EMERGENCY SIGNALING APPARATUS AND METHOD

• US 20090199762A1
• Filed: 02/11/2008
• Published: 08/13/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/11/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Jacqueline Elam
• Original Assignee: Jacqueline Elam
• Inventors: Elam, Jacqueline
• Application Number:
  US12/028,903
• Publication Number:
  US 20090199762A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 116/28.00R
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 7/00 Arrangement or adaptation of portable emergency signal devices on vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 17/00 Flags; Banners; Mountings therefor

Abstract

A display device to indicate a private emergency, such as an expectant mother in labor, is disclosed. The device is displayed on the outside surface of a moving automobile. Motorists will yield to the auto, and police officers are alerted to offer assistance as necessary to escort the auto to a hospital.

Claims

1. An emergency signaling method to encourage observers of a vehicle in transit to avoid the vehicle and allow passage to the vehicle to assist a motorist or passenger within said vehicle requiring such assistance, comprising the steps:

positioning means for displaying information outside the vehicle in transit, so that the observers see said means for displaying information;

displaying first means for communicating information on said means for displaying information to communicate a message to the observers encouraging the observers to allow passage to the vehicle;

said vehicle thereby passing through traffic at an increased rate relative to other vehicles;

said vehicle thereafter reaching its destination; and

,

storing means to secure said communication means after the need has passed.

2. The emergency signaling method of claim 1 where the means for displaying information is a pole fastenable to a car window and sill.

3. The emergency signaling method of claim 1 where the means for communicating information is disposed on a flag attached to the free end of said pole.

4. The emergency signaling method of claim 3 further comprising reflective tape affixed to selected display areas of said flag.

5. The emergency signaling method of claim 1 further comprising illumination means to make said communication means visible at night.

6. The emergency signaling method of claim 1 where the means for communicating information is selected from the group:

a flag indicating that a pregnant woman is en route, a flag indicating that vehicles nearby should exercise caution, and a flag indicating that the vehicle is enroute to a hospital.

7. The emergency signaling method of claim 1 further including one or more cautionary warning messages displayed within said communication means.

8. The emergency signaling method of claim 7 wherein said cautionary warning messages are selected from the group:

emergency, in labor, in route, enroute.

9. The emergency signaling method of claim 1, further comprising a kit, transportable in an automobile, wherein said kit comprises all the elements needed to mount and display the indicia of claim 1.

10. An emergency signaling method to encourage observers of a vehicle in transit to avoid the vehicle and allow through passage to the vehicle, to assist a motorist or passenger within said vehicle requiring such assistance, comprising the steps:

determining that vehicle occupants require and should rapidly reach an emergency response destination;

selecting a first flag having indicia providing a message that an emergency is in progress, and that the vehicle occupants require fast transit to a hospital, doctor, or other emergency response provider;

positioning said flag on a pole attached to the vehicle, so that the observers see the first flag;

providing illumination of the flag, if conditions require such illumination;

proceeding to the destination for treatment of the emergency condition; and

,

stowing said flag away from display following the emergency treatment.