Safety beacon

• US 5,109,322 A
• Filed: 08/30/1991
• Issued: 04/28/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bernard M. Loughlin
• Original Assignee: Bernard M. Loughlin
• Inventors: Loughlin, Bernard M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Husar, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US07/753,636
• Time in Patent Office: 242 Days
• Field of Search: 362/109, 362/103, 362/119, 362/191, 362/253, 362/263, 362/368, 362/398, 182/18
• US Class Current: 362/109
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 3/00 Devices or single parts for facilitating escape from buildings or the like, e.g. protection shields, protection screens; Portable devices for preventing smoke penetrating into distinct parts of buildings A62B1/00 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

A safety beacon acting as a portable and self contained strobe light is provided for use in fire fighting and rescue operations. The purpose of the safety beacon is to enhance security and minimize the disorientation caused by darkness, smoke, or fog in a fire fighting, rescue, or underwater operation. The safety beacon is composed of a heat, chemical, water, and impact resistant casing which is joined to a lexan covered xenon strobe light. The safety beacon is activated by an insulated switch which draws power from a nine volt battery kept within an insulated housing. The safety beacon may be instantly attached to a ferrous surface by means of a magnet, suspended on a garment or other cloth substance by means of a velcro pad, and pierced into and fixed on to drywall by means of a spike attachment. A knurled wedge design allows the safety beacon to hold doors open for firefighters or to be inserted into the ground to mark position for an aerial landing.

Claims

1. A safety beacon for use as a portable strobe light in fire fighting and rescue operations, comprising, a heat resistant, water resistant, chemical resistant, and shock resistant casing, a lexan covered xenon strobe light fitted on the top of said safety beacon, a spike attachment fixed to said safety beacon capable of piercing drywall and holding said safety beacon into position, a velcro pad attached to said safety beacon used to suspend said safety beacon on to a garment or other cloth substance, a magnet joined to said safety beacon which may attach said safety beacon to an arbitrary ferrous surface, an insulated power switch which opens and closes the circuit for said strobe light on said safety beacon, an insulated battery housing which holds a nine volt battery used to power said safety beacon, and a knurled wedge on the lower portion of said safety beacon used to hold a door ajar or for insertion into soft ground.

2. A safety beacon for use as a portable strobe light in fire fighting and rescue operations as recited in claim 1, wherein said spike attachment is fixed between a bracket on said safety beacon by means of a pin, and wherein said spike attachment is free to rotate approximately ninety degrees from its most withdrawn position.

3. A safety beacon for use as a portable strobe light in fire fighting and rescue operations as recited in claim 1, wherein said insulated battery housing on said safety beacon is tightly secured by means of two screws.

4. A safety beacon for use as a portable strobe light in fire fighting and rescue operations as recited in claim 1, wherein said knurled wedge is formed on the lower portion of said safety beacon, and wherein said knurled wedge is formed on two sides of said safety beacon which meet at an acute angle, each of the two said sides having a plurality of grooves running perpendicular to the principle longitudinal axis of said safety beacon.