Abstract:
A Portable Information/Warning System includes a trailer, a battery-powered electronic changeable message board, an emergency light bar and a solar panel coupled to the electronic changeable message board over the emergency light bar. The emergency light bar comprises multiple alternately-flashing color lights. Alternate embodiments include the trailer being couplable to a vehicle, the message board being programmable with a variety of messages, and the angle of the solar panel being adjustable. The message board may also be configured to supply power to the emergency light bar. A method for informing passing traffic of hazards or obstructions including moving a portable information/warning system to a location which traffic will pass prior to said hazard or obstruction; programming said portable information/warning system to display a message if desired; programming said portable information/warning system&#39;s emergency light bar to flash if desired; and leaving said portable information/warning system unattended after activation.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Technical Field 
         [0002]    This invention relates to a portable information/warning system for capturing the attention of or alerting drivers and for providing important information to drivers concerning hazards or obstructions and the like. 
         [0003]    2. Background Art 
         [0004]    In order to inform drivers and others of potential hazards or obstructions, municipal, state and federal government agencies often use law enforcement personnel to slow or stop the flow of traffic in response to road construction, accidents or because of inclement weather. This is usually accomplished by stationing police officers in vehicles on site, with emergency lights flashing, for the duration of the time period required for traffic control. The vehicles&#39; emergency lights remain activated as a warning to oncoming motorists that they are approaching a potential problem situation that requires that they immediately reduce their speed. The flashing emergency lights, which are immediately discernible from a considerable distance, are extremely effective as they are universally recognized as an indication of caution and warning. 
         [0005]    Portable sign systems are also frequently used by roadway construction crews to inform drivers of delays or detours. These systems typically utilize digital display panels that are mounted on trailers or the like. Messages displayed by these systems, however, may easily be overlooked by drivers. Examples of these systems can be found in the following patents and applications. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,972,689 to Morgan et al. discloses a portable sign system with a digital display panel. Morgan et al. discloses that the portable sign system has a trailer and trailer frame. Components are mounted to the trailer frame to provide a portable sign system. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,750,829 to Luoma et al. and U.S. Patent App. Pub. No. 2007/0251132 to Luoma et al. (hereinafter “Louma et al. references”) disclose an Outdoor Changeable Message Sign. Luoma et al. references disclose a mobile sign with a solar panel used to recharge the power source (battery/batteries). Luoma et al. references disclose the sign comprising a multiplicity of LED&#39;s in a matrixical arrangement for generating electronically changeable messages. Luoma et al. references disclose that the mounting structure for the sign comprises a trailer having a platform supported by wheels rotatably mounted on the platform. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,750 to Blesener et al. discloses changeable displays or changeable message signs used for exhibiting visual written information capable of portraying several sequential segments of information in a complete message and being further selectively programmable to display real time information to motorists and assist in efforts to improve roadway operations and safety. 
         [0009]    Though, very useful for providing information to drivers and others, the above patents often fail to capture the attention of drivers effectively enough to prevent accidents and other incidents. Therefore, police officers and vehicles are often required to slow oncoming traffic. This requires significant resources that could be used in other ways. Accordingly, what is needed is a portable information/warning system that captures drivers&#39; attention effectively enough to slow oncoming traffic and prevent the necessity of police officers and vehicles to simply slow traffic. 
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    The present invention may be readily adapted to a variety of portable information systems. Embodiments of the present invention may provide, among other benefits: a portable information/warning system that captures the attention of drivers effectively and provides necessary information. 
         [0011]    In particular embodiments, a Portable Information/Warning System comprises a trailer comprising at least two wheels, a platform and a tongue, wherein said tongue is couplable to a vehicle; an electronic changeable message board coupled to said trailer above said platform, wherein said electronic changeable message board may be programmed with a variety of messages; an emergency light bar operably coupled to the top of said electronic changeable message board, wherein the circuitry of said electronic changeable message board is configured to supply power to said emergency light bar; and a battery-recharging solar panel operably coupled to said electronic changeable message board in a position above said emergency light bar, wherein the angle of said solar panel is adjustable. 
         [0012]    Alternate embodiments of the present invention comprise: a trailer; an electronic changeable message board coupled to said trailer; a solar panel operably coupled to said electronic changeable message board; an emergency light bar operably coupled to said electronic changeable message board, wherein an emergency light bar comprises multiple color lights that flash in an alternating pattern; and wherein said emergency light bar is coupled to the top of said electronic changeable message board and below said solar panel. 
         [0013]    A method utilizing the present invention comprises: moving a portable information/warning system to a location which traffic will pass prior to said hazard or obstruction; programming said portable information/warning system to display a message if desired; programming said portable information/warning system&#39;s emergency light bar to flash if desired; and leaving said portable information/warning system unattended after activation. 
         [0014]    The foregoing and other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following more particular description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0015]    The invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings where like designations denote like elements, and: 
           [0016]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a portable information/warning system configured according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is a front view of a portable information/warning system configured according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a portable information/warning system with a solar panel at an alternate angle configured according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a portable information/warning system configured according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a portable information/warning system configured according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0021]      FIG. 6  is a method of informing drivers using a portable information/warning system configured according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to a portable information/warning system and method of use. In particular, a portable information/warning system configured according to the present invention effectively attracts the attention of drivers and provides important information to them. Generally, a portable information/warning system configured according to embodiments of the present invention comprise a battery-powered electronic changeable message board, an emergency light bar, a trailer and a solar panel used to recharge the battery/batteries. 
         [0023]      FIGS. 1 through 5  illustrate portable information/warning systems  10  configured according to embodiments of the present invention. Portable information/warning systems  10  configured according to embodiments of the present invention comprise a trailer  12 . The trailer  12  may be configured as a platform  24 . The platform  24  may have a flat surface on the top  25  which is the surface farthest from the ground when in operation. The top  25  may also be a flat surface with a lip around the edge to allow other items to be carried on the trailer  12  along with the portable information/warning system  10 . It is also possible that the platform  24  is shaped as a box with a tall lip for retaining items. 
         [0024]    The platform  24  is coupled to at least one wheel  26 . Typically a trailer  12  will have at least two wheels  26  which allow the trailer to be mobile. The at least two wheels  26  are coupled to the edges of the platform  24  and are positioned so that they are in contact with the ground. The at least two wheels  26  are also positioned so that they hold the platform  24  above the ground. 
         [0025]    The platform  24  may be coupled to a tongue  30 . The tongue  30  is configured to connect the trailer  12  to a vehicle such as a truck which will pull the trailer  12  to a desired site. The tongue  30  may be a rectangular piece of material with a means of connecting to a hitch such as a ball hitch at the end of the tongue  30  farthest from the trailer  12 . The tongue  30  may also be configured as a triangle with two rectangular pieces of material meeting at a point which would connect to a hitch. 
         [0026]    A mounting post  28  is coupled to the platform  24  of the trailer  12 . The mounting post  28  may be any size, length or shape, provided it has the strength and durability to support an electronic message board  14 . Examples of a mounting post  28  may include a pipe with any shape cross section, such as rectangular, circular or square. Other examples of a mounting post  28  are solid pieces of material with any cross section desired. 
         [0027]    The mounting post  28  is coupled on one end to the top  25  of the platform  24  of the trailer  12  while the other end of the mounting post  28  is coupled to an electronic changeable message board  14 . An electronic changeable message board  14  as configured in embodiments of the present invention may be any type of electronic changeable message board  14  that is on the market. Electronic changeable message boards  14  are programmable devices that display messages through the use of light. These electronic changeable message boards  14  are designed for informing drivers, during the day or night, of important information concerning roadway conditions. Electronic changeable message boards  14  which may be appropriate for use in the present invention may employ numerous technologies to portray message through light which is bright enough to be seen day or night. This includes electronic changeable message boards  14  that utilize LED technology. 
         [0028]    It is anticipated that electronic changeable message boards  14  may be remotely programmable through many different means including by text message and the like. Electronic changeable message boards  14  may also be programmed with multiple messages that may be displayed at different times or dates. The electronic changeable message boards  14  utilized in this invention may also contain preprogrammed messages that may be accessed or may be programmed with a message and then reprogrammed at a later date. Electronic changeable message boards  14  that meet these standards may be found in the prior art as described in the background section of this application. 
         [0029]    It is also desirable that the electronic changeable message boards  14  of this invention may incorporate a solar panel  18  in order to recharge the battery power source of the portable information/warning system  10 . The solar panel  18  may be coupled to a battery (not shown) which would continuously charge in order to provide power to the portable information/warning system  10 . The solar panel  18  may be supported by a mounting device  32  which allows the solar panel  18  to swivel along an axis in order to maximize exposure of the solar panel  18  to the sun (see  FIG. 3 ). Swivelling the solar panel  18  may be done manually or it may be done electronically. The solar panel  18  may automatically swivel as the sun moves through the sky in order to maximize sun exposure. The solar panel  18  may also be remotely programmed to reposition or swivel. 
         [0030]    Coupled to the top of the electronic changeable message board  14  and below the solar panel  18  (or at least in a position that it does not interfere with the solar panel  18 ), is an emergency light bar  16 . The solar panel  18  should be positioned high enough to allow the emergency light bar  16  to be mounted to the top of the electronic changeable message board  14 . The emergency light bar  16 , configured according to embodiments of the present invention, may be any emergency light bar available. Preferred embodiments of the emergency light bar  16  may be light bars such as those used on emergency vehicles and in particular emergency light bars  16  such as those used on police vehicles. The colors of the lights used in the emergency light bars  16  on police vehicles are well known to drivers and therefore tend to capture drivers&#39; attention. The emergency light bars  16  of the present invention should utilize multiple colors of lights. The emergency light bars  16  should also flash in alternating patterns. The emergency light bars  16  may have different settings for different patterns of flashing. 
         [0031]    It may be desirable for the emergency light bars  16  of the present invention to be remotely programmable via text message or the like. 
         [0032]    The emergency light bars  16  of the present invention may be configured to obtain power from the power source of the electronic changeable message board  14 . Emergency light bars  16  configured for the present invention may be hardwired to receive power from the electronic changeable message board  14 . This hardwiring may include a power cable and a transformer in order to provide power to the emergency light bar  16 . The electronic changeable message board  14  may also be configured with an outlet such that it could receive a power cord  20 , coupled with a plug, from the emergency light bar  16 . This outlet, plug and power cord  20  should be as weather proof as possible. 
         [0033]    It is also possible that in alternate embodiments of the present invention, the emergency light bar  16  may receive power directly from the solar panel  18 . 
         [0034]    A mounting bracket (not shown) may also be required in order to mount the emergency light bar  16  to the electronic changeable message board  14 . 
         [0035]    In alternate embodiments of the present invention, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , include a cushioning material  22  coupled to the underside of the solar panel  18 . The cushioning material  22  would prevent the solar panel  18  from making direct solid contact with the emergency light bar thus precluding possible damage to either component. Other embodiments may include locking mechanism that prevent the solar panel  18  from rotating or bumping into the emergency light bar  16 . 
         [0036]    Accordingly, for the exemplary purposes of this disclosure, the components defining any embodiment of the invention may be formed as one piece if it is possible for the components to still serve their function. The components may also be composed of any of many different types of materials or combinations thereof that can readily be formed into shaped objects provided that the components selected are consistent with the intended mechanical operation of the invention. For example, the components may be formed of rubbers (synthetic and/or natural), glasses, composites such as fiberglass, carbon-fiber and/or other like materials, polymers such as plastic, polycarbonate, PVC plastic, ABS plastic, polystyrene, polypropylene, acrylic, nylon, phenolic, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials, metals, such as zinc, magnesium, titanium, copper, iron, steel, stainless steel, any combination thereof, and/or other like materials, alloys, such as aluminum, and/or other like materials, any other suitable material, and/or any combination thereof. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6  illustrates a method  40  of using embodiments of the present invention may include moving a portable information/warning system to a desired location  42 . Typically this is done by coupling the trailer of the portable information/warning system to a vehicle and towing the portable information/warning system to the appropriate location. An appropriate location to place a portable information/warning system would be prior to a hazard or obstruction, in order to inform drivers. The portable information/warning system should also be positioned far enough away from the hazard or obstruction to allow a driver to slow or stop safely in advance of the hazard or obstruction. 
         [0038]    Next, the portable information/warning system may be programmed to display a message if desired  44 . This programming may be done directly or remotely. The portable information/warning system may also be programmed not to display a message. 
         [0039]    Then the portable information/warning system&#39;s emergency light bar may be programmed to flash if desired  46 . This may also be done directly or remotely. Different patterns of flashing may also be programmed. The emergency light bar may further be programmed not to flash. 
         [0040]    Therefore, the portable information/warning system may be programmed to display a message and flash the emergency light bar, display a message with no flashing emergency light bar or flash the emergency light bar without displaying a message. 
         [0041]    Now the solar panel on the portable information/warning system may be positioned  48 . This may be done directly or remotely. It is also possible that the position of the solar panel may be programmed to change depending on the position of the sun. 
         [0042]    Finally, the activated portable information/warning system may be left unattended  50  in order to warn drivers. The ability to leave the portable information/warning system unattended enables the system to allow emergency personnel and vehicles to be dispatched elsewhere while traffic is still being controlled by the portable information/warning system. 
         [0043]    The steps in this method may be performed in any order. 
         [0044]    The embodiments and examples set forth herein were presented in order to best explain the present invention and its practical applications and to thereby enable those of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purposes of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teachings above without departing from the spirit and scope of the forthcoming claims. Accordingly, any components of the present invention indicated in the drawings or herein are given as an example of possible components and not as a limitation.