US3792680A - Flag pole - Google Patents

Abstract

In general, this invention relates to a flag pole whose entire length can be easily made accessible from the ground, because the pole is hinged and counter-weighted adjacent its lower end.

Description

United States Patent [1 1 Allen [451 Feb. 19,1974

1 1 FLAG POLE [76] Inventor: Francis R. Allen, Partridge Hill Rd.,

Charlton, Mass. 01507 [22] Filed: June 7, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 150,384

[52] US. Cl 116/173, 16/180, 40/145 A,

52/113,114/90,114/187, 287/86 [51] Int. Cl. G091 17/00 [58] Field of Search 116/173, 174, 175; 52/113, 52/115, 116, 146; 174/45; 40/145 A; 287/86,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 746,424 12/1903 Wetton 287/86 1,236,417 8/1917 Finn 116/174 1,742,481 1/1930 Miller 116/173 2,178,466 10/1939 Bock .1 116/173 2,286,655 6/1942 Supnickm 287/86 2,351,734 6/1944 Backe 287/86 X 2,799,240 7/1957 Andrews 116/174 1,360,584 11/1920 Rohrbaugh 116/173 1,575,040 3/1926 Crum i 116/173 3,063,741 11/1962 Bockerman 285/283 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 316,594 11/1956 Switzerland 116/173 Primary ExaminerLouis J. Capozi Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Norman S. Blodgett [57] ABSTRACT In general, this invention relates to a flag pole whose entire length can be easily made accessible from the ground, because the pole is hinged and counterweighted adjacent its lower end.

5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENTEDFEBI 9 I974 FIG. 2

FIG. 3

FIG.I

m L L A R 6 c M m INVENTOR.

6 T am er FLAG POLE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A view of a brilliant, multicolored flag snapping in a brisk, clear breeze and held against the sky by a shaft of fresh white paint generally brings about an intensely pleasing impression on the mind of an observer. Whether it is the symbolism, the tradition, or the crisp contrast of pure color, the effect is universal and recognized by the almost total acceptance of a flag pole as an essential element in the architectural scheme. However, it does not take much weathering of rope and discoloration and chipping of the paint to destroy this pleasing impression and replace it with an image of apathy and neglect. The nature of the flag pole structure renders it both constantly exposed to the destructive elements of nature, and extremely difficult and expensive to maintain. Numerous attempts to hinge the pole and thus render it accessible for the ground have been tried, but the systems have always required the use of a great deal of peripheral equipment to carry out the tilting operation safely. This was particularly true in view of the large mass of the traditional pole materials, such as wood and cast iron. The widespread use of aluminum poles made the idea of mass counterweighting possible. The weights added greatly to the expense and necessary strength requirements of the pole, while their bulkiness detracted from the poles appearance. Furthermore, the inertial characteristics of weights caused some rather taxing dynamic situations during the tilting operation. These and other difficulties experienced with the prior art devices have been obviated in a novel manner by the present invention.

It is, therefore, an outstanding object of the invention to provide a flag pole whose entire length can be easily made accessible from the ground.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a flag pole with a tilting mechanism that will function in a safe and trouble-free manner.

A further object of the present invention is the provision ofa flag pole with a tilting mechanism whose operation does not involve serious inertial situations.

It is another object of the instant invention to provide a flag pole that does not require the use of a traditional rope for raising and lowering the flag.

With these and other objects in view, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the invention resides in the combination of parts set forth in the specification and covered by the claims appended hereto.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general, this invention relates to a flag pole having a base, having a vertical shaft which is attached to the base by a hinge allowing the shaft to be tilted to the ground, and having springs which bias the shaft into its vertical position. Fasteners are provided to hold the flat at the top of the pole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The character of the invention, however, may be best understood by reference to one of its structural forms, as illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a flag pole embodying the principles of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a section taken along line II-II of FIG. 3,

FIG. 3 is a detailed elevational view of the hinge and counterweighting mechanism,

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of a flag swivel, and

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a section taken along line V-V of FIG. 4.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring first to FIG. 1, wherein are best shown the general features of the invention, the flag pole, indicated generally by the numeral llll, is shown as having a base l l, a shaft 12, and a hinge [3 extending between the shaft and the base. Springs 14 are provided for biasing the shaft to a vertical position. Flag swivels 15 are located at the top of the pole for attaching the flag to the shaft. FIG. 1 shows the flag pole in its operative vertical position (solid lines) and in its inoperative horizontal position (broken lines).

FIG. 3 shows further details of the invention. The hinge system includes hinge sections 16 and 17, a hinge bolt 18 and an adjusting bolt 19 which can be set to control the amount of tilting. The spring system consists of two coil springs l4 and two spring brackets 20 and 21 attached to the shaft and base, respectively. The fastening means which secures the shaft in a vertical position consists of a fastening bolt 22 which passes through the shaft and is threaded into a base bore 23, a fastening ring 24, and a padlock 25.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the swivel systems 15, each of which includes a retaining ring 26 fastened to the shaft with set screws and a nylon bushing 27 mounted on the shaft 12. A snap ring 28 is rotatably mounted in a groove in the bushing and is provided with a snap 29.

The use and operation of the invention will now be readily understood in view of the above description. To tilt the flag pole from a vertical to a horizontal position, lock 25 is first released and the fastening bolt 25 is rotated until it is free of the bore 23. A small amount of force will start the pole tilting and it will continue slowly until the adjusting screw 19 contacts the base. The pole will remain in this position while the pole is being worked on or the flag is being attached to the swivels. The return to its vertical position is accomplished by application of upward thrust. It can then be locked in place in this position by use of the fastening bolt 22.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of the invention without departing from the material spirit thereof. It is not, however, desired to confine the invention to the exact form herein shown and described, but it is desired to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

The invention having been thus described, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A flag pole, comprising a. a base adapted to be secured in the ground, the

base including a vertical tubular portion,

b. a shaft hingedly attached to the tubular portion of the base for movement about a horizontal axis located laterally of the axis of the tubular portion,

c. a pair of counterweighting springs connecting the base to the lower extremity of the shaft one located on each side of the tubular portion, each extending at a substantial angle to the axis of the tubular portion and from one side to the other thereof,

(1. means for attaching a flag to the seaft, and shaft,

length of the shaft.

4. A flag pole as recited in claim 1, wherein securing means is provided to lock the flag pole against tilting.

5. A flag pole as recited in claim 2, wherein two spring brackets are provided for holding the counterweight springs, said spring brackets being mounted tangentially to diametrically opposed points on the flag pole structure at a section where the base and the shaft lie adjacent and parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane in which the pole tilts.

Claims (5)

1. A flag pole, comprising a. a base adapted to be secured in the ground, the base including a vertical tubular portion, b. a shaft hingedly attached to the tubular portion of the base for movement about a horizontal axis located laterally of the axis of the tubular portion, c. a pair of counterweighting springs connecting the base to the lower extremity of the shaft one located on each side of the tubular portion, each extending at a substantial angle to the axis of the tubular portion and from one side to the other thereof, d. means for attaching a flag to the shaft, and e. an adjustable stop mounted on the shaft at the same side as the said horizontal axis and arranged to contact the tubular portion of the base on occasion to regulate the degree of movement of the shaft relative to the base.

2. A flag pole as recited in claim 1, wherein the means for attaching a flag includes two swivels attached to the shaft, extending radially therefrom, and rotatable about the axis thereof.

3. A flag pole as recited in claim 1, wherein the means is adjustable to various positions along the length of the shaft.

4. A flag pole as recited in claim 1, wherein securing means is provided to lock the flag pole against tilting.

5. A flag pole as recited in claim 2, wherein two spring brackets are provided for holding the counterweight springs, said spring brackets being mounted tangentially to diametrically opposed points on the flag pole structure at a section where the base and the shaft lie adjacent and parallel to each other and perpendicular to the plane in which the pole tilts.

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