Braking indicator arrangement for cycles, motorcycles and the like

Abstract: A saddle for cycles, motor cycles and the like, including a light (3) in the rear part of the saddle (2) and means (4) for detecting the braking of the vehicle and consequently switching on the light (3).

Description: The present invention relates to a braking indicator arrangement for a cycle, motor cycle or the like, of the type indicated in the preamble of Claim 1. A device is known from FR-A-2 206 120 which can be connected to an hand-operated brake lever and which comprises a piston connected to two conductive blades and operated by the brake activating cable so as to switch on an electric circuit for turning on a rear lamp indicating the braking of the vehicle. Starting from this prior art, the present invention relates to a braking indicator arrangement whose features are set forth in the characterising portion of claim 1. The present invention also relates to a cycle, motor cycle or the like provided with a braking indicator arrangement, the features of said cycle being recited in Claim 4. The provision of a bicycle or a motor cycle with a braking indicator arrangement of this type achieves the object of increasing the safety of the rider since it gives any following vehicles a timely indication of the braking of the bicycle or motor cycle. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become clear from a reading of the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically and in perspective, a bicycle provided with a device according to the present invention, Figure 2 is a view of the saddle from the rear, on an enlarged scale, Figure 3 is a partially-sectioned plan view of the saddle, Figure 4 is an elevational view of a brake of the bicycle on an enlarged scale, Figure 5 is a section taken on the line V-V of Figure 4, on an enlarged scale. A bicycle is generally indicated 1 and is provided with a saddle 2 on the rear part of which is situated a light 3 which is switched on by the operation of a switch 4. The rear part of the saddle 2 has a pair of transparent plates 6. A casing 7 fitted to the under-side of the saddle carries a pair of indicator lamps 8 which, after assembly of the casing, are situated facing the transparent plates 6. The casing also carries a pair of accumulators 9 which supply the indicator lamps 8. The accumulators 9 are recharged by a solar cell 10 carried by the casing and having one end projecting from the rear surface of the casing 7. The circuit for supplying the indicator lamps 8 includes the switch 4 which is mounted, for example, on the rear brake 5 of the bicycle. The switch 4 includes a housing 11 fixed to a lever 12 for operating the brake 5. A cable 14 for operating the brake 5 passes through the space 13 within the housing 11. The housing 11, which is of insulating material, carries two cylindrical-shaped metal blades 15 facing the space 13. The blades 15 are connected to two electrical wires 16 and constitute the two terminals of the switch 4. A cylindrical body 17 having an outer surface of conductive material is slidable in the cavity 13 and is fixed to the cable 14 for operating the brake 5. The operation of the brake 5 causes an upward movement of the cable 14 and of the body 17 establishing an electrical connection between the blades 15 and switching on the lamps 8.

Claims: A braking indicator arrangement for a cycle, a motor cycle or the like, comprising at least one indicator lamp (8) and electrical control means (4) for supplying an electrical braking signal, characterised in that it also includes a saddle (2) comprising a casing (7) fitted to the under-side thereof and carrying said at least one indicator lamp (8) facing transparent plates (6) arranged in the rear surface of the saddle (2), said at least one indicator lamp (8) being electrically connected to said electrical control means (4) for being switched on in response to said electrical braking signal. A braking indicator arrangement according to claim 1, characterised in that the casing (7) also carries accumulator means (9) for supplying said indicator lamp (8), the accumulator means (9) being recharged by a solar cell (10) carried by the casing (7). A braking indicator arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the electrical control means (4) comprise an electrical switch (4) having a movable body (17) adapted to be fixed to a brake cable (14), said body having a conductive outer surface and being slidable in an insulated cylindrical housing (13) to the inner surface of which are fixed two conductive blades (15). A two-wheel vehicle such as a bicycle, a motor cycle or the like, comprising a saddle (2), at least one indicator lamp (8) and electrical control means (4) for detecting the braking of the vehicle and consequently switching on said lamp, characterised in that the saddle (2) comprises a casing (7) connected to the under-side thereof and carrying said at least one indicator lamp (8) facing transparent plates (6) arranged in the rear surface of the saddle (2), said lamp (8) being electrically connected to said electrical means (4) for detecting the braking of the vehicle. A vehicle according to claim 4, characterised in that the casing (7) also carries accumulator means (9) for supplying said indicator lamp (8), the accumulator means (9) being recharged by a solar cell (10) carried by the casing (7) and facing the rear of the vehicle. A vehicle according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the electrical control means (4) comprise an electrical switch (4) having a movable body (17) fixed to a cable (14) for operating the brake (5), said body (17) having a conductive outer surface and being slidable in an insulated cylindrical housing (13) to the inner surface of which are fixed two conductive blades (15).

Inventors: SOLINI FABIO, SOLINI, FABIO
Applicants: SELLE SAN MARCO DI GIRARDI COM, SELLE SAN MARCO DI GIRARDI COMM. LUIGI S.P.A.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: B62J1
IPC codes: B62J6, B62J1