GB2217893A

GB2217893A - Hazard warning device

Info

Publication number: GB2217893A
Application number: GB8906451A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Hamm
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-04-25
Filing date: 1989-03-21
Publication date: 1989-11-01
Also published as: GB8906451D0; GB8809681D0

Abstract

A hazard warning device especially but not exclusively for use with stationary vehicles comprises an illuminated directional warning sign visually disposable on or in the trailing end of the vehicle in terms of the direction of oncoming vehicles, the device being operable by a self-contained battery and/or the vehicle battery. The directional warning sign is an arrow indicating the side oncoming vehicles should pass the stationary vehicle. The illuminated arrow sign is operated in a flashing mode, namely a sequential mode and/or an on/off mode. The device may be used with motor vehicle breakdown or roadworks.

Description

HAZARD WARNING DEVICE This invention relates to a hazard warning device for use especially but not exclusively with motor vehicles.

It is a well established fact that collisions not infrequently occur on motorways between vehicles parked on the hard shoulder, for whatever reason but usually a breakdown, and vehicles travelling along the motorway, usually but not always in the nearside lane.

Sometimes but infrequently a driver of the parked vehicle will position a hazard triangle rearwardly of his vehicle as a warning that his vehicle is stationary. However such hazard triangles, due mainly to their disposition at ground level, are often not noticed by oncoming drivers.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hazard warning device for use with a stationary vehicle which is not only highly visible but which provides guidance to drivers of oncoming vehicles.

According to the present invention there is provided a hazard warning device especially but not exclusively for use with stationary vehicles comprising an illuminated directional warning sign visually disposable on or in the trailing end of the vehicle in terms of the direction of oncoming vehicles, the device being operable by a self-contained battery and/or the vehicle battery.

Preferably the directional warning sign is an arrow indicating the side oncoming vehicles should pass the stationary vehicle.

Preferably the illuminated arrow sign is operated in a flashing mode.

The flashing mode is preferably a sequential one but may alternatively or additionally be an on/off one.

Preferably, the illuminated arrow sign is supported on a stand so that it can be arranged pointing either to the right or left of the stationary vehicle.

The hazard warning device is preferably in the form of a relatively flat plate to facilitate storage in, for example, a compartment or recess in the inside of the lid of the vehicle boot or bonnet depending whether the vehicle has a front or rear mounted engine.

It may, of course, simply be stored at any convenient vocation in the vehicle.

If the hazard warning device is operated from the vehicle battery then appropriate wiring and a plug connector will be fitted.

If the battery or batteries are self-contained then the hazard warning device may be of a rechargeable nature.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred hazard warning device adapted for fitment to a motor vehicle; and Figs. 2 to 4 are perspective views of modifications showing alternative way of rendering the hazard warning device free-standing.

In Fig. 1, the hazard warning device comprises a relatively flat casing 10 having a window 11 behind which and within the casing 10 is provided a directional arrow 12 constituted by one or more electric lamps.

The directional arrow 12 is two-headed 12A and 12B, or there may be two aligned directional arrows pointing in the same direction.

In the former case the left hand part up to and including head 12A is illuminated first followed by illumination of the full arrow including the head 12B but not the head 12A.

In the second case, the left hand arrow is illuminated first followed by the right hand arrow, the left hand arrow being extinguished.

The sequence is repeated continuously in both cases while the hazard warning device is operational.

Known electrical and/or electronic circuitry makes this sequential operation possible.

The electric lamp or lamps are powered from one or more electric batteries (not shown) contained in a battery compartment 13 of the casing 10. The battery or batteries may be of the rechargeable kind.

The lamp or lamps may also or alternatively be powered from the vehicle battery and for this purpose the lamp or lamps are electrically connectible to the vehicle battery by suitable wiring 14 and a connector 15 capable of being plugged into the vehicle cigar lighter socket (not shown). The wiring may, of course, be directly connectible by clamps or similar to the terminals of the vehicle battery.

The electric circuitry may incorporate a flasher unit.

In the case of a breakdown, the hazard warning device 16 may be disposed in the rear window 17 of the vehicle 18 by, for example, suction pads 19. It may, of course, be simply rested on a rear shelf or similar of the vehicle.

It may be seated on the vehicle roof, and, if a roof rack is fitted to the vehicle, it may be suitably secured thereto.

The hazard warning device 16 may be located on the ground rearwardly of the vehicle by a pivotal support flap 19 (Fig. 4) or detachable support stands 20 or 21 (Figs. 2 or 3).

The directional arrow may (see Fig. 2) be a simple illuminated arrow 22 with or without a flashing on/off mode achieved again with known electrical/electronic circuitry.

Whatever the nature of the support means provided the hazard warning device must be capable of being arranged with the illuminated arrow 12 pointed to the side of the immobile vehicle on which oncoming vehicles must pass.

The hazard warning device may also be used, inter alia, with roadworks, and references herein and the claims to "vehicles" should be construed accordingly.

Claims

1. k hazard warning device especially but not exclusively for use with stationary vehicles comprising an illuminated directional warning sign visually disposable on or in the trailing end of the vehicle in terms of the direction of oncoming vehicles, the device being operable by a self-contained battery and/or the vehicle battery.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which the directional warning sign is an arrow indicating the side oncoming vehicles should pass the stationary vehicle.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, in which the illuminated arrow sign is operated in a flashing mode.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, in which the flashing mode is a sequential one and/or an on/off one.

5. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 adapted to be mounted on a vehicle.

6. A device as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4 supported on a stand so that it can be arranged pointing either to the right or left of the stationary vehicle.

7. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 in the form of a relatively flat plate to facilitate storage in, for example, a compartment or recess in the inside of the lid of the vehicle boot or bonnet depending whether the vehicle has a front or rear mounted engine.

8. A device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 which is battery operated.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8 in which the battery or batteries is or are rechargeable.

10. A device as claimed in claim 8 in which the battery is the vehicle battery to which the device is directly connectible or is connectible via the vehicle cigar lighter.

11. A hazard warning device especially but not exclusively for use with stationery motor vehicles, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.