns.  
         [0083]     Lug nuts  302  can be standard lug nuts provided by the automobile  98  manufacturer, or they can be custom lug nuts that are provided as an aftermarket product. The distance plate  300  is spaced away from wheel assembly  114  can be varied by selecting lug nuts of greater or lesser length. Longer or “extension” lug nuts are preferred.  
         [0084]     Base  204  is attached to plate  300  using threaded fasteners  294 . Fasteners  294  extend through holes  222  in base  204 . Fasteners  294 , in turn, pass through corresponding holes  304  in plate  300 , and are fixed thereto by nuts  298  that are threaded onto the free end of fasteners  294 . Before tightening nuts  298 , the operator adjusts the position of lower section  200  until shaft  206  is coaxial with the axis of rotation of wheel assembly  114 . The operator then tightens nuts  298 .  
         [0085]     In a third arrangement, shown in  FIG. 19 , base  204  is not fixed directly to plate  300 , but is spaced away from plate  300  by hub cover  316 . Hub cover  316  is provided for use in situations when the hub of wheel assembly  114  extends outward away from the wheel too far to permit base  204  to be attached to directly to plate  300 .  
         [0086]     Hub cover  316  is a hollow right circular cylindrical body  318  having a first enclosed end  320  and a circular flange  322  extending radially outward from a second end of body  318  about the entire circumference of body  318 . Flange  322  is planar and is fixed to plate  300  with threaded fasteners  294 . Fasteners  294  extend through holes  324  in flange  322 , and then through corresponding holes  314  in plate  300 . Nuts  298  are threaded onto the free end of fasteners  294  and are tightened. This arrangement fixes hub cover  316  to plate  300 .  
         [0087]     Base  204  is attached to hub cover  316  using threaded fasteners  294 . Fasteners  294  extend through holes  222  in base  204 . Fasteners  294 , in turn, pass through corresponding holes  326  in first enclosed end  320  of hub cover  316 , and are fixed thereto by nuts  298  that are threaded onto the free end of fasteners  294  inside hub cover  316 .  
         [0088]     Before tightening nuts  298  inside hub cover  316 , the operator adjusts the position of lower section  200  until shaft  206  is coaxial with the axis of rotation of wheel assembly  114 . The operator then tightens nuts  298 .  
         [0089]      FIG. 20  is a schematic illustrating the control circuit  330  formed on the modular circuit board in the electronics box, together with the power source and battery. The core of the control circuit  330  is microprocessor  332 , which controls the operation of the entire control circuit. Microprocessor  332  is coupled to a radio receiver  334  for receiving remote commands that control the device  100 , a speed sensor  336 , power conversion and conditioning circuitry  338 , lighting power conversion circuitry  340 , and lighting control circuitry  342 . Lights  110  are coupled to lighting control circuitry  342  from which they receive their electrical signals and responsively generate light. Control circuit  330  also includes a power storage circuit  344  which includes rechargeable batteries  216 . Power storage circuit  344  is coupled to power conversion and conditioning circuit  338 . Solar panel  112  and generator  282  are also coupled to power conversion and conditioning circuit  338  to provide electrical power to the control circuit and the lights. Power transfer system  346  is also coupled to power conversion and conditioning circuit  338  to control the direction and flow of electrical power to and from the batteries  216 , the generator  282 , the solar panel  112 , and the microprocessor  332 .  
         [0090]     Microprocessor  332  receives its power from power conversion and conditioning circuit  338 . Power conversion and conditioning circuit  338  regulates the electricity supplied by solar panel  112  and power generator  282 , as well as power storage circuit  344 . As power is used by the power storage circuit  344 , power conversion and conditioning circuit  338  directs electrical power from power generator  282  and solar panel  112  to power storage circuit  344 .  
         [0091]     Microprocessor  332  is configured to receive speed signals from speed sensor  336 . Microprocessor  332  is also configured to receive commands from radio receiver  334 , which in turn receives commands from the operator in the automobile  98  (see  FIG. 21 , below).  
         [0092]     In response to these commands, microprocessor  332  is configured to control the direction and amount of electrical power provided to lights  110 . Microprocessor  332  does this by signaling lighting control circuit  342 . Lighting control circuit  342  regulates the flow of electricity from lighting power conversion circuit  340 . Lighting power conversion circuit  340  regulates the voltage of the electrical power provided by power conversion and conditioning circuit  338  to a level that is compatible with lights  110 .  
         [0093]     Microprocessor  332  is programmed to selectively generate different patterns of light emitted by lights  110 . It does this by calculating the duration and intensity of light that is required from lights  110  and signaling lighting control circuit  342  accordingly. Microprocessor  332  is preprogrammed to generate several patterns when requested by the user via radio receiver  334 .  
         [0094]     Microprocessor  332  is programmed to change the color of lights  110  by turning lights  110  of one color off and turning lights  110  of another color on. Microprocessor  332  is programmed to flash lights  110  by turning them on and off at a preprogrammed interval. Microprocessor  332  is further programmed to fairy the preprogrammed interval at which it turns the lights on and off. Microprocessor  332  is programmed to monitor speed sensor  336  and determine when the automobile  98  is stationary or moving at a predetermined speed. Microprocessor  332  is programmed to turn lights  110  off when the vehicle and the wheel assembly are stationary. Microprocessor  332  is also programmed in another mode of operation to turn lights  110  on when the vehicle and the wheel assembly start moving. Microprocessor  332  is also programmed to turn lights  110  on when the vehicle and the wheel assembly begin moving. Microprocessor  332  can change the speed of the patterns automatically by monitoring the speed of the vehicle and the wheel assembly using speed sensor  336 . Microprocessor  332  is programmed to vary the light intensity with the volume of a sound signal provided by the user via radio receiver  334 . In this manner, microprocessor  332  is configured to change the intensity of the plurality of lights  110  in synchrony with an audio source transmitted from the user to control circuit  330  via radio receiver  334 .  
         [0095]     In  FIG. 21  we see a remote control system  364  configured to transmit operator commands and audio signals to wheel illumination system  100  via a radio transmitter  354  ( FIG. 20 ). Remote control system  364  includes a microprocessor  348  that receives operator mode selections from mode selection input device  350 , and receives an audio signal from sound conditioning and conversion circuit  358 . In response to these signals, microprocessor  348  transmits light command signals to radio transmitter  354 . Radio transmitter  354 , in turn, transmits these light command signals to radio receiver  334  (see  FIG. 20 ) of the wheel illumination system  100 . When radio receiver  334  receives these signals, it transmits them to microprocessor  332  of wheel illumination system  100 , which responsively commands lighting control circuit  342  to generate the requested light patterns. In this manner, the user (who is preferably inside the operator&#39;s compartment of the automobile  98 ) can change the mode of operation of the wheel illumination system  100  and the patterns of light generated by lights  110  in real time as the automobile  98  travels down the road.  
         [0096]     The user or operator communicates with microprocessor  348  by entering commands into mode selection input device  350 . Mode selection input device  350  is preferably a touch screen display, incorporating a screen (status display  352 ) and a pressure sensitive transparent switching surface (mode selection input device  350 ). As the operator presses the touch screen, microprocessor  348  presents the user with a series of menus that are displayed on the touch screen. The operator can select whether to (1) turn the lights off, (2) turn the lights on, (3) turn the lights off automatically when the vehicle stops moving, (4) turn the lights on automatically when the vehicle stops moving, (5) turn the lights on automatically when the vehicle starts moving, (6) transmit sound intensity signals from a microphone  362  to the wheel illumination system  100 , (7) transmit sound intensity signals from an external audio input  360  (from an audio source such as car stereo, car CD, satellite radio, terrestrial radio or the like) to the wheel illumination system  100 , (8) select a desired color for lights  110 , (9) select a desired rate at which to flash or blink lights  110 .  
         [0097]     The two microprocessors shown herein are preferably Microchip PIC microprocessors or Amtel. The patterns are stored in the NVRAM of the PIC microprocessors. The user selects the patterns from the touch screen/selection menu of the remote control system. The user selects specific colors by selecting predetermined modes of operation from the touch screen. Using the speed sensor, the wheel unit could time the pulses of light so as to create the illusion of the wheels rotating in either a counterclockwise or clockwise pace. The user selects specific colors by selecting predetermined modes of operation from the touch screen or selects custom color schemes using the same interface. To create a new pattern the user selects them using the remote control system, or downloads new patterns into the controller. The power may be provided by a power transit options system (e.g. a magnetic induction power systems such as used for security cards and rechargeable toothbrushes) or direct connect systems (rotor on back of wheel with contacts). The transmitter and receiver communicate over radio frequencies. Alternatively, other electromagnetic data link methods may be used as well these other methods within the electromagnetic spectrum include infrared and magnetic inductance data links.  
         [0098]     One will appreciate that the present disclosure is intended as an exemplification of the invention, and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiment illustrated. The disclosure is intended to cover by the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the scope of the claims.