Patent Publication Number: US-2013247841-A1

Title: Glow in the dark locator

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/274,188 filed Aug. 14, 2009. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention is related to visual location products that emit and reflect light which is perceived by humans. More particularly, the products are devices, including animal collars and human bands, that are visible at night and in dark environments. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Pets including dogs and cats have natural hue, brightness and color appearances that camouflage and blend in with their environment. They are difficult to see or find at night or in low light or poor visibility conditions. Pets when walked at night are difficult to see and can be injured by motor vehicles. Numerous devices have been developed to keep track of pets and hunting animals. Bells and radio tracking devices worn by the pets provide signals for tracking and locating the pets. Numerous persons have been treated for pet-related injuries, such as tripping over a pet in the dark. Bright colored clothing, LED lights and light phosphorescent collars are used to provide visual locations of pets. 
     Examples of devices for animals that are visible at night or in the dark are disclosed in the following U.S. patents. 
     E. Bozzacco in U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,233 discloses animal collars having flexible elements, strips or body portions having light reflective properties. Light reflective paints and coatings of fluorescent and phosphorescent materials are applied to the animal collars to facilitate location and safety of the animal at night. The collar includes a flexible strip molded from highly light-reflective plastic. 
     N. Schell in U.S. Pat. No. 5,169,702 discloses light reflective wraps used around the ankle, wrist and neck of humans or animals to identify the presence of such human or animal at night. The wrap comprises an elongated strip of elastic fabric with an elongated strip of reflective material superimposed on the fabric. Stitches join the fabric and reflective material. The reflective material is highly light-reflective fluorescent or phosphorescent. 
     A. B. Spencer and C. S. Ferguson in U.S. Pat. No. 5,237,448 describes a visibly enhanced material comprising a first layer of prismatic light reflective plastic material. A second layer of plastic luminescent material is contiguously and integrally attached to the first layer. The combined layers simultaneously reflect light and radiate luminescent light from the second layer and through the prismatic light reflective plastic material. The material is used as a leash for controlling and restraining a pet animal. 
     D. L. Longtin in U.S. Pat. No. 6,786,028 discloses safety and protective garments for animals, such as horses and dogs, having high visibility, illuminative and identification indicia. A series of illuminative strips or patches of fabrics are affixed with stitches or snap fasteners to garments for the animals. 
     M. Grogoza in U.S. Pat. No. 7,117,659 discloses animal restraint device in the form of a belt, strap or collar made of strong material, such as solid or woven manmade or natural substance. Luminescent dyes are infused into the material to afford a warning of the presence of the animal. The device has a breakaway feature that functions to disengage the collar ends when subjected to a predetermined force. 
     S. Morehead in U.S. Pat. No. 7,140,327 discloses a pet wearing collar. The collar includes a band with light-emitting elements, such as glass, plastic and stones. An illumination source mounted on the collar is connected to fiber optic strings. The fiber optic strings connected to the light-emitting elements transfers light to the light-emitting elements. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention is an object, animal or person visual location or ornamental assembly having glow in the dark properties that emit light in dark environments and reflect light to provide safety of the animal and humans as well as ornamental enhancement. The visual location assembly has an elongated flexible strap connected to a buckle assembly for retaining the strap about the neck, arm or leg of an animal, such as a dog or cat, or a human. A sleeve with a passage for accommodating the strap has a tubular plastic body with phosphorescent material incorporated within the plastic body. The phosphorescent material is a powder of a group consisting of zinc sulfide, silicate aluminate and alkaline earth metal aluminate between 3 to 5 percent by volume of the plastic body. The phosphorescent material when exposed to natural or artificial light emits light in dark environments to provide a visual location of the assembly and object, animal or human. The plastic body in one embodiment of the invention includes a light reflecting strip having a prismatic shaped surface for reflecting light and radiating luminescent light emitted by the phosphorescent material. The plastic body in another embodiment is a transparent plastic member with phosphorescent material and light reflectors incorporated in the plastic. A buckle assembly and loop are concurrently joined by the molding process of the plastic body to the plastic body. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of a canis familiwar, dog called Herbie, wearing that pet collar of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged foreshortened top plan view of the pet collar; 
         FIG. 3  is a foreshortened bottom plan view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a foreshortened side elevational view of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line  5 - 5  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged sectional vie taken along the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 8  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a foreshortened top plan view of the flow-in-the-dark sleeve of the pet collar of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a foreshortened side elevation view of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an end elevational view of right end of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a sectional view taken along the line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a foreshortened top plan view of a first modification of the pet collar of the invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a foreshortened bottom plan view of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a foreshortened side elevational view of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 17  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line  17 - 17  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 18  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line  18 - 18  of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 19  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line  19 - 19  of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a foreshortened top plan view of a second modification of the pet collar of the invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a foreshortened bottom plan view of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is a foreshortened side elevational view of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 23  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line  23 - 23  of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 24  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line  24 - 24  of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 25  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lien  25 - 25  of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 26  is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lien  26 - 26  of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a foreshortened top plan view of a third modification of the pet collar of the invention; 
         FIG. 28  is a foreshortened bottom plan view of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 29  is a foreshortened side elevational view of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 30  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  30 - 30  of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 31  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  31 - 31  of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 32  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  32 - 32  of  FIG. 27 ; 
         FIG. 33  is an enlarged sectional view taken along line  33 - 33  of  FIG. 27 ; and 
         FIGS. 34 to 37  correspond to  FIGS. 30 to 33  with the strap containing phosphorescent materials and light reflective lenses. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     A domesticated animal  10 , shown in  FIG. 1  as a canis familiwar or dog named Herbie, has a pet collar  11  located around its neck  12 . Collar  11  has a sleeve  27  containing light emitting and reflecting materials visible at night. Collar  11  is a circuitous band, belt, and halter worn by animals and humans to provide night visibility to facilitate location and safety and ornamental enhancement. The collars herein described are applicable for use by humans, and animals, including but limited to dogs, cats, horses, ferrets, and camels. 
     Collar  11 , shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , comprises an elongated flexible strap  13  that is made of a strong material, such as leather, solid or woven manmade fibers or natural materials. A coupling member or buckle assembly  14  pivotally connected to a first end of strap  13  has a generally rectangular frame  16  supporting transverse rods  17  and  18 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , rod  17  extends through a transverse hold  19  in strap  13  to secure strap  13  to buckle assembly  14 . A longitudinal prong or finger  21  pivotally mounted on rod  18  extends over the outer portion of frame  16 . Other types of coupling members can be used to connect the ends of strap  13 . The second end of strap  13  has a plurality of holes  22  that extend through the width of strap  13  as shown in  FIG. 8 . A loop  23  pivotally mounted on strap  13  adjacent buckle assembly  14  holds the second end of strap  13  in an overlap relation with the first end of strap  13  when it is connected with prong  21  to buckle assembly  14 . Loop  23  includes a transverse rod  24  extended through a transverse hole  26  in strap  13  as shown in  FIG. 6 . An example of strap  13  and buckle assembly  14  are an elongated fabric or leather body having a length of 16 inches, a width of 1 inch and thickness of ½ inch connected to a metal buckle assembly  14 . 
     Returning to  FIGS. 2 to 4  and  7 , a tubular one-piece sleeve  27  is located around a linear section of strap  13  between loop  23  and the second end of strap  13  containing holes  22 . Sleeve  27  can cover the second end of strap  13 . Sleeve  27  is a flexible soft plastic, such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene, having inside surfaces that conform to the shape of the outside surfaces of strap  13  as shown in  FIG. 7 . A plurality of particles  28  of phosphorescent material are incorporated within the plastic of strap  13 . The phosphorescent material emits light following exposure to and removal of incident radiation. The phosphorescent material is a powder of zinc sulfide, silicate aluminate, alkaline earth metal aluminate and like materials that emit light in dark environments. Examples of luminescence materials are disclosed by P. Burnett-Jones in U.S. Pat. No. 6,599,444 incorporated herein by reference. The term phosphorescent material in this disclosure is intended to include any material or composition which has phosphorescent, fluorescent and/or auto luminescent properties. 
     Sleeve  27 , shown in  FIGS. 8 to 12 , is a mixture of a one-piece or continuous tubular transparent plastic body  29  with phosphorescent material comprising particles  28  uniformly distributed within the plastic body. The phosphorescent particles are powders that comprise between 3 to 5 percent of the material of volume of plastic body  29 . Other amounts of phosphorescent particles can be incorporated in plastic body  29 . The shape, size, number, and length of sleeve  27  can vary to accommodate different types, sizes and lengths of conventional collars and bands. In use, sleeve  27  is slipped over the free end of strap  13  to locate sleeve on strap  13 . Sleeve  27  can be removed from strap  27  and replaced with a new sleeve which may have different light emitting color. Exposure to a light source, either natural or artificial, will recharge the phosphorescent material which emits visible light over an extended period of time. The recharging process can be achieved without removing the collar or sleeve from the animal or human. The materials of the strap  13  and sleeve  27  are biocompatible with the animals body skin and fur. 
     A first modification of the collar  111  of the invention shown in  FIGS. 13 to 19  has a strap  113  attached to a buckle assembly  114 . The parts of strap  113  and buckle assembly  114  that correspond to the parts of strap  13  and buckle assembly  14  have the same reference numbers with the prefix 1 as described herein. An elongated band  130  having light emitting material, shown as particles  131  is attached to the top surface  132  of strap  113 . Bonding material or an adhesive layer  133  attaches band  130  to strap  113 . Other types of fasteners, such as hook and loop connectors, stitches or snap devices can be used to releasably attach band to strap  113 . Band  130  has a continuous plastic body  134  with phosphorescent material incorporated therein. Body  134  is a polyethylene with 3 to 5 percent by volume phosphorescent material. Other amounts of phosphorescent material can be incorporated in that plastic body  134 . The types of phosphorescent material and powders are the same as phosphorescent material  28  as described herein. Alternatively, the body can be a polyester transfer of film or fabric having light reflecting and light emitting materials. Light reflectors can be incorporated in plastic body  134  to reflect light rays impinged thereon. 
     A second modification of the collar  211  of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 20 to 26 . Collar  211  has an elongated flexible plastic strap  213  attached at one end thereof to a coupling member or buckle assembly  214  as shown in  FIG. 23 . Buckle assembly  214  has the same parts as buckle assembly  14  with corresponding parts having the same reference members with the prefix 2. Other types of coupling devices can be secured to strap  213 . A loop  216  connected to strap  213  adjacent buckle assembly  214  accommodates the free end of strap  213  and holds the free end of strap  213  in an overlap relation with the buckle end of strap  213  when it is attached to buckle assembly  214 . As shown in  FIG. 24 , loop  216  is pivotally connected to strap  213 . The plastic body, as shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , is molded around rod  218  of buckle assembly  214  and rod  224  of loop  216  during the molding process of the plastic body  220 . Strap  213  is an elongated flexible plastic body  220  having light emitting particles or powders incorporated therein. Body is a polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene plastic with 3 to 5 percent by volume of phosphorescent particles  219  uniformly dispersed therein. The phosphorescent particles are the same as the phosphorescent materials  28  described herein. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 20 ,  25  and  26 , an elongated strip  221  of light reflective material is molded in body  220 . Strip  221  has lateral linear flanges or ribs  222  and  223  located in grooves in body  220  to retain strip  221  on body  218 . Strip  221  can have a dove tail shape to secure it to body  220 . The outer side of strip  221  has a prismatic shaped surface  224  for reflecting rays of light. Strip  221  is a transparent or semi-transparent glass or synthetic plastic material that radiates luminescent light emitted by phosphorescent particles  219  dispensed in body  220 . Strip  221  includes a retroreflective material that reflects the bulk of the light rays impinged thereon in a substantially parallel path back toward the source of the light. An example of this material is disclosed by Rowland in U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,348. The strip  221  can also be attached to the tubular plastic body of sleeve  27 . 
     A third modification of collar  311  of the invention, shown in  FIGS. 27 to 33 , has an elongated flexible plastic strap  313 . Strap  313  is a one-piece molded body of polymerized thermoplastic vinyls, such as polyvinyl chloride. Other plastic including polymerized ethylene resin, such as polyethylene, can be used to mold the one-piece body of strap  313 . A plurality of particles or powder  327  of phosphorescent material is incorporated within the plastic of strap  313 . The parties  327  of phosphorescent material are uniformly distributed in the plastic so that the entire strap  313  emits light at night or in dark environments. The phosphorescent material  327  is the same as phosphorescent material  28  described herein. Examples of luminescence materials are disclosed by P. Burnett-Jones in U.S. Pat. No. 6,599,444 incorporated herein by reference. The phosphorescent particles comprise between 3 to 5 percent of the volume of the plastic body of strap  313 . Other amounts of phosphorescent material can be incorporated in the plastic body. The shape, size, width and length of strap  313  can vary to accommodate different animals and uses. Exposure to a light source, either natural or artificial, will recharge the phosphorescent material which emits visible light over an extended period of time. The recharging process can be achieved without removing collar  311  from the animal or human. Strap  313  and phosphorescent material therein are biocompatible with the animal&#39;s body, skin and fur. 
     A buckle assembly  314  pivotally connected to a first end of strap  313  has a generally rectangular frame  316  joined to transverse rods  317  and  318 . Frame  316  and rods  317  and  318  are a one-piece metal member having parallel sides and transverse ends. Rods  317  and  318  are joined to the sides of frame  316 . The plastic body at the first end of strap  313  is molded around rod  317 , as shown in  FIG. 30 , during the molding of strap  313 . Separate fasteners, such as rivets, are not used to secure strap to rod  317 . A longitudinal prong or finger  319  pivotally mounted on rod  318  has an outer end extended over an outer transverse end of frame  16 . Prong  319  is adapted to extend through one of holes  321 ,  322  and  323 , shown in  FIGS. 27 ,  28  and  33 , in the second end portion of strap  313 . 
     A loop  324  pivotally mounted on strap  313  adjacent buckle assembly  314  holds the second end of strap  313  in an overlap relation with the first end of strap  313  when prong  319  is connected to the second end of the strap. Loop  324  has a generally U-shaped member and a transverse rod  326 . Loop  324  is a one-piece metal D-shaped ring or member. Rod  326  extends transversely through the plastic body of strap  313 . As shown in  FIG. 31 , the plastic body of strap  313  is molded around rod  326  during the molding of strap  313 . The buckle assembly  314  and loop  324  are concurrently joined by the molding process of the plastic body to the plastic body. An injection molding process is used to connect buckle assembly  314  and loop  324  to the plastic body of strap  313 . 
     The strap  413 , buckle assembly  414  and loop  424 , shown in  FIGS. 34 to 37 , have the same structure and process of molding the buckle assembly  414  and loop  424  as shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 23 to 33 . The parts of strap  413 , buckle assembly  414  and loop  424  have the same reference numbers with the prefix 4. The plastic body of strap  413  in addition to particles of phosphorescent material  427  has a plurality of light reflective lenses distributed throughout the plastic body. Other types of retroreflective materials capable of reflecting light rays impinged thereon can be incorporated into the plastic body of strap  413 . Examples of these materials are cube corner reflectors molded from glass or acrylic resins. Rowland in U.S. Pat. No. 3,684,348 discloses a retroreflective composite synthetic plastic material having cube corner formations that can be incorporated in the plastic body of strap  413 . 
     The preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and illustrated in the drawing. It is understood by persons skilled in the art that various other modifications and materials may be made without departing form the scope of the invention.