GB2124281A

GB2124281A - A reflector

Info

Publication number: GB2124281A
Application number: GB08304752A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Robert Eric Picton
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1982-02-19
Filing date: 1983-02-21
Publication date: 1984-02-15
Also published as: GB8304752D0

Abstract

The reflector comprises a mounting tube 1 attachable by a stalk 2 to a bicycle frame. The tube 1 houses an S-shaped cross section reflecting member 5 mounted for rotation on bearings 4 on the tube 1. As the bicycle travels along the air passes through the tube and rotates the reflecting member 5 to give a flicker effect. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A reflector The invention relates to a reflector and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with a reflector for use on a bicycle.

In darkness or in poor lighting conditions, relatively small rear lamps or reflectors of bicycles are not easily seen by drivers of motor vehicles until they are close to the cyclist. Various types of reflectors have been proposed for reflecting headlamp beams from a great distance but even then the reflector may fail to attract attention, particularly if there is a good deal of traffic on the road. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved reflector.

According to the invention, there is provided a reflector comprising a reflecting member and a mounting for the reflecting member, the reflecting member being movable relative to the mounting so that, in use, light will be reflected from the reflecting member as it moves relative to its mounting. Where the reflector is fitted to a bicycle, air passing over the reflector will cause it to rotate and provide a flashing or flickering effect which will attract attention.

Preferably the mounting comprises a tube in which the reflector is rotatably mounted. The tube acts as a duct through which air will flow as the bicycle moves along. The tube may include a divergent section at one end or may include divergent sections at both ends. A divergent section at the upstream end will create a venturi effect thereby speeding up the air flow within the tube relative to the ambient air. This is useful where the bicycle is travelling slowly as the increased air speed within the tube maintains a fairly rapid rotation of the reflecting member. The downstream divergent section will protect the reflecting member and also provide a wide angle of visible reflection.

One or more louvres may be formed in the tube for directing air into the interior of the tube.

Preferably, the reflecting member is a thin sheet of material and is substantially S-shape in cross section, the reflecting member being rotatable about an axis passing through the plane of the sheet. In such a case, the sheet may have reflective material on one or both of its sides. In the latter case, the reflective material on one side of the sheet may be a different colour from the reflective material on the other side of the sheet.

The invention also includes a bicycle having a reflector according to any one of the four immediately preceding paragraphs.

Reflectors in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one form of reflector in accordance with the invention, Fig. 2 is an elevation of the reflecting member for the reflector of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a plan view of the reflecting member, Fig. 4 is a plan view partly broken away of another form of mounting for the reflecting member, Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a further form of reflector in accordance with the invention, and Fig. 6 is a plan view of a reflector similar to that shown in Fig. 5 but made axially shorter.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3 a tube 1 has a stalk 2 secured to one side. The stalk can be attached to a bicycle frame (not shown) by a clamp 3. The tube is provided at a mid position with two diametrically opposite bearings 4. The bearings may be formed from P.T.F.E. or other low friction material.

A plastics reflecting member 5 is provided with pivot pins 6 which locate in the bearings 4. The pins 6 may be metal points attached to the member 5 or may be projections formed integrally with the member. As seen from Figs. 2 and 3, the reflecting member is circular in elevation and substantially S-shaped in plan, the member being formed so as to comprise a centre portion 5a and outer wings 5b and 5c.

The reflecting member 5 is positioned for rotation within the tube 1 by locating the pins 6 in the bearings 4. The bearings locate the pins in a low-friction manner so that air passing through the tube as the cyclist travels along will rotate the reflecting member 5, the axis of the tube lying parallel with the direction of travel.

The reflecting member may have one or each of its surfaces provided with a layer L of reflective material so that light entering the tube 1 will be reflected by the member 5. However, the reflection will vary as the reflecting member rotates so that during continuous rotation the reflecting member will provide a flickering or flashing effect. Where both surfaces are reflective, the layers L may be of different colours.

Fig. 4 shows how louvres 7 may be formed in the sides of the tube to give a cross-fiow of air on to the reflecting member 5 and thereby provide a greater force for rotating the reflecting member.

Fig. 4 also shows how the tube may be formed from two tube sections 1 a, 1 b. The tube section 1 a has a collar 8 at one end formed with diametrically opposed apertures for locating the bearings 4 and is also formed with an internal bore 9 which locates the tube section 1 b. the tube section 1 b is formed with recesses 10 which clear the bearings 4. The tube sections 1 a, 1 b may be of different colours.

Referring now to Figs. 5 and 6, a tube 20 includes a cylindrical section 22 rotatably supporting adjacent one end in bearings 21 a reflecting member 23 of the kind shown in Figs. 1 to 3, a divergent section 24 upstream of the reflecting member 23 and a second divergent portion 25 downstream of the reflecting member.

The divergent portion 25 protects the reflecting member 23 against accidental knocks and renders the reflecting member 3 visible when viewed at an angle (e.g. 60 ) to the axis of the housing 1.

The upstream divergent portion enables a venturi effect to be achieved so that the air passes through the cylindrical section 22 at increased velocity. Such effect is advantageous when cycling at low speeds.

The cylindrical portion 22 can be of any suitable length, Fig. 6 shows that section considerably shorter than in Fig. 5. Moreover, the cylindrical portion may be omitted altogether and the reflecting member mounted adjacent a juncture of the upstream and down stream divergent portions.

As shown in Fig. 6 the distance dbetween the ends of the divergent portions 24, 25 and the axis of rotation of the reflecting member 23 is considerably greater than the radius of the latter.

Such arrangement provides a good degree of protection for the reflecting member. The same applies to the divergent portion 25 in Fig. 5.

If a venturi effect is not required, the upstream divergent portion 24 can be omitted.

A suitable bracket such as the stalk 2 shown in Fig. 1 will normally be provided on the tube 20 to enable the reflector to be mounted on a bicycle frame.

Instead of providing bearings 4,21 the tube 1 or cylindrical section 22 may be formed with two diametrically opposed apertures which locate suitable pivot pins or other projections on the reflecting member.

The inside surfaces of the tubes 1 and 20 may be reflective e.g. chromium plated.

Whilst specific reference has been made to a reflecting member mounted for rotation about an axis transverse to the axis of the tube, the member could comprise an airscrew or fan-like member which rotates coaxially within the tube.

The tube may have a rectangular or polygonal cross-sectional shape and the reflecting member may also be of similar shape in such cases.

Claims

1. A reflector comprising a reflecting member and a mounting for the reflecting member, the reflecting member being movable relative to the mounting so that, in use, light will be reflected from the reflecting member as it moves relative to its mounting.

2. A reflector according to claim 1 in which the mounting comprises a tube in which the reflecting member is rotatably mounted.

3. A reflector according to claim 2 in which the tube includes a divergent section at one end.

4. A reflector according to claim 2 in which the tube includes a divergent section at each end.

5. A reflector accounting to claim 2 in which the tube comprises two divergent sections arranged with their narrower ends in abutment, the reflecting member being mounted for rotation at the abutment.

6. A reflector according to claim 2 in which the tube comprises two tube sections interconnected by a collar.

7. A reflector according to claim 6 in which the reflecting member is mounted for rotation on the collar.

8. A reflector according to any of claims 2 to 7 in which the tube has one or more louvres formed in its wall for directing air into the interior of the tube.

9. A reflector according to any preceding claim in which the reflecting member is mounted for rotation in bearings comprising low friction plastics material.

10. A reflector according to any preceding claim in which the reflecting member is a thin sheet of material and is substantially S-shape in cross section, the reflecting member being rotatably about an axis passing through the plane of the sheet.

11. A reflector according to claim 10 in which the sheet has reflective material on one or both of its sides.

12. A reflector according to claim 11 in which the reflective material on one side of the sheet is a different colour from the reflective material on the other side of the sheet.

13. A reflector according to any preceding claim and in the case where the mounting is a tube, in which the inside surface of the tube is reflective.

14. A reflector according to any preceding claim in which the mounting is provided with attachment means to enable the reflector to be attached to a bicycle frame.

15. A bicycle having a reflector according to any preceding claim.

1 6. A reflector constructed and arranged substantially as described herein with reference to Figs. 1 to 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 or Fig. 6 of the accompanying claims.