Electric bicycle

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9610996-B2
Application number	US-201514804995-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 21, 2015
Priority date	Aug 1, 2014
Publication date	Apr 4, 2017
Grant date	Apr 4, 2017

Abstract

A bicycle includes a frame and a seat post removably engaged with the frame. A light source is supported by the seat post. A power source is supported by the seat post. A switch is disposed between the light source and the power source.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A bicycle comprising:
a frame;
a seat post removably engaged with the frame;
a light source supported by the seat post;
a power source supported by the seat post;
a switch disposed between the light source and the power source; and
a sensor supported by the seat post and configured to detect engagement of the seat post and the frame.

2. The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the light source includes a red light source and a white light source.

3. The bicycle as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to provide power to the red light source and prevent power to the white light source when the sensor detects engagement of the seat post and the frame and to provide power to the white light source and prevent power to the red light source when the sensor detects disengagement of the seat post and the frame.

4. The bicycle as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a processor programmed to provide power to the red light source and prevent power to the white light source when the sensor detects engagement of the seat post and the frame and to provide power to the white light source and prevent power to the red light source when the sensor detects disengagement of the seat post and the frame.

5. The bicycle as set forth in claim 2 further comprising a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to illuminate the red light source when the sensor detects engagement of the seat post and the frame and to illuminate the white light source when the sensor detects disengagement of the seat post and the frame.

6. The bicycle as set forth in claim 2 further comprising means for illuminating the red light source and extinguishing the white light source when the seat post is engaged with the frame and for illuminating the white light source and extinguishing the red light source when the seat post is disengaged with the frame.

7. The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sensor is an inductive proximity sensor.

8. The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 further comprising a motor in communication with the power source.

9. The bicycle as set forth in claim 1 wherein the power source is a battery.

10. A seat assembly comprising:
a seat post;
a light source supported by the seat post;
a power source supported by the seat post;
a switch disposed between the light source and the power source; and
a sensor supported by the seat post and configured to detect engagement of the seat post and a frame of a bicycle.

11. The seat assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein the light source includes a red light source and a white light source.

12. The seat assembly as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to provide power to the red light source and prevent power to the white light source when the sensor detects engagement of the seat post and the frame of the bicycle and to provide power to the white light source and prevent power to the red light source when the sensor detects disengagement of the seat post and the frame of the bicycle.

13. The seat assembly as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a processor programmed to provide power to the red light source and prevent power to the white light source when the sensor detects engagement of the seat post and the frame of the bicycle and to provide power to the white light source and prevent power to the red light source when the sensor detects disengagement of the seat post and the frame of the bicycle.

14. The seat assembly as set forth in claim 11 further comprising a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to illuminate the red light source when the sensor detects engagement of the seat post and the frame of the bicycle and to illuminate the white light source when the sensor detects disengagement of the seat post and the frame of the bicycle.

15. The seat assembly as set forth in claim 11 further comprising means for illuminating the red light source and extinguishing the white light source when the seat post is engaged with the frame of the bicycle and for illuminating the white light source and extinguishing the red light source when the seat post is disengaged with the frame of the bicycle.

16. The seat assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein the sensor is an inductive proximity sensor.

17. An electric bicycle comprising:
a frame;
a seat post removably engaged with the frame;
a red light source and a white light source supported by the seat post;
a battery supported by the seat post;
a proximity sensor supported by the seat post and configured to detect engagement of the seat post with the frame; and
a controller in communication with the sensor and configured to provide power to the red light source and prevent power to the white light source when the sensor detects engagement of the seat post and the frame and to provide power to the white light source and prevent power to the red light source when the sensor detects disengagement of the seat post and the frame.

18. The electric bicycle as set forth in claim 17 further comprising a motor in communication with the power source.

Assignees

• Ford Global Tech Llc

Inventors

• Neugebauer James
• Gerhardt Torsten
• Southey Bruce
• Potticary Simon
• Lloyd James
• Craven Richard
• Mundy Jonathan

Classifications

• B60L53/68

  Off-site monitoring or control, e.g. remote control · CPC title

• B62K11/00

  Motorcycles, engine-assisted cycles or motor scooters with one or two wheels (fairings or streamlining parts not forming part of the frame B62J; transmission of drive from engines to wheels B62M) · CPC title

• B62J6/015

  using electrical power not supplied by the cycle motor generator, e.g. using batteries or piezo elements · CPC title

• B62J45/10

  Arrangement of audio equipment; Supports therefor · CPC title

• B62J45/20

  Cycle computers as cycle accessories · CPC title