GB2458308A - Rear view mirror and indicator accessory for a bicycle - Google Patents

Abstract

A bicycle accessory comprises a casing 10 supporting a rear-view mirror 12 for releasable attachment to the handlebar of the bicycle. The casing carries selectively operable orange turn indicator lamps 22, facing forwards, rearwards and sideways, plus white forward-facing indicator lamps 24 and red rearward-facing running indicator lamps 26, all of which are powered from an electrical battery in the casing 10. The running indicator lamps 24 and 26 are automatically extinguished when the turn indicator lamps are activated. The accessory may include a motion detector arranged to disconnect power from the battery if the accessory is motionless for a period of time.

Description

Bicycle Accessory This invention concerns an accessory for a bicycle -sometimes called a pedal cycle -which accessory combines a rear view mirror for the rider of the bicycle with a selectively operable turn indicator.

Traditionally, Cyclists have signalled their intention to turn by means of hand signals. The dangers in this are evident: the cyclist has reduced control of his bicycle when he removes one hand from the handlebar and hand signals are often not easily seen by other road users, especially at night. In addition, for the signal to be safe and effective, the cyclist needs visibility of what is behind him (in accordance with the well-known mirror -signal-manouvre' sequence) and if his bicycle is not provided with a rear view mirror this requires the rider to look behind him, creating another hazard.

Of course, motor cycles have been equipped with rear view mirrors and turn indicators for many years, and both devices have been used to some degree on pedal cycles -indicators rather less than mirrors. A bicycle accessory including a rear view mirror and a turn indicator has been previously proposed in Lindner's German Patent DE 198 55 099. Lindner describes a pair (left and right) of bicycle mirrors each incorporating a winking indicator. Each mirror has a generally elliptical housing that also houses the indicator, which is operated by a switch. The indicator includes high-intensity LEDs powered from a solar cell.

Properly mounted and sensibly used, a device such as Lindner's can make a positive contribution to the safety of a cyclist's turning manoeuvre, but with the important limitation that the presence of the cyclist is signalled only when the turn indicator is activated. At night, and otherwise in conditions of poor visibility, this can be dangerous -not least because, even when switched on, the conventional head lamp and tail lamp show only the centre line of the cycle, with no indication of its width.

It is therefore an object of the invention to improve the safety of a combined rear view mirror and turn indicator for a bicycle.

Thus according to the invention there is provided an accessory for a bicycle, which accessory comprises a mirror and a turn indicator, an attachment for releasably attaching the accessory to the bicycle so that the mirror provides a rear view for the rider of the bicycle, an electrical power source, and a first switch selectively operable by the rider to activate the turn indicator from the electrical power source so as to signal that the bicycle is turning, characterised in that the accessory comprises a running indicator and a second switch selectively operable by the rider to activate the running indicator from the electrical power source so as to signal that the bicycle is present when not turning.

Preferably the accessory is so arranged that when the running indicator has been activated by operation of the second switch it is automatically deactivated whenever the first switch is operated to activate the turn indicator.

Preferably, also, when the running indicator has been deactivated by operation of the first switch it is automatically reactivated whenever the first switch is operated again to deactivate the turn indicator.

The turn indicator may comprise a first array of lamps which flash when activated, and an audio generator may provide an audible signal synchronised with the flashing of the first array of lamps. The first array of lamps preferably comprises first and second sections respectively facing forwards and rearwarcjs when the accessory is attached to the bicycle and may also comprise a third section facing sideways away from the bicycle when the accessory is attached to the bicycle. Preferably the lamps of the first array are orange.

The running indicator may comprise a second array of white lamps facing forwards when the accessory is attached to the bicycle, and these white lamps may be intercalated with the forward facing running lamps (which are orange). The running indicator may also comprise a third array of red lamps facing rearwards when the accessory is attached to the bicycle, and these red Jamps may also be intercalated with the rearward facing running lamps.

To save wastage of the power source, the accessory may include a motion sensor operatively connected to the first and second switches and operative automatically to deactivate both turn indicator and running indicator after a period with no sensed motion.

The attachment of the accessory preferably includes a pivot whereby the attitude of the accessory on the bicycle is adjustable, The attachment may include a clip formed to engage a handlebar of the bicycle and a clasp to hold the clip thereto outboard of the rider's hand. The clasp may include a strap of hook-and-loop form.

Preferably each switch is manually operable, and for convenience the first switch may comprise a push button operable by the edge of the rider's hand on the handlebar.

The electrical power source may comprise an electrical battery.

A bicycle accessory according to the invention is preferably configured and arranged so that it may be attached to either the right-hand end or the left-hand end of the handlebar of the bicycle. By this means the accessory offers an off-side running indicator and turn indicator both for cyclists in countries where traffic proceeds on the left-hand side of the road and for cyclists in countries where traffic proceeds on the right.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which -Figure 1 is an isometric view looking forwards of a bicycle accessory according to the invention including turn indicator lamps and running indicator lamps; Figure 2 is an isometric view looking rearwards of the bicycle accessory of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating the disposition of the lamps of the bicycle accessory of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 illustrates the activation of the bicycle accessory during day-time use; Figure 5 illustrates the activation of the bicycle accessory during night-time use; Figure 6 is an electrical circuit schematic for a basic version of bicycle accessory according to the invention; and Figure 7 is an electrical circuit schematic for a version of bicycle accessory according to the invention enhanced to include a motion detector.

Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the bicycle accessory shown therein comprises a casing 10 supporting a mirror 12 and an attachment indicated at 14 for reieasabiy attaching the accessory to a bicycle handlebar (not Shown).

As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 the accessory is arranged for attachment to the right-hand end of the handlebar. The attachment 14 comprises a C-section bracket 16 formed to engage the handlebar and a hook-and-loop fastening strap 18 for holding the bracket 16 on the handlebar. Between the bracket 16 and the casing 10 is a pivot joint 20 which is rotatable to enable the mirror 12 to be adjusted to provide a rearward view for a rider of the bicycle and which is also demountable. The pivot joint 20 also allows the casing to pivot forwards or backwards without material damage if it accidentally strikes an obstruction.

The mirror 12 is slightly convex.

As well as the mirror 12, the casing 10 also carries a plurality of LED lamps selectively powered from a dry cell battery (not shown in Figures 1 and 2) held within the casing 10. The battery may be rechargeable.

Referring now particularly to Figure 3, the LED lamps comprise various arrays as follows. First, a first array of orange lamps 22 (shown lightly shaded in Figure 3) has a first section extending linearly across the front face of the casing 10 so as to face forwards, a second section extending linearly across the back face of the casing 10 so as to face rearwards and a third section extending around the outward end of the casing 10 so as to face sideways away from the bicycle. Next, a second array of white lamps 24 (shown white in Figure 3) extend across the front face of the casing 10, intercalated with the forward-facing orange lamps 22 thereon. And a third array of red lamps 26 (shown more darkly shaded in Figure 3) extend across the back face of the casing 10, intercalated with the rearward-facing orange lamps 22 thereon.

The lamps 22, 24 and 26 provide both a turn indicator and a running indicator for the rider of the bicycle, as will now be described.

A press switch 28 electrically connected between the orange lamps 22 arid the battery within the casing 10 is used to activate the orange lamps 22 selectively. When activated, a simple flasher circuit (not shown, but which may be of any appropriate form) causes the orange lamps 22 to flash on and off repeatedly, say at about 0.5 s intervals, thus to provide a winking turn indicator. If the rider is to turn right, he presses the press switch 28 of the accessory (which is attached to the right-hand end of the bicycle handlebar) to activate the orange lights 22 thereon. Then the orange lights 22 flash to indicate a right turn. Because of the disposition of the orange lights 22, the turn indicator is visible from the front, from the rear and from the off side, for improved rider safety. When the rider has completed his turn, he simply presses the press switch 28 again to cancel the indicator.

A bleeper (not shown in Figures 1 and 2, but which may be of any appropriate form) is associated with the flasher circuit and provides an audible signal synchronised with the winking indicator. The synchronised operation of the flashing orange lights and the audible bleeper is illustrated against a time base in Figure 4.

It should be noted that the press switch 28 is so arranged that the rider can operate it using the edge of his right hand, without removing his hand from the handlebar, which is a further contribution to rider safety.

A push button 30 can be used by the rider to turn on the white lights 24 and the red lamps 26. Except during a turn, these white and red lamps 24 and 26 are lit continuously when activated, so as to provide a running indicator signalling the presence of the bicycle to other road users at night or when visibility is otherwise curtailed. It will be noted that the white lamps 24 face forwards and the red lights 26 face rearwards in conventional form, but it should also be noted that regulations may require additional head-and tail-lights.

A eonLro; circuit (not shown, but which may be of any appropriate form) interconnects the press switch 28 and the push button 30 with the following effect. If the rider presses the press switch 28 to activate the orange lamps 22 at any time when the white and red lamps 24 and 26 are on, then the white and red lamps 24 and 26 are automatically turned off until the orange lamps 22 are turned off again. In other words, activation of the (orange) turn indicator automatically deactivates the (white and red) running indicator, so that the turn indicator is more clearly visible to other road users.

Figure 5 is a time-based illustration of the way in which the white and red running indicator lamps are extinguished automaticauy when the orange turn indicator lamps (and their associated bleeper) are activated.

The demountability of the pivot 20 allows the accessory of Figures 1 and 2 to be readily removed from the bicycle for security and also provides means whereby the accessory can be attached to either end of the bicycle handlebar and still provide forward-facing white and rearward facing red running lights as well as orange turn indicator lights showing forwards and rearwards and to the side. Normally a cyclist will use one such accessory attached to the off-side end of the handlebar. Thus, in countries such as the United Kingdom in which traffic proceeds on the left-hand side of the road, the accessory will normally be attached to the right-hand end of the bicycle handlebar. In countries in which traffic proceeds on the right-hand side of the road, the accessory will be attached to the left-hand end of the handlebar, and to turn left (across the traffic) the rider activates the orange lamps on the accessory with his left hand but otherwise in substantially the same way as described above for a right-hand mounted accessory, mutatis mutandis.

In each case, therefore, the accessory provides running lights on the cyclist's off side, which is the most exposed, and an indicator for turns across the traffic, which are the most hazardous, Of course, where required two accessories according to the invention may be attached respectively to opposite ends of the handlebar, but in most cases a single accessory on the off-side end will be sufficient.

When the rider parks his bicycle he will normally turn off the running indicator, to conserve battery power, and the accessory includes a master switch 32 (Figure 2 and Figure 6) for turning everything off, and on again when required.

The electrical circuitry is illustrated purely schematically in Figure 6. The accessory is powered from a battery 34 by way of the master switch 32. In a first state, as shown in Figure 6, the first switch 28 provides power (when the master switch 32 is on) to the second switch 30 whereby the running lights 24, 26 are selectively operated. The second switch 30 will normally be left open during the day so that the running lights 24, 26 are off, but closed at night or in bad visibility to switch the running lights 24, 26 on. Operation of the first switch 28 changes it to a second state in which the indicator lights 22 (and an associated bleeper 36) are activated to signal a turn, and the running lights 24, 26 are disconnected. Thus, even though the running lights 24, 26 may have been on, they are automatically switched off whenever the turn indicator lights 24 are activated. When a turn has been completed, the cyclist operates the first switch 28 again to return it to its first state, the indicator lights 22 and associated bleeper 36 are turned off, and the running lights 24, 26 automatically return to their former condition, ie on if the second switch 30 is closed but off if the second switch 30 is open.

In case the cyclist forgets to turn everything off by means of the master switch 32 when parking his bicycle, the control circuitry of the accessory may include a motion detector 38, as shown in Figure 7. This motion sensor 38, which may be of any appropriate form and which those skilied in the science will be well able to devise, is operative to disconnect the battery 34 automatically if the accessory remains motionless for, say, a few minutes. This period is long enough for the accessory to remain powered up during typical traffic hold-ups.

Claims (21)

1. Claims 1. An accessory for a bicycle, which accessory comprises a mirror and a turn indicator, an attachment for releasably attaching the accessory to the bicycle so that the mirror provides a rear view for the rider of the bicycle, an electrical power source, and a first switch selectively operable by the rider to activate the turn indicator from the electrical power source so as to signal that the bicycle is turning characterised in that the accessory comprises a running indicator and a second switch selectively operable by the rider to activate the running indicator from the electrical power source so as to signal that the bicycle is present when not turning.
2. 2. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in claim I characterised in that when the running indicator has been activated by operation of the second switch it is automatically deactivated whenever the first switch is operated to activate the turn indicator.
3. 3. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in claim 2 characterised in that when the running indicator has been deactivated by operation of the first switch it is automatically reactivated whenever the first switch is operated again to deactivate the turn indicator.
4. 4. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in any of claims I to 3 characterised in that the turn indicator comprises a first array of lamps which flash when activated.
5. 5. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in claim 4 characterised in that the accessory comprises an audio generator configured arid arranged to provide an audible signal synchronjsed with the flashing of the first array of lamps.
6. 6. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5 characterjsed in that the first array of lamps comprises first and second sections respectively facing forwards and rearwards when the accessory is attached to the bicycle.
7. 7. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in claim 6 characterised in that the first array of lamps comprises a third section facing sideways away from the bicycle when the accessory is attached to the bicycle.
8. 8. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in any of claims 3 to 7 characterised in that the lamps of the first array are orange.
9. 9. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in claim 8 characterised in that the running indicator comprises a second array of white lamps facing forwards when the accessory is attached to the bicycle.
10. 10. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in claim 9 characterised in that the lamps of the second array are intercalated with the forward facing lamps of the first array.
11. 11. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in any of claims 6 to 10 characterised in that the running indicator comprises a third array of red lamps facing rearwards when the accessory is attached to the bicycle.
12. 12. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in claim 11 characterised in that the lamps of the third array are intercalated with the rearward facing lamps of the first array.
13. 13. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the accessory includes a motion sensor operatively connected to the first and second switches and operative automatically to deactivate both turn indicator and running indicator after a period with no sensed motion.
14. 14. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the attachment includes a pivot whereby the attitude of the accessory on the bicycle is adjustable.
15. 15. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the attachment includes a clip formed to engage a handlebar of the bicycle and a clasp to hold the clip thereto outboard of the riders fland.
16. 16. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in claim 15 characterjseçj in that the clasp includes a strap of hook-and-loop form.
17. 17. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16 characterised in that each switch is manually operable.
18. 18. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in claim 17 characterised in that the first switch comprises a push button operable by the edge of the rider's hand on the handlebar.
19. 19. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the electrical power source comprises an electrical battery.
20. 20. An accessory for a bicycle as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that said accessory is configured and arranged so that it may be attached to either the right-hand end or the left-hand end of the handlebar of the bicycle.
21. 21. An accessory for a bicycle substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.