GB2545255A

GB2545255A - A cycle notification device

Info

Publication number: GB2545255A
Application number: GB1521831.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jocelyn Jones Celia
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-12-11
Filing date: 2015-12-11
Publication date: 2017-06-14
Also published as: GB201621104D0; GB2546611A; GB201521831D0; GB2546611B

Abstract

A cycle notification device comprising a housing 7 accommodating an energy source (14, Fig 3), a printed circuit board (16, Fig 3), and a sound producing apparatus, preferably comprising a loudspeaker and a speaker grill 6. A temporary cycle attachment means 10 and a plurality of discrete control inputs are also taught; the inputs relating to a user's cycling status, and may include a left-turn 5, a right turn 2, a notification the user is approaching other road users 4, and blind spot notification 2 buttons. And wherein the apparatus is arranged to provide synthesised verbal reporting of said status to warn other road users of the cyclists intentions or presence. In some embodiments the device may be removably mounted to the handlebars, in others it may be provided as a replacement to the handlebar grips (Fig 5a-b), and in yet others it may be arranged to fit into the handlebars open ends.

Description

A CYCLE NOTIFICATION DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a cycle notification device, in particular a device for alerting other road users of the cycle; more particularly but not exclusively a device for notifying other road users of bicycle users’ intentions.

Background

Increasing numbers of users enjoy cycling.

However this is concurrent with increasing numbers of other road users using the roads of many societies. In consequence the cycle users are at increasing levels of danger, particularly with regards to other vehicle drivers being unaware of the users’ intentions, and according accidents being caused by the driver’s lack of awareness of where the user is. This can be highly dangerous to the user and costly for society.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

United States patent application US 2014 240 113 (POTTIER et al) discloses a programmable device for alerting vehicles and pedestrians, comprising: a housing having an attachment mechanism and an actuator disposed thereon, the attachment configured for engagement with a portion of a bicycle on a location proximate to at least one hand of a user while the user is in a riding position on the bicycle; a data input component disposed along the housing and configured to receive at least one audio file; a speaker in electrical communication with the data input and operably coupled with the actuator, the speaker configured to produce sound corresponding to the at least one audio file upon engagement of the actuator by the user; and at least one light source operably coupled with the actuator, the at least one light source configured to produce at least one lighting projection configuration upon engagement of the actuator by the user.

Granted United States patent GB 2 494 124 (PELET) discloses an apparatus for providing an audible cue, comprising: at least one sound emitting element in a housing securable to a bicycle; and a trigger element securable to a bicycle for a user of a bicycle to indicate when an audible cue is desired; wherein the sound emitting element is arranged to generate and emit an audible cue having a sound pressure level of at least 120dB, said sound emitting element further comprising a magnification chamber region comprising spaces via which magnified sound pressure waves can escape thereby emitting the audible cue.

Korean patent application KR 20 100 060 552 (BAE) discloses a bicycle bell for indicating direction is provided to enable a pedestrian to recognize a driving direction of the bicycle in advance due to the sound which is made from the bicycle bell and to prevent a user to collide with the pedestrian. The bicycle bell comprises: speakers making voice for displaying direction information of the bicycle; and an operation device which is capable of being controlled from side to side. The sound for distinguishing the left side and the right side of the bicycle is respectively made from each speaker by controlling the operation device with fingers from side to side.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a cycle notification device comprising a housing comprising an energy source, a printed circuit board, and a sound producing apparatus; a temporary cycle attachment means; and a plurality of discrete control inputs; wherein said inputs relate to a user’s cycling status and the apparatus is arranged to provide synthesised verbal reporting of said status.

The reporting may provide signals or cues or recordings such as “cyclist approaching”; “cyclist in your blind spot”, namely alerts to other road users. In this way the apparatus may be arranged to provide a loud verbal warning in the range of over 80db and approximately 100db. In some embodiments different languages and styles of warning may be available.

In this way the plurality of control inputs may comprise a plurality of depressable buttons. Advantageously the cycle attachment means may allow the device to be arranged on the cycle’s handlebars.

In some embodiments the attachment means may be easily reversible, for anti-theft purposes. In some embodiments the attachment means may allow rotation so as to best present the device features.

In some embodiments the control inputs may be arranged and/or located individually so as to aid the user in their identification and discrete use in use. For example in some embodiments some of the control inputs may be arranged as sliding controls, whereas other control inputs may comprise buttons or switches.

In some embodiments the control inputs may be arranged to emit repeating verbal status recounting.

For example in some embodiments the control inputs may comprise activation of a loop of status reports. This may repeat until deactivated.

In such embodiments the control inputs may comprise at least one switch or other control input mechanically or electronically displaceable from a first position to a second position, which switch is moved to the first position to activate status reporting, and moved to the second position to deactivate status reporting.

In this way the user may be enabled to safely accomplish a manoeuvre, whilst maintaining awareness of their status.

In this way a user may be envisaged to alert other road users of their presence and in particular of their cycling intentions.

In some embodiments the control inputs may be arranged on the housing so as to replicate finger positions in use, for example wherein the housing comprises spaced apart control inputs, and/or raised and lowered parts to guide the user’s fingers.

In some embodiments the control inputs may be displaced apart from the housing. For example in some embodiments the control inputs may be comprised by handlebar grips. In some embodiments the control inputs comprise pressure sensors, for example wherein compression of the left-hand grip indicates status of a left turn and viceversa, and compression of both grips provides an alert as to presence of the cyclist.

The sound producing apparatus may comprise at least one loudspeaker and an amplifier.

The housing may be provided with at least one perforation for egress of the produced sound.

The energy source in some embodiments may comprise at least one displaceable battery. In some embodiments the energy source may comprise at least one rechargeable battery. In some embodiments the device includes energy harvesting.

In some embodiments the housing may be wholly or partly displaced from the cycle attachment means. This may allow for the recharging of the energy source or replacement of batteries as well as providing an anti-theft property.

The housing and attachment means may comprise a quick-release mechanism mounting, advantageously such that the device may be predominantly removed from the cycle when the cycle is locked or left.

In some embodiments the attachment means may comprise a quick-release mechanism.

In some embodiments the device may comprise wired or wireless connectivity. In embodiments for example having wired connectivity a data transfer cable connection port may be provided on the housing, so as to allow for transfer of data to and from the printed circuit board. In this way in some embodiments it may be envisaged that data such as new sounds, inputs and/or intentions may be arranged for the device.

In some embodiments the device may include global positioning software or other data processing abilities, and/or data recordal means; for example including audio data. In some embodiments the device may include a microphone.

In some embodiments data transfer is accomplished by wireless connectivity, for example intermachine operability such as Bluetooth (RTM).

In some embodiments the housing may comprise waterproofing and/or weatherproofing.

The user’s status notifications may comprise a left-hand or right-hand turn, wherein control inputs may be correspondingly situated to left or right side of the housing in use; and are arranged to make other road users or drivers aware of the user’s directional intentions.

The user’s status notifications may further comprise status awareness notifications, for example relating to making other road users aware of the user’s position.

In some embodiments the device is provided in a dual arrangement at manufacture and retail. For example in such embodiments the device may be arranged to fit a handlebar, in particular but not exclusively at the handlebar end.

In some embodiments for example the device may be provided as a replacement to a handlebar grip, wherein the attachment means comprises a cylindrical sleeve.

In some embodiments for example the device may be provided as an addition to handlebar grip.

In some embodiments for example the device may be arranged to fit into the handlebar’s open cylindrical end.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the device according to the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a reverse exploded isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and

Figure 5a shows a sketch of an isometric view of a second embodiment of the device in use, and Figure 5b shows a sketch of an exploded isometric view of the second embodiment.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures 1 to 4 there is shown a first embodiment of the device comprising a monolithic housing comprised of an outer 77, a main body 76, and a lower body 75, wherein the lower body comprises a resiliently deformable arm 11.

The housing comprises internally two loudspeakers, a printed circuit board 16, a displaceable battery and a loudspeaker grill 6.

The arm forms the attachment means 10 to a cycle, such as to a cylindrical part of the cycle like the handlebars; wherein the cylindrical part fits into a curved elongate indentation A in the lower, so as to be gripped thereagainst by the resiliently deformable arm.

The resiliently deformable arm is comprised in the outer, to form an elastic and/or silicone overmould, which stretches over the cycle part in use.

In some embodiments the arm may be substantially inelastic and/or hinged, wherein perforations are arranged longitudinally to allow for variance in cycle parts for attachment.

In this way the device may be easily removed for anti-theft purposes, and/or rotated on or about the part so as to redirect the loudspeaker grill 6 and sound for more effectiveness, and so as to better arrange the control inputs 1 for easier use.

The arm interacts with a hook 13, wherein the arm is deformed and hooked over the hook to attach to the part.

The arm includes perforations 12 spaced longitudinally therealong to aid the arm in deforming and/or rotating about the part, reducing friction, and/or providing intermediate staging on the hook.

The control inputs comprise four buttons, namely a left turn 5, a right turn 2, a notification 4 the user is approaching or in front of other road users, and a blind spot notification button 3.

The control inputs are provided on the top of the device, wherein the device comprises a curved front 7, substantially triangular sides 7, and flat base 9 and rear 8. All edges are radiused to prevent snag hazard.

With reference to figure 5 there is shown a dual part cycle arrangement comprising two devices. The arrangement replaces the user’s handlebar grips and allows it to be easily integrated into the user’s setup and, as the user tends to be holding on the grips during their journey, permits easy access to the buttons.

The arrangement comprises two devices wherein the right side deals with turning right and notification the user is approaching or in front of other road users; and the left side dealing with turning left and blind spots.

The buttons are placed horizontally and slightly spaced apart instead of being vertically positioned and next to each other so as to permit the user to distinguish the different buttons easily and control them with separate fingers.

The devices comprise a speaker grill 56, single speaker 65, printed circuit board 61, batteries 41, and a hollow main body 67 for placement over the cycle handlebar 70, comprising two input controls 111, and an end cap 66.

The speakers are at the ends of the handle bars, where waterproofing requirements are lower and there is less chance of both ingress and less chance of the user obscuring the sound in accidentally in use.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A cycle notification device comprising a housing comprising an energy source, a printed circuit board, and a sound producing apparatus; a temporary cycle attachment means; and a plurality of discrete control inputs, ; wherein said inputs relate to a user’s cycling status and the apparatus is arranged to provide synthesised verbal reporting of said status.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the housing comprises an outer, a main body and an inner body; wherein the outer comprises the attachment means,

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the housing comprises a substantially elastic arm.

4. A device according to claim 2 wherein the main body comprises a substantially rigid hook.

5. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the control inputs comprise separately left-turn, a passage, a presence notification, and right-turn buttons.

6. A device according to claim 4 wherein the buttons are spaced left to right in use.

7. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the sound producing apparatus comprises at least one loudspeaker and a speaker grill.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein the grill is directed forwards at an incline.

9. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the attachment means allows rotation so as to more effectively direct sound, or more effectively present control inputs.

10. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the device comprises two discrete devices.

11. A device according to claim 10 wherein the device is inserted into a cycle handlebar end in use.

12. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the verbal reporting comprises a plurality of languages.

13. A device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the verbal reporting comprises an uploadable data.

14. A device substantially as described herein with reference to any of figures 1 to 5.