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Patent Searching and Data


Title:
SAFETY LIGHT
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2005/102085
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention relates to the field of safety devices. In one form, the present invention relates to improvements in visual signaling devices. In another form, the invention relates to a safety light intended to make the location of a person or object, to which the safety light of the present invention is proximate, more easily discernible. In still another form, the invention relates to a safety light for cyclists, or people on the move and the like.

Inventors:
ORLOWSKI MICHAEL (AU)
Application Number:
PCT/AU2005/000202
Publication Date:
November 03, 2005
Filing Date:
February 18, 2005
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
ORLOWSKI MICHAEL (AU)
VESPA DAVID ROCCO (AU)
International Classes:
A41D13/01; B62J6/16; F21L23/00; F21S9/02; F21V23/04; G08B5/00; F21V21/088; (IPC1-7): A41D13/01; B62J6/16; F21L23/00; F21V23/04
Foreign References:
US5286244A1994-02-15
GB2249036A1992-04-29
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
Clark, Ross (1 Nicholson Street Melbourne, VIC 3000, AU)
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Claims:
CLAIMS
1. A signalling device comprising: a power supply for providing power to the device when the device is activated, switch means for setting the device in a nonalert state where the device is in a first orientation or an alert state where the device is in a second orientation, the first state being a different orientation from the orientation of the second state, and signalling means for providing an alert signal when the device is in the alert state.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the alert signal is provided by a flashing light source or light source operated in accordance with a predetermined pattern of light emission.
3. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the alert signal is provided by a relatively continuous beam of light from a light source.
4. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the device is portable.
5. A device as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the power supply is a battery.
6. A device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a second switch for activating or deactivating the device.
7. A device as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a fastening means, such as a clip.
8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein activation of the device can be adjusted by changing the relative position of the device on the clip.
9. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the device is adapted for use by cyclists.
10. A method of signalling, comprising the steps of: providing a signalling device moving the signalling device from a first orientation being a nonalert state in which substantially no alert signal is provided to an alert state where the signalling device is in a second orientation in which an alert signal is provided by the signalling device.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein movement of an arm or hand of a user causes the device alternate between an alert and nonalert state.
12. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the method uses the device of any one of claims 1 to 9.
13. A method as herein disclosed.
14. An apparatus and / or device as herein disclosed.
Description:
SAFETY LIGHT FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of safety devices. In one form, the present invention relates to improvements in visual signalling devices. In another form, the invention relates to a safety light Intended to make the location of a person or object, to which the safety light of the present invention is proximate, more easily discernible. In still another form, the invention relates to a safety light for cyclists, or people on the move and the like. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to cyclists, however it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use only. BACKGROUND ART Numerous attempts have been made to improve the visibility of cyclists, especially in poor night time visibility or low light situations. Some of these attempts include reflectors, steady lights and flashing lights attached to the person or object wishing to be better seen in the low light situations. It has been found that these devices fall short of achieving their intended purpose, and thus a need still exists to improve the detection of people or objects in low light situations. Devices mounted on the bicycle itself may not be used by the rider, or the bicycle may not be in a position to have the device noticed by a motorist and thus the device will not work effectively. Statistics of bicycle injuries show that a relatively large proportion of these injuries occur in non-daylight hours. A number of these injuries involve the merging of bicycle and vehicle traffic. Furthermore, whilst bicycle rider helmets prevent serious injury of death, it is desirable to provide a preventative measure to reduce the likelihood of the cyclist getting hit at all by vehicles. Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms a part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia or elsewhere on or before the priority date of the disclosura and claims herein. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved safety light. A further object of the present invention is to alleviate at least one disadvantage associated with the prior art. SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention provides a signalling device and method including: a power supply for providing power to the device when the device is activated, switch means for setting the device in a non-alert state where the device is in a first orientation or an alert state where the device is in a second orientation, the first state being a different orientation from the orientation of the second state, and signalling means for providing an alert signal when the device is in the alert state. The present invention also provides a method of signalling, including the steps of providing a signalling device, moving the signalling device from a first orientation being a non-alert state in which substantially no alert signal is provided to an alert state where the signalling device is in a second orientation in which an alert signal is provided by the signalling device. Other aspects and preferred aspects are disclosed in the specification and / or defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention. In essence, the present invention combines the positioning and orientation during the use of the present device in association with a user, with activation or non-activation of a safety signal, such as a light The present invention has been found to result in a number of advantages, such as: • Providing a relatively high level of safety for the wearer. When the light of the present invention is triggered, a LED flashes like an indicator, • The light is preferably mounted on the hand region of the cyclist and thus it is more easily seen by others, • The light is activated upon positioning / orientation of the cyclist, • The light can be mounted to a glove, wrist, finger or hand band, • The light is portable, lightweight and has relatively low energy consumption • The device will stay active as long as the device stays in it's active position, • The cyclist does not have to learn to use the device, as its use can be combined with a cyclists normal hand signals, • The device enforces indication signalling by a cyclist, • The device will help train young people, and • The device will remain inactivate as long as it remains in an inactive position. Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of the present application may be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and in which: Figure 1 illustrates a typical glove upon which the device of the present invention may be used, Figure 2 illustrates a typical glove with ah embodiment of the present invention attached, Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure A illustrates a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention has many applications, given that it is a general visual aid or warning device. When used for the application of cycling, the device of the present invention may be located adjacent the users hand, glove or otherwise associated with the users hand or arm. When the device of the present invention is associated with the user's hand, the device may be clipped to a glove, a wrist band, or may be provided as a part of a glove, wrist band, sleeve or a finger ring. The light can be either battery operated or powered by movement. It has a manual 'main' switch, button or the like, to switch the device 'off or 'on'. In the 'off position, the device will not operate irrespective of its positioning or orientation. In the 'on' position, the device is ready for activation, in that the device is ready or 'activated' to respond to the positioning, movement or orientation of the device. Once "activated1 the device can begin operation when moved to an 'alert' position. The device will cease operation once it is moved to a 'non-alert' position. The device can be adjusted either mechanically or electronically to respond to the various 'alert' and 'non-alert' positions. For example, the device may be adjusted mechanically to activate it's light when a hand moved from a vertical to a horizontal position. This would equate, for example, to a cyclist moving their hand from a handle bar when riding (where the device is in a more vertical position relative to the cyclists body) to a more outstretched position indicating a turning signal, which is more horizontal relative to the cyclists body. In Figure 1, a glove which is typically worn by cyclists is shown. With reference to Figure 2, the device of the present invention is shown dipped to the glove of Figure 1. The device of the present invention may, of course, be attached or positioned anywhere as required, and the positioning of the device in Figure 2 is only for illustrative purposes. The device of the present invention may also be positioned on the user, or at another convenient location which enables movement of the device from an alert position to a non-alert position as will be herein explained. Figure 3 illustrates one embodiment of the device of the present invention as intended for cyclists. A small orange light 1 , with a see through cover 2, has a standard clip 3, similar to other 'flasher* .lights provided on bicycles. With this clip 3, it can be quickly and effortlessly attached to a typical glove or mitten and set to be 'active' by pressing the main switch button 4. The main switch button may have a number of operational settings, and which may be sequentially selected. The settings may be 'off 5, "on - steady mode' 6 in which the light remains illuminated once in the alert position, and 'on - flashing mode' in which the light is illuminated by flashing on and off once in the alert position. Thus, when the hand is raised to a specific alert position, for example the horizontal position, the indicator light will be automatically switched on. The light can be set to stay on (flashing, steady or another predetermined pattern of lighting) until the position of the hand is changed back to a non-alert position, for example an orientation other than horizontal, at which time the light will temporarily cease operation. Figure 4 illustrates one form of the circuitry of an embodiment of the present invention. Battery 5 or other form of power supply is provided. The battery 5 may be rechargeable or be a lithium battery. The 'main' switch 6 enables or disables operation of the present device. A further switch, such as a tilt switch 7 is provided to enable operation of the light 8 (and or other suitable warning device (not shown)). A blinking circuit 9 is also included to provide "flashing' operation of the light 8. The switch 7 may be any one or a combination of a tilt switch, a tip-over switch, a centrifugal switch, motion activated switch, proximity switch and / or an accelerometer. A combination of switches may be used to provide the switch function in response to device orientation. A centrifugal switch may be used in combination with other switches used. A motion activated switch may be used in combination with other switches used. A proximity switch may be used in combination with other switches used. The light 8 can bθ either a light bulb or preferably a LED -Light Emitting Diode. The LED may be an ultra bright LED in either an orange or white colour. More than one LED may be used in the device as a signalling source. Other signalling source such as audio signalling sources such as buzzers may be used by or in combination with the device of the present invention. In one form, the mechanical activation of the device on the hand or glove can be easily adjusted by turning the body of the light 1 on its base clip 3. Apart of being attached to the hand, the device can be used in any other applications where the aim is to activate the light when the object arrives at or is moved to a particular orientation. When a user is cycling, the device of the present invention may be located on the cyclist so that it is proximate the hand resting on the handlebar. In this position, the light is off,. When the hand is raised to indicate that the cyclist is going to turn, the light starts flashing or emitting steady beam of light, depending on the main switch setting. The light is activated by a change in orientation of the device of the present invention, and this in turn causes the tilt switch 7 to complete the circuit of Figure 4 due to the change in orientation. In one embodiment, the tilt switch is a mercury tilt switch. In another embodiment, the tilt switch may be a ball bearing tilt switch. While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood that it is capable of further modrfication(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth- As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, it should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within the spirit and scope of the invention-^s^efiπexJ"irri:hO~app^nτJexl~da1rnsτ Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention arid appended claims. Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures. "Comprises/comprising1' when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof."