GB2597326A

GB2597326A - Improvements in or relating to distancing parked vehicles

Info

Publication number: GB2597326A
Application number: GB2011188.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Berzins Katy
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-07-20
Filing date: 2020-07-20
Publication date: 2022-01-26
Anticipated expiration: 2040-07-20
Also published as: GB2597326B; GB202011188D0

Abstract

An apparatus (1) for assisting in distancing parked vehicles, the apparatus comprises: means for attaching (5) the apparatus to a vehicle; means for indicating (9) a required clearance for a vehicle opening; and means for flexing (6) so as to safely deflect at least a portion of the apparatus if impacted by a person or a vehicle.

Description

Improvements in or Relatinq to Distancind Parked Vehicles The present invention relates to an apparatus for assisting in distancing parked vehicles. The present invention also relates to a method for assisting in distancing parked vehicles.

Vehicles are often parked too close to an adjacent vehicle, leading to damage or reduced access. Parents and disabled people usually require more clearance for a vehicle opening and this has led to designated bays for such users. However, there are often not enough bays for all such users and, even then, one is at the mercy of a driver of an adjacent vehicle. A problem faced by many a parent is that there is simply not enough space between your vehicle and a vehicle parked next to it for you to easily locate or remove your car seat for your baby.

Baby on board' stickers, etc. are known to be used in cars and are intended to be placed to be visible from outside the car; however, such signs are not easily seen, especially from adjacent vehicles, or may be ignored or overlooked by those parking next to another vehicle.

So, even with designated bays and existing warnings, it is not uncommon to find that little or no clearance is provided for those needing to place or remove a car seat for a baby or for those requiring access for a wheelchair.

The present invention is aimed at improving spacing between parked vehicles.

According to a first aspect, the present invention provides an apparatus for assisting in distancing parked vehicles, the apparatus comprises: means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle; means for indicating a required clearance for a vehicle opening; and means for flexing so as to safely deflect at least a portion of the apparatus if impacted by a person or a vehicle.

Preferably, the means for flexing is configured to deflect upon impact of over a minimum force such that it deflects at a range of forces of impact provided by a human or vehicle.

Preferably, the means for flexing is configured to deflect upon impact of under a maximum force, so as to prevent injury to humans or damage to vehicles.

Preferably, it is intended that the apparatus will deflect or move if walked into / brushed against, etc. by a person, so as to reduce damage to the product and injury to the person. The apparatus is also intended to deflect or move if contacted by a vehicle at low speed, such as one parking in an adjacent bay, so as to reduce damage to the product and the adjacent vehicle.

Preferably, the means for flexing is configured to provide more flexure laterally 5 than up and/or down.

Most preferably, the means for flexing is configured to provide substantially only flexure laterally.

Preferably, the means for flexing is configured to provide flexure and resilience.

Most preferably, the means for flexing is configured to provide substantially only flexure and resilience laterally.

Preferably, the means for flexing comprises: a flexible stem portion; a spring; or a sinuous portion having one or more undulations.

Preferably, the flexible stem portion provides greater flexure than adjacent parts of the apparatus.

Preferably, the undulations of the sinuous portion are configured to extend in a lateral orientation, providing greater flexibility to movement laterally than up and/or 20 down. Most preferably, the undulations comprises one or more V-shaped, U-shaped, S-shaped, and/or 7-shaped undulations, preferably of uniform size. Preferably, the means for indicating a required clearance is an elongate stem. Alternatively, the means for indicating a required clearance comprises indicia. Preferably, the means for indicating a required clearance additionally comprises display means.

Preferably, the display means comprises: a flag or banner conveying indicia; or an electronic display means.

Preferably, the display means is detachable allowing choice of different indicia. Most preferably, the indicia comprises 'baby on board' or 'disabled person' or the like indicia. In addition, the indicia may further comprise an advisory notice, such as 'please leave room for a baby seat' or 'please leave room for a wheelchair'.

Most preferably, the display means is weatherproof, durable, and/or non-rip. Most preferably, the display means has a triangular, square or rectangular configuration.

Preferably, the means for attaching is configured to mount to a substantially upright surface of a vehicle and the apparatus extends from said upright surface in a transverse manner.

Preferably, the means for attaching to a vehicle is detachable from the remainder of the apparatus, allowing it to remain on said vehicle when said vehicle is driven. Further preferably, so as to prevent theft, parts of the apparatus may be locked together.

Preferably, the means for attaching comprises: a clip or slot, locatable on top of a window of a vehicle; a clip or slot, locatable on a rim of a door, boot or other leaf of a vehicle opening; or a suction cup, locatable on a window or body work of a vehicle.

Preferably, the apparatus comprises a stem, a first end of the stem comprising the means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle and, towards a second end of the stem, comprising the means for indicating a required clearance.

Most preferably, the stem is flexible and resilient.

Preferably, the stem is extendable.

Preferably, the first end of the stem additionally comprises the means for flexing adjacent the means for attaching.

The invention may relate to an apparatus for assisting in distancing parked vehicles substantially as herein disclosed, with reference to any one or more of Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings and/or any example described herein.

According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for assisting in distancing parked vehicles comprising attaching to a first parked vehicle an apparatus as defined in the first aspect, wherein the method comprises: lowering a window of the first vehicle, attaching the apparatus to a top of the pane of the window and raising the window to secure the apparatus; OR opening a door, boot or other leaf of a vehicle opening and attaching the apparatus to a rim of the door, boot, or other leaf before closing again to secure the apparatus; OR pressing a suction cup to a window or panel of the first vehicle and activating the suction cup; OR connecting the apparatus to a roof bar or rack of the first vehicle.

Preferably, if the apparatus comprises a detachable means for attaching to a vehicle and the detachable means is already attached to the first vehicle, then the method comprises securing a stem of the apparatus to the means for attaching. Preferably, locking the stem to the means for attaching.

Preferably, the method further comprises detaching a first display means and replacing with a second display means.

Preferably, the means for indicating a required clearance for a vehicle opening extends, in use, in a direction towards where another vehicle may be parked.

Preferably, the means for attaching, the means for indicating a required clearance and means for flexing are a single piece of material requiring no assembly.

Alternatively, two of the means for attaching, the means for indicating a required clearance and/or the means for flexing are manufactured from a single piece of material, and are assembled with the third to provide the apparatus. Preferably, the apparatus is manufactured from a polymer. Further preferably, the polymer is flexible and of high-strength. By way of example, the polymer could be polypropylene (PP) or a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

Advantageously, the apparatus of the present invention provides a very clear and obvious visual notification between vehicles which helps to achieve compliance from other drivers. The apparatus advises other drivers of the requirement to get a car seat or otherwise into / out from the vehicle and to consider leaving more space.

Whilst not enforcing space, the apparatus does encourage other drivers to be considerate -which helps to protect everyone's doors and/or bodywork.

The apparatus is waterproof and lightweight, and of high visibility. Owing to its location between vehicles -rather than inside a vehicle where it would be less visible -the apparatus of the present invention is more visible to a person who is driving into an adjacent space.

Advantageously, the apparatus of the present invention is very easily and quickly attached to the outside of a vehicle, and does not compromise the security of the vehicle.

Advantageously, the apparatus is arranged to safely deflect if impacted by a person or a vehicle, and return to its rest condition. For instance, if the apparatus were to be impacted by someone walking into it, then both the apparatus and the person would be unharmed because of the flexibility of the apparatus. Further, allowing the apparatus to easily flex sideways further improves the life of the product as it is less susceptible to breakage from stress.

Advantageously, as the sinuous member is configured and/or oriented to flex more laterally than in an upright orientation, this improves resistance to knocks, and causes less damage to other vehicles and people.

Further advantageously, use of a cruciform cross-section for the stem reduces raw material costs as compared to a similar stem a circular cross-section. Further, raw material costs are further reduced by a reduction in the effective diameter of the stem from the first end to the second end. Maximum strength is required at the first end where the apparatus is attached to a vehicle, and that is where the stem is thickest and strongest, and less strength and a thinner stem are provided at the second end where the requirement for strength is less.

The invention will now be disclosed, by way of example only, with reference to the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus for assisting in distancing parked vehicles; Figure 2 is a further perspective view, from an opposite side, of the apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2 showing lateral flexure of the apparatus; and Figure 4 is an enlarged view of a flexible stem portion of the apparatus of Figures 1 to 3.

An apparatus for assisting in distancing parked vehicles is shown in Figures 1 to 4, and is generally identified by reference 1.

The apparatus 1 includes an elongate stem 2, having a first end 3 and a second end 4. The first end 3 is intended to be attachable to a vehicle and includes a clip 5 and an adjacent flexible stem portion 6, allowing at least a portion of the elongate stem 2 to be deflected in use. The flexible stem portion 6 is connected to the clip 5 through a wedge-shaped portion 7, which together define a slot 8 into which a pane of glass can be received. The effect of the wedge-shaped portion 7 is to slightly alter the orientation of the stem 2, in use, to compensate for the sloping nature of the vehicle window (or bodywork) and, thereby, extend the stem 2 practically horizontally with respect to the ground.

The flexible stem portion 6 leads on to a less flexible stem portion 2a, in the direction of a middle of the stem 2 and towards its second end 4, at which end 4 a banner 9 is located. The banner 9 has a triangular configuration and includes indicia 10, and is provided with a looped portion 11, into which the second end 4 of the stem 2 is received. In this embodiment, the indicia 10 is directed to providing access for a baby seat and indicates an image of a baby and the words 'baby on board' and 'please leave room for baby seat'. In an alternative, the indicia could be directed towards access for a disabled person. The less flexible portion 2a may be semi-rigid or may flex somewhat, but it is not intended to flex in the same way as the flexible stem portion 6 nor flex as easily as the flexible stem portion 6. The stem 2 is shaped at the first end 3 to have a cruciform profile, of uniform wall thickness throughout, which reduces in effective diameter towards the middle and second end 4. Advantageously, this reduces raw material costs without affecting the functioning of the apparatus.

The stem 2, clip 5, flexible stem portion 6 and banner 9 may be manufactured from the same polymer -which could conceivably happen at the same time in a single mould. Alternatively, the stem 2, clip 5, and flexible stem portion 6 may be manufactured from a first polymer of defined strength, flexibility and resilience, and the banner 9 manufactured from a second polymer.

As shown in Figure 3 in particular, the flexible stem portion 6 provides flexure and resilience, such that it will deflect if impacted by a person or a vehicle and return to its starting condition. This is a particular safety feature of the apparatus 1 so as to safely deflect and prevent damage to other vehicles or injury to people. Figure 3 shows a range of conditions of the apparatus 1. The normal or rest condition of apparatus 1 is indicated as condition A, and the apparatus may be deflected into conditions B or C to varying degrees, depending upon on a direction and level of the force of impact. Just by way of example, condition B results from a directional force from right to left of the apparatus 1 as shown, and condition C results from a directional force from left to right of the apparatus 1.

Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the flexible stem portion 6, which is provided by a sinuous member 12 having a number of undulations 13. As can be seen from Figure 4, the undulations 13 are configured to have their peaks and troughs extend in a lateral orientation, such that flexing laterally is much easier than flexing in any other orientation. In fact, in a preferred embodiment, the flexible stem portion flexes substantially only laterally. As shown, the sinuous member 12 has a plurality of V-shaped undulations 13 -although other shapes such as U-shaped or S-shaped could create a similar effect -which provide the peaks and troughs mentioned above. The effect of a force which has deflected the stem 2 towards the left, top-corner of that Figure is to compress the undulations 13 on their left-side, and, thereby, reduce the size of troughs 14. By contrast, the effect of that force is to stretch the undulations on their right-side and, thereby, increase the size of troughs 15. Upon removal of such a force, the stem 2 would return to its rest condition and the spacing between troughs on each side would be substantially uniform.

Accordingly, the undulations 13 of the sinuous member 12 stretch and compress to accommodate movement of the stem when it is deflected, which reduces the likelihood of damage to vehicles or injury to people, and reduces the likelihood a breakage of the apparatus 1 occurring as a result of an impact.

In alternative embodiments not shown in the Figures, the clip may be replaced 20 with a suction cup mounted to the wedge-shaped portion 7. Further alternatively, the flexible stem portion may be replaced with a spring.

In a further alternative, the apparatus may be configured to provide detachable means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle. The clip 5 or suction cup (not shown) could remain on the vehicle when being driven, and the remainder of the apparatus 1 be connected thereto when parked. A connector 30, identified with stippled line, could be included between the clip 5 / suction cup and the flexible stem portion 6, or between the flexible stem portion 6 and the less flexible stem portion 2a.

In an alternative, the apparatus may be used to identify the clearance required between vehicles for a disabled person to gain proper access to a parked vehicle.

The apparatus is not limited to application to a side of a vehicle, as parents and disabled often require access to the boot or back of a vehicle.

In use, apparatus 1 may be attached to the outside of a parked car 20 by the driver or an occupant, and it identifies the clearance required between cars / vehicles for a parent to comfortably remove and/or add a car seat for a baby to the car 20. As shown in Figure 1, the apparatus 1 is preferably located on a side screen 21 of a parked car. In order to attach the apparatus 1, the side screen 21 is lowered to provide access to a top of the pane of glass. The slot 8 receives the pane of glass and the clip 5 secures the apparatus 1 to the side screen 21. The clip 5 is configured to have a slim profile such that the pane of glass may be raised and the clip not obscure a slot or otherwise in the vehicle body or door intended for receipt of the pane of glass. Accordingly, upon raising the side screen, not only is the apparatus 1 secured to the parked car 20, but the car is itself secured because the window has been raised appropriately.

In an alternative embodiment of apparatus 1 having detachable means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle, stem 2a or the flexible stem 6 may be connected via connector 30 to the remainder of the apparatus without having to lower the side screen 21.

Once located, the apparatus 1 extends substantially horizontally with respect to the ground from the side of the car 20 towards, and potentially, partially into, an adjacent parking space. When a driver arrives at the space wishing to park, the apparatus 1 is clearly visible and can be easily seen by the driver and appropriately considered from a distance. So, whilst not enforcing space, the apparatus 1 does encourage other drivers to be considerate. In the event of an impact by a car or vehicle being parked, or a human walking between parked vehicles, the apparatus 1 deflects substantially as shown in Figure 3 in to conditions B or C, or varying degrees thereof, which can include less deflection or greater deflection. Either way, upon removal of the force, the apparatus 1 resiliently returns to its rest condition A.

Claims

Claims: 1.) An apparatus for assisting in distancing parked vehicles, the apparatus comprises: means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle; means for indicating a required clearance for a vehicle opening; and means for flexing so as to safely deflect at least a portion of the apparatus if impacted by a person or a vehicle.
2.) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for flexing is configured to deflect upon impact of over a minimum force, such that it deflects at a range of forces of impact provided by a human or vehicle.
3.) An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the means for flexing is configured to deflect upon impact of under a maximum force, so as to prevent injury to humans or damage to vehicles.
4.) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for flexing is configured to provide more flexure laterally than up and/or down.
5.) An apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the means for flexing is configured to provide substantially only flexure laterally.
6.) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for flexing is configured to provide flexure and resilience.
7.) An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the means for flexing is configured to provide substantially only flexure and resilience laterally.
8.) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for flexing comprises: a flexible stem portion; a spring; or a sinuous portion having one or more undulations.
9.) An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flexible stem portion provides greater flexure than adjacent parts of the apparatus.
10.) An apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the undulations of the sinuous portion are configured to extend in a lateral orientation, providing greater flexibility to movement laterally than in an upright orientation.
11.) An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the sinuous portion comprises 10 one or more V-shaped, U-shaped, S-shaped and/or Z-shaped undulations 12.) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for indicating a required clearance is an elongate stem.13.) An apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the means for indicating a required clearance additionally comprises display means.14.) An apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the display means comprises: a flag or banner conveying indicia; or an electronic display means.15.) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for attaching is configured to mount to a substantially upright surface of a vehicle and the apparatus extends from said upright surface in a transverse manner.16.) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for attaching to a vehicle is detachable from the remainder of the apparatus, allowing it to remain on said vehicle when said vehicle is driven.17.) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for attaching comprises: a clip or slot, locatable on top of a window of a vehicle; a clip or slot, locatable on a rim of a door, boot or other leaf of a vehicle opening; or a suction cup, locatable on a window or body work of a vehicle.18.) An apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a stem, a first end of the stem comprising the means for attaching the apparatus to a vehicle and, towards a second end of the stem, comprising the means for indicating a required clearance.19.) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein the stem is flexible and resilient.20.) An apparatus as claimed in claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the stem is extendable.21.) An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 18 to 20, wherein the first end of the stem additionally comprises the means for flexing adjacent the means for attaching.22.) A method for assisting in distancing parked vehicles comprising attaching to a first parked vehicle an apparatus as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 21, wherein 20 the method comprises: lowering a window of the first vehicle, attaching the apparatus to a top of the pane of the window and raising the window to secure the apparatus; OR opening a door, boot or other leaf of a vehicle opening and attaching the apparatus to a rim of the door, boot, or other leaf before closing again to secure the apparatus; OR pressing a suction cup to a window or panel of the first vehicle and activating the suction cup; OR connecting the apparatus to a roof bar or rack of the first vehicle.23.) A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein, if the apparatus comprises a detachable means for attaching to a vehicle which is already attached to the first vehicle, then securing a stem of the apparatus to the means for attaching.