GB2221025A - Safety device - Google Patents

Abstract

A safety device 1 comprises a plurality of light emitting means 4 presented at a surface of a housing 2, which contains a battery and electrical circuitry to energise the light emitting means 4, the housing being provided with straps 7 by which the safety device can be secured to a user of the device. <IMAGE>

Description

Title: Safety Device Description of Invention This invention relates to a safety device.

Safety devices which reveal to other persons the positions of wearers of the devices are well known and they are widely used by pedestrians, cyclists and mountaineers amongst others.

Such devices generally comprise highly coloured or reflective items of apparel, including for example reflective jackets and arm bands.

However reflective and brightly coloured materials, in order to be seen, require an external light beam to impinge upon them.

The present invention overcomes or reduces this disadvantage.

According to a first aspect of the invention I provide a safety device comprising at least one light emitting means and means releasably to secure said safety device to the arm of a user thereof.

The light emitting means may comprise at least one electrically powered light emitting diode or, alternatively, the light emitting means may comprise at least one electrically powered light bulb.

The light emitting means may be powered by at least one electrical cell.

Electrical means may be provided for energising the light emitting means intermittently so as to produce a flasing light but, alternatively, the light may be emitted continuously as long as an electrical cell is present in the device and an on/off switch, if provided, is positioned in the "on" condition.

A recess may be provided on a side of the device which, in use, lies adjacent the arm of the user to which the device is applied, the recess permitting of reception of said at least one cell and providing connection means for electrical connection to said at least one cell.

The releasable securing means may comprise one or more straps which provide one of either hook or loop means for releasable interfitting with a further part of the device which provides one of either loop or hook means respectively.

The device may be contoured so as comfortably and conveniently to fit next to the arm of the user thereof.

According to a second aspect of the invention I provide a device for emitting light comprising a generally flat housing provided with at least one light emitting diode on an outer face thereof, and strap means adapted for releasably securing the housing to the body of a user of the device, the housing also having a contoured inner face so as conveniently and comfortably to fit next to a part of the body of said user.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIGURE I is a perspective view from one side of the safety device according to the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view from the reverse side of the safety device shown in Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings a safety device I comprises a body 2 having a transparent face 3 beneath which are a plurality of sources 4 which are capable of emitting light.

The light emitting sources 4 are preferably set in a reflective surface.

The sources 4 preferably comprise a number of individual light emitting diodes but it will be understood that a single light emitting diode may be provided instead and, a single source capable of light emission may be provided instead of a plurality of such sources although, for optimum visibility, a plurality of such sources is preferable.

Alternatively a single electric light bulb or a plurality of electric light bulbs may be provided instead of or in addition to the light emitting diodes.

The light emitted from the sources is visible light.

The body 2 contains the electrical circuitry to convert electrical power from a cell (not shown) to light energy emitted at the sources 4. The electrical circuitry preferably is arranged to energise all of the sources simultaneously in an intermittent manner so as to provide a flashing light signal, or each of the sources, or each of several groups of sources, may be energised sequentially to provide a varying pattern.

A recess 5 is provided on a face 6 of the device which face 6 is presented in an opposite direction to the transparent face 3. The recess 5 permits of reception of a cell and provides connection means (not shown) for electrically connecting the cell into the electrical circuitry of the device.

It will be understood that a recess for the cell may, alternatively, be provided on any other face of the device.

The face 6 of the device is contoured comfortably and conveniently to fit adjacent a suitable part of the anatomy of the user thereof, preferably the upper arm of the user.

In the example shown the face 6 of the device is generally concave.

The device provides means 7 for releasably securing the device to a user thereof. The means 7 preferably comprise strips of intermeshing material such as "velcro" because this permits of rapid and simple securing and releasing of the device.

It will be understood that any other suitable means 7 such as belts and buckles may be provided instead.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (12)

1. I. A safety device comprising at least one light emitting means and means releasably to secure said safety device to the arm of a user thereof.
2. 2. A safety device according to Claim I wherein the light emitting means comprises at least one electrically powered light emitting diode.
3. 3. A safety device according to Claim I wherein the light emitting means comprises at least one electrically powered light bulb.
4. 4. A safety device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the light emitting means is powered by at least one electrical cell.
5. 5. A safety device according to any one of the preceding claims including electrical means for energising the light emitting means intermittently so as to generate a flashing light.
6. 6. A safety device according to any one of the preceding claims wherein a recess is provided in a side of the device which, in use, lies adjacent the body of a user of the device, the recess permitting of reception of said at least one electrical cell and having connection means for electrical connection to said at least one cell.
7. 7. A safety device according to any one of the preceding claims in which the releasable securing means comprises a strap providing one of either hook or loop means for releasable interfitting with a further part of the device which provides one of either loop or hook means respectively.
8. 8. A safety device according to any one of the preceding claims which is contoured so as comfortably and conveniently to fit next to a part of the body of a user thereof.
9. 9. A safety device substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
10. 10. A device for emitting light comprising a generally flat housing provided with at least one light emitting diode on an outer face thereof, strap means adapted for releasably securing the housing to the body of a user of the device, the housing also having a contoured inner face so as conveniently and comfortably to fit adjacent a part of the body of said user.
11. II. A device substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. 12. Any novel feature or combination of features disclosed herein.