GB2398724A - Directional indicator for cyclists and equestrians - Google Patents

Abstract

A directional indicator for cyclists and equestrians consists of a pair of indicator devices attached to each of the arms of the rider. Each device may have an array of light emitting diodes 4, a power source (5, Fig 1) and a switching device (6, Fig 1) that will connect the light emitters to the power source. The switching device may be an attitude-sensing switch that will sense horizontal lateral extension of the rider's arm and connect the power source to the emitters. When powered, the light emitters may continuously emit light or be sequentially occulted under the control of electrical logical circuits (7, Fig 3). The device includes a mode selection switch (8, Fig 1) that allows the operator to choose the pattern of occultation of the emitters.

Description

DIRECTIONAL INDICATOR FOR CYCLISTS AND EQUESTRIANS

The present invention relates to visible direction indicators for riders of bicycles, scooters and horses.

Conventional directional indicators are mechanically secured to a vehicle. Thus they are unsuitable for use by equestrians. When fitted to a bicycle or scooter they are visible from only one quadrant and are close to the centre line of the vehicle giving an ambiguous indication of the rider's intentions.

According to the present invention, there is provided a pair of indicator devices capable of being attached to each of the arms of the rider.

Each device will comprise an array of light emitting indicators, a power source and a switching device that will connect the light emitters to the power source. Each device will be integrated by mounting the components on or within a web made from any suitable materials which may be plastic, leather or cloth made from natural or artificial fibres.

The device is secured to the arm by wrapping it around the forearm. There is a releasable attachment means on the indicator device, e.g. provided by complementary engagement members, e.g. strips of hook- and-loop fabric such as Velcro (trademark).

The switching device will sense horizontal lateral extension of the rider's arm and connect the power source to the emitters. When powered, the light emitters may continuously emit light or be sequentially occulted.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a front elevation of one of a handed pair of a first embodiment of a directional indicator; Fig. 2 shows one of a handed pair of a first embodiment as worn by a rider IS Fig. 3 is a schematic electrical circuit diagram of a first embodiment.

The first embodiment, shown in Figs. 1-3, is a direction indicator that may be attached to the arm of a cyclist. In this embodiment, according to Fig. 2, the device is capable of wrapping around the forearm of the user (1).

The indicator device comprises a trapezoidal elasticized fabric web and is secured by two straps (2). Each strap has strips of hook-and-loop fabric (3) capable of engaging with a complementary pair of strips (12) on the web.

To the web is attached two assemblies arranged such that, when worn, one assembly (11) is along the inside of the forearm and the second (10) is along the outside of the forearm.

To each assembly is a flexible plastic housing to which is affixed a number of light emitting diodes (4).

According to this embodiment each assembly has three lO emitters.

The two assemblies are interconnected by a set of wire conductors (9) to transfer electrical power between the assemblies.

According to this embodiment, one assembly houses an electrical battery (5) and an attitude-sensing switch (6). The attitude-sensing switch, e.g. a pendulum- operated micro-switch, mercury switch or piezo-electric accelerometer, will close the electrical circuit from the battery. The closure occurs whenever the rider's forearm is extended.

The second assembly houses an electronic logic circuit (7) capable of occulting the power supply to the emitters and a mode-selection switch (8) . This latter switch allows the rider to control the electronic logic circuitry by selecting one of four operating modes.

According to this embodiment, these four modes are as follows: In the first mode the indicators are switched off when not in use. The second, third and fourth modes are effective when the arm is extended. In the second mode the indicators are powered continuously.

In the third mode the emitters are occulted in unison when the arm is extended. In the fourth mode the emitters are occulted in sequence such that the emitter nearest the elbow is first lighted, followed by the middle emitter and, next, the emitter nearest the wrist is lighted and, finally all of the emitters are occulted.

Claims (8)

1. A visible direction indicator for riders comprising a pair of assemblies that are worn on the forearms of the rider.

2. A visible direction indicator according to Claim l that is retained as a sleeve or by a releasable attachment.

3. A visible direction indicator according to Claim l or Claim 2 that emits light when the forearm of the rider is raised.

4. A visible direction indicator according to Claim l or Claim 2 or Claim 3 that is visible from the forward, rearward and sideward aspects of the rider.

5. A visible direction indicator according to Claim l or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4 that provides for a number of selectable sequences of occultation of the light emitters.

6. A visible direction indicator according to any of the previous claims that is made from fabric, leather, plastics or any combination of these materials.

7. A direction indicator that is not an attachment to the animal or vehicle on which the operator is riding.

8. A direction indicator substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.