GB2497911A

GB2497911A - Bicycle safety device

Info

Publication number: GB2497911A
Application number: GB1308238.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neal Maurice Rose; Pierre Proner
Original assignee: CYCLE GUARDIAN Ltd
Current assignee: CYCLE GUARDIAN Ltd
Priority date: 2013-05-08
Filing date: 2013-05-08
Publication date: 2013-06-26
Also published as: GB201308238D0

Abstract

A bicycle safety device 10 comprises detection means 12 adapted to be mounted to a bicycle or rider for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle, alert means 16 adapted to be mounted to the bicycle or rider for alerting the driver of the motor vehicle to the presence of the bicycle, and projection means 18 for projecting a boundary line (22, figure 2) onto a road surface around the bicycle, the boundary line at least in part surrounding the bicycle. The means for alerting the approaching driver may be a radio transmitter. The detection means 12 may detect the speed of an approaching vehicle and adjust the size of the projected boundary line 22 accordingly.

Description

BECYCLE SAFETY DEVICE

The present invention relates to a safety device for a bicycle.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In many areas, cyclists share a road with motor vehicles. Even where separate cycle paths are provided, many cyclists prefer to use the road as it is generally better maintained and has a smoother surface. Also, cyclists using a cycle path alongside a major road arc often required to give way at every junction with a minor road.

Cycling on the road is therefore preferable to make good progress.

Cycling on a road, however, can be risky. Cyclists generally travel at a slower speed than motor vehicles, and will therefore be regulafly overtaken. Cyclists can be difficult for drivers to see, especially at night and especially by drivers of large vehicles such as coaches and lorries, which have a fairly large "blind spot" along the side of the vehicle, especially just in front of, or just behind or alongside the driver's cab or driver's seat. Drivers of vehicles with a left-hand drive operating in a "drive on the left" country and vice-versa may find it particularly difficult to observe and avoid cyclists. Collisions between motor vehicles and cyclists are therefore reasonably common, and can result in serious or fatal injury.

It is known lo provide a detection arrangement on large vehicles for detecting cyclists in the blind spot alongside the vehicle and alerting the driver to their presence.

However, it is up to the operators of the large vehicles to install such a system. Whilst operators of large fleets may choose to do so, smaller operators may find the cost prohibitive. Owners of passenger cars are not incentivised to install the device, and take-up is likely to be minimal. Some known systems require a transmitting unit to be mounted to the bicycle in addition to detection means on the large vehicle. Cyclists, knowing of the limited take-up amongst motor vehicle drivers, are likely to be reluctant to spend money on a device which will be of limited utility, and which will have a limited chance of offering effective protection in practice.

I

Even where a driver of a motor vehicle and a cyclist are aware of each other's presence, an accident may still occur if the driver of the motor vehicle misjudges the space available to him when overtaking the cyclist, or when pulling away from a stationary position, especially at a junction.

It is an object of the invention to reduce or substantially obviate the above mentioned problems.

STATEMENT OF INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a bicycle safety device comprising detection means adapted to be mounted to a bicycle for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle, alert means adapted to be mounted to the bicycle for alerting the driver of the motor vehicle to the presence of the bicycle, and projection means for projecting a boundary line onto a road surface around the bicycle, the boundary line defining an area on the road surface.

At least a part of the bicycle may be within the area defined by the boundary line.

Alternatively, the boundary line may define an area immediately next to the bicycle.

The bicycle safety device protects a cyclist by detecting motor vehicles and causing an alert (for example, a loud horn) when a motor vehicle is detected. The device is completely stand-alone, and requires no external hardware to operate. In particular, no special devices need to be installed within motor vehicles for the bicycle safety device to work effectively. The alert means alerts the driver of the motor vehicle to the presence of the bicycle, and also alerts the cyclist to the presence of the motor vehicle.

In use, the safety device is mounted to a bicycle in the sense that the safety device moves with the bicycle whilst the bicycle is being ridden. It is therefore contemplated that embodiments of the invention may include detection means andior alert means which are secured to the rider's helmet or other clothing. However, in the most preferable embodiment the device is mounted to the bicycle frame.

I

The projcction means definc a "virtual no-go area" around the bicycle, so that it is easy for drivers of motor vehicles to identify a safe clearance around the cyclist.

This is particularly important when a driver is contemplating overtaking the cyclist on a single carriageway, where traffic is coming in the other direction in the opposite lane. The projection means may shine a circle, partial circle, or other shape of light onto the road surface around or next to the bicycle, the boundary line being defined by the extent of the field of light. Alternatively, a line may be projected by, for example, lasers, which could be moving in a circular pattern to highlight the "virtual no-go area" on the road.

The projected boundary line may be static relative to the bicycle, or it may have flashing or other moving patterns of lights, for example, a circular "chase" pattern of lights going round in a circle. In this way, a moving pattern may be created on the road surface, making the cyclist and the no-go area even more noticeable to drivers.

The area defined by the boundary line may comprise a series of concentric circles of different colours. For example, an outer "green zone" may surround an intermediate "amber zone" and an inner "red zone".

The bicycle may be a pushbike, electric bicycle, or a motorcycle. The detection means may be adapted to detect the presence of passenger cars, vans, tmcks, lorries, coaches and any other motor vehicles. The sensitivity of the detection means may be adjustable, for example, so that a user can set the detection means to detect large vans and lorries but not cars.

The detection means may be adapted to detect not only the presence, but also the speed of motor vehicles. A device having detection means with such capabilities may be user-configurable to cause an alert only when vehicles arc travelling at above a pre-determined speed. This configuration may be combined with the configurable vehicle size sensitivity, so that, for example, all HGVs would be detected, but passenger cars would only be detected if travelling at above Sokph, or any other predetermined threshold.

This adjustability is useful, since it allows the user to define how much alerting is required. The effectiveness of the alerting system is thus improved, because unwanted alerts are filtered out.

The projection means may project a boundary line defining an area which is centred on the bicycle. Alternatively, the area defined by the boundary line may extend more to one side of the bicycle than to the other side. In a country where vehicles drive on the left hand side of the road, the projected boundary line may extend further away from the bicycle to the rider's right, defining a clearance limit for passing traffic. In a country where vehicles drive on the right, a greater clearance will be required to the cyclist's left. The projection means may therefore be user-adjustable for use in left-hand-and right-hand-drive countries.

In one embodiment, the boundary line is centred on the rear wheel of the bicycle, and extends around 0.75m in all directions, forming a circle of diameter l.5m around the rear wheel. However, the boundary line may define any other similar size, and may be of a shape other than a circle.

The projection means may be activated automatically when a motor vehicle is detected by the detection means. Alternatively or additionally, the projection means may be activated manually by a cyclist-operated switch.

If a vehicle is detected within the area defined by the boundary line, then further alert means may be activated. For example, a louder alarm may be sounded, or a voice alert warning the driver to keep clear may be activated.

The extent of the boundary line from the bicycle may be dependent on the detected speed of the detected motor vehicle. Where a motor vehicle is travelling faster, the "no-go area" defined by the boundary line should be larger, since vehicles travelling faster take longer to stop, airflow forces on the cyclist are weater, and therefore a greater safety margin is required.

The alert means may be a loud horn, similar to a car horn. The alert means may alternatively or additionally be a flashing light or other visual alert. In fact, the alert means may include the projection means.

The alert means may be adjustable, for example, the pitch and volume of the sound may be set by the user. The alert means serve not only to alert motor vehicle drivers, but also to make the cyclist aware of a motor vehicle in the vicinity.

The device may be powered by batteries, and the batteries may be adapted to be mounted to the frame of the bicycle. A dynamo may be provided for keeping the batteries charged, making use of energy generated by the motion of the bicycle.

The detection means may be provided by radar, visible light, or infra-red sensors, including laser sensors. The detection means may alternatively comprise microphones to listen to sounds surrounding the bicycle, and processing means for detecting the characteristic sound of a vehicle engine.

Translucent guards may be provided around the detection means, for protecting the detection means from water and mud.

Transmitting means may be included to transmit an alert signal to a receiver in a motor vehicle. In this way, use can be made of existing cycle alert systems which are installed in vehicles, especially HGVs. New types of in-cab unit may also be installed in HGVs to receive the signal from the transmitter. Since the bicycle safety device has many features which operate without the need for in-cab units, initial take-up by cyclists will be substantially improved. This in turn will increase the motivation for HGV operators to install in-cab units, which in time may become a standard safety feature on large vehicles.

An in-cab device may provide a more noticeable alert to drivers who have one installed, especially in large vehicles where the position of the driver is higher up and flirther from the road, and where the sound of a horn will inevitably be attenuated by distance. In a preferred arrangement, an external magnetic receiver is attached externally of the vehicle, for example, outside the cab. This obviates the need to make alterations to the vehicle, but also enhances the sound transmission to the cab.

Where a cyclist comes within the vicinity of a vehicle (for example, an HGV) fitted with a vehicle-mounted or in-cab unit, the alert means on the cycle-mounted device and the alert means on the vehicle-mounted device will both be activated.

The vehicle-mounted or in-cab unit may include means for detecting bicycles which are not fitted with a transmitting device. In this way, a vehicle fitted with a vehicle-mounted unit may alert a cyclist, and a cycle fitted with the bicycle safety device may alert a vehicle driver. Only one of the vehicle and the bicycle needs to be fitted with specialist cquipment.

The safety device therefore provides the best possible protection to the cyclist, by combining the advantages of a transmitting / receiving arrangement which relies on in-vehicle or surface-mounted hardware, with the advantages of a stand-alone cycle-mounted device which will alert drivers of any motor vehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a schematic of one embodiment of a bicycle safety device according to the present invention; and Figure 2 shows a plan view from above of a bicycle fitted with the bicycle safety device of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a modular block diagram of a bicycle safety device is shown. The safety device 10 comprises detection means 12, which is provided by a laser rangefinder, a processing unit 14, alert means 16 provided by a siren, projection means 18, and a transmitter 20.

In use, the safety device 10 is installed on a bicycle. The detection means monitors the area surrounding the bicycle, and feeds a signal to the processing unit 14. When a motor vehicle is detected by the detection means 12, the processing unit 14 causes the siren 16 and the projector 18 to activate. The result is that, when a motor vehicle is within the vicinity of the bicycle, the driver of the motor vehicle will be alerted by the siren 16 to the presence of the bicycle. In addition, the projector 18 is activated to show a boundary line around the bicycle, defining a "virtual no-go area" for the driver of the motor vehicle.

The transmitter 20 continuously transmits a signal to receiving units which may be mounted in the cab of motor vehicles, especially HGVs. In this embodiment, the transmifter continuously transmits, ensuring that suitably equipped motor vehicles will detect the presence of a cyclist even where the detection means 12 of the safety device 10 fail to detect the motor vehicle. However, it is also envisaged that where the detection means 12 are sufficiently reliable, the transmitter 20 may be controlled by the processor 14 so that it is only activated when a motor vehicle is detected. This may considerably improve the battery life of the safety device.

Referring now to Figure 2, a bicycle fined with the safety device 10 is seen from above. In particular, the effect of the projector 18, when activated, can be seen in this Figure. The projector 18 shines a light downwardly from the bicycle, onto the road surface. The effect of this is that a circle or ring of light 22 surrounds the bicycle, extending around 1 Sm behind and to the sides of the bicycle defining a safety distance between the bicycle and the vehicle.

Although not shown in the figures, a vehicle-mounted receiver is provided. The vehicle-mounted receiver includes a radio receiver for receiving a signal from the transmitter 20, and an alert means for alerting the driver of the vehicle to which the receiver is mounted. The alert means may be a horn or other sounder. Although alert means are already provided on the bicycle, providing further alert means in the receiving unit increases the chance that the driver will be alerted, especially in a vehicle where the cab is some distance from the ground, for example in a lorry.

A battery-low alert means is provided on the bicycle safety device, which may be in the form of a warning lamp, which may be mounted to the handlebars of the bicycle.

Similarly, a battery-low alert means may be provided on the vehicle-mounted receiver.

Advantageously, solar chargers may be incorpontted into the bicycle safety device and/or the vehicle mounted receiver, for continuously charging the batteries.

The vehicle-mounted receiver includes a magnetic attachment means for securing the receiver to an outside surface of a vehicle. The receiver can therefore be attached without damaging or modifying the vehicle bodywork.

The safety device serves to warn drivers of motor vehicles of the presence of cyclists, and also to warn cyclists of the presence of motor vehicles. The safety device further protects the cyclist by projecting a "virtual no-go area" around the bicycle.

The embodiment described above is provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

S

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMSI. A bicycle safety device comprising detection means adapted to be mounted to a bicycle or cyclist for detecting thc prcscncc of a motor vchiclc, alert means adapled to be mountcd to the bicyclc or cyclist for alerting thc driver of thc motor vchiclc to the prcscncc of the bicyclc, and projection mcans for projecting a boundary line onto a road surface around the bicycle, the boundary linc defining an arca on the road surface.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A bicyclc safcty device as claimed in claim 1, in which at least a part of the bicycle is located within the area defined by the boundary line.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A bicycle safety dcvicc as claimed in claim I or claim 2, in which the alert means is a sounder.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A bicycle safety dcvicc as claimed in claim 3, in which thc sounder is a horn.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the dctcction means and the alert means arc mounted to thc bicycle via thc clothing of a rider.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A bicycic safcty device as claimcd in any of claims 1 to 4, in which the detection means and the alert means are mounted directly to a frame of the bicycle.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A bicycle safcty device as claimed in any of thc preceding claims, in which the projection means comprise a light emitter mounted to the bicycle and adapted to shinc downwardly onto thc road surface.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 7, in which the light emitter is a lamp.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, in which the light emitter is adapted to project a field of light onto the road surface, substantially in the shape ofa part of a circle.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, in which the light emitter is adapted to project a field of light onto the road surface, substantially in the shape of a circle.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8, in which the light emitter is adapted to project a field of light onto the road surface, substantially in the shape of an oval.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which the projection means comprise a laser mounted to the bicycle and adapted to project a line of light onto the road surface.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the bicycle is a pushbike.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 12, in which the bicycle is an electric bicycle.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any of claims I to 12, in which the bicycle is a motorcycle.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the sensitivity of the detection means is user-adjustable.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which means for measuring the speed of detected motor vehicles are provided.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 17, which is configurable to activate the alert means only if a detected motor vehicle is travelling at a speed greater than a preset speed.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the boundary line projected by the projection means defines an area which is centred on the bicycle.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any of claims I to 18, in which the boundary line projected by the projection means defines an area which extends more to one side of the bicycle than to the other side.</claim-text> <claim-text>21. A bicycle safcty device as claimed in claim 20, in which the projcctor is adjustable between a mode in which the projected boundary line defines an area extending more to one side of the bicycle, and a mode in which thc projected boundary line defines an area extending more to the other side of the bicycle.</claim-text> <claim-text>22. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 19, in which the boundary line defines an area centred on the rear wheel of the bicycle, and extending around 0.75m in all directions.</claim-text> <claim-text>23. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the projection means is activated automatically when a vehicle is detected by the detection means.</claim-text> <claim-text>24. A bicycle safety dcvicc as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which a switch is provided for manually activating the projection means.</claim-text> <claim-text>25. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 17, in which the projection means automatically adjusts the extent of the boundary line from the bicycle, depending on the measured speed of the detected motor vehicle.</claim-text> <claim-text>26. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which the detection means include lasers.</claim-text> <claim-text>27. A bicycle safety dcvicc as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which thc detection means include microphones.</claim-text> <claim-text>28. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 27, in which thc detection means further include processing means for detecting the characteristic sound of a vehicle engine.</claim-text> <claim-text>29. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any of the preceding claims, in which a transmitter is included for transmitting an alert signal to a receiver in or on a motor vehicle.</claim-text> <claim-text>30. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 29, in which the transmitter is a radio transmitter.</claim-text> <claim-text>31. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, in which the transmitter transmits an alert signal continuously.</claim-text> <claim-text>32. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 29 or claim 30, in which the transmitter transmits an alert signal only when a motor vehicle is detected by the detection means.</claim-text> <claim-text>33. A bicycle safety device substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>