Abstract:
A bicycle or moped lighting system projects light onto a rider&#39;s legs to make the rider more visible to motor vehicle operators and thereby improve the rider&#39;s safety. At least one safety light fixture is mounted to lower portions of bicycle seat stays or rear portions of the bicycle chain stays. The light fixture includes light sources generating light beams directed forward onto rear surfaces of the rider&#39;s legs. While peddling, the motion of the lighted legs attracts the attention of the motor vehicle operators thereby improving rider visibility. Additional light beams may be directed inward and upward toward the bicycle frame and/or the rider&#39;s buttocks to provide additional visibility to the rider and to allow the motor vehicle operators to more easily identify the bicycle and rider. A second light fixture may reside ahead of the rider to direct light beams onto the front of the rider&#39;s moving legs.

Description:
The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/812,056, filed Jun. 8, 2006, which application is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to bicycle safety and in particular to bicycle safety lighting. 
   Bicycle riding has been both a form of transportation and recreation for many years and in many parts of the world. When such riding occurs in low light and/or dark conditions the safety of the rider depends upon the rider&#39;s ability to see the road surface ahead and more importantly being able to be seen by motor vehicle operators using the road. This invention addresses the safety need to be seen by motor vehicle operators. 
   Various safety devices, generally comprising reflectors and/or lights, are known and used by bicycle riders. Most bicycles are sold with reflectors, however such reflectors are small and depend on light being directed towards them. Both forward facing and rearward facing lights are also common, and are generally mounted on or near handle bars, or under the bicycle seat. While such lights provide some added visibility to the rider, it is often not sufficiently conspicuous to motor vehicle operators. 
   Several attempts have been made to provide an elevated lighting for bicycles based on the belief that a higher light is more visible. Such elevated devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,049,959, and 4,309,741. Unfortunately, while these are intuitively attractive, in practice they have failed to gain acceptance, possibly because of the ungainly appearance, and because they do not provide a significant improvement in visibility compared to existing lights. 
   Other attempts have been made to provide safety lighting to improve the visibility of motorcycle riders. U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,339 discloses a lighting residing towards the rear of motorcycle seating, which light illuminates a rider&#39;s back to improve visibility. Unfortunately, such lighting fails to illuminate an easily identifiable portion of the rider, especially when the rider is leaning forward on the handle bars, and is not likely to cause a motor vehicle operator to immediately identify the rider and provide increased safety. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention addresses the above and other needs by providing a bicycle or moped lighting system which projects light onto a rider&#39;s legs to make the rider more visible to motor vehicle operators and thereby improve the rider&#39;s safety. At least one safety light fixture is mounted to lower portions of bicycle seat stays or rear portions of the bicycle chain stays. The light fixture includes light sources generating light beams directed forward onto rear surfaces of the rider&#39;s legs. While peddling, the motion of the lighted legs attracts the attention of the motor vehicle operators thereby improving rider visibility. Additional light beams may be directed inward and upward toward the bicycle frame and/or the rider&#39;s buttocks to provide additional visibility to the rider and to allow the motor vehicle operators to more easily identify the bicycle and rider. A second light fixture may reside ahead of the rider to direct light beams onto the front of the rider&#39;s moving legs. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bicycle and safety lighting system including a bicycle and at least one safety light fixture. The bicycle includes a bicycle frame including a steering head, seat tube, a right seat stay, a left seat stay, a right chain stay, and a left chain stay. A fork is connected to the steering head, a front wheel and tire are rotatably mounted to the fork. A rear axle is attached to the frame proximal to the intersection of the seat stays and the chain stays and a rear wheel and tire are rotatably mounted to the rear axle. A bicycle seat is supported by the seat tube and a remote electrical power source may be carried under the seat and connected to the safety light by cabling, or may be integral with the safety light fixture. The safety light fixture may be attached to one of the seat stays, the chain stays, or the rear axle. At least one Light Emitting Diode (LED) resides on the safety light fixture and generates a forward pointing beam towards the rider&#39;s legs. The safety light fixture may also include inward and upward facing LEDs for illuminating the frame and the rear wheel. The safety light fixture may comprise a left safety light fixture and a right safety light fixture attached to the left and right sides of the bicycle respectively using a quick release. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a bicycle and safety lighting system. The bicycle includes a bicycle frame having a steering head, a seat tube, a right seat stay, a left seat stay, a right chain stay, and a left chain stay. A fork is rotatably attached to the steering head and a front wheel and tire are rotatably mounted to the fork. A rear wheel and tire are rotatably mounted to a rear axle attached to the frame proximal to the intersection of the seat stays and the chain stays. A bicycle seat is supported by the seat tube. A safety light fixture is attached to the bicycle below and behind the seat. The safety light fixture includes a light source for generating a forward pointing beam for illuminating a rider&#39;s legs. A power source is electrically connected to the light source and may be housed in the safety light fixture or be connected to the light source by cabling. A second safety light fixture may be mounted ahead of the rider to direct a light beam on fronts of the rider&#39;s legs. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a prior art bicycle. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the bicycle and a safety light system with a single beam safety light fixture according to the present invention, attached to a seat stay. 
       FIG. 3  shows safety light fixtures mounted to a lower portion of seat stays. 
       FIG. 3A  shows a more detailed view of the safety light fixtures mounted to the lower portion of seat stays. 
       FIG. 4A  is a front view of the single beam safety light fixture. 
       FIG. 4B  is a side view of the single beam safety light fixture. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the single beam safety light fixture taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4B . 
       FIG. 6A  is a rear/inside perspective view of the left safety light fixture and a mounting apparatus. 
       FIG. 6B  is a rear/outside perspective view of the left safety light fixture and the mounting apparatus. 
       FIG. 6C  is a top view of the left safety light fixture and the mounting apparatus. 
       FIG. 7A  is a cross-sectional view of the left safety light fixture and the mounting apparatus taken along line  7 A- 7 A of  FIG. 6C . 
       FIG. 7B  is a cross-sectional view of the left safety light fixture and the mounting apparatus taken along line  7 B- 7 B of  FIG. 6C . 
       FIG. 8A  is a side view of the bicycle and a second embodiment of the safety light system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 8B  is a rear view of the bicycle and the second embodiment of the safety light system according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 9A  shows a side view of forward and inward beams of the left safety light. 
       FIG. 9B  shows a rear view of the forward and the inward beams of the left safety light. 
       FIG. 9C  shows a top view of the forward and the inward beams of the left safety light. 
       FIG. 10  is a front/side perspective view of a left safety light fixture. 
       FIG. 11A  is a left side view of the left safety light fixture. 
       FIG. 11B  is a front view of the left safety light fixture. 
       FIG. 11C  is a right side view of the left safety light fixture. 
       FIG. 12  is a bottom/side perspective view of a bicycle seat with a remote electrical power source mounted to the bottom of the seat. 
       FIG. 13A  is a side view of the remote electrical power source. 
       FIG. 13B  is an end view of the remote electrical power source. 
       FIG. 13C  is a top view of the remote electrical power source. 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of the bicycle and safety light system with rearward facing second safety light fixtures attached to a bicycle fork. 
       FIG. 14A  is a side view of the rearward facing second safety light fixture and a shade. 
       FIG. 15  is a bicycle with a safety light integrated into the frame. 
   

   Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The following description is of the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing one or more preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. 
   A prior art bicycle  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The bicycle  10  includes a frame including a top tube  11 , a seat tube  12 , a steering head  14 , seat stays  24 R, and  24 L (see  FIGS. 3 and 3A ), and chain stays  26 R and  26 L. A fork  16  is rotatably mounted to the steering head  14 , and handlebars  17  are mounted to the fork  16  by a gooseneck  15 . A seat  22  is mounted to the seat tube  12  by a seat post  21 . A front light  20   a  is mounted to the gooseneck  15  and a rear light  20   b  is mounted to the seat post  21 . While the front light  20   a  and rear light  20   b  provide some visibility to the bicycle  10 , motor vehicle operators still often fail to see and identify a bicycle and rider at night and in low light conditions. Further, a common “point like” rear light  20   b  may provide no indication of distance to motor vehicle operators. 
   A side view of the bicycle  10  and a safety light system according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 2 . The safety lighting system according to the present invention includes a safety light fixture  30  mounted below and preferably behind the seat  22 . The safety light fixture  30  includes at least one electrical light source  42  (see  FIGS. 4A ,  4 B, and  5 ) which produces at least one forward pointing (having an elevation angle Θ between −90 degrees and +90 degrees) beam  31 . The elevation angle Θ (theta) of the beam  31  is preferably adjusted to maximally illuminate a rider&#39;s legs while in pedaling position, and the best elevation angle Θ is dependent on where the safety light fixture  30  is mounted on the bicycle. The safety light fixture  30  is preferably mounted on a lower portion  25  (see  FIG. 3A ) of one of the seat stays  24 L or  24 R and the elevation angle Θ is preferably between approximately zero degrees and approximately thirty degrees. 
   While the elevation angle Θ is preferably between approximately zero degrees and approximately thirty degrees, in some cases the safety light fixture  30  could be mounted under the seat  22  but not behind the seat  22  or even worn by the rider, and in this instance, the elevation angle Θ may be negative, and any safety light mounted to a bicycle or worn by a rider to illuminate a rider&#39;s legs while pedaling, is intended to come within the scope of the present invention. 
   The safety light fixture  30  may be mounted to either or both sides of the bicycle (see  FIGS. 3 ,  3 A). The electrical power source is preferably provided by batteries residing in the safety light fixture  30  (see  FIG. 5 ) but may be any energy storage devices residing in the safety light fixture  30 , or a remote electrical power source  32  residing, for example, under the seat  22  with cabling  34  electrically connecting the remote electrical power source  32  to the safety light fixture  30  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
   Further, the safety light  30  may comprise a left safety light fixture  30 L mounted on the left side of the bicycle and a right safety light fixture  30 R mounted on the right side of the bicycle (see  FIGS. 3 and 3A ). The safety light fixture  30 L and/or  30 R may include batteries (see  FIG. 14 ) or some other electrical power source and the remote electrical power source  32  and cabling  34  may be eliminated. The beam(s)  31  are positioned and pointed for illuminating a rider&#39;s legs, which illumination provides significant visibility to the rider at night and in low light conditions. Because the legs are easily recognizable by a motor vehicle operator, the rider is quickly seen and recognized. Further, while peddling, motion of the moving legs further improves visibility. 
   The safety light fixtures  30 R and  30 L are shown mounted to the seat stays  24 L and  24 R in  FIG. 3 , and a more detailed view of the safety light fixtures  30 R and  30 L mounted to seat stays  24 R and  24 L is shown in  FIG. 3A . The safety light fixtures  30 R and  30 L are preferably mounted to a lower portion  25  (see  FIG. 3A ) of seat stays  24 R and  24 L, but may alternatively be mounted to a rearward portion  27  of the chain stays  26 R and  26 L. Each safety light fixture  30 R and  30 L is preferably attached to the corresponding seat stay  24 R and  24 L by a mounting band  76  (see  FIG. 6 ). The safety light fixtures  30 R and  30 L may also be attached by studs welded or otherwise attached to the seat stays  24 R and  24 L or the chain stays  26 R and  26 L. The welded studs would be connected to remote power source  32  residing under the seat  22  by cabling routed inside the seat stay. The safety light fixtures  30 R and  30 L may alternatively be attached by axle nuts  29   a  to the rear axle  29  or by welded on studs. Further, when welded-on studs are provided, wires may run through the seat stays and exit near the studs to connect to the safety lights. Such welded-on studs may resemble the threaded posts  84  and be surrounded by serrated portions  78  as shown for the bracket  68  and cooperate with the quick release carriage  72  (see  FIGS. 6A-7A ). 
   A front view of the safety light fixture  30  is shown in  FIG. 4A , a side view of the safety light fixture  30  is shown in  FIG. 4B , and a cross-sectional view of the safety light fixture  30  taken along line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 4B  is shown in  FIG. 5 . The safety light fixture  30  may be used on the right or left side of a bicycle and includes at least one light source  42  for generating the beam  31  (see  FIG. 2 ), and preferably includes at least three light sources  42 , and more preferably includes at least five light sources  42 . The light sources  42  are covered by a clear lens  43  for protection and are preferably LEDs. A circuit board  92  provides a proper LED power signal and may serve as a heat sink for the light sources  42 . A switch  50  is connected to the circuit board  92  and allows a rider to turn the power to the light sources  42  on and off as needed or desired. The safety light fixture is preferably water resistant or water proof. The LEDs preferably have a viewing angle (also called total viewing angle) of between approximately 60 degrees and approximately 90 degrees. 
   The safety light fixture  30  further includes a housing  86 , and a mounting feature  54 , for example, a threaded stud or internally threaded post, is attached to the housing  86  or alternatively a slot  70  (see  FIGS. 6 and 7 ) in the housing  86 . As an alternative to the remote electrical power source  32 , batteries  90  are shown residing inside the housing  86  to provide an electrical power source and a removable cap  88  allows battery replacement (see  FIG. 5 ). A plug  52  may reside on the exterior of the housing  86  for recharging without removing the batteries  90 . The safety light fixture is preferably water resistant or water proof. 
   LEDs are a preferred light source  42  because of the low power requirements of LEDs. The LEDs preferably reside on electrical circuit boards providing power to the LEDs, which also provides heat dissipation for the LEDs. Such heat dissipation is important because overheating shortens the life of an LED. Alternatively, the electrical circuits may reside with the power source  32 , or along the cabling  24 , and in this instance, a separate heat sink is preferably provided to dissipate heat generated by the LEDs. 
   A top rear outside perspective view of a left safety light fixture  30 L with a lens  43  covering the LED light sources  42  (not shown) and a quick release bracket mechanism  68  is shown in  FIG. 6A , a rear/outside perspective view of the left safety light fixture  30 L and the mounting apparatus  68  is shown in  FIG. 6B , a top view of the left safety light fixture  30 L and the mounting apparatus  68  is shown in  FIG. 6C , a cross-sectional view of the left safety light fixture  30 L and the mounting apparatus  68  taken along line  7 A- 7 A of  FIG. 6C  is shown in  FIG. 7A , and a cross-sectional view of the left safety light fixture  30 L and the mounting apparatus  68  taken along line  7 B- 7 B of  FIG. 6C  is shown in  FIG. 7B . Top and bottom quick release slots  70  of left light fixture  30 L are formed in a left housing  86 L. A left quick release carriage  72 L includes top and bottom rails  71  configured to cooperate with the slots  70  and a serrated attachment ear  74  attached to the top of the quick release carriage  72 L by a neck  102 . Such arrangement allows the safety light fixture  30 L to slide onto the quick release carriage  72 L preventing the light from pulling away laterally from the quick release carriage  72 L. 
   The safety light fixture  30 L is prevented from sliding forward and backward by a quick release thumb screw  94  passing through a passage  98  in quick release carriage  72 L and threaded into a mount nut  104  of the housing  86 L. The thumb screw  94  preferably includes a fixing washer  96  which tends to be retained on the thumb screw to prevent the threaded thumb screw  94  from separating from the quick release carriage  72 L when the safety light fixture  30 L is removed from the quick release carriage  72 L. The passage  98  in the quick release carriage  72 L includes a countersink hole  100  on the safety light fixture  30 L side of quick release carriage  72 L to accommodate the washer  96  and the end of the quick release thumb screw  94  and not interfere with the safety light fixture  30 L as the safety light fixture  30 L slides on the quick release carriage  72 L. 
   The thumb screw  94  passes through the passage  98  and threads into a mounted nut  104  of the housing  86 L. The counter sunk depression  100  in the quick release carriage  72 L provides space for the washer  96  and the end of the quick release thumb screw  94  to allow the safety light fixture  30 L to slide into the quick release carriage  72 L without releasing the thumb screw  94  from the release carriage  72 L. A mounting band  76  clamps around the seat stay  24   a  or  24   b  (see  FIGS. 3 and 3A ) and is held in place by a threaded bolt  80  passing through the passages  90  in mounting band  76  and retained by a first threaded fastener  82   a . The threaded bolt  80  is preferably a thumb screw to allow quick attachment and detachment without requiring a tool. A threaded post  84  reaches laterally from the mounting band  76  and passes through the ear  74  of the quick release carriage  72 L, and held in place by a second threaded fastener  82   b , preferably a finger tighenable nut. The mounting band  76  includes a serrated element  78  which cooperates with the serrated surface on the ear  74  of the quick release carriage  72 L to fix the elevation angle θ of the safety light fixture  30 L to maintain a maximal illumination of the legs of the rider. The quick release allows the safety light fixture  30 L to slide on and off the quick release strut  72 L so that safety light fixture  30 L may be removed to prevent theft when the bicycle is left unattended. 
   The right safety light fixture  30 R (see  FIGS. 3 and 3A ) is preferably the mirror image of the left safety light fixture  30 L. 
   A side view of the bicycle  10  and a second safety light fixture  33  according to the present invention is shown in  FIG. 8A  and a rear view of the bicycle  10  and safety light fixture  33  is shown in  FIG. 8B . The safety light fixture  33  includes a multiplicity of electrical light sources  42  and preferably produces a plurality of forward beams  36   a - 36   d  and inward beams  38   a - 38   c  and  40   a - 40   c . All of the beams are shown in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , with the forward beams  36   a - 36   d  labeled in  FIG. 8A , and the inward beams  38   a - 38   c  and  40   a - 40   c  labeled in  FIG. 8B . Beams are shown for a left safety light fixture  33 L and beams from a right safety light fixture  33 R are the mirror image of the beams from the light  33 L. 
   A side view of the forward beams  36   a - 36   d  and inward beams  38   a - 38   c  and  40   a - 40   c  of the left safety light  33  is shown in  FIG. 9A , a rear view of the forward beams  36   a - 36   d  and the inward beams  38   a - 38   c  and  40   a - 40   c  of the left safety light fixture  33  is shown in  FIG. 9B , and a top view of the forward beams  36   a - 36   d  and the inward beams  38   a - 38   c  and  40   a - 40   c  of the left safety light  33  is shown in  FIG. 9C . The forward beams  36   a - 36   d  primarily illuminate the rider&#39;s legs and the inward beams  38   a - 38   c  and  40   a - 40   c  further illuminate the frame and rear wheel and tire. 
   A front/side perspective view of the left safety light fixture  33 L is shown in  FIG. 10 , a left side view of the left safety light fixture  33 L is shown in  FIG. 11A , a front view of the left safety light fixture  33 L is shown in  FIG. 11B , and a right side view of the left safety light fixture  33 L is shown in  FIG. 11C . The left safety light fixture  33 L has a forward facing surface  33   a , an inward and upward facing surface  33   b , and an inward and downward facing surface  33   c . When the left safety light fixture  33 L is attached to the bicycle  10 , the forward facing surface  33   a  is aimed towards the rider&#39;s legs. 
   Preferably, at least two light sources  42  reside on the forward facing surface  33   a  and more preferably four light sources  42  reside on the forward facing surface  33   a . The inward and upward facing surface  33   b  is preferably approximately orthogonal to the forward facing surface  33   a  and preferably reside approximately 45 degrees above the horizontal. The inward and downward facing surface  33   c  is preferably approximately orthogonal to the forward facing surface  33   a  and preferably resides approximately 45 degrees below the horizontal. Preferably, at least two light sources  42  reside on inward and upward facing surface  33   b  and on the inward and downward facing surface  33   c , and more preferably, three light sources  42  in a triangular pattern reside on inward and upward facing surface  33   b  and on the inward and downward facing surface  33   c . The left safety light fixture  33 L preferably includes an attachment passage  47  for attaching to the bicycle  10 . The attachment passage  47  preferably passes completely through the left safety light fixture  33 L. The right safety light fixture  33 R is preferably the mirror image of the left safety light fixture  33 L along a vertical front to rear centerline. 
   A bottom/side perspective view of the bicycle seat  22  with the remote electrical power source  32  mounted to the bottom of the seat  22  is shown in  FIG. 12 , a side view of the remote electrical power source  32  is shown in  FIG. 13A , an end view of the remote electrical power source  32  is shown in  FIG. 13B , and a top view of the remote electrical power source  32  is shown in  FIG. 13C . The remote electrical power source  32  may contain typical household batteries, rechargeable batteries, may include a removable rechargeable module, or may include a receptacle for a recharger to recharge batteries inside the remote electrical power source  32 . The remote electrical power source  32  further may include fastener features  66  for attaching the remote electrical power source  32  to the seat  22  using straps  62 , for example, to seat rails  60 . The remote electrical power source  32  may also be attached to the seat  22  using any suitable fastening means, or may alternatively be attached to the bicycle frame, or may be worn by the rider. 
   A side view of the bicycle  10  and safety light system with rearward facing second safety light fixtures  110  attached ahead of the rider to a bicycle fork  16  is shown in  FIG. 14  and a detailed view of the safety light fixture  110  with a shade  114  is shown in  FIG. 14A . The second safety light fixtures  110  generate beams  112  pointing approximately rearward, to illuminate front surfaces of the rider&#39;s legs, with a shade  114  extending toward the rider mounted to the upper surface of the light fixture  110  to avoid blinding a rider who might look down. The rearward facing light fixture  110  may alternatively be mounted to the steering head  14  or the top tube  11 . 
   While the safety lighting system has been presented as mounted to the bicycle  10 , a safety lighting system according to the present invention is also suitable for mounting to a moped, or other vehicles, and any safety lighting system including substantially forward pointing safety light fixtures mounted below and behind the seat, and illuminating a rider&#39;s legs, is intended to come within the scope of the present invention. 
   A bicycle with a safety light  120  integrated into the frame is shown in  FIG. 15 . 
   While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth in the claims.