Patent Publication Number: US-2023138948-A1

Title: Wheel or Tire With Illuminable Feature

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to tires and/or wheels with one or more illuminable features. More specifically, the present invention relates to tires and/or wheels including illuminable LED lights and/or optical fibers. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Tires and wheels are well known and widely used for many different purposes, including use on or with motorized and non-motorized vehicles, equipment, machinery, tools, toys, etc. Historically, tires and wheels have lacked certain functionality and aesthetic features, typically due to the materials making up the wheels and tires, but also due to the purposes for which the wheels and/or tires are intended to be used. However, it has been discovered that with the improvements in materials, electronics and light sources, it is now possible to provide tires and wheels with previously unavailable and unrecognized aesthetic and functional benefits. For example, it has been discovered that illuminable features, such as lighting elements, can be incorporated into tires and wheels. Such illuminable features can be used to provide improved aesthetics (e.g. visual patterns or characters created by the illumination feature), functional purposes (e.g. to help light an area, to indicate wear, to show movement, to identify characteristics of the wheel or tire, to indicate the need for service, to make the wheel or tire more visible and/or to provide other functional benefits), or for both functional and aesthetic purposes. 
     As such, it would be desirable to provide a tire with an illuminable feature. It would also be desirable to provide a tire including one or more LED light sources. It would also be desirable to provide a tire including one or more optical fibers. 
     It would also be desirable to provide a wheel with an illuminable feature. Further, it would be desirable to provide a wheel including one or more LED light sources. It would also be desirable to provide a wheel including one or more optical fibers. 
     The invention disclosed herein may provide any one or more of the described or other features and/or benefits and such features and/or benefits may be provided separately or in any desired combination. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a solution for one or more of the deficiencies of the prior art as well as other benefits. Specifically, the present invention provides a tire for use on a vehicle, the tire having an illuminable feature and comprising: two sidewalls, each sidewall having a proximal end, a distal end, an inner surface and an outer surface; a shoulder region adjacent the distal end of each sidewall; a contact region disposed between the shoulder regions; and an illuminable feature, the illuminable feature including at least one optical fiber. 
     The present invention also provides a wheel for use on a vehicle, the wheel having an illuminable feature and comprising: a central hub; a support structure extending radially outwardly from the central hub to a circular rim, the rim having two outwardly extending walls, an inner wall and an outer wall separated by a rim central region; and an illuminable feature, the illuminable feature including at least one optical fiber. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a simplified plan view of a lighting system. 
         FIG.  1 A  is a plan view of a controller in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  2    is perspective view of a tire in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  3    is cross-section of the tire of  FIG.  2    taken through  3 - 3 . 
         FIG.  4    is cross-section of a portion of a tire in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  5    is cross-section of a portion of a tire in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG.  6    is plan view of a wheel in accordance with the present invention with a partial cut-away portion. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     As noted herein, the present invention is directed to an illuminable feature (or illumination feature), that is or can be incorporated into a wheel or tire. The illumination feature can provide one or more aesthetic and/or functional benefits, some of which are described in more detail below. However, it should be understood that additional aesthetic and functional benefits are contemplated, and the disclosure should not be interpreted as limiting the invention to only those embodiments that are described. Also, it should be understood that the individual elements described with respect to any particular embodiment are not intended to be limited to that particular embodiment and should be considered fully disclosed with respect to other embodiments of the invention that are described herein as well as any others that are obvious variations thereof. In addition, all elements disclosed herein should be considered disclosed in any combination with any other elements and features described herein as well as obvious variations. 
     Definitions 
     The terms “optical fiber” and “fiber optic” as used herein refers to a filament made of glass or plastic that is capable of transmitting light along its length. Optical fibers can be used individually or in bundles such as cables. Suitable optical fibers include, but are not limited to single mode or multimode and can have any desired thickness and length. 
     The term “tire” as used herein refers to a ring or band of material, either solid or inflated, generally used in conjunction with a wheel or other rotating structure, to provide traction, resistance to wear, or other desirable properties to the rotating structure. 
     The term “wheel” as used herein is a circular object that generally revolves on an axel. Wheels are often used on vehicles to allow for easy movement over a surface and in machinery, equipment, toys and other devices to allow for rotational movement of an element. Wheels are often designed to be at least partially surrounded by a tire which is intended to contact a surface adjacent the wheel. 
     As noted herein, the present invention is directed generally to wheels and tires that include one or more illuminable features. The illuminable features preferably include at least one optical fiber capable of transmitting light through its length. The illuminable feature may also include one or more a light sources that are operatively associated with the one or more optical fibers. The light source can be configured to introduce light to one end of the optical fiber such that the light is transmitted through the length of the optical fiber. 
     The wheels and tires of the present invention, or combinations thereof, can be used to provide aesthetic and functional features. For example, the illuminable feature can provide the wheel and/or tire with aesthetic features such as portions that are lit up. In one example, the lit up portion can provide purely decoration, such as lit up patterns on the tire and/or wheel. The lit up portions can be random or can be in a predetermined pattern such as a graphic, etc. The lit up portion can also provide an aesthetic feature like a lit up sidewall or portion thereof, lit up treads or lit up spokes of a wheel. Of course, these are merely examples of the possible aesthetic uses for the present invention and they should not be considered limiting in any way. 
     From a functional standpoint, the present invention can be used to provide many desired characteristics for a wheel or tire. For example, the illuminable feature can be used to show wear on a tire, as a tire pressure indicator, to indicate the need for tire rotation and/or replacement, to help illuminate the road or other surface adjacent the tire or wheel, to help signal others of the location of a vehicle, tire or wheel, to indicate rotation or speed of rotation, and even to help identify the size, make, model or other information relevant to the tire or wheel. In one example the color of the illuminable feature changes as the speed of the wheel increases or decreases. In another example, the illuminable feature turns off once the wheel or tire reaches a certain rotational speed. 
     Of course, the particular type of light source is not limited, but can be chosen based on the particular desired use. In one example, a LED light source is used. LED lights can be used in conjunction with the optical fibers and/or separately to provide the desired features of the present invention. LED lights are particularly desirable because they are very energy efficient and can provide a range of colors and intensities. 
     One or more light sources can be used and the light sources can provide the same or different colors, intensity or duration of the light signal. Thus, the illuminable feature can provide a wide variety of aesthetic and functional benefits, including one or more colors, changing colors, changing intensity, flashing, dimming, etc. 
     The one or more light sources can be operatively associated with a controller. The controller can be used to control one or more aspects of the light source, including turning it on and off, changing the color, changing the intensity of the light, changing the duration of the light, flashing the light, timing the light, or any other desired characteristic. The controller can be joined to the light source or can be separate therefrom. If separate therefrom, the controller can be wirelessly connected to the light source via radio waves such as WiFi, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, etc.; light, or any other wireless transmitting medium. The controller can be a stand-alone apparatus or can be part of another structure or apparatus like a smart phone, a radio, a remote control, or other structure or apparatus. 
     Any portion or element of the illuminable feature can be integral with, joined to or separate from the tire or wheel with which it is operatively associated. For example, a tire of the present invention may have one or more optical fibers integrally formed into the tire, but the light source is separately formed and joined to the tire and the controller may be unjoined and separate from the tire and other parts of the illuminable feature. In other embodiments, the illuminable feature may be partly joined to or incorporated into both a wheel and tire or may be incorporated into several associated wheels and tires. For example, a single controller may control several light sources located in different wheels and/or tires, or may control a single light source that is able to illuminate both a tire and a wheel, more than one tire, more than one wheel, or several tires and wheels. 
       FIGS.  1 - 6    illustrate various features of the claimed invention. The figures are not intended to be limiting in any way, but rather to provide examples of the present invention and/or different features thereof. Alternative combinations of features are contemplated as are embodiments not specifically shown in the figures. 
       FIG.  1    is a simplified plan view of an example of a lighting system  10  that includes a fiber optic illuminable feature  12  of the type that can be used in the present invention. Specifically, the illuminable feature  12  includes a multiplicity of optical fibers  14 . However, as noted herein, the illuminable feature  12  may include a single optical fiber  14  or any number of optical fibers  14  or other illuminable features  12 . One alternative illuminable feature  12  is an LED light. The lighting system  10  also includes a light source  16  operatively connected to one or more of the optical fibers  14 . Any number of light sources  16  can be used and such light sources  16  can be operatively connected to one or more optical fibers  14  or other illuminable features  12 . The light source  16  can be any suitable source of light, including lamps, LED lights, and the like. In the embodiment shown, an LED light  18  is used to provide light to the optical fibers  14 . The light source  16  may be chosen or configured to provide one or more different colors of light, have a single or multiple intensities, be able to flash, dim, fade or otherwise change as desired. 
     The lighting system  10  may include a power source  20  such as one or more batteries  22 , or may connectible to a source of power such as an external battery  22  or an alternative power source  20  like a power generator. Power generators can be of any type, and include, but are not limited to solar, wind, rotational, friction, heat, etc. One type of generator creates power based on the rotation of certain engine parts of the vehicle or machine. Another uses rotation of the wheel and/or tire to provide rotational energy that is converted into power to run the lighting system  10 . 
     The lighting system  10  may also include a controller  24 , an example of which is shown in  FIG.  1 A . The controller  24  can be integral with one or more other elements of the lighting system or can be separate therefrom. If separate therefrom, the controller  24  can be connected by wires or may be wirelessly connected to the lighting system  10 . The controller  24  can be a separate device such as a handheld remote control or can be integrated into another device or feature. For example, the controller  24  can be an app for a smart phone or can be integrated into another device such as a radio, steering wheel or other control panel. The controller  24  can be configured to interact with the lighting system  10 . For example, it can be used to turn on and off the lighting system  10 , to change the color of the light, to change the intensity of the light, to make the light flash or fade in and out, or to provide any other desired aesthetic or functional feature. 
     In exemplary embodiments, the controller  24  may obtain input from one or more sources and then control the lighting system in accordance with pre-programmed instructions. For example, the controller  24  may receive input from a vehicle&#39;s computer and use that information to control the lighting system. Non-limiting examples include flashing to the beat of music, changing color depending on the speed of the vehicle, flashing or turning on when a user unlocks the doors of the vehicle, and flashing in response to a panic button being pressed. The light source  16  may include a receiver  26  to receive the signal of the controller  24 . 
     The lighting system  10  can also include a microprocessor  25  to process information and/or signals it receives from one or more input devices. For example, the microprocessor  25  could receive input from an accelerometer, a microphone, a WiFi receiving device, a timer, or other devices. The microprocessor  25  can be pre-programmed or can be programmed by the user. 
       FIG.  2    is perspective view of a tire  30  including features of the present invention. A cross-section of the tire  30  of  FIG.  2    taken through section line  3 - 3  is shown in  FIG.  3   . The tire  30  shown in  FIG.  2    includes illuminable feature  12 . As shown, the illuminable feature  12  is visible on the outer surface  40  of the sidewall  32  of tire  30 . In the embodiment shown, the illuminable feature is in the form of one or more indicia  52 , such as, for example letters. However, the indicia  52  may also be numbers, symbols, graphics, lines, curves, points, patterns, logos, or any other desired aesthetic or functional feature. One example is a ring such as the white ring of a whitewall on an automobile tire. Another example is the lettering of white letter tires. Yet another example is an illuminable display disposed on the outer surface  40  of the tire  30  that can be illuminated by letters, numbers, graphics, etc. Such a display may have a predefined visual output or may be programmable and/or changeable by the user. The illuminable feature  12  shown in  FIG.  2    includes an optical fiber  14 , but other illuminable features  12  are contemplated. 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the tire  30  includes two sidewalls  32  each having a proximal end  34  and a distal end  36 . The tire has an inner surface  38  and an outer surface  40 . The tire also includes a shoulder  42  adjacent the proximal end  34  of each sidewall  32 . The shoulders  42  are separated by a contact region  44 . In the embodiment shown, the tire  30  includes a tread  46  disposed on the outer surface  40  of the tire  30  in the contact region  44 . The tread  46  may include one or more protuberances  48  and such protuberances  48  may be separated by valleys  50 . Whether a tread  46  is used or not is optional and if a tread  46  is used, it can be of any type or pattern. The optical fiber  14  of the illuminable feature  12  is shown in  FIG.  3    as passing through the sidewall  32  from the inner surface  38  to the outer surface  40 . However, this is just one exemplary embodiment and others are contemplated and described herein. 
       FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view of a tire  30  of the present invention including an illuminable feature  12  as part of a lighting system  10 . The lighting system shown includes a light source  16  and a power source  20 . The light source  16  and power source  20  are disposed on the inner surface  38  of the tire  30 . However, it is contemplated that the light source  16 , power source, or both could be located on the outer surface  40  of the tire, on a wheel, on a hub cap, or on any other part of the vehicle, equipment, machine etc. to which the tire  30  is fit. The entire lighting system  10  or any components thereof can be integral with the tire  30 . Alternatively, any or all components of the lighting system  10  may be separate from the tire  30  and joined thereto by any suitable means. If they are joined thereto, the lighting system  10  or components thereof can be permanently joined thereto or they may be removable therefrom. 
       FIG.  5    is a cross-section of an embodiment of the present invention in which the tire  30  includes a tread  46 . The tread  46  includes a multiplicity of protuberances  48  separated by one or more valleys  50 . In the embodiment shown, optical fibers  14  are located in one or more of the protuberances  48 . The optical fiber(s) may extend fully through the tire  30  from the inner surface  38  through the entirety of the protuberance  48 . However, in a preferred embodiment, at least one optical fiber  14  extends only partly through the protuberance  48 . For example, one or more optical fibers  14  can extend a predetermined distance through one or more protuberances  48 , such as, for example, a pre-determined distance D from the outer-most surface of the protuberance  48 . The fiber optic  14  could also extend a predetermined distance from the inner surface  38  of the tire  30 , or extend to location a predetermined distance from any other feature of the tire  30 . For example, the fiber optic  14  could extend a predetermined height H from the valley  50  of the tread  46  adjacent the protuberance  48 . As such, the optical fiber  14  can be used to show when the tread  46  of the tire  30  has worn to a predetermined height H above the adjacent valley  50 . This can be useful to help a user determine when it is time to check or replace a tire due to tread wear. Such configurations can also be used to provide information about when a tire  30  should be rotated or otherwise serviced. 
       FIG.  6    is a plan of a wheel  60  including the lighting system  10  of the present invention. As shown, the wheel  60  includes a hub  62  that can be joined to or disposed about an axel, a support structure  64  extending radially outwardly from the hub  62 , and a circular rim  66 . The hub  62  can be any suitable structure, including one or more openings, one or more shafts, and/or any other structure that can be used to associate the wheel  60  with vehicle, machine or equipment with which it is used. The rim  66  has two outwardly extending walls, inner wall  68  and outer wall  70 , separated by a rim central region  72 . The wheel  60  also includes an illuminable feature  10 . The illuminable feature  12  shown includes several optical fibers  14  extending through the outer wall  70  of the wheel  60 . 
     As noted with respect to the tire embodiments of the present invention, the wheel  60  may also include one ore more components of a lighting system  10 . For example, the wheel  60  may include one more light sources  16 , power sources  20 , and controllers  24 . The different components may be integral with the wheel  60  or may be separate structures joined thereto. 
     As shown in  FIG.  6   , the wheel  60  includes two power sources  20  including batteries  22 . the power sources  20  are each joined to a different light source  16 . Each light source  16  is operatively associated with a multiplicity of optical fibers  14 . In such configurations, the light sources can be individually controlled or can be controlled by a single controller  34 . 
     The wheel  60  shown in  FIG.  6   , or any alternative configuration thereof can be used with a standard tire or a tire  30  including one or more illuminable features  12 . If used with a tire  30  having an illuminable feature  12 , the wheel  60  and tire  30  may share a light source  16 , power source  20  and/or controller  24 . 
     All of the features of the embodiments described with respect to the wheel  60  are also contemplated for the tire embodiments and all of the features of the tire embodiments are contemplated for the wheel embodiments. 
     Every document cited herein, including any cross referenced or related patent or application and any patent application or patent to which this application claims priority or benefit thereof, is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or otherwise limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern. 
     While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.