Bicycle Or Motorcycle Patents (Class 362/473)
  • Patent number: 8568004
    Abstract: A direction indicator includes a direction indicator main unit, a grommet for elastically supporting the direction indicator main unit to a front cowl on a vehicle body side, a retainer for removably fixing the front cowl on the vehicle body side and the direction indicator main unit via the grommet, and a shouldered bolt for fastening the retainer and the direction indicator main unit. A fastening portion of the direction indicator main unit to which the retainer is fastened with the shouldered bolt has a groove that serves as a weakened or fragile portion that is deformed or damaged when the direction indicator engages the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hiroshi Nishijima, Hiroyasu Ota
  • Patent number: 8562188
    Abstract: A wiring structure of a rear combination light of a vehicle includes a light-side wire, a vehicle-body-side wire holding portion, a stay, a light-side wire holding portion and a wire coupler. The vehicle-body-side wire holding portion is mounted on a rear surface of the vehicle body to hold an intermediate portion of a vehicle-body-side wire. The light-side wire holding portion is mounted on the stay to hold an intermediate portion of the light-side wire on a distal end portion of the stay. The wire coupler is arranged between the rear surface of the vehicle body and a back surface of the rear combination light. The light-side wire is connected to the vehicle-body-side wire via the wire coupler in a state where the rear combination light is mounted on the rear portion of the vehicle body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Ono, Makoto Hattori, Koji Suzuki, Yoshiya Omuro, Masayuki Hojo, Katsuhisa Yamada
  • Publication number: 20130272004
    Abstract: A remote control for bicycle headlight and rear light is provided a dome including an opening; an actuation member including a resilient button disposed through the opening, and a flange extending outwardly from the button to engage an inner surface of the dome; a controller including a control unit, a switch on the control unit and engaging the button, and a transmitter within the control unit; a battery engaging the control unit; and a bracket including a clamp and a seat at one end of the clamp, the seat releasably secured to the dome together to receive the actuation member, the controller, and the battery. The bracket is mounted on a handlebar by threadedly securing the clamp to a brake lever. A pressing of the button electrically connects the battery to the control unit so as to activate the transmitter to send out an IR light pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Inventor: Szu-Fang Tsai
  • Patent number: 8550673
    Abstract: A secondary lighting system for providing light to a motorcycle when the motorcycle tilts in a turn having a light base with a front and a back surface and an inner cavity, a light component in the front surface, a tilt sensor in the inner cavity adapted to detect a tilt angle of a motorcycle, a microprocessor in the inner cavity operatively connected to the tilt sensor and to the light component, wherein when the tilt sensor detects a tilt angle that is greater than a pre-programmed threshold the tilt sensor sends an input signal to the microprocessor whereupon the microprocessor sends an output command to the light component to activate the light component, the light component emits light at a lighting angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Inventor: William C. Jones, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20130258690
    Abstract: A tail lamp device for a motorcycle includes a first tail lamp bulb to emit light as a position light of the motorcycle. The first tail lamp bulb is arranged at a position either above or below a first exposed surface of the motorcycle in a vertical direction of a vehicle body of the motorcycle. The first exposed surface faces a rear side of the vehicle body through a first opening portion provided in a vehicle body cover. Only the first exposed surface forms a light emitting face for the first tail lamp bulb in the motorcycle. The first tail lamp bulb is provided to overlap with the vehicle body cover as viewed from the rear side of the vehicle body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi OGUCHI
  • Publication number: 20130258691
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel hub assembly having a number of light emitting diodes (LED's) that are powered by rotation of the wheel during use of the bicycle. The hub assembly includes a magnet and a coil that are both internal to the hub. The light emitting diodes are powered by current induced in the coil and controlled so as to preferably prevent illumination of discrete LED's when the respective LED's are directed toward a user during rotation of the hub. The LED's are supported by the hub and rotate with the hub during rotation of the wheel. In some embodiments, the LED's are attached to the hub at locations that are both laterally inboard and laterally outboard relative to a spoke flange of the hub assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventors: David Guzik, Kevin Blake, Tim Clavette
  • Patent number: 8545069
    Abstract: A portable light apparatus includes a light housing with a light source and a separate battery case connected to the light housing with a cable. The light apparatus can be configured and used in several different ways: as a miner light or flashlight, with the light housing secured to an end of the battery case via a snap-in connection; as a bicycle light, with the battery case secured to a handlebar stem and the light housing secured to the handlebar or stem; a helmet light, with the battery case attached at the back of the helmet and the light housing at front; and as a headstrap light, with the light housing attached to the headstrap at a front position and the battery casing at a different position, preferably at rear. Clips, brackets and straps are included for adapting the light and battery case to the various purposes, without tools. Preferably the light housing is capable of pivoting on a base, so the user can adjust aim of the light beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Light & Motion Industries
    Inventors: Christopher McCaslin, Doug Foss, Roxanne Lo, Robert Maxwell Davis
  • Patent number: 8545068
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing adequate lighting and sighting for a bicycle are disclosed. A lighting system that includes an illumination ring configured to be coupled to a wheel is also disclosed. The illumination ring is configured to simultaneously project light forward and to the side of a front wheel and to project light rearward of and to the side of a rear wheel. The illumination ring may be mounted to or integrated with the bicycle wheel. Methods of controlling light sources on the illumination ring are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Revolights, Inc.
    Inventor: John Kent Frankovich
  • Publication number: 20130242583
    Abstract: A light ring of vehicle lights is revealed. The light ring includes a light collection ring and a light emitting source. The light collection ring is a transparent body while the light emitting source has a plurality of light emitting diode chips. The LED chips are disposed on a substrate orderly and compactly by bonding. The distance between two adjacent LED chips ranges from 1 mm to 3 mm. The substrate is coated with a phosphor adhesive layer and the LED chips are also covered by the phosphor adhesive layer. After being applied with a voltage, the LED chips emit light to energize the phosphor adhesive layer. Thus the phosphor adhesive layer releases energy in the form of light, entering an incident surface of the light collection ring to be emitted from an emission surface of the light collection ring. Thus a light ring with high brightness and uniform illumination is formed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: JUN YAN AUTO INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
    Inventor: MING-HSIEN TSAI
  • Patent number: 8534885
    Abstract: An inexpensive, lightweight, water-resistant, and aerodynamic lighting device securely mounts to the spokes of a bicycle wheel for improved safety and visibility of the bicycle and rider at night. No tools or other materials are required for installation or removal of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Playhard, Inc.
    Inventors: Jerry Moore, Christian James Moore
  • Publication number: 20130235602
    Abstract: A bicycle brake light controlling assembly has a lamp device, a controller device and a trigger device. The lamp device has a brake light and a wireless receiving unit. The controller device is capable of wirelessly emitting a controlling signal to the lamp device and has a wireless emitting unit. The trigger device is electrically connected with the controller device and is capable of being mounted securely on a brake lever of a bicycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2012
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Inventor: Pao-Liang CHEN
  • Patent number: 8529093
    Abstract: Embodiments of a safety device for motorized vehicles and methods of use thereof are herein disclosed. In one embodiment, the safety device includes a mountable lighting device in electrical communication with a momentary switch. The lighting device may include a plurality of non-coherent light sources which may flash in a particular sequence. In one embodiment, the lighting device may be activated to flash once to signal to a motorist that a motorcyclist is to pass. The lighting device may be activated to flash twice to signal to a motorist that the motorcyclist is approaching. The lighting device may be activated to flash three times to signal to a motorist that the motorcyclist is passing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Oscar Fuentes
  • Publication number: 20130176747
    Abstract: A lamp has a body 100 with a printed circuit board 102 and a battery 104 mounted in the body. An LED 105, mounted on an emitter plate 101, and a reflector 106 are housed on the body at an opposite end to a charging port 103. Adjacent to the port 103 an array of three illumination status blue LEDS 108 and an array of five battery-status red LEDs 109 are provided. Components 103 to 109 are connected to a power management circuit 110, including an Integrated Circuit 111, mounted on the PCB 102. The PCB 102 further includes a capacitive Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) accelerometer 123.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Roger Lionel David Sparrow
  • Patent number: 8469561
    Abstract: A road-adaptive headlight for motorcycles includes a curved base plate having a left curved portion divided from top to bottom into a left-banking lighting zone and a left-crossing lighting zone, a right curved portion divided from top to bottom into a right-banking lighting zone and a right-crossing lighting zone, and a middle curved portion divided from top to bottom into a high-speed lighting zone, a main lighting zone and a horizontal lighting zone. LED light sources are provided in each of the above-mentioned zones. A power source assembly drives the base plate to incline upward or downward and to turn clockwise or counterclockwise. A controller is electrically connected to the LED light sources and the power source assembly for controlling the operation thereof. Thus, different headlight beam patterns can be quickly and flexibly produced under control to ensure increased road visibility and motorcycle riding safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: National Taipei University of Technology
    Inventors: YaoJung Shiao, Chun-Cheng Chen
  • Publication number: 20130148375
    Abstract: This invention comprises a flexibly-resilient system of lighting that spans a bilateral safety zone around a bicycle in the upper-rear quadrant of space around the bicycle that can be clearly seen by the driver of a vehicle approaching the bicycle from the rear. This invention can help to prevent bicyclists from being hit by a vehicle from behind during the evening or at night, especially when a bicyclist is stopped at an intersection. This bicycle lighting system may also prove useful for reducing the chances of bicyclists being hit by vehicles that are turning right at an intersection, at any time of the day. This invention corrects many of the limitations of the prior art and can be a significant advance in bicycle safety.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: Robert A. Connor
  • Publication number: 20130141924
    Abstract: A bicycle lighting fixture includes a housing defining therein an accommodation chamber, a reflector mounted in the accommodation chamber and a light source mounted in the accommodation chamber for emitting light onto the reflector. The reflector provides a curved reflecting surface facing toward the outside of the accommodation chamber and defining a plurality of reflecting surface areas at different elevations and a terrace surface connected between each two adjacent reflecting surface areas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Shou Meng Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shou Meng Enterprise Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8449157
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel hub assembly having a number of light emitting diodes (LED's) that are powered by rotation of the wheel during use of the bicycle. The hub assembly includes a magnet and a coil that are both internal to the hub. The light emitting diodes are powered by current induced in the coil and controlled so as to preferably prevent illumination of discrete LED's when the respective LED's are directed toward a user during rotation of the hub. The LED's are supported by the hub and rotate with the hub during rotation of the wheel. In some embodiments, the LED's are attached to the hub at locations that are both laterally inboard and laterally outboard relative to a spoke flange of the hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Trek Bicycle Corp.
    Inventors: David Guzik, Kevin Blake, Tim Clavette
  • Patent number: 8434921
    Abstract: Microprocessor-controlled light emitting diode (LED) arrays are built into an extruded tubular lens within a mast that is connected to a base assembly. A means of mounting, which may be an adjustable clamp, permits the base assembly to be connected to a seat post or other mounting point on a bicycle or other vehicle. The tubular lens allows for substantial dispersion of light, and various light patterns produced by the arrays may be selected and those patterns alternated automatically to achieve greater visibility of the vehicle to surrounding motorists. A handle within the base assembly allows a rider to lower the mast from its vertical operating position easily and pivotally up to 90 degrees parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame to facilitate mounting and dismounting the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Inventor: Gerald A. Sherwin
  • Publication number: 20130107554
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing adequate lighting and sighting for a bicycle are disclosed. A lighting system that includes an illumination ring configured to be coupled to a wheel is also disclosed. The illumination ring is configured to simultaneously project light forward and to the side of a front wheel and to project light rearward of and to the side of a rear wheel. The illumination ring may be mounted to or integrated with the bicycle wheel. Methods of controlling light sources on the illumination ring are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Applicant: Revolights, Inc.
    Inventor: John Kent Frankovich
  • Patent number: 8430543
    Abstract: A light device for a bicycle wheel that includes a body having a rim end and a hub end, a row of at least seven independently controllable lights extending between the rim end and the hub end, electronic controls for the lights, and three mounts for securing the body to spokes of the wheel. A first mount is located near the hub end to secure the body to a first spoke. A second mount is located near the rim end to secure the body to the first spoke. A third mount is located on a side of the lights opposed to the first and second mounts and between the first and second mounts to secure the body to the second spoke. Each of the mounts includes a mounting pad located between the body and the spokes and made of a resiliently deformable material to dampen vibration and offset the body and lights from the plane of the spokes. Each of the mounts also includes an attachment clamping the mounting pad between the body and the spokes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Inventor: Dan Goldwater
  • Patent number: 8419244
    Abstract: A motorcycle includes a seat, side covers covering the periphery of the lower side of the seat and formed in curved shapes to gradually decrease in width toward the rear side of the vehicle. Rear blinkers mounted to left and right portions in the vehicle width direction of the side covers. Each of the rear blinkers includes a base member mounted to the side cover, a bulb and a lens covering the bulb. The left and right rear blinkers are disposed at recesses provided in the side covers. Each of the left and right rear blinkers is mounted to the side cover in such a manner that the lens is substantially entirely exposed from the recess to not overlap with a curved surface of the side cover in plan sectional view as viewed from the upper side of the vehicle, the section containing the optical axis of the bulb.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Sumada, Tomonori Hayashi, Tetsu Horiuchi
  • Patent number: 8405263
    Abstract: A generator hub is basically provided with a hub shaft, a generator mechanism, a connector and a positioning device. The generator mechanism is provided on the hub shaft. The connector is disposed on the hub shaft and electrically connected to the generator mechanism. The positioning device is disposed on the hub shaft, the positioning device being configured and arranged to position the connector with respect to a frame of a bicycle in a rotational direction about the hub shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Shimano Inc.
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Ando, Takeshi Takachi, Lim Puat Thiam
  • Patent number: 8382137
    Abstract: A motorcycle backrest with an integrated lighting system that can be connected to a motorcycle's existing lighting system. The motorcycle back rest additionally comprises of a protective cover with cushioning to protect any unique designs or paint applied to the motorcycle back rest frame. The lighting system can increase visibility of motorcyclist and may prevent any potential accidents. The lighting system implements a dim, bright, and flashing system to indicate that the motorcycle is either running, braking, or signaling for a turn.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Inventor: Michael Nusret
  • Publication number: 20130044502
    Abstract: A bicycle wheel hub assembly having a number of light emitting diodes (LED's) that are powered by rotation of the wheel during use of the bicycle. The hub assembly includes a magnet and a coil that are both internal to the hub. The light emitting diodes are powered by current induced in the coil and controlled so as to preferably prevent illumination of discrete LED's when the respective LED's are directed toward a user during rotation of the hub. The LED's are supported by the hub and rotate with the hub during rotation of the wheel. In some embodiments, the LED's are attached to the hub at locations that are both laterally inboard and laterally outboard relative to a spoke flange of the hub assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2011
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Inventors: David Guzik, Kevin Blake, Tim Clavette
  • Patent number: 8371711
    Abstract: A lighting device includes a casing unit, a lighting module, a wind generator, a power port module, a battery seat and a control module. The casing unit includes a first side, a second side, and a wind duct extending through the first and second sides. The lighting module is disposed at the first side and operable to emit light outwardly of the casing unit and away from the first side of the casing unit. The wind generator includes a blade unit disposed in the wind duct, and an electric generator unit coupled to the blade unit. The blade unit is driven to rotate by wind flow. The electric generator unit is driven by rotation of the blade unit to generate electricity. The control module is configured to control distribution of electricity generated by the electric generator unit to the lighting module, the power port module and the battery seat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventor: Kuo-Chen Chen
  • Publication number: 20130020786
    Abstract: An accessory for attachment to a wheeled vehicle such as a bicycle includes a body portion and a mounting portion. The mounting portion has a V-shaped groove for receiving a wide range of shapes and sizes of frame tubing, wheel hubs, and the like. The groove has first and second portions separated by a notch to engage curved tubing with at least two contacts. A pair of cable ties secures the accessory to the tubing or the hub. A plurality of interchangeable mounting portions can be provided for mounting the accessory to the bicycle in different orientations. When a light is secured to a wheel, the accessory can be a battery holder secured to the hub on an opposite side of the hub from the light to offset weight of the light. The wheel can be balanced with proper radial positioning of the light and the battery holder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Dan Goldwater
  • Publication number: 20130021811
    Abstract: An integrally-formed single-piece flexible light strip includes a substrate populated with at least one LED light circuit. A clear flexible plastic housing is molded around the LED light circuit to completely encapsulate the light circuit. A flexible electrical cable and contoured strain relief for the electrical cable are also integrally formed as part of the light strip to maintain complete environmental and physical protection and eliminate any non-flexible portions of the light strip such as when a connector is used. The light strip is manufactured in a cost efficient manner, and is impervious to moisture penetration and highly resistant to physical damage, thereby allowing the light strip to be used in a variety of applications and environments. The shape of the illustrated light strip is specially designed for attachment to the round tubing of a bicycle frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Inventor: Dan Goldwater
  • Publication number: 20130015764
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing adequate lighting and sighting for a bicycle are disclosed. A lighting system that includes an illumination ring configured to be coupled to a wheel is also disclosed. The illumination ring is configured to simultaneously project light forward and to the side of a front wheel and to project light rearward of and to the side of a rear wheel. The illumination ring may be mounted to or integrated with the bicycle wheel. Methods of controlling light sources on the illumination ring are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Inventor: John Kent Frankovich
  • Patent number: 8342723
    Abstract: A headlamp having a selectable beam is provided. The headlamp having the selectable beam is configured such that a low beam and a high beam are selectable, and the headlamp includes a first lamp section which forms a low-beam light distribution pattern if the low beam is selected; a second lamp section which forms a high-beam light distribution pattern if the high beam is selected; and a control unit which controls the second lamp section based on an inclination angle of a body on which the headlamp is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Kazuhisa Mochizuki
  • Patent number: 8342724
    Abstract: A rear combination lamp includes a reflector 102, a tail lamp bulb 82 and a tail/stop lamp bulb 83 attached to the reflector 102, and a lens 91 disposed rearward of the bulbs 82, 83 and attached to a tail lamp reflector portion 103. When the rear combination lamp is attached to a motorcycle, the lens 91 is provided to be inclined obliquely rearwardly and upwardly. An upper half portion of the lens 91 is formed to have a cut-lens portion 92, as a uniform-light-emission design surface, processed with projections and depressions in a vehicle width direction. A lower half portion of the lens 91 is formed to have a clear lens portion 93, as a clear lens surface, disposed frontward, in a vehicle body, of an extension line 132 of the cut-lens portion 92.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Hotei, Satoshi Kogo, Hayato Ohashi
  • Patent number: 8337060
    Abstract: Systems and methods for providing adequate lighting and sighting for a bicycle are disclosed. A lighting system that includes an illumination ring configured to be coupled to a wheel is also disclosed. The illumination ring is configured to simultaneously project light forward and to the side of a front wheel and to project light rearward of and to the side of a rear wheel. The illumination ring may be mounted to or integrated with the bicycle wheel. Methods of controlling light sources on the illumination ring are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: John Kent Frankovich
  • Publication number: 20120320612
    Abstract: A rear portion structure (100) of a motorcycle (1) comprises a chassis frame (5); a rear wheel (17) positioned below the rear portion of the chassis frame (5); a fender main body portion (110) anchored to the rear portion of the chassis frame (5) and positioned above the rear wheel (17); a fender hanging portion (120) configured separately from the fender main body portion (110) and covering at least a portion of the rear wheel (17); and a support stay (130) anchored to the rear end portion of the chassis frame (5) (rear end frame portion (5a), extending aft approximately horizontally from the rear end portion, and supporting the fender hanging portion (120).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2010
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Inventors: Yutaka Yamakura, Jun Hirose
  • Patent number: 8328399
    Abstract: A saddle-ride type vehicle has a handlebar cover 27 covering at least a front portion of a handlebar 14. The vehicle includes a turn signal device having mounting stays 26 jointed to the handlebar bar 14, and lamp members 25 supported on the mounting stays 26. The handlebar cover 27 covering the front portion of the handlebar 14 has opening portions 47 formed so as to face in a vehicle body forward direction. The mounting stays 26 penetrate the opening portions 47 and extend in the vehicle body forward direction from the handlebar 14. The lamp members 25 are connected to front end portions of the mounting stays 26. The mounting stays 26 are jointed to end portions 14c of the handlebar 14. Stay covers 45 which cover the mounting stays 26 can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Katsuki Tajima, Takashi Sumada, Tomonori Hayashi, Taiki Sakane
  • Patent number: 8322901
    Abstract: An illuminated vehicle wheel assembly having arrays of illuminated electrical elements such as light emitting diodes, which are powered by the vehicle power systems by way of a slip ring assembly associated with the bearing or bearing seal of the vehicle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Inventor: William M. Michelotti
  • Patent number: 8325027
    Abstract: A safety light apparatus includes a first light source to emit a first light beam and a first light modulator to modulate the first light beam to project a first light image resembling a left boundary of a bike lane. A second light source emits a second light beam, and a second light modulator modulates the second light beam to project a second light image resembling a right boundary of a bike lane. A housing supports the first and second light sources and the first and second light modulators. A mounting device is provided for mounting the housing to a bicycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Lightlane LLC
    Inventors: Alexander Kirby Tee, Evan Isaac Timerding Gant
  • Patent number: 8317377
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus is mounted to a lower end of a front fork that supports a front wheel via a bearing portion. The lighting apparatus has a housing, an upper surface of which includes a bottom case receiving surface formed thereon. The bottom case receiving surface is shaped so that an outer periphery of a bottom case can fit therein. A rubber sheet is placed between the bottom case and the bottom case receiving surface to offer vibration isolation property. A bolt is screwed into a threaded hole in the bottom case so as to penetrate through a mounting portion having the bottom case receiving surface, so that the lighting apparatus is secured to the bottom case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Koshi Hayakawa
  • Publication number: 20120287656
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a front turn light on rear view mirror of motorcycle, which comprises a rear view mirror housing and a front turn light amounted at the front part of the rear view mirror housing, the front turn light is provided with a LED light source(s) and a condenser lens(es) which is amounted in front of the LED light source(s), preferably the front turn light further comprises a front turn light face-plate and a front turn light housing which is amounted on the front turn light face-plate so as to form an internal cavity between the front turn light housing and the front turn light face-plate, the LED light source(s) is amounted in the internal cavity and the condenser lens(es) is amounted in the front turn light face-plate, the front turn light is amounted inside the rear view mirror housing, the front turn light on rear view mirror of motorcycle of the present invention has a novel and beautiful design, a concise structure and a low use cost, can be maintained simply and meet the opti
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2010
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Inventors: Zhenxing Mi, Jun Ye
  • Patent number: 8310357
    Abstract: A signal lamp control system for one rear side of a vehicle receives a signal or voltage from the vehicle (near side signal) originally intended to turn on all signal lamps on that side. Responsive to that signal, the signal lamp control system either turns on all signal lamps on that side or sequentially turns on the signal lamps on that side, depending on a status of a signal or voltage from the vehicle (far side signal) originally intended to control the signal lamps on the opposite rear side of the vehicle. In some embodiments, the signal lamp control system has knowledge of the state of the other side before the near side signal transitions on. This distinguishes between near-side signal activation (alone), brake activation, brake activation with near-side signal activation and hazard warning activation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Inventors: Donald J. Beach, Edmund C. Wiggins
  • Publication number: 20120280468
    Abstract: Aspects for a multi-cycle apparatus are disclosed. In one aspect, an apparatus is provided, which includes a seat, a steering column below the seat, and a handle bar coupled to the steering column in which the handle bar extends behind the seat. In another aspect, an apparatus includes a rear bicycle frame, a steering column coupled to the rear bicycle frame, and a handle bar extending from the steering column. For this embodiment, the steering column is positioned under a seat attached to the rear bicycle frame, and the handle bar wraps around the rear of the seat. Another apparatus is provided, which includes a rear bicycle frame, a steering column coupled to the rear bicycle frame, and a handle bar coupled to the steering column. Here, the steering column is below a seat attached to the rear bicycle frame, and the handle bar extends behind the seat.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventors: Joe Estrada Garcia, Daniel Garcia
  • Patent number: 8303144
    Abstract: A motorcycle is easily recognized by other vehicles or pedestrians and is hardly damaged during a maximum bank, by devising the disposition of lighting fixtures. An area surrounded by a vertical line passing on each of both side surfaces of a front wheel, a horizontal line passing through a protrusion of a step serving as a first grounding portion, and a straight line for connecting the first grounding portion with an intersection between the vertical line and the ground, is set. Lighting fixtures are provided in the area, as seen from the front side. The lighting fixtures are mounted to lower ends of front forks that support a shaft of the front wheel. The lighting fixture are mounted to lower rear ends of swing arms that support a shaft of the rear wheel. A lamp of each of the lighting fixtures is composed of an assembly of a plurality of light-emitting diodes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tokujiro Kizaki, Yojiro Tsutsumi, Koshi Hayakawa
  • Patent number: 8297812
    Abstract: A vehicle lighting system having a plurality of lighting apparatuses disposed so as to make a vehicle front surface reminiscent of a “face,” wherein an outline of a light-emitting surface of each of the lighting apparatuses from blurring to be fused. A glare area G has a width y as expressed in an expression “y=a+b·ln(x) (ln is a natural logarithm),” “a=?107,” and “b=39.6” when a main lighting apparatus has a luminous intensity of x is defined outside an outline OL of a main light-emitting surface in a vehicle front view, and an auxiliary lighting apparatus disposition area, in which an auxiliary lighting apparatus of a steadily lighting type different from a flashing type lighting apparatus is disposed, is set upwardly of the main lighting apparatus and outside the glare area G.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazuyuki Maruyama, Yutaka Murata, Yojiro Tsutsumi, Toru Miyagawa
  • Patent number: 8277097
    Abstract: An LED light system which attaches to the wheel axle of a bicycle or other vehicle and includes a horn, a controller to store different horn tones and light sequences, a rechargeable power source, and means to activate and deactivate the light and horn separately. A housing has a vertically oriented support plate. A row of light emitting diodes is secured to the support plate. A speaker is secured to one end of the support plate. Electrical elements are provided within the housing. The electrical elements include a controller. The controller has at least one port operatively coupled to the controller. The controller has a potential source powering the controller and the light emitting diodes and the speaker. The controller has means for activating and inactivating the light emitting diodes and the speaker. An attachment component is provided. In this manner the system is secured to a recipient member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Inventors: Kelvin Gonzalez, Evelyn Pichardo-Gonzalez
  • Publication number: 20120243246
    Abstract: An annular lighting fixture having a housing, a channel, and a plurality of lights disposed in the channel. The fixture can be attached about a tubular portion of a motorcycle. In one embodiment, the plurality of lights are light emitting diodes surface mounted on a flexible printed circuit board disposed in the channel. In another embodiment a collimator is associated with each LED unit to redirect light in a desired direction. In another embodiment reflective portions are arranged on respective sides of the channel so as to redirect light in a desired direction. A method is also provided herein for the illumination of a vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventor: Jennifer S. Waring
  • Publication number: 20120243245
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus and method of use provides for increasing the visibility of a cyclist. The lighting apparatus includes a plurality of lights that may be arranged in a linear array to facilitate attachment to elongate members of a bicycle. The plurality of lights can be mounted on a substrate that is received in a mounting member, which in turn can be attached to a bicycle. Alternatively, the lighting apparatus may be formed integrally as part of a bicycle. Attachment of one or more lighting apparatuses to a bicycle can provide for increased visibility of a cyclist from the front, the rear, or the side, and may be configured to provide increased visibility when it is either dark or light outside.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Inventors: Brandon Smith, Richard Smith
  • Patent number: 8262267
    Abstract: A lamp device-integrated rearview mirror 30 includes a mirror member 34 oriented toward the rear side of a vehicle body and a single bulb 40 provided in a housing 31 attached to the vehicle body. The lamp device-integrated rearview mirror may also include a reflecting member 35 configured to reflect the light emitted from the bulb 40 toward the rear side of the vehicle body and a reflector 36 configured to reflect the light toward the front side of the vehicle body. The reflecting member 35 may be provided on the rear side of a lens 32 attached to the housing 31 to transmit the irradiation light, and the reflector 36 may be provided inside the housing 31. The mirror member 34 may be fitted in the opening portion of the housing 31.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tsuyoshi Tsuda, Jun Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8256939
    Abstract: A straddle-type vehicle that reliably inhibits entry of fluid to a tail lamp unit. An extending member protrudes upward from a rear fender and extends in a vehicle width direction. The extending member covers a sealing member of flasher lenses and a tail lamp lens when the motorcycle is viewed from the rear. A gutter guides fluid that enters a space between the extending member and the tail lamp unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Akira Onoda, Yasuo Okamoto
  • Publication number: 20120218771
    Abstract: A bicycle light assembly includes a case having a light unit connected to a front end thereof and a solar panel is connected to a top of the case. Multiple batteries are received in the case and electrically connected with the solar panel. A connection unit is connected to an underside of the case and connected to a handlebar of a bicycle. The solar panel absorbs the solar energy which is transferred into electric power to be stored in the batteries such that the batteries have longer life of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventor: Yu Chi YEN
  • Patent number: 8251554
    Abstract: A lighting apparatus has a housing and is disposed at a lower end of a front fork of a motorcycle. The housing includes a front opening disposed on a side of a radiation direction of a lighting body and a side opening disposed on a center side in a width direction of a motorcycle. The side opening in the housing, covered by a lid, is wide enough for the lighting body to pass through. The housing includes a wire guide for withdrawing an electric wire and a drain hole formed in a bottom portion of the housing. The lighting body is fixed on a board. The housing includes rails disposed on an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion thereof, into which an upper end and a lower end of the board are to be fitted so as to position the lighting body in a longitudinal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Koshi Hayakawa, Mutsumi Katayama, Jun Morimoto
  • Patent number: 8246224
    Abstract: Microprocessor-controlled light emitting diode (LED) arrays are built into an extruded tubular lens within a mast that is connected to a base assembly. A means of mounting, which may be an adjustable clamp, permits the base assembly to be connected to a seat post or other mounting point on a bicycle or other vehicle. The tubular lens allows for substantial dispersion of light, and various light patterns produced by the arrays may be selected and those patterns alternated automatically to achieve greater visibility of the vehicle to surrounding motorists. A handle within the base assembly allows a rider to lower the mast from its vertical operating position easily and pivotally up to 90 degrees parallel to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle frame to facilitate mounting and dismounting the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Inventor: Gerald A. Sherwin
  • Patent number: 8235566
    Abstract: A motorcycle is provided with a head light and an auxiliary light that are arranged along an up and down direction of a vehicle, and is provided with a front cover that can cover at least a portion of the legs of a rider. The respective lenses of the head light and the auxiliary light are arranged to be exposed in a forward portion of the vehicle. The front cover has an outside cover that is formed on both sides of the head light and the auxiliary light, and a head light cover that is formed in a portion closer to a center of the front cover than the outside cover. The head light and the auxiliary light protrude forward of the front edge of the outside cover. The head light cover protrudes forward of the outside cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Tzu-Pin Li