GB2153061A

GB2153061A - Skips

Info

Publication number: GB2153061A
Application number: GB08334516A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Chester John Kelly
Original assignee: YELLASKIP Ltd
Current assignee: YELLASKIP Ltd
Priority date: 1983-12-29
Filing date: 1983-12-29
Publication date: 1985-08-14
Also published as: GB8334516D0; GB2153061B

Abstract

A skip (2) has integral lights (8) accommodated in a rim (4) around the top opening of the skip (2). Control circuitry for the lights (8) is also accommodated in the rim (4). The control circuitry causes the lights (8) to flash and controls when they are activated (for example, in response to fading available light). The skip (2) may be provided with a deflector device to deflect oncoming vehicles, such as motorcycles. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Skips This invention relates to skips for receiving waste material generated, for example, by building works.

Skips are containers which can be transported by specially equipped vehicles. Commonly, a skip is delivered to a user and left there, the vehicle then being free for other work. The user puts his waste in the skip and the loaded skip is later collected by the vehicle and taken away for disposal of the waste. It is frequently the case that the skip is left for use on a public highway, where it is a hazard to traffic, particularly at night. To reduce the hazard, it is often a legal requirement for suitable lighting to be provided on the skip during the hours of darkness, and this usually takes the form of paraffin lamps or, in rare cases, battery powered lamps which are separate from the skip and must be arranged around the skip by the user. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure that the lamps are lit at the appropriate times.However, such lamps are prone to theft and vandalism. Furthermore, paraffin lamps give only a very weak light and are easily blown out, for examply by passing vehicles.

According to the present invention there is provided a skip having a plurality of integral electric light units and circuitry for controlling operation of the lights.

Preferably, the circuitry includes means for causing the lights to flash on and off. This provides greater visual impact than lights which are continuously on, and also conserves power, normally provided by a battery. The circuitry may also include means for automaticily activating the lights in response to available light. Thus, the lights will become operative automatically as it becomes darker, and will automatically be turned off as it becomes lighter. This again conserves power and avoids the need for the user of the skip to remember to turn the lights on and off.

Skips are commonly open at the top, the opening being defined by a rim constituted by a hollow box section or by an inverted channel section. In a preferred embodiment in accordance with the invention, this rim accommodates at least most of the lights and the circuitry. Even the battery, if suitably designed, can be accommodated in the rim, but otherwise it can be accommodated in a pilfer-proof container rigidly secured to the skip. The lenses for the lights are preferably made from impact-resistant plastics material which is generally flush with the outer surface of the rim. Protective plates may be provided adjacent the lights in order to protect them from impact damage.

The present invention also provides, in combination, a skip and a deflector device mounted on the skip. The deflector device may be detachable from the skip. Preferably, the deflector device comprises a pair of bars, each of which is hinged to the other at one end. The other end of each bar can be pivotally connected to the skip, for example at opposite sides of an end wall of the skip at a position near the top of the skip, the hinged interconnection between the bars resting on the ground. The bars may be painted with a fluorescent coating to make them visible at night. Such an arrangement, as well as rendering the skip more visible, can serve to deflect vehicles, such as motorcycles, which might otherwise drive into the skip.

For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a skip; Figure 2 is plan view of the skip; Figure 3 is an end view of the skip; Figure 4 is a circuit diagram representing circuitry provided on the skip of Figs. 1 and 3; Figure 5 is side view of another embodiment of skip; and Figure 6 is a plan view of the skip of Fig. 5.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the skip comprises a container 2 having a reinforced hollow rim 4. Adjacent the rim 4, there are four attachment points 6 for engagement by lifting tackle of a vehicle for lifting the skip. The rim 4 comprises a hollow box section or a channel section which is open towards the bottom.

Six lights 8 are mounted in the outwardly facing wall of the rim 4. The lights comprise bulbs and reflectors which are accommodated within the rim 4, and lenses which are substantially flush with the outer surface of the rim 4. The lenses are made from impact resistant plastics material. Wiring for the lights 8 is accommodated within the rim 4 as is control circuitry (not shown in Figs. 1 to 3) and possibly a battery. In Fig. 1. a separate box 10 is indicated for receiving a battery.

Although, as mentioned, the lenses for the lights 8 are made from impact-resistant plastics material, further protection against impact damage is provided by cover plates 1 8 which are welded to the rim 4, one above each light 8. The positioning of the protective plates 1 8 is such that they do not obscure the visibility of the lights from the front and rear of the skip.

Fig. 5 represents control circuitry for the lights 8. The circuitry comprises a photosensitive switch 1 2 which operates to activate the circuitry if the ambient light falls below a predetermined level. Similarly, the switch 1 2 deactivates the circuitry when the ambient light rises above the predetermined level.

When the circuit is activated, timers 1 4 operate to supply control signals to switching transistors 1 6. When each transistor 1 6 is conductive, it supplies current to two of the lights 8. The lights 8 are thus flashed on and off in pairs, and the circuitry is such that the sequence of operation is such that each pair of lights 8 is on for 0.2 seconds and off for 0.5 seconds. This means that, at any one time, only one pair of lights is on, the other two pairs being off.

The system may be powered from a 6 volt motorcycle battery. By flashing of the lights as described above, and by automatically activating and deactivating the circuitry in response to ambient light conditions, the power consumption of the system can be kept low enough to enable it to operate for a fortnight or more without needing to recharge the battery.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate an additional feature which can be used with the skip of Figs. 1 to 3. The skip of Figs. 5 and 6 has a pair of hinge pins which are welded to an end wall of the skip at a location which is provided with reinforcing plates 22. The hinge pins 20 are provided at the top corners of the end wall of the skip. Each hinge pin receives a bar 24 which may, for example, be 75 mm x 50 mm channel section or box section steel. At their ends away from the hinge pins 20, the bars 24 are pivotally connected together. In use, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the inerconnected ends of the bars 24 rest on the ground, and each bar therefore extends upwardly from the ground and outwardly from the central longitudinal plane of the skip. The bars provide deflectors for vehicles which might otherwise drive into the skip.Thus, for example, a motorcycle approaching the skip from one end would be deflected either outwardly to one side of the skip or up and over the top of the skip, so reducing the likelihood that he would drive into the end of the skip which, with a fully loaded skip, would result in almost certainly fatal injuries.

For greater visibility, the bars 24 may have a fluorescent coating.

Although the bars 24 have been shown at one end only of the skip, it will be appreciated that a similar arrangement could be provided at the other end. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that the bars 24 can be provided on skips which do not have the lighting arrangement described with reference to Figs.

1 to 4.

The bars 24 can be easily removed from the hinge pins 20 and folded together to form a compact unit for storage.

Although skips can be manufactured with the lights and control circuitry already installed, it is also possible for the lights and the circuitry to be supplied for fitting to existing skips.

Claims

1. A skip having a plurality of integral electric light units and circuitry for controlling operation of the lights.

2. A skip as claimed in claim 1, in which the circuitry includes means for causing the lights to flash.

3. A skip as claimed in claim 1 or 2, in which the control circuitry includes means for automatically activating the lights in response to available light.

4. A skip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, which has an open top defined by a rim constituted by a hollow box section or inverted channel section, the rim accommodating at least most of the lights and control circuitry.

5. A skip as claimed in claim 4, in which lenses of the lights are flush with the surface of the rim.

6. A skip as claimed in claim 4 or 5, in which a battery for the lights is accommodated in the rim.

7. A skip as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which a battery for the lights is accommodated in a pilfer-proof container secured to the skip.

8. A skip as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which protective means are provided to protect the lights from impact damage.

9. In combination, a skip and a deflector device mounted on the skip.

10. A combination as claimed in claim 9, in which the deflector device is detachable from the skip.

11. A combination as claimed in claim 9 or 10, in which the deflector device comprises a pair of bars, each of which is hinged to the other at one end.

1 2. A combination as claimed in claim 11, in which the other ends of the bars are pivotally connected to the skip.

13. A combination as claimed in claim 11 or 12, in which the other ends of the bars are connected to the skip at opposite sides of an end wall of the skip at a position near the top of the skip, the hinged interconnection between the bars resting on the ground.

1 4. A skip substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in, Figs. 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

1 5. In combination a skip and a deflector device substantially as described herein with reference to, and as shown in Figs. 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.