GB2395058A

GB2395058A - A flag which can be repeatedly personalised

Info

Publication number: GB2395058A
Application number: GB0225713A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Lee Green
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-11-05
Filing date: 2002-11-05
Publication date: 2004-05-12
Also published as: GB0225713D0

Abstract

A flag is described comprising securing means whereby at least one modifying element may be secured to the flag, and subsequently removed therefrom. The flag may thus be personalised and used to show allegiance to several different sports teams or persons for example. Letters or symbols may be attached to the flag with releasable securing means such as Velcro <TM>.

Description

Title: Improvements Relating to Flags Description of Invention

5 This invention is concerned with improvements relating to flags and banners, particularly as are utilised at sporting events to shown allegiance to a player, a team, an event or a country.

It is customary at sporting events for a spectator to carry and wave a flag or banner (hereinafter referred to as "flag" for convenience), to indicate the 10 country being supported, and it is common for those flags to be utilised not only at International events, but also at national events, to indicate (for example) support for a national football team, or (in the case of an athletics meeting or a tennis tournament) support for an individual participant.

Self-evidently, it is not possible for a manufacturer of flags to be able to 15 provide flags tailored to meet all possible needs, and it has been conventional practice for individuals to purchase a flag, and then to customise the flag by stitching to the flag the name (for example) of their favourite player, or of the football team the support. This makes for difficulties, in that allegiances may change: for example, if the flag of St. George has been customised by a 20 supporter stitching thereto the name "Beckham", if Beckham is transferred the supporter might well it necessary to un-pick the name, and reattach to the flag an alternative name.

Additionally a supporter of football matches may wish to display enthusiastic support at (for example) a tennis tournament, at which a display of 25 the name "Beckham" would be inappropriate.

According to this invention there is provided a flag or banner comprising means by which the flag may readily be modified, and by which it may readily be returned to a base condition.

( Conveniently said means comprises quick release means, such as velcro", whereby a modifying element may be secured to the flag, and subsequently readily removed therefrom.

According to this invention there is also provided a flag and a plurality 5 of modifying elements by which the flag may be customised, and means by which the modifying elements may be readily secured to and removed from the flag. Preferably the securing means is such as to retain the modifying elements in position during normal use, but allowing the modifying elements to 10 be peeled off.

Conveniently the modifying elements are in the form of letters of the alphabet, or other shapes or objects, such as badges or logos.

There will now be given a detailed description of the invention, to be

read with reference to the accompanying drawings, of various embodiments of 15 the invention which have been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

The preferred embodiment comprises basically a flag of St. George, provided over a central region thereof with securing means, conveniently in the form of strips of "velcro".

20 The embodiment also comprises modifying means afforded by a plurality of letters of the alphabet, having a backing of velcro, enabling selected letters to be attached to the flag, and easily removed therefrom.

Thus the flag shown in Figure 1 may be utilised at a Manchester United football match, to indicate support for David Beckham, and whilst during the 25 time David Beckham plays for the England team, it may be appropriate to utilise the flag shown in Figure 2 at England football matches.

Alternatively, if the person named on the flag is not playing for England, the modifying elements shown in Figure 1 may be removed from the flag and replaced by the letters E, N. G. L, A, N and D.

l Further, if the owner of the flag is attending a tennis tournament, support for (for example) Henman may be shown by attaching to the flag the letters H. E, N7 M, A and N. It will of course be appreciated that the invention may in principle be 5 utilised with other types of flags, clearly flags for other countries, and indeed may be utilised for banners which may be designed specifically for a single team. For example, the flag currently utilised by specific football teams may be modified to indicate support not only for that football team, but for favoured players of the team or venue.

10 Whilst in Figure I the velcro has been shown covering substantially the whole of the central red cross, if desired, the velcro may be provided in two narrow strips, for the purposes of reducing costs.

Similarly, on other flags, velcro may be provided in the form of central rails, or over an area convenient for use in the attachment of letters forming the 15 name of a person or team.

In the present specification "comprises" means "includes or consists of"

and "comprising" means "including or consisting of''.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following

claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in 20 terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A flag comprising securing means whereby at least one modifying element may be secured to the flag, and subsequently removed therefrom.

2. A flag according to claim 1 wherein the securing means is capable of retaining the at least one modifying element in position on the flag and allowing the at least one modifying element to be removed therefrom.

10

3. A flag according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the securing means comprises quick release means such that the at least one modifying element can be readily secured to and removed from the flag.

4. A flag according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the securing means 15 comprises "velcro" hook and loop type fasteners.

5. A flag according to any one of claims I to 4 wherein the at least one modifying element is in the form of a letter of the alphabet, or another shape or object, such as a badge or logo.

6. A flag substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

7. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein 25 and/or in the accompanying drawings.