Abstract: The invention relates to a spoke (1) which exhibits reflective and/or luminescent properties. Said properties are produced in such a way that a surface (13) of the spoke is covered with a film (7) which is provided with a reflective and/or luminescent covering on the side opposite the surface. The film is removed from a roll and separated into appropriate pieces. An adhesive provided on the film is provided with a protective layer before being applied to the spoke, said protective layer being removed before processing. The adhesive is pressed between the film and the surface of the spoke in order to ensure lasting placement of the film on the spoke.

Abstract: An accessory for wheels includes a body, two appendages extending from the body, each of the two appendages having a securing mechanism and an aperture, and each of the two appendages being wrapped around a diameter of a spoke and the securing mechanism being placed in the aperture, thereby securing each of the two appendages about the spoke.

Abstract: The invention is a safety panel for a bicycle and a bicycle and safety panel combination made of rigid display area with a thickness of {fraction (1/32)}th, a first side, a second side, a first attachment end for folding over the first spoke, a second attachment end for folding over the second spoke, a first adhesive strip and a second adhesive strip disposed on the first side and on the first attachment end, wherein the first adhesive strip is proximate to the second adhesive strip and the first adhesive strip secures to the second adhesive strip, and a third adhesive strip and a fourth adhesive strip disposed the first side and on the second attachment end, wherein the third adhesive strip is proximate to the fourth adhesive strip and the third adhesive strip secures to the fourth adhesive strip.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reflector, including at least one flexible reflective element wrapped around a bicycle member, a backing in contact with an first end of the at least one flexible reflective element along a portion of a periphery of the backing, thereby defining a pocket, and a second end of the at least one flexible reflective element placed in between the backing and the at least one flexible reflective element by cooperation of the a second end being held in place by the pocket.

Abstract: A bicycle spoke reflector system that is easily attached to the individual spokes of a bicycle tire assembly is disclosed. The tubular spoke reflector members possess a reflective exterior surface and a longitudinal split to facilitate attachment to the spokes of the bicycle wheel. The tubular spoke reflector member is attached to the bicycle tire spokes by elastically spreading apart the longitudinal split in the spoke reflector member, by aligning the tubular member longitudinal split with the bicycle spoke and applying pressure to the side of the tubular member opposite the split. This allows insertion over and placement of the tubular member onto the individual spokes, relying on the elastic properties of the tubular member material to close around the bicycle spoke, and remain attached.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a signal element to a bicycle wheel includes a base member for mounting to the wheel and a movable member coupled to the base member for movement relative to the base member, wherein the movable member includes a signal element mounting location.

Abstract: An optical switching system is disclosed which can achieve high speed optical switching with a simple configuration. Light from a light irradiation section is irradiated into an optical transmission line made of a material having a nonlinear optical effect and disposed on the upstream side with respect to an optical switch provided for performing switching of a transmission line to cause the nonlinear optical effect to occur. Thereupon, light is emitted externally from the optical transmission line by the nonlinear optical effect between the light irradiated by the light irradiation section and light propagating in the optical transmission line. The light emitted is received by a light reception section to acquire intensity information of the light propagating in the optical transmission line. The intensity information is used as driving signal for driving the optical switch.

Abstract: An identifying tag that includes a foil sheet having first and second opposing surfaces. The foil sheet is made from a mylar polyester foil and a holographic image appears on its first surface. The second surface of the foil sheet has a layer of first heat seal adhesive applied on it. A fabric sheet having first and second surfaces and a layer of second heat seal adhesive on its first and second surfaces is bonded to the second surface of the foil sheet. The laminated sheets are die cut to predetermined size and applied to a subject garment by contacting the second surface of the fabric sheet to a surface of the garment under pressure and applying heat to the second surface of the fabric sheet.

Abstract: A self-attachable wheel spoke reflector is provided. The self-attachable wheel spoke reflector includes removable from sheet of reflectors. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is that the material be thermoplastic and most preferably vinyl. Another embodiment is that the self-attachable wheel spoke reflector be adhesive-backed.

Abstract: A visual indicator for attachment to bicycle wheels to enhance visibility and provide a warning of the presence of the bicycle in poor lighting conditions. The device comprises a resilient and flexible elongated hollow tubular structure rendered highly visually reflective by application of a coating or film of enclosed lens reflective material thereon. The tubular structure is readily attached to the spokes of a bicycle wheel, thus providing a large and broad effective area for visually responding to incident light radiation so as to provide a source of retro-reflective light.

Abstract: A lens barrel for holding an assembly or group of lens elements is molded as an integral member from a thermoplastic resin material such as polycarbonate, and at least two of the lens elements have different diameters. The lens barrel includes an outer cylindrical wall portion having a uniform diameter and a uniform wall thickness, and a lens holder portion integrally extending from an inner surface of the outer cylindrical wall portion. The lens holder portion is formed in accordance with the different diameters of the lens elements such that wall thickness is substantially uniform.

Abstract: A spoke mounted bicycle reflector having first, second, and third reflective members. The first reflective member has two, generally parallel, reflective faces. The second and third reflective members have two, generally parallel, faces but only one face of each is reflective. The second and third reflective members extend outward from the first reflective member so that the faces of the second and third reflective members are in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the faces of the first reflective member, and so that the longitudinal axis of each is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the first reflective member. The mount of outward extension of the second and third reflective members can be fixed or slidably adjustable in position in relation to the first reflective member. The first and second reflective members produce a mono-directional flashing effect when the wheel is rotated in the presence of a light source.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel reflector mounting device includes a headed fastening rod, and a reflector fastened to either spoke of a bicycle wheel by the headed fastening rod, wherein the reflector has a notched annular coupling flange attached to the spoke, inside annular flanges and longitudinal grooves in a through hole thereof. The headed fastening rod has a longitudinal split, which receives the spoke, two longitudinal ribs which engage the longitudinal grooves for causing the headed fastening rod to be compressed radially, and a hooked portion hooked up with the inside annular flanges.

Abstract: An improved bicycle wheel reflector having two equal sized wings, of rigid plane construction coated with reflective material of different colors, so that the color of the surface of one wing is the same as the opposite surface of the other wing, the wings extending from their apex at a fixed 10 to 20 degree angle from horizontal, and being of rectangular shape, and being of sufficient length to extend beyond the radius of the bicycle tire, yet short enough so as to not interfere with the free travel of the wheel, and being provided an alternating pair of slots at the apex of the wings so as to engage the spokes of any bicycle wheel, so that the lights of on-coming traffic are reflected in a flashing pattern for better visibility of the bicycle in darkness.

Abstract: A spoked wheel mountable safety device in the form of a highly light reflective fabric type material which is semicircular in shape in its flat form and has velcro type fasteners so that when the device is folded upon itself and secured together about the wheel spokes so that it provides a pie slice shaped reflective covering located between the hub and rim of the spoked wheel.

Abstract: A reflector includes a rotor disk rotatably mounted on a bike spoke having two semi-circular blades respectively formed on two surfaces of the rotor disk for driving a rotation of the rotor disk when subjected to a wind force when driving a bike, and having a retroreflective surface and a light-absorptive surface respectively formed on two opposite surfaces of the rotor disk for producing a flashing operation when rotating the disk, thereby providing a dynamic flashing reflector on a bike or the like for traffic warning or interesting purpose.

Abstract: A holographic diffraction media is disposed on a physical object in a highly visible position so as to enhance the human visibility of the object, and therefore the safety of humans using or associated with the object. The media may be a piece of thin plastic (polyester) film with an adhesive backing, with a release paper that is removed when it is desired to attach the film to the object. The object may be a road marker, road sign, a paved road itself (i. e. the holographic media may be a lane divider or a side strip for the road), a spoked wheel, a tire with a hubcap or wheel cover, a propeller, a safety vest, or a jogging shoe (affixed to the upper heel exterior of the shoe). The holographic diffraction media is inexpensive, light weight, and is more visible in environments with low and/or diffuse light than are reflectors.

Abstract: A retroreflective unitary laminate material having an acrylic layer on which a sign legend is printed and which is covered by an ultraviolet absorbent overlay that has poor affinity for paint and low surface tension thus protecting the printed sign from deterioration due to weathering and enabling the sign to be readily cleansed without damaging the printed signs, and minimizing water beading on the sign front face.