IP Library Granted Patent US 12,654,823
Granted Patent B2
US 12,654,823 · App. 18/195,857 · Granted Jun 16, 2026

Mast navigation light

Inventors: Murray Kaijala (Elkhart, IN); Martin E. Flynn (Niles, MI); David A. Lehman (Lancaster, PA); Scott C. McKinnon (Union City, MI)
Assignee: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
B63B45/02F21V21/26F21W2107/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,654,823
App. No.
18/195,857
Granted
Jun 16, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A mast navigation light includes a base assembly affixable to a surface, a pivot mechanism secured to the base assembly, a mast coupled at a proximal end with the pivot mechanism, and a light secured to a distal end of the mast. The pivot mechanism is configured to effect pivoting of the mast about at least two axes.

Claims (37)

1 . A mast navigation light comprising:

a base assembly affixable to a surface;

a pivot mechanism secured to the base assembly;

a mast coupled at a proximal end with the pivot mechanism; and

a light secured to a distal end of the mast,

wherein the pivot mechanism comprises:

a cap coupled with the base assembly and rotatable relative to the base assembly about a first axis in a circumferential slot of the base assembly, and

a T-post coupled with the cap and pivotable relative to the cap about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis,

wherein the mast is connected to the T-post such that the pivot mechanism is configured to effect pivoting of the mast about at least the first and second axes without detaching the mast or the pivot mechanism from the base assembly.

2 . A mast navigation light according to claim 1 , wherein the mast comprises a flex section.

3 . A mast navigation light according to claim 2 , wherein the flex section comprises one of an elastomeric tube or a coil spring.

4 . A mast navigation light according to claim 1 , wherein the pivot mechanism is configured to effect forward and aft pivoting of the mast and to effect lateral pivoting of the mast.

5 . A mast navigation light according to claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises a pivot slot in which the T-post is pivotable, the pivot slot defining a pivot range for the T-post.

6 . A mast navigation light according to claim 5 , further comprising a cam lock lever coupled with the T-post and displaceable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the cam lock lever including at least one cam surface that locks the T-post in place when the cam lock lever is displaced to the locked position.

7 . A mast navigation light according to claim 1 , wherein the T-post comprises a cross member and a vertical leg defining a T-shape, and wherein the cross member is coupled with the cap.

8 . A mast navigation light according to claim 7 , wherein a cross-section of the cross member is non-circular.

9 . A mast navigation light according to claim 7 , wherein the mast is connected to the vertical leg of the T-post.

10 . A mast navigation light according to claim 9 , wherein the mast comprises a flex section, and wherein the flex section is connected to the vertical leg of the T-post.

11 . A mast navigation light according to claim 7 , wherein the cross member of the T-post comprises a first convex protrusion, corresponding to a zero degree position, and a second convex protrusion, corresponding to a forty-five degree position, selectively engageable with a concave detent in the cap.

12 . A mast navigation light according to claim 7 , wherein the cross member of the T-post comprises a plurality of convex protrusions that interact with corresponding concave detents in the cap.

13 . A mast navigation light according to claim 1 , wherein the cap comprises a stop member disposed in the circumferential slot, and wherein the circumferential slot defines rotational limits for the cap relative to the base assembly.

14 . A mast navigation light according to claim 1 , wherein the base assembly comprises a wire exit slot.

15 . A mast navigation light according to claim 1 , wherein the base assembly comprises an adapter plate securable to a frame member and a base plate connected to the adapter plate, and wherein the pivot mechanism is secured to the base plate.

16 . A mast navigation light comprising:

a base assembly affixable to a surface;

a pivot mechanism secured to the base assembly;

a mast coupled at a proximal end with the pivot mechanism; and

a light secured to a distal end of the mast,

wherein the pivot mechanism comprises:

a cap coupled with the base assembly and rotatable relative to the base assembly about a first axis in a circumferential slot of the base assembly, and

a T-post coupled with the cap and pivotable relative to the cap about a second axis perpendicular to the first axis,

wherein the mast is connected to the T-post such that the pivot mechanism is configured to selectively effect forward and aft pivoting of the mast in use and lateral pivoting of the mast to a stowed position without detaching the mast or the pivot mechanism from the base assembly.

17 . A mast navigation light according to claim 16 , wherein the cap comprises a pivot slot in which the T-post is pivotable, the pivot slot defining a pivot range for the T-post.

18 . A mast navigation light according to claim 17 , further comprising a cam lock lever coupled with the T-post and displaceable between an unlocked position and a locked position, the cam lock lever including at least one cam surface that locks the T-post in place when the cam lock lever is displaced to the locked position.

19 . A mast navigation light according to claim 16 , wherein the T-post comprises a cross member and a vertical leg defining a T-shape, and wherein the cross member is coupled with the cap.

20 . A mast navigation light according to claim 16 , wherein the cap comprises a stop member disposed in the circumferential slot, and wherein the circumferential slot defines rotational limits for the cap relative to the base assembly.

21 . A mast navigation light according to claim 16 , wherein the base assembly comprises an adapter plate securable to a frame member and a base plate connected to the adapter plate, and wherein the pivot mechanism is secured to the base plate.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 25, 2025
From: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.; CURT MANUFACTURING, LLC; FURRION, LLC; FURRION LTD; INNOVATIVE DESIGN SOLUTIONS, INC.; KASPAR RANCH HAND EQUIPMENT, LLC; LIPPERT COMPONENTS MANUFACTURING, INC.; TAYLOR MADE GROUP, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 070719/0650 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 12, 2023
From: KAIJALA, MURRAY; FLYNN, MARTIN E.; LEHMAN, DAVID A.; MCKINNON, SCOTT C.
To: LIPPERT COMPONENTS, INC.
Reel/Frame 063619/0958 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63340127 · May 10, 2022
Related Publication 20230365238A1 · Nov 16, 2023
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