Abstract:
An improvement in a color guard flag pole weight is disclosed. The flag pole weight is inserted into one or both ends of a flag pole. For larger or heavier flag poles or when a performer is performing a great deal of spinning against the wind, weighting the pole dramatically improves the ease of rotation of the flag pole to counteract the drag created when the flag pole catches the wind and improves the ease of rotation for both the spinning and the tossing. When the weight is inserted into the flag pole, a split ring on the weight is expandable to grip the inside diameter of the pole. The weight of the insert is adjustable by screwing one or more weights into the insert. The additional weights are male-female threaded to allow for a large number of weights to be added and limited only to the length of the flag pole.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Provisional 61/305,848 filed Feb. 18, 2010 the entire contents of which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0006]    This invention relates to improvements in an adjustable color guard flag pole weight. More particularly, the present adjustable flag pole weight is inserted and retained in the hollow interior diameter of a flag pole. The insertable retainer includes a threaded based member where one or more weights can be secured to the retainer to alter the weight of the flag pole used in color guard. 
         [0007]    2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98. 
         [0008]    Occasionally, the silk of a color guard flag pole is lightweight enough that additional weight is not needed to balance out the pole. For larger or heavier silks or for times when the performer will be performing a great deal of spinning against the wind, weighting the pole can dramatically improve the ease of rotation of the flag pole. Weighting a color guard flag pole helps to counteract the drag created when the silk catches the wind. If the flag pole is weighted properly, the weight helps to balance the pole and improve the ease of rotation for both the spinning and the tossing. 
         [0009]    There are several ways that people have weighted flag pole poles. Some methods include inserting PVC sleeves inside the flag pole. Another common method is to tape pennies inside the ends of the flag pole. The most common method used to weight a color guard flag pole is with insertion of a ½ inch carriage bolt. The carriage bolts can be purchased in various lengths to provide different weights by removing a bolt of one length and replacing it with a bolt of a different length. Some companies offer flag pole weights that are fixed in weight, and removal of the weights is often difficult because the weight sticks inside the pole and must be destroyed upon removal. 
         [0010]    There are a number of patents that have been issued that work to plug the end of a pipe. The majority of theses plugs use a metallic cone or an elastomeric washer that is squeezed to expand and fill and seal the plug within the inside diameter of the pipe. While these devices grip the inside of the pipe, they are not configured for the addition of weights. A number of these seals also are not removable and permanently seal the open end of a pipe. 
         [0011]    There are also a number of patents for dumbbells or the like that use weights that are threaded into the handle of the dumbbell to alter the weight of the dumbbell. While these dumbbells provide a variable weight to the dumbbell they are not configured to fit within the tubular shaft of a color guard flag pole. 
         [0012]    What is needed is an adjustable color guard flag pole weight that is insertable and expandable into the tube of a color guard flag pole and is also removable. The ideal product also includes the ability to change the weight by adding or removing threaded weights into the insertable member. The proposed color guard adjustable flag pole weight provides a solution to the problem of easily changing the precise weight of a color guard flag pole. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    It is an object of the color guard adjustable flag pole weight for the flag pole weight to be inserted and removed from the inner diameter of a flag pole. The ability to insert and remove the weight allows the weight to be changed based upon the weight of the flag pole, the type of performance and the wind, rain, moisture and other atmospheric conditions. The flag pole weight has a shoulder that allows the weight to be held by an installer&#39;s fingers and further prevents the weight from being inserted too far into the center of the tube. 
         [0014]    It is an object of the color guard adjustable flag pole weight to have a fastening means that allows the weight to be retained in the flag pole. The retention means is a split ring that sits in a recess of the flag pole weight shank. The split ring normally exists with an outside diameter that is less than the inside diameter of the flag pole. When a screw, located in the end of the flag pole weight, is turned the screw pushes on pins or balls that push on the split pin to expand the split ring until it binds with the inside diameter of the flag pole. The binding locks the flag pole weight within the flag pole until the screw is sufficiently backed out of the flag pole weight to release the split ring. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the color guard adjustable flag pole weight to have an internal threaded area that allows for securing one or more weight inserts. The weight inserts are configured with a male and female end such that multiple weight inserts can be connected together with the only limitation being the length of the flag pole. The length and diameter of the weight inserts can also be varied to provide for a finer resolution of weights. 
         [0016]    It is still another object of the color guard adjustable flag pole weight to have a rounded end that allows the flag pole weight to be inserted in either end of the flag pole. The rounded end has an opening for the insertion of a tool for expanding the split washer. The weights on each end of the flag pole can be different to allow for tuning of the flag pole weight to adjust for the weight of the flag pole, weather and or user preference. The rounded end can take a variety of shapes including a bulbous end that makes the end of the flag pole easier to grasp for spinning or twirling. 
         [0017]    Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings in which like numerals represent like components. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a view of a color guard performer with a color guard flag pole having the adjustable flag pole weights. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a view of a shortened flag pole shaft with a bulbous end. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the adjustable flag pole weight components. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows a cross sectional view of the flag pole weight cut just above the split ring. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows an end view of the adjustable flag pole weight showing the tool insert socket. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view cut lengthwise through the adjustable flag pole weight with a bulbous end. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows a cross sectional view cut lengthwise through the adjustable flag pole weight showing the expansion of the split ring. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]      FIG. 1  shows a view of a color guard performer with a color guard flag pole having the adjustable flag pole weights. The color guard performer  20  generally performs with flag poles, rifles or the like. The flag pole and flag pole pole assembly  40  is turned, waved or thrown into the air during the performance. The size, shape and material of the flag pole  32  as well as the weather conditions can affect how the flag pole  32  moves through the air. To offset the characteristics of the flag pole  32  and the weather one or both of the ends  41  and or  42  are weighted. The length of the  30  is generally long to allow a performer  20  to hold the flag pole in both hands at the same time. In the long flag pole  30  the ends caps  41  and  42  are slightly rounded to easily slide out of a loosened hand. In other embodiments the flag pole is shorter as shown and described with  FIG. 2 . 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  shows a view of a shortened flag pole shaft with a bulbous end  43 . The shorter flag pole  31  allows a performer to hold the flag pole with only one hand and flip the flag pole more quickly in the air. This flag pole is shown with one bulbous end  43 . The bulbous end makes the flag pole easier to hold the flag pole at the bulbous end with just one hand and swing or pivot the flag pole  33  like a ball and socket joint where the bulbous end  43  is the ball and the performers hand forms the socket. Generally with this type of flag pole the upper plug  42  is similar or the same as the upper plug used in the long pole  30  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The weight of the end plugs in the shorter flag pole can also be adjusted, and the method and design of one or more preferred embodiments are shown and described in  FIGS. 3-7 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the adjustable flag pole weight components. The flag pole weight is configured to fit within the center of the flag pole  30  where it is not noticed and does not restrict hand movement with the flag pole. The flag pole weight is further designed to be inserted, removed, weight adjusted and returned to the flag pole  30  with minimal effort. The end cap of a color guard flag pole has a rounded end  53  with a shoulder  52 . The rounded end  53  reduces the potential of injury to a performer if they are struck or hit someone or something with the end of the flag pole. The shoulder  52  prevents the flag pole weight from being inserted too far into the flag pole. The outer diameter of the shoulder  52  is preferably the same diameter as the outer diameter of the flag pole  30  to create a smooth transition from the pole  30  to the end cap  53 . 
         [0028]    An elongated shank exists both above  51  and below  50  a split ring  60 . The elongated shank  50 / 51  provides both a guide and a bearing surface for the flag pole weight. The split ring  60  is preferably located along the center of the elongated shank  50 / 51 . The location of the split ring  60  must be placed sufficiently from the shoulder  52  to reduce the possibility of splitting the flag pole with the split ring  60  is expanded to grip the inside diameter  34  of the flag pole  30 . A split  61  in the split ring  60  allows the outside diameter to expand to grip the inside diameter  34  of the flag pole. Various materials are contemplated for the end plug. In the preferred embodiment the end plug is made from a strong but fairly light weight material such as aluminum, but other material are contemplated such as plastic. It is also contemplated that the end plug can be manufactured from a heavier material to provide some initial weight. Some heavier materials that are contemplated include but are not limited to copper alloys, stainless steel and other non-toxic and or non-rusting materials. Still other materials that are contemplated are hard rubbers that will still maintain some mechanical structure but also will provide some flexibility if impacted. 
         [0029]    The bottom of the end cap is generally flat  54  with a female threaded hole  72 . The female threaded hole allows for a weight  70  to be threaded into the female threaded hole  72 . The weight  70  is constructed in a smaller diameter than the inside diameter  34  of the flag pole  30 . The opposing end of the weight  70  also has a female threaded hole  72  to allow for additional weights to be screwed together using the male  71  and female  72  threaded screws and holes. A washer  80  is used to both cushion the interface of the weights and prevent the weights from unscrewing. In  FIG. 3  two weights are shown where they can be screwed into the end plug. While two weights are shown, as few and no weights to as many as possible that can fit within the length of the flag pole  30  are contemplated. The weights  70  are also shown as being the same length, but other various lengths and weights are contemplated based upon the desired resolution of weight increments. The weights  70  are contemplated to be made out of heavier materials that include but are not limited to copper alloys, stainless steel and other non-toxic and or non-rusting materials. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4  shows a cross sectional view of the flag pole weight cut just above the split ring  60  cut through section  4 - 4  in  FIG. 6 . The split ring  60  exists within a recess  62  as shown in the sectional view in  FIG. 3 . The split  61  in the ring is obvious in this figure. The split is shown in an exaggerated opening to make it more visible. In the preferred embodiment the split  61  is perpendicular with the ring  60 , but it is also contemplated that the split  61  can exist at an angle to reduce the possibility that the split will occupy the area over the expansion pins  65 . The expansion pins  65  exist in holes  66 . The holes  66  are sided to provide clearance for the pins  65  to freely slide. The holes  66  pass from the center of the cylinder  51  to the outside of the cylinder  51 . A screw  55  with a tapered head pushes the pins  65  outward when the screw is turned into the end plug. The shoulder  52  of the end plug is visible outside of the cylinder  51  and split ring  60 . 
         [0031]      FIG. 5  shows an end view of the adjustable flag pole weight showing the tool insert socket. This view is the socket  56  for insertion of a hex key is visible. A hex key is inserted into the socket  56  to move the screw  55  into and out of the end cap. Movement of the screw  55  pushes the pins  65  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The domed/rounded end  53  of the end cap is visible with a broken line that represents the shoulder  52 . A portion of the split ring  60  is visible as it passes around the cylindrical body of the end cap. 
         [0032]      FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view cut lengthwise through the adjustable flag pole weight with a bulbous end  54 . In this figure the screw  55  is backed away from the pins  65 . The screw  55  is backed away from the pins to allow the end cap to be inserted into the end of the pole  30 . To move the screw  55 , a hex key is inserted into the socket  56 , the end  54  of the end cap is held, and the hex key is turned to screw or unscrew the screw  55 . The end cap is inserted until the end of the pole  30  makes contact with the shoulder  52  of the end cap. The cylindrical shaft of the end cap is configured to fit within the inside diameter  34  of the pole  30 . In this figure one weight  70  is shown inserted or screwed into the end cap. The washer  80  is shown in a compressed condition to reduce movement of the weight  70  and to prevent the weight  70  for unscrewing from the end cap. The weight  70  is shown with a female socket  72  for connection with additional weights. 
         [0033]    When the screw  55  is turned into the end cap the tapered end  58  of the screw  55  pushes into the pins  65  to push the pins, through the clearance holes  66 , against the split ring  60  to make the split ring grip the inside diameter  34  of the flag pole  30 . The taper  58  of the screw  55  pushing against the pins and then the split ring is shown in more detail with  FIG. 7 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 7  shows a cross sectional view cut lengthwise through the adjustable flag pole weight showing the expansion of the split ring  60 . The shoulder  52  of the end plug prevents the end plug from being inserted too far into a flag pole and also provides an area for the person to grasp the end plug. The rounded end  53  of the end plug provides a smooth rounded surface. This figure has a hex key  57  shown where it can engage into the hex socket  56  of the sect screw  55 . As the screw  55  is turned clockwise  73  the screw moves into  74  the end cap and the tapered  58  end or nose of the screw  55  pushes pins  65  out  75  through the clearance holes  65  where the pins push the split ring  60  out  76 . This figure shows two weights  70  that can be screwed together and into the end cap using the male  71  and female threaded holes  72  and screws  71 . The O-rings or washers  80  reduce movement of the secured weights and prevent the weight from unscrewing while the flag pole is moved. 
         [0035]    Thus, specific embodiments of a color guard adjustable flag pole weight have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims.