GB2433870A

GB2433870A - Signalling method and glove

Info

Publication number: GB2433870A
Application number: GB0525723A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Brough
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-17
Filing date: 2005-12-17
Publication date: 2007-07-11
Also published as: WO2007068981A2; WO2007068981A3; GB0525723D0

Abstract

A method of providing a signal to at least one individual comprises the steps of: ```locating a glove on a user's hand, wherein the glove is provided with a material for generating a visible signal and the material for generating a visible signal is hidden from view when the user's hand is closed; ```directing the user's hand towards the at least one individual; and ```repeatedly opening and closing the user's hand.

Description

Signalling Method and Apparatus

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a method of providing a signal, in particular to a method of providing a signal using gloves or other hand apparel bearing material for generating a visible signal.

Background of the Invention

Gloves bearing reflective elements can be used to increase visibility of a person's hand. This can be useful when signalling to other road users, especially at night, for example when a cyclist signals his intention to turn right or left as set out in the Highway Code.

Gloves bearing reflective elements have been suggested as ways to improve this situation. For example, US 1966822 describes a glove with a reflector on the back of the glove. When a cyclist extends their ann to indicate their intention turn right or left, the headlights of traffic behind the cyclist are reflected by the reflector on the glove rendering the cyclist's signal more visible to the traffic.

A flashing light similar to indicator or hazard lights on a car is more easily visible than a static reflected light. GB2397213 discloses a glove with a light emitting diode and an electric circuit within the glove. The light emitting diode can be made to flash on and off to act as an indicator for a cyclist.

Gloves using lights and electronics such as this require a source of power and are likely to be expensive to manufacture and potentially cumbersome to wear.

It would be desirable to provide a glove that can be used to provide a flashing signal that does not require any electronics.

Summary of the Invention

One aspect of the invention provides a method of providing a signal to at least one individual as specified in Claim 1.

A further aspect of the invention provides an item of hand apparel suitable for performing the method of providing a signal as specified in Claim 9.

The invention provides a simple and effective method of providing a flashing signal using a pair of gloves bearing material for generating a visible signal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

in the drawings, which illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention: Figures 1 and 2 show a cyclist signalling to following traffic by opening and closing the palm of a glove bearing material for generating a visible signal; and Figures 3 and 4 show a person signalling by opening and closing the palm of a pair of gloves bearing material for generating a visible signal.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

The method of signalling of the invention preferably uses a pair of gloves each bearing material for generating a visible signal on the palm of the gloves. The material for generating a visible signal may be a high visibility material or reflective material and may extend across the fingers of the glove. The material must be provided on the glove such that when the person wearing the glove makes a fist, all the material for generating the visible signal is hidden from view.

As shown in Figure 1, a cyclist may usc the gloves to signal to other cyclists, motorists or pedestrians.

With reference to Figure 1, the cyclist I wears a glove 2 on each hand. The glove 2 has reflective material 4 on the palm of the glove Figure 1 shows the cyclist I signalling that he intends to turn right by extending his right arm 3 out to the side in the usual manner. To signal to the vehicles behind him, the cyclist I turns the palm of the glove 2 towards these vehicles. The cyclist 1 then closes his fist as shown in Figure 2. To provide the signal the cyclist repeatedly opens and closes his right fist wearing the glove 2. Light from the headlights of the vehicles behind the cyclist 1 is reflected from the reflective material 4 on the palm of the glove when his fist is open. As shown in Figure 2, the reflective material 4 is hidden from view when the fist is closed, so when the fist is closed no light is reflected from the glove. Repeated opening and closing of the fist produces a blinking signal to the vehicles behind the cyclist, much like an indicator light on a vehicle. Using this method the cyclist can signal to other road users in the manner prescribed by the Highway Code, whilst also directing the palm of the glove 2 in the direction in which he wishes to provide an additional signal.

Pedestrians may also use the gloves, for example to provide a signal to other road users as shown in Figure 3. Like reference numerals are used to refer to like features.

Figures 3 and 4 show a person 5 wearing a pair of gloves 2 with reflective material 4 on each palm. In order to provide a signal to another person, the person wearing the gloves repeatedly opens and closes their fists in the direction of a light source as shown in Figure 4. The light source may be the headlights of oncoming traffic. As shown in Figure 4, the reflective material 4 is hidden from view when the fist is closed, and this repeated opening and closing of the fist produces a blinking signal to the oncoming traffic, much like hazard indicator lights on a car.

This method of signalling would be particularly useful after an accident to warn other road users of the danger ahead. The gloves are simple and inexpensive and can easily be carried in the boot of the car for use in such emergency situations, either by members of the public or by members of the emergency services.

The material for providing a visible signal on the gloves may be a high visibility fluorescent material to enable use during the day time. The method of providing the signal in this case is identical, but the gloves do not rely on a direct source of light such as car headlights.

Alternatively the gloves may comprise both fluorescent material and reflective material to enable use during the day or night.

The gloves may also be used to transmit a message to another person using Morse code. Morse codes uses a series of dots and dashes to represent letters of the alphabet. The dots and dashes could be communicated visually as a series of reflected light pulses by opening and closing the palms when wearing the gloves.

This method of signalling is of use in many other different situations. lor example, the method could be used by ground staff at an airport for manoeuvring aircraft or signalling to pilots. It could also be used aboard sailing craft.

l'he method of signalling is also very useful in situations where temporary signalling is required, for example when work is being carried out at the roadside. In these situations where temporary signalling is required, use of the method of the invention would be far cheaper and easier to implement than setting up a system of temporary traffic lights.

Ihe method of the invention is not limited to gloves but could equally be used with mittens or any other item worn on the hand.

The method of signalling of the invention uses items of hand apparel that are lightweight and simple to use without any need for a power source or complicated electronics. The signal provided by a flashing light signal is much easier to see than a static light signal, and a flashing signal can convey far more information. The colour of the material for generating a visible signal on the hand apparel can also be varied depending on the intended users.

Claims

Claims 1. A method of providing a signal to at least one individual

comprising the steps of: (a) locating a item of hand apparel on a user's hand, wherein the item of hand apparel is provided with a material for generating a visible signal and the material for generating a visible signal is hidden from view when the user's hand is closed; (b) directing the user's hand towards the at least one individual; and (c) repeatedly opening and closing the user's hand;
2. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the item of hand apparel is a glove.

3. A method as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the item of hand apparel is a mitten.

4. A method as claimed in any of claims I to 3, wherein the material for generating a visible signal is a high visibility material 5. A method as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the high visibility material comprises fluorescent material.

6. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the material for generating a visible signal comprises reflective material for reflecting light.

7. A method as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the material for generating a visible signal comprises fluorescent material and reflective material.

8. A method as claimed in Claim 6 or 7, wherein a light source is incident on the reflective material.

9. An item of hand apparel suitable for performing the method of any of claims I to 8, wherein the item of hand apparel is provided with a material for generating a visible signal and the material for generating a visible signal is hidden from view when the user's hand is closed.

10. An item of hand apparel as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the item is a glove.

ii. An item of hand apparel as claimed in Claim 9, wherein the item is a mitten.

12. An item of hand apparel as claimed in any of claims 9 to Ii, wherein the material for generating a visible signal is a high visibility material.

13. An item of hand apparel as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the high visibility material comprises fluorescent material.

14. An item of hand apparel as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the material for generating a visible signal comprises reflective material for reflecting light.

15. An item of hand apparel as claimed in any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the material for generating a visible signal comprises fluorescent material and reflective material.

16. A method of signalling substantially as shown in and described with reference to the drawings.