Patent Publication Number: US-2018033350-A1

Title: Dual display flag system and method

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/368,175 filed Jul. 29, 2016, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of signals and indicators of existing art and more specifically relates to flags and flagstaffs. 
     RELATED ART 
     A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or as decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design displayed, and flags have since evolved into a general tool for rudimentary signaling and/or identification, especially in environments where communication can be challenging. National flags can be patriotic symbols with varied and wide-ranging interpretations, often including military associations or identifications due to their original and ongoing military uses. Flags can also used in messaging, advertising, or for other decorative purposes such as supporting enthusiasm for a sports team or other similar association. 
     Many United States (or other country) citizens are proud, not only of their country, but also their heritage. Unfortunately, they typically have to choose between flying an American flag or a flag that represents their homeland or heritage. Additionally, state buildings, such as government offices, police and/or fire departments, and others have to install two or more flagpoles for state and/or country flags, which can be a hardship for some communities. Therefore a suitable solution is desired. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 7,665,412 to Gregg K. Walls relates to a reversible rally flag. The described reversible rally flag includes a flag having a first panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, the first panel bearing a first indicia visible from the outer surface when the flag is turned outside-out, and from the inner surface when the flag is turned inside-out; and, a second panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, the second panel bearing a second indicia visible both from the outer surface when the flag is turned outside-out, and from the inner surface when the flag is turned inside-out; the first and second panels each having a perimeter, the perimeters of the first and second panels substantially secured to one another to form a pouch having a single opening to accommodate turning the flag inside-out. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known flags and flagstaffs art, the present disclosure provides a novel dual display flag system and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a dual display flag system and method. 
     A dual display flag is disclosed herein. The dual display flag includes a banner, and a mount. The banner includes a first-side, a second-side, and a length which define the banner. The first-side is configured to display a first-indicia and the second-side is configured to display a second-indicia, where the first-indicia and second-indicia differ in appearance. Preferably the first-indicia and the second-indicia each comprise an identifying symbol for a territory. 
     At least one edge of the banner is structured and arranged to removably affix the banner to a mount, where the mount is configured to display the banner. Preferably, at least one edge of the banner comprises at least one affixer, with the affixer configured to affix the dual display flag to the mount. The affixer preferably includes a plurality of grommets and additionally includes at least one clip and one cable to display the banner, where the mount includes a flag pole. 
     In one embodiment, the banner may comprise dimensions larger than five feet by eight feet. In other embodiments, the banner may comprise dimensions smaller than or equal to five feet by eight feet. Also, the banner may be constructed from a water-resistant material. Further, banner may be constructed from a tear-resistant material to provide longevity and durability during use. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of using a dual display flag is also disclosed herein. The method of using a dual display flag includes a first step, providing a dual display flag, the dual display flag including a banner and a mount; a second step; mounting the banner upon a mount, and a third step, displaying the dual display flag in public view. 
     For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a dual display flag, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the dual display flag during an ‘in-use’ condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2A  is a left-side perspective view of the dual display flag of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2B  is a right-side perspective view of the dual display flag of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a front perspective view of the dual display flag of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a front view of the dual display flag of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating a method of using a dual display flag, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to flags and flagstaffs and more particularly to a dual display flay as used to improve the ability of a user to display the contents of two flags simultaneously using a single flag. 
     Generally, a dual display flag enables citizens, business owners, state, and government officials, as well as others, to proudly fly two flags simultaneously. The dual display flag may comprise a dual-sided flag in which one country&#39;s flag appears on one side and other countries, states, or other enthusiastic flag appears on the other side. The flag may be offered in assorted sizes to accommodate a standing or mounted flagpole, a vehicle&#39;s antenna, or other locations/mountings. 
     Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , various views of a dual display flag  100 . 
       FIG. 1  shows a dual display flag  100  during an ‘in-use’ condition  150 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure (‘in-use’ condition(s)  150  also shown in  FIGS. 3-4 ). Here, the dual display flag  100  may be beneficial for use by a user to display the contents of two different flags on a single flag. As illustrated, dual display flag  100  may include banner  110 . As shown, banner may be displayed upon mount  128 , where mount  128  may include stand  144 . 
     According to one embodiment, the dual display flag  100  may be arranged as a kit  105 . In particular, the dual display flag  100  may further include a set of instructions  107 . The instructions  107  may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of dual display flag  100  such that the dual display flag  100  can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner. 
       FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B  show the dual display flag of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, dual display flag  100  may include banner  110 . Banner  110  may include first-side  112  configured to display first-indicia  114 , second-side  116  configured to display second-indicia  118 , and length  120  defining banner  110 . As shown, first-indicia  114  and second-indicia  118  differ in appearance. At least one edge  122  of banner  110  may be structured and arranged to removably affix banner  110  to mount  128 , mount  128  configured to display banner  110 . 
     At least one edge of banner may include a tassel-fringe. Also, at least one edge of banner  110  may include at least one affixer  126 , affixer  126  configured to affix dual display flag  100  to mount  128 . Affixer  126  may comprise a plurality of grommets in some embodiments. Other embodiments may include affixer  126  which may be at least one clip (not shown) and alternatively at least one cable  136 . Further embodiments may include at least one hook-and-loop fastener (not shown). Additional embodiments may include alternate or multiple affixers  126 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front-perspective view of the dual display of  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown, mount  128  may comprise flag pole  138  in some embodiments, where flag pole  138  may be free standing (as shown in  FIG. 1 ), or may be affixed to building  20 . Other embodiments may comprise mount  128  which may include an antenna for vehicle  10  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
     First-indicia  114  and second-indicia  118  of banner may each comprise an identifying symbol for a territory, where a territory may include a country, city, state, etc. Also, first-indicia  114  and second-indicia  118  may each comprise a logo identifying a sports team, and/or may comprise an emblem. 
     Banner  110  of dual display flag  100  may be manufactured in many shapes and/or sizes. In some embodiments banner  110  may include dimensions smaller than three feet by five feet. Another embodiment may include dimensions of banner  110  larger than five feet by eight feet. Other embodiments may include banner  110  with dimensions between three feet by five feet and five feet by eight feet. 
       FIG. 5  is a flow diagram illustrating method of using a dual display flag  500 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In particular, method of using a dual display flag  500  may include one or more components or features of the dual display flag  100  as described above. As illustrated, the method for method of using a dual display flag  500  may include the steps of: step one  501 , providing dual display flag  100 , dual display flag  100  including banner  110  and mount  128 ; step two  502 , mounting banner  110  upon mount; and step three  503 , displaying dual display  100  flag in public view. 
     It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112(f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for method of using a dual display flag. (e.g., different step orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc.), are taught herein. 
     The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.