Abstract:
A flag connection assembly is provided for attaching a flag to a flag pole assembly, where the flag pole assembly includes a flag pole and a halyard, and the flag including at least two openings adjacent a linear edge. A pair of bridge straps are provided, each bridge strap including at least one loop and a loop-remote portion. The halyard includes shackles adapted to snap to the loop-remote portion of the bridge straps. The loops are constructed of flexible material collapsible for pulling through one of the openings, after which it is expandable for pulling the loop-remote portion through the loop to self-attach the bridge straps to the flag. Preferably, the bridge straps are made of a durable woven nylon or cloth and have a length permitting free flapping and movement of the flag in a breeze.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. section 119(e) of provisional application Ser. No. 61/377,282, filed Aug. 26, 2010, entitled BRIDGE DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A FLAG TO A SHACKLE, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a bridge device for connecting a flag to a shackle. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Flags, such as “stars and stripes” flags raised as a tribute to and symbol of the United States, are connected to and hung from flag poles by various means. However, often the existing connection devices are restrictive, causing the flag to not flow and move freely in a breeze. This can detract greatly from the flag&#39;s appearance. Further, many existing attachment arrangements for attaching a flag to a flag pole are cumbersome and difficult to use. Still further, many known attachment arrangements include mechanisms that are not as durable as desired. Also most known attachments create a metal-to-metal contact (such as grommet to shackle contact) that can be unsightly and even destructive as the metal corrodes and wears. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The present innovation concerns a flag connection assembly for attaching a flag to a flag pole assembly, where the flag pole assembly includes a flag pole and a halyard, the flag including at least two openings adjacent a linear edge and the halyard including shackles. The present innovation includes providing a pair of bridge straps each including at least one loop and a loop-remote portion constructed for attachment to one of the shackles; where each of the loops are constructed of flexible material collapsible for pulling through one of the openings and expandable for pulling the loop-remote portion through the loop to self-attach the bridge straps to the flag. As thus attached, the bridge straps position the loop-remote portions for attachment to the shackles and thus provide a releasable securement to the halyard. 
         [0005]    Also in another aspect, an innovative combination includes a flag pole assembly, a flag, and a flag connection assembly for attaching the flag to the flag pole assembly, where the flag pole assembly includes a flag pole and a halyard with at least two shackles; the flag including at least two openings adjacent a linear edge. The flag connection assembly includes a pair of bridge straps each including at least one loop and a loop-remote portion. Each of the loops being constructed of flexible material that is collapsible for pulling through one of the openings and expandable for pulling the loop-remote portion through the loop to self-attach the bridge straps to the flag. Shackles releasably attached to the loop-remote portion. 
         [0006]    A method of connecting a flag to a flag pole assembly is provided, where the flag pole assembly includes a flag pole and a halyard with shackles thereon, and where the flag includes at least two openings adjacent a linear edge. The method includes steps of providing a pair of bridge straps each including at least one loop and a loop-remote portion. The bridge straps are constructed of a flexible material. The method includes pulling each bridge strap through one of the openings and expanding the bridge strap so that the loop-remote portion can be pulled through the loop and then pulling the loop-remote portion through the loop, and releasably securing the shackles to the loop-remote portion. 
         [0007]    The present innovation also includes a flag connection assembly for attaching a flag to a flag pole assembly, where the flag pole assembly includes a flag pole and a halyard having releasable connectors thereon, and where the flag includes at least two openings adjacent a linear edge. The flag connection assembly includes an elongated flexible member including at least one loop and a loop-remote portion. Each of the loops are constructed of flexible material collapsible for pulling through one of the openings and expandable for pulling the loop-remote portion through the loop to self-attach the flexible member to the flag, with the loop-remote portion including aperture structure for releasable securement to releasable connectors on the halyard. 
         [0008]    An object of the present invention is to provide a flag-supporting attachment that eliminates metal-to-metal contact (e.g., of a grommet and a shackle). 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a flag pole assembly of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is an enlargement of the circled area IA in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a bridge device of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side view of a bridge device of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a top view of a bridge device of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the bridge device in an unassembled configuration illustrating a method of forming the bridge device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a top view of the bridge device in an unassembled configuration illustrating a method of forming the bridge device. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  illustrates steps of a method of connecting the bridge device of the present invention to a flag. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  illustrates a front view of a second embodiment of a connection assembly of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as orientated in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined herein. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise. 
         [0019]    The reference number  10  ( FIG. 1 ) generally designates a flag pole assembly embodying the present invention. In the illustrated example, the flag pole assembly  10  comprises a flag pole  12 , a halyard  14  and a flag  16 . A connection assembly  18  connects the flag  16  to the halyard  14 . The connection assembly  18  includes a pair of shackles  20  and a pair of bridge devices  22  (also called “bridge straps” herein). Aspects of the present invention include the bridge devices  22 , a method of connecting a flag  16  to the bridge devices  22 , and a method of making the bridge devices  22 . 
         [0020]    In the illustrated example, the flag pole  12  is inserted into the ground  24  and is configured to support the flag  16  above the ground  24 . The flag pole  12  can comprise any structure for supporting the flag  16  above the ground. In the illustrated example, the flag pole  12  includes a post  26  inserted into the ground and having a truck or pulley  28  at a top thereof. The halyard  14  is connected to the truck or pulley  28  and is configured as an endless loop. The halyard  14  is configured to wind about the truck or pulley  28  to allow the flag  16  to be raised from the ground  24  to the top of the flag pole  12  and lowered back to the ground  24 . Such a system with the halyard outside of the post  26  is called an external halyard system. The flag pole  12  can include a cleat  30  at a bottom thereof for typing the halyard thereabout to maintain the flag  16  in the raised position (see  FIG. 1 ). However, it is contemplated that the flag pole  12  could have any configuration. For example, the post  26  could be connected to any stationary (e.g., side of building, roof of building, front of house, etc.) or movable (e.g., boat) object. Moreover, the post  26  could have any cross-sectional configuration (e.g., circular, square, rectangular, octagonal, etc.) The truck or pulley  28  could also have any configuration. Furthermore, the flag pole  12  could have an internal halyard such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,621, entitled FLAG SUPPORT SYSTEM, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. Moreover, the halyard  14  could be formed of common rope, metal cable (e.g., stainless steel cable), polyester or any other material. The flag pole  12  is configured to maintain the flag  16  above the ground  24 . 
         [0021]    The illustrated flag  16  is connected to the flag pole  12  by the connection assembly  18  and is configured to unfurl in the air. The flag  16  can comprise any shape and have any design thereon. For example, the flag  16  can be rectangular (as shown), triangular, square or any other shape having at least one substantially linear edge  32 . The flag  16  includes a pair of spaced openings  34  adjacent the edge  32 . Grommets  36  typically surround the openings  34  to strengthen the material of the flag  16  surrounding the openings  34 . It is contemplated that the flag could be made of any material (e.g., polyester, cotton or Nylon). The connection assembly  18  connects the flag  16  to the flag pole  12 . 
         [0022]    In the illustrated example, the connection assembly  18  includes the pair of shackles  20  connected to the halyard  14  and the pair of bridge devices  22  connected to the flag  16 . The shackles  20  include a first section connected to the halyard  14  and a second section connected to the bridge device  22 . The first section and the second section are preferably rotatable relative to each other. The second section includes an aperture that is selectively opened. It is contemplated that instead of a shackle  20 , any clip or other device that can be selectively connected to the bridge device could be used. It is also contemplated that the clip or other device could be permanently connected to the bridge device  22  after the bridge device  22  has been connected to the flag  16 . 
         [0023]    The illustrated bridge devices  22  (see  FIGS. 2-4 ) connect the flag  16  to the shackles  20  or similar devices. The bridge device  22  comprises a substantially flat rectangular piece of material  125  having an untwisted fold forming a first loop  128  and a twisted fold forming a second loop  130 . It is contemplated that the material could be any sufficient suitable material. For example, the material could be made of cloth or nylon, such as 9764 ½″ white nylon as sold by Carolina Narrow Fabric Company of Winston-Salem, N.C. The width of the bridge device  22  can be narrower than an internal diameter of the opening  34  in the flag  16  to allow the bridge device  22  to be easily inserted through the opening  34 . It is contemplated that a width of the strap making the bridge device  22  could have various cross sectional dimension, and that it&#39;s width could be equal to or larger than the diameter of the opening  34 . The illustrated material has a cross section size preferably of about ½ inch wide and slightly less than 1/16 inch thick, with the loops each being about 2¼ inch long (for a total length of about 4½ inches), but it is also contemplated that the material could have a thicker section than shown and can be made longer or shorter than shown. For example, the straps could include an elongated flexible strip of material having a width of greater than about ¼ inch and less than about 1 inch. 
         [0024]    In the illustrated example, the bridge device  22  can be formed from a flat, rectangular piece of the material  125 . The material  125  will have a top side  132  having a first end area  134 , a middle area  135  and an opposite second end area  136 . Likewise, the material will have a bottom side  138  having a first end area  140  and an opposite second end area  136 . The bridge device  22  can be formed by folding the first end area  134  of the top side  132  of the material  125  over onto the middle area  135  of the top side  132  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  such that the first end area  134  of the top side  132  abuts the middle area  135  of the top side  132 . The first end area  134  of the top side  132  is then connected to the middle area  135  of the top side  132 . Likewise, the second end area  136  of the top side  132  is twisted and then folded over onto the middle area  135  of the top side  132  as illustrated in  FIGS. 5 and 6  such that the second end area  142  of the bottom side  138  abuts the middle area  135  of the top side  132 . The second end area  142  of the bottom side  138  is then connected to the middle area  135  of the top side  132 . It is contemplated that the first end area  134  of the top side  132  can be connected to the middle area  135  of the top side  132  and the second end area  142  of the bottom side  138  can be connected to the middle area  135  of the top side  132  by adhesive, sewing (e.g., heat) or any other manner. 
         [0025]      FIG. 7  illustrates the method of connecting the illustrated bridge device  22  to the flag  16 . In Step  1  (upper left corner of  FIG. 7 ), the second loop  130  of the bridge device  22  is inserted through the opening  34  in the flag  16 . Although the second loop  130  of the bridge device  22  is illustrated as being inserted through the opening  34  from a rear of the flag  16 , it is contemplated that the second loop  130  of the bridge device could be inserted through the opening  34  from a front of the flag  16 . After the second loop  130  has been inserted through the opening  34  in Step  1 , the first loop  128  of the bridge device  22  is inserted through the second loop  130  in Step  2  (see upper right corner of  FIG. 7 ). As shown in Step  3  (lower right corner of  FIG. 7 ), the first loop  128  of the bridge device  22  is pulled away from the flag  16  to securely affix the bridge device  22  to the flag  16 . This method of  FIG. 7  can be used with all openings  34  in the flag  16 . Preferably, the bridge device  22  is employed at least at the openings  34  adjacent a top and a bottom of the edge  32  of the flag  16 . As illustrated in Step  3  of  FIG. 7 , the second loop  130  can include a surface abutting a pair of edges of the flag  16  at a corner of the flag  16 . After the bridge devices  22  have been connected to the flag  16 , the shackles  20 , clip or other device as described above is connected to the bridge device  22  by inserting the shackle  20 , clip or other device through the first loop  128  to connect the bridge device  22 , and thereby the flag  16 , to the shackles  20 , clips or other devices, to thereby connect the flag  16  to the halyard  14  and the flag pole  12 . For example, the second section of the shackle  20  could include a clip forming a selectively separable circle and the first loop  128  could be inserted into the selectively separable circle while the circle is open, and then the circle can be closed to trap the first loop  128  of the bridge device  22  therein. 
         [0026]    The reference numeral  18   a  ( FIG. 8 ) generally designates another embodiment of the present invention, having a second embodiment for the connection assembly. Since connection assembly  18   a  is similar to the previously described connection assembly  18 , similar parts appearing in  FIGS. 1-7  and  FIG. 8 , respectively, are represented by the same, corresponding reference number, except for the suffix “a” in the numerals of the latter. The second embodiment of the connection assembly  18   a  includes the bridge device  22   a  directly connected to the halyard  14   a  by wrapping the second loop  130   a  around the halyard  14   a  and pulling the first loop  128   a  through the opening in the second loop  130   a.  The first loop  128   a  can then be connected to a shackle either permanently or removably connected to the flag (at either at the top of the edge  32  of the flag  16 , the bottom of the edge  32  of the flag  16  or both the top and the bottom of the edge  32  of the flag  16 ). It is also contemplated that the bridge device  18   a  could be connected to a rope connected to the flag  16  adjacent the edge  32  in a similar manner as shown in  FIG. 8  or could be connected to a ring connected to the flag adjacent the edge  32 . It is contemplated that the bridge device  22  could be connected to the flag  16  permanently (e.g., by sewing), such that the bridge device  22  includes the first loop  128  extending from a corner of the edge  32  of the flag  16  (similar to that shown in step  2  of  FIG. 7 ). In such a bridge device, the first end area  134  of the bridge device  22  would not have to be folded to form the second loop  130 . 
         [0027]    The foregoing detailed description is considered that of a preferred embodiment only, and the particular shape and nature of at least some of the components in this embodiment are at least partially based on manufacturing advantages and considerations as well as on those pertaining to assembly and operation. Modifications of this embodiment may well occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the invention after learning the nature of this preferred embodiment, and the invention lends itself advantageously to such modification and alternative embodiments. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiment shown in the drawings and described above is provided principally for illustrative purposes and should not be used to limit the scope of the invention