US4489306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Emergency signal
Assignee: LIFE LIGHT SYSTEMS A CALIFORNIA PARTNERSHIP
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Filing: 1983-02-14
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Granted: 1984-12-18
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Expires: 2003-02-14
Abstract
Abstract A self-contained emergency signal has a base unit which contains a battery and an optional radio transmitter and a plurality of telescoping box-like stages which nest into the base member to convert it into a small container for storage and transport. Each of the boxes and the light mounting panels are cut in a special way to permit nesting of the boxes within the base container. When deployed for use the unit is extended into a vertical (or horizontal) array of sequentially illuminated letters which spell out the word "HELP" or a similar word or different color panels, there being a control to sequentially flash strobe lights positioned behind each letter.
Inventors
- 👤 John E. Scolari
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:11
CPC Classifications
B; B60; B60Q; B60Q7/00; E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/60; E01F9/623; E01F9/646
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
125 words
An emergency signal comprising: (a) a box-like base; (b) a plurality of four-sided telescoping boxes of incrementally decreasing size deployable from a stored mode nested within said base to an expanded, vertically extended mode; (c) detent means for releasably retaining said boxes in the extended mode; (d) each of said boxes having a light-transmitting letter of the alphabet displayed on at least one face thereof such that the totality of said letters on said boxes spell an emergency message; (e) means inside each of said boxes illuminating the respective letter thereon; (f) a top attached to the uppermost of said boxes; and (g) latch means for latching said top to said base with said boxes inside to define a self-contained container when not in use.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
125 words
An emergency signal comprising: (a) a box-like base; (b) a plurality of four-sided telescoping boxes of incrementally decreasing size deployable from a stored mode nested within said base to an expanded, vertically extended mode; (c) detent means for releasably retaining said boxes in the extended mode; (d) each of said boxes having a light-transmitting letter of the alphabet displayed on at least one face thereof such that the totality of said letters on said boxes spell an emergency message; (e) means inside each of said boxes illuminating the respective letter thereon; (f) a top attached to the uppermost of said boxes; and (g) latch means for latching said top to said base with said boxes inside to define a self-contained container when not in use.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
Structure according to claim 1 wherein said light means comprises a light for each separate one of said letters and a power distribution system for sequentially illuminating said lights to spell out said emergency message letter by letter, and continuously repeat this sequence.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
Structure according to claim 1 wherein said signal is battery powered and said base and top contain cooperating switch means to automatically close the light means circuit with said battery when said top is raised to deploy said boxes in vertically extended array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
64 words
Structure according to claim 1 wherein each of said boxes has a pair of opposed lateral sides and a pair of longitudinal sides, at least one of said longitudinal sides displays the respective letter thereon, and said light means includes a reflector panel mounted parallel to and spaced from the side displaying the respective letter and each of said panels mounts an individual light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
40 words
Structure according to claim 4 wherein said reflector panels are mounted to and span between the lateral sides of the respective boxes, and said panels are mounted on lateral supports extending from one of the walls of the respective box.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
Structure according to claim 5 wherein each of said panels is offset from the panel of the next larger box to permit nesting of said boxes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
Structure according to claim 1 wherein said base mounts a clip so that the signal can be clipped to a partially opened vehicle window.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
Structure according to claim 1 wherein said detent means comprises outwardly extended projections on each box to rest on the upper edge of the box below.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Structure according to claim 1 wherein said base includes a plurality of outwardly pivotal legs to widen the support of said base.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
Structure according to claim 9 wherein said legs each mounts a magnet such that said signal can be securely engaged on a ferromagnetic surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
Structure according to claim 1 wherein said base includes a handle and said base and top define a small container for transport in the collapsed mode.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
118 words
An emergency signal comprising: a base; a plurality of signalling means extending from said base, each said signalling base including an enclosure and being spaced a different distance from said base and including high intensity flash lamp means inside each said enclosure; a like plurality of window means in at least one side of said enclosure, each said window means being adjacent and spaced from one of said high intensity flash lamp means; and actuating means in said base electrically connecting said signalling means through switch means to battery means; whereby high intensity light flashes are generated through said window means when said switch means is closed, said flash lamp means being fired in a fixed repeatable sequence.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
118 words
An emergency signal comprising: a base; a plurality of signalling means extending from said base, each said signalling base including an enclosure and being spaced a different distance from said base and including high intensity flash lamp means inside each said enclosure; a like plurality of window means in at least one side of said enclosure, each said window means being adjacent and spaced from one of said high intensity flash lamp means; and actuating means in said base electrically connecting said signalling means through switch means to battery means; whereby high intensity light flashes are generated through said window means when said switch means is closed, said flash lamp means being fired in a fixed repeatable sequence.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
An emergency signal according to claim 12 wherein said high intensity flash lamp means and said actuating means comprise a strobe unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
An emergency signal according to claim 12 wherein the signaling means is in telescoping arrangement with said base whereby the signaling means can be retracted into said base when not in use.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
An emergency signal according to claim 14 wherein said window means include indicia thereon.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
An emergency signal according to claim 15 wherein said actuating means includes a power distribution system for flashing said flash lamp means in predetermined sequence.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
45 words
An emergency signal according to claim 14 wherein a cover is attached to the top of said signaling means in the extended mode and latch means is provided for latching said cover to said base to define a portable self-contained container when not in use.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
42 words
An emergency signal according to claim 17 wherein said base and cover contain cooperating switch means to automatically close the circuit through the high intensity flash lamp means when said cover is raised to deploy said signalling means in vertically extended array.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
115 words
An emergency signal comprising: a base; signalling means spaced from said base and including high intensity flash lamp means; window means in said signalling means adjacent said high intensity flash lamp means; and actuating means in said base electrically connecting said signalling means through switch means to battery means; said signalling means comprising a plurality of telescoping sections of incrementally decreasing size deployed from a stored mode nested within said base to a vertically extended mode, each of said sections comprising a high intensity flash lamp means and a window means adjacent said high intensity flash lamp means; whereby high intensity light flashes are generated through said window means when said switch means is closed.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
115 words
An emergency signal comprising: a base; signalling means spaced from said base and including high intensity flash lamp means; window means in said signalling means adjacent said high intensity flash lamp means; and actuating means in said base electrically connecting said signalling means through switch means to battery means; said signalling means comprising a plurality of telescoping sections of incrementally decreasing size deployed from a stored mode nested within said base to a vertically extended mode, each of said sections comprising a high intensity flash lamp means and a window means adjacent said high intensity flash lamp means; whereby high intensity light flashes are generated through said window means when said switch means is closed.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
An emergency signal according to claim 19 wherein said window means are of different colors.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
An emergency signal according to claim 19 wherein said actuating means includes a power distribution system for sequentially flashing said flash lamp means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
119 words
An emergency signal comprising: a base; at least two signalling means, at least one of said signalling means being in telescoping arrangement with said base, said one signalling means being adapted to be spaced from said base when in the extended mode and being adapted to be retracted into said base when in the stored mode, each said signalling means including high intensity flash lamp means; at least two window means, each of said window means being positioned adjacent one of said high intensity flash lamp means; actuating means in said base electrically connecting said signalling means through switch means to battery means; whereby high intensity flashes are generated through said window means when said switch means is closed.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
119 words
An emergency signal comprising: a base; at least two signalling means, at least one of said signalling means being in telescoping arrangement with said base, said one signalling means being adapted to be spaced from said base when in the extended mode and being adapted to be retracted into said base when in the stored mode, each said signalling means including high intensity flash lamp means; at least two window means, each of said window means being positioned adjacent one of said high intensity flash lamp means; actuating means in said base electrically connecting said signalling means through switch means to battery means; whereby high intensity flashes are generated through said window means when said switch means is closed.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-12-18 | 1988-06-18 | 1988-12-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-18 | 1992-06-18 | 1992-12-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-18 | 1996-06-18 | 1996-12-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |