GB2474486A

GB2474486A - Portable Safety Light

Info

Publication number: GB2474486A
Application number: GB0918116A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nicky Farrell
Original assignee: SALAMANDER 3D Ltd
Current assignee: SALAMANDER 3D Ltd
Priority date: 2009-10-16
Filing date: 2009-10-16
Publication date: 2011-04-20
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-16
Also published as: GB0918116D0; GB2474486B

Abstract

A portable safety light having a low voltage laser light source emitting a laser light beam and a reciprocating mirror for reflecting the laser light beam in a reciprocating manner so as to illuminate a portion of a person 17 or vehicle 12 carrying the portable safety light. The laser light source may include an optical element so that the emitted laser light beam is spread in one dimension and the reciprocating motion of the mirror may be caused by a cam arrangement coupled to be driven by either a motor or a solenoid. The speed of reciprocation of the mirror and the reflected laser light beam can be varied. There may also be provided a mount for enabling the portable safety light to be mounted on a person or to a cycle, motor cycle or other vehicle in such manner that the beam of laser light exiting the housing is directed at a portion of the person, cycle, motor cycle or other vehicle. At least one LED (Light Emitting Diode) may also provide a direct source of light, which may be continuous or intermittent.

Description

A Portable Safety Light

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a portable safety light, particularly, though not exclusively, for a portable safety light that can be easily carried by a person or be mounted on a person or on a bicycle or other vehicle in order to enhance the safety of the person or the vehicle.

Background of the Invention

As is well known, both pedestrians and cyclists (inlcuding motor cyclists) are often in great danger on the roads of being hit by a fast moving vehicle, such as a car or truck, because they present a relatively small area to be seen by a driver of the vehicle. This danger is exacerbated at night because the drivers of the vehicles rarely see pedestrians or cyclists from a safe braking distance, even though they often carry lights (which may emit a continuous or flashing beam of light) or wear reflective patches. The problem in both cases is that the area from which the light emanates (either emitted or reflected) to the driver of the vehicle is relatviely small, and the driver often does not notice it, or does not realise that it is mounted on or forms part of a larger entity, that of the pedestrian or cyclist.

One solution to try to increase safety of a cyclist is described in US Patent No. 2008/0219014, where a laser device is mounted to a bumber of a bicycle and arranged to generate a simulated cycle lane on the road next to the bicycle as it is ridden on the road. However, this solution does not improve the visibility of the actual cyclist.

Brief Summary of the Invention

The present invention therefore seeks to provide a portable safety light, which overcomes, or at least reduces the above-mentioned problems of the

prior art.

Accordingly, the invention provides a portable safety light comprising a housing, a low voltage laser light source within the housing for emitting a laser light beam and a reciprocating mirror within the housing for reflecting the laser light beam from the laser light source in a reciprocating manner to exit the housing so as to illuminate a portion of a person or vehicle carrying the portable safety light.

Preferably, the laser light source comprises a laser light generator and an optical element for emitting a laser light beam spread in one dimension.

In one embodiment, the reciprocating motion of the mirror is caused by rotation of the mirror about an axis.

Preferably, the portable safety light further comprises a motor for driving the mirror in its reciprocating motion.

A cam arrangement may be coupled to be driven by the motor and to cause the mirror to move in its reciprocating motion.

In one embodiment, the cam arrangement comprises a rotatable member mounted for rotation with the motor and comprising a generally circular track having a variable depth that changes along the length of the circular track, and a longitudinal member having a first end biased against the circular track and a second end engaged to swivel a rotatable element having the mirror mounted thereon about an axis, wherein the longitudinal member moves in a reciprocating manner in a longitudinal direction, as its first end is biased against the circular track whose depth varies at the rotatable member is rotated by the motor, the second end of the longitudinal member thereby causing the rotatable element to rotate in a reciprocating manner about the axis.

ln another embodiment, the portable safety light comprises a shaft arranged for reciprocating motion within the solenoid and wherein the cam arrangement comprising a generally longitudinal cam member having a first end in contact with the shaft and a second end engaged to swivel a rotatable element having the mirror mounted thereon about an axis, wherein the cam member moves in a reciprocating manner in a longitudinal direction, as its first end is moved by the shaft, which is moved by the solenoid, the second end of the longitudinal member thereby causing the rotatable element to rotate in a reciprocating manner about the axis.

The generally longitudinal cam member may either be biased against the shaft, or may be connected to the shaft.

The portable safety light preferably further comprises a control on the housing for controlling the speed of reciprocation of the mirror and the reflected laser light beam.

The housing may be provided with a window portion through which the laser light beam exits the housing.

Preferably, the portable safety light further comprises a mount fitted to the housing for enabling the portable safety light to be mounted on a person or to a cycle, motor cycle or other vehicle in such manner that the beam of laser light exiting the housing is directed at a portion of the person, cycle, motor cycle or other vehicle.

The portable safety light preferably further comprises at least one LED (Light Emitting Diode) for providing a direct source of light emitted from the housing. The LED(s) may be arranged to emit light continuously or intermittently, in which case a control may be provided on the housing for controlling the frequency of the emission of light from the LED (s). Preferably, the LED(s) emits red light.

The portable safety light preferably further comprises a battery housing and a switch for switching power from a battery to the laser light source.

Brief Description of the Drawings

One embodiment of the invention will now be more fully described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which: FIGs. 1A and 1 B show schematically a plan and side view of a portable safety light according to one embodiment of the present invention mounted to a bicycle; FIG. 2 shows a schematic enlarged view of part 20 of FIG 1 B; FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view of a portable safety light according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the portable safety light of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view on line B-B of FIG. 4; and FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view through a second embodiment of a portable safety light according to the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Thus, as shown in FiGs. Ito 2, particularly, a portable safety light 10 according to one embodiment of the invention is provided with a bicycle mounting bracket II arranged to be fitted to a bicycle 12. As more clearly shown in FIG. 2, which shows portion 20 of FIG. 1B, the bicycle mounting bracket II is provided at one end with a swivel mount 1 3 to which the portable safety light 10 can be fixed such that it can be adjusted to a desired position and then fixed in that position. The swivel mount 13 may be a ratchet or other means whereby the portable safety light 10 can be rotated with respect to the bicycle mount 11 and then remains fixed in that angular position, or can include a clamp that can be released to allow the portable safety light 10 to be adjusted and the clamped to maintain it in position. The other end of the bicycle mounting bracket 11 is provided with a clamp 14 to fit the bicycle mounting bracket II to a saddle post 15 of the bicycle 12 in a known manner. The mounting bracket 11 may include a housing for a power source, such as one or more suitable batteries, together with an appropriate connector to connect with the safety light 10 to provide power thereto.

The portable safety light 10 has, as will be more fully described below, projected field angles 16 in both the horizontal and vertical planes. As shown in FIG. IA, the horizontal projected field angle 18 is approximately 90° in a forward direction and, as shown in FIG.1B, the vertical projected field angle 19 is approximately 90° in a direction towards a rider 17 sitting on the bicycle 12.

The precise direction of the vertical projected field angle 19 can, of course be adjusted by adjusting the position of the portable safety light 10 on the swivel mount 13, as described above, so that the projected light beam properly illuminates as much of the rider 17, as possible.

Turning now to FIGs. 3 -5, it will be seen that the portable safety light has a housing 21 with a finger grip 22 provided around it for a portion of its length. At one end there is provided a fixing mount 2, within a slot 23 into which fits the swivel mount 13 to allow the portable safety light to be mounted to the bicycle mounting bracket described above. As best shown in FIG. 5, the fixing mount 2 includes an annular ridged plate 24 around an axis 25 with the swivel mount having a corresponding device for interlocking with the ridges on the annular ridged plate 24 at a desired angular position and being clamped thereto.

The other end of the housing 2lis provided with a window 8 through which the laser light beam exits the portable safety light 10. Around the housing 21 there are also provided a plurality of red Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) 5, which are powered from a battery (which as mentioned above may be housed in the mounting bracket 11) and can be arranged to emit light continuously or to flash.

Turning now to FIG. 5, particularly, within the housing 21 there is provided a motor 3, which is powered by the battery (not shown) and can be controlled by a manual control button 9 to alter the rotational speed of the motor 3. A rotatable cam member 4 is mounted to the motor 3 to be rotated by the motor 3. The cam member 4 is provided with an annular track 26 in the form of a channel having a varying depth. A longitudinal cam member I is arranged with a first end within the annular track 26 and is biased by a spring 27 towards a base of the channel. Thus, as the rotatable cam member rotates so that the annualr track rotates, the depth of the base of the channel varies causing the longitudinal member to be moved axially in a reciprocating manner.

The other end of the longitudinal cam member I is coupled to a swivel mount 28 arranged to swivel about an axis 29 in a reciprocating manner. On the swivel mount 28 is mounted a mirror 7 arranged in a position to reflect a laser light beam 31 emitted from a laser light source 6 towards the window 8 from where the laser light beam 31 exits the housing 21. The laser light beam 31 exiting the laser light source 6 passes through an optical element 30, which disperses the laser light beam 31 in one dimension, i.e. to form a linear projected beam. As this linear projected laser light beam is reflected by the mirror 8 it provides the horizontal projected field angle 18. The optical element may be, for example, a diffraction element, or any other suitable optical device, Thus, as the longitudinal cam member reciprocates axially, it causes the mirror 7 on the swivel mount 28 to move in a reciprocating manner causing the linear projected laser light beam 31 to be reflected in a reciprocating manner through the vertical projected field angle 19. Thus, the laser light beam 31 is projected through the horizontal projected filed angle 18 and is reciprocated through the vertical projected field angIe 19 so as to illuminate as much as possible of the bicycle rider's back (and possibly head), thereby increasing the visibility of the rider to drivers of following vehicles.

As mentioned above, the motor 3 can be controlled to alter its speed, and therefore the rate of oscillation of the longitudinal cam member I and the mirror 7. In fact, the motor can be programmed to go through a repeating sequence of different speeds, which set the oscillations of the laser light beam to different frequencies and which may allow the oscillation to be stationary within a sequence before moving again.

A second embodiment of a safety light 10 is shown in FIG. 6, in which the same elements as those described above with reference to FIG. 5 are provided with the same reference numerals and will not be specifically described in detail again. In this case, the motor 3 is replaced by a solenoid 32, again powered from the battery (not shown). The solenoid 32 has a shaft 33 which is caused to reciprocate by the solenoid 32 in a known manner. The cam member 1 is provided with a dog leg section 34 whose end is arranged to be in contact with the shaft 33. Thus, when the shaft 33 is moved longitudinally by the solenoid, this causes the cam member 1 to move longitudinally and hence to cause the mirror 7 on the swivel mount 28 to move about axis 29 in a reciprocating manner causing the linear projected laser light beam 31 to be reflected in a reciprocating manner through the window 8. It will be appreciated that the mirror 7 is shown in FIG. 6 at an end of its reciprocating motion where the laser light beam 31 is not reflected by the mirror 7 and passes straight through the window 8. Although the cam member I is shown as being biased by spring 27 towards the shaft 33, it will be appreciated that, if the cam member is connected to the shaft 33, then, if the shaft 33 is caused to reciprocate due to reverses in the direction of the current flowing through the solenoid 32, then the cam member I will be caused to reciprocate without the need for the spring 27.

It will be appreciated that although only two particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, various modifications and improvements can be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although described as being mounted on a bicycle, it will be apparent that the device could be mounted on any vehicle to enhance its visibility, especially, for example, if it is stationary in a road following a break down, or if it is an oversize vehicle. If mounted to a motor vehicle, such as a motor cycle, it could be arranged to be powered from the battery of the motor vehicle, rather than or additionally to, its own battery. Alternatively, the battery(ies) may be located in a separate housing arranged to be clipped to the safety light housing, or to be located within the safety light housing itself. Of course, since it is portable, the safety light can also be carried by pedestrians and can be arranged to be mounted to a person's body in order to illuminate it for safety purposes. in such circumstances, it may also server to assist rescue of persons or vehicles in emergency situations, for example where a hiker or other person(s) has been lost in dangerous terrain, such as mountains, or to assist lifeboats and other rescue personnel in sea trauma situations.

Claims

Claims 1. A portable safety light comprising a housing, a low voltage laser light source within the housing for emitting a laser light beam and a reciprocating mirror within the housing for reflecting the laser light beam from the laser light source in a reciprocating manner to exit the housing so as to illuminate a portion of a person or vehicle carrying the portable safety light.
2. A portable safety light according to claim 1, wherein the laser light source comprises a laser light generator and an optical element for emitting a laser light beam spread in one dimension.
3. A portable safety light according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the reciprocating motion of the mirror is caused by rotation of the mirror about an axis.
4. A portable safety light according to any preceding claim, further comprising a motor for driving the mirror in its reciprocating motion.
5. A portable safety light according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a solenoid for driving the mirror in its reciprocating motion.
6. A portable safety light according to either claim 4 or claim 5, further comprising a cam arrangement coupled to be driven and to cause the mirror to move in its reciprocating motion.
7. A portable safety light according to claim 6, wherein the cam arrangement comprising a rotatable member mounted for rotation with the motor and comprising a generally circular track having a variable depth that changes along the length of the circular track, and a longitudinal member having a first end biased against the circular track and a second end engaged to swivel a rotatable element having the mirror mounted thereon about an axis, wherein the longitudinal member moves in a reciprocating manner in a longitudinal direction, as its first end is biased against the circular track whose depth varies at the rotatable member is rotated by the motor, the second end of the longitudinal member thereby causing the rotatable element to rotate in a reciprocating manner about the axis.
8. A portable safety light according to claim 6, comprising a shaft arranged for reciprocating motion within the solenoid and wherein the cam arrangement comprising a generally longitudinal cam member having a first end in contact with the shaft and a second end engaged to swivel a rotatable element having the mirror mounted thereon about an axis, wherein the cam member moves in a reciprocating manner in a longitudinal direction, as its first end is moved by the shaft, which is moved by the solenoid, the second end of the longitudinal member thereby causing the rotatable element to rotate in a reciprocating manner about the axis.
9. A portable safety light according to claim 8, wherein the generally longitudinal cam member is biased against the shaft.
10. A portable safety light according to claim 8, wherein the generally longitudinal cam member is connected to the shaft.
11. A portable safety light according to any one of claims 4 to 10, further comprising a control on the housing for controlling the speed of reciprocation of the mirror and the reflected laser light beam.
12. A portable safety light according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is provided with a window portion through which the laser light beam exits the housing.
13. A portable safety light according to any preceding claim, further comprising a mount fitted to the housing for enabling the portable safety light to be mounted on a person or to a cycle, motor cycle or other vehicle in such manner that the beam of laser light exiting the housing is directed at a portion of the person, cycle, motor cycle or other vehicle.
14. A portable safety light according to any preceding claim, further comprising at least one LED (Light Emitting Diode) for providing a direct source of light emitted from the housing.
15. A portable safety light according to claim 14, wherein the LED(S) is arranged to emit light continuously.
16. A portable safety light according to claim 14, wherein the LED(s) is arranged to emit light intermittently.
17. A portable safety light according to claim 16, further comprising a control on the housing for controlling the frequency of the emission of light from the LED (s).
18. A portable safety light according to any one of claims 14 to 17, wherein the LED(s) emits red light.
19. A portable safety light according to any preceding claim, further comprising a battery housing and a switch for switching power from a battery to the laser light source.
20. A portable safety light substantially as herein before described with reference to the drawings.