GB2424820A

GB2424820A - A digital display for motorcyclist rider's helmets

Info

Publication number: GB2424820A
Application number: GB0507114A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Sotheron Longstaff
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-04-08
Filing date: 2005-04-08
Publication date: 2006-10-11
Also published as: GB0507114D0

Abstract

A digital information display unit that is attached to the visor of a motorcycle rider's helmet, the display may indicate the temperature and/or time for the user. The display is preferably attached to the outside of the visor via adhesive tape 25 and attached to the lower edge of the visor out of sight of the user during normal usage and may be viewed by raising the visor. The unit may indicate to the user that the external temperature has dropped to the point at which black ice might occur by flashing LED lights to the user. The unit may have a rubberised covering and a backlight.

Description

1 2424820 DIGiTAL INFORMATION DISPLAY UNiT FOR MOTORCYCLE RIDERS The

invention relates to a digital information display unit for motorcycle riders, which will display the time, and may also display other information such as temperature.

The majority of motorcycles currently on the market do not have a clock as part of the display panel. Clocks are available which can be bonded or magnetically attached to the motorcycle but these are unsightly and can be easily removed by thieves.

An object of this invention is to provide a portable digital information display for motorcycle riders which is unobtrusive, hidden from the rider's view when not in use, does not involve attachment to the main body of the motorcycle, is easily used while participating in normal motorcycle riding and provides opportunity for decorative styling to enhance the overall aesthetic of the rider's equipment.

Accordingly, this invention provides a digital display and accompanying PCB-mounted electronic components, housed inside a sealed plastic casing and mounted by fixing means such as adhesive tape, to the lower edge of the motorcycle helmet visor. The geometry of the rear face of the unit mirrors that of the visor for effective fixing. When bonding tape is used, the bonding tape is flexible and allows for slight differences in visor dimensions and curvature. A switch located near to the lifting handle of the visor operates a backlight which illuminates the display for clear viewing in poor light. When the visor is lowered, during normal motorcycle use, the unit is hidden from the rider's view by the sealing rim between helmet body and visor and the raised padded nose' area inside the helmet. When travelling slowly or stopped, the display can be viewed by raising the visor using the lifting handle and activating the backlight using a switch located beside the visor lifting handle.

Preferably, the casing parts are made of a non-brittle plastic, which can withstand extended exposure to UV light and contact with organic fuels. There may also be a rubberised over- mould on the front face to sustain impacts from stones and other flying debris which may be thrown up from the motorcycle tyres. The casing parts and over-mould may be moulded in varying colours, finishes, materials and forms to provide decorative appeal.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is an exploded isometric front view of the assembly FIGURE 2 is an exploded isometric rear view of the assembly FIGURE 3 is an isometric front view of the assembled unit FIGURE 4 is an isometric rear view of the assembled unit FIGURE 5 is a cross section side view of the unit bonded to a motorcycle helmet visor, with the visor completely closed FIGURE 6 is a cross section side view of the unit bonded to a visor with the visor partially open in the viewing position FIGURE 7 is a detail view of the visor lifting handle with the assembled unit located alongside As shown in Figures 1 & 2 the unit electronic internals comprise 2 PCBs 1, 2 connected by flexible connection 3. PCB 1 contains the LCD screen 4 with electroluminescent backlight material 5; accompanying clock driver components 6 and time adjust switches 7. PCB 2 contains a battery 8; an inverter chip 9 which powers the electroluminescent backlight material 5 and a switch 10 which activates the backlight.

The surrounding casing parts comprise front casing part 11 with rubberised over-mould 12; rear casing part 13; rubberised switch cover 14 which is sandwiched between the two casing parts 11, 13 to create a water resistant seal and the backlight activation switch 10; rubber seal 15 which is compressed by screw fixing 16 between the two casing parts 11, 13 and two time adjust switches 17 which are assembled into the rear casing 13 from the inside and held between PCB 1 and the inside wall of rear casing 13.

The locating foot 18 on rear casing part 13 forms a mechanical connection between casing parts 11, 13 via undercut ledge 19 on front casing 11, on the opposite side from the mechanical connection formed by the screw 16 self-tapping into screw port 20 on front casing 11. On rear casing 13 the screw head bears on bearing face 21 and sits in channel 22 when assembled so it is below the bonding surface 23. The geometry of bonding surface 23 mirrors that of the visor curvature for effective bonding.

Screen location arms 24 ensure central positioning of the LCD screen when assembled.

The layer of die cut double-sided bonding tape 25 bonds the assembled unit to the motorcycle helmet visor.

Figure 4 shows the locating ridge 26 which locates along the lower edge of the visor and facilitates accurate installation on to the visor. The walls of the screen viewing aperture 27 are angled away from the LCD screen to give clear viewing access.

Figure 5 shows the assembled unit installed on a visor, the sealing rim 28 and padded nose area 29 of the main body of the helmet obscuring the unit from the rider's vision while the visor is fully closed.

Figure 6 shows the assembled unit installed on a visor with the visor raised. There is now a clear line of sight to the LCD clock display.

Figure 7 shows the visor lifting handle 30 with the backlight activation switch cover 14 located within easy reaching distance of the middle or index finger of the hand used to actuate the lifting handle.

Claims

1. A motorcycle helmet visor mounted digital information display unit for motorcyde riders, which is housed in a sealed casing and bonded centrally to the lower edge of the visor, out of sight of the rider during normal motorcycle usage and viewed by raising the visor.

2. A unit as described in Claim 1 where the digital display includes environmental conditions such as temperature.

3. A unit as described in Claim 1 where temperature sensing electronics are included and an LED flashes a warning to the rider when external temperature drops to the point at which road frost starts to occur.