GB2423145A

GB2423145A - Lighting Collar for a Road Sign.

Info

Publication number: GB2423145A
Application number: GB0503089A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tim Jarvis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-02-15
Filing date: 2005-02-15
Publication date: 2006-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2025-02-15
Also published as: GB0503089D0; GB2423145B

Abstract

A lighting collar 4 for a road sign 1, and particularly suitable for attachment to a belisha beacon or pedestrian crossing sign/globe 3. The collar 4 has an opaque outer layer 5 and light sources (10, figure 2), such as LEDs (light emitting diodes), which emit light in specific directions, such as towards oncoming cars. Light from the light sources may thus be seen by traffic without producing excess light pollution sideways on to the direction of traffic movement. The collar may be retrofitted to a road sign or belisha pedestrian crossing globe. The collar may also incorporate a motion detector 8 or a light detector 9.

Description

LIGHTING COLLAR AND OTHER IMPROVED LIGHTING UNITS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to lighting collars and particularly lighting collars which may be used in combination with pedestrian crossing signs.

The invention also relates to other forms of lighting units which may have particular applications for illuminating pedestrian crossings.

Background to the Invention

Pedestrian crossings have been indicated by Belisha' beacons since the Minister, whose name they carry, was part of the United Kingdom's Parliament many decades ago. These are extensively used throughout the United Kingdom. Other countries have adopted similar signs for pedestrian crossings in diverse parts of the world. These comprise a post, onto which is located a globe of a translucent yellow material, illuminated from the inside to emit light through almost 3600.

The following prior published patent documents identified by the applicant are useful to define the background to the invention: GB2387220; GB2271373; GB2287496 and GB 493,840.

The applicant is also aware of shades which are placed over the globe of conventional beacons to reduce the sideways on' emission of light to neighbouring houses.

Summary of the Invention

In a first broad independent aspect, the invention provides a lighting collar suitable for use as part of a road sign, comprising face on' one or more light sources, carried by the collar, for illuminating in multiple traffic directions and sideways on' a substantially opaque region.

One of the advantages of this configuration is that it focuses the illumination on the important crossing areas, whilst preventing unwanted diffusion of light in sideways directions which would usually reach nearby houses. The illumination, particularly at night, will therefore not be a nuisance to inhabitants of neighbouring houses whose sleep may be disturbed by the light. It also has the advantage of reducing the necessary energy consumed by each lighting collar as opposed to the energy consumed by traditional Belisha' beacons. It may also allow the lighting characteristics to be modified so as to be more readily seen by traffic without being a visible nuisance to the inhabitants of neighbouring houses.

In a subsidiary aspect in accordance with the invention's first broad independent aspect, the collar is so sized and shaped to be retrofitted around the globe of a pedestrian crossing lighting unit as conventionally used in at least the United Kingdom. This would allow the collars to be immediately used across the United Kingdom without requiring a replacement of each pedestrian crossing lighting unit.

In a second broad independent aspect, the invention provides a pedestrian crossing road sign, comprising means to detect approaching vehicles and a light for illuminating a pedestrian crossing area; wherein the sign incorporates means to flash and/or raise the brightness of the light in accordance with the approach of said vehicles.

This configuration is also particularly advantageous because it will allow greater visibility to be achieved at the pedestrian crossing area. Both drivers and even pedestrians will be more acutely aware of location of the crossing.

In a third broad aspect, the invention provides a road sign comprising a display portion having sufficiently contrasting colour regions to be displayed in day light without necessarily using its own illumination; means to detect approaching vehicles and means to illuminate at least one region of the sign in response to the approach of said vehicles.

This would allow a sign to be seen whether illuminated or not so as to appear as a typical road sign whilst attracting the attention of a driver in an improved maimer. This configuration will also have the effect of improving road safety.

In a subsidiary aspect in accordance with the invention's third broad aspect, the detector is located within the limits of the display portion. This allows a sign of greater compactness as compared to the prior art to be produced. It will also be less subject to vandalism.

In a fourth broad aspect, the invention provides a globe suitable for use as part of a pedestrian crossing road sign, comprising a ring-shaped member having an opaque "sideways on" region and one or more light sources which illuminate "face on". This would allow the advantages of the first broad aspect to be achieved by replacing an existing Belisha' globe with a globe of this configuration.

In a fifth broad aspect, the invention provides a pedestrian crossing road sign, comprising a light for illuminating a pedestrian crossing area and means to adjust the brightness of the light emitted in response to changing light conditions. This would improve the safety conditions achieved by the road sign as compared to conventional "Belisha" globe light.

rief Description of the Figures

Figures Ia and lb show respectively a face on' view (figure Ia) of the lighting collar as fitted to a Belisha' beacon and a sideways on' view (figure Ib) of a Belisha' beacon fitted with a lighting collar.

Figure 2 shows a close-up face on' partial view of a lighting collar in accordance with the embodiment of figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a sideways on' view of a Belisha' beacon in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 shows a side elevation of the upper portion of a Belisha' beacon in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention.

Figures 5a and b respectively show face on' and sideways on' views of a Belisha' beacon in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 6 shows a "face on" view of a "Belisha" beacon in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7a and 7b respectively show a "face on" and a "sideways on" view of a "Belisha" beacon in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 shows a "sideways on" view of a "Belisha" beacon in accordance with a seventh embodiment of the invention.

Figure 9 shows a road sign in accordance with an eighth embodiment of the invention; the view presented is a perspective view.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Figure la shows a Belisha' beacon or a pedestrian crossing sign 1 comprising a post 2 supporting a globe 3 of known kind. There is fitted to globe 3 a collar 4 which is in the shape of a ring (other shapes are however envisaged such as rectangular and triangular) with an outer opaque layer 5 substantially preventing the emission of light in a sideways direction whilst light is permitted to be emitted from the collar 4 in face on' directions.

The collar 4 may be releasably attached to the globe and upper extremity of post 2 by the use of any appropriate releasable attachment means 6 as will be apparent to the person skilled in the art. The collar 4 may optionally include over its inner diameter 7 a high friction layer such as a rubber ring in order to provide a secure attachment to the globe.

In addition, the pedestrian crossing sign may incorporate a camera or other motion detector 8 and a light detector 9. Light detector 9 may cause the unit to light up only when it is sufficiently dark for lighting to be required. Alternatively, the light detector may be set to control the lights to brighter setting during the day so that these are readily visible despite strong sun rays. The motion detector 8 may be used to trigger a control system (not illustrated in the figure) which may modify the lighting characteristics of the sign. For example, when a vehicle is detected the control system may be set to trigger the flashing of the light of the pedestrian sign. It may also, for example, heighten the brightness of the light in response to approaching vehicles. It may also, for example, alter the frequency of flashing of the light. If the motion detector is a camera, it may, for example, be set up to capture images or information, particularly number plates and other useful information, in a road safety and/or traffic information context.

In figure ib, identical numerical references to those used in figure la have been retained where identical components are described. The outer layer 5 of collar 4 may be substantially opaque to prevent light exiting the lighting unit in a sideways on' direction (other than around the opaque layer). In the embodiment of this figure, the conventional light source of the globe may be absent or switched off if the lighting of the collar is sufficient to compensate for its absence. Alternatively, the lighting collar may at times be switched off whilst the globe light is deemed sufficient.

Figure 2 shows a collar 4 with an outer layer 5 which is substantially opaque and an inner diameter 7 which may be of the kind described above. A number of individual lighting sources 10 are illustrated. These may, for example, be light emitting diodes (LED's) which may be oriented in a face on' direction. The person skilled in the art will select the appropriate number to suit the illumination requirements of a given collar. Whilst the illumination of the collar in this first embodiment may be spread across the entire diameter of the collar; it is envisaged that in certain applications, only a portion may need to be covered, for example, only half or three quarters of the collar may be illuminated leaving an obscure portion if necessary.

Similarly, this embodiment envisages the use of light sources on both face on' sides of the collar. Certain optional applications may advantageously include only light sources on one particular face on' direction. The invention also envisages the use of light emitting diodes, only in one face on' direction.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of a pedestrian crossing road sign 11 with a post 12 and a globe 13. A plate of rectangular shape 14 has been fixed to the globe 13 on one sideways direction of the lighting unit.

Figure 4 shows an upper portion 15 of a pedestrian crossing road sign having a post 16 and a globe 17. Globe 17 incorporates around the globe a number of light emitting diodes or other light sources at regular intervals. This arrangement may do away with the requirement of Belisha' beacons having internal lighting of a filament kind. This may allow the signs to have improved visibility and simultaneously potentially reduce the power consumption.

Figures 5a and 5b show a sideways on' view (figure 5a) and a face on' view (figure Sb) of a pedestrian crossing sign incorporating a post 18 and a globe 19. Within globe 19, there is mounted a disc shaped lighting unit 20 having a number of light sources such as light emitting diodes 21 on both face on' sides so as to emit light in face on' directions as opposed to sideways on' directions. The sideways portion 22 of the disc 20 may, in this instance, form the necessary substantially opaque region.

Figure 6 shows a pedestrian crossing road sign generally referenced 23 incorporating a post 24 and a globe 25 mounted on said post. A collar 26 is mounted to the globe 25.

Collar 26 is split into parts 27 and 28 which are joined together by a hinge 29 allowing the parts to be separated by pivoting one relative to the other along the hinge axis so as to allow the removal of the globe 25 without entirely having to remove collar 26. Similarly to the previously described collars, collar 26 incorporates an outermost opaque layer 30 which reduces the emission of light in a sideways direction towards neighbouring houses.

Opaque layer 30 incorporates a number of windows such as those referenced 31 and 32 into which are set an array of light emitting diodes pointing downwards towards the vicinity of the pedestrian crossing sign. The incorporation of these "sideways on" windows does away with the need of incorporating a specific separate lamp to shine onto the pedestrian crossing which has been proposed in certain prior art configurations.

It is envisaged that the "face on" portions of collar 26 incorporate arrays of LEDs which may be set to flash whilst the LEDs in windows 31 and 32 may be set to shine permanently. Lines 33 and 34 illustrate the boundary between areas lit up by the LEDs of windows 31 and 32 and obscure areas due to the opaque outer layer 30.

Figure 7a shows the top portion of a post 35 with a globe 36 incorporating a ring portion 37 as an integral part of the globe 36. Globe 36 incorporates two "face on" illuminated portions incorporating LEDs; one being outer ring 37 and the other being a central square- shaped portion 38. Portions 37 and 38 may be formed onto a simple LED support pad. As discussed with reference to Figure 6 the LEDs of portion 37 may be set to fash whilst the LEDs of portion 38 may be permanently on. An outer layer 39 of opaque properties may be provided in order to limit the sideways on illumination from this road sign.

Figure 7b will be described using identical numerical references to those employed with reference to Figure 7a since it is a second schematic view of the same embodiment as Figure 7a. A cross-sectional view of the LEDs pad 40 can be seen in this figure. The pad may be made of plastics or any other appropriate material as selected by the person skilled in the art. In this configuration pad 40 may be entirely embedded into globe 36 so as not to be separable from its protective shroud 41.

Figure 8 shows a "sideways on" view of a globe 42 with two mating halves 43 and 44.

Half 44 incorporates the LED arrangement 45. Ring-shaped member 46 may be shaped and configured to snap fit into ring-shaped member 47 of half 43. Ring-shaped member 47 may incorporate an opaque outer region such as that shown in black in the figure.

The signs of the present invention may incorporate a photo-electric cell or similar device to capture energy from the sun and appropriately store energy in a battery which may be drawn from in order to adjust levels of light emitted relative to the prevailing conditions of the sign's environment.

Figure 9 shows a road sign with an opaque "sideways on" region 47 which contains a ring 48 incorporating a plurality of LEDs which are set to flash when detector 49 detects the approach of vehicles. Ring 50 may be of standard colours i. e. in this case red with an array of LEDs which are also preferably red. The portion 51 immediately around the 50 number may be coloured white. The 50 number may incorporate a black backing so that the 50 number is visible without any illumination as the black contrasts with the white of the sign. In this embodiment it is however envisaged that the 50 portion 52 incorporates an array of LEDs. The detector 49 may be hidden behind white portion 51 if this portion is sufficiently transmissive to allow detection to occur.

As was suggested in other previous embodiments, a "sideways on" window 53 may also be provided in order to illuminate the road or the pavement in the immediate vicinity of the sign.

Whilst the road sign presented is of circular shape, the invention extends to other road signs of any variety of shapes within the scope of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A lighting collar suitable for use as part of a road sign, comprising "face on" one or more light sources, carried by the collar, for illuminating in multiple traffic directions and "sideways on" a substantially opaque region.

2. A collar in accordance with Claim I, wherein the collar is so sized and shaped to be retrofitted around the globe of a pedestrian crossing lighting unit as conventionally used in at least the United Kingdom.

3. A pedestrian crossing road sign, comprising means to detect approaching vehicles and a light for illuminating a pedestrian crossing area; wherein the sign incorporates means to flash and/or raise the brightness of the light in response to the approach of said vehicles.

4. A road sign comprising a display portion having sufficiently contrasting colour regions to be displayed in day light without necessarily using its own illumination; means to detect approaching vehicles and means to illuminate at least one region of the sign in response to the approach of said vehicles.

5. A road sign according to Claim 4, wherein the detector is located within the limits of the display portion.

6. A globe suitable for use as part of a pedestrian crossing road sign, comprising a ring- shaped member having an opaque "sideways on" region and one or more light sources which illuminate "face on".

7. A pedestrian crossing road sign, comprising a light for illuminating a pedestrian crossing area and means to adjust the brightness of the light emitted in response to changing light conditions.

8. A lighting collar and/or a road sign and/or a globe and/or a pedestrian crossing road sign substantially as hereinbefore described in any appropriate combination of the accompanying text and/or figures.