GB2369180A

GB2369180A - Flashing warning light

Info

Publication number: GB2369180A
Application number: GB0027035A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Richard Hills; Richard Anthony Isted; Julian Brian Horner
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-11-04
Filing date: 2000-11-04
Publication date: 2002-05-22
Also published as: GB2369180A8; GB0027035D0

Abstract

A warning light 1 comprises a generally U-shaped housing 2. Housing 2 has a bar 3 spanning the ends of arms 2A, 2B of the U-shaped housing to serve as a handle to carry the housing. A pair of lights 4, 5 are mounted in each arm 2A, 2B. Circuit 4B, 5B are provided to flash the lights alternately, and a battery 6 provides power for the lights and circuit. Each light 4, 5 may include five LED's 4A, 5A and each light may be covered by a "Fresnel" type lens 4C, 5C. The housing may have feet 8B to support the housing on a surface, or suckers 7A, 7B to adhere the housing to a surface. A storage box with a translucent panel is provided, such that the light is visible when covered by the box. The storage box may be large enough to store other useful safety equipment, such as a first aid kit.

Description

2369 1 80

Title: Warning Light The present invention relates to a warning light.

There are many circumstances when it is desirable to alert other people of a hazardous situation.

For example when broken down in a car on the roadway. Many cars carry a warning triangle which can be positioned a distance up the road from the vehicle to warn motorists in advance of a hazard, but these are not always conspicuous.

The invention seeks to provide a warning light to alert people of a hazardous situation.

According to a first aspect the present invention there is provided a warning light comprising: a) a generally U^shaped housing, b) a bar spanning the ends of the arms of the U-shaped housing to serve as a handle to carry the housing, c) at least one light, d) a circuit to flash the or each light, and e) a power supply for the light and circuit.

Preferably a pair of lights are provided in the arms of the U-shaped housing, and preferably the circuit flashes the pair of lights alternately.

Preferably the lights include at least one LED. A lens may be provided for the or each LED. The or each LED may be red.

One or more suckers may be provided to adhere the housing to a surface. The housing may include one or more feet to support the housing on a surface.

Preferably a storage box is provided for the warning light. The storage box may include a translucent panel such that the or each light is visible in the storage box whereby the box can be used as a cover when the warning light is in use.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a warning light, said light comprising a housing with at least one flashing light therein, and a storage box for the warning light, said storage box may include a translucent panel such that the or each light is visible in the storage box whereby the box can be used as a cover when the warning light is in use.

The light may be of the type as hereinbefore defined.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a warning light, and Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the warning light of Figure 1 in a storage box.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a warning light 1. Light 1 comprises a generally U-shaped housing 2 having two arms 2A, B. A bar 3 is provided spanning the ends of the arms of the U shaped housing to serve as a handle to carry the housing.

A pair of lights 4,5 are provided in the anns 2A,2B. Light 4 is made up from an array of five red LEDs 4A mounted on a circuit board 4B. A plastic "Fresnel type" lens 4C is provided in front of the LEDs 4A. Similarly light 5 is made up from an array of five red LEDs SA mounted on a circuit board 5B. A plastic "Presnel type" lens 5C is provided in front of the LEDs 5A.

Circuit boards 4B,SB include components to make up a circuit to flash lights 4,5 alternately, and the circuit and lights are powered by batteries 6.

A pair of suckers 7A,7B are provided to adhere the housing 2 to a surface. The housing also includes four feet 8A,8B,8C,8D (feet 8C,8D not shown) to support the housing 2 on a surface.

An on/off switch 9 is provided to turn the warning light "on" and "off'.

In use the lights 4,5 can be turned "on" to flash using switch 9. The housing can then be mounted in a visible location such as on the body or window of a vehicle using the suckers 7A,7B. The housing could also be positioned away from a vehicle up the road resting on its feet 8A,8B,8C, 8D, e.g. on the tarmac.

Preferably a storage box 10 is provided for the warning light 1 as shown in Figure 2. The storage box 1O has a base 1 1 with a hinged lid 12. Base 11 and lid 12 form a box handle IDA. Lid 12 includes a translucent panel 1 2A such that the lights 4,5 are visible in the storage box. The box I O can thus be used as a cover to protect the warning light 1, e.g. in the rain, as well as providing a storage container. It is envisaged that the storage box may be large enough to store other useful equipment such as safety equipment, e.g. first aid kits and the like.

The warning light of the invention may take a form different to that specifically described above.

The invention also extends to a warning light having a housing with at least one flashing light therein, and a storage box for the warning light, said storage box including a translucent panel such that the or each light is visible in the storage box whereby the box can be used as a cover in use of the warning light. The light may be of the type as described in Figure 1 or may be a different type, em with a single flashing light.

The warning light of the invention may be used in many different situations and not just for use in alerting persons of a road hazard.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

s CLAIMS

1. A warning light comprising: a) a generally U-shaped housing, b) a bar spanning the ends of the arms of the U-shaped housing to serve as a handle to carry the housing, c) at least one light, d) a circuit to flash the or each light, and e) a power supply for the light and circuit.

2. A warning light according to claim 1, wherein a pair of lights are provided in the arms of the U-shaped housing, and preferably the circuit flashes the pair of lights alternately.

3. A warning light according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each light includes at least one LED.

4. A warning light according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein a lens may be provided for the or each light.

5. A warning light according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each light may be red.

6. A warning light according to any preceding claim, wherein one or more suckers are provided to adhere the housing to a surface.

7. A warning light according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing may include one or more feet to support the housing on a surface.

8. A warning light according to any preceding claim, wherein a storage box is provided for the warning light.

9. A warning light according to claim 8, wherein the storage box may include a translucent panel such that the or each light is visible in the storage box whereby the box can be used as a cover when the warning light is in use.

10. A warning light substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.