GB2580288A

GB2580288A - A wheel hub device

Info

Publication number: GB2580288A
Application number: GB1816846.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Priestner Terry
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-10-16
Filing date: 2018-10-16
Publication date: 2020-07-22
Also published as: GB201816846D0

Abstract

A wheel hub device 99 comprising a discontinuous body 1 arranged to surround a wheel hub, a closure mechanism 2 arranged to close the body, and one or more light emitting portions 3, 9 which may include light emitting diodes (LEDs) (33; figs. 3, 4) or be retro reflective or luminescent. The body may be a flexible circular strap made of silicone with an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) plastic panel (38; figs. 3, 4) to cover a rechargeable battery (37; figs. 3, 4) and a ball tilt switch. The ends of the strap may be connected by a bayonet hook 4 and slot 6. The battery may be chargeable via a micro-USB charger socket (36; figs. 3, 4). When the device is attached around a wheel hub it may move as the wheel rotates, causing the ball tilt switch to activate the lights. The inner surface 8 of the device may also include a different shiny or textured material to clean the hub during rotation.

Description

A WHEEL HUB DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a wheel hub device, in particular a device for attachment to a wheel hub; more particularly but not exclusively a device for providing lighting, safety and enjoyment to a bicycle, whilst cleaning the hub.

Background

Increasing numbers of cyclists is a factor in many societies as more and more people are choosing to cycle for cost of environmental concerns.

From an early age cycling can be very enjoyable, albeit dangerous. Particularly in low-light conditions.

It is best to alert younger cyclists to both the pleasures and the safety concerns 20 inherent in cycling from an early age. The best way to do this is often to provide a means of enjoyment or customisation of the cycle that combines added safety levels.

Prior Art

CN 206 856 394 XIAO discloses a bicycle hub in the protector, including axial, threaded nuts, washers, hub body, an ear drum flowers, blossoms drum pad, a permanent magnet, a buffer layer, bearing, protective housing, a fixing plate, the mounting ring, cleaning bristles, a set screw, tightening the nut is provided at the axial both ends thereof, the axial intermediate sleeve has a hub body, as compared with the prior art, the present utility model has the advantages of the novel bicycle hub protection device, can store and, scientific and rational design, a bicycle hub protection device of the present main body and the shaft centre of the junction of the hub is able to perform well, the protective function, not only can prevent external debris on the hub body and the shaft core of the attachment point, causing damage, it is also possible to drive the rotation of the hub through the interior of the hub body with the axial core at the connection of the cleaner brush against, for cleaning, preventing clogging of impurities affecting the smoothness of ride pair.

US 929 644 (GUZIK et al) discloses a bicycle wheel hub assembly having a number 5 of light emitting diodes (LED's) that are powered by rotation of the wheel during use of the bicycle. The hub assembly includes a magnet and a coil that are both internal to the hub. The light emitting diodes are powered by current induced in the coil and controlled so as to preferably prevent illumination of discrete LED's when the respective LED's are directed toward a user during rotation of the hub. The LED's are 10 supported by the hub and rotate with the hub during rotation of the wheel. In some embodiments, the LED's are attached to the hub at locations that are both laterally inboard and laterally outboard relative to a spoke flange of the hub assembly.

US 2002 0 148 065 (TRENT) discloses a strap, preferably made of pliant leather, with a method of easily and securely attaching its two ends together such that it forms a loop around the hub of a bicycle wheel. As the bicycle wheel spins, the loop naturally moves about on the hub and removes oil and dirt from the hub. The strap includes a pattern of cuts along its two long edges and has a rough inner surface to assist in cleaning and includes an optically reflective outer surface for rider safety.

The size of the strap is approximately 16 cm long by 1.4 cm wide by 1 mm thick so that it is large enough to freely spin on the hub yet not too large as to strike the spokes and create unwanted noise. The method of attaching its two ends comprise one or more holes at one end of the strap and an arrowhead with one or more pairs of notches at the other end of the strap. In connecting different notches and holes together, different sized loops may be formed. In another embodiment of the present invention, the arrowhead includes a tab that feeds easily through the selected hole and assists in pulling the arrowhead through the hole. In another embodiment of the present invention, the method of attaching its two ends comprise hook and loop material, which also allows for various loop sizes. In another embodiment of the present invention, the method of attaching its two ends comprise a snap and a complementary snap retainer.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a wheel hub device comprising a discontinuous body arranged to surround a wheel hub, a closure mechanism 5 arranged to close the body, and one or more light emitting portions.

In some embodiments the device may be envisaged to be a substantially circular form when closed.

In some embodiments the device comprises a securement means, enabling the device to be secured to the wheel hub.

In this way for usage the device may be placed around the wheel hub of a bicycle or similar, and secured there. In this way the device may be arranged to provide a light 15 emitting or reflecting feature on the wheel.

In particular the device may be envisaged to be rotated about the wheel hub during rotation of the wheel.

In some embodiments the device body may be envisaged to be larger when closed than the diameter of the wheel hub.

In some embodiments the device may be comprised of flexible material, for example so as to enable the device to flex open and out of a circular shape.

In some embodiments therefore it may be envisaged that as the wheel rotates the device deforms and rotates also, describing an ovaloid or tear-drop form that contacts the surface of the hub as it rotates, so as to clean it.

In some embodiments the light emitting portion comprise a retroreflective portion.

In some embodiments the light emitting portion comprise a luminescent portion.

In some embodiments the light emitting portion comprise a powered light source 35 portion. In this way the device may comprise an energy source. Such energy source may comprise displaceable or replaceable batteries. Such energy source may be a renewable energy source. Such energy source may comprise an energy harvesting energy source.

For example the energy source may comprise a photovoltaic energy harvesting 5 source.

For example the energy source may comprise a photovoltaic kinetic harvesting source.

In some embodiments the device may comprise an inner surface arranged for cleaning purposes, wherein the inner surface is envisaged to be in contact with the outer surface of the wheel hub, and thereby arranged to clean the wheel hub during usage.

For example the inner surface may be textured, shiny, deformable, and/or comprise raised and lowered portions.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of an embodiment of the device according to the 25 present invention with the body closed; 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; Figure 5 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in an open 35 position; And Figure 6 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, in an open position.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is a shown an embodiment of the device generally 10 comprising a wheel hub device 99 comprising a discontinuous body 1 arranged to surround a wheel hub, a closure mechanism 2 arranged to close the body 1, and one or more light emitting portions 3,11.

The closure mechanism 2 comprises a bayonet hook 4 and slot 6, wherein the hook 15 4 passes through the slot 6 sideways, and the bayonet end is not capable of displacement without rotation. In this way the mechanism is not liable to accidental opening, particularly in use.

In particular reference to the pictured embodiment the embodiment comprises a thin 20 strap that has two free ends, which ends are arranged to connect, whereby a first end comprises a lateral hook 4 on an axial finger 10, and the opposing second end comprises a slot 6 extending axially.

Forcing the hook 4 into the slot 6 and twisting will secure it in place, in a simple 25 intuitive connection that children will be able to attach and detach.

The body 1 is flexible, comprising a silicone overmould. A panel 38 is displaceable to access the coin cell battery 37 energy source and a micro-USB (universal serial bus) charger socket 36.

The panel 38 also covers a tilt-switch used to operate the device, or more particularly the light emitting diodes 33. The LEDs are arranged in two strips 3. Each of such strips comprises a translucent lid 31, a backer 32, and is sunk into an indentation 35 in the body 1.

The body further has edging strips 9 comprising light emitting portions, or more particularly retroreflective portions.

In this way the embodiment provides a fun accessory for children or other users to 5 personalise their cycles or bikes, that lights up and moves as the wheels rotate. As the embodiment is narrow and moves around the wheel hub, it may be envisaged that users can fit at least three embodiments on a bike.

The embodiment comprises the following parts: Coin cell battery 37 ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) plastic panel 38 for battery and tilt switch Ball Tilt Switch (not shown), when the device moves it activates this switch to activate the light Silicone over-mould body 1, multiple colour options 2 LED (light emitting diode) strips 3 going from either side of the battery Clear silicone lid 31 to give a unique lighting effect for the light to travel through When the embodiment is on the wheel hub the LEDs are not activated and are 25 hanging loose. When the bike is moving the wheel rotates and the embodiment moves as a result, activating the light.

Lights shine in all directions, with an element of randomness when the bike is in motion.

The inner surface 8 of the body 1 may be provided in a different material or have a different coating. For example this may enable the inner surface and device to more effectively clean the hub during rotation. For example the inner surface may be shiny or textured.

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 as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. A wheel hub device comprising a discontinuous body arranged to surround a wheel hub, a closure mechanism arranged to close the body, and one or more light emitting portions.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the closure mechanism comprises a bayonet hook on one body end and a slot on the other end.
3. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the light emitting portions comprise one or more light emitting diodes and the device comprises an energy source.
4. A device according to claim 3 wherein the energy source is rechargeable.
5. A device according to claim 3 or 4 wherein the energy source is a renewable energy source.
6. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the light emitting portions comprise retroreflective portions.
7. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the light emitting portions comprise luminescent portions.
8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the body is flexible.