Abstract:
An Emergency Responder Alerting Marker which is manufactured of molded plastic, which is highly visible due to size and color, and which can be strategically placed so as to attract the attention of approaching Emergency Responders. The apparatus is portable, reducible in size, and is not reliant upon the utility of electricity.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to signaling apparatuses which in this instance relates specifically to a marker which serves to alert emergency responders as to the location of an emergency. 
     In the last several years, American culture has seen a shift in emergency response services. Thirty years ago, ambulance services provided a somewhat short response time to a call in order that an individual might be transported to a hospital for medical services. At the present time, almost every community is served by emergency response personnel who are qualified medical technicians. Before patients are transported to a medical facility, they are evaluated and stabilized by the responding technicians. Such on site care has not led to a reduced concern regarding response time (the actual time between the call and the arrival of the responders to the incident). Rather, an intensified need for reducing response time is deemed necessary since life saving procedures can be provided early in the onset of a medical emergency. When the response time of trained professionals to the site of a emergency is reduced, there is a greater chance that an injured party will survive, that time of recovery will be reduced, or that subsequent medical costs may be reduced. 
     Response time, therefore, whether by Emergency Medical Technicians, Rescue Squads, Police, or Fire personnel, if it can be reduced, is highly beneficial. Various signaling devices have been developed in the past. Many of these devices employ flashing or continuous lighting as is disclosed by Jones in U.S. Pat. No. 4,547,761. Others employed fixtures to attract the attention of passers by as disclosed by Moore in U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,543. Some devices were even triggered by the dialing of a predetermined emergency phone number as is disclosed by Collins in U.S. Pat. No. 5,621,377. While each has its appeal, various problems do exist with such devices. A reliance upon electricity and electrical devices invites potential failure. Any broken link in the chain such as power failure, dead battery, failed bulb, defective wiring, failed buzzer, etc. reduces the device&#39;s effectiveness. These devices also required a fixed location. These fixed locations due to ordinance restriction, placement of vehicles on the street, the growth in trees or bushes over time may prevent the signaling device from being clearly seen. These devices are also costly. The price alone may be the chief reason that more households have not enjoyed the benefits offered by these devices. 
     Consequently, a need exists for improvements in means and method of alerting emergency response personnel as to the location of an emergency which have no reliance upon electricity, which can be placed at a point for maximum visibility, and which are not costly to residents. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an apparatus and method for alerting emergency responders as to the location of an emergency that are designed to satisfy the needs as mentioned above. Signaling the location of an emergency for responders is accomplished through the placement of a marker. Placement of a marker eliminates the reliance upon electricity. This marker is large enough in size and appropriately colored and embossed with reflective material so as to be easily seen by approaching responders. Since the apparatus employs an A-framed design, it can be placed reasonably in almost any location. Since the apparatus is portable, the resident is able to choose the most effective location of the marker in order that it might readily be seen by responders. The placement of this marker is facilitated by the fact that the marker can be reduced in size and is composed of lightweight material. Being able to reduce the size of the marker also facilitates the use of the apparatus. Such an apparatus can be manufactured at a low cost. Consequently, nearly every household would be able to employ the apparatus and method for alerting responders as has been provided. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention may be clearly understood from an examination of the following drawings as are referenced in the Detailed Description of the Invention. 
     FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of the Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus. 
     FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of one of the two identical lower panel units. 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged section view of one of the two identical lower panel units as illustrated within FIG. 2 looking from the direction of arrow A. 
     FIG. 4 is a top view of one of the two identical lower panel units. 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of the upper panel unit which includes a handle and a surface upon which an address may be affixed. 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the upper panel unit which includes a handle and a surface upon which an address may be affixed. 
     FIG. 7 is a side view of the upper panel unit which includes a handle and a surface upon which an address may be affixed. 
     FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of the upper panel unit which includes a handle and a surface upon which an address may be affixed. 
     FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of the remaining (2nd) upper panel unit. 
     FIG. 10 is a top view of the remaining (2nd) upper panel unit. 
     FIG. 11 is a side view of the remaining (2nd) upper panel unit. 
     FIG. 12 is a bottom view of the remaining (2nd) upper panel unit. 
     FIG. 13 is a rear elevation view of the remaining (2nd) upper panel unit. 
     FIG. 14 is an enlarged sectional view of the frames (from the circled area) from the lower panel unit as illustrated within FIG.  2 . This view illustrates the spring actuated locking mechanism looking from the direction of Arrow C. 
     FIG. 15 is an enlarged rear view of a spring actuated locking mechanism. 
     FIG. 16 is an enlarged side view of a spring actuated locking mechanism. 
     FIG. 17 is an enlarged top view of a spring actuated locking mechanism. 
     FIG. 18 is an enlarged sectional view of the frames (from the circled area) from the upper panel unit as illustrated within FIG. 9 looking from the direction of arrow B. 
     FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of one arm of the frame locking assembly. 
     FIG. 20 is a front elevation view of one arm of the frame locking assembly. 
     FIG. 21 is a side elevation view of one arm as illustrated in FIG.  20 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates in perspective an Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10 . The Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  in its preferred embodiment is manufactured with injection molded plastic which is solid, substantial, and which is manufactured of a highly visible color. The Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  is comprised of four (4) frame supported and reinforced panel sections  20 ,  21 ,  22 , and  23  (FIG.  1 ).  20  and  21  are upper panel units (FIG.  1 ).  22  and  23  are lower panel units (FIG.  1 ). When the Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  is lifted vertically above the surface upon which it rests, the lower panel units  22  and  23  extend from within the upper panel units  20  and  21  (FIG. 1) and lock into place providing a considerable solid surface  89  and  33  (FIG.  1 ). When the deployed Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  is placed by an individual at an appropriate location of choice by allowing the Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  to stand in a triangular (A-Framed) manner (FIG.  1 ), the Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  can be easily seen and recognized by Emergency Responders. Prior alerting devices have been established in pre-determined positions and/or have relied upon the utility of electricity to alert responders. The Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  allows for strategic placement in varying conditions and relies upon the dependability of visibility due to the highly visible color and significant overall size. 
     The upper panel units  20  (FIG. 9) and  21  (FIG. 5) differ due to their manufacture. The upper panel  21  (FIG. 7) includes offset extrusions  81 , which are molded or drilled in such a manner so as to yield a hole  80  through which a bolt  82  passes (FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG.  8 ). The upper panel unit  21  also includes an angular variance  83  (FIG. 7) from the plane of the upper panel unit  21  which provides a surface perpendicular to the horizon after the Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  (FIG. 1) has been deployed upon which an address may be affixed as well as reflective material. The upper panel unit  21  also includes a handle  85  (FIG. 1, FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8) which may be used to carry the Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  (FIG.  1 ). 
     Upper panel unit  20  varies in manufacture from upper panel unit  21  in that the upper panel unit  20  (FIG.  9  and FIG. 11) includes extrusions  120  which are molded and drilled in such a manner so as to yield a hole  121  through which a bolt  82  passes (FIG.  7 ). 
     The upper panel units  20  and  21  (FIG.  1 ), while they differ as illustrated above, are also similar in some respects. The upper panel units  20  (FIG. 11) and  21  (FIG. 7) both include molded extrusions  86  on the outer facing surface of the frames  87  of the panel units. When the Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  (FIG. 1) is deployed, the molded extrusions  86  yield a surface which is perpendicular to the horizon. Reflective material may then be applied to the outer facing surface of the molded extrusion  86 . The upper panel units  20  (FIG. 9) and  21  (FIG. 5) also include frames  87  (FIG. 1) which are molded in such a manner so as to provide internal cavities  88  (FIG. 6, FIG. 10, and FIG. 12) which allow the frames  30  of the lower panel units  22  and  23  (FIG. 1) to slide into the frames  87  of the upper panel units  20  and  21  (FIG. 1) which extend nearly the entire length of the frame  87  (FIG.  5  and FIG.  9 ). Another similarity in the construction of the upper panel units  20  (FIG. 8) and  21  (FIG. 13) is a reinforced panel section  89  between frames  87 . The upper panel units  20  and  21  (FIG. 1) are manufactured as solid units comprised of frames  87 , panels  89 , and various extrusions as outlined above. The frames  87  include molded or drilled holes  90  (FIG.  8  and FIG. 13) into which screws  91  (FIG.  8  and FIG. 13) may be inserted to act as blocking mechanisms to prevent the lower panel units from falling away from the upper panel units when the Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  (FIG  1 ) is being carried or deployed. 
     The lower panel units  22  and  23  as illustrated in FIG. 1 are identical in manufacture as is illustrated in FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG.  4 . The lower panel units  22  and  23  include frames  30  molded in a manner which yields a groove  31  (FIG.  2  and FIG. 4) on the interfacing surfaces which have evenly dispersed rectangular openings  32  (FIG. 2) as well as molded or drilled holes  151  (FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG.  14 ). These openings  32  allow for placement of spring actuated locking mechanisms  150  (FIG. 1, FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG.  17 ). The spring actuated locking mechanisms  150  are molded plastic which include a molded or drilled hole  157  (FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG.  17 ). A metal strip spring  152  (FIG.  1  and FIG. 14) has machined holes  153  and  156 . The frame  30  is then attached to the metal strip spring by means of passing a rivet  155  (FIG. 14) through holes  153  and  151  (FIG.  1  and FIG.  14 ). The spring actuated locking mechanism  150  is also riveted ( 158 ) through holes  156  and  157  (FIG. 14, FIG. 15, FIG. 16, and FIG. 17) thus securing the spring actuated locking mechanism  150  onto the frames  30  (FIG.  1  and FIG.  14 ). Reflective material may be added to the outer facing surface of the spring actuated locking mechanisms  150  (FIG.  1 ). The lower panel units  22  and  23  (FIG. 1, FIG.  2  and FIG. 4) include reinforced panel sections  33  between frames  30 . 
     The lower panel units  22  and  23  (FIG. 1) are placed within the internal cavity  88  (FIG. 12) of the upper panel units  20  and  21  (FIG. 1) and screws  91  (FIG. 13) are inserted to prevent the lower units  22  and  23  from dropping out of the upper panel units  20  and  21  (FIG.  1 ). The joined upper and lower panel units  20  and  22  (FIG. 1) are then attached to the joined upper and lower panel units  21  and  23  (FIG.1) by bolts  82  (FIG.  1  and FIG. 7) passing through the molded extrusions  120  (FIG. 11) of the upper panel unit  20  (FIG. 1, FIG. 10, FIG. 11, and FIG. 13) and the molded extrusions  81  of the upper panel unit  21  (FIG. 5, FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG.  8 ). Nuts  92  (FIG. 7) are attached to the bolts  82  (FIG.  7 ). 
     The frame locking assembly is comprised of two metal plates  181  and  182  (FIG.  19  and FIG.  21 ). The plates  181  and  182  are riveted ( 191 ) together at holes  184  and  185  (FIG.  19  and FIG.  21 ). The frame locking assembly is then secured to the upper panel unit  21  (FIG. 5) by placing a screw  189  through hole  183  (FIG. 21) and driving the screw into hole  187  of frame  87  (FIG.  5 ). The frame locking mechanism is then secured to the upper panel unit  20  (FIG. 9) by placing a screw  189  through hole  186  (FIG. 19) and driving the screw into hole  188  of frame  87  (FIG.  9 ). When the Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  (FIG. 1) is opened into an A-framed stance, plate  181  (FIG. 19) interlocks with plate  182  (FIG. 21) by action of the raised edges  190  of plate  182  (FIG.  20  and FIG.  21 ). The Emergency Responder Alerting Apparatus  10  (FIG. 1) is thereby locked into its deployed stance as illustrated in FIG.  1 .