Abstract:
A portable emergency lighting device for helicopters which transmits visible and radio signals which indicate the position of an emergency rescue area. The device has a housing with a beacon disposed on its top wall. The device also includes a battery source disposed in the housing that is rechargeable via a special adapter by an emergency vehicle using a standard 12 volt DC system. The device is easily carried to a remote location where vehicles may be unable to reach. Several lighting devices can be configured to define a landing area near the location of a patient for easy access and rescue. The device may be mounted and transported within a variety of different emergency rescue vehicles.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application is a continuation-in-part of the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/414,070 filed Oct. 7, 1999. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to air field indicators. More specifically, the invention is a portable lighting device useful for assisting an aircraft in locating an emergency landing site. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     It is common to use helicopters for evacuation of injured persons from the site of a major catastrophe (e.g., vehicle accident, fire, train derailment, skiing accident, etc.). In addition, helicopters are widely used in many other types of search, rescue and retrieval operations, such as locating persons lost in the wild and transporting those persons when they have been located by a rescue party. However, the most common element in any situation involving a helicopter during evacuation or rescue is the difficulty of landing in unknown areas. Landing sites must be established for the landing and take-off of helicopters, and their location must be clearly marked. This allows for the safety of the helicopter, the helicopter crew, and most of all the safety of the person or persons being rescued. Thus there is a need for establishing and clearly marking a landing site. The present application addresses this need. 
     Many attempts have been made to provide a helicopter with an adequate source of landing site indication. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,539,986, issued Nov. 10, 1970 to Crawford, discloses a portable landing zone having a frame made of pipes, and a plurality of lights and flags on the frame. While the Crawford system is portable, it requires a inordinate amount of time to set up the landing zone. Such time may be the difference in survival of an individual. 
     Other examples of prior art are U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,245, issued May 2, 1989 to Lipman, which discloses a portable, multi-element strobe lighting system for providing portable highway control. U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,322, issued Apr. 28, 1992 to Loughlin, discloses a firefighters&#39; safety beacon. U.S. Pat. No. 5,521,595, issued May 28, 1996 to Totten, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,559,510, issued Sep. 24, 1996 to Strong III, et al., each disclose an illumination device having a vertically standing lighting member and a base member, for hazard warning or navigational illumination. U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,421 issued to Gilmore discloses similar vertical light standing features wherein the light is fixed to a tool box for vertical manipulation. 
     U.S. Patents issued to Maglica et al. (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,121,308 and 5,836,672) discloses a miniature rechargeable flashlight which utilizes a dual switch mechanism for activating and deactivating the flashlight, respectively. A miniature two or three cell flashlight comprises a barrel, a tailcap, a head assembly and a lamp or bulb support. An interruptible electrical coupling formed by the switch mechanisms connects to the dry cell batteries with recharging capabilities made via conductors mounted in the tailcap. 
     Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,627,513, issued May 6, 1997 to Weed, et al., discloses a portable visual emergency signal device having a triangularly shaped multi-element strobe lighting device with a detachable base. U.S. Pat. No. 5,785,410, issued Jul. 28, 1998 to Branson, Sr., discloses an electronic road beacon for alerting on-coming traffic to a potentially hazardous roadway condition. The device is designed for resisting impact by road vehicles. Canadian Patent Document No. 1,062,677, published Sep. 18, 1979, shows a telescoping illumination type device. Great Britain Patent Document No. 1,256,639, published Dec. 8, 1971, shows an emergency light having a semicircular base form maintaining the light above the ground. Great Britain Patent Document No. 1,437,111, published May 26, 1976, shows an illuminated waterway navigational aid. 
     None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a portable emergency landing area lighting device for helicopters solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In most common rescue or retrieval operations, the head lights or roof mounted emergency lights of at least four or five vehicles are used to define a landing zone for an emergency helicopter. Instead of four or five emergency vehicles being called to light a landing area with headlights, the present invention provides a strobe light that will give a better landing area designation both at night and day. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a portable high intensity beacon strobe light for emergency rescue and retrieval operations. 
     It is another object of the invention to provide a device having a rechargeable power supply. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide an emergency beacon device having highly reflective areas about the surface thereof. 
     It is further still an object of the invention to provide a emergency radio signal to an emergency rescue aircraft rescue area identification. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a portable device which is impact and water resistant. 
     Further still another object of the invention is to provide a portable device which is capable of withstanding rotor wash. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is an environmental perspective view of a portable emergency lighting device for landing aircraft according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the portable emergency lighting device according to the invention, illustrating rechargeable adaptive features. 
     FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of a top portion of the portable emergency lighting device according to the invention. 
     FIG. 3B is an exploded perspective view of the base portion of the portable emergency lighting device, illustrating an interior light circuit and power source connection according to a first embodiment. 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded partial perspective view of the base portion of the portable emergency lighting device, illustrating an interior light and radio transmitter circuit connection according to a second embodiment. 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the portable emergency lighting device according to the first embodiment, illustrating in part light and battery circuit connections. 
     FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the emergency lighting device, illustrating lines of attachment for wall mounting the device to a vehicle. 
    
    
     Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention is directed to an emergency signalling device for emergency rescue aircraft in remote areas. The preferred embodiments are depicted in FIGS. 1-6, and are each generally referenced by numeral  7 . Elemental differences in the lighting device  7  are separately identified by numerical designation as to the addition of and/or deletion of an interior component element, respectively. 
     As diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 1, the portable lighting device  7  is shown in plurality for establishing at least a four point (P 1 , P 2 , P 3  and P 4 ) signalling area or rescue area A for helicopter or emergency aircraft touchdown and lift-off during emergency rescues. This particular configuration provides a sufficient landing and lift-off area A with adequate signal or light visibility. 
     As diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2, the portable signalling device  7  is shown adapted for recharging while housed in a rescue or other vehicle V. The device  7  is rectangular in shape and forms a waterproof and impact resistant housing. The housing has a bottom wall  22 , a top wall  12 , and four side walls  14 ,  16  having a first water proof handle assembly  16   a ,  18  and  20  having a second water proof handle assembly opposing the handle  16   a  for two-handed support or user transport. The top wall  12 , bottom wall  22 , and four side walls (namely first wall  14 , second wall  16 , third wall  18 , and fourth wall  20 ) define an interior compartment  30  for housing at least one signalling circuit board  40 , a rechargeable power source or battery  34 , associated wiring and a rechargeable adapter  34   a.    
     The dimensions of the device  7  are such that the length is within a range from 8.5 to 9.5 inches, preferably 9.0 inches, the width is in the range from 8.0 to 9.0 inches, preferably 8.5, and the height is within the range from 6.0 inches to 7.0 inches, well within F.A.A. regulations for the maximum height of Final Approach and Take Off (F.A.T.O.) area lights. Each of the walls is formed of 0.12 inch steel plate, and all of the seams between the plates are welded or shaped and formed as a unitary impact resistant structure. 
     The exterior surfaces of each wall are primed and painted with high intensity coloration. The preferred coloration is fluorescent red-orange, which is highly visible in all atmospheric conditions. 
     In addition, the top wall  12  and all of the side walls  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  have reflective areas  50 ,  52 , respectively thereon. Reflective areas  50  are red and reflective areas  52  are red-orange or white. 
     The reflective areas  50 ,  52  are provided either as reflective paint or reflective tape. These reflective areas  50 ,  52  meet all current federal specifications and regulations. In addition, the beacon cover  32  is also color regulated and can include a red, yellow, blue, etc. as a color code specific transmission light or beacon. 
     The top wall  12  also includes at least one extension wall or ledge  12   a  which extends from an end of the top wall and substantially along its length for insertably receiving at least one clamp fastener. 
     The first side wall  14  is disposed so as to form a door security wall for securing the top wall  12  supported by a hinge  24  and pin  24   a  assembly disposed on one end of top  12  and another end of wall  18  thereof via a set of first and second latches  26 , 27 . 
     The door or top wall  12  provides access to the interior compartment  30  of the housing. Latches  26 , 27  provide positive, sure closure for the interior compartment  30 , as well as allowing easy access therein via attachment with or removal from the ledge  12   a . In addition, the side wall surface  14  also includes an ON/OFF power switch  38 . The power switch  38  preferably is an aircraft safety switch. The purpose for this type of switch  38  is to require the user to make a definitive maneuver to turn the device  7  on, preventing an inadvertent powering of the beacon  32 , and more importantly, reducing premature discharge of the battery  34 . 
     Further, an electrical coupler  36  is placed on the side wall surface  14  adjacent to the power switch  38 . The electrical coupler  36  provides a selective linking port for recharging the battery  34 . The electrical coupler  36  is of any conventional cannon plug and connector type. Conventional adapters and cords provide easy links for a vehicle to recharge the battery  34  via electrical coupler  36 . Also, it is within the purview of the invention to provide a regulator allowing for simultaneous recharging of the battery  34  and using the device  7 . It is noted that the electrical coupler  36  may be any other type of electrical couple connector. 
     On the second side wall  16  adjacent to the latch end of the door  14  is a handle  16   a  for convenience of carrying and manipulating the housing and having the sturdiness to remain latched, preventing unwanted openings. The handle  16   a  is a conventional flush mounted, expandable handle  16   a . The handle  16   a  is attached to the exterior surface of the side wall at each of its ends. The handle  16   a  lies flush against the exterior surface between the attached ends. When a user grasps the handle  16   a , it expands or rotates so as to separate from the exterior surface, allowing the hand of the user to fit comfortably and securely therearound while carrying the device  7  and while manipulating the position of the device  7 . The handle assembly  16   a  is any conventional pivot buckle type latching device, but includes in addition waterproof seals  17 . This is the preferred type of handle and latch assembly  16   a  for ease in transporting the door device  7 . At least one support flange  16   b  is also mounted on an end of the respective exterior wall surfaces  16  and  2  for hanging via apertures  9  or slidably mounting the device  7  in a rescue or other vehicle as a tongue in groove attachment during transport. (Refer to FIG. 6) 
     As diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 3A, an exploded view of the top wall  12  of the housing is shown to illustrate the waterproof attachment of the illumination source cover or safety beacon lens  32  and assembly. The assembly includes a lens seal  32   a  which is disposed between the lens  32  the top surface  12  via apertures  15  (at four distinct locations) via mechanical nut  33   b  and bolt  33   a  fasteners  33 . Located within a central portion of the top wall  12  is an aperture  49  insertably receiving the strobe light portion  44  therein. Apertures  19  and  21  are also disposed in peripheral relation with the central aperture  49  for securing a combination support bracket or plate  45 . The support bracket  45  supports both the strobe light  44  and circuit board  44   a  including nonconductive cover  44   b  at one end  45   a  and matingly abuts with a side portion of the battery  34  so that the battery is securely mounted within the interior without moving. Mounted within the underside of the top wall surface  12  is a substantially rectangular impact seal  46  which provides a impact cushion between the surrounding walls ( 14 ,  16 ,  18  and  20 ) when the top  12  is securely fastened by latches. The aforementioned surrounding walls including the bottom wall  22  constitutes the base  7   a  of the device  7 . As recited above, the illumination source  44  is generally a strobe type light for flashing. Insulative or nonconductive support elements  47  are provided to prevent short circuits and the like. Since assembly of the various circuits is considered to be well within the knowledge of one having ordinary skill in the out such connections are not discussed in detail. Accordingly, the flashing strobe light provides a helicopter pilot a reference point via the color coded illumination source cover  32 , or preferably arranged at points (i.e. P 1 , P 22 , P 3  and P 4 ) when a multiplicity of devices  7  are used, for safely landing in a site where rescue and retrieval is warranted. The beacon  44  may be mounted flush with the top wall  12 , or may be raised above the surface of the top wall  12 . It is critical to note that current F.A.A. regulations require that the total height of the device  7  be no greater than 8.0 inches. Therefore, the preferred height of the device  7  is 6.5 inches, allowing the beacon to extend no more than 1.5 inches above the top wall  12  surface. The beacon  44  is powered by a rechargeable battery  34  disposed in the interior compartment  30  of the housing. The beacon is preferably equipped with a red lens, although the lens  32  may also be either white, yellow or blue. 
     As diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 3B and 4, the interior compartment  30  of the device  7  has the battery  34  via set of first and second studs  34   a  and  34   b  mounted within an interior portion surface portion of the base  22 . The interior compartment  30  also includes a circuit  40  with a nonconductive support card  41  mounted and secured thereto via a mechanical fastener with inter-disposed non-conductive washer elements  41   a ,  41   b  and  41   c , respectively. The light driving circuit  40  electrically couples the battery  34  via positive and negative poles  34   c  and  34   d  to the power switch  38 , the electrical coupler  36 , and the beacon  44  via strobe light circuit  44   a . As shown in FIG. 3, the circuit  40  includes control module  42  that produces a timed power pulse for causing the strobe element  44  to flash. Such circuitry is well known in the electrical arts and will not be described further. The device  7  weighs about nineteen pounds. In addition, the interior compartment  30  has volume space for inserting ballast material, such as metal plates, in order to increase the weight of the device  7 . The ballast material may be needed for stabilization of the device  7 , preventing rotor-wash by a helicopter. It is preferred that a Hoffman box be used for this purpose. FIG. 4 also illustrates the addition of a second circuit  43  mounted within the interior  30  of the device  7  in a similar way as noted for the light circuit  40 . Circuit  43  is preferably a radio transmitter or transceiver circuit  43  for sending signals to an a helicopter pilot or the like particularly when there is virtually zero visibility. This particular circuit feature  43  is also readily available, and would require only routine skill in the art to configure. 
     In full assembly, FIG. 5, illustrates the device  7  with the interior  30  exposed showing battery  34  and beacon  32  connections. When the top  12  is closed the plate portion  45   b  forces the battery in a direction towards wall portion  20  thereby providing a secure and stable battery  34  position, with simultaneous support via studs  34   a  and  34   b  to prevent unstable movement therebetween. The portability of the device  7  allows for easy transportation to the scene of a disaster where ground transportation would not be feasible. Natural disasters often result in the breakdown of ground transportation systems. Helicopters with a marked landing area at night or day would be able to bring in response teams and supplies to evacuate injured people during the critical period before and while ground transportation is being restored. 
     In general for an emergency landing zone, a rescue helicopter would need four devices  7 , one at each corner defining the landing site. While swirling debris raised by rotors can cause a pilot to lose sight of an intended landing point, the flashing beacons  32  of high intensity light would still be very visible. The base of the device  7  is 76.5 square in, allowing it to sit on top of snow, or any other soft type terrain surface without dropping out of sight. The device  7  may also be made waterproof. All emergency and rescue vehicles should carry at least one device  7  at all times. 
     Further, use of the volume space of the interior compartment  30  may include the installation of an emergency locator transmitter. This type of transmitter may be utilized in addition to the flashing strobe element  44 , allowing the helicopter pilot to locate the area in poor visibility until the point that the flashing beacons  32  are seen. The device  7  may also be used for traffic control by police or fire vehicles. Tractor-trailers could use them as highway markers when broken down. The devices  7  would last at least 50 to 100 times longer than a flare, and would also eliminate the chance of ignition of combustible fuel spilled at the scene of an accident, as flares. 
     By contrast with conventional features, the device  7  of the present invention does not require any construction procedures in order to use the device  7 . For example, in order to use conventional devices, typically a staff must be inserted into the base of each unit used. In addition, it is preferred that the device  7  be mounted to an interior wall portion  60  of an emergency rescue vehicle via pegs  60   a  and  60   b  or similar elements for easy removal or storage as diagrammatically illustrated in FIG.  6 . 
     It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.