Patent Publication Number: US-2021178964-A1

Title: Warning system for standing vehicles

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The current application claims priority to the following U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 62/310,908 filed on Mar. 21, 2016 and entitled “WARNING SYSTEM FOR STANDING VEHICLES” and to U.S. Provisional Application for Patent No. 62/426,023 filed on Jan. 27, 2017 and entitled “WARNING SYSTEM FOR STANDING VEHICLES”. Both applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNOLOGY FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to the field of safety for standing vehicles and vehicles approaching the standing vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Once in a while a driver of a vehicle is forced to stop on a road or a traffic lane. Such stops could be caused by different driver and/or passenger needs or technical conditions of the vehicle. In some cases the vehicle can be driven to the shoulders of the road. However, there are cases in which the vehicle cannot be moved to the shoulders of the road or at least a part of the vehicle remains on the traffic lane. As used in the current disclosure the term “road” or “traffic lane” means a surface upon which vehicles drive. The terms could be used interchangeably. As used in the current disclosure the term “shoulder” means an area between the road and a ditch providing the road a lateral support. 
     A standing vehicle is an obstacle on the way of vehicles that use the same road or traffic lane. It was founded that one of the most critical reasons for car accidents, with casualties, is a standing vehicle and the worst accidents are caused by standing trucks or even standing track trailers pulled by a truck. 
     In order to avoid accidents with a standing vehicle an Alerting-Triangle (AT) traffic is commonly used. The alerting triangle comprises a triangle with light reflecting red material. A driver of a standing car is required to place the alerting triangle on the road between the standing vehicle and the incoming traffic. Usually the AT is placed few meters behind the rear end of the standing vehicle and facing the incoming traffic. Placing the alerting triangle on the road may put the driver of the standing vehicle in a danger situation. 
     Quite often, cars, which are driven over the same traffic lane, where the standing vehicle is parked, may pass over the alerting triangle, throw it away from the road or even destroy it, preventing the alerting indication to be viewed by the incoming vehicles. In addition, the reflection material is passive and is effective only when light, emitted by incoming vehicles, flashes over the reflection material. Sometimes, the reflection could be detected when the incoming vehicle is too close to the standing vehicle and it is too late for changing the traffic lane or stopping, especially when the incoming vehicle travels over crowded roads. 
     Absence of the alerting triangle could cause traffic accidents, therefore, there is a need for an improved alerting triangle for indicating that a vehicle is standing on the road. 
     SUMMARY 
     The needs and the deficiencies that are described above are not intended to limit the scope of the inventive concepts of the present disclosure in any manner. The needs are presented for illustration purposes only. In addressing the above-described needs in the art, as well as other needs and/or short-comings in current alerting devices, the present disclosure presents an active-alerting system (AAS) or device. In one example the AAS may be an active-alerting flag (AAF). An example of AAF could include a rod associated with a piece of cloth or fabric. The piece of cloth could be attached by one edge to the rod, where the second edge of the cloth is usually free. In some examples, the active-alerting flag can include one or more light reflecting bands or stripes. In some examples, one or more light sources could be associated or embedded in the active-alerting flag. An example of such light sources could be LEDs (Light-Emitting Diode), laser diodes, Organic Light Displays (OLEDs). 
     In some examples of the active-alerting flag the light source or sources could be distributed over the length of the rod of the active-alerting flag or be associated with one end of the rod. In other examples the light source can be placed at the far end of the rod closest to the near traffic lane. In other examples the one or more light source can be associated with the rod and with the fabric of the flag. 
     In some examples, the fabric of the active-alerting flag can be made of high strength polyester material and be attached to a vehicle with the help of a polypropylene pole and a clip-on-vehicle mechanism (CVM). In some examples the clip-on-vehicle mechanism can comprise a clip-on-window mechanism (CWM). In order to attach the active alerting flag to the door or to the roof of a vehicle, a variety of clip-on-vehicle mechanisms, such as a magnetic mechanism, a vacuum mechanism or similar could be used. The active-alerting flag pole can be arranged such that the fabric or polyester material of the active-alerting flag falls substantially perpendicular to the road facing the incoming traffic. As used in the present disclosure and the claims the terms pole, arm and rod can be used interchangeably. 
     Energy source to power the light sources could be one or more batteries. In some examples, the batteries could be embedded or associated with the bottom edge of the fabric of the active alerting flag and the batteries could be used also as weights to constantly pull the fabric of the flag down for fully display the flag to the incoming traffic. In other examples, the batteries can be associated with the rod of the flag. In such examples one or more weights can be associated with the fabric of the active alerting flag. In an additional example, the energy required for operation of light sources can be obtained from the vehicle battery. The light sources could be connected to the cigarette-lighting-plug (CLP) of the vehicle. 
     In some examples a stress-release mechanism (SRM) or an impact dumping mechanism could be included in the flag pole or in the clip-on-window mechanism. The impact dumping mechanism can be configured to absorb shocks that could be caused by passing vehicles and isolate the flag from the part of the vehicle to which it is attached. Thus, protecting the vehicle and the flag form punches from passing cars. A spring that connects the rod of the flag to the clip-on-window mechanism could be an example of a stress-release mechanism or an impact dumping mechanism. In other example a series of holes or slots forming in the flag pole a perforation like pattern to form and easy to brake line in the flag pole. 
     Long trucks or truck trailers may need to place the active alerting flag at the back of a standing truck or truck trailer. To facilitate the active alerting flag placement, an adaptor for receiving the active alerting flag could be associated or attached to the back of the truck or truck trailer. The adaptor could be configured to allow the fabric of the active alerting flag fall down in a substantially vertical position and facing the incoming traffic. 
     In one example, the adaptor can be a letter U-shaped article with one upright member associated with the truck and the other upright member can simulate the top edge of the window. 
     In another example the active-alerting system could be configured as an active-alerting triangle. In one example the active-alerting triangle can comprise three bars. The three bars are configured such that the assembly of the three bars forms an active alerting triangle. One or more of the bars can be associated with retro-reflecting red area (RRRA). In some embodiments of the active-alerting triangle, one or more bars can be associated with retro-reflecting red area and red-fluorescent area (RFA). Yet, in another example of active-alerting triangle one or more of the bars can be associated also with one or more light sources, such as but not limited to LEDs. The sources of light could be emitting a red color or yellow color or a combination of the red and yellow colors. 
     Each of the three bars forming the active alerting triangle can be divided into two or more segments. The segments are connected by a joint allowing the bars to be folded to half or third of the bar size, depending on the number of segments that form the bar. The folding active alerting triangle (FAAT) can include an elastic cable threaded through the segments of the three bars. In other examples an elastic element can be placed in association with one or more of the joints. The elastic cable or element can be configured to pull the folded bars and expand the active alerting triangle into a triangle shape that could be attached to a standing vehicle or be placed on the road. 
     In addition, the structure of the folded active alerting triangle that includes the elastic cable or member facilitates absorption of impact that could be caused by passing traffic. 
     In an additional example, the active alerting triangle can be associated with a rod. The rod can be configured to associate the active alerting triangle with a standing vehicle. In some embodiments, the rod can be a telescopic rod that can be adjusted to a proper length by a driver of a standing vehicle. The rod could be attached to the standing vehicle window by a clip-on-window mechanism. In another example a magnetic mechanism could be used to attach the active alert triangle to a door or the roof of the standing vehicle. In still a further example the clip-on-vehicle mechanism may use a vacuum mechanism in order to attach the active alerting triangle to the vehicle. 
     In a further example the rod can be adapted to support the active alerting triangle when it is placed on the road in between incoming traffic and a standing vehicle. 
     The above summary is not intended to summarize each potential embodiment or every aspect or any advantage of the present disclosure. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete understanding of the present disclosure and the advantages thereof will be understood and appreciated by referring the following description in consideration of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numbers indicate like features and parts: 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate examples of a standing vehicle with an active alerting flag; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B , illustrate examples of a telescopic-rod of an active alerting flag; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an example of a telescopic-rod to be mounted on a bus or a trailer of a truck; 
         FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D  each one shows an example of an adaptor for holding the active alerting flag at a side of a truck or track trailer; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a telescopic-rod of an active alerting flag attached to a window of a truck; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate examples of an adaptor for holding the active alerting flag on the back of a truck; 
         FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D  are illustrating different states an example of a folding active-alerting triangle; and 
         FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C  illustrate another example of a folding active-alerting triangle. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Absence of a proper alerting triangle or flag traffic sign could cause traffic accidents on the road. Studies indicate that drivers react more quickly to road signs with symbols depicting motion or including images varying in time. Therefore, there is a need in an improved alerting triangle to indicate that a vehicle is standing on the road. 
     In addressing the above-described needs, as well as other needs and/or short-comings in current traffic alerting devices, the present disclosure presents an active-alerting system. In some examples of the present disclosure the active-alerting system may comprise an active-alerting flag. 
       FIG. 1A  shows a back view of a standing vehicle, which could be a car  110 . With the help of rod  118  active-alerting flag  114  is associated or at least temporarily attached to standing car  110 . In one example rod  118  is a telescopic-rod including an external member  122  and an internal member  126 . In use, internal member  126  could be pulled on a desired length from external member  122 . 
     A light source  130  can be mounted on distal end of rod  118 . Light source  130  could include for example one or more LEDs emitting red light or yellow light. Alternatively, light source  130  could include a number of laser diodes emitting red light. 
     In another example, illustrated in  FIG. 1B , telescopic rod could include a number of light sources  136  distributed along external member  122 , although in some examples light sources  136  could be distributed along both external member  122  and internal member  126 . 
     Active-alerting flag  114  could be made of a piece of cloth or high strength cotton or other material fabric. Alternatively, active-alerting flag  114  could be made of high strength polyester or other synthetic material. The width (W) of the fabric of active-alerting flag  114  could be few tens of centimeters, for example 30 to 70 centimeter. In some examples the width of the fabric could be 50 centimeters. The height (H) of the fabric from which active-alerting flag  114  is made can be few tens of centimeters, could be 50 to 100 centimeters, and frequently the height of the fabric could be 70 centimeters. 
     In some examples of active-alerting flag  114 , the bottom edge of the fabric could include one or more weights  138  that drop down the fabric of active-alerting flag  114  and keep the fabric substantially perpendicular to road  142 , such that it is well visible to the incoming traffic. In an additional example, weights  138  can be replaced by one or more batteries  146  that are used to energize light sources  130  and  136 . In still a further example, batteries  146  can be associated with internal member  120  of rod  118 . Yet, in an additional example, the energy required for operation of light sources  130  and  136  can be obtained from the accumulator of the car to which light sources  130  could be connected using for example a cigarette-lighting-plug (CLP) of the car. 
     In some examples, the fabric from which active-alerting flag  114  is made, could include one or more light reflecting bands or stripes  154  ( FIG. 1A ). In an additional example, light reflecting bands  154  could be replaced by a triangle  160 . In some examples, light reflection bands  154  and triangle  160  can be associated or include light sources such as for example LEDs. 
       FIGS. 2A-2C , illustrate examples of a telescopic-rod  200  of an active alerting flag.  FIG. 2A  illustrates a side view of an example of a telescopic-rod  200  of an active-alerting flag. Telescopic rod  200 , in addition to earlier disrobed elements, includes a proximal to the standing vehicle end  204  and a distal end  208 . Proximal to the standing vehicle end  204  of telescopic rod  200  could be configured to include a clip-on-window mechanism  210 . Clip-on-window mechanism  210  supports association of telescopic rod  200  with the top edge  214  of a vehicle window  218  that is closest to the next traffic lane of the incoming traffic. For example, the window of the driver, when it is the closest to the traffic lane of the incoming traffic. 
     Typically, the cross section external member  122  and of internal member  126  of telescopic rod  200  would be a round cross section, although, other cross sections of telescopic rod  200 , such as elliptical, rectangular or square could be used. As illustrated in  FIG. 2A , external member  122  has a diameter larger than internal member  126  of telescopic rod  200  has. In another example (not shown), external member  126  could have a diameter larger or be wider than the diameter of internal member  122 . In some examples, a locking arrangement  220  to maintain external member  122  and internal member  126  of telescopic rod  200  in expanded state could be used. An example of a locking arrangement  220  can be a screw that can fix external member  122  and internal member  126  of telescopic rod  200  to each other. Alternatively, a pin could be used as locking arrangement  220  instead of a locking screw. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates a side view of another example of a telescopic-rod  240  for an active alerting flag. The other example of the telescopic rod comprises a clip-on-window mechanism  252 . The clip-on-window mechanism  252  can be placed on the top edge of a window  260  that is closest to the traffic lane of the coming traffic. 
     A stress-release mechanism or impact dumping mechanism  244  could be added in between the clip-on-window mechanism  252  and the external member  122 . The stress-release mechanism  244  could be configured to absorb shocks. Stress-release mechanism or impact dumping mechanism  244  can be configured to deliver certain flexibility of telescopic rod  240 , isolates active-alerting flag  114  from the window  218  and protects window  218  and telescopic rod  240  form destruction by passing vehicles. 
     In a further example, telescopic rod and stress-release mechanism or impact dumping mechanism  244  could be replaced by a rod  240  implemented as a conical spring that could have two states—a contracted state and an expanded state. Rod  240  also supports certain flexibility and isolates active-alerting flag  114  from window  218  and protects window  218  and rod  240  with attached to it active alerting flag form destruction by passing vehicles. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates another example of a telescopic-rod. Telescopic rod  300  that can be placed or mounted on a side or back of a bus or a wagon of a truck. Telescopic rod  300  comprises an external member  320  and the internal member  330  and stress-release mechanism or impact dumping mechanism  315 . Mechanism  315  associates external member  320  with a vertical member  310 . Vertical member  310  can be configured to match an adaptor (element  400  in  FIG. 4A or 450  in  FIG. 4B ) secured to the side or back of the truck. Securing the adaptor to the side or back of the truck can be done for example, by welding the adaptor or attaching it with screws or rivets. 
     Some examples of telescopic rod  300  may comprise a compartment for batteries to provide power supply to energizing the one or more light sources  130 . The compartment for batteries (not shown) can be included in vertical member  310 . 
       FIG. 4A  illustrates an example of adaptor for holding the active alerting flag. Adaptor  400  can be secured to the back or side of a truck or a track trailer. Adaptor  400  can be produced from a pipe  410  that has a cylindrical shape with a cross section of a circle  420  and one or more bulges  430 A and  430 B. Bulges  430 A and  430 B can be used to attach adaptor  400  to a side or back of a vehicle. Bulges  430 A and  430 B could be welded or attached by screws to the side or back of the vehicle. In some examples adaptor  400  could house a stress-release mechanism or impact dumping mechanism (not shown in the figures) for preventing the active alerting flag to be thrown away by passing traffic. 
       FIG. 4B  illustrates another example of adaptor  450  for holding an active alerting flag at a side of a truck or track trailers. Adaptor  450  has a cylinder with a square cross section  470  and one or more bulges  480 A and  480 B that could be used to attach adaptor  450  to a side or back of a vehicle. Bulges  480 A and  480 B could be welded or attached by screws to the side or back of the vehicle. In some examples adaptor  450  could house a stress-release mechanism or impact dumping mechanism (not shown in the figures) for preventing the active alerting flag to be thrown away by passing traffic. 
       FIG. 4C  is an isometric view of another example of an adaptor for holding the active alerting flag at a side of a truck or track trailers. Adaptor  460  has a shape of the English letter U. The external upright member  464  of the U shape adaptor is adapted to simulate the edge of a window. The internal upright member  462  of the U shape adaptor is adapted to be attached to the side of a truck or to the back of the track, close to the line where side and the back end of the truck intersect. Internal arm of adaptor  462  could be attached to the side of the truck for example by welding or screws. 
     Since the external upright member  464  of the U shape adaptor  460  is configured to simulate the edge of a truck window, a clip-on-window mechanism  466  similar to clip-on-window mechanism  210  ( FIG. 2 ) could be used to attach active alerting flag to adaptor. Other active alerting flag attachment elements such as stress-release mechanism or impact dumping mechanism  244  ( FIG. 2 ) could be mutatis mutandis applied to attach active alerting flag  468  to external upright member  464 . 
       FIG. 4D  is a back view of an adaptor for holding the active alerting flag at a side of a truck or track trailer. The figure illustrates a back side of the wagon of the truck with an active alerting flag  468 . In this example, the back of the wagon comprises two U-shaped adaptors  460  and  470 . Each U-shape adaptor is associated with a different side of the track. The internal upright member  462  is attached to the left side of the wagon, close to the back of the wagon. The external arm  464  of the U-shaped adaptor is configured to accept clip-on-window mechanism  466  that has the shape of an inverse U letter. In some examples U-shaped adaptor  460  may comprise a holding mechanism (not shown in the figures) for preventing active alerting flag  468  to be thrown away and destroyed by passing traffic. An example of a holding mechanism can comprise a screw that penetrates the clip-on-window mechanism  466  and entered the external arm  464 . In some of examples of adaptor  400 ,  450 , and/or  460  may be further configured to energize the one or more light sources of the active alerting flag. Energizing the light sources can be done by the accumulator of the standing vehicle. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an example of a standing truck  500  with active alerting flag. Active alerting flag  510  is attached to driver&#39;s window of truck  500 . Active alerting flag  510  comprises a clip-on window mechanism  560  that is placed on the top edge of the window. Clip-on window mechanism  560  can be captured between the top edge of the window and the frame of the window. In one example active alerting flag  510  may comprise a telescopic-rod having an external member  512  and an internal member  516 . Internal member  516  can be pulled on a desired length from external member  512 . In some examples external member  512  may include a locking mechanism  514  that tightens the edge of the external member  512  with the pulled internal member  516 . In some examples of active alerting flag  510 , the edge of internal member  516  may comprise a light source  518 . 
     Internal member  516  can be associated with a fabric  550 . Fabric  550  can be made of high strength polyester material. In other examples of active alerting flag  510  fabric  550  can be made from cotton. The width of active alerting flag  510  fabric  550  can be few tens of centimeters, for example 30 to 60 centimeters. The height or length of fabric  550  can be few tens of centimeters, for example 50 to 100 centimeters. 
     An example of fabric  550  may comprise one or more reflection bands  540 . In some examples of active alerting flag  510 , the reflection bands  540  can be in a shape of a triangle. Yet, in some embodiments reflection bands  540  can be associated with one or more light sources such as LEDs emitting red light or yellow light. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates an example of an adaptor for holding the active alerting flag on a back  610  of a truck  600 . Adaptor  630  could be a rectangular or square cylindrical body with a round or other cross section hole configured to receive an alerting active flag or triangle. Adaptor  630  could be attached to the back door  620  of a truck  600  by welding or by different types of fasteners. 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates another example of an adaptor for holding the active alerting flag on a roof  615  or back  620  of truck  650 . The figure illustrates a standing truck  650  with active alerting flag adaptor  660 . Adaptor  660  can be a cylindrical body with a round cross section. Adaptor  660  could be attached to the back door  620  of the truck  615  similar to adaptor  630  means. Active alerting flag  624  could include a telescopic-rod  640  and a fabric  670 . Telescopic-rod  640  can include one or more light sources  690  mounted the distal end of telescopic rod  640  or along the one or more members of telescopic-rod  640 . 
     Fabric  670  of may further comprise an active alerting triangle  672  or one or more reflection bands. Yet, in some examples, active alerting triangle  672  or one or more reflection bands can be formed by light source such as red LEDs. 
     Still in a further example of active alerting flag  624 , the bottom edge of fabric  670  may include one or more weights  652  that keeps fabric  670  substantially perpendicular to the road and faces the coming traffic. In some examples weights  652  can be replaced with a chain of light source. In a further example weights  652  can be replaced by one or more batteries used to energize the light sources. 
       FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D  are examples illustrating different states of a folding active-alerting triangle. Folding active-alerting triangle  700  comprises a telescopic rod  720  ( FIG. 7B ) with a distal  704  and proximal  706  end. Telescopic rod  720  includes an external member  722   a , an internal member  722   b , and a clip-on-window mechanism  710  mounted on proximal end  706  of telescopic rod  720 . A knee  730  terminates distal end of the internal member  722   b . In another example Folding Active-Alerting Triangle  700  rod  720  can be a fixed length single piece rod. 
     Clip-on-window mechanism  710  is typically placed on the top edge of the window that is the closest traffic lane of the incoming traffic. For example, the window of the driver, which is the closest to the traffic lane of the incoming traffic. In some examples, rod  720  of folding active-alerting triangle  700  could be adapted to support folding active-alerting triangle  700  in a slanted position, when it is placed on the road between the incoming traffic and a standing vehicle, as it is illustrated in  FIG. 7D . 
     Knee  730  that terminates distal end, of the internal member  722 , could accommodate a joint or a pivot  735  facilitating suspension of alerting-triangle  705 . In some examples of folding active-alerting triangle  700  pivot  735  could be configured to allow alerting-triangle  705  to be rotated counter clock wise toward the rod  720 . Typically, active triangle  705  can be assembled of three bars  740   a - c  that are attached to each other forming three apexes. A pouch  748   a - c  can be associated with each respective apex. A discus shaped center  755  of alerting-triangle  705  accommodates three hinges  757   a - c . Three rods  750   a - c  associated each respective hinge  757   a - c  with a corresponding pouch  748   a - c.    
     Alerting-triangle  705  is an assembly of three bars  740   a - c . Each of three bars  740   a - c  that form alerting-triangle  705  includes three stripes  742   a - c . In some examples the first stripe  742   a  houses sources of light  743   a - c . The source of light could be LEDs  743   a - c , for example. The second stripe  742   b  can be a retro-reflecting red segment and the third stripe  742   c  can be red-fluorescent area (RFA). In other embodiments of the active-alerting triangle, the order of the stripes can be retro-reflecting red stripe as the first one, then red-fluorescent area, and finally LEDS stripe, as the internal segment, etc. 
     In one example, a joint  770   a - c  divides each bar  740   a - c  of active alerting triangle  705  into two segments connected between them by joint  770   a -c respectively. When the Alerting Triangle  705  is not in use, it can be folded by pushing center part  755  outside the plane in which the active alerting triangle resides. A band  780  can hold active alerting triangle in  700  ( FIG. 7A ) in the folded state. 
       FIG. 7C  illustrates a standing vehicle  780 , with a foldable active alerting triangle  700  associated with a window of vehicle  780 . The active side of foldable active alerting triangle  700  faces the incoming traffic. 
       FIG. 7D  illustrates an example of foldable active alerting triangle  700  that is placed on the road. In the illustrated example, bar  740   b  is placed directly on the road. A telescopic rod or a fixed rod  720  support the alerting triangle in a standing position facing the incoming traffic. The clip-on-window mechanism  710  could be configured to serve as the interface between rod  720  and the road. 
       FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C  illustrate another example of a folding-active-alerting-triangle. Folding-active-alerting triangle  800  can be an assembly of two triangles: an external or first triangle and an internal or second triangle. The external triangle can have three bars  820 ,  830  and  840 . The three bars are attached to each other at the three apexes,  826   a  and  836   a ;  826   b  and  846   a  and  846   b  and  836   b.    
     Apex  836   b  can be associated with a clip-on-window mechanism  810 . Clip-on-window mechanism  810  can be placed on the top edge of the window that is closest to the traffic lane of the incoming traffic. For example, the window of the driver. As illustrated in  FIG. 8C , folded-active-alerting-triangle  800  with the help of a clip-on-window mechanism is associated with a standing vehicle  880 . 
     In some examples (not shown in the figures) folded-active-alerting-triangle  800  could comprise a clip-on-vehicle mechanism. The clip-on-vehicle mechanism could be configured to attach an example of a folded-active-alerting-triangle—to the door of a standing vehicle or to the roof of the standing vehicle. The clip-on-vehicle mechanism could be a magnetic or a vacuum mechanism. 
     Each one of bars  820 ,  830  and  840  can be associated with a plurality of LEDs, illustrated as white spots  845  distributed along each bar  820 ,  830  and  840  ( FIG. 8A ). The LEDs can light in red color or yellow color. Other examples of LEDs could be configured to emit other colors. In some examples each bar  820 ,  830  and  840  can be divided into two segments ( 822   a &amp; b ,  832   a &amp; b  and  842   a &amp; b , respectively). The segments are connected between them by a joint  824 ,  834  and  844  respectively. Each joint  824 ,  834  and  844  can comprise one or more pivots. The pivots allow the bars to be folded. Thus, when the folded active alerting triangle  800  is not in use it can be folded by folding the bars. 
     In addition, an elastic cable (not shown) can be inserted in all of the segments of the three bars. The elastic cable can be configured to pull and expand the folded triangle into the shape of an alerting triangle before placing folded active alerting triangle  800  on the road or attaching it to the vehicle. In some examples, instead of the elastic cable, a spring can be placed at each joint  824 ,  834 . Each of the springs can be configured to push its associated folded segments to be open into a complete bar. At joint  824  the spring is configured to open the two folded segments  822   a &amp; b  to open into a straight bar  820 . At joint  834  the spring is configured to open the two folded segments  832   a &amp; b  to open into a straight bar  830 . 
     Internal triangle  850  can be associated with the external triangle by short connecting bands  855   a - f . The internal triangle  850  can be made of fabric and be associated with stripes of retro-reflecting red area and stripes of red fluorescent area. 
     In one example, folded active alerting triangle  800  may comprise a telescopic-rod  860 . Telescopic-rod  860  can be used to support folded active alerting triangle  800  when it is placed on the road as it illustrated in  FIG. 8B . Bar  820  can be placed on the road and the telescopic-rod  860  can be associated with clip-on-window type mechanism  810 . In some examples of folded active alerting triangle  800 , rod  860  can be a fixed rod and not a telescopic one. 
     In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs, “comprise”, “include” “have”, and “conjugate” thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements, or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb. 
     In this application the words “unit” and “module” are used interchangeably. Anything designated as a unit or module may be a stand-alone unit or a specialized module. A unit or a module may be modular or have modular aspects allowing it to be easily removed and replaced with another similar unit or module. 
     It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present active alerting flag and triangle are not limited by what has been particularly shown and described herein above. Rather the scope of the active alerting flag and triangle is defined by the claims that follow.