Safety whip mast

• US 7,367,700 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2006
• Issued: 05/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/18/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Michael Chasmar
• Original Assignee: Michael Chasmar
• Inventors: Chasmar, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Alavi; Ali
• Assistant Examiner(s): Dzierzynski; Evan
• Application Number:
  US11/375,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20060207493A1
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 362/473, 362/396, 362/84, 362/431, 116/173, 280/200, 405/93
• US Class Current: 362/473
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 17/00 Flags; Banners; Mountings therefor

Abstract

At least one embodiment of the invention pertains to a whip mast including a rod, a flag at one end of the rod and a luminescent element wound or spiraled around the rod. The luminescent element may be coupled to the rod to provide illumination, light, and/or glow to enhance the appearance and/or visibility of the whip mast to alert other people or vehicles of its presence. The luminescent element may include an electrical interface to bring power to the luminescent element. The whip mast may be securely coupled to a vehicle by using a fastener or mounting device.

Claims

1. A whip mast consisting of:

a flexible mast-like rod;

a flag coupled at a first end of the rod; and

a luminescent element coiled around the rod, extending along a longitudinal portion of the rod, and wherein the luminescent element is secured to the rod by a heat shrink wrap tubing over the luminescent element.

2. A whip mast for vehicles consisting of:

a flexible mast-like fiberglass rod;

a flag coupled at a first end of the rod;

a bendable luminescent element coiled around the rod, extending along a longitudinal portion of the rod, wherein the luminescent element is secured to the rod by a heat shrink wrap tubing over the luminescent element;

a power source electrically coupled to the luminescent element;

a controller to control the operation of the luminescent element;

a second luminescent element coupled at the first end of the rod;

wherein the controller controls the power source to cause the luminescent element to either blink, flash, or produce alternating or rolling light patterns; and

wherein the power source is a kinetic energy transducer mounted on the rod that generates energy to power the luminescent element as the rod moves.