Ride on vehicle

Abstract

A ride on vehicle comprising a frame (14) having front and rear wheels (16, 17). A front light (18) is located adjacent a front of the frame (14) to emit light forwardly and a rear light (20) is located adjacent a rear of the frame to emit light rearwardly. First and second light strips (26, 27) extend along the frame (14) on first and second sides thereof respectively from a location adjacent the rear of the frame (14) to a location adjacent the front of the frame (14).

Description

[0001] “Ride On Vehicle”

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003]

[0001] The present invention relates to a ride on vehicle such as a bicycle or scooter.

[0004] Background to the Invention

[0005]

[0002] Lighting is generally provided on bicycles or scooters to increase the visibility of the vehicle in low light conditions. It is often a legal requirement that headlights and tail lights be used when riding at night in order to ensure that the bicycle or scooter is visible to road vehicles and pedestrians.

[0006]

[0003] The present invention relates to a ride on vehicle such as a bicycle or scooter having a particular configuration of lighting provided to both improve safety when riding at night but also to provide additional functionality during both night time and daylight operation.

[0007] Summary of the Invention

[0008]

[0004] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an ride on vehicle comprising: a frame on which a user can sit or stand, the frame supporting front and rear wheels; a front light located adjacent a front of the frame to emit light forwardly of the frame; a rear light located adjacent a rear of the frame to emit light rearwardly of the frame; and first and second light strips extending along the frame on first and second sides thereof respectively from a location adjacent the rear of the frame to a location adjacent the front of the frame such that the first and second light strips emit light outwardly from first and second sides of the frame.

[0009]

[0005] Preferably the front and rear lights are located adjacent forward and rear ends of the first and second light strips.

[0010]

[0006] Preferably a control unit is provided on the bicycle in connection with one or more of components of the bicycle in order to detect operation of the component and alter the characteristics of the light emitted from the first and second light strips.

[0011]

[0007] Preferably the first and second light strips are provided to emit light of a plurality of colours and the colours of the emitted light are varied based on operation of the components of the bicycle.

[0012]

[0008] Preferably the first and second light strips emit a designated colour when the bicycle is braking.

[0013]

[0009] Preferably either the first or second light strip emits a designated colour to indicate turning of the ride on vehicle.

[0014]

[0010] Preferably the first and second light strips may be intermittently illuminated at varying frequencies to flash the light emitted from the first and second light strips.

[0015]

[0011] Preferably flashing either the first or second light strip is used to indicate turning of the ride on vehicle.

[0016]

[0012] Preferably the first and second light strips are provided in a plurality of segments, such that one or more of the segments may be illuminated at any one time.

[0013] Preferably the control unit is in communication with the battery of the bicycle and the illumination of the first and second light strips is used to provide an indication of the charge remaining in the battery.

[0017]

[0014] Preferably one or more of the segments of the first and second light strips is illuminated where the number of segments illuminated corresponds to the charge level of the battery.

[0018]

[0015] In one embodiment, the vehicle is a bicycle and the first and second light strips extend along opposite sides of a top tube of a frame of the bicycle.

[0019]

[0016] In a further embodiment, the vehicle is a scooter and the first and second light strips extend along opposite sides of a deck of the scooter.

[0020] Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

[0017] The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the following drawings, in which:

[0022]

[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bicycle in accordance with the present invention;

[0023]

[0019] Figure 2 is a first side view of the bicycle of Figure 1 ;

[0024]

[0020] Figure 3 is a second side view of the bicycle of Figure 1 ;

[0025]

[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a scooter in accordance with the present invention;

[0026]

[0022] Figure 5 is a first side view of the scooter of Figure 4; and

[0027]

[0023] Figure 6 is a second side view of the scooter of Figure 4. Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

[0028]

[0024] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a ride on vehicle 10 of a known configuration. The ride on vehicle 10 may be pedal powered but may also include an integrated electric motor to either power movement, or to assist movement of the vehicle 10. In the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the ride on vehicle comprises a bicycle 12.

[0029]

[0025] The bicycle 12 includes a frame 14 on which a user may be supported in use. The frame 14 includes front and rear wheels 16 and 17 in a known configuration. The frame 14 may include an internal battery (not shown) provided to power an electric motor in order to drive one of the wheels 16 or 17 of the bicycle 12. In the embodiment shown, a hub motor is provided on the rear wheel 17 of the bicycle 12.

[0030]

[0026] The bicycle 12 includes a front light 18 and a rear light 20. The front light 18 is mounted to the frame 14 in order to emit light forwardly of the frame 14 in use. In embodiment of Figures 1 to 3, the front light 18 is mounted to a front side of the head tube 22. The rear light 20 is mounted to the frame 14 in order to emit light rearwardly of the frame 14 in use. The rear light 20 in the embodiment shown is mounted to a rear side of the seat tube 24 adjacent an upper end thereof.

[0031]

[0027] The bicycle 12 includes also a first light strip 26 and a second light strip 28. The first light strip 26 comprises an elongate strip of lights provided on a first side of the frame 14 of the bicycle 12. The second light strip 28 comprises also an elongate strip of lights provided on a second side of the frame 14 of the bicycle 12. Each of the first and second light strips 26 and 28 extends from a location adjacent the front light 18 to a location adjacent the rear light 20. The first and second light strips 26 and 28 therefore each provide a continuous strip of lights extending along the length of the frame 14. In embodiment shown, the first light strip 26 extends down a first side of the top tube 30 and the second light strip 28 extends down a second side of the top tube 30. As the front and rear lights 18 and 20 are each mounted at locations on the frame adjacent the ends of the top tube 30, the front and rear lights 18 and 20 and the first and second light strips 26 and 28 provide a continuous strip of light extending around all sides of the frame 14.

[0032]

[0028] Each of the front and rear lights 18 and 20 and the first and second light strips 26 and 28 are preferably powered by the battery mounted within the frame 14.

[0033]

[0029] A control unit is provided on the bicycle 12 in connection with one or more of the components of the bicycle 12 in order to detect operation of the component and alter the characteristics of the light emitted from the first and second light strips 26 and 28. The first and second light strips 26 and 28 are provided to emit light of a plurality of colours and the colours of the emitted light may be varied based on operation of the components of the bicycle 12. For example, the component may comprise the brakes of a bicycle 12 and the first and second light strips 26 and 28 may emit a particular colour, for example red, when the bicycle 12 is braking.

[0034]

[0030] The component of the bicycle may also comprise an indicator operable to indicate turning of the bicycle 12. The first and second light strips 26 and 28 will then emit a different colour on only the side of the frame 12 corresponding to the direction in which the bicycle 12 is turning. The first or second light strips 26 or 28, for example, may emit an orange light corresponding to turning of the bicycle 12.

[0035]

[0031] The first and second light strips 26 and 28 may also be intermittently illuminated in varying frequencies to flash the light emitted from the first and second light strips 26 and 28. Flashing of either the first or second light strip 26 and 28 may be used to indicate turning of the bicycle 12. Flashing both the first and second light strips 26 and 28 may be used to indicate a hazard signal.

[0036]

[0032] The first and second light strips 26 and 28 are also provided in a plurality of segments, such that one or more of the segments may be illuminated at any one time. The illumination of one or more of the segments of the first and second light strips 26 and 28 individually, coupled with the changing of the colours of the light emitted from the first and second light strips 26 and 28 may be used to provide indications of various conditions. For example, the segments of the first and second light strips 26 and 28 may be illuminated sequentially along the length of the top tube 30 as part of the indication for turning.

[0037]

[0033] The control unit is also in communication with the battery of the bicycle 12 and the illumination of the first and second light strips 26 and 28 may be used to provide an indication of the charge remaining in the battery. One or more of the segments of the first and second light strips 26 and 28 may be illuminated where the number of segments illuminated corresponds to the charge level of the battery.

[0038]

[0034] The light emitted from the first and second light strips 26 and 28 is preferably configured to be clearly visible during daylight hours. The first and second light strips 26 and 28 may, for example, comprise a strip of suitably illuminated LED lighting.

[0039]

[0035] The bicycle 12 may also include one or more vehicle sensors. The vehicle sensors are provided to detect the presence of a road vehicle in the vicinity of the bicycle 12. The sensors may detect the presence of a vehicle on either the left or right hand side of the frame 12 of the bicycle 12 and the corresponding light strip 26 or 28 may then be illuminated. The illumination of the light strip 26 or 28 on the side of the frame 14 corresponding to the location of the detected vehicle therefore provides a visual indication to the driver of the road vehicle of the presence of the bicycle 12.

[0040]

[0036] Figures 4 to 6 show a second embodiment of a ride on vehicle 10 in accordance with the present invention. The ride on vehicle 10 of Figures 4 to 6 comprises a scooter 13 and like reference numerals are used to denote like parts. The scooter 13 includes first and second light strips 26 and 28 in the same manner as the bicycle 12 of Figures 1 to 3. The first and second light strips 26 and 28 are provided down opposite side edges of the deck 32 of the scooter 13.

[0041]

[0037] It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.

Claims

Claims1 . A ride on vehicle comprising: a frame on which a user can sit or stand, the frame supporting front and rear wheels; a front light located adjacent a front of the frame to emit light forwardly of the frame; a rear light located adjacent a rear of the frame to emit light rearwardly of the frame; and first and second light strips extending along the frame on first and second sides thereof respectively from a location adjacent the rear of the frame to a location adjacent the front of the frame such that the first and second light strips emit light outwardly from first and second sides of the frame.

2. A ride on vehicle in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the front and rear lights are located adjacent forward and rear ends of the first and second light strips.

3. A ride on vehicle in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a control unit is provided on the bicycle in connection with one or more of components of the bicycle in order to detect operation of the component and alter the characteristics of the light emitted from the first and second light strips.

4. A ride on vehicle in accordance with claim 3, wherein the first and second light strips are provided to emit light of a plurality of colours and the colours of the emitted light are varied based on operation of the components of the bicycle.

5. A ride on vehicle in accordance with claim 4, wherein the first and second light strips emit a designated colour when the bicycle is braking.

6. A ride on vehicle in accordance with claim 4, wherein either the first or second light strip emits a designated colour to indicate turning of the ride on vehicle.

7. A ride on vehicle in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the first and second light strips may be intermittently illuminated at varying frequencies to flash the light emitted from the first and second light strips.

8. A ride on vehicle in accordance with claim 8, wherein flashing either the first or second light strip is used to indicate turning of the ride on vehicle.

9. A ride on vehicle in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second light strips are provided in a plurality of segments, such that one or more of the segments may be illuminated at any one time.

10. A ride on vehicle in accordance with any one of claims 4 to 9, wherein the control unit is in communication with the battery of the bicycle and the illumination of the first and second light strips is used to provide an indication of the charge remaining in the battery.

11. A ride on vehicle in accordance with claim 10, wherein one or more of the segments of the first and second light strips is illuminated where the number of segments illuminated corresponds to the charge level of the battery.

12. A ride on vehicle in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the vehicle is a bicycle and the first and second light strips extend along opposite sides of a top tube of a frame of the bicycle.

13. A ride on vehicle in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the vehicle is a scooter and the first and second light strips extend along opposite sides of a deck of the scooter.

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