Portable visual emergency signal device

• US 5,831,522 A
• Filed: 01/06/1997
• Issued: 11/03/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 04/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dwight V. Call, Leonard E. Weed, Ronald J. Weed
• Original Assignee: Dwight V. Call, Leonard E. Weed, Ronald J. Weed
• Inventors: Weed, Leonard E., Call, Dwight V., Weed, Ronald J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Crosland, Donnie L.
• Application Number:
  US08/779,042
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 340/473, 340/471, 340/422, 340/908, 340/908.1, 340/932, 340/478, 340/321, 340/691, 340/692, 340/636, 340/474, 116/63 R, 116/63 P, 116/63 T, 40/612, 40/605, 40/573, 40/558, 362/109, 362/157, 362/162, 362/169
• US Class Current: 340/473
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 7/00 Arrangement or adaptation of portable emergency signal devices on vehicles

Abstract

A portable visual emergency signal device for generally indicating caution and for providing a beacon to guide emergency vehicles or personnel to an emergency site. The emergency signal device is sectioned into a plurality of wedges, each wedge having a translucent faceted face and a distinct color. The emergency signal device also contains a plurality of sequentially fired lamps and at least one reflective surface cooperating with the lamps to facilitate propagation of light energy. The emergency signal device further includes a battery and an alarm cooperating with the battery to indicate a low battery.

Claims

1. A portable visual emergency signal device, comprising:

a portable housing;

a plurality of lantern portions disposed in said portable housing, each of said lantern portions comprising a flashlamp, a first reflector surface mounted directly behind each flashlamp, and a second reflector disposed within said housing adjacent to said flashlamp, each said second reflector having a plurality of corresponding reflective surfaces extending away from each said flashlamp, each of said plurality of corresponding reflective surfaces reflecting light respectively from each said flashlamp in a different direction, and each of said lantern portions providing light of a color selected from a plurality of different colors;

at least one battery connected to said plurality of lantern portions for operation of said plurality of lantern portions; and

a timing circuit connected to said at least one battery and said plurality of lantern portions for causing said plurality of lantern portions to flash sequentially.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of colors comprises at least three different colors.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein said plurality of colors comprises amber, blue and red.

4. The device of claim 1, where in said housing comprises a backplate, and each said lantern portion comprises a face and a sidewall, said face being spaced apart from said backplate, and said sidewall extending from a perimeter of said face toward said backplate.

5. The device of claim 1, further including an alarm circuit connected to said at least one battery for indicating a low battery.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of lantern portions comprises a reflective surface mounted directly behind each flashlamp.

7. A portable visual emergency signal device, comprising:

a portable housing;

a plurality of lantern portions disposed in said portable housing, each of said lantern portions comprising a flashlamp, a first reflector surface mounted directly behind each flashlamp, and a second reflector disposed within said housing adjacent to said flashlamp, each said second reflector having a plurality of corresponding reflective surfaces extending away from each said flashlamp, each of said plurality of corresponding reflective surfaces for each said flashlamp reflecting light respectively from each said flashlamp in a different direction, and each of said lantern portions providing light of a color selected from a plurality of different colors;

at least one battery connected to said plurality of lantern portions for operation of said plurality of lantern portions;

a timing circuit connected to said at least one battery and said plurality of lantern portions for causing said plurality of lantern portions to flash sequentially; and

an alarm circuit connected to said at least one battery for indicating a low battery.

8. The device of claim 7, wherein said plurality of colors comprises at least three different colors.

9. The device of claim 7, wherein said plurality of colors comprises amber, blue and red.

10. The device of claim 7, wherein said housing comprises a backplate, and each said lantern portion comprises a face and a sidewall, said face being spaced apart from said backplate, and said sidewall extending from a perimeter of said face toward said backplate.

11. The device of claim 7, wherein each of said plurality of lantern portions comprises a reflective surface mounted directly behind each flashlamp.

12. A portable visual emergency signal device, comprising:

a portable housing having a plurality of lantern portions, each of said lantern portions providing light of a color selected from a plurality of different colors;

a flashlamp disposed in each of said lantern portions;

a first reflector mounted directly behind each said flashlamp;

a second reflector disposed within said housing adjacent to each said flashlamp, each said second reflector having a plurality of corresponding angled reflective surfaces extending away from each said flashlamp, and each of said plurality of corresponding angled reflective surfaces for each said flashlamp reflecting light respectively from each said flashlamp in a different direction;

at least one battery connected to each of said flashlamps for operation of said flashlamps;

a timing circuit connected to said at least one battery and said flashlamps for causing said flashlamps to flash sequentially; and

an alarm circuit connected to said at least one battery for indicating a low battery.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein said plurality of colors comprises at least three different colors.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein said plurality of colors comprises amber, blue and red.

15. The device of claim 12, wherein said housing comprises a backplate, and each said lantern portion comprises a face and a sidewall, said face being spaced apart from said backplate, and said sidewall extending from a perimeter of said face toward said backplate.

16. The device of claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of lantern portions comprises a reflective surface mounted directly behind each flashlamp.