Bell for a bicycle

A bell for a bicycle comprises a mounting bracket for securing the bell to a bicycle handle bar, a striker moveably attached to the mounting bracket, and an arcuate shaped ringer supported outwardly and spaced from the mounting bracket by suspension means that allow the ringer to reverberate when struck by the striker.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a bell, and more particularly although not exclusively, to a bell that is securable to a bicycle handle bar.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In many jurisdictions, bells are a required piece of equipment for a bicycle. A bicycle bell is typically mounted to a handle bar of the bicycle and is hand actuated. A well-known bicycle bell includes a generally circular mounting bracket that is securable about the handle bar. A generally hemispherical metal bell housing is connected to the mounting bracket. The bicycle bell has a thumb-operated lever that is geared to rapidly rotate a plurality of loosely slung metal discs inside the metal bell housing. The metal discs strike the inside surface of the metal bell housing to produce a sound. Another known, and somewhat simpler, bicycle bell includes a similar mounting bracket and hemispherical metal bell housing. An externally located spring-mounted striker or clapper is used rather than internal metal discs. Bicycle bells of this sort are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,756 and UK patent application no. 2445376.

Prior bicycle bell designs suffer from certain deficiencies. For example, due to the fact that the bell housing sits proudly of the handle bar, the bicycle bell may be aerodynamically inefficient and aesthetically unpleasing. For many user's, space on the handle bar is at a premium, due to the introduction of handle bar mounted computers and tracking devices. Furthermore, cable management, such as for gear and/or brake lines, may be troublesome, as they are routed around the protruding bell housing. Additionally, due to the protruding nature of the bell housing, the bicycle bell may interfere with the correct and safe operation of the bicycle, for example, by catching on the clothing of the bicyclist.

An object of the present invention is to overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the disadvantages of prior bicycle bells, or to at least provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention provides a bell for a bicycle, including:

a mounting bracket for securing the bell to a bicycle handle bar;

a striker moveably attached to the mounting bracket; and

an arcuate shaped ringer supported outwardly and spaced from the mounting bracket by suspension means that allow the ringer to reverberate when struck by the striker.

The ringer may be formed from a length of material bent into an arcuate shape to make a section of a circle. Alternatively, the ringer may be formed from any suitable manufacturing method, such as casting the material into the arcuate shape, machining or CNC cutting.

The arcuate shape of the ringer is such that it may extend about a portion of the circumference of the handle bar. Typically the ringer may extend about an arc that is greater than 180 degrees, but is preferably 220 degrees, and therefore a major arc. However, it will be appreciated that the arc may be a minor arc and may be between 90 degrees and 180 degrees. The outside radius of curvature of the ringer may be in the range of approximately 15 to 35 mm, more preferably 18 to 24.5 mm. The thickness of the ringer may be in the range of 0.5 to 20 mm, but is preferably between 3 to 6 mm.

The outer surface of the ringer may be substantially flat or may be convex.

The ringer is preferably made from a metal or metal alloy. For example, the ringer may be steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper or titanium. The surface finish of the material of the ringer may be natural, painted, anodised, debossed and/or engraved, plated with material such as gold, silver or copper, or any other suitable finish.

The ringer can be supported by one or more suspension means. Two or more suspension means may be spaced apart along the length of the ringer. In one embodiment, the suspension means may include one or more pins projecting outwardly from the surface of the mounting bracket. A spring is provided about the pin and connected at an outer end to the ringer. The spring holds the ringer a distance away from the mounting bracket. The spring and pin can project in a direction that is normal to the curve of the ringer and mounting bracket surface.

The suspension means are preferably flexible or resilient, such that they allow the ringer to reverberate when struck by the striker. Suitable suspension means may be compression or leaf springs, or foam, silicone, felt, mesh or cloth pads.

The mounting bracket is such that it can be removably mounted to a bicycle handle bar or other similar structure. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket is a generally circular loop having two ends that can be fastened together. Any suitable fastening device may be used, such as a nut and bolt, a latch or a hose clamp fixing. The mounting bracket loop may be flexible or semi-rigid. The loop could be made from plastic, for example Nylon®, a composite such as carbon fibre, leather, steel, aluminium, brass, copper or combinations of materials such as metal over-moulded with plastic or silicon.

The mounting bracket may be shaped such that, when positioned on a handle bar, a void is created adjacent one section of the handle bar. This accommodates bicycle cables, such as gear and/or brake cables, to be positioned underneath the mounting bracket.

One or more locating pins may be provided that extend outwardly from the mounting bracket outer surface into a depression or recess created in the underside surface of the ringer. In normal use, the locating pin does not contact the inside surface of the recess. However, if the ringer is moved sideways about the suspension means, the locating pin will prevent further movement.

The striker may be of any suitable shape. In one embodiment, the striker is a hammer striker that is pivotally connected to the mounting bracket. Biasing means in the form of a spring may be provided to return the striker to a resting position such that it is spaced off the ringer surface. The striker is able to be pulled outwardly against the bias and when released will pivot past the resting position, coming into contact with the ringer. This results in reverberation of the ringer, creating a bell sound.

In an alternative embodiment, the striker may be a sliding striker, such that it is positioned adjacent an end of the ringer. The striker is able to move about the circumference of the mounting bracket, by being pulled away from the end of the ringer against a biasing means, when released striking the end surface of the arcuate ringer.

The strikers may be made from any suitable material for the particular arcuate ringer material used. Examples of suitable striker material may be plastic, such as Nylon®, a composite such as carbon fibre, wood, alloys, steels, brass, copper, or plastics with metal inserts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1A and 1B, there is shown a bell10for a bicycle that includes a generally circular mounting bracket12, a striker14, and an arcuate shaped ringer16. The striker14is moveably attached to the mounting bracket12, such that it can be retracted by a user and released to strike the ringer16. The ringer16is supported outwardly and spaced from the mounting bracket12by suspension means18that allow the ringer16to reverberate when struck by the striker14. Advantageously, the mounting bracket12is dimensioned so as to be removably mounted about a handle bar100of a bicycle (seeFIGS. 3 and 5) in the manner described below. As shown throughout the figures, the bell10has a relatively lower profile as compared to prior bicycle bells, thereby resulting in a pleasing aesthetic design that is relatively aerodynamically efficient.

As shown in greater detail inFIG. 2, the mounting bracket12comprises a generally circular loop20having adjacent opposed ends20aand20b. The mounting bracket12is semi-rigid or flexible so as to allow the ends20a,20bto be flexed over a cylindrical handle bar100when mounting or unmounting the bell10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the mounting bracket12comprises a resiliently flexible plastic, but could alternatively comprise carbon fibre, leather, steel, aluminium, brass, copper, or any other suitable material.

The ends20a,20bof the circular loop20are adapted to be fastened together by any suitable means known to those skilled in the art. In the illustrated embodiment, the ends20a,20bare outwardly extending generally rectangular flanges that include aligned through-holes22a,22brespectively. The through-holes22a,22bare configured to threadingly receive a bolt24, which is secured by a square nut26. Square nut26is slidingly received through a complementary slot28having an opening on an inside surface30of the circular loop20. Slot28, located adjacent the mounting bracket end20a, merges with through-hole22a, thereby ensuring that ends20a,20bare releasably fastened when bolt24is threaded therethrough.

The generally circular loop20of the mounting bracket12has a first arcuate portion21aspanning an arc of approximately 220 degrees and being dimensioned so as to fit snugly about a cylindrical bicycle handle bar100(FIG. 3). In one embodiment, the first arcuate portion21ahas an inside diameter of approximately 31.8 mm to accommodate a standard size bicycle handle bar. In another embodiment, the first arcuate portion has an inside diameter of approximately 22.2 mm to accommodate a smaller size bicycle handle bar. It will be appreciated that the size could be varied to accommodate different sized bars for different applications. The generally circular loop20also has a second outwardly projecting arcuate portion21bspanning an arc of approximately 140 degrees. The arcuate portion21bis dimensioned so as to define a generally dovetail shaped void23that is appropriately sized to receive one or more bicycle cables, such as gear and/or brake cables25a,25b. Advantageously therefore, the bell10may act to assist with cable management by routing and clamping cables along a handle bar and underneath the mounting bracket12.

The arcuate shaped ringer16is dimensioned such that it extends over a portion of the length of the circular loop20. In the illustrated embodiment, the ringer16extends about an arc that is approximately 220 degrees and has an outside radius of curvature of approximately 24.5 mm i.e. the ringer16generally extends over the first arcuate portion21a. In alternative non-illustrated embodiments, the arcuate ringer16may extend about an arc that is less than or greater than 220 degrees, and may have an outside radius of curvature between approximately 15 and 35 mm. In the illustrated embodiment, the arcuate ringer16has a thickness of approximately 4.5 mm and an arcuate length of approximately 95 mm. In alternative non-illustrated embodiments, the arcuate ringer may have a thickness between approximately 0.5 and 20 mm and an arcuate length between approximately 30 and 220 mm. The arcuate ringer16is generally made from a metal or a metal alloy and is formed into its arcuate shape by any suitable means known to those skilled in the art, for example, by bending, casting or machining. The ringer may be steel, stainless steel, aluminium, brass, copper or titanium. The surface finish of the material of the ringers may be natural, painted, anodised, debossed and/or engraved, plated with material such as gold, silver or copper, or any other suitable finish. The arcuate ringer16illustrated has a substantially flat anodised outer surface36to prevent corrosion.

The arcuate ringer16is supported about the mounting bracket12by suspension means18that includes a pair of pins40that are integral to, and outwardly project from, an outer surface32of the circular loop20. The pins40span an arc of approximately 120 degrees. The pins40project in a direction that is substantially normal to the curve of the circular loop20and have a height between approximately 3.3 and 3.5 mm and a diameter between approximately 2.2 and 2.5 mm. Referring particularly toFIG. 3, a cylindrical compression spring42is provided about each pin40. Spring42is connected at a first outer end42ato an inside of a generally cylindrical recess44located in an underside surface46of the arcuate ringer16. A second inner end42bof spring42is connected to an inside of a similar generally cylindrical depression or recess48located in the outer surface32of the circular loop20(seeFIG. 2). The dimensions of the cylindrical recesses44,48approximate an outer circumference of the spring42such that spring ends42a,42bfit snugly within the recesses44,48. In the illustrated embodiment, the diameter of the cylindrical recesses44,48and spring42are approximately 6 mm. Each of the cylindrical compression springs42act to hold the arcuate ringer16a distance away from the mounting bracket12. For example, a distance of between 2 and 2.5 mm is created between the outer surface32of the circular loop20and the underside or inner surface46of the arcuate ringer16. The compression springs42are resiliently flexible such that they allow the arcuate ringer16to reverberate when struck by the striker14, as is described below.

It will be appreciated that whilst the embodiment illustrated utilised springs as the suspension means, any suitable suspension means may be used. For example, foam, silicone, felt, mesh or cloth pads, or other means having a degree of flexibility or resilience to provide movement to allow the ringer to reverberate when struck by the striker.

Referring particularly toFIGS. 3 and 4, the circular loop20of the mounting bracket12further includes a third pin50that is integral to, and outwardly projects from, the outer surface32of the circular loop20. Pin50is located along the circular loop20equidistantly between the pins40and is received in a further generally cylindrical recess45located in the underside surface46of ringer16. Pin50is disposed near the middle of the arcuate length and width of the ringer16. In the illustrated embodiment, pin50has a height between approximately 3.3 and 3.9 mm and a diameter between approximately 2.2 and 2.5 mm. The adjacent cylindrical recess45has a diameter of approximately 5.5 mm and a depth of approximately 2.8 to 3.5 mm. In normal use, the pin50does not contact the inside surface of the recess45. However, if the arcuate ringer16is moved laterally about the springs42, for example by a sideways force, the pin50will prevent further movement of the arcuate ringer16due to it abutting an inside surface of the recess45, thereby assisting to prevent detachment of the arcuate ringer16from the mounting bracket12.

As described above, the striker14is moveably attached to the mounting bracket12. The striker14is adapted to cause the arcuate ringer16to reverebrate when struck, so as to create a “bell-like” sound. In the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 4, the striker14includes an elongate body60that has a first forked end60athat is receiveable about a pair of laterally projecting forked arms62located on the flanged end20aof the mounting bracket12. A second end60bis adapted to be actuated and to strike the arcuate ringer16. The elongate body60has an overall length of between approximately 20 and 24 mm and is slighty curved so as to approximate the curvature of an adjacent section of the arcuate ringer16. The free end60bof the striker14includes an outwardly projecting finger-pad portion64that is dimensioned and adapted to receive a finger, typically a thumb, to actuate the striker14. The free end60balso includes a hemispherical striking portion66that projects towards the arcuate ringer16when the striker is moveably attached to the mounting bracket12. The hemispherical striking portion66strikes the arcuate ringer16when the striker14is actuated.

The striker14is movably attached to the mounting bracket12via a biasing means in the form of a compression spring70(seeFIG. 3). The compression spring70illustrated has a length of approximately 12.7 mm and an outside diamater of approximately 4.6 mm. Spring70is received at one end about a cylindrical boss71defined in a space between the laterally projecting arms62of the flanged end20aof the mounting bracket12. At an opposite end, spring70is received about a further cylindrical boss73defined in a space between the forked end60aof the striker14. The striker14is biased to a resting position (illustrated inFIG. 3) by the compression spring70. In this resting position, the hemispherical striking portion66of the striker14is spaced from the outer surface36of the arcuate ringer16at a distance of approximately 1 mm. When desired, the striker14is able to be pulled outwardly against the bias provided by spring70by a finger force on the finger-pad portion64. When the finger force is released, the striker14will pivot past the resting position and the striking portion66will come into contact with the outer surface36of the arcuate ringer16, thereby reverberating the ringer16and producing the bell-like sound.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 5, the striker14is hammer-like in operation in that it pivots about the cylindrical boss71to strike the arcuate ringer16. In an alternative arrangement illustrated inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the bell110comprises a striker114that is slidable along an arcuate rail80defined along an outer section of the generally circular loop120. The sliding striker114includes an outwardly projecting pin-like finger-pad portion164at one end that is adapted to receive a finger to actuate the sliding striker. When desired, the sliding striker114is pulled along the rail80in a direction away from an end116aof the arcuate ringer116against the bias of an internal spring170. When released the striker114slides past its resting position and strikes the arcuate ringer end116ato create a “bell-like” sound.

The strikers14,114may be made from any suitable material for the particular ringer material used. Examples of suitable striker material may be plastic, such as Nylon®, composite such as carbon fibre, wood, alloys, steels, brass, copper, or plastics with metal inserts.

The shape, weight and material of the striker affect the sound created by the ringer. An example hammer-type striker14can be made from Nylon® and have a length of 20.8 mm, a width of 15 mm and a weight of approximately 1.5 grams. A suitable compression spring to produce a “bell-like” sound could have a length of 12.7 mm, a diameter of 3 mm and a wire diameter of 0.56 mm. The rate of stiffness of the spring could be 4.73 N/mm.

As shown inFIG. 5, the present invention provides a bell for a bicycle that, when mounted to a handle bar is visually sleek and elegant and provides minimum projection from the surface of the handle bar. The mounting bracket is adapted to provide integrated cable management.