GB2350177A

GB2350177A - Signalling device mounted on the hand

Info

Publication number: GB2350177A
Application number: GB0010016A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stanley Wymark Cocklin
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1999-04-21
Filing date: 2000-04-25
Publication date: 2000-11-22
Also published as: GB0010016D0; GB9909023D0

Abstract

A signalling device for signalling intended movement by a cyclist has one or more electrical powered indicator lights 12 eg LED's and is adapted to in use be mounted on a hand, eg via a strap 16 or a glove. A switch 26 may be operated by thumb pressure.

Description

2350177 SIGNALLING APPARATUS The present invention relates to signalling

apparatus.

The present invention provides a signalling apparatus for signalling position or intended movement comprising one or more electrically powered indicator lights and adapted to, in use, be mounted on a hand.

The present invention in its preferred embodiments advantageously allows a inotorist to see a cyclist or motor cyclist at night or in bad weather conditions, particularly when he or she makes a left or right hand signal.

Preferably, the signalling apparatus is adapted to be mounted on an open hand.. There can be a strap for fastening around the hand on which the indicator lights are mounte;d, The signalling apparatus preferably includes a switch to control the indicator light(s), the switch being, situated so as to be operable, in use, by pressure of a digit of the hand on which the signalling apparatus is mounted.

The indicator light(s) can flash periodically, sequentially and/or pseudo randomly.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the figures in which.

Figure I is a front view of a preferred signalling apparatus, Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating its basic circuitry, Figure 3 is a side view of the signalling apparatus shown in Figure I with its strap removed, Fif!nrr, 4 is an ithimmlion nf thr, Mgnalfinr_ apnararni in vv- hy a ryrfiv se-rn from the back, and Figure 5 is a close up view of a cyclists hand showing the signalling apparatus.

As shown in Figure 1, the signalling apparatus I consists of a housing.2 consisting of a main body 4 of plastic and an upstanding cover portion 6 of translucent plastic. In this embodirnen(, the cover portion 6 is orange, but in other embodiments, it can be of a different colour or colours or transparent.

Within the housing 2 is controller circuitry 8, referred to as a controller, mounted on a printed circuit board 10 to which are connected four light emitting diodes (LED's) 12 which emit light under the control of the, controller 8. In some other embodiments, other devices orbulbs which emit light are used in place of the LED's 12, The housing 2 includes a pair of slots 14 through which a strap 16 is threaded. The strap 16 includes at its end portions 18 cooperative releasably attachable strips 20, such as Velcro strips.

The lights 12 are powered by battery 22, which is small, accommodated in the housing t2, more specifically in upstanding cover portion 6 of the housing 2 above the controller 8 (i.e. in a region denoted 24 in Figure 3).

As shown in Figure 2, the electrical circuit of the signalling apparatus 1 has four main elements: these are the battery 22, the controller 8, the lights 12, and a switch 26 between the battery 22 and controller 8. The battery 22 is connected to the lights 12 via the switch 26 and controller 8.

The controller 8 acts to control the way in which the lights 12 operate, for example such that the lights 12 are static (i.e. toggle) on/off, or flashing. The controller 8 can be preset such that the flashing or continuous on/off periods of the individual lights 12 are sequential or random for example all flashing on then off, time varying patterns of lit lights, etc. In particular, the lights 12 can flash separately in time or all at the sarne time.

As shown in Figure 2, the switch 26 is in series with the battery 22. In some other embodiments, the switch 26 may be incorporated as part of the controller 8.

The switch 26 is mounted on the strap 16 so as to be readily manually accessible. The switch 26 is, of course, manually controllable; its function being to manually selectably make the circuit which enables the controller 8 to control the operation of the lights 12.

As shown In Figure 5, the strap is fastcned around the palm of the uscr's open hand, which can be gloved or un-gloved, such that the switch 26 is operated by thumb pressure and the lights 12 are readily observable, for exaniple when the hand is extended to the side as in the conventional 'left hand turn' hand signal It is envisaged that a pair of apparatuses I are used, one for each hand, however uses are envisaged where a single signalling apparatus 1 would suffice.

In some embodiments (not shown), the electrical circuit including battery, controller, lights and switch incorporated into a glove or glove cover (not shown), In some such embodiments (not shown) the row of red lights are built into the top of the glove or glove cover, and can be, for example, a row of continuous red lights or a row of flashing red lights, allowing, for example, a nearby motorist to determine the direction the cyclist/motor cyclist is travelling.

In some such embodiments (not shown) power is supplied by a small battery pack, located in its own self-fastening compartment, attached either to the top or side of the glove or glove cover. This is operated by thumb pressure on a switch positioned on the inside of the index finger of the glove.

In some such embodiments, the glove or glove cover is of waterproof material, the outside upper part of the glove or glove cover includes red reflective material and the underside (palmside) includes a white reflective material.

This also enables oncoming vehicles to establish the direction of the cyclist or motor cyclist.

The row of lights can be dismantled from the glove or glove cover for replacement lights or maintenance, as can the batteries, which can be replaced in the self-fastening compartment.

Signalling apparatus covers are in various sizes to accommodate all ages, and as a toy in different colours and shapes.

Various embodiments advantageously provide the following features and advantages:

1) A means of letting people know the way you would like to turn.

2) A flashing indicator light 3) A flashing light, which can fit over a glove or can be worn over your hand with no glove.

4) A flashing light to indicate your direction for turning or moving to one side, for example on a bike or running at night or skiing or any kind of activity which need indication of tuming.

5) Can be used on any motor vehicles, which does not have indicators.

6) Can be visible at over 300 feet at night.

7) Can let the motorist behind you know which way you are tuming.

8) Can be used by all ages.

9) Three or more functions:

a. Lights flashing separately, b. Lights on altogether, c- Lights flashing altogether.

10) The plastic cover can be changed to turn the signalling apparatus into a flashing toy.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A signalling apparatus for signalling position or intended movement comprising one or more electrically powered indicator lights and adapted to, in use, be mounted on a hand.

2. A signalling apparatus according to claim I comprising a strap for fastening around the hand.

3. A signalling apparatus according to claim I comprising cover for fitting over a hand, the indicator light(s) being mounted on the glove cover.

4. A signalling apparatus according to claim 3 in which the glove cover includes at least one portion which is brightly coloured and/or reflective.

5. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding cJaim comprising a switch to control the indicator light(s), the switch being situated so as to be operable, in use, by pressure of a digit of the hand on which the signalling apparatus is mounted.

6. A signalling apparatus according to claim 5, in which the switch is operated by pressure between thumb and index finger.

7. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claim In which the indicator light(s) in use flash periodically to indicate intended movement.

8. A signalling apparatus according to any preceding claims, in which there are a plurality of indicator lights which in use flash sequentially or pseudo-randomly under the control of control circuitry.

9. A signalling apparatus according to an preceding claim comprising a housing on which the indicator light(s) is/are mounted, the housing accommodates a battery for electrical power and control circuitry operates to control the indicator lights.