US20090084304A1

US20090084304A1 - Emergency safety reflector for automotive vehicles

Info

Publication number: US20090084304A1
Application number: US11/904,912
Authority: US
Inventors: William Henry Hatcher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-10-01
Filing date: 2007-10-01
Publication date: 2009-04-02

Abstract

An emergency safety reflector for an automotive vehicle utilized by an individual to visually warn motorists of an accident or vehicle disablement includes a v-shaped orange reflector having a pair of pivotally interconnected arms with a window hook attached to one arm and a pad secured to the other arm so that the emergency safety reflector can be mounted to a vehicle window and for ground placement of the emergency safety reflector the v-shaped orange reflector is attached to a cylindrical tube with the tube being mounted to a cylindrical weighted base so that the v-shaped reflector extends outwardly from the tube and both the tube and the base are composed of an orange colored or coated illuminative and reflective material or covered with an orange reflective tape whereupon one or more emergency safety reflectors can either be mounted to the vehicle window or placed around and about the vehicle to provide maximum advance warning for motorists, especially at night, of a disabled vehicle or upcoming hazardous and dangerous road or highway condition.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to portable reflective devices and markers, and more particularly pertains to a portable illuminative safety reflector that can be mounted to the vehicle or used as a stand-alone safety reflector for placement beside and adjacent the vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

One of the most disconcerting, unnerving and dangerous occurrences for any driver, especially a solitary female driver, is to have the vehicle they are driving experience mechanical troubles and failures, or to be involved in an accident. Since mechanical troubles, vehicle breakdown and disablement, and accidents can occur on any road, from a heavily traveled interstate to a quiet country lane, and at any time of the day or night at any time or season of the year, it is desirable to have the appropriate tools and equipment stored in the vehicle ready for use in such situations. However, most individuals and vehicle owners aren't prepared for such contingencies and don't heed the advice of the AAA or law enforcement regarding the basic safety tools and equipment that should be carried or stored in all vehicles. Indeed, most individuals don't even carry such basic tools such as pliers, a hammer or a ratchet set in their vehicle, let alone extra containers of motor oil, anti-freeze, duct tape, blankets, sand, or safety flares. Thus, when a vehicle does break down the common means to communicate to other drivers that the vehicle is disabled is by tying a towel or cloth to the antenna or hanging the cloth or towel from a rolled-up window. Needless to say, these ad hoc visual communication means fail to convey the seriousness of the situation to travelers and are wholly ineffective at night or in inclement weather. It is thus desirable to have in one's vehicle a more effective warning and emergency device or marker that is effective at night and gives oncoming drivers ample visual warning that a vehicle is on the road or along the road or on the berm, and that there is an accident or a vehicle breakdown or disablement situation, and that all drivers should proceed with caution. Such a warning or emergency device or marker will also alert law enforcement and other public safety officials of the hazardous or dangerous condition that exists on or alongside the road.
For example, the May et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,541) discloses a triangular folding traffic marker that includes a reflective base member and reflective side members that are pivotally attached to the ends of the base member and pivot upward for being fastened together by latching elements.
The Anderson et al. patent (U.S. design Pat. Des. 287,576) discloses a design for an emergency road reflector that includes a tripod stand having a reflector plate pendent from an attachment ring to which the upper ends of the tripod legs are attached.
The Anderson patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,822) discloses a portable warning marker that includes a base member to which an upright plate member is pivotally attached with a pair of transverse wing members being pivotally attached to the plate member.
The Freeman et al. patent (U.S. design Pat. 389,078) discloses a road safety marker that includes three upright legs forming a tripod structure and an illuminative bulb enclosed within a housing that is mounted at the upper end of the tripod structure.
The Chen patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,385 B1) discloses a foldable road warning device that includes a base to which is mounted a triangular-shaped board having reflective material attached thereto, and a pair of plates mounted to the board and extending transverse thereto.
Nonetheless, despite the ingenuity of the above devices, there remains a need for an emergency safety reflector that can either be either mounted to the window of the vehicle or can be used as a stand-alone reflective marker for placement beside and about the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprehends an emergency safety reflector that can be used as a stand-alone unit for placement adjacent and about an automotive vehicle that is broken down or disabled and sitting on the side of the road or on the berm, or the emergency safety reflector can be mounted directly to the vehicle, i.e., specifically to one or more side door windows. The emergency safety reflector thus comprises a dual use function or capability, and, in fact, emergency safety reflectors can be placed about the disabled vehicle and on the vehicle to provide advance visual indication and warning—and advance visual illumination at night—that an automotive vehicle is located on the side of the roadway disabled or broken down. The emergency safety reflector of the present invention thus provides advance warning to drivers, especially at night, to slow down and proceed with caution, and also alerts public safety personnel that an emergency situation or condition exists on the roadway.
The emergency safety reflector of the present invention includes a v-shaped reflector preferably composed of plastic. Specifically, the v-shaped reflector includes a pair of arms pivotally interconnected at their inner ends with each arm also including an opposite free distal end. The arms can themselves be composed of a colored—orange—plastic reflective material, or the arms can be covered with illuminative orange reflective tape. Secured to the inner ends of the arms is a triangular arrow member also preferably composed of an orange reflective plastic material.
The emergency safety reflector includes several mounting or support means for mounting the emergency safety reflector to a vehicle window or for placement of the emergency safety reflector on the ground or road surface about the vehicle. Thus, for mounting the emergency safety reflector to the vehicle window the support means includes a u-shaped window hook attachable to the distal end of one arm and a pad, orange colored or orange covered, mounted to the distal end of the other arm. The window hook includes a slot that slips down over the upper edge of the window and the pad rests against the exterior surface of the window to avoid scratching the window.
In addition, the emergency safety reflector includes a ground mounting means for placement of one or more emergency safety reflectors about and around the vehicle. The ground mounting or ground supporting means includes a cylindrical tube mounted to and projecting upwardly from a cylindrical base with the base filled with a material, such as sand, to maintain the upright position of the emergency safety reflector. Both the base and the tube are preferably composed of an orange-colored plastic material. In order to secure the v-shaped reflector to the tube, a pin is inserted through the distal end of one arm and the tube adjacent the upper end of the tube while the distal end of the other arm is inserted through a rectangular-shaped opening that is adjacent and extends through the lower end of the tube. The reflective capabilities are enhanced in that the v-shaped reflector, the arrow member, the tube, and the base are all composed of a reflective and illuminative orange-colored plastic or plastic-type material, or are covered with an orange reflective tape.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an emergency safety reflector that can be mounted to the window of a vehicle or can be used as a stand-alone unit and placed beside and about the vehicle to visibly indicate an emergency condition on or alongside the roadway or highway.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide an emergency safety reflector that can be used day or night to visibly indicate an emergency condition.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an emergency safety reflector that can be easily folded up and stored in the glove compartment, door panel compartment or trunk of the vehicle.
It is still yet another objective of the present invention to provide an emergency safety reflector that is simple, easy, and quick to set up and use.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide an emergency safety reflector that provides ample visual warning to motorists, especially at night, that an accident, vehicle breakdown, or other dangerous situation is upcoming or ahead, and that motorists should approach and proceed with caution.
These and other objects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a perusal of the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the emergency safety reflector of the present invention illustrating the emergency safety reflector mounted to the window of the vehicle and a number of emergency safety reflectors placed on the road surface or berm about the vehicle;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the emergency safety reflector of the present invention illustrating the placement of one emergency safety reflector on the window of the vehicle and on the road surface or berm about the vehicle;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the emergency safety reflector of the present invention illustrating the placement of one emergency safety reflector on the window of the vehicle and the placement of one emergency safety reflector on the road surface beside the vehicle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the emergency safety reflector of the present invention illustrating the support structure utilized for ground placement of the emergency safety reflector;

FIG. 5 is a partially sectioned side elevational view of the emergency safety reflector of the present invention illustrating some of the internal components that comprise the support structure for ground mounting the emergency safety reflector;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the emergency safety reflector of the present invention illustrating the detachable and foldable capabilities of the emergency safety reflector when used with the ground mounting support structure;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the emergency safety reflector of the present invention illustrating the structural elements that allow the reflector to be mounted to a window of the vehicle;

FIG. 8 is a partial front elevational view of the emergency safety reflector of the present invention illustrating the disposition of the window hook member and the padded member relative to the window for mounting the emergency reflector to the window; and

FIG. 9 is a front elevational view of the emergency safety reflector of the present invention illustrating the foldable capability of the emergency safety reflector for storage and transport.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrated in FIGS. 1-9 is an emergency safety reflector 10 that can be stored and carried within an automotive vehicle, such as the vehicle 12 shown in FIGS. 1-3, and quickly and easily set up for use on a ground or road surface should the driver encounter various driving conditions such as: engine trouble and consequent vehicle breakdown or disablement, a need to pull off the roadway 14 and onto the berm 16 for any of a number of reasons (emergency bathroom stop, directions, etc.), or for a flat tire that must be changed. In all of the examples, one or more emergency roadway markers or signs are essential for providing warning signs or indications to oncoming traffic and motorists of the hazardous and possibly dangerous roadway condition. The present invention provides clear and visible reflective illumination and ample advance warning to all motorists for preventing accidents, and is especially useful in inclement weather and at night when many vehicle breakdowns, accidents, and unplanned road pull-offs occur.
The emergency safety reflector 10 of the present includes several embodiments that allow the device to be both mounted to a side window 18 of the vehicle 12 or placed about and around the vehicle 12 with one or more emergency safety reflectors 10 placed alongside the road 14 and/or on the berm 16 to visually indicate and warn motorists that the vehicle 12 is parked and stopped and that caution should be exercised in approaching and moving past the vehicle 12.
Illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 and 7-9 is an embodiment for the emergency safety reflector 10 for mounting the safety reflector 10 to one—or more—windows 18 of the vehicle 12. The emergency safety reflector 10 includes a v-shaped reflector 20 preferably composed of an orange-colored plastic material. The v-shaped reflector 20 can alternatively be covered with reflective and illuminative orange tape. The v-shaped reflector 20 includes a pair of arms 22, and each arm 22 includes an inner end 24 and an opposite distal end 26. A pivot pin 28 pivotally interconnects the arms 22 at their respective inner ends 24. In addition, an arrow member 30 is secured to the arms 22 at their inner ends 24. More specifically, the arrow member 30 includes an internal slot 32 into which the inner ends 24 of the arms 22 fit with the internal slot 32 having a width that allows the arms 22 to pivot and open up for window 18 mounting and for ground mounting as will be hereinafter further explained. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 7-9, the pivot pin 28 extends through the inner ends 24 of both arms 22 and through the arrow member 30 thereby fixing the arms 22 to the arrow member 30. The arrow member 30 is preferably composed of a reflective orange-colored plastic material to provide for a visually distinct advance warning marking or sign.
In order to facilitate the mounting of the v-shaped reflector 20 to the window 18, an attachable and detachably removable window mounting means includes a u-shaped window hook 34 that is secured to the distal end 26 of one arm 22. The window hook 34 includes a slot 36 that slips onto and over the upper edge of the partially rolled down window 18 (which can then be rolled up to firmly fix the window hook 34 in position). FIG. 7 shows the window hook 34 as permanently fixed to the distal end 26 of one arm 22. The window hook 34 can also include a window hook passageway 38, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, into which the distal end 26 of one arm 22 is insertable therein and removable therefrom to provide for the capability of detaching and attaching the arm 22 to the window hook 34, and, by extension, attaching and detaching the v-shaped reflector 20 to the window hook 34. The insertion and attachment would preferably be by a press-fit. In addition, the distal end 26 of the other arm 22 has attached thereto a soft square-shaped pad 40 that contacts the exterior surface of the window 18 and prevents the exterior window surface from being scratched or marred. The pad 40, which can be of a rubber material, is either covered with an orange tape or coated and colored orange so that all components of the v-shaped reflector 20—the arms 22, the arrow member 30, and the pad 40—are orange colored for maximizing visibility, especially at night or for inclement weather. The arms 22 of the v-shaped reflector 20 can easily be folded to the position shown in FIG. 9 for compactly and efficiently storing the v-shaped reflector 20 in the glove compartment of the vehicle 12 or even in an interior door panel compartment. The window hook 34 and the pad 40 comprise, in effect, the window mounting means for the v-shaped reflector 20.
FIGS. 1-6 illustrate the ground placement or mounting embodiment or means for the emergency safety reflector 10, and, more specifically, the embodiment that combines the v-shaped reflector 20 with support structure to facilitate and provide for ground mounting or placement of the emergency safety reflector 10 adjacent and alongside the vehicle 12. The ground placement support structure includes a cylindrical base 42 having an upper surface 44 and an opposite lower surface 46. Affixed to the lower surface 46 of the base 42 is a cylindrical pad 48 having a diameter slightly smaller than that of the base 42. The base 42 is hollow and thus defines an internal cavity 50 to which access is gained by removing a plug 52 that seats in a base opening 54 formed on the upper surface 44. In order to enhance the stability of the emergency safety reflector 12, and especially the v-shaped reflector 20, the plug 52 is removed and then a dense material, such as sand 56, is poured into the internal cavity 50, and after the cavity 50 is sufficiently filled the plug 52 is then seated in the base opening 54 sealing off the cavity 50 and keeping the sand 56 within the base 42. The weighted base 42 prevents the safety reflector 10 from falling over or being blown over.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4-6, a support socket 58 is centrally located and mounted to the upper surface 44 of the base 42, and extends a slight distance upwardly from the upper surface 44. Attachable to and detachable from the support socket 58 is a cylindrical tube 60. The tube 60 includes an upper tube end 62 and a lower tube end 64, with the lower end 64 receivable within the support socket 58 and detachable or removable from the socket 58. An aperture 66 extends through the tube 60 adjacent the upper end 62 and a rectangular-shaped opening 68 extends through the tube 60 adjacent the lower end 64. The rectangular-shaped opening 68 is sized to receive the distal end 26 of one of the arms 22 of the v-shaped-reflector 20 as part of the process of attaching and securing the v-shaped reflector 20 to the tube 60. An orange-colored cap 70 is mounted to the upper end 62 of the tube 60. It should be noted that the weighted base 42 and the tube 60 that is removably attachable to the base 42 are both coated or covered with orange reflective material that can be orange reflective paint or orange reflective tape or are manufactured from an plastic material that is orange colored.
As shown in FIGS. 4-6, to set up the emergency safety reflector 10 for ground disposition the lower end 64 of the tube 60 is inserted into the support socket 58 and the distal end 26 of one arm 22 is inserted through the rectangular-shaped opening 68 adjacent the lower end 64 of the tube 60. An attachment pin 72 extends through the distal end 26 of the other arm 22, and through the aperture 66 at the upper end 62 of the tube 60, for fixing the distal end 26 of this arm 22 to the tube 60. The attachment pin 72 can be adapted and designed for removal so that the v-shaped reflector 20 can be completely removed from the tube 60 for foldable storage when not in use. In order to store the v-shaped reflector 20 with one arm 22 still secured to the upper end 62 of the tube 60 one simply lifts the tube 60 up out of the support socket 58, as shown in FIG. 6, thereby detaching and removing tube 60 from base 42, and pulls or withdraws the distal end 26 of the other (free) arm 22 back through the rectangular-shaped opening 68. This allows the v-shaped reflector 20 to be folded alongside the length of the tube 60, as shown in FIG. 6, for compact storage. The base 42 can be stored in the trunk of the vehicle 12 to insure that if any sand 56 spills out of the cavity 50 of the base 42, the sand 56 doesn't spill in the passenger compartment of the vehicle 12.
Thus, the emergency safety reflector 10 includes the v-shaped reflector 20, and the v-shaped reflector 20 can be combined with and include either the window mounting means, the ground mounting or placement means, or both in one use as shown in FIGS. 1-3. In essence, the emergency safety reflector 10 of the present invention is a dual use or purpose safety and warning system wherein the v-shaped reflector 20 can be mounted to the window 18 (one or more) of the vehicle 12 and combined with and attached to the ground support structure—the base 42 and tube 60—for providing maximum warning to travelers and motorists in all weather conditions and during both daytime and nighttime. Thus, in FIGS. 1-3, four emergency safety reflectors 12 are utilized with one v-shaped reflector 20 being mounted to the window 18—the driver side window—of the vehicle 12 and extending or projecting laterally or outwardly therefrom but not so far as to be a roadway obstruction or danger. In addition, three v-shaped reflectors 20 are attached to support tubes 60, and laterally extend outwardly away from the vertically upright tubes 60, with the tubes 60 being mounted to the sand-filled bases 42 for stationary placement and disposition about the vehicle 12.
Although several embodiments of this invention have been described with particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example only and that numerous changes, alterations, modifications and variations in the detailed construction and the combination and arrangement of parts and components may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. An emergency safety reflector for mounting to a window of a vehicle and on a road or berm adjacent and about the vehicle, comprising:

a v-shaped reflector;

the v-shaped reflector including a pair of arms with each arm including an inner end and an opposite distal end;

an arrow member secured to the inner ends of the arms;

the inner ends of the arms pivotally secured to the arrow member so that the arms can be selectively opened for use and closed for storage;

means for attaching and detaching the v-shaped reflector to the window of the vehicle;

the means for attaching and detaching the v-shaped reflector including a u-shaped window hook secured to the distal end of one arm and a pad attached to the distal end of the other arm;

the window hook including a slot that slips onto the upper edge of the window for attaching the v-shaped reflector thereto and is slipped off of the upper edge of the window for removing the v-shaped reflector; and

whereupon the arms are pivoted and opened so that the window hook can be attached to the window and the pad can be placed against the window thereby mounting the v-shaped reflector to the window so that the v-shaped reflector extends laterally from the window for providing a visible safety and emergency traffic warning marker.

2. The emergency safety reflector of claim 1 wherein the arms of the v-shaped reflector can be folded together for storage of the v-shaped reflector.

3. The emergency safety reflector of claim 2 wherein the arms and the arrow member of the v-shaped reflector are composed of a reflective orange-colored plastic material.

4. An emergency safety reflector for mounting to a window of a vehicle and on a road and berm adjacent and alongside the vehicle, comprising:

a v-shaped reflector;

an arrow member secured to the inner ends of the arms;

the inner ends of the arms pivotally secured to the arrow member so that the arms can be selectively opened and closed;

means for mounting the v-shaped reflector on the road and berm adjacent and alongside the vehicle including a base and a cylindrical tube removably attachable to the base;

the tube including an opening through which the distal end of one arm can be inserted for securing that arm to the tube;

the distal end of the other arm being pivotally secured to the tube; and

whereupon the arms are opened so that the distal end of one arm can be inserted into the opening for securement to the tube and the tube is attachable to the base for disposing the v-shaped reflector in a lateral disposition relative to the tube with the base placed on the road and berm adjacent and alongside the vehicle thereby providing a visible safety and emergency traffic warning marker.

5. The emergency safety reflector of claim 4 wherein the base includes an upper surface, an opposite lower surface and an internal cavity.

6. The emergency safety reflector of claim 5 wherein the base is cylindrical-shaped.

7. The emergency safety reflector of claim 6 wherein the internal cavity can be filled with a dense material like sand for weighting down the base.

8. The emergency safety reflector of claim 7 further comprising a cylindrical pad affixed to the lower surface and having a diameter equivalent to or slightly less than the base.

9. The emergency safety reflector of claim 8 wherein the cylindrical tube includes an upper tube end and an opposite lower tube end.

10. The emergency safety reflector of claim 9 further comprising an orange-colored cap mounted to the upper tube end of the tube.

11. The emergency safety reflector of claim 10 wherein the cylindrical tube is composed of an orange-colored plastic material.

12. The emergency safety reflector of claim 11 wherein the base is composed of an orange-colored plastic material.

13. The emergency safety reflector of claim 12 wherein the base includes a socket centrally located on the upper surface of the base and sized to insertably receive therein the lower tube end of the tube.

14. An emergency safety reflector for mounting to a window of a vehicle and on a road and berm adjacent and about the vehicle, comprising:

a v-shaped reflector;

an arrow member secured to the inner ends of the arms; and

the inner ends of the arms pivotally secured to the arrow member so that the arms can be selectively opened for use and closed for storage.

15. The emergency safety reflector of claim 14 further comprising a means for attaching and detaching the v-shaped reflector to the window of the vehicle.

16. The emergency safety reflector of claim 15 wherein the means for attaching and detaching the v-shaped reflector includes a u-shaped window hook attached to the distal end of one arm and a pad attached to the distal end of the other arm.

17. The emergency safety reflector of claim 15 further comprising a means for mounting the v-shaped reflector on the road and the berm adjacent and alongside the vehicle.

18. The emergency safety reflector of claim 17 wherein the means for mounting the v-shaped reflector on the road and berm includes a base and a cylindrical tube attachably removable to the base.

19. The emergency safety reflector of claim 18 wherein the v-shaped reflector is attachable to the tube for lateral extension therefrom and then the base is placed on the road or the berm so that the v-shaped reflector, the tube and the base thereby provide a visible safety and emergency traffic warning marker.