Bicycle lighting systems and methods

Abstract

Systems and methods for providing adequate lighting and sighting for a bicycle are disclosed. A lighting system that includes an illumination ring configured to be coupled to a wheel is also disclosed. The illumination ring is configured to simultaneously project light forward and to the side of a front wheel and to project light rearward of and to the side of a rear wheel. The illumination ring may be mounted to or integrated with the bicycle wheel. Methods of controlling light sources on the illumination ring are also disclosed. The lighting system can include an inductor module 5320 for powering lights of the illumination ring.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A lighting system for a wheel of a vehicle, the lighting system comprising:
 a plurality of light emitting elements configured to statically couple to the wheel;   a controller coupled to the light emitting elements that controls each of the light emitting elements to operate between:
 a lit mode wherein the light emitting element projects light radially outward of the wheel when the light emitting element is within an arcuate area defined from a reference point, the arcuate area having an arc length of less than 360 degrees; and 
 a dim mode when the light emitting element is outside the arcuate area; 
   an electrical connector connecting the controller to the light emitting elements;   an induction element electromagnetically connected to the light emitting elements; and   an electromagnetic element electromagnetically connected to the light emitting elements, the electromagnetic element configured to translate relative to the induction element, and the electromagnetic element configured to produce a current at the induction element.