GB2214367A

GB2214367A - Lighting device for bicycles

Info

Publication number: GB2214367A
Application number: GB8730241A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Victor Savin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1987-12-29
Filing date: 1987-12-29
Publication date: 1989-08-31
Anticipated expiration: 2007-12-29
Also published as: GB8730241D0; GB2214367B

Abstract

A clip-on device for attachment to a bicycle comprises a carrier body 1 defining a tubular battery casing 2 and having a row of lights 8, preferably of different colours, mounted along its length. The device includes a switch, preferably operated by rotation of the end cap 4 of the casing 2, and the arrangement is such that when the device is switched on the lights repeatedly flash on and off. A spring slip 23 fixed to the body 1 is provided for attaching the device to a bicycle. The device is intended to be decorative while at the same time acting as a safety device by improving the visibility of the bicycle and rider to other road users. The light 8 may be arranged to flash simultaneously, sequentially or randomly. LED's of the self-flashing type may be used. <IMAGE>

Description

BICYCLE ACCESSORY Many children these days scorn the use of conventional front and rear lights on their bicycles, which creates a distinct danger, both to themselves and others, because of their lack of visibility.

With the aim of alleviating this problem, according to the present invention there is provided a device for use on a bicycle and comprising a plurality of individual electric lights mounted on a common carrier, attachment means adapted to secure the carrier to a part of a bicycle, and an electrical circuit including a switch for connecting the lights to an electrical power source, the arrangement being such that the lights will flash on and off repeatedly when the switch is closed to supply an electric current to the lights.

It is considered that the idea of having a bank of flashing lights on a bicycle, particularly if the lights are of different colours, will be very appealing to children, and the device in accordance with the invention will enable the idea to be put into practice. However, besides its decorative and attractive appearance, the device will also act as a safety device by improving the visibility of the bicycle, and hence its rider, to others in generally bad light or darkness.

Preferably the lights will be relatively small so that several lights can be mounted on the carrier without making the carrier unduly large. In this respect, suitable lights may be provided by light emitting diodes.

The lights may be of the self-flashing type, or they may be arranged to flash by means of a suitable control device incorporated in the electrical circuit.

Generally the lights will be arranged to flash simultaneously or sequentially, but if desired it is also possible to control the lights so that they will flash randomly.

Usually the device in accordance with the invention will be designed to be powered by a suitable dry cell battery, the carrier preferably including a holder for the battery. For example, the carrier may comprise a tubular casing which defines the battery holder, and in this case the switch may be incorporated in an end cap of the casing, the cap being rotatable to turn the switch on and off.

The attachment means of the device may take any suitable form, such as a screw clamp, but preferably it comprises a spring clip which is attached to the carrier and is intended to be a push fit onto the selected part of the bicycle. Generally this will be the handlebar, frame or fork of the bicycle, although it will of course be appreciated that the device can be arranged to be attached elsewhere if preferred.

The carrier may be moulded from a suitable plastics material, and if the attachment means comprises a spring clip this may be formed by a pair of resilient arms moulded integrally with the carrier.

One example of a device in accordance with the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of the device; Figure 2 is a plan view of the device; Figure 3 is a rear end view of the device; and Figure 4 is a sketch view of part of the device illustrating its electrical circuit and switch arrangement.

The device comprises a moulded plastics carrier body 1 defining an internally cylindrical casing 2 for housing a dry cell electrical storage battery 3. The rear end of the casing is permanently closed and the front end is fitted with a closure cap 4 which is removable to allow the battery 3 to be inserted into and removed from the casing. As shown in Figure 4, the inside rim of the cap 4 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposite helical grooves 5 which are arranged to co-operate with a pair of diametrically opposite pips 6 on the outside of the casing adjacent its front end to form a rudimentary screw coupling by which the cap 4 can be screwed onto and off the casing.

Extending longitudinally along the outside of the casing the body 1 has a raised portion 7 on which a longitudinal row of four individual lights 8 are mounted. Obviously the number and positioning of the lights 8 is a matter of choice dependent on the size of the lights and the shape and size of the body. In the present example each light 8 comprises a light emitting diode 9 which is of the self-flashing type, and a transparent or coloured translucent cover 10 which screws into or onto the body portion 7. Preferably the lights 8 are all of different colours.

As shown in Figure 4, the two leads of each of light emitting diode 9 are connected one to each of a pair of conductor strips 11,12, e.g. of copper, mounted on an insulating board 13 fixed inside the casing 2. The strip 11 is connected by a wire 14 to the negative terminal 15 of a battery connector 16, and the other strip 12 is connected to a springy metal connector strip 17 which projects slightly beyond the open end of the casing for engagement with the inner surface of the cap 4 when the cap is screwed onto the casing. The positive terminal 18 of the battery connector 16 is connected by a wire 19 to a conductive switch plate 20 fixed to the inside surface of the cap 4 so that the cap forms a switch for turning the electrical supply from the battery 3 to the lights 8 on and off.When the cap 4 is screwed onto the casing so that the pips 6 locate in a first holding position defined by recesses 21 in the cap grooves 5, the switch plate 20 is displaced from the connector strip 17 and the switch is off. However, turning the cap further to a second holding position defined by further recesses 22 in the cap grooves 5 brings the switch plate 20 into contact with the connector strip 17 and turns the switch on. When the switch is on the lights 8 are energised by the battery 3 and automatically flash on and off as a result of the self flashing light emitting diodes 9.

On the underside of the body 1 diametrically opposite the row of lights 8 the device has a spring mounting clip 23 formed by a pair of resilient arms 24 moulded integrally with the body 1 so as to define a substantially cylindrical socket 25 which is parallel to the casing 2 and which is open along its length at a position remote from the casing so that the clip 23 can be pushed onto the handlebar or frame of a bicycle, the arms 24 flexing outwards to allow the bar or frame member into the socket defined by the clip and then springing back to grip the bar or frame to hold the device firmly in position.

Claims

1. A device for use on a bicycle and comprising a plurality of individual electric lights mounted on a common carrier, attachment means adapted to secure the carrier to a part of a. bicycle, and an- electrical circuit including a switch for connecting the lights to an electrical power source, the arrangement being such that the lights will flash on and off repeatedly when the switch is closed to supply an electric current to the lights.

2. A device according to claim 1, in which the lights are of different colours.

3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which the lights comprise light emitting diodes.

4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lights are of the self-flashing type.

5. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lights are arranged to flash sequentially.

6. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the carrier includes a holder for a battery which constitutes the electrical power source.

7. A device according to claim 6, in which the carrier comprises a tubular casing which defines the battery holder.

8. A device according to claim 7, in which the switch is incorporated in an end cap of the casing, the cap being rotatable to turn the switch on and off.

9. A device according to claim 8, in which the cap is arranged to be screwed on and off the casing, and locating means are provided for defining the on and off positions of the switch.

10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the attachment means comprises a spring clip which is attached to the carrier and is intended to be a push fit onto the handlebar, frame or fork of a bicycle.

11. A device according to claim 10, in which the spring clip is made of a resilient plastics material and is formed integrally with the carrier.

12. A device according to claim 1, substantially as described with reference,to the accompanying drawings.