Wearable reflective device

A wearable reflective device. The wearable reflective device includes a mirror, a base and a strap. The strap is attached to the base for securing the device to a user. The mirror is connected to the base by a pivotal element and a rotational element, wherein the pivotal element is configured to allow the mirror to pivot along a first plane, the rotational element configured to allow the mirror and pivotal element to rotate in a second plane. The first plane is substantially orthogonal to the second plane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a U.S. national stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT/AU2012/001314, filed on Oct. 26, 2012 and published as WO2013/059880 A1 on May 2, 2013, which claims priority to Australian application no. 2011904457, filed on Oct. 27, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to safety devices, and in particular, although not exclusively, to a wearable reflective device.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Cycling is a popular sport and pastime, and cycling as a means of transportation has become popular due to environmental and financial factors. Riding to work in city environments, in traffic and on busy pathways can, however, be hazardous.

A cyclist can improve his or her safety by having knowledge of their surroundings and by predicting behaviour of others. This can include being aware of vehicles or other cyclists that are approaching them from behind. Similarly, when racing, knowledge of a competitor's position can form an integral part of a cycling strategy.

It is thus common for cyclists to periodically turn their heads to look behind them. However looking back in this way has several disadvantages. Firstly, a cyclist's vision is completely taken off the path on which they are travelling. This can, for example, increase the risk of frontal collisions. Secondly, it is difficult for a cyclist to maintain a straight riding position as the cyclist is typically unable to rotate his or her head 180 degrees without shoulder movement.

Attempts have been made to reduce the disadvantages of the prior art through the use of rear view mirrors.

There exists rear view mirrors of the prior art that are designed to be mounted directly to a bicycle handlebar. Such mirrors are attached to the handlebars by an extended arm, so that the mirror is raised to a suitable position.

A problem with handlebar mounted mirrors is that they are unsteady and are blurred by vibrations of the bicycle, for example on a rough surface such as a typical road. A further problem with handlebar mounted mirrors, is that they are bulky because of the extended arm, and accordingly are both prone to damage and prone to cause injury to the cyclist and/or others in the event of an accident.

Furthermore, there exist mirrors that are designed to be mounted to a cyclist's helmet. A problem with such helmet mounted mirrors is that they require the use of certain types of helmets and/or require modification to a helmet. Additionally, the helmet mounted mirrors can impair movement of a cyclist and cause further injury in case of an accident.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved safety device.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of some embodiments of the present invention to provide consumers with improvements and advantages over the above described prior art, and/or overcome and alleviate one or more of the above described disadvantages of the prior art, and/or provide a useful commercial choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect, the invention resides in a wearable reflective device including:a mirror;a base; anda strap attached to the base for securing the device to a user;the mirror connected to the base by a pivotal element and a rotational element, wherein:the pivotal element is configured to allow the mirror to pivot along a first plane, the rotational element configured to enable the mirror and pivotal element to rotate in a second plane, the first plane being substantially orthogonal to the second plane.

Preferably, the strap is adjustable to fit a user.

Preferably, the mirror comprises a polished aluminium surface.

Preferably, the pivotal element comprises a hinge.

Preferably, the rotational element comprises an annular channel along which one or more protrusions can travel.

Preferably, the one or more protrusions comprise an annular protrusion.

Preferably, the base comprises a cavity for receiving the reflective surface.

Preferably, the strap comprises a sleeve for receiving a medical information sheet.

Preferably, the strap includes an identifier identifying a presence of the medical information sheet.

Preferably, the strap is attached to the base using a hook and loop fastener and a channel of the base.

Preferably, the strap defines a plurality of apertures, extending from a first side of the strap to a second side of the strap.

Preferably, a lower surface of the base is curved.

Preferably, the base comprises a plurality of hexagonal apertures.

According to a second aspect, the invention resides in a wearable reflective device including:a mirror;a base comprising a cavity for receiving the mirror; anda coupling member, connecting the mirror to the base, the coupling member enabling the mirror to move between first and second positions, the reflective surface protected by the cavity in the first position and exposed in the second position.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that minor deviations from the layout of components as illustrated in the drawings will not detract from the proper functioning of the disclosed embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention comprise wearable reflective devices. Elements of the invention are illustrated in concise outline form in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are necessary to the understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, but so as not to clutter the disclosure with excessive detail that will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the present description.

In this patent specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, front and back, top and bottom, etc., are used solely to define one element or method step from another element or method step without necessarily requiring a specific relative position or sequence that is described by the adjectives. Words such as “comprises” or “includes” are not used to define an exclusive set of elements or method steps. Rather, such words merely define a minimum set of elements or method steps included in a particular embodiment of the present invention.

According to one aspect, the invention resides in a wearable reflective device including: a mirror; a base; and a strap attached to the base for securing the device to a user; the mirror connected to the base by a pivotal element and a rotational element, wherein: the pivotal element is configured to allow the mirror to pivot along a first plane, the rotational element configured to enable the mirror and pivotal element to rotate in a second plane, the first plane being substantially orthogonal to the second plane.

Advantages of certain embodiments of the present invention include an ability for a cyclist to view an environment behind them, without needing to turn their head or remove focus from their travelling direction for any substantial time, with increased visibility due to reduced vibration, and thus increased safety. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the present invention enable compact storage of the mirror when not in use, while retaining certain settings, such as angle of use, to enable simple and fast reconfiguration of the mirror when used again.

FIG. 1illustrates a wearable reflective device100for mounting to an arm of a user, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The wearable reflective device100includes a mirror105, which enables the user to view objects out of their ordinary line of sight, by means of reflection. The mirror105can, for example, comprise a polished aluminium surface, reflective plastic, glass with a reflective backing, or any other suitable material.

The mirror105can be substantially flat, or can be convex in one or more directions. A convex mirror105has an advantage of enabling a wider field of view than a flat reflective surface, but has a disadvantage of distorting the field of view.

The mirror105is fixedly mounted to a cover110, which is pivotally attached to a rotational element115by a hinge120. The cover110includes a lip127, which enables the user to lift the cover110to a suitable position. The cover110is releasably engagable into a base125or the rotational element115by a compressible lip or tabs (not shown), such that the cover110‘clicks’ shut.

The mirror105is mounted to an inner surface of the cover110, such that the mirror105is enclosed by the cover110and the base125when the cover110is shut. Furthermore, when shut, the cover110is substantially flush with a base125, and thus is protected from damage and from being caught on or injuring someone or something.FIG. 2illustrates the wearable reflective device100with the cover110shut.

According to certain embodiments, the base125includes a cavity (not shown) which surrounds the cover110when shut, thus further protecting the mirror105and cover110from damage.

The base125can, for example, comprise injection moulded plastics, rubber or the like.

The wearable reflective device100further includes a strap130, for securing the wearable reflective device100to an arm of the user. The strap130is for threading through a channel135of the base125and forms a sleeve together with the base125in which the users arm resides. The strap130can, for example, be one to two centimeters wide, as illustrated, to provide a compact design, or several centimeters wide, such as 10 cm wide, to provide stability when worn.

As discussed further below, the strap130comprises a hook and loop fastener which enables the strap130to be attached to itself. However, according to alternative embodiments, the strap130can comprise a buckle, or an elastic sleeve through which the users arm resides.

By pulling an end140of the strap130through the channel135, the user is able to adjust a diameter of the sleeve which is formed by the strap130, and thus adjust a size of the sleeve to suit the user.

According to certain embodiments, the strap130is sized to fit to an arm proper (brachium), also known as the upper arm, of the user. According to other embodiments, the strap130is sized to fit a forearm (antebrachium) or wrist (carpus) of the user. According to yet further embodiments, the wearable reflective device100comprises several interchangeable straps130to suit different applications.

FIG. 3illustrates an exploded view of the wearable reflective device100.

As discussed above, the rotational element115enables the cover110to rotate relative to the base125. This is achieved by an annular channel205in the base125to which an annular protrusion210of the rotational element115fits, such that the annular protrusion210travels along the annular channel205when rotated.

The rotational element115and the hinge120are able to function independently of each other. For example, the cover110can be raised and lowered by the hinge120without rotating the rotational element115. A portion of the hinge120is formed by the rotational element115, and thus rotates with rotation of the rotational element115.

The rotational element115and the base125are separated by an o-ring215, which provides smooth movement of the rotational element115with respect to the base125. The o-ring215can be used to separate the base125and the rotational element115to avoid unwanted friction between the base125and the rotational element115, and/or bias the rotational element115against the annular channel205, to avoid unintentional rotation of the rotational element115, for example from vibration.

Through use of the hinge120and the rotational element115, the cover110, and thus the mirror105, is able to be positioned such that a suitable field of view is reflected to the user. In the case of bicycle riding, it is advantageous to have a field of view reflected that corresponds to a view behind the user, particularly when changing lanes. However, in other uses, it may be advantageous to set a field of view to, for example, correspond to a side of the user, above or below the user.

The hinge120provides a means to pivot the mirror105in a first plane, and the rotational element115enables rotation of the mirror105in a second plane. As the first and second planes are orthogonal, or substantially orthogonal to each other, the mirror105can be positioned in a wide range of positions. The hinge120provides vertical movement whereas the rotational element115enables 360 degree rotation.

A user is able to initially set the field of view using both the rotational element115and the hinge120, and subsequently simply open and close the cover110without having to later adjust the rotational element115. This enables the user to quickly shut and open the wearable reflective device100while being able to retain a rotational configuration of the wearable reflective device100.

The strap130comprises a plurality of perforations220, enabling air and moisture to flow through the strap130. Furthermore, the strap130can be made of breathable, moisture permeable material, such that moisture is not trapped between a users skin and the strap130.

According to certain embodiments, the wearable reflective device100further comprises a medical information sheet225, for providing Emergency Contact details of the user. The medical information sheet225can comprise an ICE (In Case of Emergency) identification tag, and can include allergen information, or any other relevant information.

The medical information sheet225can include handwritten information, or be pre-printed with information relevant to the user.

The strap130comprises a pocket, described further below, for receiving the medical information sheet225. According to certain embodiments, the strap130is marked with an indicator, e.g. a “+”, to indicate presence of the medical information sheet225.

As will be readily understood by a person skilled in the art, alternative embodiments can includes a rotational element that includes an annular channel in which one or more protrusions of a base can travel. Similarly, the rotational element115need not have the annular protrusion210, but instead one or more protrusions can be present which restrict movement of the rotational element to rotation within the annular channel205.

FIG. 4aillustrates a top perspective view of the wearable reflective device100, andFIG. 4billustrates a bottom perspective view of the reflective device100, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

A lower surface405of the base125is honeycomb shaped and forms a plurality of hexagonal apertures410, which reduces weight while maintaining strength and rigidity of the wearable reflective device100. Furthermore, the hexagonal apertures410allow for air to flow through and under the base125, preventing moisture from being trapped under the base125.

The lower surface405of the base is curved to fit to a curve of a users arm. The curvature of the lower surface405also provides stability to the wearable reflective device100when worn.

FIG. 5aillustrates a top view of a strap500,FIG. 5billustrates a bottom view of the strap500andFIG. 5cillustrates an enlarged side view of an end portion of the strap500, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 5a, the strap500comprises a plurality of perforations505, for providing further breathability to the strap500.

The strap comprises a hook fastener layer510at each end of the strap500and a loop fastener layer515in a central portion of the strap500. Hooks of the hook fastener layer510attach to loops of the loop fastener layer515, as is well understood in the art of hook and loop fasteners.

Referring toFIG. 5b, the strap500includes a pocket520, similar to the pocket described with reference toFIG. 3, for receiving the medical information sheet225. The pocket520is formed between layers of the strap500, as described further below.

The strap500further includes a medical information identifier525in the form of a Medical Cross (“+”), which indicates presence of the medical information sheet225.

Referring now toFIG. 5c, the strap500comprises a first layer530and a second layer535. The first layer530and the second layer535can comprise woven nylon layers which are bonded together, using thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). According to certain embodiments, the first layer530and the second layer535comprise different colours.

The pocket520comprises an opening between the first layer530and the second layer535. The pocket520is advantageously formed when the first layer530is bonded to the second layer535, by leaving a portion of the first layer530free of, i.e. not bonded to, the second layer535, said portion forming the pocket.

As illustrated inFIG. 5c, the hook fastener layer510is bonded to the first layer530as is the loop fastener layer515. The first layer530and the second layer535are each approximately 0.5 mm thick. The hook fastener layer510is also approximately 0.5 mm thick, whereas the loop fastener layer515is approximately 1.3 mm thick. As will be readily understood by the skilled addressee, other thicknesses may also be suitable/desirable, depending on the particular application.

While the above described wearable reflective device100has been described in the context of cycling, a person of skill in the art will readily understand that the wearable reflective device100can be used in the context of kayaking, rowing, or any other suitable sport or activity.

In summary, advantages of the present invention include an ability for a cyclist to view an environment behind them, without needing to turn their head or remove focus from their travelling direction for any substantial time, with increased visibility due to reduced vibration, and increased safety. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the present invention enable compact storage of the mirror when not in use, while retaining certain settings, such as angle of use, to enable simple and fast reconfiguration of the mirror when used again. Furthermore, certain embodiments of the present invention enable medical or emergency information to be stored in the device in case of emergency.