GB2560117A

GB2560117A - Cycling glove

Info

Publication number: GB2560117A
Application number: GB1806589.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Atsu Valentine
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-04-01
Filing date: 2016-04-01
Publication date: 2018-08-29
Also published as: GB2538614A; GB201806589D0; GB2538614B; GB201505679D0

Abstract

A glove 1 formed of fabric for use by for example a cyclist, including 7 a signal receiver, transmitter, and a means to provide a warning to the wearer. Preferably the receiver comprises a proximity sensing means; for example the receiver may be configured to receive a signal from a transmitter forming part of a warning system in a vehicle, and the transmitter send a warning signal back to the vehicle to alert the vehicles driver to the cyclist. The glove might also transmit and receive signals to and from a signal system located in the proximity of a road junction. The glove my send a warning to the cyclist when a warning is received, for example a vibration signal. An on/off switch may be provided which when in use sits between the thumb and forefinger of the wearer. In use the device allows both vehicles to be warned of cyclists, and cyclists of vehicles, in order to improve situation awareness and prevent collisions.

Description

(56) Documents Cited:

GB 2490905 A EP 1231479 A1 (58) Field of Search:

INT CLA41D, G08G Other: WPI, EPODOC

B62J6/00 (2006.01)

EP 1791101 A1 US 20110090093 A1 (71) Applicant(s):

Valentine Atsu

London Road, CROYDON, Surrey, CR0 2TB, United Kingdom (72) Inventor(s):

Valentine Atsu (74) Agent and/or Address for Service:

Agile IP LLP

Airport House, Purley Way, Croydon, Surrey, CR0 0ΧΖ, United Kingdom (54) Title of the Invention: Cycling glove

Abstract Title: Glove for warning vulnerable road user (57) A glove 1 formed of fabric for use by for example a cyclist, including 7 a signal receiver, transmitter, and a means to provide a warning to the wearer. Preferably the receiver comprises a proximity sensing means; for example the receiver may be configured to receive a signal from a transmitter forming part of a warning system in a vehicle, and the transmitter send a warning signal back to the vehicle to alert the vehicle’s driver to the cyclist. The glove might also transmit and receive signals to and from a signal system located in the proximity of a road junction. The glove my send a warning to the cyclist when a warning is received, for example a vibration signal. An on/off switch may be provided which when in use sits between the thumb and forefinger of the wearer. In use the device allows both vehicles to be warned of cyclists, and cyclists of vehicles, in order to improve situation awareness and prevent collisions.

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Cycling glove

Field of invention

The present invention relates to a cycling glove. More especially the invention relates to a cycling glove that includes a visible signal, a proximity sensor and a transmitter.

Background to the invention

Cycling is becoming increasingly hazardous on Britain’s roads, particularly in built up areas and, as such, it is important for cyclists to remain as visible as possible, particularly at night.

Cycling gloves are known which include a light or luminescent strip formed integrally with the glove to provide a warning indicator to traffic. However the Applicant has found that the light or luminescent strip is not always visible due to its location and coverage on the glove.

One aim of the present invention is to provide an improved cycling glove which provides a light with improved visibility.

Moreover, there are increasing number of deaths of cyclists often as result of a lorry or larger vehicle turning left at a time when a cyclist on its inside is not visible in its mirrors. In an attempt to avoid these issues significant improvements in technology have been to include proximity sensors and alarms in vehicles to warn the driver of the presence of a cyclist on their inside. Proximity sensors are known to be provided on the bicycle frame to interact with receiving devices within the vehicle.

A further aim of the invention is to provide an improved cycling glove including a proximity sensor to interact in use with a warning system on a vehicle.

By glove it is meant any garment to be located on or around the hand of a user. The garment may be in strap form and does not need to cover the fingers of the wearer.

There are a number of junctions or turnings, particular in cities, which have become notorious for cyclist deaths over the years. Whilst there is concerted effort amongst city councils to try and improve the junctions to make them safer, it is important to increase awareness of particular areas which are known to cause cyclists problems.

A further aim of the invention is to provide an improved cycling glove including means to transmit and/or receive signals between the junctions to warn the cyclist that the junction is particularly hazardous on their approach to that junction.

Statements of invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a glove for inter alia a cyclist, the glove comprising a fabric material and having a flexible elongate light strip extending across one surface of the glove, from the base of the palm to the base of the little finger of the user.

Preferably the elongate light strip comprises an array of LEDS.

Preferably the light strip is covered by an amber film to diffuse the LEDS on the strip.

Preferably the glove includes a signal receiver, a transmitter and means to provide a warning signal to the wearer.

Preferably, the receiver comprises a proximity sensor.

Preferably the receiver is configured to receive a signal from a transmitter forming part of a warning system within a vehicle and the glove transmitter is configured to transmit a warning signal to the vehicle warning system in response to the signal received by the receiver, to alert the driver of the vehicle of the presence of the cyclist.

Preferably the glove receiver is additionally configured to sense a signal from a transmitter forming part of a signal system located in the vicinity of a road junction and the glove transmitter is additionally configured to transmit a signal to the signal system.

Preferably the receiver is configured to receive a signal from the signal system, and the glove includes means configured to send a warning signal to the cyclist when the receiver receives said signal.

Preferably the glove has means to provide a vibration as a warning signal to the wearer.

Preferably the receiver is provided in a housing located in a wrist strap of the glove.

Preferably the transmitter is also provided in the housing.

Preferably a battery pack is provided within the housing.

Preferably the receiver and transmitter are controlled by an on/off button located on the glove between the thumb and forefinger of the wearer in use.

Brief description of the drawings

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures in which :

Figure 1 illustrates one side of a glove constructed in accordance with a first aspect of the invention;

Figure 2 illustrates the other side of the glove of figure 1;

Figure 3 illustrates glove constructed in accordance with a second aspect of the invention; and

Figure 4 illustrates glove constructed in accordance with a third aspect of the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Referring first to figures 1 and 2, a glove 1 for inter alia use by a cyclist is shown. The glove 1 shown is a full glove extending over the finger of the wearer. The glove 1 may be fingerless (as for shown in the embodiment of figure 4).

The glove 1 has a wrist strap 2 which is secured around the write of a wearer by Velcro (not shown).

A flexible strip 3 of light, carrying, for example one or more LEDS, extends across the outer surface 4 of the glove 1. By “outer surface” it is meant the surface that is directed away from the wearer when the gloves are worn.

The strip 3 extends from low down on the palm 5 under the thumb, diagonally upwards across the glove 1 to the base of the little finger 6. The location of the strip 3 is such that the light can be seen from all relevant angles by vehicle driving passed the cyclist.

The wrist strap 2 includes a circular housing 7 in which is enclosed a proximity sensor. The housing 7 is made from plastic material and is weather hardened to protect the sensor inside form the outside environment. The proximity sensor is designed to interact with a sensor and warning system on a vehicle which activates to inform the driver of the presence of the cyclist.

The proximity sensor is located on the wrist strap 2 for convenience and comfort of the wearer. It is located on the outside surface 4 to ensure that the most efficient uninterrupted signal.

A transmitter is also provided within the housing 7.

The combination of a receiver and transmitter allows the glove to be suitable to improve the safety of the cyclist in a variety of scenarios.

For example, the receiver may be configured to receive a signal from a transmitter of a vehicle warning system to alert the cyclist of the presence of a vehicle within a predefined proximity to the cyclist. The warning may be audible, visual, vibration or combination of any of these.

The glove transmitter may be configured to send a return sign to the vehicle warning system, in response to a signal being received from the glove receiver, to alert the driver of the vehicle of the presence of the cyclist within the pre-defined proximity.

In another situation the receiver and transmitter may be configured to interact with a signal system located at a junction. The signal system may, for example, be located on the column of a traffic light at that junction. The glove transmitter is configured to send a signal to a receiver of the signal system when the cyclist is within a pre-defined proximity to the junction. The signal system will then provide a visual indication of the presence of the cyclist visible to drivers of vehicles in the vicinity of that junction.

If the junction or turning is recognised as being particularly hazardous to cyclists, a signal is transmitted from a transmitter of the signal system which is received by the receiver of the glove, and the warning signal is sent to the to cyclist to inform the cyclist that the junction they are approaching poses a particular threat to them and that they should take extra care.

A can be seen in figure 2, an on/off button 8 to activate or deactivate the LED strip is located in the middle of the inside surface 9 of the glove 1. This location has been found to be preferential as it allows the wearer of the glove to activate the light strip through bending a finger in to the palm of their hand.

It will be appreciated that the on/off switch 8 could be located in any convenient location on the glove 1. For example, it could be positioned on the side of a finger, as for example shown in the embodiment illustrated in figure 4.

A further on/off switch is provided in a location on the glove between the thumb and the forefinger of the wearer which activates or deactivates the receiver and/or transmitter.

A battery pack (not shown) to provide power to the light strip 3 is located in the sensor housing 7. In an alternative embodiment the battery pack is located in a pocket sewn into the glove 1.

The on/off switch 8 and/or the battery pocket is covered by a padded fabric strip.

Figure 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the glove takes the form of fabric strips 10A, 10B which extend diagonally across the hand and the wrist respectively. The first fabric strip 10A carries the light strip 11 and the second fabric strip 10B carries the proximity sensor 12 and battery.

The light strip 11 may be covered by an amber film to hide and diffuse the LEDs on the strip 11.

The glove may have reflective edging to reflect any light towards the eye of a vehicle driver.

The wrist strap 10B may be made from bright yellow or luminous fabric to increase light reflection. The entire glove may alternatively be made from bright or luminous material.

The proximity sensor may be designed to interact with a mobile APP downloaded onto a smart phone.

The glove receiver and transmitter may be incorporated into a glove that does not have the light strip as previously described.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing are merely an examples of embodiments and just some examples of their use. The skilled reader will readily understand that modifications can be made thereto without departing from the true scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A glove for inter alia a cyclist, the glove comprising a fabric material and has located thereon a signal receiver, a transmitter and means to provide a warning signal to the wearer.

2. A glove according to claim 2, wherein the receiver comprises a proximity sensor.

3. A glove according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a signal from a transmitter forming part of a warning system within a vehicle and the glove transmitter is configured to transmit a warning signal to the vehicle warning system in response to the signal received by the receiver, to alert the driver of the vehicle of the presence of the cyclist.

4. A glove according to claim 3, wherein the glove receiver is additionally configured to sense a signal from a transmitter forming part of a signal system located in the vicinity of a road junction and the glove transmitter is additionally configured to transmit a signal to the signal system.

5. A glove according to claim 4, wherein the receiver is configured to receive a signal from the signal system, and the glove includes means configured to send a warning signal to the cyclist when the receiver receives said signal.

6. A glove according to claim 5, wherein the glove has means to provide a vibration as a warning signal to the wearer.

7. A glove according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the receiver is provided in a housing located in a wrist strap of the glove.

8. A glove according to claim 7, wherein the transmitter is also provided in the housing.

9. A glove according to claim 7 or 8, wherein a battery pack is provided within the housing.

10. A glove according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the receiver and transmitter are controlled by an on/off button located on the glove between the thumb and forefinger of the wearer in use.

Intellectual

Property

Office

Application No: GB1806589.6