Rescue locator signal

Abstract

A rescue locator signal is provided that includes a central member with a first arm extending therefrom in a first direction. A second arm extends from the central member in a second direction that is completely opposite to the first direction, and a third arm extends from the central member in a third direction. A fourth arm extends from the central member in a fourth direction that is completely opposite to the third direction. A plurality of reflective members are located on upper surfaces of the first arm, second arm, third arm, and fourth arm.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A rescue locator signal, comprising:
 a central member;   a first arm extending from the central member in a first direction;   a second arm extending from the central member in a second direction that is completely opposite to the first direction;   a third arm extending from the central member in a third direction;   a fourth arm extending from the central member in a fourth direction that is completely opposite to the third direction; and   a plurality of reflective members located on an upper surface of the first arm, an upper surface of the second arm, an upper surface of the third arm, and an upper surface of the fourth arm.   
     
     
         2 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first arm, the second arm, the third arm, the fourth arm, and the reflective members are flexible such that they are capable of being folded and rolled and placed into a storage tube for storage and transport purposes. 
     
     
         3 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the first arm, the second arm, the third arm, and the fourth arm are made of flexible polyvinyl chloride, and wherein the reflective members are made of reflective MYLAR®. 
     
     
         4 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the central member, the first arm, and the second arm are a first single integral piece, and wherein the third arm and the fourth arm are a second single integral piece, wherein the first single integral piece is releasably attachable to the second single integral piece. 
     
     
         5 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a message pouch located on an upper surface of the central member; and   a waterproof form located in the message pouch.   
     
     
         6 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the form has a front surface with indicia that prompts a user to enter names, ages, medical conditions, food supply, and family contact information for individuals in need of rescue, and wherein the form has a back surface with a grid map having the rescue locator signal noted thereon that prompts a user to enter the location of the individuals in need of rescue relative to a location of the rescue locator signal. 
     
     
         7 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the first arm, the upper surface of the second arm, the upper surface of the third arm, and the upper surface of the fourth arm are bright orange in color, wherein lower surfaces of the first arm, the second arm, the third arm, and the fourth arm engage ground, and further comprising:
 a first grommet carried by the first arm;   a first tie down disposed through the first grommet, wherein the first tie down has a first stake disposed into the ground for use in attaching the first arm to the ground;   a second grommet carried by the second arm;   a second tie down disposed through the second grommet, wherein the second tie down has a second stake disposed into the ground for use in attaching the second arm to the ground;   a third grommet carried by the third arm;   a third tie down disposed through the third grommet, wherein the third tie down has a third stake disposed into the ground for use in attaching the third arm to the ground;   a fourth grommet carried by the fourth arm; and   a fourth tie down disposed through the fourth grommet, wherein the fourth tie down has a fourth stake disposed into the ground for use in attaching the fourth arm to the ground.   
     
     
         8 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the first arm is rectangular in shape, and wherein the reflective members on the upper surface of the first arm are arranged so that consecutive ones of the reflective members are spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction of the first arm and such that the reflective members are positioned over substantially an entire longitudinal length of the first arm;
 wherein the upper surface of the second arm is rectangular in shape, and wherein the reflective members on the upper surface of the second arm are arranged so that consecutive ones of the reflective members are spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction of the second arm and such that the reflective members are positioned over substantially an entire longitudinal length of the second arm;   wherein the upper surface of the third arm is rectangular in shape, and wherein the reflective members on the upper surface of the third arm are arranged so that consecutive ones of the reflective members are spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction of the third arm and such that the reflective members are positioned over substantially an entire longitudinal length of the third arm;   wherein the upper surface of the fourth arm is rectangular in shape, and wherein the reflective members on the upper surface of the fourth arm are arranged so that consecutive ones of the reflective members are spaced from one another in a longitudinal direction of the fourth arm and such that the reflective members are positioned over substantially an entire longitudinal length of the fourth arm.   
     
     
         9 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of vortex generators that are attached to and extend from the upper surfaces of the first arm, the second arm, the third arm, and the fourth arm, wherein the plurality of reflective members are pivotally attached to the upper surface of the arm onto which they are located, wherein the plurality of reflective members engage the plurality of vortex generators such that a portion of the reflective members are spaced from the upper surfaces to which they are pivotally attached to allow air to flow between the reflective members and the upper surfaces to which they are pivotally attached. 
     
     
         10 . A rescue locator signal, comprising:
 a central member, wherein the central member has an upper surface that is rectangular in shape;   a form located at the central member, wherein the form provides information regarding a name of a person in need of rescue, and a location of the person in need of rescue relative to the location of the rescue locator signal;   a first arm extending from the central member, wherein the first arm has an upper surface that is rectangular in shape;   a second arm extending from the central member, wherein the second arm has an upper surface that is rectangular in shape, wherein the first arm and the second arm are oriented at an angle of 180° to one another;   a third arm extending from the central member, wherein the third arm has an upper surface that is rectangular in shape, wherein the first arm and the third arm are oriented at an angle of 90° to one another, and wherein the second arm and the third arm are oriented at an angle of 90° to one another;   a fourth arm extending from the central member, wherein the fourth arm has an upper surface that is rectangular in shape, wherein the first arm and the fourth arm are oriented at an angle of 90° to one another, wherein the second arm and the fourth arm are oriented at an angle of 90° to one another, and wherein the third arm and the fourth arm are oriented at an angle of 180° to one another;   a plurality of reflective members located on the upper surfaces of the first arm, second arm, third arm, and fourth arm such that at least one reflective member is located on the upper surface of the first arm, at least one reflective member is located on the upper surface of the second arm, at least one reflective member is located on the upper surface of the third arm, and at least one reflective member is located on the upper surface of the fourth arm.   
     
     
         11 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the upper surface of the central member has a shape that is square, wherein a longitudinal length of the first arm is equal to a longitudinal length of the second arm, wherein the longitudinal length of the first arm is equal to a longitudinal length of the third arm, and wherein the longitudinal length of the first arm is equal to a longitudinal length of the fourth arm. 
     
     
         12 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the central member, the first arm, the second arm, the third arm, the fourth arm, and the reflective members are flexible such that they are capable of being folded and rolled and placed into a storage tube for storage and transport purposes. 
     
     
         13 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein the central member, the first arm, the second arm, the third arm, and the fourth arm are made of flexible polyvinyl chloride, and wherein the reflective members are made of reflective MYLAR®. 
     
     
         14 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein 24 of the reflective members are present, wherein 6 of the 24 reflective members are located on the upper surface of the first arm and are spaced from one another such that none of the 6 reflective members engage one another and are arranged linearly along a longitudinal direction of the first arm, wherein 6 of the 24 reflective members are located on the upper surface of the second arm and are spaced from one another such that none of the 6 reflective members engage one another and are arranged linearly along a longitudinal direction of the second arm, wherein 6 of the 24 reflective members are located on the upper surface of the third arm and are spaced from one another such that none of the 6 reflective members engage one another and are arranged linearly along a longitudinal direction of the third arm, wherein 6 of the 24 reflective members are located on the upper surface of the fourth arm and are spaced from one another such that none of the 6 reflective members engage one another and are arranged linearly along a longitudinal direction of the fourth arm. 
     
     
         15 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the central member, the first arm, and the second arm are a first single integral piece, and wherein the third arm and the fourth arm are a second single integral piece, wherein the first single integral piece is releasably attachable to the second single integral piece. 
     
     
         16 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising a message pouch located on the upper surface of the central member, wherein the form is waterproof and provides information regarding an age of the person in need of rescue, a medical condition of the person in need of rescue, a food supply of the person in need of rescue, and family contact information for the person in need of rescue. 
     
     
         17 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the upper surface of the first arm, the upper surface of the second arm, the upper surface of the third arm, and the upper surface of the fourth arm are bright orange in color, wherein lower surfaces of the first arm, the second arm, the third arm, and the fourth arm engage ground, and further comprising:
 a first grommet carried by the first arm;   a first tie down disposed through the first grommet, wherein the first tie down has a first stake disposed into the ground for use in attaching the first arm to the ground;   a second grommet carried by the second arm;   a second tie down disposed through the second grommet, wherein the second tie down has a second stake disposed into the ground for use in attaching the second arm to the ground;   a third grommet carried by the third arm;   a third tie down disposed through the third grommet, wherein the third tie down has a third stake disposed into the ground for use in attaching the third arm to the ground;   a fourth grommet carried by the fourth arm; and   a fourth tie down disposed through the fourth grommet, wherein the fourth tie down has a fourth stake disposed into the ground for use in attaching the fourth arm to the ground.   
     
     
         18 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising a vortex generator located on the upper surface of the first arm and below a portion of one of the reflective members of the first arm. 
     
     
         19 . The rescue locator signal as set forth in  claim 18 , wherein the reflective member engages the vortex generator such that the portion of the reflective member is spaced from the upper surface of the first arm, wherein the reflective member is pivotally attached to the upper surface of the first arm, wherein the spacing allows air to flow between the reflective member and the upper surface of the first arm. 
     
     
         20 . A rescue locator signal, comprising:
 a central member, wherein the central member has an upper surface;   a form located on the upper surface of the central member, wherein the form provides information regarding a name of a person in need of rescue, and a location of the person in need of rescue relative to the location of the rescue locator signal;   a first arm extending from the central member, wherein the first arm has an upper surface that is rectangular in shape and is orange and is made of flexible polyvinyl chloride;   a first grommet located proximate to a terminal end of the first arm;   a first tie down disposed through the first grommet, wherein the first tie down has a first stake disposed into ground for use in attaching the first arm to the ground;   a second arm extending from the central member, wherein the second arm has an upper surface that is rectangular in shape and is orange and is made of flexible polyvinyl chloride, wherein a longitudinal direction of the first arm is oriented at an angle of 180° to a longitudinal direction of the second arm;   a second grommet located proximate to a terminal end of the second arm;   a second tie down disposed through the second grommet, wherein the second tie down has a second stake disposed into the ground for use in attaching the second arm to the ground;   a third arm extending from the central member, wherein the third arm has an upper surface that is rectangular in shape and is orange and is made of flexible polyvinyl chloride, wherein the longitudinal direction of the first arm is oriented at an angle of 90° to a longitudinal direction of the third arm;   a third grommet located proximate to a terminal end of the third arm;   a third tie down disposed through the third grommet, wherein the third tie down has a third stake disposed into the ground for use in attaching the third arm to the ground;   a fourth arm extending from the central member, wherein the fourth arm has an upper surface that is rectangular in shape and is orange and is made of flexible polyvinyl chloride, wherein the longitudinal direction of the first arm is oriented at an angle of 90° to a longitudinal direction of the fourth arm, and wherein the longitudinal direction of the third arm is oriented at an angle of 180° to the longitudinal direction of the fourth arm;   a fourth grommet located proximate to a terminal end of the fourth arm;   a fourth tie down disposed through the fourth grommet, wherein the fourth tie down has a fourth stake disposed into the ground for use in attaching the fourth arm to the ground;   a plurality of reflective members made of MYLAR®, wherein some of the plurality of reflective members are located on the upper surface of the first arm between the first grommet and an end of the first arm that engages the central member, wherein some of the plurality of reflective members are located on the upper surface of the second arm between the second grommet and an end of the second arm that engages the central member, wherein some of the plurality of reflective members are located on the upper surface of the third arm between the third grommet and an end of the third arm that engages the central member, wherein some of the plurality of reflective members are located on the upper surface of the fourth arm between the fourth grommet and an end of the fourth arm that engages the central member;   wherein the central member, the form, the first arm, the second arm, the third arm, the fourth arm, the first grommet, the second grommet, the third grommet, the fourth grommet, and the reflecting members are capable of being folded up and rolled and stored in a storage tube.