NON-ROTATING BICYCLE WHEEL DISPLAY DISK

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to, U,S. Patent Application 12/054,256 titled NON-ROTATING BICYCLE WHEEL DISPLAY DISK, which claims priority to U.S. Patent Application 11/066,420 titled NON -ROTATING BICYCLE WHEEL DISPLAY DISK, now U.S. Pat. No, 7,347,439, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/547,472 filed on Feb. 25, 2004 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application 60/547,467 filed on Feb. 25, 2004; all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety in this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to a wheel assembly for a bicycle, and more particularly to a lightweight non-rotating bicycle wheel display assembly that remains upright both in relation to the rotation of a bicycle wheel and in relation to a parked bicycle wheel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Bicycles are a popular mode of transportation and recreation. As their main means of use is out of door, this creates a vast commercial opportunity as an advertising display medium. Advertising on bicycles is not a new concept nor are wheel covers.

[0004] Wheel display assemblies or "shrouds" on bicycles have been used for aerodynamics, safety and aesthetic puiposes. The problem arriving with this type of display is that it is not readable while the bicycle wheel is in motion. Additionally, the display is inevitably not upright after the bicycle has been parked.

[0005] The use of counterweights to inhibit rotation of wheel display disks or covers is known on motor vehicles, but are ineffective in many ways regarding a bicycle application . A bicycle requires balance of the wheels, frame, and rider, and counterweights will fight against this and can result in a veiy dangerous situation. In addition, it is desirable that bicycles be light weight. Further, spacing tolerances on a rear wheel of a bicycle rim are at a

minimum due to a rear sprocket, gears, or brakes, and can not accommodate a counterweight, Finally, a counterweighted wheel cover does not remain absolutely still during riding and tend to oscillate at braking, and counterweights are inherently unstable,

[0006] A need exists in the industry for an improved, lightweight, simple bicycle wheel display assembly that, when mounted to a bicycle wheel and in turn to a bicycle, creates an upiight display surface unlike any of the above described inventions,

SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention relates generally to a bicycle wheel display assembly, and more particularly, to a bicycle wheel display assembly that remains upright both in relation to the rotation of the bicycle wheel and in relation to a parked bicycle wheel,

[0008] A wheel display assembfy for a wheel of a bicycle according to one implementation of the invention includes a base disk having a circumferential edge and an axis of rotation. The base disk may be secured to the wheel of the bicycle where the wheel has the same axis of rotation as the base disk. Also included in the wheel display assembly is a circular outer disk having an outer surface and an inner surface, where the circular outer disk may be frictionlessly nested within the circumferential edge of the base disk, In addition, at least one retainer member may be used for securing the circular outer disk to a frame of the bicycle such that the circular outer disk remains stationary relative to the frame and the base disk is rotatable relative to the circular outer disk, and a protective cover may be included on the outer surface of the circular outer disk.

[0009] In another example of an implementation of the wheel display assembly, an illuminating device may be used. The illuminating device may be, for example, an electroluminescent film or one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs). The illuminated device may be powered by batteries or by solar power using solar panels known in the art.

[0010] In another example of an implementation of the wheel display assembly, the base disk may include an outer retainer ring such that the circular outer disk is frictionlessly nested within both the circumferential edge and the outer retainer ring of the base disk.

[0011] Other devices, apparatuses, systems, features and advantages of the invention will be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems,

features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the accompaiτying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] The invention may be better understood by referring to the following figures, The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views.

[0013] FIG, 1 is a side elevation view of one half of a wheel display assembly according to the invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a front view of the one half of a wheel display assembly of FIG. 1.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a front view of the one half of a wheel display assembly of FIG. 1 as mounted to a bicycle wheel.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a wheel display assembly as mounted to a bicycle frame and a typical bicycle spoke and wheel assembly.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a portion of the wheel display assembly of FIG, 4 as mounted to a typical bicycle spoke and wheel assembly,

[0018] FIG. 6 is a detailed view a portion of the wheel display assembly of FIG. 4 showing a bearing assembly.

[0019] FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the wheel display assembly of FIG. 4.

[0020] FIG. 8 illustrates a bicycle showing both front and rear applications of the wheel display assembly.

[0021] FIG. 9 illustrates samples of various designs using reflective, luminescent or electroluminescent film or material applied to the outer convex disk of the wheel display assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] FIG, 1 illustrates a side elevation view of one half of a wheel display assembly according to the invention, and FIG, 2 illustrates a front view of the one half of a wheel display assembly of FIG. 1 , The wheel display assembly includes a circular outer convex disk 8 nested within a raised outer circumference edge of an inner circular base disk 9 w ith a bearing assembly 12 holding the base disk 9 and the outer convex disk 8 into position and

centering both circular disks. The disks 8, 9 may be made from a polystyrene or PVC type of substrate. As seen in FIG. 1, the raised outer circumference edge of the base disk 9 may be formed by turning the outer edge of the base disk 9 upward to nest the outer convex disk 8 into place and protect a leading edge of the outer convex disk 8, The raised edge of the base disk 9 may be interrupted ^" by a slight notch 10 to create an access point for the use of a bicycle automobile roof mounting system or an antitheft device, such as a bicycle lock. A hole 11 may be inset from a periphery of the base disk 9 to facilitate adding air into an air valve stem, The hole 11 may be accessed by slightly lifting the outer convex disk 8 and inserting an air hose,

[0023] As further illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the base disk 9 may include an outer retainer ring 24, which may help to prevent the outer convex disk 8 from being pulled out past the base disk 9. The retainer ring 24 may also be included to help keep the outer convex disk 8 centered and in place during bicycle operation, and to help prevent the outer convex disk 8 from buffering,

[0024] The wheel display assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may further include any or all of an illuminating device 20, a retainer assembly 22, and a protective cover 21, each of which is explained herein. The protective cover 21 may be made of, for example, clear plastic polycarbonate, or some other protective film known in the art. The protective cover 21, may be used to protect any printed advertising or illuminating device 20 from debris, vandalism, sunlight and the like. This protective cover 21 may remain stationary with the outer convex disk 8 (explained below), or may be applied on the surface of the rotating base disk 9 depending on the desired effect.

[0025] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of the one half of a wheel display assembly of FIG. 1 as mounted to bicycle wheel. The outer convex disk 8 covers a plurality of mounting holes 13 as well as the valve stem access hole 11 discussed above. By keeping the outer surface clean of these components the function of the base disk 9 becomes unseen. In one implementation, solid airless tires 25 may be utilized, thus eliminating the need for an air valve, in winch case the valve stem access hole 11 would be unnecessary and thus eliminated.

[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a wheel display assembly as mounted to a bicycle frame and a typical bicycle spoke and wheel assembly, and FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate detailed portions of the cross -sectional view of FIG. 4. As illustrated, the wheel display assembly includes a two pait machined or injection molded bearing 12. The bearing

12 may be made from a lightweight and/or self -lubri eating plastic, such as HMEW or something similar known in the art. The bearing 12 may be manufactured in two parts consisting of a female inner portion and a male outer portion with a barbed end to create a positive locking surface. In one implementation, the female inner portion of the bearing 12 may be molded into the base disk 9, and the male outer portion of the bearing 12 may be molded into the circular outer convex disk 8, creating a captive type of connection between the two disks 8, 9. This is also well illustrated within FIGS. 6 and 7. Alternatively, the male and female portions of the bearing 12 may be integrally formed in the respective disks 8, 9, The size of the bearing 12 may be important in this wheel display assembly application due to the tolerance constraints between wheel and frame, wheel and gear cassette, wheel and coaster break, etc. The wheel display assembly is manufactured with a dimension to fit both front and rear wheels of a bicycle. A hole in the middle of each disk 8, 9, where the bearing 12 is located, accommodates the passing through of the bicycle's wheel hub and skewer assembly 15.

[0027] Maintaining a stationary upright position of the outer disk 8 relative to the base disk 9 and the wheel is achieved through the use of a iidged adjustable retaining mechanism 19 attached to the outer disk 8 and a bicycle frame member. The attachment may be made using, for example, a welded-on wire boss or a wrap around retainer 17 on both sides of a bicycle frame 16. Alternatively an adhesive, an attachment solvent, or by sonic welding may be used. The retaining mechanism 19 may be constructed of a rigid plastic, such as PVC, which enables circular outer convex disk 8 to stay in an absolute upright position at all times, whether the bicycle wheel is rotating or in repose. The adjustable retaining mechanism 19 may further be manufactured and/or mounted in such a way as to self-destruct if any portion of the assembly, such as the circular outer convex disk 8, becomes bound to another surface or an outside force, making the assembly unsafe.

[0028] The stability of the outer convex disk and its use on a bicycle is unique to the invention,

[0029] As explained above and illustrated in the figures, the wheel display assembly according to the invention may include an illuminating device 20 for illumination of all or a portion of the wheel display assembly. The illuminating device 20 may be utilized, for example, for increased safety, emergency lighting, police or other bicycle identification, or for advertising purposes. The illuminating device 20 may be, for example, an electroluminescent film applied to the front or back of the outer convex disk 8, or behind the

protective cover 21. Alternatively, the illuminating device 20 may be one or more light emitting diodes placed on the exterior face of the outer convex disk 8, or on the interior portion of the convex disk 8 behind the protective cover 21. In one implementation, a flexible grid of colored light emitting diodes may be used as the illuminating device 20, Alternatively, individually placed light emitting diodes may be used. The illuminating device 20 ma}' be powered and controlled by one or more of any known means. For example, the illuminating device 20 may use disposable or rechargeable batteries, In addition or alternatively, the device may be powered by solar energy using solar panels known in the art, The illuminating device 20 may also use known control systems. For example, a simple switch may be used to rum the illuminating device on or off, The switch may be actuated in one or more of a number of ways, such as, for example, using a light sensor so that the illuminating device automatically actuates when the lighting in the given environment is sufficiently low or dim. Alternatively a physical switch actuated by a user may be used. Instead of or in addition to a switch, a control circuit may be used to actuate the illuminating device depending on particular conditions. For example, a microprocessor may be included to control the illuminating device 20. Alternatively a hardwired control circuit ma}' be used.

[0030] Any of the power and control components (not shown) for the illuminating device 20 that may be useful or necessary as discussed above may be located directly on to a circuit board shared by or adjacent to the LEDs or other light source. Alternatively, the power and control components may be centralized within the bicycle frame 26. For example, low voltage power cables sent to each wheel display assembly may be ro uted along or within the bicycle frame 26, where a battery and/or controller may be located. The cables may further run within the inside of the respective retainer assembly 22 to the illuminating device 20,

[0031] Alternatively, or in addition to the illuminating device 20, as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, a reflective or luminescent material may be added to the surface of the non -rotating outer convex disk 8, The reflective or luminescent material may, for example, have identifying text or indicia 27 (e.g., "POLICE"), and would be MgMy visible during dusk or night-time operation of the bicycle. The text or indicia 27 may also comprise an electroluminescent film as discussed above with respect to the illuminating device 20.

[0032] As further shown in the figures, an implementation of the wheel display assembly of the invention, a retainer assembly 22 may be added to hold the protective cover 21 in place and centered. Additionally, the retainer assembly 22 may be used as a safety device to help hold the wheel display assembly together so that the structure and/or stability of the overall

wheel display assembly is less dependant upon the bearing assembly 12 and the over -molding strength thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the retainer assembly 22 may include a top portion 22a having a plastic (such as, for example, PVC or polycarbonate) cylinder having an outside radius that slides through the inside radius of the bearing assembly 12, The top portion 22a may have a circular stop that rests at the outermost surface of the overall wheel display assembly. Once the cylinder of the upper portion 22a of the retainer assembly 22 passes through the various other components of the wheel display assembly as illustrated in FIG, 7, the upper portion 22a is attached to a lower circular stop portion 22b. The upper portion 22a and the back circular stop portion 22b may be attached by attachment means known in the art, including for example, an adhesive, an attachment solvent, or by sonic welding. Further, depending on the desired life and use of the wheel display assembly, the retainer assembly 22 may have fluoropolymer, UHMW sleeves, or similar lubricating components applied at external friction surfaces.

[0033] Referring further to FIG. 7, FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of the wheel display assembly of FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG. 7 , the wheel display assembly generally includes five major components; a base disk 9, having a turned up circumferential edge and a center hole to accept a bicycle wheel hub and skewer 15. A plurality of recessed holes 13 to attach to a like assembly via some welding or mechanical fasteners is also provided.

[0034] A bearing assembly 12 may be molded into the base disk 9 and circular outer convex disk 8 at the time of forming. The bearing 12 is then attached to one another by simply pushing the two together as seen again in FIG. 6. The bearing 12 enables the disk to turn freely with out wear or friction. A retaining mechanism made of PVC is mechanically fastened to the circular outer convex disk 8 and the bicycle frame member 16 to hold the outer disk in a iidged and upright position making the graphic readable at all times.

[0035] The outer convex disk 8 of the invention may include a design printed thereon so as to display advertising or graphic images on the outer face, or the inner face and back wheel mounted disc, in the event that the outer convex disks 8 are manufactured from a clear substrate. Because of the display capability of the disks 8, 9, they may be referred to herein as display disks. Display disks may range in diameter to accommodate various wheel sizes from small children's bicycles to adult sized bicycles, so as to completely cover the spoke area of the wheel to the inner rim edge. The outward facing display disk may also be cut into various shapes depicting products or images and in turn the shapes attached to the iidged adjustable retaining mechanism/bicycle frame member.

[0036] The foregoing description of implementations has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, It is not exhaustive and does not limit the claimed inventions to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or ma}' be acquired from practicing the invention.