AU2013100165A4 - Safety trailer - Google Patents

Abstract

A safety trailer 10 having a traffic enforcement system 500 and a plurality of lights 400 adapted to signal a driver of a vehicle. The traffic enforcement system detects selected vehicles and record identifying information relating to the selected vehicles. The plurality of lights includes a set of police lights 410 and a set of traffic control lights 420. Typically, the safety trailer is used along a roadside worksite to improve traffic safety. 320 310 720 700 422 I* 610 600 22 222 162\2 14 1 2 8 C = )2 1 0 2 2 0 130 1015016t Figure 1

Description

P/00/012 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: "SAFETY TRAILER" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: SAFETY TRAILER FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a safety trailer. In particular, the invention relates, but is not limited, to a safety trailer including a plurality of lights and a traffic enforcement system for use along a roadside worksite. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION [0002] Reference to background art herein is not to be construed as an admission that such art constitutes common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere. [0003] The social and economic impact of road accidents are well publicised. All levels of government take various actions each year to improve road safety. [0004] A number of road accidents are caused due to speeding drivers or drivers who run red lights. Furthermore, a lack of concentration on behalf of drivers and pedestrians results in a number of accidents. To reduce the number of these accidents, Governments undertake various initiatives including reducing the speed limit in certain areas, setting up warning signs and implementing more speed cameras. [0005] Mobile speed cameras are vehicles fitted with speed camera equipment to catch speeding motorists. They are typically set up along the side of the road. Alternatively, a Police Officer may operate a radar gun along a road to catch speeding motorists. [0006] The capital costs of mobile speed cameras are quite high. For example, a new vehicle is typically fitted with speed camera equipment. Furthermore, in the case of a Police Officer operating a radar gun, both high capital and labour costs are incurred. That is, a Police Officer spends time waiting to detect a speeding vehicle, and subsequently pursue the speeding vehicle in a police vehicle.

-2 [0007] Roadside worksites are particularly high risk areas on roads. Along these roadside worksites, slow speed signs are typically displayed. Furthermore, a mobile speed camera or a Police Office operating a radar gun may be present. A Police Officer may also be required at a roadside worksite to warn people of potential hazards. To do this, the Police Officer may display their red and blue flashing lights. Displaying red and blue flashing lights typically causes motorists to slow down and pay attention. Again however, the use of the Police car and the labour of a Police Officer incur substantial costs. [0008] Traffic control personnel may be employed to regulate traffic through roadside worksites. Traffic control personnel are typically used when the flow of traffic needs to be intermittently stopped. When traffic control personnel are used to regulate traffic, they are placed on the side of the road with no barriers protecting them. This is a safety risk if a driver is not concentrating on the road and veers towards the traffic controller. As an alternative, mobile traffic control lights may be set up adjacent to a roadside worksite to regulate traffic. However, mobile traffic control lights are typically only used when traffic needs to be stopped on a consistent basis. Furthermore, an infringement notice is typically not issued to a driver who disobeys the red light of a mobile traffic light, unless a Police Officer is present to enforce such a rule. Having a Police Officer present again however, incurs costs. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0009] It is an aim of this invention to provide a safety trailer which overcomes or ameliorates one or more of the disadvantages or problems described above, or which at least provides a useful alternative. [0010] Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

-3 SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0011] In one form, although not necessarily the only or broadest form, the invention resides in a safety trailer, the safety trailer including: a chassis having at least one wheel; a tow structure connected to the chassis, the tow structure including a tow coupling; a plurality of lights; and a traffic enforcement system; wherein the traffic enforcement system and the plurality of lights are supported by the chassis; the plurality of lights are adapted to provide a signal to a driver of a vehicle; and the traffic enforcement system is adapted to detect selected vehicles and record identifying information relating to the selected vehicles. [0012] Preferably, the safety trailer further includes a safety platform. Preferably, the safety platform is adapted for a person to stand on. Preferably, the safety platform is supported by the tow structure. [0013] Preferably, the plurality of lights includes a set of police lights. Preferably, the police lights are red and blue. Preferably, the police lights signal when a road hazard exists near the safety trailer. Alternatively, or in addition to, the police lights signal when the traffic enforcement system has detected a selected vehicle. [0014] Preferably, the plurality of lights includes a set of traffic control lights. Preferably, the traffic control lights are adapted to regulate traffic passing the safety trailer. Preferably, the traffic control lights are red, orange and green. Preferably, the traffic control lights are pivotally mounted relative to the chassis. [0015] Preferably, the safety trailer further includes an anti-vandal cage. Preferably, the anti-vandal cage encloses and assists in protecting at least the traffic enforcement system and the police lights from vandalism.

-4 Preferably, the anti-vandal cage is supported by the chassis. Preferably, the traffic control lights are pivotally mounted on the anti-vandal cage. [0016] Preferably, the chassis has at least two wheels either side of a longitudinal axis of the chassis. [0017] Preferably, the tow coupling is located substantially along the longitudinal axis of the chassis. Preferably, the tow coupling includes a socket for receiving a tow ball. Preferably, the tow coupling further includes a locking mechanism to assist in locking the tow ball into the socket of the tow coupling. [0018] Preferably, the selected vehicle is a speeding vehicle. Alternatively, or in addition to, the selected vehicle is a vehicle which has disobeyed the red light of the traffic light. Preferably, the traffic enforcement system reports the selected vehicle to a central server, which issues an infringement notice to the driver of the selected vehicle for speeding and/or disobeying the red light. [0019] Preferably, a power source provides electrical power to at least the plurality of lights and the traffic enforcement system. Preferably, the power source includes a solar panel and a battery. Preferably, the anti vandal cage encloses the power source. [0020] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] By way of example only, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying figures, wherein: [0022] Figure 1 is a side view of a safety trailer according to an embodiment of the invention; [0023] Figure 2 is a top view of the safety trailer illustrated in Figure 1; and [0024] Figure 3 is an end view of the safety trailer illustrated in Figures 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0025] Figures 1 to 3 illustrate a safety trailer 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The safety trailer 10 includes a chassis 100, a tow structure 200, a power source 300, a plurality of lights 400, a traffic enforcement system 500, a safety platform 600 and an anti-vandal cage 700. [0026] The chassis 100 includes a body 120, two wheels 150 and a suspension system 160. The body 120 includes a front panel 122, two side panels 124, a rear panel 126 and a floor panel 128. The front panel 122, two side panels 124, rear panel 126 and the floor panel 128 are connected together to form a box shape. The body 120 also further includes four retractable stands 130. Two retractable stands 130 are located along each side panels 124. The retractable stands 130 assist in stabilising the safety trailer 10 on the ground, when the safety trailer 10 is not moving. [0027] The two wheels 150 are located either side of the longitudinal axis 12 of the safety trailer 10. The two wheels 150 are connected by an axle 152. The axle 152 is connected to the body 120 of the chassis 100 by the suspension system 160. The suspension system 160 includes two leaf springs 162. [0028] The tow structure 200 includes two beams 210 and a tow coupling 220. The two beams 210 are connected to the front panel 122 and the floor panel 128. The two beams 210 are substantially equal distance apart from the longitudinal axis 12 of the trailer 10. The two beams 210 extend out from the front panel 122 of the trailer 10. The two beams 210 converge and connect at a junction 212 along the longitudinal axis 12. The tow coupling 220 is connected to the two beams 210 at the junction 212. The tow coupling 220 has a socket 222 to receive a tow ball. A locking mechanism 224 in the tow coupling 220 assists in preventing the tow ball releasing from the socket 222. Tow balls are typically found on the end of a motor vehicle and are used -6 for towing trailers. Preferably, a jockey wheel 214 is also attached along one of the two beams 210, behind the tow coupling 220. [0029] The power source 300 includes a solar panel 310 and a plurality of batteries 320. The plurality of batteries 320 are located within the body 120 of the chassis 100 and supported by the floor panel 128. The solar panel 310 is located on top of the batteries 420 and supplies the batteries 420 with power. Alternatively, or in addition to, the power source 300 may include mains power or a generator. [0030] The plurality of lights 400 includes a first set of lights and a second set of lights. The first set of lights are in the form of police lights 410. The police lights 410 include a red light and a blue light. The police lights 410 run parallel to the horizontal axis 14. The second set of lights are in the form of traffic control lights 420. The traffic control lights 420 include a red light, an orange light and a green light. The traffic control lights 420 run perpendicularly to both the longitudinal and horizontal axis 12, 14. The police lights 410 and traffic control lights 420 illuminate towards the trailer coupling 220 in this embodiment. However, it would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the police lights 410 and traffic control lights 420 may illuminate in various directions including away from the trailer coupling 220. The traffic control lights 420 are pivotally connected to the safety trailer 10. That is, in this embodiment, the traffic control lights 420 are enclosed in a case 430 which is pin mounted at point 422 to the anti-vandal cage 700. The traffic control lights 420 may however, be located at other locations on the safety trailer 10 including the tow structure 200 via a pin mount. [0031] The plurality of lights 400 are controlled by a controller. The controller controls the police lights 410 and traffic control lights 420 to switch on and off. The controller may also be in communication with another controller on a separate safety trailer to determine what lights should be switched on and off. The plurality of lights 400 and controller are electrically powered by the plurality of batteries 320.

-7 [0032] The traffic enforcement system 500 includes a vehicle recording device in the form of a camera 520. The traffic enforcement system 500 detects selected vehicles. The camera 520 records identifying information relating to these selected vehicles. Typically, vehicles are identified by their registration number. The traffic enforcement system 500 is also in communication with a central server. The traffic enforcement system 500 is electrically powered by power source 300. [0033] The safety platform 600 is located between the tow coupling 220 and the front panel 122 of the safety trailer 10. The safety platform 600 is connected above and between the two beams 210 of the tow structure 200. A safety handle 610 is located adjacent to the safety platform 600. [0034] The anti-vandal cage 700 is supported by the chassis 100. The anti-vandal cage 700 encloses the power source 300, the police lights 410 and the traffic enforcement system 500. The anti-vandal cage is made of a metal mesh. The anti-vandal cage 700 may also include a water proof barrier. If needed, the anti-vandal cage 700 also has a secured cut out 710 to avoid obstructing the traffic enforcement system 500 detecting selected vehicles and recording information relating to the identity of selected vehicles. The safety trailer 10 may also include a wheel lock 720. [0035] Once the tow coupling 220 of the safety trailer 10 is connected to the tow ball of a vehicle, the safety trailer 10 can be transported and left by a particular roadside for use. [0036] In use, the police lights 410 of the safety trailer 10, may warn drivers that a hazard exists on the road near the safety trailer 10. Alternatively, or in addition to, the police lights 410 may signal that the traffic enforcement system 500 has detected a selected vehicle. [0037] Traffic control lights 420 regulate the flow of traffic past the safety trailer 10. The safety trailer 10 may also be in communication with another safety trailer to regulate the traffic along a common road. Furthermore, the -8 pivot mount of the traffic control lights 420 allows the lights to be folded away from an upright position. [0038] The traffic enforcement system 500 detects selected vehicles in the form of a speeding vehicle and/or a vehicle which fails to stop whilst being signalled by the red light of the traffic control lights 420. The camera 520 records identifying information relating to these selected vehicles. The traffic enforcement system 500 then reports the selected vehicle to the central server. The central server issues a traffic infringement notice to the owner of the speeding vehicle and/or the owner of the vehicle who failed to stop when signalled by red light of the traffic light 420. It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art however, that the infringement notice may be manually issued by a user, instead of the server, using the identifying information from the traffic enforcement system 500. [0039] The safety platform 600 is used as a platform for people, particularly traffic control personnel, to stand on. The safety handle 610 assists in climbing onto the safety platform 600. [0040] The anti-vandal cage 700 assists in protecting the power source 300, the police lights 410 and the traffic enforcement system 500 from vandalism. Furthermore, if the anti-vandal cage 700 includes a water proof barrier, it will assist in protecting the power source 300, the police lights 410 and the traffic enforcement system 500 from the environment. [0041] The advantage of using the police lights 410 is that drivers typically slow down and are more cautious when they see police lights flashing. This is due to a number of reasons including the fear of being fined for disobeying road rules or the fear of missing a Police Officer's instructions. Similarly, if the red and blue lights flash when the traffic enforcement system 500 detects a selected vehicle, typically a driver will slow down and be more cautious as they realise they have committed a road offence. [0042] The traffic control lights 420 may regulate traffic past the safety trailer 10 when necessary. The pivot mount of the traffic control lights 420 allows the traffic control lights 420 to be prominently displayed in an upright position during use; however, folded away for possible transportation purposes. [0043] The traffic enforcement system 500 detects speeding drivers and/or drivers who disobey the red light of the traffic control lights 420. Accordingly, when issued with an infringement notice from the central server, drivers will be more cautious on the roads in the future. Compared to current practices, the use of the safety trailer 10 is also an economical way to detect and record vehicles speeding and/or vehicles that run red lights at mobile traffic control lights. Currently, mobile speed cameras include a new vehicle fitted with speed camera equipment. A new vehicle is expensive. Comparatively, the safety trailer 10 includes the chassis 100 to transport the traffic enforcement system 500. The chassis 100 of the safety trailer 10 is simple in design and relatively inexpensive compared to a new vehicle. Furthermore, once the enforcement camera 500 is in operation, a user is not required to detect and pursue speeding vehicles and/or vehicles that run a red light. This is more cost effective compared to a Police Officer operating a radar gun or waiting for a driver to run a red light. [0044] The safety platform 600 can be used as an escape platform for people near the safety trailer 10. For example, if a traffic controller is regulating traffic adjacent to the safety trailer 10, the traffic controller may step onto the safety platform 600 to avoid a vehicle that may collide with them. This improves the safety of people working around the safety trailer 10. [0045] The anti-vandal cage 700 deters vandals from damaging and possibly stealing the safety trailer 10. As such, money is saved by not having to replace components on the safety trailer 10 or the safety trailer 10 itself. [0046] In this specification, adjectives such as first and second, left and right, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one element or action from another element or action without necessarily -10 requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order. Where the context permits, reference to an integer or a component or step (or the like) is not to be interpreted as being limited to only one of that integer, component, or step, but rather could be one or more of that integer, component, or step etc. [0047] The above description of various embodiments of the present invention is provided for purposes of description to one of ordinary skill in the related art. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to a single disclosed embodiment. As mentioned above, numerous alternatives and variations to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art of the above teaching. Accordingly, while some alternative embodiments have been discussed specifically, other embodiments will be apparent or relatively easily developed by those of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is intended to embrace all alternatives, modifications, and variations of the present invention that have been discussed herein, and other embodiments that fall within the spirit and scope of the above described invention. [0048] In this specification, the terms 'comprises', 'comprising', 'includes', 'including', or similar terms are intended to mean a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a method, system or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include those elements solely, but may well include other elements not listed.

Claims (5)

1. A safety trailer including: a chassis having at least one wheel; a tow structure connected to the chassis, the tow structure including a tow coupling; a plurality of lights; and a traffic enforcement system; wherein the traffic enforcement system and the plurality of lights are supported by the chassis; the plurality of lights are adapted to provide a signal to a driver of a vehicle; and the traffic enforcement system is adapted to detect selected vehicles and record identifying information relating to the selected vehicles.

2. A safety trailer according to claim 1 further including a safety platform, the safety platform adapted for a person to stand on.

3. A safety trailer according to either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the plurality of lights includes a set of police lights.

4. A safety trailer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of lights includes a set of traffic control lights.

5. A safety trailer according to any one of the preceding claims, the safety trailer further including an anti-vandal cage adapted to protect at least the traffic enforcement system.