GB2457981A

GB2457981A - Emergency stopping system

Info

Publication number: GB2457981A
Application number: GB0803941A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Hope Robertson; David Ian Atkins
Original assignee: BIKE STOPPA Ltd
Current assignee: BIKE STOPPA Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-03
Filing date: 2008-03-03
Publication date: 2009-09-09
Also published as: GB0803941D0

Abstract

A mechanical device, which can be fixed to a bicycle, tricycle or other vehicle, for remote control of braking. The mechanical device has a friction pad (16), which can be released in a failsafe way from a resting position to a position with engagement to the surface on one of the wheels. The friction pad is falling down on the wheel by gravity. The remote control of the brake is performed by a signal between a transmitter and a receiver on the vehicle.

Description

* 2457981

EMERGENCY STOPPING SYSTEM

Description:-

This invention relates to a device that allows a 3d party to activate an emergency system to stop a wheeled vehicle particularly a child's bicycle which is fitted with or without stabilisers. The invention will be described with reference to stopping a child's bicycle, but it could be applied equally to vehicles with more than 2 wheels such as a tricycle.

When children are learning how to ride a bicycle they manually operate a conventional braking system to slow the bicycle down to a stop. This has been fitted by the manufacturer. On the smaller bicycles, which come with stabilisers fitted or have stabilisers fitted, the standard is often a front brake only.

However, the use of conventional brakes by the child can lead to a number of difficulties.

The result of which causes the parent/adult supervising the child riding the bicycle to lose control of the situation and which ultimately puts the child's safety at risk.

This occurs for 4 main reasons:- 1. Children do not register danger.

2. Children do not remember rules.

3. Children do not listen and respond to instructions.

4. Children cannot operate the braking system correctly and effectively. * 25

With young children they start learning to cycle typically on the pavement, with the adult : *. usually walking behind them so that they can see what is going on -often running to **.

keep up and to maintain control of the situation. The adult may not be able to give the riding situation full attention particularly if they are pushing a pram or have more than one child. The following difficult situations can arise.

1. As the child approaches a road crossing they initially ignore it and just continue cycling across with no appreciation of road safety.

2. Even after several outings, the child's inability to remember the rules will frequently mean they will continue across the road without attempting to stop before the road such as on the pavement. This is also made more likely, as at this age, the child's excitement of riding the bike itself together with the speed means they are easily distracted and not able to take the environment into consideration, ignoring safety and in this example the road.

3. Adults are often ignored for many different reasons even when shouting instructions, for example, the child could be following older siblings or just simply likes riding away from the adult for more attention. So when shouting "slow down" or "stop!" they continue to ride ahead.

4. Often the conventional brakes fitted to the bicycles are difficult to operate effectively even on the flat, and the child is either unable to stop the vehicle or reverts to using his/her feet (shoes) as a method of stopping. This can be totally ineffective or shoes can often catch between the ground and pedal, having the potential to cause the child to fall off the bike, particularly downhill. This occurs very frequently when approaching a road, with the end result that the bicycle and more importantly the child end up partially on the road.

For example WO 2004/094221 relates to an electromagnetic system which can be used for remote control of a child's bicycle. The device however is not fail safe and has limited operability. I.e.

To address these flaws with the current technology an emergency stopping system activated by a 3d party is provided. The primary function of this device is to emergency * stop a vehicle such as a bicycle or tricycle. The stopping system of the present invention * 25 has been designed fail safe, to be both a fail safe control system philosophy and the use S..

of gravity to ensure the function of the mechanism. This ensures that the system works every time and in all situations. In its preferred embodiment the system uses the SI.-momentum of the wheels of the vehicle to ensure effective braking.

The present invention therefore provides an apparatus for the remote control of a bicycle or tricycle comprising a brake activated by remote control wherein the brake is activated in a fail safe manner. In a preferred embodiment the brake comprises a friction device which falls onto the wheel under gravity when activated by a remote signal. Such a signal is referred to herein as receiver signal 1 and the signal is preferably provided from a remote control transmitter which may be in the possession of the controlling adult and is received on the vehicle by a device which can react to the signal (Si) and apply the brake -as illustrated in figure ii.

In a further embodiment the remote control transmitter provides a 2nd signal, which is preferably a continuous pulsing signal 2 -(S2) figure 11 to the receiver positioned on the bicycle. The brake is activated as a fail safe mechanism if this signal (S2) is broken, which can be due to distance between the receiver and transmitter or obstructions.

The invention further provides a system for the remote control of a bicycle or tricycle comprising a remote signal transmitter and a receiver for attachment to the bicycle or tricycle wherein when the signal between the transmitter and the receiver is broken a brake is applied.

In a preferred embodiment the brake comprises a friction pad which falls onto the rear wheel or wheels under gravity when activated. In this embodiment the brake system can also be provided with a stop mechanism such that when the friction pad falls onto the wheel, the rotation of the wheel causes the friction pad to engage with the surface of the wheel and be driven by the momentum of the wheel to abut against the stop to prevent movement of the friction pad and thus prevent any movement of the wheel. The location of the device on the bicycle can be optimised to ensure it is located so that when activated, the braking device falls onto the wheel at a position where the movement of S...

.. : 20 the wheels carries the device into its locking point. * . *5**

:.. In a further preferred embodiment the break in the signal and the brake activation signal * releases and retracts a pin to release the friction pad. In particular the invention provides * a bicycle or tricycle with a remote operated braking system mounted on the vehicle : ** 25 frame at a position above the centre line (horizontal plane) of the rear wheels, **S.

comprising of a friction pad adapted to fall under gravity to contact one or more of the * S..

* rear wheels to exert a braking effect on the one or more rear wheels. In a preferred embodiment the friction pad falls onto the wheel above the centre line of the wheel and is carried by the momentum of the wheel until the friction pad locks against a mechanical stop ensuring the continuation of the breaking effect. In this embodiment the pad is mounted in a way that the momentum of the wheel drives the mounting of the pad.

The invention further provides a bicycle or tricycle provided with a system or apparatus previously described.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the mechanical device installed on a bicycle with 3 positions of the friction pad marked. Position (A) -Primed and held away from rear tyre, Position (B) -Release and dropping onto rear tyre under gravity, Position (C) -Driven into locked position against the rear tyre by wheel momentum Figure 2 shows the mechanical device from a vertical view Figure 3 shows the mechanical device from a side view Figure 4 shows the mechanical device with the built in receiver installed on a bicycle and the hand held transmitter Figure 5 shows the mechanical device from a side view, with detail of the release and retract mechanism Figure 6 shows the mechanical device from above Figure 7 shows the mechanical device from the back *S.. * S * ****

Figure 8 shows the mechanical device from the front with front cover removed ** ** Figure 9 shows the mechanical device from below ***

I

: ** 25 Figure 10 is similar to Figure 1 and shows the mechanical device installed on a bicycle SIll with 3 positions of the friction pad marked. Position (A) -Primed and held away from 5.11.1 * rear tyre, Position (B) -Release and dropping onto rear tyre under gravity, Position (C) -Driven into locked position against the rear tyre by wheel momentum Figure 11 shows the logic and signals when both the transmitter and receiver are turned ON and the button is pressed on the key fob.

The simple design shown in Figure 4 has been designed so that it can be provided installed on the bicycle or can be installed by the purchaser. In the preferred embodiment itis fixed to the bicycle to the main vertical central shaft -the seat tube, with 2 blocks (14) and 2 bolts (15). The adjustment slot (17) allows the device to slide and move along the block and this is held when set to the correct position with the fixing screw (18). There are moulded teeth on both the main body of the device and the mounting block, which mesh together to stop any movement when secured (19). The setup of the slider is required to ensure that the friction pad (16) that stops the rear wheel is at the correct distance from the wheel when held by the trigger pin (11). This allows the design to fit the majority of bicycles currently supplied to the market with no modifications. The packaging can include the instruction to allow assembly.

The device includes a receiver and a power pack mounted on the bicycle for interaction with the remote adult supervisor. The receiver maybe conveniently be part of the unit figure 5. The receiver when receiving a pulse signal (S2) figure 11 from the transmitter held by the adult supervisor activates a solenoid (12) which retains the trigger pin (11) in place to hold the friction pad (16) in position (A) figure 10.

Position (A) shown in figure 10 is when the friction pad (16) is held in position away from the wheel by the trigger pin (11) and the bicycle is ready to ride.

To activate the emergency system the supervising adult presses a button preferably the only button, on the transmitter such as a key Fob, which both cuts its signal (S2) to the receiver on the bicycle and transmits a new signal (SI) figure 11. This in turn cuts .. : 20 the power to the trigger solenoid (12). Without power to the solenoid the trigger pin (11) will drop under gravity. There is an additional safety feature, a spring (12a) to ensure :.. speed of retraction and hence the friction pad (16) also drops due to gravity -emergency * stopping the bicycle as the friction pad engages the rear wheel and is driven by the S..

bicycle tyre into a lock position, instantaneously stopping it. (Position (C) figure 10). The : ** 25 lock feature (13) figure 5 and 9 holds the friction wheel against the bicycle tyre in a S...

constant position to ensure the braking effect is maintained. * .

To reset the device:-With the friction pad (16) in the down position (C) figure 10 push the bicycle backwards, rotating the rear wheel. This will lift the friction pad to position (B). Press the single button on the transmitter to allow the trigger pin (11) to retract. This will allow the supervising adult to move the friction pad (16) into position (A), let go of the transmitter button to restore the signal (S2) and energise the solenoid -pushing the trigger pin out.

This will then hold the friction pad in position (A) allowing the bicycle to be ridden again.

In this way the transmitter is required to reset the mechanism and hold the friction pad, and as such it cannot be re-set by the rider, child. So once activated by the adult the bicycle will come to an emergency stop and cannot be moved by the rider in the conventional way until reset by the adult.

Other optional fail safe features include:-The design feature includes a mechanical stop (10) which stops the friction pad (16) from reaching or going beyond vertical and thus ensures that it will always drop onto the wheel. Friction pad (16) which is the moving part is held in position with a trigger pin (11) when energised -Power on from battery is required. This means if the power source is lost then the pin trigger retracts using gravity. So the friction pad (16) drops due to gravity the same way every time -engaging the rear wheel, emergency stopping the bicycle.

The transmitter sends out a continuous pulsing signal (S2) when turned on, this signal turns on the power to the trigger solenoid holding the pin (11) in an outward position, which holds the friction pad (16) up (Position A figure 10). Again if the transmitter battery runs out, the signal would stop, resulting in the power being cut to the trigger solenoid.

This automatically retracts the pin (11) and hence the friction pad (16) drops -stopping the bicycle.

If the bicycle fitted with device and receiver is taken outside the range of the transmitter S...

signal (S2) either in distance or obstructions then again the signal (S2) would be broken, and power to trigger pin stopped, pin (11) retracts under gravity and the friction pad (16) * *. drops -stopping the bicycle.

S

: *..* 25 This device design means that there has been no change to a conventional bicycle's S...

operation when the rider is pedalling and so the rider can learn to ride with normal S.....

* resistance. This is due to the fact there are no contact parts whilst moving. This will allow the child to develop his/her cycling skills as per normal.

With signals unique between the hand held transmitter and a receiver on the bicycle, no interference will be generated.

The system of the present invention provides the following benefits:- 1. The emergency stopping system has been designed to be Fail Safe and will work every time. This has been achieved as it requires the power to be on and a continuous pulsing signal (S2) for the bicycle to be functional, so that it can be ridden. So should any power failures or interruption of signal (S2) occur then the emergency system will trigger and stop the bicycle.

2. The emergency stopping system when triggered by pressing the single button on the transmitter stops sending the pulse signal (S2) and starts sending out a signal Si. The receiver will register either the stopping of the signal (S2) or the new signal (Si), each of which will trigger the friction pad. This is a continuation of the Fail Safe philosophy.

3. The emergency stopping system when triggered the friction pad will stop the rear wheel every time instantaneously, stopping the bicycle quickly.

4. The emergency stopping system allows the supervising adult to take the child out with confidence that they are in control, hence reducing stress levels.

Knowing that they can stop the bicycle at any time will increase the usage and enjoyment of the bicycle. It will also stop the need for the rider using their shoes to stop the bicycle, as the adult can stop the bicycle any time, removing the need for the shoe option. It will also help train the child's behaviour when :. taken on a bicycle ride. * 20 ***

S...'. 5. The emergency stopping system when activated will emergency stop the bicycle and will not be able to be reset by the child as the system requires the * *. supervising adult with the transmitter to perform this function. **.

S

: ** 25 6. The emergency stopping system stops a child using the bicycle without permission as the transmitter is needed for the continuous pulsing signal to I.....

* allow the bicycle to function correctly. Without this signal the friction pad (16) will be in contact with the rear wheel stopping its movement. This makes the bicycle immobile.

7. The emergency stopping system when set in the normal prime position there is no additional resistance to the bicycle operation. This will ensure that the normal learning process has not been affected by installing the emergency stopping system.

8. The emergency stopping system is quick and easy to fit.

9. The emergency stopping system is designed to be adjustable to fit the majority of makes of bicycles in both fixing to the bicycle main vertical shaft and the setting adjustment slider to the rear wheel.

10. The emergency stopping system can be fitted to bicycles with both front and rear braking systems. It is also independent of them and as such does not affect the learning speed and experience for the rider.

11. The emergency stopping system can be used on bicycles with both inflated and solid tyres, also with and without stabilisers.

12. The emergency stopping system can be fitted with "0" rings as the friction surface, this will allow easy replacement if or when worn.

In its preferred embodiments therefore the invention provides An apparatus for the remote control of a wheeled vehicle comprising a brake system adapted to be mounted on the wheeled vehicle and capable of receiving a signal from a remote transmitter wherein upon the receipt of a signal from a remote transmitter a .. : 20 braking device is released to contact one or more of the wheels of the vehicle and to *...

exert a braking effect thereon. In a particularly preferred embodiment the apparatus is capable of receiving two signals, one a permanent pulsed signal and if broken the * * braking device is released and a second that can be operated to release the braking S..

device. * S* * S S S...

S.....

Claims

CLAIMS1. Apparatus for the remote control of a bicycle or tricycle comprising a brake activated by remote control wherein the brake is activated in a fail safe manner.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the brake comprises a friction device which falls onto the wheel under gravity when activated.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the remote control provides a signal between a transmitter and a receiver positioned on the bicycle and the brake is activated by breaking the signal.
4. Apparatus for the remote control of a wheeled vehicle comprising a brake system adapted to be mounted on the wheeled vehicle and capable of receiving a signal from a remote transmitter wherein upon receipt of a signal from a remote transmitter a braking device is released to contact one or more of the wheels of the vehicle and to exert a braking effect thereon.
5. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the contact is with the rotating surface of the wheel and the momentum of the rotation of the wheel causes the device to S..... exert the braking. *
6. Apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10 in which the device is released to fall under gravity to make the contact.

: .. 25 *
7. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 11 in which the S. * apparatus is capable of receiving two signals, one a permanent pulsed signal and if when the braking device is released a second that can be operated to release the braking device.
8. A system according to any of the preceding claims in which the brake comprises a friction pad which falls onto the rear wheel or wheels under gravity when activated.
9. A system according to claim 8 in which the break in the signal retracts a pin to release the friction pad.
10. A system according to claim 8 or claim 9 provided with means to prevent the friction pad positioning past the vertical relative to the rear wheel or wheels.
11. A bicycle or tricycle provided with a system or apparatus according to any of the preceding claims. * * * S. S * S S... *5 * . . * . * S.. * .. * * S S... *5SSSS