WO2013063651A1

WO2013063651A1 - Safety lighting drinking bottle arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2013063651A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/001344
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexander William Walker
Original assignee: Itek Ventures Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-11-04
Filing date: 2012-11-02
Publication date: 2013-05-10

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a light assembly comprising a drink bottle and a light source, where the bottle is a diffuser of light from the light source. In one form, the light source is securable to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the bottle so as to be flush with surrounding exterior surface. A holder for the bottle is also disclosed.

Description

SAFETY LIGHTING DRINKING BOTTLE ARRANGEMENT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a lighting device. While reference will be made to use of the present invention in improving the visibility and safety of activities such as cycling, walking, hiking, rock climbing and mountain climbing, it should be understood that its application is not so limited. PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority from:

Australian Provisional Patent Application No 201 1904582, titled "BICYCLE LIGHTING IMPROVEMENTS", and filed on 4 November 201 1.

The entire content of this application is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

In poor lighting conditions, such as at dusk and dawn, lights constitute important safety equipment for cyclists and pedestrians. For example, bicycle lighting arrangements which provide forwardly and rearwardly directed illumination of bicycles and cyclists are well known, and generally take the form of a white headlight providing forward lighting and a red rear position light or tail light. However, head-lights and tail-lights do little to aid visibility of bicycles and cyclists from their left and right hand sides (hereinafter 'sides'). Similarly, pedestrians are also more prone to vehicle collisions in low light conditions, and would benefit from increased visibility. Carrying a light source is also an important responsibility for individuals participating in outdoor activities such as hiking and climbing. It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

Certain objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a light assembly comprising a drink bottle, and a light source, the bottle and/or the light source being adapted so that the light source is securable with respect to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the bottle so that in use, the bottle is a diffuser of light from the light source.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a light assembly comprising a drink bottle, and a holder for the drink bottle, said bottle holder comprising a light source, the bottle and/or the bottle holder being adapted so that in use, the bottle is a diffuser of light from the light source.

In one form, the holder is adapted to be illuminated and/or act as a diffuser of light from the light source. This may be in place of or in addition to the bottle acting as a diffuser. In one form, the bottle comprises a portion shaped to receive or be near to the light source when the bottle is in the holder.

In one form, the bottle comprises a concave portion in or near which the light source will be located when the bottle is in the holder.

In one form, the holder is a mounting bracket of the type commonly referred to as a bottle cage.

In one form, the holder is securable to any one of a frame, a seat, a seat post, front forks or handlebars , of a bicycle.

In one form, the holder is secured by being any one of fastened, riveted, welded or glued to a bicycle frame, or moulded into a bicycle frame.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a light assembly comprising a drink bottle, and a light source, the bottle and/or the light source being adapted so that light source is securable to an exterior surface of the bottle so as to be flush with this, and so that in use, the bottle is a diffuser of light from the light source.

In one form, the bottle is made from a material that is at least one of translucent, transparent, pellucid or diaphanes.

In one form, the light source comprises an electric light source. In one form, the light source comprises a power source therefore.

In one form, the power source is a rechargeable battery.

In one form, the electric light source comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

In one form, the bottle comprises a concave portion in which the light source will be located for securement thereto.

In one form, the light source is secured to the bottle with a snap-fit.

In one form, the bottle comprises a concave portion, and the light source comprises means adapted to effect its securement in the concave portion of the bottle.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a light source comprising securement means adapted to effect securement of the light source to an external surface of a drink bottle so that in use, the bottle is a diffuser of light from the light source. In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a drink bottle comprising securement means adapted to effect securement of a light source to an external surface of the drink bottle so that in use, the bottle is a diffuser of light from the light source.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a holder for a drink bottle comprising means to support a light source and a drink bottle so that in use, the bottle is a diffuser of light from the light source.

In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a light assembly comprising a drink bottle of electroluminescent conductive polymer material and an external voltage source adapted to cause the drink bottle to emit light.

In one form, the external voltage source is incorporated into a holder for the bottle. In one form, in an alternative, the external voltage source is incorporated into a member which is securable to an external surface of the bottle. In a further aspect, the invention may be said to reside in a light assembly comprising a drink bottle holder of electroluminescent conductive polymer material and an external voltage source adapted to cause the holder to emit light. In one form, the external voltage source is securable to an external surface of the drink bottle holder.

A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the invention is provided below along with accompanying figures that illustrate by way of example the principles of the invention. While the invention is described in connection with such embodiments, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to any embodiment. On the contrary, the scope of the invention is limited only by the appended claims and the invention encompasses numerous alternatives, modifications and equivalents. For the purpose of example, numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.

The present invention may be practiced according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the invention has not been described in detail so that the present invention is not unnecessarily obscured.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of this disclosure, it will now be described with respect to an exemplary embodiment which shall be described herein, with the assistance of drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a side view of a light assembly according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 is a side view of a light assembly according to a second embodiment;

Figure 3 is^' an exploded perspective view of a bottle holder according to a third embodiment;

Figure 4 is a top view of a mounting portion of the holder illustrated in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side view of a light assembly according to a fourth embodiment; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view through the light assembly of Figure 5; and

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view through a light assembly according to yet a further embodiment of the invention. In the following description, like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout several views of the drawings. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to Figure 1 , where there is illustrated a light assembly 1 formed in accordance with the present invention, the light assembly comprising a bottle 10, a bottle holder 20 and a light source 30. The bottle 10 comprises a generally cylindrical shape, with a base 12 and a side wall 14 integrally formed with the base 12 and defining a circular opening which (optionally) is closed by a separate cap or lid 16 having a spout, and which screws onto or snap-fits to the bottle 10. The bottle 10 may be moulded from one of the well-known translucent polymers, e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, styrene acrylonitrile, polyethylene terephthalate etc.

The base 12 of the bottle 10 is domed at 17 and this dome 17 defines a concave recess 1 8 in the underside of the base 12 of the bottle 10, which is useful for the purposes of the present invention. It will be apparent that this concavity may be positioned other than on the base 12 of the bottle 10 so long as the diffuse lighting affect is not severely diminished.

The bottle holder 20 is a bottle mounting bracket of the type commonly referred to as a bottle cage, and this bottle cage is secured to a bicycle frame (not shown). The most common location for a frame- mounted bottle cage is on the top side of the down tube, although another common location is on the seat tube. This said, it is also possible for a bottle cage 20 to be mounted behind the seat 1 50 with a bracket 152 that attaches to the seat 150 (or seat post 154), as illustrated in Figure 2.

The bottle holder 20 comprises a base 22 on which the bottle sits, and one or more side portions 24 that wrap around the side wall 14 of the bottle 10 and hold it snugly so as to prevent it from bouncing out of the bottle holder or cage 20.

The light source 30 is located on the base 22 of the bottle cage 20. Optionally, one or more additional light sources may be incorporated in the or each of the side portions 24, which themselves may be translucent or have translucent portions so that these too can be illuminated and/or act as a diffuser of light from the light source 30 and/or any of the additional light sources.

The light source 30 may be integral with the base 22, or a separable part seated thereon. Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, where in one embodiment the bottle holder 20 is comprised of a mounting portion 40 which is securable to the bike frame, and a separate bottle cage 42 which is securable to the mounting portion 40.

Both the mounting portion 40 and the bottle cage 42 incorporate a pair of mounting holes 4 spaced apart a distance to match the spacing of a pair of threaded holes in the bike frame, and through which mounting holes 44 fasteners (not shown) pass to secure the holder 20 to the bike frame.

The mounting portion 40 comprises a pair of spaced apart outwardly extending arms 46 bridged by a hoop shaped portion 48 so as to form the base portion 22 of the holder 20.

The light source 30 comprises a disc shaped body 50 incorporating a groove 52 which extends around the circumference of the body 50. The body 50 of the light source 30 and the hoop shaped portion 48 of the mounting portion 40 are cooperatively sized so that in use, the hoop shaped portion 48 will engage in the circumferential groove 52 effecting secure but releasable (when desired) retainment of the light source 30 to the bottle holder 20, whilst simultaneously and optimally positioning the light source 30 so that this will effect illumination of the bottle 10 when this is seated in the bottle cage 42 of the holder 20.

An example of one suitable light source 30 is a compact LED safety light module with internal batteries which are rechargeable by way of a USB connector. Such a light source 30 has modes which include flashing, constant and alternating, and can be adapted for securement to the base 22 of the bottle cage 20 (such as described above) so that when the bottle 10 is inserted into the holder 20, this light source will nest in the concave recess 1 8 in the domed base 17 of the bottle 10. This way, when the light source 30 is activated, a substantial proportion of the light generated thereby is transmitted through the bottle 10 in the holder 20, so that the bottle 10 serves as a light diffuser, and is illuminated to the extent that the entire bottle 10 appears to glow.

The visual effect created by the illuminated bottle 10 can be altered such as by way of giving the bottle 10 light transmitting coloured patterns or designs, light enhancing pigments and/or surface features, textures or facets moulded into the bottle 10 itself. Moreover, portions of the bottle may be made of or covered with light reflective material where it is considered that this will enhance the visual effect.

Whilst a more effective illumination of the bottle 10 will be achieved if the bottle is specifically adapted (such as by being designed and manufactured) to make optimal use of the light generated by the light source 30, almost any pre-existing bottle 10 of suitable material (that is transparent etc) and size (i.e. of a size that fits the holder 20) can be caused to, illuminate to at least some extent when inserted into the light source 30 equipped bottle holder 20 according to the present invention. A further example of how a bottle 10 can be specifically adapted to make optimal use of light from the light source 30 or 100 (see below for detail of light source 100) is by designing the base 12 of the bottle 10 so that this is comprised or acts like a lens to direct and/or refract light upwardly and outwardly through one or more side walls 14 of the bottle 10.

Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, where there is illustrated a light assembly 1 A comprising a drink bottle 10, and a light source 100. The drink bottle 10 again comprises a domed base 1 7 defining a concave recess 18. The light source 100 comprises a body 1 10 which is shaped and sized to locate with a slight interference fit (or alternatively a snap-fit) in the concave recess 1 8 in the underside of the base 12 of the bottle 10 so as to be flush therewith, and so that the light source 100 is retained in the recess 18. A suitable^' material for the body 1 10 of the light source 100 is a flexible silicon material. Light assembly 1 A can then be put into a conventional bottle cage or carried by a walker or jogger, be this by hand or a holder affixed to their clothing using a holder adapted for this purpose (as opposed to a bike).

Referring now to Figure 7, where there is illustrated a further light assembly I B comprising a drink · bottle 10, and a light source 1 00.

The drink bottle 10 again comprises a domed base 1 7 defining a concave recess 18. The light source 100 comprises a body 1 10 which is shaped and sized to locate in the concave recess 18 in the underside of the base 12 of the bottle 0 so as to be flush therewith. In this embodiment, the light source 100 is retained in the recess 18 by retaining lugs 120 moulded into the domed base 17.

In the above described embodiments, the light source 30 is separate to or separable from the bottle so that the bottle 10 can be washed without fear of damaging the light source 30. Moreover, the light source 30 is external to the bottle 10 and so it is physically removed from the bottle's contents, thereby avoiding the possibility that bottle contents (eg water) may damage the electronics in the light source 30.

In a further non-illustrated embodiment, one or both of .the bottle 10 and the bottle holder 20 may be made from a light emitting polymer (electroluminescent conductive polymer) material so that these become the light source. Where the bottle is made from this material, the bottle cage may provide the external voltage source required to make the material emit light. Alternatively, the external voltage source maybe incorporated into a small element which is shaped and Sized to locate with a slight interference fit (or alternatively a snap-fit) in a concave recess in the bottle 10, similar to body 1 10 above.

A significant advantage of the light arrangement according to the present invention is that it presents an additional source of lighting for bicycles and cyclists without adding additional equipment (most bicycles already have a bottle cage) or any significant weight.

In addition to all of the above, these lighting arrangements present a potential for high visibility branding opportunities that are likely to be attractive to companies with cycling related products in particular.

Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words "comprise" and "include" and variations such as "comprising" and "including" will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an

acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications in its scope.

Claims

1 . A light assembly comprises a drink bottle, and a light source, the bottle and/or the light source being adapted so that the light source is securable with respect to at least a portion of an exterior surface of the bottle so that in use, the bottle is a diffuser of light from the light source.

2. The light assembly of claim 1 , wherein the secured light source is substantially flush with a surrounding exterior surface of the bottle.

3. The light assembly as in either of the preceding claims, wherein the bottle is made from a material that is at least one of substantially translucent, transparent, pellucid or diaphanes.

4. The light assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source comprises an electric light source.

5. The light assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source comprises a power source therefor.

6. The light assembly of claim 5, wherein the power source is a rechargeable battery.

7. The light assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source comprises light enhancing features/elements to enhance the visual effect.

8. The light assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source comprises a light-emitting diode (LED).

9. The light assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least a portion of an exterior surface of the bottle comprises a concave portion in which the l ight source will be located for securement thereto.

10. The light assembly of claim 9, wherein the light source comprises means adapted to effect its securement in the concave portion of the bottle.

1 1. The light assembly as in either of claims 9 or 10, wherein the concave portion comprises means adapted to retain the light source.

12. The light assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the light source is secured to the bottle with at least one of a snap-fit or an interference fit.

13. The light assembly as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein said at least a portion of an exterior surface of the bottle is positioned in a side or and end of the bottle.

14. A light assembly comprising a drink bottle, and a holder for the drink bottle, said bottle holder comprising a light source, the bottle and/or the bottle holder being adapted so that in use, the bottle is a diffuser of light from the light source.

1 5. The light assembly of claim 14, wherein the bottle comprises a portion shaped to receive or be near to the light source when the bottle is in the holder.

16. The light assembly as in either of claims 14 or 15, wherein the bottle comprises a concave portion in or near which the light source will be located when the bottle is in the holder.

1 7. The light assembly as in any one of the claims 14 through 16, wherein the holder is a

mounting bracket of the type commonly referred to as a bottle cage.

18. The light assembly as in any one of the claims 14 through 1 7, wherein the holder is securable to any one of a frame, a seat, a seat post, front forks or handlebars of a bicycle.

1 9. The light assembly as in any one of the claims 14 through 18, wherein the holder is securable to either of an article of clothing of a user, or a portion of the user themselves.

20. The light assembly as in any one of the claims 14 through 19, wherein the holder is made from a light-emitting polymer.

21 . A light source comprising securement means adapted to effect securement of the light source to an external surface of a drink bottle so that in use, the bottle is a diffuser of light from the light source.

22. A drink bottle comprising securement means adapted to effect securement of a light source to an external surface of the drink bottle so that in use, the bottle is a diffuser of light from the light source.

23. A holder for a drink bottle comprising means to support a light source and a drink bottle so that in use, the bottle is a diffuser of light from the light source.

24. A light assembly comprising a holder for a drink bottle, said bottle holder comprising a light source, the bottle holder being adapted so that in use, the bottle holder is a diffuser of light from the light source.