Wheel spinner assembly

Abstract

A wheel spinner for mounting on a rim of a vehicle wheel and enhance ornamental features of a tire. Direct current motors cause rotation of the spinner independently from rotation of the tires. A user operates a remote control for sending a message to the drive motors to regulate the speed and direction of rotation of the spinner independently from the tire rotation. A cover plate secures the spinner to the rim of the vehicle wheel.

1 . A wheel spinner assembly adapted for mounting on a rim of a vehicle wheel, the assembly comprising: 
 a. a spinner member;    b. a bearing assembly capable of rotatively mounting the spinner member on the rim of the vehicle wheel; and    c. drive motors for imparting rotational force on the spinner assembly independently from the vehicle wheel.    
   
   
       2 . The wheel spinner assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a means for remotely controlling operation of said drive motors.  
   
   
       3 . The wheel spinner assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said drive motors control direction and speed of rotation of the spinner assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The wheel spinner assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a power source for operating said drive motors.  
   
   
       5 . The wheel spinner assembly of  claim 4 , wherein said power source is a battery pack operationally connecting said drive motors to a remote control device.  
   
   
       6 . The wheel spinner assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a spinner member provided with a plurality of spokes extending radially from a central hub.  
   
   
       7 . The wheel spinner assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said mounting means comprises a bearing assembly engaging the hub of the spinner member, a ring gear engaging the spinner member on an opposite side from said bearing assembly and a cover plate mounted between the ring gear and the rim of the vehicle wheel and detachably attached to the rim of the vehicle wheel.  
   
   
       8 . The wheel spinner assembly of  claim 7 , wherein each of said drive motors is provided with a drive pinion, each of said pinions extending through the cover plate.  
   
   
       9 . A wheel spinner assembly adapted for mounting on a rim of a vehicle wheel, the assembly comprising: 
 a. a spinner assembly comprising drive motors for imparting rotational force on a spinner assembly independently from the vehicle wheel;    b. a mounting assembly comprising a bearing assembly engaging the hub of the spinner member, a ring gear engaging the spinner member on an opposite side from said bearing assembly and a cover plate mounted between the ring gear and the rim of the vehicle wheel and detachably mountable on the rim of the vehicle wheel; and    c. a remote transmitter and a receiver mounted for an operational connection with the drive motors, said transmitter sending a signal for selecting speed and direction of rotation of the spinner assembly.    
   
   
       10 . The wheel spinner assembly of  claim 9 , wherein said spinner assembly comprises a spinner member provided with a plurality of spokes extending radially from a central hub.  
   
   
       11 . The wheel spinner assembly of  claim 10 , further comprising a host microprocessor and at least one spinner microprocessors.  
   
   
       12 . The wheel spinner assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a GPS receiver operationally connected to said microprocessor.  
   
   
       13 . A wheel spinner assembly, comprising: 
 b. a spinner member having a central opening;    c. a ring gear attached to said spinner member;    d. a bearing assembly positioned in said central opening;    e. at least one motor having a pinion for engaging said ring gear; and    f. a power source for supplying power to said motor;    
   
   
       14 . The wheel spinner assembly in  claim 13  wherein said power source is a battery pack.  
   
   
       15 . The wheel spinner assembly in  claim 13 , further comprising a host microprocessor.  
   
   
       16 . The wheel spinner assembly in  claim 13 , further comprising a spinner microprocessor operationally connected to said motor.  
   
   
       17 . The wheel spinner assembly in  claim 13  further comprising a host microprocessor and a spinner microprocessor, wherein said host microprocessor and said spinner microprocessor are able to communicate with each other.  
   
   
       18 . The wheel spinner assembly in  claim 16 , further comprising an operator interface, wherein said operator interface is able to communicate with said spinner microprocessor.  
   
   
       19 . The wheel spinner assembly in  claim 17 , further comprising an operator interface, wherein said operator interface is able to communicate with said host microprocessor.  
   
   
       20 . The wheel spinner assembly in  claim 18 , wherein said operator interface is a PDA.