NL2023008B1 - A bicycle light - Google Patents

Abstract

A BICYCLE LIGHT ABSTRACT The present application provides a bicycle light which has a first light emitting portion which is configure to illuminate away from the bicycle and a second light emitting 5 portion which is emits light in the non-visible spectrum and which is orientated to illuminate the torso of the cyclist and cause an illumination of a photo-luminescent material provided on a surface of a high visibility jacket that is worn by the cyclist. [Figure 2] 10 8 2023008

Description

A BICYCLE LIGHT Field of the Application The present application relates to safety devices for cyclists and in particular to lights for bicycles.

Background Cycling is very popular.

Cycling at dusk, early in the morning, in poor weather conditions or at night exposes cyclists to danger from other vehicles due to an inability for the drivers of other vehicles to see cyclists.

It is known and indeed a legal requirement in many countries, for cyclists to use lights.

An example is shown in figure 1, of a cyclist 4 riding a bicycle 2 having a front facing white light 6 which provides an illumination pattern 8 to the front of the cyclist and a red rear facing light 10 which provides an illumination pattern 12 to the rear of the cyclist.

A difficulty with such lights is that the illumination patterns are relatively focussed in forward and rearward directions and as such can be difficult for motorists approaching from the side.

To solve this problem, it is known for lights to provide holes to the side of the light so that a small amount of white light escapes from the front projecting beam and is visible from the side, but these can be difficult to see and frequently obstructed by the hands of the cyclists on the handlebars.

It is also known for cyclists to wear high visibility clothing.

However, a problem with this high visibility clothing is that it is generally required to be illuminated (typically by the lights of another vehicle) to be visible.

Additionally, not all cyclists wear such high visibility clothing, as depending on the climatic conditions it may or not fit over the cyclist coat or other clothing.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a device which improves the safety of cyclists.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly there is provided a bicycle lighting device for mounting on a bicycle, the device comprising a body extending along a longitudinal axis, the body being securable to the bicycle and having a first light emitting portion and a second light emitting portion, at least one light source provided within the body and wherein at least one of the first and second light emitting portions is located asymmetrically 1 with respect to the longitudinal axis of the body and the second light emitting portion emits light in the non-visible spectrum. Desirably the second light emitting portion generates a beam of light directed upwardly away from the longitudinal axis to illuminate the torso of the cyclist.

The device optimally further comprises a power source such as a battery or solar cell. The device may be rechargeable using for example a USB connection. At least one of the light emitting portions optimally comprises a reflecting means and a translucent means. The translucent means may be a lens and/or a diffuser. The at least one light source may be of halogen or filament light bulb type. It may also be a light emitting diode.

Optimally, the first light emitting portion has a projection pattern which is centered along the longitudinal axis. Similarly, the second light emitting portion optimally has a light pattern projecting upwards at an angle from the longitudinal axis.

The second light emitting portion may be configured to facilitate angular adjustment of the projected beam of light. For example, the body of the device is pivotable to allow an angular adjustment of the second light emitting portion relative to the first light emitting portion. In this way the upper border of the beam of light can be adjusted between a minimum position and a maximum position with respect to the longitudinal axis.

A switch for the activation of the at least one light source is typically provided. Where each of the first and second light emitting portions have separate light sources, they may be selectively switchable to be independently operable or are switchable to be concurrently operable.

Where provided as a front light, the at least one light source outputs white light.

Additionally there is provided a bicycle kit comprising the device as detailed above and a high visibility jacket, the high visibility jacket comprising a photo-luminescent material defining a pattern on the jacket, the photo-luminescent material being activated by the light of the second light emitting portion. As the second light emitting portion emits light in the non-visible spectrum, the emitted light has a frequency matched to the frequency of activation of the photo-luminescent material. The emitted light is desirably in the UV or IR spectrum.

Accordingly there is provided a device and kit as detailed in the claims that follow. Description of Drawings The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 2

Figure 1 is an example of a known arrangement for a bicycle light on a bicycle; Figure 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a lighting arrangement on a bicycle according to the present invention; Figure 3 is an example of a lighting device for use in the arrangement of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a more detailed view of the lighting device of Figure 3; and Figure 5 illustrates an optional mode of adjustment suitable for use in a lighting device of Figure 3. Detailed Description Exemplary embodiments of a device and kit in accordance with the present teaching are shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, and comprise a bicycle lighting device for mounting on a bicycle 2. The device comprises a body (46) extending along a longitudinal axis (48), the body (46) being securable to the bicycle (2) and having a first light emitting portion (36) and a second light emitting portion (44), at least one light source (52,56) provided within the body, and wherein at least one of the first and second light emitting portions (36,44) is located asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis (48) of the body and the second light emitting portion emits light in the non- visible spectrum. In the exemplary arrangement of the Figures, the light is exemplified in the form of a front bicycle light having a front facing light 36 which provides a generally forward projecting beam of light 38. For legal reasons, the beam of light is conventionally one of white light. It will be understood that if the light was configured for rearward mounting the rearward facing light would be conventionally coloured red. As with conventional front bicycle lights, the purpose of the front facing light is two- fold, firstly to warn oncoming traffic of the presence of the cyclist and secondly to light the road surface in front of the bicycle. This latter function is less important in urban areas where there is adequate street lighting and accordingly some cyclists arrange their lights so that they face directly forward rather than to provide a forward and downward facing beam. However in all cases, the central axis of the light beam is generally parallel to the road surface or an angle downward toward the road surface. As detailed above, in addition to the front facing light 36, the first light emitting portion, the bicycle light in accordance with my invention also has a second light emitting portion which in the configuration of a front mounted light is rearwardly facing. The function of this rear facing light is to illuminate a portion of the torso of the cyclist thus improving the visibility of the cyclist to vehicles approaching from the side.

3

As with conventional front bicycle lights, the bicycle light may be configured to be mounted directly on a handlebar using a rubber strap, hook and loop strap or similar attachment method. Alternatively, the bicycle light may clip into a holder 40 which in turn is mounted to a handlebar or other part of the bicycle structure.

The front and rear lights are provided in a body portion 46 of the bicycle light. The body portion may be shaped to clip into a holder 40. In other configurations the body portion 46 cooperates with a fixing mechanism to allow the bicycle light be secured directly to the bicycle. In the event that the bicycle light is configured as a rear bicycle light, the mounting arrangement may differ in that it is conventionally mounted to a seat post or frame element A switch 42 may be provided to operate the light. The switch may for example be a push button switch 42 as shown or it may be a twist operated switch provided in the body whereby twisting one part of the body with respect to another may turn on and the light. Desirably the action of the switch effects a concurrent activation of each of the front facing and rear facing lights. In other configurations the switch may activate one or other of the front facing and rear facing lights. In one arrangement, sequential actuation of the switch facilitates activation of one of a plurality of available lighting profiles- for example continuously on front and rear facing lights, flashing front facing and continuous rear facing, flashing rear facing and continuous front facing. The present teaching is not intended to be limited to any one specific sequence of lighting configurations. For example, the front facing and rear lights may be operated by the same switch or may be individually switched. For example, to facilitate the user using the bicycle light as a hand torch, the rear facing light may be disabled so as not to blind the holder of the light.

As legal requirements obligate the front facing light to be a white light, the front facing light beam may be produced by a white light source, which may be a halogen or similar filament light bulb or more suitably one or more LEDs 52. A lens and reflector arrangement may be provided in order to provide a shaped beam from the light source. Typically this beam is a narrow beam light which projects a focused narrow beam directly in front of the bicycle to identify the bicycle to traffic in front of the bicycle and to illuminate the path for the ease of the cyclist.

In addition to this front facing light providing a front projecting light beam 38, a light according to my invention also provides a torso facing light, the second light emitting portion, such that the bicycle light has a first light emitting portion and a second light emitting portion. This second light is generally orientated to face towards the torso of the cyclist and in the context of a front light is rear facing and thus if mounted on a bicycle handlebar would illuminate backwards towards the saddle of the bicycle. The purpose of this second light is to illuminate the front and front sides of the torso of the cyclist while they are cycling. The intensity of the rear facing light may be 40 variable, so as to allow the user to select the level of self-illumination.

4

Suitably, the rear facing light provides a second light output of the bicycle light, a second source of light. This second source of light may share the light source used to provide the front facing light beam. In another arrangement, the second source of light may be provided by a second, separate source of light. Similarly to the first source of light, this second source of light may be a filament light bulb or one or more LEDs is provided within the body 46 of the light. The rear facing light may project out from a housing 44 which extends from the top of the light body 36. As with front light, a lens and reflector arrangement may be provided in order to provide a shaped beam from the second light source. The shaped beam is suitably shaped to provide a rear facing light beam 37 to illuminate the torso of the cyclist. Desirably, the pattern of this rear facing light beam is broader or wider than the pattern of the front facing light beam. In contrast to the front facing light, the rear facing light beam will be at least generally horizontal and more generally angled upward from the horizontal so as to be orientated upwardly away from the road on which the bicycle travels. It will be appreciated that the front facing light is typically orientated downwardly towards the road. It will be appreciated that the angle of the rear facing light beam may be changeable to avoid directing light directly towards the eyes of the cyclist, which may hinder their vision. Such an arrangement may be facilitated by having a moveable housing 44 as is described in more detail with reference to Figure 5. In another configuration, not shown, the body of the housing itself is moveable such that a pivoting of the body facilitates a change in angular orientation of the rear facing light. In such an arrangement, the front and rear facing lights are desirably provided on opposite ends of the housing, the movement of the housing changing their angular orientation relative to one another. The colour of the rear facing light is also suitably white as this allows for effective illumination of the torso irrespective of the colour of clothing being worn, but also includes a non-white light output- for example an LED providing light in the infra-red or ultraviolet spectrum. Indeed the presence of the visible white light is not necessary as the non-visible light source could cooperate with a photo-luminescent material provided on a reflective vests or jackets. It will be appreciated however, that as legislation does not dictate the colour of any light that is not projecting forwardly, the colour of the rear facing light could be a colour other than white. Desirably, a light in accordance with the present invention will be sold as part of a kit, the kit including a high visibility jacket which is worn by the cyclists and is illuminated by the rear facing light. The jacket or reflective vest will include photo-luminescent material that is activated by the light in the non-visible spectrum that is emitted by the second light emitting portion. In this way the torso of the cyclist is illuminated but the cyclist is not concurrently blinded by the light causing that illumination.

40 By providing non-visible light as the output of the rear facing light, it will be appreciated that the cyclist will not be distracted or blinded by the light directed onto 5 their torso. To achieve the necessary illumination of the torso, the high visibility jacket will incorporate a photo-luminescent material such as a phosphorescent material which is activated by the light output in the non-visible spectrum. The phosphorescent material may be provided by a phosphor paint or coating but it will be appreciated that other glow in the dark materials which are activated by illumination may also be provided. The jacket may include a pattern such as for example a logo or graphic that replicates a warning sign — such a image of a bicycle that become visible when illuminated with the non-visible light but is not otherwise noticeable.

As shown in the Figures, the body of the light has a generally longitudinal axis 48 in line with the body of the light. Thus, the front facing light may have a projection pattern which is centred along the longitudinal axis of the body or slightly downward therefrom. In contrast, the rear facing light is angled from the light housing so that the light pattern 37 from the rear facing light is projecting upwards at an angle towards the torso of the cyclist. As discussed above, this may be provided by having a tiltable body or by having a light window or housing at the top of the light body which allows light to be projected rearwardly and upwardly of the longitudinal axis of the light body.

As discussed above, to accommodate different height of cyclists and different positions of cyclists relative to the light depending on the bicycle frame shape and size, the angle of the rear facing light may be adjustable over a range of angles. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the output may be adjusted over a range from a minimum angle, position 60, to a maximum position represented by position 62 with respect to the longitudinal axis 48. In such an arrangement, the housing 44 is receivable into the body of the light and can be extended outwardly using a spring loaded mechanism or the like. Other arrangements such as a ratchet mechanism, may facilitate the movement in a controlled fashion. The user may be provided with a slot or other engagement feature on an outer surface of the housing 44 to facilitate the movement of the housing relative to the body of the light.

It will be appreciated that providing first and second light outputs from the light has an effect on the power consumption of the overall light itself. This can be reduced by use of low power light emitting devices such as LEDs. The dimensions of the body can be increased to facilitate multiple batteries to extend the period between which batteries have to be replaced. In other configurations the light may be rechargeable, through use of a USB connector or the like. The integration of a USB charging element is known in the art and provides an easy way to quickly recharge the light. Other charging mechanisms such as a solar cell could be incorporated.

It will be appreciated that exemplary arrangements of a light in accordance with the present teaching have been described. Modifications can be made without departing 40 from the scope of the present teaching which is intended to be limited only insofar as is deemed necessary in the light of the appended claims 6

Claims (5)

CONCLUSIONS A bicycle lighting device for mounting on a bicycle (2), the device comprising: a body (46) extending along a longitudinal axis (48), the body (46) being attachable to the bicycle (2) and a has a first light-emitting portion (36) and a second light-emitting portion (44); at least one light source (52, 56) provided in the body; and wherein at least one of the first and second light-emitting portions (36, 44) is disposed asymmetrically with the longitudinal axis (48) of the body and the second light-emitting portion emits light in the non-visible spectrum. The bicycle lighting device of claim 1, wherein the second light-emitting portion (44) generates a light beam (37) directed upward away from the longitudinal axis to illuminate the cyclist's trunk. The bicycle lighting device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first light emitting portion (36) has a projection pattern (38) centered along the longitudinal axis and wherein the body of the device is pivotable about an angle adjustment of the second light emitting portion relative to the first light-emitting part. A bicycle kit comprising the bicycle lighting device according to any one of the preceding claims and a high visibility jacket, the high visibility jacket comprising a photo-luminescent material defining a pattern on the jacket, the photoluminescent material being activated by the non-visible light from the second light-emitting part. A bicycle kit according to claim 4, wherein the second light-emitting portion emits light in the non-visible spectrum, the emitted light having a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the photoluminescent material, and the emitted light being in the UV or IR spectrum. 7