WO2009109772A1 - Indicator - Google Patents

Indicator Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2009109772A1
WO2009109772A1 PCT/GB2009/050196 GB2009050196W WO2009109772A1 WO 2009109772 A1 WO2009109772 A1 WO 2009109772A1 GB 2009050196 W GB2009050196 W GB 2009050196W WO 2009109772 A1 WO2009109772 A1 WO 2009109772A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
indicator
road
vehicle
driver
attached
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2009/050196
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Paul Ivor Harper
Joseph Deighton
Charles Sterling
Original Assignee
Paul Ivor Harper
Joseph Deighton
Charles Sterling
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Paul Ivor Harper, Joseph Deighton, Charles Sterling filed Critical Paul Ivor Harper
Publication of WO2009109772A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009109772A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q—ARRANGEMENT OF SIGNALLING OR LIGHTING DEVICES, THE MOUNTING OR SUPPORTING THEREOF OR CIRCUITS THEREFOR, FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60Q9/00—Arrangement or adaptation of signal devices not provided for in one of main groups B60Q1/00 - B60Q7/00, e.g. haptic signalling

Definitions

  • This invention relates to an indicator for a vehicle, suitable for use when the vehicle is being driven in a country in which cars are driven on the opposite side of the road to that which is familiar to the driver, the indicator indicating the side of the road on which the vehicle should be driven.
  • the indicator is suitable for use both in the country unfamiliar to the driver and may be used again on returning to the familiar country to remind the driver to drive on the correct side of the road.
  • the present invention provides an indicator for indicating to a driver the side of the road upon which the vehicle should be driven, and may be used both in the foreign country where cars are driven on the opposite side of the road, and also on return to the familiar country to indicate to the driver the side of the road upon which to drive.
  • the present invention also assists the driver to negotiate road features successfully both in the foreign country and on return home, to avoid dangerous confusion.
  • Figure 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of the indicator according to the present invention
  • Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic view of the indicator of Figure 1 attached to a front windscreen of a right hand drive car in several suitable positions
  • Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic view of the indicator of Figure 1 attached to a front windscreen of a left hand drive car in several suitable positions
  • Figures 4(A) and (B) show the indicator of Figure 1 as viewed from a first side and a second, reversed side.
  • an indicator is illustrated consisting of a rectangular sheet 10 of flexible plastics material. It will be appreciated that other shapes are equally suitable whether curvilinear or rectilinear. In addition it will be appreciated that while a flexible plastics material is suitable a different material than a plastics may be also suitable.
  • the plastics material is adapted to adhere to a clean windscreen surface, and is also adapted such that either side of the plastics material will so adhere when attachment is sought.
  • plastics material will generally be clear and transparent, and may include differently coloured regions, the differently coloured regions also being transparent. Some regions of the sheet may be opaque or semi- transparent, in particular some of the coloured regions.
  • the differently coloured regions on the indicator may be arranged to show, for example, a plan view of a road, and may further show a car on that road in a suitable position, either driving on the right or the left side of the road.
  • the indicator being generally transparent will not obscure the view of the road visible to the driver, and may be positioned on the windscreen such that it is noticeable to the driver, not sufficiently prominent to be distracting but sufficiently prominent to render the driver sensible of the appropriate side of the road on which to drive.
  • the indicator may be applied to a vehicle windscreen once a driver of the vehicle commences driving on an unfamiliar side of the road.
  • Figure 2 shows the indicator attached to a windscreen of a right hand drive vehicle in four possible positions: 16 (a), 16 (b), 16 (c) or 16 (d).
  • Figure 3 shows the indicator attached to a windscreen of a left hand drive vehicle in four possible positions: 18 (a), 18 (b), 18 (c) or 18 (d).
  • An advantage of the present invention is that once the driver returns to a country in which vehicles are driven on a familiar side of the road the same indicator may be affixed to a windscreen of a vehicle to be driven, in a reversed orientation, such that the opposite face of the sheet is attached to the windscreen.
  • the arrangement is such that the reversed indicator still indicates to the driver the suitable side of the road for driving.
  • the present invention therefore provides for a device suitable for attachment to preferably an interior surface of a vehicle, either side of the device being attachable, such that when attached by a first side the device indicates the correct side of the road to drive in countries where cars are driven on the right, and when attached by a second side indicates the correct side of the road to drive in countries where cars are driven on the left.
  • the device may be releasably attached to a windscreen such that the device may be used repeatedly, both the first and second side being available for releasable attachment.
  • the device may further assist the driver to negotiate features of the road in countries where cars are driven on unfamiliar sides of the road.
  • Figure 4 (A) shows the indicator as viewed from a first side, when attached, for example by the second side, to a vehicle windscreen.
  • Figure 4 (B) shows the same indicator as viewed from the second side when attached by the first side to a vehicle windscreen. As can be seen with the indicator attached by either side it may be usefully viewed from the opposite side.
  • a driver may attach the device by affixing a first side of the sheet to an interior surface of a vehicle, for example the vehicle windscreen.
  • the device is thus visible to the driver and may be positioned so that the view of the road is not impeded but such that the driver can easily see the device.
  • the device may show a plan of a road with a vehicle driving, say, on the right, and also optionally shows a feature on the road to be negotiated by the vehicle, for example, a roundabout, indicating by use of coloured regions where the driver should position the vehicle while negotiating the roundabout.
  • the vehicle may then be driven while in countries in which vehicles are driven on an unfamiliar side of the road and the driver has a constant reminder of the correct position of the vehicle.
  • the driver may have become accustomed to driving abroad, so that the opposite side of the road is now unfamiliar.
  • the device may then be peeled off, or otherwise removed, from the windscreen, turned round, and the opposite side of the device may be attached to the windscreen.
  • the device still shows the driver the correct side of the road to drive in the new country in which vehicles are driven on the opposite side of the road.
  • the driver therefore has only to buy and attach one item, the item being easy to store, and reuse, such that the device may be used in any country of the world, and will indicate to the driver the correct side of the road to drive irrespective of whether cars are driven on the right or cars are driven on the left in that country.
  • the device may be used in countries where cars are driven on an unfamiliar side of the road and also used on return to countries where cars are driven on familiar sides of the road, as a reminder should the driver forget.
  • the device is simple to make, simple to use, and does not waste resources.
  • the indicator may be attached to any surface of a vehicle, including any interior surface of the vehicle, such as but not limited to the windscreen.

Abstract

An indicator for attachment to a vehicle, said indicator comprising a plastics film with a first and second side, each side removably re-attachable to a surface of said vehicle, said indicator including a guide which, with the indicator attached by a first side, provides guidance for a driver driving on a first side of the road, and which, with the indicator removed and re-attached to said same surface by said second side, provides guidance for a driver driving on a second side of the road opposite to said first side ofthe road.

Description

INDICATOR
This invention relates to an indicator for a vehicle, suitable for use when the vehicle is being driven in a country in which cars are driven on the opposite side of the road to that which is familiar to the driver, the indicator indicating the side of the road on which the vehicle should be driven. The indicator is suitable for use both in the country unfamiliar to the driver and may be used again on returning to the familiar country to remind the driver to drive on the correct side of the road.
There are many hazards associated with driving on unfamiliar roads, and driving in countries in which cars are driven on the opposite side of the road to that familiar to the driver is particularly dangerous. It is easy to forget, when resuming driving after a short stop, to drive on the side of the road suitable to the unfamiliar country, and familiar features on foreign roads can also confuse. It is known to include one or more 'aide-memoirs' in the car to assist the driver in these circumstances, in particular it is known to attach an sticker to the windscreen in full view of the driver to remind the driver during driving. Such devices can be expensive and awkward to affix, and do not assist when the driver returns to home but has become accustomed to the foreign roads. In addition, such devices no not necessarily help when the driver has to negotiate familiar features on foreign roads.
The present invention provides an indicator for indicating to a driver the side of the road upon which the vehicle should be driven, and may be used both in the foreign country where cars are driven on the opposite side of the road, and also on return to the familiar country to indicate to the driver the side of the road upon which to drive. The present invention also assists the driver to negotiate road features successfully both in the foreign country and on return home, to avoid dangerous confusion.
The above and other aspects of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with the aid of the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of the indicator according to the present invention;
Figure 2 shows a diagrammatic view of the indicator of Figure 1 attached to a front windscreen of a right hand drive car in several suitable positions; Figure 3 shows a diagrammatic view of the indicator of Figure 1 attached to a front windscreen of a left hand drive car in several suitable positions; and
Figures 4(A) and (B) show the indicator of Figure 1 as viewed from a first side and a second, reversed side.
Referring now to Figure 1, an indicator is illustrated consisting of a rectangular sheet 10 of flexible plastics material. It will be appreciated that other shapes are equally suitable whether curvilinear or rectilinear. In addition it will be appreciated that while a flexible plastics material is suitable a different material than a plastics may be also suitable.
The plastics material is adapted to adhere to a clean windscreen surface, and is also adapted such that either side of the plastics material will so adhere when attachment is sought.
It is contemplated that the plastics material will generally be clear and transparent, and may include differently coloured regions, the differently coloured regions also being transparent. Some regions of the sheet may be opaque or semi- transparent, in particular some of the coloured regions.
The differently coloured regions on the indicator may be arranged to show, for example, a plan view of a road, and may further show a car on that road in a suitable position, either driving on the right or the left side of the road. The indicator being generally transparent will not obscure the view of the road visible to the driver, and may be positioned on the windscreen such that it is noticeable to the driver, not sufficiently prominent to be distracting but sufficiently prominent to render the driver sensible of the appropriate side of the road on which to drive. The indicator may be applied to a vehicle windscreen once a driver of the vehicle commences driving on an unfamiliar side of the road. Figure 2 shows the indicator attached to a windscreen of a right hand drive vehicle in four possible positions: 16 (a), 16 (b), 16 (c) or 16 (d). Figure 3 shows the indicator attached to a windscreen of a left hand drive vehicle in four possible positions: 18 (a), 18 (b), 18 (c) or 18 (d).
An advantage of the present invention is that once the driver returns to a country in which vehicles are driven on a familiar side of the road the same indicator may be affixed to a windscreen of a vehicle to be driven, in a reversed orientation, such that the opposite face of the sheet is attached to the windscreen. The arrangement is such that the reversed indicator still indicates to the driver the suitable side of the road for driving.
The present invention therefore provides for a device suitable for attachment to preferably an interior surface of a vehicle, either side of the device being attachable, such that when attached by a first side the device indicates the correct side of the road to drive in countries where cars are driven on the right, and when attached by a second side indicates the correct side of the road to drive in countries where cars are driven on the left. The device may be releasably attached to a windscreen such that the device may be used repeatedly, both the first and second side being available for releasable attachment. The device may further assist the driver to negotiate features of the road in countries where cars are driven on unfamiliar sides of the road.
Figure 4 (A) shows the indicator as viewed from a first side, when attached, for example by the second side, to a vehicle windscreen. Figure 4 (B) shows the same indicator as viewed from the second side when attached by the first side to a vehicle windscreen. As can be seen with the indicator attached by either side it may be usefully viewed from the opposite side.
In use, a driver may attach the device by affixing a first side of the sheet to an interior surface of a vehicle, for example the vehicle windscreen. The device is thus visible to the driver and may be positioned so that the view of the road is not impeded but such that the driver can easily see the device. Thus attached the device may show a plan of a road with a vehicle driving, say, on the right, and also optionally shows a feature on the road to be negotiated by the vehicle, for example, a roundabout, indicating by use of coloured regions where the driver should position the vehicle while negotiating the roundabout. The vehicle may then be driven while in countries in which vehicles are driven on an unfamiliar side of the road and the driver has a constant reminder of the correct position of the vehicle.
On returning to a country in which vehicles are driven on the opposite side of the road, the driver may have become accustomed to driving abroad, so that the opposite side of the road is now unfamiliar. The device may then be peeled off, or otherwise removed, from the windscreen, turned round, and the opposite side of the device may be attached to the windscreen. The device still shows the driver the correct side of the road to drive in the new country in which vehicles are driven on the opposite side of the road.
The driver therefore has only to buy and attach one item, the item being easy to store, and reuse, such that the device may be used in any country of the world, and will indicate to the driver the correct side of the road to drive irrespective of whether cars are driven on the right or cars are driven on the left in that country. In addition the device may be used in countries where cars are driven on an unfamiliar side of the road and also used on return to countries where cars are driven on familiar sides of the road, as a reminder should the driver forget.
The device is simple to make, simple to use, and does not waste resources.
It will be appreciated that the present invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing examples. For example the indicator may be attached to any surface of a vehicle, including any interior surface of the vehicle, such as but not limited to the windscreen.

Claims

1. An indicator for attachment to a vehicle, said indicator comprising:
A plastics film with a first and second side, each side removably re-attachable to a surface of said vehicle, said indicator including a guide which, with the indicator attached by a first side, provides guidance for a driver driving on a first side of the road, and which, with the indicator removed and re-attached to said same surface by said second side, provides guidance for a driver driving on a second side of the road opposite to said first side of the road.
2. An indicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said indicator is at least partially transparent.
3. An indicator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said guide is provided to said partially transparent portion of said indicator.
4. An indicator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein said guide includes a representation of a road ahead of said vehicle including a road feature.
5. An indicator as claimed in claim 4 wherein said road feature is a roundabout.
6. An indicator as claimed in claim 4 wherein said road feature is a roundabout and a vehicle
7. An indicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said guide includes arrows indicating a suggested path.
8. An indicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said indicator is substantially rectangular.
9. An indicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said surface is an interior surface.
10. An indicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said surface is a vehicle windscreen.
11. An indicator substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
12. An indicator substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying description.
PCT/GB2009/050196 2008-03-04 2009-02-26 Indicator WO2009109772A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0804015.6 2008-03-04
GB0804015A GB2458124B (en) 2008-03-04 2008-03-04 Indicator

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009109772A1 true WO2009109772A1 (en) 2009-09-11

Family

ID=39315928

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2009/050196 WO2009109772A1 (en) 2008-03-04 2009-02-26 Indicator

Country Status (2)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2458124B (en)
WO (1) WO2009109772A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8395530B2 (en) * 2010-03-11 2013-03-12 Khaled Jafar Al-Hasan Traffic control system
GB2512602A (en) * 2013-04-03 2014-10-08 David John Schroder Driving abroad reminder system
GB2598633A (en) * 2020-09-08 2022-03-09 Boyle Stephen Visual driving aid

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2455263A1 (en) * 1974-11-22 1976-05-26 Karl Hollerung Safety marking for windscreen or dashboard - to remind driver to give priority to traffic from right
GB2108444A (en) * 1981-09-23 1983-05-18 Colin Sidney Bullen Vehicle instrumentation
GB2263995A (en) * 1992-01-28 1993-08-11 Mobile Maps Limited Information display device.
US5258214A (en) * 1989-11-03 1993-11-02 Mobil Oil Corporation Preprinted thin plastic film wall covering, and method for making the same
GB2371912A (en) * 2001-01-31 2002-08-07 Mark Watts A vehicle driving aid
US6446375B1 (en) * 2000-07-14 2002-09-10 Michael C. Davis Automobile window message display device
GB2407685A (en) * 2003-10-14 2005-05-04 Lander Inv S Ltd Apparatus for indicating to a vehicle driver the correct side of the road on which to drive

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2717755B3 (en) * 1994-03-22 1996-05-15 Louis Sumsi Permanent recall system on the traffic side for the driver of a land vehicle.
GB9503835D0 (en) * 1995-02-25 1995-04-19 Hill John F Reminder device for motorists

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2455263A1 (en) * 1974-11-22 1976-05-26 Karl Hollerung Safety marking for windscreen or dashboard - to remind driver to give priority to traffic from right
GB2108444A (en) * 1981-09-23 1983-05-18 Colin Sidney Bullen Vehicle instrumentation
US5258214A (en) * 1989-11-03 1993-11-02 Mobil Oil Corporation Preprinted thin plastic film wall covering, and method for making the same
GB2263995A (en) * 1992-01-28 1993-08-11 Mobile Maps Limited Information display device.
US6446375B1 (en) * 2000-07-14 2002-09-10 Michael C. Davis Automobile window message display device
GB2371912A (en) * 2001-01-31 2002-08-07 Mark Watts A vehicle driving aid
GB2407685A (en) * 2003-10-14 2005-05-04 Lander Inv S Ltd Apparatus for indicating to a vehicle driver the correct side of the road on which to drive

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB2458124B (en) 2010-03-03
GB2458124A (en) 2009-09-09
GB0804015D0 (en) 2008-04-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
BRPI0600065A (en) exterior display and rearview mirror assembly for a heavy duty vehicle, multifunctional information display system for an exterior rearview mirror assembly, and, exterior side rearview mirror assembly and heavy duty vehicle
DE50304459D1 (en) Device with overtaking aid module for driver assistance in motor vehicles
EP2096411A3 (en) Navigation apparatus and navigation program
US7489256B2 (en) Parallel parking assisting vehicle indicator
WO2008084804A1 (en) Warning display system
JP3987994B2 (en) Vehicle handle
WO2007014632A3 (en) Method and device for providing route-dependent driving instructions
FR2906210B1 (en) MOTOR VEHICLE HAVING A DEVICE FOR ASSISTING THE DRIVER DURING PARKING
WO2009109772A1 (en) Indicator
FR2912977B1 (en) BODY COMPONENT OF AN AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE WITH A REFLECTIVE OR TRANSPARENT SURFACE WITH IMPROVED VISIBILITY IN THE PRESENCE OF DROPLETS
FR2897633B1 (en) TRANSPARENT PANEL OCCULTATION DEVICE IN PARTICULAR FOR A MOTOR VEHICLE
JP2006199246A (en) Tire direction indicating device for vehicle
CN203601119U (en) Multifunctional and multi-directional display system enabling improved driving safety
ATE516986T1 (en) DRIVING ASSISTANCE
EP1275550A1 (en) Turn indicator display for vehicles
US20220232937A1 (en) Automobile document case
FR2886888B1 (en) DEVICE FOR DISPENSING AIR IN THE CABIN OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
JP2001071822A (en) Mark
JP2004243996A (en) Direction indicator for automobile door
AU2006100600A4 (en) Road safety reminder device - electrical/electronic
KR200371683Y1 (en) Wheel alignment display of vehicle
JP2005074998A (en) Glittering emblem for automobile
FR2910848B3 (en) AUXILIARY DRIVE DEVICE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE AND AUTOMOTIVE VEHICLE OBTAINED
KR200484280Y1 (en) sticker for parking guidance
JP2009248574A (en) Automobile with head-up display, and head-up display

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 09717596

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 09717596

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1