Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention concerns a device by which compensation for changes in visibility is made available for the headlight of a bicycle or similar vehicle. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,805,473 to Beard concerns a bicycle light operable to emit light of one color in one direction and light of another color in and opposite direction. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,617,303 to Izzo, Sr. discloses a signaling apparatus for a bicycle having a housing for battery and horn assemblies. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,046 to Reynolds relates to a headlight safety cover for a motorcycle that serves to improve visibility of the motorcycle during daylight hours. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,100,932 to Meggiolan and U.S. Patent Application Publication 2005/0056670 A1 to Campagnolo disclose bottle supports and cylindrical battery sheaths mounted on frame tubes of bicycles. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,286,982 to Tashiro concerns a lighting apparatus for a bicycle in which a light emitting unit and a battery case can be demounted for an alternative use. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    It is one object of the present invention to provide an illumination device that permits simple and readily adjustable compensation for changes in visibility during operation of a bicycle or other vehicle. A device according to the invention, therefore, includes a headlight assembly that outputs a beam of light, a lens housing, for a conventional or wide angle lens, mountable at a forward end of the headlight assembly, and an arrangement that is receivable on the lens housing by which the beam of light is made adaptable to different weather and lighting conditions. In a preferred form, the arrangement includes a plurality of interchangeable filter elements, such as green, blue, yellow, and red elements, that are alternatively receivable on the lens housing. The interchangeable filter elements could also include a wide angle lens. 
         [0010]    A mounting strap by which the headlight assembly is mountable to the bicycle may be provided so that, if desired, the headlight assembly can be secured to handlebars of the bicycle. 
         [0011]    The headlight assembly, the lens housing, and the arrangement receivable on the lens housing can be provided as a packaged collection of elements adapted for easy transportation and subsequent assembly. A power supply, detachably securable beneath a seat or saddle of the bicycle or on the bicycle frame, can also be provided as part of that collection, along with a harness intended to electrically interconnect the power supply, the headlight assembly, and a remote control. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a battery power supply unit forming a part of one configuration of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a longitudinal sectional view of the unit illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a view, in perspective, of a headlight assembly and a mounting strap by which the headlight assembly can be secured to a bicycle handlebar or other vehicle component. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a longitudinal sectional view of the headlight assembly illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the headlight assembly and mounting strap shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a top view of amounting bracket and adjacent elements by which the headlight assembly is secured. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view, in perspective, of a bicycle housing element, a mounting bracket, and the mounting strap with a knob assembly at its end. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the elements illustrated in  FIG. 7  in an assembled condition. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the assembly shown in  FIG. 9 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 9 , but in the opposite direction and partly in section. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  is a view of the headlight assembly along with a clear wide angle lens or filter and various colored filters that are interchangeable with the clear filter. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  is a view of a harness designed to extend between an end cap of a power supply unit and the jack of a headlight assembly. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  shows a dual headlight assembly useable in place of the single headlight assembly. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15  illustrates the power supply unit of  FIGS. 1 and 2  installed on a bicycle frame. 
           [0027]      FIG. 16  shows a different power supply unit mounted in an alternative position on a bicycle. 
           [0028]      FIG. 17  is a view similar to that of  FIG. 13  but of a harness designed for use with the power supply unit of  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]      FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of one configuration of a battery power supply unit  20  forming a part of a first configuration of an illumination device or system. This illumination device or system will occasionally be referred to in the following description as the NANO-LUX system. The NANO-LUX system has two configurations; one of these configurations is a single headlight configuration, while the other configuration is a double or dual headlight configuration. 
         [0030]    The power supply unit  20 , as illustrated, includes a cylindrical aluminum tube  22  (the NANO-TUBE assembly), forming a lightweight and attractive outer skin, that is open at both ends, a battery jack holder  24  secured to a first of the tube ends, and an end cap  26  secured to a second of the tube ends located opposite the first end. The holder  24  may be connected by threads to the first tube end for easy removal and replacement, and the end cap  26  may also be connected by threads to the second tube end. The jack holder  24  or the end cap  26  could be bonded, glued, or otherwise secured to its respective tube end rather than connected by threads. Snap fit connections or other connection types are also useable. The cross sectional view provided by  FIG. 2  also shows the holder  24  and the end cap  26  at opposite ends of the tube  22 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 2  further illustrates a battery tube  28  received within the outer aluminum tube  22 . To facilitate assembly, the battery tube can be constructed from multiple tube parts, such as the parts  28 A,  28 B shown. The battery tube  28  and other power supply unit parts, as illustrated, are designed and dimensioned to receive four serially arranged AA batteries  30 , although other configurations are possible. 
         [0032]    In its assembled condition, the power supply unit  20  has a printed circuit board (PCB) plate  32  interposed between a radially inwardly projecting shoulder  34  of the battery jack holder  24  and the adjacent first tube end. A brass connect ring (not indicated) is also located at the first tube end. The PCB plate  32  supports a jack PCB  36  as well as a jack  40 , provided in a socket adapted to receive a mating plug (not shown in  FIG. 2 ) of a wire or cable. This wire or cable may lead to an appropriate tail light (or the headlight, if desired), enabling power to be supplied to the tail light (or the headlight) by the unit  20 . Preferably, a rubber plug  38  encloses the socket when the wire or cable is not used in order to prevent contamination of the socket by dirt, water, and so on. 
         [0033]    In the configuration shown, the end cap  26  supports a PCB  42  by which the batteries  30  are connected to a harness cord exiting the end cap  26 , as will be described below. An electrical conductor such as the harness cord  166  shown in  FIG. 13  may be used as an interconnecting element. 
         [0034]    In one preferred configuration, the battery jack holder  24 , the end cap  26 , the battery tube  28 , and the PCB plate  32  are formed of a common thermoplastic material such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS). The PCBs  36  and  42  may be of a woven glass and epoxy prepreg type, such as FR4 D/S. 
         [0035]    The headlight assembly  50  shown in perspective in  FIG. 3  includes an aluminum case  52  with spaces or channels within which a decorative insert  54  and a light holder  56  can be fixed by snap connections, screws, or the like. The case  52 , the insert  54 , and the light holder  56  are secured by the screws, the snaps, or other connections to a cylindrical headlight housing  57 . Various conventional components are received within the housing  57 . These components are best seen in the cross sectional view provided by  FIG. 4 , and include a jack  58 , which may be brass, an ABS jack holder  60 , a brass/nickel connect pin  62 , an ABS pin cover  64 , an aluminum screw element  66 , an ABS lens holder  68 , a clear lens  72 , a light emitting diode or similar light source  74 , an aluminum radiator  76 , and a FR4 D/S PCB  77 . Another clear lens  70  is located at a front end of the headlight assembly  50 . 
         [0036]    A first lens housing  140 , within which the lens  70  is mounted, is threadedly received within a forward end of the cylindrical housing  57 . A second lens housing  142 , within which a wide angle lens  150  ( FIG. 3 ) is mountable, for example, is threadedly receivable within the forward end of the first lens housing  140 . For reasons that will become apparent, the second lens housing  142  will also be referred to below as a “clear filter” housing. By way of the threaded connection between the clear filter housing  142  and the first lens housing  140 , the interchangeable wide angle lens  150 , which converts the narrow beam of light traveling from the light source  74  through the clear lenses  70  and  72  into a wide angle beam, can be mounted in position at the forward end of the headlight assembly  50 . A receptacle  144  is located at a rearward end of the cylindrical headlight housing  57  in order to receive the jack connector of a harness extending, for example, between the jack  40  of the power supply unit  20  and the jack  58  of the headlight assembly  50 . 
         [0037]    Also visible in  FIG. 4  are certain other components, such as a bicycle grip or holder  78 , having an appropriate contour, a bicycle housing element  80 , and a mounting bracket  82 , which are all secured together and which cooperate in a manner to be described to mount and retain the headlight assembly  50  in position on bicycle handlebars or other tubular components. Additional description of these elements is presented below. With minimal modification to the grip holder  78 , the headlight assembly could also be mounted on a handlebar stem. 
         [0038]    The mounting bracket  82  defines a recurved, hook-shaped protrusion  90  at one end, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6-8 . To secure the mounting bracket  82  to the bicycle housing element  80 , the protrusion  90  is hooked around a flange  92  projecting from a front end of the housing element  80 , pivoted into position, and secured by an appropriate fastener, such as a screw (not shown) receivable in a bore  94  extending through the mounting bracket  82  and the housing element  90  and into the grip or holder  78 . A set screw or positioning pin  96  can facilitate alignment of the bracket  82  and the housing element  80 . 
         [0039]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the light holder  56  defines oppositely extending flanges  84  at its forward portion. These flanges are slidable into and out of grooves  86  defined in the mounting bracket  82 . The grooves  86  are visible, for example, in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . Once the flanges  84  are inserted into the grooves  86 , the headlight assembly  50  as a whole can be moved rearward relative to the mounting bracket  82  until a back edge  85  of one of the flanges  84  engages with a cam  100  defined on a release pin  102 , which is movable transversely in appropriate holes or recesses  104  provided in the mounting bracket  82 . Lateral edges of an upstanding central portion  106  defined on the mounting bracket  82  serve to guide movement of the headlight assembly  50  by engagement with inner surfaces of the flanges  84 . After engagement between the appropriate flange  84  and the cam  100 , the headlight assembly  50  is retained in position, inter alia, by frictional engagement between the flanges  84  and the grooves  86 . 
         [0040]    The release pin  102  assists a user in disengaging the headlight assembly  50  from the mounting bracket  82 . The cam  100  is shaped so that transverse movement of the release pin  102  in an appropriate direction, by being pressed or pulled by a user, at least partially ejects the flanges  84  from the grooves  86  to provide at least partial disengagement of the assembly  50  and bracket  82 . Full disengagement may then be completed manually. 
         [0041]    A mounting strap  110  is clamped or otherwise retained between adjacent surfaces of the bicycle housing element  80  and the grip or holder  78 . The mounting strap  110  is formed of an appropriate elastic material, and, in a conventional manner, can be wrapped around a bicycle handlebar or other tubular component to secure the grip or holder  78  in position. 
         [0042]    The mounting strap  110  includes a forward strap portion  112  with teeth  114  defined thereon and a rearward strap portion  116  terminating in a knob assembly  120 . The knob assembly  120  includes a central knob mount  124  defined at or secured to the end of the rearward strap portion  116 , a rotatable knob  126 , and a locket  128  by which the rotatable knob  126  is secured but permitted to rotate relative to the central knob mount  124 . When wrapping the strap  110  around the bicycle handlebar, a user inserts an end  122  of the forward strap portion  112  into a slot  125  extending through the knob assembly  120 . Threads  130  defined on a circumferential interior of the knob  126  are receivable in the spaces defined between the teeth  114  on the strap portion  116  so that, by rotation of the knob  126 , the mounting strap  110  can be tightened around or released from the bicycle handlebar or other tubular element. 
         [0043]      FIG. 12  illustrates the headlight assembly  50  along with the wide angle lens  150 , forming a clear “filter” or “filter element,” and various color filters or filter elements  152 ,  154 ,  156 , and  158 , which are interchangeable or useable in combination with the wide angle lens  150  for use in different environments and under different weather conditions. By way of example, the filter  152  may be green, the filter  154  may be blue, the filter  156  may be yellow, and the filter  158  may be red. Each of the filters includes a housing  160  having essentially the same construction as that of the clear filter housing  142 . Any of the filter housings is threadedly receivable within the forward end of the first lens housing  140  ( FIG. 4 ) in the same way as the second lens housing  142 . The wide angle lens and various filters can also be attached in series to combine the effects. For example, the clear filter housing  142  can be connected to the first lens housing  140  as shown in  FIG. 4 , and the housing  160  of another filter, such as the green filter  152 , can be connected, by cooperating threads, to the forward end of the clear filter housing  142 . Of course, it is also possible to reverse this order, so that an appropriate filter housing  160  is directly connected to the first lens housing  140 , and the clear filter housing  142  is connected to the filter housing  160 . The wide angle lens and/or the filters may alternatively be retained in place frictionally or in other appropriate ways, such as by threads or by snap connections, on the appropriate outer circumferential surface. 
         [0044]      FIG. 13  shows a harness, generally designated  164 , that is designed to extend between the end cap  26  of the power supply unit  20  and the jack  58  of the headlight assembly  50 . Although other configurations are conceivable, the harness illustrated includes a first cord  166  exiting the end cap  26  secured to the cylindrical tube  22  of the power supply unit, a second cord  168  detachable from the first cord and extending from a connection with the first cord  166  to a junction  170 , a third cord  172  extending from the junction  170  to a jack connector  174  receivable within the receptacle  144  of the headlight housing  57  so as to electrically interconnect the harness and the power supply unit to the jack  58 , and a fourth cord  176  extending from the junction  170  to a remote control  178  operable by a user. Approximate dimensions of the harness  164  are 50 cm total for cords  166  and  168 , 9.5 cm for cord  176 , and 17 cm for cord  172 . 
         [0045]    For a single headlight configuration such as the headlight assembly  50 , a three watt solid state emitter, with high/low intensity, is utilized. The emitter is built as a plug and play module for easy replacement, and the assembly  50  is configured as a miniature headlight structure with minimum diameter and length. An aluminum casing is utilized for high-efficiency heat dissipation, and, although variations are possible, it is contemplated that the interchangeable lenses would include four colored filters, namely yellow, AC red, blue, and green, and one wide angle lens that converts a narrow beam to a wide beam as described above. Operation of the remote control  178 , in the single headlight configuration, is OFF→High→OFF→Low→OFF. This operation can provide the high/low intensity with an improved, more visual distinction. The quick release bicycle mount preferably has a swivel angle of ±15 degrees, and the tilt angle is based on the mounting angle. A red LED indicator on the remote control unit may be used to signal low battery power. The power supply unit  20  (the NANO-TUBE assembly), again, uses four AA batteries, arranged serially. As described below, the power supply unit  20  is intended for installation on a bicycle frame beside s water bottle by way of a quick release bracket that shares the water bottle braze-ons. 
         [0046]      FIG. 14  shows a dual headlight assembly  180  useable in place of the single headlight assembly  50  described previously and constituting part of a second NANO-LUX system configuration. The dual headlight assembly  180  (the NANO-PACK assembly) is configured as a pair of single headlight assemblies, each similar to the assembly  50 , mounted together in a unitary housing  182  that is provided with a jack similar to the jack  58  of the assembly  50 . In one preferred configuration, the dual headlight assembly  180  includes a three watt solid state emitter in the left headlight and a one watt solid state emitter in right headlight. All emitters are built as a plug-and-play module for easy replacement. As in the single headlight assembly described previously, the headlight assembly  180  has a miniature structure with minimum diameter and length, the casing is aluminum for high efficiency heat dissipation, and, for each of the pair of headlights, interchangeable lenses, including a multiplicity of colored filters, such as yellow, AC red, blue, and green, and a clear filter, or wide angle lens, that converts a narrow beam to a wide beam, are provided. Operation of the remote control is OFF→Right→Left→Dual→OFF, and the left headlight is a three watt high beam, while the right headlight is a one watt low beam. When either the single headlight assembly  50  or the dual headlight assembly  180  is to be mounted on a helmet, a one-to-one power cord with an extended length can be used. The headlights in the dual light assembly can have different filters attached to the low and high beam lights. For example, the left, high beam headlight could have a red filter mounted to it, while the right, lower beam headlight could have a clear filter, i.e. a wide angle lens, mounted to it. 
         [0047]    As described, the power supply unit  20  preferably utilizes four AA batteries, arranged serially. The unit  20  is preferably part of a standard package of components including the single headlight assembly  50 , but is also compatible with the dual headlight assembly  180 . Referring to  FIG. 15 , in its preferred configuration, the power supply unit  20  is installed on a bicycle frame, beside a water bottle  184 , with a quick release bracket that shares the same water bottle braze-ons, such as a bracket including clips (such as C-clips) or clasps  186 . VELCRO connection elements could additionally or alternatively be used. The jack  40  of the power supply unit  20  ( FIG. 2 ), again, defines a socket adapted to receive a mating plug (not shown) of a wire or cable leading to an appropriate tail light. 
         [0048]      FIG. 16  shows an alternative power supply unit  200  mounted in an alternative position on a bicycle. The power supply unit  200  preferably uses four C batteries, is part of a standard package of components including the dual headlight assembly  180 , and is also compatible with the single headlight assembly  50 . The unit  200  is preferably installed under the bicycle saddle  202  and makes use of a conventional quick release bracket and configuration of a saddlebag. A bracket including clips, such as C-clips, or clasps, for example, could be used. Again, VELCRO connection elements could additionally or alternatively be used. The unit  200 , otherwise, could be contained in a pouch that is securable to the seat post  204  or the top tube of the bicycle frame, for example. 
         [0049]      FIG. 17  shows a harness, generally designated  206 , that is designed to extend between a jack of the power supply unit  200  and either the jack  58  of the headlight assembly  50  or the analogous jack (not shown) of the dual headlight assembly  180 . The harness illustrated in  FIG. 17  includes a first cord  210  exiting an end cap  208  of the power supply unit  200 , a second cord  212  detachable from the first cord and extending from a connection with the first gord  210  to a junction  214 , a third cord  216  extending from the junction  214  to a jack connector  218 , receivable either within the receptacle  144  of the headlight housing  57  or within a corresponding receptacle of a housing of the unit  200 , so as to electrically interconnect the harness and the power supply unit to the appropriate headlight assembly jack, and a fourth cord  220  extending from the junction  214  to a remote control  222  operable by a user. Approximate dimensions of the harness  206  are 50 cm total for cords  210  and  212 , 9.5 cm for cord  220 , and 17 cm for cord  216 . An additional cord  224 , attachable to a rear jack of the power supply unit  200 , is illustrated in  FIG. 17 . Such an additional cord  224  can be used to interconnect the unit  200  to an appropriate tail light, enabling power to be supplied to the tail light. 
         [0050]    The various filters as described serve to provide a new cosmetic for both single and dual headlight configurations. As noted, the NANO LUX series or system includes a first model, which is the single headlight system described, and a second model, which is the dual headlight system described. Each headlight can accommodate interchangeable color filters for different weather and environments, as well as an interchangeable wide-angle lens to convert a narrow beam to a wide-angle beam. Each configuration described utilizes a miniature headlight structure for an already crowded handlebar that is lightweight, permitting installation on a helmet as well as at locations such as on handlebars. 
         [0051]    In the dual headlight configuration, a pitched dual beam is provided, with the left and right headlights pitched 5° for better road coverage. In a preferred configuration, again, the left headlight is a high beam light with a three watt solid state emitter, and the right headlight is a low beam light with a one watt solid state emitter. 
         [0052]    The power supply unit  20  (the NANO-TUBE configuration), again, is one of a number of standard parts for the single headlight arrangement, but it is to be recognized that the unit  20  is also compatible with the dual headlight arrangement. The unit  20  has a diameter of approximately 15 mm, uses four standard AA batteries as described, and, again, is preferably installed beside the water bottle with a quick release bracket that shares the water bottle braze-ons. The alternative power supply unit  200  (the NANO-PACK configuration) is one of a number of standard parts for the dual headlight arrangement, but the unit  200  is also compatible with the single headlight arrangement. As described, the NANO-PACK power supply unit  200  uses four standard C-cell batteries. 
         [0053]    Certain functions and features of the single headlight configuration that are to be particularly noted will be reiterated here. The single headlight configuration includes a three watt solid state emitter, with high/low intensity. The emitter is built as a plug and play module for easy replacement, and the headlight has a miniature structure, with minimum diameter and length. An aluminum casing is used in order to provide high-efficiency heat dissipation. The interchangeable lenses include four colored filters, namely yellow, AC red, blue, and green. A wide angle lens that converts a narrow beam to a wide beam is also provided. The OFF→High→OFF→Low→OFF sequence by which the remote control  178  is operated assists in providing the high/low intensity with more visual distinction. 
         [0054]    The quick release bicycle mount provided by the bicycle grip or holder  78 , the bicycle housing element  80 , and the mounting bracket  82  has a tilt or swivel angle of approximately ±15 degrees based, of course, on the mounting angle. A red LED indicator on the remote control unit may be used to signal low battery power. The power supply unit  20  is installed beside the water bottle, by way of clips, for example, that form a quick release bracket sharing water bottle braze-ons. A rear socket defined in the power supply unit  20  permits a tail light power supply. 
         [0055]    In its preferred configuration, the quick release headlight bike mount has a ±15 degree swivel angle, as does the quick release helmet mount. In its preferred configuration, the quick release bracket for the NANO-TUBE has two long bolts and one Velcro element. 
         [0056]    In one preferred configuration, the left headlight of the double headlight arrangement is a three watt high beam, while the right headlight is a one watt low beam. The swivel angle of the quick release bicycle mount is ±15 degrees, and the tilt angle is based on the mounting angle, with the low beam is pitched −5 degrees with respect to the high beam. Two interchangeable filters sets, each having four colors, namely yellow, AC red, blue, and green, are provided for the double headlight arrangement. Two interchangeable wide-angled lenses are also provided, and a quick-release battery bracket, which is the same as that for the saddle bag, is installed under the saddle. 
         [0057]    The foregoing disclosure has been set forth merely to illustrate the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Since modifications to the disclosed embodiments incorporating the spirit and substance of the invention may occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art, the invention should be construed to include everything within the scope of the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Technology Category: 7