Abstract:
A safety device for use with a load-carrying vehicle, which includes a lamp and a flag to warn vehicles of overhanging or extended loads.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a safety device for a load carrying vehicle.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The laws of most (if not all), provinces and states require that if a vehicle is carrying a load which overhangs beyond the rear, front or sides of the vehicle, then a safety device has to be attached to the protruding end of the load. This is usually a flag and/or a lamp. For lack of anything ‘purpose made’, people transporting lumber, piping and other such materials that overhang the vehicle, typically fasten a red ‘rag’ or strip of red plastic to the material in a makeshift fashion.  
         [0003]     The problem with the make-shift strip of red cloth or plastic tape is that in the majority of cases, the state and provincial legislation requires an open flag at the end of the load (the flag size required tends to vary between 12 to 18 inches square, depending on the state or province) and, during twilight and evening, a red or amber light visible from the rear and sides of the load.  
         [0004]     This presents a problem for anyone transporting overhanging loads, and most makeshift solutions, either taped or tacked to the load, do not meet the legislated requirements, not to mention the risk of potential accident or injury as a result of a poorly marked overhanging load.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0005]     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved safety device for a load-carrying vehicle which is convenient to use and is capable of providing warning of a protruding load to a cyclist, pedestrian, or driver of a following vehicle.  
         [0006]     According to the present invention, there is provided a safety device for use with a load-carrying vehicle comprising; a supporting member having means for attaching to a load, said supporting member having a lamp casing fastened thereon, and a flag-supporting arrangement for the mounting of a flag. The flag may be brightly coloured.  
         [0007]     The term “flag” as used herein, is to be understood as applying to a piece of cloth or other material, brightly coloured, for use as a warning device. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]     An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with references to the accompany drawings in which:  
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the safety device,  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the safety device of  FIG. 1 ,  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the safety device of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ,  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the safety device in silhouette format,  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is a plan view in silhouette format, and  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the safety device in silhouette format in the direction IV in  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
       [0015]     The same reference numerals are applied in the figures to like parts.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 1  the safety device comprises a supporting member comprising two elongate parts  2  and  4  hingedly connected in a base unit  6  with a spring mechanism  8 . An LED flashing unit  10  with a reflector lens is provided on the base unit  6  whilst a switch  12  is provided for control of the flashing unit  10 .  
         [0017]     The upper elongate part  2  is formed with a serrated inner lower surface  3  to facilitate the gripping of a load.  
         [0018]     Longitudinal grooves  14  and  16  are formed respectively in the elongate parts  2  and  4 . A transverse groove  18  is provided in the upper surface of elongate part  2  to facilitate the use of bungee cords (not shown) or other means to fasten the safety device onto a load etc.  
         [0019]     A pair of apertures  20  and  22  is drilled through the upper elongate part  2  with corresponding apertures  24  and  26  in the lower elongate part  4 . Two screws  28  and  29  are shown in  FIG. 2  and, in use, these are passed through the holes or apertures  20  and  22  and screwed onto the load  42  ( FIG. 2 ) to fasten the safety device onto the load  42  in addition to, or instead of, a bungee cord.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  also shows a piece of the load  43  under the clamp. The holes in the clamp (apertures  20 ,  24 , and  22 ,  26 ) are aligned such that a screw can pass through  20 ,  24  and  22 ,  26  when the clamp is fully closed (i.e. there is no piece of wood within the jaws). Thus, the user can screw the clamp down onto a load  43 .  
         [0021]     When the load  30  is metallic, magnetic members  32  may be provided to hold the safety device on the load and/or the vehicle.  
         [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 1  it will be seen that a flag  34 , or similar warning device, is fastened to, or hung from, the safety device in those jurisdictions where this is required. It is often stated that this should be a red flag. Three indents such as  36  and  38  ( FIGS. 4 and 5 ) are provided on opposite sides of the base unit  6  to facilitate the use of square rods (not shown) for hanging flag  34  downwards from base unit  6 . Screws (not shown) can be used to fasten the rods in place.  
         [0023]     In  FIG. 1 a  blunt-ended depression  40  of circular cross-section is provided in the base unit  6  for receiving the end of a load  42 , which may be tubing. For receiving loads of different diameter or thickness, internal indentations are shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The depression  40  is identified in  FIG. 4  and another depression  44  of small diameter is also identified in  FIG. 4 . Thus loads of different diameter or size can be accommodated by the base unit  6 .  
         [0024]     It will be seen that the embodiment incorporates a brightly coloured safety flag and an LED flashing signal integrated into a clamp for attaching to overhanging loads during transport. The clamp can be attached to the load material in several manners.  
         [0025]     The clamp provides notches for three-quarter-inch material, and for one-inch material, as well as a one-inch diameter notch for tubing or pipe. In addition to fastening the clamp using the pressure exerted by the jaws, it can optionally be fastened to material using the screw holes in the clamp, or by using the notches in the clamp to secure it to material with a bungee-cord. In addition, the clamp can be attached to metal material by using magnets in the base of the clamp.  
         [0026]     The clamp advantageously includes an 18×18 inch flag of bright red material, which can be attached to the bottom rear of the clamp, or to either side of the clamp. The back of the clamp houses a red LED light that is visible from the sides as well as the rear. The battery-powered LED light has switch that cycles through on-flashing-off. In some cases, a steady light can be used.  
         [0027]     There is an unfulfilled need in the market for a versatile, easily attachable (and removable) reusable clamp that meets virtually all of the highway safety codes by incorporating both an open red flag and a flashing red light. The flag and light may, of course, be amber if required.  
         [0028]     It will be seen that the embodiment incorporates a brightly coloured safety flag and an LED flashing signal integrated into a clamp for attaching to overhanging loads during transport. The clamp can be attached to the load material in several manners.  
         [0029]     In another modification spring mechanism  8  could include a corresponding arm at approximately 45° to enable to user to better open the elongate parts  2  and  4 . In a further modification a pair of pivoting arms, extendable to 90°, could be positioned under the elongate parts  2  and  4  and able to hold the flag in postion.  
         [0030]     While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the following claims.