A vehicle signalling device

Abstract: A bicycle signalling device (1) has flexible arms (4) carrying lamps (5). The arms (4) are mounted on a holder (2) having spring clamps (3) for snap engagement with the handlebars of a bicycle. A battery within the holder (2) powers the lamps (5) operable by switches (10, 12) to indicate whichever direction the cyclist intends to turn. The arms (4) can be bent in any direction by the cyclist to hold the lamps (5) in the best signalling position.

Description: This invention relates to a signalling device, in particular a direction and hazard indicator, for a bicycle, e.g. a pedal cycle or motor cycle. It is known (DE-A-37 18 025) to provide means for a cyclist to indicate when changing direction using visual indicators attached to the front of a bicycle. DE-A-29 07 649 discloses a bicycle signalling device in accordance with the pre-characterising part of claim 1. A mounting means for mounting the signalling device on the rear of the bicycle frame beneath the saddle carries two arms whose free ends carry flashing indicator lamps. The arms are flexible and/or pivotable so that they yield in the event of an impact. A disadvantage of these indicators is that the cyclist has very limited control over the positioning of the visual indicators to ensure their visibility to other vehicles and pedestrians. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved signalling device for bicycles, which overcomes this problem. The present invention provides a bicycle signalling device comprising mounting means for mounting the signalling device on a bicycle, and two flexible arms each having one end connected to the mounting means and a free end which carries indicating means for emitting a flashing visual signal, characterised in that the said one end is a fixed end attached to the mounting means and each arm is elongated and is universally bendable in any direction in order to move the corresponding indicating means to a desired signalling position and capable of holding the indicating means in that position in normal use of the bicycle. The arm may, for example, have a length of 0.5 metres or more. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the indicating means comprises a lamp and means is provided for connection of the lamp to a power supply, with switch means for operation of the lamp. The arm extends outwardly of a holder on which the switch means is mounted. Preferably the holder forms a battery housing for reception of a battery to provide the power supply. An audible indicator may be provided on the holder. Preferably the audible indicator is synchronised with the lamp to give an intermittent sound signal corresponding to the flashing visual signal of the lamp when the lamp is in use. Ideally the two arms are provided on the same holder. The mounting means may include at least one spring clip for snap engagement and release of the holder with the bicycle. Preferably each spring clip is mounted on a leg which extends outwardly of the holder. Ideally the leg is of flexible material which allows universal bending of the leg in any direction relative to a fixed end of the leg which is attached to the mounting means. In some cases an adapter may be provided for mounting the holder on the bicycle, the adapter being engageable between the mounting means and the bicycle. The adapter may be provided by a shim or a sleeve engageable with the bicycle frame. Formations may be provided on the adapter which are engageable with the mounting means to prevent movement of the mounting means on the bicycle. As a security feature, the holder may have a lockable compartment for reception of each lamp in a folded stored position. In some cases the mounting means may be integral with the handlebars of the bicycle. The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Fig 1 is a front elevational view of a bicycle signalling device according to the invention; Fig 2 is a perspective view of the device; Fig 3 is a front elevational view of the device showing flexible arms of the device in a folded storage position; Fig 4 is a perspective view of the device mounted on a bicycle; Fig 5 is a detailed elevational view of a spring clip for attachment of the device to the handlebars of a bicycle; Fig 6 shows a number of different arrangements of spring clip; Fig 7 is a detailed diagrammatic illustration of portion of another bicycle signalling device shown mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle; Fig 8 is a detailed diagrammatic illustration of portion of the device of Fig. 7, Fig 9 is a plan view of a sleeve adapter for use in fitting a signalling device on a bicycle, Fig 10 is an elevational view of the adapter, Fig 11 is an end view of the adapter of Fig 9 in use wrapped around a bicycle handlebar, Fig 12 is a plan view of another adapter for mounting a signalling device on a bicycle, Fig 13 is an elevational view of the adapter of Fig 12, Fig 14 is an end view of the adapter of Fig 12 in use mounted on the handlebars of a bicycle, Fig 15 is a perspective view of another adapter for mounting a signalling device on the handlebars of a bicycle, and Fig. 16 is a circuit diagram for the device of Figs 1 to 5. Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a bicycle signalling device identified generally by the reference numeral 1. The device 1 comprises a holder 2 incorporating a control unit, the holder 2 having two open-jawed spring clamps 3 and two flexible extension arms 4, each arm terminating in a lamp assembly 5. The holder 2 has a generally cylindrical body 6 with an activating switch plate 7 on a side wall of the body 6. Two removable and caps 8, each containing a piezo electric audio indicator 9 (Fig 16) are screwed onto each end of the body 6 which houses batteries together with the necessary control circuitry (Fig 16) to operate the audio indicators 9 and lamp assemblies 5. The activating switch plate 7 contains three surface moulded switches 10, 11 and 12. Switch 10 operates the left-hand lamp assembly and audio indicator, switch 12 operates the right-hand lamp assembly and audio indicator and the middle switch 11 operates both right and left-hand audio indicators together. Operation of switches 10 and 12 simultaneously operates both lamp assemblies but not the audio indicator for hazard warning. Each extension arm 4 is an open-ended flexible and hollow tube secured to the body 6, each arm 4 enclosing electrical cable for the lamp assembly 5, each lamp assembly 5 comprises an illumination element, including an amber coloured light-transmitting spherical orb 6a. A lens collar 25 acts as a reflecting element. The spring clamps 3 are secured to the body 6 of the holder 2 by means of short extension legs 13. In this case the extension legs 13 are of relatively rigid material, however in some cases the extension legs 13 may be of a flexible material similar to that used for the extension arms 4, and of any suitable length. Each spring clamp 3 (Fig 5) is C-shaped in cross-section having a socket 15 with a narrowed mouth 16 resiliently deformable for snap engagement of the socket 15 with the handlebars or other portion of the bicycle frame. Arms 17 project outwardly at each side of the mouth 16 and can be pinched to open the mouth 16 for engagement with the bicycle. Fig 3 shows the bicycle signalling device 1 in a folded stored position in which the arms 4 are folded back upon themselves to compact the device for carriage in a bag or the like when not in use. Referring to Fig 4 the device 1 is shown mounted on a bicycle 20. The clamps 3 are a snap fit on the handlebars 21 of the bicycle 20. In use, the device 1 is snapped on to the handlebars 21 as shown in Fig 4. Each of the arms 4 can then be positioned extending laterally outwardly of the handlebars 21 to project to each side of a cyclist in use. Once positioned as required by the cyclist the arms 4 hold theit position. As an alternative instead of projecting laterally of the cyclist the arms 4 are in this case sufficiently long enough for a cyclist to wrap the arms 4 around his body and project rearwardly of the cyclist. When approaching a turn the cyclist can by operating one of the switches 10, 12 indicate that he intends to turn left or right as required. Each switch 10, 12 activates both the audio indicator and the lamp assembly 5 which flashes at a frequency of 3 Hz. The centre switch 11 is for audio indication only which will sound continuously while the switch 11 is held continuously. Figs 6(a) to (e) show various forms for clamps 3 which can be fused. Fig 6(d) has a toggle catch 19 for closing the mouth 16 of the clamp 3. Referring now to Figs 7 and 8, there is illustrated portion of another bicycle signalling device. In this case flexible arms 40 for carrying the signalling lamps are fixed to mountings integrally formed with the handlebars 41 of a bicycle. A holder 42 carrying the controls for operation of the lamp and audible warning device is mounted centrally on the handlebars 41. The holder 42 has a compartment 43 for reception of lamps 44 mounted on flexible arms 45. The compartment 43 can be closed and locked by means of a hinged cover 46. In this way the lamps 44 can be protected against vandalism while the bicycle is left unattended. Operation of the signalling device is similar to operation of the signalling device described previously with reference to Figs 1 to 6. To enable universal mounting of the signalling devices on different types of bicycle, adapters may be provided for attachment to the bicycle handlebars prior to fitting the indicator on the bicycle handlebars. The adapter may be a sleeve or shim, which is permanently fixed to the bicycle handlebars. Formations may be provided on the adapter to engage the spring clip for attaching the indicator to the bicycle to prevent movement of the indicator on the bicycle during use. Referring now to Figs 9 to 11, there is illustrated an adapter for fitting the signalling device on a bicycle. The adapter 60 is formed by a flat sheet 61 of flexible material having ribbed ends 62. In use, the ribbed ends 62 are cut to a desired size such that the adapter 60 can be wrapped around the handlebars of a bicycle, as shown in Fig 11 with the ribs 62 meeting. The opening of the spring clip for mounting the device on the handlebars of the bicycle engages either side of the ribs 62 to firmly locate the device on the bicycle. The adapter 60 can be stuck or otherwise firmly attached to the handlebars of the bicycle. Referring now to figs 12 to 14, another adapter 70 is shown having a body 71 formed by a sheet of flexible material which can be cut to a desired length for mounting around the handlebars of a bicycle. A stud 72 projecting outwardly of the body 71 is engageable within the extension legs 13 to firmly locate the signalling device on the handlebars of a bicycle. Referring now to Fig 15, another adapter 80 is shown having a body 81 C-shaped in cross-section with clamp screws 82 for clamping the body 81 to the handlebars of a bicycle. A stud 83 protects outwardly of the body 81 for location within the extension leg 13 of the signalling device to firmly locate the signalling device on the handlebars of a bicycle. It will be appreciated that the indicator according to the invention advantageously allows the indicating lamps to be positioned in the best location for signalling which will vary according to the different style of bicycle and also with different cyclists.

Claims: A bicycle signalling device (1) comprising mounting means (2,3;41) for mounting the signalling device (1) on a bicycle, and two flexible arms (4;40) each having one end connected to the mounting means (2,3;41) and a free end which carries indicating means (5;44) for emitting a flashing visual signal, characterised in that the said one end is a fixed end attached to the mounting means (2,3;41) and each arm (4;40) is elongated and is universally bendable in any direction in order to move the corresponding indicating means (5;44) to a desired signalling position and capable of holding the indicating means (5;44) in that position in normal use of the bicycle. A signalling device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the arm (4;40) has a length of 0.5 metres or more. A signalling device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the mounting means (2,3) comprises a single holder (2) to which both arms (4) are attached. A signalling device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means (2,3) carries switch means (10-12) for selective operation of the indicating means (5). A signalling device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means (2,3) forms a battery housing for reception of a battery to provide the power supply of the signalling device. A signalling device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an audible indicator (9) is provided on the mounting means (2,3). A signalling device as claimed in claim 6, wherein the audible indicator (9) gives an intermittent sound signal corresponding to the flashing visual signal of the indicating means (5). A signalling device as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the mounting means (2,3) includes at least one spring clip (3) for releasable snap engagement with the bicycle. A signalling device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the spring clip (3) is mounted on a leg (13). A signalling device as claimed in claim 9, wherein the leg (13) is of flexible material which allows universal bending of the leg in any direction. A signalling device as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the mounting means (41) is integral with the handlebars of the bicycle. A bicycle provided with a signalling device according to any of claims 1 to 10.

Inventors: MCDONALD DONAL, O'SHAUGHNESSY MICHAEL FRANCIS, MCDONALD, DONAL, O'SHAUGHNESSY, MICHAEL FRANCIS
Applicants: EMPYREAL ENTERPRISES LIMITED
Application year: 1992
Main classification: B62J6
IPC codes: B62J6