JP6791477B2 - Bicycle bell and special bicycle equipped with it - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a sound device and a special bicycle equipped with the same.

Bicycles intended for driving on general roads, such as city bicycles, are equipped with alarms such as bells and horns so that passengers can warn of danger to other traffic. There is. The bicycle bell is fixed to the handlebar of the bicycle via an attachment member such as a band, and makes a tapping sound by operating a pull lever or a knob (for example, Patent Document 1).

Road racers (hereinafter, also referred to as road bikes), mountain bikes, track racers, BMX vehicles, etc. are classified as special bicycles. For example, since a road bike is a competition bicycle designed for high-speed running, parts such as a mudguard and a stand that are not directly required for running are basically not equipped (for example, Patent Document 2). ). Bicycles are also often not standard on road bikes.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-219176 Utility Model Registration No. 3189768

Road bikes are required to be equipped with appropriate alarms for driving on public roads and cycling roads. Bicycle bells, which are usually used as alarms, have a considerable presence because they are fixed to handlebars and the like. Although road bike users want to install a warning device inconspicuously, a sounding device suitable for a road bike that meets the user's request has not yet been obtained.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a warning device that can be suitably attached to a special bicycle such as a road bike, and a special bicycle equipped with the alarm.

The sound device according to the present invention is a sound device for a special bicycle provided with a handle having an internal space at the end, and is inserted into the internal space from the end surface of the handle to generate an electronic sound. It is characterized by including a unit and an operation unit that operates the alarm sound generating unit.

The special bicycle according to the present invention is characterized by being provided with the above-mentioned warning device.

According to the present invention, since the alarm is inserted in the internal space at the end of the handle, it is inconspicuous and has an extremely small effect on the appearance of the special bicycle. Further, since the warning device of the present invention does not cause air resistance during traveling, it can be suitably attached to a special bicycle.

Since the electronic sound is output from the alarm, the stimulus given to human hearing is small. While riding a special bicycle equipped with such a warning device, it is possible to warn of danger without excessively stimulating other traffic.

It is a side view which shows the outline of the road bike which concerns on this embodiment. It is a figure which shows the handle which attached the alarm sound device which concerns on this embodiment, FIG. 2A is a front view, and FIG. 2B is a perspective view. 2 is a view showing an end portion of the handle shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 3A is an external view, and FIG. 3B is a partial cross-sectional view of the handle. It is a figure which shows the alarm sound device which concerns on this embodiment, FIG. 4A is a top view, and FIG. 4B is a side view. It is a figure which shows the alarm sound device which concerns on a modification, FIG. 5A is a top view, and FIG. 5B is a side view.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(overall structure)
The road bike 10 shown in FIG. 1 includes a handle 12 made of a hollow member. In this embodiment, the handle 12 is a drop handle. The handle 12 has an internal space at the end 14. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the alarm 20 of the present embodiment is provided at the end 14 of the handle 12. The alarm 20 is provided at both the left and right ends 14 of the handle 12, but the alarm 20 may be provided only at either the right or left end 14.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the alarm 20 is provided with an operating portion 28 outside the end portion 14 of the handle 12. The rest of the alarm 20 is inserted into the internal space of the end 14 of the handle 12. As shown in FIG. 3B, the alarm sound generation unit 22 of the alarm sound device 20 is arranged in the internal space of the end portion 14 of the handle 12.

The alarm 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As described above, the warning device 20 includes a warning sound generating unit 22 inserted into the internal space of the end portion 14 of the handle 12, and an operating portion 28 provided outside the end portion 14 of the handle 12. .. In the present embodiment, the operation unit 28 closes the end surface of the handle 12. The total length L1 of the alarm device 20 can be appropriately set according to the shape of the handle 12 and the like.

The warning sound generating unit 22 is a columnar member. The warning sound generation unit 22 is composed of a cap 23 containing an electronic sound source 24 and a power supply 26. The cap 23 is fitted into the end 14 of the handle 12 to prevent water or the like from entering. The size of the cap 23 can be appropriately selected according to the inner diameter of the end portion 14 of the handle 12. In this embodiment, a cap 23 made of synthetic resin is used. In the present embodiment, the cap 23 containing the electronic sound source 24 is arranged between the power supply 26 and the operation unit 28.

The electronic sound source 24 is an electronic component capable of generating an electric signal in the audible frequency band by supplying electric power. The size and shape of the electronic sound source 24 are not particularly limited as long as they can be arranged in the cap 23 fitted in the end portion 14 of the handle 12, but the electronic sound source 24 is preferably lightweight. Examples of the electronic sound source 24 include an electronic buzzer. In particular, an electronic buzzer that emits a gentle electronic sound that gives a small stimulus to human hearing is preferable.

Further, as the electronic sound, electronic data of an arbitrary sound stored in the storage means may be used. In this case, the electronic sound source 24 includes, in addition to the storage means, a decoder for reproducing electronic data and an amplifier for amplifying sound. Examples of the sound include a gentle sound such as a whistling sound.

The power supply 26 supplies electric power to the electronic sound source 24 by operating the operation unit 28. In the present embodiment, the power supply 26 is a battery storage unit 27 in which the battery 40 is loaded. The battery storage unit 27 is a semi-cylindrical member made of synthetic resin into which the battery 40 can be loaded. The semi-cylindrical member has an outer diameter equal to or smaller than that of the cap 23 for accommodating the electronic sound source 24. A positive electrode terminal 27P and a negative electrode terminal 27N are provided at one end and the other end of the inner surface of the battery housing portion 27 in the longitudinal direction, respectively. The positive electrode terminal 27P is formed of a leaf spring or the like, and is in contact with the positive electrode electrode 40P of the battery 40. The negative electrode terminal 27N is formed of a coil spring or the like, and is in contact with the negative electrode 40N of the battery 40. In the present embodiment, an AA battery can be loaded into the battery storage unit 27 as a battery 40.

The battery storage unit 27 may be provided with a semi-cylindrical lid (not shown) that can be opened and closed. A lid (not shown) can be attached to the side surface of the battery housing portion 27 in the longitudinal direction so as to be openable and closable by using an appropriate connecting member.

The warning sound generating unit 22 can be inserted into the internal space of the end portion 14 of the handle 12 and fixed to the inside of the handle 12 by an appropriate fixing means. The alarm 20 is preferably lightweight because it is provided at the end 14 of the handle 12.

The operation unit 28 is provided at one end of the warning sound generating unit 22, and has a function of operating the warning sound generating unit 22. In the present embodiment, the push button switch is used to operate the warning sound generating unit 22. By pressing the push button switch as the operation unit 28, power is supplied from the power supply 26 to the electronic sound source 24 and a warning sound is emitted, so that the positive electrode terminal 27P and the negative electrode terminal 27N in the battery storage unit 27 and the cap 23 are stored. The electronic sound source 24 and the operation unit 28 are electrically connected to each other.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the operation unit 28 is a circular member in end view. The operation unit 28 is provided with a speaker 30 as a sound source unit that outputs a warning sound based on an electric signal generated by the electronic sound source 24. The speaker 30 is not particularly limited as long as it has a structure capable of outputting a warning sound without impairing the operability of the operation unit 28. By pushing the operation unit 28 in the direction of arrow A, the warning sound generation unit 22 operates. The warning sound generated by the operation of the warning sound generator 22 is output from the speaker 30 provided in the operation unit 28.

(Action and effect)
The alarm sound device 20 composed of the alarm sound generation unit 22 and the operation unit 28 as described above is provided by inserting the alarm sound generation unit 22 into the internal space of the end portion 14 of the handle 12 of the road bike 10. .. Since the portion of the alarm 20 that is exposed to the outside is only the operation unit 28, the presence of the alarm 20 is inconspicuous.

As described above, since the alarm 20 is not exposed unlike the conventional bicycle bell mounted on the handlebar, the influence on the appearance of the road bike is extremely small. Moreover, the alarm 20 does not become an air resistance during traveling.

The alarm 20 generates and outputs an alarm by operating the operation unit 28 that covers the end surface of the handle 12. By outputting the warning sound, the passenger traveling on the road bike 10 can warn of danger to other traffic. The warning sound emitted from the warning device 20 is an electronic sound from the electronic sound source 24, and the stimulus given to human hearing is smaller than that of a conventional bell or the like. Warning sounds can encourage other traffic to avoid danger.

Other traffic that senses that the road bike is approaching from behind by a warning sound can quickly give way, leading to a reduction in the risk of overtaking and collisions.

(Modification example)
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the cap 23 containing the electronic sound source 24 is arranged between the power supply 26 and the operation unit 28, but the power supply 26 is arranged between the cap 23 and the operation unit 28. You can also do it.

Further, in the above embodiment, the push button switch is used as a component of the operation unit 28, but the operation unit 28 is not limited to this. The operation unit 28 can be provided on the outside of the end portion 14 of the handle 12 of the road bike 10, and can have any configuration as long as it can be operated during traveling.

Specifically, an operation unit 28A as provided in the alarm 20A shown in FIG. 5 can be mentioned. The alarm 20A has the same configuration as the alarm 20 except that the operation unit 28A is a rotary switch. As shown in FIG. 5B, the operation unit 28A includes a rotary cylinder 34 having a non-slip portion 34a on the outer periphery. The rotary cylinder 34 is provided so as to be rotatable in the circumferential direction (direction of arrow B1 or direction of arrow B2).

The rotary cylinder 34 is a resin molded body in which a non-slip portion 34a is integrally formed on the outer periphery of the side surface. The shape and size of the non-slip portion 34a are not particularly limited, and any structure can be formed as long as irregularities are formed on the outer periphery of the side surface. A speaker 30A is arranged on the inner peripheral portion of the rotary cylinder 34. The speaker 30A is not particularly limited as long as it can be attached to the inner peripheral portion of the rotary cylinder 34 in the operation unit 28A.

The operation unit 28A is urged by a spring or the like in the direction of arrow B1 in the drawing. By rotating the operation unit 28A in the direction of arrow B2 against the urging force, power is supplied from the power supply 26 to the electronic sound source 24 and a warning sound is emitted from the speaker 30A. The negative electrode terminal 27N, the electronic sound source 24 housed in the cap 23, and the operation unit 28A are electrically connected.

The rotary cylinder 34A may be urged in the direction of arrow B2. In this case, the operation unit 28A can be rotated in the direction of the arrow B1 to generate a warning sound.

The operation unit 28 can be provided at any position outside the end portion 14 of the handle 12, not limited to the end surface of the handle 12, as long as it can be operated during traveling. The operation unit 28 may be connected to the warning sound generation unit 22 via, for example, wiring (not shown). For example, a switch component of an appropriate size is placed at an appropriate position on the surface of the end portion 14 of the handle 12 and connected to the warning sound generating portion 22 by wiring. In this case, a speaker (not shown) that outputs a warning sound is provided on the end surface of the end portion 14 of the handle 12. The operation unit 28 can be fixed to the surface of the end portion 14 of the handle 12 together with the wiring by winding a tape around the surface of the end portion 14 of the handle 12.

The power supply 26 constituting the warning sound generation unit 22 is a member capable of supplying electric power to the electronic sound source 24 by operating the operation units 28 and 28A, and has a size that can be inserted into the internal space of the end portion 14 of the handle 12. , Any configuration can be used. The warning sound generating unit 22 provided with the power supply 26 is not limited to a columnar shape but may be a polygonal columnar shape as long as it can be inserted into the internal space of the end portion 14 of the handle 12.

In addition to the battery storage unit 27 in which the battery 40 is stored, a power supply 26 with a built-in battery can also be used. The built-in battery can be charged by connecting the USB terminal to a personal computer or via an outlet adapter for USB.

The electronic sound source 24 housed in the cap 23 of the warning sound generation unit 22 is not limited to the configuration of the present embodiment as long as the sound source unit can be vibrated by an electric signal such as voltage or current to emit a warning sound.

When electronic data stored in the storage means is used as the electronic sound, the electronic sound may be a musical piece downloaded from a distribution source or the like. In this case, a storage means having a USB connection terminal can be used to connect the USB terminal to a personal computer to store predetermined electronic data.

As long as the sound alarm 20 includes a sound generation unit 22 inserted into the internal space of the end portion 14 of the handle 12 and an operation unit 28 provided outside the end portion 14 of the handle 12, the present invention The effect is obtained.

In the above embodiment, a road bike provided with a drop handle has been described as an example of a special bicycle, but the alarm 20 of the present invention is used for other special bicycles having a handle having an internal space at the end. Can also be suitably attached. For example, the effect of the present invention as described above can be obtained even when the mountain bike is equipped with a flat handle.

10 Road bike 12 Handle 14 End 20 Alarm 22 Alarm generator 28 Operation

Claims (7)

A special bicycle bell with a handlebar that has an internal space at the end.
A warning sound generating unit that is inserted into the internal space from the end surface of the end portion of the handle and emits an electronic sound.
An operation unit provided on the outside of the end portion so as to cover the end surface and operating the warning sound generating portion,
With
The warning sound generator
A semi-cylindrical battery compartment or a power supply with a built-in battery,
It contains an electronic sound source and has a cap that fits into the end .
The outer diameter of the operation unit is larger than the outer diameter of the cap.
The cap is a warning device that is arranged between the battery storage unit or the power supply and the operation unit. The alarm according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is a push button switch. The alarm according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is a rotary switch. The alarm device according to claim 1, wherein the operation unit is connected to the alarm sound generation unit via wiring. The alarm device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the handle is a drop handle. The alarm according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the handle is a flat handle. A special bicycle provided with the alarm according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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