Abstract:
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a septum apparatus ( 10 ), for concealing a site from passersby, the apparatus comprising: a first pole ( 40 ), comprising a plurality of segments ( 50 ), each storing a folded sheet ( 52 ); a second pole ( 20 ), comprising means for connecting thereto the end of each sheet ( 28 ), the second pole being foldable or telescopic, thereby providing a compact structure; each of the poles comprises a stand ( 42, 22 ), for retaining the pole thereof ( 40, 20  correspondingly) upright; and each pole ( 40, 20 ) comprises fixing means ( 12  or  46, 26 ), for fixing the pole thereof to the ground; thereby providing a septum compact in storage, simple in mounting and dismounting. The apparatus may further comprise a case ( 80 ), for storing therein the parts thereof.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to the field of security devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a portable scene isolator, such as an apparatus for concealing the site of an accident from passersby, concealing a site in secured public places, and so forth. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The phenomenon of curious people gathering at the site of a recent automobile accident is well known. This phenomenon is more acute on highways, where passing drivers stop or slow down their cars in order to watch the event, resulting in severe traffic jams. 
         [0003]    The attempts of the police to stop this situation usually fail, as human curiosity overcomes common sense. 
         [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a solution to the above-mentioned and other problems of the prior art. 
         [0005]    Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a septum apparatus ( 10 ), for concealing a site from passersby, the apparatus comprising:
       a first pole ( 40 ), comprising a plurality of segments ( 50 ), each storing a folded sheet ( 52 );   a second pole ( 20 ), comprising means for connecting thereto the end of each of the sheets ( 28 ), the second pole being foldable or telescopic, thereby providing a compact structure;   each of the poles comprises a stand ( 42 ,  22 ), for retaining the pole thereof ( 40 ,  20  correspondingly) upright; and   each of the poles ( 40 ,  20 ) comprises fixing means ( 12  or  46 ,  26 ), for fixing the pole thereof to the ground;
 
thereby providing a septum compact in storage and simple in mounting and dismounting.
       
 
         [0011]    The apparatus may further comprise a case ( 80 ), for storing therein the parts thereof. 
         [0012]    The apparatus may further comprise rotating means, for rotating all the segments of the first pole together. According to one embodiment of the invention, the rotating means comprise a motor ( 60 ). According to another embodiment of the invention, the rotating means comprise a handle ( 70 ), for manually carrying out the rotation. 
         [0013]    According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the segments ( 50 ) comprises a hinge ( 62 ) around which the sheet ( 52 ) of the segment is rolled, and connection means ( 64 ) to the hinge of the adjacent segment thereof. 
         [0014]    According to another embodiment of the invention, each of the segments is in the form of a rigid cylinder, thereby providing a casing for storing the sheet thereof, wherein each of the cylinders comprises means for connecting to the adjacent cylinder thereof (e.g., the dimensions of one end of a cylinder allows mating with the end of an adjacent cylinder thereof). 
         [0015]    According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the stands is foldable, thereby providing compact storage. 
         [0016]    Preferably, each of the stands is in the form of a tripod. From this point of view, a four-legged tripod provides even greater stability in comparison to tripods of three legs. 
         [0017]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the fixing means comprise weights, to enhance stability. 
         [0018]    Additionally or alternatively, the fixing means comprise a rope and a peg for each of the poles. 
         [0019]    Preferably, the first pole further comprises means ( 49 ) for connecting thereto the sheets of another pole, thereby enabling means for covering a longer area. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the material that each the sheets is made of blocks visibility therethrough while allowing air passage therethrough. 
         [0021]    In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for concealing a site from passersby, the method comprising the steps of:
       providing a foldable septum apparatus ( 10 ) comprising two poles ( 40 ,  20 ) and a plurality of folded sheets ( 52 ), wherein the material of each sheet blocks visibility therethrough while allowing air passage therethrough;   fixing the poles to the ground;   unfolding the sheets together; and   connecting the sheets to the poles therebetween.       
 
         [0026]    The method may further comprise the step of connecting to the septum apparatus an additional foldable septum apparatus in line. 
         [0027]    The foregoing embodiments of the invention are described and illustrated in conjunction with systems and methods thereof, which are meant to be merely illustrative, and not limiting. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    Embodiments and features of the present invention are described herein in conjunction with the following drawings: 
           [0029]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a septum apparatus for concealing a site from passersby, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
           [0030]      FIG. 2   a  further details the structure of pole  20 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 2   b  further details the structure of pole  40 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  details the interior components of a cylinder  50 . 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cylinder  50  from the bottom side thereof. 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates a casing  80 , which stores the parts of the septum. 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  schematically illustrates a sequence of septum apparatuses connected in line, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
       [0036]    It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0037]    The present invention will be understood from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, which are meant to be descriptive and not limiting. For the sake of brevity, some well-known features, methods, systems, procedures, components, circuits, and so on, are not described in detail. 
         [0038]    The present invention deals with the above-mentioned objects by visual isolation of a site by a septum. The septum hides the scene from passersby, thereby eliminating stopping and staring on the continuing event. The septum is designed to be compact, thereby to be carried in a police car, and easy to be mounted, in order to shorten the mounting time as possible. 
         [0039]      FIG. 1  schematically illustrates a septum apparatus for concealing a site from people passing by, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0040]    The septum apparatus, which is marked herein by reference numeral  10 , comprises a plurality of fabric sheets  52   i  connected to poles  20  and  40  on each side thereof. 
         [0041]    Pole  20  stands on a tripod  22 , and pole  40  stands on a tripod  42 . The role of the tripods is to keep the poles upright. 
         [0042]    Since the fabric sheets are exposed to wind, they act as sails, resulting in pushing the septum until it collapses. 
         [0043]    According to one embodiment of the invention, this problem is solved by adding to each side of the apparatus a supporting rope  12 , connected to a peg (not illustrated). Additionally or alternatively, each of the tripods  22  and  42  comprises weights, such as weights  26  and  46 , connected to the legs of the tripod thereof. 
         [0044]    Additionally or alternatively, the fabric may comprise cavities (not illustrated), to allow the wind to pass through, thereby eliminating the fabric to act as a sail. 
         [0045]    But, even if the fabric does not comprise cavities, the wind may pass through opening between each of two adjacent sheets. 
         [0046]    Cylinders  50   i  may be connected to each other by, for example, different diameter at each end thereof, which allows interlocking two adjacent cylinders each other. Of course, this is merely an example, and other connection means can be used. 
         [0047]    As will be detailed hereinafter, the structure of septum apparatus  10  is designed to allow easy mounting and dismounting, and compact storage. As a result, the apparatus can be stored in a trunk of a police car, and instantly mounted when a need rises. 
         [0048]      FIG. 2   a  further details the structure of pole  20 . As mentioned, pole  20  is telescopic, i.e., comprises a plurality of interlaced segments  30   i.  Each of segments  30   i  comprises a connector  28   i,  to which a sheet  52   i  is connected via a corresponding male connector  48   i.  In the example herein, a connector  28   i  is in the form of a slot. 
         [0049]      FIG. 2   b  further details the structure of pole  40 . Pole  40  comprises a plurality of cylinders  50   i,  connected to each other. In this figure, the cylinders are separated in order to present the structure thereof. Each of the cylinders is also used as housing for a folded fabric sheet (not seen in this figure). At the end of each fabric sheet is installed a male connector  48   i,  corresponding to female connector  28   i  of pole  20 . 
         [0050]    Each cylinder also comprises a connector  49   i,  in the form of connectors  28   i,  thereby allowing sequential connecting of a plurality of fabric sheets, thereby allowing increasing the covered length, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0051]    Reference numeral  60  denotes an electric motor, which rotates the rolled curtain attached to the motor. In this way, folding and/or unfolding the curtain is carried out in an easy and simple manner. 
         [0052]      FIG. 3  details the interior components of a cylinder  50 . 
         [0053]    Reference numeral  68  denotes a slot through which curtain  52  springs from the cylinder. A profile  66  connected to the end of the curtain is used to prevent the end of curtain  52  from entering the cylinder. According to this example, male connector  48  is a part of profile  66 . Male connector  48  is in the form of a hook, but this is merely an example, and other types of connectors may be used. 
         [0054]    Numeral  62  denotes a hinge around which curtain  52  is rolled. One end of hinge  62 , which is marked by reference numeral  64 , has a square contour. It connects as a male connector to the end of the hinge of the adjacent cylinder. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , cylinders  50  connect with each other to compose a pole. Thus, each end of a hinge has a square profile, but while one end is used as a male connector, the other serves as a corresponding female connector. The result is that all hinges are rotated together, i.e., when rotating the hinge of the lower cylinder, the entire septum is opened or closed according to the rotation direction. 
         [0055]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a cylinder  50  from the bottom side thereof. It further details the structure of the septum apparatus  10 . 
         [0056]    Reference numeral  64  denotes the end of hinge  62  of cylinder  50 . End  64  has a square profile, and is used as a male connector. The square profile of end  64  corresponds to that of driveshaft  72  of motor  60 , i.e., end  74  is used as a female connector corresponding to male connector  64 . Thus, by connecting end  74  of driveshaft  72  to end  64  of the hinge of cylinder  50 , the curtain of cylinder  50  is rotated. 
         [0057]    Numeral  70  is a handle, which can be connected by connector  72  to end  64  of a cylinder&#39;s hinge. 
         [0058]    Thus, according to one embodiment of the invention, hinge  62  is rotated by motor  60 , and according to another embodiment of the invention, it is rotated manually by handle  70 . 
         [0059]      FIG. 5  illustrates a casing  80 , which stores the parts of the septum. As a pole  40  comprises a plurality of segments, the segments (cylinders) can be stored in a casing that can be easily placed in a car trunk. 
         [0060]      FIG. 6  schematically illustrates a sequence of septum apparatuses connected in line, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
         [0061]    As mentioned above, each of the cylinders also comprises a connector  49   i,  in the form of connectors  28   i,  thereby allowing connecting a plurality of fabric sheets in line, thereby allowing increasing the covered length. For example, it is common that a plurality of police cars arrive at the site of an accident. By using the septum apparatus of each car, the covered length can be increased. 
         [0062]    In the figures and/or description herein, the following reference numerals have been mentioned:
       numeral  10  denotes a septum apparatus, according to one embodiment of the invention;   numeral  12  denotes a rope to be connected to a peg, in order to fix the septum apparatus to the ground;   numeral  20  denotes a telescopic pole;   numeral  22  denotes a tripod of pole  20 ;   numeral  24  denotes a leg of tripod  22 ;   numeral  26  denotes a weight attached to leg  24 ;   numeral  28  denotes a female connector;   numeral  30  denotes a segment of pole  20 ;   numeral  40  denotes a pole composed of cylinders, each cylinder storing a folded fabric sheet  52 ;   numeral  42  denotes a tripod of pole  40 ;   numeral  44  denotes a leg of tripod  42 ;   numeral  46  denotes a weight attached to leg  44 , for fixing the pole thereof to the ground;   numeral  48  denotes a male connector corresponding to female connector  28  and also to female connector  49 ;   numeral  49  denotes a female connector corresponding to male connector  48 ;   numeral  50  denotes a cylinder storing a folded curtain  52 ;   numeral  52  denotes a curtain;   numeral  54  denotes a handle for rotating curtain  52  of cylinder  50 ;   numeral  60  denotes an electric motor;   numeral  62  denotes a hinge on which curtain  52  is rolled;   numeral  64  denotes an end of hinge  62  (the end is also used as a male connector);   numeral  66  denotes a profile connected to the end of curtain  52 , and is used as a barrier preventing the end from entry to the cylinder thereof;   numeral  68  denotes a slot through which curtain  52  emerges from cylinder  50 ;   numeral  70  denotes a handle, for rotating hinge  62 ; and   numeral  80  denotes a case, for storing parts of apparatus  10 .       
 
         [0087]    The foregoing description and illustrations of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the above description in any form.