Land vehicles – Wheeled – Occupant propelled type
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-30
2001-02-27
Oberleitner, Robert J. (Department: 3613)
Land vehicles
Wheeled
Occupant propelled type
C280S001140, C446S444000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193254
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to the field of bicycle accessories, and more particularly to a bicycle accessory which simulates a motocross-like sound while serving a dual function as a standard bicycle reflector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A number of bicycle accessories have been developed for young children who wish to emulate riding or operating motorcycles and other similar motorized vehicles. In an earliest form, it was determined that playing cards held by clothespins or other supports inserted between the stokes of a bicycle tire could create a motorcycle like sound.
Later versions, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,558 to Randmae, U.S. Pat. No. 3,827,178 to Warneke, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,894,357 to Munro, each describe an accessory having a flap or other shaped portion which directly engages with the spokes of a bicycle wheel and produces a repeatable sound when the spokes interact with the flap.
It has been found, however, that spoke engagement can have a deleterious effect on the bicycle wheels, wherein the spokes may prematurely break due to repeated contact with the flap-like portions of these assemblies.
A number of other accessory mechanisms for this purpose, such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,754,350 to Gorke, U.S. Pat. No. 2,578,682 to Fernstrom, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,099,738 to Allen utilize engagement with the exterior of the bicycle wheel. These mechanisms, however, are fairly complex in nature requiring sophisticated forms of attachment to the bicycle frame or wheel.
There is a perceived need to provide a simple and effective sound-producing accessory which does not engage the spokes of a bicycle wheel.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of the present invention to improve the state of the art of bicycle accessories.
It is another primary object of the present invention to provide a simple noise-simulating bicycle accessory which is not complex in terms of attachment and/or manufacture.
It is another primary object of the present invention to provide a bicycle accessory having a minimum number of parts.
It is yet another primary objective of the present invention to provide a bicycle accessory which can adequate perform a number of functions simultaneously.
Therefore and according to a preferred aspect of the invention, there is provided a sound-producing accessory for a bicycle, the accessory comprising:
a body member having a dependent flexible flap section at one end thereof; and
means for mounting the body member to a bicycle frame, wherein the flexible flap section can be positioned in frictional contact with the circumferential exterior of a bicycle tire to produce a realistic motocross type sound, and in which a portion of a facing surface of the body member is reflective.
Preferably, the body member can be releasably mounted to the rear of the bicycle frame and serve a dual function as a standard bicycle reflector.
A feature of the present invention is that the body member includes a slitted opening which permits linear adjustment after the accessory has been mounted to the bicycle frame. This adjustment can alter the desired amount of frictional engagement of the flexible flap member with the bicycle wheel.
In a preferred version, the body member can assume a variety of different pleasing shapes (e.g., an animal, bird, or other convenient form) in which the body member and flexible flap section are integrally manufactured from a molded plastic material.
The flexible flap section preferably include a series of adjacent individual ribbed members having gaps therebetween permitting air to pass therethrough, while the flap section engages the exterior diameter of the tire.
According to another preferred aspect of the invention, there is disclosed:
a multi-purpose bicycle reflector, said reflector including a body member at least a portion of which is reflectorized, said body member including a flexible flap section at one end thereof, and means for mounting said body member such that the flexible flap section can be positioned in frictional contact relative to the exterior of a bicycle tire to produce a realistic moto-cross type sound when the bicycle tire rotates.
An advantage of the present invention is that an effective moto-cross sound can easily be realized with a relatively simple assembly.
A further advantage of the present invention is that the described bicycle accessory is easily adjustable, and is as reliable as previously known prior art accessories.
Still a further advantage is that the described accessory can further serve as a mud flap.
Yet another advantage is that the accessory is easily and releasably attached to the bicycle frame and preferably uses the same mounting hole used by standard bicycle reflectors. Moreover, this accessory is no more expensive than a typically known bicycle reflector while providing increased functionality.
These and other objects, features and advantages will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 319617 (1991-09-01), Sorensen
patent: 597829 (1898-01-01), Heilborn
patent: 660229 (1900-10-01), Stratton et al.
patent: 2578682 (1951-12-01), Fernstrom
patent: 2852886 (1958-09-01), Parker
patent: 2894357 (1959-07-01), Munro
patent: 3266455 (1966-08-01), Cohn
patent: 3439926 (1969-04-01), Bayard
patent: 3684347 (1972-08-01), Challe et al.
patent: 3754350 (1973-08-01), Gorke
patent: 3827178 (1974-08-01), Warneke
patent: 4018450 (1977-04-01), Rutledge
patent: 4099738 (1978-07-01), Allen
patent: 4145989 (1979-03-01), Hatcher
patent: 4466630 (1984-08-01), Larkin
patent: 4875885 (1989-10-01), Johnson
patent: 5314372 (1994-05-01), Kramer
patent: 5611558 (1997-03-01), Randmae
patent: 5652677 (1997-07-01), Burison
King, Jr. Ormonde L.
Morgan Michael J.
Bartz C. T.
Oberleitner Robert J.
Wall Marjama & Bilinski
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