GB2371322A

GB2371322A - Warning device for use by road users

Info

Publication number: GB2371322A
Application number: GB0030427A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Simon John Anthony Murray
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-12-13
Filing date: 2000-12-13
Publication date: 2002-07-24
Anticipated expiration: 2020-12-13
Also published as: GB0030427D0; GB2371322B

Abstract

The warning device, designed to be set up behind the rear of a broken down vehicle to warn oncoming drivers, comprises a warning triangle 10 and a set of substrates carrying different warning messages and which are arranged to be selectively displayed. The device preferably includes a base part to which the triangle is mounted with the selected message being displayed on the front portion of the base. The base part may form a storage box 20 in which the triangle can be stored, with the triangle being formed from three members which can be folded or disassembled prior to storing. The storage box may also be used to store a set of the message substrates which each comprise panels that have respective warning messages on their front and rear surfaces.

Description

Road User's Warning Device

The present invention relates to a warning device for use for road users.

Drivers commonly carry a warning triangle in their vehicles, which may be set up to the rear of the vehicle in the event of a breakdown to warn oncoming vehicles. Whilst this advance warning of a hazard is often very useful towards ensuring safety, it is of limited value because it is unable to inform the oncoming vehicles of the nature of the hazard: if this information were to be provided, it would help the drivers of the oncoming vehicles to decide upon the appropriate action to take.

I have now devised a warning device which overcomes the problems outlined above.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a warning device for road users, the warning device comprising a warning triangle and a set of substrates carrying different warning messages and arranged to be selectively displayed.

The user may select the message appropriate to the circumstances, e. g."TYRE CHANGE"in the event of a flat tyre being replaced, then display the respective substrate in position at the front of the warning triangle.

Preferably the warning triangle is mounted to a base part of the device. Preferably the selected message substrate is attachable to the front of the base.

Preferably the base forms a storage box into which the warning triangle may be stowed. Preferably the triangle comprises three members forming a frame structure, which can be disassembled or folded down for stowing in the storage box.

Preferably the storage box is further arranged to store the set of message substrates, which preferably comprise panels carrying respective warning messages on their front and rear

surfaces.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a view of a warning device in accordance with the present invention, set up to the rear of a road vehicle ; FIGURE 2 is a front view of the warning device when set up; FIGURE 3 is a side view of the warning device; FIGURE 4 is a rear view of the warning device, shown with its support rod removed; FIGURE 5 is an isometric view of the warning device; FIGURE 6 is a similar view of the warning device, shown with its triangle folded down and ready for folding into the storage box of the device; FIGURE 7 is a similar view of the warning device, shown with its triangle folded into the storage box of the device and with its warning sign being inserted into the storage box ; and FIGURE 8 is a similar view of the warning device once all of its components have been placed in the storage box and the lid of the latter has been closed.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a warning device for setting up on the road, typically some distance behind a vehicle which has broken down or otherwise been forced to stop. The device comprises a warning triangle 10 which, in use, extends upwardly from a base 20 of the device: the base 20 forms a storage box into which the triangle 10 folds when not in use. The device is provided with a number of panels e. g. P bearing different messages, appropriate to various vehicle breakdown circumstances: these panels are normally all held in the storage box 20 and the user is able to select the panel having the appropriate message and attach it to the front

of the storage box ; in the example shown, a panel with the message"TYRE CHANGE"is being used.

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the triangle 10 is mounted, along its bottom edge, to the top front edge of the base or storage box 20. A support rod 12 is provided, for supporting the triangle in a position where it is inclined slightly rearwardly: the rod 12 has one end which is engaged into a pocket on the rear of the triangle 10, near its top, the other end of the rod 12 resting on the ground to the rear of the base 20.

The triangle 10 is made up of three numbers lofa, lab, lac forming a frame-like structure. As shown in Figure 6, one side member lab of the triangle is arranged to fold down against the front of the bottom member lOa and then the second side member lac is arranged to fold down against the side member lab. Then, as shown in Figure 7, the three superimposed members of the triangle are arranged to fold rearwardly and into the storage box 20. Space is left, at the rear of the storage box 20, to accommodate the message panels P and the support rod 12. A cover 22 extends from the top rear edge of the storage box and is arranged to be brought into position across the top of the storage box and fastened in position at the front, as shown in Figure 8.

Claims

1. A warning device for use by road users, the warning device comprising a warning triangle and a set of-substrates carrying different warning messages and arranged to be selectively displayed.

2. A warning device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a base part to which said warning triangle is mounted.

3. A warning device as claimed in claim 2, which the selected message substrate is arranged for attachment to the front of said base part.

4. A warning device as claimed in claim 2 or 3, in which said base part forms a storage box into which said warning triangle may be stored.

5. A warning device as claimed in claim 4, in which said warning triangle comprises three members forming a triangular frame structure, which can be disassembled or folded down for storing in said storage box.

6. A warning device as claimed in claim 4 or 5, in which said storage box is further arranged to store a set of said message substrates.

7. A warning device as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said message substrates comprise panels carrying respective warning message on their front and rear surfaces.

8. A warning device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.