Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02871257 2014-11-10
REMOVABLE REAR MOUNTED VEHICLE SAFETY LIGHT
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a removable rear mounted vehicle safety light. More
particularly, this invention relates to a safety light that is mountable in a
rear stake post of a pick-
up truck used in snow plowing operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Snow plowing is common in areas of the world where snow falls on roadways and
surfaces travelled by vehicles. In particular, snowplowing is needed on
roadways and driveways
to permit access by motor vehicles. In many instances, snowplowing of
driveways requires that
the vehicle plowing the snow reverse out onto the roadway. This presents the
obvious danger
that the vehicle plowing the snow may be struck by traffic on the roadway.
Vehicles used to perform snowplowing operations are generally required to have
a
warning light thereon. When a pick-up truck is used to snow plow, the warning
light is generally
a flashing strobe light which is positioned on the top of the cab of the pick-
up truck. However,
when placed on the top of the cab of the pick-up truck, the warning light is
not as visible to
traffic on the roadway when the pick-up truck is backing onto the roadway.
U.S. Patent No. 6,409,367 B1 to Pratt discloses a rear-mounted vehicle
lighting system
that is coupled to a conventional hitch mount at a rear of a vehicle. However,
the vehicle light
system of Pratt comprises an elaborate structure which is cumbersome to
connect and
disconnect. As shown in Figure 1 of Pratt, the vehicle light system is
connected to the trailer
CA 02871257 2014-11-10
hitch of a pick-up truck. The vehicle light system comprises a large beacon
mount connected to
a coupling bar which is inserted into a trailer hitch.
Similarly to Pratt, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2003/0128105 Al
to Shaw
discloses a hitch-mounted lighting and safety accessory. Figure 2 of Shaw
shows a long tubing
stock that is connected to the hitch.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a removable rear mounted vehicle safety
light which
overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is an object of this invention to provide a removable safety light that can
be quickly and
easily installed and removed from the rear area of a pick-up truck. By
mounting the light into a
standard-sized rear stake pocket of a pick-up truck, the light can be inserted
and operational
quickly, including mounting the post and connecting it to the rear electrical
plug proximate to a
trailer hitch or on the tail gate beside a license plate. This quick and easy
convenience lends
itself to snow plow operators who typically drive between jobs or work part-
time and may not
need the light affixed for long periods of time. The quick and easy
installation is also important
since plow operator's work under conditions where they wait for snow and then
must move
quickly to plow numerous customers' properties in the fastest manner possible.
Furtheimore, mounting the light system in the stake pocket eliminates the need
for a light
post that inhibits access to opening the rear tail gate of the pick-up truck.
The designs taught by
Pratt and Shaw both suffer the disadvantage that a light post inhibits access
to opening of the rear
tail gate. Thus, the design of the current invention is beneficial for snow
plough operators and
=-)
CA 02871257 2014-11-10
other trades people who may require frequent access to sand and salt, shovels,
etc. in carrying
out their work.
By mounting the light in the stake pocket, which is usually at least four feet
above the
ground, the strobe light post is less likely to be hit Or damaged in the
operation of the vehicle.
Snow plow operators typically work in tight or narrow road and driveway
conditions, with
frequent backing up for better angles to push snow. It is common to back into
other piles of
snow. Furthermore, by late winter, when snow piles and banks have become
large, this issue
becomes greater. Our light is above that risk and will avoid damage from
accidental contact with
hard-packed ice and snow banks, trees, posts, etc.
The current invention can be made 36 inches long including the post and strobe
light.
This height would permit the strobe to be visible from 360 degrees, including
above the driver's
cab unit at the front of the pick-up truck. Further, the light system can be
constructed from
lightweight and affordable materials and could eliminate the need for, or
complement, the roof-
top magnet lights often used by snow plow operators.
Snow plough operators typically back up while moving snow, often onto the main
roadways and highways. When backing out of a lane or driveway, the vehicle is
partly obscured
by snow piles. The Pick-up Truck Torch Rear Strobe Light ensures visibility
and warning before
the vehicle is fully on the roadway, reducing the chance of collisions.
In one aspect, the present invention resides in a removable warning light
device
attachable at a rear-end of a vehicle, the device comprising: a post having a
first end and a
second end, the first end sized to fit into a rear stake pocket of the
vehicle, and the second end
having a light thereon.
3
CA 02871257 2014-11-10
Preferably, the light is powered by batteries.
Preferably, the removable warning light device further comprises an electrical
cord
having a first end and a second end, the first end of the electrical cord is
connected to the
warning light and a second end of the electrical cord has a male electrical
connector which is
compatible with a female electrical socket which provides electrical power at
or near a rear hitch
of the vehicle.
More preferably, the post is telescopic.
More preferably, the post is made from a material selected from the group
consisting of:
wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass, carbon fiber and composite material.
More preferably, the post has a longitudinal channel on one side and the
electrical cord is
fixed in the longitudinal channel.
More preferably, the post is hollow and the electrical cord is positioned
within the hollow
post.
More preferably, the post has reflector material thereon.
More preferably, the warning light is a strobe light.
Still more preferably, the strobe light is blue.
Further and other features of the invention will be apparent to those skilled
in the art from
the following detailed description of the embodiments thereof.
4
õ,õ ,
CA 02871257 2014-11-10
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Reference may now be had to the following detailed description taken together
with the
accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 shows a removable rear mounted vehicle safety/warning light system in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention shown in perspective view;
Figure 2 shows the system of Figure 1 from a side view;
Figure 3 shows the system of Figure 1 from a bottom perspective view; and
Figure 4 shows the system of Figure 1 in use mounted to a pick-up truck;
Figure 5 shows a removable rear mounted vehicle safety/warning light system in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention shown in perspective view;
Figure 6 shows the system of Figure 5 from a side view;
Figure 7 shows the system of Figure 5 from a bottom perspective view; and
Figure 8 shows a removable rear mounted vehicle safety/warning light system in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention shown in perspective view.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Figure 1 shows a removable rear mounted vehicle safety/warning light system 2
in
accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The system 2 is shown in
perspective view.
CA 02871257 2014-11-10
The system 2 has a post 4 with a first end 6 and a second end 8. The first end
6 is
adapted and sized to be fitted into a rear stake pocket of a vehicle such as a
pick-up truck.
Preferably, about 4 to 6 inches of the first end 4 are fitted into the rear
stake pocket of the vehicle
to provide adequate securing of the post. The cross sectional area of a
typical rear stake pocket
of a vehicle is about 1 1/4 inches by 1 7/8 inches. In another embodiment, not
shown, the post 4
is tapered so that the first end 6 is smaller in cross-sectional area than the
second end 8.
The post 4 can be made of a material such as wood, metal, plastic, fiberglass
or
composite material. It is preferred that the post 4 is sturdy and does not
bend or flex very easily.
Ideally, the post is about 36 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the post 4 is
telescopic so that it
can be raised higher and the light 10 can cast light further.
The second end 8 has a light 10 connected thereto. The light 10 has a cap 12
fitted onto a
base 14. The cap 12 is removably connected to the base 14 and forms a
weatherproof seal. The
cap 12 is removably connected to provide access to the bulb, and batteries, if
battery powered, in
case they need to be replaced. The light 10 is preferably a strobe light and
more preferably a
blue strobe light to denote a snow removal vehicle.
Preferably, the system 2 is about 36 inches long.
The system 2 in figure 1 has a power cord 16 with a male connector 18 at the
free end.
The male connector 18 is connectable with a standard female power outlet of a
vehicle.
Preferably, the power cord 16 is about 4 feet long to permit enough cord to
connect the male
connector 18 with a female power outlet at the rear end of a pick-up truck.
6
______________ , ________________________
CA 02871257 2014-11-10
The end of the power cord 16 opposite the free end is connected to the light
10 to provide
power thereto. As shown in Figure 1, the post 4 has a longitudinal channel 20
along one side and
the power cord 16 is fixed in the longitudinal channel 20.
Figure 2 shows the system 2 in a side view.
Figure 3 shows the system 2 from a bottom perspective view.
Figure 4 shows the system 2 in use on a pick-up truck 50. The pick-up truck 50
has rear
stake pockets 52 at a back of the truck bed. The system 2 is easily connected
by inserting the
first end 6 into the rear stake pocket 52. The male connector 18 is then
inserted into the female
socket 54 which is beside the license plate on the rear hitch 56 of the pick-
up truck.
The system 2 is easily disconnected by removing the male connector 18 from the
female
socket 54 and then removing the first end 6 from the rear stake pocket 52.
When connected to
the pick-up truck, the light will turn on when the headlights or parking
lights are turned on. The
light 10 can be turned off by turning the lights to the off or auto positions.
It is to be appreciated that the pick-up truck 50 shown in Figure 4 is merely
an example
and is in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention.
Figure 5 shows a removable rear mounted vehicle safety/warning light system
102 in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The system 102 is shown
in perspective
view.
The system 102 has a post 104 with a first end 106 and a second end 108. The
first end
106 is adapted and sized to be fitted into a rear stake pocket of a vehicle
such as a pick-up truck.
7
CA 02871257 2014-11-10
Preferably, about 4 to 6 inches of the first end 4 are fitted into the rear
stake pocket of the vehicle
to provide adequate securing of the post. The cross sectional area of a
typical rear stake pocket
of a vehicle is about 1 1/4 inches by 1 7/8 inches.
The post 104 can be made of a material such as wood, metal, plastic,
fiberglass or
composite material. It is preferred that the post 104 is sturdy and does not
bend or flex very
easily. Ideally, the post is about 36 inches.
The second end 108 has a light 110 connected thereto. The light 110 has a cap
112 fitted
onto a base 114. The cap 112 is removably connected to the base 114 and forms
a weatherproof
seal. The cap 112 is removably connected to provide access to the bulb, and
batteries, if battery
powered, in case they need to be replaced. The light 110 is preferably a
strobe light and more
preferably a blue strobe light to denote a snow removal vehicle.
Preferably, the system 102 is about 36 inches long.
The system 102 in Figure 5 has a power cord 116 with a male connector 118 at
the free
end. The male connector 118 is connectable with a standard female power outlet
of a vehicle.
Preferably, the power cord 116 is about 4 feet long to permit enough cord to
connect the male
connector 118 with a female power outlet at the rear end of a pick-up truck.
The end of the power cord 116 opposite the free end is connected to the light
110 to
provide power thereto. As shown in Figure 5, the post 104 is hollow and the
power cord 116
passes through the hollow channel.
Figure 6 shows the system 102 in a side view.
8
_ _ ,
CA 02871257 2014-11-10
Figure 7 shows the system 102 from a bottom perspective view.
Figure 8 shows a removable rear mounted vehicle safety/warning light system
202 in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The system 202 is shown
in bottom
perspective view.
The system 202 has a post 204 which comprises a plurality of nested post
sections 204A
to 204F. The nested post sections 204A to 204F font' a telescopic post 204.
The telescopic post
204 is shown in extended position. The post 204 has a first end 206 and a
second end 208. The
first end 206 is adapted and sized to be fitted into a rear stake pocket of a
vehicle such as a pick-
up truck. Preferably, about 4 to 6 inches of the first end 4 are fitted into
the rear stake pocket of
the vehicle to provide adequate securing of the post. The cross sectional area
of a typical rear
stake pocket of a vehicle is about 1 1/4 inches by I 7/8 inches.
The post 204 can be made of a material such as metal, plastic, fiberglass or
composite
material. It is preferred that the post 204 is sturdy and does not bend or
flex very easily. Ideally,
the post is about 36 inches.
The second end 208 has a light 210 connected thereto. The light 210 has a cap
212 fitted
onto a base 214. The cap 212 is removably connected to the base 214 and forms
a weatherproof
seal. The cap 212 is removably connected to provide access to the bulb, and
batteries, if battery
powered, in case they need to be replaced. The light 210 is preferably a
strobe light and more
preferably a blue strobe light to denote a snow removal vehicle.
Preferably, the system 202 is about 36 inches long.
9
CA 02871257 2014-11-10
The system 202 in Figure 8 has a power cord 216 with a male connector 218 at
the free
end. The male connector 218 is connectable with a standard female power outlet
of a vehicle.
Preferably, the power cord 216 is about 4 feet long to permit enough cord to
connect the male
connector 218 with a female power outlet at the rear end of a pick-up truck.
The end of the power cord 216 opposite the free end is connected to the light
210 to
provide power thereto. As shown in Figure 8, the telescopic post 204 is hollow
and the power
cord 216 passes through the hollow channel.
The telescopic post 204 collapses by a respective nesting post section 204A to
204F
fitting inside of the adjacent larger diameter nesting post section 204A to
204F. Thus, the
telescopic post 204 can be more easily stored. Alternatively, the telescopic
post 204 can be
adjusted so that the light 210 is at a higher or lower level as may be desired
by an operator.
Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred
embodiments of
the invention, it is also to be understood that the invention is not
restricted to these particular
embodiments rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are
functional, or mechanical
equivalents of the specific embodiments and features that have been described
and illustrated
herein.
It will be understood that, although various features of the invention have
been described
with respect to one or another of the embodiments of the invention, the
various features and
embodiments of the invention may be combined or used in conjunction with other
features and
embodiments of the invention as described and illustrated herein.
