Abstract:
A modular electroluminescent lighting kit to apply to a bicycle, car, or other vehicle for increased safety, visibility and design style. The kit is comprised of a battery driver which can be further powered by solar or kinetic devices, an EL wire or other illuminated filament configuration that conforms to the frame of the bicycle or form of the vehicle interior/exterior taking into account the areas of said vehicles that have moving parts. The kit includes basic or custom brackets to affix the wires in place in any design configuration that pleases the end user. The kit may be designed to be upgradable in modular stages and including but not limited to LED devices, motion sensing stand-alone wheel lighting, or plastic molded mountable lighting devices.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is referencing a continuation of Provisional application No. 61/153,280 filed Feb. 17, 2009 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    n/a 
       REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING 
       [0003]    n/a 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Bicycle enthusiasts and children alike have a need to be lit up at night for visibility and safety. In some areas this is not just a safety concern but an issue of legal compliance. Custom car enthusiasts and average drivers both enjoy lighting elements that set them apart from the crowd. The lighting devices that are currently on the market are largely LED, or gas neon tubes. Although there exists “plug and play” EL wire units that come with a battery inverter and a length of EL wire, said “plug and play” kits do not take into account certain elements that the present invention overcomes by its configuration and/or modular ability to be expandable. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The first obstacle overcome by the present invention is to conform the EL wire or illuminated filament to the unique design of a bicycle frame or the interior/exterior of a car. A single wire cannot be easily wound around the entirety of the surface a vehicle owner may want to light. The present invention solves this by providing a circuit that splits lengths of EL wire or illuminated filament to correspond to specific areas of a bicycle frame or car interior/exterior. The circuit splits are done in a modular fashion combining at connection points to allow customization and expansion. 
         [0006]    The second obstacle overcome by the present invention is that vehicles have moving parts, such as the steering column and shocks on a bicycle, and the doors and steering wheel on a car. EL wire is durable but will break and disintegrate if applied in these high movement areas. This obstacle is overcome by the present invention by combining the connection points that make the present invention modular with the high movement areas as the connection points are flexible lead wire and can be long enough to provide proper slack depending on the nature of the vehicle area. 
         [0007]    The third obstacle taken into account in the present invention is weather. Standard EL wire is water resistant, but standard EL wire connectors are not and will short circuit if for example: bicycling in the rain or in outdoor storage conditions. The present invention solves this obstacle by using waterproofed connectors or by applying a method of waterproofing to standard connections. 
         [0008]    A fourth issue solved by the present invention is attaching the EL wire to the bicycle frame or car interior/exterior. Several methods of bracket systems are set forth by the present invention that can be adapted in a variety of ways to achieve just about any design element wished to be illuminated in EL wire. The brackets can be adapted to be specific shapes and designs or logos, or be open ended for the end user to design their own shapes. These brackets can be attached to the bicycle frame or car in a number of ways. 
         [0009]    Any user of the prior art will see how the present invention solves the obstacles set forth and the scope of modification while staying within the spirit of the invention. 
         [0010]    Furthermore, although the focus of the invention is the easy application of electroluminescent lights to a vehicle, the modular nature, the configuration, and bracket system may make the current invention applicable to a multitude of surfaces defined only by the end users imagination. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DISCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is a typical bicycle frame. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of the present invention, preferred embodiment to fit bicycle frame. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a bicycle wheel with a schematic of an embodiment of the invention in a spiral to fit bicycle tire. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a bicycle wheel with a schematic of an embodiment of the invention in a radial to fit bicycle tire. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a large view of a bracket  117  designed to clip EL wire to a bicycle spoke. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an overview of a car interior and a schematic of an embodiment o f the invention designed to fit a car interior. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a car steering wheel and a schematic of an embodiment of the invention designed to fit a car steering wheel. 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a bracket designed to keep EL wires in place on a bicycle frame, two views. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a bracket designed to keep EL wires in a fixed straight channel with an adhesive surface, two views. 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a bracket designed to bend EL wires in a fixed angle channel with an adhesive surface, two views. 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a bracket designed to bend EL wires in a variety of fixed angles, or to cross two wires in a fixed cross channel with an adhesive surface, two views. 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a bracket designed to bend EL wires in a variety of fixed shapes and designs, with a variety of wire clips or fixed channels, two views. Designed to fit a bicycle frame or dashboard. 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a bracket designed as a bicycle grip, with fixed channels to hold EL wire. Two designs. 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a molded design of a possible embodiment of a bracket system containing an array of LED&#39;s and EL wires extruding from it. 
           [0025]      FIG. 15  is a molded design of a possible embodiment of a bracket system containing EL wire wound inside and extruding to frame mold shape. 
           [0026]      FIG. 16  is a molded design of a possible embodiment of a bracket system containing an array of LED&#39;s and EL wires wound inside a transparent or translucent mold shape. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0027]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of the basic sections of a bicycle frame. It is intended to be viewed in tandem with  FIG. 2  to reference what sections of the present invention correspond to specific sections of the bicycle frame.  101  is the area under a bicycle seat, or a typical seat pack designed to strap under a bicycle seat.  102  is the top bar of a bicycle frame. Although depicted is a male bike, it is referencing the corresponding bar on a female bicycle frame as well.  103  are the handle bars and steering column on a bicycle frame.  104  are the front shocks and front wheel frame bars of a bicycle.  105  is the bottom bar of the mainframe of a bicycle.  106  are the back shocks and back wheel frame bars of a bicycle.  107  is a reference to both tires on a bicycle. 
         [0028]      FIG. 2  is a schematic of the preferred embodiment of the invention.  111  represents a length of EL wire or illuminated filament.  108  represents a solar cell or kinetic generator.  109  represents the battery storage and electrical inverter.  108  and  109  would fit on the bicycle at section  101   FIG. 1  inside a weatherproof seat pack or weatherproofed in a unit together and clipped under bicycle seat frame.  110  represents the symbol used in the schematic for a water resistant male/female coupling connector.  112  represents a Y split connector. Said connector starts with a water resistant male connector and takes the single circuit starting at the electrical inverter and splits it to two wires ending in two water resistant female plug ends. The lead wire included in  112  gives extra length to the flexible wire to be positioned at the moving parts of the bicycle frame at sections  106 , 103  and  104  in  FIG. 1. 112  also allows expansion of the circuit to two new sections. In this preferred embodiment the first instance of  112  splits the circuit into section  113  and  114 .  113  is a section starting with a water resistant male connector end then splits into two circuits each including several inches of lead wire then ending in a length of EL wire with a water resistant cap at the end.  113  is intended to be attached to the two back bicycle wheel frame bars of section  106  in  FIG. 1. 114  is a section starting with a water resistant male connector end then splits to two circuits each including several inches of lead wire then continuing in a length of EL wire with a water resistant female connector at the end of each EL wire. The two lengths of EL wire in section  114  could be different lengths and not both EL wires need to end in a female connector, but instead one could be just a water proof cap.  114  is intended to be secured to the bicycle frame at sections  102  and  105  of  FIG. 1  but can be arranged as determined by the end user keeping in mind moving parts of the bicycle frame. At least one female connector end of  114  is intended to be secured near the steering column of the bicycle frame  103   FIG. 1  so that the next instance of a Y split connector  112  can be secured with enough slack for the steering to not be impeded and to split the circuit to accompany sections  115  and  116 . Sections  115  and  116  are similar in circuit to each other and  113 . They all split the current from a water resistant male connector end to two circuits each including several inches of lead wire then ending in a length of EL wire with a water resistant cap at the end.  115  is intended to be secured to the bicycle frame front wheel bars  104   FIG. 1. 116  is intended to be secured to each side of the handlebars  103   FIG. 1. 113   115  and  116  could all be the same length of lead wire and EL wire for easy compatibility or could be specifically designed lengths as to conform more precisely to a specific bicycle frame, style, or design. A properly built circuit as described here in  FIG. 2  powered by the appropriate power inverter will light all the EL wire in the circuit brightly and provide enough slack in lead wire areas so as to not interfere with the normal operation of a bicycle. A properly built circuit as described here in  FIG. 2  could be disconnected and reconnected in a variety of ways as determined by the end user, and have additional circuit arrays available to replace or add to the circuit of the preferred embodiment. Any standard or custom clip or bracket that achieves securing the wires in the intended place can be used to secure the present invention to a bicycle frame.  FIG. 8  is the preferred embodiment of a bracket to secure EL wires to a bicycle frame with ease and precision. The electric inverter  109  is graded as by how much wire it can power, and can be upgradable to power further expansions of the present invention and/or as described in the other embodiments in the  FIG. 12 ,  FIG. 13 ,  FIG. 14 ,  FIG. 15 , and  FIG. 16  drawings. Include  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 , and  FIG. 5 , for the full embodiment of the present invention intended to light a bicycle frame. 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is an illustration of a bicycle tire with an embodiment of the invention attached to the spokes in a spiral fashion.  209  is a battery driver inverter powered by small batteries such as watch sizes or AAAs. It is preferred that this driver has a motion detection switch to only light tires when in action as to save battery charge. The battery driver inverter could have any number of effects including but not limited to strobe, flash, or sound activated.  211  is the circuit starting with the battery inverter to several inches of lead wire, ending in a length of EL wire to be enough to arrange in a spiral around the spokes of section  107   FIG. 1 . The end of the EL wire should be weather capped.  117  is a preferred embodiment of a clip channel to attach the EL wire to the spokes securely in the direction intended. Any standard or custom clip or bracket that achieves securing the wires in the intended place can be used to secure present invention to bicycle frame. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a bicycle tire with an embodiment of the invention attached to the spokes in a radial fashion.  209  is a battery driver inverter powered by small batteries such as watch sizes or AAAs. It is preferred that this driver has a motion detection switch to only light tires when in action as to save battery charge. The battery driver inverter could have any number of effects including but not limited to strobe, flash, or sound activated.  311  is the circuit starting at the battery inverter to several inches of lead wire with small sections of EL wire connected to the lead wire every few inches. This is arranged in a fashion as to where the lead wire will be attached from a point near the axle of the tire and extend out each separate length of EL wire along a spoke and the end of each EL wire will attach at a point near the inner wall of the tire in a radial pattern.  117  is a preferred embodiment of a clip channel to attach the EL wire to the spokes securely in the direction intended. Any standard or custom clip or bracket that achieves securing the wires in the intended place can be used to secure present invention to bicycle frame. 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  is a close up view of an example of a preferred embodiment of a bracket designed to clip to a bicycle spoke and fasten an EL wire.  117 A shows a view of the bracket with a channel clip to arrange an EL wire in a straight line.  117 B shows a side view of the bracket featuring a spoke clip on a swivel as to move the direction of the channel clip. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  is a schematic of an embodiment of the present invention adapted to fit a car interior.  208  is a solar panel.  309  is a battery storage and electrical inverter designed to be used standalone, or in conjunction with the car&#39;s battery. This electrical inverter could be a multichannel sequencer or sound activated driver for special effects.  210  is the symbol used throughout the schematic to represent a weather proofed male/female connector coupling.  120  is a length of EL wire to be used on the dashboard area,  121  is a length of EL wire to be used on the interior of the car doors.  122  is a length of EL wire to be used on or around the car seats.  123  is a length of EL wire to be used in, on, or around the car interior center console.  212  is a possible placement for a standard Y split connector.  124  is a length of EL wire to be used on, or around the back seats and back window of the car interior. Extra Y split connectors  212  or extra lengths of wire could be used easily to expand on this basic circuit, or to change out areas for further customization. A simple rearrangement of the circuit of this embodiment could make it appropriate for car exterior use. Any standard or custom clip, adhesive, or bracket that achieves securing the wires in the intended place can be used to secure this embodiment of the present invention to car interior/exterior.  FIG. 9   FIG. 10 .  FIG. 11  and  FIG. 12  are examples of preferred embodiments of brackets that would improve easy installation and customization. 
         [0033]      FIG. 7  is a car steering wheel with a schematic of an embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment includes a battery driver inverter  409  powered by small batteries such as watch batteries or AAAs. It is preferred that this driver has a motion detection switch to only light tires when in action as to save battery charge. The battery driver inverter could have any number of effects including but not limited to strobe, flash, or sound activated. The wire could alternately be powered by the main car electrical inverter  309 ,  FIG. 6  if plenty of lead wire was secured in the proper fashion as to not interfere with driving.  125  is a length of EL wire appropriate to wind around, or attach around, a car steering wheel. 
         [0034]      FIG. 8  is a bracket used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention designed to strap around any section of bicycle frame. This bracket could be made of any durable moldable material.  126  is a clip channel designed with a radius as to secure any standard size of EL wire used by present invention.  126 A is an alternate view of the EL wire clip channel array.  127  is a strap and secure point for the bracket. The strap and secure point can be any such securing method such as: zip tie, hook and loop, button, tab, buckle.  127 A is the same strap and secure point in an alternate view. 
         [0035]      FIG. 9  is a bracket used in an embodiment of the present invention designed to secure an EL wire in a fixed direction onto a car interior surface.  128  is a straight channel clip designed with a radius as to secure any standard size of EL wire used by present invention.  128 A is an alternate view of the straight channel clip.  129  is the flat bottom surface of the bracket to be affixed with an industrial strength adhesive. 
         [0036]      FIG. 10  is a bracket used in an embodiment of the present invention designed to secure and bend EL wires in a fixed angle channel onto a car interior surface.  130  is a fixed angle channel clip designed with a radius as to secure any standard size of EL wire used by present invention.  130 A is an alternate view of the straight channel clip.  129  is the flat bottom surface of the bracket to be affixed with an industrial strength adhesive. 
         [0037]      FIG. 11  is a bracket used in an embodiment of the present invention designed to bend EL wires in a variety of fixed angles, or to cross two wires in a fixed cross channel and secure them to a car interior surface.  131  is a cross channel clip designed with a radius as to secure any standard size of EL wire used by present invention.  131 A is an alternate view of the cross channel clip.  129  is the flat bottom surface of the bracket to be affixed with an industrial strength adhesive. 
         [0038]      FIG. 12  is a bracket used in an embodiment of the present invention designed to bend EL wires  411 ,  411 A in a variety of fixed shapes and designs, with a variety of wire clips or fixed channels  226 , 226 A. Designed to fit a bicycle frame or dashboard the surface shape  132 ,  132 A can be any durable flexible material shaped to fit a bicycle bar in a tubular fashion or flat for a car interior. The surface shape  132  can house the EL wire channel clips  226  in a sturdy fixed way that can affix wires in just about any basic shape or logo depending on placement and number of channel clips  226 . This bracket construct can be attached to a bicycle bar or a car interior by  227 ,  227 A which would be straps and secure points for a bicycle, or suction cups/adhesive surface for a car. Such a bracket could be included as part of an embodiment of the present invention and/or as an expansion unit with EL wire already wired into it, or as a blank design expansion piece for the end user to apply EL wire into the channel clips  226  manually. 
         [0039]      FIG. 13  is a bracket used in an embodiment of the present invention designed as a bicycle grip with fixed channels to hold EL wire  511 . 133  is one design embodiment.  233  is another design embodiment.  134  is an LED element wired at the end of the EL wire  511 . Such an embodiment of the present invention could be included and/or part of an expansion unit. This embodiment would be fashioned as a cushioned bicycle grip with EL wire  511  already embedded in the grip, or with blank channels that the end user could apply EL wire to manually. 
         [0040]      FIG. 14  is a molded design of a possible embodiment of a bracket system containing an array of LED&#39;s  234  and EL wires  611  extruding from it. In this embodiment the molded design is that of a sunflower in a transparent or translucent material. This embodiment of a lighted molded bracket could be included as part of an embodiment of the present invention and/or as an expansion unit. It is designed to be strapped to the handlebars but could be modified to fit another area of a bicycle, dashboard, car interior, or car exterior.  136  is a weather proofed male plug to power the molded bracket and is designed to plug into any of the weather proofed female plugs in any other part of the present invention. 
         [0041]      FIG. 15  is a molded design of a possible embodiment of a bracket system containing EL wires  711  extruding from it in select places so as to outline the mouth and eyes only of an alien head. In this embodiment the design is molded in an opaque, transparent or translucent material. This embodiment of a lighted molded bracket could be included as part of an embodiment of the present invention and/or as an expansion unit. It is designed to be strapped to the handlebars but could be modified to fit another area of a bicycle, dashboard, car interior, or car exterior.  136  is a weather proofed male plug to power the molded bracket and is designed to plug into any of the weather proofed female plugs in any other part of the present invention. 
         [0042]      FIG. 16  is a molded design of a possible embodiment of a bracket system containing an array of LED&#39;s  334  and EL wires  811  molded into it. In this embodiment the molded design is that of a skull and crossbones in a transparent or translucent material. The LEDs  334  are to light up the eyes and the EL wire lights up the mold from the inside. This embodiment of a lighted molded bracket could be included as part of an embodiment of the present invention and/or as an expansion unit. It is designed to be strapped to the handlebars but could be modified to fit another area of a bicycle, dashboard, car interior, or car exterior.  136  is a weather proofed male plug to power the molded bracket and is designed to plug into any of the weather proofed female plugs in any other part of the present invention. 
         [0043]    While the present invention has been described in what are presently considered to be its most practical and preferred embodiments or implementations, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed hereinabove. On the contrary, the present invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the claims included, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as are permitted under the law.