Bicycle safety device

Abstract

A bicycle safety device 1 comprises a bracket 2 for attaching the device to the handlebar of a bicycle and an arm 3 extendable in length about a hinge 4, wherein the arm 3 is movable about the hinge 4

Description

Introduction The present invention relates to a bicycle safety device for attaching to the handlebar of a bicycle. Background to the Invention As efforts are made to cut greenhouse gas emissions in an attempt to slow down climate change, the number of people choosing cycling as a mode of transport will inevitably increase. Indeed, cycling decreases air pollution, reducing global warming. It also reduces noise pollution and boosts biodiversity. However, despite the clear benefits, cycling also comes with risks which are elevated when bicycles are used on roads, especially during peak times when the number of vehicles on the road is increased, and when weather conditions or the time of day mean that light levels are reduced. In comparison to other vehicles that travel on roads, bicycles are narrow and move relatively slowly meaning they are often overtaken. Whilst UK law mandates that drivers must leave at least 1.5 metres when overtaking cyclists at speeds of up to 30mph, and leave more space when overtaking at higher speeds or in bad weather / at night, in reality many drivers do not appreciate what this distance looks like and thus overtake cyclists much too closely which can sometimes lead to an accident or at the very least lead to the cyclist feeling vulnerable and anxious which can in itself cause an accident. Some drivers are also nervous about overtaking cyclists because they are unsure how much room to leave between themselves and the cyclist or indeed how to gauge the required distance. Products that increase the safety of cyclists are plentiful: helmets protect a cyclist’s head, gloves protect a cyclist’s hands, protective glasses protect a cyclist’s eyes, reflectors and lights mountable on the bike make the cyclist more visible to other road users and mirrors mountable on the handlebars enable the cyclist to see traffic approaching from behind. Products that aim at keeping cyclists a safe distance from passing vehicles are also known; however, such products often attach to the rear of the bicycle e.g. via the seat stay. The main problem associated with having a device attached to the rear of the bicycle is that it is difficult to adjust when the bicycle is in use. That is, when a cyclist turns around to adjust the device, they may lose balance causing them to fall from the bicycle. An object of the present invention is to provide an alternative bicycle safety device. A further aim is to provide an improved bicycle safety device. A still further aim is to provide a bicycle safety device that solves one or more of the problems noted above. Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the invention provides a bicycle safety device comprising: (i) a bracket for attaching the bicycle safety device to the handlebar of a bicycle, and (ii) an arm extendable in length about a hinge, wherein the arm is movable about the hinge between a first closed position and an open extended position in which the arm extends outwardly in a direction normal to and away from the bicycle. Also provided by the invention is a bicycle comprising the bicycle safety device of the invention. In use, the bicycle safety device can be manipulated between its closed and open positions while the cyclist is cycling. Details of the Invention The invention thus provides a bicycle safety device comprising: (i) a bracket for attaching the bicycle safety device to the handlebar of a bicycle, and (ii) an arm extendable in length about a hinge, wherein the arm is movable about the hinge between a first closed position and an open extended position in which the arm extends outwardly in a direction away from the bicycle during use. ln a typical use of the present invention, the bracket is attached to the handlebar of a bicycle when the bicycle is stationary i.e., before the cyclist embarks on a journey. Once the bracket is secure, the arm, in the closed position, is attached to the bracket and can be in a closed, retracted position. Before setting off, the cyclist moves the arm from the closed position to the open position whereby the arm extends outwardly and away from the bicycle. Depending upon the orientation of the handlebar and bicycle safety device bracket this movement typically is in a direction generally normal to and away from the bicycle. Such an extension effectively widens the bicycle in order to encourage vehicles wishing to overtake the bicycle to do so at a safe distance. In a typical journey, the arm will remain in the open position throughout. Once the cyclist reaches their destination, the cyclist moves the arm from the open position to the closed position i.e., the arm is folded in. At this point, the bicycle can either be stored until further use or prior to storage the bicycle safety device can be removed from the bicycle. Removal may involve first removing the arm from the bracket, before removing the bracket from the bicycle. Although in a typical use, the arm will remain in the open position throughout a cyclist’s journey, an advantage of the bicycle safety device of the present invention is that the arm can be easily moved from the open position to the closed position and vice versa when the cyclist is in motion. The arm of the bicycle safety device of the present invention may contain a releasable retaining arrangement. Such an arrangement is engaged when the arm is in the closed position. Release of the retaining arrangement allows the arm to be unfolded and thus moved into the open position whereby, in use, the arm extends outwardly in a direction generally normal to and away from the bicycle. Examples of suitable releasable retaining arrangements include clips and magnets. Preferably, the releasable retaining arrangement makes use of magnets, that is in preferred embodiments of the present invention the arm is held in the closed position by way of at least one magnet. The releasable retaining arrangement can be located in any suitable position along the length of the arm. In the bicycle safety device of the Examples, the releasable retaining arrangement comprises two magnets positioned at the extremities of the arm i.e., at the two ends of the arm furthest from the hinge. When the arm is folded from the open extended position into the closed position, the two magnets engage to hold the arm in the closed position. The portions of the arm either side of the hinge may be the same length or of different lengths. The exact means of engagement between the arm and the bracket is not critical but it is preferred that the arm does not rotate during use e.g., due to vibrations caused by an uneven road surface. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the bracket comprises a groove in which the arm sits. In order to prevent rotation of the arm during use of the bicycle safety device, the groove should preferably have straight edges. In the UK, the Highway Code advises that all road users, including cyclists, should “keep to the left, unless road signs or markings indicate otherwise”. As such, vehicles overtaking will do so on the right. The only exception to this is when a road user is turning right and so vehicles may pass on the left. In light of the above, in a typical use of the present invention on UK roads, the arm will extend outwardly from the bicycle to the right in a direction generally normal to and away from the bicycle. However, should the bicycle safety device be used in territories where local laws / rules mandate road users to keep to the right, the positioning of the arm with respect to the bracket can be altered such that the arm extends outwardly from the bicycle to the left in a direction generally normal to and away from the bicycle. In embodiments of the invention where the bracket comprises a groove in which the arm sits, advantageously the arm can slide within the groove in a direction normal to the bicycle. In this manner, the arm can be easily switched from a right-handed extension to a left-handed extension. Advantageously, sliding the arm within the groove also enables the user to control the length of the arm, especially when the arm is in the open extended position. The length of the arm may also be controlled by changing the positioning of the bracket on the handlebar of the bicycle. The means of attachment of the bracket to the bicycle is not critical to the invention; however, it is advantageous for a cyclist to be able to easily attach the bicycle safety device to the bicycle whilst using the bicycle, albeit in a stationary position with at least one foot on the ground. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the bracket comprises an opening through which the handlebar of a bicycle passes during use of the bicycle safety device. Further preferred is that the bracket comprises at least two arms movable about a hinge between an open position and a closed position. The at least two arms are held together in the closed position by a releasable retaining arrangement. Such an arrangement is engaged when the arms are in the closed position. Release of the retaining arrangement allows the two arms to separate about the hinge into the open position. In the bicycle safety device of the Examples, the two arms are held together in the closed position by way of a bolt and nut arrangement. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the movement of the two arms into the closed position forms both the opening through which the handlebar of a bicycle passes during use of the bicycle safety device and also the groove in which the arm sits. Thus, in a typical use of a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bolt and nut are firstly disengaged such that the bolt can be detached from the two arms of the bracket. In this configuration, the two arms separate from each other about the hinge. At this point, the two arms can be mounted on to the handlebar of a bicycle such that the arms effectively envelope the handlebar. The two arms of the bracket are then rotated about the handlebar of the bicycle such that the respective portions of the two arms which together form the groove in which the arm sits are located on top of the handlebar. At this point, the bolt can be reinserted through the two arms and retained in place via the nut. Finally, the arm, usually in the closed position, can be slidably mounted into the groove. The primary purpose of the arm, when in the open extended position, is to effectively widen the bicycle in order to encourage vehicles wishing to overtake the bicycle to do so at a safe distance. As such, it is important that the arm is easily visible to other road users. In the daytime when weather conditions are favourable, road users would easily see the arm. However, at night or when weather conditions are less favourable and visibility is reduced, the arm may be more difficult to detect, especially from a distance. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments of the bicycle safety device of the present invention, the arm comprises one or more lights on the rear surface. Particularly preferred is that the arm comprises at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, at least 40, at least 45 or at least 50 lights on the rear surface. The lights may be present on only a portion of the rear surface of the arm or spread along the length of the rear surface of the arm. The lights may be arranged randomly or evenly distributed. Owing to their positioning at the rear of the bicycle safety device, the lights on the rear surface of the arm are red in colour. Whilst the lights on the rear surface of the arm are there primarily to assist other road users in detecting the bicycle safety device and thereby the presence of the cyclist on the road, the arm may also comprise one or more lights on the front surface to assist the cyclist in seeing where they are going. Particularly preferred is that the arm comprises at least 5, at least 10, at least 15, at least 20, at least 25, at least 30, at least 35, at least 40, at least 45 or at least 50 lights on the front surface. The lights may be present on only a portion of the front surface of the arm or spread along the length of the front surface of the arm. The lights may be arranged randomly or evenly distributed. Owing to their positioning on the front surface of the arm, the lights are white in colour and may also flash. Although the type of lights used on the rear and front surfaces of the arm is not critical to the invention, due to their power consumption and efficiency, reliability and robustness, in preferred embodiments of the bicycle safety device of the present invention, the lights are LEDs. In one particular embodiment, the LED lights are LED strip lights. The lights present on the rear and / or front surfaces of the arm are powered by means of a battery located in the arm. In preferred embodiments, the battery is connected to a USB port, more preferably a micro-USB port. As such, the bicycle safety device of the present invention can be easily charged when the device is not in use. The USB, and in preferred embodiments micro-USB port, can be located in any suitable position on the arm of the bicycle safety device. In the device described in more detail in the Examples, the USB port is a micro-USB port located at the terminus of the arm. As the skilled person will appreciate, the arm effectively has two portions connected via a hinge. The portions of the arm either side of the hinge may be the same length or of different lengths. The lights either side of the hinge can either be powered separately or together. When they are powered together, the two portions of the arm make electrical contact when the arm is unfolded and thus moved into the open extended position. As the benefit of both the rear and front lights will be greatest during periods of reduced light, it is advantageous to be able to switch the lights on and off as required. Accordingly, in preferred embodiments of the bicycle safety device of the present invention, the lights can be manually controlled via an on / off switch located on the device. Although the exact positioning of the switch is not critical to the invention, ideally the switch will be in easy reach of the cyclist when the bicycle safety device is in use e.g., at a position close to the hinge which will be accessible in whichever orientation the bicycle safety device is in, right-handed or left-handed extension. Either in addition to or as an alternative to the above-described lights, the arm of the bicycle safety device of the present invention may comprise a reflective portion. The reflective portion may be present on the rear and / or front surface of the arm. The reflective portion may extend across the length of the arm. The reflective portion is particularly useful in circumstances where the battery has run out and ensures that the arm can still be seen, even during periods of reduced light. Further increasing visibility, the arm of the bicycle safety device may be brightly coloured for example red, orange or yellow or it may be made from high-visibility material. Whilst an aim of the present invention is to provide users of vehicles wishing to overtake a bicycle with a visual cue of the safe and legal passing distance and thereby a vehicle should not make contact with the arm, it is of course possible that a vehicle may inadvertently make contact with the arm during the overtake. Whilst the arm of the bicycle safety device of the present invention has some flexibility and resilience to light impact, in preferred embodiments it will comprise a frangible coupling such that if a vehicle makes contact with the arm at speed, the arm will uncouple about the coupling so as to prevent the cyclist becoming unbalanced and potentially falling from the bicycle. The frangible coupling may be formed by the hinge. The arm of the bicycle safety device of the present invention is lightweight but sturdy. As such, it is resistant to movement during increased wind speeds but sufficiently light such that it does not unbalance the bicycle when in the open extended position. In preferred embodiments of the present invention the arm weighs less than 300 grams, more preferably less than 250 grams and even more preferably less than 200 grams. The bicycle safety device may be made from recycled materials or materials that are at least partially recyclable. Examples An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a rear view of the bicycle safety device wherein the arm is in the closed position; Figure 2 shows a rear view of the bicycle safety device wherein the arm is in the open extended position; Figure 3 shows a front view of the bicycle safety device wherein the arm is in the open extended position; Figure 4 shows a view from above of the bicycle safety device; Figure 5 shows a view from below of the bicycle safety device; Figure 6 shows a view from the side of the bicycle safety device. Referring to figure 1, a bicycle safety device 1 of the present invention includes: a bracket 2 upon which is slidably mounted an arm 3 extendable in length about a hinge 4. The rear surface of the arm 3 comprises a plurality of red LED lights 5 evenly distributed along its length. Also included on the rear surface of the arm 3 are two reflective strips 6 and 7. The arm 3 is held in the closed position by way of two magnets 8 and 9. In use, the user unfolds the arm into the open extended position (as shown in figure 2). Referring to figure 2, the bicycle safety device 1 of figure 1 is shown in the open extended position. Clearly visible is the bracket 2, the hinge 4, the plurality of red LED lights 5, the reflective strips 6 and 7 and the two magnets 8 and 9. Referring to figure 3, the bicycle safety device 1 of figures 1 and 2 is shown in the open extended position from the front. Clearly visible is the bracket 2, hinge 4 and magnets 8 and 9. The front surface of the arm 3 comprises a plurality of white LED lights 10 evenly distributed along its length. Also included on the front surface of the arm 3 are two reflective strips 11 and 12. Referring to figures 4 and 5, the bicycle safety device 1 of figures 1,2 and 3 is shown from above and below respectively. Referring to figure 6, the bicycle safety device 1 of figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 is shown from the side. The bracket 2 comprises two arms 13 and 14 movable about a hinge 15 and a bolt 16 and nut 17 arrangement. When the arms 13 and 14 are in the closed position, an opening 18 is formed in the bracket through which the handlebar of a bicycle passes when the device is in use. When the arms are in the closed position, a groove 19 is also formed into which the arm 3 is slidably mounted when the device 1 is in use. In use, the user slides the arm 3 out of the groove 19 removing the arm 3 from the bracket 2. The nut 17 and bolt 16 are then disengaged and the bolt 16 is removed from the two arms 13 and 14. This allows the arms 13 and 14 to move into the open position from which they can be removed from the handlebar of a bicycle. When the user wants to remount the bicycle safety device 1 to the bicycle, they place the two arms 13 and 14 around the handlebar of the bicycle and rotate the bracket 2 until the arms meet at the top of the handlebar. At this point the user inserts the bolt 16 through the two arms 13 and 14 and engages the nut 17. The bolt 16 and nut 17 are then tightened using the handle 20. Once the bracket 2 is secure on the handlebar, the arm 3 is slidably inserted into the groove 19. The arm can be extended when desired. Due to the shape of the groove the arm does not rotate during use. If a vehicle makes contact with the arm during use, the arm will uncouple about the hinge which acts as a frangible coupling. Also visible in figure 6 is the micro-USB port 21 which can be used to charge the device. Accordingly, the invention also provides a bicycle comprising the bicycle safety device of the invention.

Claims

1. A bicycle safety device comprising:(i) a bracket for attaching the bicycle safety device to the handlebar of a bicycle, and(ii) an arm extendable in length about a hinge, wherein the arm is movable about the hinge between a first closed position and an open extended position in which the arm extends outwardly in a direction generally normal to and away from the bicycle during use.

2. The bicycle safety device of claim 1, wherein the bracket comprises a groove in which the arm sits.

3. The bicycle safety device of claim 2, wherein the bracket comprises two arms movable about a hinge between an open position and a closed position.

4. The bicycle safety device of claim 3, wherein the two arms together form the groove.

5. The bicycle safety device of any of claims 3 or 4, wherein the two arms are held together by way of a bolt and nut arrangement.

6. The bicycle safety device of any of claims 2-5, wherein the arm is slidable within the groove in a direction normal to the bicycle.

7. The bicycle safety device of any of claims 2-6, wherein the groove has straight edges so as to prevent rotation of the arm.

8. The bicycle safety device of any preceding claim, wherein the bracket comprises an opening through which the handlebar of a bicycle passes during use.

9. The bicycle safety device of any preceding claim, comprising one or more lights on the front surface of the arm.

10. The bicycle safety device of claim 9, wherein the one or more lights are capable of flashing.

11. The bicycle safety device of any preceding claim, comprising one or more lights on the rear surface of the arm.

12. The bicycle safety device of any of claims 9-11, comprising at least 5 lights.

13. The bicycle safety device of claim 12, comprising at least 10 lights.

14. The bicycle safety device of claim 13, comprising at least 50 lights.

15. The bicycle safety device of any of claims 9-14, wherein the lights are LEDs.

16. The bicycle safety device of any of claims 9-10 or 12-15, wherein the lights are white.

17. The bicycle safety device of any of claims 11-15, wherein the lights are red.

18. The bicycle safety device of any of claims 9-17, wherein the lights are manually 5 controlled via an on / off switch located on the device.

19. The bicycle safety device of any preceding claim, wherein the device further comprises a USB port.20.The bicycle safety device of claim 19, wherein the USB port is a micro-USB port.io 21. The bicycle safety device of any of claims 19 or 20, wherein the USB port is located on the arm.

22. The bicycle safety device of any preceding claim, wherein the arm comprises a reflective portion.

23. The bicycle safety device of any preceding claim, wherein the arm is held in the 15 closed position by way of at least one magnet.

24. The bicycle safety device of any preceding claim, wherein the arm comprises a frangible coupling.

25. A bicycle comprising the bicycle safety device of any preceding claim.13

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