GB2499640A

GB2499640A - Portable, collapsible warning sign with housing

Info

Publication number: GB2499640A
Application number: GB1203214.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Lee Frisby
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-02-24
Filing date: 2012-02-24
Publication date: 2013-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-24
Also published as: GB2499640B; GB201203214D0

Abstract

A portable warning sign comprises a sign panel 34, at least one warning light 8 and a housing 3. The sign panel is movable from a position in which it is contained in the housing to a position in which it extends from the housing. The sign panel is preferably formed as a roller sign (Fig. 2) comprising a flexible panel attached to a spring loaded rotatable spool for automatically retracting the sign panel into the housing. A handle 36 may be provided for extending the sign panel. The warning lights are preferably formed from LEDs powered by rechargeable batteries. LEDs may also be incorporated into the sign panel. The sign may be mounted on a tripod type stand 68. The sign provides an effective warning sign for motorists.

Description

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An information sign

The present invention relates to information signs, more specifically, but not exclusively, to portable information signs capable of providing an effective 5 warning system for persons approaching the sign.

Information sign assemblies are generally used by the emergency services e.g. the police, fire and paramedic services or by roadside repair services e.g. the AA®, at the scene of a road incident as a means to warn the general public arriving on the scene about the incident.

10 Such assemblies generally consist of a stand formed from a durable material e.g metal (stainless steel) to which a sign-board can be removably attached. Such signs-boards are generally fabricated from plastic or metal and comprise information in the form of alphanumeric messages printed thereon e.g. "Slow Down" and/or "Accident".

15 Such information signs are generally assembled at the scene of an incident e.g. roadside crash/breakdown, whereby a user assembles the stand part, and attaches an information sign-board to the stand part using a fastening means.

One problem associated with such an arrangement is that the aesthetic quality of the information sign deteriorates over time. Such deterioration may be the 20 result of weather exposure, over use, and/or because of the conditions in which the assemblies are stored. For example, once disassembled, the sign-board and the stand parts are generally stored together in the boot compartment of a user's vehicle along with general kit required by a user e.g. spare-tyre, first aid kits, stretchers, lights, tool kits. If the sign-board is made from metal or plastic, 25 then the metal portion may become dented or bent from articles placed thereon whilst in storage; or the sign-board may become tattered from being repeatedly assembled/disassembled.

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When such deterioration is visible, persons are less inclined to take notice of such a damaged information sign. This can lead to dangerous situations, whereby drivers ignore 'SLOW DOWN' signs and do not slow down, thereby potentially causing further accidents and/or injury by proceeding at an unsafe 5 speed.

Furthermore, dirt particulates from weather exposure and/or the surroundings may cause the sign-board to become dirty to the extent that the information on the sign-board may become difficult to interpret. Such sign-boards may be ignored by the general public.

10 Additionally, sign-boards, which are easily separable from the stand tend to be misplaced or the target of thieves, so that when a sign is required at the scene of an incident it may not be available for use, thereby potentially leading to further injury.

If a fastening means used to secure the sign-board to the stand becomes

15 damaged, then then the sign-board will not be sufficiently secured when assembled, and there is a danger that the sign-board may become dislodged and become a danger to the public, e.g. to road users if the wind blows the signboard from the stand into the road.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a

20 portable housing comprising: a control circuit; a sign-board; and at least one warning signal, and wherein, in use, the sign-board is moveable from a first position, whereby it is contained within the housing, to a second position, whereby it is extended from the housing.

25 Preferably the at least one warning signal comprises at least one light element unit, wherein the at least one light element unit comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes, and wherein the housing is formed of a sign-board unit and a control unit.

30 Preferably, the sign-board unit comprises mechanical means for extending the sign-board from the sign board unit, and retracting the sign-board into the sign

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board unit, wherein the mechanical means is a cord pulley roller mechanism and/or wherein the mechanical means is a spring loaded roller mechanism and/or wherein the mechanical means is an automatic roller mechanism.

5 Preferably, the sign-board is fabricated from a durable, flexible material such as a plastics material, a fabric or combination of fabrics or a flexible electronics device, and wherein the sign-board is fabricated from nylon woven, vinyl, Tyvek, polyethylene and/or i2R e-Paper technology, and wherein sign-board light elements are integrated onto a surface of the sign-board, wherein the sign-10 board light elements are light emitting diodes.

Preferably, the sign-board is formed of first and second portions, wherein a first end of the first portion of the sign-board is attachable to the mechanical means and wherein a second end of the first portion is removably attachable to a first 15 end of the second portion by a fastening means, wherein the fastening means is a zip-fastener and/or wherein the fastening means is a button fastener and/or wherein the fastening means is a hook and eye fastener and/or wherein the sign-board comprises a series of alphanumeric characters arranged thereon.

20 Preferably, the housing comprises an aperture formed in a wall of the housing for displaying information representative of the alphanumeric characters on the sign-board when the sign-board is retracted inside the housing, wherein the housing is removably attachable to a stand by a stand attachment means, wherein the stand attachment means is a screw, a releasable latch, and/or a 25 pivot screw, and wherein the housing is permanently attachable to the stand.

Preferably, the height of the housing is adjustable relative to the stand by height adjustment means, wherein the stand is pivotabie relative to the housing, and wherein a battery powers the light element units.

30

Preferably, the control circuit controls emission of energy from the light element units, and wherein the battery is rechargeable by a recharging circuit.

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Preferably, a securing means, secures the sign-board relative to the stand, wherein the securing means is a closable strap such as a button strap and/or a hook and eye fastener strap, and wherein an aperture is formed on the housing through which the sign board extends.

5

Furthermore, there is provided a stand assembly comprising the housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing is attached to the stand, wherein, in use, the sign-board unit is located below the control unit signboard is in an extended state or wherein the housing is formed as a single unit.

10

Furthermore still, the stand assembly comprises a housing, having a roller sign mechanism and control circuit contained within; a sign-board attached to the roller sign mechanism; an aperture along a wail of the housing through which the signboard can be extended from the housing by a user; a handle by which 15 the user can extend the signboard from the housing; and at least one lighting element controlled by the control circuit and associated with the housing and wherein, in use, a user assembles the housing to the stand assembly using stand attachment means, wherein the sign-board is moveable from a first position, whereby it is contained within the housing, to a second position, 20 whereby it is extended from the housing, in the direction of a surface on which the stand is standing.

One embodiment of the invention wil! now be more fully described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which;

25

Figure 1a is a diagram showing a bottom-up perspective view of a sign-board unit of a portable information sign;

Figure 1b is a diagram showing a top-down perspective view of a control unit of 30 a portable information sign;

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a spring loaded roller mechanism located within the sign-board unit of Figure 1;

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Figure 3a is a diagram showing a perspective view of a housing of one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3b is a block diagram showing components of a control circuit of the 5 portable information sign of figure 4.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing a front view of an assembled portable information sign; and

10 Figure 5 is a diagram showing a rear view of the assembled portable information sign of figure 4.

Figure 1a is a diagram showing a perspective view of the underneath of a signboard unit 3. Figure 1b is a diagram showing a perspective view of the top of a 15 control unit 4. Each of the units 3 & 4 are elongated along the longitudinal axis so as to form a parallelepiped i.e. a rectangular shaped box. Each of the units 3 & 4 is formed of a material which is preferably durable, corrosion resistant and light-weight e.g. aluminium, plastic, nano-composite material, or any other suitable material. The units 3 and 4 comprise a hollow interior, and are suitable 20 for machining in a workshop e.g. using a drill/jigsaw such that electronic/mechanical components e.g. PCB control units/lights/sound alarms/batteries/roller mechanisms are securely retained within the housing, whilst the exterior walls 6 of each of the units 3 and/or 4 can be machined to form apertures 8, 9 on the outside of each of the units 3 and/or 4. A sign unit 25 aperture 11 is formed on the underside of the sign-board unit 3, whilst debris removal means 13 are provided along the length of the sign unit aperture 11. The operation of the debris removal means 13 is described in greater detail at Figure 2.

30 An internal spring loaded roller mechanism (not shown) is located within the sign-board unit 3. The internal spring loaded roller mechanism allows a flexible sign-board (not shown) which is attached and coiled around a longitudinal axis of the roller to be extended (uncoiled) from the roller mechanism and maintained

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at a desired extension point until it is retracted back (recoiled) into the signboard unit 3 and coiled around the longitudinal axis.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of a spring loaded roller mechanism 10. The 5 spring loaded roller mechanism 10 comprises a first tubular member 12 formed of a spring portion 14 and a decelerator portion 16. A second tubular member 18 is formed, such that the first tubular member 12 is locatable coaxially within the second tubular member 18. The spring portion 14 is attached to a spring bracket 20, whilst a pin end fitting 22 is attached to the decelerator portion 16. 10 The pin end fitting 22 is attached to a pin end bracket 24. Furthermore, the first tubular member 12 has formations 26 formed on its outer surface which are engageable with formations 28 formed along the inner surface of the second tubular member 18.

15 The spring portion 14 and the decelerator portion 16 provide controlled rotation of the first and second tubular members 12 and 18 in an anticlockwise direction around the longitudinal axes of the tubular members 12 and 18. The spring portion 14 and the decelerator portion 16 also provide restricted rotation in a clockwise direction around the longitudinal axis of the tubular members 12 and 20 18. However, movement in an clockwise axial direction is achievable in certain circumstances e.g. rotating the first and second tubular members 12 and 18 in an anti-clockwise direction with a force greater than a predetermined force temporarily removes the restriction on clockwise rotation of the tubular members 12 and 18, and the tubular members 12 and 18 can rotate in a clockwise 25 direction temporarily. Once rotation in a clockwise direction ceases, the restriction on clockwise movement of the tubular members 12 and 18 returns.

One surface of both the spring bracket 20 and pin end bracket 24 are provided with mounting apertures 30, for mounting the spring loaded roller mechanism 10 30 to the interior of the sign-board unit 3 (not shown) using fastening means 32 e.g. M4 x 16mm self-tapping screws.

In the present embodiment, a sign-board 34 is substantially planar, and may take any the form of any shape as required by a user e.g. square, rectangular,

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triangular. The sign-board 34 is fabricated from a durable, flexible material such as a plastics material, a fabric or combination of fabrics or an flexible electronics device. Such materials include e.g. nylon woven, vinyl, Tyvek, polyethylene and/or i2R e-Paper technology.

5

A sign-board 34 is securely attached to the outer surface of the second tubular member 18 using suitable attachment means e.g. adhesive, Velcro, screws, drawing pins. Using such flexible materials for the sign-board 34, the sign-board 34 can be coiled around the longitudinal axis of the tubular member 18 of the 10 spring roller mechanism.

The sign-board 34 also comprises a handle 36 and a weight 38 at its distal end. The handle 36, and weight 38 may be fastened to the sign-board by any suitable means, e.g. adhesive (epoxy), or mechanical means e.g. nuts and bolts. The 15 handle 36 allows a user to easily extend and retract the sign-board 34 from the roller mechanism 10. The weight 38 provides that a flexible sign-board is maintained taut whilst it is in an extended position due to gravity. The sign-unit aperture 11 of Figure 1a provides that the sign-board 34 can be extended from/and retracted into the sign-board unit 3 when the spring loaded roller 20 mechanism 10 is mounted within the sign-board unit, whilst the aperture 11 is formed such that the handle 38 is too large to pass through the aperture 11.

Figure 3a is a diagram showing a perspective view of a housing 40, of the portable information sign. Figure 3b is a block diagram showing components of 25 a control circuit 41 of the portable information sign.

The housing 40 is formed by securely attaching the sign-board unit 3 to the control unit 4. The units 3 and 4 are attached to each other, by a suitable secure fastening means e.g. whereby 8 x apertures (not shown) are provided 30 through a top surface of the sign board unit 3 and a bottom surface of the control unit 4, such that when the sign-board unit 3 and the control unit 4 are located adjacent each other for attachment to each other, the apertures will be adjacent each other such that the sign-board unit 3 and the control unit 4 can be securely retained relative to each other using nuts and bolts through the apertures or any

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other suitable securing means e.g. adhesive, nuts and bolts and/or screws. It will be appreciated that any number of apertures could be used to secure the two units 3 and 4 relative to each other.

5 The control unit 4 comprises an opening 42. The opening 42 is closable by means of a door 44, which in the present embodiment is attached to the control unit by hinges 46. The door 44 has a first-part of a fastening means 48 located thereon, which is engageable with a second-part of the fastening means 50, which is located on a wall of the control unit 4. When engaged with each other, 10 the first and second parts 48 & 50 of the fastening means ensure that the door 44 remains closed. Such engageable fastening means may be magnetic catches, toggle lockable latch, door locks. As will be also be appreciated, although the housing 40 is capable of being fabricated without any significant ingress protection against dirt and moisture, it is preferable for the present 15 invention that at least the control unit 4 has an ingress protection rating of IP65 or greater, which will provide protection against ingress of dust particles and water jets. Such ingress protection is achievable for example, by covering and seating the apertures 8 with water resistant material, and/or providing EPDM seal strips between the opening 42 and door 44 such that no gap is present 20 between the opening 42 and the door 44. The apertures 8 may be covered with a transparent material 55 e.g. glass, which is secured to the exterior wall 6 of the control unit 4 using a suitable adhesive e.g. DYMAX Light-Weld® UV curable glass bond.

25 In the present embodiment a control circuit 41 comprises two 12V, 6W light elements 52 and 53 each comprising a plurality of strobe light emitting diodes (LEDs), which are located within the control unit 4 in proximity to the apertures 8, such that light energy from the light elements 52, 53 radiates through the apertures 8 when the light elements 52, 53 are turned on. In the present 30 embodiment, one of the light elements 52 comprises blue strobe LEDs, whilst the second LED element 53 comprises red strobe LEDs. However, it will be appreciated that any colour, number or variation of coloured LEDs could be used depending on the requirements of a user. It will be seen, therefore, that the light elements may be of any type capable of emitting energy having

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wavelengths in the visible spectrum i.e. -390 to 750 nm e.g. lasers, organic-LEDS, incandescent bulbs, fluorescent bulbs, neon bulbs.

The control circuit 41 also comprises a control terminal 56, e.g. an HS-LED 5 controller module, which is used to control the light elements 52, 53 i.e. on/off and the frequency with which the light elements 52 and 53 are turned on/off. The control terminal 56 is communicable with a control switch 58 located on the exterior of the control unit 4. A Single Pole Single Throw SPST momentary push-button switch is used in the present embodiment. A power supply unit 54 10 e.g. 12V 1.2Ah rechargeable lead-acid battery (YJ69A) is located inside the control unit 4 and is used to power the light elements 52, 53 and associated circuitry.

Such a configuration allows a user to turn the light elements 52 and 53 on and 15 off, and to adjust the frequency with which the light elements 52 and 53 are turned on and off using the control switch 58. For example, when a user activates the control switch 58 by pressing the push-button switch, the control terminal 56 controls the light elements 52, 53 such that the light elements 52, 53 emit a constant light. If a user subsequently activates the control switch 58 a 20 second time by pressing the push-button, the control terminal 56 turns the light elements 52, 53 on in a flashing sequence. If a user activates the control switch 58 a third time by pressing the push-button, the control terminal 56 turns the light elements 52, 53 off. It will be readily apparent to a skilled person that different lighting sequences may be employed depending on the control terminal 25 56 which is used. Furthermore, different numbers and types of control switches 58 may be used other than the single push button as described above. For example, a plurality of toggle switches or SPST switches may be used to obtain the on/off/sequence functionality as previously described. Alternatively a switch may be turned on or off by the movement of the spring roller mechanism 10 or 30 by the extension of the sign-board, such that when the sign-board 34 is extended the lights turn on automatically.

A recharging means 57 enables the battery of the power supply unit 54 to be recharged. Such functionality is provided for example by way of a recharger unit

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63 located within the control unit 4 and connected to the battery, for example a PCB-S12UPS-3.0/12DC. The recharge unit 63 may be connected to a DC power source {not shown) by way of a cigarette lighter plug 60 which can be inserted into the 12V cigarette lighter socket which is standard on any modern 5 road vehicle. It will be appreciated that the recharging functionality could also be obtained using an AC mains input and a suitable AC recharger unit.

A first indicator 62 e.g. an led is provided on an exterior wall 6 of the control unit 4 to indicate when the battery's power is below a certain level such that a user 10 can connect the recharge unit to a power supply source. A second indicator 64 is provided on the control unit 4 to indicate when the battery is fully charged. As will be appreciated by a skilled person, any number of indicators could be provided to indicate different levels of charge remaining in a battery at any particular point in time. Furthermore, any combination of components and 15 circuitry can be located inside the control unit 4 to provide such functionality e.g resistors, capacitors, transistors etc. It will be seen that the control circuit 41 may be as complicated as required by a user to obtain the desired functionality e.g. it may be provided as 2 X AA batteries in series with a switch and a single LED light within the control unit.

20

Although the housing 40 has been described above as being formed by two separate units 3 and 4 securely attached to each other such that a sign-board 34 can be extended from the sign-board unit 3 without interference from the control unit 4. However, it will be appreciated that the housing 40 could also be 25 formed as a single unit, comprising all necessary components as described above therein. For example, a single housing formed from a suitable lightweight material e.g. aluminium and/or plastic could be used, whereby the spring roller mechanism is attached to the interior of the housing and, whereby a sign-board 34 attached to the spring roller mechanism 10 extends through an aperture in 30 the single housing. Furthermore, the control circuit 41 may be contained within the single housing such that it does not interfere with the mechanical operation spring roller mechanism 10.

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Figure 4 is a diagram showing a front view of an assembled portable information sign 66 having a sign-board 34 extended therefrom. Figure 5 is a diagram showing a rear view of the portable information sign 66. The housing 40 has a stand component 68 attached thereto.

5

In the present embodiment, the stand component 68 is formed as a tripod having leg portions 70, and grip portions 72. The stand component 68 provides stability for the portable information sign 66 when upright on a surface 69, whilst the grip portions 72, provide grip for the stand component 68 whilst upright on 10 the surface 69. It will be seen therefore that the grip portions 72 are formed from a rubber based material e.g. polypropylene or any other suitable material for providing grip.

The stand component 68 of the present embodiment comprises three leg 15 portions 70 and a body portion 71 (Figure 5 only). Both the leg portions 70 and the body portion 71 are formed of a plurality of tubular members 76 each having an outer diameter e.g. 38mm inserted into tubular members 78 of larger inner diameter e.g. 41mm, such that the tubular members 76 & 78 of the body and leg portions 71, 70 can be coaxiaily extended/retracted relative to one another. 20 Length adjuster means 80, located on the leg portions 70 and/or the body portion 71, allow the tubular member 76 & 78 to be retained relative to one another. Such length adjuster means 80 may be a screw-pin adjuster. For example, a threaded screw pin is inserted through a threaded radial axial aperture (not shown) formed on the tubular member 78 such that it abuts the 25 surface of the tubular member 76 thereby retaining the tubular member 76 relative to the tubular member 78 by friction when the threaded screw pin is turned in a clockwise manner. The tubular members 76, 78 may subsequently be released to move coaxiaily relative to one another when the screw pin is turned anti-clockwise. It will be seen that any suitable length adjuster means 30 could be used in the present invention to achieve the length adjustment functionality.

A securing mechanism 82 (Figure 4 only) is formed on the stand component 68 e.g. on one or more of the leg portions 70, such that it engages with the handle

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36. In the present embodiment, the securing mechanism 82 is a hook and eye securing strap, but may be a belt buckle or any suitable mechanical securing means.

5 When a user extends the sign-board 34 to an extended position, the sign-board 34 will be retained in the extended position through the functionality of the spring roller mechanism. However, the user can pass the velcro strap 82 through the handle 36 and secure the strap around the handle 36. This ensures that the wind does not adversely affect the structural stability of the flexible sign-board 10 34, i.e. the sign-board 34 remains taut whilst fully extended.

A stand securing portion 84 (Figure 5 only) is formed to retain the stand component 68 relative to the housing 40. In the present invention, the securing portion 84 is formed as a mounting plate 86 having a securing portion 88 formed 15 thereon. The mounting plate 86 is secured to the housing 40 by suitable fastening means 87 e.g. adhesive (epoxy), nuts and bolts and/or screws. The securing portion 88 is formed as a metal block having a cylindrical channel (not shown) is formed through its vertical axis. The cylindrical channel has a diameter which is greater than the outer diameter of the body portion 71, and is 20 capable of receiving the body portion 71 there-through. The mounting plate 86 and securing portion 88, are preferably fabricated from a durable, corrosion resistant lightweight material such as those used for the housing 40.

A securing means 90 retains the body portion 71 relative to mounting plate 86. 25 Such functionality can be achieved by a pin inserted through a horizontal aperture formed on the securing portion 88 and a radial aperture 92 formed in the body portion 71. A number of such radial apertures 92 can be formed along the length of the body portion 71 in order to adjust the height of the housing 40 relative to the surface 69. Any other suitable securing means known in the art 30 could also be used to secure the housing 40 relative to the body portion 71, It should be seen also that the stand component may be permanently attached to the housing 40, or may be removable after use. Furthermore, although the stand securing portion 84 of the present embodiment is formed to be attachable to a tripod stand, the securing portion 84 interchangeable, such that the housing

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40 may be secured to a various different objects which could feasibly function as a temporary stand for the housing 40. For example, part of the housing may comprise a magnet, such that in the absence of a tripod stand or the like, the housing 40 could be attached to a vehicle such that the vehicle functions as the 5 stand. Furthermore, the mounting plate 86 and securing portion 88 may be fabricated as a single construction. However, preferably, the mounting plate 86 and securing portion 88 are pivotally attached to each other by means of a pivot screw (not shown). Such pivoting functionality allows the stand component 68 to pivot relative to the housing 40, thereby reducing the overall form factor of the 10 portable information sign 66, which allows for efficient storage. Such functionality reduces the overall storage space requirements to store the information sign 66, and also provides for efficient assembly of the information sign 66 because all components of the information sign 66 are contained in a single unit.

15

Information 94, e.g. alphanumeric characters, may be applied to the surface of the sign-board 34 using any suitable technique e.g. inkjet printing and/or adhesion of materials. Furthermore, reflective material 96, for example 3M Scotchlite™ may be applied to the surface of the sign-board 34 to provide 20 reflective functionality to the sign-board 34. The reflective material 96 may also be applied to the surface of the sign-board 34 to form alphanumeric characters on the surface of the sign-board 34. Such reflective material 96 may be printed on or applied to the surface of the sign-board 34 with adhesive, or by thermal transfer.

25

Furthermore, light emitting features e.g. LEDs and/or other such electronic devices suitable for adhesion onto or integration into the flexible surface of the sign-board 34 may be applied to the surface of the sign-board 34 to form the alphanumeric characters on the surface of the sign-board 34 by, for example, 30 stitching and/or epoxy, such that they are controlled by the controller unit 56 and powered by the power supply unit 54. It will be seen that the light elements used for such purposes should have a small form factor such that they are capable of being extended from and retracted into the sign-board unit 3, through the aperture 11 and the debris removal means 13.

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It will be seen that the sign-board 34 can be formed of more than one portion, for example by a permanent portion 98 and a changeable portion 99, whereby a first end of the permanent portion 98 is securely attached to the outer surface of 5 the second tubular member of Figure 2, whilst a distal end of the permanent portion 98 is removably fastened to a first end of the changeable portion 99. The permanent portion 98 is fastened to the changeable portion 35 by way of a suitable fastening means 100 e.g. a zip fastener, Velcro fastener or any suitable fastening means that will not interfere with the extension/retraction of the sign-10 board 34 from/into the sign-board unit 3.

An aperture 9, covered with a transparent material 101 e.g. glass sealed to the exterior wall 6 using a suitable adhesive e.g. DYMAX Light-Weld® UV curable glass bond, is provided on the sign-board unit 3, such that when the sign-board 15 34 is fully retracted within the sign-board unit 3, an information tab 102 comprising information representative of the information within information portion 94 is visibie through the aperture 9. As such, a user can readily identify whether or not the sign-board within the housing 40 is suitable for that user's requirements without having to fully extend the sign-board 34 from the housing 20 40.

Furthermore, as described above in relation to Figure 1a, debris removal means 13 are provided to remove unwanted debris accumulating on the surface of the sign-board 34 whilst the information sign is extended. In the present 25 embodiment, polypropylene squeegee blades 13 are attached to the exterior walls 6 of the sign-board unit 3 along the lengths of the sign-unit aperture 11 using M3x16 screws, such that the squeegee blades 13 are in contact with the surface of the sign-board 34 as it is extended from, and retracted into, the signboard unit 3. In use, as the sign-board 34 is extended and retracted by a user, 30 the squeegee blades 13 remove dirt/debris/moisture from the surface of the sign-board 34. The squeegee blades 13 can then be wiped clean by the user after extension/retraction of the sign-board 34 is complete.

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In use a user assembles the stand component 68, either independently of the housing 40, or when the stand component 68 is attached to the housing 40. If the user assembles the stand component 68 independently of the housing 40, then the user will attach the housing 40 to the stand component 68 after the 5 stand component is assembled as described above.

When the housing 40 is attached to the stand component 68, the user then extends the sign-board 34 to an extended position by pulling the handle 36, which will be on the underneath of the housing 40 when the housing is attached

10 to the stand, from the housing 40 towards the surface 69. When the sign-board 34 is fully extended, the spring roller mechanism 10 retains the sign-board 34 in a fully extended position as described above. The user then secures the signboard 34 relative to the stand using the securing mechanism 82. The user may then activate the light elements 52 and 53 by activating the control switch 58.

15 Alternatively, the light elements 52 and 53 may be turned on automatically when the user extends the sign-board 24 from the housing 40. The control circuit 41 located within the housing 40 will control the light elements 52 and 53 as discussed above.

20 A tracking device (not shown) (e.g. a GPS trojan minitracker) may be added within the housing 40 such that if the housing 40 is stolen, the tracking device will provide real-time location data to a receiving device in order to enable the user or the police authorities to recover the housing 40. Any such device may be self-powered, or may be powered by the power supply unit 54.

25

An advantage of the present invention is that the portable information sign can be easily and efficiently stored in a vehicle, ready for assembly at the scene of an incident.

30 It will be appreciated that although only one particular embodiment of the invention has been described in detail, various modifications and improvements can be made by a person skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, although the use of a spring loaded roller mechanism has been described for extending and retracting the sign board, it

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will be seen that any suitable mechanism for extending a sign-board could be used e.g. a pull cord system, or automatic system, whereby the sign-board is extended/retracted by a user using a remote control, or whereby the user simply manually folds the sign board and stores it within the sign board unit. As mentioned previously, the sign-board unit and control unit could easily be formed as a single sign-control unit, or whereby the spring roller mechanism may be attached to the exterior of the control unit having the control circuit therein without being covered by a housing i.e. the brackets are securely attached to the control unit housing.

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Claims

Claims:

5 1. A portable housing comprising:

a control circuit;

a sign-board; and at least one warning signal,

and wherein, in use, the sign-board is moveable from a first 10 position, whereby it is contained within the housing, to a second position, whereby it is extended from the housing.
2. A housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one warning signal comprises at least one light element unit.

15
3. A housing as claimed in claim 2, wherein the at least one light element unit comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.
4. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing is 20 formed of a sign-board unit and a control unit.
5. A housing as claimed in claim 4, wherein the sign-board unit comprises mechanical means for extending the sign-board from the sign board unit, and retracting the sign-board into the sign board unit.

25
6. A housing as claimed in claim 5, wherein the mechanical means is a cord pulley roller mechanism.
7. A housing as claimed in claim 5, wherein the mechanical means is a 30 spring loaded roller mechanism.
8.

A housing as claimed in claim 5, wherein the mechanical means is an automatic roller mechanism.

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9. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sign-board is fabricated from a durable, flexible material such as a plastics material, a fabric or combination of fabrics or a flexible electronics device.

5

10. A housing as claimed in claim 9, wherein the sign-board is fabricated from nylon woven, vinyl, Tyvek, polyethylene and/or i2R e-Paper technology
10
11. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein sign-board light elements are integrated onto a surface of the sign-board.
12. A housing as claimed in claim 11, wherein the sign-board light elements are light emitting diodes.

15
13. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sign-board is formed of first and second portions.
14. A housing as claim in claim 13, wherein a first end of the first portion

20 of the sign-board is attachable to the mechanical means.
15. A housing as claimed in claim 14, wherein a second end of the first portion is removably attachable to a first end of the second portion by a fastening means.

25
16. A housing as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fastening means is a zip-fastener.
17. A housing as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fastening means is a

30 button fastener.
18. A housing as claimed in claim 15, wherein the fastening means is a hook and eye fastener.

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19. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sign-board comprises a series of alphanumeric characters arranged thereon.
20. A housing as claimed in claim 19, wherein the housing comprises an 5 aperture formed in a wall of the housing for displaying information representative of the alphanumeric characters on the sign-board when the sign-board is retracted inside the housing.
21. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing is 10 removably attachable to a stand by a stand attachment means,

wherein the stand attachment means is a screw, a releasable latch, and/or a pivot screw.
22. A housing as claimed in any of claims 1 to 20, wherein the housing is 15 permanently attachable to the stand.
23. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the height of the housing is adjustable relative to the stand by height adjustment means.

20

24. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stand is pivotable relative to the housing.

25. A housing as claimed in any of claims 2 to 24, wherein a battery 25 powers the light element units.

26. A housing as claimed in any of claims 2 to 24, wherein the control circuit controls emission of energy from the light element units.

30 27. A housing as claimed in any of claims 25 or 26, wherein the battery is rechargeable by a recharging circuit.

28. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein a securing means, secures the sign-board relative to the stand.

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29. A housing as claimed in claim 28, wherein the securing means is a closable strap such as a button strap and/or a hook and eye fastener strap.

5

30. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an aperture is formed on the housing through which the sign board extends.

31. A stand assembly comprising the housing as claimed in any preceding 10 claim, wherein the housing is attached to the stand.

32. A stand as claimed in claim 31, wherein, in use, the sign-board unit is located below the control unit signboard is in an extended state.

15 33. A housing as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.

34. A stand assembly as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows

Claims:

CM

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CD CM

1. A portable housing comprising:

a control circuit;

a flexible sign-panel;

at least one warning light within the portable housing;

a stand attachment means; and wherein, in use, the sign-panel is moveable from a first position, whereby it is contained within the housing, to a second position, whereby it is extended downwards from inside the housing such that in the second position a first end of the sign-panel is fixed relative to, and substantially within the housing, whilst a second end of the sign-panel opposite the first end is located at a distance from the housing, and wherein, when activated, the at least one warning light is visible when the flexible sign is at the first and second positions.

2. A housing as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one warning light comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes.

3. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing is formed of a sign-panel unit and a control unit.

4. A housing as claimed in claim 3, wherein the sign-panel unit comprises mechanical means for extending the sign-panel from the sign-panel unit, and retracting the sign-panel into the sign-panel unit.

5. A housing as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mechanical means is a cord pulley roller mechanism.

6. A housing as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mechanical means is a spring loaded roller mechanism.

7. A housing as claimed in claim 4, wherein the mechanical means is an automatic roller mechanism.

21

CM

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CD CM

8. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sign-panel is fabricated from a durable, flexible material such as a plastics material, a fabric or combination of fabrics or a flexible electronics device.

9. A housing as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sign-panel is fabricated from nylon woven, vinyl, Tyvek, polyethylene and/or i2R e-Paper technology

10. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein sign-panel light elements are integrated onto a surface of the sign-panel.

11. A housing as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sign-panel light elements are light emitting diodes.

12. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sign-panel is formed of first and second portions.

13. A housing as claim in claim 12, wherein a first end of the first portion of the sign-panel is attachable to the mechanical means.

14. A housing as claimed in claim 13, wherein a second end of the first portion is removably attachable to a first end of the second portion by a fastening means.

15. A housing as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fastening means is a zip-fastener.

16. A housing as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fastening means is a button fastener.

17. A housing as claimed in claim 14, wherein the fastening means is a hook and eye fastener.

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18. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sign-panel comprises a series of alphanumeric characters arranged thereon.

19. A housing as claimed in claim 18, wherein the housing comprises an aperture formed in a wall of the housing for displaying information representative of the alphanumeric characters on the sign-panel when the sign-panel is retracted inside the housing.

20. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing is removably attachable to a stand by the stand attachment means, wherein the stand attachment means is a screw, a releasable latch, and/or a pivot screw.

CM O

21. A housing as claimed in any of claims 1 to 19, wherein the housing is permanently attachable to a stand.

22. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the height of the housing is adjustable relative to the stand by height adjustment means.

CD

CM 23. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the stand is pivotable relative to the housing.
24. A housing as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23, wherein a battery powers the at least one warning light.
25. A housing as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23, wherein the control circuit controls emission of energy from the at least one warning light.
26. A housing as claimed in any of claims 24 or 25, wherein the battery is rechargeable by a recharging circuit.
27. A housing as claimed in any of claims 21 to 26, wherein a securing means, secures the sign-panel relative to the stand.

23
28.

A housing as claimed in claim 27, wherein the securing means is a closable strap such as a button strap and/or a hook and eye fastener strap.

CM

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CD CM
29. A housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein an aperture is formed on the housing through which the sign-panel extends.
30. A stand assembly comprising the housing as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the housing is attached to a stand.
31. A stand as claimed in any of claims 4 to 30, wherein, in use, the sign-panel unit is located below the control unit when the sign-panel is in an extended state.
32. A housing as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to Figures 1 to 5 of the accompanying drawings.
33. A stand assembly as hereinbefore described and/or with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the accompanying drawings.

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