Passive bell device, method for its use and associated vehicle

Abstract

Passive bell device comprising a body (1), a bell (7) attached to the body and extending along a first axis (x) in the extension of the body, a clapper (8) provided for free pendulum movement inside the bell to produce a ringing sound when it comes into contact with the inner wall of the bell, with means (9) for holding the clapper inside the bell, the means being partially housed in a cavity (15) of the body (1) extending along the first axis (x), the device further comprising means forming a pusher (4) which is partially housed in the cavity of the body, projects from the body (1) at a first end (41) and is capable of sliding into the cavity to come into contact with the clapper (8) at a second end (42) to block the clapper, characterized in thatthat the means (9) for holding the clapper (8) inside the bell (7) consist of a cable which is fixed at one of its ends inside the body (1) and at the other of its ends on the clapper, wherein the cable is fastened at one of its ends inside the body (1) by means of a clamping element (5) which is detachably inserted into the body (1), wherein a cover (2) covers the clamping element in order to close the body by clipping.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a passive bell device and to a method for activating and deactivating such a device. The invention is particularly applicable to two-wheeled vehicles such as bicycles or scooters. State of the art

[0002] Both bells and chimes are well-known acoustic warning devices commonly used to locate animals, people and vehicles, or to warn of their presence.

[0003] In particular, mechanisms are known that form a bell consisting of a bell-shaped metal casing with a freely swinging inner clapper or striking mechanism.

[0004] Thus, shocks, vibrations, or simply the natural movement of the wearer lead to a continuous ringing.

[0005] These mechanisms are found primarily in cyclists, especially mountain bikers, to warn pedestrians, animals, or other cyclists of their presence.

[0006] However, these mechanisms systematically lack an on / off switch to interrupt the constant ringing.

[0007] It is therefore easy to understand that this ringing can constitute a noise nuisance in the long run if it is not necessary for the user to indicate their presence.

[0008] It is also easy to understand that it is not practical for the user to disassemble and stow the mechanism in order to interrupt the ringing, as this means fixing the carrier of the mechanism, performing disassembly and stowing actions (opening a bag or similar).

[0009] A prior art document, TW 200 824 956 A, describes a device with a bell attached to a body and enclosing a hammer held by a hook and intended for ringing the bell. This device also includes means for blocking the pendulum's movement as it slides inside the bell. However, the device for securing the hammer has the disadvantage that the hammer's movement is restricted by a pendulum motion, thus limiting its ringing capability.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need for passive bell-like devices that can not only be muted or dampened by the user, and that the user must be able to safely switch these devices on and off while driving, but also allow sufficient clanging to be effective.

[0011] For this reason, the invention proposes a passive bell-like device with the features of claim 1. The passive bell-like device has a switch that the user can easily activate with a finger when the user moves.

[0012] Further relevant prior art relating to the present invention is described in JP 2016 - 5 435 A, CN 2 17 415 972 U and US 2016 / 0 111 074 A1. Presentation of the invention

[0013] The invention relates in particular to a passive bell-like device comprising a body, a bell attached to the body and extending along a first axis (x) in the extension of the body, a clapper designed to perform a free pendulum motion about the first axis inside the bell, such that it produces a ringing sound when it comes into contact with the inner wall of the bell, and means for holding the clapper inside the bell, wherein the means are partially housed in a cavity of the body extending along the first axis (x), and wherein the device further comprises means forming a pusher that is partially housed in the cavity of the body, projects from the body at a first end and is capable of sliding into the cavity to come into contact with the clapper at a second end in order to block the clapper.

[0014] Various embodiments of the invention are provided, which, according to all their possible combinations, have the various optional features set forth herein.

[0015] Advantageously, the device includes means for attachment to a bicycle handlebar, wherein these means preferably comprise a clamp which is pivotably attached to the body at one of its ends, and a screw-nut unit for attaching the other of its ends to the body.

[0016] According to the invention, the means for holding the clapper inside the bell consist of a cable which is attached with one of its ends inside the body and with the other of its ends to the clapper.

[0017] The cable is attached at one of its ends inside the body by means of a clamping element that is detachably inserted into the body, with a cover covering the clamping element to close the body by snapping it into place.

[0018] According to a first embodiment, the push-button means forms an angled part which leads out of the body through an opening in the lid and along an axis that is essentially orthogonal to the first axis (x).

[0019] Preferably, the opening in the lid has at least one first flared edge that requires an additional force to move the pressing means.

[0020] According to a second embodiment, the pressing means form a push button which is provided with a spring and protrudes from the body along the first axis (x), wherein the push button allows a first stable position outside the body and a second stable position which is pressed into the body and is in contact with the clapper.

[0021] Advantageously, the bell and clapper are made of metallic materials and are preferably made of brass or steel.

[0022] It is equally advantageous if the second end of the pressing mechanism is equipped with a vibration damper to dampen the sound that the clapper, which is subject to vibrations, might produce.

[0023] It is equally advantageous if the second end of the pressing means is provided to cover the clapper, the second end being provided with damping properties.

[0024] The invention also relates to a two-wheeled vehicle of the type bicycle or kick scooter, characterized in that it comprises a passive bell device according to an embodiment of the invention, wherein the device comprises means for attaching it to a bicycle handlebar, wherein the means comprise a clamp which is pivotably mounted on the body at one of its ends, and a screw-nut unit for firmly connecting the other end to the body.

[0025] The invention also relates to a method for activating or deactivating a passive bell device attached to a two-wheeled vehicle of the type bicycle or kick scooter, according to an embodiment of the invention, characterized in that the user presses on the first end of the pressing means so that the second end of the pressing means touches the clapper to block it, or so that the second end of the pressing means moves away from the clapper to release it. Brief description of the drawings

[0026] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a non-restrictive embodiment and from the accompanying drawings: [ Fig. ]: The [ Fig. ] shows a perspective exploded view of a passive bell device according to a first embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. ]: The [ Fig. ] shows a longitudinal sectional view of a passive bell device according to the first embodiment of the invention and in the activated state; [ Fig. ]: The [ Fig. ] shows a longitudinal sectional view of a passive bell device according to the first embodiment of the invention and in a deactivated state; [ Fig. ]: The [ Fig. ] shows a perspective exploded view of a passive bell device according to a second embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. ]: The [ Fig. ] shows a longitudinal sectional view of a passive bell device according to the second embodiment of the invention and in a deactivated state; [ Fig. ]: The [ Fig. ] shows a perspective exploded view of a passive bell device according to a third embodiment of the invention; [ Fig. ]: The [ Fig. ] shows a longitudinal sectional view of a passive bell device according to the third embodiment of the invention and in a deactivated state; Description of the embodiments

[0027] In [ Fig. Figure 1 is a passive bell device according to a first embodiment, comprising a body 1 and a bell 7 attached to the body and extending along a first axis x in the extension of the body. The bell encloses only a clapper 8, which is provided for free pendulum movement within the bell about the x-axis, so that it produces a ringing sound when it comes into contact with the inner wall of the bell. Free pendulum movement means that the clapper can swing freely in all directions, so that nothing prevents it from striking the inner wall of the bell. This configuration makes it possible to optimize the desired sound effect.

[0028] The clapper is held inside the bell by means 9, which are partially housed in a cavity 15 of the body 1, extending along the first axis x.

[0029] The device also includes means forming a pusher 4, which are partially housed in the cavity 15 of the body 1 and which protrude from the body 1 at a first end 41.

[0030] These means are suitable for sliding into the cavity in order to come into contact with the clapper 8 at a second end 42 in order to block the clapper.

[0031] This passive bell device can be suspended, for example, on a bicycle handlebar, an electric scooter, or any movable object or item by means of a clamp 3 which is pivotably attached 12, 13 to the body 1 at one of its ends, and by means of a screw-nut unit 11, 14 for attaching the other of its ends to the body 1.

[0032] Other designs are possible, e.g., those in which a rubber band interacts with a clamp.

[0033] As in the Fig. , Fig. until Fig. As shown in the first embodiment, the fastening unit consists of the fastening clamp 3 and the body 1, these two parts being pivotally connected by the pin 13, while the nut 14 is inserted into the body 1, into which the screw 11 is screwed through bores that pass through the body and the clamp. The initial fastening diameter is 35 mm, but can be reduced to 31.8 mm, 25.4 mm, or 22 mm by means of washers (not shown).

[0034] Of course, it is entirely possible to consider other mounting arrangements, depending on whether the passive bell-type device is to be attached to an animal, a person, or a specific object other than a mountain bike.

[0035] The means for holding 9 the clapper 8 inside the bell 7 can be a cable which is attached with one end inside the body 1 and with the other end to the clapper.

[0036] The cable can then be attached at one of its ends inside the body 1 by means of a clamping element 5, which is detachably inserted into the body 1, with a cover 2 covering the clamping element to close the body.

[0037] According to the first embodiment, which is in the Fig. , Fig. until Fig. As shown, the actuating element 4 forms an angled section that leads out of the body through an opening 20 in the cover 2 and runs along an axis essentially orthogonal to the first axis x. This continuous angled section can be equated with a lever.

[0038] It is advantageous that the opening 20 in the lid 2 has at least one first flared edge 21 which requires an additional force to move the pressing means 4.

[0039] It is equally advantageous if the opening 20 in the lid 2 has at least one second flared edge 22, which also requires an additional force to move the pressing means 4.

[0040] This is how it is done, as in the Fig. , Fig. until Fig. As shown, the bell 7 is linearly blocked by the body 1 and remains rotatable with respect to the lid 2.

[0041] The cover 2 covers the clamping element 5 of the cable 9 and is clipped onto the body 1. The clamping element 5 receives an upper locking pin of the crimp cable 9, with the cable passing through the push-button mechanism 4.

[0042] A cover 6 surrounds the actuating element 4 to close the opening 20 when the actuating element slides towards the clapper. A lower retainer of the crimp cable 9 contacts an O-ring 10 located in the countersunk bore of the clapper 8. This O-ring compensates for tolerances in the connection and also dampens vibrations. The pin 12 secures the mechanism by locking the clamping element 5 and the body 1 together.

[0043] Of course, the restraint devices can also take a different form than a cable, and their attachment to the body 1 can also be done in a different way than with the clamping element 5.

[0044] According to a second embodiment, which is described in [ Fig. ] and 5, the pressing means 4 form a push button which is provided with a spring 46 and protrudes from the body 1 along the first axis x, the push button allowing a first stable position outside the body and a second stable position which is pressed into the body and is in contact with the clapper.

[0045] This push button extends from body 1 along the first axis (x) to a first stable position, which is designated as "top".

[0046] It is equipped with a spring 46, so that when the user presses its first end, it slides into the body to press itself into a second stable position, the so-called "lower" position. From there, the second end of the push button touches the clapper and locks it.

[0047] When the user presses the first end of the push button again, the push button returns to its first stable position, the so-called "upper" position, under the action of the spring, and the clapper no longer touches the second end of the push button.

[0048] In this embodiment, the bell 7 is attached to the body by means of a bell bracket 70. The clapper 8 is in turn attached to the cable 9 by means of a cable bracket 80. The means forming the push button 4 comprise a button and a stop wedge 43, which is pressed on one side against the button and on the other side against a pressure device 44. The pressure device is extended by a locking mechanism, which serves to exert pressure on the clapper when the unit forming the push button is moved.

[0049] According to a third embodiment, which is described in the [ Fig. As shown in Figures 1 and 7, the actuating means 4 is a lever designed to interact with the cover 2 of the body in a bayonet-like assembly. Thus, the body 40 of the lever is displaced within the body 1 in a rotary motion, then in a translation along the axis (x), and then in a rotation.

[0050] In this third embodiment, the bell 7 is attached to the body 1 by means of a bell holder 70, and the cable 9 is attached to the clapper on one side and to the lid 2 on the other by means of safety devices.

[0051] Advantageously, and applicable to all embodiments, the bell and clapper are made of metallic materials, preferably brass or steel. These materials ensure that sufficient ringing is guaranteed when the clapper strikes the inner wall of the bell.

[0052] It is also advantageous, and applies to all embodiments, that the end of the pusher means 4, which is in contact with the clapper, is provided with a vibration damper which helps to suppress any noise emission from the clapper when it is blocked by the pusher means 4.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, and for all embodiments, the end of the pusher means 4, which touches the clapper, is provided to cover the clapper.

[0054] To activate the passive bell device with the first embodiment, the user presses at least once (depending on whether one or two curved edges are present) on the first end 41 of the pusher means 4 in a direction away from the clapper, so that the second end 42 of the pusher means 4 moves away from the clapper 8 to release it.

[0055] As in the Fig. , Fig. until Fig. As shown, the lower end of the lever-like pusher 4 does not touch the clapper 8 when it is in the upper position.

[0056] Clapper 8 is therefore "free". The vibrations transmitted to the vehicle (mountain bike, electric scooter) by the unevenness of the road or paths are thus passed through the device into the cable and then into clapper 8.

[0057] The clapper 8 will therefore leave its state of inertia and move by bending the cable 9 until it hits the bell and produces a ringing sound.

[0058] The upper position is secured by the first curved edge 21 of the lid 2, which holds back the pressing means 4 so that they cannot block the clapper 8.

[0059] To deactivate the passive bell device in the first embodiment, the user presses at least once (depending on whether one or two curved edges are present) on the first end 41 of the pusher means 4 in the direction of the clapper, so that the second end 42 of the pusher means 4 touches the clapper 8 to block it.

[0060] As in the Fig. , Fig. until Fig. As shown, the lower end of the pusher means 4 touches the clapper 8 when it is in the lower position.

[0061] The clapper 8 is therefore "blocked." The vibrations transmitted through the bicycle via the unevenness of the road and paths are thus passed through the device into the cable and then into the clapper 8. This will cause the clapper to attempt to move from its stationary state. However, pressing the trigger 4 onto the clapper 8 will create tension in the cable 9, stiffening the cable and preventing sagging. Therefore, the device no longer produces a ringing sound.

[0062] As for the transition phases between the locking and unlocking positions in the first embodiment, they are identical and function according to the same principle. During the locking phase, in which the pusher 4 is moved from the upper to the lower position, the pusher 4 forces passage through the first curved rim 21 through the opening 20 each time, producing a first snapping sound. If the device has a second curved rim 22, the user continues the movement to the second curved rim in order to push the pusher 4 through the second curved rim. This movement produces a second snap, which corresponds to the locking of the clapper 8.

[0063] The unlocking phase is identical to the locking phase in reverse.

[0064] The procedure for activating and deactivating the second mode is similar to that of the first mode in that pressing the push button, when the button is in the upper position, allows the actuating means 4 to be moved and brought into contact with the clapper 8. If the push button is pressed again, the spring 46 pulls the push button back into the upper position, thus releasing the clapper.

[0065] The procedure for activating and deactivating the third mode is also similar to the previous ones, in that the rotation / shifting / rotation of the lever according to the bayonet mounting causes the lever to be moved in such a way as to establish or break contact between the clapper and the lever.

[0066] Of course, the invention is not limited to the examples just described, which can be adapted in many ways without exceeding the scope of the invention. Key to symbols 1 body 2 lids 3 clamps 4 pressure-sensitive materials 5 clamping element 6 Cover 7 Bell 8 clappers 9 containment devices 10 O-rings 11 screw 12 pens 13 Drilling in the body 14 Mother 15 Cavity 20 Opening 21 First sweeping edge 22 Second curved edge 40 lever bodies 41 First end of the pressure methods 42 Second end of the pressure-sensitive devices 43 Stop wedge 44 Printing device 45-minute suspension 46 spring 70 bell holders 80 clapper holder

Claims

[1] Passive bell device comprising a body (1), a bell (7) attached to the body and extending along a first axis (x) in the extension of the body, a clapper (8) provided for free pendulum movement inside the bell to produce a ringing sound when it comes into contact with the inner wall of the bell, with means (9) for holding the clapper inside the bell, the means being partially housed in a cavity (15) of the body (1) extending along the first axis (x), the device further comprising means forming a pusher (4) which is partially housed in the cavity of the body, extends out of the body (1) at a first end (41) and is capable of sliding into the cavity to come into contact with the clapper (8) at a second end (42) to block the clapper, characterized by, that the means (9) for holding the clapper (8) inside the bell (7) consist of a cable which is fixed at one of its ends inside the body (1) and at the other of its ends on the clapper, wherein the cable is attached at one of its ends inside the body (1) by means of a clamping element (5) which is removablely inserted into the body (1), wherein a cover (2) covers the clamping element in order to close the body by clipping. [2] Passive bell device according to claim 1, characterized by , that it comprises means for attaching to a bicycle handlebar, wherein the means preferably comprise a clamp (3) which is pivotably mounted (12, 13) on the body (1) at one of its ends, and a screw-nut unit (11, 14) to attach the other of its ends to the body (1). [3] Passive bell device according to the preceding claim, characterized by, that the push-button means (4) form an angled part which extends out of the body through an opening (20) in the lid (2) and along an axis which is substantially orthogonal to the first axis (x). [4] Passive bell device according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the opening (20) in the lid (2) has at least one first flared edge (21) which requires an additional force to move the push means (4). [5] Passive bell device according to claim 1, characterized by , that the pressing means (4) form a push button which is provided with a spring (46) and extends out of the body (1) along the first axis (x), the push button allowing a first stable position outside the body and a second stable position which is pressed into the body and is in contact with the clapper. [6] Passive bell device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the bell and the clapper are made of metallic materials and are preferably made of brass or steel. [7] Passive bell device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the second end (42) of the push means (4) is provided with a vibration damper. [8] Passive bell device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the second end (42) of the pusher means (4) is intended to cover the clapper. [9] Two-wheeled vehicle of the type bicycle or kick scooter, characterized by , that it comprises a passive bell device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device comprises means for attaching it to a bicycle handlebar, the means preferably comprising a clamp (3) which is pivotably mounted (12, 13) on the body (1) at one of its ends, and a screw-nut unit (11, 14) for connecting the other end to the body (1). [10] Method for activating or deactivating a passive bell device attached to a two-wheeled vehicle of the type bicycle or kick scooter according to the preceding claim, characterized by , that the user applies at least one pressure to the first end (41) of the actuating means (4) so ​​that the second end (42) of the actuating means (4) comes into contact with the clapper (8) to block it or so that the second end (42) of the actuating means (4) moves away from the clapper (8) to release it.

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