Conspicuity devices and methods

• US 9,775,391 B1
• Filed: 04/20/2015
• Issued: 10/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CSC Group, LLC
• Original Assignee: CSC Group, LLC
• Inventors: Gonzalez, Joseph A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sember, Thomas M
• Application Number:
  US14/691,193
• Time in Patent Office: 897 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 13/01 with reflective or luminous safety means visible signalling arrangements G08B5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A41D 19/0157 with luminous or reflective means protective garments with reflective or luminous safety means A41D13/01
• CPC Class Codes: A45C 13/30 Straps; Bands
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 45/04 the devices being intended to indicate the vessel or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B68B 1/00 Devices in connection with harness, for hitching, reining, training, breaking or quietening horses or other traction animals devices of this kind combined with traction harness B68B3/00; stable equipment A01K1/00; devices forming part of a vehicle B62C
• 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: C09K 11/643 with alkaline earth metals
• 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 31/005 Sealing arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/00 Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0008 Clothing or clothing accessories, e.g. scarfs, gloves or belts
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0076 Safety or security signalisation, e.g. smoke or burglar alarms, earthquake detectors; Self-defence devices
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 33/0084 Hand tools; Toolboxes
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• 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 1/00 Personal protection gear shields for personal use F41H5/08; footwear for use in minefields A43B3/0026; for protection against chemical warfare A62B
• CPC Class Codes: F41H 13/00 Means of attack or defence not otherwise provided for details of radar or sonar systems G01S7/00
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 2/00 : Reflecting targets, e.g. radar-reflector targets; Active targets transmitting electromagnetic or acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: F41J 2/02 : Active targets transmitting infrared radiation

Abstract

The invention provides conspicuity devices and methods. A first embodiment includes a glove with at least one elongate lighting device adapted and configured to admit light having an advantageous spectral energy distribution. Additional articles of clothing are provided herein for enhanced conspicuity, such as for emergency workers and athletes.

Claims

1. A wearable glove for enhancing conspicuity of a user, including a fabric body defining an interior volume for a wearer'"'"'s hand;

and a plurality of elongate lighting devices attached to an exterior of the fabric body along an outside facing surface of the glove along a plurality of fingers of the glove, each of the plurality of elongate lighting devices defining a longitudinal axis bound by a first end and a second end and a transverse axis, wherein the plurality of elongate lighting devices define a plurality of spaced relatively bright emitting segments separated by relatively dimmer emitting segments.

2. The glove of claim 1, wherein the glove includes at least one exterior outwardly facing region including polymeric material that includes a plurality of microprismatic reflective elements integrally bonded to the polymeric material.

3. The glove of claim 1, further including photoluminescent retroreflective material disposed on an exterior surface of the glove.

4. The glove of claim 3, wherein the photoluminescent retroreflective material is charged by exposure to ultraviolet light.

5. The glove of claim 4, wherein the photoluminescent retroreflective material includes strontium aluminate.

6. The glove of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elongate lighting devices are housed in a water resistant elongate encasement along their length.

7. The glove of claim 6, wherein the water resistant elongate encasement includes an elongate polymeric tubular member.

8. The glove of claim 7, wherein the elongate polymeric tubular member includes photoluminescent material embedded therein.

9. The glove of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elongate lighting devices include an electroluminescent lighting element.

10. The glove of claim 1, wherein the plurality of elongate lighting devices include a plurality of LED lighting elements.

11. An article of clothing for enhancing conspicuity of an emergency worker, comprising a fabric shell defining an interior volume for surrounding a body part of a user, and a plurality of elongate lighting devices attached to an exterior of the fabric shell along a plurality of directions on the exterior of the fabric shell, each of the plurality of elongate lighting devices defining a longitudinal axis bound by a first end and a second end and a transverse axis, wherein the plurality of elongate lighting devices define a plurality of spaced relatively bright emitting segments separated by relatively dimmer emitting segments.

12. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the article of clothing includes at least one exterior outwardly facing region including polymeric material that includes a plurality of microprismatic reflective elements integrally bonded to the polymeric material.

13. The article of clothing of claim 11, further including photoluminescent retroreflective material disposed on the article of clothing that is charged by exposure to ultraviolet light.

14. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the article of clothing is firefighter turnout gear.

15. The article of clothing of claim 14, wherein the photoluminescent retroreflective material includes strontium aluminate.

16. The article of clothing of claim 11, wherein the plurality of elongate lighting devices are housed in a water resistant elongate encasement along their length.

17. The article of clothing of claim 16, wherein the water resistant elongate encasement includes an elongate polymeric tubular member.

18. The article of clothing of claim 17, wherein the elongate polymeric tubular member includes photoluminescent material embedded therein.