GB2361297A

GB2361297A - Direction indicator for cyclists

Info

Publication number: GB2361297A
Application number: GB0009221A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Arthur Smith
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-04-14
Filing date: 2000-04-14
Publication date: 2001-10-17
Also published as: GB0009221D0

Abstract

A wrist-worn direction indicator for cyclists has a conductive ball 4 which closes contacts 6,7 when the user extends his arm to give a turning signal thereby illuminating lamp 1. The lamp may be one or more LEDs and may include circuitry for flashing. A manual over-ride switch 12 may be included and the lamp may be arranged to be visible from both front and rear. A passive reflector may be included.

Description

h 1 2361297 Vehicle Direction Indicator The invention relates to vehicle

direction indicators.

Page 1 of 4 Vehicle indicators are in common use- In the case of bicycle direction indicators, there are available, direction indicators which are supplied in the form of gloves and also wrist attached, which have L. E. D.'s attached, which are manually switched on and off by the rider.

These types of vehicle direction indicators, gloved or wrist wom, rely on manual operation and in the case of gloved types, various sizes of gloves are required to fit various hand sizes.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which- Figure 1 shows the vehicle direction indicator in schematic fbrm as viewed from above.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 show the rider 17 of the vehicle, in this example, a bicycle 18 as viewed from behind for ease of explanation and in schematic form.

Figure 2 shows the rider wearing direction indicators 15 and 16 on the wrist areas and holding onto the handlebar area of the vehicle.

Figure 3 shows the rider wishing to indicate a change of direction to the RIGHT by raising his/her arm to the right.

Figure 4 shows the rider wishing to indicate a change of direction to the LEFT by raising his/her arm to the left.

Refering also to Figure 1 on page 3 of 4 1 When the rider wishes to indicate a change of direction by raising his/her arm to the RIGHT, then the electrically conductive ball 4 will move along the carrier 5 from position 9 to 10. The electric circuit will be closed, when the ball comes into contact with electrically conductive points 6 and 7. Power source 2 will then provide power to activate light source 1 and direction indicator 16 in Figure 3 will illuminate. When the rider returns his/her arm to the handlebar area in Figure 2 the electrically conductive ball 4 in figure 1 will return to position 9, and the 11 Page 2 of 4 light source 1 will extinguish. Master Onloff switch 12 may or may not be incorporated into the designCircuit board 3 internal contents NOT SHOWN may or may not be incorporated into the design, depending on the light source display requirements and switching reqirements. Circuit connectors 13 may be wires or circuit board(s) or other form. The encasement 14 for the workings may or may not have an enclosure NOT SHOWN whichmightalso incorporate a coloured lens for example an Amber coloured lens or any other chosen colour.

Light source 1 may be for example an L. E. D. or multiple L. E. D's, and may or may not take various forms for example, the shape of an anDw, Light source 1 may or may not also tlash on and off. Light source 1 J it is made up of multiple fights, may also operate on a Ustaggered" flashing or other desired mode. Ball 4 may be of any shape of electrically conductive material. Points 6 and 7 are schematic only and may or may not consist of more than one electrically conductive part or non electrically conductive part. NOT SHOWN. An attachable piece 11 may or may not be used to enable the rider to attach the Vehicle Direction Indicator to his/her wrist area of the arm. The attachable piece 11 may or may not be, for example an expandable band, or an adjustable strap or it may be attachable using an attacher such as uVelcro" or other attachable means NOT SHOWN. The vehicle Direction Indicator may or may not also incorporate a switch to select the display mode of the light source or light sources.. The Vehicle Direction Indicators may or may not be identilialbe so that it can be shown how they should be positioned on the wrist area or arm. The Vehicle Direction Indicators may or may not be identifiable to show which one or ones should be worn on the left wrist area and which one should be worn on the right wrist area of the arm. The vehicle Direction Indicator may or may not incorporate light reflectors. The vehicle Direction indicator may or may not incorporate a piece whch allows it to be seen as viewed from the front when the rider is indicating a change of direction. The Vehicle Direction Indicators may or may not be worn in pairs on each wrist area, for example, one worn on the top of the wfist area, and one worn on the underside of the wrist area. The design and operation mechanism of the left indicator Fig 4 and the right indicator Fig 3 may or may not have to differ to obtain the correct operating mode. The Vehicle Direction Indicator may or may not include weather resistant seats.

3

Claims

1. A vehicle direction indicator comprising an enclosure with an adjustable means of securing the enclosure to the wrist or arm area of a person. Within the enclosureffiere is a light source which is illuminated by means of a power supply. An an /off switch, activated by the position of the rider's arm enables the indicator to illuminated and extinguish. A master on /off switch is also incorporated.

2. A vehicle direction indicator as claimed in claim 1 whereby the indicator will illuminate when the riders arm is lifted to show a change of direction to other road users and pedestrians

3. A vehicle direction indicator as claimed in claim 1 and claim 2 whereby when the riders arm is moved from the change of direction position back onto the handlebar area, the illumination will cease.

4. A vehicle direction indicator as claimed in claims 1, 2 and 3 whereby the illumination may operate in a flashing or staggered sequence.

A vehicle direction indicator as claimed in claim 1 wherin the master onloff switch is manually operated and over-rides any other switches.

6. A vehicle direction indicator as claimed in claims 1, 2 3 4 and 5 whereby one would be worn on the left wrist area and one would be worn on the right wrist area of the rider.

7 A vehicle direction indicator as claimed in any preceeding claim whereby the indicator can be seen to operate as viewed from the rear or oncoming traffic.

8 A vehicle direction indicator as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein there may or may not be incorporated a passive reflective device.

9. A vehicle direction indicator substantially as described herein and illustrated in figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

9 A vehicle direction indicator as claimed in any preceeding claim wherein there may or may not be included, a electronic circuit board.