REFLECTIVE MARKER FOR INDICATING LOCATION OF A NEARBY FIRE HYDRANT

Abstract

In a first aspect of the subject invention, a reflective marker is provided for mounting to a utility pole or tree to indicate a location of a nearby fire hydrant, the marker including: a band having opposing inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface being light reflective with an icon provided thereon, wherein, the band is mountable to the utility pole or tree with the icon generally facing in the direction of the nearby fire hydrant.

Claims

1. A reflective marker for mounting to a utility pole or tree to indicate a location of a nearby fire hydrant, the marker comprising: a band having opposing inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface being light reflective with an icon provided thereon, wherein, the band is mountable to the utility pole or tree with the icon generally facing in the direction of the nearby fire hydrant.

2. The marker of claim 1, wherein the icon is a graphic depiction of at least one of a: fire hydrant, flame, fireman's hat, drop of water, hose, and firetruck.

3. The marker of claim 1, wherein the icon includes a number representing distance from the utility pole or tree to the nearby fire hydrant.

4. The marker of claim 1, wherein the outer surface includes two or more colors.

5. The marker of claim 4, wherein the outer surface includes at least one stripe of one color and at least one stripe of a second color.

6. The marker of claim 1, wherein the band is strip shaped having a length and a height, the length being greater than the height.

7. The marker of claim 6, wherein the band is mountable about the utility pole or tree with the length extending across at least a portion of the circumference of the utility pole or tree.

8. The marker of claim 7, wherein the length is sufficient to extend across at least 25% of the circumference of the utility pole or tree.

9. The marker of claim 8, wherein the length is sufficient to extend across at least 50% of the circumference of the utility pole or tree.

10. The marker of claim 9, wherein the length is sufficient to extend across at least 75% of the circumference of the utility pole or tree.

11. A method of providing a visual indicator of a location of a fire hydrant, the method comprising: providing a band having opposing inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface being light reflective with an icon provided thereon; and, mounting the band to a utility pole or tree located nearby the fire hydrant, the band being mounted with the inner surface facing the utility pole or tree and with the icon being oriented to generally face in the direction of the fire hydrant.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the band is mounted to the utility pole or tree at a height of at least four feet from the ground.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the icon is a graphic depiction of at least one of a: fire hydrant, flame, fireman's hat, drop of water, hose, and firetruck.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the icon includes a number representing distance from the utility pole or tree to the nearby fire hydrant.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the mounting the band includes one of more of: nailing, screw mounting, bolting, adhering, tying, and pulling into tension.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising: providing a second band having opposing inner and outer surfaces, the outer surface being light reflective with an icon provided thereon; and, mounting the second band to a second utility pole or tree located nearby the fire hydrant, the second utility pole or tree being spaced from the utility pole or tree, the second band being mounted with the inner surface facing the second utility pole or tree and with the icon being oriented to generally face in the direction of the fire hydrant.

17. The method of claim 11, wherein the band is strip shaped having a length and a height, the length being greater than the height, and, wherein the band is mounted about the utility pole or tree with the length extending across at least a portion of the circumference of the utility pole or tree.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the length is sufficient to extend across at least 25% of the circumference of the utility pole or tree.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the length is sufficient to extend across at least 50% of the circumference of the utility pole or tree.

20. The marker of claim 19, wherein the length is sufficient to extend across at least 75% of the circumference of the utility pole or tree.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIGS. 1-7 show a reflective marker formed in accordance with the subject invention; and,

[0016] FIG. 8 shows two reflective markers formed in accordance with the subject invention in use.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] With reference to the Figures, a reflective marker 10 is shown which includes a band 12 having opposing inner and outer surfaces 14, 16. The outer surface 16 is light reflective with an icon 18 provided thereon. The band 12 is mountable to a utility pole or tree 20 with the icon 18 generally facing in the direction of a nearby fire hydrant 22.

[0018] The band 12 may be any material, including, but not limited to, one or more of: a textile, metal (e.g., aluminum), polymeric material (e.g., plastic sheeting), cellulosic material (e.g., cardboard), and combinations thereof. The band 12 may be strip-shaped having a length L greater than height H. The length L should be of sufficient length to extend across at least 25% of the circumference of the utility pole or tree 20, more preferably, to extend across at least 50% of the circumference of the utility pole or tree 20, further preferably, to extend across at least 75% of the circumference of the utility pole or tree 20. The length L of the band 12 allows for the reflective marker 10 to be seen from multiple locations radially spaced about the utility pole or tree 20. The band 12 may be configured to extend fully about the circumference of the utility pole or tree 20. With extending about the full circumference, the band 12 may have ends fastened to one another to provide tension in the band 12 when mounted. With the band 12 being less than the full circumference of the utility pole or tree 20, the band 12 may be mounted to the utility pole or tree 20 using any known method, including being nailed, screwed, bolted, adhered, tied (e.g., string, wire, or cord is used), pulled in tension (e.g., a strap, wire, or cord pulls together ends of the band 12), and combinations thereof. With full circumference mounting of the band 12, any of the aforementioned mounting methods may be likewise used.

[0019] The outer surface 16 may be prepared in any manner to provide light reflectiveness. For example, light reflective tape or strips may be applied to the outer surface 16 of the band 12. In addition, or alternatively, light reflective material or paint may be applied to the outer surface 16 of the band 12. Colors similar to those used with firefighter's clothing and equipment may be used, such as red, fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange, and so forth. It is preferred that two or more colors be utilized for high visibility to avoid confusion with prior art monochromatic reflective markers used on utility poles. The two or more colors may be arranged in stripes (vertical, diagonal, and/or horizontal) and/or in other patterns. The colors may be arranged to alternate in a regular pattern, e.g., as a repeating striped pattern. For example, the outer surface 16 may include two outer fluorescent yellow-green stripes with a central white stripe.

[0020] The icon 18 may be any graphic depiction associated with firefighting, emergency services, water, and the like. By way of non-limiting example, the icon 18 may be at least one of a: fire hydrant, flame, fireman's hat, drop of water, hose, and firetruck. The icon 18 acts as an indicator of direction by generally facing towards the nearby fire hydrant 22, as shown schematically by arrow 24 in FIG. 8. To mount, the band 12 is radially adjusted about the utility pole or tree 20 to have the icon 18 generally face the nearby fire hydrant 22, and then secured to fix the radial portion of the band 12. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, two or more of the bands 12 may be located on different utility poles or trees 20 about the nearby fire hydrant 22 to provide multiple points of reference, as shown in FIG. 8. This may be helpful with the bands 12 being located on both sides of a road directing to the nearby fire hydrant 22.

[0021] Alternatively, the icon 18 may be a number representing the distance from the relevant utility pole or tree 20 to the nearby fire hydrant 22. For example, the icon 18 may be the number 15, indicating that the nearby fire hydrant 22 is fifteen feet away from the utility pole or tree 20 in a direction in which the icon 18 is facing. In addition, the icon 18 may include any of the graphical depictions listed above (fire hydrant, flame, and so forth) and a number representing distance to the nearby fire hydrant 22.

[0022] Preferably, the icon 18 is light reflective. In addition, preferably, the icon 18 is provided in a color which is contrasting to the color of the outer surface 16 about the icon 18 so as to be visually distinguishable therefrom. For example, the icon 18 may be red with the outer surface 16 being fluorescent yellow-green and/or white (e.g., the outer surface 16 may include two outer fluorescent yellow-green stripers with a central white stripe).

[0023] The band 12 is preferably mounted at a height to be visually unobstructed by parked cars or other surrounding elements. Preferably, the band 12 is mounted to the utility pole or tree 20 at a height of at least four feet from the ground, which is higher than the height of a typical fire hydrant. The band 12 may be mounted even higher, e.g., eight feet or higher, to be visible at a greater distance and to minimize vandalism or theft. The band 12 advantageously acts as a reflective marker indicating presence of the utility pole or tree 20.