Abstract:
A vehicle wheel illumination device. The illumination device utilizes a source of light, such as automotive light bulbs, to project light onto the inside portion of a wheel&#39;s rim. Providing that the wheel&#39;s rim has at least one slot or other opening therethrough, the light will emanate out of the wheel&#39;s rim, being visible to an individual outside of said vehicle. The device utilizes a frame having a pair of arms, each arm connecting with a bulb and socket. This frame attaching to the frame of the vehicle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention generally relates to illuminating devices for automobile wheels, and more particularly relates to illuminating devices for producing an aesthetically pleasing effect through illumination of the inside portion of a wheel or wheel rim whereby light is emitted through the openings within the wheel&#39;s rim. 
   2. Background Information 
   Many different patents are shown which utilize illuminating devices for vehicle wheels. These devices include illuminating devices which shine lights on the outside surface of the wheel, for instance U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,274 (Anderson et al.). Also included are illumination devices which comprise part of the wheel itself, including lighted hub cap covers, for instance U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,537 (Hinrichs); U.S. Pat. No. 4,430,692 (Papadakis); U.S. Pat. No. 4,775,919 (Pearsall et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,144 (DiMaggio); U.S. Pat. No. 5,530,630 (Williams, Jr.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,537 (Hinrichs); U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,164 (Chien); U.S. Pat. No. 5,957,541 (Seigler); U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,244 (Dixon et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,301 (Martinez et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,603 (Spicer); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,322,237 (Lee). Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 1,796,485 (Smallwood) discloses an automobile lamp for projecting an illumination effect from under the automobile thereby, among other things, illuminating the vehicle&#39;s running or foot boards. 
   However, none of these devices disclose a vehicle wheel illumination device or apparatus which is easy to install, easy to repair, can be produced inexpensively, produces a desired aesthetic illumination affect, illuminates the inside portion of the wheel which can be seen through holes defined within the wheel&#39;s rim, and has no moving parts able to be broken. The present invention solves these needs. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is an apparatus for lighting a vehicle wheel assembly. Such a vehicle having a frame having at least one rotatably mounted axle. This axle terminating in a pair of axle hubs each able to attach to a wheel. The wheel having a tire mounted on a wheel rim, this wheel rim having an inner and outer side. The wheel is mounted on the axle hub so that the inner side is adjacent to the axle hub and the outer side is remote from the axle hub. In such a manner, an individual standing adjacent to the vehicle would be able to view the outer side of the wheel. 
   Preferably, the wheel rim will have at least one opening, more preferably a plurality of openings therein, so that light emitted from the present invention can be seen from the outer side of the wheel rim. Additionally, it is preferred that the wheel rim utilized have a reflective finish, such as chrome, etc. 
   The invented apparatus comprises a source of electrical power on the vehicle for providing electricity to the present invention and a first illumination assembly for illuminating the wheel rim. It is additionally preferred that a second illumination assembly be provided. The first and second illumination assemblies are electrically connected to the electrical power source. The first and second illumination assemblies comprise first and second bulb sockets having bulbs held therein, such as standard twelve volt automotive bulbs. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the illumination assembly or assemblies attach to a rigid mounting. In the preferred embodiment, the rigid mounting comprises a generally M-shaped length of a stiff wire having a first end extending to a second end. The first illumination means is preferably attached to the first end and the second illumination means is preferably attached to the second end. This rigid mounting is configured for attachment to the frame in a manner whereby the first and second illumination assemblies are located adjacent to the wheel rim&#39;s inner side, for instance located above a caliper, thereby allowing the present invention to shine light on the inside surface of the wheel rim, so light shines through the apertures in the wheel rim, thereby allowing an individual outside of the vehicle to see the light emanating therefrom. 
   Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an environmental view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view of a second embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the embodiment shown in FIG.  2 . 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof have been shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific form disclosed, but, on the contrary, the invention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 
   The present invention is an apparatus for lighting a vehicle wheel assembly. While the present invention has uses as a safety device, more practically, the present invention serves as a vehicle accessory, presenting a desired lighting effect to, through and around a vehicle&#39;s wheels. While this disclosure discusses application of the present invention to a solitary wheel of the vehicle, more preferably, one unit of the present invention would be utilized on each wheel of a vehicle. 
   The present invention works by shining a light from a light source on the inside portion of the wheel rim. When the rim provided has a number of slots, holes or decorative grooves therethrough, this light passes through these groves to be viewed by an individual located adjacent to the vehicle. Preferably, the wheel rim used within such an invention would be covered with a reflective material, such as chrome, thereby increasing the beauty of the display. 
   The preferred light source comprises an incandescent light bulb. Many different types of bulbs may be utilized with the present invention thereby causing different displays. However, it is preferred that a colored, standard incandescent automotive bulb (12 volt) be utilized for creating a colored lighting effect. Other types of light sources are also envisioned, including but not limited to laser, plasma, fluorescent, halogen, HID, neon, LED, etc. 
   Referring initially to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the present invention  10  is shown installed upon a vehicle&#39;s wheel assembly  30 . In this embodiment, the wheel assembly  30  comprises an axle  40  terminating in a hub  42 . A wheel having a tire  44  attached to a wheel rim  34  and can attach to the axle  40  at the hub  42 . The wheel rim  34  has an inside surface  36  and an outside surface  38 . This outside surface  38  being remote from the hub, while the inside surface  36  is adjacent to the hub (as attached). Typically provided on a wheel assembly  30  will also be other standard means, such as the wheel control arm  32 , the brake caliper  46 , etc. 
   In this embodiment, the present invention  10  comprises a first illumination assembly  30  and a second illumination assembly  30 ′ attaching to a rigid mounting  5 . While this embodiment utilized the preferred pair of illumination assemblies, other embodiments may use more or less. While this is referred to as a “rigid” mounting, non-rigid mounting could also be utilized. The rigid mounting is rigid in the sense that the attached illumination assemblies are able to be generally held in a predetermined position opposite the wheel rim inner side. This mounting  5  is utilized to space apart the illumination assemblies  30 ,  30 ′ as well as to serve as a point of attachment of the present invention to the vehicle the present invention is utilized upon. 
   In this embodiment, the rigid mounting  5  is shown attached to the wheel control arm  32  of the vehicle. Other places of attachment are also envisioned, including, but not limited to, the axle  40 , the frame, the suspension components, the braking components, and the steering components. Attachment to the attachment point can be through any possible means, including wiring, using plastic ties, zip-ties, etc. The location of attachment of the present invention can be done anywhere so long as the:first and second illumination assemblies  30 ,  30 ′ shine light upon the inside surface  36  of the wheel rim  34 . It is preferred that they be mounted generally adjacent and above the caliper  46 , as shown. 
   Preferably, the mounting is formed of a conductive substance and a ground wire  6  extends between the mounting  5  and the frame of the vehicle, thereby grounding the present invention  10 . In less preferred embodiments, a ground wire or other means could be used to ground the illumination assemblies, as necessary. 
   It is preferred that a positive wire  9  connect between the power source (for instance the vehicle&#39;s battery, a battery pack (such as a number of “D-size” batteries), or electrical system connected to said battery) and the light source, for instance the preferred bulb sockets  2 ,  2 ′. This can be through use of the wires  18 ,  18 ′ and butt connector  8  described infra. In the preferred embodiment, the positive wire connects with a 12 volt relay, a wiring harness with a fuse holder, and an on/off switch. The positive wire split into multiple wires, one of which is electrically connected with each bulb socket. Other means of powering the present invention, including battery power, etc., are also envisioned. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a second embodiment of the present invention is shown.  FIG. 3  shows an exploded view of this embodiment. This embodiment of the present invention  10  shows a pair of bulb sockets  2 ,  2 ′ for each holding a bulb  3 ,  3 ′. These bulb sockets being standard automotive bulb sockets. In this embodiment, the sockets have rubber caps  1 ,  1 ′ and the bulbs have protective guards  12 ,  12 ′ installed thereon for protecting the bulbs. These caps and guards are preferred, but not required. Rather than rubber caps, shrink tubing can be placed on the bulb sockets for weather proofing. 
   In this embodiment the (preferred) sockets are made from metal, thereby allowing the metal first and second ends ( 16 ,  16 ′) of the mounting  5  to be soldered or otherwise affixed to the sockets. The preferred mounting  5  comprises a length of solid copper wire ( 6  gauge) which is bent into a generally M-shape, defining the first and second ends as well as the mounting portion  20  configured for attachment to the portion of the vehicle to which the user wishes to mount the present invention. This mounting portion can be part of the mounting itself, or can be an additional structure attaching thereto. By having the mounting portion extend away from the general portion of the mounting, a flange is formed which would allow a user to easily attach the mounting to the vehicle at a preferred location. 
   Connecting to the bulb sockets are electrical connections, preferably the positive wires  18 ,  18 ′ shown. These positive wires  18 ,  18 ′ being joined at a butt connector  8  which connects with the positive wire  9 , which ultimately is connected to the power source either directly or indirectly. These wires  18 ,  18 ′ are preferably 16 to 22 AWG. It is preferred that wire loom  4 ,  4 ′ or other protective covering be utilize to attach the wires  18 ,  18 ′ to the mounting  5 . 
   The mounting  5  is preferably provided with at least one handle grip  7 ,  7 ′ for allowing for easier handling of the present invention and for allowing the present invention to be more securely attached to its attachment point, such as the axle. In this embodiment, the grips  7 ,  7 ′ are part of the mounting portion  20 . 
   Preferably extending from the rigid mounting  5  is a ground wire  6  for grounding attachment to the frame of the vehicle. In this manner, the bulb socket merely needs to connect with the positive wire, and the exterior portion of the bulb socket soldered to the metal rigid mounting serves to ground the bulb socket. This ground wire can be of whatever gauge is necessary, for instance 16 to 22 AWG wire. 
   While there is shown and described the present preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that this invention is not limited thereto but may be variously embodied to practice within the scope of the following claims. From the foregoing description, it will be apparent that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.