Banner poncho combination

A combination banner and poncho is shown consisting of a flexible plastic envelope with a staff attached to one edge, the envelope having an emblazed logo or the like, for waving over one's head at a sporting event, rally or the like. The device can be worn as a poncho if desired during inclement weather.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field Of The Invention 
The invention herein pertains to a flag or banner which may display 
advertising, a slogan, or a school logo such as for team sports, which is 
convertible to a poncho for wear during inclement weather. 
2. Description Of The Prior Art And Objectives Of The Invention 
Flags and banners have been popular for years for displaying advertising 
slogans, team emblems, company logos and the like. Such banners are 
usually attached to a pole or staff for manually waving high in the air at 
ball games, rallies and other events. 
Ponchos have been popular for years to help ward off weather elements in 
inclement weather when one is forced to work, play or remain outdoors. 
Spectators at ball games, rallies and the like often do not wish to leave 
an event merely because inclement weather arrives. Thus, ponchos, 
raincoats and other such gear are often worn. Umbrellas are sometimes not 
allowed in stadiums, bleachers and the like at sporting events due to 
their tendency to obstruct the view of other spectators seated or standing 
behind the user. 
With the problems and inconvenience of conventional protective weather 
gear, the present invention was conceived in part to combine the 
characteristics and advantages of both slogan-displaying banners and 
rain-proof ponchos into a single, easily transportable device which serves 
dual uses and it is therefore an objective of the present invention to 
provide a banner which can be converted to form a poncho when required. 
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a banner 
which displays a slogan, team emblem or the like. 
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a banner 
which has a staff attached for waving at a ball game, rally or the like. 
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a banner which 
is convertible into a poncho made of a waterproof material. 
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a banner 
which is convertible into a poncho which includes a hood for protection of 
one's head. 
It is also an objective of the present invention to provide a banner which 
is convertible into a poncho which can be compactly rolled and easily 
transported. 
Various other objectives and advantages of the present invention will 
become apparent to those skilled in the art as a more detailed description 
is set forth below. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The aforesaid and other objectives are realized by providing an envelope 
composed of a lightweight, flexible polymeric material such as a 
polyethylene plastic which can be used to display any of a variety of 
emblems, logos, slogans or the like on its outer surfaces. The banner 
poncho combination has a staff attached to one side of the envelope for 
use in waving at a game, rally or the like. The combination is easily 
convertible into a poncho as it provides an internal pocket between front 
and back layers of the envelope for one's body and has arm holes on either 
end. A hood is located at the top, adjacent to a head opening, for 
protection of the wearer's head during inclement weather. The envelope is 
easily rolled around the staff into an elongated, compact shape for ease 
in transporting and storage. When worn as a poncho, the staff hangs behind 
the wearer's arm, out of the way, or the staff can be completely removed 
if necessary.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The preferred form of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 wherein a 
banner poncho combination is formed from an envelope of thin, waterproof 
material, such as polyethylene plastic, attached to a flexible staff. The 
plastic envelope has an emblazed logo, slogan, or team emblem which can be 
used during ball games, rallies, etc. The invention as shown in FIG. 1 is 
being used as a team banner and is being waved by a fan wearing a similar 
team logo. The invention shown in FIG. 2 is used by the fan after 
inclement weather has dampened the activity which the spectator is 
observing. This combination shown in FIG. 2 covers the spectator's head, 
body and arms to ward off elements such as rain, sleet or snow, keeping 
the spectator dry, yet allows the spectator to display school or team 
spirit by the emblazed logo. The staff, which is used to wave the banner 
high, conveniently hangs out of the way behind the spectator's right arm 
when the invention is worn as a poncho. When the invention is being used 
as a banner, the hood can be tucked inside the interior of the plastic 
envelope. When inclement weather strikes, and the banner is worn as a 
poncho, the hood can be pulled out for use over the wearer's head. Arm 
holes near the top of the banner poncho combination provide means for a 
spectator to extend his arms and hands exteriorly of the poncho. The 
invention is preferably composed of thin sheets of conventional 
polyethylene plastic, sized to fit many as it measures approximately four 
feet in width by three feet in height. The staff preferably extends 
approximately one foot from the bottom of the envelope to provide a handle 
for waving the invention. The edge joints of the envelope may be sealed by 
heat or adhesives, preferably heat, for creating a waterproof, tight 
joint. 
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION 
For a better understanding of the invention, turning now to the drawings, 
FIG. 1 illustrates fan 10 using banner poncho combination 11 as a banner, 
waving it in the air above his head. Banner poncho combination 11 consists 
of lightweight, flexible envelope 26 removably attached to lightweight 
flexible staff 13. As can been seen, banner poncho combination 11 has logo 
12 on its front layer 21. Fan 10, wearing similar logo 12' on his 
clothing, is holding banner poncho combination 11 by staff 13 which 
extends along the right side of envelope 26. As can been seen in this 
figure, hood 16 is tucked inside envelope 26 proximate head opening 23. 
The joints 20,20' on edges of envelope 26 are heat sealed to give strength 
to joints 20,20' and prevent water from leaking into interior 19. As can 
been seen, bottom 18 is open, providing an entrance for fan 10 to fit 
therein upon threat of inclement weather. 
During rain, etc., fan 10 can place banner poncho 11 over himself as shown 
in FIG. 2 for protection. As can be seen fan 10 can extend his right arm 
24 through right arm opening 14 and can also extend his left arm 25 
through left arm opening 15. Fan 10 can extend his head through head 
opening 23 centrally located in top 17 of envelope 26. Hood 16 can also be 
worn for protection. Banner poncho combination 11 can now be worn by fan 
10 to continue displaying logo 12 with whatever slogan, logo or team 
emblem he desires. Staff 13 hangs out of the way behind right arm 24 as 
the top 17 of banner poncho combination 11 rests upon the shoulders of fan 
10. 
FIG. 3 shows a rear view of fan 10, as shown in FIG. 2, wearing banner 
poncho combination 11 as a poncho for protection from rain or the like. 
Here logo 12 is shown on the rear layer 22 of banner poncho 11. Staff 13 
is shown behind right arm 24 where it is out of the way. 
A right side elevational view of banner poncho combination 11 is shown in 
FIG. 4, as removed from the person. Hood 16 is presented extended from top 
17 of banner poncho combination 11. Staff channel 27 is shown at right 
edge of envelope 26 between joints 20, 20' as may be created by heat 
sealing or adhesive. Staff 13, which is a cylindrically-shaped rod, 
extends through staff channel opening 28 at envelope bottom 18, into staff 
channel 27, and up to closed staff channel end 29. Staff 13 can be 
slidably removed from staff channel 27 if desired. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 
3, staff channel 27 is located rearwards of right arm opening 14 so that 
when in place inside staff channel 27, staff 13 will hang out of the way 
behind the right arm 24 of fan 10 wearing banner poncho 11. In FIG. 4, 
right arm opening 14 can be seen frontward of staff 13 while front layer 
21 and rear layer 22 are shown flat, as unworn. 
The compactness and ease of transporting banner poncho 11 is shown by FIG. 
5, which demonstrates a rolled configuration. Envelope 26 is rolled around 
staff 13 into a thin, tubular shape with left arm opening 15 now seen on 
the outer surface. 
The illustrations and examples provided herein are for explanatory purposes 
and are not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims.