Abstract:
An emergency information storage receptacle primarily made of hard vinyl plastic that is able to withstand impacts associated with typical vehicle collisions. The receptacle has a top portion and a bottom portion where the top portion can move between a top, open position and a bottom, closed position. When closed, the top portion partially sets within the bottom portion to form a protective closed shape. When open, the top portion provides access to an information card secured within the interior of the top portion. The information card is further protected by a protective sheath and a view window. The receptacle is of a suitable dimension for installation along the dash or driver compartment of almost any vehicle.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to a device for assisting those arriving at the scene of a motor-vehicle accident in obtaining critical information about a victim or her relatives. More specifically, the present invention relates to a device that protects the critical information in a compartment easily accessed by emergency crews or others assisting after a car wreck; the information assists in alerting those treating medical conditions of the victims as well as emergency contacts of the victims.  
         [0003]     2. Background Information  
         [0004]     Motor-vehicle accidents are a common occurrence, and, all types of people use motor vehicles for transportation. As such, all motorists are at risk for being a victim in a motor-vehicle accident.  
         [0005]     When emergency rescue personnel arrive at the scene of an accident, victims may be unconscious, incapacitated, or otherwise unable to respond to those persons. As such, those accident victims often need immediate medical attention. They may be young children who are unable to fully understand what is occurring and provide necessary information to those responding to the emergency. Some accident victims are confused and unresponsive to those around them. Because of these circumstances, victims are often not able to communicate with emergency response crews.  
         [0006]     However, it is crucial to the health of the vehicle occupants that those responding to an accident have some basic information about the occupants. More specifically, those treating accident victims want to know of any current medical conditions and allergies of the occupant, which may render certain types of medical treatment more harmful than good. Victims may have medical conditions, such as allergies to certain medications. Because some accident victims are unable to provide that information to emergency response persons, medical treatment is all too often completed at the scene with the risk that such treatment could aggravate pre-existing medical conditions. When emergency rescue personnel are unaware of the medical conditions of the particular victims, the emergency treatment they give may cause an adverse reaction in the victim.  
         [0007]     Some people with more extreme special conditions may prepare for an emergency by carrying an information card on their persons. However, people are bound to lose even these most important documents, and there are very few people who consistently remember to carry around this information. Further, these items may be lost or ruined in the accident. Also, there is no common place to look for this type of information. Even if it is located on the person, it&#39;s often not found until arrival at the hospital, after some medical treatment has already been completed. The bottom line is that accidents are unexpected and thus difficult to prepare for.  
         [0008]     Another piece of information that emergency rescue personnel lack is who to contact. Sometimes there is no documentation as to the identity of the victim. Thus, hospital workers must go through the extensive process of identifying the victim and then figuring out who to contact. Even after the victim is identified it can still be a long process to determine family members or close friends that need to be contacted about the victim&#39;s condition. This means that those closest to the victim often wait hours before even receiving notice that an accident has occurred. In the worst cases, this means close friends and relatives have lost the chance to spend those last few moments with the victim. Even in the best cases, hours is too long to wait to find out that a loved-one has been in a motor-vehicle accident.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a device that assists emergency response crews and others in learning critical information regarding those involved in motor vehicle accidents or people close to those victims. Applicant&#39;s invention has many advantages of such devices known in the art and many novel features that result in an device which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the known devices, either alone or in any combination thereof.  
         [0010]     In satisfaction of the above and other related objectives, the present invention provides a device for securing and preserving information pertaining to motor vehicle accident victims. The present invention, by way of a novel combination of components, yields a result that is not possible with any other means of providing that necessary information. The device secures information relating to accident victims, in open view within the vehicle, so that so that emergency response personnel can do their job better.  
         [0011]     Applicant&#39;s invention may be installed, without use of peripheral tools, within a vehicle in such a manner that it will remain affixed thereto. In its most preferred form, the present device is made of material designed to withstand impacts associated with typical vehicle collisions. Also, the device is of a size and dimension making it suitable for permanent installation along the dash or compartment of almost any vehicle. The device contains a transparent protective window that makes the contained information easily accessible to emergency response persons and others assisting in a motor vehicle accident. These features alone, and in combination with one another, provide easy access to critical information in a format that is simply not available with known devices.  
         [0012]     Because some accident victims are unable to communicate important information to the rescue personnel, this device may independently serve as the sole communication means of information. In further terms of practical and immediate benefit, the device remains in the vehicle so that it is not misplaced, and as much may serve as a primary point of reference for emergency personnel. Those responding to the emergency will be able to better do their job as they will know the exact location, within the vehicle, to search for critical information; namely the identity, special medical conditions, and emergency contacts of the victim. By virtue of the novel configuration of the device, information remains protected when subject to extreme temperatures and impacts associate with typical vehicle collisions.  
         [0013]     Finally and perhaps most importantly, Applicant&#39;s invention will serve to protect accident victims themselves. After all, those owning and using the present invention will be afforded greater protection from potentially adverse medical treatment. And, those closest to the victim will be better served as they are more likely be better informed in the hours following an accident. In so much, the present device serves to aid emergency personnel, protect accident victims, and aid those closest to the accident victims.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0014]     Applicant&#39;s invention may be further understood from a description of the accompanying drawings, wherein unless otherwise specified, like referenced numerals are intended to depict like components in the various views.  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  is a side and top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is perspective and expanded view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is an expanded and side view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0018]     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the device of the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . Device  10 , in the preferred embodiment, is primarily comprised of some lightweight, yet suitably rigid material—such as plastic or fiberglass, or some composite thereof. Specifically, primary components of device  10  are preferably comprised of hard vinyl plastic, being about one eighth of an inch in thickness. However, incorporation of these materials is particularly important to the benefit provided by device  10  as they are made to withstand a minimum impact of 35 milers per hour. Durability afforded to device  10  by virtue of its material is extremely important in maintaining the integrity of device  10  in the event of a vehicle collision—this of course is when device  10  is most beneficial to its intended users. Moreover, these materials can withstand approximate temperatures of 140 degrees Fahrenheit—so, device  10  is particularly useful in that it will not degrade when left in a hot car for hours on end. Moreover, as mentioned, device  10  is thought to be most beneficial in facilitating the communication of vital information by and between emergency rescue personnel and medical personnel. As will be discussed, the specific dimensions of envisioned embodiments, the configuration of device components, and the relationship between those components impart novel attributes to Applicant&#39;s invention.  
         [0019]     As best seen in  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3 , device  10  is comprised of top portion  12 . Top portion  12  is characterized by a top surface  14  surrounded by side walls  16  that extend therefrom, in substantially orthogonal fashion from the plane of top surface  14 . The combination of top surface  14  and side walls  16  form a general receptacle shape. Top portion  12  is further configured to mate with bottom portion  20  so that top portion  12  and bottom portion  20 , when in a mated configuration, form a closed, receptacle-like shape.  
         [0020]     Again referring primarily to  FIG. 1 ,  FIG. 2 , and  FIG. 3 , device  10  has bottom portion  20 . Bottom portion  20  is characterized by a bottom surface  22  surrounded by bottom side walls  24  that extend therefrom, in substantially orthogonal fashion from the plane of bottom surface  22 . As will be further discussed, top portion  12  preferably has a shape and dimension in relation to bottom portion  20  so that top portion  12  rests within bottom portion in a closed position.  
         [0021]     Device  10  may remain in a closed position whereby its inner components are secured within the closed shape formed by the combination of top portion  12  and bottom portion  20 . However, when needed, top portion  12  may be actuated between a closed and open position so that the inner components of device  10  can be accessed by its user. Top portion  12  may rotate between its closed and open position, in hinge-like fashion, as one or more tabs  26  located along the back side of top portion  12 , fit within one or more corresponding apertures  28 , located along the back side of bottom portion  20 . Top portion  12  moves between its open and closed position as tabs  26  slide within apertures  28 . In the event top portion  12  needs to be removed completely, one need only pull top portion  12  so that tabs  26  become completely removed from apertures  28 . Certainly, other means for engagement between top portion  12  and bottom portion  20  will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, useful embodiments are envisioned where top portion  12  and bottom portion  20  are secured to one another by a hinge. Also, an embodiment is envisioned where top portion  12  and bottom portion  20  comprise a single, modular piece, whereby top portion  12  is actuated along a scored line demarcating relative movement between each piece.  
         [0022]     As mentioned, device  10  is envisioned as being most beneficial when installed within a vehicle and secured thereto. As such, device  10  is envisioned as having a range of preferable dimensions to better suit efficient installation along the most logical interior vehicle locations. In the preferred embodiment, top portion  12  has a width of three and three quarters of an inch, a depth of three and one eighth of an inch, and stands at a height of seven eighths of an inch. Bottom portion  20  has a width of four inches, a depth of three and three eighths of an inch, and a total height of three fourths of an inch. As best seen in  FIG. 3 , bottom portion  20  is at a maximum height along its back side and tapers to a height of seven sixteenths of an inch moving in the direction from back to front. As top portion  12  fits within bottom portion  20  in its closed position, these relative dimensions allow for secure engagement between the pieces, even accounting for the thickness of each piece. These dimensions may vary according to specific models, each configured for installation within a specific vehicle; however, the dimensions mentioned above are most desirable in so much as they are thought to accommodate almost any vehicle in which device  10  may be installed.  
         [0023]     As best seen in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , top portion  12  contains information card  32  and view window  34 . Information card  32  and view window  34  are arranged within top portion  12  so that each is viewed by a user of device  10  as top portion  12  is actuated to a top, or open position. When this occurs, a user of device  10  can view information card  32 , which remains protected by view window  34 . Both information card  32  and view window  34  are held in place by securing means  38 . As seen in  FIG. 2 , card  32  is afforded even greater protection when placed in protective sheath  36 , which may be secured by securing means  38 . Securing means  38 , in the preferred embodiment is a pair of raised edges along the interior of the shape formed by the combination of walls  16 . These raised edges, in combination with one another, serve to sandwich view window  34  and provide an attachment surface for information card  32 . Other securing means  38  will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, other embodiments are envisioned where securing means  38  is a pair of grooves configured to slideably receive card  32  and window  34 .  
         [0024]     As discussed earlier, information card  32  is envisioned as providing critical information to emergency medical teams that arrive on scene after a vehicle collision. By quick reference to card  32 , emergency personnel can become informed as to necessary victim information including contact information of relatives, medical history of the victim, medication allergies the victim may have, or even victim age and weight. One does not have to look hard to see that preserving this information in a manner that is easily accessible to emergency personnel will help those personnel in quickly making important decisions regarding victim treatment. Also, having this information secured within the vehicle will eliminate a situation where the victim is incapacitated, and relatives or loved one are left for hours on end without receiving word there has been an accident. Secure preservation of this vital information has not, until now, been achieved in such a compact, efficient, and reliable manner.  
         [0025]     Referring now to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , in the preferred embodiment device  10  further has adhesive means  30 . Adhesive means  30  is preferably a planar member having adhesive material on each side of its planar face and is of a dimension so that adhesive means  30  aligns with and substantially matches the dimensions of bottom portion  14 . As such, adhesive means  30  is particularly useful in that it may adhere to bottom portion  20  on a first adhesive side and adhere to the dash to a vehicle on a second adhesive side. Use of adhesive means  30  allows device  10  to be secured within a vehicle without use of any peripheral tools, such as a screwdriver, drill, etc. While adhesive means  30  is thought to best serve a user of device  10  when it is in the form of single, planar pad, other useful adhesive means  30  will certainly be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, useful embodiments are envisioned where adhesive means  30  is a series of small members having adhesive material on each face. These small members may be spaced about bottom portion  20  so as to provide for evenly distributed adhesion of device  10  to the interior of a vehicle. Of course, while not preferred, other embodiments are envisioned where adhesive means  30  comprises one or more tabs extending along the plane of bottom portion  14 , each tab having an aperture configured for receiving a securing mechanism such as a pin or screw. Such an embodiment is relatively burdensome to install, but, is thought to provide for longer lasting security between device  10  and the vehicle to which it is installed.  
         [0026]     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.