WO1999045319A1 - Motion sensitive bicycle safety light and method of using same - Google Patents
Motion sensitive bicycle safety light and method of using same Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1999045319A1 WO1999045319A1 PCT/US1999/004822 US9904822W WO9945319A1 WO 1999045319 A1 WO1999045319 A1 WO 1999045319A1 US 9904822 W US9904822 W US 9904822W WO 9945319 A1 WO9945319 A1 WO 9945319A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- casing
- motion sensitive
- light
- sensitive safety
- safety light
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62J—CYCLE SADDLES OR SEATS; AUXILIARY DEVICES OR ACCESSORIES SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CYCLES AND NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. ARTICLE CARRIERS OR CYCLE PROTECTORS
- B62J6/00—Arrangement of optical signalling or lighting devices on cycles; Mounting or supporting thereof; Circuits therefor
- B62J6/20—Arrangement of reflectors, e.g. on the wheel spokes ; Lighting devices mounted on wheel spokes
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F21—LIGHTING
- F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F21V23/00—Arrangement of electric circuit elements in or on lighting devices
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H35/00—Switches operated by change of a physical condition
- H01H35/14—Switches operated by change of acceleration, e.g. by shock or vibration, inertia switch
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a motion sensitive bicycle safety light for use on bicycles, wheelchairs, and the like that utilizes a motion sensitive switch and is adapted for attachment to the wheel of a bicycle or wheelchair
- the invention also relates to a method of using such a bicycle safety light.
- a ball or piston moves within a cylindrical casing
- a ball of magnetic material is held within a cylindrical passageway in a nonmagnetic casing and is displaced from contacts by a permanent bar magnet located in the casing perpendicular to the passageway On impact the ball is propelled into contacts to close a switch
- a single contact and a conductive body may also be used to effect closure of the switch
- a steel ball is held against an inverted circuit board through which lead wires run by the presence of a large magnet on the opposing side of the circuit board Upon a jolt or vibration, the steel ball moves away from the circuit board through the casing, breaking the contact and setting off an alarm
- a non-magnetic electrically conductive ball floats within a non-magnetic non-conductive casing filled with a non-conductive magnetic fluid and contacts protrude into one end of the casing
- Permanent magnets may be disposed at one or both ends of the casing or a cylindrical hollow magnet may surround the casing including the areas containing the weight and contacts Impact of an automobile to which the sensor is attached causes the weight to abut the contacts, close a circuit and operate, for example, an air bag
- a movable permanent magnet is held in place by a magnetic yoke in a non-magnetic casing Movement causes the magnet to strike the surface of the case, disrupting the formed magnetic circuit and changing a reed switch from the on to the off position
- Suggested uses include earthquake or elevator load detection
- a permanent magnet is enclosed in an electrically conductive covering in a conductive copper alloy housing and is held in an off position by a ring-shaped attractor and a coil, i e , a braking force On impact of, for example, an automobile, the magnet moves away from the braking force, contacts conductors, and closes a circuit
- a magnetized seismic piston located in a central portion of the device is held in a non-actuated condition by repulsion on the mass of a magnetic dent Upon inertial force, or impact, the piston moves and is held against a plug to effect a closed circuit through contact and act, for example, as an ignition shut-off switch in an automobile collision
- a spherical piston biased against a piston seat by a magnet located on the opposing side of the seat On impact, the piston moves, preferably through a damping fluid to close a circuit by means of impacting contacts.
- a moveable weighted member carrying a contact is held in the off position by a spring Movement of the weight due to acceleration or deceleration causes the weight to move, bringing the weight into abutment with a stationary contact
- a substantially balanced mass is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis and a pair of electrical contacts is provided for pivotal movement about an axis
- a pair of electrical contacts is provided with at least one lying in the path of pivotal movement of the mass
- a source of electromotive force and an illumination means are connected with the contact means, the contact means closing and lighting the illumination means only upon the occurrence of angular acceleration of the balanced mass
- a housing supports a power source and an electrically connectable light source
- a motion switch switches between open and closed positions in response to the movement of the housing member
- the switch may be a pivotally supported member, a resilient member, or a moving (ball bearing) member
- a magnetic member slidably positioned within a coil or piezoelectric generating power source may act as both the power source and the switch
- a reed switch for use with footwear or apparel is actuated by a magnet moveable under inertial forces between an on position where the magnet causes the reed switch to close and an off position where the magnet allows the reed switch to open
- the magnet is biased to the off position by compression springs, magnets or may be air driven
- One type of device is a flashlight that is secured to the bicycle wheel spokes
- the flashlight may be secured to a bracket mounted on the spokes such that the light is directed radially outwardly
- a string of lights intertwined in the spokes of a bicycle's wheel which lights are connected to a battery and selectively turned on and off by means of a toggle switch
- Another type provides a string of light emitting diodes (LED's) in a clear tube mounted on the spokes of a bicycle wheel and a battery power pack is mounted on a wheel axle and is electrically connected to the LED's
- LED's light emitting diodes
- signal lights are provided on the wheels of a bicycle and a battery is secured to the frame of the bicycle
- a conductive plate is mounted on a non-conductive disc on a wheel hub
- a brush makes electrical contact with the conductive plate when the wheel rotates by urging a spring against the brush to maintain an electrical circuit.
- Another bicycle light has a refractive housing containing a light and battery mounted on a bicycle wheel, circuitry which includes flasher means to cause the light source to flash intermittently, and a motion sensor, such as a mercury switch, to actuate the flasher means
- a centrifugal switch is used to complete an electrical circuit between a light source and a power source
- the centrifugal switch is mechanical in nature, having a weight which contacts a post to complete a circuit and cause the lights to light when subject to centrifugal force
- the light's battery is oriented radially inward of the light's bulb relative to the wheel's axis
- a switch spring normally biases the battery out of contact with the bulb when the wheel is not rotating, but permits the battery to be biased into electrical contact with the bulb in response to centrifugal force.
- a fitting body is designed to be threaded onto the male threads of a bicycle wheel air valve
- a safety lamp body having a bulb, a battery and a switch is fitted into the fitting body Threading the fitting body onto the air valve activates the switch and turns the bulb on.
- the present invention in one aspect, provides a motion sensitive safety light adapted for attachment to the wheel of a bicycle or wheelchair comprising (a) motion sensitive switch comprising
- (f) means for attaching the motion sensitive safety light to a wheel of a bicycle or wheelchair.
- the protective cover and the open end of the end cap are cylindrical and the end portion of the inner portion of the protective cover and outer portion of the light emitting end cap are threaded to permit ease of assembly and to provide means for securing the protective cover to the light emitting end cap.
- the substantially uniform magnetic field can be achieved, for example, by providing a ⁇ ng-shaped magnet around the casing, when cylindrical, or by providing magnetic segments on the outer surface of the casing where the magnetic field is to be created within the casing
- Such a substantially uniform magnetic field holds the magnetic body apart from the conductors and generally holds the magnetic body suspended, i e , levitating within the casing
- the magnetic attraction of the magnetic body by the magnet or magnets is preferably such that moderate centrifugal force, such as rotating, or moderate jostling, such as would be encountered when the light is attached to a bicycle wheel or the wheel of a wheelchair, is sufficient to complete the circuit and cause the light to turn on
- the magnetic body Upon return of the motion sensitive light to rest, the magnetic body returns to the area of the magnetic field out of contact with the conductors and
- the motion sensitive safety light is attached to the air valve stem on the bicycle wheel or onto a spoke or spokes of the bicycle wheel or wheelchair
- the present invention in a further aspect, provides a motion sensitive safety light adapted for attachment to a wheel of a bicycle or wheelchair comprising
- a non-magnetic conductive elongate casing having a bore therethrough to form a hollow casing having an inner wall and an outer wall, a non-magnetic conductive flange at one end thereof and a window through the casing proximate the end distant the flange,
- a magnetic body contained within the casing having a size such that the body is moveable over the length of the casing while substantially filling the cross-sectional area of the casing
- a non-conductive non-magnetic elongate inner body having a bore therethrough, an outer portion, a pair of angled planar surfaces formed on an outer end portion thereof to form indentations, and a port through each of the indentations proximate;
- the battery residing within the elongate inner body;
- the motion sensitive switch residing within the elongate inner body, the flange of the casing abutting one terminal of the battery;
- the first conductor of the light source passing through the ports of the inner body and the window of the casing being of a size and shape and located such that the first conductor is not in contact with the casing, and a port in the inner body through which the second conductor contacts the other terminal of the battery
- the present invention in another aspect, provides a method of providing a wheel of a bicycle or a wheelchair with a motion sensitive safety light comprising (1) attaching at least one motion sensitive safety light to at least one wheel of a bicycle or wheelchair, the motion sensitive safety light comprising
- a non-magnetic casing having a space therein to form a hollow casing having an inner wall and an outer wall;
- a magnetic body contained in the casing having a size such that the magnetic body is moveable over the length of the casing and being electroconductive at least on the surface thereof,
- FIGS la, lb and lc are cross-sectional views of embodiments of the motion sensitive switch useful in the present invention
- FIG Id is an end view of an embodiment of the motion sensitive switch useful in the present invention
- FIG 2 is a cross-sectional view of a motion sensitive light useful in the present invention
- FIG 3 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of the motion sensitive safety light of the invention
- FIG 4 is a top view of a portion of a preferred embodiment of a motion sensitive safety light of the present invention
- FIG 5 is a cross-sectional view with a partial cut-away of a portion of a preferred embodiment of a motion sensitive safety light of the present invention
- FIG 6a is a top view showing a cylindrical casing with an alternative permanent magnet configuration
- FIG 6b is a top view showing a casing having a triangular cross-section with multiple permanent magnets
- FIG 6c is a top view showing a casing having a square cross-section with multiple permanent magnets
- FIG 7 is a side view of an embodiment of a motion sensitive safety light of the invention
- FIG 8 is a side view of bicycle having attached thereto the motion sensitive light of the present invention
- FIG 9 is a side view of another embodiment of a motion sensitive safety light of the invention.
- FIG 9a is a top view of the motion sensitive light of FIG 9
- FIG 10 is a side view showing the motion sensitive safety light of FIGS 9 and 9a attached to a spoke of a bicycle
- FIG. 11 is a top view of a motion sensitive safety light of the present invention which utilizes the motion sensitive switch of FIG. lc
- FIG. 12 is a side view of the motion sensitive safety light of FIG 11 attached to the spokes of a wheel of a bicycle
- FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the motion sensitive safety light of the invention.
- FIG. 14 is a top view of an embodiment of the motion sensitive safety light of the invention.
- FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a wheelchair utilizing motion sensitive safety lights of the invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
- FIGS la, lb, and lc are cross-sectional views of the motion sensitive switch useful in the present invention
- like elements are identified by like numbers
- motion sensitive switch 10a comprises elongate casing 12 which terminates at one end portion with flange 13, magnetic body 14, such as a steel or soft iron ball, and permanent magnet 15 Conductors 16a and 16b, sometimes referred to as lead wires, extend through the end of casing 12 distant from flange 13
- magnetic body 14 When switch 10a is in the off position, magnetic body 14 is held away from conductors 16a and 16b by the magnetic field created by permanent magnet 15 When switch 10a is subjected to movement, such as centrifugal action or a jostling motion, magnetic body 14 moves into position against conductors 16a and 16b, forcing conductors 16a and 16b into contact with the inner wall of casing 12, as shown in phantom Either at least the outer surface of magnetic body 14 or at least the inner surface of casing 12 is electroconductive to complete a circuit with conductors 16a and 16b Electroconductivity of magnetic body 14 can be enhanced by known methods such as, for example, coating with copper or aluminum
- the inner wall of the casing 12 may be coated with copper or aluminum or casing 12 itself may be formed from a conductive material such as copper, aluminum, or brass
- motion sensitive switch 10b is constructed similarly to motion sensitive switch 10a except conductor 16b is replaced by conductor 16c which is abutting the outer wall of elongate casing 12
- permanent magnet 15 preferably abuts flange 13
- casing 12 is required to be electroconductive while magnetic body 14 need not be electroconductive Electroconductivity of casing 12 can be achieved as described with regard to FIG la When switch 10b is subjected to movement, magnetic body 14 moves into position against conductor 16a, forcing conductor 16a into contact with the inner
- motion sensitive switch 10c is constructed with two pairs of conductors, conductors 16a and 16b and conductors 16d and 16e Permanent magnet 15 is located at about the midpoint of the longitudinal axis of elongate casing 12
- Permanent magnet 15 is located at about the midpoint of the longitudinal axis of elongate casing 12
- magnetic body 14 resides at about the longitudinal midpoint of casing 12 within the magnetic field created by permanent magnet 15
- magnetic body 14 moves into contact with either conductors 16a and 16b or conductors 16d and 16e as described with regard to conductors 16a and 16b in FIG la
- magnetic body 14 may alternately contact conductors 16a and 16b and conductors 16d and 16e, thus, causing a flashing effect
- motion sensitive switch lOd is shown in end view with conductors 16f and 16g positioned across an end of casing 12a Ring magnet 15 surrounds casing 12a distant the conductors When the switch is at rest, magnetic body 14 resides in the area of casing 12a surrounded by magnet 15 When switch lOd is subjected to motion, magnetic body 14 moves away from the area surrounded by magnet 15 and into contact with conductors 16f and 16g, enabling completion of a circuit.
- the conductors may be connected, for example, to a battery and light source such as, for example, a light bulb or an LED
- motion sensitive switch 10a as shown in FIG la is connected to the positive terminal of battery 17 through conductor 16a and connected to the negative terminal of battery 17 through conductor 16b
- Light 18 is connected to the positive terminal of battery 17 through conductor 19a and connected to the negative terminal of battery 17 through conductor 19b
- FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 a preferred embodiment of the motion sensitive light of the invention is shown
- the exploded view of FIG. 3 shows the components of motion sensitive light 30
- FIG 4 is a top view showing an LED installed in a non-
- FIG 5 is a cross-sectional view with a partial cut-away showing the motion sensitive switch, the inner body and battery
- Motion sensitive light 30 includes a light source, for example, a light emitting diode (LED), 31 having a first conductor 32a and a second conductor 32b
- the light source can be selected to provide the desired color of light to be transmitted when the circuit is closed and the light is on
- Non-conductive non-magnetic elongate inner body 33 has bore 34 therethrough, substantially cylindrical outer portion 35 having longitudinal groove 36 parallel to the long axis of outer portion 35, a pair of angled planar surfaces 37a and 37b through which ports 38a and 38b traverse
- Non-conductive non-magnetic inner body 33 can be formed from materials known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, plastics, rubber, and the like
- Conductor 32a is inserted through port 38a across bore 34 and through port 38b as shown in FIGS 4 and 5.
- Port 39 extends through cylindrical outer portion 35 of inner body 33 into bore 34 and conductor 32a extends from light source 31 through groove 36 and port 39 into bore 34
- Non-magnetic conductive elongate casing 41 having bore 42, flange 43 and window 44 resides magnetic body 45, as shown in FIG. 5
- Peg 40 is provided in flange 43 of casing 41 and notch 40a is provided at the end portion of inner body 33 distant the planar surfaces to provide correct alignment of conductor 32b and window 44.
- the peg can be on the inner body and the notch on the flange.
- Non-magnetic conductive elongate casing 41 can be formed from materials known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, copper, aluminum, brass and the like.
- Magnetic body 45 is typically formed of steel, such as a steel bearing To improve conductivity of magnetic body 45 a coating of a metal such as copper, aluminum or the like can be utilized.
- Permanent magnet 46 surrounds casing 41 below window 44 and preferably abuts flange 43 Permanent magnet 46 also preferably abuts narrower portion 47 of bore 34 of inner body 33 Battery 48 resides within bore 34 as shown in FIG 5 with negative terminal 49 abutting flange 43 of casing 41 and positive terminal 51 ,
- non-magnetic protective outer body 52 extends over elongate inner body 33
- Protective outer body 52 can be formed of any material sufficiently durable to protect conductors and other portions of the motion sensitive switch contained within inner body 33, such as, for example, non-magnetic metals, plastics and the like
- Light transmitting end cap 53 is preferably threaded onto one end of protective outer body 52
- O-ring 54 is preferably provided at the juncture of outer body 52 and end cap 53 to provide sealing means and is preferably provide with threaded portion 59 which provides attachment means for attaching the motion sensitive safety light to an air valve stem of a bicycle wheel
- Light transmitting end portion 53 can be formed of materials known to those skilled in the art, such as plastic, and can be colored
- End cap 55 is preferably threaded onto the other end of protective outer body 52 with O-ring 56 preferably providing sealing means and spring 57 which is inserted into a bore 58 of end cap 55 ensuring contact between negative electrode 49 of battery 48 and flange 43 of casing 41
- End cap 55 can be formed from suitable materials known to those skilled in the art, such as, for example, nonmagnetic metals, plastics and the like
- a substantially uniform magnetic field within casing 41 is achieved by providing ring-shaped magnet 46 around the cylindrical casing where the magnetic field is to be created within casing 41
- Such a substantially uniform magnetic field holds magnetic body 45 apart from conductor 32a and generally holds the magnetic body suspended, i.e., levitating within the cylindrical casing
- the magnetic attraction of the magnetic body by the magnet(s) is preferably such that moderate centrifugal force, or moderate jostling or rotating, such as would be encountered when the motion sensitive safety light is attached to the moving wheel of a bicycle or wheelchair, is sufficient to cause magnetic body 45 to contact conductor 32b and
- a brass cylindrical casing having an inner diameter of about 8 00 mm (0 315 in ), an outer diameter of about 8 71 mm (0 343 in ), and a length of about 13 46 mm (0 53 in ) with a flange having an outer diameter of about 10 80 mm (0 425 in ) and a thickness of about 1 27 mm (0 050 in ) was utilized
- the window in the casing was oval in shape having a height parallel to the long axis of the casing of about 3 05 mm (0 120 in ) and a width of about 7 62 mm (0 300 in )
- the spherical magnetic body was a soft iron ball having a diameter of about 7 92 mm (0 312 in )
- the permanent magnet was formed of PlastalloyTM-6, available from Electrodyne Company, Batavia, Ohio, and had an inner diameter of about 8 71 mm (0 343 in ), an outer diameter of about 11 94 mm (0 470 in ), and a height of about 2 54 mm (0 100 in )
- the permanent magnet surrounded the casing and abutted the flange
- the permanent magnet had a north pole and a south pole aligned in the direction of the height of the magnet, with either the north pole or south pole contacting the flange, the magnetic direction not being critical
- a non-conductive non-magnetic inner body was formed of DelrinTM, a mechanical grade plastic available from DuPont Company, and had an outer diameter of about 11 73 mm (0 462 in ), angled planar surfaces were about 4 19 mm (0 165 in ) in height along the long axis of the inner body and about 10 16 mm (0 400 in ) wide The minor circumference between the planar surfaces was about 6 35 mm (0 250 in )
- the inner circumference of the inner body which was contiguous with the battery and the permanent magnet was about 11 94 mm (0 470 in ) in diameter, while the portion of the inner body contiguous with the cylindrical casing was about 11 73 mm (0 462 in ) in diameter
- the LED used was a Super Bright 2000 MCD, 1 85 volt, 20 milliamp LED which had iron wires attached thereto as conductors
- the soft iron ball was spaced about 0 635 mm (0 025 in ) from the conductor which passed through ports in the inner body and over a portion of the window in the cylindrical casing
- the non-magnetic protective outer body was formed of brass and had a length of about 36 07 mm (1 420 in ), an inner diameter of about 14 43 mm (0 568 in ), and an outer diameter of about 16 00 mm (0 630 in ) Each end was provide with female threads extending about 5 08 mm (0 200 in ) into the outer body
- the light emitting end cap was formed of translucent plastic and had a length of about 18 03 mm (0 710 in ), an inner diameter of about 10 92 mm (0 430 in ), an outer diameter of about 16 26 mm (0 640 in ) and was provided with male threads extending about 5 08 mm (0 200 in ) along one open end of the end cap for attachment to the non-magnetic protective outer body and female threads extending about 6 35 mm (0 250 in ) along the other open end for attachment to a bicycle air valve stem
- the end cap provided on the protective outer body distant the light emitting end cap was formed of aluminum, had an inner diameter of about 14 35 mm (0 565 in
- FIG 6 An alternative permanent magnet configuration is shown in FIG 6, a top view of the cylindrical casing having bore 42, flange 43, and three equisized equispaced permanent magnets 46a on the outer surface of the cylindrical casing to provide the substantially uniform magnetic field proximate the inner wall of cylindrical casing 41
- the elongate casing can be, for example, circular, triangular or square in cross-section
- Other cross-sectional shapes can be used such as, for example, polygonal, elliptical and the like
- the magnetic body can have a cross-section similar to or different from that of the elongate casing
- Cylindrical casing 41 shown in FIG 6a can have a spherical or ovoid magnetic body, the longer axis of the ovoid body being substantially aligned with long axis of the casing
- FIGS 6b and 6c are shown with magnetic bodies similar to the casing in cross-section
- the magnetic body can be spherical or ovoid or of other shapes
- the only requirements being that the magnetic body be movable over the length of the casing, substantially fill the casing, and be capable of contacting the contact or contacts as needed for the various embodiments
- the size of the magnet or magnets can be adjusted such that the magnetic body is in the area of the magnetic field when the switch is
- FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 Other elements of the invention which are shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 as being cylindrical in cross-section, such as, for example, the inner body, the protective outer body, and the end caps can also have varying cross-sections such as, for example, polygonal, ellipsoid, or irregular and means other than threads can be used for element attachment
- FIG 7 A side view of the fully assembled motion sensitive safety light 70 of FIG 3 is shown in FIG 7
- FIG 8 shows attachment of the motion sensitive safety light 70 to air valve stem 71 on bicycle wheel 72
- motion sensitive safety light 90 of the present invention can be attached to a spoke of a bicycle wheel The motion
- 16 sensitive safety light such as in shown in FIG 2, can be inserted into protective outer body 91 which is in sealing contact with light transmitting end cap 92 and end cap 93
- Fastening clip 94 is provided on the side of protective outer body 91 which provides attachment means for attaching motion sensitive safety light 90 on spoke 95 of bicycle wheel 96
- multiple motion sensitive safety lights can be attached to multiple spokes for added visibility or desired aesthetic effects
- the motion sensitive safety light of the present invention can also be provided with motion sensitive lights at each end as shown in FIG 11 utilizing the motion sensitive switch shown in FIG lc with appropriate batteries and lights as described above
- Such a motion sensitive safety light 100 encloses the motion sensitive switch and batteries in protective outer body 101 which has light transmitting end caps 102a and 102b at the terminal portions thereof in sealing contact with the protective outer body
- Clamping means 103 is provided for bridging attachment of safety light 100 between spokes 104a and 104b of bicycle wheel 105 as shown in FIG 12
- motion sensitive safety light 100 attached to spokes 104a and 104b as shown in FIG 12, magnetic body 14 remains in the central portion of non-magnetic casing 12 when the bicycle wheel is at rest When the bicycle wheel is rotating, magnetic body 14 alternately moves into contact with conductors 16a, 16b and conductors 16d, 16e, causing the motion sensitive safety light to exhibit a flashing effect.
- the motion sensitive safety lights of the present invention are particularly useful when bicycle riding is desired during dusk or evening hours, such as for transportation purposes, exercise, newspaper delivery, and the like
- the motion sensitive safety lights of the invention are especially suitable for use on bicycles ridden by children Children often are not amenable to carrying flashlights or other types of safety devices or wearing reflective protection when they are outdoors during periods of dusk or darkness Reflective devices on bicycles are often inadequate to serve as notice to motorists and head lamps and tail lamps only provide substantially unidirectional warning to motorists
- the motion sensitive safety lights of the present invention turn on when the bicycle in motion, i e., being
- the motion sensitive safety lights of the present invention are also useful for those persons requiring use of a wheelchair Especially in the winter months, it is sometimes necessary for wheelchair users to travel in their wheelchairs during the hours of dusk and darkness, if only to traverse a parking lot Wheelchairs are not generally particularly maneuverable and the user's safety can be compromised if not visible to motorists Some wheelchair users are also forced to travel in streets along curbs in climates where snowfall occurs and sidewalks are not promptly shoveled It is critical that such wheelchair users be readily seen by motorists
- FIG 13 shows a perspective view of motion sensitive safety light 110 having a single light transmitting end cap 111 similar to motion sensitive safety light 90 and clamping means 112
- Motion sensitive safety light 110 is attached to wheelchair spoke 113 by clamping means 112 as shown in FIG 13 with light transmitting end cap directed toward the tire portion of the wheel
- centrifugal force is applied to the motion sensitive safety light bringing the magnetic body into contact with the conductors and turning the light on
- the wheel chair is at rest, the magnetic body returns to the area where the magnetic field is present, the circuit is broken and the light turns off
- FIG 14 shows a top view of motion sensitive safety light 115 having light transmitting end caps I l ia, 111b at each end of the safety light similar to that shown in FIG 11 and clamping means 116
- Motion sensitive safety light 115 is attached to wheelchair spoke 117 by clamping means 116
- spherical magnetic body 14 remains in the central portion of non-magnetic conductive casing 12 when the wheelchair is at rest
- spherical magnetic body 14 alternately moves into contact with conductors 16a, 16b and conductors 16d, 16e, causing the motion sensitive safety light to exhibit a flashing effect
- Various modifications and alterations of this invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention and this invention should not be restricted to that set forth herein for illustrative purposes
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
BR9904899-0A BR9904899A (en) | 1998-03-06 | 1999-03-05 | Motion-sensitive safety light adapted for attachment to a bicycle or wheelchair wheel, and the process of equipping a bicycle or wheelchair wheel with a movement-sensitive safety light. |
JP54506099A JP2001526609A (en) | 1998-03-06 | 1999-03-05 | Exercise sensing bicycle safety light and its use |
EP99909839A EP0980494A1 (en) | 1998-03-06 | 1999-03-05 | Motion sensitive bicycle safety light and method of using same |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US3663998A | 1998-03-06 | 1998-03-06 | |
US09/036,639 | 1998-03-06 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO1999045319A1 true WO1999045319A1 (en) | 1999-09-10 |
Family
ID=21889769
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US1999/004822 WO1999045319A1 (en) | 1998-03-06 | 1999-03-05 | Motion sensitive bicycle safety light and method of using same |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0980494A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2001526609A (en) |
KR (1) | KR20010012301A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1124431C (en) |
BR (1) | BR9904899A (en) |
WO (1) | WO1999045319A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7697893B2 (en) | 2004-06-18 | 2010-04-13 | Nokia Corporation | Techniques for ad-hoc mesh networking |
CN105042479A (en) * | 2015-08-27 | 2015-11-11 | 孙嘉济 | Delay air bag illuminating lamp for children and charging device of lamp |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP5593412B2 (en) * | 2013-04-12 | 2014-09-24 | 一雄 山田 | LED lighting circuit with low voltage power supply and equipment with LED lighting circuit |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US5418697A (en) * | 1994-09-19 | 1995-05-23 | Chiou; Danny | Signal lamp assembly for bicycles |
US5624175A (en) * | 1993-08-13 | 1997-04-29 | Icc Corporation | Bicycle safety light |
-
1999
- 1999-03-05 BR BR9904899-0A patent/BR9904899A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-03-05 WO PCT/US1999/004822 patent/WO1999045319A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-03-05 KR KR1019997010253A patent/KR20010012301A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1999-03-05 EP EP99909839A patent/EP0980494A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1999-03-05 CN CN99800219A patent/CN1124431C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1999-03-05 JP JP54506099A patent/JP2001526609A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US5624175A (en) * | 1993-08-13 | 1997-04-29 | Icc Corporation | Bicycle safety light |
US5418697A (en) * | 1994-09-19 | 1995-05-23 | Chiou; Danny | Signal lamp assembly for bicycles |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7697893B2 (en) | 2004-06-18 | 2010-04-13 | Nokia Corporation | Techniques for ad-hoc mesh networking |
CN105042479A (en) * | 2015-08-27 | 2015-11-11 | 孙嘉济 | Delay air bag illuminating lamp for children and charging device of lamp |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN1124431C (en) | 2003-10-15 |
BR9904899A (en) | 2000-07-04 |
KR20010012301A (en) | 2001-02-15 |
CN1262732A (en) | 2000-08-09 |
JP2001526609A (en) | 2001-12-18 |
EP0980494A1 (en) | 2000-02-23 |
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