Warning device for bicycle having changeable patterns

• US 5,800,039 A
• Filed: 06/27/1997
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Jen-Wang Lee
• Original Assignee: Jen-Wang Lee
• Inventors: Lee, Jen-Wang
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US08/883,897
• Time in Patent Office: 431 Days
• Field of Search: 362/72, 362/78, 362/83.3, 362/234, 362/249, 362/251, 362/252, 362/276, 362/800, 362/802, 340/432
• US Class Current: 362/473
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/20 Arrangement of reflectors , e.g. on the wheel spokes pedals incorporating reflectors B62M3/12 ; Lighting devices mounted on wheel spokes
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/26 warning or informing other road users, e.g. police flash lights
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/045 supported by the wheels
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/80 Light emitting diode
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A warning device having changeable patterns for bicycle is provided. The operating of the warning device is controlled by a centrifugally controlled switch and a functional switch can be also controlled to provide a series of changeable patterns which are resulted from lighting on/off of a certain group of lighting devices. This resulted pattern can be enhanced by the transitional vision. The warning device includes a substrate, a centrifugally controlled switch, a housing, and a fastening device. By this provision of the warning device, a series of changeable warning patterns can be provided. As a result, both warning and entertaining effects can be attained.

Claims

1. A warning device for bicycle having changeable patterns of the type which can be readily installed onto the spoke of the wheel of the bicycle such that a changeable warning pattern can be generated, said warning device comprising:

a substrate having a plurality of lighting devices disposed thereon, wherein in a group of lighting devices can be lit on such that a preset pattern can be attained;

a housing for enclosing said substrate therein, said housing being configured by an upper and lower housings, at lease two grooves being formed at said housing at suitable position;

a centrifugally controlled switch being disposed within said housing; and

a fastening device for attaching said housing to the spoke of the wheel;

wherein when said wheel is rotated, said centrifugally controlled switch can be triggered on to power said substrate, consequently, a certain group of lighting devices are lit up according to preset modes stored in the memory, a warning pattern is therefore spotted through the transitional vision of our human being.

2. A warning device for bicycle as recited in claim 1, wherein said substrate includes a plurality of lighting devices and an integrated circuit, wherein when the wheel of the bicycle is rotated, said centrifugal controlled switch is closed such that a certain group of lighting devices are lit on to display a certain warning pattern.

3. A warning device for bicycle as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing being configured by an upper housing and a lower housing.

4. A warning device for bicycle as recited in claim 3, wherein said upper housing has a T-shape configuration and is made from transparent material.

5. A warning device for bicycle as recited in claim 3, wherein said lower housing has a T-shape configuration.

6. A warning device for bicycle as recited in claim 3, wherein said upper and lower housings are assembled together by means of screw members.

7. A warning device for bicycle as recited in claim 3, wherein said upper and lower housings are fastened together by means of clipping tabs.

8. A warning device for bicycle as recited in claim 3, wherein said upper and lower housings are locked up together.

9. A warning device for bicycle as recited in claim 3, wherein said fastening device includes at least two supporting plates and four fixing plates, said supporting plates are passed through said grooves of said housing and are attached to the spokes by means of said fixing plates via screwing, welding or adhering.

10. A warning device for bicycle as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing being provided with a functional switch at suitable position, when said functional switch is depressed, a first certain warning pattern is generated, after that, a second and third warning patterns will be generated consecutively and repeatedly.

11. A warning device for bicycle as recited in claim 1, wherein said housing is provided with a battery cell which is adjacent to the substrate, said batter cell is installed with batteries for powering said substrate.