Communications: electrical – Land vehicle alarms or indicators – For bicycle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-24
2001-03-20
Hofsass, Jeffery (Department: 2632)
Communications: electrical
Land vehicle alarms or indicators
For bicycle
C340S439000, C340S441000, C340S456000, C340S465000, C340S438000, C368S010000, C368S069000, C368S070000, C368S082000, C368S262000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06204752
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a bicycle display unit with a battery operated backlight. More specifically, the present invention relates a bicycle display unit with at least one backlight that illuminates a front display panel in an energy efficient manner.
2. Background Information
Bicycling is becoming an increasingly more popular form of recreation as well as a means of transportation. Moreover, bicycling has become a very popular competitive sport for both amateurs and professionals. Whether the bicycle is used for recreation, transportation or competition, it is advantageous for modern cyclists to know how fast they are going. Thus, speedometer type devices for bicycles have become an increasingly popular add-on type of item. In fact, some bicycles are often sold with a device for indicating the speed of the bicycle.
Early forms of these speedometer devices were mechanically operated. These early speedometer devices typically just indicated the current speed of the bicycle and/or the miles traveled by the bicycle. These early speedometer devices also had various mechanical disadvantages. One source of difficulty was the means by which the speedometer device sensed that the wheel had rotated. Many speedometers attached a counting device that protruded from the spoke, and would advance a gear or a counter every time the wheel rotated. But these devices were not reliable and subject to breakdown. This led to inductive-type sensors, which did away with the requirement of actual contact between spoke-attachment and sensor.
Moreover, with technological advances in computers and electronics, the mechanical devices were replaced with electronic devices that provide much more information than just the speed of the bicycle and/or the miles traveled by the bicycle. These electronic devices have become known as bicycle computers, which include various sensors that are coupled to a display panel or member. The bicycle computer can often times measure, calculate and display various parameters such as bicycle speed, distance traveled, lap time, running time, current time, rider cadence, torque applied to the bottom bracket axle and shift position of the shifting mechanism. These bicycle computers can also sometimes provide information on the rider such as the rider's pulse, blood pressure and other parameters.
The display member or panel for the bicycle computer usually utilizes a liquid crystal display (LCD) since it is easy for the rider to read during normal daylight riding conditions. However, such displays are often difficult, if not impossible, to read during evening or nighttime hours. Accordingly, some bicycle computers have display members or panels that include a light for illuminating the display panel or member during nighttime hours. Usually, the rider pushes a button that activates the light. Once the rider releases the button, the light is extinguished. One problem with this type of arrangement is that the rider must perform a separate function in order to view the information on the display. Moreover, the lights are typically inefficient and cause a significant drain on the battery life. Moreover, these buttons can be accidentally hit during daylight hours in which the battery is needlessly used. Accordingly, it is desirable to have a bicycle computer that does not require the rider to push a button to merely see the display during night riding or low light conditions. Moreover, it is desirable to have a light for the display that minimizes unnecessary or accidental use of the light to save energy of the battery.
In view of the above, there exists a need for a bicycle display unit with a battery operated backlight which overcomes the above mentioned problems in the prior art. This invention addresses this need in the prior art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle display unit with a battery operated backlight that extends the life of the battery.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle display unit with backlight that prevents operation during selected hours.
The foregoing objects can basically be attained by providing a bicycle display unit having a display member, a backlight, a backlight switch command and a control unit. The backlight is arranged to illuminate the display member for viewing the display member. The backlight switch command is operatively coupled to the backlight to selectively turn the backlight “on” and “off”. The backlight switch command turns “on” the backlight in response to a predetermined operational command. The control unit is operatively coupled to the backlight switch command to automatically turn “off” the backlight upon lapse of a predetermined time period after switching the backlight to be turned “on”. The predetermined time period is preferably less than 30 seconds. The control unit prevents the backlight from being turned “on” during a selected time interval even if the predetermined operational command is received.
Preferably, the display member is a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like. The display member has a display surface for displaying information and the backlight is arranged to indirectly illuminate the front display surface for viewing the information displayed thereon.
Preferably, the bicycle display unit of the present invention further includes one or more measuring devices connected to the display member to output information on the display member. The measuring device can include a timing device that produces the predetermined operational command that is sent to the backlight switch command to turned “on” the backlight for a predetermined time period. One of the measuring devices is preferably a speed determining component.
Preferably, the bicycle display unit of the present invention further includes a battery unit electrically coupled to the backlight to supply electrical energy thereto.
In selected embodiments of the present invention, the display member and the backlight are mounted to a housing, which has a mounting member.
Preferably, the control unit of the bicycle display unit of the present invention further includes a microprocessor. The control unit is operatively coupled to a bicycle shifting assembly that produces the predetermined operational command during a shifting operation to signal the backlight to be turned “on”. The bicycle shifting assembly includes at least one shifting member with the predetermined operational command being produced by operation of the at least one shifting member.
The bicycle display unit of the present invention is preferably integrated with a bicycle shifting assembly operatively coupled to the control unit to display shifting information on the display member. The bicycle shifting assembly includes at least one shifting member. The display member, the backlight and the bicycle shifting assembly are mountable on a bicycle. For example, the shifting member, the backlight, the display member and the bicycle shifting assembly are mounted together in a housing that mounts on the handlebar of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the control unit is mounted together with the backlight and the display member in a single unit that is mounted on the handlebar of the bicycle. Alternatively, the backlight and the display member can be mounted together in a first housing, while the control unit can be mounted in a second housing.
In selected embodiments, the bicycle shifting assembly can be part of an automatic transmission that has a manual mode and at least one automatic mode. In the manual mode, the rider manually performs the shifts. In the automatic mode, the gears are automatically shifted. In either case, each shift produces a predetermined operational command that is sent to the control unit. In such a bicycle shifting assembly, the control unit can be operatively coupled to the bicycle shifting assembly such that a mode changing operation produc
Hofsass Jeffery
Nguyen Hung
Shimano Inc.
Shinjyu Global IP Counselors
LandOfFree
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