Abstract:
A telescopic flagpole for reducing the manual force required to extend and secure multiple segments. The flagpole includes a plurality of segments including a bottom segment, at least one intermediate segment, and a top segment; a plurality of sleeve assemblies each positioned between an associated pairing of a relatively lower segment and a relatively higher segment; and a plurality of biasing members each urging an associate one of the segments toward an extended position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to telescopic flagpoles and more particularly pertains to a new flag pole for providing enhanced access to a flag being displayed and improved manual extension and retraction capabilities. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   The use of flagpoles is known in the prior art. Illustrative examples of such devices include: U.S. Pat. No. 4,406,097; U.S. Pat. No. 5,540,017; U.S. Pat. No. 5,572,835; U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,896; U.S. Pat. No. 859,233; U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,700; U.S. Pat. No. 6,287,042; U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,555; U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,078; U.S. Pat. No. 3,675,615; U.S. Patent Application: 2002/0037192. 
   While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the need remains for a assembly which requires reduced manual force to extend and secure multiple segments in a telescoping arrangement. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The basic configuration of a telescopic flagpole in general and a lanyard-free telescopic flag pole in particular have been described thoroughly in the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,896 issued to Harold Wiese. The specification of the U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,896 is hereby and herewith incorporated by reference into this disclosure. 
   The present invention overcomes a limitation of the prior designs, specifically the force necessary to lift the various segments into position. As the number of intermediate segments in the telescopic flagpole increase, and/or the overall span of the segments increases, it becomes increasingly difficult to manually lift the segments into position. Additionally, securing the segments in an extended position also becomes more difficult. The present invention provides a series of biasing means to assist in positioning the segments into their extended position. Further, the present invention provides a locking system which aides in the retention of the segments in their extending positions. Finally, by implementing a twist to engage/disengage structure in the locking system, the manual extension and securing of the telescopic flagpole is significantly enhanced. 
   To this end, the present invention generally comprises a plurality of segments including a bottom segment, at least one intermediate segment, and a top segment; a plurality of sleeve assemblies each positioned between an associated pairing of a relatively lower segment and a relatively higher segment; and a plurality of biasing means each urging an associate one of the segments toward an extended position. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   The objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of a new flag pole in an extended position according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic partial cross-sectional view of the present invention in a retracted position. 
       FIG. 3  is a schematic cross-sectional view of an upper sleeve member of the present invention taken along line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic cross-sectional view of a lower sleeve member of the present invention taken along line  4 — 4  of  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic top view of a stop ring member of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic perspective view of the upper sleeve member of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the lower sleeve member of the present invention. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to  FIGS. 1 through 7  thereof, a new flag pole embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  10  will be described. 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1 through 7 , the flag pole  10  generally comprises a plurality of segments  20 , a plurality of sleeve assemblies  30 , and a plurality of biasing means  40 . 
   Preferably, the plurality of segments  20  includes a bottom segment  22 , at least one intermediate segment  24 , and a top segment  26 . Each of the segments  20  comprises a rigid elongate cylindrical tube of a size to fit telescopically within the next adjacent lower tube. 
   A similar configuration is also contemplated using only a top segment  26 , bottom segment  22 , one sleeve assembly  30  and one biasing means  40 . 
   The plurality of sleeve assemblies  30  facilitate telescopic movement of adjacent tubes. Each one of the sleeve assemblies  30  is positioned between an associated pairing of a relatively lower segment and a relatively higher segment. 
   Each one of the plurality of biasing means  40  urges an associate one of the segments  20  toward an extended position. 
   Most preferably, each one of the plurality of sleeve assemblies  30  further comprises an upper sleeve member  36  and a lower sleeve member  31 . The upper sleeve member  36  is positionable to abut a top edge of the relatively lower one of the segments  20 . The lower sleeve member  31  is positionable to abut a lower edge of the relatively higher one of the segments  20 . 
   In a preferred embodiment, the lower sleeve member  31  further includes a lower stop portion  32 , an upper stop portion  33 , and a ledge portion  34 . The lower stop portion  32  engages a bottom portion of an associated one of the biasing means  40  associated with the relatively higher segment. The upper stop portion  33  engages a top portion of an associated one of the biasing means  40  associated with the relatively lower segment. The ledge portion  34  is used for engaging a bottom edge of the relatively higher segment. 
   In a further embodiment, the upper sleeve member  36  includes a lip portion  37 . The lip portion  37  abuts a top edge of the relatively lower segment. 
   Preferably, the upper sleeve member  36  selectively engages the lower sleeve member  31 . Thus, the lower sleeve member  31  is maintained in a static position relative to the upper sleeve member  35 . As the ledge portion  34  of the lower segment engages the bottom of a relatively higher segment, securing the lower sleeve member  31  to the upper sleeve member  36  secures the relatively higher segment in an extended position. 
   Preferably, the upper sleeve member  36  selectively engages the lower sleeve member  31 . Thus, the lower sleeve member  31  is maintained in a static position relative to the upper sleeve member  36 . As the ledge portion  34  of the lower segment engages the bottom of a relatively higher segment, securing the lower sleeve member  31  to the upper sleeve member  36  secures the relatively higher segment in an extended position. 
   The biasing means  40  is preferably a spring member. In at least one embodiment, the spring member has a compressed overall length of approximately 9 inches, and an extended overall length of approximately 90 inches. 
   A stop ring member  50  may be positioned in a bottom portion of the bottom segment  22 . The stop ring member  50  engages a bottom portion of a first one of the plurality of biasing means  40 . 
   The assembly  10  may also include a plurality of retaining means  60 . Each one of the plurality of retaining means  60  is associated with one of the segments  20  for selectively securing the segment  20  in a non-extended position. 
   In use, the desired height of the extended flagpole assembly will be determinative of the number of segments used, the length of each segment, and the diameter of each segment. As an illustrative example only, and not for purposes of limitation, the following table presents the configuration of three lengths of flagpoles contemplated by the present invention. 
   
     
       
             
             
             
             
             
           
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
                 
               Depth 
                 
               # of 
               Outer diameter of Segments (Inches) 
             
             
               Total 
               into 
               # of 
               Biasing 
               Segment # 
             
           
        
         
             
               Length 
               Ground 
               Segments 
               Means 
               1 
               2 
               3 
               4 
               5 
               6 
             
             
                 
             
             
               20 Feet 
               14″ 
               4 
               3 
               2.25 
               2.00 
               1.75 
               1.50 
               — 
               — 
             
             
               25 Feet 
               16″ 
               5 
               4 
               2.50 
               2.25 
               2.00 
               1.75 
               1.50 
               — 
             
             
               30 Feet 
               18″ 
               6 
               5 
               2.75 
               2.50 
               2.25 
               2.00 
               1.75 
               1.50 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Once the flagpole has been installed, the user couples the flag to be displayed to the top segment. The user then raises the top segment to its fully extended position and rotates the top segment until the locking tab portion of the first lower sleeve member engages the locking slot portion of the first upper sleeve member. The user then raises and secures each subsequent segment in a similar manner. To lower the flag pole, the process is simply reversed. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.