WO2013002635A1

WO2013002635A1 - A lighting module for a bicycle and a bicycle comprising such lighting module

Info

Publication number: WO2013002635A1
Application number: PCT/NL2012/050369
Authority: WO
Inventors: Leo DIJKGRAAF
Original assignee: Dijk Producties B.V.
Priority date: 2011-05-25
Filing date: 2012-05-24
Publication date: 2013-01-03
Also published as: NL2006850C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a lighting module for a bicycle, said bicycle having a frame, comprising: - a housing element comprising an at least partly transparent wall surface; and - a lighting element. The lighting module is characterized in that the lighting module also comprises: - a first housing part that is to be positioned at a first side of said bicycle frame and a second housing part that is to be positioned at a second side of said bicycle frame; and - a lighting element that is to be positioned between said housing elements. A preferred embodiment is comprised of a two wheeled vehicle, especially a bicycle, comprising such lighting module.

Description

Lighting module for a bicycle and a bicycle comprising such module

The present invention relates to a lighting module according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention also relates to a bicy^¬ cle comprising such lighting module.

The term "bicycle" comprises each two- or three wheeled vehi- cle that may be propelled by means of muscle power or by means of an electronic of combustion engine. The lighting module is also referred to as bicycle lighting module, wherein the application is not limited to vehicles that are propelled by means of muscle power .

Such a lighting module is known in the art. For example,

CN201037020 describes a lighting module that is connected to the wheels of a bicycle. A disadvantage of such is that the electric power needs to be provided by a battery that is positioned inside the wheel and can only be reached with difficulty. Also, the added weight of the battery and lighting module in the wheel are disadvantageous for the driveability of the bicycle. It is hard to provide electric power by means of a generator, like a dynamo.

Furthermore, head and tail lights are well known in bicycles. These provide visibility from the front and back, respectively, of the bicycle only.

The invention aims at providing an improved lighting module of the kind as mentioned above.

The invention especially aims at providing a lighting module that can be applied easily to any bicycle.

The invention also aims at providing an improved lighting module that does not influence the driveability of a bicycle.

So as to obtain at least one of the above mentioned goals, the invention provides according to a first embodiment a lighting module comprising the features of claim 1. This lighting module provides the advantage that it can be applied easily to a bicycle and that it does not influence the driveability of the bicycle. Furthermore, it provides the advantage that the visibility of the bicycle is highly improved, especially from the side of the bicycle .

The invention further provides the advantage that the appearance of the bicycle can be easily adapted by replacing the housing elements that have another appearance. Such is especially suitable for advertisements, but it can be adapted to a specific mood, celebration or the like as well.

It is especially preferred that the housing elements comprising cooperating connecting means for connecting same together. Since the connecting means cooperate with the housing elements, no direct connection with the bicycle's frame, that is frame tubes or cams provided on said frame tubes, has to be provided. As a consequence, a standard bicycle can be easily provided with the lighting module according to the present invention.

Hereafter, the invention will be described on the basis of a bicycle frame that comprises two substantially parallelly positioned frame tubes, as shown in Fig. 1. However, the invention is not limited to such embodiment. Both frame tubes, in the present case an upper frame tube and a lower frame tube, are commonly con- nected at their ends by means of a head set tube and a saddle tube, as commonly known in the art. According to this example of an embodiment according to the present invention, the housing elements cover the space that is defined between these frame tubes.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the housing ele- ments comprise contact surfaces that are to be positioned against the frame members of the bicycle. This provides for a lighting module that comprises two housing elements that are to be positioned at both sides of the bicycle frame, and that are forced against each other by means of the connecting means.

According to a highly preferred embodiment, the contact surfaces can be provided at the circumferential edge of the housing elements, and which can be positioned against the upper and lower frame tubes. The invention also relates to an embodiment wherein the bicycle has a frame that comprises an upper frame tube, a low- er frame tube, and a head set tube as well as a saddle tube, which both tubes connect said upper and lower tubes and wherein the housing elements have a shape that is defined by said tubes and wherein a circumferential edge thereof is positionable against said tubes. For example, the connecting elements may be comprised of a bolt and a nut that at both sides lie against the housing elements and that can be guided through openings in said housing el- ements, such that the housing elements are forced against each other. By positioning the housing elements at both sides of the frame tubes, a firm positioning of the housing elements is obtained .

As a consequence, it is preferred that the housing elements comprise contact surfaces that are positionable against at least two frame tubes. Preferably, the housing elements are positionable at their complete cirumferential edge against frame parts of the bicycle, for example against frame tubes of the bicycle.

The invention furthermore provides a lighting module, wherein the at least partly transparent wall is positioned at a distance from the contact surfaces. This provides the advantage that the complete transparent wall is visible during use.

When the housing elements are substantially flat, plate- shaped elements, the advantage is obtained that a well-balanced lichting of the lighting elements is obtained, and that the bicycle comprises no protruding elements.

A great lighting of the transparent wall is obtained especially when the lighting elements are positioned in between said housing elements when the device is in use. Especially when using led-type lighting elements, the life time is prolonged with the consequence that replacement will not be required for a long time. Then, a continuous use of the lighting module according to the present invention is feasible. Therefore, the invention preferably provides a bicycle lighting module wherein the lighting ele- ments are led-type elements. Preferably, a so-called rope light is used comprising led-type lighting elements. As a consequence, an even lighting of the transparent wall elements is obtained.

So as to obtain a sufficient closure of the housing elements against the frame parts, or against the frame tubes, it is pre- ferred that the bicycle lighting module comprises elastic elements that lie against the bicycle frame, or against the bicycle tubes, such that during use the housing elements lie against the elastic elements over at least a part of their surface, and wherein the cooperating connecting means are embodied for forcing and keeping the housing parts, or housing elements, against each other.

The lighting element can be fed by means of a generator, for example a dynamo that is actuated by means of the tire or the hub. During standstill of the bicycle, the lighting element may be fed by means of a battery. So as to be able to have the lighting element shine during at least one of both situations, it is preferred that the lighting module comprises a connection for connecting same with at least one of a battery and a dynamo.

It is especially preferred for the bicycle lighting module to comprise a power connection with a dynamo. Because of the alternate current provided by a dynamo, an AC/DC convertor should be provided as far as the dynamo itself does not comprise such con- vertor.

Finally, the invention relates to a two wheeled vehicle, for example a bicycle, comprising a lighting module as mentioned above and in the claims and in the description of the drawing. Such a two wheeled vehicle proved the advantages as mentioned above with regard to the bicycle lighting module.

More preferably, the invention relates to a bicycle comprising a lighting module according to the present invention, furthermore comprising: - a dynamo comprising electric connection, and - conductors providing a connection between electric connections of said dynamo and a power connector of the lighting element. Such a bicycle will easily implement the invention, such that the advantages as indicated above are obtained.

Hereinafter, the invention will be described with reference to the drawing. The drawing shows in:

fig. 1 a bicycle comprising the lighting module according to the invention,

fig. 2 a detailed view of the bicycle of Fig. 1,

fig. 3 an explosion view of a section along A-A in Fig. 2, fig. 4 a section according to the line A-A in Fig. 2, en fig. 5 an alternative embodiment of the bicycle according to

Fig. 1.

In the drawing, the same parts have been denoted by the same reference numerals. However, for easy of understanding, not all parts and elements that are necessary for implementing the invention, have been shown and denoted in the drawing.

Fig. 1 shows a detailed side view of a common bicycle 1, having a frame that comprises an upper tube 2, a sunstantially parallel lower tube 3, a saddle tube (or seating tube) 5 that is connected to ends of said upper tube 2 and lower tube 3, as well as a head set tube 4 that is connected to the other ends of said upper tube 2 and lower tube 3. As a metter of fact, the bicycle frame may be embodied differently. For example, the upper tube 2 and the lower tube 3 may run at an angle with respect to each other. Such embodiment is shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, the upper tube 2 and the lower tube 3 each may have a substantially

rectangular shape, instead of a bent shape as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2.

A front fork 6 retains a front wheel 9, as is common practice. The front fork 6 is connected to handlebar 11 and is rotatably geared in head set tube 4 so as to be able to steer said bicycle .

A back wheel 10 is kept in a rear fork, comprising a lying rear fork 17 and a standing rear fork 8. Such construction is common in the art, as well. Further, commonly known parts have been shown in the drawing but will not be discussed separately, like a drive, fenders and carriers.

Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of a bicycle according to Fig.

1. In this Fig. 2, in the space that is defined by the upper tube

2, the lower tube 3, head set tube 4 and seating tube 5 a lighting module 12 has been installed. The lighting module 12 comprises a housing part 13 and an at least partially transparent or

translucent wall 14. In the embodiment as shown in Fig. 2 a plurality of transparent wall parts 14 are shown, as round shaped surfaces. The complete housing part 13 may be transparent.

In Fig. 3 an explosion view of the section along the line A-A in to Fig. 2 is shown. In Fig. 3 upper tube 2 and lower tube 3 are shown. At both sides of tubes 2, 3 housing parts, or housing elements, 13, 13' are shown. In this embodiment housing parts 13, 13' are not positioned aganist the tubes 2, 3, but with an intermediate forming element 15, 15' . Said forming element 15, 15' is preferably is somewhat elastic. However, such elasticity is not obligatory, In the embodiment as shown in Fig. 3, the element 15, 15' comprises a recess in which housing part 13 can be taken up. Shape and size of said element 15, 15' are tailored to the shape of the frame, especially to the shape and size of the upper tube 2 and lower tube 3, such that in use a flat surface is obtained. The element 15, 15' is not a prerequisite for obtaining a proper positioning of housing elements 13, 13' against said framebut may provide a suitable closure against penetration of moisture and the like.

The housing parts 13, 13' are provided with openings 18, 18' through which a connecting element may be guided, in the present case a bolt 16 that is to be connected to a cooperating nut 17. Bolt 16 is externally threaded whereas nut 17 is internally threaded. Housing elements 13, 13' can be forced towards each other, such that the elements 15, 15' are positioned against the tubes 2, 3 and kept in position against said tubes. In the embodiment according to Fig. 2 two sets of bolt and nut are provided (only nuts 17 are visible in Fig. 2) .

For example, the elements 15, 15' can be positioned against a limited part of the rear side of housing parts 13, 13' near the circumferential edge 19 of said housing parts, such that a contact surface near said circumferential edge is obtained. However, the housing parts 13 and 13', respectively may be supported at their complete rear side 20' by means of an element 15 and 15' , respectively. In the last embodiment it is highly preferred that elements 15, 15' are completely translucent or transparent.

Housing part 13, 13' may be comprised of a clear transparent or diffusely translucent material, wherein at least a part of its surface comprises a layer having a reduced transparency.

In Fig. 4 a lighting element 21 has been shown. Said lighting element is positioned in between said housing parts 13 and 13' , and elements 15, 15', respectively.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a bicycle 1. In contrast to the bicycle as shown in Fig. 1, a larger surface area is comprised by upper tube 2, lower tube 3, head set tube 4 and seating tube 5. Housing parts 13, 13' (part 13' only is shown in shades) can be embodied accordingly larger.

Housing part 13 and element 15 may be embodied as a single part, for example by means of injection moulding.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments as mentioned hereinbefore or as shown in the drawing. The invention is limited by the claims only.

The invention is also directed to every combination of features that are mentioned independently of each other.

Claims

C L A I M S

1. A lighting module for a bicycle, said bicycle having a frame, comprising: - a housing element comprising an at least partly transparent wall surface; and - a lighting element,

characterized in that the lighting module also comprises:

- a first housing part that is to be positioned at a first side of said bicycle frame and a second housing part that is to be positioned at a second side of said bicycle frame; and

- a lighting element that is to be positioned between said housing elements .

2. A lighting module according to claim 1, wherein said housing parts comprise cooperating connecting means for connecting said housing parts to each other.

3. A lighting module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing parts comprise contact surfaces that are positionable against said bicycle frame.

4. A lighting module according to claim 3, wherein the housing el- ements comprise contact surfaces that are positionable against at least two frame tubes.

5. A lighting module according to claim 3, wherein the at least partly transparent wall is positioned at a distance from the con- tact surfaces.

6. A lighting module according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing elements are substantially flat, plate-shaped elements.

7. A lighting module according to any preceding claim, the lighting elements are positioned in between said housing elements when the device is in use.

8. A lighting module according to any preceding claim, comprising elastic elements that lie against the bicycle frame, or against the bicycle tubes, such that during use the housing elements lie against the elastic elements over at least a part of their sur^¬ face, and wherein the cooperating connecting means are embodied 5 for forcing and keeping the housing parts, or housing elements, against each other.

9. A lighting module according to any preceding claim, wherein the lighting element comprises led-type lighting elements.

10

10. A lighting module according to any preceding claim, wherein the lighting module comprises a power connection for connecting same with at least one of a battery and a dynamo.

15 11. A lighting module according to claim 10, wherein the lighting module comprises a power connection with a dynamo, preferably comprising an AC/DC convertor as well.

12. A two wheeled vehicle, comprising a lighting module according 20 to any of claims 1-11.

13. A two wheeled vehicle according to claim 12, comprising: - a dynamo comprising electric connection, and - conductors providing a connection between electric connections of said dynamo and a 25 power connector of the lighting element.

14. A two wheeled vehicle according to claim 12 or 13, wherein said two wheeled vehicle comprises a frame comprising an upper tube, a lower tube, a head set tube and a seating tube connecting 30 said upper and lower tube, wherein said housing parts and the

lighting module have a shape that is defined by said tubes and wherein a circumferential edge is positioned against said tubes.