Abstract:
Signal indicating lights with a left turn right turn and hazard indicator lighting structure built into or attached to a cyclist helmet remotely controlled or automatically controlled through a cycle system. The remote comes three forms, a connection unit with that assembles to the cycle turn system. A wireless battery operated version with four indicator control buttons and a motorized electronically attached to a cycle with connection wires version.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The subject patent application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/849,794 filed on Oct. 6, 2006 and is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention is directed to an indicator lighting system for use with bicycle and motorcycle helmets.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     Safety is an important concern for most bicycle and motorcycle riders. Many states and localities already require helmet use by motorcycle riders and children. Many adults also wear helmets when riding their bicycle by choice. In an effort to be more visible, some bicycle riders have added a flashing light to their helmet, but motorcycle helmets and bicycle helmets are not currently manufactured with lighting systems built in and the supplemental lights for bicycle helmets are limited to a single flashing light. Therefore, it can be seen that there is a need for an improved lighting system for bicycle and motorcycle helmets to improve safety for riders.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     An object of the invention to provide a helmet signal system for use with motorcycle and bicycle helmets.  
         [0005]     Another object of the invention is to provide a remote control switch system for a motorcycle and bicycle helmet lighting system.  
         [0006]     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a signal system for helmets that can be installed on a helmet.  
         [0007]     Still another object of the invention is to provide a signal system which can be installed during the manufacture of a helmet to create an integrated helmet and signal system.  
         [0008]     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a handlebar mounted control system for operating the helmet signal system.  
         [0009]     Still another object of the invention is to provide a remote control signal emitter in the handlebar mounted control system;  
         [0010]     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a remote control signal receiver in the signal system attached to the helmet, and;  
         [0011]     Another object of the invention is to provide a power source in the signal emitter and in the signal receiver for transmitting and receiving the remote control signal and for activating the light sources on the helmet.  
         [0012]     In summary, the helmet signal system is a battery or electronically operated lighting indication system for a cyclist helmet, that when used can indicate a designated left turn, right turn, stop, or distress of a cyclist to motorist, pedestrians and other cyclist. The helmet signal system, functions with a battery or electronically operated, wireless handgrip remote control, attachable to the handgrip of a cycle, with a metal or plastic strap that wraps around the handgrip and tightens with a nut and bolt screw, from the side of the strap around the handle grip, back to the remote control unit. The helmet signal system may also function through the already existing turn control system on a motorized cycle. The indicator lights are attachable units to the cyclist helmet and can also be built into a helmet at construction with a wireless battery operated or electrical connection to a cycle&#39;s turn signal system or to the helmet signal&#39;s handle grip, depress style, press button remote control. The helmet signal system is created as an added safety feature for traditional cyclist helmets in that the added lighting feature that has been non-existent in traditional form will help save the lives of cyclist in case of accidents on and off public roads. The helmet signal system creates more visibility for the user&#39;s upper part of the body while riding. If the cyclist has fallen, the distress signal portion of the helmet signal system will alert oncoming traffic and pedestrians of an accident. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1A  shows a handlebar mounted remote control unit for a helmet mounted signal system.  
         [0014]      FIG. 1B  shows a front face of the remote control unit of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 1C  shows the back face of the remote control unit of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 1D  shows an alternative embodiment of the remote control unit.  
         [0017]      FIG. 2A  shows a preferred embodiment of indicator lights for use with a helmet attached signal system.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2B  shows an alternative embodiment of indicator lights for use with a helmet attached signal system.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3A  illustrates indicator lights attached to a helmet.  
         [0020]      FIG. 3B  illustrates the indicator light system of  FIG. 3A  built into a helmet.  
         [0021]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an alternative embodiment of an indicator light system attached to a helmet.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4B  illustrates the indicator light system of  FIG. 4A  built into a helmet.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5A  is front view of the helmet of  FIG. 4B .  
         [0024]      FIG. 5B  is front view of the helmet of  FIG. 3A .  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     As shown in  FIG. 1A  is a battery operated wireless handgrip remote control unit  10  with a strap  12  formed preferably of steel, but may be formed of suitable plastic material that wraps around the hand grip  14  of a handlebar  16  and is connected preferably by a nut  18  and bolt  20 . Preferably the control unit  10  is about a 1½×3½ inch rectangular curved shape box.  
         [0026]     As shown in  FIG. 1B  is the front face  22  of the handgrip remote control unit  10 , displaying four function buttons; on-off button  24 , red hazard button  26 , stop-pause button  28  and left turn-right turn button  30 . Depressing the on-off button  24  once will turn on the unit  10  and depressing button  26  a second time will turn it off the unit  10 . Depressing the left turn-right turn button  30  once indicates a left turn and depressing button  30  once again will turn it off. Depressing the button  30  twice indicates a right turn and depressing button  30  once again will turn it off.  
         [0027]     Now looking to  FIG. 1C , the back side  32  of control unit  10  is removeable to access the circuitry and battery compartment  34 . The back side  32  is preferably retained by two removeable screws  36 .  
         [0028]     As shown in  FIG. 1D , an alternative embodiment of a control unit  40  is shown having a face  42  having on-off  44  and distress  46  indicator buttons with connection wires  48  for connection to the wiring of a motorized cycle (not shown).  
         [0029]     Now with reference to  FIG. 2A , a left turn indicator light  50 , a right turn indicator light  52  and a center indicator light  54  are shown. The indicator lights  50 ,  52 , and  54  may be separated and wirelessly operated and can be either attachable, i.e. purchased as a kit and installed onto an existing helmet or built into a helmet during its manufacture. If each indicator light  50 ,  52 , and  54  is separate and wirelessly operated then each light requires a power source such as a battery  56  and wireless signal receiver  58 . The battery  56  is preferably retained within a cover  60  which is attached by either a friction fit or by screws  62 .  
         [0030]     Now with reference to  FIG. 2B , the indicator lights  64  include a left light  66  and right light  68  which are separated and wireless and can either be attachable or built into the helmet  70  during manufacture. The left and right indicator lights  66  and  68 , respectively preferably include an approximately 3½ inch extended section  72  and  74 . The indicator lights  66  and  68  further preferably include a cover  76  to enclose wireless circuitry, light bulbs and battery compartment. An access plate  78  is preferably located on the bottom  80  for access to the battery and the plate  78  can be held in place by two screws  82  and  84  or other suitable connection means.  
         [0031]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a rear view of indicator lights  86  attached to a wrap-around helmet  88  and includes indicator lights  92 ,  94  and  96  connected by a electronic connector  98  such as a wire. In this embodiment, one of the indicator lights  92 ,  94  and  96  would include a power source (not shown) such as a battery, and a wireless signal receiver (not shown) which would activate the indicator lights  92 ,  94  and  96 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 3B  illustrates the embodiment of  FIG. 3A  when the indicator lights  92 ,  94  and  96  are built with the helmet  88  as a unit. Each of the indicator lights  92 ,  94  and  96  are preferably accessible by removing its respective cover  100 ,  102  and  104  which may be attached by screws  105  or other suitable means. The indicator lights  92 ,  94  and  96  are preferably electronically connected by a suitable conductor such as a wire (not shown) which would be inside the shell of the helmet  88 .  
         [0033]      FIG. 4A  is a rear view of a helmet  106  having an indicator light  108  shown with an optional approximately 3½ inch extended section attached to the left and right rear sections  110  and  112 , respectively of the indicator light  108  with a compartment  114  for retaining wireless circuitry, light bulb change and a power source. A removeable cover  116  is located over the compartment  114  for permitting access thereto and may be attached by a suitable attachment devices such as screws  118 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 4B  is a rear view of the helmet  106  having the integrated indicator light  108  built into the helmet.  
         [0035]      FIG. 5A  is the front view of the helmet  106  having the integrated indicator light  108 .  
         [0036]      FIG. 5B  shows the front view of the helmet  88 .  
         [0037]     While the foregoing lighting systems have been described as preferably being used with a wireless transmitter, it should be understood that a wired system may also be used.  
         [0038]     While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, uses and/or adaptations of the invention following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains and as maybe applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention and the limits of the appended claims.