Field of invention
The present invention relates to a emergency warning sign for traffic safety of vehicles, particularly, the present invention relates to a foldable or collapsible warning triangle assembly, more particularly, the present invention relates to collapsible warning triangle assembly which can be put on the road surface when the vehicle gets temporary trouble or break down so that other vehicles can find warning sign of the stationed vehicle in sufficient time and at a safe distance preventing the collision with the stationed vehicle.
Background of invention
In the earlier period a many safety emergency traffic signals and reflectors have been provided; many of which devices are collapsible or foldable nature and have reflective materials on their surface to provide a warning signal to other vehicles in traffic lanes on an incapacitated vehicle located ahead of them. Such devices are especially important, when, for instance, a vehicle is disabled near the top of a hill or blind curve where an approaching vehicle wouldn't able to see the disabled vehicle until it reaches near such vehicle.
In general, while driving a car at night, with head lamp switched on conditions, the driver can see clearly the triangular warning sign at a far distance, consequently the driver would have ample time and remoteness to brake or dodge avoiding an accident with stationed vehicle.
According to the regulatory norms all the motor vehicles which use the public road should carry safety devices. In modern years it has been urged by many organizations that triangular shaped warning markers be adopted as a uniform warning shape which can be easily recognized by the general public.
The government necessities call for a triangular shaped device having side of 50 centimeters and inner surface with a fluorescent paint and a rim of light reflecting material. The area of fluorescent surface should be 315 square centimeters. The reflector must in addition be stored inside the trunk of the vehicle and require no tools to erect.

Upon erection, on a usual highway asphalt road, it should be able to withstand wind force up to 60 Kmph/180 Pa. It should be triangular shaped reflector and visible device should have at least about 50 millimeter ground clearance.
The collapsible emergency traffic markers make use of a portable triangle having hinged corners removably connecting the sides together with pins. This triangular frame structure would be placed above its own legs or other means at the recommended height.
As the companies struggle to globalize their businesses they are constantly thinking of new ways to provide cost effective products by means of cheaper material, optimized structure in terms of weight and volume or improved designs which would not sacrificing the strength requirements, traffic regulations as well as the esthetic look of the component.
Figure 1 shows the front view, isometric view and folded view of the existing warning triangle.
Existing warning triangles have some inadequacies such as lack of stability which causes it to topple it on asphalt road surface when disturbed by the waves or air turbulence formed by a passing traffic. In the existing devices to provided better stability, additional masses such as counter weights are provided which puts complex structural requirements for maintaining the feasible figure in both erected and storing conditions.
Therefore, there exists a need to develop a warning triangle assembly which overcomes the above problems of the existing warning triangle.
Objects of the present invention
The main object of the present invention is to provide a warning triangle assembly. Another object of the present invention is to provide a warning triangle assembly which can be economically manufactured.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a warning triangle assembly
which is stable.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a warning triangle assembly
which is stable.
One more object of the present invention is to provide a warning triangle assembly which
is easily foldable and erectable.
Summary of the invention
Existing warning triangles were relatively expensive to manufacture, heavy to carry and are readily displaced by air turbulence of speeding traffic. The present invention overcomes the afore-mentioned draw backs by means of suitably designed collapsible support and legs. The legs are made of lower dense material polypropylene and whose topology has been optimized to keep least material and hence reduced weight.
The effect of weight reduction which in turn lowers the stability of the structure is conquered by the mechanical advantage of the constructed structure i.e., light, flexible legs and compliance property of the material used. When the triangle is erected and stood over the legs, the legs are bent down by its available compliance. As a result of this bending, ends of the legs tend to move further away and exert additional force on the leg pads to grip the surface firmly. Saw like metallic pads are fixed adhesively /screwed or by any other means at the leg ends with foam protection. When the warning structure tends to topple due to wind force, the pads at the rear side of the structure press itself down further into the resting surface, thereby griping it further. The legs of the warning triangle of the present invention is constructed so as to positively make use of the wind force, which is primarily responsible for the displacement of the warning triangle in preceding cases, for further gripping the resting surface.
Brief description of the figures
Figure 1 shows the front view, isometric view and folded view of the prior art warning triangle.

Figure 2 shows the warning triangle assembly with a collapsible structure erectable into a
triangle according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3(a), (b) and (c) show the front view, rear view and assembled view of the two
side elements according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 shows a button which can be attached on either of the side elements according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
Figures 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), 5(d), 5(e) and 5(f) illustrate front view, back view, right view and
left view, top view and bottom view respectively.
Figure 6 shows bending of legs of warning triangle assembly according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
Figure 7 shows different views of a connecting means according to an embodiment of the
present invention.
Figures 8, 9 and 10 illustrate locking of the legs in the folded position and in the
transversely extended position.
Figure 11 shows a construction so as to provide 90° rotation of legs.
Detailed description of the present invention
Accordingly the present invention provides a warning triangle assembly comprising:
a collapsible structure erectable into a triangle comprising a first side element, a
second side element and a base element;
a collapsible support so as to form a support for the triangle, and said collapsible
support comprises:
a first leg and a second leg adapted to rest on the road support and extending transversally opposite to each other on each side of the erected triangle; a third leg and a fourth leg adapted to rest on the road support and extending transversally opposite to each other on each side of the erected triangle;
said legs being pivotally connected with the base element are movable from a
transversally extended position to a folded position which is below the base element and
normal to the transversally extended position;
each of the leg is constructed so as to place the triangle at elevated position in the
transversally extended position of the legs and each of the leg is adapted to bend

downward due to the weight of the triangle when the triangle is so supported so as to increase the drag between the leg and the road surface preventing movement of the warning triangle assembly with respect to the road surface.
In an embodiment of the present invention said first and second side elements are pivotally connected with the said base element, said first element and second elements are removably attached with each other so as to form the triangle.
In another embodiment of the present invention each of the legs has a length more than at least half the length of the base element.
In still another embodiment of the present invention the first leg has a length higher than the length of the second leg and the third leg has a length lower than the length of the fourth leg.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention in the transversally extended position, the first leg and the third leg extend on the same side of the erected triangle.
In a further embodiment of the present invention in the transversally extended position, the second leg and the fourth leg extend on the same side of the erected triangle.
In a further more embodiment of the present invention the base element is provided with connecting means at two spaced apart locations of the base elements for pivotally connecting the legs with the base element.
In another embodiment of the present invention the connecting means is 'L' shaped bracket having a vertical plate and a horizontal plate; said vertical plate attached to the base elements with the help of fasteners, and said a horizontal plate for pivotally connecting the two legs.
In still another embodiment of the present invention the L shape bracket is provided with a stop means in the form of a vertical protrusion extending from an outer edge of the

horizontal plate of the bracket for preventing outward movement of the legs from transversely extended position while allowing inward movement of the legs towards the folded position.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention the L shape bracket is provided with a stop means in the form of a protrusion extending horizontally from the vertical protrusion so as to prevent movement of legs, from the folded position, in a direction opposite to a direction towards the transversely extended position.
In a further embodiment of the present invention each of the legs is made of an elastic material so as to bend downwards due to the weight of the erected triangle in the transversely extending position of the legs.
In a further more embodiment of the present invention the first leg and second leg has a 'inverted T' section and T' section respectively or vice versa.
In another embodiment of the present invention the third leg and fourth leg has a T' section and 'inverted T' section respectively or vice versa.
In still another embodiment of the present invention in the transversally extended position, the first leg with the second leg, and the third leg with the fourth leg form a bow type structure with the ends of the legs supported on the road surface placing the triangle at the elevated position.
In yet another embodiment of the present invention the ends of the legs are provided with pads so as to increase friction between the ends of the legs and the road surface preventing relative motion between the collapsible support and road surface thereby providing the stability to the erected triangle.

In a further embodiment of the present invention the pads are square shape pads with friction lining on two parallel sides of the square placed to prevent transverse movement of the erected triangle.
In further more embodiment of the present invention the pads are selected from metallic pads, plastic pads, metallic or plastic pads with friction linings, metallic and plastic pads with serrations to provide higher friction with road surface.
In another embodiment of the present invention the base and the side elements of the triangle is provided with light reflecting surface, fluorescent surface or combination thereof.
In the following paragraphs the present invention is described with reference to the figures and specific embodiments; this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various alternate embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that such alternative embodiments form part of the present invention.
Figure 2 shows the warning triangle assembly of the present invention comprises a collapsible structure erectable into a triangle. As shown in figure 2 the erected triangle comprises a base element (1), a first side element (2) and a second side element (3). As shown in figure 2, one end of the first and the second side elements are pivotally connected by pivot pins (4, 5) at or near two ends of the base element. The first and the second side elements are removably attached to each other so as to form the triangle. The first and second side elements can be detached from each other and folded adjacent to the base element.
The two pivot pins positioned at or near the two ends of base element of the triangle can be used as pivot axes for rotating the two side elements of the triangle relative to the base element, thereby the two side elements of the triangle can be foldably rotated with respect to the said pivot pins located at the base element.

In an embodiment of the present invention the non-pivoted ends of the first and the second side elements of the triangle are mounted with snap fasteners by fusion, by which the two lateral components can be engaged with each other thereby form a triangle with the base element. Figure 3(a), (b) and (c) show the front view, rear view and assembled view of the two side elements. Figure 4 shows a button (6) which can be attached on either of the side elements and a hole (7) can be provided with the other side element for receiving the snaps of the button so as to provide a snap fit between the two side elements.
The elements of the triangle comprise both front and rear side, having equal surface area. The rear portion of this equilateral triangle is made of fluorescent shining surface and act as the substrate for the frame. The frontal side of equilateral triangle is shared by plastic optical passive light reflecting surface and the fluorescent shining surface.
The reflecting part of the frame is secured with the substrate with ultrasonic welding at the recess provided at the substrate so that the reflecting surface is accommodate slightly inside recess provided on the substrate.
Figures 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), 5(d), 5(e) and 5(f) illustrate front view, back view, right view and left view, top view and bottom view respectively. As shown in figures 5(a) to 5(f) the warning triangle assembly of the four legs on comprises a collapsible support for supporting the erected triangle. According to an embodiment of the present invention the collapsible support comprises four legs i.e. a first leg (8), a second leg (9), a third leg (10) and a fourth leg (11). Referring to figures 5(a) to 5(f), the first leg (8) and the second leg (9) extend transversely on each side of the triangle and directly opposite to each other. Similarly, the third leg (10) and the fourth leg (11) extend transversely on each side of the triangle and directly opposite to each other. As shown in figures, the legs are adapted to rest on the road surface.

According to an embodiment of the present invention the legs of the collapsible support are pivotally connected with the base element. The legs are movable from a transversally extended position to a folded position which is below the base element and normal to the transversally extended position. In other words the legs are allowed to rotate 90° from the folded position.
Referring to figure 5(e) and 5(f), the first leg and the third leg extend on the same side of the erected triangle. Similarly, the second leg and the fourth leg extend on the other side of the erected triangle. The first leg and the fourth are rotatable clockwise i.e. inwardly to the erected triangle from the transversely extended position. Similarly, the second leg and the third are rotatable anticlockwise i.e. inwardly to the erected triangle from the transversely extended position.
According to an embodiment of the present invention the legs are constructed so as to place the triangle at elevated position when the triangle is erected and legs are in the transversely extended position. The legs are constructed so as to bend downward due to the weight of the triangle in the transversely extended position when the triangle is supported by the legs. The legs are constructed topologically and cost effectively to get rid of the redundant material and are less resistive to deflection so that the legs press itself down to grip the road surface firmly.
The counter measure of this weight reduction which in turn declines the stability of the warning triangle assembly is well calculated compliance given to the legs so that when the triangle assembly is erected and placed on the road surface, the leg bend down to a sound intended amount as shown in figure 6. As a result of this bending, ends of the legs tend to move further away (as indicated by arrows in figure 6) and exert additional force on the leg pads to grip the surface firmly. A hefty amount of wind force which acts on the triangle surface gets shattered or dissipated to overcome this compliance bending.
The augmented and optimized length of the legs keep the structure topple free, as moment exerted due to self weight and physical structure of the warning marker is much

superior than the moment generated by the maximum wind force as per the regulatory requirements.
According to an embodiment of the present invention the each of the legs has a length which is more than at least half the length of the triangle. Referring to figures 5(e) and 5(f), the first leg has a length larger than the length of the second leg and the third leg has a length smaller than the length of the fourth leg. Alternatively, the first leg has a length smaller than the length of the second leg and the third leg has a length larger than the length of the fourth leg. In an embodiment of the present invention the summation of lengths of the first and second leg is equal to the summation of lengths of the third and fourth leg thereby forming a symmetrical support with respect to the erected triangle.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the legs are constructed so as to form a bow type structure in the transversely extended position provided with ends of the legs resting the road surface. As shown figures 5(e) and 5(f), the first leg with the second leg form a bow type structure and similarly, the third leg with the fourth leg form a bow type structure placing the erected triangle at elevated position while the ends of the legs resting on the road surface.
In an embodiment of the present invention the legs fitted at one side (i.e. the first and third legs; second and fourth legs) are constructed in such a manner that they methodically overlapped each other, which enables the easier rotation with each other when they are assembled. As shown in figure 5(e) and 5(f), the first leg has 'inverted T' section and the second leg has "T section. Also, the third leg has 'T' section and the fourth leg has 'inverted T' section.
The legs are connected with the base element with the help of connecting means provided at two spaced apart locations of the base element. In an embodiment of the present invention the connecting means is 'L' shaped bracket (12). Figure 5(a) and 5(b) shows two 'L' shaped bracket for mounted on the base element. Figure 7 shows different views of a connecting means in the form of 'L' shaped bracket according to an embodiment of

the present invention. As shown in figure 7, the 'L' shaped bracket has a vertical plate (13) and horizontal plate (14). The vertical plate (13) can be attached with the base elements with the help of fasteners. The horizontal plate (14) can be used to pivotally connecting the two legs. Referring to figures 5(a) and 5(b), the first leg and the second leg are pivotally connected with one bracket, and the third and fourth legs are pivotally connected with the second bracket.
According to an embodiment of the present invention the first leg and the fourth leg allowed to rotate 90° inwardly i.e. in clockwise direction from transversely extended position to the folded position i.e. normal to the transversely extended position. The first and fourth legs are not allowed to rotate anticlockwise from transversely extended position. Also the first leg and the fourth legs are not allowed to rotate clockwise from the folded position. Similarly, the second and third legs are allowed to rotate to rotate 90° inwardly i.e. in anticlockwise direction from transversely extended position to the folded position. The second and the third legs are not allowed rotate clockwise from transversely extended position. Also, the second and the third legs are not allowed rotate anticlockwise from the folded position.
As shown in figure 7 the horizontal plate of the bracket (12) is provided a vertical protrusion (15) extending vertically downward from an outer edge of the horizontal plate for preventing outward i.e. anticlockwise rotation of first and fourth legs, and clockwise rotation of second and third legs from transversely extended position of the legs. As illustrated in rear view of the bracket shown in figure 7, a protrusion (16) extending horizontally from the vertical protrusion for preventing rotation of the first leg and the fourth legs clockwise, and the second and the third legs are not allowed rotate anticlockwise from the folded position.
In an embodiment of the present invention the second leg and the third leg are provided with a small protrusion (17) so as to prevent the movement of the first leg and fourth leg in the clockwise direction from the folded position (as shown in figure 8). Figures 9 and

10 illustrate locking of the legs in the folded position and in the transversely extended position.
Referring to figure 11, an embodiment of the present invention the end portion of first leg is provided with a pin (19) received in a semicircular slot (20) provided in the second leg so as to allow 90° inward rotation of the first and second legs. Similarly, the fourth leg is provided with a pin received in a semicircular slot provided in the third leg so as to allow 90° inward rotation of the fourth and third legs.
In an embodiment of the present invention the legs are made up of elastic material so as to slightly bend downward due to the weight of the triangle when the triangle is so supported in the transversely extended position. As the legs bend downward, ends of the legs tends to move outward. In an embodiment of the present invention, end of the legs is provided with pads (18) so as to increase friction between the ends and the road surface (as shown in figures 5 and 6). The pads can be selected from the group comprising metallic pads, plastic pads, metallic or plastic pads with friction linings. In an embodiment of the present invention the pads are provided with serrations to provide higher friction with road surface. In an embodiment of the present invention the friction linings are provided at two opposite sides of square shape pad so as to prevent transverse movement of the collapsible support.
Saw-like metallic pads can be attached adhesively/ screwed or by any other means with tip of the legs. The notched portion will easily get locked with the uneven road surface and hence the increase of sliding resistance.
The fascinating benefit of the present invention, when the wind force exceeds and conquer the above said compliance resistance, the resultant force of the wind and the weight of the structure transmitted to the leg pads at the rear end. This phenomenon further force down the rear legs and makes the structure snatch the surface more resolutely. This amplifies the sturdiness of the warning structure even in the heavy turbulence created by the passing traffic.

As shown in figures 5(a) and 5(b), the flat surface of the T section has aerodynamic shape (As) according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Advantages of the present invention:
a) The warning triangle assembly of the present invention is less expensive to manufacture than previously known device in that; it requires less material, easy to manufacture and cheaper material.
b) The base area covered by the structure is high so that the centre of gravity will act with in this region even at worst condition.
c) The main advantages of the present invention are the legs that are made in such a manner that at erected positing the triangle will push the legs downwards by its own weight to grip the resting surface more firmly.
d) The metallic pads provide at the tip of the legs will easily get locked with uneven surface of the resting area to enhance the stability.
e) In the warning triangle assembly of the present invention provided with the additional griping between the leg and road surface by utilizing the compliance property of the leg material.
f) A special leg is constructed which is cost effective as well as cover more area so that to increase the stability by keeping the center of gravity within this area.

We Claim:
1. A warning triangle assembly comprising:
a collapsible structure erectable into a triangle comprising a first side element, a second side element and a base element;
a collapsible support so as to form a support for the triangle, and said collapsible support comprises:
a first leg and a second leg adapted to rest on the road support and extending transversally opposite to each other on each side of the erected triangle;
a third leg and a fourth leg adapted to rest on the road support and extending transversally opposite to each other on each side of the erected triangle;
said legs being pivotally connected with the base element are movable from a transversally extended position to a folded position which is below the base element and normal to the transversally extended position;
each of the leg is constructed so as to place the triangle at elevated position in the transversally extended position of the legs and each of the leg is adapted to bend downward due to the weight of the triangle when the triangle is so supported so as to increase the drag between the leg and the road surface preventing movement of the warning triangle assembly with respect to the road surface.
2. A warning triangle as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first and second side elements are pivotally connected with the said base element, said first element and second elements are removably attached with each other so as to form the triangle.
3. A warning triangle assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the legs has a length more than at least half the length of the base element.
4. A warning triangle assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first leg has a length higher than the length of the second leg and the third leg has a length lower than the length of the fourth leg.
5. A warning triangle assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein, in the transversally extended position, the first leg and the third leg extend on the same side of the erected triangle.
6. A warning triangle assembly as claimed in claims 5 and 6, wherein, in the transversally extended position, the second leg and the fourth leg extend on the same side of the erected triangle.
7. A warning triangle assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base element is provided with connecting means at two spaced apart locations of the base elements for pivotally connecting the legs with the base element.
8. A warning triangle assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means is 'L' shaped bracket having a vertical plate and a horizontal plate; said vertical plate attached to the base elements with the help of fasteners, and said a horizontal plate for pivotally connecting the two legs.
9. A warning triangle assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the L shape bracket is provided with a stop means in the form of a vertical protrusion extending from an outer edge of the horizontal plate of the bracket for preventing outward movement of the legs from transversely extended position while allowing inward movement of the legs towards the folded position.
10. A warning triangle assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the L shape bracket is provided with a stop means in the form of a protrusion extending
horizontally from the vertical protrusion so as to prevent movement of legs, from the folded position, in a direction opposite to a direction towards the transversely extended position.
11. A warning triangle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein each of the legs is made of an elastic material so as to bend downwards due to the weight of the erected triangle in the transversely extending position of the legs.
12. A warning triangle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the first leg and second leg has a 'inverted T' section and T' section respectively or vice versa.
13. A warning triangle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the third leg and fourth leg has a 'T' section and 'inverted T' section respectively or vice versa.
14. A warning triangle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein, in the transversally extended position, the first leg with the second leg, and the third leg with the fourth leg form a bow type structure with the ends of the legs supported on the road surface placing the triangle at the elevated position.
15. A warning triangle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the ends of the legs are provided with pads so as to increase friction between the ends of the legs and the road surface preventing relative motion between the collapsible support and road surface thereby providing the stability to the erected triangle.
16. A warning triangle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pads are square shape pads with friction lining on two parallel sides of the square placed to prevent transverse movement of the erected triangle.
fr? A warning triangle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the pads are selected from metallic pads, plastic pads, metallic or plastic pads with friction linings, metallic and plastic pads with serrations to provide higher friction with road surface.
18. A warning triangle as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base and the side elements of the triangle is provided with light reflecting surface, fluorescent surface or combination thereof.