Arm banner identification safety device

Abstract

An arm banner identification safety device and methods of use are presented. Embodiments include a flexible material banner with an exterior surface. Wording or lettering and/or symbols identifying an organization, organization type, occupation, and/or position is displayed on some part of the exterior banner. The banner is designed to be worn on the forearm, is held in place by use of adjustable straps, and can be easily folded to be kept in a pocket or purse.

Claims

1. An identification safety device comprising a rectangular base made of a flexible material; a plurality of light reflective material strips attached to a top surface of the rectangular base, the plurality of light reflective material strips comprising a plurality of identifying words or letters; and a plurality of fasteners attached to the rectangular base; wherein the identification safety device is characterized by a folded condition in which the identification safety device is folded and is configured to be carried in a pocket or a purse; and an assembled condition in which the identification safety device is configured to be worn on a forearm of a wearer; and wherein the plurality of fasteners comprises a first elastic button strap attached to a first side of the rectangular base; a second elastic button strap attached to the first side of the rectangular base; a third elastic button strap attached to the first side of the rectangular base; a first button attached to a bottom surface of the rectangular base; a second button attached to the bottom surface of the rectangular base; and a third button attached to the bottom surface of the rectangular base.

2. The identification safety device of claim 1, wherein the identification safety device is configured to be used by the wearer selected form the group consisting law enforcement officers, emergency medical service providers, firefighters, persons licensed or authorized to carry firearms, and persons needed to be identified at an emergency scene.

3. The identification safety device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light reflective material strips comprises a first light reflective material strip; and a second light reflective material strip parallel to the first light reflective material strip.

4. The identification safety device of claim 3, wherein a logo is disposed between the first light reflective material strip and the second light reflective material strip.

5. The identification safety device of claim 1, wherein a first end of the first elastic button strap is between the top surface of the rectangular base and the bottom surface of the rectangular base; wherein a second end of the first elastic button strap is between the top surface of the rectangular base and the bottom surface of the rectangular base; and wherein a third end of the first elastic button strap is between the top surface of the rectangular base and the bottom surface of the rectangular base.

6. The identification safety device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of light reflective material strips comprises a first light reflective material strip; and a second light reflective material strip parallel to the first light reflective material strip; and wherein a plurality of identifying words, a plurality of identifying letters, or a logo is disposed between the first light reflective material strip and the second light reflective material strip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PHOTOGRAPHS

(1) Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the sever views, and wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an arm banner identification safety device of the present invention.

(3) FIG. 2 depicts a top view of the arm banner identification safety device of FIG. 1 with the straps unattached on one side.

(4) FIG. 3 depicts an under view of the arm banner identification safety device of FIG. 1 with the straps unattached on one side.

(5) FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the arm banner identification safety device of FIG. 1.

(6) FIG. 5 depicts a horizontal perspective view of an arm banner identification safety device of FIG. 1 being used in one manner.

(7) FIG. 6 depicts a vertical perspective view of an arm banner identification safety device of FIG. 1 being used in one manner.

(8) FIG. 7 depicts a folded perspective view and one manner of the carrying of an arm banner identification safety device of FIG. 1.

(9) FIG. 8 depicts one manner of use in which a folded arm banner identification safety device of FIG. 1 is carried as in FIG. 7 and can be pulled out by first responders including law enforcement officers such as the plainclothes police officer in this example, emergency medical service providers and firefighters, as well as other individuals licensed or authorized to carry a firearm.

(10) FIG. 9. depicts one manner of use in which a folded arm banner identification safety device of FIG. 1 can be unfolded.

(11) FIG. 10 depicts one manner of use in which an unfolded arm banner identification safety device of FIG. 1 is may be attached by inserting hand into the vertical end.

(12) FIG. 11 depicts one manner of use in which an arm banner identification safety device of FIG. 1 is pulled onto the forearm.

(13) FIG. 12 depicts one manner of use in which an arm banner identification safety device of FIG. 1 can be attached to the forearm of first responders including law enforcement officers such as the plainclothes police officer in this example, emergency medical service providers and firefighters, as well as other individuals licensed or authorized to carry a firearm. Note that the badge of the plainclothes officer in this example is not visible from this angle and without the present invention, the officer could easily be mistaken for an threatening suspect.

(14) FIG. 13 depicts one manner of use in which an arm banner identification safety device of FIG. 1 is attached to the forearm of first responders including law enforcement officers such as the plainclothes police officer in this example, emergency medical service providers and firefighters, as well as other individuals licensed or authorized to carry a firearm, and can be easily seen by another individual such as the uniformed police officer in this example. Note that the badge of the plainclothes officer in this example is only partially visible from this angle and without the present invention, the officer could easily be mistaken for an threatening suspect.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(15) Referring now to the invention in more detail, in FIG. 1 there is shown the method of use of an arm banner identification safety device 100, constructed of a rectangle section of flexible material 110, with reflective material strips 120a and 120b added on the right and left of the material. Identification wording or lettering 140a and 140b is added on the reflective material strips 120a and 120b. Additional identification wording or lettering 150 is added in the lower center portion directly to the flexible material 110. An identification symbol 130 could also be added in the upper center portion directly to the flexible material 110. This optional identification symbol 130 reflects the needs of the final user such as, but not limited to, a badge symbol for devices made for a law enforcement officers, a fire cross symbol for devices made for firefighters, a medical star for devices used by emergency medical personnel, etc. The flexible material 110 is sewn with thread 180 and three elastic button-hole straps, hook and loop straps, or other type adjustable straps 160a, 160b, and 160c are attached to the flexible material 110. The three elastic button-hole straps, hook and loop straps, or other type adjustable straps 160a, 160b, and 160c are attached to three buttons, or buckles, or other type connectors 170a, 170b, and 170c.

(16) In more detail, still referring to the invention of FIG. 1, the two vertical sides of the flexible material 110 are connected by the three elastic button-hole straps, hook and loop straps, or other type adjustable straps 160a, 160b, and 160c to the three buttons, or buckles, or other type connectors 170a, 170b, and 170c. This allows the user to adjust the correct size and keep it in place on the forearm regardless of clothing thickness and/or layering. The identification wording or lettering 140a and 140b, which is on top of the reflective material strips 120a and 120b, is situated in a way that it can be easily recognized while the user is in a shooting stance. The optional identification symbol 130 and the additional identification wording or lettering 150 are positioned in a way that the user can raise the arm and be easily recognized from the rear.

(17) The flexible material 110 that is the base material for the arm banner identification safety device 100 is bright and/or in vivid contrast with the reflective material strips 120a and 120b, the optional identification symbol 130, and the identification wording or lettering 140a, 140b, and 150. This allows the arm banner identification safety device 100 to be easily seen in most lighting conditions. It is made to be folded and kept in pocket or purse when not in use. This allows for easy everyday carrying of the arm banner identification safety device 100. The flexible material 110 can be of different types of materials, but should be a durable, yet flexible material that works well with the reflective material strips 120a and 120b, the optional identification symbol 130, and the identification wording or lettering 140a, 140b, and 150.

(18) Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 2 there is shown the top view of the arm banner identification safety device 100, constructed of a rectangle section of flexible material 110, with two reflective material strips 120a and 120b added on the right and left of the material. Identification wording or lettering 140a and 140b is added on the reflective material strips 120a and 120b. Additional identification wording or lettering 150 is added in the lower center portion directly to the flexible material 110. An optional identification symbol 130 is also added in the upper center portion directly to the flexible material 110. The flexible material 110 is sewn with thread 180 and three elastic button-hole straps, hook and loop straps, or other type adjustable straps 160a, 160b, and 160c are attached to the flexible material 110. Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 3 there is shown the under view of the arm banner identification safety device 100, constructed of a rectangle section of flexible material 110, which is sewn with thread 180 and three elastic button-hole straps, hook and loop straps, or other type adjustable straps 160a, 160b, and 160c are attached to the flexible material 110. The three elastic button-hole straps, hook and loop straps, or other type adjustable straps 160a, 160b, and 160c are attached to three buttons, or buckles, or other type connectors 170a, 170b, and 170c.

(19) Referring now to the invention shown in FIG. 4 there is shown the side view of the arm banner identification safety device 100, constructed of a rectangle section of flexible material 110, with the first elastic button-hole strap, hook and loop strap, or other type adjustable strap 160a attached to the flexible material 110 and connected to the first button, or buckle, or other type connector 170a.

(20) The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that the arm banner identification safety device is highly visible, easily recognized by law enforcement officers and others, small enough for the user to carry in pocket or purse at all times, it is quickly and easily deployed, and does not place a large target on the body. The arm banner safety device is also small enough to be hidden or tucked away if the desire is for it to not be seen.

(21) In broad embodiment, the present invention is a safety device that can be worn on the forearm by first responders including law enforcement officers, emergency medical service providers, firefighters and others, as well as other individuals authorized to carry and/or use a firearm, who are in plainclothes and cannot be identified by uniform. The invention is intended to help prevent accidental shootings of first responders and other non-combatants at emergency incident scenes who are not easily recognized by uniformed law enforcement officers and others. It will also help identify first responders including law enforcement officers, emergency medical service providers, firefighters and others, as well as other individuals authorized to carry and/or use a firearm during non-emergency incidents.

(22) Although the written description and illustration of the present invention contained herein allows one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best style thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the presence of variations, combinations, and similarities of the specific embodiment and examples herein. The present invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment and examples, but by all embodiments and examples within the scope and spirit of the present invention.