Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R5/00—Stereophonic arrangements
  • H04R5/02—Spatial or constructional arrangements of loudspeakers
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04R—LOUDSPEAKERS, MICROPHONES, GRAMOPHONE PICK-UPS OR LIKE ACOUSTIC ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCERS; DEAF-AID SETS; PUBLIC ADDRESS SYSTEMS
  • H04R2499/00—Aspects covered by H04R or H04S not otherwise provided for in their subgroups
  • H04R2499/10—General applications
  • H04R2499/13—Acoustic transducers and sound field adaptation in vehicles

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a bicycle sound system that cooperates with a bicycle's frame and handlebars to provide amplified sound to a bicycle rider.
• the sound system of the present invention comprises a harness to engage and secure an external sound device to a bicycle frame; an amplifier physically connected to the harness or bicycle frame and electrically connected to the external sound device; and speakers physically connected to the bicycle handlebars and electrically connected to the amplifier.
• the harness is rigid, strong and lightweight, preferably comprising plastic, and may be adapted to accommodate and secure a variety of common external devices.
• the external device is secured to the harness using a strap formed with synthetic hook and loop materials which adhere when pressed together (such as VELCRO*) which is adjustably looped around the external device and handles integral to the harness.
• the harness preferably is attached to the bicycle using screws that cooperate with standard threaded screw receptors on the bicycle frame. For bicycle frames lacking standardized threaded screw receptors, one or more straps (such as hose clamps) may be used to attach the harness to the frame.
• the amplifier comprises amplifying means contained in a casing connected to the harness.
• the amplifier is powered by two nine-volt rechargeable batteries accessible by means of a removable hatch in the amplifier casing.
• the amplifier is slidably linked with the harness in order to allow simple, independent removal of the amplifier for remote charging of the amplifier batteries.
• two speakers are employed, one for each channel of stereo output.
• the speakers are contained in speaker housings that are mounted at each handlebar end using an adapter.
• each adapter comprises an annular body, which is inserted into or around the hollow handlebar end, and an integral disk which covers one end of the annular body and remains outside the handlebar end.
• An aperture in the integral disk is adapted to receive a connecting post extending from each speaker housing.
• the integral disk and speaker housing are held together by cooperating annuli formed with synthetic hook and loop materials which adhere when pressed together (such as VELCRO*) .
• the electrical connections between the components of the present invention comprise wires.
• a stereo-capable wire connects the external device and amplifier, and separate leads for each channel extend from the amplifier to the left and right handlebar ends.
• the amplifier-speaker connecting wires are routed under tape or padding covering the handlebars.
• a through hole, groove or tunnel in the adapter allows these wires to be fed into the end of the handlebar, so as to provide access to the connecting post of the speaker housing without crimping.
• the wire may be routed inside the hollow handlebar and fed directly into the connecting post.
• FIG. 1 is a side view of a harness, amplifier, and electrical connections according to the present invention
• FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of a speaker housing, plug-type adapter, and electrical connection according to the present invention
• FIG. 3 is an end view of an adapter according to the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a speaker housing, adapter, and electrical connection according to the present invention.
• FIG. 5 is a cross-section view of a speaker housing, sleeve-type adapter, and electrical connection according to the present invention
• FIG. 6 is a side view of the speaker housing, sleeve- type adapter, and electrical connection shown in Fig. 5;
• FIG. 7 is a top view of the speaker housing, sleeve- type adapter, and electrical connection shown in Fig. 5;
• FIG. 8 is a side view of the amplified bicycle sound system of the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is a top view of the harness and amplifier of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1, 4 and 8, a preferred embodiment of the amplified bicycle sound system of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10.
• the sound system 10 is used in connection with a sound source 12 and comprises a source harness 14, within which the sound source 12 is held, an amplifier 16, and two speakers 18.
• the components of the system 10 are electrically connected by a source-amplifier wire 20, and two amplifier-speaker wires 22.
• the harness 14 is connected to the diagonal member 24 of a bicycle frame 26, such that the source 12 and harness 14 extend orthogonally from the diagonal member 24.
• Bicycle frames 26 often include threaded screw receptors arranged in a standard configuration adapted to receive an accessory such as a water bottle harness.
• the harness 14 is attached to the diagonal member using two screws 28 arranged to take advantage of this configuration.
• hose clamps 74 may be looped through the harness 14 and around the diagonal member 24 of the frame 26 to hold the harness 14 in place. These straps may also be used to supplement the screws 28.
• the harness 14 is preferably formed of a lightweight, resilient material such as plastic and, as is shown in Fig.
• harness 14 may also or alternatively comprise screws, hooks, and other fastening means to engage and secure the sound source 12.
• the harness 14 may be sufficiently resilient to allow snap-fit engagement of the sound source 12.
• the amplifier 16 comprises a casing containing amplifying means (not shown) , an on-off switch (not shown) , an input connection 30, and two output connections 32.
• the amplifier 16 also preferably comprises a T-shaped projection 78 adapted to be slidably received within a corresponding groove 80 in the harness 14 as is shown in Fig. 9. This allows the amplifier 16 to be removed from the bicycle frame 26 without removing the harness 14.
• a battery-operated amplifier 16 is employed and is driven by two nine-volt batteries (not shown) .
• the batteries of the amplifier 16 (and sound source 12) may be recharged using a DC adapter that cooperates with a recharging connector 82 disposed on the amplifier.
• recharging energy may be provided by the rotation of the bicycle wheels as is we11-understood in the art.
• the source-amplifier wire 20 is stereo-capable and is routed from the output connection 34 of the source 12 to the input connection 30 of the amplifier 16.
• the source-amplifier wire 20 may comprise custom or standardized connectors to facilitate installation and removal or improve performance as is well understood in the art.
• one amplifier-speaker wire 22 extends from each amplifier output connection 32, and each wire 22 is routed towards the handlebars 36 of the bicycle.
• one amplifier-speaker wire 22 carries a left channel signal and the other amplifier speaker wire 22 carries a right channel signal so as to support stereo sound.
• the amplifier-speaker wires 22 are routed up the diagonal frame member 24, being held in place by one or more fasteners (not shown) .
• each amplifier-speaker wire 22 is routed along the handlebars 36 to a speaker housing 38 comprising a compartment within which a single speaker 18 is disposed.
• the speaker 18 is preferably supported within the compartment 40 using a support plate 62 having an aperture 64 adapted to receive the speaker 18.
• the amplifier-speaker wire 22 is electrically connected to the speaker 18 within the compartment 40 and is routed outside the speaker housing 38 through a passage 44 in a connection post 42 which extends from the speaker housing 38.
• connection post 42 may alternatively be electrically connected with the speaker 18 and may be adapted to receive a standard 3-1/2 millimeter stereo plug (not shown) attached at the end of the amplifier-speaker wire 22.
• the speaker housings 38 are disposed at the ends of the handlebars 36.
• the amplifier- speaker wires 22 are preferably routed to the speaker housings 38 under a sleeve 66 or tape covering the handlebars 36, as is shown in Fig. 4, in order to minimize visibility of the amplifier-speaker wires 22 and potential interference with the cyclist or bicycle.
• the wires 22 may be routed within the hollow handlebars 36.
• Each speaker housing 38 is connected to one of the hollow ends 46 of the handlebars 36 using an adapter 48 as shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 5-7.
• Each adapter 48 comprises an annular body 50 and an integral disk 52 which covers one end of the annular body 50 and remains outside the handlebar end 46.
• An aperture 54 in the disk 52 is adapted to receive the connection post 42 of the speaker housing 38.
• the integral disk 52 and speaker housing 38 are mutually engaged using cooperating hook and loop annuli (such as VELCRO*) 56 and 58.
• a first VELCRO* annulus 56 surrounds the aperture 54 on the outside of the integral disk 56 and a corresponding VELCRO* annulus 58 is disposed around the connection post 42.
• the adapter 48 encircles the handlebar end 46, as is shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 (a "sleeve-type" adapter) .
• An annular ring 68 is disposed within the adapter 48 at the integral disk 52 and prevents the handlebar end 46 from contacting the integral disk 52.
• the amplifier-speaker wire 22 is routed to the handlebar end 46 through a groove or tunnel 70 in the annular body 50, and a notch 72 in the annular ring 68 allows the wire 22 to be routed around the handlebar end 46 and into the connection post 42 without crimping.
• the annular body 50 is received within the handlebar end 46, as is shown in Fig. 2 (a "plug-type" adapter) .
• a through hole 60 in the annular body 50 allows the amplifier-speaker wire 22 to be routed from the outside of the handlebars 36 to the connection post 42.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Motorcycle And Bicycle Frame (AREA)
• Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
• Axle Suspensions And Sidecars For Cycles (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=24436408

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (5)

Cited By (1)

Citations (2)

• 1997
  • 1997-02-28 EP EP97907957A patent/EP0885547A1/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 1997-02-28 WO PCT/US1997/003214 patent/WO1997032450A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
  • 1997-02-28 AU AU19822/97A patent/AU1982297A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1997-02-28 CA CA 2248267 patent/CA2248267A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1997-02-28 JP JP09530448A patent/JP2001500083A/ja active Pending

Patent Citations (2)

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