Ladder beacon

• US 4,766,525 A
• Filed: 12/16/1987
• Issued: 08/23/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bernard M. Loughlin
• Original Assignee: Bernard M. Loughlin
• Inventors: Loughlin, Bernard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NOT, DEFINED
• Application Number:
  US07/133,731
• Time in Patent Office: 251 Days
• Field of Search: 362/253, 362/802, 362/183, 362/396, 362/190, 362/191, 362/200, 362/267, 362/157, 362/158, 362/390, 441/276, 441/22, 182/18, 182/19, 260/61.45 R, 260/60
• US Class Current: 362/183
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 5/00 Other devices for rescuing from fire ladders E06C
• CPC Class Codes: A62C 27/00 Fire-fighting land vehicles
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/003 Indicating devices, e.g. user warnings or inclinators
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/48 Ladder heads; Supports for heads of ladders for resting against objects ladders attachable to structures such as poles E06C1/34
• CPC Class Codes: E06C 7/484 Supports specially adapted for use with a wall opening, e.g. windows
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 2/00 Systems of electric lighting devices systems employing both electric and non-electric light sources or exchangeable light sources F21L27/00
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 362/802 Position or condition responsive switch

Abstract

A ladder beacon is provided which will aid firefighting and rescue personnel in locating a ladder in adverse conditions such as darkness, smoke and fog. The ladder beacon is a small self contained strobe light which is affixed to the top rung of a ladder and which is automatically activated when the ladder is raised to a vertical position.

Claims

1. A heat resistant, impact resistant, and water resistant ladder beacon for use on a ladder, comprising, a high impact waterproof case having a top, a bottom, and four sides, means for attachment of said ladder beacon to the rung of a ladder, a strobe light means adapted to fit said high impact case, electronic means for activating and deactivating said strobe light means, with said electronic means further comprising a rechargeable power source means for providing a flash of lumens for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined strobe rate, a tilt switch means, and a low voltage indicator means having an indicator light positioned oppositely from said strobe light means and having a receptacle for a battery replacement, said tilt switch means being arranged to activate said strobe light means when said ladder is in a vertical position and to deactivate said strobe light means when said ladder is in a horizontal position, said electronic means being encapsulated in a potting compound to afford protection to said electronic means.

2. A ladder beacon as recited in claim 1, wherein said means for attachment of said light beacon to said rung of said ladder comprises a channel positioned along the top of said case, and at least one transverse fastening means for said channel.

3. A ladder beacon as recited in claim 2, wherein the depth dimension of said high impact case is no greater than the depth dimension of said sidepieces of said ladder.

4. A ladder beacon as recited in claim 3, wherein said case further comprises at least one reflective panel.

5. A ladder beacon as recited in claim 4, wherein said ladder beacon is substantially symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal direction of said ladder.

6. A ladder beacon arranged to be adapted to a ladder having rungs and sidepieces, comprising, a symmetrical high impact waterproof case having a top, a bottom and four sides, a channel extending across the top of said case, said channel having at least two through apertures adapted to receive wing nut means for mounting said case in said channel, the depth of said case being not greater than the depth of said sidepieces, an inward facing Xenon strobe light means having a reflector and a transparent cover, and a potting compound, electronic means imbedded in said potting compound for activating and deactivating said strobe light means, said electronic means further comprising a power source for providing a flash of lumens for a predetermined period of time at a predetermined time rate, a tilt switch means arranged to activate said strobe light means when said ladder is in a vertical position and to deactivate said strobe light means when said ladder is in a horizontal position, a low voltage sensing means, and a low voltage indicator light positioned oppositely from said strobe light means and having a receptacle for a battery replacement.