Abstract:
A portable and solar powered traffic safety system functioning like a decoy police car. The system features a display panel with a picture of a police car and a light component with red and blue lights. The display panel is mounted on a solar panel frame atop a base and is held in place by a securing means. The base features legs each with a ballast to help support the base and prevent the system from tipping due to high winds. The system of the present invention can be used in a variety of locations, for example in rural or urban settings, residential areas, hospitals, schools, and construction zones.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/378,914 filed Aug. 31, 2010 and U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/429,166 filed Jan. 2, 2011, the specifications of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to traffic safety and speed devices, more particularly to a solar powered and portable system designed to resemble a police car or emergency vehicle with the internationally accepted red and blue emergency lights. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Many systems, such as standard radar systems used by police officers, are in use for attempting to control traffic. The present invention features a novel traffic safety system, which may be used in areas where there is concern for traffic safety and speed control. The system of the present invention comprises a decoy police car or emergency vehicle equipped with red and blue lights. The system is portable and is optionally solar powered. The system of the present invention may, for example, help reduce a high-speed motorist&#39;s speed on an open road from a large distance away. The system of the present invention can be used in a variety of scenarios, for example in rural or urban settings, residential areas, hospitals, schools, construction zones, etc. The system of the present invention can be supplemented with other speed-detection methods, such as laser detection or radar. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention features a traffic safety system. In some embodiments, the system comprises a display panel, wherein a picture of a police car is disposed on a front surface of the display panel; a base comprising a vertical shaft having a first end and a second end, and at least three legs extending outwardly from the second end of the vertical shaft, wherein a ballast is disposed on each free end of the legs; a solar panel frame disposed on the first end of the vertical shaft, the solar panel frame is adapted to hold a solar panel, wherein a top edge of the display panel is attached to a first side edge of the solar panel frame via a first attachment means; a light component disposed on the solar panel frame above the display panel, the light component comprises at least one light; a securing means attached to a bottom edge of the display panel and to at least one leg, the securing means helps hold the display in place; and a battery compartment housing a battery, the battery is operatively connected to the solar panels and to the light component, the battery is charged by the solar panels and supplies power to the light component. 
     In some embodiments, the legs are arranged symmetrically around the vertical shaft. In some embodiments, the ballast weighs about 50 pounds. In some embodiments, a handle is disposed on a ballast. In some embodiments, the ballasts are removably attached to the legs via a second attachment means. In some embodiments, the second attachment means comprises a strap mechanism, a magnet mechanism, a clamp mechanism, a hook mechanism, a tie mechanism, or a combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the first attachment means comprises a snap mechanism, a button mechanism, a magnet mechanism, a clamp mechanism, a clasp mechanism, a hook-and-loop fastener mechanism, a clip mechanism, a hook mechanism, a tie mechanism, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the light component comprises lights of two or more colors. In some embodiments, the securing means comprises a tie mechanism, a chain mechanism, a bungee mechanism, a clasp mechanism, a clip mechanism, a hook mechanism, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the battery compartment is disposed in a ballast. 
     In some embodiments, the system further comprises a securing mechanism for securing at least the vertical shaft and the solar panel frame together. In some embodiments, the securing mechanism comprises a cable lock. In some embodiments, a securing mechanism (e.g., cable lock) is disposed on the vertical shaft. In some embodiments, a securing mechanism (e.g., cable lock) is disposed on the solar panel frame. In some embodiments, a securing mechanism (e.g., cable lock) is disposed on the legs. In some embodiments, a securing mechanism (e.g., cable lock) is disposed on one or more ballasts. In some embodiments, a securing mechanism (e.g., cable lock) is disposed on the display. 
     Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the base of the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an in-use view of the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a front view of the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view of the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom view of the system of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a detailed view of the system of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-7 , the present invention features a novel traffic safety system  100 . The system  100  of the present invention resembles a police car or emergency vehicle and serves as a decoy. In some embodiments, when the system  100  is activated, the system  100  (e.g., lighting) causes the driver to slow down, e.g., until the driver realizes the system  100  is a decoy. In some embodiments, the system  100  of the present invention is supplemented with a speed detection system, for example a radar system or a laser system. The present invention is in no way limited to the uses described herein. For example, in some embodiments, one or more components of the system  100  (e.g., the display panel  110  and light component  270 ) are attached or used in combination with a speed monitoring trailer or permanent radar mounts. Example 1 describes the system  100  of the present invention used in combination with a speed monitoring trailer. 
     The system  100  of the present invention comprises a display panel  110  (e.g., a banner) having a front surface  115  and a top edge  113 . A picture is disposed on the front surface  115  of the display panel  110 . In some embodiments, the picture is a photo overlay. In some embodiments, the display panel  110  is constructed from a material comprising vinyl. In some embodiments, the picture is of a police car  117  with a roof  118  or other emergency vehicle with the roof  118  of the police car adjacent to the top edge  116 . The present invention is not limited to a police car. For example, in some embodiments, the picture is a word (e.g., “slow,” “school,” “hospital,” “work zone,” etc.) or other picture. In some embodiments, the display panel  110  appears three dimensional. In some embodiments, the display panel  110  further comprises reflectors. 
     The system  100  further comprises a base  210  on which the display panel  110  is mounted. The base  210  comprises a vertical shaft  220  having a first end  221  (e.g., top end) and a second end  222  (e.g., bottom end). 
     Extending from the second end  222  (or near the second end  222 ) is at least a first leg, a second leg, and a third leg. In some embodiments, a fourth leg also extends from the second end  222  of the vertical shaft  220 . The legs  230  are adapted to help stabilize the vertical shaft  220 , e.g., in an upright and vertical position as shown in  FIG. 1 . Each leg  230  has a shaft end  231  (attached to the vertical shaft  220 ) and a free end  232  that extends away from the shaft  220 . In some embodiments, the legs  230  are arranged symmetrically around the vertical shaft  220 . 
     In some embodiments, a ballast  240  (e.g., a concrete block) is disposed on the free end  232  of one or more of the legs  230 . In some embodiments, a first ballast  241 , a second ballast  242 , a third ballast  243 , and a fourth ballast  244  herein collectively referred to as a ballast  240  each comprises a groove  245  located on an underside of the ballast  240 . In some embodiments, each ballast  240  is located on a free end  232  of one of the legs  230 . In some embodiments, the free end ( 232 ) of each leg ( 230 ) fits into the groove  245 ) of the ballast ( 240 ) to hold the leg in place. The ballasts  240  help provide weight and stability to the legs  230  so that the system  100  can be secured in place and help prevent the system  100  from tipping, e.g., in high winds. In some embodiments, a handle  250  is disposed on one or more of the ballasts  240 . The handle  250  allows the ballasts  240  to be lifted and transported. In some embodiments, the ballasts  240  are removably attached to the legs  230 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the ballasts  240  may be removably attached to the legs  230  via a second attachment means. In some embodiments, the second attachment means comprises a strap mechanism (e.g., straps  290 ), a magnet mechanism, a clamp mechanism, a hook mechanism, a tie mechanism, the like, or a combination thereof. 
     In some embodiments, the ballast  240  weighs about 50 pounds. In some embodiments, the ballast  240  weights between about 20 to 30 pounds. In some embodiments, the ballast  240  weights between about 30 to 40 pounds. In some embodiments, the ballast  240  weights between about 40 to 50 pounds. In some embodiments, the ballast  240  weights between about 50 to 60 pounds. In some embodiments, the ballast  240  weights more than about 60 pounds. As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus ten percent of the referenced number. For example, an embodiment wherein the ballast  240  weighs about 50 pounds includes a ballast  240  that weighs between 45 and 55 pounds. 
     Disposed on the first end  221  of the vertical shaft  220  is a frame  260  (e.g., solar panel frame). In some embodiments, the frame  260  is adapted to hold one or more solar panels  268 , which are disposed flat on the frame ( 260 ). Solar panels are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The frame  260  may encompass any appropriate device mountable to the vertical shaft  220 , wherein the frame  260  supports the display panel  110 . 
     The display panel  110  attaches to the frame  260  (e.g., solar panel frame) via a first attachment means. For example, in some embodiments, a top edge  113  of the display panel  110  attaches to a first side edge  261  (e.g., front edge) of the frame  260 . In some embodiments, the first attachment means comprises a snap mechanism  280 , a button mechanism, a magnet mechanism, a clamp mechanism, a clasp mechanism, a hook-and-loop fastener mechanism, a clip mechanism, a hook mechanism, a tie mechanism, the like, or a combination thereof. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first attachment means may secure the entire top edge  113  of the display panel  110  or a portion of the top edge  113  of the display panel  110 . 
     Disposed on the frame  260  (e.g., solar panel frame), for example a top surface of the frame  260  (e.g., solar panel frame) above the display panel  110 , is a light component  270 . The light component  270  may comprise one or more lights, for example light emitting diodes (LEDs). The lights are not limited to LEDs. The light component  270  may comprise lights of one color or two or more colors (e.g., blue and red). As shown in  FIG. 3 , the light component  270  may resemble standard police car lights, which are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The light component  270  and the police car  117  on the front surface  115  form an integrated complete police car image with the light component positioned just above the roof of the police car. 
     In some embodiments, the light component  270  further comprises a speaker adapted to emit a sound, for example an emergency sound or siren. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , in some embodiments, the system  100  comprises a securing means for securing the display panel  110 . The securing means is attached to the display panel  110 , for example the bottom edge  114  of the display panel  110 . The securing means is further attached to one or more legs  230 . In some embodiments, the securing means comprises tie downs  310  (e.g., a tie mechanism). In some embodiments, the securing means comprises a chain mechanism, a bungee mechanism, a clasp mechanism, a clip mechanism, a hook mechanism, the like, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the securing means is removably attached to the display panel  110 . In some embodiments, the securing means is removably attached to the leg  230 . 
     In some embodiments, a battery compartment  330  is disposed in a ballast  240  (e.g., a ballast  240  functions as a battery case). A battery  338  (e.g., 12 volt battery) is housed in the battery compartment  330 . The battery  338  is operatively connected to the solar panels  268  (e.g., via wiring  340 ). The battery  228  is operatively connected to the light component  270  (e.g., via wiring  340 ). The battery  338  is charged by the solar panels  268 . The battery  338  supplies power to the light component  270 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , in some embodiments, the legs  230  are removably attached to the vertical shaft  220 . In some embodiments, the ballasts  240  are removably attached to the legs  230 . In some embodiments, the base  210  comprises a support component  218  to which the legs  230  and vertical shaft  220  attach. The support component  218  comprises a vertical connector ( 320 ) and a plurality of leg connectors ( 330 ), wherein the vertical ( 320 ) is orthogonal to the leg connectors ( 330 ), wherein the vertical connector ( 320 ) is removably connected to the second end ( 222 ) of the vertical shaft ( 220 ), wherein each leg connector ( 330 ) is removably connected to the shaft end ( 231 ) of each leg ( 230 ). 
     In some embodiments, the system  100  further comprises a securing mechanism for securing all or a portion of the components of the system  100  together (e.g., to prevent theft). As shown in  FIG. 1 , in some embodiments, the securing mechanism comprises one or more cable locks  360 . The securing mechanism is not limited to cable locks  360 . Cable locks are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. 
     In some embodiments, the system  100  comprises a power switch for turning the light component  270  on and off. 
     Optionally, other types of energy may be used in lieu of solar energy. For example, in some embodiments, the battery is operatively connected to a wind harnessing system or a hydroelectric system. 
     The system  100  of the present invention is not limited to the details described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the system  100  encompasses the display  110  without the solar panels and the lights. In some embodiments, the system  100  encompasses the display  110 , lights, the vertical shaft  220 , legs, and ballasts, but lacks solar panels. 
     The disclosures of the following U.S. Patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. Application No. 2009/0237271; U.S. Pat. Application No. 2008/0197668; U.S. Pat. No. 6,422,714. 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Example 1 describes the combination of the system  100  of the present invention with a speed monitoring trailer. Example 1 serves only as an example and is not limiting in any way. 
     The system  100 , for example the display  110  and the light component  270 , is activated and used as described herein. A group of policemen are responsible for operating a speed monitoring trailer in a 55 mph zone. The policemen first detect and record the speed of the traffic in the area with the use of the display  110  and light component  270  of the system  100  of the present invention. The policemen detect that the average speed of the vehicles passing through the 55 mph zone is 53 mph. The policemen then detect and record the speed of the traffic in the same area without the use of the system  100  of the present invention. The policemen detect that the average speed of the vehicles passing through the 55 mph zone is 62 mph. 
     EXAMPLE 2 
     Example 2 describes alternative embodiments and alternative uses for the system  100  of the present invention. The present invention also features devices that appear to be police cars with no lighting or solar panels, for example a sign with a permanently mounted base similar to what some police departments use for various types of traffic control such as the radar speed displays that are common everywhere. The device may be a supplement to enhance the effectiveness of the equipment currently being used. An alternative version of the device may be fabricated so someone could hold it, such as a flagger on highway construction projects that would operate with a small lawn tractor battery that would have to be charged when taken back to a shop during non construction hours. Whenever a flagger could see oncoming traffic he/she could activate the emergency light bar to slow down traffic. An alternative version of this device may be a cutout (e.g., plywood) in the shape of and painted like a police car mounted to permanent posts located in areas where there is trouble with transient traffic. The transient traffic would see it and not realize it is a decoy and slow down inadvertently slowing down local traffic that is aware that it is a decoy. It could also be enhanced by attaching red and blue reflectors to resemble the emergency light bar especially at night when headlights are shining on it. The banner could also be painted in 3 dimensional to resemble a police car. The devise could also be fabricated with an inflatable balloon in the shape of a police car, similar to what car dealerships use as advertising. 
     Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims. 
     The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.