BICYCLE

Abstract

The present invention relates to bicycles. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for increasing the visibility of a bicycle to other road users. According to a first aspect there is provided a bicycle comprising: one or more indicator lights; and a handlebar portion and a frame portion; wherein the one or more indicator lights are integrated into the bicycle; and one or more integrated light projectors, wherein the one or more integrated light projectors comprise one or more lasers operable to generate one or more light projections on the surface on which the bicycle is being used.

Claims

1. A bicycle comprising: one or more indicator lights; a handlebar portion and a frame portion; wherein the one or more indicator lights are integrated into the bicycle; and one or more integrated light projectors, wherein the one or more integrated light projectors comprise one or more lasers operable to generate one or more light projections on the surface on which the bicycle is being used.

2. A bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the one or more indicator lights, optionally a plurality of indicator lights, are integrated into the handlebar portion and/or the frame portion; preferably wherein the one or more indicator lights integrated into the handlebar portion are positioned at substantially opposing ends of the handlebar portion, and further preferably wherein the one or more indicators integrated into the frame portion are positioned substantially centrally on the frame of the bicycle.

3. (canceled)

4. A bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising one or more front lights wherein the one or more front lights are integrated into the bicycle, preferably wherein the one or more front lights are integrated into the handlebar portion, and further preferably wherein the one or more front lights comprise a strip of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs); an adjustable angle of attack; and/or an adjustable level of brightness.

5.-6. (canceled)

7. A bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising one or more rear lights wherein the one or more rear lights is integrated into the bicycle, preferably wherein the one or more rear lights are integrated into the frame portion, and further preferably wherein the one or more rear lights comprise a strip of light emitting diodes (LEDs) and/or organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs); an adjustable angle of attack; and/or an adjustable level of brightness.

8. (canceled)

9. A bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the one or more integrated light projectors are integrated into the handlebar portion, and preferably wherein at least a portion of the light projections is generated on the surface ahead of the bicycle and/or comprises two substantially parallel lines on the surface on which the bicycle is being used and/or is operable to change shape and/or brightness during the use of the integrated indicator lights.

10. A bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising one or more batteries housed within the bicycle, optionally wherein the one or more batteries are removable, and preferably wherein one or more indicator lights are powered using the one or more batteries, and further preferably wherein at least one of the one or more batteries is configured to be recharged through a dynamo generating electrical energy from a pedalling action of a rider using a set of pedals coupled to the dynamo.

11.-15. (canceled)

16. A bicycle according to claim 4, wherein the brightness of the one or more front and/or rear lights is responsive to ambient lighting conditions, preferably wherein the one or more front lights switch off or change brightness according to the movement of the bicycle.

17.-26. (canceled)

27. A bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising electrical wiring configured to connect a power source, optionally wherein the power source comprises one or more batteries, to any electrical components, wherein the electrical wiring is housed substantially internally within a rigid frame of the bicycle.

28. (canceled)

29. A bicycle according to claim 27, wherein the electrical components comprises any or all of: one or more indicator lights; one or more front lights; one or more rear lights; one or more integrated light projectors; a dynamo; and/or a front camera and/or a back camera optionally integrated into the bicycle, preferably wherein the front camera is integrated into the handlebar portion and the back camera is integrated into the frame portion.

30. (canceled)

31. A bicycle according to claim 1, wherein one or more peripheral sections of the handlebar portion are removable.

32. A bicycle according to claim 1, wherein the handlebar portion substantially houses one or more batteries, optionally wherein the one or more batteries are replaceable.

33. (canceled)

34. A bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising an electronic horn wherein the electrical horn is integrated into the bicycle, preferably integrated into the handlebar portion, and further preferably wherein the electronic horn is controlled using any or all of: a button; a lever or a switch; wherein the button and/or lever and/or switch are mounted on or integrated into the handlebar portion.

35.-37. (canceled)

38. A bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising an additional power source, wherein the additional power source optionally comprises a solar power generating device attached to and/or integrated into the bicycle, preferably wherein the solar power generating device is a solar film and/or printable solar cell that is attached and/or affixed to portions of a rigid frame of the bicycle.

39.-41. (canceled)

42. A bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising a charging port for a mobile device, preferably wherein the charging port is in the form of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) charging port.

43. (canceled)

44. A bicycle according to claim 1, wherein one or more electronic devices coupled to the bicycle are connected to a data network, preferably wherein the data network is provided by data cabling integrated into the bicycle or wirelessly, and further preferably wherein information can be shared across any electronic devices connected to the data network, optionally wherein the wherein the data network is operable to communicate over the Internet, and preferably wherein data can be transferred between the Internet and the data network.

45.-51. (canceled)

52. A bicycle according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more indicators are provided on at least one front spoke of the bicycle, preferably wherein at least one of the one or more indicators are provided on the outward facing surface of at least one front spoke of the bicycle.

53.-55. (canceled)

56. A bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising one or more sensors integrated into at least one handle of the handlebar portion, preferably wherein the more or more sensors include any or all of: pulse sensors; heart rate sensors; and/or speed sensors.

57.-58. (canceled)

59. A bicycle according to claim 1, further comprising an integrated digital display in the handlebar portion, the integrated digital display configured to display any or all of: the speed of the bicycle; vitals of a rider; and/or the remaining power in the one or more batteries.

60. A bicycle according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more indicator lights is provided in a seat portion of the bicycle, preferably in the rear portion of the seat portion and/or in the seat stay.

61.-71. (canceled)

72. A bicycle according to claim 16, wherein the brightness of the one or more front and/or rear lights is responsive to ambient lighting conditions, preferably wherein the one or more front lights switch off or change brightness according to the movement of the bicycle, preferably wherein at least one of the one or more rear lights changes brightness according to a degree of braking action of the bicycle, the breaking action being determined from the use of one or more brake levers.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0106] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings having like-reference numerals, in which:

[0107] FIG. 1 illustrates a profile view of the assembled bicycle;

[0108] FIG. 2 illustrates the handlebar arrangement; and

[0109] FIG. 3 illustrates the integrated rear light.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

[0110] Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment will now be described in detail as follows.

[0111] FIG. 1 shows a bicycle 1, operable to be used as a conventional bicycle, including road, outdoor, off-road and racing uses. The bicycle 1 comprises a rigid frame 2. The frame 2 is operable to house one or more wires or cables connecting various components integrated onto the bicycle. Such components may include an integrated rear light 5, which is inserted inside a section of frame 15. The wire connecting the light to a power source will be housed inside the section of frame 15. A cover 10 for the rear light 5 protects the light from water and detritus which may be thrown up by the rear wheel of the bicycle 1 during normal use, or may be present under inclement weather conditions. The cover 10 may also act to diffuse the light emitted from the rear light 5, so as to produce a more aesthetically pleasing glow, or tint the colour of the light to the red colour required by law in many countries.

[0112] FIG. 1 further illustrates an integrated front light 25, inserted inside a section of frame 20. In this example the front light 25 stands proud from the end of the section of frame 20, without a cover, so as to maximise the brightness of the light emitted from the front of the bicycle 1. However in another embodiment a cover may be fitted to the front light 25. As with conventional bicycles, a brake cable 30 operates to link the brake handle to the brakes on the bicycle 1 wheels. In one embodiment of this invention, the brake cable 30 is substantially enclosed within the frame 2. All of the electrical components in the bicycle 1 may be powered from a single, central power source 35 housed within the frame 2. The wiring required to power said components is housed substantially within the frame 2, enclosing the wiring therein. The brake cables 30 may also be housed substantially within the frame 2. In an alternative embodiment the wiring and cables 30 are housed externally to the frame 2.

[0113] FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the handlebar arrangement 3 of the bicycle 1. The handlebar arrangement 3 is pivotally coupled to the frame 2, to allow for steering of the bicycle 1 while in use. The section of frame 20 is positioned substantially centrally on longitudinal axis of the handlebar arrangement 3, and is operable to house the integrated front light 25. For ease of use, the bicycle 1 may comprise a gearing system, operated by a user adjusting a lever 45 positioned on the handlebar arrangement 3. The handlebar arrangement 3 also comprises two handles 50, where a user may place their hands and grip the handlebar arrangement 3 during use. The handles 50 may comprise a tactile covering so as to allow the user to grip the handles 50 firmly even under adverse conditions. Adjacent the handles 50 are indictor light buttons 40. The indicator lights may be operated using the button 40, located adjacent the handle 50. The indicator lights serve to indicate to other road users the direction in which the user is planning to turn, thereby helping to avoid collisions. The indicator lights are connected to the central power source 35, and draw the electricity required for operation from same.

[0114] Light projectors 60 are also coupled to the handlebar arrangement 3. Each projector 60 illuminates a section of the adjacent and/or ahead of the bicycle 1, thereby magnifying a user's presence on a road. The light projectors are powered by the central power source 35. In an alternative embodiment the handles 50 may be removable from the handlebar arrangement 3. A separate battery or alternative power source may then be used to power the light projectors 60. The power source and connected wiring to the light projectors are then housed substantially within the handles 55. The handlebar arrangement may also comprise an electronic horn, capable of emitting a sufficiently loud noise so as the make other road users aware of the presence of the bicycle 1 user.

[0115] In order to activate the various electronic safety devices, a switch 65 is provided on the handlebar arrangement 3. The switch 65 is operable to vary the power sent to the electronic safety devices between 0 Watts when switched off, and a maximum value when the electronic safety devices are required. The switch may be formed by a single unit, the unit comprising one or more buttons or levers to control the individual electronic devices coupled to the bicycle.

[0116] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of the integrated rear light assembly. The section of frame 15 is coupled to the bicycle frame 2. The section of frame 15 is hollow, and is operable to house the rear light 5 along with the associated wiring required for powering the rear light 5. The cover then is sealed over the rear light 5 for the reasons outlined above.

[0117] Many different methods of manufacture may be used to produce any of the components mentioned in relation to this apparatus. For example, components of one or more embodiments described herein may be manufactured by way of 3D printing whereby a three-dimensional model of one of the various options for the hand-held objects are supplied, in machine-readable form, to a 3D printer adapted to manufacture said one or more components. This may be by additive means such as extrusion deposition, Electron Beam Freeform Fabrication (EBF), granular materials binding, lamination, photopolymerization, or stereolithography or a combination. The machine-readable model comprises a spatial map of the object or pattern to be printed, typically in the form of a Cartesian coordinate system defining the object's or pattern's surfaces. This spatial map may comprise a computer file which may be provided in any one of a number of file conventions. One example of a file convention is a STL (STereoLithography) file which may be in the form of ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) or binary and specifies areas by way of triangulated surfaces with defined normals and vertices.

[0118] An alternative file format is AMF (Additive Manufacturing File) which provides the facility to specify the material and texture of each surface as well as allowing for curved triangulated surfaces. The mapping of the object may then be converted into instructions to be executed by 3D printer according to the printing method being used. This may comprise splitting the model into slices (for example, each slice corresponding to an x-y plane, with successive layers building the z dimension) and encoding each slice into a series of instructions. The instructions sent to the 3D printer may comprise Numerical Control (NC) or Computer NC (CNC) instructions, preferably in the form of G-code (also called RS-274), which comprises a series of instructions regarding how the 3D printer should act. The instructions vary depending on the type of 3D printer being used, but in the example of a moving printhead the instructions include: how the printhead should move, when/where to deposit material, the type of material to be deposited, and the flow rate of the deposited material.

[0119] Any part of an apparatus as described herein may be embodied in one such machine-readable model, for example a machine-readable map or instructions, for example to enable a physical representation of said part of apparatus to be produced by 3D printing. This may be in the form of a software code mapping of one or more components and/or instructions to be supplied to a 3D printer (for example numerical code).

[0120] Any system feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure.

[0121] Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to system aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

[0122] It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently. Specifically, the electronic components integrated into the bicycle may be supplied and/or replaced separately from one another. The electronic components may further be retro-fitted onto a bicycle, or supplied externally before being coupled to a bicycle.