Patent Publication Number: US-2015070919-A1

Title: Bicycle lighting system

Description:
The invention relates to a bicycle lighting system. 
     According to the present invention there is provided a bicycle lighting system comprising: 
     a) A front light with a power source with a mourning means for mounting on a bicycle, said front light being releasably secured to the mounting means to remove the from light when the bicycle is not being used, 
     b) front indicator tights powered by the front light power source, 
     c) a rear light with a power source for mounting on a bicycle, 
     d) rear indicator lights powered by the rear light power source, 
     e) and a switch device for mounting on the handlebars to operate the tights, said switch device being adapted to control the rear light and rear indicator lights through a wireless connection. 
     Preferably the front light and front light indicators are hard wired to the switch device. 
     Preferably the front indicator lights are part of a front light housing. 
     Preferably the rear indicator lights are part of the rear light housing. 
     Preferably the bicycle light system further includes a brake light. The brake light may be powered by the rear light power source. 
     The front light power source and rear light power source may include a solar panel. 
     The bicycle light system may further comprise one or more helmet lights for mounting on a bicycle helmet, and the or each light may be controlled by the switch device. 
     The rear light may have a mounting means for mounting on a bicycle, said rear light being releasably secured to the mounting means to remove the rear light when the bicycle is not being used. 
     Preferably removal of the front light from the mounting means disables operation of the rear lights. 
    
    
     
         FIG. 1  illustrates one embodiment of the bicycle lighting system of the present invention shown in a perspective view in two portions mounted in a front (with handlebars) and rear (with seat post) part of a bicycle. 
     
    
    
     An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing showing a schematic perspective view. Referring to the drawing there is shown a bicycle lighting system 
     A front light housing  10  is provided with a power source in the form of a battery  11 . Housing  10  is releasably secured to a mounting means such as a cradle  12  for mounting on a bicycle handlebar X, whereby the housing can be removed when the bicycle is not being used to prevent it being stolen. Housing  10  has a central front white light  13  powered by battery  11 . Housing  10  also has front orange indicator lights  14 A, 14 B (e.g. with arrow diffusers as shown) powered by the battery  11 . A wireless circuit  15  is provided to communicate with rear tight housing  20  described below. 
     A rear light housing  20  is provided with a power source in the form of a battery  21 . Housing  20  is releasably secured to a mounting means in the form of a cradle  22  for mounting on a bicycle seat post Y, whereby the housing can be removed when the bicycle is not being used to prevent it being stolen. Housing  20  has a central rear red light  23  powered by battery  11 . Housing  20  also has front orange indicator lights  24 A, 24 B (e.g. with arrow diffusers as shown) powered by the battery  21 . A wireless circuit  25  is provided to communicate with front light housing wireless circuit  15 . A rear red brake light  26  is provided powered by battery  21 . Brake light  26  operates only when a bicycle is decelerating, e.g using a gravity/mercury type switch. 
     A switch device  30  is provided for mounting on the handlebars X to operate the lights. Switch device  30  has a first “On/Off” switch  31  which turns the front and rear light H and  23  on and off. Switch device  30  also has a left and right indicator switch  32  to control the front and rear left indicator lights  14 A, 24 A and the front and rear right indicator lights  14 B, 24 B. 
     Switch device  30  on handle bar X is wired to front housing  10  to control the front lights i 3 , 14 A, 14 B, but is adapted to control the rear light  23  and rear indicator lights  24 A, 24 B through the wireless connection provided by the wireless circuits  15 , 25 . 
     A switch  16  in the housing  10  operated by placing the housing  10  in cradle  11 , ensures the rear lights cannot operate when the front housing is removed from cradle  11 , whereby removal of the front light from the cradle disables operation of the rear lights. 
     The front light power source and rear light power source in the form of batteries  11 , 21  may include a solar panel (not shown). 
     The bicycle light system may further comprise one or more helmet lights for mounting on a bicycle helmet, and the or each light may be controlled by the switch device. 
     In use of a bicycle using the system of the invention, the rider is able to control the operation of the front and rear light and front and rear indicator lights using switch  31 , 32 . The wireless connection between the front and rear housing  10 , 20  means that no wires between the two are required which can be damaged or make the bicycle unsightly. The front light can be removed so that it is not stolen when the bicycle to which it is fitted is left unattended. Once the front light is removed, the rear light is disabled operation of the rear lights so there is little temptation to steal the rear housing. The rear light may however be removed for security purposes. 
     The invention may take a form different to that specifically described above. For example the front or rear indicator lights could extend laterally from their housing or could he separate from their housing. If desired the rear light could be permanently fixed the bicycle rather than removable as shown. Also the front indicator lights  14 A, 14 B could he separate to the front housing  10 , e.g. mounted on the handlebars. The rear indicator light could be separate from the rear housing  20 . The switch device  30  ma also he removable with housing.  10 . 
     Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.