GB2522916A

GB2522916A - UV light traffic alert system

Info

Publication number: GB2522916A
Application number: GB1402286.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward O'connor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-02-11
Filing date: 2014-02-11
Publication date: 2015-08-12
Also published as: GB201402286D0

Abstract

A cycle safety lighting system comprises a UV light emission source 13 mounted on or integrated with a cycle or other such vehicle and a fluorescent receptor 15 mounted on a second vehicle such as a car. The receptor 15 is mounted surface visible to the driver 17 such as an external mirror and fluoresces 16 to indicate the approach of a cyclist equipped with a UV lamp 13.

Description

UV LIGHT TRAFFIC ALERT SYSTEM

This invention relates to a UV light signal system to enhance road safety for bicycles and other such vehicles.

The use of lights on bikes and other such transport to alert other road users especially cars and lorries is commonplace. Forward facing lights are useful to help drives see a bike in their rear view or side mirror especially when turning.

However this system has its flaws. One of which is that in daylight the lights on the front of a bike being small and relatively weak are not highly visible.

And at night the impact of such lights can easily be lost or diluted when mixed with a multitude of other lights from cars I street signs / advertising etc so that the bike does not have prominence.

A further problem is simply that a light on a bike must be in a position to strike a mirror at an angle the driver can see. In other words such lights depends on a line of sight to be seen.

Yet a further problem is that passengers may not have the driving experience to take heed of normal light signals when opening a car door.

The present invention seeks to address these problems by providing a light emitting and light receiving system that does not depend on line of sight and distinguishes the light user from other road users in an effective fashion.

According to the present invention, There is provided an emission or signal unit comprising a light source utilizing the ultra-violet spectrum such unit being powered by battery and either integrated into the structure of a bike or motorbike or contained in an independent unit attachable to a bike or motorbike.

In addition there is provided a receiving or receptor unit which contains fluorescent material such that when an ultraviolet light shines on it the material responds by emitting a glow of visible light or optionally another form of signal derived from such light and such unit being so designed as to be fixable to a car door mirror and / or other vehicle surfaces.

Advantages The advantages of the proposed light signal system are several. First

The fact that no line of sight is required to activate the receptor unit means that even if a driver of a car cannot see there is bike rider behind them they have an indication from the light signal on their mirror.

Second in situations where there are multiple lights visible in the car mirror the receptor unit nevertheless differentiates the bike signal from other light sources.

Third because the strength of reaction from the receptor unit is proportionate to the proximity of the signal unit the driver has a clear indication of how close a rider is and at what speed he is approaching.

UV LIGHT TRAFFIC ALERT SYSTEM

DRAWINGS

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of reference to the accompanying drawings in which -Figure 1 Shows the emission unit in top and front and side elevation.

Figure 2 Shows the emission unit mounted on a bicycle handle bar.

Figure 3 Shows the receptor unit in top and side and bottom elevation Figure 4 Shows the receptor unit in place on an external car mirror Figure 5 Shows the receptor unit mounted on an external car mirror attached to a car.

Figure 6 Shows the UV Traffic Alert System in Operation.

Referring to the drawings An emission unit Figure 1 has a battery casing Figure 1-1 a transparent lens Figure 1-2 an array of UV LED's Figure 1-3 and an on/off switch Figure 1-5 and a mounting collar Figure 1-4 for mounting on the steering bar of a bike Figure 2-6.

A receptor unit Figure 3 has a store of fluorescent material Figure 3-7 a transparent protective lens Figure 3-8 a body base Figure 3-9 with adhesive pads Figure 3-10 attachable to a car mirror Figure 4-11 attached to a car Figure 5-12 In Use The emission unit Figure 1 is mounted via the mounting collar Figure 1-4 on a bike handlebar Figure 2-6 and activated via the on / off switch Figure 1-5. The receptor unit Figure 3 is mounted on a car mirror Figure 4-11 attached to a car Figure 5-11. When the emission unit Figure 1 mounted on the bike Figure 6-13 is activated via the on/off switch Figure 1-5 it throws a beam of UV light Figure 6-14 which strikes the reception unit mounted on the car door mirror Figure 6-15 which emits a fluorescent glow Figure 6-16 visible to the driver Figure 5-17.