Warning device

#Reference is had to related application and patents by the present inventor: U.S. Pat. No. 3,594,938, dated July 27, 1971; U.S. Pat. No. 3,763,585, dated Oct. 9, 1973; application Ser. No. 613,916 filed on Sept. 16, 1975 now abandoned (Continuation of application Ser. No. 354,219 filed Apr. 25, 1973, now abandoned).

#The invention relates to a warning device for automobiles or other vehicles, for use especially when such vehicles are stopped along a road side where there may be danger of collision with another, moving, vehicle, and danger of personal injury by such other moving vehicle to a person attempting to repair the stopped automobile.

#There are known electrical warning devices for use on motor vehicles, an example of which is the emergency light flashers which are attached to the lower portions of a vehicle. A disadvantage of this type of warning device is that it is not seen in the day time and can be readily obstructed by persons standing on the road working around the vehicle.

#For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

#FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view, showing an embodiment of the instant invention mounted on the lid of a compartment of a vehicle;

#FIG. 2 is a large scale fragmentary perspective view of the lid showing in greater detail the illuminating means of FIG. 1; and

#In carrying the invention into effect in the embodiments which have been selected for illustration in the accompanying drawings and for description in the specification, and referring now particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, a vehicle 11 has an open compartment lid 12 that carries a warning sign 13. The sign 13 is disposed on the inner surface 14 of the lid 12.

#Illuminating means 16, which may be combined with the emergency light flashers currently required on automobiles, are shown located near opposite corners of the lid 12 and lid edge 17 which is outwardly directed when lid 12 is open as shown in FIG. 1.

#The illuminating means 16 are shown, in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, with a means for directing light to illuminate the warning sign such as a lens so located that it projects light rays 18. This means may be combined with a a means for directing light in an upward direction, such as a lens 19 and a means for directing light in an outward direction away from the lid 12, in a substantially horizontal direction, such as a lens 21.