Patent Publication Number: US-2004040407-A1

Title: Bicycle handlebar assembly having a light device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] The present invention relates to a bicycle handlebar assembly that has a light device connected to a distal end thereof.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002] A conventional bicycle safety device used for sending signal to the vehicles behind the bicycle is shown in FIG. 4 and generally includes a reflector device  62  which is connected to a rear fender  61  above the rear wheel  60 . The reflector device  62  may reflect light from the vehicle so that the driver of the vehicle behind the bicycle is noticed that a bicycle is located in front of the vehicle. This is extremely important for the safety of the rider of the bicycle especially during night time. Nevertheless, the reflector device  62  is a passive device which is operated by the light beam from the vehicle. The passive reflector device  62  cannot show any turning signal to the vehicle behind the bicycle so that it has a potential risk for the rider of the bicycle.  
       [0003] The present invention intends to provide a handlebar assembly that has a light device connected thereto and the rider can operate the switch to show turning signal to the driver behind the bicycle.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bicycle handlebar assembly which comprises a handlebar and a light device is connected to a distal end of the handlebar. A switch is connected to an outer periphery of the light device and the light device includes a close end and an open end to which a transparent cap is connected. An annular groove is defined in the close end so as to receive the handlebar therein. A light reflection plate is received in the transparent cap and a hole is defined through the light reflection plate. A bulb is engaged with the hole and a chamber is defined in the light device so as to receive batteries therein.  
       [0005] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a handlebar assembly that has a light device at a distal end thereof.  
       [0006] The present invention will become more obvious from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which show, for purposes of illustration only, a preferred embodiment in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0007]FIG. 1 is an exploded view to show the handlebar assembly of the present invention;  
     [0008]FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view to show the the handlebar assembly of the present invention;  
     [0009]FIG. 3 is a perspective view to show the handlebar assembly of the present invention, and FIG. 4 shows a conventional reflector device of a bicycle. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
     [0010] Referring to FIGS.  1  to  3 , the bicycle handlebar assembly of the present invention comprises a handlebar  15  which is a hollow tube with an open end and a light device  10  is connected to a distal end of the handlebar  15 . The light device  10  has a rubber-made outer layer. The light device  10  includes a close end  13  and an open end, wherein a threaded outer periphery  14  is defined in the open end of the light device  10  and an annular groove  12  is defined in the close end  13 . The handlebar  15  is engaged with the annular groove  12 . A transparent cap  40  has a threaded inner periphery  41  which is engaged with the threaded outer periphery  14  at the open end of the light device  10 . A light reflection plate  42  is received in the transparent cap  40  and a hole  421  is defined through the light reflection plate  42  so that a bulb  50  is engaged with the hole  421 . A chamber  11  is defined in the light device  10  so as to receive batteries  30  therein. The light device  10  has a switch  20  connected to an outer periphery of the light device  10  and is electrically connected in series with the batteries  30  and the bulb  50 .  
     [0011] When turning the bulb  50  on, the light can be seen by the driver behind the bicycle via the transparent cap  40  so as to be used as a turning signal. The light device  10  may be disengaged from the handlebar  15  and used as a flashlight when needed.  
     [0012] While we have shown and described the embodiment in accordance with the present invention, it should be clear to those skilled in the art that further embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.