| Warning signal mounting apparatus -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
Warning signal mounting apparatusRelated Patent Categories: Signals And Indicators, Vehicle, Car And Train MarkersWarning signal mounting apparatus description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070181052, Warning signal mounting apparatus. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to apparatus for mounting a flag or other signaling device upon a motor vehicle or a motor vehicle load either while stationary or in transit. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] It is a very common requirement for vehicles in the construction, delivery, cargo hauling, or numerous other commercial or utility industries to have to provide warning of dangerous highway circumstances, such as extremely wide loads or loads which extend beyond the normal rear area of the vehicle. This often occurs when vehicles engaged in hauling supplies and materials to work sites carry long sections of lumber, pipe, or other materials which may protrude distances of 6 feet or more from the rear tailgate of the vehicle. [0003] Because such protruding materials are frequently narrow and lack substantial width it is often difficult for the drivers of vehicles approaching these items from the rear to detect the presence of the hazard they pose to the windshield or other front surface of a vehicle which approaches too closely. For this reason it is not only good practice but a legal requirement for such loads to be designated and warned with a warning flag or signal of some kind, such as a red flag, in order to give better notice and warning of the degree to which such loads may protrude from the rear of a vehicle. [0004] Frequently these warning flags are simply tied onto the protruding material. While this may be adequate, it requires proper knotting and may allow the flag to slip or move. There are, of course, a variety of methods and apparatus for the display of such items as advertising posters, signal lights, signs and banners, and other decorative items from motor vehicles. Most such displays are for the purpose of accomplishing aesthetic or advertising objectives rather than for the purpose of providing warnings. Vehicles which have the frequent need for providing serious warnings, such as police cars and ambulances and wrecking vehicles, are adapted with lighting systems which are permanently installed and are extremely effective in providing such warnings. These warning systems are not suitable for the oversized or extended load warning. [0005] Tying flags to such loads is not without some risk and drawback. For instance, a good amount of the warning material, such as a warning flag, is concealed or compressed from display as a result of wrapping and tightening it about the object requiring the warning. In fact, it would be a fair general statement to say that the more effort which is placed into wrapping and securing the warning flag to the item the less able it is to actually provide warning because of this condition. Adhesive materials, such as tape, would not be satisfactory or reliable when vehicles are experiencing bumpy or unlevel highways or work areas or when the vehicles are driving at highway speeds. This is because the jostling of the warned objects are the rush of 50 and 60 mile an hour winds which would be experienced by an object free of the confinement of the vehicle passing down the road would place substantial stress upon any material such as a flag material. Inclement weather, such as rain and fog, also may compromise the stability of a loosely or carelessly attached signal at times in which the visibility of such a signal is even more critical. [0006] The use of adhesive fluids, such as a glue, or even extremely adhesive tape material, may run the risk of defacing the protected material by disturbing the surface of the protected material. The same would be true and perhaps even more troublesome if the flag was to be fastened with some object such as a staple or a nail. This would clearly do harm to the surface and integrity and perhaps the cosmetic appearance of the protected material. [0007] A number of devices have been developed for fastening objects to various areas of an automobile or other moving vehicle. Most of these have been developed for some other purpose. One such idea it is the invention issue to Morrell, et al. on Oct. 17, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,132,051. This apparatus was designed to fasten an alternative mirror to the shaft of the standard rearview mirror attached to a vehicles run wind screen. Such an alternative mirror could be adjusted to allow the driver to observe areas in the backseat of a vehicle, such as the areas where small children might get into danger or cause trouble with mischief. This apparatus makes use of a clamp but such clamp would be designed for a particular use and would not be suitable to withstand the rigors of motion through the open air. [0008] A device taught by Hawkins in U.S. Pat. No. 6,899,053, issued on May 31, 2005, teaches a mechanism for displaying a flag from a motor vehicle radio antenna. The apparatus teaches a mechanism which is capable of being wrapped about the shaft of the radio antenna and then secured tightly about the radio antenna so as to permit the unfurling and spreading of a flag, such as that associated with the pennant of an athletic team or school. This could also be a flag associated with a particular commercial product or venture or company. While very effective at the task of displaying a flag, this apparatus is uniquely designed for use with a motor vehicle radio antenna and is also uniquely adapted to achieve the aesthetic effect of completely unfurling and spreading the flag. This is accomplished by a relatively complex mechanism which requires some amount of time for installation and proper tightening and fastening. [0009] The operator of a motor vehicle requiring to display an extended load or extra wide load warning would like to have the ability to quickly and reliably fasten such a display flag so that it will not be disturbed or moved along the length of the breadth of the hazardous load and to do so in such a manner that it can easily be removed It would also be nice if the process would not require a substantial amount of time for effort to either fasten or remove the warning flag. Such apparatus or method is not present in the prior art relating to this field. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] The inventor has overcome the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a simple apparatus which achieves the objectives of reliable positioning and fastening, quick and easy installation and removal, effective display of the warning message, and even serves to provide a means of protecting the flag when not in use. [0011] This has been accomplished by the use of a clamp apparatus of proper size to fit upon such common construction materials as lengths of lumber and pipe which is adapted with a mount for a flag and may the further adapted with a shroud or protecting member for concealing the flag or signaling apparatus when not in use. [0012] The clamp may be a simple spring-loaded clamp which comprises a compressing handle, an enclosed tension spring, and gripping claws which are adapted to clamp upon the material or object to be the subject of warning to oncoming motorists. Protruding from one of the handle arms could be either a signaling flag or device or an elongated cavity within which a signal flag could be stored and then easily retrieved or display. The flag could be fastened to the handle with means to permit its withdrawal from within the shroud and the spring-loaded clamp could achieve gripping effectiveness in several different ways. These could include selection of materials, provision of a unique gripping surface, appropriate sizing, or any combination of these features. Such could also include alternative means for storing the flag or signal. [0013] As designed the clamping and signaling apparatus would facilitate and permit a signal flag or other signaling device to be quickly and easily withdrawn for effective signaling of oncoming motorists, securely fastened to a feature or hazard requiring warning or signaling, and then very quickly and easily removed and stored for later use. Moreover, this can be done without risk of defacing, harming or impairing the structural integrity, or otherwise impacting upon the material requiring the warning. [0014] It is, then, an object of the present invention to provide means and apparatus for quickly and easily positioning a warning flag or other signaling device upon a hazardous or other extraordinary cargo transported by highway transportation. [0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which achieves effective mounting capable of withstanding the rigors of highway travel by means of a secure clamp. [0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which permits the warning flag or other signaling device to be concealed and protected when not in use. [0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which can be simply modified for use in a variety of orientations and configurations, such as various types of cargo. [0018] It is a further object of the present invention to enhance the effectiveness of such an apparatus by selecting appropriate sizes and materials and material services for achieving the desired cargo modifications. [0019] Other features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following description in which the preferred embodiments have been set forth in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention reference will be made to the series of figures and drawings briefly described below. Continue reading about Warning signal mounting apparatus... Full patent description for Warning signal mounting apparatus Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Warning signal mounting apparatus patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Warning signal mounting apparatus or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Florida anchor Next Patent Application: Muffler sound simulator Industry Class: Signals and indicators ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Warning signal mounting apparatus patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.25308 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , 174 |
 * Protect your Inventions * US Patent Office filing 
PATENT INFO |
|
