Enhanced emergency lighting barrier

Abstract

Provided is a traffic barrier for alerting oncoming traffic, comprising: a first post, a second post, an expandable barrier portion provided between the first and second posts, the barrier comprising an arrangement of pivotably connected arms, at least one lighting element provided on at least one of the pivotably connected arms. Also provided is a traffic barrier for alerting oncoming traffic, the traffic barrier having an collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the traffic barrier comprising: an expandable barrier portion comprising a plurality of pivotably connected arms arranged in a lazy tongs fashion to allow the barrier to expand from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration along a first axis, a first leg, and a second leg, wherein the first and second legs extend in a direction transverse to the first axis in the expanded configuration but withdraw towards the arms moving to the collapsed configuration.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A traffic barrier for alerting oncoming traffic, comprising:
 a first post,   a second post,   an expandable barrier portion provided between the first and second posts, the barrier portion comprising an arrangement of pivotably connected arms; and   at least one lighting element provided on at least one of the pivotably connected arms.   
     
     
         2 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the arms of the barrier portion are arranged in a lazy tongs fashion. 
     
     
         3 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one lighting element is provided on each arm of the barrier portion. 
     
     
         4 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein there are a plurality of lighting elements, the barrier comprising at least one switch for operating the at least one lighting element. 
     
     
         5 . The barrier according to  claim 4 , wherein in a first mode of operation the at least one switch is configured to selectively switch a first set of the lighting elements to create an illuminated sign indicating a first direction. 
     
     
         6 . The barrier according to  claim 5 , wherein in a second mode of operation the at least one switch is configured to selectively switch a second set of the lighting elements to create an illuminated sign indicating a second direction opposing the first direction. 
     
     
         7 . The barrier according to  claim 6 , wherein in a third mode of operation the at least one switch is configured to operate both the first and second sets of lighting elements. 
     
     
         8 . The barrier according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one switch is provided on at least one of the first and second posts. 
     
     
         9 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein a power supply for the at least one lighting element is housed within at least one of the first and second posts. 
     
     
         10 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , further comprising light reflective strips on at least one of the pivotably connected arms. 
     
     
         11 . The barrier according to  claim 10 , wherein the reflective strips comprise strips of alternating colour extending longitudinally along the at least one pivotably connected arm. 
     
     
         12 . The barrier according to  claim 10 , wherein the light reflective strips comprise parallel reflective strips arranged along the pivotably connected arm with a lighting element therebetween. 
     
     
         13 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , further comprising electrical connections for the at least one lighting element, the electrical connections provided along the pivotably connected arms and through pivots for pivoting the arms. 
     
     
         14 . The barrier according to  claim 13 , wherein the pivot comprises a coupling mechanism having a through-hole extending through the bolt for receiving the electrical connections. 
     
     
         15 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one lighting element comprises an LED strip. 
     
     
         16 . The barrier according to  claim 15 , wherein the LED strip is waterproof. 
     
     
         17 . The barrier according to  claim 1 , further comprising a first leg which may be extended from the first post to support the barrier. 
     
     
         18 . The barrier according to  claim 17 , further comprising a second leg which may be extended from the second post to support the barrier. 
     
     
         19 . The barrier according to  claim 18 , wherein the first and second legs are slideably coupled to the first and second posts respectively through slots defined in the posts. 
     
     
         20 . A traffic barrier for alerting oncoming traffic, the traffic barrier having an collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration, the traffic barrier comprising:
 an expandable barrier portion comprising a plurality of pivotably connected arms arranged in a lazy tongs fashion to allow the barrier to expand from the collapsed configuration to the expanded configuration along a first axis,   a first leg, and   a second leg, wherein the first and second legs extend in a direction transverse to the first axis in the expanded configuration but withdraw towards the arms moving to the collapsed configuration.