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.
Nice idea, however, the light should stay on
at night even whan the bike is stopped like at
a stop light for visability and safety sake.
Maybe a big capacitor to store charge for a couple of minutes which could keep the light
lit.
Just a suggestion. I have used generator driven
bike lights in the past and the thing I didn’t
like was the light going out when the bike is
momentarily stopped.
The idea is that there would be a smart chip in it so that it will stay on for a minute or so after the bike stops.
The motion sensing and light sensing elements seem like a lot of extra cost when all you need is an on/off switch. Considering the location of the device, I think it would be pretty obvious if the rider forgot to turn the device on at night.
Marc, The light would be blocked by the rider for anyone behind them. I would have lights strung out on the frame, including the front and rear forks.
LED’s use very little power, so a generator, battery combo like the hand cranked flashlights is the way to go. You still have light when you stop and the sun isn’t required. I want 20%.
However, do not… I repeat… DO NOT… light up the helmet or…
“Hey Bubba, lookit that flyin saucer buzzin the traffic. Git my shotgun fer me.”
Naw, the sensors nowadays are cheap. Also use ultra-bright LED’s. Durable, cheap, and bright enough. Ring 3-5 of them together and they would be bright enough to work as a headlamp/safety for a few hours off a minimum charge.
Simply reflect some of the forward light through yellow or red plastic at the sides of the main forward lens, and Bob’s your Uncle!
I would suggest a solar powered combination headlamp/safety device which mounts on the handlebars with an additional optional satellite light at the rear.
Charges by solar, uses 4 AA nicad (or equivalent) batteries. Leave in the sun during the day (while at work?) and have a good 3-4 hours continuous operation during the night.
Marc, did you do a patent search on the idea?
I do this very inventing thing all the time. If you can pull up my email address I would be happy to help on a one to one basis.
before i put any ideas to improve this product, do i get a cut if this idea goes to patent?? i dont work for free….
Why bother with all this nonsense about actually creating the device. Simply obtain the patent (make sure you use broad language and terminology) and then just wait for someone else to create it and market it. When you first see it on the market, don’t sue right away – give it some time to make some money first. That way when you do sue (in East Texas BTW) there will be plenty of money there to pillage from. In the meantime, keep thinking up new ideas and sending off for patents. Sooner or later you are bound to hit paydirt on a couple of them. The best part – you won’t have to do any of the really hard work (like building anything, or marketing or investing any of YOUR time or MONEY) cause you will be making lots of money once you sue the ‘big bad corporation’.
Now, aren’t patents fun?????
The graphic at the bottom looks something like Fat Man. Does your device have a function not described here? 😉
#7 – madtruckman – before i put any ideas to improve this product, do i get a cut if this idea goes to patent?? i dont work for free…
Nope… this is a free of charge market research. 😉
No charge. Call it my support for the editors of DU.
I’ll also sign a Non-Disclosure, etc.
This is for real.
I’m waiting for transparent aluminum to evolve. Bicycle frames that light up like fluorescent bulbs, tourist aircraft with glass-like bottoms, watching the fish on the BBQ cook… ideas… I have a million of them.
#13 – JimR – watching the fish on the BBQ cook
Watching the lobster getting boiled to death… 😉
Google shows some similar items available but none sit on the central frame they all act as front and rear lights.
Example: http://www.hktdc.com/sourcing/company_product_detail.htm?companyid=1X00MY9X&productid=497911&query=LED+Solar+Cycle+Light&entryPoint=2&locale=en
The issue I can see is the likelihood of theft. You need to fix them down supertight or take them with you.
Jäger, thankfully, a watched pot never boils.
Mark, seriously, I suggest you come up with something unique. Bicycle lights have been done a zillion ways and I doubt there’s room for another meaningful patent.
How about bicycle air bags?
How about a better bicycle seat, one not designed by The Spanish Inquisition?
A miniaturized air conditioner? Of course, mileage would go down but…
please give it a USB charger as well, even if it’s dynamo powered
Sargasso, I bought a large dinner plate sized seat with gel padding and lots of springs. I can ride for hours now.
What Mark is looking for is a device that will seep bikers safe from cars at night.
hmmmm…. still thinking…. ok, I see a device that can sense fast movement of large metallic objects…. it also detects the noise of trucks and cars…. yes, yes, and checks for poor or non-existent street lighting… and has a sonic distance measurer to determine if the road is narrow or if it has a bike lane…. perfect… and if any of the above trigger it, the wheels don’t turn and a mechanical hand slaps the rider on the back of the head.
Put a pressure sensor in the seat, if you’re sitting, then it’s lighting.
This is a joke post right? People seem to be commenting as if this is a product going into production. lol
Hate to have my foot slip off the pedal with something like that waiting for me when I land, I mean the bar would be bad enough, I’d hate to impale myself on that thing.
Back to the “drawring” board Marc.
Don’t forget to add a USB port in case you want to recharge your laptop while you ride the bicycle.
a op-amp/comparator say CA3140EZ MOSFET will suffice for the controlling of your circuit with potential divider. also a cheepo ldr will do for your light sensor.
the l.e.d N22FN are nice too, super bright and cheep.
#25. my sentiments, exactly.
You missed out the best parts of filing for a patent: paying a lawyer $thousands to search for similar patents, then waiting 3 years before your patent is rejected for either being “obvious” or infringing on some other patent that was filed during the 3 year “waiting” period that it takes the patent office to process applications.
Or, if you’re lucky enough to get through all that and finally get a patent issued, then you can look forward to being sued by patent-troll lawyers who will claim that some part of your invention requires you to pay them a license fee. (Even if your invention doesn’t infringe in any way at all, you will still have to spend $thousands defending it).)
Good luck.
Marc–is this like your religion? Just a very clever demonstration of what is so wrong with what your present in a seemingly neutral way?
The Evil revealed thru innocence.
Well Done!
Placement of the light on the tube is not well thought out. It would limit the effectiveness of the light. the light would be blocked by the rider’s body to the sides (legs during pedaling) and rear (body, seat, and seat post). It would also make getting off the saddle to stand with feet on the ground difficult. The handlebars/stem along with the rider’s arms would also obscure the light from the front. The only place to put one light to be effective from all sides is on the helmet.
My bike street cred: I don’t own a car and ride my bike 10,000+ miles per year (6,000 miles for commuting). I used to manage a $3.5M/year bike shop and ran regional/national MTB teams for major manufacturers.
ooops….I meant to say top tube in the first sentence of my previous post.
Don’t put the light on the top bar; you could easily damage your family jewels, which is why bicycles don’t have anything on the top of the bar.