Abstract:
A guidance device including a body having multiple reflective fields, and a mounting member for secure mounting to a surface. The body&#39;s reflective surfaces may be oriented to reflect approaching light from the top, bottom, left, and right, thereby enhancing its visibility regardless of an approach mode of rescue personnel, and regardless of an orientation in which the guidance device is mounted. The guidance device may include an element capable of absorbing heat to enhance the guidance device&#39;s detection by a thermal imaging camera, or be configured to cause emission of light from responsive to detection of light (e.g. from a firefighter&#39;s flashlight). One or more guidance devices may be sold as part of a kit that includes an identification marker mountable adjacent an entry door of a building, and instructions for coordinating mounting positions of the identification marker and the guidance device relative to their respective doors.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 60/486,209, filed Jul. 11, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to the field of firefighting and search and rescue efforts made by firefighters and other rescue personnel when entering a smoke-filled or burning building, and more particularly to a device and method for guiding rescue personnel to a location of a potential fire victim. 
   BACKGROUND 
   Residential fires occur with alarming frequency. Not only are residences constructed of many flammable materials, but relatively recent developments in residential construction compound the inherent fire risk. For example, increasingly popular wooden truss-based construction includes metal plates that conduct heat between truss members, resulting in sudden collapse when critical truss members give way. Additionally, there has been an increased use of micro-laminate and pressed board flooring materials, which include adhesives that cause fires to burn faster and hotter. Further, prevalent heat-retaining thermal pane windows, while energy-efficient, pose an increased hazard in a residential fire, causing hotter environments and contributing to flash over. As a result of these constructions, structural deterioration in residential fires occurs more rapidly than ever before, and the need to locate potential fire victims quickly is even more urgent as a result. 
   It is estimated that, in the United States alone, more than 25,000 people are injured and 4,000 are killed in fires each year, many of which occur in residences. Of those injured, approximately 2,800 are children that are fourteen years of age or younger; an additional 850 such children are killed in residential fires each year. Of these children, it is estimated that more than 40% are under the age of 5, and 70% are under the age of 10. It has been found that most residential fires originate in a bedroom, where fire victims often succumb to smoke inhalation. Too often, victims are injured or perish before they can be found and rescued by rescue personnel. 
   Conventionally, an outward-facing window sticker has been placed on a window pane of a child&#39;s bedroom, so that such a sticker could be spotted by rescue personnel in the event of a residential fire. However, such stickers have been used by predators and pedophiles to locate and abduct sleeping children. Accordingly, such externally visible stickers have fallen out of favor. 
   As a result, virtually all search and rescue operations in smoke-filled and/or burning buildings rely on a search procedure in which a firefighter, etc. enters the building, sweeps behind the entry door for a victim, then follows a wall to the right or left of the door while sweeping the whole room, until a doorway is reached and entered, and the process is repeated for the next room. While this technique is effective, it is inefficient and time-consuming. 
   SUMMARY 
   In an effort to save lives, the inventor, a veteran firefighter, has developed a unique guidance device and method that assist rescue personnel in quickly locating potential fire victims by guiding such rescue personnel to bedrooms and/or other areas where most potential fire victims become trapped. 
   An exemplary guidance device includes a body having multiple reflective fields, each having unique light-reflective characteristics, and a mounting member, such as adhesive backed tape, for securely mounting the guidance device to a surface. Preferably, the reflective field includes reflective surfaces that are oriented to reflect light approaching the guidance device from the top, bottom, left, and right, thereby enhancing visibility of the guidance device to rescue personnel regardless of how such personnel&#39;s flashlight, etc. is carried, and regardless of whether the rescue person is walking, crawling, etc. Optionally, the surfaces are arranged symmetrically about a plane, or two perpendicular planes. 
   In one embodiment, the guidance device also includes an element capable of absorbing heat to enhance the guidance device&#39;s detection by a thermal imaging camera. In another embodiment, the guidance device includes a light or sound source connected to a power source, a light sensor for detecting light, and circuitry configured to cause emission of light or sound from the light or sound sources responsive to detection of light (e.g. from a firefighter&#39;s flashlight) by the light sensor. 
   One or more guidance devices may be sold as part of a kit that also includes an identification marker capable of being mounted adjacent an entry door of a building. The identification marker may include text or other visually perceptible indicia providing notice that the building contains at least one guidance device. Optionally, the kit may also include instructions bearing indicia advising an installer to mount the guidance device and the identification marker in similar positions relative to their respective doors, so that the marker can serve as notice of where to expect guidance devices within the building. 
   Methods for installing the guidance devices and for searching for potential fire victims in a building using such guidance devices are also provided. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of an exemplary body of an exemplary guidance device in accordance with the present invention, showing top surface detail; 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the body of  FIG. 1 , showing reflective structures; 
       FIGS. 2A ,  2 B and  2 C are collectively an exploded view of the body of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIGS. 2D and 2E  are cross-sectional views of the body portion of  FIG. 2A , taken along lines  2 D— 2 D and  2 E— 2 E of  FIG. 2A , respectively; 
       FIGS. 2F and 2G  are cross-sectional views of the body portions of  FIG. 2B , taken along lines  2 F— 2 F and  2 G— 2 G of  FIG. 2B , respectively; 
       FIG. 2H  is a cross-sectional view of the body portion of  FIG. 2C , taken along line  2 H— 2 H of  FIG. 2C ; 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the body of  FIG. 1 , with the reflective structures omitted for illustrative purposes; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a guidance device including the body of  FIG. 1 , taken along line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the guidance device of  FIG. 4 , taken along line  5 — 5  of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 6  is an elevational view showing an exemplary mounting of the guidance device in a residence, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of an exemplary decal for use in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is an elevational view showing an exemplary mounting of the sticker of  FIG. 7  in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is an image of exemplary instructions for installation of guidance devices and stickers in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a flow diagram showing an exemplary method for providing a guidance system in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 11  is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for installing a guidance system in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 12  is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for using a guidance system in accordance with the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present invention provides a guidance device for guiding rescue personnel during search and rescue efforts in smoke-filled or burning buildings, to assist such rescue personnel to quickly locate potential fire victims. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1–5 , a preferred embodiment of an exemplary guidance device  10  is shown. As shown in  FIGS. 1–5 , the exemplary guidance device  10  includes a body  12  including a top side  14  and a bottom side  16 . The bottom side preferably includes a flange  18  extending around the perimeter of the body, as best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The body  12  is preferably formed as a unit by an injection molding process using an acrylic or general purpose polycarbonate material, such material being capable of maintaining structural integrity at temperatures higher than human life can survive, e.g. 310° F. Preferably, the body is clear/translucent acrylic to complement most home interiors, and includes trademark, logo and/or name  19  molded into the body to assure compliance with applicable quality standards, as best shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   The body  12  includes multiple reflective fields, at least two of which have different reflective properties. As best shown in  FIG. 2 , the exemplary body includes multiple reflective fields  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 . Each reflective field includes one or more pluralities of reflective surfaces  28 , each of which is disposed at a certain orientation relative to the body  12 . The reflective fields collectively include surfaces at various orientations relative to the body, so that multiple reflective properties are provided by such surfaces to the body  12 . Such surfaces are preferably provided on the bottom side  16  of the body, so that the body may be provided with a substantially smooth upper surface  14 . These reflective surfaces are typically part of reflective structures in the form of tiny 3-sided pyramids or cube corners, as well known in the art. 
   Exemplary reflective surfaces  28  are best shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  2 A– 2 H,  4  and  5 . By way of further example, the surfaces  28  are preferably similarly oriented relative to the top surface  14  of the body  12  within a respective reflective field  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 , and are uniquely oriented with respect to the others of the multiple reflective fields  20 ,  22 ,  24 ,  26 , so that at least two fields provide unique reflective characteristics in that they reflect light from a unique direction, angle, or range of angles. In the exemplary body of  FIGS. 1–5 , the first reflective field  20  includes a wide angle reflector having surfaces  28  arranged to have a brightest reflectivity for light approaching from 45 degrees to 65 degrees (from a plane of the body) from the left of the body (from the perspective of  FIG. 1 ), and approximately 85 degrees to 90 degrees from the top and bottom of the body (from the perspective of  FIG. 1 ). The surfaces of the fourth reflective field  26  are essentially a mirror image of those of the first reflective field; accordingly, the fourth reflective field  26  includes a wide angle reflector having surfaces  28  arranged to have a brightest reflectivity for light approaching the body  21  from 45 degrees to 65 degrees from the right of the body, and approximately 85 degrees to 90 degrees from the top and bottom of the body. Each of the second and third reflective fields  22 ,  24  includes an HV (horizontal-vertical) flat reflector, and includes surfaces arranged to have a brightest reflectivity for light approaching the body  21  from approximately 75 degrees to 90 degrees from the top, bottom, left and right of the body (e.g. the boundary defining a generally cone-shape). In this particular embodiment, the second and third fields  22 ,  24  are mirror images of one another, but provide identical reflective characteristics, such that the second and third reflective fields operate as a single reflector having a uniform reflective characteristic. Accordingly, the first and fourth fields  20 ,  26  primarily reflect light approaching from the left and right sides of the body, and the second and third fields  22 ,  24  reflect light approaching from the top, bottom, left and right sides, providing a wide range of visibility of the guidance device in three dimensional space. Accordingly, in these and other configurations, the guidance device  10  may be easily detected by a firefighter, e.g. when carrying a flashlight and/or sweeping it&#39;s beam during a search process, from a variety of angles, e.g. when the firefighter is carrying a handheld, coat-mounted or helmet-mounted flashlight, when the firefighter is walking or crawling, etc. 
   In a certain embodiment of the present invention, the guidance device  10  further includes an element capable of absorbing and retaining heat, such that it will be easily detected through use of a thermal imaging camera of a type commonly used by firefighters, etc. For example, a metal disc  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , capable of absorbing and retaining heat at a rate greater than the material of the body  12  is preferable. By way of example, a disc constructed of nickel-plated steel that is approximately 0.89 inches in diameter and approximately 0.05 inches thick has been found suitable for this purpose. Optionally, the body  12  is formed to include a recess  29  dimensioned to receive and retain the element/disc  30 , as best shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  4  and  5 . In such an embodiment, the body  12  may include a dome  17  for housing the metal disc, etc., as best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
   In another embodiment, the guidance device  10  includes an electronic device capable of emitting a beam or flash of light, or an audible signal, when a sensor thereof is activated by a firefighter&#39;s flashlight, etc. The fabrication of circuitry that will emit a beam of light or audible signal upon activation by a light beam is within the ability of the ordinarily skilled artisan and requires no further description. In such an embodiment, the disc  30  is replaced with such circuitry and disc style batteries. Advantageously, even if such batteries are discharged and the electronic device is not functioning, they may nevertheless function as a suitable element for the thermal imaging purposes described above. In such an embodiment, the guidance device may also include a mounting plate (not shown) having apertures for admitting passage of screws for mounting the mounting plate to a wall, etc., and the body may be configured to snap on or otherwise be fastened to the mounting plate. Any suitable mounting may be used. 
   The guidance device  10  further includes mounting means mounted to the bottom side  14  of the body. In the exemplary embodiment, such mounting means includes double-faced adhesive tape  34 , as best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The tape  34  is preferably adhered to the flange  18  of the body  12  and any flange adjacent any recess  15 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , and/or any internal portions of the reflective structures/surfaces (not shown). The tape  34  serves to retain any disc  30  circuitry etc., relative to the body  12 . Further, on opposite side of the tape  34  is preferably provided with a release sheet  36  that may be easily peeled away to expose adhesive that can be used to securely mount the guidance device  10  to a residential structure, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an exemplary mounting of the guidance device  10  to residential structure, in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 6 , a guidance device  10  is preferably mounted to an internal portion of the residence such that the guidance device  10  are observable only from an interior of a residence, thereby avoiding the aforementioned problem with predators and pedophiles. The guidance devices  10  may be mounted adjacent any rooms where potential fire victims are likely to be found, such as bedrooms. For any such room, the guidance device  10  is preferably mounted adjacent the room&#39;s doorway  50  on the external side  52  of the room&#39;s door  54 . For example, such a device  10  may be mounted to baseboard  60  or casing  62  molding in a hallway leading to a bedroom, as shown in  FIG. 6 . Further, the devices  10  are preferably mounted in a consistent location relative to each marked door within a residence, e.g. adjacent the hinged side  56  of the door, near the floor. Preferably, the devices  10  are sold in kit form along with a reflective identification marker, such as sticker  80 , of  FIG. 7 , that will serve as notice to the firefighter that the home is equipped with the guidance device  10 . Further, the sticker  80  should be that should be mounted adjacent an entry door  84  of the residence in a location relative to the entry door  84  that corresponds to the locations of the guidance devices  10  relative to their respective doors within the residence (e.g. on or near the door, near the floor), as shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . Instructions  90  including text and/or illustrations may be provided to advise an installer of the guidance devices to mount the guidance devices  10  and sticker  80  in this manner, as shown in  FIG. 9 . Accordingly, the firefighter, will be able to determine from the sticker  80  on the outside of the residence the expected location of any guidance devices within the residence (e.g. near the floor), and the expected location of corresponding doorknobs  58  (see  FIGS. 6 and 8 ) relative to each guidance device  10  (e.g. opposite the side of the door nearest the guidance device when the guidance device is located adjacent the hinged side of the door). In this manner, the guidance devices  10  will enable firefighters to reduce the amount of time necessary to locate bedrooms, victims, etc. when searching for persons trapped in a burning or smoke-filled building. The time saved will reduce the casualties of both residents and firefighters. Further, use of the guidance devices can further help reduce firefighter casualties by identifying bedrooms; firefighters are trained to look for bedrooms in the event the firefighter needs to quickly exit a smoke-filled/burning building because bedrooms typically have at least one window large enough that it can be used by the firefighter as an exit. 
     FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12  show flow diagrams illustrating exemplary methods for providing, installing and using, respectively, a guidance system in accordance with the present invention. Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the flow diagram  100  shows an exemplary method for providing a guidance system from a vendor&#39;s perspective. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the method begins with providing of a plurality of guidance devices, such as the light reflecting and/or thermal imaging sensitive and/or electronic guidance devices discussed above, as shown at steps  101  and  102 . Such guidance devices  10  (see, e.g.  FIG. 1 ) are provided for mounting adjacent to an internal door of a building, as discussed above (see, e.g.  FIG. 6 ). For example, the guidance devices may be mounted adjacent bedrooms or other rooms where potential victims are likely to be found in the event of a fire. Further, the method involves providing an identification marker, such as sticker  80  of  FIG. 7  for mounting adjacent an entry door of the building, as shown at step  104  (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Further, the exemplary method includes providing instructions (see  FIG. 9 ) to mount all guidance devices in similar locations relative to the respective internal doors, as shown at step  106 . Finally, the exemplary method ends with providing of instructions to mount the identification marker in location relative to the entry door that corresponds to the locations of the guidance devices relative to the internal doors, as shown at steps  108  and  109 . In this manner, a firefighter can observe the placement of the sticker  80  external to the building and determine where any guidance devices  10  in the building will likely be found. This allows the firefighter to conduct a preliminary search relatively quickly, and to conduct a detailed search in those areas where potential victims are most likely to be found. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 11 , a flow diagram  120  is shown that illustrates an exemplary method for installing a guidance system, shown from the perspective of an installer, such as a homeowner, policeman, firefighter, or installation professional. As shown in  FIG. 11 , the method begins with mounting of a guidance device  10  adjacent an internal door of a building, as shown at steps  121  and  122 . As described above, the guidance device may include an adhesive tape backing covered by a release sheet  36 . Accordingly, this mounting step  122  may include removing the release sheet  36  from a guidance device  10 . Further, this mounting step  122  may include positioning the guidance device  10  in a predetermined location (such as on casing or baseboard molding near the floor, adjacent a hinged edge of a door, on an exterior side of the door relative to a room accessible thereby, etc.) relative to a door and/or selecting a room where a potential fire victim is likely to be found, etc (see  FIG. 6 ). The exemplary method of  FIG. 11  ends with mounting of an identification marker on or adjacent an entry door of the building in a location relative to the entry door that corresponds to the location of the guidance device relative to the internal door, as shown at steps  124  and  125  (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). In this manner, a guidance system is provided that will provide notice to firefighters or other rescue personnel that the building contains the guidance device  10 , will alert the rescue personnel to the expected location of such guidance device  10  and/or alert the rescue personnel to the location of doorknobs, etc. relative to any guidance device  10 , etc. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 12 , a flow diagram  130  is shown that illustrates an exemplary method for using a guidance system, shown from the perspective of rescue personnel. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the method starts with visually locating an identification marker (such as sticker  80  of  FIG. 7 ) adjacent (e.g. on or next to) an entry door of a building, as shown at steps  131  and  132  (see  FIGS. 8 and 9 ). Next, the method includes identifying a location of the identification marker (sticker  80   FIG. 7 ) relative to the entry door, as shown at step  134 . For the example of  FIG. 9 , a trained firefighter would take note in this step that any guidance device found within the building will be located at or just above a point at which the floor meets the wall, adjacent an edge of the door that is hinged (opposite the edge having the doorknob), and on an external side (the side not within the room marked by the guidance device) of the corresponding door. Having taken note of such location, the firefighter, etc. may then enter the building and conduct a search for guidance devices  10 , as shown at steps  136  and  138 . Advantageously, the search may focus on, or begin with, the areas where guidance devices will most likely be found, e.g. near the floor/wall juncture. For example, the search may be conducted with the use of flashlights or thermal imaging cameras, as discussed above. When a guidance device  10  is found, the firefighter, etc. may then enter the associated room and conduct a thorough search for potential fire victims, as shown at steps  140 ,  142  and  143 . In this manner, search and rescue efforts may be focused, or at least initiated, where potential victims are most likely to be found. 
   Having thus described particular embodiments of the invention, various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications and improvements as are made obvious by this disclosure are intended to be part of this description though not expressly stated herein, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only, and not limiting. The invention is limited only as defined in the following claims and equivalents thereto.