HK1252984A1 - A traffic safety device - Google Patents

Abstract

A traffic safety device comprising: a cone having a cone body 14 which tapers upwards to a tip 4 from a cone base 8, an imager 13 attached to the cone body using an attachment mechanism, and a data recording or transmitting means. The attachment means comprises an external harness 11 and an internal anchor 12. The imager 13 comprises at least one sensor, which may include more than one of light, motion or vibration sensors, video recording means or infra-red beam. The video recording means may be actuated by the at least one sensor.

Description

A TRAFFIC SAFETY DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a traffic safety device, in particular a traffic safety device for monitoring traffic to improve safety for workers on highways.

Background

Increasing numbers of users own vehicles and are transported in vehicles across many societies.

This leads to increasing pressures on highways across these societies. This in turn leads to improvements, and restructuring across highways, as well as more general 15 roadworks for maintenance.

During such maintenance or repair works personnel is often required to be in the roadway, often separated from vehicles moving at speed in dedicated lanes, for example in contra flow situations. These dedicated areas are generally demarcated 20 by traffic cones or similar, which cones are temporary and easily displaced.

This can be dangerous even where speed limits are in place to protect workers, as in some situations some vehicle drivers may ignore speed limits, or enter unauthorised lanes to speed up their journey and avoid delays.

Prior Art

US patent US 8 823 549 (MOONE) discloses a motion detecting traffic cone assembly comprising a motion detector, with a light, alarm and speaker.

US patent US 6 971 329 (STEWART) discloses a lane maker system comprising: a plurality of interconnected traffic control cones, with retractable planar having a hitch at its free ends, said hitch being configured to be releasably connected to an anchor on an adjacent cone, wherein the tape lies substantially flat on the ground between two adjacent cones.

US patent US 6 154 133 (ROSS et al) discloses a system for automatically detecting movement of a subject along an exit path in an unauthorized direction.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a traffic safety device comprising: a cone having a cone body which tapers upwards to a tip from a cone base; an imager is attached to the cone body using an attachment mechanism comprising a harness and an anchor; wherein the imager has a sensing means which in use is directed away from the cone body, a data recording means for recording image data and a data transmission means.

The imager is typically a camera that is capable of capturing photographic images or video.

The device enables passing traffic to be monitored so that the image data obtained and recorded collected can be used to improve safety.

Advantageously use of the traffic safety devices provide increased safety for highway workers when working in a sectioned off lane on motorways, A-roads or country lanes. The traffic safety devices also provide a means of monitoring traffic to improve safety, identify danger spots and to detect failing or faulty equipment, such as traffic lights that have stopped working.

The imager is mounted on, or in the cone. In this way the cone performs a standard function as traffic management tool in the form of a traffic cone with the addition of being able to capture surrounding image data.

The imager or camera is attached to the cone by attachment means that comprises 30 the harness and the anchor that are adapted to aid with attachment of the camera to the safety device.

The harness is secured to the cone by means of an anchor that fixes the harness and thereby the camera in position with respect to the cone. The harness and 35 anchor may be arranged to permit connection through the cone body, for example wherein the harness is arranged on an outer face of the cone and the anchor is fitted within the cone so as to engage with the harness, or vice-versa.

In preferred embodiments the camera is removable from the attachment means so 5 as to permit disconnection of the camera from the safety device so that it can be repaired and/or replaced, or kept separately when not required.

The attachment mechanism may comprise permanent, semi-permanent or temporary parts. For example the attachment mechanism may include a permanent, semi-permanent or temporary first attachment part that connects to the cone, and second attachment may be received by the first attachment part. For example a first part may be provided for receiving the harness. In this way the harness and thereby the camera can be easily added to and removed from the safety device.

The attachment parts may be connected to each other through the cone body.

In some embodiments the attachment mechanism may comprise parts of the cone itself. For example the attachment mechanism may be an integrated part of the cone or the cone may be adapted for receipt of the attachment means into or onto the 20 cone.

In another embodiment the cone is adapted to be the attachment means so as to be shaped to receive the parts of the device such as the imager or sensor. For example the harness and anchor may be parts of the cone. Advantageously in this way the device may comprise a single unit, which unit may be rendered more difficult to sabotage or steal. This anti-theft feature may be of particular benefit in embodiments where the base is adapted to be secured to an independent structure, or an underlying surface, such as a roadway for example.

In some embodiments the attachment mechanism may comprise a standalone part, which part is for example attachable over the cone. The standalone part may house some or all of the following: the imager, sensing means, data recording means and data transmitting means. For example the attachment mechanism may comprise a standalone harness which may or may not be attached to the cone in use.

Advantageously this may enable the camera and attachment mechanism to be applied to any cone, whereupon the cone may be a standard independently available part. For example the attachment mechanism may comprise a belt, clip, clasp, ferromagnetic or screw-fit mechanism which may utilise standard parts of a cone. 5 For example in some embodiments the attachment mechanism may be arranged to attach the camera to the tip, wherein standard cones have a perforated tip, and the attachment mechanism may attach to itself through the perforated tip. In such manner the attachment mechanism may comprise with the ground securing means to limit unauthorised displacement of the camera, wherein both sides of the tip must be 10 accessible to remove the mechanism.

The attachment mechanism may comprise a multi-stage assembly. Typically the safety device is multipartite, to permit additional, removal or change of selected parts. For example the sensing means may be displaceable from the attachment 15 mechanism.

The attachment mechanism in some embodiments may comprise a directable mechanism, so as to enable the user to direct the camera or sensing means in differing directions from the cone. The direction in which the imager is arranged may be positioned before or during use, and may be fixable or fixed. In this way the sensing means may be used to monitor safety in different zones or areas.

In some such embodiments the direction of view of the imager may be along one or more axes. In other embodiments the direction of the sensing means or camera (imager) may be variable along or about only one axis. By reorienting the cone different viewing directions may be obtained. For example the camera or sensing means may rotate about a pivot.

In some embodiments the device may include a tracking sensor to activate 30 movement of the sensor, along or about the axes or pivot once a target is identified. For example a vehicle or person may be tracked when passing the cone within a predetermined distance.

The safety devices can be used to detect when a vehicle travels into a particular lane 35 and photographic data can be captured, such as details of the vehicle's number plate as reference for identification which could be passed to relevant parties to analyse or take action for example being pass to enforcement agencies.

It is appreciated that in some embodiments a standard cone may be modified to 5 receive the camera, data recording and data transmitting means.

The cone body is arranged vertically in use, with the base extending horizontally. Definitions of horizontal and vertical are general and with reference to standard usage only, defining substantially orthogonal directions or planes.

In some embodiments effective field of view that can be detected by the camera or sensing means may be variable. In this way the captured area can be altered depending upon location.

The device includes a data recording means so that data captured can be stored. The data recording means typically includes an electronically addressable memory for storing the data. The device also has data transmitting means to transfer captured data from the device to a remote device. In this way data, such as vehicle licence plate details can be recorded and sent to a remote location quickly and without human intervention.

In this way the device may enable the local storage of data captured using the sensing means, and permit access as required by the user when data is extracted or read from the memory.

For example images taken by the camera (imager) may be stored on a memory means such as a data storage card. The stored data is then transmitted to an electronic device for analysis or review. For example the stored data may be transferred to smartphone, tablet, computer or other portable electrical device.

The device may comprise wired or wireless connectivity, so as to enable other equipment to access the data or to control, edit or amend the functionality of the sensing means remotely from the device.

In this way the data collected by the device may compared with other data, such as location information, to identify objects or vehicles or people or to provide information to be analysed.

For example location data may contain details restricted zones and determine if restricted areas have been entered, or if a speed limit has been breached. This facility provides a remote monitoring system to record evidence based data that can be used to enforce regulations, support prosecutions as appropriate at a later date.

The camera may comprise a plurality of sensor means to detect information from the surrounding environment, such as light levels, presence of people, vehicles, road markings and lights.

For example the camera may comprise a vehicle motion or presence sensing means, 15 arranged to sense presence of a vehicle and activate a light sensing means, or video recording means. This video recording means may take at least one picture or sequence of pictures when triggered.

The sensing means may comprise a light or other sensing means, for example at 20 least one infra red sensor arranged to sense radiation in the direction of the camera lens. The sensing means may comprise an infra-red (IR) source in addition to an IR sensor. The sensing means may comprise a vibration sensing means.

In some embodiments the device may detect colour of a lamp so that it can sense a 25 colour from a traffic light. For example the device may deactivate when sensed coloured light is green and reactivated when a sensed light is red, in order to monitor vehicle activity in a contra flow for example in specific time intervals.

The mechanism may comprise a locking mechanism, so as to limit theft of the 30 camera.

The base may comprise a ground securing or locking mechanism to limit displacement of the cone from the road. This locking mechanism may be provided in use by a number of holes in the base and through-bolts which in use are screwed or 35 otherwise connected into the ground below.

Preferably the device includes a power supply in the form of a battery. In some embodiments the device may include at least one photovoltaic cell to permit energy generation to power the device. It is appreciated that energy generated may be used to directly power the device and/or to charge a battery that powers the device.

In some embodiments the device may include an alignment means, typically a laser to permit alignment of one device to another. Typically the laser is arranged to project a beam from the device to create a visible guide that can be directed to another device or to correspond with a road, road markings.

In some embodiments the devices may be adapted for intercommunication from one device to another. In this way this way data may be shared or transferred between devices. For example the devices may concatenated to enable passing of data from one device to another in order to reach a data collection point. In this way it may not be necessary to collect data independently from each individual device.

Embodiments are ideally adapted to receive and transmit wireless data. For example the devices may use wireless transmission of information such as mobile networks, satellites, radio frequency, Bluetooth (RTM) etc. In this way data can be received 20 and transmitted without requirement for a user to visit the device.

Optionally devices include a global positioning system (GPS) sensor so as to provide a location fixing and to track a device if moved, for example if stolen. Advantageously each device may be fitted with security means to keep data secure, 25 to prevent corruption of data and to keep information confidential.

The device may have means to ensure the data stored or captured is encrypted. The storage means may be encased to prevent access. For example the memory means may be located such that attempt to remove the memory means would destroy the 30 data.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an exploded isometric view of an embodiment of the device 35 according to the present invention; Figures 2 show plan views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1, from below and above respectively; Figure 3 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 3, with ground securings bolts; Figure 5 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment as shown in Figure 1; Figures 6 show side views of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figures 7 show isometric views of the harness of the attachment mechanism of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 8 shows isometric views of the camera of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; Figure 9 shows the cone part of the attachment mechanism of the embodiment shown in Figure 1; and Figure 10 shows a sketch of the camera unit shown in Figures 8.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there is shown an embodiment of the device comprising a thermoplastics cone, formed by a frusto-conical body 14 tapering upwards from a horizontally extending base 8. The base is typically provided as a separate part to the body, and comprises a substantially square plate with a central perforation. The bottom of the base comprises moulded ribs 18 with intermediate open channels 17, such that the base may stand easily on a variety of subordinate structures with any upward projections able to be accommodated between channels.

The base is sturdy weighted rubber, so as to deform on the subordinate surface. The base has four holes 9 situated towards the corners for passage of bolts 7 into 35 sockets in the ground, each hole having a surrounding rim 22 in the bottom.

10 15 20 The cone body has a retro-reflective band 6 around its central third longitudinally and may be produced in a different colour to standard cones so as to allow differentiation. The cone base perforation has an upstanding collar 10, which strengthens the joint between the cone parts and supports the cone body to remain upright.

The cone body has a topmost tip 4 with a central aperture. The cone body 14 comprises two sets of two indentations 1 proximate the tip, which indentations allow four screws 5 into the cone body as part of the attachment mechanism. The indentations are tear drop shaped and include apertures 2 centrally within the lower of the indentation, and the screws pass through the cone body into nuts 82 that are welded to an anchor 12 and through the external harness 11, which harness provides a first attachment mechanism part, and the anchor a second attachment part.

The harness comprises wings 16, arranged in use to surround in part the cone body 15 laterally, and a holster part 15, arranged in use to receive the camera.

The camera 13 comprises a housing 45, viewing electronics mounted within the housing, a motion detector sensing means 47 on a surface of the housing, and a controller operatively coupled to the viewing electronic sensing means 48, and the motion detector, wherein the controller is adapted to send an activation signal to the viewing electronics when the controller receives a triggering signal from the motion detector.

A speaker or siren 44 on the camera unit alerts workers if a car passes the sensor.

The camera 13 is a wholly displaceable unit, which unit is provided to fore with a light sensing means or lens 48, motion sensing means or sensor 47, and LED flashlight 46. The rear of the camera includes a displaceable sealing flap 40 access for the battery. The flap covers a USB connector 41 to allow the camera to be charged, and micro-USB ports 42 for data removal, as well as a lock 43 for site manager access only to limit vandalism.

The camera 13 is inserted into the cover prior to the harness attachment to the cone and anchor.

The harness comprises wings for the bolts 5 and a cover 15 for the camera 13, which extends horizontally outwards in use from the cone body.

The cover is arranged to provide cover over the substantial majority of the camera, so as to limit water ingress. The cover includes an aperture 21 for the light sensing means or lens, and a transparent cover over the camera's LED flashlight 46.

In this way passage of a vehicle past the motion detector sensing means wakes up the viewing sensing means so as to register visual data on the vehicle, for future reference.

In some embodiments the unit utilises wireless technology to connect to traffic lights such that when the red light is activated the unit is instructed to take photos if a car drives through.

In some embodiments the unit utilises wireless technology to connect to traffic lights 15 such that when the red light is activated the unit is instructed to take photographs if a car drives through a restricted zone or exceeds a speed limit.

The harness 11 of the attachment mechanism is screwed into the second part of the attachment mechanism which second part comprises the cone anchor 12. This anchor is inserted into the cone body, and the bolts 5 pass through the body and into the anchor to clamp the harness in place. The security bolts provide a secondary security feature making it difficult to remove the bolts without the required tool.

The attachment anchor is located in use inside the cone body near the tip. The anchor includes a central fabric loop 81, looped through a slot 85 in and extending from a metal structural cruciform 83, which cruciform is horizontal in use and has two braces 86 extending substantially vertically at the end of two of the arms and welded at welds 87 thereto. These braces are arranged with nuts 82 and holes 84 proximate their ends, and are inclined inwards towards the top ends, with the bottom ends and holes depending below the cruciform.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely 35 including embodiments which combine features of described embodiments.

Claims (15)

1. Claims 1. A traffic safety device comprising: a cone having a cone body which tapers upwards to a tip from a cone base; an imager is attached to the cone body using an attachment mechanism comprising a harness and an anchor; wherein the imager has a sensing means which in use is directed away from the cone body, a data recording means and a data transmitting means.
2. 2. A traffic safety device according to claim 1 wherein the harness is exterior the cone body and the anchor is located within the cone body.
3. 3. A traffic safety device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the attachment mechanism includes a displaceable cover for the camera.
4. 4. A traffic safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the sensing means includes at least one sensor.
5. 5. A traffic safety device according to claim 4 wherein the sensor is a light sensing means.
6. 6. A traffic safety device according to claim 4 wherein the sensor detects motion.
7. 7. A traffic safety device according to claim 4 wherein the sensor is an infra-red sensor.
8. 8. A traffic safety device according to claim 4 wherein the sensor is a vibration sensor.
9. 9. A traffic safety device according to any of claims 4 to 8 wherein the sensor actuates a video recording means.
10. 10. A traffic safety device according to any preceding claim wherein the anchor has wings to surround part of the cone.
11. 11. A traffic safety device according to any preceding claim including a holster for receiving and supporting the camera.
12. 12. A traffic safety device according to any preceding claim includes a charging/data transfer port.
13. 13. A traffic safety device according to any preceding claim including a photovoltaic cell.
14. 14. A traffic safety device according to any preceding claim including an aligning means.
15. 15. A traffic safety device according to any preceding claim including a Global Positioning System.