GB2594688A

GB2594688A - A bike light apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2594688A
Application number: GB2002974.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Easton Nick
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-02-27
Filing date: 2020-02-27
Publication date: 2021-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 2040-02-27
Also published as: GB2594688B; GB202002974D0

Abstract

A bike light comprises: an attachment mechanism 2 for attachment to a seat post of a bicycle; at least one light device 12, 14 ; and an elongate member 16 having a first end 18 configured to be located adjacent the attachment mechanism 2, and an opposed second end 20, in which the elongate member 16 comprises at least one illumination device 22. The at least one light device 12,14 may mount adjacent the first end 18 and/or the second end 20 of the elongate member 16.

Description

A BIKE LIGHT APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bike light, and in particular a bike light providing an indication of a safe passing distance for a vehicle overtaking a bike.

Background

Cycling is an increasingly popular past time. However, with an increasing number of vehicles on the road, it can be dangerous, and the risk of being knocked off the bike is relatively high. Other road users can be inconsiderate and ill-educated and can pass too closely at high speeds when overtaking creating a dangerous and threatening environment for the bicycle and user.

Therefore, there is a need for a more prominent device which provides a greater indication to other road users of the presence of a bike and of a safe passing distance compared with currently available bike lights, in order to provide sufficient, safe clearance between the bike and the overtaking vehicle. And to create the illusion of a wider road presence of the bicycle and user, as well as being able to be seen earlier on in drivers' sometimes distracted observation of the road and road users ahead, allowing safe manoeuvring to occur and to take place sooner.

Prior Art

GB2538044 discloses a lighting system suitable for use on a bicycle which system comprises: a. a front lights mounting comprising left and right light bulb holders and left and right arms for spacing the left and right light bulb holders from the front lights mounting; b. a rear lights mounting comprising left and right light bulb holders and left and right arms for spacing the left and right light bulb holders from the rear lights mounting; and c. a control unit comprising an electrical power source and a control system wherein the front and rear lights mountings are in communication with the control unit such that the control unit controls illumination of each light bulb.

US-20180079463 discloses a bicycle safety exclusion zone system of a bicycle, comprising: one or more projector-sensor devices configured to detect vehicles in 35 proximity of the bicycle and project a visual safety exclusion zone upon ground surrounding the bicycle; and a processing unit in communication with the one or more projector-sensor devices, wherein when one of the projector-sensor devices detects a vehicle in proximity to the bicycle: the processing unit generates an alert detectable by a user of the bicycle, and the one or more projector-sensor devices change a visual appearance of the visual safety exclusion zone, and wherein the projector-sensor devices change the visual appearance of the visual safety exclusion zone when the detected vehicle crosses into a line or touches the line of the visual safety exclusion zone.

GB2479845 discloses a light unit for use with a cycle as hereinbefore defined, 10 comprising a central housing with two opposed extendable arms projecting therefrom, each of the extendable arms being provided with a light source.

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

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a bike light apparatus comprising of: an attachment mechanism for attachment to a seat post of a bicycle; at least one light device; and an elongate member having a first end configured to be located adjacent the attachment mechanism, and an opposed second end, in which the elongate member comprises at least one illumination device.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit for a bike light apparatus, the kit comprising: an attachment mechanism for attachment to a seat post of a bicycle; at least one light device; and an elongate member having a first end configured to be located adjacent the attachment mechanism, and an opposed second end, in which the elongate member comprises at least one illumination device.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for the 35 production of a bike light apparatus as herein described, the method comprising: obtaining an attachment mechanism for attachment to a seat post of a bicycle; obtaining at least one light device; obtaining an elongate member having a first end configured to be located adjacent the attachment mechanism, and an opposed second end, in which the elongate member comprises at least one illumination device; securing the elongate member to the attachment mechanism, and securing at least one light device to one or more of: the attachment mechanism and/or the elongate member.

The attachment mechanism may be a quick release attachment mechanism.

The attachment mechanism may comprise a first attachment mechanism portion configured to be directed towards the handle bars of a bicycle, and a second opposed attachment mechanism portion configured to be directed towards the rear wheel of a bicycle. The first and second attachment mechanism portions are configured to provide a channel extending therebetween, in which the channel is configured to abut and releasably engage a seat post of a bicycle.

* The at least one light device may comprise a first light device configured to be mounted on the attachment mechanism. The at least one light device may be releasably mounted on the attachment mechanism. The at least one light device may be located at or adjacent the second attachment mechanism portion of the attachment mechanism.

The attachment mechanism may comprise a first attachment feature for cooperative 25 engagement, preferably releasable engagement, with a second attachment feature provided by the at least one light device.

The first and second attachment features are preferably configured for spring loaded releasable engagement.

The first and second attachment features are preferably configured for rotational releasable engagement.

The first and second attachment features are preferably configured for spring loaded 35 and rotational releasable engagement.

The length of the elongate member, as measured between the first and second ends thereof, may be adjustable. In one embodiment, the elongate member may be telescopic. In one embodiment, the elongate member may be moveable between a collapsed configuration in which the first and second ends are located near each other, and an extended configuration in which the first and second ends are separated from each other. The length of the elongate member, for example the length of the elongate member in the extended configuration, is preferably equal to the distance between a free end of a handle bar and the midpoint of the handle bar adjacent the handle bar post.

The elongate member may be rotatable relative to the frame of the bike, so as to extend from the seat post outwardly on either side of the bike frame.

The elongate member may extend at any angle from the seat post. Preferably, the 15 elongate member extends substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the bike.

At least one light device may be located, or configured for attachment, at or adjacent the second end of the elongate member.

The illumination device may be located between the first and second ends of the elongate member. The illumination device may be configured to extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis as defined by the elongate member. The illumination device may comprise a plurality of LEDs.

The device may further comprise a control unit configured to operate the at least one light device and/or the illumination device. The control unit may be operable to control operation of the light device and/or illumination device, for example flashing lighting effect.

The at least one light device and/or illumination device may have any suitable colour, such as for example red. The at least one light device and/or illumination device may comprise a coloured cover, for example a red cover, to provide a red lighting effect.

The attachment mechanism may be composed of any suitable material, such as for 35 example plastic and/or metal. In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism is composed of ABS plastic.

The one or more light device and/or illumination device may further comprise a power button operable to turn the device on and/or off.

The or each light device and/or illumination device may comprise a housing. In one embodiment, the power button is located on the housing. The housing may comprise a seal to prevent ingress of water. The housing may further comprise a USB charging port.

The device may be provided as a single, integral unit. In one embodiment, one or more of the components forming the device may be releasably engageable.

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 a schematic illustration of a perspective view from above of one 20 embodiment of a bike light apparatus of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic illustration of a perspective view from below of the bike light apparatus of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a schematic illustration of an exploded view of the bike light apparatus of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the Figures, the bike light apparatus 1 comprises an attachment mechanism 2 for attachment to a seat post of a bicycle (not shown). The attachment mechanism 2 comprises a first attachment mechanism portion 4 and a second attachment mechanism portion 6. The first attachment mechanism portion 4 and second attachment mechanism portion 6 are configured to be assembled to provide a central channel 8 and to be secured in position relative to each other by screws 10.

The apparatus further comprises a first light device 12 and a second light device 14. The first light device 12 is configured to be releasably engaged with the attachment mechanism 2.

The apparatus 1 further comprises an elongate member 16 having a first end 18 configured to be located adjacent the attachment mechanism 2, and an opposed second end 20. The second light device 14 is configured to be engaged to the second end 20 of the elongate member 16. The elongate member 16 further comprises an illumination device 22 in the form of a strip of LEDs extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the elongate member 16.

In use, the apparatus 1 is secured to the seat post of the bike by attachment mechanism 2. The elongate member 16 extends outwardly from the seat post. The elongate member 16 is preferably configured to extend perpendicular to a plane defined by the bike frame, for example substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis defined by the handle bar.

The user switches the first and second light devices 12, 14 on and the illumination device 22. The apparatus provides a clear indication of the presence of a cyclist in 20 the road and more importantly of the width of the bike by the visible illumination device 22 to indicate a safe passing distance to other road users.

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 25 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 bike light apparatus comprising: an attachment mechanism for attachment to a seat post of a bicycle; at least one light device; and an elongate member having a first end configured to be located adjacent the attachment mechanism, and an opposed second end, in which the elongate member comprises at least one illumination device.
2. A bike light apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the attachment mechanism is a quick release attachment mechanism.
3. A bike light apparatus as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which the attachment mechanism comprises a first attachment mechanism portion configured to be directed towards the handle bars of a bicycle, and a second opposed attachment mechanism portion configured to be directed towards the rear wheel of a bicycle, and in which the first and second attachment mechanism portions are configured to provide a channel extending therebetween, in which the channel is configured to abut and releasably engage a seat post of a bicycle.
4. A bike light apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the at least one light device is configured to be mounted on the attachment mechanism.
5. A bike light apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the at least one light device is releasably mountable on the attachment mechanism.
6. A bike light apparatus as claimed in either of claims 4 and 5, in which the at least one light device is configured to be located at or adjacent the second attachment mechanism portion of the attachment mechanism.
7. A bike light apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the attachment mechanism comprises a first attachment feature for cooperative engagement with a second attachment feature provided by the at least one light device.
8. A bike light apparatus as claimed in claim 7, in which the first and second attachment features are configured for one or more of: spring loaded releasable engagement and/or rotational releasable engagement.
9. A bike light apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the length of the elongate member is adjustable.
10. A bike light apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the elongate member is configured to be rotatable relative to the frame of the bike, so as to extend from the seat post outwardly on either side of the bike frame.
11. A bike light apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the at least one light device is located, or configured for attachment, at or adjacent the second end of the elongate member.
12. A bike light apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the illumination device is located between the first and second ends of the elongate member.
13.A bike light apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim in which the illumination device is configured to extend substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis as defined by the elongate member.
14.A bike light apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the illumination device comprises a plurality of LEDs.
15. A bike light apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a control unit configured to operate the at least one light device and/or the illumination device.
16. A bike light apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising a power button operable to turn the device on and/or off.
17. A bike light apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the or each light device and/or illumination device comprises a housing, and in which the housing comprises a USB charging port.
18. A kit for a bike light apparatus, the kit comprising: an attachment mechanism for attachment to a seat post of a bicycle; at least one light device; and an elongate member having a first end configured to be located adjacent the attachment mechanism, and an opposed second end, in which the elongate member comprises at least one illumination device.
19. A method for the production of a bike light apparatus as herein described, the method comprising: obtaining an attachment mechanism for attachment to a seat post of a bicycle; obtaining at least one light device; obtaining an elongate member having a first end configured to be located adjacent the attachment mechanism, and an opposed second end, in which the elongate member comprises at least one illumination device; securing the elongate member to the attachment mechanism, and securing the at least one light device to one or more of: the attachment mechanism and/or the elongate member.