GB2410886A

GB2410886A - A light unit for a cyclist helmet

Info

Publication number: GB2410886A
Application number: GB0403351A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jonathan Richards
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-02-16
Filing date: 2004-02-16
Publication date: 2005-08-17
Also published as: GB0403351D0

Abstract

A light unit for a cyclist helmet, the unit allows light to be seen from the front, back and side of the helmet to increases the wears visibility. The unit may have a single light 2 or a number of LED's on both the front and back of the unit, that may be independently switched on and off to give a permanent or flashing lights. Where LED's are used, the front and/or back of the unit are angled so that the LED's can be seen from the side of the unit. The unit may have a reflective strip down both sides and powered by a battery (7, Fig 3). Preferably the unit is secured to an existing helmet via straps (5 Fig) that pass through slots or attachments 6 on the base of the unit. Alternatively the unit may be pre-moulded into a helmet.

Description

24 1 0886

CYCLIST LIGHT

The invention relates to a combined front and back light which has two or more straps to hold it accrue onto an existing helmet. There will also be different models available (see diagrams). A pre-moulded helmet will also be available with a built in front and back lights (see diagrams).

Although bike lights that are normally attach to the bike frame are not a new idea, they do however suffer from disadvantages. Usually the lights attach to the framework does not give the ultimate visibility for other vehicle users. For example, when a cyclist is in congested traffic, or waiting to pull out of a side road, a fixed light only shines straight ahead. However with this cyclist light there is a difference. While waiting to pull out of a side road, a cyclist would move his or ha head to look for other vehicles, this would give more opportunity for the cyclist to catch the attention of over road users. Therefore through mounting this two in one light on the cyclist helmet, this gives the best chance of being seen in the dark or other hazardous conditions.

The object of this invention is to give the best visabilitly to other vehicle users, ensuring more safety towards keeping children and adults safer on the road at in the dark or other hazardous conditions, such as fog and mist.

Accordingly this invention gives a cyclist better visabilitly to other road wars. The light will consist of a single front light, or a number of LEDs with an independent switch. The back light will also consist of a single back light, or a number of LEDs with its own switch. However, these lights can be used in different combinations. For example, the front light can have a single light whilst the back light can have L.E.Ds and vice visa. Or both front and back lights can have a single light or L. E.Ds. This model is therefore awe to have four different combinations. Also the front and back lights can be switch on permanently on or flashing. The light shape it self will have a slight concaved on the underneath, so Hat it will fit on most types of helmets on today's market. Straps will hold the light securely on the helmet through the holes in the helmet.

Preferably the two in one light will be made of metal or plastic or from a combination of these materials.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure 1 Shows the front and side aspect of the cyclist light: Figure 2 Shows the cyclist light from the front and top angle; Figure 3 Shows the underneath side and the back with the L.E.Ds of the cyclist light; Figure 4 Shows a cross-section of the cyclist light, which indicates where the straps go through; Figure 5 Shows the side of the cyclist light and the reflective strip, which will be used on both models; Figure 6 Shows the top view of a alternative cyclist light, showing diffacat usage of light combination; Figure 7 Shows that a helmet can be manufactured with a light pre-moulded into it.

Referring to the drawing as shown in figure 1, the cyclist light casing is demonstrated (1) from the front and side. This illustrates the front torch reflector and torch bulb (2). There are two independent front and back light switches, these will either be mounted on the top (3a) or on the side (3b) of the light. The back L.E.Ds (4) are shown from the side view allowing the lights to be seen from the back and side. In figure 2 the drawing shows the same features as in figure 1, however this view is from the front and top.

Figure 3 demonstrates the light from an underneath perspective, sho= the attachments and the back of the light. In order to secure the light to the helmet, a Velero,,,m'aterial or a similar textile (5) will pass through the slots (6). These slots will be spaced evenly, or unevenly to maximise the versatility of the cyclist light. On the underside (7) than is the battery compartment, which is easily assessable by removing a screw, catch or a similar type of means. Anew

Figure 4 shows a cross section cut through the middle of the cyclist light with the Velcromaterial or a similar textile (5). This will enable the material to pass through the recessed slots or attachments (6) allowing the light to be securely in place.

Viewed from the side figure 5, you can clearly see the back of the light is angled so that the back L.E.Ds can be seen from the side. The side of the cyclist light also has a reflective strip down both sides (8).

The cyclist light can also be made into diffacnt models. For example figure 6 shows the top view of an alternate cyclist light. This is where there will be L.E.Ds go from the front (9) around to the sides. The L.E. Ds (4) are enclosed in a plastic mould, (4a) this is to enhances the look and protect tham from being damaged. Therefore than would no single light (2) front or back.

The cyclist light as illustrated in figure 7 shows a side view and figure 8 shows a top view. The helmet can be manufactured with a helmet light pre-moulded into it. This light could be manufactured into all types of helmet and head safety equipment.

Claims

1. A cyclist light will be secured to an existing helmet, with two or more straps, the light will consist of a shape that allows the lights to be seen from the front and back as well as the side figure 1 (4) and figure 6 (9), if a single light is used figure 1 (2) then there will be a reflective strip down both sides of the light, Both designs could be used in a pre-moulded helmet figure 7.

2. A cyclist light as claimed in claim 1 the configuration can very, from having a single front light figure 1 (2) and L.E.Ds at the back, to having L.E.Ds at the front as well as the back figure 6, any of these configurations and more can be used.

3. A cyclist light as claimed in claim 2 all types of designs can be used in a pre-moulded helmet figure 7 and figure 8, as claimed in claim 1.

4. A cyclist light as claimed in claim 1 and 2 the front and back lights can be independently switch on figure 1 (3a) or (3b), the L.E.Ds can be either switch on permanently or flashing.

5. A cyclist light as claimed in claim 1, would be to secure the light to the helmet, there are slots or attachments underneath the light (6), for the material (5) to pass through, this is used for attaching the light to an existing helmet.

6. A cyclist light as claimed in any proceeding claim which is made from metal, plastic, fibreglass or from a combination of these materials.

7. A cyclist light substantially as described here in with reference to figures 1-7 of the accompanying drawings.