Road safety system and methods of use thereof

• US 7,395,776 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2006
• Issued: 07/08/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Issifu I. Harruna
• Original Assignee: Issifu I. Harruna
• Inventors: Harruna, Issifu I
• Primary Examiner(s): SMITH, RICHARD A
• Application Number:
  US11/456,470
• Publication Number:
  US 20080006199A1
• Time in Patent Office: 729 Days
• Field of Search: 116/28.R, 116/63.P, 116/63.R, 405/14, 404/17, 405/90, 405/91, 406/01, 406/03, 406/04, 404/71, 405/15, 405/17, 406/12, 160/10, 160/24
• US Class Current: 116/28.00R
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/04 by land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 21/048 Advertisement panels on sides, front or back of vehicles

Abstract

Described herein is a road safety warning system and methods of use thereof. The warning system includes a housing; a warning sign comprising a first end and a second end; and a means for extending and retracting the warning sign from the housing, wherein one or more wheels are attached to the second end of the warning sign. The warning sign can be extended from a disabled vehicle or mount in order to warn oncoming traffic.

Claims

1. A safety warning system, comprising:

a housing;

a warning sign comprising a first end and a second end, wherein the warning sign comprises one or more warning indicia;

a means for extending and retracting the warning sign from the housing wherein the means for extending and retracting the warning sign comprises a reel within the housing, wherein the first end of the warning sign is attached to the reel, and wherein the warning sign is wrapped around the reel when retracted; and

one or more wheels are attached to the second end of the warning sign for extending the warning sign away from the housing.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a crank attached to the reel to retract the extended warning sign.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a motor to rotate the reel to retract or extend the warning sign from the housing.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the motor can be operated remotely.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a reflective material.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the housing is coated with a reflective material.

7. A method for warning oncoming drivers of a disabled vehicle, comprising:

a. attaching the safety warning system of claim 1 to the vehicle;

b. extending the warning sign from the system away from the vehicle.

8. A method for warning oncoming drivers of a construction site, comprising:

a. attaching the safety warning system of claim 1 to a mount;

b. extending the warning sign from system away from the mount.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the wheels are attached to the second end of the warning sign by a rod, wherein the rod is attached to the second end of the warning sign and the wheels are attached to the rod.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the rod comprises one or more reflectors.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the rod further comprises a handle.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the warning sign comprises a sleeve at each edge of the sign for receiving a flexible rod and a flexible rod inserted within each sleeve.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the warning sign is reinforced with a backing material.