Emergency indicator light for vehicle pennant

• US 7,687,999 B2
• Filed: 08/21/2006
• Issued: 03/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 01/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dale Essick, Iris Essick
• Original Assignee: Dale Essick, Iris Essick
• Inventors: Essick, Dale, Essick, Iris
• Primary Examiner(s): Owens; Douglas W
• Assistant Examiner(s): A; Minh D
• Application Number:
  US11/507,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20070159113A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,317 Days
• Field of Search: 362/459, 362461-463, 362/473, 362/84, 362/478, 362/800, 362/485, 362/543, 362/545, 362/183, 362/190, 362/191, 116/28.R, 116/28.1, 116/173, 116/175, 116/200, 116/202, 315 77- 78, 315/80, 315/200.A, 315/209.R, 340431-434, 340/463, 340/468, 340/479
• US Class Current: 315/200.00A
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/44 for indicating braking action or preparation for braking, e.g. by detection of the foot approaching the brake pedal
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/50 for indicating other intentions or conditions, e.g. request for waiting or overtaking
• CPC Class Codes: B60Q 1/52 for indicating emergencies
• CPC Class Codes: H05B 39/09 in which the lamp is fed by pulses automatic circuit devices built into or on the incandescent lamp H01K1/625; vehicle winking devices B60Q1/38

Abstract

A safety light for vehicles, particularly small recreational vehicles such as all terrain vehicles, which is one or more light strips entwining the whip which supports the vehicle'"'"'s pennant or flag. This invention can normally show light in a color which matches the color of the recreational vehicle. When the vehicle operator applies the brakes, the light entwining the whip changes to red to warn that the vehicle is braking. When the vehicle is overturned, or at the operator'"'"'s command in the event of another emergency, the lights entwining the whip can be made to oscillate rapidly back and forth between the red and the other color that is normally shown. In this way the vehicle displays a clear emergency signal.

Claims

1. An indicator light for a mast on a vehicle comprising:

a light strip having at least one light and electronic leads, said light strip coiled around the exterior of said vehicle mast;

a control means having an electronic circuit, said electronic circuit having a flasher, a relay, a transformer, a brake light circuit, a basic color circuit, an emergency switch, current diodes and a stop circuit;

wherein the current diodes are directly connected to the flasher and the relay to prevent the current from back feeding,

said electronic leads cooperating with said electronic circuit; and

said brake light circuit signals when brakes are applied on said vehicle, wherein said emergency switch operates said flasher when said vehicle is overturned causing alternate flashing between said basic color circuit and said brake light circuit.

2. The indicator light for a mast on a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said emergency switch is a mercury switch.

3. The indicator light for a mast on a vehicle of claim 1 wherein said relay alternately engages said light circuit and said basic color circuit.