GB2243207A - Direction indicator apparatus - Google Patents
Direction indicator apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2243207A GB2243207A GB9108352A GB9108352A GB2243207A GB 2243207 A GB2243207 A GB 2243207A GB 9108352 A GB9108352 A GB 9108352A GB 9108352 A GB9108352 A GB 9108352A GB 2243207 A GB2243207 A GB 2243207A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- box
- indicators
- bicycle
- direction indicator
- vehicle direction
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
- B62J6/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices on cycles; Mounting or supporting thereof; Circuits therefor
- B62J6/05—Direction indicators
- B62J6/055—Electrical means, e.g. lamps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Q1/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor
- B60Q1/26—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
- B60Q1/34—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction
- B60Q1/38—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps
- B60Q1/381—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic for indicating change of drive direction using immovably-mounted light sources, e.g. fixed flashing lamps with several light sources activated in sequence, e.g. to create a sweep effect
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Lighting Device Outwards From Vehicle And Optical Signal (AREA)
Abstract
This invention relates to vehicle direction indicator apparatus, comprising forward and rear, left and right indicators 1, 2, 3 each of which is formed in the shape of an arrow which points in the relevant direction. In use, illumination means periodically back light the particular indicator 1, 2, 3, to indicate a change of direction. In a preferred embodiment the forward indicators 1 are provided on separate first boxes 4 attached by a bracket to respective sides of the bicycle. Further, the rear indicators 2, 3 are provided on a second box 8 attachable to the bicycle by another bracket. The rear indicators 2, 3 may be separated by a tail light and the illumination means a series of LED's which light up consecutively. <IMAGE>
Description
Direction Indicator Apparatus This invention relates to a vehicle direction indication apparatus and in particular to such an apparatus for use on bicycles.
Direction indicator apparatus for bicycles are known, but have to date suffered from various problems such as complexity of construction and installation and high cost.
A further problem with known apparatus is that, particularly in darkened surroundings, it is difficult for a person either in front or behind the bicycle to distinguish which indicator lamp is flashing, either left or right, and therefore to identify which direction the cyclist intends to turn.
An object of the present invention is therefore to obviate or mitigate the disadvantages mentioned above.
Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a vehicle direction indicator apparatus comprising forward and rear, left and right, indicators each indicator being formed in the shape of an arrow which points in the relevant direction and means to illuminate the appropriate forward and rear arrows to indicate a change of direction.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention suitable for use on a bicycle each of the forward indicators is provided on the front face of a box, each box being positioned on the respective side of the handlebar of the bicycle, with the front faces facing forward, each box providing switch means to actuate the illumination means of the respective forward and rear indicators.
Also in the preferred embodiment the rear left and right indicators are provided on the rear face of another box, said box being positioned to the rear of the saddle of the bicycle.
Preferably, power means are provided within the rear box for supplying electrical power to the illumination means of each of the indicators.
Preferably also, each indicator is made from a translucent material such as perspex suitably coloured, eg.
orange, and may be back illuminated by means of light emitting means positioned within the respective box at a position behind the indicator.
Preferably also the rear box is attached to the frame of the bicycle by means of a bracket which allows the rear box to be mounted below the saddle of the bicycle
Preferably also, the light emitting means are powered by a battery supply provided within the rear box, the light emitting means of each front indicator being supplied with electrical power from the battery by means of a wire electrically connected to the rear box and to the respective front box by means of two electrical sockets provided on the respective boxes.
According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a vehicle direction indicator apparatus suitable for use on a bicycle comprising forward and rear, left and right, indicators each of the forward indicators being provided on the front face of a box, each box being positioned on the respective side of the handlebar of the bicycle, each box providing switch means to actuate the illumination means of the respective forward and rear indicators, the rear left and right indicators being provided on the rear face of another box, said box being positioned to the rear of the saddle of the bicycle and further including means for supplying electrical power to the illumination means of each of the indicators.
In a first modification to the apparatus suitable for use on a bicycle the rear left and right indicators are provided on the rear face of a box, there being further provided between the rear left and right indicators a tail light or reflector.
The tail light is preferably made from a translucent material such as perspex suitably coloured, eg. red, and may be back illuminated by means of light emitting means positioned within the box at a position behind the tail light.
Preferably the tail light illumination means are supplied with electrical power from the same power means which supply electrical power to the illumination means of each of the indicators.
In a second modification of the apparatus suitable for use on a bicycle the forward left and right indicators may be provided on the front face of a box.
In a third modification of the apparatus suitable for use on a bicycle each rear indicator may be provided on the rear face of a respective box, each box being positioned to the rear of the saddle of the bicycle on respective sides of the frame of the bicycle.
The power means for supplying electrical power to the illumination means of each of the indicators may be provided within one of the boxes on which one of the indicators is provided, or alternatively in a separate box preferably positioned below the saddle of the bicycle.
In a fourth modification to the apparatus the illumination means for each direction indicator arrow comprises a plurality of light sources, eg. LED's, provided along the length of the arrow such that in use the plurality of light sources sequentially illuminate from the base to the tip of the arrow.
The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings which are:
Fig. 1 a perspective view from the front and above of a first box incorporating a forward left indicator according to the present invention;
Fig. 2 a rear view of the box of fig. 1;
Fig. 3 a perspective view from the front and above of a third box incorporating rear left and right indicators according to the present invention; and
Fig. 4 a rear view of the box of fig. 3.
Referring to the drawings there is provided a direction indicator system comprising a forward left indicator 1, a forward right indicator (not shown), a rear left indicator 2 and a rear right indicator 3. Each indicator 1, 2, 3 is formed in the shape of an arrow which points in the direction of indication.
The forward left indicator 1 is provided on the front face of a first box 4. On the topmost surface of the first box 4 is provided an on-off switch 5 and a sensor light 6.
The box 4 is attached to the left-hand side of the handlebar of a bicycle at a suitable position thereon by means of a bracket (not shown) and bracket holder 7 provided on the rear face of the box 4 such that the forward left indicator 1 faces forward.
The forward right indicator is provided on the front face of another first box (not shown), the other first box further providing an on-off switch and a sensor light, the box being attached to the right-hand side of the handlebar of the bike at a suitable position thereon in a similar manner to the first box 4.
The rear left and right indicators 2, 3 are provided on either side of the front face of a second box 8.
The second box 8 is attached to the frame of the bicycle at a position below the saddle of the bicycle by means of an extendible bracket (not shown) and a bracket holder 9 provided on the rear face of the box 8 such that the rear left and right indicators 2, 3 face rearward.
Each indicator 1, 2, 3 may be made from a suitable material such as perspex and may be suitably coloured, eg.
orange. Each box 4, 8 may be made from, eg. a mouldable plastic material, and the extendible bracket from, eg. nylon or plastic.
Each indicator 1, 2, 3 may further be back illuminated by light emitting means (not shown) provided within the respective boxes 4, 8, the light emitting means being electrically powered by a battery (not shown) provided within the third box.
The light emitting means provided within the first boxes 4, may be connected to the battery by means of first and second wires respectively. The first wire is connected to the battery by means of a first socket 10 provided on the rear face of the second box 8, and to the light emitting means within the first box 4 by means of a second socket 11 provided on the rear face of the first box 4.
The second wire is connected to the battery by means of a third socket 12 provided on the rear surface of the second box, and to the light emitting means within the other first box by means of a fourth socket provided on the rear face of the other first box.
In this way the first and second wires may be adapted to a length suitable for use with any bicycle.
Typically the first box 4 will be around 4will x 2i" x 1 (114.3 mm x 63.5 mm x 38.1 mm) in size, the indicator arrow 1 being around 3" long and being centrally positioned on the front face of the box 1. The other first box will be similarly dimensioned. The second box 8 will be around 11" x 2i" x 5" (279.4 mm x 63.5 mm x 127.0 mm) in size, the rear indicators 2, 3 also being around 3" (76.2 mm) long.
In use, a cyclist intending to turn left would flick on the on-off switch 5. Control electronics (not shown) may be provided either within the first box 4 or the third box 8 which chill subsequently control the rate at which the illumination means provided behind the forward and rear left indicators 1, 2 will flash. The cyclist will be given a visual indication of the direction indicators 1, 2 operating by means of the sensor light 6. The control electronics may further operate in such a way that if either of the illumination means provided behind the forward and rear left indicators 1, 2 are faulty then the sensor light 6 will indicate this, eg. by not illuminating.
A self-cancelling mechanism may be provided such that when the bicycle has completed turning left the switch 5 is switched off. Alternatively the cyclist may manually switch off the switch 5.
If the cyclist intended to turn right he would similarly switch on the switch provided on the second box so back illuminating the forward and rear right indicators by means of the illumination means provided behind the respective indicators.
The embodiment of the invention disclosed herein provides a particularly simple and easily installed vehicle direction indication system. It should, however, be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention is given by way of example only and that other modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. Particularly it should be understood that the invention can be used on vehicles other than bicycles, eg.
tricycles or motorcycles.
It should also be understood that the front indicators 1 may be positioned other than on the handlebars, eg. on the front fork, while the switches 5 providing manual control are positioned on respective sides of the handlebar. It should further be understood that, particularly in the case of use on tricycles, the rear indicators 2, 3 may be provided on separate boxes suitably positioned on respective sides, the power supply being positioned within another box below the saddle.
Also, the illumination means for each indicator 1, 2, 3 may be a plurality of LED's arranged behind the indicator which, in use, are controlled by control electronics, such that the LED's light up consecutively from the base to the tip of the arrow. Finally, the rear indicators 2, 3 on the rear second box 8 may be separated by a tail light to aid in distinguishing which one is in operation.
Claims (17)
1. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus comprising forward and rear, left and right, indicators each indicator being formed in the shape of an arrow which points in the relevant direction, and means to illuminate the appropriate forward and rear arrows to indicate a change of direction.
2. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in claim 1, particularly suitable for use on a bicycle, wherein, each of the forward indicators is provided on the front face of a respective first box, each first box having means for positioning it on the respective side of the handlebar of the bicycle, with the front faces facing forward, each first box further providing switch means to actuate the illumination means of the respective forward and rear indicators.
3. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, particularly suitable for use on a bicycle, wherein the forward left and right indicators are provided on the front face of a first box, the first box having means for positioning it on the front of the bicycle, with the front face facing forward, the first box further providing switch means to actuate the illumination means of the respective forward and rear indicators.
4. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 3 inclusive, particularly suitable for use on a bicycle, wherein the rear left and right indicators are provided on the rear face of a second box, said second box having means for positioning it to the rear of the saddle of the bicycle.
5. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 3 inclusive, particularly suitable for use on a bicycle, wherein, each rear indicator is provided on the rear face of a respective second box, each second box having means for positioning it to the rear of the saddle of the bicycle on the respective side of the frame of the bicycle.
6. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 5 inclusive, wherein, power means for supplying electrical power to the illumination means of each of the indicators is provided within one of the boxes on which one of the indicators is provided.
7. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 5 inclusive, wherein, power means for supplying electrical power to the illumination means of each of the indicators is provided within one separate box.
8. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 7 inclusive, wherein, each indicator is made from a suitably coloured translucent material, and is, in use, back illuminated by the illumination means in the form of light emitting means positioned within the respective box at a position behind the indicator.
9. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 8 inclusive, wherein, the positioning means is capable of being attached to the frame of the bicycle 2 means of a bracket positioned below the saddle of the bicycle which allows the rear box to be mounted below the saddle.
10. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9 inclusive, wherein, the power means is in the form of a battery supply provided within said one box, the light emitting means of each front indicator being supplied with electrical power from the battery by means of a wire electrically connected to said one box and to the other boxes by means of electrical sockets provided on the respective boxes.
11. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus suitable for use on a bicycle comprising forward and rear, left and right, indicators each of the forward indicators being provided on the front face of first boxes, each first box having means for positioning it on the respective side of the handlebar of the bicycle, each first box further providing switch means to actuate the illumination means of the respective forward and rear indicators, the rear left and right indicators being provided on the rear face of a second box, said second box having means for positioning it to the rear of the saddle of the bicycle, and further including power means for supplying electrical power to the illumination means of each of the indicators.
12. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in any of claims 4 to 11 inclusive, wherein, the rear left and right indicators are provided on the rear face of a second box, said second box having means for positioning it to the rear of the saddle of the bicycle, there being provided between the rear left and right indicators a tail light or reflector.
13. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein, the tail light is made from a suitably coloured translucent material which can be, in use, back illuminated by means of further light emitting means positioned within the box at a position behind the tail light.
14. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein, the tail light emitting means are supplied with electrical power from the same power means which supply electrical power to the iliinaticn means of each of the indicators.
15. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein, the illumination means for each direction indicator arrow comprises a plurality of light sources provided along the length of the arrow, wherein, in use, the plurality of light sources sequentially illuminate from the base to the tip of the arrow.
16. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as claimed in preceding claim, wherein, left and right indicator sensor means are provided on the top surface of the first box(es), wherein, in use, said sensor means illuminate when the corresponding indicator illuminates.
17. Vehicle direction indicator apparatus as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GB909008700A GB9008700D0 (en) | 1990-04-18 | 1990-04-18 | Direction indicator apparatus |
GB909014641A GB9014641D0 (en) | 1990-07-02 | 1990-07-02 | Direction indicator apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
GB9108352D0 GB9108352D0 (en) | 1991-06-05 |
GB2243207A true GB2243207A (en) | 1991-10-23 |
Family
ID=26296953
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
GB9108352A Withdrawn GB2243207A (en) | 1990-04-18 | 1991-04-18 | Direction indicator apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
GB (1) | GB2243207A (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2292450A (en) * | 1994-08-16 | 1996-02-21 | Sepe Sehati | Safety device for a vehicle |
AT1897U1 (en) * | 1996-11-21 | 1998-01-26 | Boesch Hermann Franz Josef | DIRECTION INDICATORS |
GB2328010A (en) * | 1997-08-05 | 1999-02-10 | Mark Huthert | Vehicle indicator light indicating straight ahead |
GB2329957A (en) * | 1997-10-01 | 1999-04-07 | Ridge David Alexandre Mestres | Position and indicator lights for bicycles |
WO2008122208A1 (en) * | 2007-04-06 | 2008-10-16 | Kikin Wong | Direction indicator for vehicle |
Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2271075A1 (en) * | 1973-12-28 | 1975-12-12 | Nicou Gerard | Vehicle universal indicator device - has lamps plus green arrows which can flash alternately via bistable circuits |
GB1545678A (en) * | 1977-05-25 | 1979-05-10 | Sander B | Vehicle traffic indicator |
US4431984A (en) * | 1981-03-05 | 1984-02-14 | Bileck Carl L | Signal system for vehicles |
FR2581942A3 (en) * | 1985-02-13 | 1986-11-21 | Bernard Robert | Direction-changing warning light |
EP0224410A1 (en) * | 1985-10-30 | 1987-06-03 | Henri Machetel | Direction indicator for lorries |
ZA879677B (en) * | 1986-09-23 | 1988-08-31 | Acci Lite Proprietary Limited | Signalling apparatus |
US4801917A (en) * | 1987-10-06 | 1989-01-31 | Winterfeld Donald E | Turn signal apparatus |
US4954808A (en) * | 1989-08-07 | 1990-09-04 | Dorothy I. Duerkob | Eye level rear mounted lighted turn and stop signal for vehicles |
-
1991
- 1991-04-18 GB GB9108352A patent/GB2243207A/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2271075A1 (en) * | 1973-12-28 | 1975-12-12 | Nicou Gerard | Vehicle universal indicator device - has lamps plus green arrows which can flash alternately via bistable circuits |
GB1545678A (en) * | 1977-05-25 | 1979-05-10 | Sander B | Vehicle traffic indicator |
US4431984A (en) * | 1981-03-05 | 1984-02-14 | Bileck Carl L | Signal system for vehicles |
FR2581942A3 (en) * | 1985-02-13 | 1986-11-21 | Bernard Robert | Direction-changing warning light |
EP0224410A1 (en) * | 1985-10-30 | 1987-06-03 | Henri Machetel | Direction indicator for lorries |
ZA879677B (en) * | 1986-09-23 | 1988-08-31 | Acci Lite Proprietary Limited | Signalling apparatus |
US4801917A (en) * | 1987-10-06 | 1989-01-31 | Winterfeld Donald E | Turn signal apparatus |
US4954808A (en) * | 1989-08-07 | 1990-09-04 | Dorothy I. Duerkob | Eye level rear mounted lighted turn and stop signal for vehicles |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB2292450A (en) * | 1994-08-16 | 1996-02-21 | Sepe Sehati | Safety device for a vehicle |
AT1897U1 (en) * | 1996-11-21 | 1998-01-26 | Boesch Hermann Franz Josef | DIRECTION INDICATORS |
GB2328010A (en) * | 1997-08-05 | 1999-02-10 | Mark Huthert | Vehicle indicator light indicating straight ahead |
GB2328010B (en) * | 1997-08-05 | 2001-10-10 | Mark Huthert | Vehicle exterior indicating lights |
GB2329957A (en) * | 1997-10-01 | 1999-04-07 | Ridge David Alexandre Mestres | Position and indicator lights for bicycles |
WO2008122208A1 (en) * | 2007-04-06 | 2008-10-16 | Kikin Wong | Direction indicator for vehicle |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB9108352D0 (en) | 1991-06-05 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |