Bicycle power pack

• US 5,842,714 A
• Filed: 05/02/1997
• Issued: 12/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Donald Spector
• Original Assignee: Donald Spector
• Inventors: Spector, Donald
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Douglas C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): BARTZ, CLIFFORD T
• Application Number:
  US08/827,949
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 280/288.4, 280/200, 280/281.1, 224/425, 315/77, 315/82, 322/1, 362/61, 362/72, 362/198, 362/199, 362/202, 362/368, 362/370
• US Class Current: 280/288.4
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/0433 Detecting, signalling or lighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/30 Mounting radio sets or communication systems
• CPC Class Codes: B60K 1/04 of the electric storage means for propulsion exchanging batteries for electric propulsion of vehicles B60L53/80; for auxiliary purposes only B60R16/04; supplying batteries to, or removing batteries from, vehicles B60S5/06
• CPC Class Codes: B60Y 2200/134 Racing bikes
• 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 6/028 specially adapted for rider-propelled cycles with or without additional source of power
• CPC Class Codes: B62J 6/04 Rear lights
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/30 Frame parts shaped to receive other cycle parts or accessories axle suspensions B62K25/00
• CPC Class Codes: B62K 19/40 for attaching accessories, e.g. article carriers, lamps

Abstract

A d-c power pack incorporated within the frame of a bicycle and adapted to supply operating power to a plurality of accessories such as head and tail lamps and a safety helmet worn by the bicyclist and provided with an electronic device. The bicycle frame includes front and rear tubes bridged by upper and lower tubes to define a trapezoidal structure. The power pack is formed by a cartridge received within a section of the lower tube of the frame, the cartridge containing a set of rechargeable battery cells serially connected to an output terminal linked by an internal line to a bank of parallel-connected outlets mounted along the upper tube of the frame. Each accessory is provided with a cable terminating in a plug insertable in a respective outlet whereby the accessory is powered through this outlet. To recharge the power pack, a recharger having a similar cable is plugged into one of the outlets.

Claims

1. A bicycle having incorporated therein a d-c power pack adapted to supply operating power to a plurality of bicycle accessories;

said bicycle comprising;

A. a frame including a front tube adapted to receive a steering post, a rear tube adapted to receive a seat post, and upper and lower tubes bridging the front and rear tubes to define a trapezoidal structure;

B. a cartridge disposed within a section of the lower tube of the frame, said cartridge containing a set of battery cells connected in series to an output terminal across which an output voltage is yielded; and

C. at least one outlet mounted on the upper tube and linked to the output terminal whereby an accessory having a cable terminating in a plug which is insertable in said outlet is then powered by output voltage, the section of the lower tube in which the cartridge is received being removable from fixed sections of this lower tube.

2. A bicycle as set forth in claim 1, in which the removable section of the tube is coupled to the fixed sections thereof by internally-threaded rings at either end of the removable section.

3. A bicycle as set forth in claim 2, in which the removable section has a larger diameter than the fixed sections.

4. A bicycle as set forth in claim 1, in which the cartridge is formed by a cylindrical insulating casing having the set of said cells received therein in series, the output terminal being at one end of the casing.

5. A bicycle as set forth in claim 1, having a bank of outlets mounted along the upper tube, one for each of said plurality of accessories.

6. A bicycle is set forth in claim 1, in which one of said accessories is a headlight attached to said bicycle.

7. A bicycle as set forth in claim 6, in which another of said accessories is a tail light.

8. A bicycle as set forth in claim 1, in which the accessory is a safety helmet having at least one external light.

9. A bicycle as set forth in claim 8, in which the helmet has at least one internal electronic device powered from an outlet of said upper tube.