Portable thermal image emergency exit marking device for firefighters

• US 8,896,427 B1
• Filed: 10/05/2011
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roland Ramirez
• Original Assignee: Roland Ramirez
• Inventors: Ramirez, Roland
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent
• Application Number:
  US13/253,955
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 340/286.05, 340/326, 340331-333
• US Class Current: 340/286.05
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/062 indicating emergency exits

Abstract

A portable thermal image emergency exit marking device for use by firefighters and rescue personnel includes a polygonal housing having electrical heating elements on side panels that are shaped to form infrared heat generating words or symbols indicating an escape exit which are clearly visible by a thermal imaging camera, a flashing strobe light, and an audible alarm, to guide firefighters to the exit of a burning smoke-filled building. The configuration of the infrared heating elements avoids confusion and clearly distinguishes the words or symbols from other hot spots, heat emitting objects, and burning objects in the environment of the burning structure. An accessory adjustably supports the marking device at various heights above the floor surface when desired. The housing may have a ring for connecting a rope that can be extended from the housing to an exit of the burning structure and followed to exit the burning structure.

Claims

1. A portable thermal image emergency exit marking device for use by firefighters and rescue personnel to mark an escape exit from a burning structure, comprising:

a portable polygonal housing constructed of fireproof, heat and shock resistant material, having a top panel, a bottom panel, and side panels adapted to be placed in the burning structure;

an electrical receptacle mounted on one of said panels for removably receiving a mating plug at the end of a waterproof insulated electrical cord connected to a remote electrical power source;

electrical heating elements on said side panels connectable to said electrical power source, said heating elements formed of an electrical resistive metal material shaped to form heat generating words or symbols indicating an escape exit from the burning structure; and

an adjustable electrical control switch mounted on said housing operatively connected between said electrical heating elements and said electrical power source to heat said electrical heating elements sufficient to emit thermal energy in the infrared wavelength band higher than the heat of the fire or environment of the burning structure in which said housing is placed so as to be clearly visible by a thermal imaging camera;

such that

said words or symbols formed by said heated electrical heating elements are discernable and clearly visible by the thermal imaging camera and are clearly distinguished from other hot spots, heat emitting objects, and burning objects in the environment of the burning structure to indicate the escape exit from the burning structure.

2. The portable thermal image emergency exit marking device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a flashing strobe light having a protective cover mounted on said housing top panel connectable to said electrical power source by an adjustable control switch on said housing, said control switch adjustable to selectively control the number of flashes per minute of said strobe light.

3. The portable thermal image emergency exit marking device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an audible alarm disposed in said housing connectable to said electrical power source by adjustable control switches on said housing to generate a distinctive loud chirping sound, and said control switches include switches for adjusting the decibel level and the chirping cycle of said audible alarm to provide an audible signal to aid in determining the location of said emergency exit marking device.

4. The portable thermal image emergency exit marking device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a stand releasably and threadedly connectable with said housing to extend from said bottom panel and having a support base at a bottom end, said housing and said stand being rotated relative to one another to adjustably support said housing at selected heights above a floor surface.

5. The portable thermal image emergency exit marking device according to claim 1, further comprising:

a ring on said housing for releasably receiving one end of a fireproof rope that can be extended from said housing to an exit of the burning structure and followed by a firefighter or rescue person to exit the burning structure.