Bicycle light signal

• US 5,276,593 A
• Filed: 05/03/1993
• Issued: 01/04/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Charlie Lewis, Von Lighthill
• Original Assignee: Charlie Lewis, Von Lighthill
• Inventors: Lighthill, Von, Lewis, Charlie
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/055,557
• Time in Patent Office: 246 Days
• Field of Search: 340/432, 340/474, 362/72, 362/193, 362/191, 362/284, 362/323, 362/324, 362/396, 362/811
• US Class Current: 362/473
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 11/00 Supporting arrangements specially adapted for fastening specific devices to cycles, e.g. supports for attaching maps
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 3/08 activated by driving wind, e.g. flutes
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 43/20 characterised by the mounting
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 43/30 for providing power to equipment other than for propulsion
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/015 using electrical power not supplied by the cycle motor generator, e.g. using batteries or piezo elements
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/08 Tyre drives
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/26 warning or informing other road users, e.g. police flash lights

Abstract

A new and improved high visibility light signal apparatus for use on a bicycle includes a strobe light assembly which includes a source of electric power and a strobe lamp/driver assembly. A support assembly supports the strobe lamp/driver assembly on the bicycle. The support assembly includes a first end and a second end. The first end includes a lamp support for supporting the strobe lamp/driver assembly. The second end includes a connector for attaching the support assembly to the bicycle. The support assembly has a predetermined length; and the support assembly, in conjunction with the connector, is capable of supporting the strobe lamp/driver assembly on the bicycle in a plane spaced from and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the bicycle, such that light emitted from the strobe lamp/driver assembly is visible from the front, the left side, the right side, and the back of the bicycle and to the rider, simultaneously. The source of electric power may be an electric generator driven by rotation of a wheel of the bicycle or a battery.

Claims

1. A new and improved high visibility light signal apparatus for use on a bicycle which has a frame, a front portion, a left side, a right side, a back portion, and a longitudinal axis extending from the front portion to the back portion of the bicycle, said apparatus comprising:

a strobe light assembly which includes a source of electric power and a strobe lamp/driver assembly, and

support assembly means for supporting said strobe lamp/driver assembly on the bicycle, said support assembly means including a first end and a second end, said first end including lamp support means for supporting said strobe lamp/driver assembly, said second end including connector means for attaching said support assembly means to the bicycle for supporting said strobe lamp/driver assembly on the bicycle,

wherein said support assembly means have a length and said connector means are capable of supporting said support assembly means on the bicycle such that said strobe lamp/driver assembly is positioned in a plane spaced from and parallel to said longitudinal axis, such that signal light from said strobe lamp/driver assembly is visible from the front, the left side, the right side, and the back of the bicycle simultaneously.

2. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said source of electric power includes an electric generator driven by rotation of a wheel of the bicycle.

3. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said source of electric power is supported on a rear fork of the bicycle.

4. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said source of electric power includes a battery.

5. The apparatus described in claim 4 wherein said battery is housed in a battery holder which is supported by a frame member of the bicycle.

6. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said first end of said support assembly means includes a bracket portion which includes a shape that is complementary to a shape of an exterior surface of said strobe lamp/driver assembly.

7. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said second end of said support assembly means includes two-part connector means for attaching said support assembly means to a seat post of the bicycle for supporting said strobe lamp/driver assembly on the bicycle.

8. The apparatus described in claim 7 wherein said two-part connector means include two semicircular members for sandwiching a bicycle seat post therebetween for supporting said support assembly means on the bicycle seat post.

9. The apparatus described in claim 1 wherein said support assembly means include a flask-shaped support member which includes:

a continuous closed first end for supporting said strobe lamp/driver assembly, said closed first end including two ends,

two extension members, connected to said two respective ends, and extending away from said closed first end, and

semicircular members, formed in said respective extension members, for sandwiching a bicycle seat post between said respective semicircular members, for supporting said support assembly means on the bicycle seat post.

10. The apparatus described in claim 1, further including:

air whistle assembly means, fitting over said strobe lamp/driver assembly and supported by said strobe lamp/driver assembly, for sounding an audible signal as air moves past said air whistle assembly means.

11. The apparatus described in claim 10 wherein said air whistle assembly means include whistle elements, which are supported by vane elements, which are supported by a lamp cover, which is supported by a rotatable platform assembly, which is supported by said strobe lamp/driver assembly.

12. The apparatus described in claim 11 wherein said rotatable platform assembly includes a stationary base member, supported by said strobe lamp/driver assembly, and a rotatable platform member, supported by said stationary base member.

13. The apparatus described in claim 10 wherein said rotatable platform member includes vertical projections which engage complementary notches in a base member of said lamp cover.

14. The apparatus described in claim 10 wherein said lamp cover includes a first portion and a second portion, said first portion including a partial reflector and said second portion including a transparent portion, said partial reflector portion permitting a portion of light landing on said partial reflector to be reflected and a portion of the light landing on said partial reflector be transmitted through said partial reflector.

15. The apparatus described in claim 14 wherein said partial reflector includes a partially silvered surface.