Illumination – Combined
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-21
2004-06-01
Tso, Laura K. (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Combined
C362S084000, C362S116000, C362S191000, C362S205000, C362S500000, C362S802000, C362S806000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06742913
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the field of accessory decorative lights and, more particularly, to a motion activated light structured for connection to a variety of items to be decorated, particularly to a zipper pull.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Accessory lights of various kinds have become popular for enhancing the appearance of clothing and utilitarian articles. Some such accessory lights may additionally provide added visibility to the wearer in low light conditions, thereby aiding to increase safety.
Colored lights for lighting the undercarriage of a motor vehicle have also become popular, particularly with younger drivers. Similarly, other known accessory lights for vehicles may be connected to a vehicle wheel for producing a lighting effect on the wheel. Some of these lights, for example, may be suitable for mounting onto wheels on bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles and other motor vehicles.
Accessory lights for mounting on vehicle wheels have been known. Some wheel lights mount onto the spokes of a bicycle wheel. Some lights mount onto the air valve stem of a wheel, but are only reflectors not producing emitted light, or require that they be manually switched on and off. Yet other similar lights for mounting on a tire's air valve stem are energized on contact with the valve stem and remain energized for as long as the battery lasts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
With the foregoing in mind, the present invention advantageously provides a motion activated wheel light for a vehicle wheel having an air valve stem, and a connector which engages complimentary threads on the wheel light so as to adapt it for connection to many other articles, besides a vehicle wheel.
The present invention advantageously provides a connector for connecting to an automatic wheel light originally intended for use with a wheel's air valve stem. The novel connector allows the wheel light to be connected to a myriad articles, for example, any article having a zipper pull. key chains, decorative necklaces, and others limited only by the mind of the user.
The wheel light energizes responsive to movement of the device, so that the light is off when there is little or no movement, and turns on when the wearer imparts movement to the light or the article to which it is connected. Such operation provides for extended battery life, and avoids the inconvenience of having to manually turn the wheel light on and off. In addition, the wheel light is inexpensive to manufacture and is useful for enhancing the appearance and visibility of an article, or the wearer of the article.
The light preferably comprises a housing having a connector for connecting the light to a predetermined article; a power source positioned within the housing; a light source positioned within the housing and connected to the power source; and a switch positioned within the housing and connected to the power source and to the light source so as to energize the light source responsive to motion.
The housing provides an enclosure for protecting the other components of the light and, preferably, also serves to connect the light to the article, such as a zipper pull. The housing comprises a material which allows light emitted by the light source to shine through so that it may be seen by a person.
The switch is motion activated, and is responsive to motion energy such as vibration. The light source is energized when the switch is activated, thereby lighting the article to which the light is connected.
The light may comprise an ornamental shape for forming a visually perceptible light image when the light source is energized.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4847735 (1989-07-01), Kawasaki
patent: 5624175 (1997-04-01), Gelormino et al.
patent: 6070997 (2000-06-01), Duke et al.
patent: 6190018 (2001-02-01), Parsons et al.
patent: 6318879 (2001-11-01), Huang
patent: 6334692 (2002-01-01), Hsueh
patent: 6341874 (2002-01-01), Rubin
patent: 6507468 (2003-01-01), Klattenhoff et al.
Allen Dyer Doppelt Milbrath & Gilchrist, P.A.
Tso Laura K.
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