Abstract:
A device for properly illuminating a flag supported on the flagpole, during the hours of darkness, has the flag lit when means for illumination is energized. The means for illumination—an external source of AC or DC power, internal battery power or solar power—is disposed so as to direct the illumination generally in the direction of the flag, and apply that illumination only during hours of darkness. It is preferred that the means of illumination is permanently connected to a source of energy that provides a photo-cell-operated switch for monitoring the ambient light and for allowing the energy source to be directly applied to that means primarily during hours of darkness.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to illumination devices, and more specifically to an illumination device for illuminating a flag during the hours of darkness.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     It is a custom universal to this country to display a flag only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary flagstaffs in the open. However, according to a law passed by Congress, U.S. Code Title 4, Chapter I, Section 6(a), when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24 hours a day, but only if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.  
         [0005]     Various illuminating devices for use in conjunction with flags and flag poles have been proposed and used for many years, at least as early as 1918, where an illuminating device is shown and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,256,232 to Howard. In this patent, a hollow pole is provided with a plurality of openings that are covered by a lens closing each opening. Bulbs are provided within the hollow pole and arranged so as to be aligned with the lenses so that light rays may be projected through the openings in lenses onto the flag. Reflectors are shown used behind the bulbs to enhance the amount of light reflected in the direction of the flag.  
         [0006]     In U.S. Pat. No. 1,258,022 to Kray, a socket is attached to the top of a flagstaff. A battery is provided at the lower end of the staff for selectively electrifying the bulb, which is generally arranged above the flag.  
         [0007]     In U.S. Pat. No. 1,383,234 to Raguse, a flagpole is shown, in which a series of incandescent lamps are provided at the top of a flagpole, and are connected to suitable electrical source. These lamps are permanently mounted on the flagpole and are activated by a suitable switch. By providing a plurality of angularly spaced lamps, the flag can rotate in a horizontal plane and be illuminated in all positions.  
         [0008]     In U.S. Pat. No. 1,878,447 to Sutphen, a metallic flagpole is formed of tubular sections. However, a section adjacent to the flag is made from a translucent or transparent material so that the light generated by fluorescent tubes or incandescent lamps can illuminate a flag.  
         [0009]     In U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,975 to Meyer a flagpole light is disclosed in which a lamp fixture,is mounted at the top of the flagpole and is tapered so that light generated within the fixture is reflected downwardly in the direction of the flag.  
         [0010]     A fixed light at the based of the flagpole is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,923,001 to Murdoch, which can be suitably turned on and off by a switch.  
         [0011]     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,226 to Fast lamps producing significant amounts of ultraviolet light are used to illuminate commercial flags advertising products and/or establishments. These flags contain ultraviolet light fluorescent material that is illuminated by the ultraviolet light.  
         [0012]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,100 to Schmitt discloses a device for illuminating display flags. Here, an internally lighted flag mast reflects light externally using reflective materials. When it becomes dark, a photosensor automatically activates a light source for illuminating the flag.  
         [0013]     The U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0193804 to Schroeder seeks to illuminate a flag so that it may be displayed 24 hours a day. This is done by mounting a light source immediately adjacent to the flag that directs light towards the flag through a transparent portion of the flag-mounting pole, similar to the concept disclosed in Sutphen &#39;447.  
         [0014]     In view of the above, it is evident that flagpole lighting devices have been proposed for some time. In most of these patents, however, the light source is integrally and permanently formed with and is part of the flagpole itself. Of course, separate lamps spaced from the light source, such as in Fast &#39;226, have also been proposed. However, by mounting the bulbs at a distance from the flag pole, more powerful light sources are required to illuminate the flag or the illumination is reduced, and the light sources are on the ground, where they can be dangerous obstacles to pedestrians.  
         [0015]     In none of the prior art that has been uncovered is there any teaching of a lighting kit that can be selectively attached to and/or removed from an existing flagpole and mounted relatively closely to the position of the flag so that its light intensity may be maintained at a desired level.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]     Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a device for properly illuminating a flag during the hours of darkness that does not have the disadvantages inherent in such prior art devices.  
         [0017]     It is another object of the invention to provide a device of the type under discussion that is simple in construction and economical to manufacture.  
         [0018]     It is still another object of the invention to provide a device as in the previous objects that can be selectively and easily attached to/or removed from an existing flagpole.  
         [0019]     It is yet another object of the invention to provide a device for illuminating a flag during hours of darkness that can be mounted on the flagpole relatively closely to the position of the flag so that its light intensity may be maintained at a maximum or desired level.  
         [0020]     It is a further object of the invention to provide a device as in the previous objects that can be used with “after-market” light sources and with existing flags and flagpoles.  
         [0021]     In order to achieve the above objects, as well as other that will become apparent hereinafter, a device for properly illuminating a flag in accordance with the present invention, which is support on the flagpole, during the hours of darkness, comprises illuminating means for generating light when energized. Attaching means is provided for attaching said illuminating means to a flagpole to direct the illumination generally in the direction of the flag. Means are provided for selectively energizing said illumination means so that the flag is illuminated only during hours of darkness. The device may be operated by an external source of AC or DC power, internal battery power or solar power. Advantageously, the illumination means is permanently connected to a source of energy, and a photo-cell-operated switch is provided for monitoring ambient light and for allowing the source of energy to be directly applied to the illumination means during hours of darkness. And these “after-market” light sources can be used with existing flagpoles. To this extent, they have the advantage that they are not restricted to use with specific flagpoles from specific manufacturers, but rather can be used with all flagpoles, newly manufactured or existing ones. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]     The above and other objects of the invention may be more readily seen when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a U.S. flag mounted on a structure such as the outside wall or surface of a building, in which a device for properly illuminating the flag in accordance with the present invention is mounted on the flagpole and arranged to direct a beam of light at the flag;  
         [0024]      FIGS. 2-4  are different views of the device for providing the illumination shown in  FIG. 1 , as seen from different directions, and providing additional details of the construction of the device; and  
         [0025]      FIG. 5  is a end elevational view of a clamp forming part of the device shown in  FIGS. 1-4  for securely attaching the device to the staff of the flag, and further illustrating a sleeve or annular spacer positioned between the external surface of the clamp and the internal surface of the flagpole to accommodate a small diameter flagpole. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0026]     Referring now specifically to the Figures, in which identical or similar parts are designated by the same reference numerals throughout, and first referring to  FIG. 1 , a flag, in this case a United States flag, is generally designated by the reference numeral  10 . The flag  10  is supported on a flagpole or staff  12  at one outer or remote end  12   a . At the other or proximate end  12   b , the flag is shown mounted by means of a bracket  14  to a surface  16  of a structure  18 , such as a house or other building.  
         [0027]     The device in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the reference numeral  20 , and it is arranged between the two ends  12   a ,  12   b  at a position and manner to direct a beam of illumination  22  in the direction of the suspended flag  10 . As will be more fully described in connection with the preferred embodiment, the illumination device  20  is connected by means of a power cord  24  and a plug  26  to an exterior terminal or outlet box  28 .  
         [0028]     Referring to  FIGS. 2-4 , the device  20  includes an exterior terminal or junction box  30  in the form of a chassis or housing that is substantially enclosed by means of a cover  32  that is used to close and seal the cover, by means of a sealing material  34 , a chassis or housing  36 . Extending outwardly from the cover  32  is a mounting or support post  38  to which there is adjustably or pivotably mounted a bulb assembly  40 . The bulb assembly  40  is of a common type frequently used for exterior lighting and typically includes a socket (not shown) for receiving a bulb such as an incandescent bulb that may be a floodlamp or a spotlamp. The bulb assembly  40  is mounted to be pivoted or rotatably adjusted about a pin or shaft  42 . When positioned in its desired orientation, ribbed locking disks  44  or the like may be utilized and tightened and fix the position of the bulb assembly  40  by means of a knurled adjusting or tightening knob  46 .  
         [0029]     At the opposing side of the chassis or housing  30 , from which the support post  38  extends, there is provided an attaching member for attaching the device to a flagpole so the light the devices generates can be directed generally in the direction of the flag  10 . Such attachment device can take any desired or suitable form, and numerous fastening devices will occur to those skilled in the art. In the presently preferred embodiment, one example of such attaching or fastening device is in the nature of a clamp  48  that can be tightened about the flagpole  12 .  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the clamp  48  may be in the nature of a C-clamp having a generally circular inner surface  48   a  and a slot defined by two opposing generally flat surface  48   b . Thus, the clamp shown is not unlike automotive clamps used for connection to terminal posts of lead-acid batteries. While automotive clamps of the type shown are generally made of lead, the clamp  48  in accordance with the present invention made be made from any suitable material, including plastic, which need not be electrically conductive, as long as gap formed by the two opposing flat surfaces  48   b  can be increased or decreased by tightening or loosening screw or fastener  50 . If desired, the surfaces  48   b  can be provided with a greater separation, as suggested by the parallel dashed lines  48   b ′ to facilitate mounting of the clamp onto a flagpole without requiring that the clamp be mounted from one end of the flagpole but may, instead, be mounted by simply slipping the clamp over the flagpole at any intermediate portion thereof.  
         [0031]     Optionally, there may be provided an insert  52  of a generally non-compressible material, such as rubber, that can be received between the external surface of the flagpole  12  and the internal surface  48   a  of the clamp for allowing the clamp to be tightened about a flagpole having a diameter smaller than the predetermined or nominal minimum diameter of the opening  48   a.    
         [0032]     The specific manner in which the device  20  is energized is not critical. Thus, for example, the device may be plugged into a source of AC power, as suggested in  FIG. 1 . Of course, the power cable or cord  24  may be directly wired into a junction box in lieu of being connected by means of a plug and socket, as shown. Alternate methods of energizing the device are also possible. It will be clear that the device may be powered by conventional batteries that may be housed within the housing or chassis  30 . Also, the device may be energized by means of a solar power source of the type well known for storing electrical energy during hours of daylight by converting the sunlight to electrical energy that is stored in storage cells or batteries.  
         [0033]     According to a feature of the present invention, the device  20  is selectively energized so that it directs a beam of light  22  at the flag only during hours of darkness. This may, of course, be effected in a number of different ways. A power switch may be provided, either for providing or removing power from the exterior terminal or outlet box  28 , or a switch may be provided in line within the power cord  24 . Any switch for selectively interrupting power to the device may be used. Since the unit should be energized when darkness begins, this can be done in a number of ways. Clearly, one way is to have a person manually energize the device. However, automatic means may also be used, including an electronic timer, of the type used to turn on and turn off house lamps in the evening. In the presently preferred embodiment, there is provided a light-sensitive element for monitoring ambient light, in the form of a photo-cell  54 . When the amount of ambient light decreases below a predetermined threshold, the photo-cell is connected to a well-known circuit for turning on a switch that directs power to the device.  
         [0034]     Also in accordance with the presently preferred embodiment, the device  20  is provided with illumination-altering means for selectively changing at least one property of the illuminated beam of light. Thus, referring to  FIG. 3 , the bulb or lamp assembly  40  includes an optical filter  56  interposed between the bulb and the flag. Such optical filter may comprise a color filter to provide special effects or reflect a special occasion or holiday. The element  56  may also be a protective filter to protect the flag from harmful components of the illuminated light.  
         [0035]     It will become evident from the above description that the present invention is in the nature of a “kit” that can be purchased by any owner of a home or business and attached to any conventional flagpole so that the flag may be illuminated, as required by law, should the flag be displayed during hours of darkness.  
         [0036]     While this invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that variations and modifications will be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein and as defined in the appended claims.