Abstract:
A velocity responsive lighting system for a vehicle provides a plurality of warning light means which are periodically illuminated in sequence for a period determined by the velocity of the vehicle. The system includes a plurality of magnetically responsive switch means and a plurality of magnetic field generating means, one of the pluralities being mounted on a rotatable member of the vehicle and the other being mounted adjacent thereto so that upon rotation of the member each of the plurality of magnetic field generating means is placed within the vicinity of one of the magnetically responsive switch means to cause the latter to be energized and thereby periodically energize each of the light means in sequence for a period determined by the velocity of the rotatable member. The system can further include battery means or electrical current generating means, or both with circuit means for alternatively switching therebetween, for energizing the light means. In the preferred embodiment, the vehicle is a cycle and the rotatable member is a spoked wheel on which the plurality of magnetic field generating means are mounted on spokes of the wheel to pass within the proximity of the magnetically responsive switch means mounted on a supporting member adjacent the spokes of the wheel.