Wearable accessories for improving field of vision

Abstract

A wearable accessory 8, such as a shoulder strap 1, a cross-body bag, a rucksack (20, fig.2), a child-carrying pouch, trouser braces, a sleeveless garment, a hat, a safety helmet (30, fig.3), a headba

Description

The present invention relates to wearable accessories for improving the wearer’s field of vision when travelling by foot, scooter, bicycle or other manually or electrically powered vehicle. It has become increasingly popular to use manually or electrically powered vehicles to travel through busy, densely populated places such as city centres where other vehicles and persons are wayfaring. Such vehicles may be made available for public hire by visiting pedestrians allowing them to board the vehicle at one location and alight at another. Provided for public use, such vehicles are typically basic in design and can lack accessories such as rear-view mirrors and lights. The present invention seeks to provide a solution whereby persons can improve their field of vision when hiring a basic manually or electrically powered vehicle. The solution also has beneficial use when travelling on foot. In accordance with a first aspect of the invention there is provided a wearable accessory incorporating at least one reversibly deployable mirror configured to be arranged to provide the wearer with an increased field of vision. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention there is provided a retrofittable reversibly deployable mirror unit configured to be arranged to provide the wearer with an increased field of vision. The retrofittable unit includes an attachment means for attaching to a user’s accessory. For example, the retrofittable unit attaches to the strap of a user’s bag, or the bodice of a sleeveless garment worn by the user. Optionally the reversibly deployable mirror may be reversibly detachable. For example, by means of clip, snap fastener, magnetic clasp or hook and loop fastener. By way of example, the accessory may be configured to be worn on the torso, the head or the arm of a user. In one example, the accessory comprises a strap which can be secured over a person’s shoulder. The shoulder strap may incorporate a cross-body or around body strap for additional security. The strap may be made from elastic material and / or may include an adjustable fastener allowing the wearer to adjust the strap to suit their body size and shape. An adjustable fastener may, for example, comprise a slide buckle or cam buckle. In another example, the fastener may comprise overlapping lengths of hook and loop fabric. Optionally, the strap may form part of a bag such as a cross body bag or rucksack. In another alternative, the accessory is a carrying pouch, for example for carrying a small child. In another option, the strap may be incorporated into trouser braces. The accessory may include electrical circuitry and be configured to connect to a portable power source. Such an arrangement may permit motorized deployment of the mirror. The accessory may further include lights which could be powered by the power source. Other powered components may conveniently be incorporated into the accessory such as a mobile phone charger. The accessory may incorporate a high visibility material. The accessory may incorporate one or more pockets for storing small loose items such as mobile phones, keys, sunglasses and the like freeing a wearer’s hands to steer a vehicle. In another example, the accessory may be a garment such as a gilet or vest. In some embodiments, the accessory may be configured to be worn on the head. For example, the accessory may comprise a hat, safety helmet, headband, visor, eye protectors, ear protectors or headphones. In some embodiments, the accessory further includes lights. The lights may optionally be arranged adjacent to the mirror and may form part of a reversibly retractable unit comprising the mirror. In some embodiments the lights are configured to illuminate when the mirror is deployed. The lights may be controllable, for example to change colour or flash in a predefined sequence at the wearer’s command. The lights may be suited for use as turning signals, hazard warning signals, headlights and / or fog lights. Some embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of an accessory in accordance with a first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of an accessory in accordance with a first aspect of the invention; Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of an accessory in accordance with a first aspect of the invention; Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment of an accessory in accordance with a first aspect of the invention; Figure 5 shows a fifth embodiment of an accessory in accordance with a first aspect of the invention; Figure 6 shows an embodiment of an accessory in accordance with a second aspect of the invention. A first embodiment of an accessory 8 in accordance with the invention is shown in Figures 1(a) and 1(b). Figure 1(a) shows the arrangement in a retracted configuration and Figure 1(b) shows the arrangement in a deployed configuration. As can be seen, the embodiment comprises a strap 1 which can be fastened, and its length adjusted by means of a slide buckle 2 to fit around the wearer’s arm or shoulder. Attached to the strap is a flip mechanism 3 configured to enable an arm 4 to flip from a strap adjacent position (i.e. a retracted configuration) to deployed configuration where the arm is at an angle to the strap. In the example shown, a proximal end of the arm is attached to a pivotal mount 5 of the flip mechanism 3. The pivotal mount 5 provides that a distal end of the arm 4 can be moved towards and away from the strap 1 and the body of a person wearing the strap 1. At the distal end of the arm 4 a mirror 6 is rotatably mounted by means of a rotator mechanism 7. It will be understood that a person wearing the accessory 8 can conveniently stow the mirror 6 and arm 4 comfortably against the strap 1 when the accessory is not in use (Figure 1(a)). When there is need for a wider field of vision, for example when riding a bicycle or scooter around a busy city centre, the arm 4 and mirror 6 can be reversibly deployed by means of the flip mechanism 3 and rotator mechanism 7. With the accessory in the deployed configuration, the wearer of the accessory is provided with a rear and side views of their environment by means of the deployed mirror 6. Figure 2 shows a backpack 20. The backpack 20 comprises a storage pack 21 attached to two shoulder straps 22a and 22b. Attached to each shoulder strap is a flip mechanism 23 to which is pivotally mounted a reversibly deployable mirror 24. The arrangement of the flip mechanism and reversibly deployable mirror is similar to that already described in reference to Figures 1(a) and 1(b). Cross body straps 25a, 25b each carry one part of a clasp 26a, 26b which can be fastened together to secure the backpack 20 and shoulder straps 22a, 22b to the wearer’s body. Adjacent the clasp is a slide buckle 27 through which a distal end of a cross body strap 25b can be pulled to tighten the fit to accommodate the wearer’s body. Figure 3 shows a safety helmet 30 for example for use when riding a bicycle or scooter. The helmet 30 is equipped with two reversibly deployable mirrors 36. The mirrors 36 are mounted to the helmet by means of a flip mechanism 35. As illustrated by the dashed arrows in the figure, an arm 34 is able to be flipped out from the flip mechanism 35 and rotated between a stowed position as shown in the figure and a position forward of the helmet thereby deploying the mirror 36 into the line of sight of a user wearing the helmet 30. Once deployed, the position and orientation of the mirror 36 can be adjusted by means of a rotator mechanism 37. Further adjustability of the mirror position is provided by arm 34 which is configured to be extendable and bendable. Figure 4 shows a headphone set 40. The headphone set 40 is equipped with two reversibly deployable mirrors 46. The mirrors 46 are mounted to the helmet by means of a flip mechanism 45. As illustrated by the dashed arrows in the figure, an arm 44 can be flipped out from the flip mechanism 45 and rotated between a stowed position as shown in the figure and a position forward of the helmet thereby deploying the mirror 46 into the line of sight of a user wearing the helmet 40. Once deployed, the position and orientation of the mirror 46 can be adjusted by means of a rotator mechanism 47. Further adjustability of the mirror position is provided by arm 44 which is configured to be extendable and bendable. Figure 5 shows a strap 50 of an accessory in accordance with the invention. For example, the strap 50 could be a shoulder or arm mounted strap similar to that shown in Figure 1 or the strap of a backpack such as that shown in Figure 2 or of a cross body or shoulder bag. As with the previously described embodiments, the accessory includes a reversibly deployable mirror unit 53, 54, 55, 56, 57 the labelled features corresponding to the same features labelled 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 in Figure 1. The accessory in Figure 5 further includes a power pack 58. The power pack is wired via the arm 54 to a light 56a on the rear of mirror 56. The power pack 58 further includes a USB port into which a USB cable 58a can be plugged enabling an electrical device such as a mobile phone to be charged. The accessory further includes a pocket 59 which can be used to stow small items such as a mobile phone, keys, glasses and the like. Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a retrofittable reversibly deployable mirror unit 60 in accordance with the second aspect of the invention. The unit incorporates a flip mechanism 63 configured to enable an arm 64 to pivot between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration. A proximal end of the arm 64 is attached to a pivotal mount 65 of the flip mechanism 63. The pivotal mount 65 provides that a distal end of the arm 64 can be displaced through an arc about the pivot 63 of the pivotal mount 65. At the distal end of arm 64 a mirror 66 is rotatably mounted by means of a rotator mechanism 67. The mirror 66 includes a rim of lighting 66a. The lighting is powered by battery pack 68 which includes switches for controlling the lighting 66a. Controls for the lighting 66a may optionally include on-off, blinking-continuous and change-of-colour controls. The battery pack 68 may further include controls for effecting powered deployment of the mirror 66 between a retracted and a deployed configuration. At an end of the unit 60, distal to the location of the mirror 66 is a clip 69 which can be used to clip the retrofittable reversibly deployable mirror unit 60 to an item of clothing, bag strap, handlebar of a bicycle or the like. It will be understood the foregoing describes just some embodiments of the invention, other embodiments will no doubt occur to the skilled addressee without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A wearable accessory incorporating at least one reversibly deployable mirror configured to be arranged to provide the wearer with an increased field of vision.

2. A wearable accessory as claimed in claim 1 wherein the reversibly deployable mirror is reversibly detachable by means of an attachment means.

3. Awearable accessory as claimed in claim 2 wherein the attachment means is selected from; clip, snap fastener, magnetic clasp or hook and loop fastener.

4. A wearable accessory as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the accessory is configured to be worn on the torso.

5. A wearable accessory as claimed in claim 4 wherein the accessory comprises a shoulder strap which can be secured over a person’s shoulder.

6. A wearable accessory as claimed in claim 5 wherein the shoulder strap incorporates a cross-body and / or around body strap for additional security.

7. A wearable accessory as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the strap is made from elastic material and / or includes an adjustable fastener allowing the wearer to adjust the strap to suit their body size and shape.

8. A wearable accessory as claimed in claim 7 wherein the adjustable fastener comprises a slide buckle, cam buckle or overlapping lengths of hook and loop fabric.

9. A wearable accessory as claimed in any of claims 5 to 8 wherein the strap forms part of a cross body bag, a rucksack, a carrying pouch for a child or trouser braces.

10. A wearable accessory as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the accessory includes electrical circuitry configured to connect to a portable power source.

11. A wearable accessory as claimed in claim 10 further comprising a power source and lights powered by the power source.

12. A wearable accessory as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the accessory includes a power source configured for use as a portable charger.

13. A wearable accessory as claimed in any of claims 10 to 12 wherein the power source permits motorized deployment of the mirror.

14. A wearable accessory as claimed in any of claims 11 to 13 wherein the power source includes means for the user to control an electrically connected component of the accessory.

15. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim further comprising one or more pockets for storing small loose items.

16. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 comprising head gear configured to be worn on a person’s head.

17. An accessory as claimed in claim 16 wherein the accessory comprises a hat, safety helmet, headband, visor, eye protectors, ear protectors or headphones.

18. An accessory as claimed in claim 16 or 17 wherein the reversibly deployable mirror is connected to the head gear by means of an extendable and bendable arm.

19. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 comprising a sleeveless garment.

20. A reversibly deployable mirror unit including attachment means configured to be reversibly attached to an item of apparel to form an accessory as claimed in any preceding claim.

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