Card – picture – or sign exhibiting – Signs – Automotive vehicle carried
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-26
2001-03-06
Melius, Terry Lee (Department: 3628)
Card, picture, or sign exhibiting
Signs
Automotive vehicle carried
C040S218000, C040S612000, C116S173000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06195925
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to warning devices and assemblies for such devices. More particularly, it relates to a safety warning flag assembly which is intended to be affixed to or used in conjunction with a highway truck while it is moving wide loads. It also relates to a safety warning flag assembly which facilitates the warning of oncoming, side approaching or trailing traffic that such a wide load is in fact being moved or transported by the highway truck.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The movement of large loads by highway trucks happens every day on roads all across the country. Such loads may take the form of large pieces of construction equipment being moved between construction sites. They may be large sections of pre-fabricated homes or concrete bridges. They may be large yachts or even utility company poles. In short, the kinds and types of items moved in this fashion is almost limitless. Indeed, the only real limitation is the size of the object being moved. Due to this size factor, it is necessary to take special precautions when moving such large objects such as properly fastening the load to the trailer bed. And special attention on the part of the driver of the truck must be taken at all times.
In the experience of this inventor, as a motorist and as one who sees the benefit of a better way of doing things, it is apparent that the movement of large objects over our roads and freeways requires not only the special attention on the part of the truck driver and his supporting crew, but also special attention on the part of all other motorists who may come in contact with such a truck and its load. But such special attention is not always given to such dangerous endeavors. Indeed, accidents and injuries to person and property can and do occur in the absence of special precautions. Law enforcement agencies and insurance underwriters alike are acutely aware of such incidents. And the fact that such incidents can and do result in claims against the trucking industry and their insurance carriers has made them equally aware of the need to move large objects as safely as reasonably possible. The movement of such objects while relying only upon an old broomstick and a greasy red rag to notify others of impending danger can no longer be tolerated.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, a principal object of this invention to provide a new, useful and uncomplicated safety warning flag assembly which can be permanently affixed to or used with a highway truck and which is readily usable for those occasions when it is moving wide loads. It is another object of this invention to provide such an assembly which requires only a minimal number of elements and which requires only a minimal number of steps to utilize.
The present invention has obtained these objects. It provides for a foldable placard which is attachable to the front end of a highway truck. In the preferred embodiment, the foldable placard is attached to the truck's front bumper in such a way so as not to interfere with engine air flow or with headlights, turn signal lights or running lights. The placard, attached longitudinally along the front bumper is foldable along its longitudinal length. When closed, the placard essentially becomes part of the bumper. When opened, the placard displays a warning sign to oncoming traffic.
With the placard in its open position, a flag receiving fixture attached to the placard allows a conically shaped flag and flag holder to be received within the fixture. In an alternative embodiment, the flag fixture is functionally adapted to receive the flag from various angles such that the flag can be flown at its most effective angle for warning traffic of the approaching wide load. In another alternative embodiment, the flag fixture may be attachable to other parts of the truck and, in this fashion, may be used in conjunction with the warning placard. The foregoing and other features of the assembly of the present invention will be further apparent from the description which follows.
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Heino Joseph S.
Hewitt James M
Melius Terry Lee
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