Reflective and adhesive patch

• US 6,382,126 B1
• Filed: 09/28/2000
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shelly R. Findley
• Original Assignee: Craig Alan Findley
• Inventors: Findley, Craig Alan
• Primary Examiner(s): Hirshfeld, Andrew H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): REIS, TRAVIS M
• Application Number:
  US09/672,747
• Time in Patent Office: 586 Days
• Field of Search: 116/209, 116/202, 116/306, 116/321, 116/322, 116/63.P, 116/63.R, 116/278, 116/323, 405/82, 405/83, 404/47, 404/50
• US Class Current: 116/209
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/16 Signs formed of or incorporating reflecting elements or surfaces, e.g. warning signs having triangular or other geometrical shape

Abstract

A reflective safety, signal, and warning patch is disclosed that is attachable to clothing articles worn by an individual or to an object includes a plurality of reflective panels that can have a variety of geometric configurations that are arranged in either rows or columns on one surface of the patch, and each row and column of panels is mounted to the patch by a wire that extends through each panel of that respective row and column. Each panel incorporates a reflective, prismatic, or fluorescent material, and is capable of slidable movement on the wires to diffuse reflected light thus producing a broken-up pattern of light dissemination for enhancing the visibility of the light and the individual wearing the patch or patches, especially during the dusk, twilight, and nighttime hours.

Claims

1. A reflective patch for securement to an article of clothing that is worn by an individual for illuminating the individual so that the individual can be seen from distance and at nighttime, the patch comprising:

a flexible frame having a front surface, an opposite rear surface, and a peripheral border extending about the front surface, and adapted for removable securement to an article of clothing;

a plurality of panels arranged on the front surface of the frame in a plurality of rows whereby the panels are capable of rotational and slidable movement thereon, each panel having a pair of oppositely disposed receiving holes and a reflective material affixed to the panel; and

a plurality of wires extending from one side of the border to the opposite side of the border and mounted to the frame adjacent the border with each wire extending through both receiving holes of all the panels in one respective row of panels thereby securing the panels to the frame and permitting the slidable and rotational movement of the panels on the frame.

2. The reflective patch of claim 1 wherein the rear surface of the frame includes an adhesive substance that can be pressed against the article of clothing for securing the patch to the article of clothing.

3. The reflective patch of claim 2 further comprising a paper strip positioned adjacent the rear surface of the frame for covering and protecting the adhesive substance on the frame and which is peelable from the adhesive substance.

4. The reflective patch of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of springs with each spring having a first spring end attached to the frame adjacent the border and a second spring end attached to one of the wires whereby all the springs apply a continuous force against the wires so that the wires maintain a generally rectilinear orientation on the frame.

5. The reflective patch of claim 1 wherein said plurality of panels are arranged on the front surface of the frame in a plurality of columns whereby the panels are capable of rotational and slidable movement thereon.

6. The reflective patch of claim 1 wherein the reflective material that is affixed to each panel is a strip of reflective tape.

7. The reflective patch of claim 1 wherein the reflective material affixed to each panel is a fluorescent sticker.

8. The reflective patch of claim 1 wherein the reflective material applied to each panel is fluorescent paint.

9. The reflective patch of claim 1 wherein each panel is circular-shaped and includes oppositely-disposed receiving holes for allowing one wire to extend therethrough so that each circular-shaped panel can be mounted to the frame.

10. The reflective patch of claim 1 wherein each panel has the shape of a box-like housing.

11. The reflective patch of claim 1 wherein each panel includes at least five surfaces to which reflective material can be affixed.

12. The reflective patch of claim 1 wherein each panel is cylindrical-shaped and includes an internal passageway coequal in length with the panel for allowing one wire to extend therethrough in order to mount the panel to the frame.

13. The reflective patch of claim 1, further comprising a clear housing attached to the frame and positioned on the front surface of the frame for enclosing the plurality of panels.

14. The reflective patch of claim 1 wherein the panels display a message.

15. A reflective patch, comprising:

a frame having a front surface and an opposite rear surface, the rear surface for securement to an object;

a plurality of panels arranged on the front surface of the frame in a plurality of rows whereby the panels are capable of movement thereon, each panel having a pair of oppositely disposed receiving holes and a reflective material affixed to the panel; and

a plurality of wires extending across the front surface of the frame and mounted to the frame with each wire extending through both receiving holes of all the panels in one respective row of panels thereby securing the panels to the frame and permitting the movement of the panels on the frame.

16. The reflective patch of claim 15 wherein the plurality of panels are arranged in a plurality of columns intertwined with the rows of panels for forming a webbing of panels on the front surface of the frame.

17. The reflective patch of claim 15 wherein the rear surface of the frame includes an adhesive substance that can be pressed against the object for securing the patch to the object.

18. The reflective patch of claim 15, further comprising a plurality of springs attached between the frame and the wires whereby all the springs apply a continuous force against the wires for enhancing movement of the panels.

19. The reflective patch of claim 15, further comprising a clear housing attached to the frame and positioned on the front surface of the frame for enclosing the plurality of panels.

20. The reflective patch of claim 15 wherein the panels display a message.