GB2438680A - Light reflective element for dispersal over a loose surface - Google Patents

Abstract

The light reflective element 12, primarily for use on gravel drives, pathways and the like, comprises a body 20 comprised at least partially of a substantially transparent or translucent material. The body is at least partially manufactured from a vitreous or plastics material and the body or portions thereof may be clear or comprise one or more colours. The body may include a material which can be attracted to a magnet, preferably including one or more elements 24 formed of such a material which have a light reflective surface. Also claimed is a method for providing illumination for a loose surface.

Description

<p>P715363GB Illumination Method and Apparatus The present invention

relates to the illumination of surfaces and particularly, though not exclusively to the illumination of loose surfaces such as gravel pathways and drives.</p>

<p>It is known to illuminate the borders of both pathways and driveways so as to indicate after dark to a user the ongoing direction of the pathway or driveway. Typically the illumination is provided by a number of low level light sources such as lamps or the like. The lamps may be mains powered or be provided with a self contained power source such as, for example, a storage battery and solar cell arrangement.</p>

<p>Such lamps can fail to operate due to a number of factors including, for example, the interruption of the mains or self contained power sources or the failure of the lamp bulb. Lamps provided along the edge of a driveway may also be susceptible to damage from vehicles using the driveway.</p>

<p>According to a first aspect o the present invention there is provided a light reflective element for dispersal over a loose surface, the element comprising a body comprised at least partially of a substantially transparent or translucent material.</p>

<p>The element can be placed on or at least partially embedded into a loose surface and can subsequently reflect light which is directed upon the element.</p>

<p>The body may be manufactured wholly or at least partially from a vitreous material such as, for example toughened glass. In an alternative embodiment, the body many be manufactured wholly or at least partially from a plastics material, and particularly a toughened plastics material. The body or portion of the body manufactured from said vitreous or plastics material may be clear, single coloured or multicoloured.</p>

<p>In a preferred embodiment, the body includes a member of a material which can be attracted to a magnet. The body may include a plurality of such members.</p>

<p>According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing illumination for a loose surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of light reflective elements; dispersing said elements over a loose surface, and subjecting the loose surface to light emitted from a light source.</p>

<p>Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a side view of an illumination element according to an aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of an alternative illumination element according to an aspect of the present invention; Figure 3 shows a side view of a further alternative illumination element according to an aspect of the present invention; Figure 4 shows an illustrative representation of a pathway having illumination elements according to the present invention; and Figure 5 shows a side view of illumination elements being magnetically retrieved.</p>

<p>Referring firstly to figures 1 and 4, there is shown an illumination element generally designated 10. The element 10 is spherical and comprises a body 12 of unitary construction. The body 12 is formed from a substantially transparent or translucent material such as, for example glass or a plastics material. The body 12 is preferably formed from a toughened glass or plastics material so that the body 12 is resistant to breakage or becoming chipped, in use. The body 12 may be clear or coloured. In an alternative embodiment the body 12 may comprises a matrix of transparent or translucent members or elements which are retained by a binder material.</p>

<p>In use, a plurality of elements 10 are dispersed over a loose surface 14 as illustrated in figure 4. In the embodiment shown the loose surface 14 is a pathway. The pathway may be formed from gravel, pebbles, stone chippings, bark chippings or the like. The elements 10 either lie on the top of the loose surface 14 or partially embed themselves into the loose surface 14. it will be appreciated that the elements 10 may be initially dispersed onto the top of the surface 14 and many then subsequently embed themselves into the surface as the result of pedestrians using the pathway.</p>

<p>During daylight hours the elements 10 may not be noticeable, especially where they are manufactured from a clear or substantially clear material. After dark, however, the elements 10 act to reflect incident light, indicated by bulb 16, and hence illuminate the pathway as a whole. The elements 10 may reflect light emitted from a fixed light source such as, for example, a lamp provided at an elevated position above the pathway.</p>

<p>Alternatively, the elements 10 may reflect light emitted from a mobile light source such as, for example, a torch carried by a person walking along the pathway. Where the elements 10 are dispersed over a driveway, they may reflect light emitted from the headlights of a vehicle.</p>

<p>Figures 2 and 3 show two alternative illumination element embodiments generally designated 18 and 20. The element 18 of figure 2 comprises a substantially spherical body 12 which contains a member 22 of a material which can be attracted to a magnet.</p>

<p>For example, the member 22 may be manufactured from a ferrous material. The member 22 may in the form of an insert which is fitted to and retained within an appropriately shaped aperture or recess of the body 12. Alternatively, the member 22 may be incorporated into the body 12 during the manufacture of the body 12 by, for example, a moulding operation. The member 22 may have a polished or shiny exterior which, in use, reflects incident light. The element 20 of figure 3 comprises a substantially spherical body 12 which contains a plurality of discrete members 24 of a material which can be attracted to a magnet. As before, the members 24 may be manufactured from a ferrous material and incorporated into the body 12 during the manufacture thereof.</p>

<p>The inclusion of the members 22,24 enables the elements 1 8,20 to be retrieved from a loose surface 14 over which they are dispersed with the aid of a magnet. Figure 5 shows a magnet 26 of appropriate strength being moved over a loose surface 14 to remove illumination elements 18 of the type described with reference to figure 2. It will be understood that the strength of the magnet 26, the size and material of the member 22 and the height of the magnet 26 above the loose surface 14 will depend upon such factors as the mass of the body 12 within which the member 22 is contained and the nature and composition of the loose surface 14. Where the elements 18, 20 are dispersed over a wide area, the magnet 26 may be provided on a vehicle which can be moved over the loose surface 14 in a controlled maimer.</p>

<p>While the elements 10,1 8,20 described with reference to figures 1 to 3 are substantially spherical, it will be appreciated that other shapes, sizes and configurations for the elements may be employed. The nature and consistency of the loose surface may require an alternative shape so as to ensure that the elements become no more than partially embedded in the surface. Consideration will also need to be made as to what is intended to traverse the loose surface, in use. It will be appreciated that the shape of the elements must not cause damage to vehicles or pedestrians. It will further be appreciated that the design of the elements must als take into account child safety considerations.</p>

Claims (8)

1. <p>Claims 1. A light reflective element for dispersal over a loose

   surface, the element comprising a body comprised at least partially of a substantially transparent or translucent material.</p>

   <p>
2. 2. A light reflective element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is at least partially manufactured from a vitreous material.</p>

   <p>
3. 3. A light reflective element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is at least partially manufactured from a plastics material.</p>

   <p>
4. 4. A light reflective element as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body *.. * 15 or portion of the body is one of clear, single coloured or multicoloured. S...</p>

   <p>* ...
5. 5. A light reflective element as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body * : includes a material which can be attracted to a magnet.</p>

   <p>S **S</p>

   <p>
6. 6. A light reflective element as claimed in claim 5, wherein the body includes a S...</p>

   <p>*.: 20 member of a material which can be attracted to a magnet.</p>

   <p>*5I5SI * .
7. 7. A light reflective element as claimed in claim 6, wherein said member has a light reflective surface.</p>

   <p>8. A light reflective element as claimed in any of claims 6 or 7, wherein said body includes a plurality of members of a material which can be attracted to a magnet.</p>

   <p>9. A method of providing illumination for a loose surface, the method comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of light reflective elements according to any preceding claim; dispersing said elements over a loose surface, and subjecting the loose surface to light emitted from a light source. I. * . * *.* * SS * S</p>

   <p>* S* S *
8. S. * S S U.. S</p>

   <p>S S.. S...</p>

   <p>S I...</p>

   <p>* S.... * S</p>