WO1997021205A1

WO1997021205A1 - Assembly of a flag and a suspension device

Info

Publication number: WO1997021205A1
Application number: PCT/NL1996/000442
Authority: WO
Inventors: Johannes Gerhardus Zantinge
Original assignee: Stichting Roll-Over
Priority date: 1995-11-09
Filing date: 1996-11-11
Publication date: 1997-06-12
Also published as: NL1001622C2

Abstract

An assembly of a flag and a suspension device for the flag, in which the suspension device comprises at least a staff-like flag suspending pole and attachment means for attaching the flag thereto, which attachment means comprise a tube member which embraces at least a portion of the flag suspending pole and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, bearing means being provided for supporting the tube member relative to the flag suspending pole, the bearing means being arranged to keep the inner surface of the tube member at least for the greater part spaced from the outer surface of the flag suspending pole.

Description

Title: Assembly of a flag and' a suspension device

The invention relates to an assembly of a flag and a suspension device for such a flag as defined in the preamble of claim 1. Such an assembly is known from US 5 279 250. From practice, an assembly of a flag and a suspension device is known, in which a pair of bearing rings are mounted on a flagstaff spaced apart a fixed distance corresponding to the width of the side of the flag proximal to the flagstaff. Each bearing ring includes an inner ring fixedly mounted on the flagstaff and an outer ring rotatable about it and provided with an eyelet. A rope connected to a corner of the flag can be knotted to the eyelet. The eyelets can rotate around the flagstaff through an angle of 360 degrees and more. Accordingly, upon a change of wind or the direction thereof, the flag can likewise rotate around the flagstaff through an angle of 360 degrees and more.

Such an assembly is suitable for suspending a flag from a flagstaff to prevent the flag from wrapping itself around the flagstaff as a result of changing wind directions. In such an arrangement, however, it is essential for the flag to be continuously in an approximately taut condition. If the flag falls upon or against the flagstaff, for example, between or below the bearing rings, the frictional resistance is often so high that the flag no longer comes loose, for example, from gravity or through the wind for it to be able to start flying. It is in particular with greatly varying wind force and direction, or in the case of wet flags, that this effect will occur frequently. The result is that the flag will remain hanging on the flagstaff in an untidily folded state or will be twisted around it, which is an unpleasant sight. In addition, this will prevent any imprint of the flag, for example, an advertising imprint or the designation of a country, province or municipality, from remaining visible, which considerably detracts from, or even destroys the function of the flag. Moreover, the festive appearance of flag display is lost when the flag keeps hanging over the staff. A further disadvantage is that in the known assembly, as a result of its keeping draped over the flagstaff, the flag can easily become damaged, and that the raising and striking of the flag is rendered more difficult by it.

The assembly disclosed in US-5 279 250 comprises an elastic ring that can be fixed at a distance from the top end of a flagstaff, whereafter a sliding ring is placed on the side of the elastic ring facing the upper end. Loosely placed on the sliding ring is the tube member, which slides on the flag carrying staff. A flag is secured to the tube member by means of loops.

This known assembly has the advantage over and above the earlier described assembly that the flag is less likely to come to rest on the flagstaff, the latter being largely covered by the tube member, at least within the reach of the flag.

When the' flag falls onto the tube member during use, the latter will be able to rotate, and the flag can fall back. As a consequence the pleasant appearance of the assembly will be kept up longer or at any rate will sooner be restored.

This known assembly has the disadvantage, however, that the tube member rests freely against the flagstaff, so that a relatively large contact area is formed between the flagstaff and the tube member. As a consequence, there will be a relatively high resistance against rotation of the tube member as a result of friction, so that there is a chance that a flag that has fallen onto, and/or wrapped around, the tube member will not fall back, at least not rapidly and without intervention. The friction referred to will become even higher during use as a result of dirt and water penetrating between the tube member and the flagstaff . Furthermore, water between the tube member and the flagstaff can freeze and prevent rotation altogether. It is in particular with flagstaffs not mounted in a truly vertical position, and in windy conditions that the tube member will have difficulty rotating or will even fail to rotate at all as a result of undue frictional forces.

It is an object of the invention to provide an assembly of the kind defined in the preamble of claim 1, in which the disadvantages referred to are avoided and the advantages maintained. To that effect an assembly according to the invention is characterized by the features defined in the characterizing clause of claim 1. In an assembly according to the invention, the tube member extends along the flag staff or pole at least through a length corresponding to the width of the side of the flag proximal to the lagstaff. The tube member can freely rotate around the longitudinal axis of the flagstaff or pole. In this arrangement the flag cannot come into contact with the part of the flagstaff or pole covered by the tube member. If it falls back towards the flagstaff or pole, the flag will land on the tube member or on a part of the flag extending on the tube member. Gravity and/or the wind will subsequently ensure that the flag will come off the tube member. For, if the flag will fall onto the tube member, it will be going to extend on opposite sides of the tube member. In that situation, there will generally be an unequal distribution on opposite sides. The overweight of the flag on one of the sides of the tube member will then ensure that the tube member will begin to rotate until such time as the flag is unfurled again. This effect will be accelerated by wind, if there is any. Even in the situation of an exactly equal distribution on opposite sides of the tube member, the flag will be unfurled again under the influence of even very little wind, because the tube member will begin to rotate when the flag catches wind.

Unlike the situation in the known assembly, there is hardly, if any friction between the flag and the flagstaff or pole in an assembly according to the invention.

In fact, it is only the bearing means which carry the tube member, while the inside of the tube member is at all times kept substantially free from the flagstaff. The bearing means can be made to provide minimal friction in a simple manner.

The bearing supporting the tube member relative to the flagstaff or pole offers the further advantage that the tube member is suitable for use on both flagpoles and flagstaffs, irrespective of the angle which the flagstaff or pole encloses with the horizontal. A flagpole is understood in this connection to be a pole extending approximately vertically and being relatively long with respect to the flag.

In an advantageous embodiment, an assembly according to the invention is characterized by the features according to claim 2. Bearing means adjacent to the top end of the tube member offer a good possibility for positioning the tube member, also in case, for example, the lower end of the tube member is open. In that case dirt cannot collect in the bottom end of the tube member. Sealing the tube member at the top end, preferably against or over the end of the flag carrying staff, will at least substantially prevent the ingress of dirt or water between the tube member and the flag carrying staff, by virtue of which an increase of friction is even more effectively prevented. In an alternative embodiment, an assembly according to the invention is characterized by the features claimed in claim 3.

In this embodiment, the tube member is shifted from the top over the top end of the flagpole or staff and is suspended thereon, preferably through the intermediacy of a bearing. In this arrangement the tube member is kept in position through gravity and can yet rotate completely freely around the flagstaff or pole. Such a construction is particularly advantageous and simple, and in addition offers an attractive appearance as the bearing is enclosed within the tube member. The flange may be fully closed or provided with a bore to receive a pin for carrying an ornamental knob, which retains the tube member in the vertical direction. When the end of the^' tube member is closed, such an ornamental knob may be secured to the tube member so as to move along with the tube member and the flag. An assembly according to the invention can further be characterized, in a suitable embodiment, by the features claimed in claim 4.

In this embodiment, the flag can simply be slid onto the tube member by means of the seam or loops. Securing the flag is thus a particularly simple matter and in addition the flag is thus kept in taut condition at the side proximal to the flagpole or staff. Furthermore, the tube member is covered, at least in part, by the flag.

In an alternative embodiment, an assembly according to the invention is characterized by the features claimed in claims 5 and 6.

In this embodiment, the flag is secured, in a more traditional manner, by means of ropes or like fastening means. As a consequence, a conventional flag can be used in an assembly according to the invention. For that matter, the fastening means may be designed differently than eye-shaped, for example, as slots, in which a corner or edge of the flag can be fixed, or as clamping means, for example, clip fasteners or like means. In such embodiments, ropes or like means can be dispensed with.

In a preferred embodiment, an assembly according to the invention is characterized by the features claimed in claim 7, in particular as claimed in claim 8.

By making the tube member longer than the width of the flag that is located near, in contact with, or around the tube member, the risk of the flag's coming into contact with a part of the flagpole or staff is further reduced or even removed altogether. In particular when the tube member is as long as, or longer than, the diagonal of the flag, assuming an approximately rectangular flag, and extends substantially alongside and below the flag, this advantage is achieved, because in that case the flag will always remain within the reach of the tube member. Even when the flagpole or staff is in the vertical position and the flag is hanging in a fully limp condition, the flag will not reach the flagpole or staff. It is known from practice to provide a flagpole with an open-topped bore, with the flagpole carrying a knob at the top. The knob is provided with a duct which at one end connects with the bore and at the other end is open at the bottom of the knob outside the contour of the flagpole. A rope is threaded through the bore and the duct, to which a top corner of the flag can be secured at one end. The other end of the rope can be gripped through an aperture near the bottom end of the flagpole for raising and striking the flag. Such an assembly does not have a rope or like means extending along the outside of the pole. Thus such a known assembly may have a relatively pleasant appearance. If the aperture near the bottom end of the pole is closable, there is the additional advantage that, with such an assembly, the flag cannot simply be stolen by cutting the rope which can be directly gripped.

In this known assembly, a weight is hung at the bottom side of the flag, while the end of the flag adjacent to the flagpole is tied around the flagpole by means of rope loops. The weight serves to ensure that the flag remains tightly drawn at least along the flagpole, while the rope loops ensure that that end continues to adjoin the flagpole. The loops and the weight mar the flagpole' s appearance to an unacceptable extent and may damage the flag and the pole.

In order to prevent the above-mentioned disadvantages of such an assembly, while retaining the advantages thereof, an assembly according to the invention is characterized, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, by the features claimed in claim 9.

As the tube member is carried at one end of the hoisting means, which hoisting means extends through the rotatable knob, the tube member can continue to rotate freely around the flagpole along with the knob. By the hoisting means, the tube member can be moved up and down the flagpole and can be fixed in any position. Thus, with such an arrangement, the flag can be fixed both at the masthead and at half-mast. The tubular member offers the advantage that the flag can be fixed alongside the flagpole throughout its entire width either at uniformly spaced points or continuously, so that, at least along the flagpole, the flag will be held in taut condition at all times. Thus the weight at the underside of the flag can be dispensed with. The flag can be secured to the tube member in a manner described before. For that matter, such an embodiment can also be applied to flagstaffs, and the aperture may be closable to prevent theft.

In a further elaboration an assembly according to the invention is further characterized by the features claimed in claim 10.

The or each flag hold-out means offers the advantage that the flag is held at least in part in a preferred position relative to the tube member, so that the flag remains properly visible, for example, when there is little wind. As the or each flag hold-out means rotates along with the tube member, this position is maintained at all times. Moreover, a sufficient force will be exerted on the flag at all times to keep it in the direction of the wind. It has surprisingly turned out that, even when several flag hold¬ out means are used, a flying flag appearance is yet maintained.

A tube member for use with an assembly according to the invention is preferably made of plastic material or aluminium. This has the advantage that the tube member can be of light and yet strong construction, while good resistance to wear and tear and weather conditions is obtained. In addition, such a tube member can be made at relatively low cost and in a relatively simple manner. The or each bearing for use with an assembly according to the invention preferably takes the form of a sliding bearing. Sliding bearings are relatively cheap in manufacture and maintenance, and have good bearing properties.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, an assembly is further characterized by the features claimed in claim 12.

The two or more tube members, which are movable relative to each other, offer the advantage that, for example, when the flag is struck, the top of the tube member can be moved in the direction of the bottom end thereof. This is advantageous particularly in the case of large flags, because thus the top end of the flag or the tube member can be made reachable from the ground or a small flight of steps. This considerably simplifies the placing and removing of, notably, large, tall flags. The invention further relates to an assembly of a tube member and at least one bearing for use with an assembly according to the invention, and to a tube member for use with such an assembly.

To clarify the invention, exemplary embodiments of a flag suspending assembly will be described with reference to the drawings. In said drawings,

Fig. 1 shows a first embodiment of an assembly according to the invention, partly in longitudinal sectional view; Fig. 2 shows a second embodiment of an assembly according to the invention, partly in longitudinal sectional view;

Fig. 3 shows an enlargement of the top end of an assembly according to the invention, together with the portion thereof at the level of the bottom end of the tube member;

Fig. 4 shows a third embodiment of an assembly according to the invention, partly in longitudinal sectional view;

Fig. 5 shows a fourth embodiment of an assembly according to the invention, partly in longitudinal sectional view; and

Fig. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of an assembly according to the invention, partly in longitudinal sectional view. ,Fig. 1 shows an assembly of a flag 1 and a suspension device 2 for hanging the flag from a flagstaff 3. The suspension device comprises a tube member 4 and a bearing 5. Bearing 5 is fixed in position on flagstaff 3 at a distance L equal to the length of tube member 4. Flag 1 is provided with a seam 6 which is loop-shaped and has such dimensions that the flag can be slid over tube member 4 by means of the seam and can be fixed thereto, for example, by means of clips or through a good fit of seam 6 around tube member 4. Tube member 4 is of tubular shape, has a relatively thin wall, and can rotate around flagstaff 3. The dimensions of tube member 4 have been selected so that it can be slid around flagstaff 3 with slight clearance, and can abut sliding surface 7 of bearing 5. Tube member 4 is closed at the top and is provided on the inside adjacent to the top end with an annular ring 5A, serving as a bearing on the top outer end of flagstaff 3. If desired, a bearing ring (not shown) can be provided on the top end of flagstaff 3 to further reduce friction between flagstaff 3 and tube member 4.

Tube member 4 has a length L distinctly greater .than the breadth B of flag 1, and preferably approximately equal to the diagonal length D of flag 1. Thus the advantage is achieved that when flag 1 is hanging limply along the flagstaff, flag 1 does not touch flagstaff 3. As shown by Fig. 1, flagstaff 3 may enclose an angle with the vertical. This angle can be at least between 0 and 90 degrees.

An assembly as shown in the drawings can be used as follows . Flag 1 is secured to tube member 4 in the manner described or in a comparable suitable manner, at a distance from the bottom end thereof. The top edge of flag 1 is preferably level with the upper edge of tube member 4. Bearing 5 is mounted at a distance L from the top end of flagstaff 3. For that matter, a different distance may of course be selected. Subsequently, tube member 4 with flag 1 is slid over the top end of flagstaff 3 so that the bottom end of tube member 4 comes to lie in contact with sliding surface 7 of sliding bearing 5^*. Flagstaff 3 can be inserted in a suitable holder in, for example, a facade or porch. In this position, flag 1 and suspension device 2 are carried by sliding bearing 2. In the event of wind, flag 1 will begin to flutter, naturally directing itself to the wind. Tube member 4 can simply rotate around flagstaff 3 about its own longitudinal axis R, as a result of which the flag can smoothly rotate around flagstaff 3 through 360 degrees. Consequently, the flag can simply occupy the most suitable position in any wind direction. When the wind drops, flag 1 will come to lie limply along flagstaff 3. In known flagstaff assemblies this means that flag 1 comes into contact with flagstaff 3 and will fall over it, particularly when the flagstaff is held somewhat or fully horizontally. In such a case, when the wind gets up again, the flag will fail to come off the flagstaff as a result of friction which occurs . In the embodiments shown in the drawings, when the wind drops or varies greatly, flag 1 will not fall on flagstaff 3 but on tube member 4. As a result of the rotation facility of tube member 4, the weight of flag 1 will in most cases ensure that it comes off tube member 4 again, by virtue of tube member 4 rotating along with the flag. Moreover, the friction between flag 1 and tube member 4 is slight. By virtue of this, even with greatly varying wind force and wind direction, a flag of an assembly shown in the drawings will continue to flutter in the wind and will not come to be twisted around flagstaff 3.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, which is largely similar to the assembly described hereinbefore, tube member 4 includes two attachment rings 8. The first attachment ring 8A is secured near the top end of tube member 4; the second attachment ring 8B at a distance B therefrom, which distance is equal to the breadth of flag 1. Each attachment ring 8 is provided with a continuous insertion opening 9 adapted to receive a loop 10 of flag 1. Accordingly, by means of loops 10 flag 1 can be attached to attachment rings 8. Consequently, in this embodiment, a loop-shaped seam 6 adjacent to^' the peripheral edge of flag 1 is not necessary. Accordingly, a conventional flag 1 provided with attachment ropes can be hung up with this suspension device as well. In this embodiment, a thickening ring 11 is provided at the bottom end of tube member 4, which ring can abut sliding surface 7 of bearing 5. The tube member has a relatively thin wall. In the drawings, the wall as shown is comparatively thicker than it actually is. By way of illustration, the wall of the tube member may be less than 1 mm thick, with the length of the tube member being, for example, 1200 mm or more. Such a tube member may give rise to problems in the case of direct abutment against sliding surface 7. For example, it may result in undue resistance, or excessive wear of, or damage to, the tube member and/or siding surface 7. All this is prevented by thickening ring 11. For that matter, naturally, bearing 5 may also take the form of a ball bearing, a ball thrust bearing, a pivot bearing or like bearing, with tube member 4 or thickening ring 11 abutting a bearing ring of the bearing 5 in question.

Furthermore, bearing 5 may be omitted, so that tube member 4 is fully carried on the top end of flagstaff 3.

As clearly shown by Fig. 3, the top attachment ring 8A has a broad bottom portion 50 and a reduced top portion 51 extending from the top thereof. Bottom portion 50 is fittingly slid over tube member 4 and is fixed to it, for example, by clamping or glueing. Fitted in the top end of flagstaff 3, which is hollow in this embodiment, is a plug stopper 52, the top surface 53 of which functions as a sliding bearing surface.

Interposed between said top surface 53 and the bottom edge of the reduced top portion 51 of ring 8A is a sliding ring 54. Accordingly, tube member 4 is suspended through sliding ring 54 and attachment ring 8A from plug 52 inserted into the top end of flagstaff 3 and can rotate thereon about its longitudinal axis. Provided in reduced portion 51 is a cross-partition 55 with a central aperture 56 therein through which a bolt or screw 57 is inserted. Bolt 57 extends through sliding ring 54 into plug 52 and is fixed therein. This prevents the whole from coming off flagstaff 3. In Fig. 2, a knob 23 is secured onto reduced portion 51 (not shown in Fig. 3) .

Thickening ring 11 comprises a substantially cylindrical outer wall 58 (Fig. 3) and is provided in a central region with an inwardly extending annular ring 59. The inner diameter of outer wall 58 above ring 59 is equal to the outer diameter of tube member 4, and this portion of ring 11 is secured to the lower end of tube member 4. Ring 59 has an inner diameter equal to the outer diameter of flagstaff 3 and seals against the latter as a sliding bearing. The portion of ring 11 extending underneath ring 59 has an inner diameter slightly in excess of that of the portion located above ring 59. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2A, the bottom bearing 15 has been omitted, and the suspension device is carried at the upper end.

The upper attachment ring 8A provides, together .with knob 23, for a water-tight seal at the top, and ring 11 does so at the bottom. For that matter, the lower ring can naturally be formed as an attachment ring, too. As no water or dirt can penetrate between tube member 4 and flagstaff 3, proper operation of the assembly is guaranteed, in particular because it cannot become jammed or frozen fast. In addition, it is thereby given an attractive appearance. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of an assembly according to the invention in which a suspension device 20 is pushed from the top over a f gpole 30. In this embodiment, suspension device 20 comprises a tube member 21 that is closed at the top with a cover 22 or an end wall and an ornamental knob 23 secured thereto. Interposed between cover 22 and the top of flagpole 30 is a sliding disk 24. For the rest the suspension device or the assembly is substantially similar to the embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2. An assembly according to Fig. 4 can be used as follows. From the top of a flagpole^' 30, preferably in the lowered position, in which flagpole 30 extends approximately horizontally, the suspension device is slid over it. In this arrangement tube member 21 is supported on the top of flagpole 30 through sliding disk 24 enclosed therebetween.

Subsequently, flag 1 is attached to attachment rings 8, whereafter the flagpole can be moved into a vertical position as shown in Fig. 4. In this position tube member 21 hangs by cover 22 on sliding disk 24 and can rotate freely around the vertical longitudinal axis R of flagpole 30. In this embodiment, too, flag 1 cannot touch flagpole 30, even in depending condition, because tube member 21 will always be interposed between them. In this embodiment, too, therefore, flag 1 will remain clear of flagpole 30 at all times, and hence will start to flutter freely when the wind gets up. A further advantage of this embodiment is that flag 1 cannot be removed in a simple manner without the flagpole being lowered for the purpose.

Fig. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of a flagpole with a suspension assembly. In this embodiment, flagpole 40 has a passage extending from the top through pole 40 to terminate near the bottom end of flagpole 40 in an outward aperture 42. Secured to the top end of flagpole 40 is a rotatable knob 43 , adapted to rotate about the longitudinal axis R of the flagpole. Extending through knob 43 is a U- shaped duct 44, connecting at one end to passage 41, and terminating at the other end near the underside of the knob outside the periphery of flagpole 40. Extending through passage 41 and duct 45 is a line 45. A tube member 46, comparable to the tube member shown in Fig. 2, is slid over the flagpole, and line 45 is secured adjacent to the upper end of member 46. The other end of line 45 extends outwardly of aperture 42, where it can be gripped. In a manner described hereinbefore, a flag 1 is secured to tube member 46, with the dimensions being again such that the flag cannot touch flagpole 40.

An assembly as shown in Fig. 5 can be used as follows. Line 45 is veered so that suspension device 47 slides down flagpole 40 until the tube member is within reach.

Subsequently, the flag is secured to the tube member, i.e., to attachment rings 8, whereafter the tube member with flag 1 can be raised by means of line 45. As soon as tube member 46 has arrived just under knob 43, line 45 is made fast within aperture 42, whereaf er aperture 42 is preferably closed. The line is thus no longer directly accessible. In this embodiment, the flag can freely rotate around the flagpole along with tube member 46, by virtue of the fact that knob 43 rotates along with the flag and the tube member. As line 45 is no longer reachable from the outside, the assembly cannot simply be removed and taken away, which prevents theft.

By way of illustration, a number of dimensions will be given of a suspension device according to the invention, which dimensions are not to be construed as limitative.

The tube member has a wall thickness of 0.5 - 1.5 mm, and a length longer by approximately 30% than at least the length of the flag measured at right angles to the longitudinal direction of the flagpole, and preferably longer than the diagonal length of the flag.

These dimensions apply to standard flags. Naturally, for each size of flag a tube length can be selected so that the flag cannot come to hang against the flagpole or flagstaff. The tube member is preferably made by extrusion or injection moulding. It will be clear that the various embodiments shown can be combined. Thus the manner of securing flag 1 to tube member 4, 21, 46 can in each embodiment alternatively be effected by means of a seam 6. Furthermore, each of the embodiments shown is in principle suitable for use with both flagstaffs and flagpoles.

Fig. 6 shows a fifth embodiment of an assembly according to the invention, comparable to the assembly shown in Fig. 5. Here, however, tube member 46 is of bipartite form and has a length equal to the breadth B of flag 1. The upper tube member section 60 has an inner diameter approximately equal to the outer diameter of the lower tube member section 61, so that these can be telescoped together. In the extended position (Fig. 6, solid lines) tube member 46 has its normal length; in the retracted position (Fig. 6; broken lines) a much shorter length. When tube member 46 is slid down flagpole 40, its lower end strikes a stop 62, whereafter the upper section 60 slides over the lower section 61. As a result, the top end of tube member 46 with the top attachment point 9 for the flag comes closer to the ground, and thus is more easily reached, for example, from the ground, also in the case of flags having a large breadth B (measured along pole 40) . When the flag is raised, tube member 46 resumes its original length.

In Fig. 6, flag 1 is provided at the upper and lower edges with a hold-out member 64A and 64B, respectively. These hold-out flrjembers 64 are relatively stiff as compared with the flag, and extend substantially along the entire edge of flag 1 in order to keep the same in a somewhat taut state. The flag hold-out members 64A, 64B are fixedly or detachably connected to the top and the bottom bearing, respectively, at any rate to tube member 46, and extend approximately at right angles to the longitudinal direction of tube member 46. Naturally, it is possible to use one or a plurality of flag hold-out members 64, all connected to the tube member. In a comparable manner, other embodiments can be provided with such flag hold-out members. The flag hold- out members may, for example, take the form of spikes or ribs like those used to stiffen a sail, and are connected to the flag sides concerned, for example, through a seam, a pocket, or, for example, rope ties. Many variations are possible. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and shown in the drawings in any way. Many variations are possible. Thus flag 1 may be secured to the tube member by other means, for example, by snap-on means, push-in means, slide-in slots, ^'Velcro or elastic, or by any other suitable means, as long as the tube member can continue to rotate around the flagpole or flagstaff. Furthermore, a plurality of flags may be fitted to one tube member one above the other. The tube member is preferably made of synthetic plastics material, but metallic embodiments are possible, for example, of aluminium. Furthermore, all sorts of bearing types can be used for a bearing, as described hereinbefore. Also, a tube member 4 may be retained by a bearing 5 at opposite ends. This has the advantage that even in a relatively horizontal position of flagstaff 3, tube member 4 cannot slide off the flagstaff. This is particularly of importance in cases of strong wind. It will be clear that by means of the assembly according to the invention the advantage is obtained that even when there is relatively little wind or in the case of greatly changing winds, a flag will retain a taut appearance at all times, ₅0 that, for example, messages printed on the flag remain clearly legible. Moreover the assembly retains an attractive appearance. For that matter, further means may be included to fix the flag's position relative to the tube member, such as, for example, sail stiffening ribs. These and many comparable variations are deemed to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An assembly of a flag and a suspension device for said flag, in which the suspension device comprises at least a staff-like flag suspending pole and attachment means for attaching the flag thereto, said attachment means including a tube member which embraces at least a portion of the flag suspending pole and is rotatable about its longitudinal axis, there being provided bearing means for supporting said tube member relative to the flag suspending pole, characterized in that said bearing means are arranged to keep the inner surface of said tube member at least substantially spaced from the outer surface of said flag suspending pole.

2. An assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing means comprise at least one bearing adjacent to the upper end of the tube member, there being provided means for substantially closing said upper end of the tube member.

3. An assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the tube member is provided at the top with an annular flange extending towards its centre, and bearing means being interposed between the top of the flagpole or flagstaff and said flange for rotatably supporting said tubular member.

4. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the side adjacent to the tube member the flag is provided with at least a tubular or loop-shaped seam portion or like attachment means, which is slid over the tube member for attachment of the flag to said tube member.

5. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube member is provided with attachment openings for the attachment of the flag.

6. An assembly as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that said attachment openings are formed as eyes extending outside the outer surface of the tube member.

7. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of the tube member is greater than the breadth of the side of the flag proximal to the tube member, preferably greater by more than 30%, and extends beyond the flag at least at its lower end.

8. An assembly as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that the length of the tube member is at least equal to the diagonal size of the flag.

9. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flagstaff or flagpole is provided with a passage that is open at least at the top and extends in the longitudinal direction thereof, which passage, at the end remote from the top, is reachable from the outside through an aperture, a rotatable knob being provided on the top end of the flagpole or flagstaff, which knob extends at least partially outside the outer contour of the flagstaff or flagpole, said knob being provided with a duct which at one end is in open communication with the passage in th flagpole or flagstaff and at the other end is open at the bottom side of the knob outside the contour of the flagpole or flagstaff, a rope or chain or like hoisting means extending through said passage and said duct, said hoisting means carrying the tube member at one end and being grippable through said aperture for raising and lowering the flag together with the tube member.

10. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube member is provided with at least one flag hold-out means adapted to rotate along with said tube member around the flag suspending pole.

11. An assembly as claimed in claim 10, characterized in that at least a flag hold-out means extends adjacent to the upper side of the flag and a flag hold-out means adjacent to the lower side of the flag.

12. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tube member comprises at least two tube member sections which are movable relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, with the flag being connected to both tube member sections.

13. An assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the or each bearing is designed as a sliding bearing.

14. An assembly of a tube member and at least one bearing for use in an assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.

15. A tube member for use in an assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.