GB2426319A

GB2426319A - Helmet Light

Info

Publication number: GB2426319A
Application number: GB0510018A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chun Leung Lau
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-05-17
Filing date: 2005-05-17
Publication date: 2006-11-22
Also published as: GB0510018D0

Abstract

A helmet (10) includes a light (12) positioned upon the helmet (10) for viewing from behind, circuitry adapted to receive a wireless signal and activate the light (12) in response to the signal, a rechargeable power source (57) providing power to the circuitry and light (12), and a wind-powered generator (11) attached to the helmet (10) and connected electrically with the rechargeable power source (57) to recharge the power source (57) as the helmet (10) moves through air.

Description

HELMET LIGHT

The present invention relates to a helmet-mountable light for motorcycle riders and to a helmet incorporating the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide auxiliary brake lights at the back of motorbike rider's helmets. Associated circuitry receives a wireless signal transmitted from the motorbike as the brakes are activated. Helmetmounted batteries must be replaced or recharged : periodically by cable-attachment to a wall-mounted plug pack. This can be a troublesome task, easily * ** S * forgotten by the rider. The continual recharging or :.:. replacement of batteries is not environmentally a..

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friendly for reasons that are well documented. * S. * S **.. S.

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OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages and/or more generally to provide an indicator light with an improved power arrangement that can be used on a rider's helmet.

StThARY OF THE INVENTION According to the invention, there is provided helmet light apparatus for use on a helmet, comprising: a light mountable on said helmet for viewing from behind; circuitry adapted to receive a wireless signal and activate the light in response to the signal; a rechargeable power source for providing power to the circuitry and light; and a wind-powered generator mountable on said helmet and connected electrically with the rechargeable power source to recharge the power **..., 15 source as said helmet moves through air. S... * *. * S *

Preferably, the light is a red brake light. * SS * S *.SS

*:*. Preferably, the rechargeable power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

It is preferred that the helmet light apparatus further include a forwardfacing scoop for collecting air to reach the generator.

It is further preferred the scoop curves over a top portion of said helmet.

In a preferred embodiment, the generator comprises a stepper motor having an input shaft upon which a fan is mounted.

More preferably, the stepper motor produces an alternating current, and the generator includes rectification means for producing a direct current from the alternating current to charge the power source.

Further more preferably, the rectification means is : * provided on a circuit board together with the :::.:. 15 circuitry.

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Preferably, the circuitry includes a radio frequency S..

receiver for receiving said wireless signal. * S* * . S... S. * * S S

* 20 It is preferred that the helmet light apparatus include a radio frequency transmitter for connection to a brake light circuit of a motorcycle, for transmitting said wireless signal upon operation of said brake light circuit.

The invention also provides a helmet incorporating the aforesaid helmet light apparatus, having a body on which the light and the generator are mounted.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure]. is a side view of a first embodiment of a helmet having a wind-rechargable auxiliary brake light in accordance with the invention, illustrating a motorbike and a rider wearing said helmet; * ** * * S *** S *...* 15 Figure 2 is a cross-sectional side view of a top *SS.

portion of the helmet of Figure 1, showing an air scoop and a windpowered generator; S.. * * S...

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the top portion of the helmet of Figure 1, showing the air scoop and wind-powered generator; Figure 4 is a functional block diagram of circuitry for receiving a wireless signal and controlling operation of the brake light of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of the wind- powered generator of Figure 2; Figure 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of the overall operating circuitry of the helmet of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a rear view of a second embodiment of a helmet in accordance with the invention; and Figure 8 is a side view of the helmet of Figure 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT * S. * * *

:::.:. 15 Referring initially to Figure 1 of the drawings, * ** . there is shown a motorcycle rider 3. upon a motorcycle * 2 wearing a helmet 10 embodying the invention. The

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motorcycle 2 is provided with a primary brake light 3 S..

and a wireless (radio frequency) transmitter 52.

Upon the body of the helmet 10 there is provided a wind-powered generator 11 and an auxiliary LED brake light 12. The helmet 10 has a body including a visor 17 in a typical fashion. The generator 11 is mounted fast on the helmet body for example by using strong adhesive or glue 40, with the brake light 12 being also mounted in place.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the generator 11 is located within a scoop 13 which has an inlet opening 15 at its front and an outlet opening 16 downstream of the generator 11. The scoop 13 is moulded integrally with the helmet 10 or attached thereto as a separate unit. One or more LEDs 12 are mounted on an outer surface of the scoop 13 to constitute the brake light 12. The LEDs 12 may be situated behind a transparent or translucent plastics cover upon the scoop 13 or within the helmet beneath the outlet 16.

The generator 11 has an input shaft 18 upon which * 15 there is mounted an impeller/fan 19. The generator 11 S...

comprises a stepper motor 20 which generates an alternating current output. This alternating current is regulated into a direct current as indicated in * .. * * *...

20 Figure 4.

Figures 4 to 6 show schematically the electronic configurations of overall operating circuitry 90 employed by the invention. The wind powered dynamo 19 is connected to an AC to DC converter 53, then fed to a voltage regulator 54 which is connected to a nickel hydride battery charger 55 -typically of 4.2 volts.

This direct current is used to recharge a number of nickel hydride batteries 57 which are depicted in Figure 4 to power a wireless (radio frequency) receiver 51 which feeds a stop signal to the LED stop lights 12 through electronic switch 50. The converter 53, the voltage regulator 54, the battery charger 55, the batteries 57, the receiver 51 and the switch 50 are mounted on a common circuit board 70.

The motorcycle stop light trigger voltage is picked up at 56 and fed to a voltage converter 58 typically of 12 volts or 3.6 volts. This in turn feeds a high- frequency wireless (radio frequency) transmitter 52 - typically of 30MHz to 40MHz for transmitting signals to the highfrequency wireless receiver 51. * I.

::. As the motorcycle 2 is ridden at speed air is forced *1S through the scoop 13 to rotate the fan 19 and * 16 therefore operate the generator 11 to keep the batteries 57 in a state of good charge. The scoop 13 collects air to reach the generator 11. The motorcycle 2 is provided with wireless transmission circuitry 92 connected electrically with the brake light circuit of the motorcycle 2 to transmit a signal to the helmet 10 each time the brakes are applied.

It is intended that the assembly of scoop 13 and generator 11, together with the circuitries 90 and 92, may be sold separately for attachment onto a conventional helmet for use.

Figures 7 and 8 show a second helmet 10A embodying the invention, which has generally the same construction and operation as the helmet 10 described above, with equivalent parts designated by the same reference numerals suffixed by a letter "A", except certain differences in specific details. The member 13A does no longer act as a scoop; it now has a domeshape and is fixed centrally on the top of the helmet * *.. 15 body. The member 13A includes a horizontal tunnel I'', extending from the front through to the back, within which the wind-powered generator hA is supported and adjacent the rear end of which the LEDs 12A are ::::; 20 mounted.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art ar not to be considered as beyond the scope of th present invention. For example, amber coloured LE may be provided left and right of the helmet 10 auxiliary turning signals with corresponding cont circuitry for receiving traffic signals from a motorcycle 2. Of course, special transmission circuitry would be required on a motorcycle 2 to indicate not only brake light 12 switching but direction indication transmission. * 0* * S * S.. * S... * I *5II * I. * S I I.e S

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Claims

1. Helmet light apparatus for use on a helmet, comprising: a light mountable on said helmet for viewing from behind; circuitry adapted to receive a wireless signal and activate the light in response to the signal; a rechargeable power source for providing power to the circuitry and light; and a wind-powered generator mountable on said : helmet and connected electrically with the :::.:. rechargeable power source to recharge the power S...

source as said helmet moves through air. S..

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2. The helmet light apparatus as claimed in claim S..

1, wherein the light is a red brake light.

3. The helmet light apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the rechargeable power source comprises a rechargeable battery.

4. The helmet light apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, further including a forward-facing scoop for collecting air to reach the generator.

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5. The helmet light apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the scoop curves over a top portion of said helmet.

6. The helmet light apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the generator comprises a stepper motor having an input shaft upon which a fan is mounted.

7. The helmet light apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the stepper motor produces an alternating current, and the generator includes rectification s... means for producing a direct current from the * S. S alternating current to charge the power source. S. S

8. The helmet light apparatus as claimed in claim *5S * 5 S...

7, wherein the rectification means is provided on a circuit board together with the circuitry.

9. The helmet light apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the circuitry includes a radio frequency receiver for receiving said wireless signal.

10. The helmet light apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, including a radio frequency transmitter for connection to a brake light circuit of a motorcycle, for transmitting said wireless signal upon operation of said brake light circuit.

11. A helmet incorporating the helmet light apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, having a body on which the light and the generator are mounted.

12. Helmet light apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 or Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings. * *

13. A helmet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 6 or Figures 7 and 8 of the accompanying drawings. S.. * I *III I. S * S I S *S