US3024702A - Emergency warning device - Google Patents

Description

March 13, 1962 F. REINHOLDT EMERGENCY WARNING DEVICE Filed April 27, 1959 IN V EN TOR.

United States atent tice 3,024,702 EMERGENCY WARNING DEVICE Friedrich Reinholdt, 7 Oakdene Ave., College Point, N.Y. Filed Apr. 27, 1959, Ser. No. 809,254 4 Claims. (Cl. S8--8i)) This invention relates to an emergency warning device, and more particularly to a portable, warning reflecting device having magnetic means therein for use by car owners in vehicular traffic on cars, trains, or on the ground.

This is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 691,090 filed October 18, 1957.

In many instances Where for example, motor tralc at night or in the dark, is congested or where there is `a road accident it is difficult in many instances to give suilicient and timely warning to coming traic of a tie up. The flashing of rear lights on a car for example is not sufficient and is wasteful because of undue strain on the car battery. Furthermore, oncoming motorists either do not see such warning lights or completely disregard such signals.

With the above in view, it is an object o-f the present invention to provide a hand or like operated luminous warning device whereby a danger, or caution signal is given to prevent accidents on the highways.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a readily assembled portable, self-luminous magnetic signalling device which can be used vat any time usually `after dusk to ward olf any possible accidents on the highways or in any other area where there is danger of collisions, or passing through areas that are marked as olf limits for the protection or safety of people and/or a community.

Still another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a self-luminous, instantaneously useable, portable, magnetic reflecting warning device which has a luminous handle of suitable size and shape and can be magnetically attached to the car or a metal support, and an extension therefrom which has one or both sides adapted to readily receive and retain a reflector to reect light and act as a warning signal to oncoming, usually night motorists or drivers.

One furthe-r object of the present invention is to provide a portable magnetic unitary handle with easily receivable reflecting means extending therefrom for use as a warning device.

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of a preferred embodiment of my invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the embodiment taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the metal member adapted to support the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a perpendicular position;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 1 showing two reflector lenses combined together, and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view of FIG. 4.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference numerals, refer to like parts throughout, it will be noted that I provide a unitary Warning device containing a handle 11 made of any suitable material such as of metal, wood, plastic and the like but preferably of plastic. One side 12 of said handle 11 may be colored red and is selflurninous by the use of red phosphorescent paint or the like so that when light shines on it, such side of the handle becomes luminescent and is readily seen or noticed by anyone approaching in the direction of said device. The

other side 13 of the handle 11 is preferably of a luminescent green or amber color. In the lower or bottom portion of said handle 11, there is provided an opening 10a in which there is housed a magnet 11a which is retained in said handle by holding means 11b. Said magnet is sufficiently powerful to hold said device in extended position when the device is attached to a metal body such as a car or automobile or vonto an iron or steel plate as member 11C. l

Said handle 12 is provided at its upper portion with a hollow circular or disc like extending portion 14, and as seen from its cross section has its outer periphery or rim 15 relatively flat or slightly curved shaped,

It will be noted that the circular portion 14 is provided with a rim 15, the longitudinal cross section of whose interior is provided with an inclined section 16 one on each side of the longitudinal axis of the Each section is inclined as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 each having a series of peripherally arranged cross grooves 18 and bumps or beads 16a to permit sliding thereover of combined lens 22 formed of lens parts 23 and 24. Furthermore, in the interior of the rim and the longitudinal yaxis thereof there are provided recessed slanting sections 19 forming a groove 19a into which said lenses fit once they have been forced into the same by forcing them over the inwardly slanting annular beads or flanges 16. Said flanges prevent the lenses from becoming loose or falling out of the groove 19a. The groove 19a is shallow or ilat V shaped and has shoulders 17 and 20 as shown for accommodating the lenses 23 and 24. Said rim is sharp edged, substantially at right angles to the groove 19 and forms a support for the contacting edge 2l of a combined lens 22. In `other words, rims 19 and Ztl are so shaped as to retain firmly and securely said lens in the portion 14.

It will be further noted that the combined lens 22 consists of a pair of convex shaped light reflecting lenses 23 `and 24 having the usual characteristics of light reflectors and are joined together at their downwardly extending peripheral edges 25. Furthermore, said lenses are bonded together as a unit for ready assembly with the portion 14 as will hereinafter be more fully described. Said lenses are each provided with a slightly slanting peripheral portion 26 so as to permit easy sliding of the lens unit 22 over the rim 15 and form a compact unit with the handle 11.

In assembling the lens unit and the handle, the lens unit is pressed equally against the rim 15 and beads 16a which because o-f the slight yield ability due to the various cross slots the rim has, permits the lens unit to enter the annular groove 19, (forming a tight t therein. It has been found that a handle made of any slightly resilient material serves the purpose very well of accommodating the lens unit. Such material may be of plastic such `as polyethylene or a resilient metal.

In FIG. 3, I show how the device is mounted or magnetically attached to a suitable metal base 11C,

Furthermore, it is to be noted that the upper rim portion or extending flange 15, may have an internally disposed annular formation whereby the reflector means can be readily inserted into the holder without the same slipping out of said holder.

From the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it will be noted that I provide an easily assembled, manually operable, portable device for use as la warning signal and light reflector which can be used instantaneously in emergencies Vor by merely magnetically attaching the device to the side of the car or by laying the device on a plate in the road as a warning to motorists on any other occasion. For example, in cases of slow downs, or engine failure or flat tires in the use of automobiles, it may be necessary .to pull over to one side of the road. There are often times when it is impossible because of obstructions to pull over or olf of the driving pavement. Also, ditches and soft shoulders or steep banks or high curves afford no opportunity for the car to be pulled over to one side of the road.` Under such conditions, it is necessary to use the hand signalling device made according to the present invention by warning oncoming traffic so as to prevent any accidents. In the meantime, a device of the type described herein can be readily taken from the car and used by one of the occupants to warn oncoming traic thereby avoiding any accidents.

Such device may be carried, inserted into the ground, if the driver is alone and has to make repairs, or leave the car to obtain help for repair of the car or to obtain gasoline. The device furthermore, may be attached to any object so as to make the same noticeable to oncoming traic as a warning that there is danger ahead.

In lieu of a magnet holding member I may also provide a suction member at the end of the handle of the device.

Furthermore, the device may have more than one reector for all clear, caution or danger ahead signalling.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed and illustrated it is to be understood that modifications as to form, arrangement of parts and use of materials may be made without departing from the scope and extent of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. A portable, luminous signalling device comprising a handle, magnetic means housed in one end of the handle, an extending expandable annular portion integral with the other end of said handle, said annular portion having annularly arranged spaced rib means with intermediate gap on the inner side thereof, and a peripheral groove forming annular shoulders, and a reflector lens unit insertable between said rib means and abutting the shoulders, said lens unit corresponding in color with the luminous color of the sides of the handle.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the rib means is split to permit insertion of the lens unit therein and one of the ribs is of less height than other.

3. A device according to claim 1 where one of the rib collar means is provided with at least one split to permit insertion of the lens unit in place in the annular portion.

4. A device according to claim 1 wherein the extending rib portions have suicient depth to hold the lens unit rmly in position, one of said ribs having a sloped internally extending annular portion resting against the periphery of the lens.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,641,880 Cohen Sept. 6, 1927 2,500,897 Friedman Mar. 14, 1950 2,542,894 Blanchard Feb. 20, 1951 2,861,501 Strelakos Nov. 25, 1958 FOREIGN PATENTS 715,551 Great Britain Sept. 15, 1954 723,343 Great Britain Feb. 9, 1955 751,234 Great Britain June 27, 1956

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