AU781569B2

AU781569B2 - Universal flag clamp

Info

Publication number: AU781569B2
Application number: AU90435/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Graham Robinson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-10-30
Filing date: 1998-10-30
Publication date: 2005-06-02
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-30
Also published as: AU9043598A

Description

AUSTRALIA-

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Applicant: GRAHAM ROBINSON Invention Title: Flag clamp and pole arrangement *0 4 A 0 0 *ae 0 00.6 ~0~4 0 00 ~0 0000 *0 S *0 S S

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60000 0 0 5 0 0 5 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to

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EDITORIAL NOTE APPLICATION NUMBER 9N3,5196 The description of this specification does not contain a page 1 2 FLAG CLAMP AND POLE ARRANGEMENT Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to a flag clamp and flag pole arrangement that enables the flag pole to be mounted to a typically larger post (e.g a light pole). The invention will be primarily described with reference to its use on structures such as light poles, posts, etc but it should be remembered that the invention can have broader applications.

Background Art: The attaching of a flag to a post can be a cumbersome activity, often requiring a number of roping and pulley 0 arrangements, or various other attachments and 000 .•manipulations.

00*0 15 AU78259/87 discloses a tube clamping means which includes two elements joined together by a pivotal connection. A first element includes a socket with a bolt extending through the socket that affects a clamping action 0 "between the two elements. The bolt also provides for 000 S 20 securing engagement of a tube when positioned within the se,• socket. The tube clamping means is primarily used in relation to playground equipment construction, and it should be noted that the tube must be inserted into the I' *socket prior to the clamping means being clamped around a 000s post (ie. the tube cannot be separately fitted to the clamp).

It would be advantageous if at least preferred embodiments of the present invention provided easier to use alternatives to the prior art.

Summary of the Invention: The present invention provides a flag clamp and flag pole arrangement for positioning on a post, the clamp including a first portion having a passage therethrough in which the post can be received, and a second portion extending from the first portion and adapted for mountingly receiving the flag pole thereat, wherein the flag pole has 30561 3 an element projecting therefrom which is adapted for interacting with the clamp, when the pole is mounted at the second portion, so as to restrict rotation of the pole with respect to the clamp.

With such an arrangement the clamp itself can be fitted to a post, and the flag pole can then be subsequently attached to the clamp. When the terminology "post" is used herein it is intended to include all types of posts, poles (including light poles), uprights, struts, projecting members etc. Similarly the term "flag pole" is not simply limited to such poles, and includes other poles, members etc.

Preferably the element is a flange that abuts the first portion in use to prevent rotation of the flag pole.

0000 15 In this regard, preferably the flange is an annular ring 'ointegral with (eg. formed with the pole; or attached thereto such as by welding, adhesion etc) and surrounding the flag pole, the ring having a bevelled face which abuts the first portion in use. Preferably the bevelled face is o 20 a flat face formed on the ring, and which engages a corresponding flat face on the first portion.

By employing an annular ring, a flag attached to the flag pole can be prevented from sliding against the clamp (and eg can thus be prevented from being torn or damaged at the clamp, or tangled therewith).

SS Preferably the first portion includes first and second sections that are hinged together at respective ends for opening onto and clamping around the post, and fastening means operable between respective ends of the first and second sections to facilitate fastening and removal of the first portion to/from the post when the clamp is located thereat. Such an arrangement enables the clamp to be rapidly attached to the post without the need for complex pulley and roping arrangements etc.

Preferably the fastening means is adjustable so that the clamp can be secured to posts of varying cross- 30561 4 sectional sizes and shapes. Thus, the clamp can be used with a variety of different post types, buy typically is used on posts that are circular in cross-section and that taper along the post length.

Preferably the second portion is a bush that laterally extends from a side of the first portion, the bush having a bore formed therethrough, and through which the flag pole can be inserted.

Preferably the clamp additionally includes a retention means for securing a free end of the flag pole when located at the clamp. Typically the retention means is a chain •a h app to thLie clamp and having a pin located .at the other end that can be positioned in a hole formed in the flag pole. The retention means assists in fastening 15 the pole in the second portion, but can also assist in 000@ so: restricting the rotation of the pole with respect to the 0 clamp (eg. when sized to be taut when fitted to the pole).

Preferably the pin is a split-type pin, or a spring 5loaded pin located within a circular ring (circlip), the S 20 circular ring being locatable around the free end of the flag pole when fitted.

see* "see Preferably the fastening means includes a threaded e bolt retained in one of the clamp sections, and a nut positionable on the bolt for movement therealong, the nut having an extension that extends therefrom for engaging the *'"other section, and such that movement of the nut along the bolt adjusts the fastening means.

In this regard, it is preferred that the extension is a loop portion that can be looped over and locked onto a lug protruding from the other section.

Preferably when the loop is looped over the lug, the nut is positioned along the bolt towards that end opposite to the bolt head, and after looping the loop over the lug, the bolt is turned to cause the nut to move towards the bolt head.

30561 5 Preferably the bolt head is adapted for being rotated by hand.

Preferably the interior of each clamp section is semicircular in profile such that the sections define a circular throughbore when brought together. Such an arrangement is typically used for circular poles.

Typically the inside of each section is lined with a resilient and deformable polymeric material.

Typically the clamp is formed from aluminium and/or stainless steel.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a flag clamp for positioning a flag pole on a post, the clamp including a first portion having a passage therethrough in which the post can be received, and a second portion 00o0 15 extending from the first portion and having a passage 0000 :otherethrough, and through which the flag pole can be extended such that a free end of the pole protrudes out from the passage, wherein the clamp includes a retention means for engaging the free end when so protruding to 20 retain the pole in the clamp.

Preferably the retention means is as defined above for the first aspect of the invention.

•Typically the element in accordance with the first 000. aspect and the retention means in accordance with the 25 second aspect combine to securely retain the flag pole in the clamp.

Brief Description of the Drawings: Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a plan view of a preferred clamp, when in the closed position, in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 shows an underside plan view of the clamp of Figure 1, when in the open position (Figure 2 also showing 30561 6 a retention chain in accordance with the present invention); Figure 3 shows a side schematic view of the clamp in position on a post; Figure 4 shows a side elevation of the clamp with a flag pole fitted thereto in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 5 shows a perspective view of part of a flag pole for use with a clamp in accordance with the present invention.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention: Referring to the drawings, the clamp 10 includes first and second halves 12 and 14. The first and second halves 0O 00 °o°are pivotally mounted together at hinge 16, the operation of which is best understood by referring to Figures 1 and 2 15 together.

0600 Extending from the first half 12 is a generally cylindrical bush 18 having a circular bore 20 extending therethrough. The bore can receive the pole of a flag

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5 therethrough (as best shown in Figure 4).

20 Also extending from first half 12 is a support flange 22 which receives bolt 24 therethrough. The bolt has an 0000 5 enlarged head 26 which is adapted for being engaged by the *user's fingers (ie rather than requiring a separate tool).

Rotation of the bolt within flange 22 is facilitated by washer 28, which can typically be formed of a polymeric material or polished stainless steel.

Mounted on the threaded shank 30 of bolt 24 is nut 32.

The nut moves up and down along shank 30 in a conventional manner. A loop section 34 extends from and is mounted to the nut 32 as shown. The loop section can either be pivoted to the nut (ie. having free ends 36 [See Figure 2] which are received in corresponding recesses formed in the nut), or can be fastened (eg. welded) to the nut in a fixed relation thereto.

Protruding from the second half 14 of the clamp is a lug 38. As seen in Figures 1 and 3, loop section 34 is 30561 7 looped over and onto lug 38 when the clamp is to be closed.

Also extending from and mounted to the second half 14 is a retaining chain arrangement 40 (not depicted in Figure 1 for clarity). One end of the chain is attached to the clamp at fixing point 42, and the opposite free end has a spring loaded pin 44 (circlip) attached thereto.

In use, to close the clamp, the nut is moved along the threaded shank towards end 46 thereof, either by holding the bolt still and rotating the nut and loop section assembly, or by holding the nut/loop section still and rotating the bolt (ie. at head 26). In either case, the is n-t i moved sufficiently close to end 46 until the loop 6@ ee% section can be hooked over lug 38 (of course this position will vary, depending on the size of post to be clamped) and 660: 15 the fitting of bolt 24 in flange 22 may also give sufficient play to the bolt to enable the loop to be hooked 0 over the lug.

Once the loop section has been looped over lug 38, the bolt head 26 is then rotated so that the nut moves back 20 along the shank towards the bolt head (ie. because it is no longer possible to rotate the nut/loop section assembly).

This latter action progressively tightens the clamp, reaching a limiting tightness when the first and second 0504 halves abut (or when the post is tightly clamped).

25 It will also be seen that the loop section includes a 0 e bent region 48 intermediate its ends to facilitate easier looping over the lug 38.

Typically the interior surface of each half is lined with a polymeric layer material 50 a closed cell polymeric foam material, a polyurethane, ABS or other deformable polymeric material).

Typically all other clamp components are formed from metallic materials, or preferably materials that do not corrode when exposed to the environment, such as aluminium, stainless steel, brass etc. Aluminium is preferred because of its light weight and high strength.

30561 -8- The clamp can be positioned on a post by firstly opening it (ie. as in Figure 2) and positioning it around the post and then tightening the nut and bolt arrangement until the clamp clamps onto the post. Alternatively, an assembled clamp such as shown in Figure 1 can be slid over a post and can be tightened when slid down to a desired position, or if the post is tapering, until the clamp jams against the post.

Referring to Figure 3 it will be seen how the clamp can be positioned on a tapering post P at a desired height, and in this position the clamp is ready to receive a flag pole in accordance with the present invention.

*J *e Referring to Figure 5, a flag pole arrangement for a flag F includes a hollow pole 52 having a free end 54 and 0• 15 in which are formed opposing pin receiving holes 56. Also *eao .o.attached to pole 52 (eg. welded, adhered thereto), or formed integrally with the pole 52, is an annular flange 58. The flange has a square face 60 formed thereon (eg. a bevelled face), which in use can abut the clamp at either 20 of correspondingly flat regions 61, 62 (see Figures 1 and on either side of bush 18. When so abutting, the O flange prevents rotation of the pole within the bush.

In fact, any projecting element from pole 52 can be employed to prevent such rotation, such as a pair of o 25 protruding legs which engage against the clamp at either or *'"both of regions 61, 62, a lug having a flat face akin to bevelled face 60, etc. The use of an annular flange is preferred, however, because it also functions to prevent the flag pocket region FP (through which the pole extends) from sliding down over pole 52, thus potentially becoming entangled with the bush when the pole is fitted therein (and this potentially can lead to tearing, damage, fouling, etc of the flag).

In use, with the clamp clamped to a pole P (Figures 3 and the pole 52 of flag F can be easily attached to the clamp 10, simply by sliding the pole through bore 20 of 30561 9 bush 18 until flange 58 abuts bush 18 (which typically occurs when pole free end 54 protrudes to a sufficient extent beyond bore The spring loaded pin (circlip) arrangement 44 is then fastened to the pole 52 through the holes 56, and the circular part of the circlip is snap-fitted (urged) around the free end 54 of pole 52 to provide a secured and neatpin arrangement. The chain arrangement 40 prevents the pole from sliding out of bore 20, and can also act as an additional rotation prevention mechanism (especially when selected to be of a length that is taut when fitted to the A In addition to the described arrangements, or as an alternative thereto, the bore 20 can be tapered such that 15 there is a frictional or interference fit of the pole 52 in r the bore. As another alternative, the pole 52 can be go U shaped and or adapted such that it is snap fitted or interferingly fits in bush 18.

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Another advantage with the fastening arrangement 20 described is that the clamp can be tightened and released single handedly (ie without the use of tools etc to mount the same to a pole or when joining sections together etc) Also, on tapered posts, release therefrom is easily facilitated simply by loosening bolt 24.

25 Fastening arrangements other than those shown can be employed to releaseably fasten the first half to the second half of the clamp. For example, a conventional nut and bolt arrangement can be employed which extends between two respective flanges, one located on each half (ie each flange being similar to supporting flange 22). Other adjustable fastening arrangements are equally employable.

When the post itself is a vertical flagpole, the clamp can replace the entire rope and pulley arrangements used to hoist existing flags on such poles. The pole may then include a right-angle bend to orient the flag in its usual orientation (the bend being located adjacent to the bush in 30561 10 use). This can represent a significant time saving.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.

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Claims

2. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the element is a flancra t-h abuts the first porti- -in use t- prevent rotation of the flag pole.
3. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 2 wherein the .oo 15 flange is an annular ring that is integral with and ig surrounds the flag pole, the ring having a bevelled face which abuts the first portion in use.
4. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 3 wherein the bevelled face is a flat face formed on the ring and which 20 engages a corresponding flat face on the first portion. D 5. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the first portion includes first and second sections that are hinged together at respective S ends for opening onto and clamping around the post, and 25 fastening means operable between respective ends of the first and second sections to facilitate fastening of the :"'e"first portion to/from the post when the clamp is located thereat.
6. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 5 wherein the fastening means is adjustable so that the clamp can be secured to posts of varying cross-sectional sizes and shapes.
7. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the second portion is a bush that laterally extends from a side of the first portion, the bush having a bore form therethrough, and through which the flag pole can be inserted.
8. An arrangement as claimed in any one of the 30561 FROM <RTCN.J,D2.A+A,A_-0+0,U/WEwl PHONE NO. 000000000000 Apr. 11 2005 05:59PM P3 -12- preceding claims that additionally includes a retention means for securing a free end of the flag pole when located at the clamp.
9. An arrangement as claimed in Claim 8 wherein the retention means is a chain attached at one end to the clamp and having a pin located at the o:her end that can be positioned in a hole formed in the flag pole. A flag clamp for positioning a flag pole on a post, the clamp including a first portion having a passage therethrough in which the post can be received, and a second-I portion tendi. g fro the first ortion and having a passage therethrough, and through which the flag pole can be S" 10 extended such that a free end of the pole protrudes out from the passage, wherein the clamp includes a retention means for engaging the free end when so protruding to retain the pole and the clamp.
11. A flag clamp as claimed in Claim 10 wherein the retention means is a chain attached at one end to the clamp and having a pin located 15 at the other end that can be positioned in a hole formed in the flag pole.
12. A flag clamp and a flag pole arrangement substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
13. A flag clamp for positioning a flag pole on a post substantially o as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. C. Dated this 11th day of April 2005 Graham Robinson COMS ID No: SBMI-01199727 Received by IP Australia: Time 18:32 Date 2005-04-11