US4099282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Floatable pole marker beacon
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1977-05-09
•
Granted: 1978-07-11
•
Expires: 1997-05-09
Abstract
Abstract A high visibility man-overboard rescue beacon is provided having a strobe light that is automatically energized in a flashing mode by the act of removing the beacon from its holder on board boat. Upon removal from the holder, a set of self-erecting radar reflective coated flags are also automatically deployed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard E. Townsend
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:07
CPC Classifications
B; B63; B63C; B63C9/00; B63C9/21; F; F21; F21W; F21W2111/00; F21W2111/04; F21W2111/047
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
A floatable pole marker beacon comprising: a long hollow pole; a float fixedly secured to said pole at an intermediate position; an electric light mounted on an upper end of said pole; a container sealably mounted at the bottom end of said pole; a source of electrical power housed within said container; an electricl circuit connecting said power source and the light source; said circuit including a magnetically operable switch biased to a closed position, said switch being maintained in an open position by the presence of a predetermined magnetic force; said switch being mounted within the container, and a holder is provided for storing the container, said holder having a magnet aligned with said switch when the beacon is in a stowed condition in the holder; whereby deployment of the beacon from the holder will automatically close the switch to energize the light source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
A floatable pole marker beacon comprising: a long hollow pole; a float fixedly secured to said pole at an intermediate position; an electric light mounted on an upper end of said pole; a container sealably mounted at the bottom end of said pole; a source of electrical power housed within said container; an electricl circuit connecting said power source and the light source; said circuit including a magnetically operable switch biased to a closed position, said switch being maintained in an open position by the presence of a predetermined magnetic force; said switch being mounted within the container, and a holder is provided for storing the container, said holder having a magnet aligned with said switch when the beacon is in a stowed condition in the holder; whereby deployment of the beacon from the holder will automatically close the switch to energize the light source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The beacon of claim 1 wherein at least one self-erecting flag is mounted at the top of said pole, said flag being spring biased with respect to the pole and restrained in a collapsed condition by a slidably removable cover when the container is supported in its holder.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
138 words
A floatable pole marker beacon and detachable holder comprising: a long hollow pole; a float fixedly secured to said pole at an intermediate position; an electric strobe light mounted on the upper end of said pole; a container sealably mounted at the bottom end of said pole; a DC power source supported within the container; a holder for slidably supporting said container, said holder having means for attaching to a supporting structure; a magnet mounted on said holder; an electrical circuit connecting the power source to said light; said circuit including a magnetically operable switch normally biased to a closed position, and magnetically maintained in an open position by the magnet when the container is supported by the holder; whereby removal of said beacon from the holder for deployment will automatically close the switch to energize the light.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
138 words
A floatable pole marker beacon and detachable holder comprising: a long hollow pole; a float fixedly secured to said pole at an intermediate position; an electric strobe light mounted on the upper end of said pole; a container sealably mounted at the bottom end of said pole; a DC power source supported within the container; a holder for slidably supporting said container, said holder having means for attaching to a supporting structure; a magnet mounted on said holder; an electrical circuit connecting the power source to said light; said circuit including a magnetically operable switch normally biased to a closed position, and magnetically maintained in an open position by the magnet when the container is supported by the holder; whereby removal of said beacon from the holder for deployment will automatically close the switch to energize the light.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
174 words
A floatable pole marker beacon comprising: a long hollow pole; a float fixedly secured to said pole at an intermediate position; an electric light mounted on an upper end of said pole; a container sealably mounted at the bottom end of said pole; a source of electrical power housed within said container; an electrical circuit connecting said power source and the light source; said circuit including a magnetically operable switch biased to a closed position, said switch being maintained in an open position by the presence of a predetermined magnetic force; said switch being mounted within the container, and a holder is provided for storing the container, said holder having a magnet aligned with said switch when the beacon is in a stowed condition in the holder; said holder telescopically housing said container in the stowed condition, and alignment means are provided between the enclosure and container to ensure the magnet is positioned adjacent said switch; whereby deployment of the beacon from the holder will automatically close the switch to energize the light source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
174 words
A floatable pole marker beacon comprising: a long hollow pole; a float fixedly secured to said pole at an intermediate position; an electric light mounted on an upper end of said pole; a container sealably mounted at the bottom end of said pole; a source of electrical power housed within said container; an electrical circuit connecting said power source and the light source; said circuit including a magnetically operable switch biased to a closed position, said switch being maintained in an open position by the presence of a predetermined magnetic force; said switch being mounted within the container, and a holder is provided for storing the container, said holder having a magnet aligned with said switch when the beacon is in a stowed condition in the holder; said holder telescopically housing said container in the stowed condition, and alignment means are provided between the enclosure and container to ensure the magnet is positioned adjacent said switch; whereby deployment of the beacon from the holder will automatically close the switch to energize the light source.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The beacon of claim 4 wherein said holder is provided with clamping means for securing to a support.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-07-10 | 1982-01-09 | 1982-07-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-07-10 | 1986-01-09 | 1986-07-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-07-10 | 1990-01-09 | 1990-07-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |