Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G02—OPTICS
  • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
  • G02B5/00—Optical elements other than lenses
  • G02B5/12—Reflex reflectors
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B5/00—Visible signalling systems, e.g. personal calling systems, remote indication of seats occupied
  • G08B5/004—Reflective safety signalling devices attached on persons

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a reflecting device and a method for attaching a reflector to clothing or similar item.
• a pull device to clothing and to that attach objects such as keys or diverse cards, e.g. access cards or ski-lift cards.
• a pull device comprises a spring, a cord, a clothes attachment device and an object attachment device.
• the cord which is often enclosed inside the pull device, is automatically wound up on a spring-loaded roller. If the cord is pulled out by hand and then released, the cord will therefore automatically wind up on the roller.
• the system facilitates for a user, since the user does not need to search through pockets or bags looking for the item (e.g. access/ski-lift cards or keys) . Following use of the object, it winds in easily up to the point of at- tachment without risk of the cord getting caught or hooking into something.
• the device also implies that there is no need to remove it from the clothing to use the object. Neither is there any need to assume an awkward posture, as for example when unlocking a door with a key that is hanging on a chain round the neck.
• the purpose of the invention in this respect is to provide a device that on the one hand guarantees that the reflector has good visibility from all angles, and on the other hand is not in the way of the user in such a manner that might cause irritation or complications. Furthermore, the device shall be easy to use and ensure that the reflector is never lost. Therefore, the intention is to provide a device that eliminates the disadvantages of the present art and methods while retaining the advantages.
• the invention is intended to solve the problems outlined above by a reflector device comprising a reflective body with cord, drum and spring and a clothing attachment device .
• the invention is also aimed at solving the above- mentioned problems by means of a method for attaching the reflector device as detailed above .
• a reflector device with a built-in spring-loaded drum to which a cord may be wound.
• the drum is placed inside a reflector cas- ing, whose external walls comprises a reflective material.
• the cord is pulled out of the reflector casing and automatically stops in an extended position wherever the user so wishes. If the user prefers to shorten the cord, he releases a cord brake arranged in relation to the drum. The drum then rotates, wherein the cord is wounded up on the drum.
• the reflector device is attached to the user by means of a clothing attachment device at the free end of the cord.
• the obvious advantage obtained with the patent- pending device is the simple and versatile attachment to an item of clothing by means of the clothing attachment device.
• the reflector no longer is needed to be used, it may be kept in a pocket without any risk of tangling, as the cord automatically winds up into the reflector casing. If the reflector is preferred to remain attached to the outside of the clothing, but not be in the way, a user may shorten the cord so that the reflector casing is flush with the clothing and the clothing attachment device, which means there is no risk of the cord getting caught up.
• a reflector attached to a carrier with a proper clothing attachment device runs less of a risk of getting lost compared to a reflector according to previously known art, which was attached with, for example, self-adhesive material or by means of the wraps technique.
• the invention retains the benefits of a freely hanging reflector that exhibits excellent visibility while the disadvantages of possible entanglement, getting lost or poor visibility is eliminated.
• Fig. 1 shows a detailed drawing of the reflector device
• Fig. 2 shows the reflector device in full
• Fig. 3 shows the reflector device in a perspective view
• Fig. 4 shows the reflector device in a side view
• Fig. 5 shows the reflector device in a front view
• Fig. 6 shows the reflector device from a top view.
• Figure 1 shows a detailed drawing of the reflector device.
• the model here is round, but any shape is of course feasible.
• the reflector casing 2 may be one piece, but may also, as shown in the figure, be said to serve as an adapter to a range of exchangeable reflectors 1. These reflectors may be selected with different themes, sur- faces forms or material, all according to taste.
• the reflector device is shown here with only one side in a reflective material. It is preferable that the opposite side also is arranged with a reflector.
• the reflective material is preferably, although this is not obligatory, plastic, such as rigid plastic or soft plastic (such as 3M's "Scotchlite”) .
• the reflector device In order for the reflector device to work in a user- friendly manner, it comprises a cord 7.
• the cord is extendable from the reflector casing 2 and is attached at one end to a clothing attachment device 8.
• a clothing attachment device 8 This could be one of many known types, such as a so called “zip connector” for attaching to a zip fastener or a male/female type where one part is already attached to the user, meaning the other part only needs to be “snapped in place”. It might even be as simple as a safety pin.
• the clothing attachment device may of course be attached to things other than clothing, such as bags and other items one wants to be visible in the dark.
• the other end of the cord is attached inside the reflector device 2 and is therein wound up on the winding mechanism that will henceforth be referred to as drum 3.
• the drum is spring-loaded and thereby the cord 7 may be wound up on it.
• the drum 3 is also provided with a cord brake that works in such a way that the ⁇ cord does not automatically wind up on the drum 3 when pulled out to extended position. Consequently, the reflector casing 2 may be pulled out when the clothing attachment device is attached to a user and remain in ex- tended position. This means that the reflector casing 2 may, for example, be allowed to hang freely down the side of a carrier, which results in extremely good visibility. If the user decides to wear the reflector close to his body instead, he may use the push-button 6 that is ar- ranged to release the cord brake. The spring-loaded drum 3 is then free to wind, whereupon the cord 7 winds up.
• the reflector casing 2 will be positioned right next to the clothing attachment device 8.
• the reflector is thereby flexible as the length of the cord may be cho- sen freely by pulling the reflector casing, which causes the cord to unwind to the selected length.
• the cord is then shortened again by pressing the button.
• the cord is made of a strong and durable material and of a quality that prevents it from getting tangled.
• the reflector device may also be provided with at least one supplemental device.
• the supplemental device may for instance be a small storage space arranged in the reflector casing, e.g. for storing and holding of a key or an access card.
• the supplemental device may also be an item such as a thermometer, which may be electronic.
• the supplemental device may be an electronic object such as a clock. It may also be for example an USB-memory for storing of data.
• the reflector device may also be provided with a LED box 4 with integrated LEDs 5 to increase visibility.
• the LEDs are then located somewhere on the outside of the reflector casing 2 and may be arranged to flash in any sequence or have a fixed light.
• Figure 2 shows a perspective view with LEDs 5 and the button to release the cord brake 6 clearly visible.
• Figures 3-5 show the reflector device from several angles.
• the front view in figure 4 shows the reflector 1 removed to display the drum 3 and the LED box 4.

Landscapes

• Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
• Optics & Photonics (AREA)
• Professional, Industrial, Or Sporting Protective Garments (AREA)
• Illuminated Signs And Luminous Advertising (AREA)
• Storage Of Web-Like Or Filamentary Materials (AREA)

Priority Applications (1)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=35600986

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Citations (6)

• 2005
  • 2005-02-28 SE SE0500441A patent/SE527046C2/sv not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2006
  • 2006-02-23 EP EP06716927A patent/EP1854078A4/en not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-02-23 WO PCT/SE2006/000237 patent/WO2006091153A1/en active Application Filing

Patent Citations (6)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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