Illumination – Supported by vehicle structure – Bicycle or motorcycle
Reexamination Certificate
2002-11-18
2004-12-14
Cariaso, Alan (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Supported by vehicle structure
Bicycle or motorcycle
C362S800000, C362S511000, C362S806000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06830363
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field
The present invention relates generally to illumination devices which mount to bicycles to provide greater visibility to motor vehicle drivers and others in low light conditions, and more specifically to illumination devices that illuminate the outline of the bicycle so vehicle drivers may identify the bicycle, distance, and direction of travel.
2. State of the Art
Bicycles are widely used a healthy and fuel-efficient way to get around in cities and in rural settings. Some riders ride on sidewalks and others ride on streets which are shared with motor vehicles such as cars and trucks. One major drawback to bicycles is that they are difficult for motor vehicle drivers to see in low light conditions such as dusk-to-dawn and in stormy weather. Therefore, there are many accidents between motor vehicles and bicycles during such times.
Bicycles are commonly equipped with various light reflectors and lighting devices for use in low light conditions. Reflectors work by incorporating a plurality of small angled reflecting surfaces that reflect incoming light primarily back toward the light source, such as motor vehicle head lights. Red colored reflectors are commonly mounted to the rear of the bicycle facing in a rearward direction to signify to vehicle drivers that they are approaching the rear of the bicycle. Red or white colored reflectors are also commonly mounted to the spokes of the front and rear wheels, and to the front and rear of the pedals. These reflectors move in circular motions to help identify the bicycle and its direction of travel to vehicle drivers. Reflective tape is also used on bicycles, being wrapped variously around the bicycle frame, handle bars, front fork, and wheel rims.
There are various drawbacks to these reflectors. Firstly, the head lights of the motor vehicle must strike the reflector generally straight-on for the vehicle driver to see the reflected light from the reflector mounted to the bicycle. Secondly, vehicle drivers have difficulty determining that a bicycle is producing the light, and the distance, direction, and speed of the bicycle. Finally, it is difficult to make these reflectors much larger to improve low light visibility without severely restricting the normal operation of the bicycle.
Lighting devices are more effective than reflectors since they generate their own light rather than requiring light from an outside source to be shined thereon. Such lighting device typically comprise a streamlined, flashlight type unit which mounts to the handlebars pointing a focused beam of light forwardly of the bicycle to illuminate ahead of the bicycle and make the bicycle more visible to vehicle drivers approaching the bicycle from the front. A rear light of similar design but with much smaller mounts to the bicycle main frame pointing rearwardly of the bicycle, emitting a non-focused, red light to warn vehicles approaching the bicycle from the rear. The lighting devices utilize small light bulbs which are powered either by internally contained batteries, or by a small electrical generator mounted to the bicycle and having a small drive wheel rotationally driven by engaging a tire on the front or rear wheel of the bicycle.
There are various drawbacks to these lighting devices. Firstly, the batteries typically do not last long due to the power requirements of the light bulbs and must be frequently replaced. While a generator does not require replacement like batteries, it does not provide electrical power, and thus light, when the bicycle is stationary or moving only slowly. Secondly, vehicle drivers have difficulty determining that a bicycle is producing the light, and the distance, direction, and speed of the bicycle. Thirdly, the lighting devices do not provide illumination of the bicycle to motorists approaching from the side of the bicycle. Fourthly, it is difficult to make these lighting devices much larger to improve low light visibility without severely restricting the normal operation of the bicycle. Finally, lighting devices for bicycles are only useful if desired by and used by the riders. These lighting devices typically do not appeal to younger riders, who may not want the lighting devices mounted to their bicycles, or whom may not use by turning them on even when mounted to the bicycle if not perceived as interesting to children or fashionable. Younger riders yet are more in need of being visible to vehicle drivers due to their smaller size, and their less experience and skilled in bicycle riding and safety.
Various lighting devices have been developed and patented in an attempt to improve over the above described lighting devices. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,088,882 issued to Lewis on May 9, 1978 is disclosed a fluorescent bike lamp for bicycles. The lamp includes a standard fluorescent bulb which is disposed within a plastic tube and maintained in spaced relationship with the interior walls of said tube by resilient spacers. A pair of end caps are adhesively bonded to respective ends of the tube. The lamp is attached to the bicycle frame and the fluorescent bulb is fired by an alternating current provided by an alternator or a combination of a battery and an inverter. A step-up transformer is connected between the alternator and the flourescent bulb to achieve the required firing voltage. There are several drawbacks to this lighting device. Firstly, the generator does not provide electrical power, and thus light, when the bicycle is stationary or moving only slowly. Secondly, the neon lights are relatively expensive to replace.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,782 issued to Murray on Apr. 16, 1991 is disclosed a lighted handlebars for bicycles. The handlebars comprises a transparent or partially transparent epoxy and includes a plurality of electric lamps embedded in the epoxy along the length thereof. Electricity to power the lamps is supplied by a battery pack or bicycle generator through jacks which are inserted into the handlebars adjacent where the handlebars attaches to the stem of the bicycle. The lamps may be of different colors, and may individually flash. The effect is stated to be attractive and appealing to youngsters to encourage the use of the lighting portion of the handlebars. However, there are several drawbacks to this lighting device. Firstly, if batteries are used to supply electrical power, they typically do not last long due to the power requirements of the lamps and must be frequently replaced. If a generator is used to supply electrical power, it does not provide electrical power, and thus light, when the bicycle is stationary or moving only slowly. Secondly, vehicle drivers have difficulty determining that a bicycle is producing the light, and the distance, direction, and speed of the bicycle. Finally, the lighting devices do not provide illumination of the bicycle to motorists approaching from the side of the bicycle.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,881 issued to Came on Dec. 12, 2000 is disclosed a lighted seat post for bicycles. The seat post includes a hollow support tube which is partly inserted into a seat support tube of the bicycle frame. The seat post includes a bracket for mounting and supporting a bicycle seat. A series of light emitting diodes are mounted to a printed circuit board disposed within the seat post to emit light through corresponding windows in the support tube. Electricity is supplied by batteries inserted in the support tube and retained by a removable bottom end cap. The support tube may also contain rechargeable cells which can be recharged through a power connector at the bottom end of the support tube. However, there are several drawbacks to this lighting device. Firstly, vehicle drivers have difficulty determining that a bicycle is producing the light, and the distance, direction, and speed of the bicycle. Secondly, the lighting device is for a seat post, and it is difficult to make the lighting device much larger or for use in additional locations on the bike to improve low light visibility.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,209 issued to Nitz on Feb. 13, 1990 is disc
Cariaso Alan
Rayve Brian R.
Tsidulko Mark
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