GB2041606A - Warning devices - Google Patents

Abstract

A warning device suitable for use with a vehicle, vessel or other means of conveyance comprises a member 1 and means operable to initiate an audible or visual warning to the driver when the member approaches or contacts an obstruction. The member may contain a fluid-filled chamber cooperating with a pressure-sensitive switch. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to warning devices This invention relates to a warning device suitable for use with a vehicle, vessel or other means of conveyance.

Drivers of motor vehicles are frequently confronted with the problem of parking in a confined space between, for example, two parked vehicles and in certain cases it is difficult to estimate a distance between the vehicle to be parked and the parked vehicle or other obstruction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a warning device which will alert a driver to the fact that his vehicle is within a certain distance of another vehicle or an obstruction.

According to one aspect of the present invention the warning device comprises a member and means operable to initiate an audible or visual warning to the driver of the vehicle, vessel or other means of conveyance when the member approaches or contacts an obstruction. Preferably, the member is resiliently deformable. The device of the invention may be attached to, or constitute an integral part of, for example, a vehicle bumper over-rider, wing or door.

When it is desired to fit the device to a vehicle bumper which extends around the vehicle wings, the member may include preformed corner members which form a continuation of, or be separate from, the member and extend around at least a part of the vehicle wing forward or rearward if attached to the rear bumper of the vehicle. Preferably, the corner members have the same cross sectional shape as the elongate member.

Where the corner members form a continuation of the resiliently deformable members the latter member may include one or more notches or corrugations to facilitate mounting of the member around a vehicle wing.

The means for initiating the audible or visual warning may be mounted in the member and/or in each corner member. Alternatively, the said means may be mounted in a location remote from the member. The said means may be operated mechanically, electrically or pneumatically. In the case of the latter the or each member may include closed passages containing air at atmospheric or at a higher pressure and when the air pressure is changed, for example, when the member and, consequently, the passage(s) is/are compressed, the change in pressure actuates the said means.

The means may be an electrical switch of adjustable or fixed sensitivity and may be mounted in a resilient bellows unit. Such bellows unit may be mounted on the device to extend outwardly therefrom so that when depressed the switch is made or broken to initiate a warning signal. The means for initiating the warning may be connected in the ignition circuit of the vehicle so that the device is inoperable when the vehicle is unattended. The means for initiating the warning may have its own independent circuit. The said means may be connected in circuit with the vehicle horn and/or hazard or indicator lights thereby avoiding a duplication of audible warning systems.The use of an independent circuit has the advantage that where the device is fitted to a car and the car is unattended, the device would also operate as a collision warning device to drivers of other vehicles should they carelessly ram the car.

The resilient bellows may, if desired, be mounted at various strategic locations on the vehicle, for example, bumper over-riders and vehicle doors.

According to another aspect of the invention the resiliently deformable member includes two substantially parallel channels interconnected by a slot opening into each conduit and an electrical conductor mounted in each conductor, the arrangement being such that when the second member is distorted under for example an impact the two conductors touch each other to make an electrical contact and thereby trigger the warning device. Alternatively, the said second part may be formed with a single channel carrying a single conductor which upon impact makes electrical contact with one of a series of contacts housed within the second part.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a motor vehicle, it may also be used in conjunction with other forms of transportation such as motor cyles and boats.

Awarning device according to the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded perspective of the device; Figure 2 is a part cross-sectional external view of the device, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional end view taken on line AAof Figure 2.

Referring to Figure 1, a resiliently deformable member 1 made from a plastics material has a bore 2 which is sealed at opposite ends by end caps of which one, designated 3, is shown. At least one of the end caps includes a pressure relief device in the form of a plug 4 which fits tightly into a hole 5. The member 1 may be formed by a moulding or an extrusion process and includes integral longitudinal "L" shaped mounting lugs 6. The mounting lugs 6 are slidable in appropriately shaped channels 7 moulded or extruded in first part 3 of a two part support of which the second part is designated 9.

Further, end caps 10 (of which one is shown in Figure 1) slidingly co-operate with the first and second support parts 8 and 9 to close the support. To this end the cap 10 has a lug 11 which slides in channel 7. Fixing means such as a screw or bolt is inserted through holes 12, 13 for securing the warning device to, for example, a bumper or other part of a vehicle.

The second part 9 of the support is shaped at 14to conform with, for example, the exterior surface configuration of a motor car bumper. Thus, by simply changing the shape of the support part 9, the warning device of the invention can be mounted on the bumper, over-rider or other part of a particular model or range of models of a particular vehicle manufacturer.

,As indicated previously, the end caps 3 seal the bore 2 which forms an enclosed chamber which communicates with a pressure sensitive switch 15 via a conduit 16 and adaptor 17. Although the bore 2 and conduit 16 may contain a gas under pressure, it is preferred to rely upon air at atmospheric pressure and, in use, deformation of the resiliently deformable member 1 will cause an increase in the pressure of the air which will activate the pressure sensitive switch to initiate an audible or visual warning.

A device in accordance with the invention is particularly useful as a parking or reversing aid for motor vehicles. Furthermore, when used as a reversing aid, the electric wiring requirements are minimised because the pressure sensitive switch and visual/audible warning unit can be connected in circuit with the reversing lights of the vehicle which are located in close proximity to the rear bumper.

Claims (13)

1. A warning device adapted for attachment to a vehicle, vessel or other means of conveyance, the device comprising a member and means operable to initiate an audible or visual warning to the driver of the vehicle, vessel or other means of conveyance when the member approaches or contacts an obstruction.

2. A warning device according to claim 1 wherein the member is resiliently deformable.

3. Awarning device according to claim 1 wherein the resiliently deformable member includes at least one chamber containing a fluid, the pressure of which fluid is changed upon deformation of the member and wherein a change in the said pressure initiate the audible or visual warning.

4. A warning device according to claim 3 wherein the fluid is a gas or a liquid.

5. A warning device according to claim 4 wherein the gas is air at atmospheric pressure.

6. A warning device according to anyone of claims 3,4 or 5 wherein the audible or visual warning is initiated upon activation of a pressure sensitive switch.

7. A warning device according to anyone of claims 3 to 6 wherein the deformable member comprises a tubular body and two end caps sealingly attachable to the body to form an enclosed chamber.

8. A warning device according to claim 6 wherein the said chamber is sub-divided into a plurality of individual subsidiary chambers.

9. Awarning device according to claim 8 including a separate pressure sensitive switch associated with each individual subsidiary chamber.

10. Awarning device according to claim 7,8 or 9 including a support member for mounting the deformable member on the vehicle, vessel or other means of conveyance.

11. Awarning device according to claim 10 wherein the support comprises a first and second part, means for attaching the member to the said first part and means for attaching the first part to the second part, the second part having a shape corresponding to that of a substrate upon which it is desired to mount the device.

12. Awarning device according to claim 11 wherein the pressure switch is housed within the first part of the support and includes one or more sealed passageways in communication with the enclosed chamber(s) in the member.

13. Awarning device according to anyone of claims 3 to 12 including a pressure relief valve for venting the enclosed chamber or charnbers to atmosphere. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~