Optical: systems and elements – Signal reflector – Rigidly mounted on vehicle
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-31
2001-08-14
Spyrou, Cassandra (Department: 2872)
Optical: systems and elements
Signal reflector
Rigidly mounted on vehicle
C359S550000, C359S842000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273572
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an improved bicycle reflector and mounting bracket, and, more particularly, to such an improved bicycle reflector and mounting bracket which is convenient and easy to install, which is compact and which snaps together easily, which installs via a single set screw and which, when installed properly on a bicycle, automatically assumes the proper orientation to meet the CPSC standards for bicycle reflectors.
2. Description of the Related Art
A number of different designs have been devised for bicycle reflectors. Examples are found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,990,664 to Stephen Horvath, and entitled MOUNTING BRACKET FOR REFLECTORS; U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,874 to Tadakatsu Ohtani, entitled MEANS FOR SUPPORTING A REFLECTOR ATTACHING BRACKET FOR A
BICYCLE; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,715,681 to William Johnson, entitled BICYCLE REFLECTOR FOR HANDLEBAR ATTACHMENT. Each of these designs is somewhat complex in construction and requires multiple adjustments for proper orientation. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) has provided requirements for bicycle manufacturers to supply forward and rear facing reflectors on their bicycles. Furthermore, the CPSC requires that such reflectors, when installed, be oriented within 5 degrees of vertical when the bicycle is upright and moving. With relatively complex designs such as the three patents mentioned earlier, adjustment to meet these CPSC standards can be time consuming and complex. It is clear, then, that a need exists for an improved bicycle reflector. Such an improved reflector should be quick and easy to install on a variety of bicycle designs, and should require virtually no adjustment to be oriented to the CPSC standards for bicycle reflectors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention involves two separate but similar designs for bicycle reflectors, one designed for forward facing and which mounts to the handlebar of virtually any bicycle and one which mounts on the seat post and faces rearward, again mounting easily on virtually any bicycle design. Both reflectors use similar integrally molded mounting systems. In the case of the seat post mounting system, a mounting collar is provided which surrounds the seat post and which is tightened into place via a single set screw. A support arm extends outward tangentially from the seat post collar and mounts a vertical mounting bracket receptacle which snap fits and securely holds a rear facing reflector which is angled outward such that, when the collar is positioned on the seat post, the mounting bracket receptacle is placed in a vertical orientation. By attaching the collar to the seat post such that the mounting bracket receptacle is rear facing, and snapping the reflector into position on the mounting bracket receptacle, the installer is guaranteed that the reflector will be positioned in a vertical orientation which meets the CPSC standards without any further adjustment. The handlebar reflector mounting system is very similar and also includes a mounting collar which surrounds the handlebar and which is tightened into place via a single set screw. A considerably shorter support arm extends outward tangentially from the seat post collar and mounts a mounting bracket receptacle at a ninety degree angle which snap fits and securely holds a forward facing reflector in a vertical position. Again, by attaching the collar to the handlebar via the single set screw such that the mounting bracket receptacle is forward facing, and snapping the reflector into position on the mounting bracket receptacle, the installer is guaranteed that the reflector will be positioned in a vertical orientation which meets the CPSC standards without any further adjustment.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THIS INVENTION
The principal objects and advantages of the present invention include: providing an improved bicycle reflector and mounting bracket; providing such a reflector and bracket which is compact and easy to install; providing such a reflector and bracket which installs with a single set screw; providing such a reflector and bracket which automatically places the reflector at the proper angle to meet CPSC standards; providing a slightly different mounting bracket design for front and rear facing reflectors, but providing each with the same objects and advantages; providing such a reflector and bracket which conveniently mounts on any bicycle seat post (for rear reflectors) or any bicycle handlebar (for front reflectors); and providing such a reflector and mounting bracket which is simple, efficient and economical to manufacture, and which is particularly well-adapted for its intended purpose.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.
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Cherry Euncha
Sate-Lite Manufacturing Company
Shughart Thomson & Kilr P.C
Spyrou Cassandra
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