Reflective rescue signaling device

• US 6,484,662 B1
• Filed: 06/08/2001
• Issued: 11/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis C. Perucca
• Original Assignee: Dennis C. Perucca
• Inventors: Perucca, Dennis C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gutierrez, Diego
• Assistant Examiner(s): Linn, Jr., Erich
• Application Number:
  US09/876,872
• Publication Number:
  US 20020185051A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 116/209, 116/200, 116/210, 116/211, 116/107, 116/109, 116/110, 441/80, 441/89
• US Class Current: 116/209
• CPC Class Codes: B63C 9/20 characterised by signalling means, e.g. lights arrangement or adaptation of signalling or lighting devices for ships or other waterborne vessels B63B45/00

Abstract

A reflective rescue signaling device for revealing a specific location of a person in distress from a distance, which includes a buoyant container (30) provided with an attachment ring (38) to which a lid (50) is removably attached. The container is equipped with an attaching loop (42) having a bore (44) for fastening the container to an object or onto a person. The lid has a handle (70) on one side and a spindle (58) on the other to which a length of reflective tape (94) is rolled. The tape is attached on one end to the spindle and on the other to an inside surface of the container such that when the lid is removed the reflective tape may be unrolled from the spindle and thrown or dropped into the water When on land the tape may be manually unrolled and placed in an open clearing or on top of vegetation for visual recognition and identification from a distance or to indicate direction.

Claims

1. A reflective rescue signaling device for signaling rescuers for individuals in distress on land or water comprising:

a buoyant cylindrical container, having an open top and a closed bottom,

a container attachment ring affixed upon the open top of the container, for enclosing the container and for attachment to an object or a persons clothing,

a container lid removably fastened upon the attaching ring, with the lid having a spindle extending into the container, and

reflective tape bonded on a first end to the spindle and on a second end bonded to an inside surface of the container with the tape rolled upon the spindle such that when the lid is removed the reflective tape may be unrolled from the spindle into a distended ribbon form suitable for visual identification from a distance.

2. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical container is a closed cell sponge having a specific gravity of less than one.

3. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 1 wherein said cylindrical container further comprising, a thermoplastic liner cup on an inside surface of the container.

4. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 1 wherein said container and liner cup have drain holes therethrough for effusing moisture.

5. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 1 wherein said container attachment ring is in a U-shape configuration mating with the top of the container and distending inside and outside of the container creating an gripping interface therebetween.

6. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 3 wherein said container attachment ring further comprises means to permanently attach the ring to the container.

7. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 6 wherein said means to attach the ring to the container is an adhesive.

8. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 6 further comprising, said ring having a snap recess integrally formed therein and said liner cup having a lip on a top outside edge with the lip snapped into the recess defining said means to attach the ring to the container.

9. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 1 wherein said container attachment ring further comprises an attaching loop having a bore therethrough for fastening the signaling device to ones person or a fixed object.

10. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 1 wherein said container lid is buoyant in water and further comprises a handle on a top surface for removing the lid when employing the survival device.

11. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 10 wherein said handle is a separate element permanently attached to the lid.

12. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 10 wherein said handle is integrally formed with the parent material of the lid.

13. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 1 wherein said reflective tape is double sided.

14. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 13 wherein said double sided tape reflective tape is fluorescent orange on one side and mirror like silver on the other.

15. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 13 wherein said double sided tape is mylar thermoplastic.

16. The reflective rescue signaling device as recited in claim 13 wherein said double sided tape is bonded on both the first end and the second end with adhesive.

17. A reflective rescue signaling device for signaling rescuers for individuals in distress on land or water comprising:

a container, having an open top and a closed bottom with fastening means to attach the survival device to an object or a persons clothing,

a lid removably fastened upon the container having a spindle extending into the container, and

reflective tape bonded on a first end to the spindle and on a second end bonded to an inside surface of the container with the tape rolled upon the spindle such that when the lid is removed the reflective tape may be unrolled from the spindle into a distended ribbon form suitable for visual identification from a distance.

18. A reflective rescue signaling device for signaling rescuers for individuals in distress on land or water comprising:

a container, with fastening means for attachment to an object or a persons clothing, a lid having a spindle extending into the container with the lid removably affixed onto the container, and, a length of reflective tape rolled upon the spindle such that when the lid is removed the reflective tape may be unrolled from the spindle for visual recognition and identification from a distance.