Mobile plant proximity detection and warning system

• US 20020175825A1
• Filed: 05/25/2001
• Published: 11/28/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global 7 Group Pty., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Embridge Lake Pty., Ltd.
• Inventors: Mahdavian, Hossien, Clerk, Frederick George
• Granted Patent: US 6,650,242 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.6
• CPC Class Codes: B66F 17/003 for fork-lift trucks
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/144 using light grids

Abstract

A movement detection and warning system is provided and includes a transmitter means for transmitting a signal in association with an event or an object. The signal is adapted for triggering a detector means. The detector means is tuned to only detect the signal transmitted by the transmitter means when the detector is located within a predetermined distance from the transmitter means. The detector means activates an alarm means in response to being triggered by the transmitted signal thereby providing an early and distinct warning to people in the vicinity of the detector in order to eliminate or reduce the chances of the person sustaining injury. According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of warning a person of the proximity of an object or event. According to the method, the object or event is associated with a transmitter means for transmitting a signal. The signal triggers a detector means and the detector is tuned to only detect the signal transmitted by the transmitter means. When the person and object or event are located within a predetermined distance from each other, the transmitter means transmits a signal to the detector means. In response, the detector means activates an alarm means in order to provide an early and distinct warning to the person in the vicinity of the object or event to alert the person to the presence of the object or event.

Claims

1. A movement detection and warning system comprising a transmitter means for transmitting a signal in association with an event or an object, the signal being adapted for triggering a detector means, said detector means being tuned to only detect the signal transmitted by the transmitter means when the detector is located within a predetermined distance from the transmitter means, said detector means activating an alarm means in response to being triggered by the transmitted signal thereby providing an early and distinct warning to people in the vicinity of the detectors in order to eliminate or reduce the chances of the person sustaining injury.

2. A system according to claim 1, in which the transmitted signal is a fan shaped beam.

3. A system according to claim 2, in which the fan shaped beam is transmitted through an angle of 360°

.

4. A system according to claim 3, in which the beam is a rotating encoded transmission of infra-red radiation.

5. A system according to claim 4, in which the event or object is a vehicle.

6. A system according to claim 5, in which the vehicle is a mobile plant equipment.

7. A system according to claim 6, in which the vehicle is a fork-lift truck.

8. A system according to claim 7, in which the infra-red transmitter is mounted on the forklift truck.

9. A system according to claim 4, in which the detector is triggered in response to detecting the infra-red signal.

10. A system according to claim 4, in which the alarm system is activated in response to the detector detecting the presence of the infra-red signal.

11. A system according to claim 1, in which the

detector and the alarm are located remote from each other.

12. A system according to claim 5, in which the vehicle can approach the detector from any horizontal direction.

13. A system according to claim 4, in which the transmitter includes an encoded infra-red source and associated electronic systems and a rotating mirror contoured to produce the rotating fan shaped beam or infra-red light.

14. A system according to claim 4, in which the fan shaped beam of infra-red light has a narrow dimension in the horizontal plane and a relatively wider dimension in the vertical plane.

15. A system according to claim 1, in which the transmitter includes a static array or Light Emitting Diodes.

16. A system according to claim 15, in which the Light Emitting Diodes are arranged in an array of Light Emitting Diodes for operation in a prearranged manner or sequence.

17. A system according to claim 15, in which the Light Emitting Diodes are operated to produce a rotating fan shaped beam of infra-red illumination.

18. A system according to claim 1, in which the detector comprises a detection and alarm function.

19. A system according to claim 1, in which the detector is powered externally or is provided with its own self-contained power source.

20. A system according to claim 1, in which the detector is fixed to a substrate at a strategic location or the detector is worn or provided on the apparel or clothing of personnel for activation when the person having the detector comes within a predetermined distance of the transmitter.

21. A system according to claim 1, in which the alarm means includes an audible alarm, a visible alarm, a digital alarm or similar including combinations thereof.

22. A system according to claim 1, in which the signal transmitted by the transmitter means is used to remotely operate an access control device.

23. A system according to claim 22, in which the access control device includes a boom gate, a roller door, a swing door, a sliding door, a barrier, or other moving or operating mechanisms.

24. A method of warning a person of the proximity of an object or event comprising associating the object or event with a transmitter means for transmitting a signal, the signal triggering a detector means, said detector being tuned to only detect the signal transmitted by the transmitter means so that when the person and object or event are located within a predetermined distance from each other the transmitter means transmits a signal to the detector means such that the detector means activates an alarm means in order to provide an early and distinct warning to the person in the vicinity of the object or event in order to alert the person to the presence of the object or event.

25. A method of warning a person of the proximity of an object or event comprising associating the object or event with a transmitter means for transmitting a signal, the signal triggering a detector means, said detector being tuned to only detect the signal transmitted by the transmitter means so that when the person and object or event are located within a predetermined distance from each other the transmitter means transmits a signal to the detector means such that the detector means activates an alarm means in order to provide an early and distinct warning to the person in the vicinity of the object or event in order to alert the person to the presence of the object or event, wherein the object or event is associated with the transmitter means using a movement detection and warning system comprising the transmitter means for transmitting a signal in association with the event or object, the signal being adapted for triggering the detector means, said detector means being tuned to only detect the signal transmitted by the transmitter means when the detector is located within a predetermined distance from the transmitter means, said detector means activating the alarm means in response to being triggered by the transmitted signal thereby providing an early and distinct warning to people in the vicinity of the detectors in order to eliminate or reduce the chances of the person sustaining injury.