Device for deploying and storing a flag

• US 8,291,852 B1
• Filed: 03/31/2010
• Issued: 10/23/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Anthony Rocco Paniccia, Christopher J. Cameron
• Original Assignee: Anthony Rocco Paniccia, Christopher J. Cameron
• Inventors: Cameron, Christopher J., Paniccia, Anthony Rocco
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, R. A.
• Application Number:
  US12/798,212
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 116173-175, 337/22, 337/25, 337/29, 337/30, D10/109.1, D10/109.2, D10/111, D10/114.9, D11/165, D11/166, D11/181
• US Class Current: 116/173
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 17/00 Flags; Banners; Mountings therefor

Abstract

A device for selectively stowing a flag in a coiled condition and displaying the flag in an unfurled condition. The flag may be affixed to a pole. The device comprises a hollow cylindrical member which encloses the flag and pole. The pole may be captively retained to the hollow cylinder. An illuminable light source may be formed as part of the device. The device may visually simulate sports equipment such as a baseball bat, hockey stick, golf club, and others. The device may have a symbolic object such as a ball, hockey puck, or object symbolic of automobile racing such as an engine fluid dipstick removably affixed thereto. The device may be a toy or souvenir in some embodiments.

Claims

1. A device for deploying and storing a flag, comprising:

an elongate pole comprising a first end and a second end;

a flag attached to the elongate pole;

a hollow generally cylindrical member comprising a second end and a first end wherein the first end is configured to receive the second end of the elongate pole and the flag, and wherein the elongate pole comprises an enlarged head having a ball bearing apparatus disposed therein to engage an interior surface of the generally cylindrical member;

a symbolic object which is visually representative of a sport, and which is removably affixed to the first end of the elongate pole; and

a lamp assembly, the lamp assembly comprising a light source, a battery, and a switch disposed to illuminate and extinguish the light source, wherein the lamp assembly is situated within an interior section of the generally cylindrical member and wherein the lamp assembly is attached to the enlarged head.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the hollow generally cylindrical member comprises an exterior surface comprising external visual characteristics of an article of sports equipment.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein external visual characteristics are selected from the group consisting of:

a baseball bat, a hockey stick, a golf club, and an engine fluid dipstick.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the symbolic object is selected from the group consisting of a baseball, a football, a golf ball, a soccer ball, and a puck.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the symbolic object is removably attached to the elongate pole by fastening means.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein the fastening means are selected from the group:

threads, frictional engagement, and glue.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein grip is disposed on the generally cylindrical member.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein the elongate pole and the generally cylindrical member are made from durable plastic.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the flag is comprised of a substantially absorbent cloth material.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the substantially absorbent cloth material is comprised of terry cloth.

12. The device of claim 1 comprising one or more indicia depicting enthusiasm for at least one of a particular team, activity, sporting event, person, company, product, and/or service.

13. The device of claim 12 wherein said one or more indicia is at least one of a graphic, photo, wording, design, color scheme, and logo.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising closing means.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein said closing means are selected from the group:

hook and loop, string, rubber bands, elastic bands, snaps, and hook and eye mechanisms.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the generally cylindrical member comprises an opening configured in such a way that a user may access the switch therethrough.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the generally cylindrical member and the opening are further configured in such a way as to form a shoulder to prevent the elongate pole and the enlarged head from falling out of the opening.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the generally cylindrical member comprises a substantially clear material such that a light emitted by the light source is visible therethrough.

19. A device for deploying and storing a flag, comprising:

an elongate pole comprising a first end and a second end;

a flag attached to the elongate pole;

a hollow generally cylindrical member comprising a second end and a first end wherein the first end is configured to receive the second end of the elongate pole and the flag, and wherein the elongate pole comprises an enlarged head having a ball bearing apparatus disposed therein to engage an interior surface of the generally cylindrical member;

a symbolic object which is visually representative of a sport, and which is removably affixed to the first end of the elongate pole;

a secondary wall disposed around the generally cylindrical member; and

a lamp assembly, the lamp assembly comprising a light source, a battery, and a switch disposed to illuminate and extinguish the light source, wherein the lamp assembly is disposed within an interior section of the generally cylindrical member, and wherein the lamp assembly is attached to the enlarged head.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein the secondary wall comprises an exterior surface comprising external visual characteristics of an article of sports equipment.

21. The device of claim 20, wherein the external visual characteristics are selected from the group consisting of:

a baseball bat, a hockey stick, a golf club, and an engine fluid dipstick.

22. The device of claim 19, wherein the light source comprises a light emitting diode.

23. The device of claim 19, wherein the symbolic object is selected from the group consisting of a baseball, a football, a golf ball, a soccer ball, and a puck.

24. The device of claim 19, wherein the symbolic object is removably attached to the elongate pole by fastening means.

25. The device of claim 24 wherein the fastening means are selected from the group:

threads, frictional engagement, and glue.

26. The device of claim 19, wherein the apparatus further comprises a grip disposed on the a secondary wall.

27. The device of claim 19 wherein the elongate pole and the generally cylindrical member are made from durable plastic.

28. The device of claim 19, wherein the flag is comprised of a substantially absorbent cloth material.

29. The device of claim 28, wherein the substantially absorbent cloth material is comprised of terry cloth.

30. The device of claim 19 comprising one or more indicia depicting enthusiasm for at least one of a particular team, activity, sporting event, person, company, product, and/or service.

31. The device of claim 30 wherein said one or more indicia is at least one of a graphic, photo, wording, design, color scheme, and logo.

32. The device of claim 19, further comprising closing means.

33. The device of claim 32 wherein said closing means are selected from the group:

hook and loop, string, and rubber bands.

34. The device of claim 19, wherein the generally cylindrical member comprises an opening configured in such a way that a user may access the switch therethrough.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the generally cylindrical member and the opening are further configured in such a way as to form a shoulder to prevent the elongate pole and the enlarged head from falling out of the opening.

36. The device of claim 19, wherein the generally cylindrical member and secondary wall each comprises a substantially clear material such that a light emitted by the light source is visible therethrough.