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EP0003498A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Decorative safety member for spoked wheels

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1979-01-08
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 1999-01-08
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Abstract

Abstract Decorative and safety wheel tubular member, particularly adapted for insertion between the spokes of bicycles, motorcycles and the like comprising an elongated tubular flexible member of a diameter to engage the inner portions of the spokes of the wheel adjacent the rim and of a length to close on itself within the wheel and around the hub thereof, with means such as a plug or sleeve to hold the ends of the member together in abutting relationship. A narrow strip of material having a reflective outer surface is provided in spiral fashion on the outer surface of the elongated member such that when a wheel carrying the elongated member is rotated at a low speed, the elongated member appears to an observer from substantially any position to have its entire outer surface covered with reflective material.

Inventors

  • 👤 Robert C. Trimble

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 15:35
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62J; B62J6/00; B62J6/20

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim 137 words
An attachment for vehicle spoke wheels of the type having a central elongated hub, a rim adapted to receive a tire, and spokes all connected at one end to the rim around its periphery and alternately connected at their other end to opposite ends of the hub comprising: (a) an elongated flexible member for insertion between all of said spokes and around said hub, said member being of a length and cross-section such that when disposed inside of said spokes its ends will meet and along its length it contacts an inside portion of each of said spokes; (b) a strip of material having a reflective outer surface wound in spiral fashion along the length of and carried by the outer surface of said elongated member; and (c) means for coupling together the ends of said member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 137 words
An attachment for vehicle spoke wheels of the type having a central elongated hub, a rim adapted to receive a tire, and spokes all connected at one end to the rim around its periphery and alternately connected at their other end to opposite ends of the hub comprising: (a) an elongated flexible member for insertion between all of said spokes and around said hub, said member being of a length and cross-section such that when disposed inside of said spokes its ends will meet and along its length it contacts an inside portion of each of said spokes; (b) a strip of material having a reflective outer surface wound in spiral fashion along the length of and carried by the outer surface of said elongated member; and (c) means for coupling together the ends of said member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 21 words
The attachment according to claim 1 wherein said strip covers substantially less than the total surface area of said elongated member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The attachment according to claim 1 wherein the turns of said spirally wound strip are spaced a substantial distance one from another.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 63 words
The attachment according to claim wherein the distance between turns of said spirally wound strip is not substantially less than the maximum distance between turns operative to cause the entire outer surface of said elongated member to appear to be covered with the reflective materials of said strip when a wheel carrying said elongated member is rotated at a low rate of speed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 26 words
The attachment according to claim 4 wherein said low rate of speed is that sufficient to provide a forward speed of about three miles per hour.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 20 words
The attachment according to claim 2 wherein the distance between turns of said spirally would strip is about two inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 44 words
The attachment according to claim 2 wherein said elongated member is cylindrical in cross-section with a diameter of about one-half inch, the width of said strip is about one-fourth inch, and the distance between turns of said spirally wound strip is about two inches.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 61 words
The attachment according to claim 2 wherein said elongated member is formed of a material including a fluorescent dye material and the reflective outer material of said strip of material is formed of small closely spaced light reflective particles whereby when said particles are exposed to a source of light, said particles provide the principal light reflecting characteristics of said attachment.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 62 words
The attachment of claim 1 in which said tubular member is formed of a light conducting material and is provided with at least one light receiving portion for receiving light from a light source and at least one light transmitting portion whereby light received by said light receiving portion is conducted through said member and transmitted therefrom at said light transmitting portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 41 words
The attachment of claim 1 in which said tubular member includes prisms or lenses on its outer surface whereby when said member is exposed to a source of light, it reflects light and renders it highly visible to the human eye.

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