Abstract:
The rotatable and mountable light assembly of the present invention includes a base member, the base member pivotally connected to a clamping member, the clamping member comprising a means to removably secure the base member to a bar; a lamp holding member releasably secured to the base member, the lamp holding member comprising a lamp receiving space, the lamp receiving space being of sufficient space to receive at least one individual lamp. The lamp holding member is capable of altering its orientation with regard to the base member such that the orientation of the lamp holding member vis-à-vis the clamping member may be altered; the single lamp residing in a portion of the receiving space, the lamp comprising a lens and a means to illuminate; and a means to provide power to the lamp.

Description:
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/823,140, filed Mar. 25, 1997 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,669, and entitled “Convertible Orientation Bicycle Lamp,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a light to be utilized in conjunction with a bicycle or other non-motorized vehicle. The light is mainly designed to be secured to the handlebars of a bicycle, thereby providing light for the cyclist. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Lights secured to bicycles have long been utilized to aid the cyclist in biking at times of the day when there is not enough light to safely ride a bicycle. Typically, the lights have been mounted on the bicycle&#39;s handlebars, or the front stem of the bicycle, or even the rider. Typically these lights would be a single beam light, which is mounted to the bicycle. Examples of these types of lights are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,477,865, 5,436,810, and 4,697,725. 
     One of the shortcomings of these prior art lights is that oftentimes the field of vision is limited due to the small size of the beam of light. If the cyclist is riding at night, particularly at a higher speed, it is advantageous to have more light generated than a typical single lamp light. 
     Many of the prior art lights are also cumbersome to take on and off a bicycle. This is oftentimes necessary if the user has two or more bicycles, and does not want to purchase a separate light for each bicycle. 
     A need has developed over the past years for a light having more flexibility in its use and a broader beam of light than those shown in the prior art. The biking industry has undergone a tremendous change over the past years with mountain bikes becoming very prominent. Mountain bikes are oftentimes used on a different type of terrain than the traditional road bikes. Road bikes traditionally have been used on sidewalks or paved roads. Mountain bikes, although capable of being used on sidewalks and roads, are intended for use on off-road trails, which typically are not paved and oftentimes are fairly narrow and have many sharp turns and hidden obstacles. The light requirements for a road bike which may be traveling fairly fast on a flat surface are different than on a road bike which might not be traveling at the same rate of speed but that will be traveling on a trail where there are bumps, rocks and holes. 
     Oftentimes, a mountain bike will be used both on the road and off the road. Thus, a single bike will be used in different applications, thereby necessitating a different light requirement for use in the twilight and evening hours. 
     It is also desirable to have a bike light which can be initially purchased with a single light, and then if the user thereafter desires to add a light, a single lamp can be purchased and added to the previously-purchased lamp system. 
     Another problem which exists with single bicycle lamp structures is that if for some reason the bulb of a lamp goes out, the user typically must navigate in the dark. Thus, there is a need for a backup lamp to provide light in the event that the first lamp burns out. 
     There is a need for a single bicycle lamp which can be adapted for both on road and on trail applications. 
     There is a need for a bicycle lamp which may be easily removed from one bike and put on another bike. 
     There is a need for a bicycle lamp which may be easily mounted and removed from the bicycle. 
     These and other advantages are described in more detail below. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a bicycle lamp which is multi-functional. The orientation of the bicycle lamp may be rotated such that in applications wherein it is necessary to have broad horizontal light coverage, the lamp may accommodate such a requirement. In other applications, wherein a long, vertical beam of light is required, the lamp of the present invention may achieve this requirement. The bicycle lamp may be quickly mounted and quickly removed from the handlebars. The orientation of the bicycle lamp may also be converted in a simple and easy fashion. Finally, it is possible to utilize either one or two lamps as desired. If one lamp is used, the lamp centered over the approximate midpoint of the handlebars, and can be upgraded to a two lamp application. 
     In more detail, the mountable light assembly of the present invention includes a base member, the base member pivotally connected to a clamping member, the clamping member comprising a means to removably secure the base member to a bar; a lamp holding member releasably secured to the base member, the lamp holding member comprising a lamp receiving space, the lamp receiving space being of sufficient space to receive at least one individual lamp. The lamp holding member is capable of altering its orientation with regard to the base member such that the orientation of the lamp holding member vis-à-vis the clamping member may be altered; the single lamp residing in a portion of the receiving space, the lamp comprising a lens and a means to illuminate; and a means to provide power to the lamp. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle in phantom with the bicycle lamp of the present invention in one orientation. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a bicycle in phantom with the bicycle lamp of the present invention in a different orientation than that shown in FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a close-up perspective view of the bicycle lamp of the present invention in its vertical orientation. 
     FIG. 4 is a close-up perspective view of the bicycle lamp of the present invention in its horizontal orientation. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the bicycle lamp of the present invention in its vertical orientation. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the bicycle lamp shown in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along lines  7  in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the bicycle lamp of the present invention taken along lines  8  in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the bicycle lamp of the present invention taken along lines  9  in FIG.  5 . 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the bicycle lamp of the present invention taken along lines  10  in FIG.  4 . 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the bicycle lamp of the present invention shown in its horizontal mode with the handlebar clamp in the open position. 
     FIG. 12 is element  31  as shown in FIG.  10 . 
     FIG. 13 is element  82  as shown in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 14 is element  82  as shown in FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the bicycle lamp of the present invention wherein one of the lights is removed. 
     FIG. 16 is a front end view of the light shown in FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 17 is a side view of the light shown in FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 18 is an exploded view of the bicycle lamp shown in FIGS.  1 - 11 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The light assembly of the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 1-18, includes a lamp assembly adjustably attached to a clamp assembly. The clamp assembly can be releasably secured to a cylindrical body, such as a tube. The clamp assembly is adjustable to enable the clamp assembly to receive tubes of varying diameters and shapes. The lamp assembly is attached to an extending portion of the clamp assembly and can be easily rotated about the point of connection with the clamp assembly. The adjustment of the lamp assembly with respect to the clamp assembly as well as the ability of the light to be used with only one lamp allows the illumination provided by the lamp assembly to be modified to satisfy the requirement of the user. 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 show a bike in phantom with the light assembly  10  of the present invention secured to the bike&#39;s handlebars. FIG. 1 illustrates the light assembly  10  in the vertical position, wherein lamps  12  and  14  are vertically positioned with respect to the handlebars. FIG. 2 illustrates the horizontal position wherein lamps  12  and  14  are horizontally positioned with respect to the handlebars. The present invention may be used with any bicycle wherein there is a mounting bar. The light assembly does not have to be mounted on the handlebars. The light assembly  10  may be mounted on any bar which receives the clamp assembly of the present invention. The bar does not need to be cylindrical, but may also be square shaped, or an elongated cylinder, with the only modification necessary being to the shape of the clamp assembly. Additionally, other structures such as baby strollers, baby joggers, and backpack frames, just to name a few, may utilize the lamp assembly  10  of the present invention. 
     The lamps  12  and  14  as generally shown in all the figures comprise a lens  22  and  24 , lens mounting ring  18  and  20 , and the lamp housing  28  and  30 . The lens shown as  22  and  24  typically has some type of pattern to enhance the light transmission and angle of refraction of the lamps. Any lens material may be used, with the preferred lens material being tempered glass commercially available from most bicycle dealers. The lamp housings  28  and  30  are made of nylon composite, but can be made of any material with the appropriate material characteristics. In reviewing the lamp&#39;s structure. FIG. 8 is particularly illustrative, in that a cross-section of the lamp assemblies is shown. 
     The lens mounting rings  18  and  20  may be secured on to the housing  28  and  30  through either a snap fit, a threaded mechanism, or any other means which would secure the lens mounting rings  18  and  20  to the lamp housings  28  and  30 . In the preferred embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, a threaded securing means is shown. Thus, to remove the lens  22  and  24  from housings  28  and  30 , lens mounting rings  18  and  20  would be rotated in a counter-clockwise fashion while maintaining lamp housings  28  and  30  in a fixed position. 
     Upon viewing FIG. 8, it is apparent that the lens housings  28  and  30  utilize removable mounting rings  18  and  20  such that light bulbs  19  and  21  may be accessed. These bulbs can be any type of bulb which would provide the requisite amount of light. Preferably, the bulb is a standard MR-11 size bulb. These lights bulbs will need to be replaced after they burn out. Also shown around light bulbs  19  and  21  are reflective surfaces  32  and  34 . These reflective surfaces  32  and  34  insure that the light is reflected outwardly to provide a wide field of vision. In the preferred embodiment the bulbs and reflective surfaces are one piece. 
     FIG. 4 discloses the light assembly  10  in its horizontal position. As will be described in greater detail below, the actual lamp assembly is partially removable from the clamp assembly and may be repositioned on the clamp assembly to change the orientation of the lamps. FIGS. 6,  8 ,  11 , and  18  illustrate the preferred embodiment of the handlebar clamp assembly  40  in detail. The clamp assembly  40  includes a substantially L-shaped main member  42  with an adjustable clamp mechanism  44  formed at the distal end  46  of main body member  42 . Member  42  and clamp mechanism  44  act in cooperation through a pivot pin  48  which is positioned through a bore at distal end  46 . Pivot pin  48  extends, through clamp  44  and bores in member  42 , securing clamp  44  to member  42 . 
     Members  42  and clamp mechanism  44  are positioned such that there is an open position and a closed position. In the closed position, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the clamp assembly  40  defines a annular space  50  to receive a bar. The space  50  is where a segment of the bicycle handlebar, or other bar to which the light will be attach, fits within. Pads  52  and  54  are also shown in the interspace  50 . These pads  52  and  54  are preferably a rubber material which acts to resist scratching of the handlebars and also provides a tolerance for different size bars. In addition, the pads  52  and  54  help prevent the clamp assembly from slipping on the handle bar. 
     Referring to the exploded view in FIG. 18, the clamping assembly is shown in great detail. The clamping mechanism utilizes body members  42  and  44  interconnected with pins  62 ,  48  and  56  which all allow the clamping mechanism to clamp such that hook member  60  and lip  61  secures to engaging surface  65 . This securing is achieved through a clamp mechanism which may be adjusted for different size bars. Pin  56  receives bale member  58  through an aperture  57  which is threaded to receive bale member  58 . Bale member  58  extends through aperture  45   a  and  45   b  on member  44 . These apertures are approximately mid-point along member  44 . The bale member  58  has threads  59  which allow the length of the bale member to be adjusted such that hook member  60  and lip  61  may be secured to engaging surface  65  on member  64 . The purpose of the different length threads  59  is so that bars having different circumferences may be accommodated by adjusting the length of bale member  58  vis-à-vis pin  56 . Thus, the larger circumference of the bar which the lamp assembly of the present invention will be secured to, the further bale member  58  will be from pin  56 . If the bar is very narrow, the bale member  58  will be shortened in pin  56  accordingly. The clamping mechanism diagrammed herein is the preferred mechanism, but any mechanism which is a quick release mechanism and allows a plurality of lights to be added could be used. 
     The lip  61  of member  60  releasable engages surface  65 . When the clamping mechanism is moved to an open position, the lip  61  engages surface  65 . Thereafter, when the clamping mechanism is closed, forming an “over-center” latch, the lip  61  is pulled securely against surface  65 . Surface  65  can be any surface or latch, or receiving mechanism, which may receive a clamp member for securing a clamp to a bar. 
     Portion  31  of base member  64  is secured to a lamp holding member  68 . The two members are secured via some type of securing means, with the preference being a screw as shown as  66 . The screw  66  is of sufficient length such that it passes through an aperture  67  formed in portion  31  into a threaded receiving means, such as aperture  69 , on lamp holding member  68 . These two members may be secured together through any type of means, including clamp means, hook and loop means, or any other type of securing means. What is critical is that lamp holding member  68  be capable of being released from member  64  such that the changing of the orientation on number of the lamps, being vertical, horizontal, or some other orientation, may be achieved. It is also desirable that the lamp holding member can hold one lamp as well as a plurality of lamps. 
     What is shown in the preferred embodiment in FIG. 18 is a set of guide pins  70  and  72  positioned such that they are received within apertures shown in phantom as  64   a ,  64   b ,  64   c  and  64   d.  When pins  70  and  72  are positioned such that they pass into  64   b  and  64   d,  the lamps are in a vertical position. If the user intends to rotate the lamps 90 degrees, screw  66  is at least partially removed from the aperture of lamp holding member  68 , the pins  70  and  72  are pulled out of aperture  64   b  and  64   d,  and the assembly is rotated 90 degrees in either direction such that pins  70  and  72  correspond to  64   a  and  64   c.  Thereafter, screw  66  is re-tightened in the aperture in the member  68 , into the threads on lamp holding member  68  and secured such that lamp holding member  68  is secured to member  64 . 
     Additional apertures may be placed at angles other than 90 degrees on member  64 . For example, apertures could be placed at a 45 degree angle such that the lamps would be half way between a vertical and horizontal position. 
     In other embodiments, the securing mechanism between members  64  and  68  could comprise some type of geared interface which may be secured by threaded fasteners. What is critical is that the lamp holding member  68  may be altered with respect to member  64  such that the lights or single light may be rotated. 
     The lamps themselves may be rotated with respect to the lamp holding member  68 . Each lamp has a cylindrical boss attached in an off-set manner at the base opposite the lens. These are shown as  78  and  80  respectively. Referring to lamp  12  and boss  78 , the lamp is substantially conical in shape and receives a cylindrical boss  78  attached in an off-set manner at the base opposite the lens. The boss  78  defines an axial bore extending through the boss, and serrations formed to extend longitudinally about its outer surface. The boss  78  is placed adjacent one of the flanges through which screw  76  extends. In FIG. 18, the lights are stacked in a vertical manner, such that light  12  is on the top and light  14  is on the bottom with screw  76  extending through boss  78  and  80  and being secured to the lamp holder  68  by nut  74 . Lamp holder  68  could be bigger to accommodate more lamps, or the lamps could be smaller. The inner surface of lamp holding member  68  is shown in FIG.  14 . The counter-serrations in FIG. 14 are spaced such that serrations on bosses  78  and  80  engage within the serrations on lamp holding member  68 . A rotation of the individual lamps  12  and  14  about the lamp holding member  68  is controlled by the serrations formed on the outside of the bosses  78  and  80  which engage complementary serrations formed on the inner surface of the lamp holding member  68  independently in different directions as shown by the arrow in FIGS. 3 and 4. The lamps may be close together as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, or they may be spread out at 90 degree angles or greater, depending on the geometry of the lamps and depending on what is required by the user. 
     In some situations, the user may only want to have one light, as shown in FIGS. 15-17. In this situation, a spacer is used in place of one of the bosses. As is evident in FIG. 16, spacer  88  replaces one of the bosses. This allows a single light to be used. This feature is an extremely important aspect of the present invention. It is advantageous to be able to sell the clamping mechanism with just one light, for cost purposes. The present invention provides the purchaser an opportunity to thereafter acquire a second, single light, and add it to the first purchased light. 
     The present invention is not limited to a one or two light configuration, but as many lights as necessary may be stacked between flanges  82  and  84 , obviously increasing the space between the flanges. Alternatively, the dimensions of the light may be changed, such that the flanges may be the same distance apart but that the lights are only half as big such that four lights may fit within the space. 
     Each lamp has an “on” and “off” button  26 , and in the preferred embodiment a power pack is located elsewhere on the bicycle, which through an electrical connection, provides electricity to the lamps. The preferred battery pack is a 6-volt nicad rechargeable battery pack. Other non-limiting options include lead-acid batteries and 12-volt nicad battery packs. 
     It is understood that while the invention has been described above in conjunction with preferred specific embodiments, the description and examples are intended to illustrate not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims.