A PEDAL CYCLIST INDICATOR

Abstract: This invention relates to a pedal cyclist indicator (30) which comprises an extension portion (31) having at one end a pressure toggle switch (37) and an elasticated loop (36) through which the first finger (19) of a cyclist is inserted. The other end joins at roughly the midpoint of a major portion (32) to be fixed around the wrist of the cyclist. Two amber light emitting diodes (LEDs) (34g and 34h) are located on the extension portion (31) and six are located in a generally uniformly spaced manner across the major portion (32). When a cyclist wishes to indicate a turning maneouver, they extend their arm whilst moving their thumb (17) to press and close the switch (37) to complete an electrical connection of the LEDs (34a to 34h) to batteries via a flashing unit. Thus, a selectively manually operable flashing pedal cyclist indicator is provided.

Description: A PEDAL CYCLIST INDICATOR This invention relates to a pedal cyclist indicator, and in particular to a manually operable indicator. Although thousands more cars enter our roads every year, environmental campaigns are now attempting to reduce the motorised traffic on our roads. As a consequence, pedal cyclists are being encouraged to take to the roads, especially in cities where congestion has reached levels that a bicycle can be the fastest mode of transport, for example during rush hours. However, many existing and potential cyclists worry about the safety factors, particularly during the cold dark winter months To alleviate the difficulties faced by cyclists, some towns nov/ provide designated cycle paths for the cyclists. However, these often only last for short distances and therefore cyclists must travel on the roads along with the motorised traffic. A lot of cyclists clothing now incorporates reflectors so that they may be more readily seen in the dark. However, these do not assist when it comes to a cyclist wishing to notify other drivers that they are about to perform a turning manoeuvre. The conventional means for a cyclist to notify other drivers that they are about to perform a turning manoeuvre is to raise their arm perpendicular no their body axis in the direction they wish to turn. During a clear day other aier * c road users can see this signal and act accordingly but in bad weather, at dusk or at night the signal may not be seen as clearly. Whilst cyclists must by law have front and rear lights on their bicycle if they wish to travel after dark, i: is not compulsory for bicycles to carry indicator lights. The front and rear liαhts are not sufficient to illuminate the cclisϋ - 2 - enough so as to make visible their notification that they are about to perform a turning manoeuvre. Thus, accidents at night commonly occur during a turning manoeuver. Electrical indicators which attach to the bicycle are known, but they are unpopular due to the fact that they are expensive and often bulky. In addition, it is necessary to ensure that the indicator lights and ancillary switches are firmly fixed to the bicycle to prevent theft thereof. They therefore add to the overall cost and weight of a bicycle. This cost can be significant because of the competition in the sale of bicycles and the weight can be significant, especially if the cyclist has a fold away bicycle which has to be carried on public transport. Electrical indicators can be powered either by a battery or a dynamo, but if the indicators are powered by a dynamo the effort needed for the cyclist to travel a set distance can be increased compared to a bicycle without a dynamc . For the above reasons such indicators are not popular and do not come as a standard accessory on a bicycle. Although it is possible to retrofit these indicators later as an add on accessory, the necessary wiring and labour has discouraged cyclists from fitting them. Even where some form of electrical indicator has been developed, the nature and positioning of the switches has been difficult and sometimes increases the hazards associated with indicating because the cyclist has to look for the switch. Thus, at present, cyclists are restricted to hand signals to notify other road users of an imminent turn, which hand signals are virtually invisible at night. An object of this invention is to provide an electrical pedal cycle indicator which is lightweight, is not tied to one bicycle, and is easily actuable . According to the present invention there is provided a pedal cyclist indicator capable of being worn on a cyclist's hand or wrist; the indicator comprising: - a body portion; at least one light emitting element mounted on the body; a source of electrical power; and a switch located on the body portion at a position capable of selective actuation by a digit of the hand wearing the indicator in order to electrically connect said at least one light emitting element to said power source. Thus, the indicator is simply worn by the cyclist and is operated by the hand wearing the indicator. Accordingly, it is lightweight, simple to make and use, and is not fixed onto the bicycle. Moreover, it does not require complicated wiring before use. In addition, the light emitting element can be arranged to function in a manner which is similar to indicators used by cars or motorcycles. They are easy to see .in the dark and they do not rely on other road users having sufficient lights on their own vehicles to illuminate the pedal cyclist. Preferably, said body portion includes an extension portion and said switch is located on the extension portion. By having an extension portion, there is more flexibility in the location of the switch thereby providing more flexibility in the location of the at least one light emitting element. In one embodiment, said extension portion is formed to extend along the thumb of the cyclist's hand. Consequently, by a simple movement of the index finger, the indicator can be selectively operated. This position also enables the user to quickly develop a tactile sense of where the switch is and how to operate it without any need to look at the switch. In another embodiment, said extension portion is formed - 4 - to extend along the first finger of the cyclist's hand. Consequently, by a simple movement of the thumb, the indicator can be selectively operated. This position also enables the user to quickly develop a tactile sense of where the switch is and how to operate it without any need to look at the switch. It is preferred that said extension portion includes attachment means for attaching the extension portion to a digit of said hand other than the digit actuating said switch. Accordingly, the extension portion does not flap about and is firmly attached to the cyclist's hand. In one embodiment, the switch comprises a pressure activated switch. Conveniently, the pressure switch has an ON position only with the maintenance of pressure thereto. As the pressure switch is only actuated when pressure is applied the action, the release of pressure after the turning manoeuver automatically switches off the indicator. Preferably, the indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting elements, the light emitting elements being mounted on the body portion to extend in a generally uniform manner around said hand or wrist during wearing. Consequently, the indicator is readily visible in use from behind and in front of the cyclist and regardless of the orientation of the cyclist's arm. In one embodiment, the indicator comprises a plurality of light emitting elements, the light emitting elements being arranged in a linear array. It is preferred that said at least one light emitting element is arranged to flash when electrically connected to the power source. In this way, the indicator more accurately corresponds - 5 - to indicators of other traffic on roads. In another embodiment, said at least one light emitting element is coloured amber or yellow. In this way, the indicator more accurately corresponds to indicators of other traffic on roads. Conveniently, the indicator further comprises flashing means for flashing said at least one light emitting element at a frequency between 0.25 and 2.75 Hz when electrically connected to the power source. In this way, the indicator more accurately corresponds to indicators of other traffic on roads. It is preferred that the indicator further comprises means for disconnecting said at least one light emitting element from the power source when said power source has a voltage below a defined voltage. In one embodiment, said body portion has a major portion and a minor portion to form a generally J shaped body. It is preferred that said body portion comprises a single piece moulded body. Preferably, the indicator further comprises a strap portion for fastening the indicator to a cyclists hand. Examples of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: - Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of a pedal cyclist indicator according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the pedal cyclist indicator of figure 1 located on a cyclist's hand; Figure 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of a pedal cyclist indicator according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a side perspective view of the pedal cyclist indicator of figure 3 located on a cyclist's hand; Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of the wiring of the pedal cyclist indicator of figure 3. - 6 - Figures 1 and 2 show a first embodiment of a pedal cyclist indicator 1 embodying the present invention. The pedal cyclist indicator 1 comprises a generally J shaped moulded body 3 attached at either end to straps 12 and 14 which are fixed together at a VELCRO ® fastening 13. The moulded body 3 has an arcuate minor portion 15 which locates against the side of the palm of a cyclist's hand adjacent the thumb 17, and a major portion 4 which extends mostly across the back 18 of the cyclist's hand. An array of eight light emitting elements 11a to llh, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) , are electrically connected in parallel and mounted as a linear array on the exterior surface of the major portion 4. The LED's are preferably amber or yellow coloured to represent the conventional colour in traffic for indicators. The interior of the major portion comprises a hollow chamber for the circuitry of the indicator and includes a battery compartment in which a battery 7 is loaded. One end of a battery mount 8 for the battery 7 is connected by a wire 9 to one end of the array of LEDs 11a - llh via a flashing circuit 10. The other end of the battery mount 6 is connected by a wire 16 to a pressure operated toggle switch 2 which is mounted on the exterior surface of the minor portion 15. The switch 2 is electrically connected by a wire 5 to the other end of the LED array 11a - llh. In use, the indicator 1 is located around the palm of the hand with the J- shaped body 3 located as shown and held in place by means of the fastening of the straps 12 and 14. In this way, the switch 2 is located at the edge of the palm of the cyclist's hand between the joints of the thumb 17 and forefinger 19. When the cyclist wishes to indicate a turning manoeuver, they will carry out a switching operation. In this operation, - 7 - they move their thumb 17 towards their forefinger 19 to press and close the switch 2 to complete the electrical connection of the LED array 11a - llh to the battery 7. This switches on the LED array whilst the presence of the flashing circuit 10 causes flashing of the LEDs at a defined frequency. In common with other road transport and to clarify that the flashing has an indicating purpose rather than an alerting purpose, the frequency is selected to be in the range of 0.25 Hz to 2.75 Hz and preferably 0.75 to 1.75 Hz. The cyclist will by then have extended their arm in conventional manner. After completion of the manoeuver, they retract their arm and repeat the aforementioned switching operation to turn off the LED array. It will be understood that the switching action can be conducted during extension of the arm, at extension of the arm, or during retraction of the arm because the switching operation is performed b/ the hand that is wearing the indicator and since the switching operation is easy to perform, the precise timing of when the operation is performed can be adjusted according to the personal preference of the cyclist. Thus, the present invention provides a selectively operable cyclist indicator to provide a visual indicating signal for manoeuvring that is visible in bad weather, in the dark or at dusk and which clearly and in correspondence with other road users alerts other road users to the fact that the pedal cyclist is about perform a turning manoeuvre. It will be understood that the embodiment illustrated shows an application of the invention in one form only for the purposes of illustration. In practice the invention may be applied to many different configurations, the detailed embodiments being straightforward to those skilled in the art to implement . For example, the number of light emitting elements can - 8 - be varied and arranged as a single row, a matrix, or with some form of fixed or movable pattern. Morever, the type of switch can be varied according to desire, for example a toggle switch, slide switch or other variety of switch known to those in the art can be used. It will also be appreciated that the type of strap can take many forms, for example an elasticated band, straps with a buckle, or loops around the fingers with a corresponding strap around the wrist can be used. Whilst the body is described as being formed from a single piece plastics moulding, it can be formed from a series of parts using live hinges. Referring to figures 3 and 4, there is shown a second embodiment of a pedal cyclist indicator 30 embodying the present invention. In this embodiment, the indicator has a minor portion 31, as an extension portion, which meets at roughly the midpoint of a major portion 32 to defined a generally T-shaped body. The body comprises a layered structure having a comfortable user facing backing overlaid with a protective surface. This protective surface is preferably black and waterproof. An intermediate layer is provided between the backing and protective surface for components and wiring. A pressure toggle switch 37 is mounted in this intermediate layer, to extend through the protective layer, and is located at the end of the minor portion 31 remote from the major portion 32. An elasticated loop 36 is also provided to the backing layer at this point for attaching and holding this end of the minor portion 31 to the first finger 19 of the cyclist's hand, as shown in figure 4. Two light emitting diodes 34g and 34h are mounted in the intermediate layer, to extend thorough the protective layer, and are located on the remainder of the minor portion between - 9 - the switch 37 and the major portion 32. Six further light emitting diodes 34a to 34f are similarly mounted but in a generally uniformly spaced manner across the major portion 32. The LEDs are preferably as in the first embodiment. 5 Either end 35A and 35B of the major portion are fixed together at a VELCRO ® fastening 33. In one of the fastenings 33, there is provided a circuit 40 as shown in figure 5. The circuit 40 includes batteries 41 and a switching integrated circuit (IC) 43 located between positive 45 and 10 negative 42 rails connected to the positive and negative terminals respectively of the batteries 41. The switch 37 is connected by wires, extending in the intermediate layer of the minor and major portions 31 and 32, to the appropriate input of the switching IC 43 so that when the switch 37 is 15 toggled closed, the switching IC 43 produces a HIGH/LOW output at a defined frequency on a line 46. This line 46 is used to switch ON and OFF a MOSFET transistor 44 in circuit with the positive rail 45. When the transistor 44 is switched ON by the switching IC 43, power is supplied from the battery 20 41 to the eight LEDs 34a to 34h via wires extending in the intermediate layer of the minor and major portions 31 and 32. Thus, the LEDs flash at the defined frequency until such time as the switch 37 is toggled open so that the line 46 remains LOW to keep the transistor 44 in the OFF state. 25 The use of the MOSFET transistor 44 is particularly advantageous since if the voltage level of the batteries 41 falls below a certain limit, the transistor 44 can not be operated. Accordingly, rather than the LEDs gradually getting dimmer with battery life, they eventually fail completely. 30 Thus, the cyclist becomes immediately aware that the battery- needs replacing rather than unsafely relying on dim LEDs. In use, the first finger or forefinger of the cyclist's hand is inserted through the loop 36 and the major portion is - in fixed around the wrist of the cyclist by means of the fastenings 33. In this way, the switch is located midway between the first two joints of the forefinger enabling easy access by movement of the thumb, whilst the portion carrying the LEDs can be located at the cyclist's wrist, over any clothing that they may be wearing. When the cyclist wishes to indicate a turning manoeuver, they move their thumb 17 towards their forefinger 19 to press and close the switch 37 to complete the electrical connection of the LEDs 34a to 34h to the batteries 41. This switches on the LEDs to cause flashing thereof. The cyclist will be then have extended their arm in conventional manner. After completion of the manoeuver, they retract their arm and repeat the aforementioned switching action to turn off the LED array. This embodiment enables the LEDs to be carried without interfering with the holding of the bicycle. In addition, by using the generally T-shaped form shown, the switch can be conveniently located at a position where a digit of the hand can access and selectively operate the switch. Furthermore, by having a majority of LEDs on the major portion, which LEDs are generally uniformly spaced around the periphery of the cyclist's wrist, this enables the indicator to be readily visible in use from behind and in front of the cyclist and regardless of the orientation of the cyclist's arm. It will be appreciated that whilst the minor portion is shown as being for attachment to the forefinger, it can be attached to other digits of the cyclist's hand, for example the thumb, subject to being selectively and manually operable by a digit of that hand. In addition, all manner of other arrangements of the LEDs can be used. Similarly, the location of the switch is not limited although it is subject to being selectively and manually operable by a digit of the hand - 11 - wearing the indicator. It will be appreciated that the modifications discussed in relation to the first embodiment can also be incorporated within the second embodiment. Indeed, the device of the present invention can be incorporated to be a part of a glove . It will be apparent that the present invention is not limited exclusively to cycle indicators. Furthermore, the present invention provides secure indicators since they are not left with the bicycle and are therefore not subject to theft.

Claims: - 12 - CLAIMS 1. A pedal cyclist indicator capable of being worn on a cyclist's hand or wrist; the indicator comprising: - a body portion; at least one light emitting element mounted on the body; a source of electrical power; and a switch located on the body portion at a position capable of selective actuation by a digit of the hand wearing the indicator in order to electrically connect said at least one light emitting element to said power source. 2. An indicator according to claim 1 wherein said body portion includes an extension portion and said switch is located on the extension portion. 3. An indicator according to claim 2 wherein said extension portion is formed to extend along the thumb of the cyclist ' s hand. 4. An indicator according to claim 2 wherein said extension portion is formed to extend along the first finger of the cyclist's hand. 5. An indicator according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein said extension portion includes attachment means for attaching the extension portion to a digit of said hand other than the digit actuating said switch. 6. An indicator according to any preceding claim wherein the switch comprises a pressure activated switch. 7. An indicator according to claim 6 wherein the pressure switch has an ON position only with the maintenance of pressure thereto. 8. An indicator according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of light emitting elements, the light emitting elements being mounted on the body portion to extend in a generally uniform manner around said hand cr wrist - 13 - during wearing. 9. An indicator according to any preceding claim comprising a plurality of light emitting elements, the light emitting elements being arranged in a linear array. 10. An indicator according to any preceding claim wherein said at least one light emitting element is arranged to flash when electrically connected to the power source. 11. An indicator according to any preceding claim wherein said at least one light emitting element is coloured amber or yellow. 12. An indicator according to any preceding claim further comprising flashing means for flashing said at least one light emitting element at a frequency between 0.25 and 2.75 Hz when electrically connected to the power source. 13. An indicator according to any preceding claim further comprising means for disconnecting said at least one light emitting element from the power source when said power source has a voltage below a defined voltage. 14. An indicator according to claim wherein said body portion has a major portion and a minor portion to form a generally J shaped body. 15. An indicator according to any preceding claim wherein said body portion comprises a single piece moulded body. 16. An indicator according to any preceding claim further comprising a strap portion for fastening the indicator to a cyclists hand.

Inventors: BLACK DANIEL SIMON, BLACK, DANIEL, SIMON
Applicants: BLACK DANIEL SIMON, BLACK, DANIEL, SIMON
Application year: 1999
Main classification: A41D13
IPC codes: A41D19