WO2011083494A2

WO2011083494A2 - Visual identification system for two wheeler vehicles

Info

Publication number: WO2011083494A2
Application number: PCT/IN2011/000010
Authority: WO
Inventors: G. Vivekanadan
Original assignee: Vivekanadan G
Priority date: 2010-01-08
Filing date: 2011-01-07
Publication date: 2011-07-14
Also published as: WO2011083494A3

Abstract

A visual identification system (100) to be fitted for a two wheeler vehicle includes a housing (102) fastened on a first end of the two wheeler vehicle. The housing (102) includes a main frame (202), a tube assembly (204) and a spring (208). A sheet (106) is coiled over a surface of the tube assembly (204) and fixed to the housing (102) at a first end of the sheet (106) and comprises at least one of a printed image, a design, a text or an advertisement (110) or a combination thereof to enable a visual identification of the two wheeler vehicle. A hook (108) is fixed to a second end of the sheet (106) and is connected to a second end of the two wheeler vehicle to form an angle ranging from 0 to 10 degrees horizontally. The spring (208) enables unwinding of the sheet (106) into the housing (102) on the hook (108) being detached from the second end of the two wheeler vehicle.

Description

VISUAL IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM FOR TWO WHEELER VEHICLES

BACKGROUND

Field of the Invention

[0001] The embodiments herein generally relate to two wheeler vehicles and more particularly to a visual identification system for two wheelers parked in a parking place.

Description of the Related Art

[0002] Certain vehicles, for example two wheeler vehicles are parked in a parking lot for an extended period of time. The motorcycle rider usually does not make a physical record of the parking location, or may haye forgotten the location of the parked vehicle. Moreover two wheelers are mostly parked in an outer parking area without shading. Motor cycle seat covers are generally black in color and the shape of the seat is also quite similar. So, from a lateral point of view it becomes quite difficult to identify the particular vehicle. This is a frequent problem, especially in unreserved outer parking areas such as roads, business areas and work places. In this event, a two wheeler vehicle suffers considerable damage from the sun, heat, dust and rain. Also a considerable period of time is wasted by looking through the parking area to locate the vehicle. This is particularly true in large open parking areas, such as in airports, rail stations, bus terminals, shopping centers, civic centers and the like.

[0003] Accordingly, to identify the particular vehicle among numerous vehicles parked in parking lots, various technologies are used. Existing technologies like RFID tag identification, position-based location technologies, such as the global positioning system (GPS), parking location reminder device are in practice that identifies the exact location of the parked vehicle. Typically these systems employ signal transmission systems and are too expensive to be used by a majority of two wheeler vehicle owners. Therefore there exists a need for an easy identification system of a parked vehicle with minimum cost that can be used by anyone that can also be fitted on to any type/make/model of two wheeler vehicles without any modification.

SUMMARY

[0004] In view of the foregoing, an embodiment herein provides a visual identification system adapted to be fitted to a two wheeler vehicle, the visual identification system including a housing adapted to be fastened to a first end of the two wheeler vehicle. The housing includes a main frame, a tube assembly and a spring. The visual identification system also includes a sheet coiled over a surface of the tube assembly and fixed to the housing at a first end of the sheet.

[0005] The sheet includes any of a printed image, a design, a text or an advertisement or a combination thereof enables a visual identification of the two wheeler vehicle. A hook is fixed at a second end of the sheet and is connected to a second end of the two wheeler vehicle, such that the sheet forms an angle ranging from 0 to 10 degrees with respect to the horizontal. The spring enables an unwinding of the sheet into the housing on the hook being detached from the second end of the two wheeler vehicle. The housing may further include a bobbin. The spring is attached to one side of the main frame and may be fixed to the bobbin and the bobbin restrains the spring within the housing. The housing may be one or more of a plastic enclosure, a metal enclosure, and the housing may include a universal adapter to suit any type of two wheeler vehicle.

[0006] The housing may further include an attachment to provide a lock for a helmet. The helmet is protected from elements of nature by the sheet.

[0007] In another aspect_^ a visual identification system to be fitted to a two wheeler vehicle is provided, the visual identification system including a housing adapted to be fastened to a first end of the two wheeler vehicle. The housing includes a main frame, a tube assembly and a spring. A sheet is coiled over a surface of the tube assembly and fixed to the housing at a first end of the sheet. The sheet includes one or more of a printed image, a design, a text or an advertisement to enable a visual identification of the two wheeler vehicle and at least one supporting rod coupled to a second end of the sheet adapted to support the sheet at an angle ranging from 10 to 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal. The angle can be adjusted to enable an easy identification of the two wheeler vehicle as well as to protect a seat and a petrol tank of the two wheeler vehicle from elements of nature.

[0008] In yet another aspect an apparatus adapted to be fitted to a two wheeler vehicle is provided. The apparatus includes a housing adapted to be clamped to a bar at a first end of the two wheeler vehicle. The housing includes a main frame, a tube assembly and a spring. A sheet is coiled over a surface of the tube assembly arid fixed to the housing at a first end of the sheet. The sheet includes one or more of a printed image, a design, a text or an advertisement. A hook is fixed at a second end of the sheet and connected to a bar at a second end of the two wheeler vehicle. The spring enables an unwinding of the sheet into the housing on the hook being detached from the second end of the two wheeler vehicle.

[0009] The sheet may be made of one or more of a flex (PVC), jute, a cotton fabric, and a synthetic material. The housing may further include an attachment to provide a lock for a helmet. The helmet is protected from elements of nature by the sheet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The embodiments of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0011] FIG. 1A illustrates a visual identification system fitted on to a two wheeler vehicle according to an embodiment herein; [0012] FIG. IB illustrates a visual identification system fitted on to a two wheeler vehicle according to an embodiment herein;

[0013] FIG. 1C illustrates a front perspective view of a visual identification system with an adjustable angle and a helmet attachment device according to an embodiment herein;

[0014] FIG. ID illustrates a back perspective view of a visual identification system with an adjustable angle and a helmet attachment device according to an embodiment herein;

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a exploded view of the visual identification system of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment herein;

[0016] FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of the visual identification system of FIG.1 A according to an embodiment herein;

[0017] FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of the visual identification system of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment herein; and

[0018] FIG. 3C illustrates a back view of the visual identification system of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment herein; and

[0019] FIG. 3D illustrates a side view of the visual identification system of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The embodiments of the invention and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the invention. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments of the invention may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments of the invention.

[0021] As mentioned, there remains a need for identifying a parked two wheeler vehicle in a parking place. The embodiments herein achieve this using a visual identification system with optional advertisement or graphical arrangements. Graphical designs and optional advertisements on the arrangement provides an easy identification mechanism for finding the specific two wheeler vehicle among a large number of parked vehicles in a parking place. This arrangement is universally suited for any type of two wheeler. The number of mechanical parts required for this arrangement is greatly reduced and it is easy to operate. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 A through 3D, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments of the invention.

[0022] FIG. 1A illustrates a visual identification system 100 according to an embodiment herein. The visual identification system 100 includes a housing 102, a clamp 104, a sheet 106, and a hook 108. The housing 102 is made up either of a plastic enclosure or a metal enclosure or a combination and is a physically exposed part of the visual identification system 100. The housing 102 is mounted over a first end (e.g., a rear end as shown in FIG. 1A) of the motor cycle and is fastened with a clamp 104. The clamp 104 may be made up of plastic and is attached to the housing 102. The clamp 104 is fixed on to a handlebar of the two wheeler vehicle at one end and the inner profile is designed to accommodate handlebars with different shapes and profiles. A first end of the sheet 106 is attached to the housing 102. The sheet may be made of one or more of a flex (PVC), a jute fabric, a cotton fabric, and a synthetic material. The sheet is positioned at an angle which may vary from 0 degree to 10 degree with respect to the horizontal.

[0023] The hook 108 is fixed at a second end of the sheet 106 and the sheet 106 is hooked to a handlebar at the other end of the two wheeler vehicle. In one embodiment, the outer surface (exposed area) of the sheet 106 may be graphically printed with advertisements 110 or designs of choice with various printing techniques to easily identify the two wheeler vehicle when parked in a parking place. In another embodiment, the sheet 106 provides protection to the two wheeler seat and the petrol tank from sunlight, dust, rain and other elements of nature.

[0024], FIG. IB illustrates a visual identification system 100 fitted on to a two wheeler vehicle according to an embodiment herein. The first end of the sheet 106 is fixed to the rear handlebar by a hook 112 and the second end of the sheet 106 is fixed to the hook 108 at the front handlebar of the two wheeler vehicle.

[0025] FIG. 1C illustrates a front perspective view of a visual identification system 100 with adjustable angle and a helmet attachment device according to an embodiment herein. The first end of the sheet 106 is fixed to the; housing 102 at the first end of the two wheeler vehicle, and the second end of the sheet 106 is fixed to the fear handlebar with 2 metal or plastic supporting rods 116. The second end of the sheet 106 may be attached to a first end of one or more supporting rods 116 by a hook. In one embodiment, the other end of the supporting rod 116 may be placed on a seat of the two wheeler vehicle and supported by the seat. In one embodiment, the sheet 106 provides shade and protection to the seat of the motor cycle and a helmet 114, when parked. The helmet 114 may be locked to a helmet lock attached to the housing 104.

[0026] The sheet 106 can be positioned at various angles to easily identify the two wheeler vehicle when parked in a parking place, and to provide protection to the two wheeler seat and the petrol tank from sunlight, dust, rain and other elements of nature. In one embodiment the angle is 10 degree to 90 degree, preferably 15 degree to 45 degree or 30 to 60 degrees, with respect to the horizontal.

[0027] FIG. ID illustrates a back perspective view of a visual identification system with adjustable angle and a helmet attachment device according to an embodiment herein.

[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the visual identification system 100 of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment herein. The housing 102 includes a main frame 202, a tube assembly 204, a bobbin 206 A, a bobbin 206B, and a spring 208. The main frame 202 may be made up of steel and integrated with the tube assembly 204 into the housing 102. The spring 208 is attached on one side of the main frame 202 and is fixed to the bobbin 206 A. The bobbin 206 A works as a rolling element and as a lock for the spring 208. The bobbin 206B is fixed to the tube through the center hole in the bobbin 206B within the main frame 202 and acts as a bearing for the tube assembly 204 on the other side of the main frame 202.

[0029] The spring 208 is attached to one side of the main¹ frame 202 and is fixed to the bobbin 206A, which restrains the spring 208 within the housing 102. The bobbin 206A may also work as supporting component for the tube assembly 204. The tube assembly 204 may coil the sheet 106 over its surface using the spring 208 energy to wind and unwind the sheet 106. The spring 208 is a tapered helical spring that is used for the release of the sheet 106 in and out of the housing 102. The spring 208 is made to work in the clockwise and anti-clockwise directions for the movement of the tube assembly 204 that in turn coils in and releases the sheet 106.

[0030] FIG. 3 A illustrates a perspective view of a visual identification system with a sheet assembly including a housing 102, a clamp 104, and a sheet 106 of FIG.1 A according to an embodiment herein. The sheet 106 is attached to the housing 102 using the main frame 202 and the tube assembly 204. The sheet 106 is made of at least one of a flex (PVC), a jute fabric, a cotton fabric, or a synthetic material. FIG. 3B illustrates a front view of a visual identification system with a sheet assembly including a housing 102, a clamp 104, and a sheet 106 of FIG. 1 A according to an embodiment herein.

[0031] FIG. 3C illustrates a back view and of a visual identification system with a sheet assembly including a housing 102, a clamp 104, and a tube assembly 106 of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment herein. FIG. 3D illustrates a side view of a visual identification system with a sheet assembly including a housing 102, a clamp 104, and a sheet 106 of FIG. 1A according to an embodiment herein.

[0032] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments of the invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments of the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Claims

I CLAIM:

1. A visual identification system adapted to be fitted to a two wheeler vehicle, said visual

identification system comprising:

a housing adapted to be fastened to a first end of said two wheeler vehicle, wherein said housing comprises a main frame, a tube assembly and a spring;

a sheet coiled over a surface of said tube assembly and fixed to said housing at a first end of said sheet wherein said sheet comprises at least one of a printed image, a design, a text or an advertisement or a combination thereof adapted to enable a visual identification of said two wheeler vehicle; and

a hook fixed at a^' second end of said sheet wherein said hook is adapted to be coupled to a second end of said two wheeler vehicle, such that said sheet forms an angle ranging from 0 to 10 degrees with respect to the horizontal, wherein said spring is adapted to enable an unwinding of Said sheet into: said housing on said hook being detached from said second end of said two wheeler vehicle

2. The visual identification system of claim 1, wherein said housing further comprises a

bobbin, wherein said spring is attached to one side of said main frame and is fixed to said bobbin and said bobbin is adapted to restrain said spring within said housing.

3. The visual identification system of claim 1, wherein said housing is at least one of a plastic enclosure, a metal enclosure or a combination thereof, and said housing comprises a universal adapter to suit any type of two wheeler vehicle.

4. The visual identification system of claim 1, further comprising

an attachment to provide a lock for a helmet, wherein said helmet is protected from elements of nature by said sheet.

5. A visual identification system adapted to be fitted to a two wheeler vehicle, said visual

identification system comprising:

at least one supporting rod coupled to a second end of said sheet adapted to support said sheet at an angle ranging from 10 to 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal.

6. The visual identification system of claim 5, wherein said angle can be adjusted to enable an easy identification of said two wheeler vehicle as well as protect a seat and a petrol tank of said two wheeler vehicle from elements of nature.

7. An apparatus adapted to be fitted to a two wheeler vehicle, said apparatus comprising: a housing adapted to be clamped to a bar at a first end of said two wheeler vehicle, wherein said housing comprises a main frame, a tube assembly and a spring; a sheet coiled over a surface of said tube assembly and fixed to said housing at a first end of said sheet wherein said sheet comprises at least one of a printed image, a design, a text or an advertisement or a combination thereof;

a hook fixed at a second end of said sheet and adapted to be coupled to a bar at a second end of said two wheeler vehicle, wherein said spring is adapted to enable an unwinding of said into said housing on said hook being detached from said second end of said two wheeler vehicle.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said sheet is made of at least one of a flex (PVC), ajute fabric, a cotton fabric, and a synthetic material.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising an attachment to provide a lock for a helmet wherein said helmet is protected from elements of nature by said sheet .