GB2398163A - Illuminated message display sign for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

An illuminated sign for a vehicle for conveying messages, either by text or logos, to other road users, in particular concerning the number of vulnerable passengers, e.g. children, babies or disabled people, on board, is described. It may consist of a printed translucent panel 1 of acrylic / pvc / plastic which is illuminated from behind by a series of LEDs 3 or bulbs 6. Alternatively it may be formed from an array of LEDs or it may be formed from a reflective piece of material. The sign may be powered by a battery 7 attached to the rear of the unit, by a connection to a cigarette lighter, or by menas of a permanent connection and a dedicated switch on the dashboard. It may be mounted to the interior or exterior of the vehicle by means of a magnet, suction cups 2 or permanent adhesive. The message may be illuminated upon braking.

Description

2398 1 63 ILLUMINATED CAR SIGN"

DESCRIPTION

Title: Illuminated Car Safety Sign Background: This Fling relates to the idea of an illuminated or reflective sign on any personal or public vehicle to warn other drivers, in dark conditions, of vulnerable passengers in the car. This encompasses young children and babies and would probably be rear or side window mounted.

Problem: There are, at present, several rear window mounted signs available, which carry messages such as Baby on Board" etc. Though these are a useful alert to other drivers in daylight hours, they are of reduced efficiency at night - where the other illuminated objects on the road take precedence. This presents drivers with vulnerable passengers from being afforded the appropriate lenience from other road Doers.

Solution: The object of this invention is to provide an illuminated/reflective sign (diagram 1), to raise the profile of a warning sign in the rear window of a vehicle carrying a vulnerable passenger. This would draw other drivers attention to the vehicle, even in difficult driving conditions.

Features: Essentially, the sign comprises of a programmable LED board (13) ; programmed to indicate various vulnerable passengers. Equally, the sign could be a piece of acrylic / pvc / plastic (1) upon which is printed a simplistic logo (8 -12) depicting the vulnerable passenger. E.g. a baby in a cot (11), etc. This could be illuminated from the rear by a series of leds/bulbs (3, 6). Another option would be the use of a suitably reflective material. Either unit would be powered by i) a rear mounted battery (7) ii) a cigarette lighter iii) directly wiring to car electrics and controlled by a dedicated unit on the dashboard / steering column. The unit could be fixed into the rear window by a magnetic pocket system / suction caps (2) as are other units of its type.

Another possible manifestation of the concept would be the incorporation of the warning message into the raised (third) brake light, to be illuminated upon braking. (13) A possible mode of the invention will now follow which will make reference to the accompanying drawings.

Claims (8)

1. First Claim - An illuminated sign, mounted in a vehicle - with a logo to indicate a vulnerable passenger (e.g. a baby/child) - illuminated by a series of LEDs / bulbs for use in difficult driving conditions / at night.
2. 2. A reflective sign as in claim 1 with a logo to indicate vulnerable passengers present.
3. 3. A programmable board of LEDs used as in claim to indicate vulnerable passengers present.
4. 4. A sign as mentioned in claim 1, powered by a battery attached to the rear of the unit.
5. 5. A sign as mentioned in claim 1, powered by a connection to the cigarette lighter /
6. 6. A sign as mentioned in claim 1, powered through a permanent connection to the car's electric system and controlled by a dedicated switch on the unit
7. 7. A sign as in claims 1 - 6, but controlled by a dedicated switch on the car dashboard/steering column
8. 8. A safety sign, fundamentally, as herein described and illustrated in the preceding drawings.