Conspicuity devices and methods

• US 8,186,021 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2008
• Issued: 05/29/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CSC Group, LLC
• Original Assignee: CSC Group, LLC
• Inventors: Gonzalez, Joseph
• Primary Examiner(s): Lavinder, Jack W.
• Application Number:
  US12/106,301
• Publication Number:
  US 20090070967A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,500 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 24/3.1
• CPC Class Codes: A42B 3/044 Lighting devices, e.g. helmets with lamps
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/30 Straps; Bands
• CPC Class Codes: A62B 33/00 Devices for allowing seemingly-dead persons to escape or draw attention; Breathing apparatus for accidentally buried persons
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/26 the devices being primarily intended to indicate the vehicle, or parts thereof, or to give signals, to other traffic
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 2400/10 Electro- or photo- luminescent surfaces, e.g. signalling by way of electroluminescent strips or panels
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 45/04 the devices being intended to indicate the vessel or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B68B 2001/003 Means to enhance visibility of the horse
• CPC Class Codes: B68C 1/00 Saddling equipment for riding- or pack-animals
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 13/06 with mechanical drive, e.g. spring
• CPC Class Codes: F21L 4/005 the device being a pocket lamp F21L4/022, F21L4/045, F21L4/085 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0084 Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 428/917 Electroluminescent
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/13 Article holder attachable to apparel or body
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/14 Bale and package ties, hose clamps

Abstract

The invention provides conspicuity devices and methods. A first embodiment includes a tool band and an electroluminescent lamp adapted and configured to admit light having an advantageous spectral energy distribution. The device can have many additional and/or alternative passive and/or active conspicuity features, such as lasers, lamps, photoluminescent and retroreflective materials, among others.

Claims

1. A tool band having a first end and a second end, comprising:

a) an elongate fire resistant webbing portion;

b) a fire resistant elastic portion attached to the webbing portion; and

c) a coupling portion adapted and configured to selectively attach the first end of the band to the second end of the band; and

d) an electroluminescent lamp having at least one elongate electroluminescent element defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the electroluminescent element having a plurality of relatively wide emitting segments disposed along the longitudinal axis connected to each other by a relatively narrow emitting segment.

2. The tool band of claim 1, wherein the webbing portion and the elastic portion are made at least in part from aramid fibers.

3. The tool band of claim 2, further comprising at least one elastic loop attached to the webbing portion, the loop including aramid fibers, and being adapted and configured to hold an object, wherein the loop defines a passage therethrough that is generally transverse to the webbing portion of the tool band.

4. The tool band of claim 1, wherein the electroluminescent lamp is adapted and configured to emit light in a spectrum having a peak at about 500 nm.

5. The tool band of claim 4, wherein the electroluminescent lamp emits light in a spectrum that substantially coincides with the sensitivity of the human eye in dark conditions.

6. The tool band of claim 1, wherein the electroluminescent lamp is defined by a plurality of arrow-like shapes.

7. The tool band of claim 1, further comprising a power source further including an electrical inverter interposed in an operable electrical circuit between a battery and the electroluminescent lamp.

8. The tool band of claim 7, wherein the inverter is adapted and configured to output an electrical signal at a frequency of about 3000 Hz to power the electroluminescent lamp.

9. The tool band of claim 8, wherein the electroluminescent lamp is adapted and configured to have a peak emission at about 504 nm when driven by a 400Hz electrical signal at 110 Vrms.

10. The tool band of claim 1, wherein the device is flexible, elongate, and is adapted and configured to be attached to a plurality of objects.

11. The tool band of claim 1, further comprising an elongate fire-resistant encasement adapted and configured to house the electroluminescent lamp, wherein the encasement includes a plurality of layers of material bonded together to define a compartment between the layers adapted and configured to receive the electroluminescent lamp.

12. The tool band of claim 11, wherein a first layer includes a retroreflective polymeric material including a plurality of microprismatic reflective elements.

13. The tool band of claim 12, wherein the encasement includes photoluminescent material.

14. The tool band of claim 13, wherein the photoluminescent material includes strontium aluminate.

15. The tool band of claim 12, wherein the first layer has a retroreflective value of about 650 cd/lux/m² (cpl) when measured in accordance with NFPA 1971, 2000 edition.

16. The tool band of claim 11, wherein the electroluminescent lamp is adapted and configured to emit sufficient light to permit visibility of the device from a distance of about five feet in an environment rendered opaque by smoke.

17. The tool band of claim 1, wherein the electroluminescent lamp includes a continuous, monolithic electroluminescent element.

18. The tool band of claim 1, wherein the electroluminescent lamp includes a plurality of electroluminescent elements.

19. An electroluminescent lamp comprising:

a) at least one elongate electroluminescent element defining a longitudinal axis and a transverse axis, the electroluminescent element having a plurality of relatively wide emitting segments disposed along the longitudinal axis connected to each other by a relatively narrow emitting segment; and

b) an elongate fire-resistant encasement adapted and configured to house the electroluminescent lamp, wherein the encasement includes a plurality of layers of material bonded together to define a compartment between the layers adapted and configured to receive the electroluminescent lamp.

20. The electroluminescent lamp of claim 19, wherein a first layer of the encasement includes a retroreflective polymeric material including a plurality of microprismatic reflective elements.

21. The electroluminescent lamp of claim 20, wherein the encasement includes photoluminescent material.

22. The electroluminescent lamp of claim 21, wherein the photoluminescent material includes strontium aluminate.

23. The electroluminescent lamp of claim 19, wherein the first layer has a retroreflective value of about 650 cd/lux/m² (cpl) when measured in accordance with NFPA 1971, 2000 edition.