GB2325771A

GB2325771A - Display device for cycles

Info

Publication number: GB2325771A
Application number: GB9711205A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Charles Elimer; Christopher John Long
Original assignee: FOOTWALL Ltd
Current assignee: FOOTWALL Ltd
Priority date: 1997-05-30
Filing date: 1997-05-30
Publication date: 1998-12-02
Also published as: GB9711205D0; ZA976446B

Abstract

A display device 10, bearing, for example, a printed advert, picture, logo or other graphics image, is mounted on a wheel 12 of a cycle. In a preferred form, the display device comprises one or more reflective or luminescent elements (28, Figure 1) and also includes one or more through holes (29) to reduce windage in cross winds. In a preferred form, the display device is disc-shaped, and includes a central aperture (16) to accommodate the wheel hub 18, and a radial cut (20) to permit the display device to be fed between the spokes of the wheel. The display device is retained by frictional engagement with the spokes. The display device may include a lenticular display (Figure 4).

Description

DISPLAY DEVICE FOR CYCLES This invention relates to a display device for cycles. In particular, it relates to a display device which might be used to present graphics information, such as an attractive or distinct printed image or advertisement, and/or to make the cyclist more visible to other road users as a safety feature. The term "cycle" as used herein is intended to refer to pedal driven vehicles; most commonly cycles have two wheels, but the invention is not limited by this.

During the work leading to the present invention, it was appreciated that providing a cycle with a noticeable display is a taxing problem for various reasons.

For example, in order to be noticeable, the display device, for example, a panel or board, has to be relatively large. It is difficult to find a position on the cycle frame to accommodate such a large device without inconveniencing the cycle rider, or obscuring the rider's view which might make the cycle dangerous to ride. Moreover, for safety reasons, the display device should preferably not put the cycle out of balance, and not make it cumbersome to manoeuvre.

To date, only relatively small display devices have been carried by cycles, being mounted for example on the frame crossbar or across the handlebars, or carried on a basket or luggage rack.

Although in some countries, cycles are regarded merely as a secondary form of transport (often for sport or leisure), in many countries around the world cycles are used more seriously as a common mode of transport for a great number of people. In the same way that advertising displays and other printed images may be carried by motor vehicles, it has been appreciated that it may be advantageous to enable advertising on cycles if this can be achieved conveniently and safely.

The present invention has been devised bearing the above problems in mind.

Broadly speaking, the principle of the invention is to mount a display device on a wheel of a cycle. Such an arrangement can overcome many of the above problems, by enabling relatively large display devices to be mounted without inconveniencing the rider, or obscuring the rider's view, or making the cycle difficult to ride. Moreover, a prominent display device on the wheel can improve the rider's visibility to other road users as a safety feature.

In one specific aspect, the invention provides an assembly comprising a cycle wheel and a display device carried by the wheel, the display device having a length greater than the spacing of adjacent spokes on the wheel rim and being retained by the spokes.

Preferably, the display device length, which may be in a circumferential direction, is greater than the spoke spacing on the rim by a factor of at least 2, more preferably at least 3, more preferably at least 4, more preferably at least 5, more preferably at least 6, and even more preferably at least 7.

Preferably, the display device is generally planar.

Preferably, the display device is received between spokes diverging towards opposite ends of the wheel hub.

Preferably, the display device is retained by the spokes, so that very simple mounting arrangement can be used. In one embodiment, the display device is gripped by frictional engagement with the spokes.

Preferably, the display device can be retro-fitted to the wheel without requiring removal of the spokes.

In one form the display device extends generally completely around the wheel hub. Additionally or alternatively, the display device may be shaped to resemble an article or logo, such as a drinks can or bottle, or a chocolate bar, or a club motif.

The display device may comprise reflective or luminescent material to enable it to be seen easily at night, and thus provide additional safety for the cyclist.

The display device may include one or more through holes to reduce windage in cross-winds.

In another aspect, the invention provides a display device mountable on a cycle wheel, the display device including a recess or aperture to accommodate the hub of the wheel, and a mouth to enable the display device to be inserted between the spokes of the wheel.

in a further aspect, the invention provides a device comprising a flexible sheet for use with a cycle wheel, wherein the device may be inserted through the spokes of the wheel, and retained between the spokes.

Embodiments of the invention are now described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of display device; Fig. 2 is a schematic side view showing the display device mounted on a cycle wheel; Fig. 3 is a schematic section showing the gripping of the display device by the wheel spokes; and Fig. 4 is a schematic side view showing a modified embodiment using lenticular material.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, a display device 10 to be mounted on a cycle wheel 12 consists generally of a planar member 14 which, in this embodiment, carries a printed graphics display on one or both faces. The member 14 is generally circularly shaped, and has a central opening 16 to accommodate the wheel hub 18. To enable the display device to be fitted to the wheel, it includes a radial break 20 defining first and second ends 22 and 24 of the display device. (In Fig. 1, the ends 22 and 24 are shown spaced apart for clarity; however, the ends may abut each other in practice).

The display member 14 may be made of any suitable material, such as polypropylene and other plastics, card, plastics coated card, canvass or other cloth material, foam, polystyrene; these material are merely examples It is preferred although not essential that a lightweight material be used.

Fig. 2 depicts the display device 10 mounted on the front wheel 12 of a cycle.

In Fig. 2 the arrangement of the spokes has been simplified for the sake of brevity.

More commonly a crossed arrangement is used for better strength. Spokes extending to one axial end of the hub 18 are denoted by numeral 26a, and spokes extending to the opposite axial end of the hub 18 (and thus, partly obscured by the display member 14) are denoted by 26b.

In use, the display member 14 is fitted to the cycle wheel 12 by inserting one end 22 or 24 between two adjacent spokes 26, and advancing the display member angularly relative to the wheel to feed the display member between the spokes (26a and 26b) diverging towards the opposite ends of the wheel hub. The display member 14 is retained captively by the spokes. Depending on the relative dimensions of the wheel, the spoke spacing and the display device, the display member 14 may be gripped in position by frictional contact with the spokes engaging the member 14 on either side near the circumferential periphery.

If desired, one or more fixings may be provided to secure one or both of the ends 22 and 24, either to each other, or to an adjacent spoke. For example, a simple plastics tie (similar to a conventional cable tie) may be provided to pass through small apertures in the member adjacent to its ends 22 and 24, to enable the ends to be tied to a spoke.

In the illustrated embodiment, the display member 14 carries a pattern of reflective elements 28 arranged, for example, near its circumferential periphery, to enable the cycle to be more easily visible to other road users at night. This can provide an important safety feature since it is usual very difficult to see cycles side-on at night, particularly if the cycle's front and rear lights are weak or are incorrectly positioned.

The display member 14 also has a pattern of through holes 29 which are intended to reduce the cross-wind resistance (or windage) of the member 14. It will be appreciated that, in the presence of blustery winds, the display member 14 might act as a sail and tend to push the cycle off course. However, the provision of the through holes 29 can reduce such effects, and thus improve the safety of the cyclist.

Fig. 4 illustrates a more advanced embodiment using a lenticular display device 30. Lenticular displays are known per se, and generally consist of a printed sheet carrying a compound graphics image of two or more separate images, and a face sheet of transparent plastics moulded in a lenticular pattern, to define miniature lenses or prisms which control which of the separate images is seen, depending on the angle of viewing. Any desired number of separate images may be used in the compound image, depending on the acceptable resolution; in the present case, in which the display devices may be viewed from some distance away, the resolution does not need to be very high.

In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the display device 30 includes a number of separate images of a logo, such that, as the display device spins (and so is viewed from differing directions relative to the display device), the logo image appears to remain stationary or almost stationary, or to move relatively slowly (i.e. the logo image does not spin). This can provide a very distinctive and easy to view image even though the cycle wheel may be rotating as the cycle moves.

The different images of the lenticular display device can also represent frames in an action sequence, for example, a drinks can be opened, or drink being consumed or poured from a can or bottle. Thus, a viewer could see the action sequence taking place either as the cycle moves relative to the viewer, or as the wheel rotates, depending on the design of the lenticular display.

This embodiment can also include the safety related features of the first embodiment (i.e. reflective elements or areas, and apertures to reduce windage).

Additionally or alternatively, the display member may carry a holographic representation of the graphics image, to create a very distinctive display effect.

Although the display devices illustrated in the preferred embodiments are generally circularly shaped, other shapes of display device may also be used. In particular, the display device may be shaped to resemble another article, for example, a drinks can or bottle, or a chocolate bar or other item of confectionery. The display device could also be shaped to resemble a logo or club motif, or a person's figure or figurehead. Also, although the display device illustrated in the preferred embodiments extends around the wheel hub, smaller designs of display device could simply be arranged between the spokes without extending substantially around the hub.

It will be appreciated that the invention, particularly as described in the preferred embodiments, can provide a convenient way of mounting display devices on cycles, without making the cycles unsafe or difficult to manoeuvre, and without inconveniencing the rider. The display devices can be lightweight and very cheap to produce, but can create very distinctive and noticeable pictures, signs, adverts and other display effects.

It will be appreciated that the above description is merely illustrative of preferred examples of the invention, and that many modifications may be made without departing from the present invention.

Features believed to be of particular importance are set out in the appended claims. However, the Applicant claims protection for any novel feature or combination of features described herein and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings, irrespective of whether emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising a cycle wheel and a display device carried by the wheel, the display device having a length greater than the spacing of adjacent spokes on the wheel rim and being retained by the spokes.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein the display device is received between spokes diverging towards opposite axial ends of the wheel hub.

3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the display device is retained in position at least partly by frictional engagement with the spokes.

4. An assembly according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the display device extends at least partly around the wheel hub.

5. An assembly according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the display device is generally circularly shaped.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, wherein the display member comprises a disc which occupies the majority of the open space of the wheel.

7. An assembly according to any claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, wherein the display device is shaped to resemble another article.

8. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the display device is generally planar.

9. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the display device comprises one or more reflective or luminescent elements or areas.

10. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the display device comprises one or more through holes to reduce windage.

11. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the display device comprises a lenticular display.

12. A display device suitable for use in an assembly as defined in any preceding claim.

13. A display device mountable on a cycle wheel, the display device including a recess or aperture to accommodate the hub of the wheel, and a mouth to enable the display device to be inserted between the spokes of the wheel.

14. A display device according to claim 13, wherein the mouth is defined by a cut or break extending outwardly from the hub aperture to a peripheral edge of the display device.

15. A display device according to claim 13 or 14, having a generally circular shape.

16. A display device according to claim 13, 14 or 15, wherein the display device is generally planar.

17. A display device according to claim 13, 14, 15 or 16, comprising one or more elements or areas of reflective or luminescent material.

18. A display device according to claim 13, 14, 15, 16 or 17, comprising one or more through holes to reduce windage.

19. A cycle including an assembly as defined in any of claims 1 to 11, or a display device as defined in any of claims 12 to 18.

20. A method of fitting a display device as defined in claim 13 to a cycle wheel, the method comprising inserting a first end of the display device between adjacent spokes of the wheel, and angularly advancing the display device relative to the wheel, until the display device is received substantially entirely between the spokes diverging towards the opposite axial ends of the wheel hub.

21. A cycle wheel assembly, or a display device therefor, or a method of assembly, being substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any of the accompanying drawings.