GB1604662A - Portable traffic warning triangle - Google Patents

Description

(54) PORTABLE TRAFFIC WARNING TRIANGLE (71) We, ARTHUR WILLIAM JOSEPH TOPLEY and DOROTHY MAY TOPLEY, both British Subjects, of The Gables, 505 Mapperley Plains, Nottingham do hereby declare the invention for which we pray that a Patent may be granted to us and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement; This invention relates to a portable traffic warning triangle and more particularly to portable traffic warning triangles which are adapted to be self-illuminating.

According to one aspect of the present invention a portable traffic warning triangle comprises a body in which are defined a plurality of illuminating zones, each zone being adapted to receive a respective light source and having at least one face formed from a light transmitting material, and the triangle also comprising an associated electronic circuit which is adapted to be connected to a source of electric current and is capable of switching electric current to said light sources to provide intermittent illuminating zones, for example, sequential or simultaneously.

The body of the triangle may take on a variety of forms but it is preferably of channel section defining the illumination zones and being adapted to be covered with the light transmitting material.

The electronic circuit may be adapted to be connected to an external source of electric current, e.g. a car battery, or it may be provided with a battery box to make it self powered.

One form of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing which is a perspective view with a part broken away of a warning triangle.

The unit comprises a body 10 which is of generally U-shaped cross-section and which is arranged in triangular form having three arms 11. Each of these arms is divided into a plurality of individual illuminating compartments 12 by means of dividing walls 13 which also tend to support the three channel-section arms 11.

In this particular embodiment the partition walls 13 are constructed from the same material as the arms 11 and may, for example, be produced integrally by injection moulding. Whilst in this embodiment the walls 13 are opaque it is envisaged that they can be made of transparent of translucent material, or, if desired, some or all of the partition walls may be omitted altogether.

The illuminating compartments 12 are is rigid and is faceted on its inner surface to increase the light distribution thereof. The cover 14 is secured to the body 10 by means of screws 15. An integral cover 14 is shown in the drawing but, if desired, individual covers for each arm or for each compartment may be employed.

Each compartment is provided with a lamp holder 16 having a lamp 17, each individual lamp holder 16 being connected to the control circuit by suitable cables which are arranged in a bundle as shown at 18.

The control circuit (not shown in Figure 1) is disposed within one of the compartments 12.

An inner triangle 19 having a surface of high light reflectivity is disposed within the arms 11 as shown in Figure 1. Each side member of the triangle 19 is of L-shaped cross-section and the triangle 19 is an interference fit into the triangle defined by the inner walls of arms 11.

The unit shown is self-powered and includes on its rear side a battery box 20 and a switch (not shown).

Details of a specific electronic circuit for use in conjunction with the road sign described above are given in Figure 2, the operation of which will be apparent to a person skilled in the art. Each lamp L1, L2, L3 is controlled by an associated transistor circuit and the rate of the sequential flashing is determined by variable resistors VRl, VR2, VR3 and capacitors C1, C2,C3.

It will be evident that this circuit can be modified if desired to achieve the desired effects, for example, it may be arranged to provide simultaneous switching of two or more lamps, or it may be arranged to provide sequential flashing so that a "running-light" or a "running-blank" effect is produced.

The warning triangle of the present invention may be manufactured relatively inexpensively and furthermore is extremely effective in use as the provision of, for example, the "runninglight" effect renders the sign considerably more obtrusive. It is therefore particularly suitable for use as a warning sign, for example, in the event of an accident. The warning sign is relatively small and light and can therefore be easily carried in the boot of a car. It is therefore particularly convenient for use as a portable warning sign by the emergency services.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A portable traffic warning triangle comprising a body in which are defined a plurality of illuminating zones, each zone being adapted to receive a respective light source and having at least one face formed from a light transmitting material, and the triangle also comprising an associated electronic circuit which is adapted to be connected to a source of electric current and is capable of switching electric current to said light sources to provide intermittent illumination of said illuminating zones.

2. A portable traffic warning triangle according to Claim 1, in which the illuminating zones are illuminated simultaneously.

3. A portable traffic waming triangle according to Claim 1, in which the illuminating zones are illuminated sequentially.

4. A portable traffic warning triangle according to any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the body is of channel section defining the illumination zones and is covered with the light transmitting material.

5. A portable traffic warning triangle according to any of Claims 1 to 4, in which the electronic circuit is adapted to be connected to an external source of electric current.

6. A portable traffic warning triangle according to any of Claims 1 to 4, which is provided with a battery box.

7. A portable traffic warning triangle according to any preceding claim, in which the body is moulded as an integral unit.

8. A portable traffic warning triangle substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. for use as a warning sign, for example, in the event of an accident. The warning sign is relatively small and light and can therefore be easily carried in the boot of a car. It is therefore particularly convenient for use as a portable warning sign by the emergency services. WHAT WE CLAIM IS:

1. A portable traffic warning triangle comprising a body in which are defined a plurality of illuminating zones, each zone being adapted to receive a respective light source and having at least one face formed from a light transmitting material, and the triangle also comprising an associated electronic circuit which is adapted to be connected to a source of electric current and is capable of switching electric current to said light sources to provide intermittent illumination of said illuminating zones.

2. A portable traffic warning triangle according to Claim 1, in which the illuminating zones are illuminated simultaneously.

3. A portable traffic waming triangle according to Claim 1, in which the illuminating zones are illuminated sequentially.

4. A portable traffic warning triangle according to any of Claims 1 to 3, in which the body is of channel section defining the illumination zones and is covered with the light transmitting material.

5. A portable traffic warning triangle according to any of Claims 1 to 4, in which the electronic circuit is adapted to be connected to an external source of electric current.

6. A portable traffic warning triangle according to any of Claims 1 to 4, which is provided with a battery box.

7. A portable traffic warning triangle according to any preceding claim, in which the body is moulded as an integral unit.

8. A portable traffic warning triangle substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.