Abstract:
The present invention is an inexpensive safety tape that can be used in several applications including, but not limited to, the illumination of a disable vehicle on the side of a roadway. The invention consists of few moving parts including a housing, reflective tape and a connecting device that allows the tape to be connected to an object for demarcation. When used with a disable car on the side of a roadway the reflective tape is connected to the vehicle and then deployed behind the vehicle in such a manner that it provides an early warning system to oncoming traffic. Alternatively, the invention can be used with a stand that allows the reflective tape to be used as a temporary barrier or a demarcation device to cord off a given area.

Description:
BACKGROUND  
       [0001]     a) Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     This invention relates to the field of safety devices for improving the visibility of a parked, stranded or disable vehicle, or other obstruction at day or night. The invention also relates to the field of demarcating or cording off a given area for safety or other reasons.  
         [0003]     b) Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     The present invention is directed towards safety devices designed to improve the visibility of an obstruction on the side of a roadway and, more specifically, a disable vehicle in the breakdown lane of a roadway. One of the main problems encountered with obstructions or disable vehicles on the side of the roadway is visibility. Specifically, the ability of an oncoming motorists to sufficiently observe an obstruction or disable vehicle in sufficient time to determine the location of the obstruction or disable vehicle and take steps to avoid the same if necessary. There are a number of different methods to achieve the task of providing an early warning system to oncoming motorists that they are approaching a potential hazard in, or just off, the roadway. Among the methods are flares, reflective safety stickers that adhere to the side of the obstruction, reflective devices permanently attached to the obstruction, safety strips or belts, safety tape that is designed to rap around the obstruction, etc. However, none of these methods are as effective or efficient as the present invention in providing an early warning system to oncoming motorists.  
         [0005]     Flares can be expensive, are only a single use device and when spread out on the roadway do not provide a continuous line of reflection as the present invention&#39;s reflective tape. Safety stickers or belts that attach or adhere to the disable vehicle, or obstruction, are small, difficult to see from a distance and as they are only attached directly to the vehicle do not provide an extra warning as the present invention does by being deployed several feet behind the vehicle. Safety devices that are permanently attached to the vehicle suffer from these same problems. In addition, these devices have the negative effect of being permanently attached to the vehicle thereby taking away some of the aesthetics of the exterior of the vehicle. On the contrary, the present invention is only used temporarily and thus is not a permanent fixture on the vehicle.  
         [0006]     Reflective tapes that are designed to rap around the car suffered from the same above mentioned shortcomings as other devices that are designed to attach to the vehicle only. Also, these tapes are dangerous for the motorist to attach to the vehicle, as one needs to walk around the vehicle to apply the tape thereby requiring the motorist to walk into the travel lane on one side of the car and on the shoulder of the road on the other side of the vehicle. Consequently, the motorist runs the risk of being in the travel lane where there is oncoming traffic and the risk of walking on the unpaved shoulder of the road or highway which is not always the safest or level ground to walk on. The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art as it is designed to be temporary and deployed behind the vehicle or obstruction.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention is a simple yet ingenuous design with few moving parts. The invention consists of mechanically connected reflective means with the preferred embodiment being a reflective tape. Alternative to tape, a lined device such as, but not limited to, a chain, cable, rope or other device that performs the same function could be used. The reflective tape is contained inside a housing. One end of the reflective tape is anchored inside of the housing while the other end of the reflective tape can be attached to a uniquely designed bracket that allows it to be connected to the obstruction or vehicle. Alternatively, the outer end of the reflective tape can contain a loop portion that may be used in conjunction with stands to demark a given area. When the invention is deployed in conjunction with a disable vehicle, or other obstruction, the reflective tape is first affixed to a vehicle, or other obstruction, and then it is deployed behind the vehicle. In the case of a disable vehicle in a breakdown lane of a roadway, the reflective tape is first attached to the vehicle and then is deployed behind the vehicle by the motorist walking away from the car while staying inside the safety of the breakdown lane. Once the reflective tape is fully deployed the housing is placed on the road surface and acts as an anchor to provide sufficient tightness to the reflective tape so that its movement is limited. Alternatively, the housing could be anchored to the car and reflective tape attached to a weighted device that is placed behind the car.  
         [0008]     Once deployed the invention provides the benefit of being a continuous warning signal starting from a distance behind the disable vehicle to the vehicle itself. Consequently, oncoming motorist will have an early warning signal and also be able to track the signal (i.e. the reflective tape) directly to the disable vehicle ensuring that the motorist will be on notice of the direct location of the disable vehicle and be in a position to take steps to avoid the same. All of this is shown in  FIG. 1 .  
         [0009]     Therefore, the invention overcomes the shortcomings of safety devices that only attach to the vehicle itself. Also, as the reflective tape provides a single and continuous signal to the disable vehicle it overcomes the shortcoming of flares that are only dispersed individually along the roadway. In addition, the reflective tape allows the obstruction to be more visible rather than hidden behind the glare created by the flares. Lastly, the deployment of the invention provides the disable motorist with the safety of walking in the breakdown lane as opposed to the risk of entering the travel lane or the unpaved shoulder of the roadway.  
         [0010]     If needed the invention can be used in conjunction with any other obstruction on the side of a roadway. Also, it can be used in conjunction with stands to act as a temporary barrier or a demarcation device to cord off a given area.  
         [0011]     Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide an inexpensive safety device that can be used in conjunction with disabled vehicles on the side of a roadway.  
         [0012]     Another object of this invention is to provide a safety device that can be safety deployed by a disabled motorist.  
         [0013]     A third object of this invention is to provide a device that can be used to safety mark off an obstruction on, or on the side, of a roadway.  
         [0014]     A fourth object of this invention is to provide a safety device that can be easily stored and reused.  
         [0015]     A fifth object of this invention is to provide a safety device that can also be used in other applications such as, but not limited to, a temporary barrier or a demarcation device to cord off a given area.  
         [0016]     Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where,  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention in its deployed position,  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the invention,  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bracket,  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the invention deployed with stands,  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the stand connector,  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the invention connected to a stand connecter,  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a plan view of the invention,  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the stand connector,  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a cut away view of the interior of the housing.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]     Referring to the Figures and more specifically  FIG. 2 , the invention  10  consists of a generally cylindrical housing  12 , a deployment means, supporting retractable feet  18  and mechanically connected reflective means. The mechanically connected reflective means could be any line device such as, but not limited to a tape, chain, cable, rope or other device that performs the same function with the preferred embodiment being a reflective tape  16 . The deployment means could be by different methods such as, but not limited to, a hand crank, spring actuated deployment means similar in design to one used for electrical cords of vacuum cleaners or a spring actuate means used in common tape measures. The preferred embodiment of the deployment means is a hand crank  14 .  
         [0028]     The housing  12  consists of a top portion  50 , a side portion  52  and a bottom portion  54 . The top portion  50  and bottom portion  54  are essentially flat planes that are parallel to each other. The side portion  52  is cylindrical in shape thereby giving the general overall shape of the housing  12 . The side portion  52  is also a means to connect the top portion  50  to the bottom portion  54 . An open slot  20  is disposed in the side portion  52  and is of sufficient size to provide a means to allow the reflective tape  16  to enter and exit the housing  12 . The open slot  20  should not be so large as to let dirt and debris into the housing  12  or onto the reflective tape  16  when the same is deployed in and out of the housing  12 . The open slot  20  is oriented in such a way that it runs perpendicular to both the top portion  50  and the bottom portion  54 . The open slot  20  also provides a means to keep the reflective tape  16  clean.  
         [0029]     The hand crank  14  is disposed in the middle of top portion  50  and runs through the interior of the housing  12  parallel to the side portion  52  and is connected to the bottom portion  54  of the housing  12  (See  FIG. 9 , internal view of housing). The hand crank  14  is connected to the housing  12  in a manner that is similar to a hand crank in a common tape measure. When the invention  10  is not in use the reflective tape  16  is disposed within the housing  12 . The hand crank  14  provides a means to retract the reflective tape  16  into the housing  12 . Alternative to the hand crank  14  a deployment means could be used to deploy the reflective tape  16  from the housing  12  and return the reflective tape  16  to the housing  12 . A number of different methods could be used to create the deployment means. A few examples, but not limited to, are a spring actuated deployment means similar in design to one used for electrical cords of vacuum cleaners or a spring actuate means used in common tape measures.  
         [0030]     The feet  18  are connected to the bottom portion  54  of the housing  12  and provide a means to rest the invention  10  on a given surface when the invention  10  is in use. A number of feet  18  may be used with the preferred embodiment being three. The feet  18  have sharp points so that they may grip the surface that the invention  10  is placed on. When the invention  10  is not in use the feet  18  are designed to fold under the invention  10  for easy storage.  
         [0031]     The reflective tape  16  has a plurality of different reflective colors with the preferred embodiment being two. The reflective tape  16  has a reflective portion  26  of one color and a reflective portion  44  of another color. As an example of one embodiment, the reflective tape  16  can be made out of any common material used for tape with the preferred embodiment being a flexible plastic or other cost effective material. The reflective tape  16  should however be made from material with sufficient strength to withstand the distance that it is deployed without breaking or sagging excessively during use (See  FIG. 1 ). The reflective portions  26  and  44  can be made from any common reflective material with the preferred embodiment being cost effective and practical. The reflective material may be applied to the tape in any manner that is common to the tape industry. One end of the reflective tape  16  is connected to the portion of the hand crank  14  that is disposed within of the housing  12  in a manner similar to that of a common tape measure. The other end of the reflective tape, the exterior end loop  46 , is outside of the housing  12  and can be connected and/or anchored to any device necessary to use the invention  10 . When the invention  10  is used in conjunction with an obstruction on a roadway, the preferred embodiment of the invention  10  has the end loop  46  permanently fixed to the eyelet loop  62  of the bracket  22  (see  FIG. 3 ). When the invention  10  is used in conjunction with free stands, the preferred embodiment of the invention  10  has the end loop  46  free allowing it to be placed over the peg  84  as seen in  FIG. 8 . 0 .  
         [0032]      FIG. 1  displays one example of the invention  10  in its deployed position when it is used in conjunction with day and night visibility marking a stationary obstruction close to the path of moving vehicle, in this case a disable vehicle on the side of a roadway. The disabled car  24  is parked in the breakdown lane  40  that is adjacent to the travel lane  42 . A line  56  that is generally white in color separates the travel lane  42  and the breakdown lane  40 . The travel lane  42  could be a major highway or an ordinary country road. In this application the invention  10  is deployed by first connecting the bracket  22  to the vehicle  24  (See  FIG. 3 ), or other obstruction as the case may be, so that the invention  10  can give warning to travelers traveling in the travel lane  42 . The bracket  22  is immobilized once it is attached to the vehicle  24 . The reflective tape  16  is then deployed from the vehicle  24  a given distance by unwinding the tape from the housing  12 . Once the given distance is achieved the reflective tape  16  is pulled to a sufficient tightness, the feet  18  are deployed, and the invention  10  is rested on the road surface. The housing  12  is of sufficient weight such that its combination with bracket  22  being anchored to the vehicle  24  provides a means to maintain the tightness of the reflective tape  16 . Alternatively, the housing  12  can be attached to the bracket  22  and the end loop  46  is attached to a weighted device that is deployed behind the vehicle. If the housing  12  is used in this manner it need not be weighted. The combination of the housing  12  and the bracket  22  also provide a means to keep the reflective tape  16  elevated off the ground.  
         [0033]     The reflective tape  16  is designed to deploy within the breakdown lane  40 . The reflective tape  16  it placed on the travel lane side of the vehicle  24 , or obstruction, and then deployed behind the vehicle  24  in the direction of the oncoming traffic. The housing  12  is placed on the ground in the breakdown lane  40  behind the vehicle  24 . The housing  12  is placed at a greater distance from the breakdown lane line  56  than the bracket  22  such that the reflective tape  16  is not parallel to the breakdown lane line  56  but creates an angle running across the breakdown lane. Once the reflective tape  16  is deployed as in  FIG. 1  it can be seen from motorists driving in the travel lane  42  and approaching the disable vehicle  24 . At dusk or nighttime an oncoming car&#39;s headlights will illuminate the reflective tape  16  to act as an early warning that there is a broken down vehicle, or other obstruction, in the breakdown lane  40 . During the daytime the reflective tape  16  will act as an additional warning system with its highly visible characteristics.  
         [0034]      FIG. 3  displays the bracket  22  and how it is attached to a car. The bracket  22  consists of main portion  58 , a collar  38 , an eyelet loop  28  and a connecting device  30 . The eyelet loop  28  consists of a stem  60  and a loop portion  62 . The loop portion  62  creates a loop opening  48 . The collar  38  provides a means to connect the eyelet loop  28  to the main portion  58 . The eyelet loop  28  provides a means of connecting the reflective tape  16  to the bracket  22 . The stem  60  of the eyelet loop  28  is disposed within the collar  38  and is affixed in a way so as to allow the eyelet loop  28  to spin freely within the collar  38 . The main portion  58 , the collar  38  and the loop eyelet  28  can be made of any sturdy material with the preferred embodiment being a metal or fiberglass material. The main portion  58  is bent at an angle with the preferred embodiment being a 90-degree bend. The main portion  58  is sufficiently long enough to allow the bracket  22  to be connected to the car while maintaining the reflective tape  16  a safe distance from the car to prevent the same from rubbing on the car. The connecting device  30  is affixed to the base of the main portion  58 .  
         [0035]     The connecting device  30  is designed to secure the bracket  22  to the car. The connecting device  30  is designed to fit in the trunk, or rear opening, door jam of the car. The trunk door jam is that area that is created when one closes the trunk door  34  onto the rubber trunk gasket  36  of the trunk. The closing of the trunk door  34  onto the connecting device  30  and the rubber trunk gasket  36  secures the bracket  22  to the car. When the trunk door  34  is closed the connecting device  30  is dispose between the trunk door  34  and the rubber trunk gasket  36 . The connecting device  30  is made from a soft material so as not to damage the trunk door  34  or the trunk gasket  36 . The preferred embodiment is a pliable rubber material.  
         [0036]     The connecting device  30  may also be used in conjunction with a van, caravan or pickup truck. In the case of a van or caravan the connective device  30  is placed in the jam created by the backdoor of the van or caravan. In the case of a pickup truck the connecting device can be placed in the jam created by the tailgate of the truck. Alternatively the bracket  22  may be secured to a disable vehicle, or other obstruction, using a number of attaching means. One such alternative attaching means, but not limited to this example, is the use of suctions cups  78 . The suction cups  78  may be attached to the rear window of the vehicle or any other adequate smooth surface on the vehicle. With the case of another obstruction the suction cups are simply attached to any flat surface of the obstruction.  
         [0037]     The movement of the eyelet  28  in the collar  38  is necessary for a proper deployment of the reflective tape  16 . When the invention  10  is deployed it is generally level with the trunk lid  34 , as one would generally deploy the invention at one&#39;s waist level. Once the invention  10  is placed on the ground its level drops thereby causing the eyelet loop  28  to rotate clockwise. This rotational movement of the eyelet loop  28  maintains the reflective tape  16  in a flat orientation without it binding or folding. If necessary the eyelet loop  28  allows the invention  10  to be deployed in a 360-degree arc around the bracket.  
         [0038]     Once the emergency is over the invention  10  can be returned to its storage position. One simply picks up to the housing  12  off the ground and winds the reflective tape  16  back into the housing  12  using the hand crank  14 . Once all the reflective tape  16  is disposed in the housing  12  one can remove the bracket  22  from the trunk door jam by simply opening the trunk door lid  34  and removing the bracket  22  from the door jam. The feet  18  are retracted under the housing  12  and the invention  10  is ready for storage.  
         [0039]     An alternative use for the invention  10  is in a deployment to enclose an area for various reasons such as a construction site or a police barricade. In referring to  FIG. 4  through  FIG. 8 , the invention  10  is placed on stands that allow the reflective tape  16  to be elevated off the ground. There are two types of stands depending on the ground surface encountered. A self standing stand  64  can be used on a hard surface and has a weighted base  76  and pointed feet  18 . The weighted base  76  provides a means to keep the stand vertical. On the other hand a soft material stand  66  may be used when soft material is encountered. The soft material stand  66  is simply placed into the soft ground by applying pressure to the foot pegs  74  causing the spike  90  to go into the ground. The spike  90  provides a means to keep the stand vertical. As the invention  10  will be used in conjunction with the stands  64  and  66  the housing  12  does not have to be weighted and the feet  18  do not have to be present on the bottom of the housing  12 . Instead the feet  18  are place on the base  76  of the stand  64 . In the case of the self standing stand  64  no feet are necessary.  
         [0040]     One will deploy the reflective tape  16  in the same manner as the car version but one will used the stands to hold the reflective tape  16  in position. Each stand has a tape connector  70  that accepts that exterior end loop  46  of the reflective tape  16  and provides a means to affix the reflective tape  16  to a given stand (see  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 ). The tape connector  70  consists of a plurality of pegs  80  with the preferred embodiment being four. The pegs  80  provide a means to secure both the reflective tape  16  and housing  12  to the tape connector  70 . In the preferred embodiment there is a return  84  that is in a 90-degree relation to the main portion of the two of the pegs  80 . The return  84  of a given peg  80  is in orientation with another peg  80  such that a gap  82  is created. All of the legs together create a cavity  86  designed to accept the reflective tape  16  and to secure the same to the stand. The width of the gap  82  is only slightly larger that the thickness of the reflective tape  16  thereby allowing the tape to be deployed within the cavity  86  but preventing the same from easily leaving the cavity  86  (see  FIG. 5 ).  
         [0041]      FIG. 6  through  FIG. 8  show how the housing  12  and the end of the reflective tape  16  are attached to the stands. The housing  12  has two channels  88  attached to the side of the housing  52 . The inner diameter of the channel  88  is greater that the outer diameter of the peg  80  of the stand. The housing  12  is connected to the stand by placing it on the stand such that the pegs  80 , not containing the returns  84 , are disposed within the channels  88  (See  FIG. 6 ). The channels  88  come to a rest at the base of the pegs  80  and the housing  12  is thus secured to the stand. The exterior end loop  46  of the reflective tape  16  is attached to the stand by simply placing it over the peg  80  that has the return  84  (See  FIG. 8 ).  
         [0042]     If more tape is needed one may utilize a second invention. This is done by attaching exterior end loop  46  of the second reflective tape  16  to the stand  66 , or  64 , where the previous housing  12  is affixed, and by sliding the end loop  46  the peg  80  that has the return  84  as shown in  FIG. 8 . This allows a plurality of reflective tapes  16  to be chained together to mark off a large space.