GB2408915A

GB2408915A - Illuminated apparel, baggage or similar

Info

Publication number: GB2408915A
Application number: GB0425614A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Adam Ford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-11-22
Filing date: 2004-11-22
Publication date: 2005-06-15
Also published as: GB0327211D0; GB0425614D0

Abstract

An article of apparel, baggage or safety wear, such as a motorcyclist's motorcycle helmet or jacket 1, includes a light source connected to a source of electricity. The light source may be an electroluminescent strip or tape 2 or a light emitting diode (LED). The source of electricity may be batteries, such as AA or watch batteries, in a pack 3 which may be carried in a pocket. The electro-luminescent strip may comprise a length of wire covered with a sheath of plastics material, which sheath may be coloured. The article may be used by pedestrians, road users, emergency services, pedal cyclists or motorcyclists. The light source may comprise a large backlit luminescent panel for logos, designs or brands incorporated into the article.

Description

1 2408915

ILLUMINATION DEVICE

It is increasingly important for pedestrians, road users and emergency services, especially pedal cyclists and motorcyclists, to be highly visible at night in order to prevent what could be fatal accidents.

The provision of reflectors and lights has been mandatory for many years but do not alone entirely solve the problem of not being clearly seen in the hours of darkness. This is because they tend to give a blanket illumination of the traffic and do not pick out any particular type of vehicle. This problem is very serious in the case of pedal cyclists and motor cyclists because they are small in comparison with cars buses and lorries and the riders are exposed and, therefore, extremely vulnerable no matter how well trained or careful they may be.

It has been proposed to use reflective tape on various parts of vehicles' or riders' clothes or bags but a serious disadvantage of this is that reflection will only occur when the lights of other vehicles are shone on the tape.

Furthermore, for example, pedal cyclists who ride at night without lights on unlit roads can be almost impossible to see by other road users until it is too late to avoid a collision.

There is, therefore, a serious need for pedestrians, road users and emergency services to be illuminated in a very sharp and clear manner so as to avoid tragic accidents occurring.

To this end there is provided according to the present invention an article of apparel, baggage or safety wear comprising an electro luminescent strip which when connected to a source of electricity is illuminated along its length thereby providing a warning to others of the presence of the wearer or cer-of the award, baggage or safety wear.

TO strip may compose a length of who or tape covered with a sheath of plastics mynah The plastics sheath may be of a colour whirls. determines the colour of the illumination of the strip$ for Sample a red sheath - 11 provide a red illumination The source of electricity may a battery pack cnmg; for example, AA or watch batteries.

Also accordingto the present invasion Here Is E,ro-ded an- arable of apparel, baggage or safety wear comprising an LED which when connected to a source of-elecicity is ilimned thereby providing a gto others ofthe presence of He wearer or camer Awe apparel, baggage or safety wear.

An embodiment The preset invention will nova be described by way of example and-witl, reliance to the accompng Sawing lrdngto to awing, there is shown the back of a motor cyclists Jacket 1 provided with an elemo lmnesc the 2 comprising-a plastics sheathed wire which has been sewn mto a seam of He jacket. The wire Is connected to a source of elecicky whim comprises a paw of AA bakeries m a pack 3 which can be waveniently camed m a pocket of the jacket or answer pocket sewn for thy: propose Although not shown, the present invention extends to an LED that can be attached, for example, to a motorcyclist's helmet. Such a device can be used in addition, or as an alternative, to the strip on the apparel or baggage.

The present invention also extends to a large flat backlit luminescent panel for logos, designs or brands, which can be incorporated with the article of apparel, baggage or safety wear.

Claims

Claims I An article of apparel, baggage or safety wear comprising an

electm luTnmescent ship which when connected to a source of electricity is illuminated along its length thereby providing a weningto Avers of the presence of the wearer or carrier of the apparel, baggage or safety wear.
2 An article according to claim 1, wherein.the strip composes a length of wire or tape covered a sheaf of plastics material
3 An article according to claim 2, wherein the plastics sheaf is of a colour-which detes the colour of the illnmmabon of the strip.
4 An article according any one of the preceding claims, wherein the source of electricity comprises at least one battery.
An article of apparel, baggage Of Sin wear compg a hi emitting diode which - - en. connects to a source elecicity is illuminated Hereby Awning a wnmg to Avers of Me Absence of He wearer or carner of We apparel, baggage or safr-wear.
6 An article substantially as heinbefore described who reference to He accompanying drawing.