GB2615296A

GB2615296A - Road vehicle safety devices

Info

Publication number: GB2615296A
Application number: GB2200322.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Rood Simon
Original assignee: Dawn Rood
Current assignee: Dawn Rood
Priority date: 2021-11-18
Filing date: 2022-01-12
Publication date: 2023-08-09
Also published as: GB202116681D0

Abstract

A road safety system including a warning panel for attachment to a vehicle, comprising a sheet of flexible fabric having a high visibility outer surface, and an inner surface for positioning against the front or rear of the vehicle, wherein the inner surface has a series of fasteners, or an adhesive layer, by which the sheet can be attached to the vehicle so as to hang vertically. The system can additionally include a jacket, and/or umbrella, and/or one or more freestanding panels to be positioned on the ground adjacent the vehicles, having an outer surface corresponding to the outer surface of the panel. Other aspects include a roadside safety system comprising a series of posts positioned to one side of the road, wherein each post comprises a deployable warning panel, and a safety alarm device, comprising a communication unit connectable to a mobile phone to send a message giving the location of the device to a linked service.

Description

TITLE: Road Vehicle Safety Devices Field of the Invention [0001] This invention relates to devices for use with road vehicles to improve safety by enhancing visibility of the vehicle to other road users.

Background

[0002] It is well known that motor vehicle users are often in great danger from other vehicles when they break down and have to leave their vehicle. This is especially apparent on high-speed road such as motorways and autoroutes where traffic is travelling in multiple lanes at high average speeds. Accidents often happened because oncoming traffic does not react in time to avoid collisions with stopped vehicles or passes close to the vehicles causing injury to users who have exited their vehicles but are still on the roadway.

[0003] It has been proposed to position a warning sign such as a red triangle away from the stopped vehicle towards the direction of traffic to act as a warning. In some countries, pyrotechnic flares or flashing electric lamps are used. All of these are relatively small in size compared to a vehicle and are still often not seen by oncoming traffic.

[0004] This invention aims to provide systems that enhance the visibility of a stopped vehicle, especially at night or in bad weather. The invention aims to provide safety panels and signs to warn oncoming traffic of the stopped vehicle, and other systems and devices that can be used by an operator to enhance their safety.

Summary

[0005] One aspect of the invention comprises a warning panel for attachment to a vehicle, comprising a sheet of flexible fabric having a high visibility outer surface, and an inner surface for positioning against the front or rear of the vehicle, wherein the inner surface has a series of fasteners by which the sheet can be attached to the vehicle so as to hang vertically.

[0006] The fasteners can be magnets and/or suction cups which may be located at or near an edge or the sheet that is uppermost in use. One or more weights can be located at or near an edge of the sheet that is opposite to the edge at which the fasteners are located and is lowermost in use.

[0007] In another aspect of the invention, the inner surface has an adhesive layer that allows the sheet to stick to the vehicle. This can be an alternative to the series of fasteners.

[0008] The adhesive layer can be covered by a removable protective layer, such as a coated paper or a polymer, which must be removed before the sheet is stuck to the vehicle. [0009] The adhesive layer can be a non-marking temporary adhesive that allows the sheet to be unstuck from the vehicle without leaving adhesive on the surface of the vehicle.

[0010] The panel can also comprise a series of light units distributed along the uppermost edge and/or the lowermost edge of the outer surface. The sheet can be foldable such that the sheet can be wrapped around the light units when not deployed for use. A storage container can be provided for the warning panel when wrapped and not deployed for use.

[0011] The outer surface of the sheet can have a striped pattern of at least two different colours, when one of the colours is fluorescent, and can further comprise one or more signs on the outer surface to indicate a direction to pass the vehicle on which the panel is deployed.

[0012] The panel can be configured to be attached at or near the roof of the vehicle, and/or to hang down to or close to ground level when attached to the vehicle.

[0013] The sheet is configured to wrap around the front or rear surface of the vehicle and extend onto adjacent sides of the vehicle, comprising a first panel configured to be attached at or near the roof of the vehicle and hang part way down the front or rear surface when attached to the vehicle, and a second panel configured to be attached part way down the front or rear surface of the vehicle and to hang down to or close to ground level when attached to the vehicle.

[0014] A second aspect of the invention comprises a system, comprising a warning panel as claimed in any preceding claim, and a jacket, and/or umbrella, and/or one or more freestanding panels to be positioned on the ground adjacent the vehicles, having an outer surface corresponding to the outer surface of the panel.

[0015] A third aspect of the invention comprises a roadside safety system, comprising a series of posts positioned to one side of the road, wherein each post comprises a deployable warning panel comprising a sheet of flexible fabric having a high visibility surface, wherein panels are deployable laterally from adjacent posts towards the road in use such that the sheet can hang vertically and present the high visibility surface towards oncoming traffic travelling along the road.

[0016] Each post can have an actuator for deploying the warning panels and the posts are interconnected so that operation of the actuator on one post deploys waring panels on a number of adjacent posts.

[0017] A fourth aspect of the invention comprises a safety alarm device, comprising a unit including an operating switch or button and a communication unit connectable to a mobile phone such that operation of the switch or button causes the unit to signal to the mobile phone to send a message giving the location of the device to a linked service.

[0018] The unit can be connectable to the mobile phone by Bluetooth.

[0019] The device can further comprise a charging plug connectable to an in-car charging point. [0020] The device can also further comprise a whistle for drawing attention to the user.

[0021] Various other aspects and embodiments will be apparent from the following description.

Drawings [0022] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a warning panel according to the invention viewed from the outer surface.

[0023] Figure 2 shows a side view of the warning panel of Figure 1.

[0024] Figure 3 shows detail of part A of Figure 1.

[0025] Figure 4 shows detail of part B of Figure 1.

[0026] Figure 5 shows detail of part C of Figure 2.

[0027] Figure 6 shows detail of part D of Figure 2.

[0028] Figure 7 shows the warning panel of Figure 1 attached to a vehicle.

[0029] Figure 8 shows another embodiment of a warning panel of the invention attached to a vehicle.

[0030] Figure 9 shows the warning panel of Figure 1 folded for storage.

[0031] Figure 10 shows an end view of the folded panel of Figure 9.

[0032] Figure 11 shows a storage case for the folded panel of Figure 9.

[0033] Figure 12 shows another embodiment of a warning panel according to the invention.

[0034] Figure 13 shows [0035] Figure 14 shows a waterproof coat.

[0036] Figure 15 shows an umbrella.

[0037] Figure 16 shows an embodiment of a safety alarm device.

[0038] Figure 17 shows another embodiment of a safety alarm device.

[0039] Figure 18 shows an embodiment of a roadside safety system.

[0040] Figure 19 shows detail of part A of Figure 18.

Description

[0041] Figures 1-6 show one embodiment of a warning panel according to the invention. The panel comprises a sheet 10 formed from flexible material. One surface 12 of the sheet 10 is intended to face outwards in use so as to be visible to an observer. This outer surface 12 is formed with a high-visibility pattern 14 comprising alternating diagonal stripes R, Y of contrasting colours. In this example, the colours are red R and tallow?. While both stripes are reflective, the yellow stripes Y are fluorescent so as to be highly visible when illuminated by a light source such as the headlight of a vehicle. In other embodiments, different colours and/or patterns can be used. For example, a single colour may be appropriate, or a combination of several colours and patterns, and optionally discrete symbols can be used.

[0042] Series of light units 16, 18 are arranged near opposing edges 17, 19 the outer surface 12. In use, the sheet 10 will normally be arranged so that one series 16 is uppermost, i.e. the series of light units 16, 18 extend across the upper 17 and lower 19 edges of the sheet 10. Each of the light units 16, 18 can comprise a strip of LED lights connected to a rechargeable battery and a light controller. An operating button 20 is mounted in the middle of the upper series 16 near the upper edge 17. When this is pressed, both sets of light units 16, 18 can be illuminated and optimally can be configured to flash in any suitable sequence.

[0043] A series of fasteners 22 is arranged on the surface 24 of the sheet 10 that is intended to face the vehicle in use along the upper edge 17. The fasteners allow the sheet 10 to be attached to the vehicle with the outer surface 12 facing out from the vehicle towards an observer. The fasteners 22 can be magnets, suction cups, or a combination of these to allow attachment to different types of materials.

[0044] A weight rod 26 is attached at the bottom edge 19. This serves to make the sheet 10 hang down from the fasteners 22 in use and helps prevent the sheet 10 from being blown about by wind.

[0045] An adhesive layer can be used on the surface 24 as an alternative to the fasteners 22. A suitable adhesive will be resistant to degradation over time by heat, oxygen, water vapor, freezing, etc. so that it will function properly when needed. In use, there will be limited possibility of surface preparation so the adhesive will need to adhere quickly in a range of ambient conditions with moderate application pressure for a relatively short period of time. The adhesive will need to stick to a variety of surface materials and may need to bond across dissimilar materials (e.g. metal, glass, composite materials, etc.) in certain cases. A flexible adhesive will improve peel strength by flexing with peel stress. Flexibility and damping resistance also resists thermal expansion stresses when the coefficients of thermal expansion are different between the adhesive and substrate.

[0046] A suitable adhesive will maintain adhesive performance despite exposure to UV light, rain, salt water, and other weathering conditions commonly found at the roadside. This will include, for example, the ability to withstand degradation from diesel fuel, solvents, and other chemicals.

[0047] Figure 7 shows the warning panel of Figures 1-6 deployed on a vehicle 30. The sheet lOis attached to the rear 32 of the vehicle 30 by means of the fasteners 22 which are attached to a vertical surface of a rear hatch or boot or trunk lid. The weight rod 26 means that the sheet 10 hangs vertically down to ground level. Once fixed in this way, the sheet 10 presents the highly visible outer surface 12 to any approaching vehicle, warning them that the vehicle 30 is stationary. At night, or in other cases of reduced visibility, the warning lights 16, 18 can be operated to further draw attention to the stopped vehicle 30, and the fluorescent stripes Y reflect the headlights from an approaching vehicle to enhance visibility.

[0048] Figure 8 shows another embodiment of the warning panel attached to the rear of a vehicle. In this case, the panel has all of the features described in Figures 1-6 but is formed from a longer sheet 34. Therefore, the sheet 34 can be attached to the vehicle 36 near the roof line and can hang down from there. This has the advantages that a larger surface is presented to approaching vehicles, the sheet can be attached to vehicles that do not have a convenient vertical surface and can be used where the rear of the vehicle is sloped or has a large rear window that might otherwise make deployment of the smaller sheet 10 less effective.

[0049] When not in use, the sheet 10 can be rolled up and stored. As is shown in Figures 9 and 10, the sheet 10 can be folded around the lower edge 19 with the upper edge 17 exposed. In this way, all a user needs to do is grasp the exposed upper edge 117 and lift the sheet 10 which will unroll and be ready for attachment to the vehicle. For convenience, a carrying case 38 can be provided, as shown in Figure 11. This can have the same external pattern as the sheet 10 so as to be visible when being used. The case can be fastened by an easy release zip or the like.

[0050] Figure 12 shows another embodiment of the warning panel according to the invention. In this embodiment, two sheets are provided, an upper sheet 40 and a lower sheet 42. The upper sheet 40 is attached near the roof of the vehicle 44 and hangs down to the level of the boot or trunk lid, and the lower sheet 42 is attached to the rear of the boot or trunk lid. Both the upper and lower sheets 40,42 are wider than the vehicle 44 and the outer parts of each sheet 46, 48 wrap around onto the side 50 of the vehicle where they are attached using the fasteners. This means that the sheets 40, 42 are at last partly visible form the side of the vehicle 44. When used together, the sheets 40,42 provide almost full coverage of the vertical surface of the vehicle 44. It is also possible to use one or other sheet 40,42 independently of the other, depending on circumstances.

[0051] The visible surface of the sheets 42,44 carries a symbol 52 that indicates a safe side to pass the vehicle. Such a symbol can be applied to any of the sheets described for the invention.

[0052] A set of freestanding panels 54 can be provided in the same finish that can be positioned around a vehicle so that it is visible from all sides, as is shown in Figure 13. The panels can carry warning signs, wording, or logos 56, if required.

[0053] Because the warning panel described above may need to be deployed in bad weather, it can also be useful to provide a user with a waterproof outer coat (see Figure 14) or an umbrella (see Figure 15) in the same high visibility finish as the sheet 10.

[0054] In addition to the weatherproof clothing, the system can also comprise a safety alarm device for use by the operator. Figure 16 shows one example of such a device. This comprises a unit 60 that can be connected to a standard 12v (cigarette lighter) power supply and has an operating button 62. The unit 60 can be connected to a mobile phone by Bluetooth. When the button 62 is pressed, the unit communicates with the mobile phone to send GPS location data to a safety service that is pre-programmed into the device and or mobile phone. Another embodiment of the safety alarm is shown in Figure 17. In this case, the device 64 has a battery and is provided with a connection 66 for attachment to a keyring or the like. In addition to the Bluetooth signal when pressing the button 68, the device 64 has a whistle 70 for attracting attention to the user.

[0055] Figures 18 and 19 show embodiments of a roadside safety system. The system comprises a series of posts 72 attached alongside the roadway 74. Each post 72 includes a sheet similar to that shown in Figure 1 folded within the post. In this case, the sheet will be carried by a deployable arm rather than by fasteners for attachment to a vehicle. An actuator button 76 is provide on the top of each post 72. When operated, the actuator button causes 76 the sheet to be deployed laterally from the post 72 towards the roadway so as to display the high visibility surface of the sheet towards oncoming traffic. The sheet can include a direction symbol to direct traffic away from the side of the road where an obstruction is located, such as an immobile vehicle. One or more posts can be activated towards the direction of traffic. This can be automated, so that pressing the button on one post deploys warning panels on the next few posts towards the dictions of traffic flow. For example, where an immobile vehicle is located in a layby 80, the user of the vehicle can operate the post 82 (see Figure 19) at the end of the layby facing the traffic direction and the next three posts can be activated. This means that the user does not have to stand on the roadway but can deploy warning panels to provide extra clearance around the layby 80 to allow safe working on the vehicle.

[0056] Various changes can be made to the embodiments described above while remaining within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A warning panel for attachment to a vehicle, comprising a sheet of flexible fabric having a high visibility outer surface, and an inner surface for positioning against the front or rear of the vehicle, wherein the inner surface has a series of fasteners by which the sheet can be attached to the vehicle so as to hang vertically.
2. A warning panel as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fasteners are magnets and/or suction cups.
3. A warning panel as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fasteners are located at or near an edge or the sheet that is uppermost in use.
4. A warning panel as claimed in claim 3, wherein one or more weights are located at or near an edge of the sheet that is opposite to the edge at which the fasteners are located and is lowermost in use.
5. A warning panel as claimed in claim 3 or 4, further comprising a series of light units distributed along the uppermost edge and/or the lowermost edge of the outer surface.
6. A warning panel as claimed in claim 5, wherein the sheet is foldable such that the sheet can be wrapped around the light units when not deployed for use.
7. A warning panel as claimed in claim 6, further comprising a storage container for the warning panel when wrapped and not deployed for use.
8. A warning panel for attachment to a vehicle, comprising a sheet of flexible fabric having a high visibility outer surface, and an inner surface for positioning against the front or rear of the vehicle, wherein the inner surface has an adhesive layer that allows the sheet to be attached to the vehicle so as to hang vertically.
9. A warning panel as claimed in claim 8, wherein the adhesive layer is covered by a removable, protective layer which must be removed before the sheet is attached to the vehicle.
10. A warning panel as claimed in claim 9, wherein the removable, protective layer is a coated paper or a polymer.
11. A warning panel as claimed in claim 8, 9, or 10, wherein the adhesive layer is a non-marking, temporary adhesive that allows the sheet to be detached from the vehicle without leaving adhesive on the surface of the vehicle.
12. A warning panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the outer surface has a striped pattern of at least two different colours, when one of the colours is fluorescent.
13. A warning panel as claimed in claim 12, further comprising one or more signs on the outer surface to indicate a direction to pass the vehicle on which the panel is deployed.
14. A warning panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel is configured to be attached at or near the roof of the vehicle.
15. A warning panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the panel is configured to hang down to or close to ground level when attached to the vehicle.
16. A warning panel as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sheet is configured to wrap around the front or rear surface of the vehicle and extend onto adjacent sides of the vehicle.
17. A warning panel as claimed in claim 16, comprising a first panel configured to be attached at or near the roof of the vehicle and hang part way down the front or rear surface when attached to the vehicle, and a second panel configured to be attached part way down the front or rear surface of the vehicle and to hang down to or close to ground level when attached to the vehicle.
18. A system, comprising a warning panel as claimed in any preceding claim, and a jacket, and/or umbrella, and/or one or more freestanding panels to be positioned on the ground adjacent the vehicles, having an outer surface corresponding to the outer surface of the panel.
19. A roadside safety system, comprising a series of posts positioned to one side of the road, wherein each post comprises a deployable warning panel comprising a sheet of flexible fabric having a high visibility surface, wherein panels are deployable laterally from adjacent posts towards the road in use such that the sheet can hang vertically and present the high visibility surface towards oncoming traffic travelling along the road.
20. A roadside safety system as claimed in claim 15, wherein each post has an actuator for deploying the warning panels and the posts are interconnected so that operation of the actuator on one post deploys waring panels on a number of adjacent posts.
21. A safety alarm device, comprising a unit including an operating switch or button and a communication unit connectable to a mobile phone such that operation of the switch or button causes the unit to signal to the mobile phone to send a message giving the location of the device to a linked service.
22. A safety alarm device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the unit is connectable to the mobile phone by Bluetooth.
23. A safety alarm device as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the device further comprises a charging plug connectable to an in-car charging point.
24. A safety alarm device as claimed in claim 21 or 22, further comprising a whistle for drawing attention to the user.