GB2407685A - Apparatus for indicating to a vehicle driver the correct side of the road on which to drive - Google Patents

Apparatus for indicating to a vehicle driver the correct side of the road on which to drive Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2407685A
GB2407685A GB0422727A GB0422727A GB2407685A GB 2407685 A GB2407685 A GB 2407685A GB 0422727 A GB0422727 A GB 0422727A GB 0422727 A GB0422727 A GB 0422727A GB 2407685 A GB2407685 A GB 2407685A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
road
drive
direction indicator
suction device
connecting member
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0422727A
Other versions
GB0422727D0 (en
GB2407685B (en
Inventor
David Michael Lander
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
LANDER INV S Ltd
Original Assignee
LANDER INV S Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by LANDER INV S Ltd filed Critical LANDER INV S Ltd
Publication of GB0422727D0 publication Critical patent/GB0422727D0/en
Publication of GB2407685A publication Critical patent/GB2407685A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2407685B publication Critical patent/GB2407685B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q9/00—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
    • B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
    • B60R2011/0005—Dashboard
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0001—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position
    • B60R2011/0003—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by position inside the vehicle
    • B60R2011/0026—Windows, e.g. windscreen
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
    • B60R2011/0049—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means for non integrated articles
    • B60R2011/005—Connection with the vehicle part
    • B60R2011/0056—Connection with the vehicle part using suction cups
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
    • B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
    • B60R2011/008—Adjustable or movable supports
    • B60R2011/0085—Adjustable or movable supports with adjustment by rotation in their operational position
    • B60R2011/0089—Adjustable or movable supports with adjustment by rotation in their operational position around three axes, i.e. universally mounted

Abstract

The apparatus comprises an arrow-shaped direction indicator 4, for reminding a driver to drive on the correct side of the road eg in a foreign country, and attachment means 6 for attaching the indicator 4 to the inside of the windscreen. The indicator 4 has first and second contact areas 16,18 which are spaced apart and which are for resting on the dashboard for increased stability. The attachment means 6 may comprise a suction device 22 connected to the indicator by a connecting member 24 which may include a ball-joint (26, figs. 5, 6) for adjustability. The indicator may carry instructions in different languages on respective sides.

Description

APPARATUS FOR INDICATING
THE CORRECT SIDE OF A ROAD TO DRIVE ON IN A COUNTRY
This invention relates to apparatus for indicating the correct side of a road to drive on in a country.
Different countries are such that vehicles drive on different sides of a road. The problem of a driver having to adapt to drive on the opposite side of a road applies to drivers of right hand drive motor vehicles designed for use in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and Ireland travelling in Mainland Europe, and vice versa where drivers of left hand drive motor vehicles designed for use in Mainland Europe are travailing in the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland and Ireland. Information signs on both sides of the Channel, written primarily in English, French and German, remind drivers to drive on the opposite side of a road from the country that they have just travelled from. The information signs are strategically placed at ports and terminals, and on roads leading away from the ports and terminals.
The problem of remembering to drive on the correct sloe OT a roan In a foreign country is one that can catch out even the most experienced of drivers. Once a driver has gained confidence at driving on what the driver will regard as being the opposite side of the road, it is very easy for the driver to have a momentary lapse of concentration and make a mistake.
The mistake can lead to accidents. Drivers need constantly to be reminded of the required side of a road to drive on in a foreign country. Drivers may do this by repeatedly telling themselves of the correct side of the road to drive on, or they may use a device for doing this.
One known device for reminding drivers of the correct side of the road to drive on in a foreign country comprises a sensor attached to a gear lever of a motor vehicle. When a driver of the motor vehicle changes gear, an audible reminder is activated to alert the driver to drive on the correct side of a road. Such a device is awkward to fit, is unsuitable for deaf drivers, and easily becomes irritating in constant use, thereby itself becoming an unnecessary distraction for the driver.
It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.
Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for indicating the correct side of a road to drive on in a country: which apparatus comprises a direction indicator for indicating the correct side of the road to drive on, and attachment means for attaching the direction indicator to an inside face of a windscreen of a vehicle; the direction indicator comprising an arrow having an arrow head, a shaft, and first and second contact areas which are spaced apart and which are for resting on a dashboard of the vehicle; the attachment means comprising a suction device and a connecting member which connects the suction device to the direction indicator; and the apparatus being such that in use the first and second contact areas and the suction device form a contact arrangement which stably mounts the apparatus in position.
The apparatus of the present invention can be mounted in the peripheral vision of a driver of a motor vehicle. The apparatus is then able to provide a constant reminder to the driver of the correct side of the road to drive on in the country in which the driver is driving. The apparatus of the present invention is not complex to manufacture and it is easy to install. The apparatus of the present invention is able to be stably mounted in position so that it does not tend to fall off the windscreen and dashboard of the vehicle, and so that it also does not tend to vibrate and thereby cause a nuisance to the driver and/or passengers of the vehicle.
Preferably, the direction indicator is a flat-sided direction indicator.
Other types of direction indicator may however be employed.
Preferably, the suction device is a suction disc. Other types of suction device may however be employed.
The apparatus may be one in which the connecting member is bendable so that the suction device is able to be positioned at a desired angle with respect to the direction indicator, whereby the direction indicator is able to be positioned at a desired upstanding angle on the dashboard of the vehicle. The direction indicator is thus able to be positioned so as to accommodate different visual requirements of different drivers, and also different windscreen angles on different vehicles.
The connecting member may comprise a joint for enabling the connecting member to be bendable. The joint may be a ball joint. There may be more than one ball joint. Thus, there may be two, three or more ball joints. Other types of joint for enabling the connecting member to be bendable may be employed.
Alternatively, the connecting member may be bendable by virtue of it being made of a material which bends and then stays in the bent position.
The bendable material may be a plastics material.
The apparatus may be one in which the first contact area is on the arrow head, and in which the second contact area is at an end portion of the shaft remote from the arrow head.
The first contact area may be a corner portion of the arrow head, and the second contact area may be a free end of an abutment member which extends outwardly from the shaft. The abutment member is preferably a leg but other types of abutment member may be employed.
The apparatus may be one in which the direction indicator includes instructions on one side to drive on the left side of the road, and instructions on the other side to drive on the right side of the road. The instructions to drive on the left side of the road may be in English, French and German, and the instructions to drive on the right side of the road may be in English only. Other languages and other ways of presenting the instructions may be employed.
The apparatus of the present invention may be made of various suitable and appropriate materials. Thus, for example, the direction indicator may be made from a hard plastics material. The suction device may be made from a plastics material or a rubber material. The connecting member may be made from a plastics material. Where plastics materials are employed, then the parts made of those materials will usually be moulded parts.
An embodiment of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows apparatus for indicating the correct side of a road to drive on in a country, the apparatus being in use and indicating that the right side of the road is the correct side of the road to drive on; Figure 2 is a view like Figure 1 but with the apparatus indicating that the left side of the road is the correct side of the road to drive on; Figure 3 shows in more detail the apparatus as shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows in more detail the apparatus as shown in Figure 2; Figure 5 is a side view showing the apparatus as installed with the direction indicator being at a first angle of inclination with respect to a dashboard of a vehicle; and Figure 6 is a view like Figure 5 but with the direction indicator being at a different angle of inclination with respect to the dashboard of the vehicle.
Referring to the drawings, there is shown apparatus 2 for indicating the correct side of a road to drive on in a country. The apparatus 2 comprises a direction indicator 4 for indicating the correct side of the road to drive on, and attachment means 6 for attaching the direction indicator 4 to an inside face 8 of a windscreen 10 of a vehicle.
The direction indicator 4 comprises an arrow having an arrow head 12, a shaft 14, a first contact area 16, and a second contact area 18. The first and second contact areas 16, 18 are spaced apart and they are for resting on a dashboard 20 of the vehicle.
The attachment means 6 comprises a suction device 22 and a connecting member 24. The connecting member 24 connects the suction device 22 to the direction indicator 4.
The apparatus 2 is such that in use, the first and second contact areas 16, 18 and the suction device 22 form a contact arrangement which stably mounts the apparatus 2 in position. Thus, during driving, the apparatus 2 is not inclined to fall off, and also does not vibrate and thereby possibly cause a nuisance to the driver and/or passengers of the vehicle.
The direction indicator 4 is a flat-sided direction indicator. The suction device 22 is a suction disc.
The connecting member 24 is bendable so that the suction device 22 is able to be positioned at a desired angle of inclination with respect to the direction indicator 4, whereby the direction indicator 4 is able to be positioned at a desired upstanding angle on the dashboard of the vehicle.
Figures 5 and 6 show two different upstanding angles. The connecting member 24 is bendable by virtue of being provided with a ball joint 26.
As best seen from Figures 3 and 4, the first contact area 16 is on the arrow head, and the second contact area 18 is at an end portion of the shaft 14 remote from the arrow head 12. As can also be seen from Figures 3 and 4, the first contact area 16 is a corner portion of the arrow head 12. The second contact area 18 is a free-end of an abutment member 28 which extends outwardly from the shaft 14. The abutment member 28 is in the form of a leg.
As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 2 is installed on a right hand drive vehicle having a steering wheel 30 and an interior rear view mirror 32.
In Figure 2, the apparatus 2 is shown installed on a left hand drive vehicle having a steering wheel 34 and an interior rear view mirror 36.
As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the ball joint 26 comprises a housing 38 and a ball 40. The housing 38 is formed on the suction device 22. The ball is formed on the connecting member 24. In Figures 3 and 4, the housing 38 and the suction device 22 have been omitted so that the ball 40 can clearly be seen.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiment of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings has been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the shape of the arrow formed by the arrow head 12 and the shaft 14 may be different from that shown. A different type of abutment member 28 may be employed. The direction indicator 4 may include instructions on one side to drive on the left side of the road, and instructions on the other side to drive on the right side of the road. The instructions to drive on the left side of the road may be in English, French and German. The instructions to drive on the right side of the road may be in English only. Other languages and other ways of presenting the instructions may be employed.

Claims (14)

1. Apparatus for indicating the correct side of a road to drive on in a country: which apparatus comprises a direction indicator for indicating the correct side of the road to drive on, and attachment means for attaching the direction indicator to an inside face of a windscreen of a vehicle; the direction indicator comprising an arrow having an arrow head, a shaft, and first and second contact areas which are spaced apart and which are for resting on a dashboard of the vehicle; the attachment means comprising a suction device and a connecting member which connects the suction device to the direction indicator; and the apparatus being such that in use the first and second contact areas and the suction device form a contact arrangement which stably mounts the apparatus in position.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the direction indicator is a flat-sided direction indicator.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the suction device is a suction disc.
4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the connecting member is bendable so that the suction device is able to be positioned at a desired angle with respect to the direction indicator, whereby the direction indicator is able to be positioned at a desired upstanding angle on the dashboard of the vehicle.
5. Apparatus according to claim 4 in which the connecting member comprises a joint for enabling the connecting member to be bendable.
6. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the joint is a ball joint.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which there is more than one ball joint.
8. Apparatus according to claim 5 in which the connecting member is bendable by virtue of it being made of a material which bends and then stays in the bent position.
9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the first contact area is on the arrow head, and in which the second contact area is at an end portion of the shaft remote from the arrow head.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the first contact area is a corner portion of the arrow head, and in which the second contact area is a free end of an abutment member which extends outwardly from the shaft.
11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the abutment member is in the form of a leg.
12. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the direction indicator includes instructions on one side to drive on the left side of the road, and instructions on the other side to drive on the right side of the road.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12 in which the instructions to drive on the left side of the road are in English, French and German, and in which the instructions to drive on the right side of the road are in English only.
14. Apparatus for indicating the correct side of a road to drive on in a country, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0422727A 2003-10-14 2004-10-13 Apparatus for indicating the correct side of a road to drive on in a country Active GB2407685B (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0324016A GB0324016D0 (en) 2003-10-14 2003-10-14 Driving indicator

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0422727D0 GB0422727D0 (en) 2004-11-17
GB2407685A true GB2407685A (en) 2005-05-04
GB2407685B GB2407685B (en) 2007-08-08

Family

ID=29559236

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0324016A Ceased GB0324016D0 (en) 2003-10-14 2003-10-14 Driving indicator
GB0422727A Active GB2407685B (en) 2003-10-14 2004-10-13 Apparatus for indicating the correct side of a road to drive on in a country

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB0324016A Ceased GB0324016D0 (en) 2003-10-14 2003-10-14 Driving indicator

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (2) GB0324016D0 (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2458124A (en) * 2008-03-04 2009-09-09 Paul Ivor Harper Double sided indicator for indicating which side of the road vehicle should be driven, in particular including indication of path to be taken round roundabout
GB2467531A (en) * 2009-02-04 2010-08-11 Benedetti Internat Ltd A display device for use in a vehicle
GB2598633A (en) * 2020-09-08 2022-03-09 Boyle Stephen Visual driving aid

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB183992A (en) * 1921-06-21 1922-08-10 John Downham Coward Improvements in traffic signalling devices
GB295121A (en) * 1927-07-25 1928-08-09 Harry Weinberg An improved direction-signalling device or indicator for use on or in connection with motor road vehicles
DE2455263A1 (en) * 1974-11-22 1976-05-26 Karl Hollerung Safety marking for windscreen or dashboard - to remind driver to give priority to traffic from right
NL8500078A (en) * 1985-01-15 1986-08-01 Louis Maria Hubert Johan Piste Route planning and following aid - has board with bores to insert symbol disc pegs with discs from lower rows placed in free upper rows to identify planned route
US5106003A (en) * 1990-01-16 1992-04-21 Mark Ma Vehicle tray table
GB2358073A (en) * 2000-01-07 2001-07-11 David Charles Marshall An apparatus and method for reminding a driver of a vehicle to drive on the correct side of the road

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB183992A (en) * 1921-06-21 1922-08-10 John Downham Coward Improvements in traffic signalling devices
GB295121A (en) * 1927-07-25 1928-08-09 Harry Weinberg An improved direction-signalling device or indicator for use on or in connection with motor road vehicles
DE2455263A1 (en) * 1974-11-22 1976-05-26 Karl Hollerung Safety marking for windscreen or dashboard - to remind driver to give priority to traffic from right
NL8500078A (en) * 1985-01-15 1986-08-01 Louis Maria Hubert Johan Piste Route planning and following aid - has board with bores to insert symbol disc pegs with discs from lower rows placed in free upper rows to identify planned route
US5106003A (en) * 1990-01-16 1992-04-21 Mark Ma Vehicle tray table
GB2358073A (en) * 2000-01-07 2001-07-11 David Charles Marshall An apparatus and method for reminding a driver of a vehicle to drive on the correct side of the road

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2458124A (en) * 2008-03-04 2009-09-09 Paul Ivor Harper Double sided indicator for indicating which side of the road vehicle should be driven, in particular including indication of path to be taken round roundabout
WO2009109772A1 (en) * 2008-03-04 2009-09-11 Paul Ivor Harper Indicator
GB2458124B (en) * 2008-03-04 2010-03-03 Paul Ivor Harper Indicator
GB2467531A (en) * 2009-02-04 2010-08-11 Benedetti Internat Ltd A display device for use in a vehicle
GB2598633A (en) * 2020-09-08 2022-03-09 Boyle Stephen Visual driving aid

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0422727D0 (en) 2004-11-17
GB2407685B (en) 2007-08-08
GB0324016D0 (en) 2003-11-19

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