Abstract:
An emergency response locator beacon comprising: a first enclosure to house a plurality of electrical circuitry components; a strobe light protruding through a front surface of said first enclosure in electrical communication with said plurality of electrical components; means connected to an activation switch in electrical communication with said plurality of electrical components; and means to removably attach said first enclosure and said carrier when coupled to a desired support structure.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of the filing date of Provisional Application No. 61/358,017 filed Jun. 24, 2010. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to emergency distress beacons. More particularly, it relates to a portable emergency response beacon which can used in a venue wherein an emergency situation is unfolding for the purpose of assisting emergency responders, such as police officers, firemen and EMTs to quickly and effectively locate the venue thereby preventing unnecessary loss of life. 
         [0004]    2. Prior Art 
         [0005]    The development and implementation of the 911 emergency response system has saved countless lives across the United States. The ability to pick up any telephone at any location and reach emergency personnel within seconds has saved lives from fire, sudden illnesses, and acts of violence. Communities with enhanced 911 systems also have the advantage of the emergency personnel knowing the address of the dialing party even if the person cannot talk. These features have led to decreased response time and a corresponding increase in saved lives. 
         [0006]    However, while maps, response plans and GPS locators can get the emergency personnel to the general location or venue of the emergency in a quick manner, the emergency personnel must still look at street addresses to find the actual home or building wherein the emergency is unfolding. This is particularly difficult task when the emergency personnel who are responding with speed and alacrity are not familiar or otherwise knowledgeable with the geography of the area. Further it is a task which becomes even more difficult once darkness has set in, inclement weather is in place, or rural locations are overgrown with brush and contain roads that are difficult to traverse. As a result, many precious minutes are lost when the home or building cannot be located or the wrong location is entered. Accordingly, there is a need for a simple, quick and accessible means by which emergency response personnel can quickly locate a home or building that has requested emergency services through the 911 emergency response system. The development of the present invention fulfills this need. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a a simple, quick, and accessible means for use by a third party or the victim during an emergency situation. 
         [0008]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a simple, quick, and accessible means by which emergency response personnel can quickly locate a home or building that has requested emergency services through the 911 emergency. response system. 
         [0009]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an emergency response locator beacon to aid emergency personnel in locating residences or other structures when responding to a 911 call or other emergency. A primary component of the apparatus is at least one LED strobe light that is activated by a pull cord, a pull key, a remote control, or unit mounted switch. It is intended to be located by the front door, window, or porch of the structure or residence requiring assistance. The strobe light is activated immediately after calling for help, such that responding emergency crews can quickly find the location during day or night. The strobe light is of a low-voltage, high intensity design that is visible for great distances even through fog, rain, or other inclement weather. The strobe light may be optionally powered by long life batteries allowing the apparatus to work when the AC power is out or at remote locations where power is not available. It is envisioned that the apparatus be provided as. part of a first aid kit or could even be modified to automatically activate as part of an alarm, panic, elderly, or handicapped assistance system. The use of the present invention allows emergency response personnel to locate homes or buildings requiring emergency assistance in a manner that quick, easy and effective. 
         [0010]    These and other objects, advantages, features, and characteristics of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment, considered along with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    It is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the numerals represent identical elements and wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of an emergency response locator beacon  10  affixed onto a carrier  20 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective rear view of the emergency response locator beacon  10  affixed onto the carrier  20 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective front view of the carrier  20 , according to the preferred embodiment  10  of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3   b  is a perspective rear view of the carrier  20 , according to the preferred embodiment  10  of the present invention; and, 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a perspective front view of a remote activator  40  for the emergency response locator beacon  10 , according to the preferred embodiment  10  of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a front plan view of the second embodiment of the emergency response locator beacon  10 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a side plan view of a second embodiment of the emergency response locator beacon  10 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is one plan side view of the cover taken along the A-A axis, as used in the second embodiment of the emergency response locator beacon  10 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is another plan side view of the cover taken along the B-B′ axis, as used in the second embodiment of the emergency response locator beacon  10 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  Top plan view of the front face of the PC board as used in the second embodiment of the emergency response locator beacon  10 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  Top plan view of the back face of the PC board as used in the second embodiment of the emergency response locator beacon  10 . 
       
    
    
     LIST OF ELEMENTS AND THEIR RESPECTIVE IDENTIFYING NUMERALS 
       [0023]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 NO 
                 ELEMENT 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                  10 
                 Emergency response locator beacon 
               
               
                   
                  11 
                 First enclosure 
               
               
                   
                  12 
                 Strobe Light 
               
               
                   
                  13 
                 Pull ring 
               
               
                   
                  14 
                 Power switch 
               
               
                   
                  15 
                 Indicia 
               
               
                   
                  16 
                 battery cover 
               
               
                   
                  17 
                 charge status light 
               
               
                   
                  18 
                 hook fastening strip 
               
               
                   
                  19 
                 pull cord or pull key 
               
               
                   
                  20 
                 carrier 
               
               
                   
                  21 
                 Body 
               
               
                   
                  22 
                 suction cup 
               
               
                   
                  23 
                 hanger connection 
               
               
                   
                  24 
                 hanger 
               
               
                   
                  26 
                 loop fastening strip 
               
               
                   
                  31 
                 light-emitting diode 
               
               
                   
                  40 
                 remote activator 
               
               
                   
                  41 
                 second enclosure 
               
               
                   
                  42 
                 “on” button 
               
               
                   
                  43 
                 “off” button 
               
               
                   
                  44 
                 signal light 
               
               
                   
                  45 
                 carrying cord 
               
               
                   
                  46 
                 carrying ring 
               
               
                   
                 100 
                 Body portion 
               
               
                   
                 102 
                 Front face of Body Portion 
               
               
                   
                 104 
                 Back face of Body Portion 
               
               
                   
                 106 
                 Hole(s) or aperture(s) for LED(s) 
               
               
                   
                 108 
                 Hole(s) or aperture(s) for suction cups of hanging chain 
               
               
                   
                 110 
                 Slot(s) 
               
               
                   
                 112 
                 PC board 
               
               
                   
                 114 
                 PC Board front face 
               
               
                   
                 116 
                 PC Board back face 
               
               
                   
                 118 
                 LED light(s) 
               
               
                   
                 120 
                 Spring brass actuator 
               
               
                   
                 122 
                 Cover 
               
               
                   
                 124 
                 Elongated hooked flanges 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0024]    The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiments, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4  and  FIGS. 5 through 10 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and the particular configurations are being shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
         [0025]    The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. The present invention describes an emergency response locator beacon (herein  20  described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for rescue personnel to quickly and readily locate an emergency site. Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective front view of the apparatus  10 , according to one of the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a first enclosure  11 , a strobe light  12 , a pull ring  13 , a charge status light  17 , and a pull cord  19 . The interior portion of the first enclosure  11  comprises a system of electronics and a long life battery which provide the means by which the operation of the strobe light  12  is controlled and powered. The strobe light  12  comprises a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LED&#39;s)  31  which provide a low-voltage high-intensity pulsating light beam intended to attract the immediate attention of the rescue personnel and marks the site of the emergency. 
         [0026]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective rear view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a power switch  14 , indicia  15  in the form of user instructions  15 , a battery cover  16 , and a plurality of hook fastening strips  18 . The enclosure  11  is depicted as attached to a carrier  20  intended to provide the means to removably secure the apparatus  10  onto a structure or a vehicle, thereby marking the location of the emergency. 
         [0027]    Referring now to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , perspective views of the carrier  20 , according to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus  10  of the present invention, are disclosed. The carrier  20  provides the apparatus  10  with the means to be readily attached onto a structure, such as, but not limited to the interior portion of a window pane or a door window by the use of a pair of suction cups  22  or alternately a hanger  24 . The envisioned removable mounting of the suction cups  22  onto the body  21  allows the pair to be installed in a reverse rear facing configuration if it is anticipated that an outside fastening location is preferable. The body  21  of the carrier  20  is made of a clear plastic material to allow the indicia  15  to remain visible for a user. The suction cups  22  are each removably fastened onto the body  21  by means of threaded studs. Additionally, the carrier  20  comprises a hanger connection  23  and a hanger  24  which allow the apparatus  10  to be suspended from an overhead feature of the structure as an alternate mounting feature. The rear portion of the first enclosure  11  is securely fastened onto the front portion of the body  21  of the carrier  20  by the connection of the plurality of hook fastening strips  18  onto a corresponding plurality of loop fastening strips  26  comprised within the face portion of the body  21 . 
         [0028]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a perspective front view of the remote activator  40 , according to the preferred embodiment of the apparatus  10  of the present invention, is disclosed. The remote activator  40  comprises a second enclosure  41 , an “on” button  42 , an “off” button  43 , a signal light  44 , a carrying cord  45  and a carrying ring  46 . The strobe light  12  can be activated by either sliding the power switch  14  onto the “on” position, grasping the pull-ring  19  and pulling the pull-cord  19 , or pushing the “on” button of the remote activator  40 . The strobe light  12  is turned off by either sliding the power switch  14  onto the “off” position or pushing the “off” button of the remote  40  which generates and transmits a signal which provides the ceasing of power to the strobe light  12 . The carrying cord  45  and carrying ring  46  assembly is permanently and securely fastened onto the second enclosure  40  and allows the remote activator to be either carried in a variety of manners on the person of the user, or to be suspended onto a visible and easily accessible member within a structure or a vehicle. A signal light  44  is lit to alert a remote and disabled user that the strobe light is activated. 
         [0029]    An alternative embodiment of the present invention  10  comprises an enhanced electronic system which includes the capability to broadcast an emergency radio frequency and emit an audio signal as an additional aid in pinpointing an emergency location under adverse conditions wherein the strobe light  12  may not be readily visible, such as, but not limited to a vehicle buried within a snow drift, a vehicle having been uncontrollably propelled into a location outside of a line-of-sight, or the strobe light  12  has been remotely activated by a disabled victim who is rendered unable to install the apparatus  10  in a visible location. 
         [0030]    Yet another embodiment of the present invention  10 , as shown in  FIGS. 5-10  comprises a body portion  100  having a front face  102  and a back face  104 . Said body portion  102  has a portion defining at least one hole or aperture  106  for use with the strobe light  12 . Optionally, said body portion  100  has a portion defining a plurality of holes or apertures  106  for use with the strobe light  12 . In addition said body portion  100  has a portion defining at least one hole  108  through which a least one suction cups  22  is removably fastened on the front face  102  by means of threaded studs or alternatively a hanging chain is threaded and supported therefrom. Finally, said body  100  may have a portion defining at least two slots  110 . 
         [0031]    Fixedly attached to the back face  104  of the body  100  is a PC board  112  having a PC Board front face  114  and a PC Board back face  116 . The PC Board front face  114  is provided with at least one electronic circuit, which in turn is provided with at least one LED light  118  which forms the strobe light  12  and protrudes though the at least one hole  106  to extend above and jut out from the front face  102  of the body  100 . Optionally, the 
         [0032]    PC Board front face  114  is provided with at least one electronic circuit, which in turn is provided with a plurality of LED Lights  114  which protrude though the plurality of holes or apertures  106  and extend beyond and jut out from the surface of the front face  102  of the body  100 . The PC Board  112  is further provided with a power source as for example a nine volt battery. The PC Board back face  104  is provided with a spring brass actuator  120  having two arms tensioned to be biased towards each other. The spring brass actuator  120  is maintained in the open position with a pull key  19  inserted between the spring brass actuator  120 ′s two self biasing arms. Upon withdrawal of the pull key  19  from in between the spring brass actuator&#39;s two self-biasing arms , the spring brass actuator  120 &#39;s self biasing arms come together to close the circuit on the PC board  112 , thereby allowing current to flow through the circuit to activate the LED lights. Such lights once activated flash with such strength and frequency that they create a strobe light  12  and permit the apparatus  10  to act as a beacon. The entire PC board  112  together with its power source and most of the shaft of the pull key  19  are covered and protected by a cover  122 . The cover  122  is provided with at least two elongated flanges  124  which can be inserted and securely but removably locked into the slots  110  in the body  100 . The head of the pull key  19  extends beyond the edge of the PC board, outside the cover  122  and beyond the outer perimeter of the body  100  such that it is readily visible, can be easily accessed and pulled to activate the strobe light  12 , when and if the need arises. 
         [0033]    The foregoing embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After a prior assembly of the apparatus  10  as indicated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and immediately following the occurrence of an emergency and an initial  911  call as indicated in the indicia  15 , the method of utilizing the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps in rapid succession: choosing a most visible location for displaying the apparatus  10 ; activating the strobe light  12  by means of either the power switch  14  the pull cord or pull key  19 , or the remote unit  40 ; affixing the apparatus  10  onto the chosen location; firmly pushing the suction cups  22  in place or securing the hanger  24  onto an appropriate member of the structure or the vehicle; attending to the needs of the victim until the arrival of rescue personnel; turning the strobe light  12  off after arrival of the rescue personnel as for example by inserting the pull key back into the apparatus thereby preventing the spring brass actuator from closing the circuit; rendering whatever assistance the rescue personnel needs; depending on the design, recharging or replacing the battery in order to ensure a full charge for a subsequent reuse of the apparatus  10 ; and, returning the apparatus  10  to its visible and easily accessible storing location. 
         [0034]    The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.