Flag mount for use with vehicles having tailgate spare tire carriers

A flag mounting apparatus for mounting a pole for a flag, banner, marker and the like to a vehicle, such as a “jeep” type vehicle having a spare tire mounted to the tailgate of the vehicle. The flag mounting apparatus is mounted to a plurality of spare tire mounting bolts and have one or more flag mounts for receiving a securing a flag pole.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is directed to a mounting apparatus for mounting an object to a vehicle, such as an automobile, and more specifically, to a mounting apparatus for mounting a flag or banner, or other similar pole-type objects, to a “jeep” type vehicle having a spare tire mounted to the tailgate of the vehicle.

Apparatus for removably mounting flags to vehicles are well known. Such mounting apparatus often employ suction devices, such as suction cups, attached to one end of a flag holder which are adapted to be releasably secured to the body of the vehicle. Such mounting apparatus using suction cup systems may be adequate for use with small flags or for vehicles traveling at relatively low speeds, they often are inadequate for mounting larger flags or banners, particularly for vehicles traveling at relatively high travel speeds or when a highway, road or driving terrane is not smooth, such as off-road driving. In addition, suction components generally deteriorate over time, reducing their attachment strength. Larger and heavier flags or banners or objects using longer poles, particularly when being acted on by the force of the wind produced by the moving vehicle, make it difficult to maintain the suction cup's seal against the surface of the vehicle.

Other apparatus have been developed for mounting a flag or pole-type object to a vehicle, such as by use of a magnetic stand that removably attaches to the surface of a vehicle. Unfortunately, like apparatus that the use suction cups, while they may be adequate for mounting small flags and banners or other light weight objects or for vehicles traveling at relatively low speeds, they typically are inadequate for mounting larger flags or banners or heavier objects on vehicles or on vehicles traveling at relatively higher speeds. Another apparatus that has been developed is a window mounting system that has an outer flag support for attaching to a flag or banner pole on the outside of the vehicle and an inner attachment that extends and hooks to the top of the window and is secured in place when the window is closed. Again, such apparatus may be adequate for mounting a relatively small flag or banner, they are generally not adequate for mounting larger flags and banners. Further, the window cannot be opened during use which can make them undesirable for certain applications.

Apparatus have also been developed that have been shown to be more adequate for supporting larger flags and banners on vehicles. Such apparatus often is attached to various parts of the vehicle, such as to the bumper of the vehicle or, in the case of a pickup truck, are often connected using an opening often found on sidewall of the truck bed. Unfortunately, such apparatus for attaching a flag or banner to a vehicle are often difficult and/or time consuming to install or can result in the surface of the vehicle, such as the bumper or sidewall of the truck, being scratched.

Many vehicles, such as “Jeep” type vehicles have been designed to have a spare tire mounted to the tailgate of the vehicle. Such vehicles typically used for off-road driving and users often wish to mount a flag to the vehicle making it easier to be spotted by others. In addition, it is often desirable to mount flags or banners, such as political and sports flags and the like. Further, users may also wish to mount other objects such as antennas, such as CB antennas, when driving off-road. However, attaching a flag mount to the back of such a vehicle can interfere with the use of a factory installed backing camera that are now required on new vehicles.

Accordingly, it is desirable to have an apparatus for attaching a flag or banner, or other similar objects of different sizes, to a “jeep” type vehicle having a spare tire mounted to the tailgate of the vehicle, that can support various size objects, that are stable and secure at different driving speeds and terrain, that can be easily attached and detached to the vehicle, and will not interfere with the operation of a factory installed backing camera, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is flag mounting apparatus for mounting to a spare tire mount attached to a tailgate of a vehicle. The flag mounting apparatus is attached to a spare tire mount having a vertical front surface and is vertically coupled to the tailgate of the vehicle by a plurality of threaded horizontal tire mounting bolts that extend from the vertical front surface and are aligning for mating with holes in a spare tire wheel for supporting a spare tire. The flag mounting apparatus of the subject invention comprises an attachment plate having a front face and a back face with a central opening extending through the attachment plate and a plurality of socket holes that align with the holes in the spare tire wheel and the threaded horizontal tire mounting bolt extending through each hole. The flag mounting apparatus further includes a plurality of horizontally extending sockets each having a proximal end opening and a distal end opening. The distal end opening of each horizontally extending socket aligns with and is adapted to receive a corresponding horizontally extending tire mounting bolt of the spare tire mount and are removably secured to the attachment plate by a socket attachment bolt extending through a corresponding socket hole in the attachment plate for mating with the proximal end opening of a corresponding socket. Secured to the front face of the attachment plate is at least one flag mount having a longitudinally extending channel for receiving a flag pole, such as a flag or banner pole, an antenna, and the like.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the distal end opening of each horizontally extending socket are threaded and sized for effectively mating with threads of the threaded horizontally extending tire mounting bolt and the proximal end opening is threaded and sized for effectively mating with threads of a socket attachment bolt that extends through a socket hole in the attachment plate for coupling the attachment plate to spare tire mount.

In a preferred embodiment a flag mount includes threaded holes for receiving a corresponding threaded flag mounting bolt that extends through a corresponding flag mount opening in the attachment plate and mates with the threaded hole for securing the flag mount to the attachment plate.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one flag mount includes a first side opening and an aligned second side opening for receiving a pin that extends through the first side opening and through a hole in a flag pole and out through the aligned second side opening. The pin includes a pin head sized such that it cannot move through the first side opening and a second end that extends through the aligned socket second side opening and has a pin aperture for receiving a lock that operates to prevent the pin from being removed and securing a flag pole within the flag mount.

In a preferred embodiment the flag mounting apparatus includes a spare tire locking component that operates to prevent one or more of the threaded socket attachment bolts from being removed thereby locking the spare tire on the spare tire mount on the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment the flag mounting apparatus comprises at least one flag mount that can be vertically rotated to a desired angle.

In a preferred embodiment the spare tire locking component includes a horizontally extending flap attached to the front face of the attachment plate and a cover covering one or more of the horizontal socket attachment bolts and having slot, wherein the horizontally extending flap extends through the slot in the cover and includes an opening for attaching a lock thereby preventing the horizontally extending flap from sliding through the slot thereby operating to secure the cover against the front face of the attachment plate.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the flag mounting apparatus includes a spare tire cover having at least one pole cover opening that operates to allow a flag pole to extend therethrough.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the cover includes a central opening that operates to allow the vehicle back-up camera to operate without interference from the cover.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is a flag mounting apparatus for use with a vehicle having a spare tire and wheel vertically mounted to the tailgate of a vehicle by a spare tire mount having a plurality of horizontally tire mounting bolts extending through corresponding holes in the wheel. The flag mounting apparatus comprises an attachment plate having a front face and a back face with a central opening extending through the attachment plate and a plurality of socket holes that align with the holes in the wheel of the spare tire and the horizontal tire mounting bolt extending through each hole. The flag mounting apparatus further includes a plurality of horizontally extending sockets each having a proximal end opening and a distal end opening. The distal end of each horizontally extending socket aligns with and is adapted to receive a corresponding horizontally tire mounting bolt of the spare tire mount and are removably secured to the attachment plate by a socket attachment bolt extending through a corresponding socket hole in the attachment plate for mating with the proximal end opening of corresponding socket. Secured to the front face of the attachment plate is at least one flag mount having a longitudinally extending channel for receiving a flag pole, such as a flag or banner pole, an antenna and the like. At least one flag mount includes a first side opening and an aligned second side opening for receiving a pin that extends through the first side opening and through a hole in a flag pole and out through the aligned second side opening. The pin includes a pin head sized such that it cannot move through the first side opening and a second end that extends through the aligned second side opening and has a pin aperture for receiving a lock that operates to prevent the pin from being removed and securing a flag pole within the at least one flag mount. The spare tire locking component includes a horizontally extending flap attached to the front face of the attachment plate and a cover covering one or more of the horizontal socket attachment bolts and having slot, wherein the horizontally extending flap extends through the slot in the cover and includes an opening for attaching a lock thereby preventing the horizontally extending flap from sliding through the slot thereby operating to secure the cover against

The subject invention is a flag mounting apparatus for mounting to a spare tire mount attached to a tailgate of a vehicle and having a vertical front surface with a plurality of threaded horizontal tire mounting bolts that extend from the vertical front surface and are aligning for mating with holes in a spare tire wheel for supporting a spare tire. The flag mounting apparatus comprises an attachment plate having a front face and a back face and a plurality of socket holes that align with the holes in the spare tire wheel and the threaded horizontal tire mounting bolt extending through each hole; a plurality of horizontally extending sockets each having a proximal end opening and a distal end opening, wherein the distal end opening of each said horizontally extending socket aligns with and is adapted to receive a corresponding horizontally extending tire mounting bolt and are removably secured to the back face of the attachment plate; and secured to the front face of the attachment plate is at least one flag mount having a longitudinally extending channel for receiving a flag pole is secured to the front face of the attachment plate.

In a preferred embodiment the distal end opening of each horizontally extending socket is threaded and sized to effectively mate with threads of a corresponding threaded horizontally extending tire mounting bolt and the proximal end opening is threaded and sized to effectively mate with threads of a socket attachment bolt that extends through a socket hole in the attachment plate to couple the attachment plate to spare tire mount.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein each flag mount is removable attached to the attachment plate and can be angled such that a flag pole extends in a direction at an angle from vertical.

In a preferred embodiment the flag mounting apparatus further comprises a flag locking apparatus for locking the flag pole in the longitudinally extending channel.

In a preferred embodiment the at least one flag mount includes a first side opening and an aligned second side opening for receiving a pin that extends through the first side opening and through a hole in the flag pole and out through the aligned second side opening and wherein the pin includes a pin head sized such that it cannot move through the first side opening and a second end that extends through the aligned socket second side opening; and wherein the pin has a pin aperture for receiving a lock that operates to prevent the pin from being removed and securing the flag pole within the longitudinally extending channel of the flag mount.

In a preferred embodiment the flag mounting apparatus further comprises a spare tire locking component that operates to prevent one or more of the threaded socket attachment bolts from being removed thereby locking the spare tire on the spare tire mount on the vehicle.

In a preferred embodiment the spare tire locking component includes a horizontally extending flap attached to the front face of the attachment plate and a cover covering one or more of the horizontal socket attachment bolts and having slot; wherein the horizontally extending flap extends through the slot in the cover and includes an opening for attaching a lock to prevent the horizontally extending flap from sliding through the slot thereby operating to secure the cover against the front face of the attachment plate.

In a preferred embodiment the flag mounting apparatus further comprises a spare tire cover sized to cover at least a portion of the spare tire and wherein the cover includes at least one pole cover opening that operates to allow a flag pole attached to the flag mount to extend therethrough such that a portion of the flag pole is not contained within the cover.

In a preferred embodiment the cover includes a central opening that operates to allow the vehicle back-up camera to operate without interference from the cover.

Another preferred embodiment is a flag mounting apparatus for use with a vehicle having a spare tire and wheel vertically mounted to a tailgate of the vehicle by a spare tire mount having a plurality of horizontally tire mounting bolts extending through corresponding holes in the wheel, the flag mounting apparatus comprises an attachment plate having a front face and a back face with a central opening extending through the attachment plate and a plurality of socket holes that align with corresponding holes in the wheel of the spare tire such that a horizontal tire mounting bolt extending through each corresponding hole; a plurality of horizontally extending sockets each having a proximal end opening and a distal end opening, wherein the distal end of each said horizontally extending socket aligns with and is adapted to receive a corresponding horizontally tire mounting bolt of the spare tire mount and are removably secured to the attachment plate by a socket attachment bolt extending through a corresponding socket hole in the attachment plate for mating with the proximal end opening of the corresponding socket; secured to the front face of the attachment plate is at least one flag mount having a longitudinally extending channel for receiving a flag pole, wherein the at least one flag mount includes a first side opening and an aligned second side opening for receiving a pin that extends through the first side opening and through a hole in the flag pole and out through the aligned second side opening; wherein the pin includes a pin head sized such that it cannot move through the first side opening and a second end that extends through the aligned second side opening and has a pin aperture for receiving a lock that operates to prevent the pin from being removed and securing the flag pole within the at least one flag mount; wherein the flag mounting apparatus further comprises a spare tire locking component having a horizontally extending flap attached to the front face of the attachment plate and a cover covering one or more of the horizontal socket attachment bolts and having slot, wherein the horizontally extending flap extends through the slot in the cover and includes an opening for attaching a lock to prevent the horizontally extending flap from sliding through the slot thereby operating to secure the cover against the front face of the attachment plate.

In a preferred embodiment each flag mount is removable attached to the attachment plate and can be angled such that a flag pole extends in a direction at an angle from vertical.

In a preferred embodiment the flag mounting apparatus further comprises a spare tire cover sized to cover at least a portion of the spare tire and wherein the cover includes at least one pole cover opening that operates to allow a flag pole attached to the flag mount to extend therethrough such that a portion of the flag pole is not contained within the cover.

In preferred embodiment the cover includes a central opening that operates to allow the vehicle back-up camera to operate without interference from the cover.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is a vehicle comprising a plurality of mounting bolts; flag mounting apparatus having an attachment plate and a plurality of sockets connected to the attachment plate and wherein each socket aligns with and mates with a corresponding mounting bolt; a flag mount attached to the attachment plate, wherein the flag mount has a channel for receiving a flag pole; a flag locking apparatus for locking the flag pole in said channel; wherein the flag mount can be rotated to change the direction that the flag pole extends from the flag mounting apparatus.

In aa preferred embodiment the plurality mounting bolts are coupled to a tailgate and extends through a plurality of holes in a wheel.

In preferred embodiment the vehicle has a back-up camera and wherein the attachment plate has an opening such that the camera is positioned such that it takes images through the opening.

In a preferred embodiment the sockets are removably attached to the attachment plate by corresponding socket attachment bolts and wherein the flag mounting apparatus includes a cover plate that covers one or more of the socket attachment bolts and wherein the cover plate can be locked into position covering one or more of the socket attachment bolts.

In a preferred embodiment the vehicle the plurality of mounting bolts operate to support a spare tire and wherein the flag mounting apparatus further comprises a cover that covers a portion of the spare tire and wherein the cover has at least one opening for receiving the flag pole therethrough.

Various other objects, advantages, and embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is directed to a mounting apparatus for attaching an object to a vehicle, such as an automobile, and more specifically, to a mounting apparatus for attaching a flag or banner, or other similar pole-type objects, to a “jeep” type vehicle having a spare tire mounted to the tailgate of the vehicle. As used herein the terms “downward” or “downwardly” refer to the direction towards the ground or the surface that the vehicle travels on. The term “generally perpendicular” refers to the angle of about 45 degrees to 90 degrees. The terms “upward” or “upwardly” refer to the direction away from the ground or the surface that the vehicle travels on. The term “vertical” refers to the direction generally perpendicular to the ground and the term “horizontal” refers to the direction parallel to the ground. As used herein, unless otherwise stated herein, the term “flag pole” is not limited to flag poles but includes flag poles, banner poles, signal poles, antennas, and rods and the like. In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

Referring toFIGS. 1-3, illustrate a conventional “jeep-type” vehicle10having a tailgate12and a spare tire14and wheel16mounted to a spare tire mount18attached to the tailgate12and having a vertical front surface20with a plurality of threaded horizontal tire mounting bolts22projecting horizontally outwardly from the vertical front surface20and function to extend through corresponding holes24in the wheel16. In one preferred embodiment, holes24are equally and concentrically spaced around a central opening26in the wheel16. Extending horizontally outwardly from the vertical front surface20of the spare tire mount18is a back-up camera28that is sized to fit through the central opening26and operates to video stream images to a driver's view screen (not shown).

The flag mounting apparatus100of the subject invention is shown inFIG. 4and comprises an attachment plate102for attaching to the threaded horizontal tire mounting bolts22(FIG. 2) of the spare tire mount18. The flag mounting apparatus and its various components are preferably formed from steel or aluminum but it should be understood that other materials such as a high-density polyethylene plastic or a combination thereof can be utilized. In a preferred embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 4-8, the attachment plate102includes a front face104(FIG. 4) and a back face106(FIG. 5) and a central opening108(FIG. 6) extending through the attachment plate102. The mounting apparatus100includes a plurality of horizontally extending sockets110each having a threaded proximal end opening112and a threaded distal end opening114(FIGS. 7 and 8). The threaded distal end opening114of each horizontally extending socket110aligns with and is sized and has a thread pitch adapted to receive and mate with a corresponding threaded horizontal tire mounting bolt22. The threaded proximal end opening112of each horizontal extending socket110aligns with a corresponding socket hole116(FIG. 6) in the attachment plate102and are secured to the back face106of the attachment plate102by a socket attachment bolt118(FIGS. 4 and 9) that is sized and have a thread pitch adapted to mate with the threaded proximal end opening112. As illustrated inFIG. 7, a preferred embodiment the outer surface120of each horizontal extending socket110includes an angular portion122. The angular portion122of the outer surface120has a hexagon or an octagon cross section to aide in using a wrench to tighten or loosen the horizontal extending socket110on the corresponding threaded horizontal tire mounting bolt22.

The front face104of the attachment plate102includes at least one flag mount124having a longitudinally extending channel126for receiving a flag pole30(FIGS. 10 and 11). The bottom surface128of the flag mount124includes a plurality of flag mount threaded holes130that align with corresponding flag mount opening132in the attachment plate102(FIG. 6). A flag mounting bolt134extends through a corresponding flag mount opening132(FIGS. 5 and 6) and is sized and has a thread pitch for mating with a corresponding flag mount threaded hole130for securely attaching the flag mount124to the front face104of the attachment plate102. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment plate102includes additional flag mount openings132that operate to allow a flag mount124to be attached at an angle using one or more of the additional flag mount openings132. It should now be understood to one skilled in the art that the additional flag mount threaded holes allow the flag mount to be attached at an angle from vertical thereby allowing a flag or banner pole, antenna and the like to be positioned at an angle (such as between 20°-45° from vertical). It should also be understood to one skilled in the art that the number of additional flag mount openings that may be provided is not limited to the number as shown but additional flag mount openings may be provided to permit the flag mounts to be mounted at additional angles.

Referring toFIG. 11, preferably each flag mount124includes a flag locking apparatus139having a first side opening136positioned on one side of the flag mount and is aligned with a second side opening138on the opposite side of the flag mount and are adapted for receiving a pin140that extends through the first side opening136and through a hole32in a flag pole30and out through the aligned second side opening138. The pin140includes a pin head142sized such that it cannot move through the first side opening136and a second end144that extends through the aligned second side opening138and has an aperture146in the second end144for receiving a lock (not shown) that operates to prevent the pin140from being removed and securing a flag pole30within the longitudinally extending channel126of the flag mount124. It should now be apparent to one skilled in the art that by connecting a lock to the aperture in the pin prevents the unauthorized removal of the flag pole from the flag mount and ensures that the flag pole remains in the longitudinally extending channel during use of the vehicle. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the flag pole30is secured in place in the longitudinally extending channel126by using a flag pole having a diameter nearly the same of slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the longitudinally extending channel such that the flag pole is secured within the channel by a frictional fit sufficient to maintain the flag pole in position within the channel during use of the vehicle. In another preferred embodiment, as shown ifFIG. 13, the longitudinally extending channel126includes an elastic or rubber-type cushion or a removable sleeve147positioned along the surface of the longitudinally extending channel126such that the channel can accommodate different diameter size flag poles while maintaining a sufficient frictional fit to prevent the flag pole from slipping out of the channel during use. It should now be apparent that the cushion allows for different size flag poles to be inserted or a proper sized removable sleeve can be selected to allow for different flag poles having different diameters to be inserted into the channel such that it produces a frictional fit sufficient to maintain the flag pole in the channel during use of the vehicle while also allowing the flag pole to be easily inserted and removed.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown inFIGS. 4, 9, 12 and 14-16, the mounting apparatus100includes a spare tire locking component148that includes a base portion150positioned parallel to and along the back face106of the attachment plate102and includes a tab152extending perpendicular to the base portion150and extends through a slot154(FIG. 6) in the attachment plate102. The spare tire locking component148further includes a cover plate156having a front surface158and a back surface160. The back surface160includes recesses162for receiving and covering one or more of the socket attachment bolts118. A slot164extends through the front surface158and the back surface160of the cover plate156and are sized to receive corresponding socket attachment bolts118when the cover is placed along the front face104. When in its proper position, the cover plate156is positioned such that the cover slot164is aligned with the slot154in the attachment plate102and is sized to allow the tab152to pass through the slot154and cover slot164. The tab152includes an opening166for attaching a lock (not shown) thereby preventing the tab152from sliding back through the cover slot164and slot154in the attachment plate102thereby operating to secure the cover plate156against the front face104of the attachment plate102. It should now be apparent to one skilled in the art that the cover plate operates to prevent the removal of the socket attachment bolts118without unlocking and removing the cover plate thereby preventing the unauthorized removal of the spare tire.

Referring toFIGS. 17-18, the flag mounting apparatus100further includes a spare tire cover168that is sized to fit over the spare tire14. Preferably, the spare tire cover168is formed from a heavy-duty vinyl material, such as a UV resistant marine-grade vinyl. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown, the spare tire cover168includes a front cover portion170having a central cover opening172that permits the back-up camera28to extend outwardly thereby not hindering or preventing operation of the back-up camera28. The spare tire cover168further includes one or more cover openings174positioned along a bulge area176along the front cover portion170. It should be understood that the bulge area176is sized such that it covers the attachment plat162, the horizontally extending sockets110and the flag mounts124of the flag mounting apparatus100. The cover openings174are positioned along the bulge area176such that when a flag pole30is positioned within the longitudinally extending channel126of a flag mount124, it extends outwardly through one of the cover openings174. In another preferred embodiment, the bulge area176includes an apparatus opening and closing component178, such as a zipper, that allows access to the flag mounting apparatus without the need to remove the spare tire cover from the spare tire.

Referring toFIG. 19, installing the flag mounting apparatus on a conventional “jeep-type” vehicle having a tailgate and a spare tire and wheel mounted to a spare tire mount attached to the tailgate is performed by removing the nuts from the horizontal tire mounting bolts projecting horizontally outwardly from the vertical front surface of the spare tire mount and extending through corresponding holes in the wheel that operate to hold the spare tire in place on the tire mounting bolts (STEP200). After the tire mounting nuts have been removed, a horizontal extending socket is then attached to each tire mounting bolt by screwing the threaded distal end opening onto the tire mounting bolt (STEP202). The attachment plate is them placed in position such that each horizontal extending socket aligns with a corresponding socket hole in the attachment plate and are then secured along the back face of the attachment plate by inserting a socket attachment bolt through the corresponding socket hole and screwing the socket attachment bolt into the proximal end opening of the corresponding horizontal extending socket (STEP204). It should now be apparent that the angular portion of the socket permits a user to use easily a wrench, pliers, or other similar tool to tighten the sockets to the tire mounting bolts and to the socket attachment bolt. Once the attachment plate has been tightly attached to the mounting bolts for the spare tire using the sockets, a flag pole can then be inserted into the longitudinally extending channel of a flag mount (STEP206) and secured in place such that it will not slip out of the channel during use (STEP208). In a preferred embodiment, one or more of the flag mounts can be moved, rotated, such that a flag pole extending out of the channel is not vertical but is at an angle from vertical (STEP210). In another preferred embodiment, a spare tire cover is placed over the spare tire and the mounted attachment plate and at least one flag pole is inserted through a cover opening such that it extends outwardly from the spare tie cover (STEP212).

It should now be apparent that the flag mounting apparatus of the subject invention provides a desirable apparatus for attaching a flag or banner, or other similar objects of different sizes, to a “jeep” type vehicle having a spare tire mounted to the tailgate of the vehicle, that can support various size objects, that is stable and secure at different driving speeds and terrain, that can be easily attached and detached to the vehicle, and will not interfere with the operation of a factory installed backing camera, and is relatively inexpensive to manufacture. The flag mounting apparatus operates to allow one or more flags to be mounted thereon and can be adjusted such that one or more flags can be maintained in a vertical position or can be positioned at an angle from vertical. Further, the flag mounting apparatus allows a flag to be mounted and locked in a flag mount to help maintain the flag in position on the flag mount and will not dislodge or become detached during high vehicle speeds and rough driving terrain. The flag mounting apparatus also provides a system for locking the flag pole on the apparatus to reduce the possibility of theft but also further ensures that the flag will not dislodge or become detached during use of the vehicle. It should also now be apparent that the flag mounting apparatus also can be used to help protect the spare tire from theft. It should also be apparent that the flag mounting apparatus of the subject invention can include a cover for protecting the spare tire, such as from harmful UV rays that can deteriorate the spare tire over time, which can also improve the appearance of the vehicle, while also permitting one or more flag poles to be attached to the flag pole mounting apparatus while maintaining the cover over the spare tire.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, it should be noted that there are alternative ways of implementing both the method and system for implementing the method of the present invention. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the subject invention.