US 20040196647A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2004/0196647 A1 Palmer et al. (43) Pub. Date: Oct. 7, 2004

(54) HUMAN POWERED VEHICLE SAFETY Publication Classification LIGHTING STRUCTURES

(76) Inventors: Jesse N. Palmer, Greenville, NC (US); 51)1) Int. Cl.C.7 ...... F21V 9/16 ; B62J 6/00 Barry L. Allen, Greenville, NC (US) (52) U.S. Cl...... 362/84; 362/473 Correspondence Address: WILLIAM J. MASON (57) ABSTRACT MACCORD MASON PLLC POST OFFICE BOX 1489 WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC 284.80 (US) A plurality of lighting structures is provided for enhancing the visibility of a human powered vehicle at night. The (21) Appl. No.: 10/812,372 visibility enhanced human powered vehicle has a frame with attached wheels having tires including Sidewalls. The Safety (22) Filed: Mar. 29, 2004 lighting Structures comprise at least one photo-luminescent Related U.S. Application Data Section and at least one reflective Section being located on at least one of the wheels. A light Source is attachable to the (60) Provisional application No. 60/459,395, filed on Apr. human powered vehicle to direct light against the photo 1, 2003. luminescent Sections.

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Patent Application Publication Oct. 7, 2004 Sheet 3 of 4 US 2004/0196647 A1

US 2004/O196647 A1 Oct. 7, 2004

HUMAN POWERED VEHICLE SAFETY reflective Sections aids in warning others of the presence of LIGHTING STRUCTURES the human powered vehicle, whether or not an external light 0001. This application claims the benefit of the filing date is being Shined on the human powered vehicle. of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/459,395, filed 0007 Bicycles and wheelchairs are examples of human on Apr. 1, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated powered vehicles that typically have wheels made up of herein by reference. rims, spokes and tires. In the preferred embodiment, a tire belonging to a wheel Such as a bicycle wheel is partially or (1) FIELD OF THE INVENTION fully covered with a photo-luminescent material. The cov ering material can be, but is not limited to, photo-lumines 0002 The present invention relates to human powered cent Stickers, paints, injection molded rubber, plastics and vehicle Safety, and in particular to lighting Structures for resins. A good candidate for the photo-luminescent material providing enhanced visibility of a human powered vehicle at is a phosphorescent compound consisting of Zinc Sulfide night. The lighting Structures may be arranged on a human mixed in with an epoxy binder, but may also consist of other powered vehicle for a decorative effect. glowing pigments Suspended in epoxy, rubber or plastic Surfaces. Furthermore, to prevent the photo-luminescent (2) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART material from wearing off over time, the material can be 0.003 Human powered vehicles, such as bicycles, scoot molded or Vulcanized into a bicycle's tires. Moreover, the erS and wheelchairs, are generally comprised of a frame for photo-luminescent material is not limited to the tires. The Supporting wheels and a rider, and are generally powered by spokes, wheel covers and frame can also include photo movements of the rider's arms or legs. As a result of being luminescent Sections. human powered, Such vehicles have been unable to match 0008 Reflective materials are provided to supplement the the nighttime visibility of motor vehicles having powerfully glow of the photo-luminescent materials in instances where lit Safety lighting Structures Such as high intensity headlamps bright lighting conditions may drown out its effectiveness, and taillights. Instead, the prior art has generally limited e.g., in the direct path of very bright car headlights. In the Safety lighting Structures for human powered vehicles to preferred embodiment, the reflective material comprises minimal area reflectors and low wattage flashlight type reflective particles that are molded or Vulcanized into the headlamps. Due to the Small amount of reflective area at rubber of the tires of the human powered vehicle. Moreover, various approach angles, coupled with low light intensity a plurality of reflective Stickers can be added to the tires, lamps, the prior art lighting Structures offer only a modicum wheels or frame of the human powered vehicle to increase of visibility in situations in which their luminosity is over its overall visibility. Each of the plurality of reflective whelmed by high intensity motor vehicle headlamps. Thus, StickerS has a strong adhesive backing that adheres readily to there remains a need for human powered lighting Structures rubber and metal and is weather resistant as well as water that are highly visible, offering a large Safety factor in proof. Situations of darkness combined with overwhelming oncom 0009 Natural or man-made light sources may be used to ing motor vehicle headlamps. charge photo-luminescent materials. However, due to the Short glow life of these materials, it is preferred that a SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION man-made light Source is attached to the bicycle to con Stantly recharge the photo-luminescent material while the 0004. The present invention addresses these needs by bicycle is in motion. The light Source can be incandescent or providing unique lighting Structures for human powered fluorescent. An array of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) is the vehicles Such as bicycles, Scooters and wheelchairs. The preferred light Source. Also, it is preferred that the emitted unique lighting Structures greatly increase the luminous light spectrum includes as much of the UV light band as areas that are visible to others that approach or are in the path of a human powered vehicle equipped with the lighting feasible. Structures of the present invention. 0010. The light source is attached to a human powered vehicle such that a beam of light is directed onto the 0005 Generally, the preferred lighting structures of the photo-luminescent materials. Particularly good locations on present invention are comprised of areas or Sections formed a bicycle for the light source are the forks or frame of the of photo-luminescent and reflective materials. In the pre bicycle. Another position for these lights may be in the ferred embodiment, the photo-luminescent Sections of the fender or on the sides of the bicycle's braking system. For lighting Structures are placed on the Sides of a human human powered vehicles in general, the light Source may be powered vehicle's wheels. A light Source is mounted on the mounted by using a Strap and bracket System that is built into frame of the human powered vehicle to direct light against an LED housing, or it may be bolted, glued, integrated into the photo-luminescent Sections as the wheels rotate. Light the vehicle's frame, or otherwise be affixed to the vehicle in Shining on the photo-luminescent Sections causes the photo any other manner. The light Source is powered either by luminescent material making up the Sections to glow for a chemical batteries or by an electrical generator driven by the Short period of time. As a result, a continuous illumination motion of the human powered vehicle. is provided around the wheel as the wheel rotates. 0011. In another embodiment of the invention, an elec 0006 Since the shining of an intense light, e.g., automo troluminescent wire can be positioned within the interior of bile headlights, onto the human powered vehicle may pre a transparent tire or within a transparent Section of a human vent the photo-luminescent glow from being Seen, the powered vehicles frame. Alternately, the electrolumines reflective Sections are Spaced around the wheel to form a cent wire within a transparent tube could be attached to the relatively large and highly noticeable light reflective pattern. outside of the tire, rim or frame of the human powered The combination of the photo-luminescent Sections and the vehicle. US 2004/O196647 A1 Oct. 7, 2004

0012. In yet another embodiment, a photo-luminescent 38 sources electrical power from batteries (not shown) and coating can be applied to the inside Surface of a clear rubber an AC inverter circuit (not shown). FIG.2 also shows power tire. The tire can be filled with a low-grade radioactive gas Source 38 attached to rim inner wall 32. A Switch 40 is Such as tritium gas. The tritium gas will react with the provided to control the flow of electrical current to elec photo-luminescent coating to produce a strong phosphores troluminescent wire 36. cent glow for Several years. Reflective Sections can be added 0020 FIG. 3 shows a bicycle, generally 42 consisting of to the outside of the tire to provide reflection of light coming a frame 44 including an attached front wheel 46 and an from external resources. These and other aspects of the attached rear wheel 48. Front wheel 46 has a MAG type rim present invention will become apparent to those skilled in 50, instead of an ordinary spoked rim. Rim 50 includes a the art after a reading of the following detailed description phosphorescent spoke cover 54. Reflective stickers 56 are of the invention. adhered to rear wheel 48. A light source 58 is attached to frame 44 and is positioned So that light is directed onto BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS phosphorescent spoke cover 54. 0013 FIG. 1 is a side view of a bicycle wheel having lighting Structures made up of intermittent phosphorescent 0021 FIG. 4 depicts a bicycle wheel, generally 60 Sections and reflective Sections. attached to a fork 62. Bicycle wheel 60 consists of a spoked rim 64 with an attached tire 66. A reflective section 68 and 0014 FIG. 2 is a side view of a bicycle wheel that a phosphorescent Section 70 are included on at least one includes an electroluminescent wire. sidewall of tire 66. A light source housing 72 directs the light 0015 FIG. 3 is a side view of a bicycle having a front from an array of light emitting diodes 74 onto phosphores wheel with electroluminescent wires built into a mag Style cent section 70. rim and a rear wheel having reflective Stickers and a phos phorescent spoke cover. What is claimed is: 1. A plurality of Safety lighting Structures for a human 0016 FIG. 4 is a side view of a bicycle wheel having powered vehicle having a frame with attached wheels hav lighting Structures made up of photo-luminescent and reflec ing tires including Sidewalls, Said Safety lighting Structures tive materials molded into the wheel's tire. comprising: DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE a) at least one photo-luminescent Section and at least one INVENTION reflective Section being located on at least one of Said 0.017. In the following description, terms such as hori wheels, and Zontal, upright, vertical, above, below, beneath and the like, b) a light Source being attachable to said human powered are used Solely for the purpose of clarity in illustrating the Vehicle to direct light against Said photo-luminescent invention, and should not be taken as words of limitation. Sections. The drawings are for the purpose of illustrating the invention 2. The Safety lighting Structures of claim 1, wherein Said and are not intended to be to Scale. at least one photo-luminescent Section is located on at least 0018 FIG. 1 depicts a bicycle wheel, generally 10 one of Said tire Sidewalls. attached to a fork 12. Bicycle wheel 10 consists of a spoked 3. The Safety lighting Structures of claim 1, wherein Said rim 14 with an attached tire 16. A phosphorescent section 18 at least one reflective Section is located on at least one of Said is located on at least one tire sidewall 19. Reflective stickers tire Sidewalls. 20 are spaced around wheel 10 and are preferably set within 4. The Safety lighting structures of claim 2, wherein Said phosphorescent Section 18. A lamp 22, attached to fork 12 light Source is mounted to Said human powered vehicle directs artificial light onto phosphorescent section 18. The frame to direct light against Said at least one photo-lumi light from lamp 22 Sets phosphorescent Section 18 aglow as neScent Section as Said at least one wheel rotates. wheel 10 rotates. Section 18 will appear as a bright glowing 5. The Safety lighting structures of claim 1, wherein Said ring providing wheel 10 rotates fast enough. Nevertheless, at least one wheel is at least partially covered with a the glow may not be bright enough to overcome the glare of photo-luminescent material Selected from the group consist bright car headlights. Therefore, reflective stickers 20 are ing of photo-luminescent Stickers, paints, injection molded provided to make wheel 10 visible in glaring light condi rubber, plastics and resins and combinations thereof. tions. 6. The Safety lighting Structures of claim 1, wherein Said 0019 FIG. 2 depicts a bicycle wheel, generally 24 photo-luminescent material is a phosphorescent compound attached to a fork 26. Bicycle wheel 24 consists of a spoked comprising Zinc Sulfide mixed with an epoxy binder. rim 28 and an attached tire 30. Rim 28 has an inner wall 32 7. The Safety lighting structures of claim 1, wherein Said and an upper edge 34. An electroluminescent wire 36 is photo-luminescent material is molded into Said bicycle tires. attached around rim upper edge 34. Electroluminescent wire 8. The Safety lighting structures of claim 1, wherein Said 36 is a type of light emitting wire consisting of a first reflective Sections are reflective Stickers. conductor coated in an electro-reactive Substance that is 9. The safety lighting structures of claim 1, wherein said wrapped along its length by a Second Smaller conductor. A light Source is Selected from the group consisting of at least clear plastic tube 37 protects electroluminescent wire 36 one incandescent lamp, at least one fluorescent lamp and at from the elements. U.S. Pat. No. 5,869,930 discloses an least one light emitting diode and combinations thereof. example of an electroluminescent wire Suitable for use with 10. The safety lighting structures of claim 1, wherein the the present invention. An electrical power Source 38 ener light emitted by Said light Source is Substantially within the gizes electroluminescent wire 36. Preferably, power Source UV band of the electromagnetic spectrum. US 2004/O196647 A1 Oct. 7, 2004

11. The Safety lighting Structures of claim 1, wherein Said 16. The human powered vehicle tire of claim 12, wherein human powered vehicle is a bicycle having a front fork on Said at least one reflective Section is made of light reflective which Said light Source is attached to direct light against Said particles that are Vulcanized into Said tire. photo-luminescent Sections. 17. The human powered vehicle tire of claim 12, wherein 12. A human powered vehicle tire having Safety lighting Said at least one photo-luminescent Section is made of Structures, Said tire comprising: phosphorescent glow pigmented particles. 18. A Safety lighting Structure for a bicycle wheel having a) Sidewalls; a rim, Said Safety lighting structure comprising: b) at least one photo-luminescent Section being located on a) an electroluminescent wire attached around said wheel Said Sidewalls, and rim, said electroluminescent wire comprising a first c) at least one reflective Section being located on said electrical conductor coated with an electro-reactive sidewalls. Substance that is wrapped along its length by a Second 13. The human powered vehicle tire of claim 12, wherein Smaller conductor; and Said tire is attached to a wheel attached to the frame of a b) an electrical power Source for energizing said elec human powered vehicle, and wherein a light Source is troluminescent wire. attached to Said human powered vehicle frame to direct light 19. The safety lighting structure of claim 18, wherein a against Said tire at least one photo-luminescent Section. clear plastic tube protects said electroluminescent wire from 14. The human powered vehicle tire of claim 12, wherein the outdoors environment. Said at least one photo-luminescent Section and Said at least 20. A lighting Structure for a human powered vehicle one reflective Section are molded into Said tire Sidewalls. comprising a wheel having a translucent tire with an inside 15. The human powered vehicle tire of claim 12, wherein coated with a photo-luminescent material, Said tire being Said a least one photo-luminescent Section and Said at least inflated with a low-grade radioactive gas that reacts with one reflective Section are located on Said tire Sidewalls and Said photo-luminescent material to cause it to glow. form adjacent rings that follow the circumference of Said tire. k k k k k