US5070436A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Signal vest, colored, reflective, and lighted, worn by persons seen on and nearby roadways and highways and other needed areas
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1990-10-29
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Granted: 1991-12-03
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Expires: 2010-10-29
Abstract
Abstract To protect people who must be seen, to avoid their injury, when they are in areas where safety protection is needed, such as on or nearby roadways, highways, waterways, airports, etc., a signal vest is worn by them, which is made of durable bright colored materials, durable reflective materials, and equipped in front and back with flashing lights, controlled by self contained electrical circuits, including a replacable and/or rechargeable battery. The electrical circuits operate independently of one another, so any damage to one circuit, only eliminates some of the front and back flashing lights.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard M. Alexander
- 👤 Woodbury Abbey, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:30
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05B; H05B39/00; H05B39/09; A; A41; A41D; A41D13/00; A41D13/01; G; G08; G08B; G08B5/00; G08B5/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
344 words
A signal vest, colored, reflective, and lighted with flashing lights, to be worn by persons to be seen on and nearby roadways and highways, comprising: a) a vest garment made of colorful and reflective materials; and b) an electrical assembly comprising in turn: i) a battery supported by the vest garment; ii) multiple light subassemblies supported by the vest garment and arranged to locate two of them spaced apart on the back of the vest garment respectively on either side of the centerline of a vest garment, and to locate two of them spaced apart on the front of the vest garment, respectively on either side of a centerline of the vest garment; iii) a switch supported by the vest garment; and iv) an overall electrical circuit supported by the vest garment, to intermittently supply the electrical energy, derived from the battery, to the respective multiple light subassemblies, when the switch is closed, to create flashing lights to be seen by a motorist of an oncoming vehicle, and arranged in two sub-circuits, with one sub-circuit intermittently supplying electrical energy, derived from the battery, to the multiple light subassemblies arranged on one side of the centerline of the vest garment both the front and back thereof, and with the other sub-circuit intermittently supplying electrical energy, derived from the battery, to the multiple light subassemblies arranged on the other side of the centerline of the vest garment, both the front and back thereof; wherein each sub-circuit, in turn comprises: a') a cmos a stable oscillator, in turn comprising; (i') four IC gates connected in series; (ii') three resistors connected to and between some of the IC gates; (iii') a diode; and (iv') a capacitor connected to and between two IC gates; b') a darington pair of transistors, comprising in turn: (i') two transistors; (ii') Two resistors and the said two transistors, arranged together to form the said darington pair which are connected between the last IC gate and light subassemblies to function as switches; and c') the light subassemblies connected to the darington pair of transistors.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
344 words
A signal vest, colored, reflective, and lighted with flashing lights, to be worn by persons to be seen on and nearby roadways and highways, comprising: a) a vest garment made of colorful and reflective materials; and b) an electrical assembly comprising in turn: i) a battery supported by the vest garment; ii) multiple light subassemblies supported by the vest garment and arranged to locate two of them spaced apart on the back of the vest garment respectively on either side of the centerline of a vest garment, and to locate two of them spaced apart on the front of the vest garment, respectively on either side of a centerline of the vest garment; iii) a switch supported by the vest garment; and iv) an overall electrical circuit supported by the vest garment, to intermittently supply the electrical energy, derived from the battery, to the respective multiple light subassemblies, when the switch is closed, to create flashing lights to be seen by a motorist of an oncoming vehicle, and arranged in two sub-circuits, with one sub-circuit intermittently supplying electrical energy, derived from the battery, to the multiple light subassemblies arranged on one side of the centerline of the vest garment both the front and back thereof, and with the other sub-circuit intermittently supplying electrical energy, derived from the battery, to the multiple light subassemblies arranged on the other side of the centerline of the vest garment, both the front and back thereof; wherein each sub-circuit, in turn comprises: a') a cmos a stable oscillator, in turn comprising; (i') four IC gates connected in series; (ii') three resistors connected to and between some of the IC gates; (iii') a diode; and (iv') a capacitor connected to and between two IC gates; b') a darington pair of transistors, comprising in turn: (i') two transistors; (ii') Two resistors and the said two transistors, arranged together to form the said darington pair which are connected between the last IC gate and light subassemblies to function as switches; and c') the light subassemblies connected to the darington pair of transistors.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
A signal vest, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switch supported by the vest garment comprises an electrical contact positioned directly on the vest garment, and another electrical contact positioned on a pivotal tab, which is sewn to the vest garment, whereby, when the electrical contacts are not engaged, the pivotal tab has a length, when arranged next to the vest garment, positions the electrical contact thereon spaced well away from the electrical contact positioned directly on the vest garment, thereby avoiding an inadvertent unwanted closing of these electrical contacts.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A signal vest, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the overall electrical circuit has woven circuit wires secured to the pivotal tab, and connected between the electrical contact, which is positioned on this pivotal tab, and other portions of the overall electrical circuit.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
192 words
A signal vest, colored, reflective, and lighted with flashing lights, to be worn by persons to be seen on and nearby roadways and highways, comprising: a) a vest garment made of colorful and reflective materials; and b) an electrical assembly comprising in turn: i) a battery supported by the vest garment; ii) multiple light subassemblies supported by the vest garment; iii) a switch supported by the vest garment comprising in turn, an electrical contact positioned directly on the vest garment, and another electrical contact positioned on a pivotal tab, which is sewn to the vest garment, whereby when the two electrical contacts are not engaged, the pivotal tab has a length, when arranged next to the vest garment, positions the electrical contact thereon, spaced well away from the electrical contact positioned directly on the vest garment, thereby avoiding an inadvertent unwanted closing of these electrical contacts; and iv) an overall electrical circuit supported by the vest garment, to intermittently supply the electrical energy, derived from the battery, to the respective multiple light subassemblies, when the switch is closed, to create flashing lights to be seen by a motorist of an oncoming vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
192 words
A signal vest, colored, reflective, and lighted with flashing lights, to be worn by persons to be seen on and nearby roadways and highways, comprising: a) a vest garment made of colorful and reflective materials; and b) an electrical assembly comprising in turn: i) a battery supported by the vest garment; ii) multiple light subassemblies supported by the vest garment; iii) a switch supported by the vest garment comprising in turn, an electrical contact positioned directly on the vest garment, and another electrical contact positioned on a pivotal tab, which is sewn to the vest garment, whereby when the two electrical contacts are not engaged, the pivotal tab has a length, when arranged next to the vest garment, positions the electrical contact thereon, spaced well away from the electrical contact positioned directly on the vest garment, thereby avoiding an inadvertent unwanted closing of these electrical contacts; and iv) an overall electrical circuit supported by the vest garment, to intermittently supply the electrical energy, derived from the battery, to the respective multiple light subassemblies, when the switch is closed, to create flashing lights to be seen by a motorist of an oncoming vehicle.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A signal vest, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the overall electrical circuit has woven circuit wires secured to the pivotal tab, and connected between the electrical contact, which is positioned on this pivotal tab, and other portions of the overall electrical circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
145 words
A signal vest, as claimed in claim 5, wherein the multiple light subassemblies are arranged to locate two of them spaced apart on the back of the vest garment respectively on either side of the centerline of a vest garment, and to locate two of them spaced apart on the front of the vest garment, respectively on either side of a centerline of the vest garment, and the overall electrical circuit is arranged in two sub-circuits, with one sub-circuit intermittently supplying electrical energy, derived from the battery, to the multiple light subassemblies arranged on one side of the centerline of the vest garment both the front and back thereof, and with the other sub-circuit intermittently supplying electrical energy, derived from the battery, to the multiple light subassemblies arranged on the other side of the centerline of the vest garment, both the front and back thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
A signal vest, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the intermittent supplying of electrical energy by the two sub-circuits is respectively differently timed to increase the visual frequency of the on and off phases of the light subassemblies.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
A signal vest, as claimed in claim 7, wherein the vest garment has a pocket to receive the battery and portions of the electrical assembly.
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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) | 1994-12-02 | 1995-06-03 | 1995-12-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-12-02 | 1999-06-03 | 1999-12-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-12-02 | 2003-06-03 | 2003-12-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |