I am trying my hand at selling inventions. I came up with a simple idea and filed a provisional patent on it. The idea is a bicycle safety light that solar charges and comes on by itself when it is both nighttime and it senses the bike is in motion. The device would be installed on the top of the middle frame; no charging of batteries, no turning on or turning off.

I’m looking for information about how to market ideas. I come up with ideas all the time and am looking to make a little extra $$$ on it.

INVENTION TITLE

Solar powered bicycle safety light activated by darkness and motion.

DESCRIPTION

[Para 1] The present invention relates to a solar powered bicycle safety light automatically activated by darkness and motion.

[Para 2] The “See Me Safety Light” uses rechargeable batteries and a solar cell to recharge the batteries when driven in sunlight. It is mounted on the top middle bar of the bike frame with the solar collector pointing upwards where it can get plenty of sun. Alternatively, a vibration powered generator can be used to charge the batteries.

[Para 3] The unit is disk shaped with 6 light emitting diodes mounted horizontally on the rim of the disk. These lights flash or rotate in a pattern so as to get the attention of drivers that a bike is near.

[Para 4] The unit is automatically turned on when it is both dark and the bike is being ridden. It has a light-detecting switch that is activated by darkness much the same way as solar-powered yard lights work. However if the bike isn’t being ridden then this too would waste power at night.

[Para 5] So additionally the unit has a motion sensing switch so that the light only activates when the bike is being ridden. This motion sensor could be either a proximity detector or a vibration detector so that the movement of the bike activates the light.

[Para 6] Because the device is a disk that sits on the mid frame of the bike and uses at least 6 LEDs it can be seen from all directions.

[Para 7] The device is comprised of the following:

  • o The device consists of:
  • o 1) A wheel – horizontally mounted on the top mid bike frame or optionally on the front or rear fenders. This is the body of the device holding all the components together.
  • o 2) 6 or more LED lights.
  • o 3) A solar cell mounted on top for charging or alternatively a vibration powered generator.
  • o 4) A light detector to detect if it is night.
  • o 5) One or more rechargeable batteries.
  • o 6) A vibration/motion sensor so that the device knows the bike is being ridden.
  • o 7) Some sort of controller device (chip) to look at light, vibration, motion, and to sequence the flashing of the LEDs.
  • o 8 ) A mounting bracket to attach the device to the bike.
  • o All elements are necessary. There are however a number of ways to determine if the bike is being ridden. A simple way would be a mechanical vibration switch so that the movement of the bike causes contacts to make and break signaling motion. If this is used the main controller would keep the unit on for about one minute after motion stops in case the rider is motionless for brief periods like waiting for a traffic light to change.
  • o Another option might be a proximity sensor like what is used in security system that senses changes in the position in surrounding objects. This might be slightly more complex to implement but the device would be activated by the rider walking up to the bike and might be a security feature.

[Para 8] The wheel-shaped body holds all the components. The battery powers the device. The light sensor detects nighttime. The motion/vibration sensors detects that the bike is in use. The solar cell charges the battery when the bike is in the sun or a vibration generator charges the battery while the bike is ridden. The controller chip senses night and vibration to activate the LED flashing sequence at night and to turn off the device when the bike is not being ridden or in daylight. The solar cell charges the battery in the day time. Alternatively, a vibration generator made from a magnet and a coil is used to generate power from the motion of the bike to charge the batteries.

[Para 9] The wheel shaped body holds all the components. The battery powers the device. The light sensor detects night time. The motion/vibration sensors detects that the bike is in use. The solar cell charges the battery when the bike is in the sun. The controller chip senses night and vibration to activate the LED flashing sequence at night and to turn off the device when the bike is not being ridden or in daylight. The solar cell charges the battery in the day time.

[Para 10] The device would be assembled out of common components but might require a custom low power controller chip to make the device smart so it knows when to turn on and off based on the light sensor and the motion sensors. A plastic disk shaped body would need to be made as well as a mounting bracket to connect to the bike.

[Para 11] The user would attach the device to the top mid frame of the bicycle or optionally on the front or back fenders. The solar cell must point upwards so as to be exposed to sunlight.

[Para 12] It could also be used as warning lighting on any device where night time motion creates a need to alert people that things in the dark are moving around. In such a circumstance a beeper might be added for an audible alert.

[Para 13] The problem with current systems is that batteries have to be manually changed or recharged and that the bike rider has to manually have to turn the device on and off. The See Me Safety Light is self charging and self activating and deactivating.

What is claimed is:

[Claim 1]

ABSTRACT

[Para 14] Bicycles are often hit by cars at night because the driver doesn’t see the bicycle. Many bikes have flashing tail lights and a head light to be more visible at night but if the battery runs out the light doesn’t work. Sometimes the light is left on and the battery drains and then there is no safety light. Lights are visible from front and back but not from the sides. A safety light only works if the user remembers to turn it on, so people can see them, and off so the batteries don’t drain. The See Me Safety Light turns itself on and off by itself eliminating the need for the bike rider to remember. And because it charges in the sun or by a vibration generator the user doesn’t have to worry about batteries running down. This device increases safety because the device does it all for you. It eliminates the need for humans to charge the batteries, or turn the device on and off.




  1. SB says:

    In regard to #23

    “Drawring” not exactly a typo, lol

    http://www.veoh.com/collection/NBC-Saturday-Night-Live/watch/v9127733z8KHn5sh

  2. chewy says:

    I’m still trying to figure out if this post is serious or not. Sounds like something The Onion would do.

  3. Universal says:

    good one rop i did a lighting design when studying electrical/electronic engineering and that crude design defiantly need’s working amaybe calculating the efficacy vs the lumen output.

    Also photovoltaic cell aren’t very efficient and will properly limit you to the type of chemistry used in your battery with out the need of extra cost of electronics.

    Like other have said you could make this thing really cheep.

    Also another point to consider is the ware and tear of the l.e.d them selves you see they are very sensitive to operating temperature which if not used correctly will fail.

    Area light source another thing to consider.

    Light quality Color temperature good l.e.d’s are not cheep.

  4. Hugh Ripper says:

    #21 JimR

    “What Mark is looking for is a device that will seep bikers safe from cars at night.”

    That’s a shotgun. Most bikers have one.

    I think you meant ‘cyclists’ 😉

  5. Delta Dan says:

    I hope the solar cells don’t need direct light to charge as they would be blocked by the rider as well as the lights. Now, if you were to use low powered laser lights…….

  6. JimR says:

    Oy. And I also meant “keep” instead of seep. 😮

  7. Bob says:

    Your patent is obviously too detailed. You will never become a great patent squatter by having a detailed patent.

    What you should have done is have no diagrams. Instead, just say “A method of putting a light on vehicle that moves, that is powered via an external power source, either directly or indirectly”.

    Their you go, I have written it for you, all you have to do now is sit back and wait for someone to violate your patent, and sue them for millions.

  8. jerry says:

    I hear late night TV infomercials are the best way to go about filing for patents for new inventions…

  9. algore says:

    I think you should call this the “nut sack remover”…

  10. natefrog says:

    Hopefully you won’t be granted a patent.

    All you’ve done is cobbled together existing technology in a way that is (a) obvious and (b) has probably been done before. Both would be grounds for denying a patent.

    Nevermind, as others have mentioned, that this light has serious practical limitations and most likely would not suffice for localities that require a white headlight to the front and a red light to the rear.

  11. R.O.P. says:

    I think some of you are being way to harsh on Marc’s idea(s). One LED puts out more than enough light to be seen 300 feet and satisfies the CA statute listed. Reflectors are pretty much useless in the real world but it beats having nothing on your bike. Most accidents with bikes happen when a car turns or pulls into the path of a bicyclist. A car’s head lights will not be pointed at a bicyclist until it is too late if ever in these circumstances. To have a headlight that actually lights up the road far enough that you can’t outride (20-25mph averages and 40+mph top speeds are not unrealistic) costs over $300 and are quite bulky and heavy. In urban riding, where there are street lights, small LED lights work very well for visibility. Most LED lights do give off light to the sides if the plastic cover/reflector allows it. The Cateye TL-LD1100 I use has 2 LEDs to each side and 6 to the rear and attaches to the seat post. I also use a very bright 1 LED Princton Tec headlight which can illuminate a road safely for speeds up to 10-15mph. Most cycling experts are now recommending green lights for the side since a human reacts most quickly to this color, however I have yet to see a production model of any bike light that takes advantage of this. Keep working on it Marc! Bicyclists would love a low maintenance light unit that gives 360 degree visibility.

  12. Marc Perkel says:

    Multi-colored LEDs would be totally cool. Have them changing colors while flashing in patterns.

  13. SB says:

    These comments are too funny, people have way too much time on their hands.

  14. R.O.P. says:

    Marc, my email is j.senum@gmail.com. Overall this is a great concept. I have a few ideas about how to make this work (offered gratis).

  15. Rick says:

    Weak.


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