Abstract:
A bicycle tail light has a casing containing LEDs and a battery, as well as a universal mounting for engaging a bicycle luggage rack, a chain stay, a seat post or a rider&#39;s messenger bag, backpack or clothing. A swivel mounting is included for adjusting the light to an appropriate tilt angle, depending on the position of the bicycle component on which the light&#39;s base is mounted. The tail light projects light from both sides as well as to the rear, providing over 180° of visibility. A micro USB charging port for the battery is located at the outside of the light casing.

Description:
This application claims benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 61/342,646, filed Apr. 15, 2010. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention concerns night lighting for bicycles, and specifically a tail light of high power and high visibility, as well as universal mounting capability. 
     Bicycle tail lights and reflectors are known in many forms. Typically these include brackets for securing to a seat post, rack or bicycle frame component. Most provide for only limited visibility of the rider and bicycle. One popular brand, for example, produces about 3.8 lumens of light in the rear facing direction. Normally the tail lights flash, both for conserving battery and for better attracting the attention of nearby drivers. 
     One problem with some prior tail lights was the need to remove the battery for recharging. 
     An objective of the invention is to improve over existing and conventional bike tail lights by providing a light of increased light output, visibility and wide angle of visibility, as well as easy removal and charging convenience. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The tail light of the invention has a casing containing LEDs and a battery, as well as a universal mounting for engaging a bicycle luggage rack, a chain stay, a seat post or a rider&#39;s messenger bag, backpack or clothing. A swivel mounting is included for adjusting the light to an appropriate tilt angle, depending on the position of the bicycle component on which the light&#39;s base is mounted. 
     The tail light preferably produces about 35 lumens of light, including rear and side-projected light. The side light preferably is amber. The lithium-ion battery in the light casing enables use preferably for about five hours on a charge, or at least a minimum of two hours. 
     In a preferred embodiment the tail light also includes a reflector for reflecting red light back toward headlights, etc. 
     Preferably the tail light has a micro USB charging port, a standard for cell phones, so that the light&#39;s battery can be charged using a cell phone charger or via a USB cable connected to a computer. Importantly, the charging port is at the exterior of the tail light&#39;s casing, so the battery need not be removed for charging. 
     With its angular adjustment to accommodate different mounting positions, more than 180° of light projection, and capability of attachment at various types of attachment points, the bike tail light of the invention exhibits a versatility unknown in prior bike tail lights. These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, considered along with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  are left side, rear and right side views of the bicycle tail light of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the tail light showing a mounting base at a selected angular position. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing the mounting base and a bike mount. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the tail light. 
         FIG. 7  is an exploded view showing assembly of components of the tail light. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     In the drawings,  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  show a tail light  10  of the invention comprising a casing  12  that includes a casing shell  14  and a cover  16  that forms a rear side of the light assembly, from which light is directed. The light assembly further includes a mounting base  18  that is pivotally connected at  20  to the casing, to provide for adjustment of the angle of the tail light casing  12  with respect to the mounting base  18 . This enables the device to be oriented in appropriate generally rearward-facing direction without regard to where on a bicycle or on a rider&#39;s backpack, clothing or other gear the device is attached. The pivot adjustment includes a locking feature for selected positions. This is shown in this preferred embodiment by a rack of teeth  22  on what would be the forward side of the casing in use. The mounting base has an engaging pawl  24 , the engagement end of which is visible in  FIG. 3 , which is pushed in to release a locked position and released to engage a new locking position. This mechanism is further explained below. 
       FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  also show a rubber access door  26  on one side of the casing for access to a micro USB charging port for a rechargeable (preferably lithium-ion) battery contained in the casing, and an on/off push-button switch  28  on the other side of the casing. The tail light may have only two settings, ON and OFF, and in a preferred embodiment the light from the device is flashing. Alternatively, the user can select a setting, steady on or flashing, including for side lights discussed below, by pushing the switch button a prescribed number of times. Also shown in these views is a red light-projecting LED  29 , and left and right windows  30  for side lights, preferably amber light, to provide 180° or greater visibility of the position of a bicycle. 
       FIG. 4  shows the tail light  10  with the mounting base  18  with the casing  12  rotated to one selected angle relative to the mounting base  18 . The mounting base  18  is shown secured to a bike mount  32 , this latter component being configured to receive a strap as discussed below. In  FIG. 4  one side window  30  is visible, as is the on/off switch  28 . 
       FIG. 5  shows details of the mounting base  18  and its interconnection with the bike mount  32 . Pivot elements  34  are shown on arms  36  of the mounting base. A main prong or leg  38  of the mounting base slides into and locks into position with the bike mount  32 . A locking nipple of the bike mount is seen at  40 . This pops up into place as shown when the leg  38  is fully inserted. To retract the locking nipple  40 , one can collapse the casing  12  fully against the leg  38  and the bike mount  32  causing a pin or prong  41  ( FIG. 4 ) to press against and release the locking nipple  40 . This allows the mounting base  18  to be pulled out when desired. In this way the bike mount  32  can be left on the bicycle or other article while the light itself is removed for security or for charging. What is illustrated represents only one example of a connection between the mounting base and the bike mount; other arrangements can be used. 
       FIG. 6  shows the tail light  10  with the mounting base  18  and connected bike mount  32  at a set angle as desired by a user. As in the previous views the mounting strap for the bike mount  32  is not shown. This view shows that the casing cover  16  can be a transparent or substantially transparent plastic cover, fixedly secured to the casing shell  14  and covering a light directing shield  46  with an attached reflector strip  48  inside the casing. 
       FIG. 7  shows, in exploded view, the major components and assembly of the components of the tail light of the invention in a preferred embodiment. As shown, the mounting base  18  receives the locking latch  24  through an opening  50  that includes a slot along the deep side of the mounting base  18  as seen in  FIG. 7 . A small compression spring  52  can be provided, or other spring means can be used, to bias the latch device  24  outwardly. Once the latch  24  is in place and the mounting base  18  is secured over the casing as shown in the views described above, the locking latch  24  is captured in place. The spring pushes a locking pawl  54  of the latch into engagement between teeth  22  of the casing for setting a desired angular position. The bike mount bracket  32  is shown separated from the mounting base, and with the mounting base&#39;s main prong or leg  38  in position to slide into the bike mount  32 . Also shown schematically is a bike mount strap  56  with an enlarged end  58  acting as a stop, and position locking holes  60  for slipping over a button head  62  on the side of the bike mount after the strap has been tightened as desired. The strap slips through a strap slot  64  (best seen in  FIG. 5 ) until the stop  58  fixes it in position, and the free end with the holes  60  extends up through a slot  66  at the other side, this slot being seen in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  and  7 . 
       FIG. 7  indicates the casing shell  14  to which the on/off button  28  is assembled, at a circular opening  68  at one side of the shell. A rectangular window  70  is shown at the opposite side of the shell, to receive the micro USB charging plug  72 . A rechargeable battery is shown at  74 , contained in the casing. A bezel or grommet-like frame  76  is shown for assembly into the rectangular window  70 . A gasket is seen at  78 , to be engaged between the shell  14  and the cover  16 . The casing shell  14  preferably is of metal to act as a heat sink to disperse the heat of the LED lamps contained in the casing. 
     A printed circuit board is shown at  80 , and in this preferred embodiment the PC board has two LED lamps  82  and  29  (this latter lamp also being indicated in  FIG. 2 ). The switch  28  is appropriately connected to switch these LED lamps on and off. As noted above, in one embodiment both lamps can be constantly flashing, but other illuminating status could be used for the two LEDs. For example, the LED  82  for projecting amber light (by projection through an amber window) could be constantly on, while the LED  29  projecting red light flashes. The switch could be wired to select different illumination statuses, such as optionally having the red light on steadily. 
     Above the PC board  80  as seen in  FIG. 7  is the light focusing/reflecting shroud or shield  46 . A reflector opening  84  acts as a reflector for the desired appropriate angle for red light projection. Side light directing reflectors  30  appropriately direct side light from the LED  82  (preferably amber), toward both sides. The reflector strip  48  is secured down, as by adhesion, to the shroud or shield  46 . 
     As noted above, in a preferred embodiment the tail light of the invention will operate preferably up to five hours on a charge, and preferably produces about 35 lumens light. The overall weight of the assembled device preferably is no more than about 110 grams. Charge time may be about 2.5 hours for a lithium-ion battery, and charging is conveniently accomplished with the micro USB port as discussed above, using virtually any cell phone charging cord of modern standard, or using a USB cable connected to a computer. With the bike mount strap as described above, the device provides for tool-free quick connection and quick release to a seat post, seat stay or other bicycle frame element, or even to a helmet. In addition, the bike mount  32  can be removed from the mounting base  18 , and the mounting base can be used a clip to attach the tail light to a backpack, other gear or an article of clothing. 
     The above described preferred embodiments are intended to illustrate the principles of the invention, but not to limit its scope. Other embodiments and variations to these preferred embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.