GB2215450A - Collapsible warning device - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible warning device has a body structure composed of three coupling members--a base member (11), a left side member (12) and a right side member (13); each coupling member is integrally formed with a unilateral open section (111, 121, 131), and includes: a plurality of light supporting seats (20) each with a plurality of light receiving holes (21) respectively installed on the open sections (111, 121, 131) with a plurality of light emitting diodes (22) disposed in the light receiving holes (21); a power source (41) provided at the base member (11); a circuit board (43) with an IC flickering circuit disposed on the base member (11) and connected to the diodes (22); a power switch (42) connected with the power source (41) and the IC flickering circuit; a power socket (45) installed at an lower edge of the base member (11) and connected to the power switch (42); and a plurality of light reflecting members (30) separately connected to each member over the open sections (111, 121, 131). <IMAGE>

Description

COLLAPSIBLE WARNING DEVICE This invention relates to a warning device, and more particularly to a collapsible warning device capable of being positioned on the ground and emitting flashing light signals for the purpose of warning traffic.

When a vehicle has mechanical problems or encounters other specific situation that causes it to be stopped on or beside the road, the driver usually places a triangular warning frame, which is always carried in the vehicle, on the ground at a proper distance in front or at the rear of the vehicle, posing a warning to approaching vehicles. The known triangular warning frame generally includes a reflecting surface which, on being exposed to -a light beam of an approaching vehicle, will throw back the light to give a warning therefrom.

However, this kind of reflecting surface often becomes inefficient during fogs and starry nights. Moreover, if it is used on a mountainous or curving road, the light beam from an approaching vehicle cannot directly be cast onto the reflecting surface of the known triangular warning frame except at a very close range, often resulting in emergency braking and sometimes even a needless accident.

It is therefore a primary object of this invention to provide a collapsible warning device with flashing light warning signals to overcome the problems suffered by the prior art.

According to the present invention, this and other objects are achieved by providing a collapsible warning device which comprises: a collapsible body structure composed of a plurality of coupling members and movably combined in a triangular shape for being placed on a ground surface; an open section unilaterally formed in each one of the coupling members; a plurality of light supporting seats respectively installed in the respective open sections of the body structure with a plurality of light emitting diodes disposed therein; a power supply provided in the body structure; a circuit board having an IC flickering circuit means disposed therein provided in the body structure and electrically connected to each one of the light emitting means for effecting light flashing signals therewith; a power switch electrically connecting the power source and the IC flickering circuit means for turning on and off the light emitting means so that flashing light warning signals can be effected at any place and in any weather condition.

Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective and exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a collapsible warning device according to this invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment in combination; Figure 3 is a sectional view taken from the line A-A of Fig. 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment in collapsed condition; Figure 5 is a circuit diagram of the preferred embodiment; and Figure 6 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment attached on a reverse side of a car boot lid.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 5, the preferred embodiment of a collapsible warning device according to this invention mainly comprises a body structure 10 composed of three coupling members movably combined in a triangular shape, a plurality of light supporting seats 20 respectively installed in each one of the coupling members of the body structure 10, and a plurality of reflecting members 30 separately fixed on the body structure 10 over each one of the light supporting seats 20.

As shown in Fig. 1, the three coupling members of the body structure 10 include a base member 11, a left side member 12 and a right side member 13, and each one of the members is integrally formed in a similar trapezoidal-shape and provided with a unilateral open section 111, 121, 131 in the middle area. Each one of the light supporting seats 20 having a plurality of light receiving holes 21 unilaterally formed therein is fixedly installed in the respective open sections 111, 121, and 131 with a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) 22 disposed in each one of the light receiving holes 21, as shown in Fig. 3.

The base member 11 includes: a curved supporting leg 112 formed at each end of the longer lower side; a first set of hollow knuckles 115 situated at the left upright side; a second set of hollow knuckles 116 located at the right upright side; a primary battery compartment 113 with positive and negative conductors (not shown) disposed therein and respectively connected with a pair of electrical wires 44 horizontally provided at one end of the longer lower side for receiving a pluraltiy of dry batteries 41 serving as a power supply source thereat; a power socket 45 provided at a lower edge with power lines 44' coupled with electrical wires 44 for being connected to an external power source, such as the storage batteries of a car; a spare battery compartment 114 located at another end of the longer lower side for storing a plurality of dry batteries therein; a circuit board 43 having an IC flickering circuit disposed therein, as shown -in Fig. 5, electrically connected with all of the LEDs 22 in the light supporting seats 20 through electrical wires 44 installed in a wire channel (not shown) in one side of each member 11, 12, 13 (it shall be appreciated that the IC flickering circuit as shown in Fig. 5 is well known to those skilled in the art, detailed description of the circuit elements is omitted for brevity); and a power switch 42 provided at the longer lower side and electrically connected between the batteries 41 and the IC flickering circuit of the circuit board 43 through electrical lines 44 for effecting power control operations therewith (it shall be appreciated that power socket 45 is also under the control of power switch 42).

Referring to Figs. 1 and 4, in addition to the open sections 111, 121 and 131 and the light supporting seats 20, both left side member 12 and right side member 13 further include a left knuckle 122 and a right knuckle 132 (which can not be seen in Fig. 1) formed at each lower end for being pivotally connected with respective first and second sets of hollow knuckles 115 and 116 at the opposing upright sides of base member 11 through a pivot pin 14; a coupling flange 123 with a horizontal hooked end 124 formed at another end of the left side member 12; and a protuberance 133 with a horizontal slot 134 located at the other end of the right side member 13 for being connected to the coupling flange 123 of the left side member 12.In addition, a semi-circle opening 117 leading to the electrical wire channels (not shown) in the coupling members of the body structure 10 is provided at the opposing ends of the base member 11 and at each lower end of the left side member 12 and the right side member 13 for allowing a longer portion of the electrical wires 44 in the electrical wire channels (not shown) to be slackened or retracted thereat during the assembly and disassembly of the body structure 10, and a supporting member 50 movably connected to the bottom of the base member 11 for being used to support the body structure 10 in an upright position when it is placed on a ground surface during warning time.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the light reflecting plates 30, each preferably having a horizontal transparent portion integrally formed in the middle, are respectively installed on the body structure 10 over the respective light supporting seats 20 by means of either a glued connection or a screw connection with the transparent portion situated on top of the light emitting diodes 22 so as to be more conspicuous in effecting warning function.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 4 again, whenever, a warning is required, just connecting the upper end of the left side member 12 to the upper end of the right side member 13 of the body structure 10 by inserting the hooked end 124 of the coupling flange 123 into the slot 134, adjusting the supporting member 50 in a perpendicular direction to the body structure 10, and turning on the power switch 42, warning signals will flash from the light supporting seats 20 through all the light emitting diodes 22 (it is preferably a red light).

In addition, the reflecting plates 30 on the body structure 10 can also effect a warning function in a poor viewing area, particularly at night. When the warning is over, just turn off the power switch 42 and disengage the left side member 12 with the right side member 13 by taking the hooked end 124 out of the slot 134, and then, fold the left side member 12 over the upper side of the base member 11 and the right side member 13 over the lower side of the base member 11; the entire unit of the body strucuture 10 thus can be conveniently carried and stored in a vehicle.

Referring to Fig. 6, as the preferred embodiment is usually stored in the boot of a car, arrangement can also be made to detachably position the assembled preferred embodiment of the warning device in a holding arrangement provided on the reverse side of boot lid 100 so that whenever the boot lid is lifted up, same warning function will be effected as the warning device is positioned on the ground. In addition, for providing an external power source for the warning device, an external power socket 46, which is electrically coupled with the car power supply (not shown), is installed in a wall of the boot, and an electrical connecting cord 47 with a plug (not shown) at each end is connected with both sockets 45 and 46.Therefore, by turning on the power switch 42, external power from the car will be supplied to the warning device (it shall be noted that the warning device according to this invention can also be placed on a ground at the rear area of the car with the electrical connecting cord 47 being plugged in the power sockets 45 and 46 for supplying external power source during warning time).

Alternatively, the dry batteries 41 provided in the battery compartment 113 (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2) can be rechargeable batteries so as to ensur the availability of power source all the time.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention resides in the features as follows: 1. During bad weather and dark nights or on a curved road where vision is poor and the approaching vehicle's light beam is difficult to be directly thrown upon a warning device, the flashing light emitting diodes 22 can send out clear warning signals therefrom.

2. During fine weather and when visibility on a road in good, the preferred embodiment can be used as a conventional warning device without turning on the power switch 42.

3. The power source supplied by the dry batteries 41 according to this invention can continuously sustain the flashing warning for 12 hours, and, if required, the used batteries 41 can be replaced with the fresh batteries stored in the spare battery compartment 114 to provide a replenished power source for sustaining an additional 12 hours.

4. The body structure 10 can be easily assembled and disassembled for convenient usage and storage.

5. The power supply can be provided either internally (from dry batteries) or externally (from car power supply) with great convenience.

Having thus described the invention, it is to be understood that many embodiments thereof will suggest themselves without departing from the scope of this invention. Therefore, it is intended that the specification and drawings be interpreted as illustrative rather than in a limiting sense, except as defined in the appending claims.

Claims (5)

CLAIMS:

1. A collapsible warning device comprising: a body structure composed of a plurality of coupling members each having an open section unilaterally formed therein an- movably combined together for being quickly assembled in a triangular shape for performing a warning function and easily disassembled as a folded unit for storing purposes; a plurality of light supporting seats, each having a plurality of light receiving holes unilaterally formed therein, separately fixed in said unilaterally formed open sections with a plurality of light emitting means separately disposed in said light receiving holes for providing flashing light warning signals therefrom; and a plurality of light reflecting members each having a transparent portion horizontally formed in a middle area and a reflecting surface surrounding said transparent portion thereof respectively connected to said coupling members ove'r said unilateral open sections with said transparent portion situated over said light emitting means for radiating the flashing light warning signals and throwing back a light beam projected onto said reflecting surface of said light reflecting members from an approaching vehicle so as to effect a timely warning .function regardless of any weather and road conditions.

2. A collapsible warning device according to Claim 1 wherein said coupling members further comprise: a base member integrally formed in a trapezoidal shape and including a longer lower side having a curved supporting leg formed at each end thereof, a first and a second set of hollow knuckles separately located at a left and a right upright side for being served as a pivot joint thereat; a primary battery compartment provided at one end of said longer lower side for accommodating a plurality of dry batteries therein and serving as the power source of said body structure; a spare battery compartment provided at another end of said longer lower side for storing a plurality of dry batteries therein; a circuit board having an IC flickering circuit means disposed therein installed at said longer lower side and electrically connected to each one of said light emitting means through electrical wires for effecting light flashing operation therewith; a power controlling means provided at said longer lower side between the power source and said IC flickering circuit means through the electrical wires for turning on and off said light emitting means; an electrical connecting means installed at said longer lower side and electrically coupled with said power controlling means for being connected to an external power source; a left side member integrally formed in a trapezoidal shape and including a left knuckle located at a lower end for being pivotally connected to said first set of hollow knuckls of said base member through a pivot pin, and a coupling flange with a horizontal hooked end located at an upper end for making an engagement therewith; a right side member integrally formed in a trapezoidal shape identical with that of said left side member and including a right knuckle located at a lower end pivotally connected to said second set of hollow knuckls of said base member through a pivot pin, and. a protuberance with a horizontal coupling slot located at an upper end for being engaged with the hooked end of said coupling flange; and a supporting means movably installed at a bottom side of said base member for being used to keep said body structure in an upright position on a ground surface; thereby, said coupling members can be quickly assembled for providing flashing warning signals and easily disassembled as a folded unit for storing purpose.

3. A collapsible warning device according to Claim 2 wherein said base member further includes a pair of semi-circular openings respectively leading to an electrical wire channl therein provided at each lower end of said left and right upright sides for allowing the electrical wires to be slacked and retracted thereat during the assembly and disassembly of said body structure.

4. A collapsible warning device according to Claim 2 wherein said left and right side members further include a semi-circle opening provided at the lower end of each side member in conjunction with said semi-circular openings of said base member for allowing the electrical wires to be slackened and retracted during the assembly and disassembly of said body structure.

5. A collapsible warning device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanyIng drawings.