WO1999020139A1

WO1999020139A1 - Emissive warning device

Info

Publication number: WO1999020139A1
Application number: PCT/GB1998/003096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kieron Loy
Original assignee: Kieron Loy
Priority date: 1997-10-16
Filing date: 1998-10-15
Publication date: 1999-04-29
Also published as: AU9451698A; GB9822292D0; GB9721851D0; GB2330529A

Abstract

An emissive warning device (10) for connection to a child's umbrella (12), comprising a body having a means (38, 40) for connecting the device to an external position on the umbrella (16), means (24) for emitting a warning signal alerting people near the umbrella of its presence, and means (42) for actuating the warning signal.

Description

EMISSIVE WARNING DEVICE

The invention relates to an emissive warning device and to an umbrella comprising such a device.

It is known to provide umbrella's having a layer of material, such as waterproof fabric under which a person can shelter, which material can be brightly coloured. However, such an umbrella does not act sufficiently to alert people nearby to the presence of the umbrella and in particular to the person carrying the umbrella.

An object of the invention is to provide a device for alerting people in the vicinity of a person carrying an umbrella to the presence of that person. An aspect of the invention provides an emissive warning device for connection to a child's umbrella, comprising a body having means for connecting the device to an external position on the umbrella, means for emitting a warning signal alerting people near the umbrella of its presence, and means for actuating the warning signal.

The emitting means can for example emit light, a flashing light signal, a coloured light signal, or a sound, or a combination of these.

Preferably the actuating means comprises an input which can be a manually operated user input such as a switch operable by a user to select the desired output. 2

The output can be controlled by a controller which might comprise a simple electronic circuit or a micro-processor control system.

The device can comprise an output such as an array of LED's.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-

FIGURE 1 is a schematic sectional side elevation view of a device according to the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic front elevation view of the device shown in Figure 1 ;

FIGURE 3 is a schematic plan view of the device shown in Figure 2;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic side elevation view of an umbrella according to the invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a schematic block diagram of a control circuit according to the invention.

Referring to Figure 4, there is shown a device 10 according to the invention attached to an umbrella 12 comprising a fabric layer 14 providing shelter, a main stem 18 having at one end a threaded knob 16 for connection to device 10 and a handle 20 at the other end.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, it can be seen that in a preferred form device 10 comprises a lens 22 such as a transparent plastic dome, an array of lights such as LED's 24, and a reflector 26 for example having a silvered reflective surface to emit light from LED's 24 through lens 22. The device can further comprise a housing 28 and base plate 30 which together define a cavity 32 for housing an 3

electronic control and power supply 48 and 54 respectively (see figure 5). Preferably housing 28 is attached to lens 22 by co-operating means 34 which can comprise co-operating threaded regions or a mechanical lock comprising a tab and recess for example. Similarly, preferably housing 28 and base plate 30 are connected by co-operating means 36 such as threaded regions or a mechanical co-operating lock such as a tab and recess. Accordingly device 10 can be seen to be formed of an integral body having outer parts formed by lens 22, housing 28 and base plate 30.

Means for connecting device 10 to umbrella 12 can for example comprise a recess 38 in plate 30 having locking means such as a threaded region 40 for co-operating with a threaded knob 16. Other co-operating means could be provided on an umbrella 12 compatible with device 10.

Device 10 further preferably comprises a switch 42 having two or more selectable positions. Switch 42 can be carried in a recess 44 in the side of housing 28. Alternatively part of the body can be movable with respect to another part to effect switching. For example housing 28 can be rotatable with respect to base plate 30 between selectable positions for actuating the output.

In this embodiment switching 32 provides the input 50 shown in control circuit 46 of Figure 5. For example, a user such as a child can select an off, on, or flashing position. The selected position is relayed from switch 42 or input 50 to controller 48 which effects a corresponding signal from emissive output 52. A controller 48 can be a microprocessor control system programmed to effect an output signal, such as flashing lights and/or an audio signal from output 52. according to the selected position of switch 42 (or signal from input 50). 4

Controller 48 could also comprise a hard wired control circuit on a pcb in an alternative form.

Accordingly, in use lights 24 can be turned on, or flashed on and off, or individual lights in an array can be turned on and off in sequence for example. The circuit 26 is powered by a source 54 such as a dry cell battery. Beneficially the control circuit 48 and power source 54 can be housed in cavity 32.

Beneficially, when device 10 is turned on an emissive signal, such as sound or light, is emitted from the device thereby to alert people in the vicinity of the device of its presence, and accordingly of the presence of a child carrying an umbrella 12 having such a device. Accordingly, the device acts as a safety device.

Preferably white light LED's are used but they can be of other colours, or indeed different colours within an array. Three LED's are shown here but any number of lights can be used. In one form five LED' s are arranged in a circular array. A flashing effect can be achieved by lighting each LED alternately.

Claims

5Claims

1. An emissive warning device for connection to a child's umbrella comprising a body having means for connecting the device to an external position on the umbrella, means for emitting a warning signal alerting people near the umbrella of its presence, and means for actuating the warning signal.

2. A device according to Claim 1 wherein the emitting means comprises a light.

3. A device according to Claim 2 comprising an optical arrangement including a light reflector and lens for projecting light beyond the device.

4. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the emitting means comprises an array of two or more lights.

5. A device according to any of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the light is a light emitting diode.

6. A device according to Claim 4 or 5 wherein the array is substantially circular and preferably comprises three or five LED' s.

7. A device according to any preceding claim comprising control means for effecting an intermittent output signal from the emitting means such as a flashing light.

8. A device according to any preceding claim wherein the connecting means comprises a recess for receiving a knob or stem of an umbrella.

9. . A device according to Claim 9 wherein the recess is threaded to co-operate with a threaded portion of the umbrella.

10. A device according to ..any preceding claim wherein part of the body is movable with respect to another part thereby to form part of the actuating means.

11. An emissive warning device substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings or as shown in the accompanying drawings.