Wheel assembly

Abstract

The present invention provides a wheel assembly for a motor vehicle, and the combination of such a wheel assembly mounted to an axle hub of a motor vehicle. The wheel assembly includes a rim portion for supporting a tire and a wheel hub portion that includes a central portion and a connecting portion that radiates from the central portion to the rim portion. A plurality of lug holes are formed in a central portion of the hub through which lug studs pass when a rear side of the central portion is mounted against an axle hub of a motor vehicle. A functioning clock is operatively connected to the wheel hub portion.

1 . A wheel assembly in combination with an axle hub of a motor vehicle, wherein the wheel assembly comprises: 
 a rim portion for supporting a tire;    a wheel hub portion having 
 a central portion provided with a plurality of lug holes through which lug studs extending from the axle hub pass when a rear side of the central portion is mounted against the axle hub, and  
 a connection portion extending from the central portion to the rim portion; and  
   a functioning clock operatively connected to a front side of the wheel hub portion so as to conceal lug nuts tightened down on the lug studs from view.    
   
   
       2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the functioning clock is operatively connected to the front side of the wheel hub portion such that the wheel hub portion can rotate independent of at least a face portion of the functioning clock.  
   
   
       3 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the functioning clock further comprises a bezel portion that frames the face portion, and a transparent or translucent crystal portion that covers and protects the face portion.  
   
   
       4 . The combination of  claim 2  wherein the face portion of the functioning clock further comprises an analog clock having an hour hand and a minute hand.  
   
   
       5 . The combination of  claim 4  wherein the hour hand and minute hand are formed on the face portion by electroluminescent display means.  
   
   
       6 . The combination of  claim 3  wherein the bezel portion is mounted to the connecting portion of the wheel hub portion using at least one lockable fastener.  
   
   
       7 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the wheel hub portion and the rim portion are integrally formed of metal.  
   
   
       8 . The combination of  claim 2  further comprising a light source mounted to the wheel assembly for illuminating the face portion of the functioning clock and a power source mounted to the wheel assembly for providing power to the light source.  
   
   
       9 . The combination of  claim 8  further comprising a controller mounted to the wheel assembly for switching power on and off from the power source to the light source.  
   
   
       10 . The combination of  claim 9  further comprising a motion sensor mounted to the wheel assembly for detecting when the wheel hub portion is rotating and/or a photo sensor mounted to the wheel assembly for detecting when the wheel assembly is in a low light environment, and wherein the controller switches on power from the power source to the light source when the motion sensor detects that the hub is rotating and/or the photo sensor detects that the wheel assembly is in a low light environment.  
   
   
       11 . The combination of  claim 10  wherein the controller does not switch off power from the power source to the light source until a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the motion sensor detects that the wheel hub portion has stopped rotating.  
   
   
       12 . The combination of  claim 9  further comprising a first receiver mounted to the wheel assembly for receiving signals from a hand-held remote control device, and wherein the controller switches power on or off from the power source to the light source based upon the signals received by the first receiver from the hand-held remote control device.  
   
   
       13 . The combination of  claim 9  further comprising a second receiver mounted to the wheel assembly for receiving a time signal transmitted from a time signal transmitting device, and wherein the controller adjusts the time displayed by the functioning clock to match the time signal received by the second receiver.  
   
   
       14 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the wheel hub portion comprises a bracket portion adapted to receive and operatively connect any one of a plurality of interchangeable functional clocks having a different ornamental appearance to the wheel hub portion.  
   
   
       15 . A functioning clock adapted to be received and operatively connected to a wheel hub portion using the bracket of  claim 14 .  
   
   
       16 . The combination of  claim 3  wherein the face portion of the functioning clock is encased within a substantially watertight sealed compartment defined by the bezel portion, the crystal portion and a back case portion connected to the bezel portion.  
   
   
       17 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein the bezel portion is mounted to the connecting portion of the hub and the face portion is provided with a plurality of roller bearings configured to contact an inner annual bearing surface formed in the bezel portion, the back case portion or between the bezel portion and the back case portion, and wherein the inner annular bearing surface thereby supports the face portion of the functioning clock.  
   
   
       18 . The combination of  claim 17  wherein a bottom hemisphere of the face portion is heavier than a top hemisphere of the face portion, the difference in weight being sufficient to maintain the vertical orientation of the face portion notwithstanding rotation of the wheel hub portion.  
   
   
       19 . The combination of  claim 16  wherein the back case is mounted on a rotor supported by a wheel bearing disposed on a spindle extending on an axis of rotation of the wheel hub portion from an adaptor plate secured to the central portion of the wheel hub portion.  
   
   
       20 . The combination of  claim 19  wherein a bottom hemisphere of the back case is heavier than a top hemisphere of the back case, the difference in weight being sufficient to inhibit the back case from rotating when the wheel hub portion is rotating.