GB2499389A

GB2499389A - Backpack with flag support means.

Info

Publication number: GB2499389A
Application number: GB1202431.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Hill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-02-11
Filing date: 2012-02-11
Publication date: 2013-08-21
Also published as: GB201202431D0

Abstract

A backpack / rucksack 4 is provided with a support plate (Fig. 6) for supporting a flag 3 in use above a person 5 wearing the backpack. The flag has a fibreglass flag pole formed of a number of sections connected by an elasticated shock cord enabling it to be quickly assembled / dismantled. The dismantled flag can be stored in the backpack. The flag can be used to advertise a product or service or as a safety flag by runners or cyclists. The flag pole may include a transverse top section 2 to maintain the flag in an unfurled state.

Description

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Self-assembling safety advertising Flag Backpack

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many charity runners who participate in running events and marathons have a tendency to advertise their name and the name and logo of their chosen charity on their t-shirts or running vests.When running with thousands of other runners it is hard to distinguish one runner from another. This invention tackles this problem by making the wearer of the invention more visible and therefore aiding and promoting the charity they are running for.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention also relates to safety equipment for cyclists who commute by cycle on roads. Cyclists often wear a backpack to carry items when commuting to and from work. Predominantly, many cyclists are not fully visible to large vehicles, because the invention uses a backpack as part of the invention, cyclists do not need to change their habit of carrying a backpack to carry items. The cyclists can have the invention stored in the backpack and can quickly assemble the invention when cycling to aid the cyclist's safety. Road vehicles can quickly observe the cyclists wearing the invention when cycling. This is similar to how charity runners would use the invention, for example, participants running a race can be observed by the spectators easily.

The current invention helps the wearer, when he/she is attending a mass crowd event by means of increased visibility. It is difficult to focus or single out a person at the event because there may be too many people. The crowd are at head and shoulder level, so it is problematic to see through the crowd.

The invention indicates where a charity runner or cyclist is situated, even when they are in motion, by way of displaying a flag/sign or banner which is above normal head /shoulder level. The problem with displaying a sign/banner is that the sign/banner is usually made out of wood or metal, it is difficult to hold up for long periods of time, and is uncomfortable and heavy to hold particularly when in motion. In addition, transporting a sign to an event can be awkward especially if travelling by public transport. To overcome these problems, the present invention proposes to display a product/ service or indicate to a crowd by way of a flag/banner. The invention is easy to transport, and assemble and dismantle, it is mobile, hands-free, and consists of a portable lightweight folding and collapsible flag pole assembly. This is then carried in a backpack/rucksack, and fixed to the backpack/rucksack for display purposes.

By making the flag foldable, it can be stored away in the backpack/rucksack for transportation from site to site. The flag can be easy to erect and displayed, by way of using a self assembling flag pole configuration, it is carried and displayed via backpack/rucksack. Once erected the flag is on full display without the use of wind. It can be fixed in multiple positions for display purposes, for example, behind the user/wearer, in front of the user/wearer and to the left and right of the user/wearer. After use, the flag folds down into a manageable size and stored away via a backpack.

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2. Description of the Related Art

Advertising is more popular then ever, and being noticed can be more beneficial to charity runners for raising the profile of the charity. At present, there are several related prior arts that use a flag assembly.

DE202007005725U

US2004255359

DE29909384U

FR2843477

US6843012

FR2822998

US4598661

CA2510425

US5893786

DE4334490

GB2256888

US4598661

DE2944441

DE2407140

These related prior arts are similar, but do not address the problem that is described in Background of Invention. The related prior arts are not designed to be used by people in motion. All of these related prior arts require that the wearer extend the flag manually by way of deploying a telescopic pole or attaching a rod, and the pole or rod once fixed cannot be adjusted to face several different directions, so suffer from an inherent design problem.

The prior arts, DE4334490, GB2256888, US4598661, DE2944441, DE2407140, DE202007005725U, US5893786, US4598661, FR2822998, DE299909384U all use either, a fixed rod or a telescopic pole as a way of holding the signal apparatus, and some of the related arts, US6843012, FR2843477, GB2256888 deploy electronics as a way of signalling. Particular attention is to the related art of DE202007005725U, the device is of a fixed pole apparatus and is connected to a solid harness and cannot be adjusted. The length of the flag/banner pole is of a fixed length and in a fixed position and has limited body movement for the wearer. The wearer has limited options for movement, for example, the wearer would find it dangerous and hard to run. Plus, the heavy weight of the flag and harness, plus the limited constrictions of movement may be a concern for the wearer. Also, the main difference of DE202007005725U to this invention is how DE202007005725U is assembled. It can take several minutes for DE202007005725U to be assembled and the need of the wearer to read complex instructions. Our current invention eliminates the difficulties of assembling and dismantling, due to the configuration of the invention's self assembling poles. The design of the invention is for quick deployment of the flag

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by the wearer and the ability for the wearer to partake in running events. Also the design and size of the invention makes transportation of the invention simple.

Other devices, such as CA2510425, US2004255359 utilise air movement such as wind passing over the device, whereas our invention can operate without the aid of air passing over the invention, due to the composition of it's self assembling pole. The structure of the pole holds the flag in an extended position when deployed.

Two devices disclose life vests that include extended signalling flags to identify the location of the wearer. These are US4598661 and US5893786, both devices because of the design cannot be used as running equipment or as a safety device for cyclists, which is the key feature of this invention.

A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the invention. Consequently, a need has been felt for providing an apparatus and method which overcomes the problems cited above in field of invention.

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There are four main components to the invention. The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows an overview of the invention's four main units

Figure 2 shows how, the invention is worn and how the invention looks when fully erect

Figure 3 shows the two views of the pole used in the invention, first part of the drawing shows the pole in the erect position. The second drawing shows the pole in the collapsed position, the second drawing also shows a magnification view of the end of the pole.

Figure 4 shows the holding plate of the invention, also in the drawing is the pole and where the pole fits into the holding plate, the position is indicated by arrows.

Figure 5 shows two drawings of the backpack/rucksack, the first drawing shows the inside view of the backpack/rucksack, the second drawing is of the outside view of the backpack/rucksack.

Figure 6 shows a closer view of the holding plate and the configuration of the hex hole and tubular holes.

Figure 7 shows the two locating locking articles, these articles are located inside the integrated metal sleeves as demonstrated.

In figure 1, the invention is broke down into the four main units. Member lis a holding plate, and Member 2 fibreglass poles, member 2 (poles) is attached to member 1(the holding plate) via the tubular holes on member 1 (the holding plate). Member 2 is a collapsible pole, the pole is the same as the poles used for camping tents. Member 2 (poles) fits through a specially designed tubular hole of member 1 (the holding plate), and stops when member 2 (poles) reaches into the Hex fixing hole on member 1(the holding plate). Member 3 is a designed flag/banner, which fits onto member 2 (the pole). Member 4 in figure 1 is a backpack/rucksack. Finally in figure 1, we view member 3 (the flag) or advertisement space. Member 3 (the flag) is specifically designed to be fitted to member 2 (poles) which is an L shaped pole assembly; member 3 (the flag) can be slid onto member 2 (poles) for display and slid off when dismantling.

Figure 2 demonstrates how the invention is used by the wearer, member 5 (a person), wears member 4 (the backpack/rucksack) on their back, member 2 (the pole) is fully erected and is connected into member 1 (the holding plate) which is hidden away inside member 4 (the backpack/rucksack), member 3 (the flag) is fully displayed by being positioned on member 2 (the pole).

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In figure 3 we see two states of member 2 (the pole), the first state of member 2 (the pole) is the drawing to the left, which displays member 2 (the pole) fully erected. The second state of member 2 (the pole) is displayed in the centre of the drawing, member 2 (the pole) is in the collapsed position. Member 2 (the pole) is constructed from folding fibreglass tent poles, they are connected together by member 9 elasticised cord, and held in position by member 8, (integrated metal sleeve).

Member 2 (the pole) has member 6 (90 degree angle metal sleeve). Having member 6 (90 degree angle metal sleeve) on member 2 (the pole) gives, member 3 (the flag) its stability. This makes member 3 (the flag) easy to be viewed and it does not require any airflow or wind, which is a problem of most flags. We also see in figure 3 a magnification view of member 6 and member 7, which both fit on member 2 (the pole). Member 7 an (integrated metal sleeve with a hex tipped end), which fits into member 1(the holding plate) and is positioned at its final resting place by member 10, this can be viewed in figure 4.

In figure 4 we see member 2 (the pole) is in the final resting position in member 1 (the Holding plate). The direction of member 2 is indicated by the arrows in figure 4. Member 2 (the pole) travels through member 1 (the Holding plate) by way of member 11 (tubular hole) and reaches the final position member 10 (tubular hex hole).

In figure 5 we see two views, to the left of the drawing is an inside view of member 4 (the backpack/rucksack) and an outside view of member 4 is to the right (the backpack/rucksack). The inside view demonstrates how member 1(the Holding plate) is connected to member 4 (the backpack/rucksack) by member 13 (velcro straps). The outside view demonstrates how member 4 (the backpack/rucksack) looks when all the members are stored inside member 4(the backpack/rucksack). We see also member 14 (a zip) which is used for storing away members 1, 2, 3 (pole, back plate and flag).

In figure 6 we see a closer view of member 1(the holding plate) and also see members 10 (tubular holes) and 11 (hex tubular hole) which are part of member 1.

In figure 7 in the centre of the drawing, we see a closer view of both members 15 (locating locking pins) which are attached to member 2 (the poles). To the right of the drawing we see how member 2 (the poles) and how it uses member 15 (locating locking pins) to lock into position. Both members 15 lock into place inside member 8 (integrated metal sleeve), this configuration is used to stop member 2 from turning when in the erected position.

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Claims

1 A quick assembling folding and collapsible hands free charity runner and cycle safety flag, which is carried on the back of a person when in motion by means of a light weight backpack, once the flag is erected by using fibreglass poles connected together by elasticised cord it is and can be displayed in several different positions above the head of the wearer and the flag can be quickly dismantled and stored away within the backpack for easy access and transportation, the flag is mobile by way of being carried on the back of the wearer and is not held in the hand or hands of the wearer, the flag is used to indicate a runner, product or service, by way of displaying full exposure of the flag when there is little or no wind.

2 A quick assembling folding and collapsible hands free charity runner and cycle safety flag according to clam 1, in which the flag is quickly and easily assembled by way of folding into position and collapsing down when not in use.

3 A quick assembling folding and collapsible hands free charity runner and cycle safety flag according to clam 1, in which the flag can be visible above the head of the wearer and seen by spectators at mass crowd events.

4 A quick assembling folding and collapsible hands free charity runner and cycle safety flag according to clam 2, in which the flag can be stored away neatly and easily by the wearer into the backpack.

5 A quick assembling folding and collapsible hands free charity runner and cycle safety flag according to clam 3, in which the flag can indicate a product or service, or the location of the wearer when the wearer is running or cycling.

6 A quick assembling folding and collapsible hands free charity runner and cycle safety flag according to clam 2, in which the flag is easily transported from site to site , when not in use the flag can be dismantled compressed into a smaller unit.

7 A quick assembling folding and collapsible hands free charity runner and cycle safety flag according to clam 1, in which the flag is mobile by means of the flag being attached to the wearer by way of a backpack worn by the wearer.

8 A quick assembling folding and collapsible hands free charity runner and cycle safety flag according to clam 7, in which the flag is not held by the wearer making the apparatus hands free, once the flag is erected the wearer does not use a hand or hands to hold the flag in place.

9 A quick assembling folding and collapsible hands free charity runner and cycle safety flag according to clam 6, in which the flag can be stored in the

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backpack of the user, thus making it easier for the wearer to travel from site to site, when the flag is not employed or in use.

10 A quick assembling hands free folding and collapsible charity runner and cycle safety flag according to clam 8, in which the flag can be used by advertising agent and free their hands from carrying a banner or sign.

11 A quick assembling hands free folding and collapsible charity runner and cycle safety flag according to claim 1, in which can be situated in multiple different positions by the wearer.

12 A quick assembling hands free folding and collapsible charity runner and cycle safety flag according to claim 1, in which the configuration of the fibreglass poles and the added locking articles does not require airflow or wind.