IP Library Granted Patent US 8,803,674
Granted Patent B2
US 8,803,674 · App. 13/558,793 · Granted Aug 12, 2014

Turn signal indicator system for bicycles

Inventor: Damon Langlois (Victoria, CA)
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,803,674
App. No.
13/558,793
Granted
Aug 12, 2014
Kind
B2
Abstract

A turn signal system for a bicycle comprises a left and right front and rear turn signal and a rear alert signal that has multi-mode operation. The system is battery powered and can be adapted to an electric bicycle having a variety of power voltages. The system includes a controller and a multi-axis accelerometer to actuate the alert signal in the event of sudden deceleration.

Claims (28)

1. A signal light system for a bicycle, said signal light system comprising:

a. a front left signal light assembly integrated into a first housing;

b. a front right signal light assembly integrated into a second housing;

c. said first housing and said second housing electrically connected to a rear signal light assembly intergrated into a third housing;

d. said third housing containing a power source connected to said front left signal light assembly, said front right signal light assembly and said rear signal light assembly, and a first control board for controlling the signal light system and external power connections connected to said power source;

wherein each of the left signal light assembly and the right signal light assembly comprises:

a mounting bracket assembly for attachment of said signal housing to a bicycle handle bar; and

a signal light housing and each signal housing comprises;

a translucent bottom section comprising a knurled translucent lens portion and a transparent bottom surface; and

an opaque top section for mounting a push button assembly for on/off operation fixed to the signal light housing, and said push button assembly comprises a push button and an elastomer cover mounted over said push button; and the push button is mounted to a top surface of a second control board and a signal light is mounted to a bottom surface of said second control board.

2. The signal light system of claim 1 wherein said mounting brackets comprises:

a. a top portion integrated with said opaque top section and comprising a first hemispherical arc;

b. an adjustment portion integrated with said translucent bottom section; and,

c. an independent bottom portion comprising a second hemispherical arc.

3. The signal light system of claim 2 wherein said adjustment portion comprises a gap disposed between the translucent bottom section and said independent bottom portion for sliding adjustment of the signal light housing.

4. The signal light system of claim 3 wherein said top portion and the independent bottom portion are fixed together so that said first and said second hemispherical arcs are mounted around a handle bar.

5. The signal light system of claim 4 wherein said second control board controls a frequency of flashing of said signal light and a duration of operation.

6. The signal light system of claim 5 wherein the third housing comprises a body comprising a battery compartment for enclosing a battery and a mount for mounting the second control board.

7. The signal light system of claim 6 wherein said battery compartment comprises a platform for seating said battery and a snap-sealing top cover.

8. The signal light system of claim 7 wherein said battery comprises one of battery container for holding at least one battery cell and a lithium-ion battery pack.

9. The signal light system of claim 8 wherein the battery is re-chargeable by at least one of a solar cell mounted to said snap-sealing top cover, a second solar cell mounted to said bicycle and an AC power source.

10. The signal light system of claim 9 wherein the battery is augmented by an external battery mounted to the bicycle.

11. The signal light system of claim 10 wherein the first control board comprises a plurality of LEDs mounted thereto.

12. The signal light system of claim 11 wherein a third control board is mounted perpendicular to a left side end of the first control board and wherein a fourth control board is mounted perpendicular to a right side end of the first control board.

13. The signal light system of claim 12 wherein said third and said fourth control boards mount at least one LED for a left rear and right rear turn signal respectively.

14. The signal light system of claim 13 wherein the first control board mounts at least three LEDs, and wherein a first of said three LEDs is a continuously illuminated running light, and wherein said second LED and said third LED of said three LEDs operate upon receiving a command from a multi-axis accelerometer mounted to the second control board.

15. The signal light system of claim 14 wherein said multi-axis accelerometer detects bicycle deceleration during a braking maneuver and subsequently signals the at least three LEDs to illuminate as a brake light.

16. The signal light system of claim 15 wherein the first control board further mounts a controller for controlling the following system functions: power on, power off, timers, four way flashing relays, flashing timers, power supply and power management.

Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 61514829 · Aug 3, 2011
Related Publication 20130033370A1 · Feb 7, 2013