Patent ID: 6860532
Filing Date: 2005-03-01
Classification: B25B,G09F

Abstract:
1. A flagpole halyard replacement tool for replacing a halyard supported by a truck located at a remote upper end of an installed flagpole having an upper end, a lower end and a circumference, the truck having an upper top, a lower bottom, and sides, the truck including a finial, a passage for receiving the halyard, and a coupling for attaching the truck to the flagpole, the tool comprising: an elongate shaft having a length extending along a longitudinal axis between an upper end and a lower end; a cradle at the upper end of the shaft, the cradle being offset laterally from the shaft for engaging the bottom of the truck when the upper end of the shaft is raised to the truck, the cradle including first cradle elements extending generally laterally to engage the bottom of the truck and second cradle elements extending generally longitudinally to engage at least one of the sides of the truck, whereby the truck will be cradled for longitudinally upward movement to detach the truck from the upper end of the flagpole in response to upward extension of the shaft, for longitudinally downward movement to lower the detached truck and gain access to the passage in response to downward retraction of the shaft, for subsequent longitudinally upward movement to place the truck and halyard at the upper end of the flagpole, in response to subsequent upward extension of the shaft, and for subsequent longitudinally downward movement to engage the coupling with the upper end of the flagpole, in response to subsequent downward retraction of the shaft; and a guide on the shaft located beneath and adjacent the cradle for guiding the cradle along a path extending adjacent the flagpole, between the upper end and lower end of the flagpole, such that as the shaft is extended along the path, the shaft is stabilized and the cradle is guided toward the truck.