Abstract:
A hazard marker kit has several components including a hazard light, a base for supporting the light in different angular orientations on different surfaces, a translucent cone, and a staff with attached pennant. The hazard light is housed within a disc shaped high impact plastic housing, an upper portion of which is transparent. A plurality of LEDs are circularly disposed proximal to the side of the upper portion. A ring counter provides signals to transistors that sequentially drive the LEDs. Excitation provided to the ring counter is controlled to cause a desired current through the LEDs to simulate a rotating beacon, a flashing beacon or a continuous light.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of Invention  
         [0002]     This invention is in the general field of warning devices and, more particularly, is a hazard marker kit that provides an aimed illumination device and accessories.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     A hazard marker is typically placed near a problem area created by a mishap or breakdown. Reasons for placing the marker include protection of people against injury, discouraging people from either walking or driving in the problem area, discouraging intrusion into emergency medical treatment of injuries resulting from the mishap and discouraging intrusion into clean up activity. The hazard marker may, for example, be a flare, a sequentially illuminated arrow, a message sign, a wooden barricade that carries a blinking warning light or an orange cone.  
         [0005]     The flare has an advantage of being easily visible at night. However, a motorist who drives past one or more flares may be temporarily blinded by their brightness, thereby endangering the motorist and people in the vicinity of the motorist. The flare is particularly dangerous to use where an automobile collision causes a spillage of gasoline on a roadway. Among other undesirable aspects of the flare is that a person charged with igniting the flare risks being burned and having their clothing burned. The flare additionally releases noxious fumes when it burns.  
         [0006]     The orange cone is one of the most commonly used hazard markers. The cone frequently has a light and a battery mounted near its apex. The light cannot readily be seen outside of an immediate area where the cone is placed, particularly in poor weather conditions. The light and the battery make the cone top heavy, thereby destabilizing the cone. Even in the absence of the destabilizing, the cone is frequently destroyed or badly damaged when inadvertently struck by a motor vehicle.  
         [0007]     In the boating industry, flares are typically used to indicate a vessel in peril. The use of a flare on a gasoline powered boat is very dangerous since a boat in peril is not moving, thus the opportunity for gasoline vapor accumulation is high. Once a flare is lit, the flare must be held over the side of the boat to prevent the hot molten materials from entering the vessel. Further, unlike a road side situation, a flare cannot be set down safely within a boat.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     Accordingly an objective of the present invention is to provide a hazard marker kit with components which are not necessarily usable simultaneously but would be available depending on the situation. The components include a hazard light and a base connected by a link which allows the light to be oriented in different planes of illumination. The kit also includes a translucent cone and a pennant with staff.  
         [0009]     Another objective of the invention is to provide a hazard light in the general shape of a disc which includes a transparent upper housing and a lower housing that are made from a high impact plastic. The upper and lower housings form a waterproof seal when joined together.  
         [0010]     Another objective of the present invention is to provide the hazard marker light including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) that have a circular disposition within the housing. The LEDs are oriented either to provide light that can be seen by a motorist at a substantial distance from the hazard marker or provide light that can be seen by an aircraft flying above the hazard marker.  
         [0011]     A further objective of the invention is to provide an simulated rotating or flashing beacon using an oscillator driving an input of a ring counter. Outputs of the ring counter sequentially or simultaneously drive the LEDS. Current through the LEDS passes through a sampling resistor, thereby providing a sampling voltage. A reference voltage is compared to the sampling voltage. An excitation voltage applied to the ring counter is changed in response to a difference between the reference voltage and the sampling voltage. The change in the excitation causes a corresponding change in the drive at the output of the ring counter that results in the reference and sampling voltages being substantially equal.  
         [0012]     Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a waterproof battery compartment in the lower housing for securing the batteries in operative connection regardless of the orientation of the hazard marker.  
         [0013]     A further objective of the invention is to provide a double walled housing to reinforce the hazard marker against crushing.  
         [0014]     Another objective of the invention is to provide a hazard marker that can be secured to slippery housings, such as boat surfaces.  
         [0015]     Another objective of the invention is to provide an attachment on the housing for mounting the hazard marker on different angled surfaces.  
         [0016]     A further objective of the invention is to provide a internal jumper switch to permit the LEDs of the hazard marker to fire simultaneously, as a flash, or sequentially, as a rotating beacon, or continuously for providing steady light.  
         [0017]     Other objectives, features, and advantages of the invention should be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawing.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING  
       [0018]      FIG. 1  is an exploded side view of the preferred embodiment of the hazard light of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the base of the hazard light of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a top plan view of the base of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the belt clip of the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the link of this invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective of the cone of this invention;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective of the pennant and staff of this invention; and  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a schematic showing of elements that cause illumination of the LEDS of this invention.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0027]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a hazard marker  10  has a general shape of a disc. The marker  10  includes a lower housing  12  and an upper housing  14  that are made from a high impact plastic. The upper housing  14  is transparent. A bolt  16  passes through the lower housing  12  and screws into the upper housing, whereby the lower housing  12  and the upper housing  14  are held together. The transparent upper housing  14  has a depending circular wall  11 , shown in  FIG. 1 , with a diameter slightly smaller than the upstanding wall  13  of the lower housing  12 . This double walled construction allows the hazard marker to be sealed against leakage. Also, a circumferential ring seal  15  supported by the upstanding wall  13  contacts upper housing  14  so that when the upper housing and the lower housing are bolted together they form a watertight joint.  
         [0028]     Visible through the upper housing  14  is circular board  19 , shown in  FIG. 2 , whereon LEDS  20 -A through  20 -J are circularly disposed. As explained hereinafter, the LEDs  20 -A through  20 -J transmit light through the wall  14 . The LEDs  20 A- 20 -J are oriented on the upper housing such that the emitted light may be seen for a considerable distance. The LEDs may have different emitted colors, such as white, red or blue, with other colors being possible. Red providing the traditional emergency color. However, white lighting may be used in direct sunlight providing a brilliant visual light.  
         [0029]     The hazard marker  10  includes a latch  21  attached to the lower housing  12  by screws  22 A and  22 B. The latch is formed in a narrow elongated planar shape ending in a tongue  23 . Also mounted on both sides of the latch  21  near the center on the lower surface are hoops  25 . On either side of the hoops  25  are blades  27 A and  27 B sized and shaped to securely fit in catches  28 A and  28 B on base  26  when the hazard light  10  is parallel to the base  26 . The tongue  23  is sized and shaped to securely fit between the upstanding walls  24 A and  24 B of the catch  28 A when the hazard light is at a 45 degree angle to the base  26 . The tongue  23  is secured in the catch  28 B when the hazard light is normal to the base  26 .  
         [0030]     A link  29 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , is rotatably coupled to the hoops  25  by upper pintles  30 . Pintles  31  are rotatably secured in the loops  32  in the base  26 . The hazard light  10  can be pivoted through an arc of  90  degrees relative to the base  26  by pivoting the link  29  and rotating the pintles  30  and  31  in the hoops  25  and loops  32 .  
         [0031]     The base  26 , illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , is preferably a planar rectilinear shape with feet  33  at the corners. However, the outline of the base is a matter of choice.  
         [0032]     The base  26  has a key hole opening  34  in one end. Removably inserted into the key hole opening is a suction cup  35  which is slidably secured by a button  36  frictionally held in the small end of the key hole opening. The suction cup  35  will secure the hazard light  10  to all smooth surfaces, such as glass, plexiglass, and finished painted or unpainted surfaces in either the vertical or horizontal plane.  
         [0033]     A magnet  37 , shown in  FIG. 3 , is mounted on the bottom surface of the base  26 . The magnet  37  may be snap-fit into a retainer  38  or permanently affixed to the base. The magnet  37  permits the hazard light to be attached to,magnetizable metal surfaces, such as steel, at any orientation.  
         [0034]     A spring steel clip  43 , shown in  FIG. 5 , is magnetically attached to the magnet  37  which allows the hazard light  10  to be attached to clothing, such as a collar, waistband or a belt or a line by compression between the opposing arms  44  and  45 .  
         [0035]     Batteries (not shown) are connected in series. More particularly, the batteries are placed in the battery compartment to form an electrical connection from the battery compartment to the terminals connected to the circuit board  19 .  
         [0036]     To replace or recharge the batteries, the upper and lower housings must be disassembled and reattached using bolt  16 . Of course, there could be a sealed door in the lower housing  12  connecting to the battery compartment for ease of battery replacement.  
         [0037]     A sealed switch  41  is mounted on the lower housing  12  and projects through the upper housing  14  for manual activation of the hazard light. The switch  41  is connected to the electrical battery circuit in the compartment. By manipulating the switch power is interrupted or connected between the batteries and the circuit board  42 , shown schematically in  FIG. 9 . The hazard marker may operate in a rotating mode with the LEDs firing sequentially or in the flash mode with the LEDs firing simultaneously or in the continuous mode. The circuit board has a microprocessor controlling the different modes. The mode is selected by manipulation of the switch  41 .  
         [0038]     The upper housing  14  has radial depressions  66  therein that diffuses light from the LEDs  20 -A through  20 -J that passes therethrough. The diffused light does not cause a glare that temporarily blinds a passing motorist. The LEDs  20 -A through  20 -J are positioned to transmit light vertically through a horizontal wall portion of the upper housing  14 . The vertically transmitted light is used to indicate a scene of a mishap to an aircraft.  
         [0039]     As shown in  FIG. 9 , there is a connection between the batteries and switch  41 . When the switch  41  closes, thereby providing a voltage to a contact which is connected to an operational amplifier and an oscillator, whereby the voltage is provided to the operational amplifier and the oscillator.  
         [0040]     The oscillator provides a train of pulses with an 18 millisecond period. The oscillator is connected to a ring counter at a clock input. A first pulse and a second pulse of the train of pulses cause an output of the ring counter to provide an 18 millisecond pulse. The second pulse and a third pulse cause an output of the ring counter to provide an 18 millisecond pulse. It should be understood that the pulse ends simultaneously with a beginning of the pulse. In a similar manner, 18 millisecond pulses are provided at other outputs, respectively, of the ring counter. From the explanation given hereinbefore the pulses are provided in a serial manner, one at a time. It should be understood that the amplitude of the pulses is directly related to a voltage applied to an excitation input of the ring counter. The application of the voltage to the excitation input is described hereinafter.  
         [0041]     The outputs are connected to bases of NPN transistors respectively. The transistors have their collectors respectively connected to LEDs  20 -A,  20 -C,  20 -E,  20 -G,  20 -I, at their cathodes, anodes thereof being all connected to the contact. The transistors have their emitters respectively connected to the LEDs  20 -B,  20 -D,  20 -F,  20 -H,  20 -J, at their anodes, cathodes thereof being all connected through a sampling resistor to ground and to the operational amplifier at an inverting input thereof, whereby a sampled voltage is provided to the amplifier.  
         [0042]     When the switch  41  is closed, substantially equal currents flow through the LEDs  20 -A in response to the pulse being provided to the transistor, thereby causing an emission of light from the LED  20 A. In a similar manner, current flows through the LEDs  20 -C,  20 -D, the LEDs  20 -E,  20 -F, the LEDs  20 -G,  20 -H, the LEDs  20 -I,  20 -J, in response to the pulses respectively, to cause emissions of light therefrom.  
         [0043]     The contact is connected through a resistor to a non-inverting input of the amplifier. A resistor is connected from the non-inverting input to ground. In other words, the resistors are a voltage divider that provides a reference voltage to the non-inverting input. An output of the amplifier is connected to an excitation input of the ring counter whereby an excitation input voltage is provided to the ring counter.  
         [0044]     When, for example, the pulse is provided, an emitter current of the transistor passes through the resistor, thereby providing the sampled voltage. In response to the sampled voltage being greater than the reference voltage, the excitation input voltage is reduced, thereby reducing the amplitude of the pulse to cause a reduction of the emitter current of the transistor. Correspondingly, in response to the sampled voltage being less than the reference voltage, the excitation input voltage is increased, thereby increasing the amplitude of the pulse, to cause an increase of the transistor emitter current, whereby the amplitude of the pulse is regulated. In a similar manner, the amplitudes of the pulses are regulated.  
         [0045]     In an alternative embodiment, the diodes  20 -A,  20 -C,  20 -E,  20 -G,  20 -I, and  20 -K, are omitted and the collectors of transistors are connected to the contact. Thus there is described herein a hazard marker and distress signal that is especially suited for marking a problem area created by a mishap or mechanical failure.  
         [0046]     In addition the hazard light  10 , and the attached accessories, the hazard marker kit also includes a transparent or translucent cone  50 . The cone  50  is similar to a conventional traffic cone except that it is lighted from within when it is placed over a hazard light. The illuminated cone  50  may be used with the hazard light in any mode particularly in roadside situations. The cone  50  may be fabricated from films with other colors, such as blue, red, yellow or orange, to attract attention or distinguish the hazard from other lights nearby. The cone has an aperture  51  in the apex.  
         [0047]     The cone  50  may be combined with the telescoping staff  52  extending through the aperture  51 . This is particularly useful in marine and helicopter operations where knowledge of the wind direction is necessary for proper approach to the scene. A pennant  53  is attached to one end of the staff to indicate wind direction. The hazard light projecting up through the cone will illuminate the pennant  52 .  
         [0048]     The cone  50  and staff  52  may be used with or without the lens  54  which is sized and shaped to fit within aperture  51 . The lens  54  will focus the light from the hazard light to provide a vertical beam useful in aerial location of a site.  
         [0049]     A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited by the specific illustrated embodiment but only by the scope of the appended claims.