Conspicuity devices and methods

• US 9,080,764 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2012
• Issued: 07/14/2015
• 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:
  US13/350,139
• Publication Number:
  US 20120120638A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,278 Days
• Field of Search: 24/31, 24/31.3, 243/00, 243/01, 243/02, 241/145, 182/3, 428/917, 428/690, 313/498, 313/483, 362/84, 362/103, 362/104, 362/105, 362/106, 362/107, 362/108, 362/190, 362/191, 362/198, 362/217.01, 362/219, 362/223, 362/217.08, 362/249.04, 362/249.08, 362/249.16, 362/311.02, 362/311.04, 362/311.13, 362/806, 362/217.14, 362/217.16, 362/217.17, 362/249.14, 362/154, 362/362
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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: F41C 33/002 Slings for carrying longguns, e.g. straps attachment of slings F41C23/02; shooting harnesses F41C33/001
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/00 Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00

Abstract

The invention provides conspicuity devices and methods. A first embodiment includes a tool band and an elongate lighting device 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 conspicuity device having a first end and a second end, comprising:

a) an elongate fire resistant non-elastic webbing portion;

b) a fire resistant elastic webbing portion attached to the webbing portion at a first end portion of the non-elastic webbing portion;

c) one of a (i) hook portion or (ii) a loop portion of a hook and loop fastener attached to one of a front and rear face of the elastic webbing portion, and the other portion of the hook and loop fastener being attached to the other of the front and rear face of the non-elastic webbing portion at a second end portion of the non-elastic webbing portion to permit the device to be looped around and fastened upon itself;

d) an elongate lighting device including a strip of spaced apart LEDs attached to the conspicuity device having a first end and a second end, the elongate lighting device defining a longitudinal axis bound by the first end and second end and a transverse axis, wherein the elongate lighting device defines a plurality of spaced relatively bright emitting segments proximate the LEDs separated by relatively dimmer emitting segments between the LEDs, the strip of spaced apart LEDs being disposed in a lumen of a polymeric tubular member attached to the webbing, the polymeric tubular member being configured to permit a preselected distribution of light generated by the LEDs to pass through the tubular member having a peak between 480 nm and 520 nm; and

e) a battery pack housing mounted to the elongate fire resistant non-elastic webbing portion via a plurality of fasteners, the battery pack housing including a push button actuator for actuating the LEDs.

2. The conspicuity device of claim 1, wherein the non-elastic webbing portion and the elastic webbing portion are made at least in part from aramid fibers.

3. The conspicuity device of claim 1, including a retroreflective material that in turn includes a plurality of microprismatic reflective elements.

4. The conspicuity device of claim 3, wherein the device includes photoluminescent material.

5. The conspicuity device of claim 4, wherein the photoluminescent material includes strontium aluminate.

6. The conspicuity device of claim 1, further comprising:

a) an extension strap, one of the hook or loop portion being looped through a first buckle of the extension strap onto the back side of the device onto a fastener; and

b) a second buckle disposed at an opposite end of the conspicuity device for mating with the first buckle.

7. The conspicuity device of claim 6, wherein the extension strap includes ethylene propylene diene monomer (“

EPDM”

) rubber.

8. The conspicuity device of claim 7, wherein the first and second buckles are high heat nylon buckles.

9. The conspicuity device of claim 1, wherein the hook and loop fasteners include flame retardant polyurethane.

10. The conspicuity device of claim 1, wherein a loop portion is attached to the second end of the device and a hook portion is attached to the first end of the device.

11. The conspicuity device of claim 10, wherein the loop portion extends from the second end of the device along a back side and a front side of the non-elastic webbing portion.