Illumination – With wearing apparel or body support – Shoulder suspension or torso encircling
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-10
2001-02-27
O'Shea, Sandra (Department: 2875)
Illumination
With wearing apparel or body support
Shoulder suspension or torso encircling
C362S103000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06193385
ABSTRACT:
The present invention relates to illuminated safety devices. More particularly, the present invention relates to reusable safety lights that can be used as hand-held signaling devices or can easily be installed on and removed from objects and individuals for use in highlighting the object or individual in situations where visibility is critical.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Among individuals who work in situations where visibility is critical such as traffic control officers, highway construction crews, railroad and airport personnel, and emergency personnel, it is a common practice to use visibility enhancement devices such as illuminated vests, belts and armbands. Additionally, visibility enhancement devices are often worn by joggers and bikers. These vests, belts and armbands are typically made of fluorescent colors such as orange, yellow, pink or lime green and can include reflective strips and/or luminescent technology devices.
The reflective strips and luminescent technology devices are generally sewn into the safety vests, belts and armbands. However, problems arise when the luminescent devices need to be serviced. When these devices are affixed by sewing or similar means, it is often very difficult to remove them for routine maintenance. Thus, the vests, belts and armbands must be replaced or repaired at only significant cost. Furthermore, conventional luminescent devices are expensive and easily damaged.
Accordingly, there is a need for a removable, reusable safety light that can be easily replaced and serviced without having to replace the entire vest, belt or armband.
It is also a common practice to use hand-held illuminated safety lights for directing traffic in and around hazards. Such hand-held safety lights typically comprise a conventional flashlight with a fluorescent-colored cone attached to the lighted end of the flashlight. The fluorescent cone is illuminated by an incandescent bulb mounted in the flashlight to form a hand-held signaling device.
One problem with the hand-held signaling devices of the prior art is that they are not protected from damage caused by environmental hazards and shock. Another problem with prior art signaling devices is that they are bulky and rigid, which makes them difficult to store in a pocket between uses.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved hand-held safety light, and for a protective jacket to protect the safety light from damage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other needs are satisfied by the removable, reusable safety light of the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, a safety light is disclosed that comprises an illuminatable light strip and a protective jacket for holding the light strip. The protective jacket can also be used for removably mounting the safety light to an object or the clothing of an individual.
The illuminatable light strip comprises a microlight section and a control circuitry section. The microlight section includes a plurality of microlights, such as light-emitting diodes or small incandescent bulbs, connected together in parallel by flexible electrical lead wires and encased in a weather and shock-resistant microlight protective housing.
The control circuitry section includes control circuitry and a power source housed in a weather-resistant plastic protective housing that is affixed to one end of the microlight protective housing. The control circuitry is configured for controlling the electrical operation of the light strip. Preferably, the control circuitry comprises control electronics mounted on a printed circuit board.
The light strip can be operated in a variety of different modes, as determined by the control circuitry. For example, the light strip can be continuously illuminated when turned on, or it can be configured to blink at various intervals or in various patterns. A switch connected to the control circuitry can control selection of the mode of operation.
The light strip is configured to fit within the protective jacket. The protective jacket comprises a base and cover operably connected together to form a sleeve with an opening for inserting and removing the light strip.
In one embodiment, the safety light can be configured for affixation to the clothing of an individual or to an object. In this embodiment, the base includes an inner reflective surface and an outer mounting surface. The inner reflective surface is configured to enhance the illumination of the microlights. The outer mounting surface is configured for removably securing the protective jacket and enclosed light strip to an object or an individual's clothing.
The cover comprises a translucent material having an opening for inserting and removing the light strip from the protective jacket. A flap covering may also be included for closing the cover opening for further water-proofing the protective jacket. The light strip can easily be removed from and replaced into the protective jacket.
In another embodiment, the safety light can be used as a hand-held signaling device. In this embodiment, the protective jacket comprises two strips of material operably connected together to form a jacket with an opening for inserting and removing the light strip. Each strip of material comprises a translucent section and a handle section. The strips of material are connected together such that the translucent sections match up with each other to form a translucent pocket and the handle sections match up with each other to form a handle.
Preferably, the handle comprises two flaps having fastening means for fastening the flaps around the control circuitry section. The flaps are sized longer than the control circuitry protective housing such that portions of the two flaps extend past the control circuitry protective housing. Between the two flaps is an opening into which the light strip can be inserted into the protective jacket.
Fastening means, such as hook and loop fasteners, are positioned on the inner surface of each flap with a hook fastener on one flap and a mating loop fastener on the other flap such that the hook and loop fasteners on the portions of the flaps that extend past the control circuitry protective housing mate with each other to hold the light strip in place. Hook and loop fasteners are also included on the control circuitry protective housing such that hook fasteners on the control circuitry protective housing mate with loop fasteners on the flaps or vice versa, further holding the light strip in place.
Alternatively, the protective jacket completely envelops the light strip. The opening is positioned at the translucent/handle section border on one side of the jacket. The inner surfaces of the handle section include fastening means, such as hook and loop fasteners, which are configured for securing the inner surfaces of the handle section together.
Preferably, each side of the control circuitry protective housing includes a fastening means, such as hook and loop fasteners, complementary to the inner surface fastening means of the handle section adjacent to that side of the control circuitry protective housing. In this manner, the fastening means on the inner surface of the handle section mates with the fastening means on the control circuitry protective housing, holding the light strip in place within the protective jacket. Furthermore, the fastening means on the inner surfaces of the handle sections mate with each other, closing up the opening in the jacket where the light strip is inserted.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4924362 (1990-05-01), Janko
patent: 5128843 (1992-07-01), Guritz
patent: 5651636 (1997-07-01), Yeh
patent: 5879076 (1999-03-01), Cross
patent: 5934792 (1999-08-01), Camarota
Kwit Scott A.
Maki William M.
Laff Whitesel & Saret
Maklite, L.L.C.
O'Shea Sandra
Sawhney Hargobind S.
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