GB2192017A - Illuminated warning triangle - Google Patents

Abstract

An illuminated warning triangle includes bulbs 22 for illuminating the triangle, by light transmission through a red perspex filter 20, and a lead of a length which allows the triangle to be positioned at a regulation distance behind a vehicle according to the length of or an indication on the lead thus allowing the triangle to be powered from the vehicle and spaced the correct distance from the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Warning device This invention relates to a warning device.

Triangular shaped warning device otherwise referred to as warning triangles are known.

Such triangles are used to indicate to road traffic that some obstruction e.g. a broken down vehicle or accident, is ahead. Such triangles may include a reflective or fluorescent surface, which enhances the visibility of the triangle, particularly at night.

It is a disadvantage of such triangles that thier effectiveness can be negated by the conditions in which they are used or by incorrect assembly and positioning by the user.

It is an object of the invention, therefore, to provide a warning device which alleviates such difficulties.

According to the invention there is provided a free-standing warning device adapted for carrage by a vehicle and to constitute a hazard indicator for the vehicle, which device comprises a light source means and a warning triangle, at least part of the triangle being arranged so as to be illuminated by the light source means.

Preferably, the device includes a lead for supplying power from a power source in a vehicle to the device, for powering the light source means the lead preferably being of a length for spacing the device a regulation distance from the vehicle.

According to the invention in a second aspect, there is provided a free-standing warning device comprising a warning triangle and a leand of a length such that the warning triangle is positionable a regulation distance from a vehicle, according to the length of or indication on the lead.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of the invention in use.

Figure 2 is a part-section view of the device shown in Fig. 1.

Figure 3 is a perspective view taken in view of the direction of arrow 3 in Fig. 2.

Figure 4 is a sectioned, enlarged view of a lead storage mechanism of the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 3.

Figure 5 is a side view of the warning device, showing a modification to the embodiment of Figs. 1 to 4.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, with Fig. 7 being a sectional view taken across the plane 7-7' of Fig. 6.

With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of the warning device of the invention is illustrated.

The warning device, generally designated 10, includes a warning triangle 12, pivotally mounted, by means of hinges 14, relative to a base member 16 so as to be movable between a storage position in which the triangle 12 is folded flat against the base member 16 and an assembled position, as shown in Figs.

1 to 3. Locking brackets 17 are provided, between the triangle 12 and the base 16 for retaining the triangle 12 in the assembled position.

The warning triangle 12 includes a frame 18 in which a red filter 20, formed from three section pieces of transparent red perspex, having a faceted inwardly facing surface, is inserted. Light source means comprising, for example, bulbs 22 is mounted, together with a concave reflector 24, between the frame 18 and filter 20.

The bulbs 22 are connectable to a power source by means of a power lead 26. The lead 26 is stored within one arm of base 16 and is, when stored, rolled upon a drum 28.

The drum 28 is pivotally connected to a casing 29, which is attached to base 16, and is biased, by a spring 30 for rotation in a direction which causes the lead 26 to be wound thereon. The drum 28 also includes a ratched mechanism (not shown) for locking the drum relative to the casing 29 against the bias of the spring 30 at a desired position.

The lead 26 preferably includes connectors 34 for attachment to a power point in a vehicle, which may be preferably, connected to a hazard light circuit of the vehicle, so that the bulbs will flash, in synchronism with the vehicle's indicators in use. The lead 26 also, preferably, includes a toggle 36 to prevent the lead 26 from being completely retracted into the base 16.

The triangle preferably includes a switch 38 in the power lead/bulb circuit, the switch being open when depressed and closed when wallowed to protrude from the base as shown in Fig. 2, and being biased into the protruding position, so that when the device is assembled, as shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the switch is automatically closed allowing power, though the lead 26, to be applied to the bulbs 22.

The lead 26 is preferably of a predetermined length, to allow spacing of the device a regulation distance (for example 20 metres) behind a vehicle. This predetermined length may be marked on the lead or the lead may only be extensible to a length which will allow the triangle to be place at the regulation distance. As regulation distances may vary from country to country, it is also preferably for the lead 26 to be marked in metres or yards, for example, by alternating in colour every metre or by providing graduations, so that the device may be accurately positioned at any regulation distance.

A modification of the triangle shown in Figs.

1 to 3 is illustrated in Fig. 4, which shows the triangle in the storage position. In this embodiment, three feet 40 are connected to the base 16 and each foot is provided with an inwardly directed recess 42 arranged so that the lead 26 may be wound around the feet 40 for storage, thus replacing the drum 28, spring 30 and ratchet mechanism.

Preferably the triangle 12 includes clips (not shown) disposed on the sides of triangular opening 21 for attaching a hazard warning sign to the triangle, the warning sign giving an indication of the nature of the obstruction ahead or indicating that a doctor or emergency service is/are required.

A further embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Fig. 6 in which the device includes a plurality of equilateral warning triangles 112, each pivotally supported relative to a base 116 by means of hinges 114 and locking brackets 117 so as to form an enclosed structure. A light source 118 is mounted within base 116, shich also includes means for storing a power lead as illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 (not shown). Each warning triangle is provided with a central lighttransmissible panel 150 formed for example, from perspex, the panel having a crazed pr faceted inner surface. In use, light from the light source 118 is refracted, and reflected by the pannel 150, to illuminate the device.

Although the device shown in Fig. 5 includes three warning triangles 112, it is to be appreciated that a device with any number of such triangles could be formed, for example a pyramid, using a square base.

The device is easily dismantable, because ofthe pivotal attachment of the warning triangles to the base, the triangles folding flat against the base when not in use.

Whilst the light source has been shown as a plurality of bulbs 22 the light source may be replaced by a single light source, fed by fibre optics to various positions behind the filter 20, or by one or more fluorescent tubes.

Also, the filter has been shown back-lit by the bulbs 22. It is, however, to be appreciated that the filter 20 may be edge-lit using fibre optics connected to one or more light sources. Also, the entire warning triangle need not be illuminated by the light source and, alternatively, a pattern of discrete illuminated sections may be employed.

Furthermore, the warning triangle may be provided with an internal power supply e.g. a battery attached to the base (16), with the lead being optionally provided, either as an alternative power supply connector and/or as a measuring wire.

Also, the measuring triangle has been described with a light transmissible portion, light from the light source being transmitted through the light-transmissible portion, this is not to be construed as limitative and a reflective or fluorescent triangle, with a suitably positoned light source, may be employed.

The warning devices described, when dismantled, may be stored in a suitably shaped container e.g. for flexible bag protection. The container, preferably, may be provided with a warning triangle or other hazard indication symbol, printed upon one surface so that, when the device is used, the bag may be attached to the back of the vehicle to provide an extra indication of the precise position of the hazard.

Claims (18)

1. A free-standing warning device adapted for carriage by a vehicle and to constitute a hazard indicator for the vehicle, which device comprises a light source means and a warning triangle, at least part of the triangle being arranged so as to be illuminated by the light source.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said at least part of the warning triangle is formed from light transmissible material and the triangle is arranged to be illuminated by the light source transmission of light from the source through the triangle.

3. A device as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the light source means is arranged to be powered from an external power source mountable in a vehicle.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 further comprising a lead for connecting the power source to the light source means, the lead being of a length such that the triangle is positionable at a regulation distance relative to the vehicle, according to the length of or indication on the lead.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a rotatable drum, resiliently biased so as to urge the lead to wind round the drum for storage and ratchet means, for holding the drum at a desired position.

6. A device as claimed in claim 4 further comprising a plurality of hooks, the lead being arranged to be wound around the hooks for storage.

7. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising support means, for supporting the triangle at a predetermined position relative to the ground.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7 wherein said support means includes a ground-engaging base, the warning triangle being pivotally mounted relative to the base so as to be movable between a stored position and an assembled position and at least one support member for holding the triangle in the assembled position.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 wherein the ground engaging base is of like perimetrical shape to the warning signal.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9 further comprising a switch for automatically connecting the power lead to the light source means when the triangle is in the assembled position.

11. A device as claimed in any one of the preceding claims further comprising at least one member bearing a hazard indication, the member being arranged to be disposed within the perimeter of the warning triangle.

12. A device as claimed in claim 2 or any claims as dependent thereon wherein the light source illuminates the triangle by edge-lighting the light transmissible part.

13. A device as claimed in claim 2 or any of claims 3 to 6 as dependent thereon further comprising at least two further warning triangles, the warning triangles being pivotally mounted relative to the base, the base being arranged to receive the light source means and being so formed that the warning triangles and the base form a substantially closed structure.

14. A free-standing warning device comprising a warning triangle and a lead of a length that the warning triangle is positionable a regulation distance from a vehicle, according to the length of or indication on the lead.

15. In combination, a warning device as claimed in claim 8 or any claim dependent thereon and a container for receiving the device when in the stored position wherein a surface of the container is provided with a hazard indication symbol and the container is arranged to be attached to the vehicle for display of the symbol.

16. A free-standing warning device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3 of the accompanying drawings.

17. A warning device as claimed in claim 16 modified substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 4.

18. A free-standing warning device substantiaily as hereinbefore described with reference to Fig. 5 of the accompanying drawings.