Versatile bicycle light mounting system

{
  "publication_number": "US10112669B1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "B1",
  "title": "Versatile bicycle light mounting system",
  "abstract": "A mounting system for a bicycle light, camera, bike computer, smartphone or other device has versatile application to front or rear of the bike, to fix the light or device in position at the desired orientation. The mounting system has a ball arm engaged by adjustable clamps, one on each of two ball ends of the ball arm, providing a wide range of adjustments to attach the light housing or device to different configurations of bicycle stems and to seat rails below the seat, accommodating a range of different spacings and angles.",
  "claims": [
    "1. In combination with a bicycle seat, a rear bicycle light mounting system, comprising: a light assembly including a light housing with a fixture secured at rear of the housing, the fixture comprising a generally horizontal ball arm with a ball formed at each end, the ball arm and the two balls being fixed in position relative to the light housing, a pair of clamp mounts, each with an adjustable two-legged clamp at one end configured to grip one of said balls, one such clamp secured onto each ball of the fixture so that when tightened the clamp will prevent rotation of the clamp mount about each ball, thus enabling positioning of the clamp mounts and the light housing at desired orientations, each clamp mount having threaded tightening means for tightening the clamp to fix the clamp mount at the desired orientation, each clamp mount having an opposite end with a second clamp, and the tightening means comprising a machine screw engaged in a threaded bore or nut at a position between the opposed clamps for drawing the two leas toward one another so that both clamps on the clamp mount are tightened with a single operation, and wherein the light housing holds a rear bicycle light, with said second clamps at said opposite ends of the clamp mounts being clamped onto a pair of spaced apart seat rails at rear underside of the bicycle seat.",
    "2. In combination with a bicycle seat, a mounting system for securing a light, camera, bike computer, smartphone or other accessory device on a bicycle, comprising: an accessory device and a fixture secured at rear of the device, the fixture comprising a ball arm with a ball formed at each of two ends, the ball arm and the two balls being fixed in position relative to the accessory device, a pair of clamp mounts, each with an adjustable two-legged clamp at one end configured to grip one of said balls, one such clamp secured onto each ball of the fixture so that when tightened the clamp will prevent rotation of the clamp mount about each ball, thus enabling positioning of the clamp mounts and the device at desired orientations, each clamp mount having threaded tightening means for tightening the clamp to fix the clamp mount at the desired orientation, each clamp mount having an opposite end with a second clamp, and the tightening means comprising a machine screw engaged in a threaded bore or nut at a position between the opposed clamps of the clamp mount for drawing the two legs toward one another so that both clamps on the clamp mount are tightened with a single operation, and wherein the device is a rear accessory device for a bicycle, with said second clamps at said opposite ends of the clamp mounts being clamped onto a pair of spaced apart seat rails at rear underside of the bicycle seat.",
    "3. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein the accessory device is a camera.",
    "4. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein the accessory device is a bike computer.",
    "5. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein the accessory device is a smartphone retained in a cradle secured to the ball arm.",
    "6. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein the accessory is a rear light."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "This invention concerns generally mounting systems for connection of a light or camera to a bicycle, and in particular concerns a compact and versatile system for securing a bicycle light, smartphone, camera or bike computer to a front handlebar mount or to seat rails beneath the seat surface of a bicycle, allowing for securement to components having a variety of spacings and orientations.\n\nBicycle lights have been securable to bicycles in many different ways, sometimes with plastic straps that grip around handlebars or seat posts, sometimes with elastic bands, and often with plastic or metal brackets. Bike computers and cameras have also been securable to bicycles in various ways. Some degree of aim adjustment is usually necessary, particularly aiming height of a light or camera.\n\nTail lights are usually connected to a seat post, but this can interfere with tool packs that are typically secured under the bicycle seat. Cameras have also been secured to seat posts. Front lights are usually connected to handlebars, but some have been securable to one of the machine bolts that secure the handle bar to the stem over the front wheel. Bike computers have also been secured to handlebars.\n\nThere has been a need for a more efficient, versatile and aesthetic bicycle light mounting, also for other devices, with a wide range of adjustments to connect to seat rails or bars or front stem machine bolts with different spacings and orientations.",
  "cpc": [
    "B62J 11/00",
    "B62J 50/225",
    "B62J 6/00",
    "B62J 6/03",
    "B62J 6/04",
    "H04B 1/3877"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "B62J 11/00",
    "B62J 6/00",
    "B62J 7/06",
    "H04B 1/3877"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Light & Motion Industries"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Benjamin McGeever",
    "Dave Heiss"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2016-04-01",
  "publication_date": "2018-10-30",
  "grant_date": "2018-10-30",
  "priority_date": "2016-04-01",
  "application_number": "US-201615089393-A",
  "family_id": "63894745",
  "cited_by_count": 7,
  "citations": [
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  ]
}