Abstract:
A system for illuminating an automobile, projecting visible light through the wheel of the vehicle. An annular light source is coupled to a source of electricity and is mounted outside the vehicle braking system and within the vehicle wheel using L-brackets affixed to the annular light source and affixed to a stationary portion of the automobile drive system.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to the field of automotive illumination systems and more particularly to a system for illuminating a wheel of an automobile.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     There are many ways to illuminate an automobile. Some ways are functional, while some ways are more decorative. For example, headlights are more functional than decorative because they allow the driver to see where they are going at night. Another example is lighted license plate holders that provide a more decorative look. Some lighting systems are both decorative and functional. For example, a string of lights along the side panel of an automobile may look good to some people and may make the vehicle more visible during low lighting conditions, possibly avoiding accidents.  
         [0005]     Wheel illumination systems are known in the prior art, including U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,603 to Spicer, which is hereby incorporated by reference. While the prior art fulfills its objectives by providing illumination to automotive wheels, it lacks structural integrity, ease of installation, universal installation and placement of the lighting within the wheel area.  
         [0006]     What is needed is a system for illuminating the inside area of automotive wheels that is sturdy while positioning the illuminating surface at an optimal location.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In one embodiment, a system for illuminating an automobile is disclosed including an annular light source with a light and a protective rim. A plurality of L-shaped metal brackets attach annular light source to the automotive drive system.  
         [0008]     In another embodiment, a system for illuminating an automobile is disclosed including an annular light source with a light connected to a source of electricity and a protective rim and affixed at the protective rim to a first end of a plurality of L-brackets. The second end of the plurality of L-shaped metal brackets is affixed to an automotive drive system, the automotive drive system utilizing disc brakes.  
         [0009]     In another embodiment, a system for illuminating an automobile is disclosed including an annular light source with a light connected to a source of electricity and a protective rim and affixed at the protective rim to a first end of a plurality of L-brackets. The second end of the plurality of L-shaped metal brackets is affixed to an automotive drive system, the automotive drive system utilizing drum brakes. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded view of a system of a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  illustrates an assembled view of the first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded view of a system of a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  illustrates an assembled view of the second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  illustrates a sectional view of an annular light assembly of both embodiments of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  illustrates an outside view of an annular light assembly of both embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.  
         [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exploded view of a system of a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment is best suited for wheels with disc brake systems. The annular wheel light  10  is attached to the stationary spindle  52  of an automobile by a plurality of L-brackets  14  affixed at a first end to existing holes in the spindle  52  with fasteners, in this example bolts  16  and nuts  18 , although various fasteners work equally as well and some include washers or lock washers. The L-bracket is affixed at a second end to the annular wheel light  10  by adhesive, glue, weld or any other way known in the art. The annular wheel light  10  is electrically connected to the vehicle power system by electrical cables  12 .  
         [0019]     For completeness, the rest of the automotive wheel attachment and braking system is shown including a brake caliper  40 , a brake disc  46 , a stub axle  50 , a hub  42  and a number of lug bolts  44  for attaching a wheel (not shown).  
         [0020]     Referring to  FIG. 2  an assembled view of the first embodiment of the present invention is shown. As in  FIG. 1 , the annular wheel light  10  is attached to the stationary spindle  52  of an automobile by a plurality of L-brackets  14  affixed at a first end to existing holes in the spindle  52  with fasteners, in this example bolts  16  and nuts  18 , although various fasteners work equally as well and some include washers or lock washers. The L-bracket is affixed at a second end to the annular wheel light  10  by adhesive, glue, weld or any other way known in the art. The annular wheel light  10  is electrically connected to the vehicle power system by electrical cables  12 .  
         [0021]     For completeness, the rest of the automotive wheel attachment and breaking system is visible including a stub axle  50 , a brake disc  46 , a hub  42  and a number of lug bolts  44  for attaching a wheel (not shown).  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 3  an exploded view of a system of a second embodiment of the present invention is shown. This embodiment is best suited for wheels with drum brake systems. The annular wheel light  10  is attached to the axle housing  62  of an automobile by a plurality of L-brackets  20 / 22  affixed to the axle housing  62  with a U-shaped clamp. The annular wheel light  10  is electrically connected to the vehicle power system by electrical cables  12 . The U-shaped clamp has a U-bolt  24  and a bracket  25  held in place by two nuts  28 . In some embodiments a washer or lock washer  26  is placed over the threaded end of the U-bolt  24  between the nuts  28  and the bracket  25 .  
         [0023]     For completeness, the rest of the automotive wheel attachment and breaking system is shown including a brake drum  56 , a brake hydraulic line  60 , an emergency brake cable  58  and a number of lug bolts  44  for attaching a wheel (not shown).  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 4  an assembled view of the second embodiment of the present invention is shown. The annular wheel light  10  is attached to the axle housing  62  of an automobile by a plurality of L-brackets  20 / 22  affixed to the axle housing  62  with a U-shaped clamp having a U-bolt  24  and a bracket  25  held in place by two nuts  28 . A first end of a first set of L-brackets  22  are affixed to the annular wheel light  10  light by adhesive, glue, weld or any other way known in the art. The second end of the first set of L-brackets has holes through which the ends of the U-bolt pass and are held against the U-bolt bracket  25  by nuts  28 . Although not visible in  FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, washers or lock washers are also used. A second set of L-brackets  20  are affixed at a first end to the annular wheel light  10  light by adhesive, glue, weld or any other way known in the art. The second end of the second set of L-brackets are affixed to U-bolt bracket  25  by adhesive, glue, weld or any other way known in the art. In some embodiments, the second set of L-brackets are bent at the U-bolt end and pass under the U-bolt  24 , between the U-bolt  24  and the axle housing  62  and are held in place when the U-bolt  24  and U-bolt bracket are tightened using nuts  28 .  
         [0025]     The annular wheel light is electrically connected to the vehicle power system by electrical cables  12 .  
         [0026]     For completeness, the rest of the automotive wheel attachment and breaking system is shown including a brake drum  56 , a brake hydraulic line  60  and an emergency brake cable  58 .  
         [0027]     Referring to  FIG. 5 a  sectional view from the inside of an annular wheel light  10  of both embodiments of the present invention is shown. A protective rim  32  provides structural support and protection for one or more light tubes  30  (three are shown in this example). The protective rim is made of a sturdy, stiff material such as steel, iron, copper and nylon. In this embodiment, the light tubes  30  are neon light tubes. In other embodiments, the light tubes  30  are formed of a clear or translucent material containing a plurality of individual lights or light emitting diodes (LEDs), connected in series, parallel or series/parallel. In other embodiments, the light tubes  30  are translucent light pipes and a light source such as LEDs illuminate one or both ends of the light pipe, sending light down the light pipe and scattering the light somewhat equally along the length of the light pipe.  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIG. 6  an outside view of an annular wheel light  10  of both embodiments of the present invention is shown. Visible is the protective rim  32 . In some embodiments, the light tubes  30  are held against the protective rim  32  by a plurality of wire ties  34 , although in some embodiments, the light tubes  30  are affixed to the protective rim by adhesive or glue.  
         [0029]     Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.  
         [0030]     It is believed that the system and method of the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.