Patent Publication Number: US-2023154363-A1

Title: Safety flag device

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a safety flag, more specifically, but not by way of limitation, more particularly to a safety flag device that is reversibly extendable, motorized, reversibly attachable to any vehicle and controlled remotely. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field. 
     Safety whips are often used to increase the visibility of vehicles. They usually comprise an eye catching flag mounted atop a pole or mast that is attached to a vehicle to increase the visibility thereof. However, currently most safety flags disclosed in the prior art have to be assembled and dissembled for use and storage, respectively. In addition, height restrictions in some areas prevent the use of safety whips permanently affixed to the vehicle. Similarly, it is often not possible to drive on public roads with an extended safety whip. Finally, some vehicle types cannot or are not configured to have a safety whip attached thereto. 
     It has previously been recognized that there exists a need for a safety flag apparatus or device that is reversibly extendable, motorized, and configured to be controlled remotely. 
     AU Pub. No. 2020/227031 A1 (Vegh) discloses a safety flag deployment apparatus for a vehicle. Shortcomings include a lack of a LED light. 
     CA Pub. No. 2771680 A1 (McMeekin et al.) discloses a vehicle emergency safety light. Shortcomings include an inability to be controlled remotely. 
     CN Pub. No. 108109557 A (Li et al.) discloses a vehicle-mounted flag folding device. Shortcomings include an inability to telescopically retract or extend the safety flag and an inability to be controlled remotely. 
     U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0283875 A1 (Durkin) discloses an emergency signaling system. Shortcomings include a lack of LED lights, and of an inability to be controlled remotely. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,706 A (Vargas) discloses an antenna mast and method using same. Shortcomings include a lack of removable flag and an inability to be controlled remotely. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,057,787 A (Kell et al.) discloses an automatic safety flag for boats and water recreational vehicles. Shortcomings include a lack of an inability to be controlled remotely. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,367,700 B2 (Chasmar) discloses a safety whip mast. Shortcomings include a lack of motorization and an inability to be controlled remotely. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,302,552 B2 (Dover) discloses a retractable caution flag for mounting on a vehicle. Shortcomings include an inability to be controlled remotely. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 9,928,764 B2 (Heath et al.) discloses an illuminated support mount for a vehicle flag. Shortcomings include an inability to retract or extend the flag and a lack of motorization. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 10,995,916 B1 (Murphy) discloses a rigid and lighted flag for a vehicle. Shortcomings include an inability to retract/extend the flag and a lack of motorization. 
     All documents cited herein are incorporated by reference. 
     It is clear that there exists a need for a safety whip device or apparatus that is reversibly extendable, motorized, reversibly attachable to any vehicle and that can be controlled remotely. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the invention to provide a safety flag device that is reversibly extendable, motorized, reversibly attachable to any vehicle and that can be controlled remotely. 
     In accordance with one aspect, there is presented a safety flag device comprising: a housing, the housing comprising: one or more reversible attachment means for reversibly attaching said housing to an exterior surface of a vehicle; a first switch; and a reversibly extendable pole, the pole having a base coupled to said housing and a tip; a rod secured to the tip of the reversibly extendable pole, along a same axis thereof; a flag reversibly attached to the rod; and the housing further comprising therein: a container for storing a portion of a long flexible cable, the long flexible cable passing through an interior volume of the reversibly extendable pole and being attached to the tip thereof; an electrical motor mechanically coupled to the long flexible cable, and electrically coupled to the first switch and an electrical power source, and operable to, via said first switch, move the long flexible cable up or down inside the reversibly extendable pole so as to extend or retract the reversibly extendable pole. 
     In one embodiment, the reversibly extendable pole is a telescopic pole comprising a plurality of concentric cylindrical tube elements that are slidingly coupled. 
     In one embodiment, the electrical motor is operable to partially extend or partially retract the reversibly extendable pole. 
     In one embodiment, the housing further comprises one or more handles thereon. 
     In one embodiment, the rod is screwingly secured to the tip of the reversibly extendable pole. 
     In one embodiment, the safety flag device further comprises: a second switch electrically coupled to said power source; at least one lighting element affixed at an upper tip of the rod electrically coupled to said second switch; wherein the at least one lighting element is configured to be turned on or off via said second switch. 
     In one embodiment, the at least one lighting element is a light-emitting diode (LED). 
     In one embodiment, the electrical power source is an external electrical power source located outside of said housing and wherein the housing further comprises: a set of power studs electrically coupled to said first switch and said electrical motor for electrically coupling said first switch and said electrical motor to the external electrical power source. 
     In one embodiment, the external electrical power source is a battery of the vehicle. 
     In one embodiment, the electrical power source is an internal electrical power source located inside of said housing. 
     In one embodiment, the internal electrical power source is a lithium-ion battery. 
     In one embodiment, the one or more reversible attachment means comprise one or more magnets to magnetically couple the housing to the exterior surface of the vehicle. 
     In one embodiment, the reversible attachment means comprise one or more brackets configured to slidingly engage one or more mounting rails affixed to the exterior surface of the vehicle. 
     In one embodiment, the safety flag further comprises in said housing: a wireless control module electrically coupled to said first switch and said second switch and configured to allow the remotely control the at least one lighting element and the electric motor. 
     In one embodiment, the wireless control module is a Wi-fi control module remotely controlled via a mobile device or remote control. 
     In one embodiment, the wireless control module is a Bluetooth® control module electrically coupled to said first switch via a 2-relay module. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, there is presented a kit for installing a safety flag device to a vehicle, the kit comprising: one or more mounting rails; one or more fastening means; the safety flag device comprising: a housing, the housing comprising: one or more brackets; a first switch; and a reversibly extendable pole, the pole having a base coupled to said housing and a tip; a rod secured to the tip of the reversibly extendable pole, along a same axis thereof; a flag reversibly attached to the rod; and the housing further comprising therein: a container for storing a portion of a long flexible cable, the long flexible cable passing through an interior volume of the reversibly extendable pole and being attached to the tip thereof; an electrical motor mechanically coupled to the long flexible cable, and electrically coupled to the first switch and an electrical power source, and operable to, via said first switch, move the long flexible cable up or down inside the reversibly extendable pole so as to extend or retract the reversibly extendable pole. 
     In one embodiment, the kit further comprises instructions for installing the safety flag device, the instructions comprising the steps of: fastening the one or more mounting rails to an exterior surface of the vehicle via the one or more fastening means; and slidingly engaging via the one or more brackets of the safety flag device the one or more mounting rails, thereby installing the safety flag device on the vehicle. 
     In one embodiment, the fastening means comprise: a plurality of bolts and nuts; a plurality of spacers; and a plurality of washers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, the most significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to the figure number in which that element is first introduced. 
       In the figures, embodiments are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood that the description and figures are only for the purpose of illustration and as an aid to understanding. 
       Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the attached figures, wherein the figures: 
         FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  illustrate perspective views of a safety flag device, according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  2 A,  2 B and  2 C  illustrate perspective views of a safety flag device having the reversibly extendable pole retracted ( FIG.  2 A ), partially extended ( FIG.  2 B ) or fully extended ( FIG.  2 C ), according to some embodiments. 
         FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  illustrate perspective views of the interior of the housing of the safety flag device, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  illustrate a perspective view ( FIG.  4 A ) of a housing comprising thereon magnets, and a rear view ( FIG.  4 B ) of a vehicle having the safety flag device removably attached thereto via said magnets, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  illustrate a perspective view ( FIG.  5 A ) of a housing comprising brackets thereon, and a rear view ( FIG.  5 B ) of a vehicle having the safety flag removably installed thereon by slidingly engaging the brackets on rails installed on the vehicle, in accordance with one embodiment. 
         FIG.  6    illustrates an aspect of the subject matter in accordance with one embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The details of one or more embodiments of the subject matter of this specification are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. 
     Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements. 
     The disclosure proposes a safety flag device that is reversibly extendable, motorized, reversibly attachable to any vehicle and that can be controlled remotely that overcomes disadvantages inherent in the existing safety flag devices, such as, but not limited to, an inability to retract or extend the flag, a lack of motorization, an inability to reversibly attach the device to any vehicle, and an inability to be controlled remotely. The present invention provides a safety flag device that may be used with many different forms. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved safety flag device, which provides the advantages and overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. 
       FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  illustrate a safety flag device  100 , according to some embodiments. The safety flag device  100  of  FIGS.  1 A and  2 B  comprises a housing  102  which may be removably attached to a vehicle. In this example, the housing  102  is shown comprising an access panel  104  , a switch  110 , and a toggle switch  118  thereon. The housing  102  typically houses the motorizing means of the safety flag device  100 , and/or any other additional components. In some embodiments, the housing  102  may be made of PVC or a similar impact resistant material. The access panel  104  is removably coupled to the housing  102 , for example using screws or the like, for accessing the interior of the housing  102 . In some embodiments, the housing  102  may have a size of approximately 13″×13″×7″. 
     A reversibly extendable pole  112  is coupled at the proximal end to the top of the housing  102 . In some embodiments, the pole  112  is a telescopic pole comprising a plurality of concentric cylindrical tube elements that are slidingly coupled and configured to be slidingly moved between a retracted configuration and an extended configuration. In some embodiments, the pole  112  may be extended or retracted via the switch  110 . In some embodiments, the switch  110  may be a spring loaded switch, such as a 3 way 6 prong spring loaded switch or similar. 
     In some embodiments, removably attached to the distal end or tip of pole  112  along a same axis thereof is a rod  120  which is used to removably attach a warning flag  116  thereto, as seen in  FIG.  1 B . In some embodiments, the rod  120  may be screwingly secured to the pole  112 , although the skilled person in the art will appreciate that other non-permanent attachment means may also be used know in the art. 
     In some embodiments, flag  116  may be any kind of flag used in the art. This may include flexible flags and/or rigid flags. The skilled person in the art will appreciate that different materials may be used, including, but not limited to: plastic, fabric, and/or metal materials. In some embodiments, the flag  116  may be removably attached to the rod  120  via one or more fastening means, including, for example, Velcro straps or the like. This allows the flag  116  to be interchanged as needed, for example if another type of flag is required and/or if the current flag is damaged and needs to be replaced. In other embodiments, the flag may be permanently affixed to the rod  120  and attached/removed from the safety flag device  100  by attaching/detaching the rod  120  from the distal end of the pole  112 . 
     In some embodiments, a lighting element  114  may be coupled or attached to the distal end of the rod  120 . Different types of lighting elements may be used, for example light emitting device (LED) lights or the like. In some embodiments, one or more additional lighting elements may also be coupled or attached to the housing  102  and/or rod  120 . Flexible wiring cables (not shown) are installed inside both the pole  112  and the rod  120  so as to electrically couple the lighting element  114  to a power source (either inside the housing  102  or outside of it) and the toggle switch  118 . For example, in some embodiments, a 2-wire 22-gauge AWG coated wire may be used. In some embodiments, a single switch may be used for both switch  110  and toggle switch  118 , so to both extend the pole  112  and turn on the lighting element  114  simultaneously. 
     In some embodiments, the housing  102  further comprises, for ease of transportation purposes, one or more handles  106  thereon. The skilled person in the art will appreciate that a different number of handles may be used than the two handles  106  of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , and/or that the handles  106  may be placed differently on the surface of the housing  102 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , the housing  102  may further comprise power studs  108  for electrically coupling the housing  102  to an external electrical power source (not shown). This may include the vehicle&#39;s 12V battery, or another external 12V battery. In some embodiments, the voltage of the external battery may differ from 12V, and a power adapter (not shown) may be used to change the voltage to a desired value. 
       FIGS.  2 A,  2 B and  2 C  show the safety flag device  100  of  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B  in three different configurations: one where the pole  112  is completely retracted ( FIG.  2 A ), one where the pole  112  is partially extended ( FIG.  2 B ) and one where the pole  112  is completely or fully extended ( FIG.  2 C ). For example, in one embodiment, the pole  112  may be comprised of a 7-piece telescopic carbon fiber element, having at its base  202  a diameter of 27 mm and having a length from the base  202  to the tip  204  of 42 cm in the retracted configuration ( FIG.  2 A ), and a total length of 245 cm in the fully extended configuration ( FIG.  2 C ). The length of the rod  120  (from the tip  204  of the extendable pole  112  to the upper end  206  of the rod  120 ) may be selected, for example depending on the size of the flag  116  that is to be attached thereto. In one example, the rod  120  has a diameter of 10 mm and a length of 13 inches. 
       FIG.  3 A  shows the safety flag device  100  with the access panel removed. An electrical motor  302  is used to actuate or operate the reversibly extendable pole  112 . In some embodiments, the electrical motor  302  is a directional 12V bi-directional brushed motor with a 38.4 mm diameter helical gear with 33 teeth. The electrical motor  302  is used to moved or actuate a long thin flexible cable (not shown) stored inside the flexible cable container  304 . The long flexible cable is affixed at one end to the distal end of the extendable pole  112 . By pushing or pulling the flexible cable up or down with the electrical motor  302 , the extendible pole  112  is extended or retracted. In some embodiments, the flexible cable may have a diameter of 8 mm and a length of 3 meters. In some embodiments, the flexible cable container  304  may be a hollow rounded plastic container or canister. In some embodiments, the container  304  may further comprise a reel or the like for the long flexible cable to be rolled thereon or unrolled therefrom. 
       FIG.  3 A  further shows the electrical motor  302  being electrically coupled to the switch  110 , toggle switch  118  and the power studs  108 . As an example, the power studs  108  are shown being connected to an external battery (not shown), for example the vehicle&#39;s 12V battery, via a set of alligator clips  306 . 
       FIG.  3 B  shows a safety flag device  300 , which comprises all of the elements of the safety flag device  100  discussed above, but which comprises an internal power source  308  therein instead of relying on an external power source. The internal power source  308  is shown being electrically coupled to the switch  110 , toggle switch  118  and the electrical motor  302 . In some embodiments, the internal power source  308  may be a 12V lithium ion battery or the like. 
       FIGS.  4 A and  4 B  show two different examples of affixing means used to removably attach the safety flag device  100  (for example) to a vehicle.  FIG.  1 A  shows the back side of the housing  102  comprising a plurality of magnets  402  affixed thereto. As shown in  FIG.  4 B , the magnets  402  are used to magnetically couple the housing  102  to the frame of a vehicle  406 . In some embodiments, these may be neodymium magnets to provide a strong magnetic coupling with the metallic frame of the vehicle. 
     In the example of  FIG.  4 B , the housing  102  is magnetically coupled to the frame of a pickup truck, against the back wall of the driver&#39;s cabin. An aperture  404  in the truck&#39;s cabin is shown being used to pass therethrough electrical wires to connect the safety flag device  100  to the truck&#39;s battery. 
       FIGS.  5 A and  5 B  show, in accordance with another embodiment, another means of removably attaching the safety flag device  300  (for example) to a vehicle. As illustrated in  FIG.  5 A , the backside of the housing  102  is shown having affixed thereon a set of brackets  502 . The brackets  502  may be used to slidingly engage with mounting rails  504  affixed on a vehicle  506 . 
       FIG.  6    shows a schematic diagram illustrating, in accordance with some embodiments, the safety flag device  100  (or  300 ) may further comprising a wireless control module  602  communicatively connected or coupled to the switch  110  and/or the toggle switch  118  for remotely extending and/or retracting the extendable pole  112 , and /or turning the lighting element  114  on or off, respectively. The wireless control module  602  can be controlled either a mobile device  604  like a smartphone or the like, and/or with a remote control  606 . This allows the safety flag device  100  ( 300 ) to be configured or deployed remotely, for example from inside the vehicle. In some embodiments, the mobile device  604  may be configured to control the safety flag device  100  (or  300 ) via an software application or the like that is installed thereon. 
     In some embodiments, the wireless control module may be, for example, a Bluetooth® control module or a Wi-fi control module. It can be connected to the switch  110  or toggle switch  118  via one or more relay modules or the like. The skilled person in the art will appreciate that other wireless technologies for remotely controlling a device via a mobile device or remote control may also be used, without restriction. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. As can be understood, the examples described above are intended to be exemplary only. 
     The embodiments described were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention. 
     The term “connected”, “attached”, “affixed” or “coupled to” may include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). 
     As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed, that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.