Patent Publication Number: US-9852668-B2

Title: Flag and banner hanging apparatus and install method

Description:
This application claims benefit under 35 USC section 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/924,910, filed Jan. 8, 2014, entitled FLAG AND BANNER HANGING APPARATUS AND INSTALL METHOD, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates a seasonal flag and banner hanging apparatus and method, and more particularly relates to an apparatus and method for hanging seasonal flags/banners that allows the installer/remover to stand on the ground while installing/removing flags from their pole/post mounting brackets. 
     Many entities hang flags and banners (hereafter generally referred to as “banners”) from posts, poles, buildings and other upright structures. The reasons are varied, and range from improving the appearance of city streets, to advertising, to promoting team products and activities, to celebrating holidays and special events. Known systems for hanging the flags and banners require that the installer/remover be at a height of the flag/banner in order to attach (or detach) the flag/banner to mounting brackets. For example, see  FIG. 43  which illustrates one method in prior art. Also, ladders and other means can be used. 
     However, known prior art methods and apparatus are less efficient than desired, require considerable man-power and capital equipment, and require effort to make them safe and to limit liability during installation/removal. Also, known prior art methods and apparatus often tend to unacceptably require disruption of traffic flow during installation/removal. For example, the illustrated method of  FIG. 43  lifts a worker high in the air by a utility lift truck with personnel basket, but is relatively costly (since it requires a lift truck or other expensive capital equipment), less safe than desired (since the worker is lifted high above ground), cumbersome (since the connection often requires separate bolts/zip-ties/or/fasteners), is labor intensive, and requires that the adjacent area be temporarily roped off or closed (so that pedestrians and/or vehicles don&#39;t pass under the worker). An improvement is desired that provides savings/improvements in terms of cost, capital investment, efficiency of install and removal, and safety. Also, an improvement is desired that potentially eliminates the need for traffic engineering services while working from a road right of way to install or remove the banners/flags. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for hanging a banner on an upright structure, comprises a base configured for attachment to the upright structure; a mounting bracket constructed to releasably engage the base while supporting the banner; and an install adapter constructed to releasably carry the mounting bracket but that releases when the mounting bracket is secured to the base. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for removing a banner hung on an upright structure, comprises a base configured for attachment to the upright structure; a mounting bracket engaging the base and supporting the banner; and a removal adapter constructed to engage the mounting bracket and release the mounting bracket from the base. The base, mounting bracket, and removal adapter are constructed to engage and disengage without using separate loose fasteners. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus comprises an upright structure and a pair of bases attached to the upright structure; a banner assembly including a banner and a pair of mounting brackets constructed to releasably engage the bases while supporting the banner in a hanging position; and an installation tool including a pole and at least one install adapter attached atop the pole that is constructed to releasably hold the mounting bracket but then release when the mounting bracket becomes secured to the base. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for hanging a banner on an upright structure, comprises a base having first flanges to receive a band retainer for attaching the base to the upright structure and having second flanges defining a bracket-holding cavity; a mounting bracket having a mating portion shaped to wedgingly fit into the bracket-holding cavity and having a friction-generating retainer for holding the mounting bracket to the base, the mounting bracket also having a rod-supporting structure for supporting a banner-carrying rod; and an install adapter constructed to hold the mounting bracket during installation into the bracket-holding cavity, and constructed to then release the mounting bracket. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method for hanging a banner on an upright structure, comprises providing a base configured for attachment to the upright structure; providing a mounting bracket constructed to releasably engage the base while supporting the banner; providing an install adapter constructed to releasably hold the mounting bracket and then release when the mounting bracket is secured to the base; attaching the mounting bracket to install adapter and then using the install adapter to install the mounting bracket to the base without using separate fasteners; and disengaging the install adapter from the mounting bracket. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method for installing a banner hung on an upright structure, comprises providing a base, and a banner-carrying mounting bracket adapted to engage the base; and using a pole-mounted install adapter to engage the mounting bracket, then cause the mounting bracket to engage the base without using separate loose fasteners, with the install adapter releasing the mounting bracket after the mounting bracket is attached to the base. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method for removing a banner hung on an upright structure, comprises providing a base and a banner-carrying mounting bracket attached to the base; and using a pole-mounted removal adapter to engage the mounting bracket and cause the mounting bracket to disengage from the base without using separate loose fasteners. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method for hanging a banner on an upright structure comprises providing a base configured for attachment to the upright structure, providing a mounting bracket constructed to releasably engage the base while supporting the banner, providing an install adapter constructed to releasably hold the mounting bracket and then release when the mounting bracket is secured to the base, and attaching the mounting bracket to install adapter and then using the install adapter to install the mounting bracket to the base, and thereafter disengaging the install adapter from the mounting bracket, doing so remotely and without using separate fasteners. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method for removing a banner hung on an upright structure, comprises providing a base configured for attachment to the upright structure, providing a mounting bracket constructed to releasably engage the base while supporting the banner, providing a removal adapter constructed to engage the mounting bracket and release the mounting bracket from the base, and using the removal adapter to first engage the mounting bracket and then further using the removal adapter to cause the mounting bracket to disengage from the base, doing so remotely and without using separate fasteners. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method includes attaching at least one base to an upright structure, providing a banner assembly including a flexible banner and at least one mounting bracket, providing an installation tool including a pole and at least one install adapter attached atop the pole, using the installation tool to releasably engage the at least one mounting bracket with the base while supporting the flexible banner in a hanging position, and thereafter releasing the installation tool from the at least one mounting bracket when the mounting bracket becomes secured to the base. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, a method comprises providing a base having first flanges to receive retainer fasteners for attachment to the upright structure and second flanges defining a tapered cavity, providing a mounting bracket having a mating tapered portion shaped to wedgingly fit into the tapered cavity and having a friction-generating retainer for holding the mounting bracket to the base and also having a horizontal rod-supporting structure for supporting the banner on a rod that engages the rod-supporting structure, providing an install adapter constructed to hold the mounting bracket and then release the mounting bracket as the mating tapered portion fits into the tapered cavity, manipulating the mounting bracket using the install adapter to wedgingly fit the mounting bracket into the tapered cavity, and further manipulating the install adapter to disengage the install adapter with the mounting bracket. 
     These and other aspects, objects, and features of the present invention will be understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art upon studying the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an elevational view showing an apparatus embodying the present invention including a base, a mounting bracket and an install adapter, the view showing a street light pole with two pre-attached spaced-apart bases, the worker holding a telescopingly extended pole with the install adapter at its top end, with the install adapter holding the two mounting brackets and the banner while being lifted to a position near a top of the street light pole for install onto the bases. 
         FIGS. 2-3  are elevational views similar to  FIG. 1 , but  FIG. 2  shows the top mounting bracket attached to the top base (with the install adapter and second bracket/banner slightly lowered), and  FIG. 3  showing both the top and bottom mounting brackets attached to respective bases on the pole (with the pole and install adapter completely pulled away). 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of the base, the mounting bracket, and the install adapter of  FIG. 1 , and including a line showing inter-engagement of components. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged view similar to a top of  FIG. 1 , but showing the banner with top/bottom rods and top/bottom mounting brackets, and showing a path of assembly of the top/bottom mounting brackets to the respective bases on the pole (the top being attached first). 
         FIGS. 6-8  are perspective views of the base, mounting bracket and install adapter, respectively, from  FIG. 4 , which, in combination, eliminate a need for separate loose fasteners and that allow the installation to be done from a remote (ground) position. 
         FIG. 9A  is a cross sectional view of the mounting bracket taken along lines IX-IX in  FIG. 7 , the spring-biased retainer being shown in a locking position. 
         FIG. 9B  is a cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 9A , but showing the removal adapter with fingers holding the spring-biased retainer on the mounting bracket in a released position. 
         FIGS. 9C-9E  are additional perspective views of the mounting bracket from  FIG. 7 , showing a relationship of the mounting bracket, the retainer, the retainer&#39;s biasing spring, one of the banner-carrying rods (see  FIG. 5 ), a banner sheet-holding clip, and miscellaneous other components. 
         FIGS. 10-11  are side and front views of the telescopingly extendable pole with install adapter at its top end, similar to that shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a removal adapter engaging the mounting bracket (see also  FIG. 9B ), the removal adapter engaging arms of the spring-biased retainer on the mounting bracket to release the retainer, thus facilitating removal of the mounting bracket from a given base, thus eliminating a need for separate loose fasteners and allowing the removal to be done from a remote position. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a modified apparatus that includes a pole, two down-facing spaced-apart install adapters (see  FIG. 10 ) and two up-facing spaced-apart removal adapters (see  FIG. 12 ). 
         FIGS. 14-16  are elevational views using the pole tool with install adapters of  FIG. 13 , showing sequentially removing the banner/mounting brackets from the bases on the light pole. 
         FIG. 17  is a fragmentary elevational view similar to  FIG. 3 , but showing a banner held by a modified attachment system including two modified bases and two modified mounting brackets. 
         FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view of  FIG. 17 , showing the banner-carrying mounting brackets exploded from a pair of the street-light-pole-mounted bases. 
         FIGS. 19-23  are front, top, side, bottom and back views of the base of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIGS. 24-28  are front, top, side, bottom and back views of the mounting bracket of  FIG. 18 . 
         FIGS. 29-32  are side views showing installation of the mounting bracket onto a mating base (see  FIGS. 17-18 ),  FIG. 32  showing the mounting bracket locked at a top locked position on the base. 
         FIG. 33  is a side view similar to  FIG. 32 , but showing that during installation, the mounting bracket can be adjusted to a lower locked position on the base. 
         FIG. 34  is a horizontal cross section through  FIG. 32  (or  FIG. 33 ) showing a relationship of the mounting bracket to the base, including sliding engagement of mating flanges. 
         FIG. 35  is a perspective view of a pole-attached tool including two down-facing installer adapters on a left side and two up-facing removal adapters on a right side. 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view showing a mounting bracket releasably held in the installer adapter of  FIG. 35 . 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view showing a mounting bracket held in the remover adapter, with leaf-spring prongs on the remover adapter engaging the spring-biased retainer on the mounting bracket to hold the retainer in its release position, and bullet-nose alignment prongs centering the removal adapter on the mounting bracket. 
         FIGS. 38-40  are views similar to  FIGS. 1-3 , but showing the modified attachment system of  FIGS. 17-18, 35 ,  FIG. 38  showing pre-install positions,  FIG. 39  showing a top mounting bracket installed on a pole-attached base but showing the bottom mounting bracket still attached to the installer adapter on the pole tool, and  FIG. 40  showing a fully attached banner with top and bottom mounting brackets attached to spaced-apart bases on the street light pole. 
         FIGS. 41-42  are views similar to  FIGS. 15-16 , but showing the modified system of  FIGS. 17-18, 35 ,  FIG. 41  showing the bottom mounting bracket released and on the pole tool but the top mounting bracket still attached to the top base on the street light pole, and  FIG. 42  showing a completely unattached banner with top and bottom mounting brackets carried by spaced-apart remover adapters on the poll tool. 
         FIG. 43  is an elevational view showing a prior art method of installation. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present apparatus  30  (also called “attachment system” herein,  FIGS. 1-4 ) includes bases  31 , mounting brackets  32 , an install adapter  33  ( FIGS. 4, 8 ), and further a removal adapter  34  ( FIGS. 12-13 ). These components combine and cooperate to allow a worker to install a banner  40  high in the air while standing on the ground.  FIGS. 1-3  illustrate a pair of based  31  on a street light pole, but it is contemplated that the base can be supported on any upright structure. Further, as used herein, the term “banner” is intended to cover flags, aesthetic decorative sheets/banners/fabrics, and/or other flexible sheets with indicia such as pictures, designs, information or writing/text/indicia thereon. More specifically, the present apparatus  30  includes a pair of spaced bases  31  attached to an upright structure  36  (such as the street light pole or building). The illustrated straps  37  attach two bases  31  to the street light pole, but it is contemplated that the base can be attached by any fastener desired, such as screws, bolts, zip ties, hooks, brackets, nails, adhesive, bonding, and the like. A manually-held telescopingly-extendable pole  38  includes a top end with transverse bar  39 , with two spaced-apart install adapters  33  extending downward from the transverse bar  39 . The banner  40  includes a flexible sheet  41  with indicia  42  thereon and with upper and lower horizontal rods  43 ,  44  supporting the banner  40  when installed. A mounting bracket  32  is attached to an inboard end of each rod  43 ,  44 , and if desired, a clip or zip tie or other anti-slip component is used to keep the banner  40  from bunching toward one end of the rods  43 ,  44 . 
     One method of installation proceeds as follows. The bases  31  are pre-installed on an upright support structure (e.g. street light pole or building) in a desired spaced-apart relationship. Two mounting brackets  32  (with rods  43 ,  44  fixed therein) are releasably engaged on the install adapters  33 , with the banner  40  hanging between the rods. The extendable pole  38  is extended (with the worker standing on the ground), and the mounting brackets  32  are manipulated by the worker to first lower the top mounting bracket  32  into engagement with the top base  31  (see  FIG. 2 ), and then secondly to lower the bottom mounting bracket  32  into engagement with the bottom base  31  (see  FIG. 3 ). Once both mounting brackets  32  are attached to respective bases  31 , the banner  40  (including sheet  41  and rods  43 , 44 ) are supported on the upright structure  36 , with the banner  40  spread out between the rods  43 , 44  in a readable position. After installation, the extendable pole  38  with install adapters  33  can be pulled away. Notably, the present system does not require any separate loose fasteners, thus allowing remote manual installation without the need for separate hand tools or lift trucks or ladders. The present installation method is believed to be much safer, since the banner  40  can be hung by a worker positioned remotely from the banner  40  (i.e. on the ground and not with the worker positioned many feet above ground). Also, the banner  40  can be hung without using separate fasteners, and without all the cumbersomeness and difficulties presented when trying to manipulate fasteners while located high above the ground (and often, while experiencing difficult weather, e.g. cold, hot, windy, rainy, snowing, or other weather). 
     The base  31  ( FIG. 6 ) can be made from metal or polymeric or other structural material, and can be made from different methods, such as molding or machining. The illustrated base  31  is a polymeric molded body with first section  51  shaped to stably engage the upright structure  36  (such as a curve matching a shape of a street light pole), and an oppositely-facing second section  52  shaped to stably engage the mounting bracket  32 . The first section  51  also includes on its “back side” a pair of lateral flanges  54  having a width and shape to receive straps  37  (or zip ties or a steel band) for “loop” attachment to the upright structure  36 . Lateral flanges  54  may also include holes or other structure for receiving attachment bolts/screws/nails/hooks/brackets to retain the base  31  to the upright structure  36 , depending on a shape/configuration of the existing upright structure  36 . It is contemplated that the first section  51  can be shaped and configured to provide for attachment to many different upright structures, and for attachment by many different fastening devises. For example, it is contemplated that banners  40  could be attached to building walls and countless other structures providing a high location allowing for optimal visibility of a raised banner  40 . The second section  52  includes a upwardly tapered protrusion  55  with edge flanges  56 , a retainer hole  57 , and ramp  58  at a center of its top region. 
     The mounting bracket  32  ( FIG. 7 ) is a polymeric molded body having a mounting section  60 , a boss-like banner-rod-engaging section  61  and a retainer section  62 . The mounting section  60  includes flanges  63  defining a mating tapered cavity  64 . The flanges  63  of the mounting section  60  are shaped to slidingly engage the edge flanges  56  on the tapered protrusion  55  for mating assembly of the mounting bracket  32  downwardly onto the base  31 . The banner-rod engaging section  61  includes a cylindrical protrusion  65  with center hole for receiving the end of one of the banner rods  43 ,  44 . The cylindrical protrusion  65  may include a latching hole  66  or an aperture or other feature allowing the rod  43  (or  44 ) to be positively anchored to the cylindrical protrusion  65 . The banner  40  can be fixed to the rods  43  and  44  by a clip or other means so that the banner doesn&#39;t bunch to one end of the rods  43 ,  44 . For example, a U-shaped clip on the rods or a zip tie tied to a feature of the mounting bracket itself can be used. 
     The retainer section  62  of the mounting bracket  32  ( FIG. 9A ) includes a hollow boss  67  with side slots  68  and standoffs  69 . A T-shaped spring-biased retainer  70  (also called a “latch member” herein) includes opposing arms  71  that extend through slots  68 , and includes a latch tip  72  shaped to engage the latching hole  66  in the base  31 . A bias spring  73  biases the retainer  70  toward the base  31  to a locking position when the mounting bracket  32  is attached to the base  31 . The ramp  58  is shaped so that when the mounting bracket  32  is lowered onto a given base  31 , the ramp  58  slidingly engages the retainer to overcome the bias of the spring  73 , causing the latch tip  72  to retract far enough to slip up and into the latching hole  66 . The resulting retaining force and “action” is positive and robust, such that a worker can feel the positive engagement when it occurs. The bias spring  73  causes the opposing arms  71  to move into abutment with the standoffs  69 , with the abutment providing sufficient space under the arms  71  for the wedge-tips of the removal adapter  34  to get under the arms  71  to release the latch member  70  from the latching hole  66  for removal, as discussed below (see  FIG. 12 ). 
       FIG. 9B  is a cross sectional view similar to  FIG. 9A , but showing the removal adapter  34  with fingers  82  engaging and holding the retainer  70  in its disengaged/release position.  FIGS. 9C-9E  are additional perspective views of the mounting bracket  32  from  FIG. 7 , showing a relationship of the mounting bracket  32 , the retainer  70 , and the retainer-biasing spring  73 .  FIGS. 9C-9E  also show a relationship of the rod  44  (or  45 ), rod-anchoring components securing rods to the mounting bracket  32 , and a banner clip holding the banner  40  to the rod  44  (or  45 ). The banner rods  43  and  44  are shown as hollow metal tubes, but it is contemplated that they may also be a solid or filled, and can be plastic or another material. The rod  43  (and rod  44 ) includes a hole, and an anchoring pin  90  that extends through a hole in the rod  43  (and  44 ), with the anchoring pin  90  also extending through holes/slots  91  in the boss  61  of the mounting bracket  32  to retain the rod securely to the mounting bracket  32 . It is contemplated that the anchoring pin  90  can be a bolt or spring clip or other attachment member that self-secures (or that frictionally engages) into the mounting bracket  32  so that the anchoring pin  90  does not inadvertently come loose. It is contemplated that the rods  44 / 45  can be friction-fit or adhered or bonded inside the mounting bracket  32 . A U-shaped resilient banner-securing clip  93  snaps over the banner sheet  41  onto the rod  43  (or  44 ), thus securing the banner sheet  41  to the rod  43  (or  44 ). A zip tie  94  (or other anchoring strap) is extended through a hole  95  in the clip  93  and through a hole or apertured flange or other feature (such as at location  96 ) on the mounting bracket  32  or on the base  31 . Thus, the clip  93  remains secured to the mounting bracket  32  (i.e. thus preventing the clip  93  from “walking” toward an outer end of the rod  43  (or rod  44 ) where it would fall off the rod  43  (or rod  44 ). The banner  40  includes a lower chamber sewn into the banner to receive the rod(s). The outer end of the illustrated banner  40  is fixed to the outer end of the rod by sewing a closed end on the banner . . . and/or by a cap or cup-shaped member that keeps the banner on the outer end of the rod. 
     The install adapter  33  ( FIG. 8 , and see  FIG. 10 ) is a metal or polymeric molded U-shaped body with downwardly-extending channels  75 ,  76  connected by cross member  77 . The channels  75 ,  76  are shaped to matably engage the outer sides of the mounting bracket  32 . Leaf springs  78  extend downward from the ends of the channels  75 ,  76  (or can be positioned inside of the channels) and include an inwardly radiused portion  80  that extends slightly inboard of the cavity defined between the channels  75 ,  76 . When the mounting bracket  32  is positioned in the install adapter  33 , the radiused ends  80  of the leaf springs  78  resiliently flex to allow the mounting bracket  32  to be positioned in the install adapter  33 , and then flex to engage a bottom of the mounting bracket  32  to retain the mounting bracket  32  to the install adapter  33  as a unit. This allows a person holding the extendable pole  38  ( FIGS. 10, 1-3 ) to manipulate the pole to position the mounting bracket  32  over a mating base  31 . With a downward movement of the extendable pole  38 , the mounting bracket  32  is pulled into mating engagement with the base  31 . With a subsequent upward movement, the install adapter  33  is pulled out of the mounting bracket  32 , with the leaf springs  78  flexing to release the mounting bracket  32 . It is easiest to attach the top mounting bracket first, and then the bottom mounting bracket, but alternative methods can be used if desired. 
       FIGS. 10-11  show the extendable pole  38  with transverse bar  39  supporting two down-facing install adapters  33 . The extendable pole  38  includes multiple tubular sections  38 A,  38 B,  38 C (or more) that can be telescopingly extended or retracted as needed by the worker to accomplish the present task. The illustrated pole  38  has multiple sections that do not spin relative to each other, such as a non-circular cross section, thus giving the installing person more control during an installation sequence. Extendable poles  38  are well known and commercially available, such that a more detailed description is not required herein for an understanding by persons skilled in this art. 
     The present apparatus  30  also includes a removal adapter  34  ( FIGS. 12-13 ) for removing a mounting bracket  32  from a base  31  from a remote position on the ground. The illustrated removal adapter  34  includes an up-facing U-shaped body with fingers  82 ,  83  connected by a cross member  84 . The fingers  82 ,  83  are spaced apart sufficiently to fit on opposite sides of the protrusions  65 ,  67  of the mounting bracket  32 . Further, the tips  85 ,  86  of fingers  82 ,  83  are tapered or wedge-shaped and angled so that the tips  85 ,  86  will slip under the arms  71 , causing release of the retainer  70  from the latching hole  66  for removal. (See  FIGS. 9B and 12 .) 
       FIG. 13  illustrates a pole-mounted tool with two down-facing install adapters  33  and two up-facing removal adapters  34  installed on a single transverse bar  39  on the upper end of the extendable pole  38 .  FIGS. 14-16  illustrate a method of removing a banner  40  from an upright structure  36 , including positioning the pole  38  ( FIG. 14 ) so that the removal adapter  34  is under the lower mounting bracket  32  and pressing upward to release the retainer  70  and remove the lower mounting bracket  32  (see  FIG. 15 ), and then repeating the process on the upper mounting bracket  32  ( FIG. 16 ). 
     The present apparatus  30  allows installation of a banner  40  while standing on the ground, and also allows later removal of the banner  40  while standing on the ground. No separate loose fasteners are required. Notably, where the pole tool has both installer adapters and removal adapters, the present apparatus allows a worker to remove an existing hanging banner  40  and then immediately install a new replacement banner  40  without lowering his extendable pole  38 , thus saving considerable time in the process. For example, the pole tool  38  illustrated in  FIG. 13  allows this. 
     While the present drawings and illustrations show the banner  40  mounted to a street light pole  36 , it is specifically contemplated that the present apparatus and innovative features can be used to mount banners on telephone poles, building walls, billboards, bleachers, roofs, and virtually any upright structure that will support a banner and give good visibility. The present apparatus and innovative features can be used by city, state, and federal governments, as well as by teams, businesses, and any other entity wanting to hang a banner for advertising or other purposes. 
     MODIFICATION 
     A modified attachment system/apparatus (also called a “system”) ( FIGS. 17-18 ) includes bases  131 , mounting brackets  132 , and a pole-mounted tool  138  having install adapters  133  ( FIGS. 35, 36 ), and removal adapters  134  ( FIGS. 35, 37 ). These components combine and cooperate to allow a worker to install a banner  140  high in the air (such as 15-18 feet in the air) while standing on the ground. These components function and interrelate similarly to the components of apparatus  30 , and are identified by using the same numbers but with the number  100  added to the identifying number. This is done to reduce redundant discussion. As will be understood by persons skilled in this art, it is intended that the functional discussion above also applies to the modified components described below. 
     The base  131  ( FIGS. 19-23 ) is modified from the base  31  described above to be thinner, lighter weight, lower cost, more robust and durable, easier to manufacture, and generally structurally better for being made from a polymeric or composite material (reinforced or not reinforced) intended for outdoor use. The base  131  includes a curved back side ( FIG. 22, 23 ) shaped to engage a pole support (such as a street light post), and a front side with bracket-engaging edge flanges  156 , retainer-tip-receiving hole  157 , and ramp  158 . Top and bottom lateral flanges  154  are shaped to receive a band extended around the street light post for clampingly securing the base  131  to a pole, such as the illustrated street light post. Angled channels  200  form a feather pattern for channeling moisture out a bottom of the base  131 . This can be important when the base  131  is in an outdoor environment, since rain, ice, and other debris can penetrate and/or freeze between the base  131  and an installed mounting bracket  132  causing problems. 
     The illustrated base  131  has a second retainer-tip-receiving hole  157 A (or several such additional holes) and a channel leading from hole  157  to hole  157 A. If top and bottom bases  131  are spaced apart a correct distance, the banner  140  will have a desired tension between the top and bottom banner-carrying rods  143  and  144 . However, my testing suggests that an adjustment is desired because banners are inconsistent in length and/or may “grow” or stretch in a vertical direction during use (such as the banner stretching due to wind, rain, and outdoor elements). The illustrated base  131  includes a first hole  157  and second hole  157 A that can be selectively engaged by the retainer  170  to support the banner  140  in a “best tensioned” condition. It is contemplated that a top base  131  may have a single hole  157  and the bottom base  131  may have two holes  157  and  157 A, or that both can have two (or more) holes  157 . The second hole  157 A can engaged by the retainer  170  in different ways. For example, the retainer  170  can be engaged with the first hole  157  during initial installation. Then, the removal adapter  134  can be used to disengage the retainer  170  of the bottom mounting bracket  132  and move the mounting bracket  132  down to the second hole  157 A, which applies greater spacing to the rods  144 ,  145  and thus more tension to the banner  140 . 
     The mounting bracket  132  ( FIGS. 24-28 ) includes a body with vertical edge flanges  200 A that slidably engage the bracket-engaging edge flanges  156 . The illustrated mating surfaces of the flanges  156  and  200 A are angled inwardly on opposite sides to create a dove-tail like connection, but it is contemplated that the flanges could be squared-off edges of a plate shaped to engage a “square” channel, or could be another similarly-functional configuration. The retainer  170  is mounted in a center area and spring biased by spring  173  to a locked position. The retainer  170  includes a shaft with tip  172  shaped to engage the hole  157  (or  157 A) in the base  131 . The retainer  170  includes a large washer-like head that can be engaged by the arms  183  of the removal adapter  134  ( FIG. 35, 37 ). A second hole  204  on the mounting bracket  132  is located below the retainer  170  and provides a fastener-access point where a screw or zip tie other fastener can be placed. 
     Installation proceeds as follows ( FIGS. 38-40 ). The bases  131  are pre-installed on a support structure in a desired spaced-apart relationship ( FIG. 38 ). Two mounting brackets  132  (with rods  143 , 144  fixed therein) are releasably engaged on the install adapters  133  on the pole tool  138 , with the banner  140  hanging between the rods ( FIG. 38 ). The extendable pole  138  is used to manipulate the top mounting bracket  132  into engagement with the top base  131  (see  FIGS. 29-31 and 39 ), and then secondly to engage the bottom mounting bracket  132  into the bottom base  131  (see  FIG. 40 ). Once both mounting brackets  132  are attached to respective bases  131 , the banner  140  (including sheet  141  and rods  143 , 144 ) are supported on the upright structure  136 , with the banner  140  spread out between the rods  143 , 144  in a readable position ( FIG. 40 ). If desired, the removal adapter  134  can be used to move the retainer  170  to a lower hole  157 A ( FIGS. 32-33 ). After installation, the extendable pole  138  with install adapters  133  can be pulled away. Notably, the present system does not require any separate loose fasteners, thus allowing remote manual installation without the need for separate hand tools or lift trucks or ladders, and hence is much safer, faster to install, and less frustrating than previous methods. 
     To remove the banner  140  ( FIGS. 41-42 ), the pole tool with removal adapters  134  is used to first engage the lower mounting bracket  132  ( FIG. 41 ), so that with an upward movement the arms  183  engage the head of the retainer  170  to disengage it (i.e. “unlock it”), causing the mounting bracket  132  to release and slide upwardly off the base  131 . The removal adapters  134  include bent-leaf-spring members  183 , and also include bullet-shaped projections  183 A that engage a center of the mounting bracket to align the adapter  134  on a selected mounting bracket  132  during removal. A similar procedure is used to remove the top mounting bracket  132  ( FIG. 42 ). If desired, both the removal of a first banner  140  and installation of a second banner  140  can be done in a single sequence without lowering the pole tool  138 . 
     Thus, it is to be understood that variations and modifications can be made on the aforementioned structure without departing from the concepts of the present invention, and further it is to be understood that such concepts are intended to be covered by the following claims unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.