GB2335733A - Lamps attached to handlebars or a person's limb - Google Patents

Abstract

A handlebar grip 14 with a removeable cap 15 and may house a bulb 16 with a transparent cover 18 and a battery 17. A switch operable between three states ,off,on and flashing may be present.In a second embodiment a lamp may be attached to a person' limb eg by a strap or by being part of a glove or mitt.

Description

2335733 1 LAMPS The present invention relates to a lamp and particularly

although not exclusively to lamps for use by road users, especially cyclists.

Although cycling is presently encouraged as an environmentally friendly form of transport it is hazardous on increasingly congested roads, especially in darkness or conditions of reduced visibility. Cyclists present a small profile as compared to cars and must rely on hand signals to inform other road users of their intended movements.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a lamp arrangement comprising a lamp and a means to fasten the lamp to a person's limb.

Preferably the means for fastening enables the lamp to be fastened to a persons hand or wrist and may comprise a strap, glove or mit. Preferably the lamp comprises an electric bulb, LED or other suitable light source. The arrangement also preferably includes a means for storing an electric battery to power the light source and a switch is also provided to enable the user to operate the lamp when required. A means to automatically flash the lamp may 2 be provided, in which case it is desirable that the switch has three states corresponding to the lamp being off, on steady or flashing. A 'normally off' switch could be used to allow the user to operate the lamp for short periods or to flash it manually, for example by depressing and holding the switch.

The lamp may be coloured, for example amber for road use. The arrangement preferably includes some reflective material or elements. Conveniently they could be incorporated into a transparent or partially transparent cover placed over the bulb or other light source. The arrangement is preferably padded to increase comfort of the user.

Such an arrangement may be worn by, for example, cyclists, pedestrians, horse riders or skiers to increase their visibility to other road, footpath or piste users and to increase their safety. In the case of a cyclist/horse rider the lamps will help others to identify the width of the cycle/horse and will enhance the visibility of hand signals to other road users, especially motorists. The lamps may also serve as hazard warning lights.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a handlebar grip comprising a grip and a lamp.

The grip is preferably produced from rubber or a plastics material and is substantially cylindrical and hollow to enable it to be slid over cycle handlebars, 3 like conventional grips. The lamp preferably comprises a bulb, LED or other suitable light source housed in a recess in the grip. The recess is preferably covered with a transparent or partially transparent cover which may comprise reflective material or elements. The grip preferably includes provision for the storage of a battery to run the lamp. The housing may conveniently extend into the cycle handlebars themselves. The grip preferably includes a switch to enable the user to operate the lamp as required and also a means to automatically flash the lamp on and off in which case the switch desirably allows for the selection of lamp off, on and flashing.

The handlebar grip and lamp will help make cyclists more visible to other road users as viell as showing the width of the cycle and allowing the cyclist, by selective operation of the lamps to signal to other road users.

In order that the present invention may be more clearly understood there are now described embodiments thereof, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Fig.1 shows a perspective view of a part of a!amp arrangement according to the invention; Fig.2 shows a similar view of a similar arrangement to that shown in Fig. 1 with the transparent panel open to reveal the bulb; 4 Fig.3 shows a view of the underside of the assembly shown in Fig. 2, with no straps shown; Fig.4 shows a view of a person's hands whilst wearing an assembly similar to those illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3; Fig.5 shows a perspective view of a person's hand whilst wearing an alternative embodiment of the invention; Fig.6 shows a rear view of a person riding a bicycle and signalling using a lamp assembly; Fig.7 ---:iows a handlebar grip according to the invention; Fig.8 shows a partial cross-sectional view of the handlebar grip shown in Fig.7 taken along the line 8-8 and with the cap displaced; Fig.9 shows a view of the handlebar grip shown in Fig.7 with the cap removed and the transparent cover open; Fig.10 shows a front view of bicycle handlebars fitted with grips according to the invention; and Fig. 11 shows a rear view of the handlebars of Fig. 10.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5 the arrangement comprises a body 1 with straps 2 to enable the assembly to be worn on the back of the hand. The body 1, which may conveniently be produced from a plastics material, houses an electric light bulb 3 or LED or other suitable light emitter which, in use is covered by a transparent (or partially transparent) cover 4. The cover 4 is pivotally connected to the body 1 at one end to allow access to the bulb 3. The cover 4 may incorporate reflective material or elements. The cover, in use, is retained in a closed position by a catch released by button 7. The bulb 3 is electrically connected, by way of switch 5 to contacts in a housing for storage of a battery, accessible by way of a removable cover 6 located on the underside of the assembly. The underside is also padded to increase the comfort of the wearer. The switch 5 is positioned to be within easy reach of the thumb of the wearer.

The body 1 is preferably wr resistant and the strap 2 waterproof. The strap may take any suitable form but is preferably produced from a waterproof fabric and includes Velcro (RTM) fastenings. Other suitable fastenings could be used, for example a buckle or press studs or alternatively an elasticated strap.

The assembly may include a means to flash the bulb 3 on and off. The 6 switch, which may take any suitable form for example sliding or push, may allow the lamp to be switched between off, steady on and flashing modes.

Fig.4 shows a persons hands as if holding the handlebars of a bicycle and wearing a lamp assembly according to the invention.

Fig.5 shows an alternative embodiment in which the lamp body 8 of the assembly is attached to a cycling glove 9. A switch 10 for operating the lamp is placed within reach of the wearer's thumb.

Fig.6 shows how a cyclist 11 wearing a lamp 12 may use the invention to assist with signalling.

The a-$F,-mbly may be used by, amongst others, cyclists, pedestrians, skiers and horse riders. The lamp will make the wearer more apparent to others and thereby increase their safety. The lamps will help to show the width of cyclists' vehicles. The lamps are also useful when giving, and increase the visibility of hand signals.

Figs. 7 to 11 show a handlebar grip comprising a substantially cylindrical rubber or plastics grip 14 with a removable cap 15 and a housing for a bulb 16 and a battery 17. The grip 14 is suitable for installation onto the handlebars of a bicycle, as with conventional grips. The bulb housing is covered with a 7 transparent or partially transparent cover 18, which may include a reflective material or reflective elements. The cover 18 pivots on the grip to allow access to the bulb 16. In use the cover 18 is retained in a closed position by way of a catch released by button 19. Power to operate the bulb 16 is provided by battery 17 which is stored in a housing formed in the grip, access to which is gained by removing the cap 15 which includes a spring contact 20 for contacting the battery 17. When the grip assembly is installed the battery housing extends into the open end of the handlebars. In use cap 15 is secured to the grip 14 by way of a catch released by button 21 or, alternatively, by a screw or bayonette fitting. A lock may be provided to secure the cap 15 to the grip 14 and/or to secure the entire assembly onto bicycle handlebars. A suitable lock could be effected by passing a screw or pin through the assembly and into the handlebars of a bicycle.

The grips also include a switch 22 to enable the lamp to be switched on and off and, where suitable means are provided, to a flashing mode. The switch is conveniently placed to be operable by a cyclist's thumb when riding.

The handlebar grips can easily be fitted to any bicycle. An advantage of providing additional lighting for cyclists is increased safety through the cycle and its width being more apparent to other road users and through the cyclist being able to supplement hand signals by selectively switching on or flashing a handlebar grip. The grips could also be used to attract attention in an 8 emergency, to indicate a hazard to other road users, or simply for fun.

The above embodiments are described by way of example only, many variations are possible without departing from the invention.

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Claims (16)

1.A handlebar grip comprising a grip and a lamp.

2. A handlebar grip as claimed in claim 1 comprising a means to automatically flash the lamp.

3. A handlebar grip as claimed in claim 2 comprising a three state switch, the three states corresponding to lamp off, lamp on steady and lamp flashing modes of operation.

4. A handlebar grip as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the lamp comprises a bulb, LED or other light source housed in a recess in the grip.

5.

A handlebar grip as claimed in claim 4, wherein the recess is covered with a transparent or partially transparent cover.

6.

A handlebar grip as claimed in claim 5, wherein the cover comprises some reflective material or elements.

7.

A handlebar grip substantially as herein described with reference to any of figures 7 to 11 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A lamp arrangement comprising a lamp and a means to fasten the lamp to a person's limb.

9. A lamp arrangement as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for fastening comprises a strap.

10. A lamp arrangement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the means for fastening comprises a glove or mit.

11. A lamp arrangement as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10 comprising means to automatically flash the lamp.

12. A lamp arrangement as claimed in claim 11 comprising a three state switch, the three states corresponding to lamp off, lamp on steady and lamp flashing modes of operation.

13. A lamp as claimed in any of claims 8 to 12 further comprising some reflective material or elements.

14. A lamp as claimed in claim 13, wherein the reflective material or elements are comprised in a transparent or partially transparent cover comprised in the lamp.

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15. A lamp as claimed in any of claims 8 to 14, wherein the lamp is coloured amber.

16. A lamp assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any of figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.