Tower flag actuator
US7428879B1 · kind B1 · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 20, 2007 |
| Grant date | Sep 30, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 20, 2027 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB63B45/04
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A safety device automatically raises and lowers a warning flag over a boat based on the tension applied to a line towed by the boat. For the device, the tow line is anchored to a tower mounted on the boat. Further, an arm is pivotably connected to the tower for movement between first and second orientations. Structurally, the arm is partially enclosed within a housing mounted to the tower. Also, the warning flag is pivotably mounted to the housing. Within the housing, the device includes a mechanism for translating movement of the arm to movement of the flag between raised and lowered orientations. When the tow line is slack, the arm is biased toward the first orientation by a spring. However, when the line becomes taut, the tension in the line overcomes the spring force and the arm is moved to its second orientation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.