Illumination device for motorized two wheel vehicles

• US 6,152,585 A
• Filed: 09/18/1998
• Issued: 11/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: James Barry
• Original Assignee: James Barry
• Inventors: Barry, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M.
• Application Number:
  US09/156,234
• Time in Patent Office: 802 Days
• Field of Search: 362/496, 362/473, 362/540, 362/487, 362/509, 362/516, 362/307, 362/310, 362/311, 362/364, 362/365, 362/474, 362/475
• US Class Current: 362/473
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/2661 mounted on parts having other functions on wheels B60Q1/326
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/32 for indicating vehicle sides , e.g. clearance lights

Abstract

An illumination device is provided and associated with the gas tank of a motorcycle to help illuminate the area in front and to the sides of the motorcycle. The device includes a light panel and a light housing. The light housing is provided with a reflective surface area which reflects light received from a light bulb in the direction in front of the motorcycle and to the side of the motorcycle corresponding to the side of the motorcycle to which the tank is attached.

Claims

1. An illumination device for a motorized two wheel vehicle'"'"'s gasoline tank, to provide light to an adjacent side and front ground area to help aid in the visibility of the two wheel vehicle while also improving the visibility of the surroundings to a rider while he or she is riding the two wheel vehicle, the gasoline tank having a bottom surface portion, said illumination device comprising:

a light panel connected to the vehicle adjacent said gasoline tank, said light panel having a light transmissive area; and

an illumination member attached to said light panel and disposed such that at least some light generated by said illumination member is transmitted through said light transmissive area of said light panel.

2. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein said light transmissive area includes a cutout in said light panel.

3. The illumination device of claim 2 wherein light transmissive area comprises a cutout in said light panel and a lens disposed within said cutout.

4. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein said illumination member includes a light housing and light element.

5. The illumination device of claim 4 wherein said illumination member further including a transparent lens attached to said light housing;

wherein said lens is disposed adjacent to said light transmissive area when said illumination member is properly attached.

6. The illumination device of claim 4 wherein said light housing having a reflective inner surface;

wherein said light element provides light which is reflected by the inner surface of said light housing through said light transmissive area of said light panel to illuminate at least a portion of the adjacent side area of the motorized two wheel vehicle.

7. The illumination device of claim 4 wherein said light element is a light bulb and any required circuitry or wiring.

8. The illumination device of claim 4 wherein light housing includes an open light portion and a closed cover portion;

wherein when it is desired to provide illumination through said light transmissive area said open light portion is adjacent said light transmissive area and when light is not desired said closed cover portion is adjacent said light transmissive area.

9. The illumination device of claim 1 further including an extension member having a first end and a second end, said extension member associated with said light panel.

10. The illumination device of claim 9 wherein the first end of said extension member is attached to a first end of said light panel and said second end of said extension member is attached to the two wheel vehicle by a bolt which also attaches a front end of the gasoline tank to the two wheel vehicle.

11. The illumination device of claim 10 wherein said extension member is constructed integral with said light panel.

12. The illumination device of claim 9 wherein the first end of said extension member is attached approximate to a back end of said light panel and is attached to the bottom surface of said gasoline tank.

13. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein said light panel is constructed integral with said gasoline tank.

14. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein a substantial portion of said light panel is shaped to correspond to a shape of the gasoline tank.

15. The illumination device of claim 1 wherein said light panel is constructed from a rigid material.

16. An illumination device for a motorized two wheel vehicle'"'"'s gasoline tank, to provide light to an adjacent side and front ground area to help aid in the visibility of the two wheel vehicle while also improving the visibility of the surroundings to a rider while he or she is riding the two wheel vehicle, the gasoline tank having a bottom surface portion, said illumination device comprising:

a light panel connected to the vehicle adjacent said gasoline tank, said light panel having a cutout; and

a light housing attached to said light panel, said light housing including a body member having a reflective inner surface and a transparent lens attached to said body member, said lens disposed adjacent said cutout when said light housing is properly attached to said light panel; and

a light element disposed within said light housing;

wherein said light element provides light which is reflected by the inner surface of said light housing body member through said lens and cutout to illuminate at least a portion of the adjacent side area of the motorized two wheel vehicle.

17. The illumination device of claim 16 further including an extension member having a first end and a second end, said extension member associated with said light panel.

18. The illumination device of claim 17 wherein the first end of said extension member is attached to a first end of said light panel and said second end of said extension member is attached to the two wheel vehicle by a bolt which also attaches a front end of the gasoline tank to the two wheel vehicle.

19. The illumination device of claim 17 wherein said extension member is constructed integral with said light panel.

20. The illumination device of claim 17 wherein the first end of said extension member is attached approximate to a back end of said light panel and is attached to the bottom surface of said gasoline tank.

21. The illumination device of claim 16 wherein said light panel is constructed integral with said gasoline tank.

22. The illumination device of claim 16 wherein said light element is a light bulb and any required circuitry or wiring.

23. The illumination device of claim 16, wherein a portion of said body member is curved shaped.

24. A front headlight for a wheeled vehicle, said wheeled vehicle having a handlebar area, said headlight comprising:

a body member having at least one cutout, said body member connected to the wheeled vehicle approximate to the handlebar area of the wheeled vehicle;

a light element attached to said body member such that a portion of said light illuminates an area in front of the wheeled vehicle and a portion of said light is directed downward through said cutout to illuminate at least an adjacent external surrounding area.

25. The headlight of claim 24 wherein at least a portion of said body member provided with a reflective inner surface for directing said portion of light downward through said cutout.