Patent Application
20170334346
The present invention generally relates to a cycling equipment. More particularly, the present invention relates to a safety gear for cycling (SGC).
Bicycle is becoming more and more common around the world nowadays that many people use it as the main mode of transportation for daily commuting because of its low carbon footprint. However, there are also an increasing number of serious and even fatal road accidents involving the road cyclists. One of the key reasons is due to the insufficient communication of the cyclists' directional intention with the passing vehicles during road cycling, such as slowing down, turning left or right. Another reason is due to the limited freedom of rotation of human's eyes and head which causes difficulties for the cyclists to look back to see the oncoming traffic behind before changing lane or changing the position in a lane. Bicycle mirror is invented to help the cyclists to look rearward, however it increases surface area and drag, adds extra weight and the blind spot could not be eliminated.
CN2412143 discloses a spectacle equipping with warning light, which comprises a spectacle frame, and the spectacle frame is equipped with a lighting lamp, a left turning lamp and a right turning lamp connected to a power supply via a conductive wire. A battery box, located on the handle of a bicycle, comprises switches for the lighting lamp, the left turning lamp and the right turning lamp. For example, when a cyclist needs turn left, he can switch on the left turning lamp by pressing the corresponding switch for alerting other road user. This invention can provide more protection for the cyclist when he rides at night. However, the cyclist may fail to focus on the traffic and cycling when turning on the corresponding signals though pressing the switches on the battery box that may even lead to an accident. In addition, the cyclist has difficulty to see the traffic situation behind him to decide whether he is able to change the direction or not, following with switching on the corresponding signal lamp.
Consequently, there is an unmet need to have a cycling equipment capable of facilitating a cyclist to look backward, and generating signals to other road users in a simple and safe way when the cyclist intends to change lane or direction.
An aspect of the present invention is to provide a safety gear for cycling.
According to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention, a safety gear for cycling comprises: a brake signal component; a brake signal component circuit, connected to the brake signal component, comprising a brake signal switch, wherein the brake signal switch senses pitch head movement of a cyclist to control on and off of the brake signal component.
According to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention, a safety gear for cycling comprises: a brake signal component; a brake signal component circuit, connected to the brake signal component, comprising a brake signal switch, wherein the brake signal switch senses a pitch head movement of a cyclist to control on and off of the brake signal component; a left turn signal component and a right turn signal component; a turn signal component circuit, connected to the left turn signal component and the right turn signal component, comprising at least one turn signal switch, wherein the turn signal switch senses a roll head movement of the cyclist to control on and off of the left turn signal component and the right turn signal component.
According to an embodiment of the presently claimed invention, a safety eyewear for cycling comprises: a cycling eyewear comprising refractive portions of a lens and a non-refractive portion of the lens, wherein the refractive portions are located at a left and a right ends of the non-refractive portion; a left turn signal component and a right turn signal component; a brake signal component; a brake signal component circuit, connected to the brake signal component, comprising a brake signal switch, wherein the brake signal switch senses a pitch head movement of a cyclist to control on and off of the brake signal component; a turn signal component circuit, connected to the left turn signal component and the right turn signal component, comprising at least one turn signal switch, wherein the turn signal switch senses a roll head movement of the cyclist to control on and off of the left turn signal component and the right turn signal component.
Preferably, the brake signal switch is a tilt sensor, gravity sensor or a gyro sensor.
Preferably, the pitch head movement of the cyclist is a downward or an upward angular movement of head.
Preferably, the brake signal switch is a tilt sensor, and the brake signal component circuit is configured that when the tilt sensor is titled to a side at a degree about the pitch axis relative to gravity, the brake signal component circuit is closed and the brake signal component is on.
Preferably, the brake signal switch is a gravity sensor, and the brake signal component circuit is configured that when the tilt sensor is titled to a side at a degree about the pitch axis relative to gravity, the brake signal component circuit is closed and the brake signal component is on.
Preferably, the brake signal switch is a gyro sensor, and the brake signal component circuit is configured that when the gyro sensor senses a rate of angular change due to the pitch head movement in a positive or negative direction, the brake signal component is on or off respectively.
Preferably, the brake signal switch is gyro sensor, and the brake signal component circuit is configured that when the gyro sensor senses a continuous positive and then negative rate of angular change due to the pitch head movement within a period of time, all of the signal components are turned off.
Preferably, the safety gear for cycling further comprises a brake signal alerting device to alert the cyclist when the brake signal component is on.
Preferably, the turn signal switch is a tilt sensor, or gravity sensor.
Preferably, the roll head movement of the cyclist is head rolling to the left side or right side.
Preferably, the turn signal switch comprises a tilt sensor, and the turn signal component circuit is configured that when the tilt sensor is titled to a side over a preset degree about roll axis relative to gravity when the bicycle is going straight, or relative to the resultant vector of force by gravity and centrifugal force when the bicycle is turning, the turn signal component circuit is closed, and the left turn signal component, or the right turn signal component is on.
Preferably, the safety gear for cycling further comprises a turn signal alerting device to alert the cyclist when the left turn signal component or the right turn signal component is on.
Preferably, the safety gear for cycling further comprises a controller circuit connected to the brake signal component circuit, and turn signal component circuit, wherein the controller circuit is configured to control signal sequence, priority and time delay among the brake signal component, the left turn signal component, and the right turn signal component.
The SGC is easy to wear and take off. There is no installation of any device required on the bicycle. The SGC allows the cyclist to focus on looking out traffic and cycling. When the cyclist intends to change lane or direction, or slowing down, the SGC automatically turns on the corresponding signals including brake, left turn and right turn signals, so that the other road users know about the cyclist's intention. This configuration allows the cyclist to turn on or off the brake and turn signal, while the cyclist keeps holding the brake without sacrificing braking power such that the cyclist can hold both of his hands on the handle bar throughout a whole journey to maintain balance and control of bicycle.
Embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the drawings, in which:
In the following description, a safety gear for cycling, and the corresponding embodiments are set forth as preferred examples. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications, including additions and/or substitutions, may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Specific details may be omitted so as not to obscure the invention; however, the disclosure is written to enable one skilled in the art to practice the teachings herein without undue experimentation.
This present invention is a combination of cycling gear, brake light and turn signal light. It is designed for cyclists to integrate the head protective features of the cycling gear, in addition with light signal includes brake light and turn signal light.
This present invention is a combination of cycling eyewear, brake light, turn signal light and horizontal side-to-back view refractive lens. It is designed for cyclists to integrate the eye protective features of the cycling gear, in addition with light signal includes brake light and turn signal light, and widened horizontal side and back view capabilities.
Brake Light
The purpose of the brake light is to let the other road users to know about the cyclist's intention, such as when slowing down or stopping.
The operation of the brake light is based on a signal component circuit 100 that consists of a brake signal switch 101, DC battery 102 and brake signal component 103 as shown in
The brake signal switch 101 can be a tilt sensor, gravity sensor, gyro sensor, or any other method to sense the rotary motion of the upward and downward head movement.
The brake signal component 103 should be designed in a manner that allows other road users to be visible from the side and behind of the cyclist. Preferably, the brake signal component is a brake signal light such as a light emitting diode (LED).
In the case of using tilt sensor, the design logic is to sense the downward and upward pitch head position of the cyclists when one is wearing the SGC.
The tilt sensor works as the brake signal switch 101 such that when it is tilt downward about pitch axis over a certain degree (30°) relative to gravity 105, the switch 101 is opened, and the circuit 100 is opened and brake signal component 103 is off as shown in
When the cyclist pitch the head up to align with gravity 105, the tilt sensor switch 101 is closed, the signal component circuit 100 is closed and the brake signal component 103 is on as shown in
The gravity sensor works as a switch such that when it is tilt downward about pitch axis over a certain degree (30°) relative to gravity 105, the switch is opened, and the circuit is opened and signal component is off. The corresponding circuit set-up is similar to that as shown in
When the cyclist pitch the head up to align with gravity, the gravity sensor switch is closed, the signal component circuit is closed and the brake light is on. The corresponding circuit set-up is similar to that as shown in
The sensor logic matches the normal movement of cyclists that when they are applying force to go forward and accelerating, the natural body movement would cause the head to pitch down as shown in
The brake light component could be flashing or no flash. It can be any color or red.
The tilt angle could be adjusted depending on the cyclist's natural instinctive movement, when he/she intended to slow down. Users can pitch the head upward to turn on the brake light before they really want to slow the bicycle down.
In the case of using the gyro sensor, it senses the upward or downward head angular movement about pitch axis. Such that when the cyclist is pitching the head up (90°/sec), the brake light is on. When the cyclist is pitching the head down (90°/sec) during acceleration, the brake light is off.
When the brake signal is on, an alerting device is incorporated to the SGC to alert the user themselves that the signal is activated, so that error signal could be prevented. The alerting device could be and not only limited to vibrator, speaker or signal light which is/are noticeable to the user.
The left turn signal, right turn signal and brake signal could be connected to an electronic circuit with a controller to control the signals' sequence, priority and time delay, so that signal error could be prevented. One of the sequence to avoid accidentally off the brake signal is that during the brake signal is turned on, user may want to change lane and turn on the turn signal too. The head movement of the user may accidentally pitch down and roll their head to a side to turn on the turn signal. In this situation, the brake light is accidentally turned off. To prevent this happen, the brake signal could have a 2 seconds delay before turning off. In case the turn signal is turned on within 2 seconds, the turn signal could be turned on, and brake signal would be kept turned on. So in case the users head pitch downwards to turn on the turn signal too, the brake signal would not be turned off, until the turn signal is off.
In the case of using the Gyro Sensor, it senses the rate of angular change. When the user pitches his head up slowly (5°/sec), the brake light would not be turned on. Signal error could be prevented due to the bicycle is going up-slope or down-slope, with relatively slow angular change. When the user pitches his head up quickly (90°/sec), the brake light will be turned on. The sensitivity and the rate of angular change could be set up on the control circuit, so that the brake light will only turned on if the head movement is quick enough at certain degree/sec.
If the SGC is connected with a gyro sensor, the downward and upward pitch head movement allows an extra control feature. Let say if the user pitch downward and upward instantly like nodding their head for 10° down and 10° up within 1 seconds, all the signal light will be turned off.
Sensors' angular position on the SGC could be adjusted according to the different types of bicycle design, such as road bike or mountain bike. So that the rotational axis of the sensor could be matching the head position when the user riding in different position of different types of bike. In the other words, the sensor should be aligned with the cyclists head rotational axis, so that the rotational movement could be sensed more accurately.
Turn Signal Light
The purpose of the turn signal light is to let the other road users to know about the cyclist's directional intention, such as before or when changing lane or changing direction.
The operation of the turn signal light is based on a turn signal component circuit 400 which consists of a turn signal switch 401, DC battery 402 and turn signal component 403 as shown in
The switch could be a tilt sensor, gravity sensor, or any other method to sense the head tilting movement about roll axis. The turn signal component should be designed in a manner that allows other road users to be visible from the side and behind of the cyclist. The turn signal component can comprise a left turn signal component such as a left turn signal light and a right turn signal component such as a right turn signal light. The left and right turn signal lights could be separated or connected with each other, are identical in terms of technical design, but the light direction and sensor direction are mirroring to each other. Each of them is responsible for either the left or right turn signal light.
The tilt sensor works as the turn signal switch 401 such that when it is tilted to the side over 10° about roll axis relative to gravity 405 when the bicycle is going straight, or relative to the resultant vector of force by gravity and centrifugal force when the bicycle is turning, the switch 401 is closed and the circuit 400 is closed and signal component 403 is on. The tilt angle corresponds to the user's head roll movement when one is wearing the gear, so that when the user keeps the head straight, the turn signal circuit 400 is opened and the signal light 403 is turned off as shown in
The turn signal light could be flashing or without flash. It can be any color or yellow.
The tilt angle could be adjusted depending on the cyclist's normal instinctive movement, when one intends to change lane and look back to scan traffic rearward. Users can roll the head to turn on the signal light before they want to look back to scan the traffic rearward.
In order to avoid signal light from turning off due to the cyclists' normal practice that they may roll and turn their head forward and backward for several times to check the traffic situation in front and at the back respectively, a set time delay device could be incorporated to the circuit to delay the signal light shut off time after it is on, for let say 10 seconds.
When the turn signal is on, an alerting device is incorporated to the SGC to alert the user themselves that the signal is activated, so that error signal could be prevented. The alerting device could be and not only limited to vibrator, speaker or signal light which is/are noticeable to the user. The alerting devices could be separated for indicating whether the left signal or the right signal is activated correspondingly.
The left turn signal and right turn signal could be connected to an electronic circuit with a controller, so that either one signal is turned on at a time.
When either left turn signal or right turn signal is on, brake signal is operating independently so that users can turn on the brake signal while turn signal is on, or turn off the brake signal while turn signal is on.
A time limit could be set up so that the turn signal will be automatically turned off after certain period of time, let say 10 seconds.
If the turn signal is turned on (let say left) and the left signal is triggered again, the left signal will be remained on, but the automatically turned off time will be recount.
The left turn signal, right turn signal and brake signal could be connected to an electronic circuit with a controller to control the signals' sequence, priority and time delay, so that signal error could be prevented. One of the sequence to avoid accidentally off the brake signal is that during the brake signal is turned on, user may want to change lane and turn on the turn signal too. The head movement of the user may accidentally pitch down and roll their head to a side to turn on the turn signal. In this situation, the brake light is accidentally turned off. To prevent this happen, the brake signal could have a 2 seconds delay before turning off. In case the turn signal is turned on within 2 seconds, the turn signal could be turned on, and brake signal would be kept turned on. So in case the users head pitch downwards to turn on the turn signal too, the brake signal would not be turned off, until the turn signal is off.
If the SGC is connected with a gyro sensor, the downward and upward pitch head movement allows an extra control feature. Let say if the user pitch downward and upward instantly like nodding their head for 10° down and 10° up within 1 seconds, all the signal light will be turned off.
Sensors' angular position on the SGC could be adjusted according to the different type of bicycle, such as road bike or mountain bike. So that the rotational axis of the sensor could be matching the head position when the user riding in different position of different types of bike. In the other words, the sensor should be aligned with the cyclists head rotational axis, so that the rotational movement could be sensed more accurately.
Horizontal Side-to-Back View Refractive Lens
Freedom of rotation of human's eyes and head are limited as shown in
The widened horizontal field of view helps the users to decrease the angular body movement towards the side in order to scan oncoming traffic behind before changing lane. The refractive angle depends on the optical power of the lens. The optical power of the refractive lens 802 could be changed gradually from 0 to −50 Dioptre or in stages to provide a smooth transition from lower refraction angle to the largest refraction angle at the far end of the lens 801 as shown in
The refractive lens transition can be started depends on different design, usage and the non-refractive viewing area required. The refractive lens could also be rotated by certain angle to create a tilted refraction to facilitate different riding position, such as for road bike riders who have to lower the head due to the bicycle frame design.
Multi-Function Eyewear
When the cyclist is riding a bicycle to go forward normally, one can look forward through the non-refractive lens, without signal lights turned on. When the cyclist want to change lane, one may roll and turn the head to one side and look back to scan traffic rearward by the horizontal side-to-back view refractive lens. At the same time the signal light is activated due to the side tilted switch about roll axis is closed, so the flashing yellow turn signal light is turned on to alert the other road users about the cyclist's intention of changing direction. In case the cyclist needs to slow the bicycle down, one can activate the brake light at the same time by pitching the head up, when the turn signal light is still on.
An example of the safety eyewear for cycling according to the present invention is provided as shown in
An example of the safety gear for cycling according to the present invention is provided as shown in
The foregoing description of the present invention has been provided for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to the practitioner skilled in the art.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments and with various modifications that are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the following claims and their equivalence.
The present application is a national phase application of the international patent application PCT/CN2015/092570 filed on Oct. 22, 2015, which claims priority from U.S. provisional application 62/068,635 filed on Oct. 25, 2014, U.S. provisional application 62/073,020 filed on Oct. 31, 2014 and U.S. provisional application 62/073,959 filed Nov. 1, 2014, and the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference and their entirety.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/CN2015/092570 | 10/22/2015 | WO | 00 |
