Patent ID: 7275495

Claim:
A beacon for illuminating a flag attached to a halyard that is coupled to a flag pole, the flag pole having a vertical axis and including a top end, the beacon comprising: a. a truck that includes a fitting configured for mounting on the top end of the flag pole, the truck including a top portion that is mounted upon the fitting and rotatably engaged with the fitting and configured to rotate about the vertical axis; b. a light source mounted above the top portion of the truck; c. an opaque cover that encloses the light source, the cover being substantially concentric with the flag pole and affixed to the top portion of the truck so as to be rotatable therewith, the cover defining at least one opening that forms a narrow beam of light from the light source that is directed downwardly and radially outwardly from the light source toward the flag, the opening having a shape so that the beam is directed in the direction of the flag and not toward a side of the flag pole opposite from which the flag has rotated; and d. a pulley configured for engagement with the halyard, the pulley coupled to the top portion of the truck so that when the flag responds to a change in wind direction, the pulley causes the top portion of the truck and the cover to rotate so that the beam of light tracks the flag.