GB2566495A

GB2566495A - Vehicle handlebar indicator extension system

Info

Publication number: GB2566495A
Application number: GB1714860.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donagher Kevin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-09-15
Filing date: 2017-09-15
Publication date: 2019-03-20
Also published as: GB201714860D0

Abstract

A vehicle handlebar indicator extension system to be fitted primarily to both sides of a pedal cycle handlebars but also any suitable vehicle with a handlebars. The system is fitted to the left and right hand sides of the vehicle handlebars by means of a small clamp and can be activated by the push of a sliding switch 8 on either side. The indicator system when deployed extends to a fixed length, a sliding indicator 10 incorporating indicator lights. The indicator system is intended to be deployed to give the user an option of signalling clearly the direction they wish to turn without having to take their hands off the handlebars of their vehicle. The indicator system physically extends perpendicular to the vehicle frame beyond the handlebars thereby increasing the apparent size of the vehicle.

Description

Title

Vehicle Handlebar Indicator Extension System

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable indication system that can be added to the handlebars of a vehicle with no inbuilt indication system. In particular the invention relates to a pedal cycle handlebars.

Background to the Invention

The invention relates to a vehicle handlebar indicator extension system that can be fitted to the handlebars of any pedal cycle primarily but also can be used on numerous other vehicles that do not have an inbuilt indication system such as Segways or Electric Scooters. The indicator system is fitted to the left and right hand sides of a handlebars with a small clamp and can be activated by the push of a sliding switch on either side.

At present the use of pedal cycles is rapidly growing due to the clear health benefits from cycling as both a hobby and as a commuting option. Cycling on busy roads in particular through cities can be a dangerous activity due to the increasing levels of cars on the road. This invention intends to provide a quick and cheap method of attaching an indicator extension system to any common pedal cycle handlebars. Typically at the moment when a cyclist wishes to indicate that they are turning left or right they will put their hand out to the side to indicate. The problem with this is that the cyclist can lose control of the pedal cycle when doing this and when the weather is bad or visibility poor, this adds an extra element of danger which could lead to an accident. This invention intends to provide a vastly simpler and cheaper solution to a common everyday problem that affects all cyclists in their daily lives. The indicators are clearly visible for both oncoming traffic and traffic to the rear of the user. The indicator system is portable meaning it can be attached to any pedal cycle and removed to prevent theft.

The sliding switch on the left hand side is pushed once to extend the sliding indicator and pushed a second time in the opposite direction to retract the sliding indicator after a turn has been made. The exact same process takes place on the right hand side if the user is making a right hand turn. The indicator system is intended to be deployed to give the user an option of signalling clearly the direction they wish to turn without having to take their hands off the handlebars of their vehicle.

The indicator system consists of a sliding indicator with embedded lights housed in a casing that travels on an internal track controlled by a spring drive that is activated with the push of a sliding switch. The sliding indicators incorporate lights that clearly indicate to other road traffic which direction the cyclist intends to turn. The indicator system also has the added use of emphasising the minimum passing distance which motorists should keep outside when overtaking a cyclist.

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention there is provided, as set out in the appended claims, a vehicle handlebar indicator extension system comprising:

a sliding indicator travelling on an internal track which is positioned adjacent to the launcher and is propelled by the launcher, said sliding indicator comprises lights;

a launcher which launches the sliding indicator, said launcher comprising of two compression springs at either end of the launcher which are connected to a bullet at each end, said launcher incorporates a sliding switch;

a pair of stoppers which release and catch the sliding indicator;

a casing incorporating a handlebar clamp which all of the various parts are contained within;

a cover which holds all parts in position and incorporates a window which limits the sliding switch movement.

A major advantage of the invention is that the sliding indicator is extended and retracted using potential energy from the compression springs alone, and only a small amount of electrical power for the lights is required. An example of the vehicle handlebar indicator extension working is in the scenario that a cyclist is commuting through a city and wishes to turn left or right. Instead of the usual process which involves the cyclist raising one arm off the handlebars and indicating the direction with their arm they can simply push the sliding switch on the left or right of the handlebars to deploy the sliding indicator and thus minimise the risk of losing control of the pedal cycle.

In one embodiment of the invention there are lights incorporated in the sliding indicator that flash once the sliding indicator is deployed.

In one embodiment of the invention the sliding indicator lights are powered by a battery.

In one embodiment of the invention the sliding indicator lights are powered by kinetic energy converted in to electrical energy.

In one embodiment of the invention there is a plastic cover covering the sliding indicator.

In one embodiment of the invention there is a reflective material covering the sliding indicator.

In one embodiment of the invention the sliding indicator is able to deploy to different pre-determined lengths.

In one embodiment of the invention the sliding indicator is propelled using a spring drive system.

In one embodiment of the invention there is a handlebar bracket that can be used to attach to any sized pedal cycle handlebar.

In one embodiment of the invention the indicator system is positioned underneath the handlebars.

In one embodiment of the invention the indicator system is fitted to the left and right hand sides of a vehicle handlebars.

In another embodiment of the invention an electric motor extends/retracts the indicator.

In one embodiment of the invention there is an audio message activated when the sliding indicator is extended.

In one embodiment of the invention it consists of a magnetic bracket attachment that securely attaches the invention to the handlebars.

In one embodiment of the invention there are magnets positioned in the casing and the sliding indicator that prevent the sliding indicator rattling.

In one embodiment of the invention the clamp connecting the invention casing to the handlebars folds back in to the casing itself due to its ergonomic shape.

In one embodiment of the invention the invention casing and sliding indicator have a curved shape.

In one embodiment of the invention the indication system is fixed permanently to a pedal cycle handlebars with no option of removing the system.

In one embodiment of the invention the indication system is fitted to a pedal cycle seatpost.

In one embodiment of the invention the indicator system can be attached to the handlebars of Segway and Scooter vehicles.

In one embodiment of the invention the sliding indicator has lights on both sides of the indicator so that they are visible from the front and the rear.

In one embodiment of the invention the sliding indicator has no lights incorporated.

In one embodiment of the invention the sliding indicator is luminescent.

In one embodiment of the invention the sliding indicator is fluorescent.

In one embodiment the vehicle handlebar indicator extension system is made of plastic.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of an example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an exploded view of the invention.

Figure 2 is a front elevation view of the invention.

Figure 3 is a side view of the invention.

Figure 4 is a bottom elevation of the invention.

Figure 5 is a rear view of the invention main casing.

Figure 6 is an isometric view of the rear of the invention.

Drawing Reference Numerals

1	Casing
2	Sliding Indicator
3	Clamp
4	Stopper
5	Launcher
6	Bullet
7	Cover
8	Sliding Switch
9	Battery Slot
10	Lights

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to the drawings and initially Figures 1 and 2 there is illustrated a vehicle handlebar indicator extension system comprising:

a pair of stoppers which release and catch the sliding indicator;

Referring to Figures 1-3 the mode of function of the invention can be witnessed. The launcher comprises a unit containing bullets attached to compression springs at either end. The launcher has two notches which the stoppers fit in to. The launcher also incorporates the sliding switch. When not extended a stopper fits in to the notch to keep the sliding indicator and launcher locked in place. The springs provide the drive to move the sliding indicator when sufficient elastic potential energy is stored by moving the position of the sliding switch. Pushing the sliding switch backwards and forwards increases the compression of the springs. As the spring reaches near maximum compression, the notch of the launcher pushes the first stopper aside which extends the sliding indicator. The second stopper locks the sliding indicator in position. Similarly in reverse the launcher is pushed the opposite direction whilst increasing the compression on the spring releasing it when the stopper is pushed aside. Thus the sliding indicator is launched back inside the casing.

Figures 1-4 and 6 show the sliding indicator comprises a small knob on its surface that interfaces with the track drive contained within the launcher. The knob keeps the sliding indicator aligned and guides it when released. The sliding indicator has spaces designed to allow the addition of lights. The sliding indicator comprises small electrical contacts positioned at the bottom of the unit which complete an electrical circuit when the indicator is extended.

Figures 1 and 2 illustrate that there are two stoppers positioned within the casing that serve to both catch and release the sliding indicator. When closed a stopper fits into the notch on the launcher. Likewise there are two bullets contained within the launcher that are connected to the compression springs which provide the potential energy to launch the sliding indicator.

The clamp shown in Figures 1-6 is part of the main casing and is the means by which the indication system is attached to a handlebars.

The cover illustrated in Figure 1 keeps all of the various components in place. The window in the cover provides the constraint on the sliding switch movement. The sliding switch is the means by which the launcher is moved to increase the spring compression to either extend or retract the sliding indicator.

Figures 5 and 6 show the battery slot positioned at the rear of the invention. When the sliding indicator is launched by pushing the sliding switch, an electrical circuit is completed with the extension of the sliding indicator. The lights positioned within the sliding indicator illuminate once the electrical circuit is completed. Likewise when the sliding switch is pushed in the opposite direction the sliding indicator retracts back within the casing and the lights are turned off.

Claims

Claims:

1. A vehicle handlebar indicator extension system comprising:

a pair of stoppers which release and catch the sliding indicator;

2. A vehicle handlebar indicator extension system according to claim 1 that can be operated on any vehicle with a handlebar.

3. The vehicle handlebar indicator extension system according to any of claims 1 and 2 is portable so that it can be transferred between vehicles with handlebars.

4. A vehicle handlebar indicator extension system as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying description and/or drawings.