NIGHT SAFETY WARNING APPARATUS AND METHOD HAVING ILLUMINATED INFLATABLE COLUMN
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An apparatus comprising:
- A base;
An inflatable mast attached to and supported by the base, the mast comprising a flexible, and material having at least one area which is translucent or transparent;
A light source supported by and positioned within the base and positioned within the mast to illuminate the mast when the light source is energized; and
A blower in communication with the mast to selectively inflate the mast.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An illuminated, inflatable mast assembly positioned at a site and deployed for warning on-coming drivers of vehicles of the location of the site.
45 Citations
19 Claims
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1. An apparatus comprising:
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A base; An inflatable mast attached to and supported by the base, the mast comprising a flexible, and material having at least one area which is translucent or transparent; A light source supported by and positioned within the base and positioned within the mast to illuminate the mast when the light source is energized; and A blower in communication with the mast to selectively inflate the mast. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of providing a night safety warning at a roadway location comprising the steps of:
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Providing an inflatable mast assembly comprising a flexible material, the mast attached to and supported by a base and having a light source supported by the base and positioned within the mast to illuminate the mast when the light source is energized; Positioning the mast assembly at the roadway to warn observers approaching in a vehicle of the location; and Inflating the mast and energizing the light source causing the illuminated mast to move about increasing visibility of the inflated mast to on-coming drivers approaching the inflated mast and providing a warning signal to on-coming drivers approaching the inflated mast. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus comprising:
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A light source including upward directed colored LEDs and a 12 v LED driver circuit adapted to be connected to a vehicle battery on a board located in the base for flashing the LEDs with color varied and controlled by a processor controlling an LED driver circuit; A blower; A base comprising a cylindrical section with a fastener for engaging the mast and having the light source and a blower positioned within the cylindrical section; and
wherein the base further comprises an engaging device to attached to a surface of the vehicle and a release mechanism to release the engaging device from a surface to which it is attached;An inflatable mast attached to and supported by the base, the mast comprising a flexible, column material which moves when inflated having at least one area which is translucent or transparent and having an opposing area that is opaque for use on a two-way roadway so the drivers approaching from the opposing area of the column are less likely to notice the mast; Wherein the light source is supported by and positioned within the base and positioned within the mast to illuminate the mast when the light source is energized; and Wherein the blower in communication with the mast to selectively inflate the mast. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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Specification