WO2020035629A1

WO2020035629A1 - Flagpole

Info

Publication number: WO2020035629A1
Application number: PCT/ES2019/070564
Authority: WO
Inventors: Eugenio EUGENIO VALDES DOMINGUEZ
Original assignee: Mundo Vexil S.L.
Priority date: 2018-08-17
Filing date: 2019-08-12
Publication date: 2020-02-20
Also published as: ES1218259U; ES1218259Y

Abstract

The present invention relates to a pole that allows normally commercially available flags to be used conveniently and easily without needing to modify them, and offering an optimal aesthetic appearance. The pole is basically formed by a hollow elongate body comprising a longitudinal groove (1) with an outlet at one of the two ends thereof, the pole comprising a first gripping element (4) that secures the upper part of the heading (2) of a flag (3) and which has a stop (6) that closes the top of the pole, and a second gripping element (4') that can secure either end of the heading (2) of the flag (3) and cause the heading (2) to run along the inside of the pole to tauten same.

Description

FLAG HOLDER

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention refers, as its own name indicates, to a flagpole of the type of those that are portable, that is, not of those intended to be fixed on, for example, a wall, floor or facade, but of the intended to be used by a user in a mobile way, such as in a recreational or sporting event, a demonstration, etc.

Specifically, the flagpole of the present invention makes it possible to conveniently and easily use the normally marketed flags, without the need to make any modifications to them and offering an optimal aesthetic appearance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently most of the flags of recreational use that are marketed are made in China. These flags adopt the North American standard, which is based on a hook system that consists of arranging on the edge of the flag or sheath rings or washers, to which the rope or halyard used to hoist it is attached, either by tying it or by a clip system.

This mode of attachment is, for example, the one used for flags set on a mast and placed on floors, facades or walls, such as those used in private homes or at the entrance of public bodies and commemorative plazas, mainly intended for the performance of acts protocol or officers.

For this reason, when a user acquires a flag to use it for a recreational, recreational, commemorative or claiming purpose or, in other words, to carry it himself in any type of event, he finds that those existing in the market present the holes or rings mentioned above, so when fixed to the pole they are not well assured or, at least, the aesthetic result leaves much to be desired, since they tend to leave a little aesthetic gap precisely between the sheath and the shaft.

In other cases, even, the user has to devise ad hoc solutions to be able to attach the flag to the available pole or substitute element or even adapt objects of morphology similar to a flagpole, improvising “homemade” solutions of low functionality and durability, at the same time That aesthetically uninteresting.

To solve this problem, we often resort to modifying the flags by arranging their sheath so that it constitutes a tubular housing through which to introduce the pole and thus achieve the union between both parties. This, on the one hand, suffers from the significant disadvantage that the flag can be used only with antlers of a diameter such that it can be introduced through its sheath in a tight way, because it is enough that the diameter of that one is slightly smaller than that of the sheath so that once the flag is introduced it slides down the shaft, making its use impossible. On the other hand, by modifying the flags in this way, it is impossible for them to be attached to other types of antlers or supports for lifting and lowering them.

On the other hand, there is also a problem associated with this type of portable flags and banners, which often means that users have the need to have a flagpole of greater length, either because they simply wish to wave it at a greater height or length, or because they have larger flags, that is, longer sheath lengths, so they also need a longer pole length, which, on the other hand, is usually standard and therefore the user can only choose between A few fixed measures.

To solve this second problem, telescopic solutions similar to the well-known “selfie stick” have recently appeared on the market, but these do not manage to increase the length much because usually their extension usually reaches, at most, at 1, 5m. However, these systems also suffer from disadvantages. In the first place, their main problem is, as in the case of simple pods, which do not avoid the problem of a gap between said sheath and the shaft, so that aesthetically they leave much to be desired. Another important drawback is its high price, as they consist of more or less complex mechanisms that make the whole more expensive.

Therefore, until recently there was a need in the market to have a flagpole on which flags of Chinese or other origin can be used, that is, a versatile and easy-to-use flagpole that could be used anywhere of the world without having to modify the original factory configuration of said flag and so that the result was aesthetically optimal.

To alleviate this need, the system described in U201730957, of this same applicant, appeared, which consists of a flagpole pole formed by an elongated hollow body with two longitudinal grooves facing so that through the first emerges the flag fabric and, for the second, guide elements run which in turn comprise means for gripping and tightening the flag sheath. In this way, when a user wants to mount a flag, he introduces his sheath through the first slot until it is attached to the gripping means of the guiding elements and, once the flag is placed inside the flagpole, the user proceeds to fix the relative position between both, flag and flagpole, with the help of the means of tightening, which fix the position of the guiding elements on said flagpole.

This invention, although it solves all the problems of the prior art and constitutes a versatile and easy-to-use system, is still improvable because the gripping and clamping means need small elements that hinder their manufacture and, therefore, therefore, they increase the final price of the set. In addition, the fact of having two longitudinal grooves facing weakens the flagpole itself too much, damaging its structural stability. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The flagpole of the present invention solves the problems of the state of the art because it presents an easy-to-use, versatile and low-cost solution because it has a very small number of simple elements and whose structure is also sufficiently resistant.

Specifically, the flagpole of the present invention is formed by an elongated hollow body comprising:

- a single longitudinal groove into which the flag sheath is inserted; Y

- two gripping elements of said sheath that can be housed, at least partially, inside the pole.

In such a way that, once the sheath is fixed to said gripping elements and they are inserted into the sheath, at least one of the two gripping elements is capable of changing its position with respect to the other gripping element in order to tension the cited pod.

More specifically, the grip elements are constituted by:

A first gripping element responsible both for closing the flagpole superiorly and for holding the flag sheath by its upper part; Y

- A second gripping element responsible for holding the flag sheath at any point along the length of said flagpole and making it run inside to tense it.

More specifically, the first gripping element is constituted by a cylindrical body that in its lower part has a diameter equal to or slightly less than the inside diameter of the shaft, while in its upper part it has a diameter greater than the inner diameter of the shaft in order to prevent said first gripping element from being completely inserted into the pole and thus being fixed superiorly.

On the other hand, this first gripping element comprises a fixing system that allows one end of the flag sleeve to be engaged. Thus, fixed the flag sheath to the first gripping element and the latter fixed to the flagpole, a first fixed point of attachment of the flag to the flagpole of the invention is obtained, which further corks the aforementioned flagpole.

On the other hand, the second gripping element, although it also comprises a fastening system similar to that of the first gripping element, allows in this case to engage any of the ends of the flag sheath at any interior point of the said flagpole, it is that is, it is not limited to holding the sheath upper or lower. This is very useful in cases where, for example, you want to put a flag at half-mast, which obviously cannot be achieved with the first gripping element, which only allows fixing at one end of said flagpole. It is also very useful for the case in which on a flagpole of a certain length a user wants to place several small flags, having to resort to using several of these second gripping elements to engage the said flags, at least one of them, in a intermediate point of the pole.

Thus, in the case of the second gripping element, it is composed of a cylindrical body of a diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the sheath so that it can be completely inserted inside. However, from said second gripping element a handle of width emerges radially such that it is capable of protruding through the longitudinal groove of the pole, and which allows the user, with its help, to slide it down, that is, by pulling from said handle the user can run the second gripping element inside the shaft.

In this way, when a user wants to mount a flag on the flagpole of the invention, he will first proceed to hook the upper end of the flag sheath to the fastening system of the first gripping element. Subsequently, it will hook the lower end of the flag sheath to the fastening system of the second gripping element. Once this is done, it will introduce the second gripping element through the interior of the shaft, matching the handle of said second gripping element with the longitudinal groove of the pole so that it is outside and said element can run inside the shaft and, therefore, also the flag sheath, which will be introduced inside as the user pulls down the handle of the second gripping element. Thus, when the entire flag sheath has been introduced inside, only the part of the first gripping element whose outer diameter is smaller than the inner diameter of the sheath will remain inside the sheath. Once introduced, the part of the first gripping element whose outer diameter is larger than the inside diameter of the pole will stop to prevent said first gripping element from entering, at which point the entire flag sheath will have been introduced inside of the flagpole and the flag will be perfectly mounted. However, the user can always tighten said flag without pushing the handle of the second grip down.

In the same way, when the user wishes to extract the flag, either for its replacement with another, to save it or for any other reason, it will be enough to remove the first grip element from the sheath and move the second grip element towards the end with handle support

In addition, as already mentioned, the user may want to fix the flag without having it fixed on the upper end of the flagpole, so in that case he will resort to the second gripping element to fix the two ends of the flag following identical mechanics, that is, it will proceed to hook both the upper and lower ends of the flag sheath to two second gripping elements, and then introduce both through the longitudinal groove, where they will be fixed at the desired height by properly tensioning it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To complement the description that is being made and in order to help a better understanding of the characteristics of the invention, according to a preferred example of practical implementation thereof, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description. In an illustrative and non-limiting manner, the following has been represented:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of the flagpole of the invention on which a flag has been mounted and a cross-sectional view of a possible embodiment of said flagpole. Figure 2.- Shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of the first gripping element as well as a cross-sectional view of said first element when it is mounted on the pole.

Figure 3.- Shows paths in elevation of a second embodiment of the first gripping element.

Figure 4.- Shows three views in elevation and one in perspective of the second gripping element.

Figure 5.- It shows a possible embodiment of the second gripping element where the handle (13) is constituted by a handle that acts as a clamp to be able to hold a banner.

Figure 6.- Shows two views of the intermediate gripping element, as well as a cross section thereof.

PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

In view of the figures outlined, a preferred embodiment of the invention can be observed.

- a single longitudinal groove (1) into which the flag sheath is inserted; Y

- two gripping elements (4.4 ’) of said sheath that can be housed, at least partially, inside the pole.

In such a way that, once the sheath is fixed to said gripping elements (4,4 ') and introduced into the sheath, at least one of the two gripping elements has means to change its position with respect to the other element of grip in order to tighten said sheath.

As can be seen in figure 1, said longitudinal groove (1) will have exit at least by one of its two ends so that the sheath (2) can be introduced / removed in / from its interior, although in the example of embodiment shown in the figures the longitudinal groove (1) has an exit from both ends.

The flagpole of the invention is formed by a tubular body of resistant material, for example metallic, plastic, wood, etc. Said body will preferably be of circular section and according to a preferred embodiment it will have an outer diameter of 25mm and an inner diameter of 22mm, and where the longitudinal groove (1) has a width of 4mm.

More specifically and according to the embodiment shown in Figures 2 to 5, the gripping elements comprise:

- A first gripping element (4) responsible both for closing the flagpole superiorly and for holding the sheath (2) of the flag (3) by its upper part and which is made of an elastic or substantially elastic material.

According to the embodiment shown in the figures, the first gripping element (4) has several frustoconical portions (5) each of which has a maximum diameter of 22 mm which allows it to fit tightly within the shaft, which as already mentioned it has an inner diameter also of 22 mm. Said truncated conical portions (5) are topped off by a stop (6) of diameter greater than the inside diameter of the shaft to prevent said first gripping element (4) from being completely inserted into the shaft.

Although the first grip element (4) has a maximum diameter of 22 mm and that the inside diameter of the shaft is also 22 mm, the engagement is possible since said first grip element has an internal recess ( 7) of width at least equal to that of the longitudinal groove (1) and extending diametrically along the entire height of the said frustoconical portions (5). Thus, thanks to said internal emptying (7), the first grip element (4) is divided into two halves, which, thanks to its elastic nature, allow one to be close to the other by being forced, decreasing momentarily the maximum diameter of the frustoconical portions (5) and thus the said first gripping element (4) can fit into the pole.

However, in order that the first gripping element (4) can, on the one hand, fit into the pole and, on the other, prevent it from being removed without user intervention to prevent the flag from being disassembled, the assembly formed between said first grip element (4) and horn is such that between them they have a tight tolerance designed for this purpose, to which the special configuration in frustoconical portions of said first grip element contributes.

On the other hand, the first gripping element (4) comprises a fastening system that allows one end of the sheath (2) of the flag (3) to be attached, specifically, the ring (9) presented by the vast majority of the flags of the state of the art.

More specifically, the fixing system is located inside the internal recess (7) of the first gripping element (4), said fixing system being formed by, for example, a tongue and groove system or another that allows the said ring (9) to be engaged. ) of the pod (2) of the flag (3).

As can be seen in the example shown in the figures, the tongue and groove system that makes up the fixing system is composed of a pin (10) located on one of the faces of the internal emptying (7) of the first gripping element (4), which cooperates with a complementary hole (1 1) located at the same height on the other wall of the interior drain (7).

Said hole (1 1) may be through to the outside of the first gripping element (4) as shown in the figures or not be through, but in any case it must be deep enough to accommodate the pin (10).

Thus, when the user wants to hook the ring (9) of the sheath (2) of a flag (3), it will be enough to separate the two halves of the first gripping element (4) and hook said ring (9) on the stud (10) Then, as explained, when entering the first grip element (4) inside the shaft, its two halves will approach each other, allowing the pin (10) to fit into the corresponding hole (1 1), thus trapping said ring (9) without the possibility of escape until the first gripping element (4) is not removed from the flagpole again, thus ensuring the fixing of the flag.

On the other hand, according to another possible embodiment shown in Figure 3, the first gripping element (4) is capable of presenting, following the stop (6), a second stop (6 ^' ) separated from the first by a channel (6 ”) That has a sufficient width so that the user can insert the fingers and pull the element when what is desired is to disassemble the flagpole.

Still another possibility is that, thanks to the mentioned channel (6 "), the user can arrange the flag hung" vertically "by the two ends of the pole. To do this, it will be sufficient to fix the sheath (2) of the flag through two first gripping elements (4), one at each end of the flagpole, said first gripping elements (4) being the type of those presenting the second stop (6 ') and that in each of the two channels (6 ”) the end of a string or cord is tied, which will allow the pole to be held horizontally and the flag hanging vertically down.

- A second gripping element (4 ') responsible for holding any of the ends of the sheath (2) of the flag (3) and for running said sheath (2) through the inside of the pole to tension it and which is made , at least partially, in an elastic or substantially elastic material.

According to a possible embodiment shown in the figures, the second gripping element (4 ') also has several frustoconical portions (5'), each of which has a maximum diameter of 22 mm which allows it to fit tightly into the horn, which as already mentioned has an inside diameter of 22 mm. Said truncated conical portions (5 ') are topped off by a cylindrical portion (12) of diameter equal to or less than the inside diameter of the shaft, a portion from which a handle (13) of width emerges radially such that it is capable of protruding from the longitudinal groove (1) of the shaft, and that allows the user, with its help, to slide it down, that is, by pulling said handle (13) the user can make the second gripping element run inside the shaft, at which time the Longitudinal groove (1) and the handle (13) constitute a guiding system that allows the second gripping element (4) not to rotate inside the flagpole by twisting the flag fabric (3) and the final result is aesthetically optimal .

This handle (13), as shown in the figures, can be in the form of a simple ring intended for the user to insert one of his fingers to pull it, where said ring is of constant thickness, for example 3 mm, which allows it to protrude through the longitudinal groove (1) loosely.

On the other hand, as shown in the embodiment of Figure 5, the handle (13) may also be constituted by another element, such as a handle, which then emerges from a portion of thickness smaller than that of the groove. longitudinal (1), handle that allows to have a better grip on the user, that is, better ergonomics.

According to another possible embodiment, the handle (13), either in the form of a handle or any other for the purpose, can act as a clamp, by the action of a spring or any other conventional system, in such a way that in its resting position It is stuck firmly against the pole, thus allowing to catch a laminar element such as a banner.

That is, according to this last embodiment, the second gripping element (4 ') allows, in addition to the described functionality of holding the lower part of the sheath (2) of the flag (3), the additional functionality of holding a banner, poster, etc., with which the flagpole of the invention still becomes a more versatile and complete element with respect to what until now exists in the market.

On the other hand, as in the case of the first gripping element (4), the second gripping element (4 ') is able to move tightly inside the horn thanks to the fact that it has an internal emptying (7' ) of width at least equal to that of the longitudinal groove (1) and extending diametrically along the entire height of the mentioned frustoconical portions (5 '). Thus, thanks to said internal emptying (7 '), the second grip element (4') is divided into two halves, which, thanks to its elastic nature, allow one to be close to the other by momentarily decreasing the maximum diameter of the frustoconical portions (5 ') and thus the said second gripping element (4') can be adjusted in an adjusted way through the interior of the shaft.

Also as in the case of the first gripping element (4), the assembly formed between the second gripping element (4) and the shaft is designed with a tolerance such that it allows the user to force the movement of the first into the second , but that such displacement cannot take place accidentally.

In the same way, the second gripping element (4 ') comprises a fixing system that allows the lower end of the sheath (2) of the flag (3) to be hooked, specifically, the ring (9') which as has been said they present the vast majority of state of the art banners.

More specifically, as can be seen in the figures, the fixing system is located inside the internal recess (7 ') of the second gripping element (4'), said fixing system being formed by, for example, a tongue and groove system that allow the aforementioned ring (9 ') of the sheath (2) of the flag (3) to be engaged.

As can be seen in these figures, the tongue and groove system that makes up the fixing system is composed of a pin (10 ') located on one of the faces of the internal emptying (7') of the second gripping element (4 '), the which cooperates with a complementary hole (1 1 ') located at the same height on the other wall of the interior drain (7').

Said hole (1 1 ') may be through to the outside of the second gripping element (4') as shown in the figures, or not be through, but in any case it must be deep enough to accommodate the pin (10 ').

Thus, when the user wants to hook the ring (9 ') of the sheath (2) of a flag (3), it will be enough to separate the two halves of the second gripping element (4 ') and hook said ring (9') on the pin (10 ') · Then, as explained for the case of the first gripping element (4) , by inserting the second gripping element (4 ') into the shaft so that the handle (14) emerges through the longitudinal groove (1), its two halves will approach each other, allowing the stud (10 ') fits into the corresponding hole (1 1'), thus trapping said ring (9 ') without the possibility of it escaping until the second gripping element (4') is not removed from the shaft again, thus ensuring fixing the flag that will allow the user to pull it down until it is fully deployed.

Finally, for those cases where a flagpole of greater length is needed, this will be achieved by joining two flagpole antlers of the invention, or even three or more if necessary.

For this purpose, the pole of the invention will comprise an intermediate grip element (14) as shown in Figure 6, which also has two sections of frustoconical portions (15) each of which has an equal diameter or slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the shaft in order for both sections to fit, one at the lower end of a pole and the other at the upper end of another, thereby extending its length.

Said intermediate gripping element (14), as can be seen in said figures, has in its midpoint a ring (16) of greater diameter that separates the two sections of frustoconical portions (15), acting as a stop and thus allowing that this be introduced equally in the two antlers to which it joins.

Finally, as can also be seen in the sectional view of Figure 6, in order to allow continuity of the longitudinal groove (1), the intermediate gripping element (14) comprises a radial recess of similar width to that of said groove, such that it can accommodate the sheath (2) of a flag (3) in the event that two antlers have been joined and the first grip element (4) is placed on the upper pole and on the lower flagpole the second gripping element (4 ') is placed.

Claims

1 .- Asta flag carrier formed by an elongated hollow body characterized by comprising:

- a single longitudinal groove (1) with exit at least one of its two ends; Y

- at least two grip elements (4.4 ’) of an elastic nature to grip the sheath (2) of the flag (3) and which are capable of being housed, at least partially, inside the flagpole;

where at least one of the two gripping elements (4.4 ’) has means to change its position with respect to the other in order to tension the said sheath (2) when it is inside the shaft.

2. Asta flag carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the gripping elements (4.4 ’) comprise:

- a first gripping element (4) that holds the sheath (2) of the flag (3) at its top and that has a stop (6) that closes the flagpole superiorly; I

- a second gripping element (4 ’) capable of holding any of the ends of the sheath (2) of the flag (3) and of running said sheath (2) through the interior of the flagpole to tighten it.

3.- Asta flag carrier according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the part of the gripping elements (4,4 ') that is introduced inside the flagpole has an internal diametral emptying (7) that divides it into two halves susceptible to approach each other when forced.

4. Asta flag carrier according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping elements (4.4 ') are formed by frustoconical portions (5) each of which has a maximum diameter that allows it to fit so adjusted inside the flagpole.

5. Asta flag carrier according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the gripping elements (4,4 ') comprise a fastening system for hooking the ends of the sheath (2) of the flag (3) that is inside the internal recess (7.7 ') and is formed by a tongue and groove system that allows the sheath (2) of the flag (3) to be engaged.

6. Asta flag carrier according to claim 5, characterized in that the tongue and groove system is made up of a pin (10, 10 ') located on one of the faces of the internal emptying (7.7') of the gripping element (4, 4 '), which cooperates with a complementary hole (1 1, 1 1') located at the same height on the other wall of the interior drain (7.7 ').

7. Asta flag carrier according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second gripping element (4 ') comprises a cylindrical portion (12) from which a handle (13) radially smaller than the longitudinal groove emerges radially ( 1) from the pole.

8. Asta flag carrier according to claim 7, characterized in that the handle (13) is shaped like a ring that allows the user to insert one of his fingers to pull it.

9. Asta flag carrier according to claim 7, characterized in that the handle (13) has the shape of an ergonomic handle, which then emerges from a portion of thickness smaller than that of the longitudinal groove (1).

10. Asta flag carrier according to any of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the handle (13) functions as a clamp that in its resting position is firmly stuck against the pole thus allowing to catch a laminar element.

1. Asta flag carrier according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises an intermediate grip element (14) formed by two sections of frustoconical portions (15) separated at its midpoint by a ring (16), wherein each one of said portions has a maximum diameter equal to or slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the shaft.

12. Asta flag carrier according to claim 1, characterized in that the element of intermediate grip (14) comprises a radial recess of similar width to that of the longitudinal groove (1).

13. Asta flag carrier according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first gripping element (4) has, after the stop (6), a second stop (6 ^' ) separated from the first by a channel (6 ” ).