GB2469495A

GB2469495A - Integrated bicycle front lamp

Info

Publication number: GB2469495A
Application number: GB0906521A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Theaker
Original assignee: COOPER CAR Co
Current assignee: COOPER CAR Co
Priority date: 2009-04-16
Filing date: 2009-04-16
Publication date: 2010-10-20
Also published as: GB0906521D0

Abstract

A front light for a bicycle in which all of its constituent parts, including illumination device 2, power source 4, wires, connectors and switches 3, are permanently integrated within one or more standard bicycle components, the components capable of being fitted as a direct replacement for a similar component on an existing bicycle. The components may be a handlebar stem 1 and/or a handlebar.

Description

Integrated Front Light for a Bicycle This invention relates to a method of integrating a front light for a bicycle into a standard bicycle component.

Lights are required to ride a bicycle safely and legally during hours of darkness.

Additional conventional "clip-on" lighting units which can be easily fitted and removed are commonplace.

However, the use of conventional lights can lead to a number of problems. The lights can easily be stolen if left on an unattended bicycle or the rider can forget to carry the lights and be unable to ride safely in the dark. Conventional lights are usually fixed to the frame or handlebars via a simple bracket which can easily and unintentionally be moved or knocked, causing the light to function incorrectly, or impede the rider. In addition to these practical issues, the use of conventional lights can also adversely influence the aesthetics of a bicycle. Some more expensive bicycles use lighting systems which are integrated within the fabric of the frame or within specially designed components, which are not transferable to other bicycles. To overcome these issues, this invention proposes a front light for a bicycle in which all of its constituent parts, including illumination device, power source, wires, connectors and switches, are permanently integrated within one or more standard bicycle components, the component(s) capable of being fitted as a direct replacement for a similar component on an existing bicycle.

A standard component could be the bicycle stem, or another component such as the bicycle handlebars. The constituent parts of the light may also be contained in a combination of components.

A light reflector device may also be included as an integral part.

The beam of the illuminating device and / or the light reflector device may adjustable for angle via its holder or support relative to the bicycle component within which it is contained.

The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a partially exploded view of an integrated light for a bicycle within the bicycle stem.

Figure 2 shows one arrangement for adjusting the beam of the light Figure 3 shows an alternative arrangement for an integrated light for a bicycle with its constituent parts in more than one standard component.

In figure 1, a bicycle stem I is shown. This connects to the bicycle fork tube above the head of the frame and secures the bicycle forks, and handlebars. The stem in figure 1 includes a front light comprising illumination device and holder 2, electrical switch 3, and power source 4. The assembly and handlebars (not shown for clarity) are held together with fixing bolts 5. The electrical switch 3 and power source 4 are mounted within the bicycle stem along with the connecting electrical wires. The illumination device 2 which could take any form such as an incandescent bulb or LED, and may include a reflector, is mounted within a housing which is permanently fixed to the main body of the stem, for instance by fixing screws. This forms an integrated unit capable of being fitted as a direct replacement for a similar component on an existing bicycle. This provides a permanent and fixed front lighting system leading to improved safety, security and aesthetics.

Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment in which a simple method for adjusting the beam of the illumination device is included. In this example, the illumination device holder has its own set of fixings 5 and a small cam at its rear face, which allows the vertical beam angle to be set by adjusting the upper and lower fixing screws.

Figure 3 shows a further embodiment, in which the constituent components of the front light for a bicycle are contained within more than one bicycle component, in this case the stem and the handlebars. Figure 3 shows the handlebars 6 connected to the stem 1 The stem I contains the electrical switch 3 and power source 4 (hidden inside the stem). It also contains a reflector device 7 in place of an illumination device shown in figure 1.

The illumination device 8 is shown mounted in the handlebars, requiring a simple electrical connection, for instance a plug and socket, between the stem and the handlebars.

Claims

Claims 1. A front light for a bicycle in which all of its constituent parts, including illumination device, power source, wires, connectors and switches, are permanently integrated within one or more standard bicycle components, the component(s) capable of being fitted as a direct replacement for a similar component on an existing bicycle.
2. A front light for a bicycle according to claiml, in which all of its component parts are contained within the bicycle stem.
3. A front light for a bicycle according to claim 1, in which all of its components are contained within the bicycle handlebar.
4. A front light for a bicycle according to claim 1, in which all of its components are contained within either the bicycle stem or handlebar.
5. A front light for a bicycle according to claim 1, in which the front reflector device is also included as an integral part.
6. A front light for a bicycle according to claim 1, in which the beam of the illuminating device and / or the light reflector device is adjustable for angle via its holder or support relative to the bicycle component within which it is contained.