Patent Abstract:
Temporary safety zones are established by deploying a plurality of safety icons connected by extensible, brightly colored, retro-reflective tapes. The tapes are retracted within the housings of the safety icons. A plurality of modules having different functions are removably affixed to the base of the safety icons, the modules including sensors, beacons, transceivers, detection devices, and audio receivers and video cameras. Because the modules are manually interchangeable, the safety zones can be implemented for specific, interchangeable circumstances, e.g., a surveillance station, portable helipad, landing strip, and restricted area barriers.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable. 
   THE NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
   Not Applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” 
   Not Applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   (1) Field of the Invention 
   This invention relates to a safety icon and a combination integrating the safety icon and other technological elements into a Portable Area Safety Zoning system (PASZ) to create a variety of safe zones for military, police, and civilian uses. 
   (2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98 
   Icons, i.e., entities whose form suggests its meaning, have been used for centuries. In today&#39;s computer age, most people associate icons with pictures, mainly the graphic symbols on a computer display screen that suggests the associated function, e.g., a pictorial depiction of a trash can for disposing of files. The concept of an icon, however, also includes objects, e.g., the Statue of Liberty, the Great Wall of China, and Mount Rushmore. For the purpose of this invention, a safety icon is an object which is instantly recognizable as a device which promotes safety. The focus of this invention comprises safety icons which set apart one area from another, usually a secured zone from an unrestricted zone for pedestrian, automobile, or aircraft traffic. The sample icon in the description of the invention comprises a variation of a traffic safety cone, but the scope of the invention disclosed and claimed is not limited to the specific physical form of the cone disclosed. 
   Traffic safety icons have come in many recognizable forms, including posts (U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,109), barrels (U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,788), pylons (U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,343), cones (U.S. Pat. No. 6,558,068), and signalling devices uniquely designed for a particular purpose (U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,070). (The patents listed in parentheses are representative of the types of safety icons mentioned; see the patents cited of record for a more comprehensive list.) By and large, each of them have limited usages and permit of only minor variations. 
   The manner of using the safety icons includes those which may stand alone (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,597,262, 5,722,788, 6,556,147, and 5,529,429) or are permanently joined together (U.S. Pat. No. 4,515,499). Most safety icons, however, are temporarily attached to an adjacent icon by solid or flexible barriers (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,501,429, 5,030,029, 6,053,657, and 6,386,135). The icons of interest in this category are portable and typically arranged to delineate an open or closed perimeter (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,770,495, 5,501,429, 5,030,029, and 7,030,777). Those that are permanently connected to each other are difficult to store and transport, and those temporarily attached to an adjacent icon, again, lack sufficient versatility to justify being carried by military or civilian units having limited space and/or weight restrictions. 
   Of particular relevance to the disclosed invention are systems which utilize portable safety icons to control or monitor traffic (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,515,499, 5,501,429, 6,559,774, and 7,030,777), to set up temporary landing sites for helicopters or airplanes (U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,862,164, 6,069,557, 6,174,070, 6,193,190, and 6,509,844), and to cordon off selected areas (U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,495). While all of these are suitable and effective for the functions for which they were designed, a study of their structures and operational requirements will make it immediately apparent that cross-over from one use to another is quite impractical if not impossible. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention overcomes the difficulties described above by integrating a plurality of safety icons with a variety of special-function modules to create a system of establishing a concomitant variety of safety zones having universal applicability under a variety of situations. A carrying case houses a set of safety icons. Each safety icon is collapsible so that it is compact for storage and travel and is extendable to provide a relatively large body which is sufficient to achieve its goals of being easily seen from land and air. The base of each safety icon includes a retractable, retro-reflective tape and anchor tabs for latching to retractable tapes of adjacent icons. The base of each safety icon is adapted to receive a plurality of modules. Each module is designed to be manually connected and removed from said base while being stably attached when connected. A variety of modules are provided, each of which are designed to perform a specific function. One type of module acts as a beacon guiding personnel to the icon, e.g., as with a light beam (LED, infrared, ultraviolet, halogen, etc.), a radio beam, or a GPS signalling beam. Other types of modules include sensors comprising video cameras, motion sensors, light sensors, explosive detection devices, etc., as will be described in more detail anon. The modules are small, compact, and are self-contained. A large variety of modules can be easily stored and transported, even under conditions where space is a premium. Assembly, deployment, and the dismantling of icons and modules is easily performed by relatively unskilled personnel. The PASZ system provides equal or increased safety as compared to prior systems, while adding needed versatility in functions allowing it to adapt to changing environments and needs. PASZ is an inexpensive system which provides military, police, fire and rescue, security, and other similar personnel, with affordable means to do their job safely and effectively. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing and other objects, aspects, uses, and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood from the following detailed description of the present invention when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a back view of a preferred embodiment of a collapsible safety cone; 
       FIG. 2  is a bottom view of the safety cone of  FIG. 1  as seen along lines II-II in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the safety cone of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a top sectional view of the safety cone of  FIG. 1  as seen along lines IV-IV in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a top sectional view of the safety cone of  FIG. 1  as seen along lines V-V in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic depiction of the locking mechanism of the collapsible safety cone of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 7  shows a carrying case for four of the collapsible safety cones of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  depicts a surveillance check-point utilizing the safety cones of  FIGS. 1-6 ; 
       FIG. 9  shows a portable helipad created by proper placements of the safety cones of  FIGS. 1-6 ; 
       FIG. 10  shows a portable landing strip created by the safety cones of  FIGS. 1-6 ; 
       FIG. 11  shows the safety cones of  FIGS. 1-6  cordoning off the area around a parked airplane; and 
       FIG. 12  shows the safety cones of  FIGS. 1-6  cordoning off the area around a parked gasoline tanker truck at a commercial service station. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   A safety cone  10  is shown in  FIG. 1 . Safety cone  10  comprises a basic element of the Portable Area Safety Zoning System (PASZ), a few representative applications of which are disclosed in  FIGS. 8-12 , below. Safety cone  10  comprises a base  12 , and a plurality of collapsible cone segments  14   a - 14   d , the uppermost of which has a cone handle  16  integral therewith. 
   Base  12  is weighted to lower its center of gravity for stability, and the bottom  18  of base  12  ( FIG. 2 ) is preferably textured and/or covered with a non-slip material to assist in maintaining its position after placement. In the preferred embodiment, base  12  is square with four sides  20 ; other peripheral shapes, e.g., circular, triangular, octagonal, etc., are contemplated, however. Integral with and protruding from each of three sides  20  of base  12  is an anchor tab  22  which includes a vertically extending aperture  24 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 3-4 , a front view and a top sectional view taken along lines IV-IV of  FIG. 3 , respectively, of safety cone  10  is shown. The fourth side  20  of base  12  has a slot  26  extending from the outer edge into the hollow interior  28  ( FIG. 4 ) of safety cone  10 . Mounted within hollow interior  28  is a retracting mechanism  30  for a retro-reflective, retractable tape  32 . (A retro-reflective surface is one which reflects incident light back in the direction from which it came, as opposed to scattering it or reflecting it in the direction away from the source, as in a mirror.) By locating retracting mechanism  30  centrally within base  12 , the center of gravity of cone  10  is further lowered and centralized, thereby increasing the stability of cone  10 . Slot  26  is stepped, having an enlarged portion leading into a narrower portion; see  FIG. 4 . The flexibility of tape  32  plus the funnel-like shape of slot  26  allows tape  32  to exit slot  26  at various angles, generally within a 50° to 60° angle. Fixed to the free end of tape  32  is a hitch  34 , preferably comprising a pin  36  adapted to be latched securely within an aperture  24  of one of the anchor tabs  22  of an adjacent safety cone  10 , as will become apparent shortly. In the drawings, tape  32  is shown as extending a short distance outside of base  12 ; this is for illustration only. In practice, when pin  36  is not engaged with an aperture  24 , retracting mechanism  30  biases hitch  34  of tape  32  into the enlarged portion of slot  26  ( FIG. 4 ) for safety and compactness during storage and transportation thereof. 
     FIG. 5  is a top view of safety cone  10  as seen along lines V-V of  FIG. 3  where the first two cone segments  14   a  and  14   b  are shown in section. Retracting mechanism  30  and tape  32  are as before. Base  12  includes a through opening  38  spaced inwardly from each corner. Corner openings  38  are suitably sized to receive anchoring stakes (not shown) when it is necessary to securely fix safety cone  10  to a surface. 
   Also included in base  12  are pairs of apertures  40 , each of which are located approximately midway of sides  20  and the lowermost cone segment  14   a . Aperture pairs  40  comprise mounts which are adapted to receive a corresponding pair of pins  42  depending from any one of a plurality of modules  44 , the types and applications of which are to be described relative to  FIGS. 8-12 . Mounts  40  and pins  42  removably fix modules  44  to base  12  and can comprise apertures with slightly resilient walls into which pins are friction fit, threaded apertures and mating bolts, or smooth bores and selectively expandable shafts. A resilient friction fit is usually sufficient, as there are no external forces trying to separate modules  44  from base  12 , except when being manually removed. A resilient friction fit is preferred as well, as it allows for quick and easy attachment, withdrawal, and/or replacement of modules  44 . Up to four different kinds of modules can be accommodated by the four mounts  40  included in each cone, providing important versatility to the inventive concepts disclosed herein. 
   Collapsible cone segments  14  are locked in either of two states, an upper, extended state and a lower, storage state. Any known locking mechanism can be used, but the locking mechanism  46 , shown in  FIG. 6 , is preferred. Locking mechanism  46  comprises a C-shaped slot  48  on the internal wall of the lower of the two cone segments  14  which cooperates with a fixed external locking pin  50  on the upper of the two cone segments  14 . When in the collapsed state with pins  50  at the blind end of the lower arms of C-shaped slots  48 , grasping handle  16  and rotating it counter-clockwise will move each locking pin  50  along the lower arm of its associated C-shaped slot  48  until all locking pins  50  are in register with the vertical bights of C-shaped slots  48 . To completely extend cone  10 , just pull upwardly until all locking pins  50  reaches the top of their vertical bights and rotate clockwise to move locking pins  50  outwardly to the extremities of the upper arms of C-shaped slots  48 . In this manner, all of cone segments  14   a - 14   d  are simultaneously unlocked, extended, and locked by a simple twist, pull, twist motion which is easily effected by only one hand. Reverse the movements to collapse safety cone  10 . Mechanism  46  promotes quick and easy deployment of safety cones  10 , a desiderata infused throughout the design and use of the PASZ cones. 
   Safety cones  10  are designed to be used in the field to clearly and distinctly delineate safety zones. As such, they must be both of sufficient number to accomplish the goals and portable enough to be effectively deployed quickly and easily. A suitcase  52  ( FIG. 7 ) comprising a main body  54 , a lid  56 , a handle  58  and a pair of latches  60  houses a set  62  of four safety cones  10 . Sets of four safety cones, or multiples of four, have been found to be optimum for creating most perimeters of desired safety zones. Suitcase  52  provides storage for discrete sets of safely cones and facilitates transport thereof to the desired location of the safety zone. Temporary safety zones, also referred to herein as PASZ stations, are useful in a multitude of civilian and military situations. A few exemplary ones are shown in  FIGS. 8-12 . 
   The military applications of PASZ are many. One of the most important is the surveillance of passing vehicles. 
   It is well known that our military personnel are subject daily to suicide bombers in vehicles rigged with explosives, a scenario likely to be repeated for decades to come. Early detection of them is crucial, but a hands-on inspection can be dangerous, since should the bomber suspect he has been discovered, he might intentionally detonate the explosives, putting anyone nearby at risk. Also, a surveillance zone must be established well removed from potential targets in order to further protect personnel, supplies, and equipment. The surveillance zone should be effective in identifying potential enemies while simultaneously providing safety for our troops. Such a safety zone comprising a PASZ station utilizing PASZ equipment and concepts can be achieved quickly and easily. 
   Exemplary is the showing in  FIG. 8 , wherein two lanes of a highway  64 , both for Northbound traffic (bottom to top in the drawing), are shown. A surveillance zone is established by two sets  66  and  68  of safety cones  10  interconnected by retro-reflective, retractable tapes  32 . Set  66  defines a merge-directing fence, and set  68 , placed alongside the roadway, establishes a boundary restricting passage of vehicle  70  to a narrow slot shown as comprising a single lane of highway  64 . Vehicle  70  is slowed and directed by sets  66  and  68  into the open lane to facilitate inspection thereof. 
   A plurality of modules  44  ( FIG. 5 ) are mounted on the base  12  of each cone  10 . Each module is designed for a specific purpose and is self-contained. That is, each comprises a detector suitable for the function needed at the specific PASZ station and a transceiver for receiving control signals, where appropriate, and for sending images, data, and/or other information to surveillance personnel  72 . 
   In a vehicle surveillance system, as in  FIG. 8 , each cone  10  has a module  44  comprising a video camera module facing the roadway. Being mounted on the base  12  of cones  10 , virtually at ground level, the cameras are capable of inspecting the bottom of vehicle  70  for any signs of unusual modifications, such as anything which is indicative of the presence of explosives. Also mounted on each base  12  are modules  44  comprising explosive “sniffers,” devices capable of detecting minute amounts of gaseous emanations from various types of explosives. Other types of chemical or other particle detector modules suitable for sensing materials commonly used in chemical warfare weapons could be attached to cones  10  where indicated. Radiation sensing modules  44  can also be mounted on cones  10 , should it be suspected the vehicle is transporting radioactive materials. And, motion sensor modules to detect the presence of a moving body and accelerometers for detecting collisions with the cones also find applicability in PASZ surveillance stations. This list of types of modules  44  is not exhaustive. Others can easily be designed for detecting or observing other specific parameters of interest and find utility as removable modules on safety cones  10  in a PASZ system. 
   A portable, remote controlled video camera  74  is preferably included near the PASZ station to permit a close look at the type, color, and make of vehicle  70 , its license plate, and the driver and passengers. Video camera  74  can be positioned at an optimum location for an early look at the occupants of vehicle  70 . Camouflaging video camera  74  or otherwise hiding it from view permits observing said occupants without arousing their suspicions. Additional video cameras  74  can be strategically placed in order to coordinate with each other in inspecting larger vehicles (tanks, trucks, vans, SUVs, etc.) in more detail. One such optional video camera  74   a  is shown behind set  66  of safety cones  10 . An interrogation system comprising speakers and microphones are preferably included with video camera  74   a . An automatic voice language translation device is also preferably included with video camera  74   a , in order to automatically translate the driver&#39;s language into English. All video camera systems are equipped with remote control capability to allow for their operations from a safe distance. 
   All images, data, and other information are immediately transmitted in real time to a central control station  76 , preferably a portable computer  78  in operable contact with a control vehicle  80 . Preferably, communication between modules  44  and control station  76  is by wireless transmission. When jamming or interception of signals is possible, hard-wiring the components is within the PASZ system&#39;s operating parameters. For instance, all modules which transmit or receive signals have input and output ports for receiving cables connecting them to other modules and/or to central control  76 , permitting hard-wiring of all appropriate components. Control vehicle  80  is suitably equipped with a sophisticated computer having software which synthesizes and analyzes the data using linked programs, including face recognition databases, language translation databases, vehicle information databases, etc., and forwards its results to computer  78  for human interpretation. Upon reviewing the incoming data, surveillance personnel  72  direct the actions of local forces whose response is immediate. 
   Control point  76  is shown adjacent safety cone set  66  for convenience in drawing only; in a real environment, control vehicle  80  and its operating personnel would be as far removed from the area as is practicable. Thus, the entire surveillance is effected without endangering anyone at all. 
   Multiple modules of the same type increase the capabilities of the PASZ surveillance system. For example, all images from video modules  44  can be merged by software in control vehicle  80  for viewing in computer  78  to provide an extended, seamless picture of the underside of the car, as if an observer were beneath the car travelling along with it, inspecting its underside. In like manner, the detected gasses from sniffer modules  44  can be added together to give a cumulative reading which is more sensitive than one module acting alone would be. If the single lane were extended for a great distance, e.g., a mile or so, a comparison of the signals from motion detector modules  44  would pinpoint the location and speed of the vehicle passing through. Accelerometer modules  44  would immediately detect any collision with a safety cone  10  indicating an excursion from the delineated single lane, should the driver of vehicle  70  panic, try to escape, or change targets to include the surveillance personnel  72 . Deviations from the restricted lane of travel would sound an alarm, thereby giving advanced warning of suspicious activities of a subject vehicle. 
   Computer  78  provides an immediate evaluation of the incoming data by personnel  72  on the scene. It is an important part of the PASZ surveillance system, however, that all data be relayed via satellite to a home base (not shown) to be evaluated in more detail by highly trained computer specialists equipped with larger, faster, and more sophisticated computers. For example, the facial images transmitted by video camera  74  could be analyzed by facial recognition software in a larger database in a larger computer at the home base. The home base could be located miles away, for example, at the general headquarters of the command. It would comprise an intelligence center capable of receiving, processing, and integrating data from a plurality of PASZ stations. The coordination of the efforts of the entire command is clearly enhanced by the capabilities of the portable PASZ systems. 
   When viewed from a distance, a set of safety cones, such as sets  66  and  68 , are seen along the line of cones, so they appear as a substantially solid wall. When viewed in passing, however, if all that connects adjacent cones are imaginary lines which exist only in the minds of the viewers, the safety boundary can easily be visually lost. Retro-reflective, retractable tape  32  obviates the problem by providing an easily seen, physical connection between cones  10 . Since the driver of vehicle  70  is assumed to be able to clearly see tapes  32 , any deviations from the path designated would be interpreted as a deliberate attempt to flee the area instead of an unintentional error of a nervous but innocent driver. Tapes  32  provide a positive, clearly seen perimeter, the crossing of which triggers an advanced warning, therefore, of intended harm. 
   As in any military operation, fast and easy deployment is important. 
   Establishment of the PASZ station shown in  FIG. 8  meets those requirements. Two suitcases  52 , easily transported to the site, is sufficient to provide enough safety cones  10  to merge two lanes of traffic into a single lane along a highway, although more suitcases and cones can of course be employed. Safety cones  10  are easy to set up quickly by a limited number of relatively unskilled personnel. The specific types of modules needed for the anticipated situation are easily identified, selected, and attached to cones  10  either beforehand, on the way to the site, or after placement of the cones has been completed. Breaking the PASZ station down for transport to another location is likewise quick and easy. 
   The PASZ station shown in  FIG. 8  can obviously be applied to civilian uses. The variability and interchangeability of the different types of modules, the collection and analyzation of the data, and the transmission of the data and results to a central home base give valuable assistance to civilian authorities, for example, to troopers manning a police roadblock or DUI checkpoint. 
   Another important military application of the PASZ system is shown in  FIG. 9 . 
   Temporary helipads  82  are often needed when troops and/or supplies are deployed behind enemy lines. It is unreasonable to ask a helicopter pilot to select a suitable landing site when flying in unfamiliar territory, especially at night or during inclement weather. Selecting and delineating a site suitable as a temporary helipad is best left to a reconnaissance team on the ground. 
   Speed of deployment and safety for all concerned are prime considerations in creating and using a temporary helipad. From the reconnaissance team&#39;s point of view, speed and stealth minimizes the dangers of being discovered. The PASZ system, as has been seen, is capable of being quickly and easily set up and quickly and easily broken down. Two suitcases containing two sets of cones is all that is needed and are relatively easily transported to the scene. 
   Most prior art systems for setting up temporary helipads comprise a plurality of portable beacons, e.g., cones, lighted posts, etc., which are individually positioned by hand with no visible means interconnecting adjacent beacons. Such systems inherently present problems for ground and air personnel. The landing site is of necessity quite large, and the beacons are spaced apart often on uncompromising terrain by a person or persons who, being unable to see the arrangement of the beacons from above, cannot see if their placement clearly and unambiguously defines the landing area. The dangers are amplified when the construction is being done at night. The PASZ system connects the beacon cones with retro-reflective tapes. The overall configuration formed by the tapes are more easily seen by the reconnaissance team than an imaginary perimeter produced by the cones alone. This speeds up the layout of the temporary helipad, lowering the potential for danger to the reconnaissance team. 
   But the temporary helipad must also promote safety for the incoming pilots and accompanying personnel. An arrangement which looks good from the ground may not look as good from the air, especially when individual light beacons are positioned to simulate the oft-used Y-type landing strip. To one standing in the middle of the arrangement, its arrangement may appear close to perfect. From the air, at night, approaching the temporary helipad from changing directions and changing descent angles, the perceived pattern of the collection of lights changes continually, possibly confusing the pilot as to the location and orientation of the helipad. At times, the terrain will not permit perfect arrangements, even from ground personnel perspective; the resulting misarranged guides can be even more confusing to the incoming pilot, obviously creating extremely dangerous situations. 
   The PASZ combination of cones with retro-reflective tapes clarifies the helipad location, size, perimetrical configuration, and orientation for the helicopter pilot. The beacon modules on the cones guide the pilot to the general area, but unlike the pattern produced by unconnected individual cones which could be incomprehensible to the pilot, tapes  32  clearly and unambiguously mark the perimeter of the temporary helipad, day or night. Tapes  32  are brightly colored so as to be easily seen during the day. When making a night landing, incoming helicopters would, after being guided to the area by the beacons, typically scan the terrain with highly focused search beams, either with visual light or with infrared beams whose reflections are sensed electronically by infrared detectors or visually by night vision goggles. As mentioned earlier, tapes  32  are preferably of the retro-reflective type. Tapes  32 , therefore, limit the reflections of the incoming highly focused search beams to highly focused beams reflected directly back to the pilot. The resulting visual image produced by connected tapes  32  clearly defines the landing zone of the helipad, removing all doubts as to the precise location of the landing point. The retro-reflective tapes  32  are passive in their emissions, so unwanted detection of the site is minimized, while the pilots ability to visualize the landing site&#39;s perimeter is enhanced. 
   Since the beacons used in locating the helipad site are not required to be the sole elements defining the outline of the landing site, they may be of the type which have relatively small outgoing signals. Their size, weight, and power requirements are consequently minimized, making them cheaper to manufacture, easier to store, and easier to transport. More importantly, the potential for detection by the enemy is reduced, thereby improving the safety margin for our troops. 
   Referring to  FIG. 9 , a temporary helipad can be created by the PASZ system with a minimum of sets of safety cones, just two suitcases. One set  84  of safety cones  10  are arrayed in a roughly C-shaped configuration opening in one direction. Another set  86  of safety cones  10  are arrayed in a similarly roughly C-shaped configuration which is opening in the opposite direction, facing set  84 . The combination of arrangements of sets  84  and  86  of cones  10  are sufficient to define a generally circular perimeter for helipad  82 . When possible, and subject to clear, unambiguous understandings between ground crew and pilots, the gaps between cones  10  at the top and bottom (as seen in  FIG. 9 ) of helipad  82 , where no tape  32  is present, could be informative, as well, indicating a suggested direction of descent and ascent or providing an indication of wind directions. Of course, this arrangement is merely illustrative, as more cones  10  could be employed, and the circular perimeter could be closed by connecting all tapes  32  to an adjacent cone  10 . 
   The types of modules  44  selected for helipad  82  are chosen based on the function of guiding the helicopter pilot to helipad  82  and are affixed to bases  12  of cones  10 . Beacons may be of any known type and design. Beacons that generate light, e.g., visible light from Xenon or halogen bulbs, invisible light from infrared or ultraviolet sources, such as LEDs, or coherent light from laser beams, are suitable. Beacons including homing signals comprising radio signals or GPS signals are preferred for guiding the pilot to the general site location. Any of the aforesaid beacons may be activated manually by the reconnaissance team or remotely by transceivers in modules  44  responding to signals from the incoming helicopters. 
   A landing helicopter  88  creates a tremendous down-draft which could blow one or more cones  10  out of position. PASZ cones  10  include several features which resist the down wash from helicopters. Base  12  is weighted, and retracting mechanism  30  is centrally located internally of base  12 ; both act as ballast which is usually enough for the stability of cone  10 . The aerodynamically friendly shape of cones  10  resists ill effects from high winds, also. In the extended state ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ) cones  10  have a tapered conical shape with circular cross-sections which inherently promotes smooth airflow therearound. Also, cones  10  are collapsible which reduces the height and consequently the total “sail” area exposed to the down-draft. If all else fails, anchoring stakes can be inserted through corner openings  38  and driven into the ground. 
   The helicopter down-draft could also lift tapes  32  sufficient to separate hitches  34  from the anchors  22  of their associated cones  10 . Hitch pin  36  of hitch  34  at the free end of tape  32  preferably extends vertically upwardly, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and can be linear or curved to form a hook. When placing hitch pin  36  upwardly through aperture  24 , hitch  34  is beneath anchor tab  22 . The weight of cone  10  bears down upon hitch  34 , holding tape  32  flat against the ground. Tape  32  is preferably made of a material having a high tensile strength to resist forces tending to displace or rupture it. 
   Should the ground team be required to leave a temporary helipad  82  behind, because there is not enough time to remove the anchoring stakes, nothing which could be of real value to an enemy need be left. Modules  44 , which are the only parts of a PASZ station which might include classified technology, are easily and quickly removable. 
   PASZ stations which create temporary helipads, as in  FIG. 9 , clearly have civilian applications as well. Fire and Rescue crews which respond to accidents, fires, or natural disasters would find it useful to carry one or more suitcases  52 . For example, lane closures of the type shown in  FIG. 8  cordoning off accident scenes can be quickly and easily effected using PASZ technology. For serious accidents requiring helicopter rescues, a PASZ station helipad, such as shown in  FIG. 9 , will guide pilots to safe landing sites and away from dangerous obstacles which may not be easy for them to see from the air, such as power lines. Rescues from mountainous areas, where flat surfaces might be difficult to identify from the air, can be facilitated by the PASZ system. PASZ&#39;s portability permits ground crews to carry them through rough terrain to find the optimum location for setting up a PASZ helipad. 
   Temporary runways  90  for larger aircraft, as shown in  FIG. 10 , are quickly and easily outlined by the PASZ system. A set  92  of safety cones  10  are linearly aligned and joined together by attaching retro-reflective tape  32  to the adjacent cone. A similar set  94  is located parallel to set  92  and spaced apart sufficiently to accommodate the largest airplane  96  anticipated to land there. Beacon modules  44  would guide the pilots to the runway, and the brightly colored, retro-reflective tapes  32  would show quite clearly the edges thereof. 
   Establishing temporary runways for military aircraft in hostile surroundings, such as in open deserts, is clearly important, but other applications in other venues are within PASZ&#39;s capabilities. Delineating a segment of an open highway, for example, which has been cleared for an emergency landing is accomplished quickly and easily with the PASZ system. PASZ permits the quick and easy establishment and identification of a specific commercial runway for emergency use. When the runway designated for an incoming airplane must suddenly be closed because of an accident, pilots of approaching aircraft can be clearly and unambiguously directed to an alternate runway by swift deployment of a PASZ runway  90 . The speed permitted by PASZ systems in establishing such an alternate runway can, of course, be crucial in achieving a safe landing. 
   There are innumerable circumstances in which an area must be cordoned off for security or safety reasons. Easily recognizable examples include police crime scenes, highway work zones, Hollywood celebrity functions, rock concert entry ways, and many, many more. The common factor in each is that restricting the area is localized both in time and in place; they are to be cordoned off in a specific place for a specified period of time, and then to be restored to their original unrestricted status. The PASZ system is ideal for establishing temporary perimeters. Two such examples are shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
   In  FIG. 11 , a safety zone is established around the wings of an aircraft  98  by two sets  100  and  102  of cones. Retro-reflective, retractable tapes  32  are capable of being extended outside of cones  10  to various lengths, from zero feet (unextended) to a minimum of fifteen feet each, thereby allowing the PASZ system to adapt to any size or shape work area. By lying flat on the ground, tapes  32  also allow work vehicles to enter and leave the PASZ stations. For example, if the luggage on board the aircraft  98  is being off-loaded, baggage carts can be brought within feet of the cargo bays without disturbing the cones  10  or tapes  32 . If mechanical work is being performed on the aircraft, repair vehicles can approach as close as is needed while still being off-limits to nonessential personnel. When the job is finished, the PASZ stations are returned to their suitcases  52  (not shown in  FIG. 11 ) for transporting to the next job site or for storage. 
   When neighborhood service stations  104  receive a shipment of gasoline, as shown in  FIG. 12 , the facility does not close to the public during the delivery. Dispensing gasoline at the pumps  106  and shopping at the station&#39;s mini-mart  108  continues unabated. This activity can expose the scene to potential danger, e.g., from a carelessly thrown cigarette butt near the fumes emanating from gasoline tanker truck  110  or from a driver not giving sufficient attention to controlling his vehicle  112 . The bright colors and reflective qualities of the PASZ station  114  clearly alerts the public to stay away from the delivery area  116 . Modules  44  are selected appropriately to further warn passersby to stay clear of delivery area  116 . Motion sensors which activate flashing lights, beeping horns, moving mechanical structures, such as a waving flag, an oscillating or rotating arm, etc., and a PA system on truck  110  to play recorded messages, are among the modules  44  available to warn patrons and workers of unwanted intrusions into the delivery area. 
   From the preceding, it is clear that the PASZ system has numerous useful applications, from protecting our troops in war to protecting ordinary citizens in everyday activities. The diversity of uses is due to the integration of a wide variety of modules and the PASZ safety cone into a novel system for establishing PASZ stations. The entire system is easily portable due to cones  10  being collapsible such that they can be stored in suitcases  52  and transported with minimum difficulty to and from the selected PASZ site. Permanently enclosing the retracting mechanism  30  within its cone  10  simplifies the combination and facilitates its handling. The ability to selectively attach one or more modules  44  having specific functions enlarges the number and types of environments within which the PASZ system is uniquely effective. And, transforming from one type of PASZ system to one of the many other varieties of PASZ systems is effected quickly and easily by ordinary people without the need for extensive training in highly technical subjects. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. 
   Further, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured solely by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
   It is to be understood that the disclosure is by way of illustration only and that the scope of the invention is to be limited solely by the following claims:

Technology Classification (CPC): 4