GB2629919A

GB2629919A - A high-visibility attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2629919A
Application number: GB2407223.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Shane Cooper Justin; Lee Cooper Brendon
Original assignee: Harling Security Solutions Ltd
Current assignee: Harling Security Solutions Ltd
Priority date: 2024-05-21
Filing date: 2024-05-21
Publication date: 2024-11-13
Also published as: GB202407223D0; GB202416110D0

Abstract

A high-visibility attachment 10 for a structure includes a main body 20 with opposing top 22 and base 24 panels. One or more side walls 26 extend between the top and base panels. The side walls have high-visibility surfaces for improving the visibility of the main body and one or more attaching means 32 for attaching the main body to the structure. Thus, when the main body is attached to the structure, the base panel abuts a surface of the structure and the one or more side walls extend in a direction nonparallel to the base panel. The main body may be formed from multiple parts with each body part connecting one or more body parts to form the main body. A protrusion on a body part may engage a corresponding recess on an adjacent body part to form an interlock between both body parts. The high-visibility attachment may be attached with attaching means that includes a projection extending from the base panel. This may be performed by forming a socket at the structure at a predetermined position and aligning the projection with the socket. The main body may then be biased towards the structure to form an interference fit.

Description

A High-Visibility Attachment

Field

The present application relates to a high-visibility attachment, and in particular to a high-visibility attachment for a structure.

Background

A gate typically comprises a gate leaf hingedly attached to a gate post. This allows the gate leaf to pivot about the gate post in order to secure a passageway or to provide passage therethrough. For wider passageways, double gates are often employed comprising two oppositely arranged gate leaves that swing open in different rotational directions relative to respective gate posts.

Since gates are commonly provided to secure outdoor passageways, they are usually painted in darker shades to conceal dirt and cosmetic damage. However, this makes them difficult to spot against a dark backdrop, or under poor lighting conditions. In particular, when a gate leaf is partially or fully opened, its presence significantly reduces and becomes much less visible to a user positioned directly in front or behind the gate. This could be particularly hazardous for a driver approaching the gate.

There are commercially available products that aim to improve the visibility of the gate. For example, high-visibility tapes or paints may be applied to the surface of a gate leaf, typically adjacent to an edge of the gate leaf, to improve the visibility of the applied surface. However, since a gate leaf is rotatable during use, such products will have to be applied to multiple non-parallel surfaces of the gate leaf to ensure the edges of the gate leaf remain visible throughout its range of rotation. Such products are not only unsightly, but since they are usually adhered to, or painted on, the surface of the gate it also makes them difficult to remove, e.g. when they are due for replacement once they have perished in the harsh outdoor environment.

Thus, an improved high-visibility attachment is highly desirable.

Summary

The present invention offers a high-visibility attachment with high-visibility surfaces provided on its side walls, which differs from typical reflective paint or tapes that only offer high-visibility surfaces at their major surfaces. When attached to a gate leaf, such an arrangement may allow the high-visibility attachment to remain visible to a user throughout its range of rotation. For example, depending on its location at the gate leaf, when the gate is closed one of a top panel or a sidw wall of the high-visibility attachment is visible to the user facing the gate, whilst the other one of the side wall or the top panel may become visible to the user as the gate leaf rotated to its opened position. Advantageously, such an arrangement may not only eliminate the need to apply reflective paint or tapes on multiple surfaces of the gate, but they may also be removed from the structure more easily.

According to a first aspect of the presently-claimed invention, there i s provided a high-vi sibility attachment for a structure, comprising: a main body having opposing top and base panels and one or more side walls extending between the top and base panels, the side walls having high-visibility surfaces for improving the visibility of the main body; and one or more attaching means for attaching the main body to the structure, as such when the main body is attached to the structure, the base panel abuts a surface of the structure and the one or more side walls extend in a direction nonparallel to the base panel.

The structure may be any static structure such as a wall or a gate post, or any moveable structure such as a door or a gate leaf. In the preferred embodiment, the high-visibility attachment is arranged to be attached to a movable structure, such as a gate leaf that is pivotable about a gate post. The high-visibility attachment may be arranged to attach to a front surface and/or a rear surface of the gate leaf, and when the gate is closed, the front panel of the high-visibility attachment may be visible to the user positioned directly in front or behind the gate.

Alternatively, or in addition, the high-visibility attachment may be arranged to attach to a side wall of the gate leaf, and when the gate is closed, the side walls of the high-visibility attachment may be visible to the user.

The high-visibility attachment may offer improved visibility to the surface of the structure. The side walls and/or the top panel may be provided with high-visibility surfaces such as a light-coloured surface, a reflective surface and/or a luminescent coating. Preferably, the high-visibility surfaces may comprise a light-coloured reflective surface. Optionally, the high-visibility surfaces may comprise only one of the light-coloured surface, the reflective surface or the luminescent coating to minimise the manufacturing costs. In some other embodiments, the surface of the high-visibility attachment may be divided into different regions, e.g. alternative stripes, each having one of the light-coloured surfaces, reflective surfaces or the luminescence coating.

Preferably, the high-visibility surfaces may comprise retroreflectors having reflective surfaces that minimise the scattering of incident light, for example, automobile lighting such as headlights or reverse lights. Alternatively or in addition, the high-visibility surfaces may comprise a light-coloured coating, or it may comprise a reflective coating containing reflective particles.

Alternatively or in addition, luminescent coatings may be provided on the side walls and/or the top panel of the high-visibility attachment. In contrast to reflective surfaces, luminescent coatings such as phosphorescence coatings allow light absorbed during the daytime, to be reemitted over a prolonged period over the evening. Thus, the energy absorbed by the luminescent coating during the day may be stored, and subsequently released during the night, making the high-visibility attachment visible even in the absence of any incident light.

The attaching means may comprise any attaching means, or a part of an attaching means, arranged to fixedly or removably attach the high-visibility attachment to the structure.

Preferably, the attaching means may comprise releasable attachments such as push pins that enable the high-visibility attachment to be removed or replaced, in an efficient manner. Alternatively, or in addition, the attaching means may comprise adhesive tapes or adhesive provided on the base panel which simplifies the installation process.

The side walls may be angled to the base panel and the surface of the structure. In other words, the side wall may extend in a direction non-parallel to the base panel, i.e. at any angle other than 0° and 180° relative to the base panel.

In some embodiments, the side walls may be arranged at an angle ranging between 30 to 120 degrees relative to the base panel, e.g., the side walls may extend at an acute, a right angle, or an obtuse angle relative to the base panel.

Preferably, the side walls may be arranged at an angle of 45 degrees or 90 degrees relative to the base panel. For example, in some preferred embodiments, the side walls may extend perpendicularly to the base panel. For a high-visibility attachment affixed to the front or rear surface of a gate leaf, the high-visibility surfaces at its side walls are visible to the user positioned in front of the gate, when the gate leaf is rotated to an opened position,.

In another preferred embodiment, the side walls may slope at 45 degrees relative to the base panel. As such, the high-visibility surfaces at the side walls of the high-visibility attachment may remain visible to the user positioned in front of the gate throughout its range of rotation.

Advantageously, by providing high-visibility surfaces at the side walls of the high-visibility attachment, such an arrangement may allow the high-visibility attachment to remain visible when the gate leaf rotates to an opened position, thus significantly reducing the hazard when a driver approaches the gate under inadequate lighting conditions.

Optionally, the main body is formed from a plurality of body parts, wherein each body part connects with one or more body parts to form the main body. This may advantageously allow an elongate main body to be formed using several shorter modular body parts. Such an arrangement may not only allow the formed main body to be assembled to the desired length, but the overall packaging of the unassembled high-visibility attachment may be greatly reduced for transportati on.

In preferred embodiments, a protrusion on a body part engages a corresponding recess on an adjacent body part to form an interlock between the two body parts. The interlock between the two body parts may resemble those found in jigsaw puzzles, or any other form of interlock design. In some other embodiments, one narrowed or thinned end of the body part may be slidingly received into a channel of an adjacent body part to form the connection between the two body parts. In some other embodiments, adjacent body parts may be connected by dowel joints. In these embodiments, the body parts are preferably connected by interference fit, i.e. by a mechanical connection.

In some other embodiments, the connection between the body parts may be enhanced by suitable adhesives or adhesive tapes provided between the interface of the connecting body parts. In some other embodiments, the connection between the body parts may be formed solely by suitable adhesives or adhesive tapes provided between the interface of the connecting body parts.

Optionally, each of the body parts comprises an attaching means for attaching the said body part onto the structure. That is, each of the body parts may have discrete attaching means for supporting its weight on the structure. Advantageously, such an arrangement enhances the overall security of attachment between the main body and the structure.

Alternatively, and preferably, the body parts comprise attaching body parts and one or more bridging body parts, and wherein attaching body parts each comprises an attaching means, with the one or more bridging body parts retained on the structure by connecting with an adjacent attaching body part directly or through another bridging body part. Since the body parts are securely connected with each other, it is not necessary to provide attaching means for every single one of the body parts to secure the main body on the structure.

As an example, in the simplest form, the main body may be an elongate main body having attaching body parts provided at either end, with one or more bridging body parts connected between the attaching body parts. Since the bridging body parts are not provided with their own attaching means, they are supported by an adjacent attaching body part and/or bridging body parts, and together the attaching body parts may bear the weight of the entire main body on the structure. In some embodiments, a bridging body part may be supported by bridging body parts connected to both its ends, e.g. a plurality of serially-connected bridging body parts.

Preferably, there may be only two attaching body parts each provided at respective ends of the main body. In some other embodiments, there may be additional attaching body parts provided along the length of the main body to enhance the strength of attachment, in particular for main bodies of greater lengths.

Advantageously, the provision of bridging body parts may reduce the number of attaching means required, and therefore significantly reduce the workload required when applying the high-visibility attachment onto the structure. In addition, for attaching means requiring insertion into the structure, such an arrangement may reduce the number of pre-drilled holes needed at the structure.

Optionally, the one or more bridging body parts are trimmable for adjusting the length of the bridging body parts. For example, one end of the bridging body part may be trimmed to shorten its length as required. This is particularly suitable for body parts connected end-on-end by the adhesive. In some embodiments, an end of one or more bridging body parts may be trimmed by a trimmer which is able to produce a protrusion or a recess corresponding to respectively a recess or a protraction on an adjacent bridging or attaching body part.

Optionally, the attaching body parts and/or the bridging body parts comprise lines of weakness for shortening their lengths. As an example, the base panel of the body parts may be provided with one or more of lines of weakness which may allow excessive lengths of body parts to be snapped or broken off easily. The lines of weakness may be provided towards one or both ends of the bridging body. The lines of weakness may be spaced at predetermined intervals, for example, 5 or 10 millimetres. The lines of weakness may be in the form of straight lines, or it may comprise curvatures or irregular lines for forming interlocking shapes. Advantageously, such an arrangement may allow the user to adjust the length of body parts with relative ease, with or without the use of a hand tool.

Optionally, the main body comprises body parts all of which are aligned along the same direction. That is, the main body is an elongate main body having a length greater than its width. Alternatively, the body parts comprise a corner body part having two perpendicularly extending members each connecting with another body part. Specifically, the corner body part may connect two perpendicularly arranged body parts to offer a continuous high-visibility surface at a corner of the structure.

Optionally, the main body comprises a single attaching means provided towards the centre of the main body, which may be particularly suitable for shorter main bodies. Alternatively, the main body comprises two attaching means provided towards respective ends of the main body, or a plurality of attaching means evenly distributed along the length of the main body. That is, the weight of lengthier main bodies may be equally supported by the two or more attaching means.

Optionally, the side walls are divided into different sections arranged at different angles relative to the base panel. For example, some sections of side walls may extend perpendicularly to the base panel, whilst some sections of the side walls may slope at 45 degrees to the base panel.

The side walls may be divided along a plane parallel to the base panel or along one or more planes perpendicular to the base panel. Such an arrangement may offer increased visibility of the high-visibility attachment when viewed from different positions and thereby improving its effectiveness.

Optionally, the height of the side walls is at least 5 millimetres, and optionally the height of the side walls ranges between 8 to 10 millimetres. The phrase "height" generally refers to the elevation of the side walls, and not to their length. It is found that side walls having a height ranging between 8 to 10 millimetres offer an optimal balance between visibility and size when applied on a gate leaf Optionally, the main body is uniformly formed from an elastic material and is provided with high-visibility surfaces at its top panel and side walls. Such an arrangement may simplify the manufacturing process and thus reduce costs.

Alternatively, the main body comprises stacked base and top portions having respectively the base panel and the top panel, wherein the top portion is formed from an elastic material for absorbing shock. For example, the top portion may form from an elastomer such as rubber and may be sandwiched between the base portion and the high-visibility surface. The inclusion of an elastic material may allow the high-visibility attachment to absorb impact resulting from a collision, i.e. with a moving object such as a car, and thus minimise damages to both the structure and the moving object.

Optionally, the base portion is formed from a rigid material; and optionally the base portion is thinner than the top portion. In particular, whilst the bulk of the high-visibility attachment may be elastic, the base panel may be rigid to enhance its attachment to the structure, as well as to improve the overall mechanical strength of the high-visibility attachment. The rigid material may comprise one or more of a metal, a polymer and a composite material.

Preferably, the one or more attaching means comprise a projection extending from the base panel for forming an interference fit with a socket at the structure. The socket is preferably a pre-drilled hole formed during the manufacturing process or by the user during installation. The projection may be a push pin which forms a releasable attachment between the base plate and its corresponding socket. More specifically, during installation, the user may simply align the push pin with the socket before biasing the main body against the socket to attach it thereon. The use of push pin may also allow the high-visibility attachment to be replaced easily by pulling the main body away from the structure. Advantageously, such an arrangement may facilitate efficient on-site installation and replacement.

In another preferred embodiment, the one or more attaching means comprises an orifice for receiving a fastener that attaches the main body onto the structure. The orifice may extend through the high-visibility attachment where the fastener may extend therethrough to form the attachment. The fastener may be any suitable fastener, such as a push pin, a rivet, or a threaded fastener.

Preferably, the high-visibility attachment is arranged to be attached to a movable structure. That is, the high-visibility attachment is preferably for use with a gate leaf which pivots about a gate post, and as such during gate operation, the high-visibility attachment may enhance the visibility of the gate leaf by the high-visibility surfaces provided at its top panel and side walls.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for attaching the high-visibility attachment of the first aspect, wherein the attaching means comprises a projection extending from the base panel, the method comprises the steps of: forming a socket at the structure at a predetermined position; aligning the projection with the projection; and biasing the main body towards the structure to form an interference fit between the projection and the socket.

Optionally, the method comprises the step of connecting the body parts to form the main body prior to attaching the formed main body to the structure.

Features from the first and the second aspects of the present invention may be applicable to any other feature from the other aspects.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Certain embodiments of the presently-claimed invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figures 1 A and 1B are respectively a perspective view and a side view of a high-visibility attachment according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Figures 2A and 2B are plan views of the high-visibility attachment of the first embodiment attached to a gate leaf in respectively a closed position and an opened position; Figures 3A and 3B are respectively a perspective view and a side view of a high-visibility attachment according to a second embodiment of the present invention; Figures 4A and 4B are respectively a perspective view and a side view of a high-visibility attachment according to a third embodiment of the present invention; Figures SA and 5B are truncated plan views of the high-visibility attachment of the third embodiment attached on a gate leaf in respectively a closed position and an opened position; Figure 6 is a side view of a high-visibility attachment according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is a perspective view a high-visibility attachment according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 is a perspective view a high-visibility attachment according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Figures 9A, 9B and 9C are perspective views of attaching body parts, a bridging body part and a corner body part for forming high-visibility attachment according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 10 is a truncated side view of a bridging body part according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

First Embodiment Figures lA and 1B are respectively a perspective view and a side view of a high-visibility attachment 10 according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and Figures 2A and 2B are plan views of the high-visibility attachment 10 of the first embodiment attached to a gate leaf 2 in respectively a closed position and an opened position.

The high-visibility attachment 10 comprises a cylindrical main body 20 having a top panel 22, a base panel 24, and a side wall 26 extending between the top and base panels 22, 24. In the illustrated example, the side wall 26 extends perpendicularly to both top and base panels 22, 24, i.e. it extends at 90 degrees relative to the base panel 24. The high visibility attachment 10 is attachable on a gate leaf 2 at a position adjacent to an edge of the gate leaf 2, such an arrangement renders the edge of the gate leaf 2 more obvious to the user. The high-visibility attachment 10 is attached to each of the front and rear surfaces of the gate leaf 2 in the illustrated embodiment. Alternatively, or in addition, it can also be attached to a side wall of the gate leaf 2 between its front and rear surfaces, similar to that shown in Figures 5A and 5B.

In Figure 2A, where a gate leaf 2 is shown in a closed position, the base panel 24 of the high-visibility attachment 10 abuts the surface of the gate leaf 2, with the top panel 22 directly facing a user positioned in front of the gate, as indicated by an arrow as shown in Figure 2A. Thus, when the gate is closed, the side wall 26 of the high-visibility attachment 10 extend parallelly to the user's line of sight and therefore have limited exposure to the user. That is, when the gate leaf 2 is in the closed position, the high-visibility attachment 10 of the present invention may function in a similar manner to other known high-visibility attachments.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2B, when the gate leaf 2 is rotated to an opened position, the side wall 26 of the high-visibility attachment 10 directly faces the user and thus in full exposure to the user, whilst the top panel 22 aligns with the user's line of sight and therefore not observable by the user. Thus, in comparison to conventional high-visibility attachments, the high-visibility attachment 10 of the present invention remains visible to the user throughout the rotation range of the gate leaf 2.

The top panel 22, the base panel 24 and the side wall 26 are all provided with high-visibility surfaces to enhance the visibility of the high-visibility attachment 10. In the illustrated example, the high-visibility surfaces on high-visibility attachment 10 are formed by adhering retroreflector tapes to the aforementioned top panel 22, the base panel 24 and the side wall 26.

In other embodiments, other types of high-visibility surfaces such as light-coloured surfaces and/or luminescent coatings may be applied in lieu of, or in combination with, the retroreflector tapes.

The main body 20 is formed from a top portion 28 stacked on top of the base portion 30. The top portion 28 is formed from an el astomer material, in this example rubber. Thus, top portion 28 is arranged to absorb the impact resulting from a collision between the gate leaf 2 and a moving object, such as a car. Thus, in comparison to known attachments, the high-visibility attachment 10 of the present invention offers an additional layer of protection for both the gate leaf 2 and the moving object.

The base portion 30 is formed from a rigid material and is uniformly formed with an attaching means, i.e. in this example a push pin 32. During installation, the user may align the push pin 32 with a predrilled hole (not shown), e.g. a socket, on the gate leaf 2, before pushing the high-visibility attachment 10 towards the gate leaf 2 to attach the high-visibility attachment 10 onto the gate leaf 2. Specifically, the high-visibility attachment 10 is releasably attached to the gate leaf 2 by an interference fit between the push pin 32 and the predrilled hole.

In some other embodiments, the high-visibility attachment may be attached to the gate leaf by other attaching means, on their own or in combination with the push pin 32. That is, in these embodiments, the attaching means may comprise an adhesive, an adhesive tape, a threaded fastener, or any suitable attaching means.

The predrilled hole is formed at predetermined positions during the manufacturing process, which advantageously allows the installer to carry out on-site installation in a timely manner, i.e. by simply biasing the push pins of the main bodied into their corresponding predrilled holes.

In some other embodiment, the user may form the predrilled hole at any desired position.

The base portion 30 and the push pin 32 are uniformly formed from a rigid material, in this example a polymer such as polypropylene, and has a higher rigidity than the top portion 28.

Such a stacked arrangement improves the overall mechanical strength of the main body 20, as well as enhancing the strength of the interference fit between the push pin 32 and the predrilled hole at the gate leaf 2.

Advantageously, by providing high-visibility surfaces at the side walls 26 of the high-visibility attachment 10, such an arrangement may allow the high-visibility attachment 10 to remain visible when the gate leaf 2 rotates to an opened position, thus significantly reducing the hazard when a driver approaches the gate in inadequate lighting conditions.

Second Embodiment Figures 3A and 3B are respectively a perspective view and a side view of a high-visibility attachment 110 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The high-visibility attachment 110 is structurally and functionally similar to the high-visibility attachment 10 of the first embodiment in that it comprises a main body 120 having a top panel 122, a base panel 124, and a side wall 126 extending between the top and base panels 122, 124, and that the top panel 122 and the side wall 126 of the main body are provided with high-visibility surfaces. Furthermore, the main body is formed from an elastic top portion 128 stacked on top of a rigid base portion 130, wherein the base portion 130 is uniformly formed with push pins 132 for attaching the high-visibility attachment 110 to a gate leaf (not shown). For conciseness, like features are not described again.

In contrast to the high-visibility attachment 10 of the first embodiment, the main body 120 of the present embodiment is an elongate main body having a length greater than its width. Thus, the high-visibility attachment 110 offers increased high-visibility surfaces on both its side wall 126 and the top panel 124, and is particularly suitable to be applied along, and adjacent to, an edge of the gate leaf Furthermore, since the high-visibility attachment 110 comprises a lengthier main body 120, its weight is supported by an additional push pin 132. More specifically, the two push pins 132 are provided towards their respective ends of the main body 120 to offer adequate support for the high-visibility attachment 110.

In some other embodiments, more than two push pins may be provided along the length of the main body depending as required. That is, lengthier main bodies may require more attaching means for supporting their increased weight. In these embodiments, the plurality of push pins may be evenly or unevenly distributed along the length of the main body as needed.

Third Embodiment Figures 4A and 4B are respectively a perspective view and a side view of a high-visibility attachment 210 according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and Figures 5A and 5B are truncated plan views of the high-visibility attachment 210 attached on a gate leaf 2 in respectively a closed position and an opened position. The high-visibility attachment 210 is structurally and functionally similar to the high-visibility attachment 110 of the second embodiment in that it comprises an elongate main body 220 having a top panel 222, a base panel 224, and side walls 226 extending between the top and base panels 222, 224, and that the top panel 222 and the side walls 226 of the main body 220 are provided with high-visibility surfaces. Furthermore, the main body 220 is formed from an elastic top portion 228 stacked on top of a rigid base portion 230, wherein the base portion 230 is uniformly formed with two push pins 232 provided towards the respective ends of the main body 220 for attaching the high-visibility attachment 210 to a gate leaf 2. For conciseness, like features are not described again.

In contrast to the high-visibility attachment 110 of the second embodiment, some or all of the side walls 226 of the main body 210 are angled at a=45° relative to the base panel 224. Thus, in the side view of Figure 4B, the main body 210 has a cross-sectional profile in the shape of a parallelogram. In the illustrated example, only two opposing side walls 226 are sloped at the 45° angle, whilst the other two opposing side walls (not shown) extend perpendicularly to the base panel 222. This minimises the reduction in the high-visibility surface at the top panel 222. In other embodiments, all the side walls may be sloped at the same or different angles relative to the base panel.

Referring to Figures 5A and 5B, in the illustrated example, the high-visibility attachment 210 is attached to a side wall of the gate leaf 2, i.e. the top panel 222 faces a gate post when the gate leaf 2 is put into a closed position. More specifically, the high-visibility attachment 210 is provided in a gap between the gate leaf 2 and the gate post. In some other embodiments, the high-visibility attachment may be attached to the front and/or rear surfaces of the gate leaf similar to that as shown in Figures 2A and 2B.

As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the side walls 226 remain visible to the user positioned in front of the gate over the range of gate rotation, i.e. the side walls 226 remain visible in both the opened and closed gate positions. Advantageously, such an arrangement allows the user to clearly observe the edge of the gate leaf 2 regardless of its position.

In some other embodiments, the angle a may range between 30 to 120 degrees relative to the base panel. For example, when the side walls are sloped at a > 90 degrees relative to the base panel, the top panel of the main body would be greater than the corresponding base panel, thereby offering greater high-visibility surfaces at the top panel.

Fourth Embodiment Figure 6 is a side view of a high-visibility attachment 310 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The high-visibility attachment 310 is structurally and functionally similar to the high-visibility attachment 210 of the third embodiment in that it comprises an elongate main body 320 having a top panel 322, a base panel 324, and sloped side walls 226 extending between the top and base panels 322, 324, and that the top panel 322 and the side walls 326 of the main body 320 are provided with high-visibility surfaces. Furthermore, the main body 320 is formed from an elastic top portion 328 stacked on top of a rigid base portion 330, wherein the base portion 330 is uniformly formed with two push pins 332 provided towards the respective ends of the main body 320 for attaching the high-visibility attachment 310 to a gate leaf 2. For conciseness, like features are not described again.

In contrast to the high-visibility attachment 210 of the third embodiment, the side wails 336 are divided into two sections along a plane parallel to the base panel 324. The first side wall section 326a extends perpendicular to the base panel 324 towards a lower part of the top portion 328, whilst the side wall section 326b at the upper part of the top portion 328 are sloped at a = 45 degrees relative to the base panel 324, i.e. the top portion 328 of the main body 320 is tapered towards its end. Therefore, the side walls 326 comprises two distinct sections of side walls 326a, 326b extending at different angles a. Advantageously, in comparison to the third embodiment, such an arrangement allows the main body 320 to be clearly observed over a wider angle.

In some embodiments, the side wall sections may not be divided along a plane parallel to the base panel, but divided along a plane perpendicular to the base panel. For example, side wall sections sloped at different inclinations may be provided around the main body.

Fifth Embodiment Figure 7 is a perspective view a high-visibility attachment 410 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The high-visibility attachment 410 is structurally and functionally similar to the high-visibility attachment 10 of the first embodiment in that it comprises a main body 420 having a top panel 422, a base panel 424, and a side wall 426 extending between the top and base panels 422, 424, and that the top panel 422 and the side wall 426 of the main body are provided with high-visibility surfaces. Furthermore, the main body 420 is formed from an elastic top portion 428 stacked on top of a rigid base portion 430. For conciseness, like features are not described again.

In contrast to the high-visibility attachment 10 of the first embodiment, the main body 420 is in the absence of a built-in push pin, and instead comprises an orifice 432 extending through its central axis. The orifice 432 forms a part of an attaching means through which a push pin or a treaded fastener is inserted, for attaching the high-visibility attachment 410 onto a gate leaf 2. Advantageously, such an arrangement results in reduced manufacturing costs, as well as a more compacted high-visibility attachment which is favourable for transportation.

Sixth Embodiment Figure 8 is a perspective view a high-visibility attachment 510 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The high-visibility attachment 510 is structurally and functionally similar to the high-visibility attachment 410 of the fifth embodiment in that it comprises a main body 520 having a top panel 522, a base panel 524, and a side wall 526 extending between the top and base panels 522, 524, and that the top panel 522 and the side wall 526 of the main body 520 are provided with high-visibility surfaces. Furthermore, the main body 520 is formed from an elastic top portion 528 stacked on top of a rigid base portion 530, and the main body 520 comprises orifices 532 through which push pins may extend therethrough to attach the high-visibility attachment 510 onto a door leaf. For conciseness, like features are not described again.

In contrast to the high-visibility attachment 410 of the fifth embodiment, the main body 520 is an elongate main body, similar to that of the second embodiment. That is, the high-visibility attachment 510 is longer in length in comparison to that of the fifth embodiment. Thus, in order to support the increased weight of the elongate body, an additional orifice 532 is provided. As such, there are two orifices 532 each positioned towards a respective end of the main body 520. In some other embodiments, there may be a plurality of orifices distributed along the length of the elongate main body each receiving a push pin or a threaded fastener.

Seventh Embodiment Figures 9A, 9B and 9C are perspective views of attaching body parts 620a, 620b, a bridging body part 620c and a corner body part 620d for forming high-visibility attachment 610 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. The high-visibility attachment 610 is structurally and functionally similar to the high-visibility attachment 110 of the second embodiment in that it comprises an elongate main body 620 having a top panel 622, a base panel 624, and side walls 626 extending between the top and base panels 622, 624, and that the top panel 622 and the side walls 626 of the main body 620 are provided with high-visibility surfaces. Furthermore, the main body is formed from an elastic top portion 628 stacked on top of a rigid base portion 630, wherein the base portion 630 is uniformly formed with two push pins 632 provided towards the respective ends of the main body 620 for attaching the high-visibility attachment 610 to a gate leaf 2. For conciseness, like features are not described again.

In contrast to the high-visibility attachment 110 of the second embodiment, the main body 620 is formed by assembling a plurality of modular body parts. More specifically, in its simplest form as shown in Figure 9A, the main body 620 is formed from two corresponding attaching body parts 620a, 620b joined end-on-end, to form a high-visibility attachment 610 resembling that of the second embodiment.

The two attaching body parts 620a, 620b are connected by interlocking a protrusion 642 formed at the end of the attaching body part 620b, with a corresponding recess 640 form at the end of the other attaching body part 620a. The interlock resembles ones that can be found in jigsaw puzzles Since the protrusion 642 is connected to the recess 640 by an interference fit, the two attaching body parts 620a, 620b are releasably attached.

Each of the attaching body parts 620a, 620b comprises a push pin 632 for forming an interference fit with their respective predrilled holes at the gate leaf. That is, each of the push pin 632 supports the weight of the respective attaching body part 620a, 620b.

The overall length of the main body 620 may be varied by adding bridging body parts 620c or further attaching body parts in between the two attaching body parts 620a, 620b. As shown in Figure 9B, the bridging body part 620c comprises a protrusion 642 and recess 640 formed at a respective end of the bridging body part 620c. By interlocking the protrusion 642 of the bridging body part 620c with the recess 640 of the attaching body part 620a, as well as the recess 640 of the bridging body part 620c with the protrusion 642 of the attaching body part 620b, the bridging body part 620c can be secured in between the two attaching body parts 620a, 620b. Moreover, since the bridging body part 620c is securely connected to either attaching body parts 620a, 6206, it does not require a discrete push pin 632 to be directly secured to the gate leaf Instead, the interlocks between the body parts 620a, 6206, 620c bear the weight of the bridging body part 620c, enabling it to be supported on the gate leaf by the push pins 632 provided on the attaching body parts 620a, 620b.

Similarly, further bridging body parts 620c each having a protrusion and a recess on opposing ends, may be inserted between the attaching body parts 620a, 620b to lengthen the high-visibility attachment 610. Thus, a plurality of bridging body parts 620c may be jointed end-on30 end.

Advantageously, such an arrangement not only allows the overall length of the high-visibility attachment 610 to be varied to suit different needs, but it also minimises the packaging size which eases transportation. Furthermore, since the bridging body parts are supported, through the interlock, by adjacent attaching body parts 620a, 620b and/or bridging body parts 620c, such an arrangement may reduce the number of predrill ed holes to be formed at the gate leaf In some embodiments, particularly those with multiple serially-connected bridging body parts, may be provided with additional push pins on the base panels of some of the bridging body parts, in order to strengthen the security of the attachment. That is, those bridging body parts that are provided with push pins may serve as attaching body parts.

Figure 9C shows a perspective view of a corner body part 620d having two members extending perpendicularly to each other. The two members are joined at one end, with their free ends having respectively a protrusion 642 and a recess 640. By interlocking the protrusion 642 of the corner body part 620d with a corresponding recess 640 of an adjacent body part 620a, 620b, 620c, as well as the recess 640 of the corner body part 620d with a corresponding protrusion 642 of another body part 620a, 620b, 620c, the corner body part 620d can be secured in between the two adjacent body parts 620a, 620b, 620c.

In the illustrated embodiment, the corner body part 620d is provided with a push pin (not shown) extending from its base panel for attaching onto a gate leaf In some other CO embodiments, the corner body part may be in the absence of an attaching means, i.e. the corner 0 20 body part 620d is supported, through the interlock, by adjacent attaching body parts 620a, 620b and/or bridging body parts 620c.

Advantageously, such an arrangement allows the high-visibility surfaces to seamlessly extend around a corner of the gate leaf, and thereby improving its effectiveness.

In some other embodiments, the body parts may be connected by different attaching means, such as sliding connections, dowel pins, or by adhesives.

Eighth Embodiment Figure 10 is a truncated side view of a bridging body part 720c according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. The bridging body part 720c is structurally and functionally similar to the bridging body part 620c of the seventh embodiment in that it comprises a top panel 722, a base panel 724, and side walls 726 extending between the top and base panels 722, 724, and that the top panel 722 and the side walls 726 of the bridging body part 720c are provided with high-visibility surfaces. Furthermore, the bridging body part 720c is formed from an elastic top portion 728 stacked on top of a rigid base portion 730, wherein the base portion 730 is in the absence of any attaching means. For conciseness, like features are not described again.

The base portion 730 of the bridging body part 720c is provided with a plurality of lines of weakness 750 towards one of its ends. In the illustrated example, the lines of weakness 750 are spaced at 10 mm intervals but the spacing can be set at any interval as needed. The lines of weakness 750 are grooves provided at the rigid base portion 730, as such excess length towards the end of the bridging body part 720c can be easily and cleanly snapped off along a line of weakness as required, i.e. by hand or with the use of a hand tool. That is, since the top portion 728 is formed from an elastic material, it is arranged to shear, and thereby break off, with the rigid base portion 730 along the line of weakness 750. In the illustrated example, the grooves are only partially cut into the rigid base portion 730 such that there is sufficient mechanical strength to maintain the structural integrity of the bridging body 720c.

Since the lines of weakness are provided at the base portion 730, it does not substantially alter the reflective surfaces at the top panel 722 and the side walls 726 of the bridging body part 720c. In some embodiments, the grooves may extend through the base portion and that the structural integrity of the bridging body part is solely provided by the elastic top portion.

Claims

Claims 1. A high-visibility attachment for a structure, comprising: a main body having opposing top and base panels and one or more side walls extending between the top and base panels, the side walls having high-visibility surfaces for improving the visibility of the main body; and one or more attaching means for attaching the main body to the structure, as such when the main body is attached to the structure, the base panel abuts a surface of the structure and the one or more side walls extend in a direction nonparallel to the base panel.
2. The high-visibility attachment of claim 1, wherein the main body is formed from a plurality of body parts, wherein each body part connects with one or more body parts to form the main body.
3. The high-visibility attachment of claim 2, wherein a protrusion on a body part engages a corresponding recess on an adjacent body part to form an interlock between the two body parts.
4. The high-visibility attachment of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the body parts are connected by interference fit.
5. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the claims 2 to 4, wherein each of the body parts comprises an attaching means for attaching the said body part onto the structure.
6. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the claims 2 to 4, wherein the body parts comprise attaching body parts and one or more bridging body parts, and wherein attaching body parts each comprises an attaching means, with the one or more bridging body parts are retained on the structure by connecting with an adjacent attaching body part directly, or through another bridging body part.
7. The high-visibility attachment of claim 6, wherein the one or more bridging body parts are trimmable for adjusting the length of the bridging body parts.
8. The high-visibility attachment of claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the attaching body parts and/or bridging body parts comprise lines of weakness for shortening their lengths.
9. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the claims 2 to 8, wherein the main body comprises body parts all of which are aligned along the same direction.
10. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the claims 2 to 8, wherein the body parts comprise a corner body part having two perpendicularly extending members each connecting with another body part.
11. The high-visibility attachment of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises two attaching means provided towards respective ends of the main body.
12. The high-visibility attachment of claim 1, wherein the main body comprises a plurality of attaching means evenly distributed along the length of the main body.
13. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls are arranged at an angle ranging between 30 to 120 degrees relative to the base panel.
14. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls are arranged at an angle of 45 degrees or 90 degrees relative to the base panel.
15. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side walls are divided into different sections arranged at different angles relative to the base panel.
16. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the height of the side walls is at least 5mm, and optionally the height of the side walls ranges between 8 to lOmm.
17. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main body comprises stacked base and top portions having respectively the base panel and the top panel, wherein the top portion is formed from an elastic material for absorbing shock.
18. The high-visibility attachment of claim 17, wherein the base portion is formed from a rigid material; and optionally the base portion is thinner than the top portion.
19. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surfaces of the side walls are provided with one or more of a light-coloured paint, a reflective surface and a luminescent coating.
20. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface of the top panel is provided with one or more of a light-coloured paint, a reflective surface and a luminescent coating.
21. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more attaching means comprises a projection extending from the base panel for forming an interference fit with a socket at the structure.
22. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more attaching means comprises an orifice extending through the main body for receiving a fastener that attaches the main body onto the structure.
23. The high-visibility attachment of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the high-visibility attachment is arranged to be attached to a movable structure.
24. A method of attaching the high-visibility attachment of any one of the claims 1 to 23, the attaching means comprises a projection extending from the base panel, the method comprises the steps of: forming a socket at the structure at a predetermined position; aligning the projection with the projection; and biasing the main body towards the structure to form an interference fit between the projection and the socket.
25. The method of claim 24, when depending on any one of the claims 2 to 10, comprising the step of interlocking the body parts to form the main body prior to attaching the formed main body to the structure.