Bicycle tail light

• US 8,770,808 B1
• Filed: 04/15/2011
• Issued: 07/08/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Light & Motion Industries Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Light & Motion Industries Incorporated
• Inventors: Campbell, Damon, Lo, Roxanne, McCaslin, Christopher, Foss, Doug, Emerson, Daniel T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Jong-Suk (James)
• Assistant Examiner(s): MACCHIAROLO, LEAH SIMONE
• Application Number:
  US13/066,539
• Time in Patent Office: 1,180 Days
• Field of Search: 362473-476, 362/541, 362/549, 362/186, 362/190, 362/191
• 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 6/04 Rear lights

Abstract

A bicycle tail light has a casing containing LEDs and a battery, as well as a universal mounting for engaging a bicycle luggage rack, a chain stay, a seat post or a rider'"'"'s messenger bag, backpack or clothing. A swivel mounting is included for adjusting the light to an appropriate tilt angle, depending on the position of the bicycle component on which the light'"'"'s base is mounted. The tail light projects light from both sides as well as to the rear, providing over 180° of visibility. A micro USB charging port for the battery is located at the outside of the light casing.

Claims

1. An adjustable, versatile-mounting bicycle tail light, comprising:

a casing containing a battery and at least one LED light source, said one LED projecting red light through the casing in a rear direction from the casing,

a universal mounting connected to the casing, enabling connection of the tail light to a bicycle luggage rack, chain stay, seat post or a bicycle rider'"'"'s backpack or clothing, the universal mounting including a mounting base secured to the casing in a swivel connection about a pivot axis transverse to the casing as mounted on a bicycle and facing rear, allowing single-axis angular adjustment of the casing relative to the mounting base and thus adjustment of the aim of the LED up or down while projecting light in the rear direction,

the universal mounting further including a bike mount with means for connection to a bicycle luggage rack, chain stay, seat post or a bicycle rider'"'"'s backpack or clothing, the bike mount securable to the mounting base and quickly separable therefrom without tools, and

the swivel connection of the mounting base and the casing being the sole swivel or pivoting feature of the bicycle tail light.

2. The bicycle tail light of claim 1, wherein the mounting base includes a leg engageable in a slot of the bike mount for engagement and disengagement with the bike mount, the leg moving with the mounting base in pivoting angular adjustment and having a closed position against the casing in parallel relationship with the casing, and the mounting base including a manually operated locking device enabling locking of a series of different angular positions of the mounting base relative to the casing, so that, without the bike mount the casing and mounting base can be pivoted and locked with the leg close to the casing to pinch a part of a bicycle rider'"'"'s backpack or clothing or other flexible element between the leg and the casing to retain the bike light in place on the backpack, clothing or other element.

3. The bicycle tail light of claim 2, wherein the casing includes a micro USB charging port accessible at exterior of the casing, the battery being rechargeable via the micro USB port.

4. The bicycle tail light of claim 2, wherein the bike mount has a locking nipple configured to pop up into a locking position engaged in an opening of the leg when the leg is fully pushed into the slot of the bike mount, and wherein the casing includes a pin or prong projected at a position adjacent to and aligned with the locking nipple, such that to release the bike mount from the mounting base, the casing can be pushed firmly against the leg and the bike mount, pushing the locking nipple inward of the bike mount and allowing the sliding release of the leg from the slot to remove the casing and mounting base from the bike mount.

5. The bicycle tail light of claim 1, wherein the mounting base includes a manually operated locking device enabling locking of a series of different angular positions of the mounting base relative to the casing.

6. The bicycle tail light of claim 1, wherein the tail light includes means for projecting LED light from both left and right sides of the casing, as well as to the rear from the casing, wherein the tail light is viewable from at least 180°

.

7. The bicycle tail light of claim 6, wherein a second LED is included in the casing for projecting LED light from both left and right sides of the casing, with reflectors in the casing positioned to reflect light from said second LED to left and right sides.

8. The bicycle tail light of claim 1, wherein the bike mount'"'"'s means for connection includes an adjustable-length strap for engaging over a portion of a bicycle.

9. The bicycle tail light of claim 1, wherein the swiveling of the mounting base on the casing enables the mounting base to be pivoted and locked with the leg close to the casing, whereby a portion of a bicycle rider'"'"'s backpack or clothing or other flexible element can be pinched between the leg and the casing to retain the bike light in place on the backpack, clothing or other element.

10. The bicycle tail light of claim 1, wherein the swivel connection of the mounting base to the casing comprises a pair of arms of the mounting base pivotally engaged with sides of the casing.