WO2012100289A1

WO2012100289A1 - Audible warning device for bicycles

Info

Publication number: WO2012100289A1
Application number: PCT/AU2012/000050
Authority: WO
Inventors: Frank Anthony Ierfone
Original assignee: Framish Holdings Pty. Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-01-24
Filing date: 2012-01-24
Publication date: 2012-08-02

Abstract

A horn for a bicycle, electric scooter or wheelchair has a battery container with an oscillation generating circuit, which has a hook for suspending the container from the handlebar or a control cable. Leads from the container connect with a snap-on mount which has a button switch and a horn. The mount is intended for placement next to the brake mount in order to be close to the riders thumb.

Description

TITLE OF INVENTION

Audible Warning Device for Bicycles TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention concerns audible warning devices for bicycles, tricycles, wheelchairs and other transport equipment having a tubular frame.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Bells and horns are traditional sound alarms for such equipment but they are unwelcome essentials at least to bicycle riders when it comes to appearance given the improvement in styling now evident even in ride to work bicycles. It is still important that such devices protrude as little as possible and are able to survive collisions and weather exposure.

[0003] Any bell or horn which requires a shift of the rider's gaze or hand to activate it is a danger in that it diverts the rider's attention. Mechanical bells require repeat flicking with the fingers to send an audible warning which produces a reaction. Bells which rely on pivoted levers may stiffen over the years and require specific muscular movement to produce a ring. These disadvantages are made worse if the rider has restricted or painful movement because of rheumatism.

[0004] In this specification "bell" means a working device which emits a sound loud enough to be heard by other road users and pedestrians and is not limited to conventional bells which emit a ringing sound and includes a horn which emits a tone.

[0005] PCT/AU2002/01429 describes a pack which consists of an AA size dry cell, a Piezo speaker, a capsule containing a voltage transformer and a strip which connects a switch button to the circuit. The pack is shaped to be slid into the open end of a tubular handlebar. A rubber handgrip is pushed on to the handlebar so that the grip covers the strip and the speaker emits sound from the end of the handlebar.

[0006] The handlebar ends are vulnerable in that they hit walls when bicycles are stood against them and they like the pedals are the most likely parts to strike the ground if the rider falls.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

[0007] The handlebar area of a bicycle is crowded with controls, bicycle locks, headlight brackets and the like. The rider prefers controls operated solely by touch.

[0008] The apparatus aspect of this invention provides a bicycle bell comprising:

[0009] a) a battery container mountable on the bicycle handlebar close to the handgrip,

[0010] b) a battery operated sound emitter,

[0011] c) circuitry and a switch operable to activate the sound emitter,

[0012] d) means to attach the switch to handlebar beyond the grip, and

[0013] e) means to connect the battery container to the handlebar or to a part of the bicycle in the handlebar area.

[0014] The means to mount the switch may be a snap-on bracelet. The same means may carry the sound emitter. The switch and emitter may be disposed at 90° on the arcuate bracelet.

[0015] The means to connect the container to the handlebar or part thereof may be a hook extending from the body of the container. The container may be closed by a cap and the hook may be part of the cap. The container preferably houses the circuitry for generating the oscillation. The circuitry may include leads which connect the circuit board inside the container to the switch outside but adjacent the container.

[0016] Clearly the device can with straightforward modification be mounted on a tricycle, a recumbent or wheelchair.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

[0017] 1. The device is unobtrusive and does not detract from the orderly arrangement of the handlebar area.

[0018] 2. Requires no tools to install and exchange.

[0019] 3. Operation does not distract the rider in that the switch button is locatable solely by touch like the gearshift lever close by. The sound production requires only the depression of the button by the thumb and can be maintained as long as necessary with no repeat hand movement. This allows the rider to brake, keep balance and glance in different directions rapidly all at the same time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0020] One embodiment of the invention is now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] Figure 1 is a part sectional perspective of the device.

[0022] Figure 2 is a rider's view of the device in position on a handlebar.

[0023] Figure 3 is a circuit diagram of the circuit board. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0024] Referring now to the drawings, moulded plastic tube 2 is closed by cap 4 which has a spring seat 6 to urge the miniature AA 12V battery 8 against contact 10. Circuit board 12 sits between the battery 8 and part 14 in the end wall of tube 2. Leads 16 covered by plastic ribbon 18 connect the board and capacitor 20 to switch (button) 22 and Piezo speaker device 24 which emits the warning sound. The ribbon is about 75mm in length and a further portion 26 connects the Piezo device to the switch. Portion 26 is adhered to plastic bracelet 28 which acts as a mount for forward facing speaker 24 and rearward facing button 22. Bracelet 28 is a plastic moulding which is a snap fit onto handlebar 30. A patch of double sided adhesive tape or a dab of adhesive prevents the displacement of the bracelet in use. Cap 4 has an integral hook 32 which engages gear change cable 34.

[0025] Figure 2 shows the gearshift 36 next to handgrip 38. Gearshift lever 40 is operated by the rider's thumb. So too is switch button 22. Brake lever 42 extends in front of handgrip 38.

[0026] In Figure 3, Rl sets the frequency of the oscillation provided by microchip 42.

Transistor Ql amplifies the signal and drives speaker 24 when switch 22 is closed. The speaker delivers lOOdB at 100m.

[0027] In a variant, the hook is enlarged and the container clips onto the handlebar itself.

[0028] It is to be understood that the word "comprising" as used throughout the specification is to be interpreted in its inclusive form, ie. use of the word "comprising" does not exclude the addition of other elements.

[0029] It is to be understood that various modifications of and/or additions to the invention can be made without departing from the basic nature of the invention, these modifications and/or additions are therefore considered to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A bicycle bell comprising a battery container mountable on the bicycle handlebar close to the handgrip, a battery operated sound emitter, circuitry and a switch operable to activate the sound emitter, means to attach the switch to a handlebar beyond the handlebar grip, and means to connect the battery container to the handlebar or to a part of the bicycle in the handlebar area.

2. A bicycle bell as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the means to mount the switch is a bracelet for the handlebar.

3. A bicycle bell as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the sound emitter is fixed to the bracelet.

4. A bicycle bell as claimed in Claims 2-3, wherein the switch and emitter are

circumferentially separated when the bracelet engages the handlebar with the switch facing the rider's thumb.

5. A bicycle bell as claimed in any one of Claims 2-4, wherein the bracelet is a snap-on component.

6. A bicycle bell as claimed in any one of Claims 1-5, wherein the means to connect the container to the handlebar or part thereof is a hook extending from the body of the container.

7. A bicycle bell as claimed in any one of Claims 1 -6, wherein the containers is closed by a cap and the hook extends from the cap.

8. A bicycle bell as claimed in Claim 1 -7, wherein the container houses the circuitry which generates oscillations driving the sound emitter.

9. A bicycle bell as claimed in any one of Claims 1 -8, wherein the circuitry has leads which connect the circuit board inside the container to the switch outside but adjacent to the container.

10. A bicycle bell as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, wherein the hook is adapted to engage a control cable.

11. A bicycle bell as claimed in any one of Claims 6-10, wherein the container is tubular and in use dimensioned to lie in the space between a control cable and a handlebar.

12. A bicycle bell as claimed in any one of Claims 9-11, wherein the leads are part of a tether joining the bracelet to the container to make a unitary component.

13. A bicycle bell as claimed in any one of Claims 1-12, wherein the circuitry has a circuit board with leads extending from one end and an upstanding battery contact at the opposite end.