WO2008007399A1

WO2008007399A1 - A light device for signalling and an article of clothing, in particular a rash helmet, provided with the light device

Info

Publication number: WO2008007399A1
Application number: PCT/IT2006/000529
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maurizio Bombarda
Original assignee: Ber Racing Italy S.R.L.
Priority date: 2006-07-11
Filing date: 2006-07-11
Publication date: 2008-01-17

Abstract

The device comprises a first lighting group connected to a stop light of a motor vehicle, and a second and third lighting groups for indicating the vehicle's direction, all applied on an article of clothing. The device further comprises means for transmitting having a transmission unit (12) which is connectable to the motor vehicle (4) and a receiving unit (13) connected to the light groups in order to turn the light groups on and off at the same time as the stop light and the direction indicators of the motor vehicle.

Description

A Light Device for Signalling and an Article of Clothing, in particular a Crash Helmet, provided with the Light Device.

Technical Field

The invention relates to a light device for signalling and an article of clothing, especially for motor cyclists and in particular a crash helmet, provided with the light device.

Background Art As is known, all vehicles destined for transporting persons and/or goods are provided with suitable systems and/or light devices for identification and/or for manoeuvring purposes. In particular, each vehicle is provided with appropriate optical groups, such as for example stop lights, direction indicators and other compulsory manoeuvring indicators, With particular reference to motor vehicles, the optical light groups are usually concentrated at the front and the back of the vehicles.

Given the intrinsic characteristics of motor vehicles, the light optical groups are arranged one by another at relatively short distances from one another.

With reference to these characteristics, the applicant has found that motor vehicle light signalling devices are not free of drawbacks and are improvable in various areas, especially in relation to the visibility of the lights in conditions of traffic, as well as in relation to the safety of the users of these means.

In particular the applicant has found that in intense traffic conditions the light groups of motor vehicles can be completely or partially covered by the structures of other vehicles, which cover and conceal the visual signals emitted.

Consequently the drives of motor vehicles and/or trucks are not able to perceive the intentions of motor cyclists, who can therefore unexpectedly find themselves in conditions of risk and danger.

Further, the same conditions of danger can arise when vehicles are travelling close to one another.

In particular, given the height of the motor vehicles from the ground, the light groups do not appear in the rear-view mirrors of the preceding vehicle, especially if the vehicle is provided with an especially high driving position, such as can happen with off-road vehicles, MPVs₅ trucks, buses and so on.

The main aim of the invention is to obviate the above-mentioned problems.

A further aim of the invention is to provide a light signalling device and a helmet provided with the device which is easily visible to any other vehicle under any traffic conditions.

The set aim is attained by a light device for signalling and a helmet provided with the device, as it is characterised in the accompanying claims.

Disclosure of Invention

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will better emerge from the detailed description that follows of a preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying figures of the drawings, in which: figure 1 is a schematic view from above of a motor vehicle whose driver is wearing a crash helmet provided with a light device for signalling of the present invention; figure 2 is a further schematic view from above of the motor vehicle and the helmet of figure 1, illustrated in a first signalling condition; figure 3 is a further schematic view from above of the motor vehicle and the helmet of figure 1, illustrated in a second signalling condition; figure 4 is a further schematic view from above of the motor vehicle and the helmet of figure 1, illustrated in a third signalling condition; figure 5 is a front view of the helmet of the previous figures; figure 6 is a back view of the helmet of the previous figures; figure 7 is a posterior perspective view of the helmet of the previous figures. With reference to the figures of the drawings, 1 denotes in its entirety a light device for signalling of the invention. As can be seen in the figures of the drawings, the signalling light device 1 comprises means for visually signalling 2, 6, 7 a manoeuvre of a motor vehicle 4. The means for visually signalling 2, 6, 7 can be associated to an article of clothing for motor cyclists, in particular a helmet 3, usable together with a motor vehicle 4, and are predisposed to light up and to extinguish together with the switching on or off of a signal and/or indicator of the motor vehicle 4. Though not illustrated in detail, the means for visual signalling 2, 6, 7 could be associated to articles of clothing other than a helmet, such as for example a jerkin, trousers, an overall or a backpack. In the description reference will be made to a preferred use of the invention in combination with a helmet, without excluding the possibility that the device of the present invention could be combined with other articles of clothing. The means for signalling 2, 6, 7 comprise a first lighting group 2 relating to a visual signalling of a manoeuvre either about to be made or being made. Preferably the first lighting group 2 can be associated to a crash helmet 3 and is predisposed to light up and extinguish respectively on the switching on or off of a motor vehicle 4 indicator. As can be seen in the accompanying figures of the drawings, the first lighting group 2 is posteriorly associable to the helmet and relates to a stop indicator of the vehicle 4, i.e. the first lighting group 2 lights up and extinguishes together with a stop indicator of the motor vehicle 4. The means for signalling 2, 6, 7 advantageously further comprise a second and a third lighting group 6, 7, which indicate the intended direction the vehicle 4 is about to take. The second and third lighting groups 6, 7 are laterally associable to the helmet 3 on opposite sides thereof, and respond to the lighting-up and extinguishing of the direction indicators 8 of the motor vehicle 4.

The second and third lighting groups 6, 7 preferably exhibit an elongate conformation and extend from a front portion 3a to a back portion 3b of the crash helmet 3, along respective lateral portions 3 c thereof. Although not illustrated, further lighting groups could be associated to the helmet 3, for example front and back side-lights (respectively white and red). Each lighting group could also be divided up into separate groups. The lighting groups 2, 6, 7 can preferably comprise LED modules, or luminous sheets and/or similar light emitters having substantially flat developments. With the aim of providing each lighting group 2, 6, 7 with the energy required for its operation, the device 1 is provided with means for supplying 9 connected to the lighting groups. The means for supplying 9 preferably comprise at least a photovoltaic device 10 which can be applied to the top of the helmet 3. Alternatively the means for supplying 9 can include at least a wire connection (not shown in the figures of the drawings) or a suitable cable connectable to an energy source of the motor vehicle 4. The device 1 further comprises means for transmitting 11, interpositionable between the lighting groups 2, 6, 7 and the motor vehicle 4 for commanding on or off switching of the lighting groups 2, 6, 7 and the extinguishing of the stop indicator 5 and the direction indicators 8 of the motor vehicle 4. As can be seen in figure 1, the means for transmitting 11 comprise a transmission unit 12, preferably electronically connectable to a switchboard and/or a similar electronic control unit for the stop signal 5 and the direction indicators 8 of the motor vehicle 4. The means for transmitting 11 further comprise at least a receiving unit 13 which is connectable, preferably electronically, to at least one and preferably all of the lighting groups 2, 6, 7 present on the crash helmet 3.

As illustrated in figures from 1 to 4, the means for transmitting 11 operate in the absence of wires and/or similar connection elements. The means for transmitting 11 preferably exhibit transmission and reception units 12, 13 able to communicate by means of radio waves, blue tooth protocols or infrared waves. Alternatively the transmission unit 12 and the reception unit 13 can also be connected by means of at least one transmission cable (not illustrated). The lighting groups 2, 6, 7 are applicable to the helmet 3 by means of special means for engaging (not illustrated), preferably adhesive, able to keep the lighting groups 2, 6, 7 in adhesive contact with the external surface of the helmet 3 without changing the structure of the helmet and compromising the safety characteristics thereof. In this case the lighting groups 2, 6, 7 will have dimensions, especially in relation to the thickness thereof, which conform to the existing laws limiting the degree of relief of projections allowed on the helmet 3. In a further embodiment of the invention the lighting device 1 is integrated into the helmet 3 structure. The helmet can be integrally designed and made to standard with the lighting devices already housed in housings included in the original design. This would eliminate the (small) projections in the helmet if the devices are subsequently applied to the helmet, and would increase the safety of the motorcyclist in case of accident.

The lighting device 1 as structurally described above functions in the following way. During use, the motor vehicle 4 brakes, slows down and changes direction. As can be seen in figure 2, when the motor vehicle 4 braking device is activated by the user, the stop signal 5 lights up automatically on command of an electronic control system on the vehicle itself. As the transmission unit 12 of the means for transmission 11 is also operatively connected to the electronic control system of the motor vehicle 4, the activating of the braking device of the vehicle 4 causes activation also of the transmission unit 12 which emits a command signal to light up the first optical lighting group 2 of the device 1 arranged on the helmet 3. When the receiving unit 13 of the means for transmitting 11 receives the "on" command sent by the transmission unit 12, the receiving unit 13 immediately activates the first lighting group 2 which automatically switches on at the same time as the stop indicator 5 of the motor vehicle 4.

Naturally, when the braking device activation is removed, both the stop indicator 5 of the motor vehicle 4 and the first lighting group 2 of the helmet 13 turn off at the same time. As shown in figures 3 and 4, when the user activates one or both of the direction indicators 8 of the motor vehicle 4, at the same time, via the means for transmitting 11, the corresponding lighting group 6, 7 or both groups are activated.

Continual and intermittent activation of each optical group 2, 6, 7 is made possible by the means for supplying 9 which provide the energy required each time the receiving unit 13 of the means for transmitting 11 switches on at least one of the lighting groups 2, 6, 7 present on the helmet 3. The invention resolves the problems encountered in the prior art and attains the set aims. Firstly, the object of the present invention is able to make the user's intention clear and easily visible, even in adverse conditions such as traffic jams or intense traffic. In particular, the presence of the helmet of a lighting device, provided with stop lights and direction indicators predisposed to react sharply to the activating of the brake device and the direction indicators 8 of the vehicle 4, makes the driver's intentions very clear and visible as the signals are located at a significantly higher level than usual. The indications and visual signals can be easily seen by drivers of any other vehicle, even those having high driver positions, such as off-road vehicles, trucks or buses.

Claims

Claims.

1. A light device for signalling comprising means for visually signalling a manoeuvre of a motor vehicle (4), wherein the means for signalling are associable to an article of clothing which can be used together with a motor vehicle (4), the means for signalling switching on and off in direct reaction to an optical indicator of the motor vehicle (4).

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the means for visually signalling comprise a first lighting group (2) relating to a visual stop signal of the motor vehicle (4), the first lighting group (2) switching on and off together with a switching on and off of at least a stop indicator (5) of the motor vehicle (4).

3. The device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first lighting group (2) is posteriorly associable to the article of clothing.

4. The device of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the means for visually signalling comprise a second lighting group (6) and a third lighting group (7) for indicating a direction of the motor vehicle (4), the second lighting group (6) and the third lighting group (7) being laterally associable to the article of clothing on opposite sides thereof, and switching on and off together with a contemporaneous switching on and off of direction indicators (8) of the motor vehicle (4).

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the device (1) comprises means (9) for supplying energy which are operatively connected to the lighting groups in order to provide energy thereto, necessary for operation of at least one of the lighting groups.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the means for supplying (9) comprise at least a photovoltaic device (10) for energy supply, applicable to the article of clothing.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein the means for supplying (9) comprise at least a wire connection which is connectable to a source of energy of the motor vehicle (4).

8. The device of any one of claims from 4 to 7, wherein the device (1) further comprises means for transmitting (11) which are positionable between the first, second and third lighting groups and the motor vehicle (4) for commanding a switching on and off of the first, second and third lighting groups in relation to a switching on and off of the stop indicator (5) and the direction indicators (8) of the motor vehicle (4).

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the means for transmitting (11) comprise at least a transmitting unit (12) which is preferably electronically connectable to a switchboard or a similar electronic control element of the stop indicator (5) and the direction indicators (8) of the motor vehicle (4), and at least a receiving unit (13) which is preferably electronically connectable to at least one of the first, second and third lighting groups.

10. The device of claim 8 or 9, wherein the means for transmitting (11) work in absence of wires and/or similar connecting elements.

11. The device of one or more of claims from 8 to 10, wherein the means for transmitting (11) work by radio waves.

12. The device of one or more of claims from 8 to 10, wherein the means for transmitting (11) work by blue tooth transmission technology.

13. The device of one or more of claims from 8 to 10, wherein the means for transmitting (11) work by infrared wave transmission.

14. The device of claim 9, wherein the transmission unit (12) and the receiving unit (13) are connected by at least a transmission cable.

15. A crash helmet comprising a structure exhibiting an external surface which is rounded, the helmet (3) further comprising a lighting device (1) for signalling according to any one of the preceding claims.

16. The crash helmet (3) of claim 15, wherein the first lighting group (2) is sunk into the structure of the crash helmet (3).

17. The crash helmet of claim 15 or 16, wherein the second lighting group (6) and the third lighting group (7) are sunk into the structure of the crash helmet

(3).

18. The crash helmet of any one of claims from 15 to 17, wherein the means for supplying (9) are at least partially sunk into the structure of the helmet (3).

19. The device of claim 15, wherein the device (1) further comprises means for engaging for application of at least one of the lighting groups on the external surface of the helmet (3).