Bicycle frame lighting system

Abstract

A bicycle frame lighting system includes a top light assembly and a bottom light assembly. The top light assembly is assembled to the left and right sides of the top tube of the bicycle, wherein the top light assembly includes a pair of top light assembly components, and the pair of top light assembly components can be separated and reattached so that the top tube is fixed in the cavity formed between the pair of top light assembly components. The bottom light assembly is assembled to the left and right sides of the bottom tube of the bicycle, wherein the bottom light assembly includes a pair of bottom light assembly components, and the pair of bottom light assembly components can be separated and reattached so that the bottom tube is fixed in the cavity formed between the pair of bottom light assembly components. The bicycle frame lighting system also includes a battery housing equipped with a power source, and the power source supplies power to the top light assembly and the bottom light assembly.

Description

[0001] Copyright Notice

[0002] Portions of the disclosure of this patent document contain material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Technical Field

[0003] The present application relates generally to bicycle lighting, and more particularly to integrating lighting fixtures into a bicycle frame. Background Art

[0004] Many cyclists use bicycle lights to improve their safety and / or visibility. Bicycle lights illuminate the cyclist's path, increase the cyclist's visibility to others at night, and thus contribute to the cyclist's safety. However, such lights require the user to mount the lights on multiple components on the outside of the bicycle, which may be lost or damaged when the bicycle accidentally or intentionally falls to the ground. Many lighting devices related to providing safety lights for bicycles fail to provide a lighting system integrated into the bicycle frame. For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,779,913 discusses a light strip attached to a bicycle frame by an adhesive. Fixing the light strip with an adhesive or the like is not durable, unsafe, fragile, and potentially dangerous if the light strip becomes loose and gets stuck in the bicycle chain. As discussed in U.S. Patent No. 9,944,339, another disadvantage is that bicycle lighting requires the frame of the bicycle to be made of a translucent material. Few materials are translucent and at the same time can be made strong enough to provide sufficient structural integrity for the bicycle frame.

[0005] Improvements to the prior art are needed, particularly improvements to high visibility safety lighting systems that are integrated into a bicycle frame or body with little to no modification to the bicycle frame itself. Summary of the invention

[0006] The present invention provides a bicycle frame lighting system. According to one embodiment, the bicycle frame lighting system includes a top light assembly and a bottom light assembly. The top light assembly is assembled to the left and right sides of the top tube of the bicycle, wherein the top light assembly includes a pair of top light assembly components, and the pair of top light assembly components can be separated from each other and reattached together so that the top tube is fixed in a cavity formed between the pair of top light assembly components. The bottom light assembly is assembled to the left and right sides of the bottom tube of the bicycle, wherein the bottom light assembly includes a pair of bottom light assembly components, and the pair of bottom light assembly components can be separated from each other and reattached together so that the bottom tube is fixed in a cavity formed between the pair of bottom light assembly components. The bicycle frame lighting system also includes a battery housing equipped with a power supply, and the power supply provides DC power to the top light assembly and the bottom light assembly.

[0007] The bicycle frame lighting system may also include a fixing component that fixes the top light assembly to the top tube and the bottom light assembly to the bottom tube. The top light assembly and the bottom light assembly may be configured relative to slots, recesses, grooves, channels, indentations, or guide holes on the top tube and the bottom tube. In one embodiment, the battery housing is configured at the bottom tube. Alternatively, the battery housing may be configured along at least a portion of the distal end of the bottom tube. The battery housing may be attached to the bottom light assembly. A complementary pair of light assembly components may include attachment points at the distal ends of a complementary pair of light assembly components. The bicycle frame lighting system may also include a switch or circuit device that is used to switch the power supply of the top light assembly and the bottom light assembly. The switch or circuit device may be configured on the handlebars or top tube of the bicycle.

[0008] The top light assembly and the bottom light assembly may include a plurality of LED lamps. A switch or circuit arrangement may control the operation of the plurality of LED lamps to strobe, flash, turn on, or present a pattern. In one embodiment, the top light assembly and the bottom light assembly include an assembly component cover encapsulating the plurality of LED lamps. The assembly component cover may include a clear or colored plastic cover. The plurality of LED lamps individually or collectively produce light of any color.

[0009] The battery housing may include a bottom housing, a top housing, and a battery housing chamber. The power source may be inserted into the battery housing chamber. The battery housing chamber may include a battery housing cap. The power source may be a battery cell.

[0010] According to another embodiment, a bicycle frame lighting system includes a top light assembly assembled to the left and right sides of a bicycle top tube, wherein the top light assembly includes a pair of top light assembly components removably attached to the top tube. The bicycle frame lighting system also includes a bottom light assembly assembled to the left and right sides of a bicycle bottom tube, wherein the bottom light assembly includes a pair of bottom light assembly components removably attached to the bottom tube. The bicycle frame lighting system also includes a battery housing containing a power source that provides DC power to the top light assembly and the bottom light assembly. The top light assembly component and the bottom light assembly component include low-profile decals with light-emitting diode lights.

[0011] The bicycle frame lighting system may further include a switch or circuit device for switching power supply to the top light assembly and the bottom light assembly. The switch or circuit device may control the operation of the light emitting diode lamp to strobe, flash, turn on or present a pattern. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] The present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which are provided by way of example and not limitation, in which like reference numerals are intended to designate similar or corresponding parts.

[0013] Figures 1A to 1D Several views of a bicycle are shown according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C Several views of a bicycle frame lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown.

[0015] Figure 3 Light assembly components according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown.

[0016] Figure 4A To Figure 4D and Figure 5 A battery housing according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0017] Figure 6 and Figure 7 An exemplary rendering of a bicycle including a bicycle frame lighting system according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The subject matter will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the present invention and show, by way of example, exemplary embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. However, the subject matter may be implemented in a variety of different forms, and therefore, the subject matter covered or claimed is intended to be interpreted as not limited to any exemplary embodiment set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided for illustration only. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Likewise, it is intended to provide a fairly broad scope for the subject matter claimed or covered. Throughout the specification and claims, terms may have subtle meanings that are implied or implied in the context in addition to the express meaning. Likewise, the phrase "in one embodiment" used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and the phrase "in another embodiment" used herein does not necessarily refer to different embodiments. For example, the subject matter claimed for protection is intended to include all or part of the exemplary embodiments. Therefore, the following detailed description is not intended to be considered restrictive.

[0019] Figures 1A to 1D Various views of a bicycle according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. Bicycle 100 includes a top tube 102, a bottom tube 104, a chain ring assembly 110, a front wheel 112, a rear wheel 114, a training wheel 116, a handlebar 118, and a seat post 120. Bicycle 100 may also include a bicycle frame lighting system for illuminating the frame of bicycle 100. The bicycle frame lighting system may include a top light assembly 106 assembled to the left and right sides of the top tube 102 and a bottom light assembly 108 assembled to the left and right sides of the bottom tube 104. In other embodiments, the light assembly may be configured on other components of the bicycle frame, such as a seat tube, a head tube, a seat stay, a chain stay, etc.

[0020] The top tube 102 and the bottom tube 104 may be hollow, defining a cavity therein, the cavity being adapted to receive a fixing member, such as a screw, bolt or fastener known to those skilled in the art, which can be used to fix the top light assembly 106 and the bottom light assembly 108, respectively. Each of the top tube 102 and the bottom tube 104 can be made of a material including steel, a high-performance alloy, an aluminum alloy, titanium, carbon fiber or any combination thereof. In other embodiments, each of the top tube 102 and the bottom tube 104 can be formed to be adapted to the top light assembly 106 and the bottom light assembly 108, respectively, for example, a slot, recess, groove, channel, indentation or guide hole, etc. adapted to the top light assembly 106 and the bottom light assembly 108 can be formed. According to another embodiment, the top light assembly 106 and the bottom light assembly 108 can be constructed as an illuminated decal strip (via a light-emitting diode lamp), which can be wrapped around the top tube 102 or the bottom tube 104.

[0021] A power source that provides power to the top light assembly 106 and the bottom light assembly 108 can be mounted within the bottom tube 104, enclosed on the bottom tube, or disposed adjacent to the bottom tube 104 along at least a portion of the distal end of the bottom tube 104 at the chain ring assembly 110. The bicycle 100 can also include auxiliary devices (not shown), such as speakers, which can also be powered by the power source. In some embodiments, the chain ring assembly 110 can include a chain ring guard. However, in other embodiments, the power source can be attached or coupled to various components of the bicycle.

[0022] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C Various views of a bicycle frame lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention are shown. The bicycle frame lighting system currently disclosed may include a top light assembly 106, a bottom light assembly 108 and a battery housing 200. The battery housing 200 can be equipped with a power source, such as a battery pack that provides DC power to power the top light assembly 106 and the bottom light assembly 108. The bicycle frame lighting system may also include a switch and / or circuit device that may be placed at a given position on the bicycle (e.g., at the handlebar 118 or on the top tube 102) to switch the power supply of one or both of the top light assembly 106 and the bottom light assembly 108. The switch and / or circuit device may also be used to switch the power supply of auxiliary devices alone or in conjunction with the top light assembly 106 and the bottom light assembly 108. The top light assembly 106 and the bottom light assembly 108 may be connected to the power supply by an insulated cable or wire. In one embodiment, the battery housing 200 may be attached to the bottom light assembly 108.

[0023] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the disclosed bicycle frame lighting system includes an attachment mechanism that allows seamless integration with any bicycle, which is safer and more streamlined than existing bicycle lighting systems. Top light assembly 106 can include top light assembly component 106A and top light assembly component 106B, which can be separated from each other and reattached together so that top tube 102 is fixed at the cavity formed between top light assembly component 106A and top light assembly component 106B. Similarly, bottom light assembly 108 can include bottom light assembly component 108A and bottom light assembly component 108B, which can be separated from each other and reattached together so that bottom tube 104 is fixed at the cavity formed between bottom light assembly component 108A and bottom light assembly component 108B. The light assembly components can be secured to each other at attachment points 306 on both ends (distal ends) of the light assembly components to provide a grip to the bicycle tube section. In an alternative embodiment, the light assembly components can include a low-profile decal strip including an LED light that can be adhered along the sides of the top tube 102 and bottom tube 104 in a seamless manner.

[0024] See also Figure 3 , an exemplary assembly component 300 may include a plurality of light emitting diode lamps 304 and an assembly component cover 302 that encapsulates and protects the plurality of light emitting diode lamps 304. The plurality of light emitting diode lamps 304 may individually or collectively produce light of any color that may be changed manually or via a digital circuit. According to another embodiment, the plurality of light emitting diode lamps 304 may be programmed to operate in certain modes, such as strobing, flashing, turning on the light emitting diode lamps on one or more light assembly components, lighting certain light emitting diode lamps in the light assembly components, or lighting certain light emitting diode lamps to present a pattern. The assembly component cover 302 may, for example, include a transparent plastic cover or a plastic cover that is colored with any color so that the light from the plurality of light emitting diode lamps 304 may be visually visible.

[0025] Figure 4 and Figure 5A battery housing for a bicycle frame lighting system according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The battery housing 200 may include a bottom shell 402 and a top shell 404 encapsulating a battery housing chamber 410. The battery housing chamber 410 may accommodate a battery 406 used as a power source. The battery 406 may be a battery pack, a plurality of batteries, a single battery, a rechargeable or non-rechargeable battery, or any combination thereof. The size of the battery 406 may be such that it may be inserted into the battery housing chamber 410. The bottom shell 402 and the top shell 404 may be formed into a tubular shape and may be made of any other suitable material recognized by those skilled in the art including plastic, metal, alloy, carbon fiber, or any other suitable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the battery 406 is cylindrical, but other shapes may also be used and are within the spirit and scope of the system disclosed herein. As Figure 5 As shown, the battery housing chamber 410 may be accessed by rotating the battery housing cap 408 and pulling it out of the battery housing 200 .

[0026] Figure 6 An exemplary rendering of a bicycle including a bicycle frame lighting system according to another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The depicted bicycle can be configured with a bicycle frame lighting system that includes frame lighting 602, front wheel disc lighting 604, rear wheel disc lighting 606, and training wheel lighting 608. Frame lighting 602 can be configured on the top tube and bottom tube, for example, but can also be configured on any part of the bicycle frame. Frame lighting 602, front wheel disc lighting 604, rear wheel disc lighting 606, and training wheel lighting 608 can include colored light emitting diode lights that are collectively or individually electrically connected to one or more power sources (e.g., a power source in a battery housing) and connected to a common switch or to individual switches to selectively switch each individual lighting component.

[0027] Figure 7 An exemplary rendering of a bicycle including a bicycle frame lighting system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention is shown. The depicted bicycle can be configured with a bicycle frame lighting system that includes a frame lighting member 702, a front wheel rim lighting member 704, and a rear wheel rim lighting member 706. The frame lighting member 702 can be configured on the top tube and the bottom tube, for example, but can also be configured on any part of the bicycle frame. The frame lighting member 702, the front wheel rim lighting member 704, and the rear wheel rim lighting member 706 can include colored light emitting diode lights that are electrically connected to one or more power sources (e.g., a power source in a battery housing) in common or individually and are connected to a common switch or to individual switches to selectively switch each individual lighting component.

[0028] Figure 1 to Figure 7For explaining the concept diagram of the present invention. It is worth noting that the above-mentioned drawings and examples are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention to a single embodiment, because it is possible to obtain other embodiments by the interchange of some or all of the elements described or shown. In addition, in the case where some elements of the present invention can be partially or completely implemented using known parts, only those parts of these known parts necessary for understanding the present invention are described, and the detailed description of other parts of these known parts is omitted, so as not to confuse the present invention. In this specification, unless otherwise clearly stated herein, the embodiment showing a single component is not necessarily limited, and it also points to other embodiments including multiple identical components, and vice versa. In addition, unless clearly specified, the applicant does not want any term in the specification or claims to be given uncommon or special meanings. In addition, the present invention covers the currently known and future known equivalents of the known parts mentioned by way of example herein.

[0029] The above description of specific embodiments will fully reveal the general nature of the present invention, so that others can easily modify these specific embodiments and / or make these specific embodiments suitable for various application scenarios by applying the knowledge within the skills of the relevant fields (including the contents of the documents cited herein and incorporated herein by reference), without excessive experimentation, and without departing from the general concept of the present invention. Therefore, based on the teachings and guidance given herein, such adaptations and modifications are intended to fall within the meaning and scope of the equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It should be understood that the wording or terminology herein is for the purpose of description rather than limitation, so that the terms or wording of this specification will be interpreted by those skilled in the art according to the teachings and guidance given herein and in combination with the knowledge of those skilled in the relevant art.

Claims

1. A bicycle frame lighting system, comprising: a dome light assembly assembled to left and right sides of a top tube of a bicycle, the dome light assembly comprising a pair of dome light assembly components detachably attached to each other and to the top tube, wherein the top tube is fixed at a cavity formed between the pair of dome light assembly components; a bottom light assembly assembled to left and right sides of a bottom tube of the bicycle, the bottom light assembly comprising a pair of bottom light assembly components detachably attached to each other and to the bottom tube, wherein the bottom tube is fixed at a cavity formed between the pair of bottom light assembly components; Front wheel disc lighting and rear wheel disc lighting; and A battery housing is provided with a power source for providing direct current power to the top light assembly and the bottom light assembly. 2 . The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 1 , further comprising a fixing member that fixes the top light assembly to the top tube and the bottom light assembly to the bottom tube. 3 .

3. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The top light assembly and the bottom light assembly are configured corresponding to the slots, recesses, grooves, channels, indentations or guide holes on the top tube and the bottom tube.

4. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The battery housing is arranged at the bottom tube.

5. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The battery housing is disposed along at least a portion of the distal end of the bottom tube.

6. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The battery housing is attached to the base light assembly.

7. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The light assembly component includes an attachment point at a distal end of the light assembly component.

8. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising a switch or circuit device for switching power supply to the top light assembly and the bottom light assembly.

9. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 8, wherein: The switch or circuit device is arranged on the handlebar or the top tube of the bicycle.

10. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 8, wherein: The top light assembly and the bottom light assembly include a plurality of light emitting diode lamps.

11. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 10, wherein: The switch or circuit device controls the operation of the plurality of light emitting diode lights to strobe, flash, turn on or present a pattern.

12. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 10, wherein: The top light assembly and the bottom light assembly include assembly component covers enclosing the plurality of light emitting diode lamps.

13. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 12, wherein: The assembly component cover comprises a transparent or colored plastic cover.

14. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 10, wherein: The plurality of light emitting diode lamps generate light of any color individually or collectively.

15. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 1, wherein: The battery case includes a bottom case, a top case and a battery case chamber.

16. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 15, wherein: The power source is inserted into the battery housing chamber.

17. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 15, wherein: The battery housing chamber includes a battery housing cap.

18. A bicycle frame lighting system, comprising: a dome light assembly assembled to left and right sides of a top tube of a bicycle, the dome light assembly comprising a pair of dome light assembly components detachably attached to each other and to the top tube; a bottom light assembly assembled to left and right sides of a bottom tube of the bicycle, the bottom light assembly comprising a pair of bottom light assembly parts detachably attached to each other and to the bottom tube; Front wheel disc lighting and rear wheel disc lighting; and a battery housing, wherein the battery housing houses a power source for providing DC power to the top light assembly and the bottom light assembly, Wherein, the top light assembly component and the bottom light assembly component include light emitting diode lamps.

19. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 18, further comprising a switch or circuit device for switching power supply to the top light assembly and the bottom light assembly.

20. The bicycle frame lighting system according to claim 19, wherein: The switch or circuit device controls the operation of the LED light to strobe, flash, turn on or present a pattern.

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