A FLAG WITH A MEANS FOR KEEPING IT DISTENDED

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flag with a means for keeping said flag distended and appearing as natural as possible under all wind and weather conditions. The flag comprises a flexible bar (1), the ends of which are retained in pockets (2 and 3) along the upper rim (4) of the flag and the rim (5) of said flag adjacent the flagpole, whereby the bar is firmly fixed and extends substantially in the plane of the flag while forming a curve extending upwards towards the upper corner of the flag adjacent the flagpole. The flag comprises a means (6) for the bar in an area between the pockets. The means comprises a strip of the flag resulting from two short cuts (7 and 8) therein.

Description: 1 Title: A flag with a means for keeping it distended Technical Field The present invention relates to a flag with a means for keeping said flag distended while it is attached to a flagpole or the like. The flag is of the type usually being hoisted in a vertical flagpole. Background Art Flags are known inter alia from the US-PS Nos. 2,732,823 and 3,091 ,21 5, and these flags are provided with a pocket extending diagonally from the lower corner adjacent the flagpole to the upper corner farthest away from said flagpole. A reinforcing rib is placed in the pocket. These arrangements are primarily adapted to be used in connection with strong plastic traffic flags. Problems arise, however, when these arrange¬ ments are used for flags of ordinary fabric because such flags are not kept distended so as to present a natural appearance. Arrangements are furthermore known where the flag is hanging loosely downwards from a horizontally projecting bar arranged perpendicular to the flagpole. This flag cannot be kept distended either so as to present a natural appearance. Brief Description of the Invention The object of the invention is to provide a flag being kept nicely distended under all wind and weather conditions. The flag according to the invention is characterised in that it comprises a flexible bar being retained in the area around the upper rim of the flag and the rim of said flag adjacent the flagpole, respectively, whereby said bar is firmly fixed and extends substantially in the entire plane of the flag so as to form a curve extending upwards towards the upper corner of the flag adjacent the flagpole. The resulting distended state of the flag ensures that said flag is kept nicely distended also when only a gentle breeze applies. The flag according to the invention provides thus an increased visibility of the flag, whereby a demand from many establishments, such as filling stations and fast-food chains, for an increased visibility of their advertisements and company flags has been met. One aspect of the invention is to make the flag appear as a flag naturally distended by the wind. This aspect can be further inten¬ sified by the bar being painted in the same colour as the flag. Yet another aspect of the invention is that the bar can be reused in connection with purchase of new flags. According to the invention it is particularly preferred that the flexible bar is retained by means of pockets accommodated along the upper rim of the flag and in the rim perpendicular thereto and parallel to and adjacent the flagpole, said pockets being adapted to receive their respective ends of the flexible bar. The spreading of the flag can be changed according to desire and in re- sponse to the position and length of the pockets as well as to the resi¬ lience of the bar. According to the invention the flag may comprise a fixing part for the bar in an area between the means, whereby it is ensured that the bar is kept close to the flag. Flags made of polyester may be provided with a fixing part which is provided by means of two short parallel cuts in the flag for the insertion of the bar. The fixing part may also be formed by a velcro tape sewn or glued onto the flag. Brief Description of the Drawing The invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which a preferred embodiment of a flag accord¬ ing to the invention is shown, said flag being hoisted in a vertical flagpole. Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention The flag shown in the drawing comprises a flexible bar 1 , the ends of which are retained in pockets 2 and 3 along the upper rim 4 of the flag and the rim 5 of said flag adjacent the flagpole, respectively. The bar is kept in curved state and extends substantially in the plane of the flag while forming a curve which extends towards the upper corner of the flag adjacent the flagpole. The flag comprises a fixing part 6 for the bar, said fixing part being formed by a strip of the flag provided by means of two short cuts 7 and 8 in said flag. The flexible bar 1 is made of a steel material. It can, however, also be made of another suitable material, such as a plastic material reinforced by means of carbon fibres or glass fibres. The pockets 2 and 3 are provided by pieces of fabric similar to the fabric of the flag being sewn or glued onto a conventional fabric flag. Thus the pockets 2 and 3 are preferably made such that as far as the colour is concerned they coincide with the colour of the flag. The bottom of the pockets 2 and 3 can be reinforced by means of an insertion of plastics in such a manner that the bar 1 does not wear out said pockets. According to an embodiment of the invention the flag is of a height of 1 40 cm and a width of 200 cm. The bar 1 is of a diameter of 5 mm and in the straightened state it is of a length of 255 cm. The bottom of one pocket 2 is placed along the upper rim 4 of the flag and 1 60 cm away from the upper corner adjacent the flagpole. The bottom of the other pocket 3 is placed along the rim 5 of the flag adjacent the flagpole and 1 40 cm away from the upper corner adjacent said flagpole. The said pockets are both of a length of 95 cm and 70 cm, respectively. The use of the above technique provides an outward pressure along the upper rim 4 of the flag, cf. the arrow a in the drawing, as well as an upward pressure, cf. the arrow b. Furthermore, a downward pressure is provided along the rim 5 of the flag adjacent the flagpole, cf . the arrow c, and a backward pressure, cf. the arrow d in the drawing. A tightening of the flag halyard 9 ensures that the rim 5 of the flag adjacent the flagpole is not forced behind the flagpole. The invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodi¬ ment. Many modifications can, however, be performed without thereby deviating from the scope of the invention. The bottom of the pocket adjac- ent the flagpole may for instance be placed a short distance away from the lower corner. Such a position of the latter bottom applies in particular to flags of a dimension along the flagpole which is larger than the dimen¬ sion measured perpendicular to said flagpole. The flag may instead of being hoisted in a flagpole also be attached in another manner, such as on a wall or the like surface.

Claims: Claims 1. A flag with a means for keeping said flag distended while it is attached to a flagpole or the like, c h a r a c te r i s e d in that it com¬ prises a flexible bar (1), the ends of which are retained in the area around the upper rim (4) of the flag and the rim (5) of said flag adjacent the flag¬ pole, respectively, whereby said bar is firmly fixed and extends substan¬ tially in the entire plane of the flag so as to form a curve extending upwards towards the upper corner of the flag adjacent the flagpole. 2. A flag as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the flexible bar is retained by means of pockets (2 and 3) accommodated along the upper rim (4) of the flag and in the rim (5) perpendicular thereto and parallel to and adjacent the flagpole, said pockets being adapted to receive their respective ends of the flexible bar. 3. A flag as claimed in claim 1 or2, c h a ra c te ri s ed in that the flag comprises a fixing part (6) for the bar in an area between the means. 4. A flag as claimed in claim 3, c h a racterised in that the fixing part comprises a strip of the flag resulting from two short cuts (7 and 8) therein. 5. A flag as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 4, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the bar (1) is made of steel, glass fibre, carbon-reinforced plastics or another flexible material. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 20 August 1996 (20.08.96); original claim 1 amended; remaining claims unchanged (1 page)] 1. A flag with a means for keeping said flag distended while it is attached to a flagpole or the like, c h a r acte ri sed in that it com¬ prises a flexible bar (1), the ends of which are retained in the area around the upper rim (4) of the flag and the rim (5) of said flag adjacent the flag¬ pole, respectively, whereby said bar is firmly fixed in a bended state and extends substantially in the entire plane of the flag so as to form a curve extending upwards towards the upper corner of the flag adjacent the flagpole. 2. A flag as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the flexible bar is retained by means of pockets (2 and 3) accommodated along the upper rim (4) of the flag and in the rim (5) perpendicular thereto and parallel to and adjacent the flagpole, said pockets being adapted to receive their respective ends of the flexible bar. 3. A flag as claimed in claim 1 or2, characterised in that the flag comprises a fixing part (6) for the bar in an area between the means. 4. A flag as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i s e d in that the fixing part comprises a strip of the flag resulting from two short cuts (7 and 8) therein. 5. A flag as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 4, c < θrβc teri s« d in that the bar ( 1 ) is made of steel, glass fibre, carbon-reinforced plastics or another flexible material.

Inventors: CHRISTENSEN JOHN, THOSTRUP CHRISTIAN, CHRISTENSEN, JOHN, THOSTRUP, CHRISTIAN
Applicants: CHRISTENSEN JOHN, THOSTRUP CHRISTIAN, CHRISTENSEN, JOHN, THOSTRUP, CHRISTIAN
Application year: 1996
Main classification: G09F17
IPC codes: G09F15, G09F17