Abstract:
A screening device has elongate sheet of a thin non-transparent material windably mounted at one end to a spring-activated rotatable rod within a portable housing having a longitudinal slot through which the sheet is movable for winding and unwinding purposes while being prevented from passing entirely into said container through said slot. The container is provided at one end thereof with means for readily and releasably connecting the same in an upright position with a stationary object, while a supporting post is connectible to said sheet at the free end thereof and adapted to be secured to a stationary object at a distance from said first mentioned stationary object to thus support the unwound sheet in a substantially vertical position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to means for enhancing road traffic safety by preventing accidents, delays and other complications frequently caused by curiosity and unwarranted activities on the part of travelers on a roadway passing the scene of a previous accident that is under clean-up and investigation by rescue and law enforcement personnel.  
         [0002]     Under present-day traffic conditions on express roads and highways, particularly in inclement weather, it is a common occurrence that a more or less serious accident becomes the cause of traffic jams and/or additional accidents due to the fact that other travelers slow down or even stop in the vicinity of the original accident scene in order to view the scene or, perhaps, in some cases to bring assistance to victims. This is the case both on the side of the road where the accident occurred and on the side of the road opposite to where the accident occurred. Such behavior frequently continues even after the arrival of emergency vehicles, such as police or patrol cars, towing cars, fire trucks, ambulances or the like, in spite of the fact that the rescue work would be greatly facilitated if the road traffic proceeded as unhampered as possible.  
         [0003]     Several devices have tried to provide solutions to this problem, each with limited success. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 193,573 to Tripp disclosed an improvement in movable partitions or screens consisting of a flexible screen that when not in use is up on a spring-loaded portable cylindrical roll. When in use, the screen may be unwound, extended and mounted to walls or to heavy-based, movable posts.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 4,124,196 to Hipskind disclosed a portable screening device having a non-transparent elongate sheet that is perforated to relieve wind pressure and is secured at one end to a spring-activated rod on which the sheet is windable, the rod being mounted within a portable cylindrical container having a longitudinal slot through which the sheet is movable for winding/unwinding while being prevented from passing entirely into said container through said slot. The container is intended to be mounted in an upright position to a bracket that is clamped to a stationary object, such as a car bumper, and the free end of the sheet can be extended and secured to a stationary object using ropes or a supporting post.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,733,204 to Paniccia disclosed a view shield device having a flexible screen that is spring wound within a cylindrical housing and exits therefrom via an elongated slot when pulled by a handle at the free end of the screen. Each shield can be removably mounted into one of a plurality of wells in a mounting block such that the shields extend upward, and one screen may be attached to another via hooks at the free end of the screen that attach to another housing, such that the screen of a first shield may be extended between and attached to a second shield so that a passing motorist may not see between the first and second shield housings.  
         [0006]     Unfortunately, none of these devices is truly portable because they require the use of heavy bases or mounting blocks to secure the screen housings. In addition, these devices require specialized equipment or installation, such as special brackets or mounting posts, and they cannot be used effectively if these items are not present. Furthermore, these shield devices allow a viewer to see between the screens of adjacent devices and do not completely block viewers from seeing what is intended to be shielded from view. Moreover, none of these devices allows the user to increase the view shield area vertically to provide enhanced screening above the level of the adjacent screens, for example where the area to be screened is lower than the view area or can be viewed by motorists with a higher vantage point.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     One object of the present invention is to provide means whereby a roadside accident scene may be rapidly and effectively shielded from the view of passing motorists.  
         [0008]     Another object of the invention is to provide a screen and supporting equipment that can be conveniently carried by an emergency vehicle and readily erected in position to prevent travelers from viewing the accident scene and any associated rescue and clean-up activities.  
         [0009]     A further object of the invention is to provide a screen for the purpose indicated, which is preferably made of a thin, light-weight material and is adapted to be carried by emergency vehicles in a compact condition.  
         [0010]     Yet another object of the invention is to provide a portable screen that is subject to reduced wind pressure on the screen in its erected condition.  
         [0011]     A still further object of the invention is to provide lightweight, yet sturdy, means for supporting the screen in proper position at the accident scene.  
         [0012]     Another object of the invention is to provide a screening arrangement in which two or more screens of the type indicated above may be mounted one on top of another to thereby increase the total height of the screening device.  
         [0013]     A further object of the invention is to provide a screening arrangement in which two or more screens can be attached one alongside another to thereby increase the total length of the screening device. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     Additional objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is an overhead view of an accident site at the edge of a three-lane expressway,  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the screening device according to the invention,  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of attaching means affixed to the outside of the cylindrical container for attaching the cylindrical container to an adjacent screen, and  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of attaching means affixed to the free end of the screen for attaching the screen to an adjacent cylindrical container,  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  shows, in side elevation, an erected screening device with a second and a third similar screen mounted on top thereof, and  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the base for supporting the screening device. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a section of an expressway with three traffic lanes  10 ,  11 ,  12  in one direction and three traffic lanes  13 ,  14 ,  15  in the opposite direction, as indicated by arrows  16  and  17 , respectively. Outside of lane  10  there is one shoulder  18  and outside of lane  15  is another shoulder  19 , while the space between lanes  12  and  13  is occupied by dividing region  20 , such as a double shoulder that could also be divided longitudinally by a barrier  21 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 1  depicts the scene of an accident wherein an automobile  22  traveling in lane  12  was hit from behind by another automobile  23 , causing both vehicles to be partially thrown out of lane  12  onto the shoulder  20 , both vehicles in this example shown remaining in upright position. One or more occupants of the vehicles may have sustained injuries and, perhaps, have been thrown to the ground. Even if the two vehicles  22 ,  23  directly involved in the accident have come to a halt entirely on the shoulder  20 , the drivers of vehicles following the second automobile in lanes  12 ,  11  and  10  will in most cases stop or at least slow down in order to bring help or just plainly to “gawk” at the scene, and in the present case the vehicles in lane  12  will eventually attempt to move to lane  11 . In any case, a serious traffic jam will typically occur, usually with vehicles accumulating in long lines behind the accident site. Similar traffic congestion usually occurs also in one or more of lanes  13 ,  14 ,  15  for assistance and/or curiosity (“rubber-necking”) reasons.  
         [0023]     The first emergency vehicle  24  to arrive at the scene will generally park behind the second automobile  23  with its warning lights flashing. In accordance with the present invention, the occupants of emergency vehicle  24 —policemen, firemen, or state troopers, etc.—will proceed to erect a screening device as described herein, which is preferably routinely carried in the emergency vehicle. As more such vehicles arrive, an embodiment of the continuous screen  25  is rapidly erected and expanded in lane  12  and subsequently on the opposite side of the accident site on the shoulder  20 , as at  26 , to effectively screen off the accident site from view in all directions and thus prevent traffic jams caused by curious “gawkers”.  
         [0024]     The design and construction of the inventive screen will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the screening equipment carried in the emergency vehicle includes a housing or container  30 , which is preferably cylindrical and provided with closure plates  31 ,  32  at both ends. Extending centrally through said container  30  is a tube  33  which is rotatably connected with the closure plates  31 ,  32  in the same manner as an ordinary curtain rod of the kind containing a coil spring  34 . One end of the spring  34  is secured to a member  35  which is rotatably connected with the tube  33  and non-rotatably mounted in the plate  31 , while the other end of the spring  34  is secured to the tube  33  at the opposite end thereof.  
         [0025]     The container  30  is provided with a longitudinal slot  36  that extends preferably from one end of container  30  to the other end of container  30 . A sheet  37  of a flexible material to be described below retractably extends through slot  36 . One end of said sheet  37  is secured to the spring-loaded tube  33  in the manner of a shade or curtain to a curtain rod. The opposite end of the sheet  37  is provided with attaching means  40 , as described below, that prevents passage of sheet  37  through the slot  36  into the container  30 .  
         [0026]     A rod  38  may be secured to container  30  alongside the slot  36  to prevent frictional damage to the sheet by the edges of the slot  36 , as it is moved therethrough. Rod  38  may have a round or any other cross-sectional shape, provided that it has a smooth surface in order to minimize friction on sheet  37  as it is unrolled from and rolled into the container  30  through the slot  36 . Rod  38  is preferably affixed at its ends to the plates  31 ,  32  and is preferably set in a position relative to slot  36  such that it minimizes the contact between sheet  37  and the edges of slot  36 .  
         [0027]     The sheet  37  is preferably a thin, lightweight material that is strong, durable and preferably weather-resistant, such as a cloth-backed vinyl or similar material. The sheet  37  is preferably provided with apertures or perforations  39  of a size and spacing to relieve wind pressure on the sheet, when in extended position of use, as described below. In a preferred embodiment, the apertures  39  are not completely cut through but rather remain partially attached to the sheet  37  on one side of the perforation. For example, one embodiment, the apertures  39  have a triangular shape, as shown in  FIG. 2 , with the material of each triangular perforation being attached to sheet  37  at one base side thereof rather than being completely cut-out. Apertures  39  should be sufficiently small to prevent easy viewing therethrough, particularly from a moving vehicle, but to allow passage of wind therethrough.  
         [0028]     The sheet  37  may be made any thickness, height and length as desired. A preferred thickness of the sheet, or screen,  37  is approximately 0.5 cm or less, and a preferred height is approximately 4-5 feet. The length of sheet  37  may vary considerably as, for example, from about 10 to about 50 feet.  
         [0029]     At the free end of the sheet  37  is an attaching means  40 , as described below, for selectively attaching a first sheet  37  to another container  30 , as described below. When arranged for storage or to be carried by an emergency vehicle, the screen  37  is preferably retracted, in the manner of a rolled-up window shade, so that it is tightly wound around the tube  33  in the container  30  with the spring  34  under minimal tension. However, because the width of attaching means  40  is larger than the width of the opening of slot  36 , the attaching means  40  is situated immediately outside the slot  36  when sheet  37  is arranged for storage and provides a handle for pulling sheet  37  out of the container  30 . The arrangement of the spring  34  is such as to place the screen  37  under ever increasing tension as the screen  37  is being pulled out of the container  30 .  
         [0030]     Each emergency vehicle (police or patrol car  24 , etc.) carrying one or more container  30  with the screen  37  in rolled-up condition therewithin is preferably provided with means for easy and speedy mounting and retaining of the container  30  thereon in an upright position. In a preferred embodiment, in order to enable the screen to remain upright on the road surface on which it is placed, a base  60  is secured to the bottom of container  30 . The base  60  preferably should be composed of a strong and durable material and should be of a sufficient circumference, thickness and weight to provide support for the screening device under adverse weather conditions. The base  60  should also be of dimensions that allow for easy transportation, such as in the trunk of emergency vehicle  24 .  
         [0031]     As shown in  FIG. 6 , the base  60  should preferably contain a protrusion  61  with external screw threads about its vertical circumference to allow attachment to the container  30 . In order to accommodate the protrusion  61  of the base  60  below it, the bottom closure plate  31  of container  30  has a hole  52  with corresponding internal screw threads around its interior circumference to allow protrusion  61  to be mated therewith for secure attachment. Each protrusion  61  can be attached to a bottom closure plate  31  of container  30  in the same manner as a screw is fastened into a bolt. Alternatively, the bottom closure plate  31  of container  30  may contain the threaded protrusion that is to be mated with a hole formed within base  60  having corresponding internal screw threads. Of course, container  30  and base  60  may have any other suitable mounting connection that allows quick mounting of container  30  onto base  60  and de-mounting therefrom and provides a secure and stable connection while container  30  is mounted on base  60 .  
         [0032]     As shown in  FIG. 1 , two or more screens  37  may be attached one to another to provide lengths of view shielding that are greater than one screening device alone will physically allow. The attaching means can be any device that detachably attaches one screen  37  to the container  30  of an adjacent screen, such as hooks, clips, bolts, tabs, detents, interlocking or mating parts, etc. The attaching means should preferably have no external parts that could be misplaced and thereby prevent attachment of one screen to another and should preferably be of a lightweight material, such as a type of metal or hard plastic, that is strong and durable to enable the screen  37  to remain securely attached to the other container  30 .  
         [0033]     The attaching means can also be a mating structure. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , screens  37  are attached via attaching means, generally indicated at  40  and  41 . At the free end of the screen  55  is fastened a first mating attaching means  40  which is preferably of a length and thickness to enable the screen  37  to remain securely attached to the corresponding attaching means  41  affixed to another container  30 . A second mating attaching means  41 , which should also be of a length and thickness to enable the container  30  to remain securely attached to the screen  37 , should be fastened to the vertical side portion of each container  30 , for example by screws  42  or some similar affixing means, in an upright position.  
         [0034]     The screen  37  is pulled out of its container  30  to the desired length. The screen  37  is then lined up with another container  30  such that the emergency personnel is able to slide the attaching means  40  into the corresponding attaching means  41  to mate therewith. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , wherein attaching means  40  is inserted downward into attaching means  41  to mate therewith, the bottom portion of each attaching means  41  should be closed in order to prevent any detachment. In a preferred embodiment, as in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the free end of a first screen  37  is attached flush against the adjacent container  30  to provide no space or a minimum space between them so as to prevent viewers from looking between the screens of adjacent devices and being able to see what is intended to be shielded from view.  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 5 , two or more screens  37  may be mounted one above another in order to provide greater view shielding in the vertical direction. In order to allow one screen to be mounted above another, each container  30  has a rod, flange or other protrusion  50 , secured to and extending upwards from the top side of the upper closure plate  32  of the container  30  that is shaped, as protrusion  61  of base  60 , to mate with hole  52  located in the bottom closure plate  31  in order to accommodate the protrusion  50  of a container  30  below it. Alternatively, the bottom closure plate  31  of container  30  may contain the threaded protrusion  50  that is to be mated with a hole  52  that is formed within the upper closure plate  32  of the container  30  below it. The protrusion  50  should have external screw threads  51  around its vertical circumference and the corresponding hole  52  should preferably have corresponding internal screw threads around its interior circumference, as discussed above. Each protrusion  50  of a first container  30  can be secured with hole  52  of another container  30  in the same manner as a bolt is fastened to a screw. Of course, container  30  may have any other suitable mounting connection that allows quick mounting of another container  30  thereon and de-mounting therefrom and provides a secure and stable connection while one container  30  is mounted onto another.  
         [0036]     In this manner, protrusion  51  extends above the upper edge of the screen a sufficient distance for connection with a screen container  30  belonging to a second screen above it, to form an extension upwardly of the screen  37 , when required. Alternatively, protrusion  51  may extend below the lower edge of the screen a sufficient distance for connection with a screen container  30  belonging to a second screen below it. A third screen may be similarly mounted above said second screen. In most cases one (or two) screen has been found sufficient, since the activities on or close to the ground behind the screen usually are what most interest the “gawkers”. In order to enable the stacked screens to remain upright on the road surface on which it is placed, a base  60 , as described above, is secured to the container  30  of the bottom-most screen  37 .  
         [0037]     Thus, a portable screening device has been provided. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the described embodiments, which are presented for purposes of illustration and not limitation, that the invention is not restricted in any respect by the specific details described and shown, and that numerous modifications and mechanical equivalents are also feasible within the scope of the foregoing descriptions.