GB2608807A

GB2608807A - A warning sign

Info

Publication number: GB2608807A
Application number: GB2110000.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stoimenov Jasen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-07-12
Filing date: 2021-07-12
Publication date: 2023-01-18
Also published as: GB202110000D0

Abstract

A freestanding moveable warning sign 1 (e.g. for use as a traffic warning sign on a road or track) comprises of a body including (i) a base member 12 (e.g. a planar plate) having a forward portion 121 and a rearward portion (122, Fig 4), and (ii) a first upstanding wall 101 inclined with respect to the base member, such that the first upstanding wall extends from the forward portion towards the rearward portion of the base member; and at least one light emitter 14 configured to emit light from the first upstanding wall along a respective optical axis which extends forwardly and upwardly with respect to the base member of the body (and optionally a reflective panel 16). The body may also include a rechargeable power source (20, Fig 3) including at least two charging contacts which extend from the base of the body for engagement with the corresponding contacts of a charging station (22, Fig 3).

Description

A WARNING SIGN

FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a warning sign and a system.

BACKGROUND

Warning triangles are used by motorists to alert other road users to a hazard in the road (such as a broken down vehicle). These warning triangles are usually made of a reflective material attached to a triangular frame. Disadvantages of known warning triangles are that they can be unstable (e.g. liable to blow over in windy conditions) and hard to see due to their small size and reliance on reflective materials (particularly in adverse weather conditions or in daylight where the reflection is less noticeable).

Warning signs have been developed for use by motorists which attempt to alleviate these problems. However, problems remain in these alternative warning signs.

CN211316069U discloses a projector light of the type used to project logos onto the floor when a car door is opened, including a magnetic base, a warning light, a projector light and a rechargeable battery. However, there are problems with the visibility of the device.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to alleviate one or more problems associated with the prior art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention provides a moveable warning sign device, comprising: a body including: a base member having a forward portion and a rearward portion, and a first upstanding wall inclined with respect to the base member, such that the first upstanding wall extends from the forward portion towards the rearward portion of the base member; and at least one light emitter configured to emit light from the first upstanding wall along a respective optical axis which extends forwardly and upwardly with respect to the base member of the body, wherein the base member of the body is configured such that the body is freestanding on the base member.

The body may be flexible and may further include a flexible magnetic member, such that the body is magnetically couplable to a magnetic metal object.

The body may be formed from a rubber or synthetic rubber material.

The at least one light emitter may include a plurality of light emitters arranged in an array forming a display.

One or more of the at least one light emitters may be configured to emit light in the shape of a letter, number, or symbol.

The warning sign device may further include a controller configured to control an aspect of the operation of the at least one light emitter.

The controller may be configured to cause the at least one emitter to flash in one of a plurality of selectable light patterns.

The warning sign device may further include a controller configured to control the plurality of light emitters to display a letter, number, or symbol.

The warning sign device may further include a second upstanding wall inclined with respect to the base member, such that the second upstanding wall extends from the rear portion towards the front portion of the base member.

The warning sign device may further include at least one further light emitter configured to emit light from the second upstanding wall along a respective optical axis which extends rearwardly and upwardly with respect to the base member of the body.

The body may be elongate with the first upstanding wall extending along a length of the elongate body substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the body.

The warning sign device may further include one or more reflective panels provided on a surface of the body and configured to reflect visible light.

The forward and rearward portions of the base member may be integrally formed.

The base member may be a base plate.

The warning sign device may further include a power source configured to power the at least one light emitter.

The power source may be located substantially within the body.

The power source may be a rechargeable power source and may include two or more charging contacts which extend from the base member of the body for engagement in electrical communication with two or more corresponding contacts of a charging station.

Another aspect of the present invention provides a warning sign device system including: the warning sign device as above; and the charging station.

The charging station may include a connector to enable the charging station to be connected in electrical communication with a vehicle power supply such that the vehicle power supply is useable to recharge the power source of the warning sign device when the warning sign device is docked with the charging station.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order that the present disclosure may be more readily understood, preferable embodiments thereof will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a warning sign device, embodying the present disclosure; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a warning sign device, embodying the present disclosure; Figure 3 is a perspective view of part of a warning sign device system, embodying the present

disclosure;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a warning sign device, embodying the present disclosure; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a warning sign device, embodying the present disclosure; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a warning sign device, embodying the present disclosure; Figure 7 is a perspective view of a warning sign device, embodying the present disclosure; and Figure 8 is a schematic representation of a warning sign device system, embodying the present

disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present technology may include a warning sign device system 3 (see e.g. Fig. 8) and a warning sign device 1 (see e.g. Fig. 1). The warning sign device system 3 may include the warning sign device 1. The warning sign device 1 may be suitable for use on a road or track to warn other road users of a hazard ahead. The warning sign device 1 may, therefore, rest on the ground. The warning sign device 1 may also be placed directly on a vehicle to draw attention to the vehicle and thereby reduce the likelihood of other road users colliding with the vehicle. The warning sign device system 3 may be a moveable warning sign device system 3 and the warning sign device 1 may be a moveable warning sign device 1.

The warning sign device 1 may include a body 10. The body 10 may be flexible. The body 10 may be configured to flex to describe a circular arc, wherein the circle may have a radius of about 25400 cm, about 25-300 cm, about 25-200 cm, about 25-150 cm, about 50-150 cm, about 50 cm or about 100 cm. The body 10, or at least a part thereof, may be formed from a rubber or synthetic rubber material (e.g. a silicone material). The body 10, or at least a part thereof, may be formed from a plastics material, which may be a flexible plastics material. The body 10 may define an internal space, for example the body 10 may be at least partially hollow. The body 10 may not define an internal space, i.e. the body 10 may be solid. The body 10 may be elongate. The body 10 may have a rectangular cross-section.

The body 10 may be formed from a resilient material (e.g. rubber, synthetic rubber, and/or flexible plastics material) and, therefore, the body 10 may be resilient. As the warning sign device 1 may be suitable for use on a road, and may be placed on the road to warn road users of an upcoming hazard, there is a risk that the warning sign device 1 may be run over by a vehicle, for example. Accordingly, the resilient body 10 may provide some protection to the warning sign device 1 against external impacts. The resilient body 10 may protect internal components of the warning sign device 1 (see below) against external impacts, for example. Accordingly, the resilient body 10 may compress under pressure and may decompress when said pressure is removed (e.g. when a vehicle drives over the warning sign device 1).

The body 10 may include a base member 12, which may have a forward portion 121 and a rearward portion 122 (see e.g. Fig. 4). The base member 12 may be flexible. In particular, the base member 12 may be configured to flex in a direction perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the body 10 (e.g. in a vertical direction when the body 10 is in its use orientation with the base member 12 at the bottom). The base member 12 may be configured to flex to describe a circular arc, wherein the circle may have a radius of about 25-400 cm, about 25-300 cm, about 25- 200 cm, about 25-150 cm, about 50-150 cm, about 50 cm or about 100 cm. The base member 12 may face the interior of such an arc.

The forward portion 121 may include a first edge of the base member 12, and the rearward portion 122 may include a second edge of the base member 12, which may be opposite the first edge. The forward portion 121 may include a first elongate edge of the elongate body 10, and the rearward portion 122 may include a second elongate edge of the elongate body 10. The base member 12 may, therefore, be elongate. The forward portion 121 and the rearward portion 122 may be integrally formed, or may be attached to each other (e.g. by a contact adhesive).

The base member 12 may be a base plate 12. The base member 12 may be generally planar. In some versions, the base member 12 may be generally rectangular. The base member 12 may be configured to rest on the ground, or another surface such as a vehicle roof The flexibility of the base member 12 may, therefore, ensure good contact with a curved surface (such as a vehicle roof), improving the stability of the warning sign device 1.

The base member 12 may include a compartment 123 configured to receive or at least partially receive a power source 20. The compartment 123 may, therefore, include two or more electrical contacts, which may be configured for electrical connection to the power source 20. The compartment 123 may be recessed into the base member 12, optionally such that, when installed in the compartment 123, a surface of the power source 20 lies substantially flat with a surface of the base member 12. The compartment 123 may be accessible through a bottom surface of the base member 12.

The base member 12 may be configured such that the body 10 is freestanding on the base member 12. Accordingly, the warning sign device 1 may not require any external supports, which can often be lost or damaged. The body 10 may be weighted such that the body 10 is inhibited from being moved by wind. For example, the warning sign device 1 may weigh about 1-15 kg, about 5-15 kg, about 5-10 kg, or about 10 kg.

The body 10 may include a first wall 101 (see e.g. Fig. 1), which may be attached to (e.g. with a contact adhesive) or integral with the base member 12. The first wall 101 may be a first upstanding wall 101 which may be inclined with respect to the base member 12, such that the first upstanding wall 101 extends from the forward portion 121 towards the rearward portion 122 of the base member 12. The first wall 101 may, therefore, be attached to or integral with the forward portion 121 of the base member 12. The first wall 101 may be substantially planar. The first wall 101 may be elongate. The first wall 101 may extend along a length of the elongate body 10 substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the body 10.

The angle of inclination of the first wall 101 with respect to the base member 12 may be in the range of about 10° to about 85°, about 20° to about 70°, about 30° to about 60', about 40° to about 50°, or about 45°. The angle of inclination of the first wall 101 with respect to the base member 12 may be in the range of about 50° to about 70°, about 55° to about 65°, or about 60°. The first wall 101 may, therefore, be inclined to face directly towards the eye-level of oncoming motorists when the warning sign device 1 is placed on the ground. The angle of inclination may be chosen such that the first wall 101 faces directly towards the eye-level of oncoming motorists when said eye-level is in the range of 1-3 m above ground and/or the horizontal distance from the warning sign device 1 to the motorist is in the range 1-30 m, 1-20 m, or 1-10 m.

The body 10 may include a second wall 102 (see e.g. Fig. 5), which may be attached to (e.g. with a contact adhesive) or integral with the base member 12. The second wall 102 may be attached to (e.g. with a contact adhesive) or integral with the first wall 101.

The second wall 102 may be a second upstanding wall 102 which may be inclined with respect to the base member 12, such that the second upstanding wall 102 extends from the rearward portion 122 towards the forward portion 121 of the base member 12. The second wall 102 may, therefore, be attached to or integral with the rearward portion 122 of the base member 12. The second wall 102 may be substantially planar. The second wall 102 may be elongate. The second wall 102 may extend along a length of the elongate body 10 substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the body 10.

The angle of inclination of the second wall 102 with respect to the base member 12 may be in the range of about 10° to about 85°, about 20° to about 70°, about 30° to about 60', about 40° to about 50°, or about 45°. The angle of inclination of the second wall 102 with respect to the base member 12 may be in the range of about 50° to about 70°, about 55° to about 65°, or about 60°. The second wall 102 may, therefore, be inclined to face directly towards the eye-level of oncoming motorists when the warning sign device 1 is placed on the ground. The angle of inclination may be chosen such that the second wall 102 faces directly towards the eye-level of oncoming motorists when said eye-level is in the range of 1-3 m above ground and/or the horizontal distance from the warning sign device 1 to the motorist is in the range 1-30 m, 1-20 m, or 1-10 m.

The first wall 101, second wall 102, and base member 12 may all be integrally formed. A cross-section of the body 10 may, therefore, have a prismatic shape, such as a triangular prism. The first wall 101 and second wall 102 may join above the base member 12.

The body 10 may include a top member 11, which may be opposite the base member 12, and may be attached to (e.g. with a contact adhesive) or integral with the first wall 101 and/or second wall 102. The top member 11 may be generally parallel to the base member 12 and may connect the first wall 101 to the second wall 102. A cross-section of the body 10 may, therefore, have the shape of a trapezoidal prism. A top side of the first wall 101 may be shorter, in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body 10 (e.g. in the direction of elongation), than a bottom side of the first wall 101 (e.g. the side which connects to the base member 12). Likewise, a top side of the second wall 102 may be shorter, in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body 10 (e.g in the direction of elongation), than a bottom side of the second wall 102 (e.g. the side which connects to the base member 12). The first and/or second walls 101,102 may, therefore, be tapered. The top member 11 may, therefore, be shorter, in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body 10 (e.g. in the direction of elongation), than the base member 12.

The body 10 may include a third wall 103 (see e.g. Fig. 1), which may be an end wall 103. The third wall 103 may be generally perpendicular to the first wall 101 and/or second wall 102 and may connect the first wall 101 and second wall 102. The third wall 103 may be attached to (e.g. with a contact adhesive) or integral with the base member 12, and may be attached to or integral with both the forward portion 121 and the rearward portion 122 of the base member 12. The third wall 103 may be attached to (e.g. with a contact adhesive) or integral with the top member 11, first wall 101, and/or second wall 102. The third wall 103 may be a third upstanding wall 103 which may stand perpendicular relative to the base member 12 or may be inclined with respect to the base member 12. The third wall 103 may be inclined towards the centre of the body 10. The angle of inclination of the third wall 103 with respect to the base member 12 may be in the range of about 10° to about 85°, about 20° to about 70°, about 30° to about 60°, about 40° to about 50°, or about 45°. The angle of inclination of the third wall 103 with respect to the base member 12 may be in the range of about 50° to about 70°, about 55° to about 65°, or about 60°.The third wall 103 may, therefore, be bounded by the base member 12, first wall 101, second wall 102, and top member 11. The third wall 103 may be bounded by the base member 12, first wall 101, and second wall 102 (e.g. if the top member 11 is not present, and the first wall 101 is directly joined to the second wall 102).

The body 10 may include a fourth wall 104 (see e.g. Fig. 2), which may be an end wall 104 and may be opposite the third wall 103. The fourth wall 104 may be generally perpendicular to the first wall 101 and/or second wall 102 and may connect the first wall 101 and second wall 102. The fourth wall 104 may be attached to (e.g. with a contact adhesive) or integral with the base member 12, and may be attached to or integral with both the forward portion 121 and the rearward portion 122 of the base member 12. The fourth wall 104 may be attached to (e.g. with a contact adhesive) or integral with the top member 11, first wall 101 and/or second wall 102. The fourth wall 104 may be a fourth upstanding wall 104 which may stand perpendicular relative to the base member 12 or may be inclined with respect to the base member 12. The fourth wall 104 may be inclined towards the centre of the body 10. The angle of inclination of the fourth wall 104 with respect to the base member 12 may be in the range of about 10° to about 85°, about 20° to about 70°, about 30° to about 60°, about 40° to about 50°, or about 45°. The angle of inclination of the fourth wall 104 with respect to the base member 12 may be in the range of about 50° to about 70°, about 55° to about 65°, or about 60°.The fourth wall 104 may, therefore, be bounded by the base member 12, first wall 101, second wall 102, and top member 11. The fourth wall 104 may be bounded by the base member 12, first wall 101, and second wall 102 (e.g. if the top member 11 is not present, and the first wall 101 is directly joined to the second wall 102).

The top member 11 may, therefore, be bounded by the first wall 101, second wall 102, third wall 103 and fourth wall 104.

The base member 12 may, therefore, be bounded by the first wall 101, second wall 102, third wall 103 and fourth wall 104.

The first wall 101 may be bounded by the base member 12, second wall 102, third wall 103, and fourth wall 104 (e.g. if the top member 11 is not present), or may be bounded by the base member 12, top member 11, third wall 103 and fourth wall 104.

The second wall 102 may be bounded by the base member 12, first wall 101, third wall 103, and fourth wall 104 (e.g. if the top member 11 is not present), or may be bounded by the base member 12, top member 11, third wall 103 and fourth wall 104.

The first wall 101 may be opposite the second wall 102. The third wall 103 may be opposite the fourth wall 104. The top member 11 may be opposite the base member 12.

As described, one or more of the first, second, third and fourth walls 101,102,103,104, and optionally all of the walls 101,102,103,104, may be inclined, and may in particular be inclined towards the centre of the body 10. This inclination may deflect wind over the body 10, and may therefore improve the stability of the warning sign device 1 and reduce the possibility of the warning sign device 1 being blown over. Versions in which both the first and second walls 101,102 are inclined may be more stable than prior art warning triangles, for example, which are easily blown over by winds hitting the back of the triangle (i.e. the non-reflective side). Furthermore, inclination of the third and/or fourth walls may deflect side winds over the body 10. Versions in which all of the walls 101,102,103,104 are inclined may be most stable.

A length of the body 10 (e.g. in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the body 10 and/or in the direction of elongation of the body 10) may be in the range of about 30-200 cm, about 30-150 cm, about 50-150 cm, about 70-130 cm, about 90-110 cm, or about 100 cm.

A width of the body 10 (e.g. in a horizontal direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body 10 and/or perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the body 10) may be in the range of about 10-30 cm, about 15-25 cm, or about 20 cm.

A height of the body 10 (e.g. in a vertical direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body 10 and/or perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the body 10) may be in the range of about 5-25 cm, about 10-20 cm, or about 15 cm.

The body 10 may include at least one magnetic member 19 (see e.g. Fig. 4), which may be flexible. The magnetic member 19 may, therefore, be a flexible magnet 19. The body 10 may be magnetically couplable to a magnetic metal object. The body 10 may be magnetically couplablel to a part of a vehicle, such as a vehicle roof. The flexibility of the body 10 and/or magnetic member 19 may allow substantially all of the magnetic member 19 to magnetically couple to the magnetic metal object, even if that object is curved (such as a car roof, for example). In particular, the magnetic member 19 may be configured to flex in a direction perpendicular to the direction of elongation of the body 10 (e.g. in a vertical direction when the body 10 is in its use orientation with the base member 12 at the bottom). The magnetic member 19 may be configured to flex to describe a circular arc, wherein the circle may have a radius of about 25-400 cm, about 25-300 cm, about 25-200 cm, about 25-150 cm, about 50-150 cm, about 50 cm or about 100 cm. The base member 12 may face the interior of such an arc.

The magnetic member 19 may be attached to (e.g. by contact adhesive), or integral with, the base member 12. In some versions, the magnetic member 19 may be embedded in the base member 12.

In some versions, the body 10 may include a plurality of magnetic members 19. The magnetic members 19 may be spaced across the base member 12, optionally substantially equally spaced across the base member 12. In such versions the magnetic members 19 may not be flexible, but due to the spacing between the magnetic members 19 and the flexibility of the body 10 and/or base member 12, the magnetic members 19 may substantially all couple to the magnetic metal object, even if that object is curved.

The body 10 may include one or more reflective panels 16 (see e.g. Fig. 1) configured to reflect visible light. The one or more reflective panels may be provided on one or more surfaces of the body 10. The one or more reflective panels may be provided on at least one of the first wall 101, second wall 102, third wall 103, fourth wall 104, and top member 11. The reflective panels 16 may be attached to (e.g. by contact adhesive), or integral with, the body 10. The reflective panels 16 may be painted (e.g. using reflective paint) on to the body 10. The reflective panels 16 may be spaced across the surface of the body 10 to create a striped appearance.

The body 10 may include at least one light emitter 14, which may be configured to emit light along an optical axis. The light may be visible light. The light emitter 14 may be a light-emitting diode (LED), halogen light bulb, incandescent light bulb, or another light emitter. The LED may be any type of LED, including organic LED (OLED).

The at least one light emitter 14 may be configured to emit light from the first wall 101 along a respective optical axis which extends forwardly and upwardly with respect to the base member 12 of the body 10. This may be a first optical axis. The first optical axis may be perpendicular to the first wall 101. The first optical axis may be inclined with respect to the base member 12 (and may therefore extend forwardly and upwardly with respect to the base member 12). The angle of inclination of the first optical axis with respect to the base member 12 may be in the range of about 10° to about 85°, about 20° to about 70°, about 30° to about 60°, about 40° to about 50°, or about 45°. The angle of inclination of the first optical axis with respect to the base member 12 may be in the range of about 50° to about 70°, about 55° to about 65°, or about 60°.The first optical axis may, therefore, be directed towards the eye-level of oncoming motorists (when the warning sign device 1 is placed on the ground). The angle of inclination may be chosen such that the first optical axis is directed towards the eye-level of oncoming motorists when said eye-level is in the range of 1-3 m above ground and/or the horizontal distance from the warning sign device 1 to the motorist is in the range 1-30 m, 1-20 m, or 1-10 m. This may increase the visibility of the warning sign device 1.

The body 10 may include at least one further light emitter 14 which may be configured to emit light from the second wall 102 along a respective optical axis which extends rearvvardly and upwardly with respect to the base member 12 of the body 10. This may be a second optical axis. The second optical axis may be perpendicular to the second wall 102. The second optical axis may be inclined with respect to the base member 12 (and may therefore extend rearwardly and upwardly with respect to the base member 12). The angle of inclination of the second optical axis with respect to the base member 12 may be in the range of about 10° to about 85°, about 20° to about 70°, about 30° to about 60°, about 40° to about 50°, or about 45°. The angle of inclination of the second optical axis with respect to the base member 12 may be in the range of about 50° to about 70°, about 55° to about 65°, or about 60°.The second optical axis may, therefore, be directed towards the eye-level of oncoming motorists (when the warning sign device 1 is placed on the ground). The angle of inclination may be chosen such that the second optical axis is directed towards the eye-level of oncoming motorists when said eye-level is in the range of 1-3 m above ground and/or the horizontal distance from the warning sign device 1 to the motorist is in the range 1-10 m. This may increase the visibility of the warning sign device 1.

In some versions, at least one light emitter 14 may be configured to emit light from the top member 11 (alternatively or in addition to the light emitters 14 configured to emit light from the first and/or second walls 101,102).

One or more of the at least one light emitters 14 may be configured to emit light in the shape of a letter, number, symbol and/or word. The one or more light emitters 14 may be configured to emit light through a stencil, which may be configured in the shape of at least one letter, number, symbol and/or word.

The warning sign device 1 may include a controller 141 (see e.g. Fig. 8) configured to control an aspect of the operation of the at least one light emitter 14. The controller 141 may be located substantially within the body 10. The controller may be configured to vary the brightness of the at least one light emitter 14. The controller 141 may be configured to cause the at least one light emitter 14 to flash in one of a plurality of selectable light patterns. The selectable light patterns may include, for example, different flashing speeds and/or different orders of illumination of the at least one light emitters 14.

The at least one light emitter 14 may include a plurality of light emitters 14 arranged in an array forming a display 140. The body 10 may include one or more such displays 140. The one or more displays 140 may, therefore, emit light from the first wall 101, second wall 102 and/or top member 11. The controller 141 may be configured to control the plurality of light emitters 14 (and may, therefore, be configured to control the display 140).

The controller 141 may be configured to control the plurality of light emitters 14 (e.g. to control the display 140) to display a letter, number, symbol and/or word. For example, the controller 141 may be configured to control the plurality of light emitters 14 to emit light in an arrow shape, which may move across the display 140 (e.g. to direct traffic around a hazard). The controller 141 may be configured to control the plurality of light emitters 14 to display a warning message, for example (see e.g. Fig. 7).

The warning sign device 1 may include a power source 20 (see e.g. Fig. 3), which may be configured to power the at least one light emitter 14 and/or controller 141. The power source 20 may be a rechargeable power source 20. The power source 20 may be a battery or capacitor, for example. The warning sign device 1 may, therefore, be placed a safe distance away from a stranded vehicle, for example.

The warning sign device 1 may include one or more solar panels, which may be provided on one or more surfaces of the body 10. For example, the one or more solar panels may be provided on the top member 11. The one or more solar panels may be configured to provide power to the power source 20 (e.g. to charge the power source 20).

The power source 20 may be located substantially within the body 10. The power source 20 may be located substantially within the base member 12. The power source 20 may be located substantially within the compartment 123 of the base member 12. The power source 20 may be removable from the body 10.

The power source 20 may include two or more charging contacts which may extend from the power source 20 and/or base member 12 of the body 10 for engagement in electrical communication with two or more corresponding contacts of a charging station 22.

The warning sign device system 3 may include the charging station 22. The charging station 22 may be configured to dock with the warning sign device 1 (e.g. the base member 12) and/or power source 20. The charging station 22 may include one or more fixing points, such as one or more apertures, which may enable the charging station 22 to be fixed to a surface with a fixing member (e.g. screw). The charging station 22 may be suitable for mounting in the boot (trunk) of a vehicle, for example. The charging station 22 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the base member 12, in some versions.

The charging station 22 may include a connector 24 to enable the charging station 22 to be connected in electrical communication with a vehicle power supply. The vehicle power supply may, therefore, be useable to recharge the power source 20 of the warning sign device 1 when the warning sign device 1 is docked with the charging station 22.

In some versions, the charging station 22 may be a cable having an end configured to engage in electrical communication with the power source 20 and an end configured to engage in electrical communication with a vehicle power supply (e.g. via the connector 24).

The connector 24 may be a USB connector such as a USB-A connector or a USB-C connector.

The connector 24 may comply with the ISO 4165 standard or the ANSI/SAE J563 standard (e.g. may be compatible with an automobile auxiliary power outlet or cigarette lighter receptacle). The connector 24 (and charging station 22) may be configured to connect to a 12V, 24V or 32V power supply. In some versions, the connector 24 may include two wires suitable for wiring into vehicle electric terminals (e.g. the connector 24 may be wired in to a circuit configured to power one or more vehicle lights). In some versions, the connector 24 may be a purpose-built connector which may be configured to connect to a purpose-built socket.

A vehicle may carry a plurality of warning sign devices 1 and/or charging stations 22. For example, a roadside assistance or recovery vehicle may carry a bank of charging stations 22 and warning sign devices 1.

The warning sign device system 3 may include a remote computing device 4 which may be remote from the warning sign device 1. The remote computing device 4 may include a processor 41 operably coupled to a memory 42 (e.g. non-transitory computer readable medium). The remote computing device 4 may also include a transceiver 43, display 44 and/or power source 45, all of which may be operably coupled to each other and to the processor 41 and memory 42. The remote computing device 4 may be configured to be connected to an external power source. The remote computing device 4 may be a workstation, laptop, tablet, smartphone etc. The remote computing device 4 may be configured to be communicatively coupled to the controller 141, optionally by a wireless communications link such as Bluetooth (RTM) or Wi-Fi (RTM). The controller 141 may, therefore, be configured to be communicatively coupled to a remote computing device 4. The controller 141 may, therefore, include or be operably connected to a transceiver 142. The controller 141 may be configured to be controlled by the remote computing device 4 (which may be configured to control the controller 141).

A user may, therefore, control the operation of the controller 141 and/or at least one light emitter 14 remotely (e.g. using the remote computing device 4). For example, a user may set a message to be displayed on the display 140 using the remote computing device 4. A user may, therefore, control the operation of the warning sign device 1 (e.g. the one or more light emitters 14) from a safe distance (e.g. away from a road on which the warning sign device 1 may be placed). For example, the operation of the warning sign device 1 (e.g. the one or more light emitters 14) may be controlled using a smartphone app.

The warning sign device 1 may be configured to be communicatively coupled to one or more other warning sign devices 1 (e.g. through the controller 141 and/or transceiver 142). The warning sign devices 1 may, therefore, be configured to display complementary messages or warnings. The complementary messages may include a series of characters (e.g. words) spread across the warning sign devices 1 (e.g. a first warning sign device 1 may display the word "danger" and a second warning sign device 1 may display the word "ahead"). The warning sign devices 1 (optionally the controllers 141 thereof) may be configured to automatically distribute a message received from the remote computing device 4 between the warning sign devices 1.

The complementary messages may include distances from a respective warning sign device 1 to the hazard, for example (e.g. "100 m", "50 m"). The complementary warnings may include different coloured lights depending on the distance from the respective warning sign device 1 to the hazard (e.g. lights may change from amber to red as the distance from the respective warning sign device 1 to the hazard decreases).

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The invention may also broadly consist in the parts, elements, steps, examples and/or features referred to or indicated in the specification individually or collectively in any and all combinations of two or more said parts, elements, steps, examples and/or features. In particular, one or more features in any of the embodiments described herein may be combined with one or more features from any other embodiment(s) described herein.

Protection may be sought for any features disclosed in any one or more published documents referenced herein in combination with the present disclosure.

Although certain example embodiments of the invention have been described, the scope of the appended claims is not intended to be limited solely to these embodiments. The claims are to be construed literally, purposively, and/or to encompass equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A moveable warning sign device, comprising: a body including: a base member having a forward portion and a rearward portion, and a first upstanding wall inclined with respect to the base member, such that the first upstanding wall extends from the forward portion towards the rearward portion of the base member; and at least one light emitter configured to emit light from the first upstanding wall along a respective optical axis which extends forwardly and upwardly with respect to the base member of the body, wherein the base member of the body is configured such that the body is freestanding on the base member.
2. A moveable warning sign device according to claim 1, wherein the body is flexible and further includes a flexible magnetic member, such that the body is magnetically couplable to a magnetic metal object.
3. A moveable warning sign device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the body is formed from a rubber or synthetic rubber material.
4. A moveable warning sign device according to any preceding claim, wherein the at least one light emitter includes a plurality of light emitters arranged in an array forming a display.
5. A moveable warning sign device according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more of the at least one light emitters are configured to emit light in the shape of a letter, number, or symbol.
6. A moveable warning sign device according to any preceding claim, further including a controller configured to control an aspect of the operation of the at least one light emitter.
7. A moveable warning sign device according to claim 6, wherein the controller is configured to cause the at least one emitter to flash in one of a plurality of selectable light patterns.
8. A moveable warning sign device according to claim 4, further including a controller configured to control the plurality of light emitters to display a letter, number, or symbol.
9. A moveable warning sign device according to any preceding claim, further including a second upstanding wall inclined with respect to the base member, such that the second upstanding wall extends from the rear portion towards the front portion of the base member.
10. A moveable warning sign device according to claim 9, further including at least one further light emitter configured to emit light from the second upstanding wall along a respective optical axis which extends rearwardly and upwardly with respect to the base member of the body.
11. A moveable warning sign device according to any preceding claim, wherein the body is elongate with the first upstanding wall extending along a length of the elongate body substantially parallel with a longitudinal axis of the body.
12. A moveable warning sign device according to any preceding claim, further including one or more reflective panels provided on a surface of the body and configured to reflect visible light.
13. A moveable warning sign device according to any preceding claim, wherein the forward and rearward portions of the base member are integrally formed.
14. A moveable warning sign device according to any preceding claim, wherein the base member is a base plate.
15. A moveable warning sign device according to any preceding claim, further including a power source configured to power the at least one light emitter.
16. A moveable warning sign device according to claim 13, wherein the power source is located substantially within the body.
17. A moveable warning sign device according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the power source is a rechargeable power source and includes two or more charging contacts which extend from the base member of the body for engagement in electrical communication with two or more corresponding contacts of a charging station.
18. A moveable warning sign device system including: the moveable warning sign device according to claim 17; and the charging station.
19. A moveable warning sign device system according to claim 18, wherein the charging station includes a connector to enable the charging station to be connected in electrical communication with a vehicle power supply such that the vehicle power supply is useable to recharge the power source of the warning sign device when the warning sign device is docked with the charging station.