Patent Publication Number: US-2019193805-A1

Title: Light

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a light attached to an end of a handlebar of a bicycle. 
     Description of the Background Art 
     As a light to be attached to an end of a handlebar of a bicycle, a light that is inserted into a hollow portion of a handlebar in the form of a pipe and thus fixed to the handlebar has been conventionally known. For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-162183 discloses a light proposed as a light to be attached to a handle via a bar end (a bar end bar) to resolve a problem caused as there is a limited space between a grip of a handlebar and a stem (or inside the grip) for attaching accessories. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0040407 discloses a light proposed as a direction indicator integrated with a grip of a handlebar and operated via a switch provided at the grip to prevent a collision with a vehicle from behind. For this light, a circuit including a power supply is disposed inside the handlebar. 
     International Publication No. 2017/003074 discloses a light, which is a grip rather than a light, and is proposed as a device having a direction indicating function and a brake lamp function. For this light as well, a circuit including a power supply is disposed inside a handlebar. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A conventional light has an insertion portion inserted into a hollow portion of a handlebar, and the insertion portion is formed to have a maximum width to have a diameter slightly larger than an inner diameter of the hollow portion of the handlebar, and is pushed inside the handlebar while being elastically compressed to fix the light to the handlebar. 
     As bicycles are also industrial products, they have handlebars with a substantially uniform maximum width regardless of their vehicular types, however, they have different inner diameters. This is because each handlebar is composed of metal different in thickness depending on the handlebar&#39;s strength, material quality and weight. When the handlebar has a larger inner diameter, the light may be fixed with insufficient strength. If the light has the insertion portion formed to have an increased maximum width to correspond to the handlebar having the large inner diameter, the light may not be able to be fixed to a handlebar having a small inner diameter. 
     An object of the present invention is to attach a light to a handlebar with sufficient fixing strength. 
     A light according to the present invention is a light attached to an end of a hollow handlebar of a bicycle, and comprises: a first portion (a portion exposed outside the handlebar) accommodating a light emitting unit and a battery; a second portion (an insertion portion) configured to be inserted into the hollow handlebar to fix the light to the handlebar; and an adjustment mechanism configured to adjust a maximum width of the second portion, the second portion having a space therein, the adjustment mechanism being capable of adjusting the maximum width of the second portion by using a bolt extending through the space in the second portion in an axial direction of the second portion to change an axial length of the second portion. 
     In one embodiment, in the light, the adjustment mechanism includes a first member configuring a portion of the second portion and a second member configuring another portion of the second portion, and the adjustment mechanism adjusts the maximum width of the second portion by translating the second member relative to the first member in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction. 
     In one embodiment, in the light, the first member and the second member are translatable relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction in contact with each other such that a surface extending in a direction which is oblique relative to the axial direction of the second portion serves as a boundary. 
     In one embodiment, in the light, the bolt of the adjustment mechanism is used to apply an axial compressive force to the second portion to compress the second portion in an axial direction to elastically deform the second portion and increase the second portion in diameter to adjust a maximum width of the second portion. 
     The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a bicycle to which a light according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross section of a handlebar. 
         FIG. 3  shows a light according to a comparative example. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross section of a light according to a first embodiment. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross section of the  FIG. 4  light with a second portion (or an insertion portion) having an increased maximum width (without showing a bolt shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
         FIG. 6  is a cross section of a light according to a second embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described. In the figures, identical or corresponding components are identically denoted and may not be described redundantly. 
     Note that in any embodiment described hereinafter, when numbers, amounts and the like are referred to, the present invention is not necessarily limited in scope thereto unless otherwise specified. Furthermore, in any embodiment described hereinafter, each component is not necessarily essential to the present invention unless otherwise specified. 
       FIG. 1  shows a bicycle to which a light according to one embodiment of the present invention is attached. With reference to  FIG. 1 , a bicycle  1  includes a front wheel  2  and a rear wheel  3 , a front fork  4  and a chain stay  5 , a handlebar  6  to which a light to be described later is attached, and a gear crank  7  that rotates together with a pedal. 
     Handlebar  6  has a bar end portion  6 A facing a rear side of the bicycle. As shown in  FIG. 2 , handlebar  6  is a pipe-shaped member having a cavity  6 B. Cavity  6 B opens at bar end portion  6 A. Cavity  6 B has a diameter D. Diameter D is an inner diameter of handlebar  6  that is the pipe-shaped member. While handlebar  6  has a substantially fixed outer diameter as it is set to a thickness easily grippable by a rider, handlebar  6  has a varying inner diameter (or cavity  6 B varies in diameter D) as handlebar  6  is composed of metal different in thickness depending on strength or the like that handlebar  6  is required to have. 
     Comparative Example 
       FIG. 3  shows a light  300  according to a comparative example. Light  300  shown in  FIG. 3  is fixed to bar end  6 A of handlebar  6 . Light  300  has an exposed portion  310  that has a light emitting unit accommodated therein and is exposed outside of handlebar  6 , an insertion portion  320  inserted into cavity  6 B of handlebar  6 , and an elastic portion protruding radially outward from a lateral surface of insertion portion  320 . When insertion portion  320  is inserted into cavity  6 B of handlebar  6 , elastic portion  330  is deformed to bend. By the resilience of elastic portion  330  bent, elastic portion  330  is pressed against an inner circumferential surface of handlebar  6  and a frictional force is caused between elastic portion  330  and the inner circumferential surface of handlebar  6 . As a result, light  300  is fixed to bar end  6 A of handlebar  6 . When light  300  is thus fixed, light  300  has the light emitting unit directed toward the rear side of bicycle  1 . That is, light  300  is fixed to bar end  6 A of handlebar  6  so as to emit light toward the rear side of bicycle  1 . 
     Light  300  is fixed to handlebar  6  by the resilience of elastic portion  330  deformed. However, when cavity  6 B has a large diameter D, elastic portion  330  is deformed in a small amount and accordingly, exhibits reduced resilience, which decreases frictional force for fixing light  300  to handlebar  6 . In order to prevent this, if elastic portion  330  is projected in an increased amount, and cavity  6 B has a small diameter, it is difficult to insert insertion portion  320  into cavity  6 B. 
     The lights according to first and second embodiments described hereinafter provide structures for solving such a problem. 
     First Embodiment 
       FIG. 4  is a cross section of a light  100  according to a first embodiment. Light  100  shown in  FIG. 4  is fixed to bar end  6 A of handlebar  6 . Light  100  comprises an exposed portion  110  that has a light emitting unit accommodated therein and is exposed outside of handlebar  6 , and an insertion portion  120  inserted into cavity  6 B of handlebar  6 . 
     Exposed portion  110  includes a light emitting unit  111 , a battery  112  ( 112 A,  112 B), a spacer  113 , and a case  114 . Light emitting unit  111  receives power from battery  112  to emit light. Light emitting unit  111  and battery  112  are accommodated in case  114  together with spacer  113 . Case  114  is a member (for example, transparent in red) that transmits light from light emitting unit  111 . 
     Insertion portion  120  is composed of a first member  121  and a second member  122 . First member  121  and second member  122  have inclined surfaces  123  and  124 , respectively, parallel to each other. Second member  122  is screwed to a bolt  131 . By tightening bolt  131 , second member  122  moves in the axial direction toward first member  121 , and inclined surfaces  123  and  124  come into contact with each other. When second member  122  is further moved in the axial direction with inclined surfaces  123  and  124  in contact with each other, then, as shown in  FIG. 5 , second member  122  moves with respect to first member  121  in a direction perpendicular to the axis. This changes (or increases) a maximum width R 1  of the entire insertion portion  120  that is a combination of first member  121  and second member  122 . That is, maximum width R 1  of insertion portion  120  can be adjusted by translating first member  121  and second member  122  in a direction perpendicular to the axis. 
     Insertion portion  120  is inserted into cavity  6 B with maximum width R 1  of insertion portion  120  being smaller than diameter D of cavity  6 B of handlebar  6  and in that state second member  122  is moved with respect to first member  121  in a direction perpendicular to the axis to increase maximum width R 1  of insertion portion  120 . While doing so, exposed portion  110  is detached from insertion portion  120 . By pressing an outer circumferential surface of insertion portion  120  against an inner circumferential surface of cavity  6 B, a frictional force is generated between insertion portion  120  and the inner circumferential surface of handlebar  6 . Thus light  100  has insertion portion  120  fixed to bar end  6 A of handlebar  6 . Thereafter, exposed portion  110  is attached to insertion portion  120 . Light  100  is thus fixed to bar end  6 A of handlebar  6 . When light  100  is thus fixed, light  100  has its light emitting unit directed toward the rear side of bicycle  1 . That is, light  100  is fixed to bar end  6 A of handlebar  6  so as to emit light toward the rear side of bicycle  1 . 
     Insertion portion  120  has a maximum width adjusted by a simple operation of tightening bolt  131  to move second member  122 , so that even when cavity  6 B has a large diameter D a frictional force for fixing light  100  to handlebar  6  can be ensured, whereas even when cavity  6 B has a small diameter D insertion portion  120  can be inserted into cavity  6 B to fix light  100  to the handlebar. That is, according to the present embodiment, light  100  ensuring sufficient strength to fix it to a handlebar can be provided. 
     Second Embodiment 
       FIG. 6  is a cross section of a light  200  according to a second embodiment. Light  200  shown in  FIG. 6  is fixed to bar end  6 A of handlebar  6 . Light  200  has an exposed portion  210  that has a light emitting unit accommodated therein and is exposed outside of handlebar  6 , and an insertion portion  220  inserted into cavity  6 B of handlebar  6 . 
     Exposed portion  210  includes a light emitting unit  211 , a battery  212  ( 212 A,  212 B), a spacer  213 , and a case  214 . Light emitting unit  211  receives power from battery  212  to emit light. Light emitting unit  211  and battery  212  are accommodated in case  214  together with spacer  213 . Case  214  transmits light from light emitting unit  211 . 
     Insertion portion  220  is composed of a first member  221  and a second member  222 . Insertion portion  220  has a bolt  231  inserted therethrough. Bolt  231  has an end screwed to a nut  233  through a washer  232 . By tightening nut  233 , an axial compressive force is applied by bolt  231  to second member  222  of insertion portion  220 . The axial compressive force increases the insertion portion  220  second member  222  in diameter. That is, relatively rotating bolt  231  and nut  233  can adjust a maximum width R 2  of insertion portion  220 . Second member  222  of insertion portion  220  is made for example of an elastic material such as rubber so that it can be increased in diameter by the axial compressive force applied by bolt  231 . 
     With maximum width R 2  of insertion portion  220  being smaller than diameter D of cavity  6 B of handlebar  6 , insertion portion  220  is inserted into cavity  6 B, and in that state, nut  233  is tightened to increase maximum width R 2  of insertion portion  220 . While doing so, exposed portion  210  is detached from insertion portion  220 . By pressing an outer circumferential surface of insertion portion  220  against an inner circumferential surface of cavity  6 B, a frictional force is caused between insertion portion  220  and the inner circumferential surface of handlebar  6 . Thus light  200  has insertion portion  220  fixed to bar end  6 A of handlebar  6 . Thereafter, exposed portion  210  is attached to insertion portion  220 . Light  200  is thus fixed to bar end  6 A of handlebar  6 . When light  200  is thus fixed, light  200  has its light emitting unit directed toward the rear side of bicycle  1 . That is, light  200  is fixed to bar end  6 A of handlebar  6  so as to emit light toward the rear side of bicycle  1 . 
     Insertion portion  220  has a maximum width adjusted by a simple operation of tightening nut  233 , so that even when cavity  6 B has a large diameter D a frictional force for fixing light  200  to handlebar  6  can be ensured, whereas even when cavity  6 B has a small diameter D insertion portion  220  can be inserted into cavity  6 B to fix light  200  to the handlebar. That is, according to the present embodiment, light  200  ensuring sufficient strength to fix it to a handlebar can be provided. 
     SUMMARY 
     The above contents are summarized as follows: Lights  100  and  200  according to the first and second embodiments are attached to an end of handlebar  6  of bicycle  1 . Lights  100  and  200  have an exposed portion  210  (a first portion) that has light emitting units  111 ,  211  and batteries  112 ,  212  accommodated therein, and insertion portions  120 ,  220  (a second portion) configured to be inserted into hollowed handlebar  6  to fix lights  100 ,  200  to handlebar  6 . Lights  100 ,  200  are provided with an adjustment mechanism to adjust a maximum width of insertion portions  120 ,  220 . The maximum width of insertion portions  120 ,  220  can be adjusted by using bolts  131 ,  231  (a rod-shaped member) extending in the axial direction of insertion portions  120 ,  220  to change an axial length of insertion portions  120 ,  220 . 
     Light  100  comprises first member  121  and second member  122  and second member  122  is moved relative to first member  121  in an axial direction to adjust an amount by which second member  122  is translated relative to first member  121  in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and thus adjust the maximum width of insertion portion  120 . First member  121  and second member  122  translate relative to each other in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction in contact with each other such that inclined surfaces  123 ,  124  extending in a direction which is oblique relative to an axial direction of insertion portion  120  serve as a boundary. 
     In light  200 , bolt  231  is used to apply an axial compressive force to insertion portion  220  to compress it in an axial direction to elastically deform it and increase it in diameter to adjust a maximum width thereof. 
     Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it is clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the scope of the present invention being interpreted by the terms of the appended claims.