NZ567218A

NZ567218A - A bicycle safety device

Info

Publication number: NZ567218A
Application number: NZ56721808A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Peter Bain Carruthers
Original assignee: Peter Bain Carruthers
Priority date: 2008-04-04
Filing date: 2008-04-04
Publication date: 2009-01-31

Abstract

A bicycle safety device is disclosed. The bicycle safety device comprises a body, which includes a mounting assembly for mounting the device to a bicycle, an arm, movable between a first position in which the arm extends outwardly and a second position in which the arm extends downwardly and which is movable to a third position, in which the arm extends outwardly to the opposite side. One or more lights are provided at or near the distal end of the arm.

Description

10055671547* ;56?2 18 ;Our Ref: PBC001 Patents Form No. 5 ;PATENTS ACT 1953 ;COMPLETE SPECIFICATION A BICYCLE SAFETY DEVICE ;I, Peter Bain Carruthers, a New Zealand citizen of Unit 2, 20 Waitemata Road, Hauraki, North Shore 0622, New Zealand, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me, and the method by which it is to be performed, to be particularly described in and by the following statement: ;Intellectual Property Office of N.Z. ;A APR 2008 ;RECEIVED ;1 ;2 ;A BICYCLE SAFETY DEVICE ;FIELD OF THE INVENTION ;5 This invention relates to a bicycle safety device having an arm with one or more lights at a distal end which is moveable between extended and retracted positions. ;BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ;10 ;Most safety lighting for bicycles consists of simple central illumination of a bicycle. This gives no indication to the driver of a vehicle as to the width of the bicycle and may lead to them passing too close to the bicycle. Simply providing illumination to one side may lead to a driver misjudging the width of 15 the other side when undertaking. However it may also be desirable when pack riding to retract side lighting so as not to interfere with pack riding. ;US5379197 discloses a bicycle safety light that has an arm that can be positioned in an outwards position or an upwards position. A tool is required to 20 manipulate the arm between positions. In the upwards position the arm inhibits "leg over seat" dismounting. The single light does not give an observer any idea of the width of the bike and the single bulb does not illuminate well in all directions from which a cyclist needs to be seen. Traditional incandescent bulbs are also not efficient or compact. ;25 ;It would be desirable to provide a bicycle safety device that provides high visibility from all angles (including pack riding), has long battery life, is easy to attach, remove and change position for, has low wind resistance, that provides a clear indication of rider position and allows easy leg over dismounting. ;30 ;3 ;EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS ;According to one exemplary embodiment there is provided a bicycle safety device comprising: ;5 a. a body including a mounting assembly for mounting the device to a bicycle; ;b. an arm movable between a first position in which the arm extends outwardly and a second position in which the arm extends downwardly; and c. one or more lights provided at or near the distal end of the arm, ;10 ;According to another exemplary embodiment there is provided a bicycle safety device comprising: ;a. a body including a mounting assembly for mounting the device to a bicycle; ;15 b. an arm pivotable between a first position in which the arm extends outwardly and a second retracted position; and c. lights provided at or near the distal end of the arm providing illumination to the rear and in at least one of the front and outer side directions. ;20 According to a further exemplary embodiment there is provided a bicycle safety device comprising: ;a. a body including a mounting assembly for mounting the device to a bicycle; ;b. an arm pivotable between a first position in which the arm extends 25 outwardly and a retracted position; and c. lights provided on the body facing rearwardly and at or near the distal end of the arm. ;4 ;BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS ;The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and constitute part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the 5 general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. ;Figure 1 shows a rear top perspective view of a bicycle safety device. ;10 Figure 2 shows a top view of the bicycle safety device shown in figure 1. ;Figure 3 shows a left hand side view of the bicycle safety device shown in figure 1. ;15 Figure 4 shows a rear view of the bicycle safety device shown in figure 1. ;Figure 5 shows a right hand side view of the bicycle safety device shown in figure 1. ;20 Figure 6 shows a bottom view of the bicycle safety device shown in figure 1. ;Figure 7 shows a right bottom perspective view of the bicycle safety device shown in figure 1. ;25 ;Figure 8 shows a rear view of the bicycle safety device shown in figure 1 affixed to a bicycle extending outwardly to the right. ;Figure 9 shows a rear view of the bicycle safety device shown in figure 1 30 affixed to a bicycle extending downwardly to the right ;5 ;Figure 10 shows a rear view of the bicycle safety device shown in figure 1 affixed to a bicycle extending outwardly to the left. ;5 Figure 11 shows a rear view of the bicycle safety device shown in figure 1 affixed to a bicycle extending downwardly to the left. ;Figure 12 shows a side cross sectional view of the release mechanism. ;10 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION ;Referring to Figures 1 to 7 a bicycle safety device according to one preferred embodiment is shown. A mounting assembly 1 may be mounted to a seat post 2 (see figure 8) of a cycle by way of a lever 3 that clamps a strap 4 around the 15 seat post. A body part 5 is rotatably mounted with respect to mounting assembly 1 and has an arm 6 extending outwardly therefrom having a light housing 7 at a distal end thereof. ;Body 5 and mounting assembly 1 have opposing circular discs 8 and 9 rotatably 20 coupled about a central shaft 12 as shown in figure 12. A pin 13 located in housing 10 is biased by a spring 14 towards disc 8 and engages in aperture 15 in disc 8 when the arm is in the position shown in figure 8. Actuator 11 is biased by resilient arm 16 so that when depressed by a finger pin 17 forces pin 13 to retract so that disc 8 may rotate with respect to disc 9. Disc 8 may be 25 rotated with respect to disc 9 so that pin 18 is advanced by spring 19 into aperture 15 to retain body 5 and arm 6 in the position shown in figure 10 (i.e. lights to left hand side). Actuator 11 may be depressed again to allow the body 5 to rotate so that the arm is lowered to the position shown in figure 11. Likewise in the position shown in figure 9 actuator 11 may be depressed to 30 allow arm 6 to be lowered to the position shown in figure 9. Formations (not ;shown) may prevent rotation beyond the positions shown in figures 9 and 11. Alternatively, the arm may be locked in the lowered positions by providing further biased pins such as pin 13. ;5 Referring again to figures 1 to 7, body 5 is seen to have centrally located lights 20. Light housing 7 may include rearward facing lights 21 and/or side facing lights 22 and/or front facing lights 23. Lights 20, 21 and 22 may be red lights whilst lights 23 may be white lights (as these face forward). Lights 22 and 23 provide additional useful illumination to the front and side. Any suitable 10 number of lights may be employed for lights 20 to 23 depending upon the type of light employed and the desired performance. The drawings show an embodiment employing LEDs for lights 20 to 23. LEDs are advantageous due to their high visible output for low power consumption. Advantageously they may be driven intermittently to provide high visible output for low power 15 consumption. For example the lights may be driven on for 10ms every 400ms. Further, lights may be driven alternatively. ;Lights 20 to 23 may be powered by a battery stored in body 5. They may be actuated by slide switch 24. Switch 5 may be a waterproof switch such as a 20 reed switch actuated by a sliding magnet. Arm 6 may be attached to body 5 via a flexible coupling 25 such as a spring. This allows the arm to bend rather than break if it is knocked. ;In use a user may attach the device to a seat post 2 of a bicycle by placing strap 25 4 around the seat post and securing by closing lever 3. Actuator 11 may be depressed to move the arm to any one of the desired positions shown in figures 8 to 11. The positions shown in figures 8 and 10 are suited to normal night time riding (whether driving on the right hand side or the left) whilst figures 9 and 10 show configurations suited to pack riding or an out of use position ;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. ;2 4 JUN 2008 ;received ;7 ;allowing easy dismounting. Switch 24 may be actuated to turn the lights on and off. ;There is thus provided a bicycle safety device that is simple, easy and quick to 5 attach and detach and to change operational position. It provides good visibility from all angles and clearly indicates the center of a bicycle (Lights 20) as well as a width beyond the outer envelope of the bicycle so as to indicate to a driver the extent of the road occupied by the bicycle. It allows easy leg over dismounting, is light, has low wind resistance and provides excellent battery 10 life. ;While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the Applicant to restrict or in any way limit the 15 scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without 20 departure from the spirit or scope of the Applicant's general inventive concept. ;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF N.Z. ;2 k JUN 2008 ;received ;8 *

Claims

1. A bicycle safety device comprising: a. a body including a mounting assembly for mounting the device to 5 a bicycle; b. an arm movable between a first position in which the arm extends outwardly and a second position in which the arm extends downwardly and movable to a third position in which the arm extends outwardly to the opposite side; and 10 c. one or more lights provided at or near the distal end of the arm.

2. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the one or more lights are provided at the distal end of the arm. 15

3. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the arm is movable to a forth position in which the arm extends downwardly to the opposite side.

4. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 20 wherein the arm is connected to the body via a flexible connection.

' 5. A bicycle safety device as claimed in 4 wherein the flexible connection is a spring. 25

6. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a release mechanism must be actuated to allow the arm to move from the first position.

7. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 30 wherein a release mechanism must be actuated to allow the arm to move from the second position. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFF'CF .OF 2 6 NOV 2008 RE . . V C ■ V jl. D 9

8. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein the release mechanism is operated by a user's finger. 5

9. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the release mechanism consists of a spring loaded pin engageable with an aperture to prevent rotation of the arm.

10. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 10 wherein the one or more lights face to the rear of a bicycle in use.

11. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the one or more lights face to the side of a bicycle in use. 15

12. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the one or more lights face to the front of a bicycle in use.

13. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein one or more lights are located on the body. 20

14. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 13 wherein one or more lights are centrally located on the body.

15. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims 25 wherein the one or more lights are LEDs.

16. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the one or more lights are high intensity LEDs. 30

17. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 16 wherein the LEDs are driven intermittently. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFPfC; -IF 2 S HUV 2008 received 10

18. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 17 wherein the lights are driven for a shorter period than they are turned off. 5

19. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein lights are driven alternately.

20. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body is attached via a quick release mechanism to the seat post of a 10 bicycle.

21. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 20 wherein the quick release mechanism is a clamp. 15

22. A bicycle safety device comprising: a. a body including a mounting assembly for mounting the device to a bicycle; b. an arm pivotable between a first position in which the arm extends outwardly and a second downward position; and 20 c. lights provided at or near the distal end of the arm providing illumination to the rear and in at least one of the front and outer side directions.

23. A bicycle safety device as claimed in 22 wherein the arm is movable to a third position in which the arm extends outwardly to the opposite side. 25

24. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 23 wherein the arm is movable to a forth position in which the arm extends downwardly to the opposite side. 30

25. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24 wherein the arm is connected to the body via a flexible connection. INTELLECT! PROPERTY OF-"; ^ M.Z. 2 o NOV 2008 IRECFivpn 11

26. A bicycle safety device as claimed in 25 wherein the flexible connection is a spring. 5

27. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 26 wherein a release mechanism must be actuated to allow the arm to move from the first position.

28. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 27 wherein 10 a release mechanism must be actuated to allow the arm to move from the third position.

29. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 27 or claim 28 wherein the release mechanism is operated by a user's finger. 15

30. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 29 wherein the release mechanism consists of a spring-loaded pin engageable with an aperture to prevent rotation of the arm. 20

31. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 30 wherein the lights face to the side of a bicycle in use.

32. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 31 wherein one or more of the lights face to the front of a bicycle in use. 25

33. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 32 wherein one or more lights are located on the body. INTELLECT) ,i At PROPERTY I b NUV 2008 12

34. A bicycte safety device as claimed in claim 33 wherein one or more lights are centrally located on the body.

35. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 34 wherein 5 the lights are LEDs.

36. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 34 wherein the lights are high intensity LEDs. 10

37. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 35 to 36 wherein the LEDs are driven intermittently.

38. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 37 wherein the lights are driven for a shorter period than they are turned off. 15

39. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 35 to 38 wherein lights are driven alternately.

40. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 38 wherein 20 the body is attached via a quick release mechanism to the seat post of a bicycle.

41. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 40 wherein the quick release mechanism is a clamp. 25

42. A bicycle safety device comprising: a. a body including a mounting assembly for mounting the device to a bicycle; INTELLECTUA1 'HnpERtY PP<T': ■ z. 21 iiUV 2008 received 13 b. an arm pivotable between a first position in which the arm extends outwardly and a retracted position; and c. lights provided on the body facing rearwardly and at or near the distal end of the arm. 5

43. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 42 wherein the arm is movable to a third position in which the arm extends outwardly to the opposite side. 10

44. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 43 wherein the arm is movable to a forth position in which the arm extends downwardly to the opposite side.

45. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 44 wherein 15 the arm is connected to the body via a flexible connection.

46. A bicycle safety device as claimed in 45 wherein the flexible connection is a spring. 20

47. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 46 wherein a release mechanism must be actuated to allow the arm to move from the first position.

48. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 47wherein 25 a release mechanism must be actuated to allow the arm to move from the second position.

49. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 47 or claim 48 wherein the release mechanism is operated by a user's finger. 30 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFPTCF : 2 6 NOV rn R E u 11 V £ D 14

50. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 49 wherein the release mechanism consists of a spring loaded pin engageable with an aperture to prevent rotation of the arm. 5

51. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 50 wherein one or more of the lights face to the rear of a bicycle in use.

52. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 51 wherein one or more of the lights face to the side of a bicycle in use. 10

53. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 52 wherein one or more of the lights face to the front of a bicycle in use.

54. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 53 wherein 15 one or more lights are located on the body.

55. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 54 wherein one or more lights are located centrally on the body. 20

56. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 55 wherein the lights are LEDs.

57. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 42 to" 56 wherein the lights are high intensity LEDs. 25

58. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 56 or 57 wherein the LEDs are driven intermittently.

59. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 58 wherein the lights are 30 turned on for a shorter period than they are turned off. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF K!.2 2 6 NOV 2008 received • • 15

60. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 56 to 59 wherein lights are driven alternately.

61. A bicycle safety device as claimed in any one of claims 42 to 60 wherein 5 the body is attached via a quick release mechanism to the seat post of a bicycle.

62. A bicycle safety device as claimed in claim 61 wherein the quick release mechanism is a clamp. 10

63. A bicycle safety device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. PETER BAIN CARRUTHERS 15 By His Attorneys DON HOPKINS & ASSOCIATES 20 INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY OFFICE OF W7Z 2 6 NOV 2008 rect • - D