US4775919A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Lighted wheel cover with a self-contained inertia-operated generator
Assignee: Syncro Corp
•
Filing: 1987-02-09
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Granted: 1988-10-04
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Expires: 2007-02-09
Abstract
Abstract A signalling wheel cover, including inner and outer housings, is provided with lights around the circumference of the outer housing which sequentially illuminate as the two housings rotate with respect to one another. The outer housing is secured to a vehicle wheel. Coils, to which the lights are connected, are mounted to the outer housing. The inner housing, to which magnets are mounted, is rotatably secured relative to the outer housing to allow independent rotation of the two housings. As the wheel carrying the outer housing begins to rotate, the inner housing tends to resist the rotation due to its inertia. This resistance to rotation can be enhancedd by adding a counterweight to the inner housing so the inner housing is mounted pendulously. As the coils rotate through the magnetic fields of the magnets, current flow is induced in the coils which causes illumination of the lights in a sequential pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Elmer G. Pearsall
- 👤 Bruce W. Biggard
- 👤 Gary E. Wisner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 08:03
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q1/00; B60Q1/26; B60Q1/32; B60Q1/326
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A signalling vehicle wheel cover, for use with a wheel of a vehicle, comprising: a first housing mounted to the wheel for rotation therewith; a second housing disposed proximate said first housing; means for mounting said second housing to a chosen one of the wheel and the first housing for rotational motion relative to said first housing; generating means, carried by said first and second housings, for generating a current when the first and second housings rotate relative to one another; signal means, electrically coupled to the generating means and secured to a selected one of said first and second housings, for generating a signal in response to the current generated by said generating means; and means for simulating propogation of said signal around the selected one of said first and second housings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A signalling vehicle wheel cover, for use with a wheel of a vehicle, comprising: a first housing mounted to the wheel for rotation therewith; a second housing disposed proximate said first housing; means for mounting said second housing to a chosen one of the wheel and the first housing for rotational motion relative to said first housing; generating means, carried by said first and second housings, for generating a current when the first and second housings rotate relative to one another; signal means, electrically coupled to the generating means and secured to a selected one of said first and second housings, for generating a signal in response to the current generated by said generating means; and means for simulating propogation of said signal around the selected one of said first and second housings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The signalling wheel cover according to claim 1, further comprising a counterweight secured to said second housing to restrict rotation of said second housing as the wheel rotates.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The signalling wheel cover according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means mounts said second housing to said first housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The signalling wheel cover according to claim 1, wherein said first housing surrounds said second housing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
The signalling wheel cover according to claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises a shaft, secured to said first housing, and bearing, engaging said second housing and said shaft which allows rotational motion of said second housing relative to said first housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The signalling wheel cover according to claim 1, wherein said generating means comprises magnets and coils.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The signalling wheel cover according to claim 6, wherein said magnets are disposed on said second housing.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The signally wheel cover according to claim 7, wherein said coils are disposed on said first housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The signally wheel cover according to claim 7, wherein said second housing includes a circumferential portion, and said magnets have poles oriented radially with said circumferential portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The signalling wheel cover according to claim 9, wherein said coils are disposed on said first housing radially outwardly of said magnets.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The signalling wheel cover according to claim 1, wherein said signal means comprises light emitting diodes.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The signalling wheel cover according to claim 1, wherein the signal means is secured to the first housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
FR978808A
Cited
US2931012A
Cited
FR1401442A
Cited
US3884317A
Cited
US4229728A
Cited
EP0026950A1
Cited
JPS5771257A
Cited
US4381537A
Cited
US4539496A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-10-04 | 1992-04-04 | 1992-10-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-10-04 | 1996-04-04 | 1996-10-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-10-04 | 2000-04-04 | 2000-10-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |