GB2529931A

GB2529931A - Cyclist's side warning light

Info

Publication number: GB2529931A
Application number: GB1511877.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aidan William Gribbin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-09-03
Filing date: 2015-07-07
Publication date: 2016-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2035-07-07
Also published as: GB2529931B; GB201415558D0; GB201511877D0

Abstract

A side warning light for a bicycle comprising a housing unit that has a plurality of light sources, a power source, an electrical circuit connecting the light source and power source, at least one switch, a plurality of light diffusers positioned opposite each other facing opposite directions and a clip to mount the light housing to the bicycle body or frame. The light will preferably shine a flashing light in opposite directions from the side of the bicycle. The flashing light will also preferably be an amber colour. The light will also preferably have a USB charging connection which will be sealed by a rubber plug.

Description

DESCRIPTION:

This light is designed to emphasise the location of a cyclist to other road users and pedestrians by shining a light from the side of the bike.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the field of lighting, lamps and reflectors for bicycles or bikes and is particularly adapted for mounting at 90 degrees to the frame of a bike or bicycle so as to produce a light from opposite ends of the lighting unit to both sides of the bike in a position that the cyclist will not impede the emitted light.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lighting technology has improved at an amazing rate since the invention of the Light Emitting Diode (LED) and the advances in battery technology. This light utilises both of these advances and provides an additional lighting positional indicator to the already successful bike lighting industry. This invention had been developed to improve the visibility of the cyclist in all light conditions and . : benefit cyclists in low light conditions such as at night.

*...: INTRUDUC11ON TO DRAWINGS * . Figure 1/5 shows the intended lighting beam and its direction * : Figure 2/5 shows a diagram of the light from a side profile * Figure 3/5 shows the internal electrical components assembled Figure 4/5 shows an exploded view of the lights components Figure 5/5 shows the frame mounting clip ** * * * * * *.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

With the foregoing in mind, this invention provides an additional safety lighting device that will help protect the cyclist from a side impact With the increase in popularity of cycling and the increased awareness of safety, the cycle light industry has become a huge market. Most current bike lights are deigned to illuminate the position of the cyclist to other road users both from the front and the rear of the bike as well as illuminating the road ahead in the case of a front light Since revision of the Road Vehicles Lighting Regulations in 2005, it is now permissible for bike lights to emit a flashing light as long as it flashes between 60 and 240 times per minute. This law change has led to an abundance of bike lights made available to cyclists. There are also some products that shine a light onto the wheel's spokes and tyres and come in various colours and flashing sequences. In some cases advertisements and pictures are able to be programmed into the electronics.

This invention focuses solely on illustrating the position of the cyclist from the side. This light produces an amber light which conforms to the Road Traffic Act and can be currently seen on all motorised vehicles including cars, motorbikes, lorries and vans. Amber lights are also required on all trailers giving other road users a safety warning of the length and position of the trailer. This bike light utilises the same safety feature prescribed by the Road Traffic Act and by the use of the correct colour lighting that is amber, the correct number of flashes per minute and the positioning of the light to ertiit an amber light from the side of the pedal vehicle conforms itself to the Road Traffic Act.

The light is fastened to the bike via a mount that is attached to the frame of the bike by the use of a stretchy elastic type material in a loop or an adjustable strap that allows the clip to be used on a number of different size and shape frames. The elastic loop fastens to the frame clip by means of small plastic hooks. At 90 degrees to the frame clip is a cradle to house the light which sits directly above it. The light is held into the cradle by means of friction or an elastic type material loop and hooks on the cradle and a small non slip rubber pad.

Unlike a United States patented product: patent number 4,819,135, this light is easily removable from the bike by either removing it from the cradLe or removing the light and frame clip together from the bike. It can also be rechargeable unlike patent: 4,819,135.

The light is powered by a replaceable battery or recharged by means of a USB socket with a water and dust proof silicone cover or similar rubbery material. The lighting unit can be charged by any power source such as a laptop or USS socket. The switch to operate the light is also covered in a similar material and has a charge gauge showing different colour lights for different states of charge.

Power is supplied by means of a battery cell that is held in the light's body.

* * The main feature of the light is that it provides a flashing or constant amber light from both ends of the light providing a positional indicator for the cyclist to other road users. Various flashing *:* sequences and speeds as well as a constant light are available within the programmed micro-controller.

The main body of the light is made from or a tough shock resistant such as aluminium or a plastic or rubbery type product and houses all the components including, printed circuit board, battery, : switch, charging port and lenses. The amber lenses are situated at opposite ends of the light and make no effort in producing a light to shine towards the front or the rear of the bike. Some of the light produced will be visible from the front and rear of the bike as a result of light radiation. The lenses are also made from a tough coloured plastic or glass.

The light may also be fastened to or be part of a front or rear light but the only light shining to the sides of the bike is amber.

I

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The detailed invention will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying figures.

The materials, methods and examples given are illustrative in nature only and are in no way intended to be limiting. Accordingly, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the illustrated example. Unless otherwise defined, technical and specific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains.

Figures ito 5 show the bicycle light of the present invention. It should be understood that at the outset when the term bicycle frame is used, it refers to any part of the bicycle frame or any part forming the structure if the bicycle and not just the area illustrated in Figure 1. The light can be mounted anywhere on the bicycle.

The bicycle light in Figure 2 in its present invention includes two light sources via LED sources 2, emitting an amber light (colour not shown) through a lens or diffuser 5, and housed in an end cap 6.

These parts are present at both ends of the body tube iS, and are sealed from any ingress of water or dust by an 0-ring 7. The lens is made of a translucent material allowing the light produced from the LED light source 2 to be seen. Either or both the LEDs 2, and the lens 5, will be coloured amber/orange to produce an orange/amber light The lens Sand LED 2 unit by their nature and design may also have some refletive light qualities and will act accordingly should the light be turned off.

* The LED lighting units 2, will be connected to the main printed circuit board (PCB) 4, which is housed in or on the carrier 11, and are controlled by means of a switch 3, that is accessed through the main * " body tube 15, via the switch and cover 12. The switch controls the power sent to the LED's and can 4 have the option to select different types of flashing, constant power and the light on and off. The light is powered by a battery or batteries i, that can be either rechargeable or replaceable. The battery shown in FIgure 4 is an example of a rechargeable battery. **..

* : FigureS shows the clip 16, in its present invention. The clip is fastened to the bike frame by means of the frame strap 17. In this example of the clip, it is designed to remain on the bike by means of the frame strap 17. When the light is not in use, being charged, stored for safety or any other need for the light to be removed, the clip may remain on the bike by means of the frame strap. As previously mentioned, other variants of the frame strap or fastening device may also be used to fasten the light to the frame. The strap and clip may also be part of the light and formed in the manufacture as one item.

In its current form shown in FIgure 4, the light is rechargeable by means of a micro USB io, or similar. This is connected to the battery via a PCB for the USB 10. The USB is protected from the elements by means of a USB sealing bung 8. All the light's internals are housed and held together by means of the carrier ii which is in turn housed by the body tube is and end caps 16.

Acordingly, in the Figures and specification, there have been disclosed typical preferred embodiments of the invention, and although specific terms are employed, the terms are used in a descriptive sense only and not for the purposes of limitation. The invention has been described in considerable detail with specific reference to these illustrated embodiments. it will be apparent however that varous modifications and changes can be made within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the forgoeing specification and as defined in the appended claims. * a. * a * a-a *

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