GB2515722A

GB2515722A - Multipurpose illuminated road safety apparel

Info

Publication number: GB2515722A
Application number: GB1305353.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Edward James Ward
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-03-24
Filing date: 2013-03-24
Publication date: 2015-01-07
Also published as: GB201305353D0

Abstract

An illuminated safety device for use by pedestrians on roads comprises a net of slightly elasticated cables 2 with an LED 1 at each intersection, an elasticated perimeter 3 fitted with a power pack 4 and hook-and-loop fasteners enabling different fitting options. The LEDs may be set to white, red, flashing or constant illumination. The power pack may be recharged through a USB port or may use batteries. The device may be worn over a backpack, helmet or head gear and it may be rolled up and worn diagonally over a torso.

Description

Multipurpose safety device using LEDs in a netting structure Overview This device is designed to improve safety for all non-vehicular road users after dark and in all times of subdued light levels, It is in the forni of an adaptable, dome-shaped net made of reinforced and slightly elasticised. light weight cables with an LED (light emitting diode) set at each intersection, The device can be worn by the user in a number of ways including over a back-pack, as a diagonal band across the torso or back, or over protective head gear. The illumination can be set for different modes according to cach application. Various drawings are attached for additional demonstration.

Specific The device in its initial forni is primarily intended to improve the safety of cyclists and motor cyclists, but because of its adaptability in terms of applications and manners of fitting, potential users will also include other road users such as road workers, pedestrian school children, joggers, emergency support personnel and police at accidents. The size and unusual pattern of the illuminated device together with thc optional illumination settings, would alcrt vehicle drivers to the presence of the users and their direction of travel. Further applications exist outside of road users, including skiers in fog and railway users, and while the physical structiLre of each model may change, the fundamental technology will remain thc same.

The physical structure of the initial model is a dome-shaped panel of net with an (unstretched) diameter across the opening of the dome of about 35cm across an elasticated perimeter (see drawing figure 6).

The net will have a mesh size of about 6cm and will be made of light weight bitt reinforced conductive cables with an LED fitted at each intersection (see figure 1). The same cables will act both as power reticulation to the LEDs and as thc netted structurc of the dcvice. These wires arc rcinforced for strength, durability and water resistance, and will be slightly elasticiscd.

The perimeter of the device will be reinforced and more strongly elasticated than the internal strands of the net, and so as to allow simple slip-over fitment to a backpack using only the outer elastication (see figures 3, 4, 5 and 6). If doubled over through the shape of an eight (sec figure 7). it can also be fitted to protective head gear in the same simple slip-over manner using the outer elastication (see figiLrcs 8 and 12).

Four small Velcro loops will be fitted at equal distance apart on the perimeter to additional fasting options when needed. These will enable the device to be worn diagonally across the front or back of the torso if rolled up in a cylinder shape to create more concentrated illumination (see figiLrcs 9, 10, and 11).

Power supply for the LEDs will be from a rechargeable battery which uses a USB connection for recharging but with an alternative option using one AA battery (see figure 2). The power pack unit will be affixed to a section of the perimeter of the device The options for illumination formats as supplied with the device include red or white colouring to allow wearing on the front or back by cyclists and motorcyclists,, and flashing or constant illumination. When the device is worn on the helmet or across the front of the body, the LEDs will be switched to white, and if worn on a back pack or across the back of the torso, they will be switched to red in accordance with prevailing regulations for cyclists and motor cyclists. The lighting mode or format will be programmable and further variations of illumination mode can be downloaded from the internet through the same USB connection as used for the charging process.

The technology is water resistant for use in rainy conditions, and the conductive wires will be reinforced with an outer layer to strengthen the joins and connections.

Summary

The unique features of the design include use of LEDs at each intersection of a panel of netting which is then highly adaptable for multiple applications, is easy to fit, is affordable, and so as to be suitable for a wide variety of safety applications where raising the visibility of vulnerable road users will alert vehicle drivers of their presence.