Patent Publication Number: US-2003230230-A1

Title: Tetherable wind indicator

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001] 1. Field of the Invention  
       [0002] The present invention concerns the construction of a wind indicator. More particularly, the present invention concerns a wind indicator, which may be tethered to a support. Even more specifically, the body of the wind indicator is constructed so that the body rotates upon capturing a passing breeze.  
       [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art  
       [0004] The prior art is replete with various examples of wind indicators. Some are entirely utilitarian and lack substantially any ornamental features. Others are designed to include one or more distinguishing ornamental features.  
       [0005] As for wind indicators that lack substantially any ornamental features, the common windsock that is found at most (if not all) airports to indicate the direction in which the wind is blowing is one example. While windsocks provide an excellent indication of wind direction, they offer nothing from an ornamental standpoint.  
       [0006] Other wind indicators, while also functional, are designed with a more decorative platform in mind. Examples of wind indicators of this type include weather vanes, such as the type commonly disposed on barns and farm structures.  
       [0007] A recent trend suggests that decorative wind indicators are becoming increasingly popular as lawn or garden ornaments. In response to this demand, several manufacturers are designing and producing a variety of wind indicators for public consumption.  
       [0008] One example of a common type of wind indicator, also referred to as an “aerial toy,” is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,624,648 (“the &#39;648 patent”). The &#39;648 patent describes a rotary aerial toy, which is essentially a decorative windsock. The aerial toy is a modification of previously-known aerial toys with a basket shape (a hemispherical shape) that are designed to catch and rotate in a passing breeze. Prior art basket-shaped aerial toys typically are composed of several cloth or cloth-like sections secured to one another in such a manner that the basket rotates in a passing breeze. (The &#39;648 patent at col. 1, lines 18-23.)  
       [0009] The &#39;648 patent describes a decorative flexible sleeve, much like an airport wind sock, that is designed to rotate like prior art basket-type wind indicators. (The &#39;648 patent at col. 1, lines 24-32.) In particular, the aerial toy described in the &#39; 648  patent shows and describes a wind sleeve  11 , which is tapered from its head end to its tail end. (The &#39;648 patent at col. 2, lines 48-50; FIG. 1.) The sleeve  11  is equipped with a bridle  13  having a swivel clip  14  by which the sleeve  11  is mounted to a stick. (The &#39;648 patent at col. 2, lines 50-53; FIG. 1.) At its head end  15 , the sleeve  11  has a mouth  17  permitting entry of air into the sleeve  11 . (The &#39;648 patent at col. 2, lines 54-55; FIG. 1.) The tail end  18  of the sleeve  11  has an opening permitting air to exit the sleeve. (The &#39;648 patent at col. 2, lines 55-56.) The tail end  18  also includes streamers  19 , if desired. (The &#39;648 patent at col. 2, lines 55-56; FIG. 1.)  
       [0010] The sleeve  11  is provided with several airchutes  71  that cause the sleeve  11  to rotate in a direction opposite to that shown in FIG. 1. (The &#39;648 patent at col. 3, line 62 to col. 4, line 4; also at col. 4, lines 54-64.) The swivel clip  14  permits the sleeve  11  to rotate when the sleeve  11  is subjected to the passage of wind. (The &#39;648 patent at col. 2, lines 56-59.) The sleeve  11  is connected to the swivel  14  via a bridle  13  made of several strings or strips. (The &#39;648 patent at col. 2, lines 50-53; FIGS. 1, 5, 8, and 10.)  
       [0011] The aerial toy described in the &#39;648 patent is typical of the type of wind indicator prevalent in the prior art. A desire, however, has developed for wind indicators with a shape unlike that of the common windsock or traditional hemispherical basket.  
       [0012] In particular, an interest has developed for wind indicators that have a spherical shape or a shape unlike that previously made available. To date, however, there have been no wind indicators developed to satisfy this interest.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0013] Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is to provide a wind indicator that is shaped differently from the common windsock or basket.  
       [0014] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a wind indicator that spins upon application of a passing breeze.  
       [0015] Still another aspect of the invention is to provide a tetherable wind indicator with a hollow body having an inlet opening therethrough. The inlet opening defines an inlet area, which is smaller than the hollow body&#39;s greatest cross-sectional area. The inlet opening permits wind to enter the hollow body. At least one tether extends from the hollow body. In addition, at least one vent is disposed through the hollow body. The at least one vent is oriented to direct wind exiting from the hollow body such that the hollow body rotates when the wind passes therethrough.  
       [0016] Another aspect of the invention is to provide a wind indicator where the hollow body has a shape that is, for example, spherical, ellipsoidal, polyhedral, and asymmetrical.  
       [0017] One further aspect of the invention is to provide a tetherable wind indicator where the hollow body appears, for example, as a baseball, a soccer ball, a basketball, a golf ball, a tennis ball, a football, a volleyball, a beach ball, a pool ball, a bowling ball, a globe of the Earth, a planet, a celestial body, a light bulb, a bowling pin, and a hot air balloon.  
       [0018] The invention is not intended to be limited only to the aspect described above. These are merely illustrative of the broad scope of the invention. Other aspects of the invention will be made apparent by the description that follows. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0019] The figures of the present invention appended hereto are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. To the contrary, the figures are intended to illustrate one or more possible embodiments of the present invention, in which:  
     [0020]FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the wind indicator of the present invention where the body of the wind indicator takes the shape of a soccer ball and the vents are incorporated as flaps into the body;  
     [0021]FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention where the body of the wind indictor is the same as that for FIG. 1, but where the vents have been replaced by air jets at selected locations around the periphery of the body;  
     [0022]FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail of one of the vents incorporated into the wind indicator illustrated in FIG. 1;  
     [0023]FIG. 4 is an enlarged detail of one of the air jets incorporated into the body of the wind indicator illustrated in FIG. 2;  
     [0024]FIG. 5 is a third embodiment of the wind indicator of the present invention where the body of the wind indicator takes the shape of a beach ball and the vents are incorporated as flaps into the body of the beach ball;  
     [0025]FIG. 6 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention where the body of the wind indicator takes the shape of a football and the vents are incorporated as flaps into the body of the football;  
     [0026]FIG. 7 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of the present invention where the body of the wind indicator takes the shape of a bowling pin and the vents are incorporated as flaps into the body of the bowling pin;  
     [0027]FIG. 8 is a side view of a sixth embodiment of the present invention where the body of the wind indicator takes the shape of an octahedron and the vents are incorporated as flaps into the body of the octahedron;  
     [0028]FIG. 9 is a cut-away side view of an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 5, showing the air pattern through the body and one of the vents of the wind indicator;  
     [0029]FIG. 10 is a side view of the generic embodiment of the present invention show tethered to a first embodiment of a ground stake;  
     [0030]FIG. 11 is an enlarged side view of the top of the ground stake illustrated in FIG. 10;  
     [0031]FIG. 12 is a side view of a second embodiment of a ground stake for use with the wind indicator of the present invention;  
     [0032]FIG. 13 is a side view of a third embodiment of a ground stake for use with the wind indicator of the present invention; and  
     [0033]FIG. 14 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a ground stake for use with the wind indicator of the present invention. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION  
     [0034] A first exemplary embodiment of the tetherable wind indicator of the invention is generally designated  10  in FIG. 1. The tetherable wind indicator  10  takes the shape of a soccer ball.  
     [0035] While a soccer ball is illustrated in FIG. 1, as other illustrated embodiments suggest, the wind indictor  10  of the present invention is not limited solely to this shape. To the contrary, the wind indicator of the present invention may take any suitable generic shape including, for example, spherical, ellipsoidal, polyhedral, and asymmetrical. In particular, the wind indicator may take the appearance of, for example, a baseball, a basketball, a golf ball a tennis ball, a football, a volleyball, a beach ball, a pool ball, a bowling ball, a globe of the Earth, a planet, a celestial body, a light bulb, a bowling pin, and a hot air balloon. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, and as will be made apparent from the detailed description that follows, the present invention may take any suitable shape in addition to the limited list provided above.  
     [0036] The wind indicator  10  includes a body  12  connected to a swivel  14  by one or more tethers  16 . The swivel  14  may be of any suitable type but, preferably, the swivel freely rotates 360 degrees about its rotation axis, as indicated by arrow  18 . In the embodiment illustrated, the swivel  14  is of the type typically used to connect a fishing lure to a fishing line. However, as one of ordinary skill in the art would readily appreciate, any other suitable swivel may be substituted therefor without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention. Moreover, it is contemplated that the swivel  14  may not be capable of rotating 360 degrees. However, a swivel  14  that permits less than 360 degrees of rotation is not preferred, because such a swivel will not facilitate desired rotation of the wind indicator  10  attached thereto.  
     [0037] The body  12  of the wind indicator  10  has an inlet opening  20  at one end to permit air to flow thereinto, as indicated by arrow  22 . The body  12  is also provided with one or more vents  24  along a peripheral portion thereof to permit the exit of air, as indicated by arrows  26 . As illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 9, the air enters the wind indicator  10  through the inlet opening  20  and exits the wind indicator  10  through the vents  24 . Since the air is directed substantially along a tangent to the exterior surface of the wind indicator  10  when exiting the body  12 , the air flow causes the body  12  to rotate about its rotational axis  28  in the direction indicated by the two arrows  36 .  
     [0038] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the body  12  of the wind indicator  10  is made of a flexible material, which may be cloth or a cloth-like substance. In the embodiment illustrated, the body  12  comprises several panels  30 , which are sewn together. The panels in this embodiment are made of a nylon fabric, such as that used for parachutes, because the fabric is both flexible and durable. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, the panels may be made from any other suitable material. For example, The fabric may be a weather-resistant woven material that resists fading when exposed, for long periods of time, to ultraviolet rays. For example, the fabric may be SolarMax™ fabric, which is the commercial name of a fabric manufactured by E. I. DuPont de Nemours and Company that resists fading when exposed to sunlight over a long period of time. Alternatively, while a woven fabric may be used, it is also contemplated that the panels  30  may be made of a non-woven material such as cellophane, plastic, or any other suitable material or combinations of materials. For the panels  30 , all that is required is a material (or a combination of materials) that may be incorporated onto at least a portion of the body  12  so that the material (or materials) may assist in catching a passing breeze.  
     [0039] As illustrated in FIG. 1, since the body  12  of the wind indicator  10  takes the shape of a soccer ball, the panels  30  are both pentagonally and hexagonally shaped. This facilitates the construction of a spherical wind indicator  10  and mimics the surface appearance of a soccer ball. As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, the panels  30  may take any suitable shape for the body  12  of the wind indicator  10  and are not limited solely to pentagonally and hexagonally shaped panels  30 .  
     [0040] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the vents  24  on the body  12  have a double-layer construction. Selected panels  30  of the body  12  form the exterior surface of the vents  24 . An interior panel  32  forms the interior layer of the vents  24 . The exit openings  34  of the vents  24  are formed by the panels  30  themselves. In FIG. 1, while the exit openings  34  are shown displaced from the seams  36  adjacent thereto, the exit openings may be extended to the seams  36  (and, therefore, be co-extensive with the seams  36 ) without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
     [0041] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the vents  24  have a double-layered construction (the panels  30  and the interior panels  32 ), which forms an air conduit that directs the air at a tangent to the exterior surface of the body  12 . The construction causes the air to be directed in the direction of the arrows  26  to provide sufficient propulsive force to rotate the body  12  of the wind indicator  10 . As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, the double-layered vents  24  that are illustrated need not be employed exactly as shown. Instead, those skilled in the art would appreciate that many different constructions may be used to accomplish the same purpose. Alternatively, a single-layered approach may be employed, much in the same way as the vents in the windsock described in the &#39;648 patent discussed above.  
     [0042] With respect to one possible construction of the vents  24 , it is contemplated that the panels  30  and interior panels  32  are sewn together so that they provide a slight billow. In other words, it is contemplated that the two panels  30 ,  32  will not lie flat against one another. When constructed to incorporate a billow, it is contemplated that the vents  24  will more readily assist in turning the wind indicator  38 , because they are constructed to create a natural exit for air passing through the wind indicator  38 . Alternatively, to assist in creating a billow in the vents, a mesh or screen material may connect the panel  30  to the interior panel  32 . The mesh or screen material would, therefore, force the panels  30 ,  32  apart at the exit opening  34  to establish a billow between the two panels  30 ,  32 .  
     [0043] Throughout the figures, the vents  24  are shown positioned below the equator of the wind indicator  38 . Positioning the vents  24  in this manner helps to conceal the location of the vents  24  so that they do not detract from the visual presentation of the wind indicator  38 . Of course, if positioned on the equator of the wind indicator  38 , the vents  24  are expected to provide the greatest spinning force. Moreover, the vents  24  could be positioned above the equator. It is contemplated that the vents  24  may be positioned at any suitable latitudinal location on the wind indicator  38  without departing from the scope of the present invention. In addition, in the figures, each of the vents  24  are positioned at roughly the same latitudinal position on the wind indicator  38 . As part of the present invention, it is contemplated that the vents  24  could be positioned at differing latitudinal positions and accomplish the same objective to spin the wind indicator. For example, one or more vents  24  could be positioned above the equator, leaving the remaining vents to be positioned below the equator.  
     [0044]FIG. 2 illustrates a second embodiment of the present invention, which is a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 1 and which is designated  38 . In this embodiment, the vents  24  are eliminated altogether and are replaced by one or more air jets  40 . The air jets  40  are disposed through selective panels  30  and direct the air exiting the body  12  along a path  42  tangentially to the surface of the body  12  to rotate the body  12  when catching a passing breeze. All of the air jets  40 , where more than one are provided, have the same orientation to facilitate rotation of the wind indicator  38 .  
     [0045] The air jets  40  preferably are constructed of a resilient, light-weight material. While any suitable material may be used, it is contemplated that the air jets  40  are made from plastic or rubber. Of course, as would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the air jets  40  may be constructed from a woven or non-woven fabric or the like. In addition, while the remaining embodiments of the wind indicator of the invention are shown and described as incorporating vents like vents  24 , the air jets  40  may be substituted for any of the vents described hereinafter.  
     [0046]FIG. 3 illustrates in detail the construction of the vents  24  that are incorporated into the wind indicator  10  shown in FIG. 1. As discussed, the vents  24  are a double-layered construction. The exterior surface of each of the vents  24  is formed by one of the panels  30 . An interior panel  32  lies underneath the exterior panel  30  to form an air conduit so that air exiting from the body  12  moves in the direction indicated by arrow  26 , thereby rotating the body  12  in the direction of arrow  36 . As illustrated, the exit opening  34  of the vent  24  is displaced a predetermined distance from the seam  44 , which demarcates the transition between adjacent panels  30 . As discussed above, however, the exit opening  34  may be coextensive with the seam  44  without deviating from the scope and spirit of the present invention.  
     [0047] The wind indicator  38  illustrated in FIG. 2 is shown in enlarged detail in FIG. 4. Here, one of the air jets  40  is shown in greater detail. The air jet  40  extends through one of the panels  30  and has an L-shape to direct the exiting air in the direction of arrow  42 . As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the air jet  40  need not be L-shaped. Alternatively, the air jet  40  may be of ant suitable shape to direct the exiting air at a suitable angle to the surface of the wind indicator  38 . As illustrated, it is preferred that the air vent  40  direct the exiting air in a direction substantially tangentially to the surface of the wind indicator  38  to maximize the turning rate of the wind indicator  38 . However, if it is desired to have a slow turning wind indicator  38 , angling the air jet  40  to a suitable degree will facilitate slower spinning. As illustrated, the air vent  40  is attached to the panel  30  via a flange  46  so that the vent is secured to the body  12  of the wind indicator  38 . As would be appreciated by those skilled in the art, however, the air vent  40  may be attached to the panel  30  by any alternate, suitable attachment means.  
     [0048]FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the wind indicator of the invention, which is designated  48 . This embodiment, like the ones illustrated in FIGS.  1 - 4 , is generally spherical in shape. The body  50  of the wind indicator  48  is composed of several panels  52  connected to one another via seams  54  that run longitudinally to the rotational axis  56  of the wind indicator  48 . One or more vents  58  are disposed in relation to the panels  52  so that air entering the inlet opening  60  of the wind indicator (in the direction of arrow  62 ) is redirected tangentially along the surface of the wind indicator  48  so that the body  50  will rotate. The exit air flows through the exit openings  62  in the direction of the arrows  64 . So directed, the air causes the body  50  to rotate around the rotational axis  66  of the body  50  in the direction of the arrows  68 .  
     [0049] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the vents  58  also have a double layer construction, just like the vents  24  in the previous two embodiments. The exterior surfaces of the vents  58  are formed by the panels  52 . The interior of the vents are formed by interior panels  70  that include openings  72  so that the air may pass from the interior of the body  50  through the exit openings  62 . The interior panels  70  are stitched to the exterior panels  52  along seams  74 . Of course, as may be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the interior panels  70  need not be stitched to the exterior panels  52 . To the contrary, the interior panels  72  may be constructed so that they extend partially along (or wholly along) the interior surfaces of the panels  52 . So constructed, the interior panels  72  may be stitched along the seams  54  along with the panels  52 . Regardless of the exact attachment pattern, vents  58  should direct the air through the exit openings  62  so that the body  50  rotates in the direction of the arrows  68 .  
     [0050]FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the wind indicator  76  of the invention. In this embodiment, the wind indicator  76  is generally ellipsoid in shape and is constructed to appear like a football. The wind indicator  76  has a body  78  with an inlet opening  80 . As in the previous embodiments, the body  78  is connected to a swivel  14  via one or more tethers  16  so that the body may rotate about its rotational axis  82  in the direction of the arrows  84 .  
     [0051] The body  78  is constructed from one or more panels  86  stitched together in a longitudinal direction along the seams  88 . One or more of the panels  86  is provided with a vent  90  having a double-layered construction, as in the previous examples. The vents have exit openings  92  to direct wind from the interior of the body  78  at a tangent to the exterior of the body  78  in the direction of the arrows  94 . As in the previous examples, this construction facilitates rotation of the body  78  in the direction of the arrows  84 .  
     [0052]FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the wind indicator. In this embodiment, the wind indicator  92  has a generally asymmetrical shape and is constructed to appear like a bowling pin. The wind indicator  92  has a body  94  constructed of one or more panels  96  sewn together at seams  98 . The body  94  has an inlet opening  100  that permits air to enter in the direction of arrow  102 . One or more vents  104 , with exit openings  106 , direct air from the interior of the body  94  in a tangential direction to the surface of the body  94  (in the direction of arrows  108 ). This air flow pattern causes the body  94  to rotate about its rotational axis  110  in the direction indicated by arrow  112 . The vents  104  have a double-layered construction as in the previous embodiments.  
     [0053]FIG. 8 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the wind indicator  114  of the invention. Here, the wind indicator  114  has a polyhedral shape. The wind indicator  114  is constructed from a plurality of panels  116  connected together at seams  118 . One or more vents  120  are disposed about the peripheral surface of the wind indicator  114 . The vents  120  direct air that enters through the inlet opening  122  through exits openings  124  along a tangent to the surface of the body  126 . This construction permits the body  126  to rotate around its rotational axis  128  as indicated by the arrows  130 . As before, the body  124  is connected to a swivel  14  via one or more tethers  16 .  
     [0054]FIG. 9 is a partial cross-section of the wind indicator  48  illustrated in FIG. 5. The body  50  has been partially cross-sectioned to illustrate one possible air flow pattern within the body  50 . As illustrated, the inlet air flows in the direction of arrow  22 . After passing through the inlet opening  60 , the air flows initially through the body, along the longitudinal axis  56 , in the direction of the arrow  128 . Since the body  50  is essentially a closed body (no exit hole along the longitudinal axis  56  at the end opposite to the inlet opening  60 ), the air flow immediately is diverted as indicated by arrow  130 . Part of the air flow is retained in the body  50  to inflate the body  50 , as indicated by the side arrows  132 ,  134 . A third portion of the air flow continues toward the bottom portion  136  of the body  50  as indicated by the arrow  138 . That portion of the air flow is redirected as it approaches the bottom portion  136  of the body  50  as indicated by the arrow  140 . The air then exits the body  50  through the vents  58  in the direction indicated by the arrow  64 . Since the air exiting the body  50  is directed along a tangent to the surface of the body  50 , the air flow causes the body  50  to rotate around its rotational axis  56  in the direction of the arrows  68 . The rotational direction  68  is opposite to the direction of the air flow  64  exiting the vents  58 .  
     [0055] The inlet opening  60  on the body  50  of the wind indicator  48  is shown with a diameter x. Since the body  50  of the wind indicator  48  is generally spherical, however, there is a maximum diameter y, which is defined at the equator of the body  50 . The inlet diameter x defines an inlet area a, where a=π·(x/2) 2 . The maximum diameter y defines a maximum area b, where b=π·(y/2) 2 . Since the inlet diameter x is smaller than the maximum diameter y, the inlet area a is smaller than the maximum area b. In other words, a&lt;b.  
     [0056] The relationship of the inlet area a to the maximum area y is specific to the present invention. In each of the embodiments shown and described herein, the inlet area is smaller than a maximum cross-sectional area for the body of the wind indicator.  
     [0057] This construction differs considerably from prior art rotating wind indicators and aerial toys (such as the &#39;648 patent and hemispherical baskets) where the inlet area is the largest area for the body of the wind indicator. The embodiments of this invention also differ from the prior art in that the bodies of the wind indicators are essentially closed bodies, because they do not have exit openings along the longitudinal axes opposite to the inlet openings, like conventional windsocks. While the prior art does include windsocks in the shape of fish, for example, where an interior dimension may be greater than the inlet opening, these wind indicators are not meant to rotate upon application of a passing breeze.  
     [0058]FIG. 10 illustrates the wind indicator  48  tethered to a first embodiment of a ground stake  142  according to the invention. The ground stake  142  includes a ground-penetrating tip  144  at its lowest-most end. The ground penetrating tip  144  is designed to be inserted into the ground  146 . Since the ground-penetrating tip has a broad top  148 , the ground-penetrating tip  144  may be pushed into the ground, for example, by a person stepping on the broad top  148  and pressing the ground-penetrating tip  144  into the ground  146  with his or her foot. To facilitate insertion into the ground  146 , the ground-penetrating tip  144  is provided with a pointed end  150 . To discourage rotation of the ground-penetrating tip  144  once inserted into the ground  146 , the ground-penetrating tip may be provided with a ground-engaging projection or tooth  152 . While it is contemplated that the tooth  152  will prevent rotation of the ground-penetrating tip  144  once inserted into the ground  146 , the tooth may function as a tie-off for devices such as banners, etc., that may be attached to the ground stake  142 . In other words, the tooth  152  may have multiple functions.  
     [0059] As illustrated in FIG. 10, the support stake  154  for the wind indicator  48  includes three separate segments  156 ,  158 , and  160 . The lower stake section  156  inserts into the ground-penetrating tip  144 . The lower stake section  156  includes a connector  162  at its upper end. The connector  162  facilitates connection of the middle stake section  158  to the lower stake section  156 , since both the lower stake section  156  and the middle stake section  158  have the same outside diameter. The connector  162  may be attached, via an adhesive, crimping, or other suitable means, to either the lower stake section  156  or the middle stake section  158 . The upper stake section  160  inserts into the top of the middle stake section  158 . In the illustrated embodiment, the upper stake section  160  has a smaller diameter than either of the lower or middle stake sections  156 ,  158 . The present invention is not limited to the support stake  154  having three segments. To the contrary, it is contemplated that the support stake could have a fewer number of sections or a greater number without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention.  
     [0060] As illustrated in enlarged detail in FIG. 11, the upper stake section  160  is fitted with a pivot  164  that freely rotates around the upper portion  160  of the ground stake  142  as indicated by the arrow  166 . To permit the greatest degree of freedom, the pivot  164  rotates 360 degrees around the upper stake section  160  and may move in either rotational direction. Accordingly, regardless of the wind direction, the wind indicator  48  may move around the ground stake  142  to maximize its ability to capture the passing breeze.  
     [0061] The upper stake section  160  includes a lower stop  168  and an upper stop  170  that sandwich the pivot  164  therebetween. The upper and lower stops  168 ,  170  are attached to the upper stake section  160  via an adhesive, crimping, a weld, or other suitable means so that the upper and lower stops  168 ,  170  hold the pivot  164  in place on the upper stake section  160 .  
     [0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot  164  takes the shape of an inverted Y. The first leg  172  of the pivot is hollow so that it can accommodate the upper stake section  160  therein. The second leg  174  of the pivot may or may not be hollow. The second leg  174  includes a hole  176  therethrough so that the swivel  14  may be attached thereto.  
     [0063]FIG. 12 illustrates a second embodiment of the ground stake  178  according to the invention. In this embodiment, the ground stake includes four stake sections  180 ,  182 ,  184 ,  186  that telescopically engage one another. The top of the upper stake section  186  includes an eyelet  188  so that the swivel  14  may be connected thereto.  
     [0064]FIG. 13 illustrates a third embodiment of the ground stake  190 . Here, the ground stake  190  includes at least three sections  192 ,  194 ,  196  that are telescopically connected to one another. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that the sections  192 ,  194  are larger in diameter than those in the previous embodiment. Moreover, the sections  192 ,  194  are fitted with end caps  198 ,  200  into which the adjacent sections  194 ,  196  are telescopically inserted. The upper stake section  196  is provided with an eyelet so that a swivel  14  may be attached thereto.  
     [0065]FIG. 14 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the ground stake  204 . In this embodiment, a mid-section  206  and an upper section  208  of the ground stake  204  are illustrated. The mid-section  206  telescopically engages lower ground stake sections (not illustrated) as in the previous embodiment. The upper section  208  engages the mid-section  206  through an end cap  210 . To retain the upper section  208  within the mid-section  206 , a first plug  212  is positioned beneath the end cap  210 . A second or retaining plug  214  is attached to the upper section  208  at a position beneath the first plug  212  to hold the upper section  208  in a longitudinally-fixed position with respect to the end cap  210 . The upper section  208 , however, is permitted to rotate within the mid-section  206 .  
     [0066] A transverse section  216  is attached at the upper end of the upper section  208 . First and second transverse pins  218 ,  220  extend outwardly from the transverse section  216 . A first eyelet  222  is disposed at the end of the first transverse pin  218 . A second eyelet  224  is disposed at the end of the second transverse pin  220 . In the embodiment illustrated, the first transverse pin  218  extends a lesser distance from the transverse section  216  than the second transverse pin  220 . Both eyelets  222 ,  224  are provided for attachment of wind indicators thereon.  
     [0067] The embodiments of the present invention that are discussed above are intended to be exemplary of the scope of the present invention. Under no circumstances is the discussion of the particular embodiments intended to limit the scope of the invention, as embodied on the claims appended hereto. It is likely that there are those skilled in the art who will appreciate several variations of the embodiments described above. These alternatives are intended to be a part of the invention, just as if they had been described herein.