Illumination – Light source or light source support and luminescent material
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-04
2001-02-13
Husar, Stephen (Department: 2875)
Illumination
Light source or light source support and luminescent material
C362S473000, C250S461100, C252S301360
Reexamination Certificate
active
06186635
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to light-emitting sports and safety equipment, and in particular to a luminescent safety device for attachment to the wheel of a bicycle, and the method of manufacturing the same.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Reducing or eliminating the high number of accidents and deaths caused by the lack of adequate illumination at night or during other times of low visibility, needs to be resolved through applied technological development. Low visibility safety issues apply to “at risk” situations that include fire and police patrol officers, highway workers, search and rescue teams. and bicycle/pedestrians. Bicycling is an increasingly popular recreational activity, one that people of all walks of life enjoy. However, bicycling is also potentially dangerous especially at night, when the bicyclist is less visible to automobile drivers and pedestrians. To address this problem, bicyclists typically equip themselves or their vehicle with visible lighting (light bulbs) or reflective devices. However, these methods rely, on direct illumination of the objects by, continuous visible light. They are also directional and can not be seen from behind or perpendicular to the light source, and therefore, provide a less than adequate measure of safety.
A number of devices rely solely on an external light source for illumination of equipment and their environment with visible lighting. Light bulbs illuminate a specific area. Again, this method relies on direct illumination.
A number of safety devices which emit light in the absence of an external light source are known. Some of these devices are electrically powered. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,649,755 describes a battery-powered, light-transmitting adornment for apparel.
Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,154 discloses a child's glove apparatus including a light circuit system integrally packaged within the glove member.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,040 discloses a jacket and bag assembly having a battery, an electroluminescent film strip, and an inverter.
These and similar electrically powered devices are undesirable as safety equipment, however, since they require periodic replacement of batteries, and are relatively expensive. Also, they do not provide illumination in excess of 1000 ft, and in a direction exceeding 180 degrees from the light source.
Luminescent sports equipment is also known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,195 describes a glow-in-the-dark golf ball, having a surface coated with luminescent paint sold under the trade name MOONGLOW.
However, the prior art luminescent sports equipment does not provide illumination of sufficient brightness, color, or clarity to afford an appropriate measure of visibility and safety. In addition, the prior art has yet failed to provide a luminescent device that can be seen and at any angle over a 360 degree arc and over 1000 ft. from the source during low visibility (rain. sleet, snow, fog, dusk, dawn, and at night), in different colors more readily visible to the night eye (blue, red, yellow, etc.), and that may be installed easily, and inexpensively on virtually all commercially available bicycles. Therefore, there remains a need for a method of manufacturing luminescent sports safety equipment that provides a glow-in-the-dark material of improved brightness, color, and visibility. In addition, the prior art has yet failed to provide a luminescent device that may be installed easily and inexpensively on the wheels of virtually all commercially available bicycles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art by providing a light-emitting device (LED) that may be installed readily on virtually any bicycle,or used in any low light “at risk” situation, and a method of manufacturing the same which provides improved illumination and visibility in the absence of an external light source. This invention includes a light-emitting device that may be attached easily to the spokes of a bicycle wheel. In addition, the invention comprises a method of manufacturing a luminescent safety device for bicyclists that provides improved light-emitting capability.
This invention includes a companion light source that produces invisible intermittent light (BLB), used to enhance the output of the LED which is easily attached to the bicycle.
The invention includes a flexible, generally planar portion which produces a continuous, visible emission in any one of a variety of vibrant colors after intermittent exposure to sunlight or invisible intermittent lighting sources, i.e., BLB (Black Light Blue). This portion of the invention is constructed from aproprietary chemical coating process comprised of a mixture of flexible polyvinylchloride (PVC), phosphorescent, mineral oil, brightener, and fluorescent pigment, combined in a manufacturing process that allows the phosphorescent to bond with the fluorescent pigment. The manufacturing process produces a luminescent glow that is brighter, more colorful, and more visible than any known phosphorescent devices.
Further provided is an improved means of attaching the luminescent portion to a bicycle. This aspect of the invention comprises an anchor with a slotted pin projected through the center of the luminescent portion. A button on one end of the anchor secures it to the LED portion. The slotted pin has a tapered, flanged portion on its distal end for the purpose of receiving and retaining a lock washer. The LED portion thus may be easily secured to the spoke of a bicycle wheel by fitting the slotted pin over the spoke and pushing the lock washer onto the pin.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved safety device for bicyclists.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a chemical method of manufacturing LED's for night and other low visibility “at risk” applications.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a bicycle safety device that affords improved illumination, color, and visibility for bicyclists in the absence of an external light source.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method of manufacturing luminescent safety equipment that affords greater illumination, color, and visibility of the equipment without reliance on direct illumination by a continuous visible light source.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a bicycle safety device that may be installed easily on the wheel of virtually any commercially available bicycle.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below, when taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5330195 (1994-07-01), Gulick
patent: 5374377 (1994-12-01), Nguyen et al.
patent: 5567040 (1996-10-01), Tabanera
patent: 5580154 (1996-12-01), Coulter et al.
patent: 5649755 (1997-07-01), Rapisarda
patent: 6016101 (2000-01-01), Brown
patent: 6059377 (2000-05-01), Wu
Korgaokar Pratap Y.
Peterson Gary
Husar Stephen
McGlynn Joseph H.
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