GB2445767A

GB2445767A - Illuminated car park space indicator.

Info

Publication number: GB2445767A
Application number: GB0523890A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Linda Long
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-11-24
Filing date: 2005-11-24
Publication date: 2008-07-23
Also published as: GB0523890D0

Abstract

A car park is provided with indicator to indicate whether a parking space or group of spaces is occupied by a vehicle or not. The indicators are responsive to the presence of a vehicle in the space. The indicator may comprise a light source whose state is controlled by a sensor, the sensor being responsive to the presence of a vehicle in the parking space. Such a system might utilise the lighting system already in place in a car park. Instead of a constant white light above every parking space, a light may be provided that changes to amber or green when the space becomes available. Alternatively the indicator may comprise a light source configured to illuminate an indicia in the absence of a vehicle in a parking space, and to cast a shadow (e.g. of the vehicle) on said indicia, which is preferably located in the ceiling, in the presence of a vehicle in a parking space.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS!N. AND RETING TO CAR PARKS

FieLd of the Invention

The invention relates to improvements in car parks, and especially to those car parks having a ceiling, e.g. mufti-storey car parks.

kground ft is a common experience to drive into a car park, and become very frustrated at the time and energy it takes to find a car parking space. From the low vantage point of a driver, it is difficult to see above the already parked cars to identify a free space. In addition to the frustration, it often leads drivers to choose the first space they find, causing inevitable delays for drivers following behind them.

LthJcjeon The invention provides a car park having indicators located above, or adjacent, parking spaces, to indicate whether an adjacent space, or group of spaces, is occupied by a vehicle, said indicators being responsive to the presence of a vehicle in said space or group of spaces.

Preferably, the indicator comprises a lighting unit whose slate (e.g. illuminated or not; or by colour of light) is controlled by a sensor, said sensor being responsive to the presence of a vehicle in a parking space.

Preferably also, the indicator comprises a light source configured to illuminate an indicia in the absence of a vehicle in a parking space, and to cast a shadow (e.g. of the vehicle) on said indicia in the presence of a vehicle in a parking space. More preferably, and where the car park has a ceiling, the indicia comprises a portion of the ceiling.

In any aspect of the invention, it is preferable that indicators are provided for individual parking spaces.

Included within the scope of the invention is means, relating to an essential element of the invention, suitable for putting or intended to put into practice the invention defined above.

In practice, the system might utilise the lighting system already in place in e.g. a multi-storey car park. Instead of a constant white light above every parking space, a light may be provided that changes to amber or green when the space becomes available. Therefore, instead of having to peer over the multitude of cars already parked to find a space, free spaces would be clearly visible to a motorist.

Systems for detecting the presence of a car in a parking space are known in themselves, and are in use e.g. to detect the arrival of a motorist in a so called "disabled badge" parking space. Similar technology may be implemented to trigger the change in a light when activated by a parking motorist, Implementation of the system would make e.g. shoppers a lot happier to park in multi-storey car parks, and would alleviate the congestion problems described above.

Claims

I

1. A car park having indicators located above or adjacent, parking spaces, to indicate whether an adjacent space, or group of spaces, is occupied by a vehicle, said indicators being responsive to the presence of a vehicle in said space or group of spaces.

2. A car park according to claim 1 wherein the indicator comprises a lighting unit whose state (e.g. illuminated or not; or by colour of Eight) is controlled by a sensor, said sensor being responsive to the presence of a vehicle in a parking space.

3. A car park according to either preceding claim and in which the indicator casts a shadow of the vehicle on the indicia.

S

3. A car park according to claim 1 wherein the indicator comprises a light Source configured to illuminate an indicia in the absence of a vehicle in a parking space, and to cast a shadow (e.g. of the vehicle) on said indicia in the presence of a vehicle in a parking Space.

4. A car park according to claim 3, wherein the car park has a ceiling, and the indicia comprises a portion of the ceiling.

5. A car park according to any preceding claim wherein indicators are provided for individual parking spaces.

6. Means, relating to an essential element of the invention, suitable for putting or intended to put into practice the invention defined in any preceding claim.

1p. CL.aqaans I4AVt &&V Pii.Eo A3 SS.L u.3: 1. A car park having indicators to indicate whether a parking space, or group of spaces, is occupied by a vehicle, each of said indicators being responsive to the presence of a vehicle in said space or group of spaces and comprising a light source configured to illuminate an indicia in the absence of a vehicle in a parking space, and to cast a shadow on said indicia in the presence of a vehicle in a parking space.

2. A car park according to claim 1, wherein the car park has a ceiling and the indicia comprises a portion of the ceiling.