GB2063970A

GB2063970A - Vehicle Hazard Warning Device

Info

Publication number: GB2063970A
Application number: GB8000242A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-11-23
Filing date: 1980-01-04
Publication date: 1981-06-10

Abstract

The Warning Device comprises a foldable rigid or roll-up sheet of fluorescent material carrying a reflective skeletal triangle. The sheet may comprise a spring-wound roller blind mounted in a casing. A pair of clips on the casing serve for attaching it to a vehicle or alternatively screws or rubber plugs may be used. Where the rear of vehicle opens high the device may be unfurled between the edge of the tailgate or boot and the floor or bumper. A tubular member extends along the lower edge of the sheet and a pair of elastic cords extend from each end of the tube terminate in a plastic clip or hook for attachment to the bumper. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Hazard Warning Device This invention relates to hazard warning devices for motor vehicles.

A common means of indicating the presence of a hazard, say a broken-down vehicle, to following traffic comprises a small, usually skeletal, triangle which is placed on the ground a suitable or prescribed distance behind the hazard. Such triangles are generally unsatisfactory as they are easily blown over, knocked down or even stolen.

Furthermore because of their small size and ground position they cannot easily be seen by approaching drivers, especially in heavy traffic.

It is an object of the present invention to eliminate or at least mitigate these problems and to this end there is provided a hazard warning device comprising a sheet comprising an easily recognisable hazard warning sign, e.g. a triangle, and adapted for securing at the rear of a vehicle.

Preferably the triangle is carried by a sheet of a contrasting tone, for example a red triangle on a white sheet and the sheet and/or triangle may be reflective.

The size and means of securing the sheet are preferably arranged to ensure a large area display at the rear of the vehicle. Thus for example the sheet may be arranged to extend between the open boot lid and boot rear lip or bumper of a normal saloon car or across the open rear of an estate car, van or other vehicle having a rear door.

The sheet is preferably of a nature such that it can be stored inside the vehicle and readily opened out for display in an emergency. A particularly convenient storage is effected by attaching a rolled sheet to the boot lid preferably by attachment to the usual boot lid reinforcing ribs. Where applicable, say in the case of an estate car or other vehicle having a rear door the device may be secured to the roof interior or rear door. Then in an emergency the boot lid or door is opened and the sheet unfurled to hang across the rear of the vehicle.

The lower edge of the sheet is preferably attached to a lower part of the vehicle say the boot lower edge, vehicle floor or bumper, conveniently by elasticated ties, to ensure the sheet remains taut.

In a preferred embodiment the lower edge of the sheet is secured to a tube through which extends an elastic cord or cords. Clips or hooks fastened to the ends of the cord or cords serve for attachment to the vehicle.

Clearly if desired the sheet could be attached to the boot lip or vehicle floor and be unfurled upwards. If desired the device may incorporate a roller-blind type of mechanism to rewind the sheet automatically when released.

In preferred embodiments the hazard warning device is permanently attached to the vehicle.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a hazard warning device, Figure 2 shows the device attached to a saloon car, Figure 3 shows an alternative form of device attached to an estate car, Figure 4 shows a device attached to the rear door of a vehicle commonly referred to as "hatchback", Figure 5 is a cross-sectional detail view showing a mode of attaching the device to the usual reinforcing ribs of a vehicle boot-lid, and Figures 6 and 7 illustrate means of attachment of the device to a vehicle rear bumper.

In Figure 1 a hazard warning device 10 comprises a sheet 11 of white reflective material, such as is used for projection screens. The sheet carries a large red, skeletal reflective triangle 12 of the type generally recognised as indicating a road traffic hazard. As shown the sheet is unfurled from a casing 1 3 which serves to house the sheet when not in use and has a spring mechanism to automatically rewind the sheet into the casing as required. Any suitable mechanism may be employed such as is used for roller blinds. A pair of clips 14 at the upper part of the casing 13 serve for attaching the casing to a vehicle.

The lower edge of the sheet 11 has a rod 15 which carries a cord handle 1 6 by means of which the sheet can be unfurled from its casing and at each end an elasticated loop 1 7.

Figure 2 shows the device attached across the open boot of a saloon car 18, with the clips 14 engaged in reinforcing ribs (not shown) at the interior of the lower edge of the boot lid 1 9 and the loops 1 7 looped around convenient projections )not shown) inside the boot rear wall.

Alternatively the loops 1 7 could be looped around the ends of the rear bumper 20 as indicated in broken lines.

Figure 3 shows an alternative device comprising a similar sheet 11, carrying a red triangle 12, secured across the open tailgate 22 of an estate car 24.

In this case the sheet is supported at its upper edge by a plain rod 26 which is secured by any convenient means e.g. hooks 28, to the tailgate hinges 30. The corners of the lower edge of the sheet are fastened to the vehicle bumper 32 by a pair of ties 34 which extend around the bumper and hook onto the bottom rod 15. Preferably the ties are elasticated to ensure that, in use, the sheet is kept taut.

It is envisaged that in the case of a vehicle having an upwardly opening rear door or tailgate the device, with or without automatic rewind, might be attached to the bottom edge of the tailgate as at 36 in Figure 4 and be unfurled downwards towards the bumper 38. Where the tailgate opens high above the vehicle, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 the device might be unfurled between the edge of the tailgate and the hinges as indicated at 40 in Figure 4, resulting in the display being at a greater distance from ground level and free of obstruction, which will further enhance its visibility from a distance.

Figure 5 illustrates in detail attachment of the device to a reinforcing rib 44 of the vehicle's boot lid 19. A support flange 46, one of a plurality secured to the casing (not shown), is secured to the rib 44 by a headed plug 50 extending through holes 48 and 52 in the flange 46 and rib 44, respectively. The inner end 54 of the plug 50 is conical, facilitating insertion through the aforesaid holes, and is enlarged to provide an annular seating 56 to bear against the inner surface of the rib 44 and prevent removal of the plug.

Intermediate the conical portion 54 and head 58, the plug 50 has a flange or collar 60 which serves to space the casing flange 46 from the rib 44.

If preferred, the plug 44 could be replaced by a self-tapping screw, conveniently of nylon or other synthetic plastics material.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate a mode of attachment of the lower end of the sheet to the bumper. A tubular member 60 extends along the lower edge of the sheet 11. A pair of elastic cords 62 extend from each end of the tube 60 and terminate in a plastics clip or hook 64. In use the hook 64 is passed around the bumper 32 and hooked around the cords. Preferably the arrangement is such that after use the cords retract into the tube 60 as shown in Figure 7.

The clips or hooks 60 may be secured to short lengths of cord attached to the tube near its ends, or, and perhaps preferably, be attached to opposite projecting ends of a single cord or cords extending throughout the length of the tube.

Whilst it is preferable for the sheet to be rolled for storage it will be appreciated that the invention encompasses a sheet, possibly rigid, which can be stored flat or folded in the vehicle say against the roof, especially of an estate car or van.

It should also be appreciated that in the various embodiments the casing of the device could be attached to the boot rear wall or, where applicable, the floor, the sheet then being unfurled upwards.

An advantage of embodiments of the invention is that they provide a large area display which is easy to erect and because of its size and distance from the ground, is clearly visible to approaching traffic and which cannot readily be rendered ineffective by being blown over, knocked down or stolen.

Claims

Claims

1. The Hazard Warning Device is an aid to motorists and road users comprising of a sheet which is enhanced with a warning sign e.g. a triangle, and adapted for securing at the rear of a vehicle.

A. As claimed in 1, the triangle and the sheet are of contrasting tones. The sheet and/or triangle may be reflective (or alternatively fluorescent). It is preferred that the triangle be reflective and the sheet fluorescent.

B. As claimed in 1, the sheet may be arranged to extend between the open boot lid and boot lower lip or bumper of a normal saloon car or across the open rear of an estate car, hatch back, van or other vehicle having an opening at the rear.

C. As claimed in 1, the lower edge of the sheet is preferably attached to a lower part of the vehicle such as the boot lower edge, vehicle floor or bumper by elasticated ties or Velcro tabs to ensure the sheet remains taut.

D. As claimed in 1, it is possible to attach the sheet at the boot lip or floor of the vehicle and unfurl upwards. If desired it could incorporate a roller-blind type of mechanism to rewind the sheet automatically when released.

E. As claimed in 1, in a preferred embodiment the lower edge of the sheet is secured to a tube.

Elasticated cord may pass through this tube. Clips or hooks fastened to the ends of the cord serve for attachment to the vehicle. Alternatively Velcro tabs may be sewn or glued to the sheet to facilitate attachment.

F. As claimed in 1, whilst it is preferable for the sheet to be rolled for storage it will be appreciated that the invention encompasses a sheet possibly rigid, which can be stored flat or folded in the vehicle say against the roof, especially of an estate car or van.