US-20260127965-A1 - TRAFFIC WARNING SYSTEM FOR BLIND INTERSECTIONS

US20260127965A1US 20260127965 A1US20260127965 A1US 20260127965A1US-20260127965-A1

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a warning system for use in visually obstructed environments includes multiple traffic panels having a housing supporting a least one detector and at least one indicator, a communication means to transmit motion signals registered by the detector between the traffic panels, and a power supply. Each of the multiple traffic panels is positionably adjustable and faces a direction that is unviewable from at least one other direction and the motion signals are transmitted from one detector in a traffic panel to an indicator in at least one other traffic panel. The warning signal provided by one the multiple traffic panels warns of motion within the line of sight of the detector of another of the multiple traffic panels.

Inventors

Charles W Hartman, JR.

Assignees

Charles W Hartman, JR.

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20250712

Claims (20)

1 . A warning system for visually obstructed environments comprising: a. multiple traffic panels, each of said multiple traffic panels having: i. a housing; ii. at least one detector for registering motion within a line of sight and generating motion signals, said at least one detector adjustably attached to a surface of said housing; and iii. at least one indicator for receiving said motion signals and providing a warning signal, said at least one indicator adjustably attached to a surface of said housing; b. communication means to transmit said motion signals between said multiple traffic panels; and c. a power supply; wherein each of said multiple traffic panels is configured to be positionably adjustable; wherein each of said multiple traffic panels faces a direction that is unviewable from at least one other direction; wherein said motion signals are transmitted from said at least one detector in at least one of said multiple traffic panels to said at least one indicator in at least one of another of said multiple traffic panels; and wherein said warning signal provided by one of said multiple traffic panels warns of motion within the line of sight of the at least one detector of another of said multiple traffic panels.
2 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a central base housing said power supply and managing communication between each of said multiple traffic panels.
3 . The system of claim 2 wherein said multiple traffic panels are rotatably attached to opposing sides of said central base.
4 . The system of claim 1 wherein said power supply is contained within each of said multiple traffic panels.
5 . The system of claim 4 wherein said at least two of said multiple traffic panels are rotatably connected to one another.
6 . The system of claim 4 further comprising a center mounting panel, at least two of said multiple traffic panels being rotatably mounted on opposing edges of said center mounting plate.
7 . The system of claim 2 wherein said central base further comprises at least one base indicator and at least one base detector, said at least one base indicator and said at least one base detector in communication with said multiple traffic panels.
8 . The system of claim 1 wherein said communication means is wireless.
9 . The system of claim 1 wherein said communication means is wired.
10 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a processor to receive and transmit communication between said multiple traffic panels.
11 . The system of claim 10 wherein said processor can control each of said at least one detector and said at least one indicator.
12 . The system of claim 10 wherein said processor has two-way communication with a remote facility.
13 . The system of claim 1 wherein said power supply is selected from at least one of batteries, AC power, solar or a combination thereof.
14 . The system of claim 1 further comprising a mounting member to secure said system in a position for use.
15 . The system of claim 1 wherein said multiple traffic panels are attached to a base panel by a swivel mount to enable said multiple traffic panels to be rotated vertically and horizontally.
16 . A warning system for visually obstructed environments comprising: a. multiple traffic panels, each of said multiple traffic panels having: i. a housing; ii. at least one detector for registering motion within a line of sight and generating motion signals, said at least one detector adjustably attached to a surface of said housing; and iii. at least one indicator for receiving said motion signals and providing a warning signal, said at least one indicator adjustably attached to a surface of said housing; b. communication means to transmit said motion signals between said multiple traffic panels; c. a processor, said processor controlling said communication between said multiple traffic panels and a remote facility; d. a base; e. a support, said support maintaining said system in a predetermined position; f. a mounting panel to secure said warning system to said support; and g. a power supply; wherein each of said multiple traffic panels is configured to be positionably adjustable; wherein each of said multiple traffic panels faces a direction that is unviewable from at least one other direction; wherein said motion signals are transmitted from said at least one detector in at least one of said multiple traffic panels to said at least one indicator in at least one of another of said multiple traffic panels; and wherein said warning signal provided by one of said multiple traffic panels warns of motion within the line of sight of the at least one detector of another of said multiple traffic panels.
17 . The system of claim 16 wherein said power supply is selected from at least one of batteries, AC power, and solar or a combination thereof.
18 . The system of claim 16 wherein said base location is selected from at least one of between at least two of said multiple traffic panels, at ground level proximate said support, or affixed to said support.
19 . The system of claim 17 wherein said power supply is located in at least one of within each of said multiple traffic panels or within said base.
20 . The method of alerting traffic at a first location of traffic movement at a second, unseen location comprising the steps of: a. mounting a detection system having multiple traffic panels, each of said multiple traffic panels having: i. a housing; ii. at least one detector for registering motion within a line of sight and generating motion signals, said at least one detector adjustably attached to a surface of said housing; and iii. at least one indicator for receiving said motion signals and providing a warning signal, said at least one indicator adjustably attached to a surface of said housing; iv. communication means to transmit said motion signals between said multiple traffic panels; and v. a power supply; b. mounting at least one of said multiple traffic panels facing a direction and mounting at least one other of said multiple traffic panels facing in at least one other direction; wherein each of said traffic panels is positionably adjustable; wherein each of said multiple traffic panels is mounted in a direction that is unviewable from at least one other direction; wherein said motion signals are transmitted from said at least one detector in at least one of said multiple traffic panels to said at least one indicator in at least one of another of said multiple traffic panels; and wherein said warning signal provided by one of said multiple traffic panels warns of motion within the line of sight of the at least one detector of another of said multiple traffic panels.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a warning system, and more particularly to a device having a system to detect motion and provides alerts, visual and/or auditory, of oncoming movement in visually obstructed environments. In particular, the invention concerns facilitating safe navigation through blind intersections. SUMMARY The present invention is directed to a warning system for use in visually obstructed environments including multiple traffic panels having a housing supporting a detector and an indicator, a communication means to transmit motion signals registered by the detector between the traffic panels, and a power supply. Each of the multiple traffic panels is positionably adjustable and faces a direction that is unviewable from at least one other direction and the motion signals are transmitted from one detector in a traffic panel to an indicator in at least one other traffic panel. The warning signal provided by one the multiple traffic panels warns of motion within the line of sight of the detector of another of the multiple traffic panels. The device, in one embodiment, is a central base with two adjustable wings, or traffic panels. Each wing contains an LED light and a motion sensor. When set up, each wing is adjusted so that it faces a traffic lane. When a moving object (car, truck, bicycle, or even a deer) is sensed by the motion detector, the LED light on the opposite side illuminates, warning traffic of an oncoming hazard. In an alternate embodiment a base with wings operates in a similar fashion. In addition to the LED lights and motion sensors on the wings, a third LED light and motion sensor combination are placed on the body of the main base, facing the exiting traffic. It is designed, for example, to improve the safety of road entry from a driveway or road where views of oncoming traffic are obstructed. Before the driver exits, he can see if traffic is approaching from either direction. In this embodiment if traffic is approaching from either direction, the third LED light (the one facing the exiting driver) illuminates. Simultaneously, the lights on the wings can be set to both illuminate (steady or flashing), warning the oncoming traffic of the exiting driver. Alternatively, the lights can be split (one for left, and the other for right, facing the driver) indicating to the exiting driver which direction the oncoming traffic is coming from. In addition, a timer may be added to keep the warnings on for a brief period since the exiting car will likely be stationary, and the motion sensor would therefore no longer be sensing motion. All embodiments can be powered by AC current (if available) or, for remote settings, rechargeable batteries, recharged by the use of solar panels. As disclosed hereinafter, the electronics and internal power sources can be maintained either within a central base or within each of the separate wings. The central base can be located at any convenient location, e.g., adjacent to the wings, on the ground or positioned on the support member. This device can be pole-mounted using an adjustable swivel base or attached using bolts attached to the side of the base portion or a bracket. Where applicable, the device can be hung from a support or placed on a structure. All versions contain the operating circuitry within the base, adjacent to or separate from the wing, or wing portion, and all parts intended for outdoor use are water and weatherproof for sustained outdoor use. When used indoors, the applicable materials of manufacture can be modified and will be known to those skilled in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front plan view of an embodiment with dual wings on either side of a base containing the electronics and each wing incorporating a detector, optional shield, and indicator, in accordance with the disclosed invention; FIG. 2 is a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 showing the dual wings in a position to detect and indicate oncoming traffic, in accordance with the disclosed invention; FIG. 3 is a front plan view of an alternate embodiment with dual wings, each wing containing a detector and indicator, with the addition of a detector and indicator in the center base, in accordance with the disclosed invention; FIG. 4 is a front plan view of an additional embodiment having, in addition to the two wings, dual indicators on the center base panel to indicate the direction of the oncoming traffic, in accordance with the disclosed invention; FIG. 5 is an exploded side view of a swivel mount for the wings to enable horizontal and vertical movement, in accordance with the disclosed invention; FIG. 6 is a side view of the assembled swivel mount of FIG. 5, in accordance with the disclosed invention; FIG. 7 is a side view of an adjustable motion sensor, in accordance with the disclosed invention; FIG. 8 is an exploded view of the adjustable motion sensor of FIG. 7, in accordance with the disclosed invention; FIG.