GB2322694A

GB2322694A - Direction indicating apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2322694A
Application number: GB9704105A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Campbell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-02-27
Filing date: 1997-02-27
Publication date: 1998-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2017-02-27
Also published as: GB2322694B; GB9704105D0

Abstract

Direction indicating apparatus for a vehicle, for example a bicycle (10), comprises front and rear consoles (13,14) adapted to be removably located on the bicycle (10), each console (13,14) having a central light source (15) and indicator light sources (16,17) on either side of the central light source (15). The indicator light sources (16,17) are included in an electrical circuit which also includes a switch (20). The indicator light sources (16,17) are adapted selectively to operate in a regular pulsating manner when the switch (20) is operated.

Description

Direction Indicating Apparatus This invention relates to direction indicating apparatus for a vehicle, for example a bicycle.

Generally, hand signalling is the only method of direction indicating for a cyclist. However, hand signalling can often be a destabilising operation to perform effectively, especially when cycling slowly, travelling in busy traffic or cycling uphill. Furthermore hand signalling can often go unseen by other road users when light levels are low.

It is desirable, therefore, to provide direction indicating apparatus which will provide hands-free indicating for cyclists.

However, a problem associated with bicycles is that accessories are easily removable and stolen.

Therefore, it is also desirable to provide hands-free direction indicating apparatus in which at least a portion thereof is easily detachable from a bicycle so that it can be removed by an owner of the bicycle.

According to the present invention, there is provided direction indicating apparatus for a vehicle comprising indicating light sources for indicating left and right-hand turning of the vehicle and a console carrying the indicating light sources wherein the console is adapted to be removably secured to the vehicle.

In this manner, valuable components of the apparatus may easily be removed by the owner when not required.

Following is a description by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, of one method of carrying the invention into effect.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle provided with an embodiment of apparatus in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a diagram of an electrical circuit of the apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Referring now to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a bicycle 10 having handle bars 11 and a seat post 12. The bicycle is provided with a front console 13 and a rear console 14 located respectively on the handle bars 11 and the seat post 12. Each console 13,14 is of elongate configuration and includes a central light source, shown at 15 for the front console 13, and two indicating light sources, shown at 16,17 for the front console 13, for indicating turning to the left and right respectively. The front console 13 is located on the handle bars 11 by means of a bracket 18 and the rear console 14 is located on the seat post 12 by means of a bracket 19. The indicating light sources 16,17 of the front console 13 are connected in an electrical circuit which also includes the indicating light sources of the rear console 14 and operation of the indicating light sources of the two consoles 13,14 is effected by means of a three position thumb switch 20 located on the handle bars 11 for turning from a first "off" position to a second "left-turn" position or a third "rightturn" position.

Referring now to Figure 2 of the drawings, the front console 13 is shown detached from the bracket 18 on the handle bars 11. The bracket 18 comprises a recessed portion 21 having a base portion 22 and a vertical slot 23. The base portion 22 is provided with terminals 24,25 which are connected to an electrical cable 26 linking with the thumb switch 20. The console 13 is provided with a T piece 27 adapted to slide downwardly in the slot 23 of the bracket 18 and be retained in the recessed portion 21 of the bracket 18 by means of a spring clip (not shown). The T piece 27 is provided with terminals (not shown) each of which engages with a corresponding one of the terminals 24,25 of the bracket 18.

A similar arrangement may be provided for mounting the rear console 14 on the seat post 12.

Referring now to Figure 3 of the drawings, there is shown a diagram of a circuit which includes the light sources 15,16 and 17 of the console 13 and which also includes the thumb switch 20. The circuit comprises a front unit portion 28 located in the front console 13, a rear unit portion 29 located in the rear console 14 and a switch portion 30 located on the handle bars 11 of the bicycle 10. The front unit portion 28, rear unit portion 29 and switch portion 30 of the circuit are connectable one to another at terminals "C", "L', "R" and "J", two of which are the terminals 24,25 located in the bracket 18.

The front unit portion 28 of the circuit comprises the central light source 15 in the form of three green light emitting diodes (LEDs) which are connected in parallel one with another and in parallel with a rapid switching device 31 for effecting strobe emission of the LEDs. Power to the circuit is provided by a battery 32 and the circuit is operative when a switch 33 is closed, the switch 33 being located at a base of the T piece of the front console 13.

Similarly, the rear unit portion 29 of the circuit comprises a central light source 34 in the form of three red LEDs which are connected in parallel one with another and in parallel with a rapid switching device 35 for effecting strobe emission of the LEDs of the central light source 34.

Power to the circuit is provided by a battery 36 and the circuit is operative when a switch 37 is closed, the switch 37 being located at a base portion of the rear console 14.

The left-hand indicating light source 16 and the right-hand indicating light source 17 of the front console 13 and the corresponding indicating light sources 38,39 of the rear console 14 are each in the form of three amber LEDs connected in parallel one with another and the light sources 16,38 and 17,39 are in series connection one with another and, with the thumb switch 20, are connected in a circuit which also includes a flip flop 40. Power to the circuit is also provided by the battery 32 and the arrangement is such that, when the thumb switch 30 is turned from the "off" to the "left-turn" position or the "right-turn" position the appropriate left-hand indicating light sources 16,38 at the front and rear of the bicycle 10 or the right-hand indicating light sources 17,39, are provided with pulsed energy causing the appropriate amber LEDs to illuminate repeatedly at steady intervals. The emissions will continue for as long as the thumb switch 20 is activated from the "off" position.

The central light sources 15 and 34 will flash continuously while the switches 33 and 37 are closed.

A switch 41 may be provided on the positive side of the flip-flop 40 so as to be operable to prevent drainage of the battery 32. The switch, in series with a resistor 42, could be incorporated in the T piece 27 as a small rocker switch which would make connection when the T piece 27 is located on the bracket 18.

It will be appreciated that the central light sources 15 and 34 provide reference features for the indicating light sources 16,17 and 38,39 and the indicating light sources 16,17 and 38,39 may be located below the corresponding central light sources 15 and 24.

It will also be appreciated that, as a safety feature for the cyclist, a single LED could be incorporated into the thumb switch 20 or onto a rear portion of the front console 13, the arrangement being such that the single LED would signal when the indicating light sources are in operation.

It will also be appreciated that the amber LEDs in each indicating light source could be arranged in arrow configuration to provide added emphasis of intended direction indication.

Furthermore a reflector which wrapped around a side portion of each indicating light source could be provided to provide side-on visibility.

Although reference is made to brackets 18 and 19 being located on the handle bars 11 and the seat post 12 respectively, it will be appreciated that adaptors or brackets may be provided for alternative fixing (for pannier racks for example) as an accessory.

Furthermore, it will be appreciated that a hazard warning facility may be incorporated into the apparatus.

Claims

1. Direction indicating apparatus for a vehicle comprising indicating light sources for indicating left and right hand turning of the vehicle and a console carrying the indicating light sources wherein the console is adapted to be removably secured to the vehicle.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the console comprises two portions, a first portion adapted to be secured to the vehicle and a second portion adapted to be removably secured to the first portion.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the second portion includes a power source for providing electric power to the light sources.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the first portion includes a switch means for controlling operation of the light sources.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 wherein the switch means is adapted to be mounted at a location remote from the first portion.

6. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein there is provided a first said console and a second said console, each being adapted to be removably secured to the vehicle and a switch module for connecting the first and second modules one to another.

7. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein there is provided a reference light source located adjacent the indicating light sources.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the reference light source is located between the indicating light sources.

9. Direction indicating apparatus for a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

9. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the reference light source and the central light source are arranged in a rectilinear display.

10. Direction indicating apparatus for a vehicle substantially as hereinbefore described and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. Direction indicating apparatus for a vehicle comprising indicating light sources for indicating left and right hand turning of the vehicle and a console carrying the indicating light sources wherein the console comprises two portions, a first portion adapted to be secured to the vehicle and a second portion adapted to be removably secured to the first portion.

2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the second portion includes a power source for providing electric power to the light sources.

3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the first portion includes a switch means for controlling operation of the light sources.

4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the switch means is adapted to be mounted at a location remote from the first portion.

5. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein there is provided a first said console and a second said console, each being adapted to be removably secured to the vehicle and a switch module for connecting the first and second modules one to another.

6. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding Claims wherein there is provided a reference light source located adjacent the indicating light sources.

7. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 6 wherein the reference light source is located between the indicating light sources.

8. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 wherein the reference light source and the central light source are arranged in a rectilinear display.