Abstract:
An improved safety signaling apparatus intended to be used with watercraft to increase the visibility of the watercraft to others, incorporating a mast-supported signaling device, a base member for attachment to the watercraft, and a retention member removably attaching the mast assembly to the base member. The retention member is suitably adapted to maintain the mast assembly in a fixed orientation in relation to the base member under certain conditions, namely ordinary operation of the watercraft, and to permit independent movement of the mast relative to the base member under different conditions, namely when the mast is in danger of damage or for independent use or storage.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims priority to a provisional application, U.S. Ser. No. 60/562,130, filed Apr. 15, 2004, entitled Safety Signaling Warning Device For Personal Water Craft, by Hyjek, Jan P., which, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The invention relates generally to the field of safety devices and is directed to an apparatus adapted to be mounted on a watercraft. More specifically, the invention is directed to an improved safety signaling apparatus incorporating a mast, for use on personal watercraft, such as kayaks and canoes, making such watercraft more visible to others when in use while also incorporating technology to improve the durability and performance of said signaling apparatus.  
         [0004]     2. Description of Prior Art  
         [0005]     Signaling devices for vehicles in general and for watercraft in particular are well-known in the art. Signaling devices incorporating masts have been known as least as early as Deming, U.S. Pat. No. 1,279,669, issued Sep. 24,  1918 . Deming discloses a flagstaff holder to be clamped onto a car grill. Kirvutza, U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,075, issued Jun. 5, 1979, discloses a flag holder for use on bicycles, incorporating a mechanism to move the flagstaff when the bicycle is operated. Wilson, U.S. Pat. No. 6,637,718, issued Oct. 28, 2003, discloses a flagstaff holder adapted to attach to a trailer ball hitch, having an adjustable height. None of the foregoing inventions disclose a marine use for the disclosed signaling device, nor describe an attachment means for the flag holders adapted for use on a planar surface. Asciutto, U.S. Pat. No. 4,632,354, issued Dec. 30, 1986, does disclose a mast mounting means for use on a planar surface, though not specifically for marine use. Asciutto uses a threaded bolt and a plastic collar, with the bolt secured to the surface by the collar. Both the bolt and the collar contain apertures, which are aligned, to permit insertion of a mast. As assembled, the mast, collar, and bolt are in a fixed orientation to each other and to the planar surface.  
         [0006]     Signaling devices utilizing flag masts for marine uses are also well-known. Handelman, U.S. Pat. No. 3,760,441, issued Sep. 25, 1973, discloses a floating buoy with a telescoping mast. Wainwright, U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,529, issued Mar. 25, 1975, discloses a mast assembly adapted to be worn on a diver&#39;s belt. Oberg, U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,856, issued Jul. 19, 1977, discloses a safety flag adapted to be carried on a life jacket worn by water skiers. Searls, U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,556, issued Oct. 21, 1980, discloses a floating lifesaving device incorporating a mast and flag. Johnson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,965, issued Jul. 15, 1986, discloses a pivoting mast assembly adapted to be worn on a diver&#39;s belt. While all the foregoing inventions make use of a mast and a flag as the primary signaling device, none are adapted for mounting directly on watercraft.  
         [0007]     The prior art discloses mast-based signaling devices adapted for use on watercraft. Frisbee, U.S. Pat. No. 3,797,450, issued Mar. 19, 1974, discloses a flag and mast assembly mountable on a boat. The Frisbee device comprises a containment tube for the flag and mast and a means for ejecting the flag and mast from the containment tube and a means for retracting the flag and mast into the containment tube. Pressler, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,796, issued Oct. 31, 1978, discloses a mast and flag assembly mountable on the forward deck of a boat, with a hinged base allowing the mast to be folded flat against the deck or raised to a substantially vertical position. Leffel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,962,720, issued Oct. 16, 1990, discloses a retractable, telescoping mast stored below-decks and extendable above deck. The mast may be raised by powered or manual means. Hansaker, U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,026, issued Mar. 14, 1995, also discloses a retractable, telescoping mast stored below-decks and extendable above deck. The Hansaker device is powered, may be mounted in the stem of a boat, and may carry a signaling device other than a flag, such as a light. Kell, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,787, issued May 2, 2000, discloses a flag and mast assembly that is automatically raised when the watercraft onto which it is mounted is traveling at a low rate of speed. The Kell device is powered and may incorporate a telescoping mast. Patera, U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,248, issued Jun. 26, 2001, and Patera, U.S. Pat. No. 6,481,366, issued Nov. 19, 2002, disclose a mast-mounted signaling device mountable on the bumper of a personal watercraft, the device having a pendulum mechanism to retain the mast in an upright orientation even when the watercraft has capsized. The signaling device may be a flag or another device, such as a light or siren. When the watercraft is stopped the mast is in a vertical orientation, and when the watercraft is in motion the mast is angled rearward.  
         [0008]     None of the foregoing art discloses a simple, inexpensive safety signaling apparatus that can be easily and quickly mounted onto and removed from the upper surface of any type of watercraft, but especially small watercraft such as kayaks and canoes. Frisbee, Pressler, Leffel, Hansaker, and Kell all disclose devices in which the mast must be raised in order to achieve its signaling function, unlike the present invention which is always available. None of these devices contain the present invention&#39;s safety feature of a quick-release for the mast, which minimizes damage to the mast or potentially dangerous interference with the watercraft. Hansaker and Kell require complex powered mechanisms to deploy the masts. The Patera inventions require complex pendulum mechanisms to retain the mast in the desired orientation.  
         [0009]     It is an objective of the present invention to provide a useful, inexpensive safety g apparatus that can be easily and quickly mounted onto and removed from the upper of any type of watercraft, but especially small Watercraft such as kayaks and canoes.  
         [0010]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a safety signaling apparatus adapted to be readily noticeable without interfering with the operation of the watercraft.  
         [0011]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a safety signaling apparatus that reduces the risk of being damaged.  
         [0012]     Other objects of the present invention will be readily apparent from the description that follows.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013]     In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a safety signaling apparatus intended to be used with watercraft to increase the visibility of the watercraft to others and thus increase safety during operation of the watercraft. While many different types of watercraft may utilize the present invention, it is contemplated that the primary use for the present invention will be for small personal watercraft, such as kayaks and canoes.  
         [0014]     The invention comprises four principle components: a base member, a retention member, a mast, and a signaling device. The base member is adapted to be fixed to the watercraft, and the signaling device is adapted to be fixed to the mast. The retention member is suitably adapted to attach to both the base member and the mast so as to maintain the mast in a fixed orientation in relation to the base member under certain conditions and to permit independent movement of the mast relative to the base member under different conditions. During normal operation of the watercraft, the mast remains in a fixed orientation in relation to the base member to afford the greatest visibility and thus safety benefits. However, under other conditions, specifically when forces applied to the mast may cause damage to the mast or even interfere with the safe operation of the watercraft, the retention member permits independent movement of the mast relative to the base member. The mast is most commonly subjected to such forces when the mast comes into contact with low hanging obstructions, such as tree branches or low overpasses, and when the watercraft inverts, thus dragging the mast through the water. In such circumstances, because the retention member permits independent movement of the mast relative to the base member, the effect of such forces on the mast is minimized. Thus, the mast is less likely to break off, and is less likely to interfere with the operation of the watercraft. Further, the use of the retention member permits the mast to be quickly and easily removed from the watercraft to be waived by the user in an emergency, or for storage purposes.  
         [0015]     The foregoing is achieved in the preferred embodiment by incorporating a two-part retention member, whereby one part is attached to the base member and the other part is attached to the mast, and the two parts are attached to each other. A force applied to the mast causes the two parts of the retention member to detach, thus permitting free movement of the mast in relation to the watercraft. A security member may be employed between the two parts of the retention member to retain the mast with the watercraft after the retention member separates.  
         [0016]     The mast component of the present invention is preferably made of fiberglass for strength and flexibility and manufactured in a fluorescent hue for better visibility. As installed on the watercraft, the mast is oriented substantially upright, with a rearward angle. The upright orientation allows for better visibility, and the rearward angle allows the signaling device, if it is a flag, to hang freely, even in the absence of wind. The rearward angle also directs the mast away from the user of the watercraft when the apparatus is mounted behind the user on the rear deck of the watercraft.  
         [0017]     The signaling component of the present invention may be a simple flag, or it may be one or more other devices which are visually and/or audibly noticeable. Where a flag is used, it is preferred to by constructed of a fluorescent, flexible plastic material, to provide greater visibility and durability. Other signaling devices may comprise a siren, a bell, a light, a communication antenna, a GPS device, or a combination of two or more of such devices.  
         [0018]     Other features and advantages of the invention are described below.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention as mounted on a personal watercraft.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the basic components of the invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the mast assembly as intended to be used with the retention member.  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the preferred embodiment for attaching the base member to the upper surface of the watercraft.  
         [0023]      FIG. 5A  is a perspective view of the sub-members of the retention member.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5B  is a perspective view of the attachment sub-member.  
         [0025]      FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the cam locks associated with the attachment sub-member and the base member.  
         [0026]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of the underside of the base member.  
         [0027]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the invention depicting the detachment of the attachment sub-member from the holding sub-member.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]     The present invention is a safety signaling apparatus intended to used with a personal watercraft, as shown in  FIG. 1 . The invention comprises four principle components: a base member  10 , a retention member  40 , a mast  60 , and a signaling device  70 . See  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The base member  10  of the present invention is suitably adapted to be removably attached to an upper surface  92  of a watercraft  90 . The base member  10  is intended to remain attached to the upper surface  92  of a watercraft  90  except for maintenance purposes, repair or replacement of the base member  10 , or installation of the safety signaling apparatus  1  on another watercraft, at which time the base member  10  may be easily removed from the watercraft  90 . The base member  10  is removably attached to the upper surface  92  of a watercraft  90  by a watercraft attachment means and is removably attached to the retention member  40  by a retention attachment means. The watercraft attachment means and the retention attachment means may be any well-known means for removably attaching solid objects to each other, including the use of fasteners, snaps, slots, and the like.  
         [0029]     The retention member  40  is suitably adapted to be removably attached to the base member  10  by the retention attachment means. The retention member  40  also is suitably adapted to retain the mast  60 . In normal operation, the retention member  40  will be attached to the base member  10 , thereby causing the mast  60  to be carried by the watercraft  90 . Detachment of the retention member  40  from the base member  10  may be done to facilitate storage of the safety signaling apparatus  1 . The retention member  40  also comprises a quick release means to permit independent movement of the mast  60  relative to the base member  10  during operation of the watercraft  90  to avoid damage to the mast  60 , such as when the mast  60  comes in contact with an object or when the watercraft  90  becomes inverted, as described above. See  FIG. 7 . The quick release means may be any well-known means for removably attaching solid objects to each other without resorting the use of tools, including the use of snaps, slots, and the like.  
         [0030]     The mast  60  has a retention end  62 , a shaft  64 , and a signal end  66 , wherein the retention end  62  and the signal end  66  are located at opposite ends of the shaft  64 . See  FIG. 3 . The shaft  64  of the mast  60  must be flexible to accommodate ordinary forces acting on the mast  60 , such as wind resistance, yet have sufficient rigidity to support the signaling device  70  in a substantially upright orientation, above the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90 , without undue bending. In the preferred embodiment, the mast  60  is constructed of fiberglass. In another preferred embodiment, the mast  60  is fluorescent to provide increased visibility.  
         [0031]     The retention end  62  of the mast  60  is suitably adapted to be removably inserted into the retention member  40 . The signal end  66  of the mast  60  is suitably adapted to carry the signaling device  70 . The mast  60  is intended to remain inserted into the retention member  40  except for maintenance purposes, repair or replacement of the mast  60 , or emergency use of the mast  60  apart from the watercraft  90 , for example, to be waved by the user, at which time the mast  60  may be removed from the retention member  40 .  
         [0032]     In one embodiment of the invention the mast  60  is oriented at an angle divergent from a perpendicular to the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90 . The angle should be less than forty-five degrees from the perpendicular, and the angle of the mast  60  should orient the mast  60  substantially rearward with respect to the ordinary direction of movement of the watercraft  90 . Angling the mast  60  as described achieves several benefits: because, due to visibility requirements of the operator of the watercraft  90 , the safety signaling apparatus  1  is anticipated to be attached to the watercraft  90  behind the operator, a rearward angling of the mast  60  directs the shaft  64  of the mast  60  away from the operator so as not to distract the operator or interfere with the operation of the watercraft  90 ; when the signaling device  70  is a flag  72 , angling the mast  60  allows the flag  72  to hang freely and more visibly in the absence of wind than if the mast  60  was oriented substantially vertically; a mast  60  so angled will create relatively less drag due to wind resistance; and a mast  60  so angled will better be able to bend past obstructions, such as low hanging branches, that might impact the mast  60  during operation of the watercraft  90 . However, if the mast  60  is angled too far rearward, at an angle greater than forty-five degrees from the perpendicular, the signaling device  70  will not be as visible; the moment of torque on the signal end  66  of the mast  60  due to the weight of the signaling device  70  will be cause unacceptable bending of the shaft  64  of the mast  60 ; and the mast  60  will extend to far rearward from the watercraft  90 , potentially interfering with nearby watercraft.  
         [0033]     The signaling device  70  must be visually and/or audibly noticeable and must be suitably adapted to be attached to the signal end  66  of the mast  60 . In ordinary operation, the signaling device  70  is supported by the mast  60  above the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90 . In the preferred embodiment the signaling device  70  comprises a flag  72 . A flag  72  is light weight, inexpensive, and readily visible. In another preferred embodiment the flag  72  is constructed of a fluorescent, flexible plastic material, to provide greater visibility and durability. In other embodiments the signaling device  70  may comprise a siren, a bell, a light, a communication antenna, a GPS device, or a combination of two or more of such devices, such as a flag  72  and a light.  
         [0034]     In one embodiment of the invention, the base member  10  comprises a support cylinder  12 , a retention bolt  30 , and a retention device  36 , whereby the support cylinder  12  is attached to the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90  by the retention bolt  30  and retention device  36 . See  FIG. 4 .  
         [0035]     The support cylinder  12  should be constructed of a rigid, durable material, suitable for withstanding exposure to weather, salt water, and sunlight. One example of a suitable material is high impact polycarbonate plastic, but other suitable materials are well known in the art. The support cylinder  12  may also be constructed by means of injection molding.  
         [0036]     The support cylinder  12  is substantially cylindrical and substantially hollow. It has a curved circumferential side wall  14 , having a top edge  16 , and a bottom surface  18  located adjacent to the curved side wall  14  opposite the top edge  16  of the curved side wall  14 . The support cylinder  12  has a central aperture  20  passing completely through its bottom surface  18 . The bottom surface  18  is substantially planar and is biased at an angle to the curved side wall  14  such that the curved side wall  14  of the base member  10  is oriented at an angle from the bottom surface  18 . Thus, upon placing the support cylinder  12  upon a flat, horizontally oriented surface, the bottom surface  18  will lie flat against the surface and the curved side wall  14  will be canted at an angle off vertical. The angle should be less than forty-five degrees from vertical. So oriented, the base member  10  can support the mast  60  in the preferred orientation as described above.  
         [0037]     In this embodiment the base member  10  is removably attached to the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90  by use of the retention bolt  30  and retention device  36 . The retention bolt has a head  32  and a shaft  34 , with the bolt head  32  being larger than the central aperture  20  of the bottom surface  18  of the support cylinder  12 . The bolt shaft  34  should be dimensioned to snugly pass through the central aperture  20  from the interior of the support cylinder  12 , with the bolt head  32  adapted to be positioned within the support cylinder  12  against the bottom surface  18 . So positioned, the bolt shaft  34  extends outward from the support cylinder  12  in a downward direction relative to the support cylinder  12 . The upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90  is provided with an aperture  94  through which the bolt shaft  34  may pass. This aperture  94  should be dimensioned to snugly receive the bolt shaft  34 . The retention bolt  30  must have an overall length such that the bolt shaft  34  can extend completely through both the bottom surface  18  of the support cylinder  12  and the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90 . The base member  10  is removably attached to the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90  by placing the support cylinder  12  onto the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90  with the bottom surface  18  of the support cylinder  12  placed against the upper surface  92  of said watercraft  90 ; the central aperture  20  of the support cylinder  12  is aligned with the aperture  94  in the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90 ; the bolt shaft  34  of the retention bolt  30  is passed through the central aperture  20  of the support cylinder  12  and through the aperture  94  in the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90 , such that a portion of the bolt shaft  34  extends beyond the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90 ; and the retention device  36  is attached to the portion of the bolt shaft  34  extending beyond the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90 , thereby securing the base member  10  to the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90 . The support cylinder  12  is rotated such that the curved side wall  14  is angled rearward. In the preferred embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 4 , the bolt shaft  34  of the retention bolt  30  is threaded, and the retention device  36  is a wing nut. In this embodiment the base member  10  may be easily attached and removed from the watercraft  90  with the use of tools, other than the initial need to form the aperture  94  in the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90 .  
         [0038]     In another embodiment of the invention, the base member  10  further comprises at least one gasket  24 . The gasket  24  is constructed of a flexible material, such as rubber, and should be water resistant. The gasket  24  is suitably adapted to be snugly placed over the bolt shaft  34  of the retention bolt  30 , positioned between the retention device  36  and the bottom surface  18  of the support cylinder  12 . So placed, the gasket  24  minimizes water seepage through the aperture  94  in the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90 . In another yet embodiment the base member  10  further comprises at least one washer  26 . The washer  26  is constructed of a rigid material, such as stainless steel, and should be corrosion resistant. The washer  26  is suitably adapted to be placed over the bolt shaft  34  of the retention bolt  30 , positioned between the retention device  36  and the bottom surface  18  of the support cylinder  12 . So placed, the washer  26  improves the stability of the installation of the base member  10 . In the preferred embodiment one gasket  24  is placed over the bolt shaft  34  and positioned between the bottom surface  18  of the support cylinder  12  and the upper surface  92  of the watercraft, a washer  26  is placed over the bolt shaft  34  and positioned between the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90  and the retention device  36 , and another gasket  24  is placed over the bolt shaft  34  and positioned between the washer  26  and the retention device  36 . This configuration of gaskets  24  and washer  26  provides an excellent seal against water leakage through the aperture  94  in the upper surface  92  of the watercraft  90 , and the gasket  24  closest to the retention device  36  helps prevent over tightening of the retention device  36 . Other configurations of gaskets  24  and washers  26  may also be used.  
         [0039]     In one embodiment of the invention, the bottom surface  18  of the support cylinder  12  of the base member  10  comprises a plurality of peripheral apertures  28 . See  FIG. 6B . Each such aperture  28  passes completely through the bottom surface  18  of the support cylinder  12 . These apertures  28  permit any water accumulating within the support cylinder  12  to drain out the bottom.  
         [0040]     In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the retention member  40  is configured with two sub-members: an attachment sub-member  42  and a holding sub-member  52 . See  FIG. 5A . The attachment sub-member  42  is suitably adapted to be removably attached to the base member  10 . The holding sub-member  52  suitably adapted to receive the retention end  62  of the mast  60  such that the retention end  62  of the mast  60  may be removably attached to the holding sub-member  52 . The attachment sub-member  42  and a holding sub-member  52  are removably attached to each other by a connection means. The connection means may be any well-known means for removably attaching solid objects to each other without resorting the use of tools, including the use of snaps, slots, and the like. The connection means must be adapted to detach the attachment sub-member  42  from the holding sub-member  52  when forces acting on the mast  60  are sufficient to cause damage to the mast  60 .  
         [0041]     The retention member  40  should be constructed of a rigid, durable material, suitable for withstanding exposure to weather, salt water, and sunlight. One example of a suitable material is high impact polycarbonate plastic, but other suitable materials are well known in the art. The retention member  40  may also be constructed by means of injection molding.  
         [0042]     In the preferred embodiment, the retention member  40  further comprises a security sub-member  54 . The security sub-member  54  is constructed of a flexible material and has a first end and a second end, with the first end attached to the attachment sub-member  42  and the second end attached to the holding sub-member  52 . The purpose of the security sub-member  54  is to retain together the attachment sub-member  42  and the holding sub-member  52  in the event they are detached by the connection means. Because the security sub-member  54  is flexible, the detached attachment sub-member  42  and holding sub-member  52  are free to move relative to each other. Further, because the attachment sub-member  42  is attached to the base member  10  and the holding sub-member  52  is attached to the mast  60 , the security sub-member  54 , in combination with the detached attachment sub-member  42  and holding sub-member  52 , effects the purpose of permitted the mast  60  to move independently relative to the base member  10  under appropriate conditions. In the absence of the security sub-member  54 , the mast  60  may still move independently relative to the base member  10  when the attachment sub-member  42  is detached from the holding sub-member  52 , but then the mast  60  risks becoming lost.  
         [0043]     In one embodiment, the attachment sub-member  42  is removably attached to the base member  10  by means of a cam lock mechanism, as is well known in the art. See  FIG. 6A . A first cam lock  44  is formed into the attachment sub-member  42 . A second cam lock  46  is formed within the interior of the support cylinder  12  of the base member  10 , within the curved side walls  14  and above the bottom surface  18 . The first and second cam locks  44 , 46  are suitably adapted to be rotationally engaged with each other. The top opening  22  of the support cylinder  12  is adapted to receive the attachment sub-member  42 , and the attachment sub-member  42  is adapted to be inserted into the top opening  22  of the support cylinder  12 . The retention member  40  is attached to the base member  10  by the attachment sub-member  42  being inserted into the top opening  22  of the support cylinder  12 , the first cam lock  44  being positioned adjacent to the second cam lock  46 , and the attachment sub-member  42  being rotated to cause the first and second cam locks  44 , 46  to engage, thereby securing the attachment sub-member  42  to the support cylinder  12 . This configuration permits easy yet secure attachment of the retention member  40  to the base member  10  without the need for tools. Detachment of the retention member  40  from the base member  10  by counter-rotating the attachment sub-member  42  to disengage the cam locks  44 , 46  allows the user to store the mast  60 , or to easily remove and independently wave the mast  60  in an emergency.  
         [0044]     The cam lock mechanism used in the preferred embodiment utilizes a matched pair of three substantially equal sized locking slots  48 . One of the pair of three locking slots  48  is arrayed circumferentially and at regular intervals about the attachment sub-member  42  and the other of the pair of three locking slots  48  is arrayed circumferentially and at regular intervals about the base member  10 , with the spaces between individual locking slots  48  being greater than the length of each locking slot  48 . This configuration permits easy mating of the attachment sub-member  42  and the base member  10  as described above without need to consider alignment of any particular locking slots  48  within the first and second cam locks  44 , 46 . In the preferred embodiment, the underside of each locking slot  48  also includes a raised protrusion, such that when the first cam lock  44  and the second cam lock  46  engage, the raised protrusions of their respective mating locking slots  48  pass over each other, resulting in an even more secure engagement.  
         [0045]     In another embodiment the holding sub-member  52  of the retention member  40  further comprises a top aperture  56 , wherein the top aperture  56  has an interior diameter slightly larger that a diameter of the retention end  62  of the mast  60 . Situated within the top aperture  56  is a plurality of longitudinal ribs  58  are suitably adapted to secure the retention end  62  of the mast  60  within the top aperture  56  when the retention end  62  of the mast  60  is inserted into the top aperture  56  of the holding sub-member  52  of the retention member  40 . This configuration permits secure attachment of the mast  60  to the retention member  40 , yet also permits the mast  60  to be removed if necessary for replacement or repair. An adhesive may also be used within the tap aperture  56  of the holding sub-member  52 , but such use precludes the ability to remove the mast  60  from the retention member  40  if so desired.  
         [0046]     Modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments of the invention without departing from the subject or spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.