Patent Publication Number: US-8109225-B2

Title: Banner support system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to apparatuses for raising and supporting banners, flags and objects of a similar nature and, more particularly, to banner raising apparatuses which inhibit unauthorised operation, tampering or theft of the raised object. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Banners, flags and objects of a similar nature are widely used to convey information and provide aesthetic appeal. Such banners are typically suspended at a height so that the banner is prominent and visible from some distance. It is well known that devices such as flag poles and banner poles, whether standing on the ground or mounted on a wall, building or other surface, can be used to suspend banners. Due to the prominence, symbolic significance and typically publicly accessible location of banners, they are often the target of unauthorised operation or tampering, such as vandalism or theft. 
     A method well known in the art for attaching a banner to a banner pole at a height is the use of a halyard or similar device. The halyard allows a person to attach the banner to the halyard at ground level and then raise the banner to the appropriate height using the halyard and an elevated guiding arrangement. A disadvantage of the halyard is that a thief or vandal can also access the halyard at ground level and use the halyard to lower and steal or vandalise the banner. 
     It is understood in the art that the disadvantage of poor security can be mitigated by enclosing a portion of the halyard in the banner pole, such that unauthorised access to, and operation of, the halyard by a thief or vandal is inhibited. Access to the halyard can be provided via a security hatch, such as a locked door, in the banner pole which can only be opened using a security device, such as a key. 
     It is not always possible to enclose the halyard in the banner pole or to access the inside of the banner pole. The banner pole may not be hollow, for instance, in the case of wooden or concrete telegraph poles. Alternatively, a person may wish to attach a banner to a structure other than a banner pole, for instance, a solid wall or column. 
     Even if a banner is to be attached to a hollow pole, it still may not be possible to enclose the halyard in the pole or to access the interior of the pole. In the case of street light poles, the authority responsible for the poles may not permit access to, or a halyard to be located in, the inside of the light poles. Additionally, light poles may have internal contents, such as electrical wiring, which the halyard could damage or interfere with. 
     Where the halyard is not enclosed in the banner pole and is external to the banner pole, it is exposed to unauthorised access by thieves or vandals and the banner is accordingly vulnerable. 
     An alternate method for raising banners well known in the art is the use of a lifting device, such as a cherry picker. The lifting device can be used to lift a person holding a banner to the appropriate height on a banner pole. The person then attaches and secures the banner to the banner pole. This method offers improved banner security. By eliminating the halyard, a lifting device is required to access, raise or lower the banner. The banner cannot be readily accessed by thieves or vandals from the ground level. 
     However the use of a lifting device has a number of disadvantages. To raise or lower a banner, a lifting device may need to be hired and operated by trained personnel at significant cost. The lifting device must be manoeuvred into place, often taking some time and causing disruption to the area surrounding the banner pole. For instance, in the case of banner poles located next to a roadway, traffic on the roadway may be disrupted and, to minimise such disruption, the lifting device may only be deployed at night. 
     Any discussion in the present specification of documents, publications, acts, devices, substances, articles, materials and the like is included for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention and is not an admission that the subject matter of the discussion forms part of the prior art base, or is part of the common general knowledge of the technical field relevant to the present invention, as at the relevant priority date or dates. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a banner raising apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a halyard for raising and lowering a banner, the apparatus adapted to be mounted to a generally vertical support surface, the apparatus comprising:
         an upper halyard guide adapted to be mounted at an upper portion of the support surface and arranged to guide the halyard travelling in a secure halyard passageway;   a halyard fastener operable to releasably fasten the halyard exiting the secure halyard passageway adjacent a lower portion of the support surface; and   a secure housing adapted to be mounted externally of the support surface adjacent the lower portion, the secure housing configured to contain the halyard fastener, the secure housing having an internal volume of sufficient capacity to securely house the halyard of a raised banner, wherein the secure housing is configured to enable access to the halyard.       

     According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a banner raising apparatus adapted to be used in conjunction with a halyard for raising and lowering a banner, the apparatus adapted to be mounted to a generally vertical support surface, the apparatus comprising:
     (a an elongate conduit defining a secure halyard passageway, the conduit adapted to be mounted to a support surface so as to extend generally vertically up the support surface;   (b a halyard guide located at the operatively upper end of the elongate conduit for guiding a halyard travelling in the secure halyard passageway;   (c a halyard fastener for releasably attaching the halyard, the halyard fastener located at the operatively lower end of the elongate conduit; and   (d a secure housing located at the operatively lower end of the elongate conduit, the housing containing the halyard fastener and having an internal volume of sufficient capacity to contain the halyard of a raised banner therein.   

     According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided an internal halyard system adapted to be mounted to a generally vertical pole which defines a secure internal cavity, the system being adapted to be used in conjunction with a halyard for raising and lowering a banner, the system comprising:
     (a) an upper halyard guide configured to guide the halyard travelling vertically inside the secure internal cavity to exit the internal cavity, the upper halyard guide adapted to be mounted to an upper portion of the pole;   (b) a lower halyard guide configured to guide the halyard travelling vertically inside the secure internal cavity to exit the internal cavity laterally, the lower halyard guide adapted to be mounted to a lower portion of the pole;   (c) a halyard attachment means adapted to be mounted externally of the pole adjacent the lower halyard guide and adapted to have a halyard exiting the internal cavity releasably attached thereto; and   (d) a secure housing adapted to be mounted at the lower portion of the pole, the secure housing configured to contain the halyard attachment means, the secure housing having an internal volume of sufficient capacity to securely house the halyard of a raised banner in the secure housing and being configured to enable the halyard to be accessed for the purposes of raising and lowering a banner.   

     According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for converting a generally vertical pole which defines a secure internal cavity into a banner pole, the method comprising the steps of:
     (a) forming an upper hole in an upper portion of the pole into the secure cavity and a lower hole in a lower portion of the pole into the secure cavity;   (b) mounting to an upper halyard guide into the secure internal cavity, the upper halyard guide configured to guide the halyard travelling vertically inside the secure internal cavity to exit the internal cavity through the upper hole;   (c) mounting a lower halyard guide into the secure internal cavity, the lower halyard guide configured to guide the halyard travelling vertically inside the secure internal cavity to exit the secure internal cavity laterally through the lower hole;   (d) mounting a halyard attachment means externally to the secure internal cavity adjacent the lower halyard guide for releasably attaching a halyard exiting the internal cavity;   (e) mounting a secure housing at the lower portion of the pole to enclose the halyard attachment means, the secure housing having an internal volume of sufficient capacity to securely house the halyard of a raised banner in the secure housing and being configured to enable the halyard to be accessed for the purposes of raising and lowering a banner;   (f) providing a halyard with one end adapted to connect to an upper end of a banner; and   (g) threading the halyard through the upper halyard guide, through the internal cavity and through the lower halyard guide.   

     According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method for converting a structure which has at least one generally vertical support surface to a secure banner raising apparatus to be used in conjunction with a halyard for raising and lowering a banner, the method comprising the steps of:
     (a mounting a banner raising apparatus according to any one of claims to the vertical support surface so that the elongate conduit extends generally vertically up the support surface;   (b providing a halyard with one end adapted to connect to an upper end of a banner; and   (c threading the halyard through the halyard guide and the halyard passageway.   

     According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a banner support apparatus for supporting a banner an adapted to be mounted to a generally vertical support surface, the banner support apparatus comprising:
         an elongate member adapted to be mounted generally orthogonally to the support surface and operable to support the banner; and   a pivoting support adapted to support the elongate member, the elongate member being rotatable about the pivoting support, wherein the pivoting support comprises a spring arranged to urge the elongate member back towards an initial position if the elongate member is rotated away from the initial position.       

    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a cross sectional side view of a first arrangement in which a banner raising arrangement is attached to a support surface; 
         FIG. 2  shows a cross sectional view of the arrangement of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross sectional view of the secure housing shown in  FIG. 1 , sectioned along the plane  3 - 3  indicated in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a more detailed cross sectional side view of an embodiment of the secure housing depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a more detailed cross sectional side view of an embodiment of the upper housing depicted in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a side view of an arrangement using weighted loops passing around a pole; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a second arrangement in which a halyard system uses an internal cavity of a supporting pole; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross sectional side detail of the lower housing in the arrangement of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross sectional top view of the lower housing sectioned though plane A-A indicated on  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a front view of a part forming a portion of the upper halyard guide and the lower halyard guide; 
         FIG. 11  is a top view of the part forming a portion of the upper halyard guide and the lower halyard guide; 
         FIG. 12  is a cross sectional side detail of the upper housing; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevation view of a third arrangement in which banner support system includes a swinging banner support arm; 
         FIGS. 14A , B and C show end and side view of the swinging support arm in the arrangement of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  shows a tubular elbow and plate for guiding the halyard in the arrangement of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  shows a sectioned top view of an external conduit for use with the swinging support arm; 
         FIG. 17  shows an alternative arrangement for the swinging banner support arm of  FIG. 14C  using two springs; and 
         FIG. 18  shows the swinging banner support arm of  FIG. 17  in use with the arrangement of  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The following description refers to preferred embodiments of the present invention. To facilitate an understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the present invention. For ease of communication, similar components between the drawings are identified by the same reference numerals. 
     Arrangements Mounted to a Support Surface 
       FIG. 1  of the accompanying drawings shows a cross sectional view of a banner raising apparatus in the operative state. A banner raising apparatus  10  is depicted. The banner raising apparatus  10  has an elongate conduit  12  which may be a pipe, channel or similar shape. When the elongate conduit  12  is mounted to a support surface  22 , it has an internal secure halyard passageway  20  which cannot be accessed externally. Located at the lower end of the elongate conduit is a secure housing  14  which contains a halyard fastener  16  and has an internal volume  24  for storing a portion of a halyard  26 . An opening in the operatively upper end of the secure housing  14  provides internal access from the interior of the secure housing  14  to the interior of the secure halyard passageway  20 . Preferably the elongate conduit  12  abuts, inserts into or joins onto the secure housing  14  so that access to the secure halyard passageway  20  is only available from the interior of the secure housing  14 . A halyard guide  18  is located at the upper end of the elongate conduit  12 . 
     The arrangement shown in  FIG. 1  additionally includes an upper housing  32  and a weight containment passageway  34 . The halyard guide  18  is contained in the upper housing  32 . An opening in the operatively lower end of the upper housing  32  provides access from the interior of the secure halyard passageway  20  to the interior of the upper housing  32 . The elongate conduit  12  may abut, insert into or join onto the upper housing  32  so that access to the secure halyard passageway  20  is only available from the interior of the upper housing  32 . The weight containment passageway  34  is a further internal passageway in the elongate conduit  12 . An opening in the operatively lower end of the upper housing  32  provides access from the interior of the upper housing  32  to the weight containment passageway  34 . 
     In the operative state, the banner raising apparatus  10  is mounted to a generally vertical support surface  22 . The support surface  22  depicted in  FIG. 1  consists of a solid pole. However the banner raising apparatus  10  can be mounted to a support surface  22  with virtually any characteristics. For example, the support surface  22  may be a wall, column or other suitable structure, may be formed from a wide range of substances, including timber, concrete, metal and plastic and may be hollow. Preferably the support surface  22  is located in a position where the banner raising apparatus  10  is prominently visible to the intended audience, for example, in a public place at a height such as on a telegraph pole adjacent to a busy road. 
     To raise a banner  38  using the banner raising apparatus  10 , a halyard is used. A halyard  26  with two ends  28  and  30  is shown in  FIG. 1  as a dashed line. The attached end  28  of the halyard  26  is located in the internal volume  24  of the secure housing  14 . Travelling along the halyard  26 , starting at the attached end  28 , the halyard  26  passes through the halyard fastener  16 . The halyard  26  then passes through the opening in the secure housing  14  into the secure halyard passageway  20 . The halyard  26  travels up the secure halyard passageway  20  and passes through the opening in the upper housing  32  into the upper housing  32  and to the halyard guide  18 . The halyard  26  then passes through the halyard guide  18  and, travelling through the opening in the upper housing  32 , passes into the weight containment passageway  34 . The halyard  26  travels down the weight containment passageway and terminates at the banner end  30 . A weight  36  is attached to the banner end  30  of the halyard  26 . 
     To raise a banner  38 , the halyard  26  must first be lowered so that it can be accessed by a person on the ground level. The weight  36  acts under the influence of gravity to urge the banner end  30  of the halyard  26  in an operatively downward direction. The halyard guide  18  redirects the halyard  26  but preferably does not inhibit the movement of the halyard  26  or damage the halyard  26  when it moves. When the halyard  26  is attached to the halyard fastener  16 , the movement of the halyard  26  under the influence of the weight  36  is restrained. 
     To lower the halyard  26 , it must be released from the halyard fastener  16  by accessing the secure housing  14 . Preferably the secure housing  14  is positioned to be within reach of a person at ground level. The security features of the secure housing  14  and the procedure for accessing and releasing the halyard fastener  16  is described in further detail with reference to  FIG. 4  below. After releasing the halyard  26  from the halyard fastener  16 , the weight  36  acts under the influence of gravity to pull the banner end  30  of the halyard  26  in a downward direction. The halyard guide  18  guides the movement of the halyard  26  so that the attached end  28  of the halyard  26  is drawn towards the secure halyard passageway. After the banner end  30  of the halyard  26  has been lowered, the attached end  28  of the halyard  26  is reattached to the halyard fastener  16  to retrain the halyard in the lowered position. Preferably the halyard  26  is of sufficient length to allow this to occur. 
     When the halyard  26  is in the lowered position, the banner  38  can be attached to the halyard  26  by a person at the ground level. Preferably the banner  38  is attached to the halyard  26  at two locations using a toggle and loop arrangement, hooks, carabiners or similar devices. In the depicted arrangement the banner  38  has a flexible rod  40  attached to the banner  38  in at least two locations in a tensioned or bent position so that as the rod  40  tends to return to the straightened position the banner  38  is tensioned and urged to an unfurled position. The rod  40  may be attached by insertion into pockets located in the banner  38 . The rod  40  may be attached to the upper corner of the banner  38  furthest from the halyard  26  and the at a location along the edge of the banner  38  parallel and proximate to the halyard  26 . An alternative arrangement for supporting the banner  38  with a swinging banner support arm is described with reference to  FIGS. 13 and 16 . 
     After attaching the banner  38 , the banner  38  and halyard  26  are raised using the halyard raising apparatus  10 . The attached end  28  of the halyard is again released from the halyard fastener  16 . The operator then applies a force to the attached end  28  of the halyard  26  so that the halyard travels up the weight containment passageway  34  towards the halyard guide  18  and, after being guided by the halyard guide  18 , the halyard  26  is drawn down the secure halyard passageway  20  towards the halyard fastener  16 . The force applied should be sufficient to overcome the influence of gravity on the weight  36 . The movement of the halyard  26  raises the banner  38 . 
     When the banner  38  reaches the desired raised position, the halyard  26  is attached to the halyard fastener  16 , thereby restraining the halyard  26  in the raised position. So that the banner  38  remains in the raised position, the halyard  26  is preferably a type which will not stretch under the influence of the weight  36  over time, for example a non-slump rope with a Kevlar core. When in the raised position, the banner  38  and the portion of the halyard  26  in the weight containment passageway  34  are located at the operatively upper end of the elongate conduit  12  at a height which preferably prevents access by a person on ground level. The portion of the halyard  26  in the secure halyard passageway  20  and in the secure housing  14  is surrounded by the secure halyard passageway  20  and the secure housing  14  respectively and cannot be accessed, except through secure housing  14 . Consequently a person without security access to the secure housing  14 , as described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 4  below, cannot lower, tamper with, or steal the banner  38 . 
     When the banner  38  is restrained in the raised position, movement of the edge of the banner parallel and proximate to the halyard  26  is restrained by tension in the halyard  26  caused by the influence of gravity on the weight  36 , and the weight containment passageway  34  which prevents movement of the weight  36  except along that passageway. The weight  36  is preferably of sufficient mass to prevent appreciable movement of the edge of the banner parallel and proximate to the halyard  26 . For example, a 5 kg weight would be sufficient for a 2000×900 mm banner. Preferably the banner has a limited rotational flexibility about the axis labelled  42  so that the banner  38  deflects under wind pressure, spilling the wind, and no significant force or bending moment resulting from wind pressure is applied to the banner raising apparatus  10  or the support surface  22 . 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of a further arrangement in an operative state.  FIG. 2  shows a cross sectional view of a halyard raising apparatus  10  having an elongate conduit  12 , such as the elongate conduit  12  described with reference to  FIG. 1 . The elongate conduit  12  may be a metal extrusion, such as an aluminium extrusion, though any material which is difficult for an unauthorised person to penetrate would be suitable. Aluminium is particularly suitable if the banner raising apparatus  10  is to be exposed to weather due to its corrosion resistant properties. The elongate conduit  12  has a secure halyard passageway  20  and a weight containment passageway  34 . The elongate conduit  12  has a longitudinal slot  48  along its length. The longitudinal slot  48  allows a banner to be attached to the portion of the halyard  26  which is located in the weight containment passageway  34 . Spread apart, along the length of the elongate conduit  12 , are holes  46  located in the wall of the elongate conduit  12  which is proximate to the support surface  22 . 
     The banner raising apparatus  10  in  FIG. 2  is shown mounted to a support surface  22  such as a wall. The elongate conduit  12  is mounted to the support surface  22  using fasteners  44 , for example, screws, nails or other fastener known to be suitable. The body of each fastener  44  passes through the hole  46  and is secured in the support surface  22 . The head of each fastener is pressed against the wall of the elongate conduit  12  proximate to the support surface  22 , thereby fastening the elongate conduit  12  to the support surface  22 . The slot  48  may be wide enough to allow the fasteners to be driven into place using a driving tool, such as a screw driver, drill or nail gun, whilst being narrow enough that access by an unauthorised person to the portion of the halyard in the weight containment passageway  34  is difficult or awkward. In one arrangement, a width of 10 to 15 mm has been found to be suitable. 
     The banner raising apparatus  10  is used with a halyard  26  and a weight  36 , as is described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 1  above. A portion of the halyard  26  is shown in  FIG. 2  located in the secure halyard passageway  20 . This portion of the halyard is the portion of the halyard which travels from a halyard fastener (not shown) to a halyard guide (not shown). It is not possible for a person to access this portion of the halyard from the exterior of the elongate conduit  12 . 
     After passing though the halyard guide, the halyard travels down the weight containment passageway  34  and terminates in the weight  36 . Though the slot  48  provides limited access to the weight containment passageway  34 , when a banner is in the raised position, the weight  36  and the portion of the halyard  26  in the weight containment passageway  34  is located at the operatively upper end of the elongate passageway  12  and preferably cannot be accessed by a person from the ground level. 
     As is described in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 1 , the halyard  26  may be raised or lowered using the halyard raising apparatus  10 . When the halyard  26  is raised or lowered, the halyard  26  travels in one direction along the secure halyard passageway  20  whilst, due to the halyard guide redirecting the halyard  26 , the weight travels in an opposite direction along the weight containment passageway  34 . By using two separate passageways, the lengths of the halyard  26  travelling in opposition directions do not interfere with each other and cannot become tangled or wear against each other. 
       FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of the secure housing  14  shown in  FIG. 1 , sectioned along the plane  3 - 3  indicated in  FIG. 1 . The secure housing  14  is shown mounted to a curved support surface  22 . The edges of the secure housing  14  extend to the perimeter of the support surface  22  so that access to the halyard fastener  16  is prevented from the exterior of the secure housing  14 . The edges of the secure housing  14  which extend in the operatively upwards direction may be bevelled so as to abut the curved support surface  22  without a gap or may embed into the support surface  22 . In either case there is no gap for unauthorised access or for a person to insert a crowbar to forcibly remove the secure housing  14 . 
       FIG. 4  shows a more detailed cross sectional view of the secure housing  14  depicted in  FIG. 1 . The secure housing  14  has an upper part  60  and an lower part  62 . The secure housing may be formed from metal or a metal alloy, such as by casting aluminium, though any material which is difficult for an unauthorised person to penetrate would be suitable. Aluminium is particularly suitable if the banner raising apparatus  10  is to be exposed to weather due to its corrosion resistant properties. Preferably the internal volume  24  of the secure housing  14  is of sufficient capacity to contain the length of the halyard  26  between the halyard fastener  16  and the attached end  28  of the halyard  26  when the halyard is in the raised position. 
     The halyard fastener  16  may be attached to the upper part  60  of the secure housing  14  or may be attached to the support surface  22 . Any known attaching means such as fasteners or welding may be used. The halyard fastener  16  may be any device which is capable of releasably attaching the halyard and preferably, is capable of reliably restraining the halyard without slipping or malfunctioning. A cam cleat has been found to be suitable for use as the halyard fastener  16 . 
     The operatively upper part  60  has an opening shaped to couple with the elongate conduit  12  so that a halyard (not shown) can pass from the secure halyard passageway  20  in the elongate conduit to the interior of the secure housing  14 . The coupling of the elongate conduit  12  to the secure housing  14  is preferably such that the secure halyard passageway  20  cannot be accessed, except from the interior of the secure housing  14 . 
     Preferably the secure housing  14  prevents an unauthorised person from releasing the halyard, accessing the halyard contained in the secure housing  14  or accessing the halyard fastener  16 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , the lower part  62  and the upper part  60  of the secure housing  14  are mounted to the support surface  22  and couple together, when mounted, to prevent access from the exterior of the secure housing  14 . 
     The upper part  60  of the secure housing  14  may be mounted to the support surface  22  or may be mounted to the elongate conduit  12  which is mounted to the support surface  22 . In either case it is preferable that the upper part  60  cannot be removed without removing the lower part  62  or the elongate conduit  12 . The lower part  62  of the secure housing  14  may be mounted to the support surface  22  using fasteners (not shown) which pass through the holes  64  and penetrate into the support surface  22 . To prevent an unauthorised person from removing the lower part  62 , the fasteners may be friction driven screws. Friction driven screws require a particular tool for removal. Such tools are not readily available. Consequently, an unauthorised person is unlikely to be able to remove the fasteners, remove the lower part of the secure housing  62  and release the halyard. 
     Many alternative embodiments of the secure housing are possible. For instance, the housing could be a single part which is attached to the support surface using friction driven screws. Alternatively, the secure housing may have an access hatch which is locked and can be opened using a security key. As a further alternative, the secure housing may contain a winch mechanism which operates to retract or deploy the halyard. In this example, it may not be necessary to access the interior of the secure housing, the winch mechanism instead being activated from the exterior of the secure housing a security device, for instance, a security handle which is received by a receptacle on the exterior of the secure housing. Alternatively the winch mechanism could be motorised and activates in response to a security signal, such as a code. 
       FIG. 5  shows a more detailed cross sectional view of a portion of the upper housing  32  depicted in  FIG. 1 . Preferably the upper housing  32  is formed from a water-proof material so that moisture cannot penetrate into the secure halyard passageway and pool in the secure housing. Typically the upper housing  32  is located at a height such that access by an unauthorised person is difficult without the use of a lifting device and consequently the upper housing  32  does not typically need to resist penetration by an unauthorised person. If additional security is desired or if the upper housing can be easily accessed by an unauthorised person, the upper housing may be formed from metal or a metal alloy, such as by casting aluminium, though any material which is difficult for an unauthorised person to penetrate would be suitable. Aluminium is particularly suitable if the banner raising apparatus  10  is to be exposed to weather due to its corrosion resistant properties. 
     The upper housing  32  is shown in the operative state, mounted to the support surface  22 . The upper housing  32  is mounted directly to the support surface  22  using fasteners located in holes  70 . If additional security is desired, the fasteners may be friction driven screws so that unauthorised removal is inhibited as described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 4 . If the upper housing  32  is located at a height which inhibits unauthorised access, normal fasteners may be used. The upper housing  32  may be mounted to the support surface  22  using any other known mounting means. Alternatively, the upper housing  32  may be mounted to the elongated conduit (not shown) which is mounted to the support surface as described above. 
     The halyard guide  18  is contained in the upper housing  32 . The halyard guide  18  is shown in  FIG. 5  mounted to the upper housing  32 . The mounting may be accomplished by welding, fasteners or other known means. Alternatively, the halyard guide  18  may be mounted directly to the support surface  22  using conventional means, such as fasteners. The halyard guide  18  guides the halyard (not shown) from the secure halyard passageway to the weight containment passageway. The halyard guide  18  is preferably a device which guides the halyard so that its movement is not restricted and does not cause damage to it. A fairlead is suitable for use as a halyard guide  18 , as are similar devices such as a pulley. 
       FIG. 6  shows a side view of a further arrangement which does not have the upper housing and the weight containment passageway. Referring to  FIG. 6 , a banner raising apparatus  10  is depicted in the operative state. The banner raising apparatus  10  has an elongate channel  12  which when mounted forms a secure halyard passageway. Located at the lower end of the elongate conduit is a secure housing  14  which contains a halyard fastener (not shown). An opening in the operatively upper end of the secure housing  14  provides internal access from the interior of the secure housing  14  to the interior of the secure halyard passageway. Preferably the elongate channel  12  abuts, inserts into or joins onto the secure housing  14  so that access to the secure halyard passageway is only available from the interior of the secure housing  14 . 
     The upper end of the elongate channel  12  is closed to prevent ingress by water or access by an unauthorised person. An opening  80  in the elongate channel  12  at its upper end allows a halyard  26 , when installed, to exit the secure halyard passageway. A halyard guide (not shown) is located at the opening and may comprise a smooth, saddle shaped surface which is capable of guiding the halyard  26  so that its movement is not restricted and does not result in damage. 
     The banner raising apparatus  10  in  FIG. 6  is shown mounted to a support surface  22  such as a pole. The banner raising apparatus  10  is being used in conjunction with a halyard  26  and a banner  38  which are shown in the raised position. A weighted loop  82  is attached to each of the upper and lower corners of the banner  38  proximate to the halyard  26 . The weighted loops  82  circumnavigate the support surface  22  and may comprise lead weighted ropes. Movement of the upper and lower corners of the banner  38  proximate to the halyard  26 , for instance under the influence of wind, is restrained by the weighted loops  82 . The weighted loops  82 , as a result of gravity, additionally tension the halyard  26  and inhibit movement of the upper and lower corners of the banner  38  proximate to the halyard  26  in an upwards direction parallel to the support surface  22 . However, the weighted loops  82  are capable of moving up and down the support surface  22  when the banner  38  is raised or lowered by operation of the halyard  26 . 
     The arrangements described herein with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6  can be mounted to a wide variety of different structures which have a support surface. These support surfaces are thereby converted to a secure banner raising apparatus. Possible arrangements of the banner raising apparatus when mounted to the support surface are shown in the accompanying drawings. Further, methods for attaching the banner raising apparatus to the support surface are described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 5  above. 
     To operate the banner raising apparatus, a halyard is installed. The halyard is threaded through the apparatus so as to be arranged as is described with reference to  FIG. 1  or  6 . The halyard can be installed prior to mounting the banner raising apparatus to the support surface. Alternatively the halyard can be installed after mounting the banner raising apparatus by feeding the attached end of the halyard down the secure halyard passageway from the upper opening, assisted by gravity. The banner end of the halyard is then fed down the weight containment passageway, also assisted by gravity. After mounting the banner raising apparatus to the support surface, a halyard is provided and installed in the banner raising apparatus. The banner end of the halyard is adapted to connect to a banner, for instance by a toggle and loop arrangement, a carabiner or the like. 
     Arrangements Using Internal Cavity of Supporting Pole 
       FIG. 7  of the accompanying drawings shows an arrangement in which the halyard passes through an internal cavity of a supporting pole. The internal halyard system  110  shown consists of a lower housing  112  and an upper housing  114 . The lower housing contains a lower halyard guide  116  and a releasable halyard fastener  118 . The lower housing is discussed in greater detail with reference to  FIGS. 8 and 9  below. The upper housing contains an upper halyard guide  120  and is discussed in greater detail with reference to  FIG. 10  below. 
     The internal halyard system  110  is depicted in  FIG. 7  installed on a pole  122  with a tubular cross section. The internal halyard system  110  may be used with poles of a different cross sectional shape or with similar structures such as columns or the like. The pole  122  must be capable of supporting the weight of the internal halyard system  110  when installed. It is an advantage if the pole  122  is located in a prominent position and extends generally vertically to a height so that a banner  124  raised on the pole  122  is prominently displayed to its intended audience. Existing metal light or electricity poles or existing banner poles in frequently visited public areas have been found to be suitable. 
     The pole  122  has a secure internal cavity  126  which extends vertically from the height of the lower housing to at least the height at which the banner is to be displayed. Preferably the internal cavity  126  cannot readily be accessed by a person at ground level. The internal cavity  126  must be suitable for a halyard to travel through. Thus, for some poles which house electrical wires, for example, the halyard system described may not be suitable. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , a halyard  128  is used with the internal halyard system  110 . The halyard  128  has two ends, an attached or lower end  130  and a upper end  132 . The lower end  130  of the halyard  128  is located in the internal volume  134  of the lower housing  112 . Travelling along the halyard  128 , from the lower end  130  to the upper end  132 , the halyard  128  passes through the halyard fastener  118  and into the lower halyard guide  116 . The lower halyard guide  116  directs the halyard  128  into the inner cavity  126  through the sidewall of the pole  122 , vertically up the inner cavity  126  and to the upper halyard guide  120 . The upper halyard guide  120  directs the halyard  128  to exit the inner cavity  126  though the sidewall of the pole  122  and travel in a downwards direction. The halyard  128  exits the upper housing  114  through a lower opening in the upper housing and travels downward proximate to the pole  122 . Attached to the upper end  132  of the halyard  128  is a banner  124  and weighted loops  136 . 
       FIG. 8  shows a more detailed cross sectional view of the lower housing  112 . The lower housing  112  may be formed from metal or metal alloy, such as by casting, though any material which is difficult for an unauthorised person to penetrate would be suitable. If the lower housing  112  is likely to be exposed to weather, the lower housing  112  is preferably constructed from a weather resistant material, such as aluminium, or is provided with a protective coating, such as galvanising or painting. 
     The lower housing  112  contains the lower halyard guide  116 , the halyard fastener  118  and, when a halyard is used, the portion of the halyard between the halyard fastener and the lower end  130 . The lower housing  112  restricts an unauthorised person from accessing its contents. When mounted, the lower housing forms an internal compartment which cannot be accessed from the exterior by an unauthorised person. Since the halyard  128  passed from the lower housing  112  into the internal cavity  126 , the lower housing prevents an unauthorised person obtaining access to the halyard  128  or the halyard fastener  118  from the ground level. 
     The lower housing  112  is mounted to the pole  122  using mechanical fasteners which pass through the hole  144  and into the pole  122 . Screws or similar fasteners may be used. Alternatively the lower housing  112  may be attached to the pole  122  using any other known attachment means, for instance welding or gluing. If mechanical fasteners are used, to prevent an unauthorised person from removing the lower housing  112 , friction driven screws may be used. Friction driven screws require a particular tool to remove which is not readily available. The lower housing may alternatively be mounted to the ground or other structure so that it abuts the pole  122 . 
     The lower housing  112  may be removed by unscrewing the friction driven screw using an appropriate tool. Removing the lower housing  112  allows a person to access the halyard fastener  118  and the halyard  128  for the purposes of raising and lowering the halyard  128 . 
     Many alternate embodiments of the lower housing are possible. For instance, the housing may have an upper part and a lower part which are attached to the support surface using friction driven screws. To access the lower housing, the lower part is removed. Alternatively, the lower housing may have an access hatch which is locked and can be opened using a security key. As a further alternative, the lower housing may contain a winch mechanism which operates to retract or deploy the halyard. In this example, it may not be necessary to access the interior of the lower housing, the winch mechanism instead being activated from the exterior of the lower housing a security device, for instance, a crank with a security fitting which is received by a receptacle on the exterior of the lower housing. Alternatively the winch mechanism could be motorised and activates in response to a security signal, such as a code. 
       FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of the lower housing shown in  FIG. 7 , sectioned along the A-A section indicated in  FIG. 7 . The lower housing  112  is shown mounted to the curved surface of the pole  122 . The edges of the lower housing  112  extend to the perimeter of the pole  122  so that access to the halyard fastener  118  and the halyard  128  is prevented from the exterior of the lower housing  112 . The edges  146  of the lower housing are bevelled so as to abut the pole  122  without a gap. Alternatively the edges  146  may embed into the pole  122 . In either case there is no gap for unauthorised access or a person to insert a lever or crowbar to forcibly remove the lower housing  112 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12 , the lower halyard guide  116  has a tubular elbow  148  which is attached to a plate  150 . The tubular elbow  148  and the plate  150  may alternatively be integrally formed. The tubular elbow  148  passes through a hole in the pole  122 . Preferably, the tubular elbow  148  passes through a hole in the pole  122  and a hole in a spigot  142 . The spigot  142  is located inside the lower portion of the pole  122  and provides structural support to the pole  122 . Consequently the wall of the pole  122  adjacent to the spigot  142  is structurally reinforced by the spigot  142  and the creation of a hole does not significantly weaken the pole  122 . The plate  150  may be mounted to the lower housing  112  or the pole  122 . 
     Since only the tubular elbow  148  of the lower halyard guide  116  passes through the hole in the pole  122 , the hole may be a diameter equal to the outer diameter of the tubular elbow  148 . A smaller hole is advantageous because the pole  122  is not weakened. A suitable outer diameter of the tubular elbow  148  is 12 mm and consequently a hole with a diameter of 13 mm is suitable. A hole this size does not noticeably weaken the pole  122 . 
     The halyard  128  passes through the tubular elbow  148 . Preferably the tubular elbow  148  has a sufficient inner diameter to allow the halyard  128  to move freely. The inside walls of the tubular elbow  148  are smooth and the elbow curvature has radius such that movement of the halyard  128  is not restricted and does not cause damage to the halyard  128 . 
     A number of alternate devices may be used instead of the tubular elbow  148 . For example, an elbow with a half pipe cross section may be used. Alternatively, a small pulley wheel may be attached to the end of a bar. The bar with pulley attached is then inserted through the hole. The hole has a diameter such that the halyard can pass through the hole adjacent to the bar. 
     The halyard fastener  118  is mounted to the plate  150  using a fastener, though any known method of attachment may be used and the halyard fastener  118  may be mounted to other components such as the lower housing  112 . The halyard fastener is a cam cleat. Any similar device, to which the halyard  128  may be releasably attached, such as a cleat or hook, may be used. Preferably the halyard fastener  118  securely restrains the halyard  128  and does not allow the halyard  128  to slip over time. 
       FIG. 12  shows a more detailed cross sectional view of the upper housing  120 . Preferably the upper housing  114  is formed from a water-proof material so that moisture cannot penetrate into the inner cavity  126 . Typically the upper housing  120  is located at a height such that access by an unauthorised person is difficult without the use of a lifting device. Consequently the upper housing  120  does not typically need to resist penetration by an unauthorised person. If additional security is desired or if the upper housing can readily be accessed by an unauthorised person, the upper housing may be formed from metal or a metal alloy, though any material which is difficult to penetrate would be suitable. If the upper housing  120  is exposed to weather, it is advantageous if it is formed from a weather resistant material, such as aluminium, or has a protective coating, such as galvanising or painting. 
     The upper housing  120  contains the upper halyard guide  120  and has a bottom opening which allows the halyard  128  to pass through. The upper housing  114  is mounted to the pole  122  using mechanical fasteners which pass through the holes  52 . Other known attachment means, such as welding or gluing, may be used. If additional security is desired, the upper housing  114  may be mounted using friction driven screws. Friction driven screws require a particular tool to remove which is not readily available and so prevent unauthorised people removing the upper housing  114 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 10 ,  11  and  12 , the upper halyard guide  120  has a similar construction to the lower halyard guide  118 . The upper halyard guide  120  has a tubular elbow  154  attached to a plate  156 . The tubular elbow  154  passes through a hole in the pole  122 . Since only the tubular elbow  154  passes through the hole in the pole  122 , the hole may be a diameter equal to the outer diameter of the tubular elbow  154 . A suitable outer diameter of the tubular elbow  154  is 12 mm and consequently a hole with a diameter of 13 mm is suitable. A hole this size located in the upper portion of the pole does not noticeably weaken the pole  122 . The plate  156  may be attached to the pole  122  or the upper housing  114 . 
     The halyard  128  passes through the tubular elbow  154 . Preferably the tubular elbow  154  has a sufficient inner diameter to allow the halyard  128  to move freely. The inside walls of the tubular elbow  154  are smooth and the elbow curvature has radius such that movement of the halyard  128  is not restricted and does not cause damage to the halyard  128 . The upper halyard guide  120  has a fairlead  158  which guides the halyard  128  in a downward direction after it has exited the inner cavity  126 . Similar devices, such as pulleys, which do not restrict the movement of the halyard or damage the halyard may be used. The fairlead is attached to the plate  156  using mechanical fasteners, though other attaching means, such as welding, are suitable. 
     The lower halyard guide  118  shown in  FIG. 8  and the upper halyard guide  120  shown in  FIG. 12  are constructed from the part  160  shown in  FIGS. 10 and 5 . In the case of the lower halyard guide  118 , a halyard fastener  116  is attached, whilst in the case of the upper halyard guide  120 , a fairlead  158  is attached. The use of the same part  160  reduces the number of different parts to be manufactured. 
     The internal halyard system  110  does not require an upper housing. Since the halyard  128  exits the inner cavity  126  at a height, it cannot usually be accessed without the use of a lifting device. This will normally prevent unauthorised people accessing the halyard  128 . Further, the halyard  128  does not need to exit the internal cavity  126  through the sidewall of the pole  122 . The halyard  128  may alternatively exit from the top of the pole  122 . In this case the upper housing and the upper halyard guide would be located at the top of the pole. The upper halyard guide could be a pulley wheel or smoothed lip located at the top of the pole  122 . An upper halyard guide which is free to rotate about the pole may be used to prevent the banner being wrapped around the pole under the influence of wind. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 7 , the process for raising a banner  124  will now be explained. To raise the banner  124 , the halyard  128  must first be lowered to allow access by a person at ground level. The weighted loops  136  act under the influence of gravity to urge the upper end  132  of the halyard  128  in a downward direction. The upper halyard guide  120  and lower halyard guide  116  guide the halyard but do not inhibit its movement. When the halyard  128  is attached to the halyard fastener  118 , the movement of the halyard under the influence of the weighted loops  136  is restrained. 
     To lower the halyard  128 , it must be released from the halyard fastener  118  by accessing the lower housing  112 . Preferably the lower housing  112  is positioned to be within reach of a person at ground level. After releasing the halyard  128  from the halyard fastener  118 , the weighted loops  136  act under the influence of gravity to pull the upper end  132  of the halyard  128  in a downward direction. This causes the lower end  130  of the halyard  128  to be drawn towards the inner cavity  126 . After the upper end  132  has been lowered the lower end  130  is reattached to the halyard fastener  118  to restrain the halyard in the lowered position. Preferably the halyard  128  is of sufficient length for this to occur. 
     When the halyard  128  is in the lowered position, the banner  124  is attached to the halyard by a person at ground level. Preferably the banner  124  is attached to the halyard  26  in at least one location using hooks and eyelets, a toggle and loop arrangement, carabiners or similar devices. A flexible rod  138  may be attached to the banner  124 . The rod  138  is attached in at least two locations in a tensioned or bent position so that as the rod  138  tends to return to the straightened position, the banner  124  is tensioned and urged to an unfurled position. The rod  138  may be attached to the upper corner of the banner  124  furthered from the halyard  128  and at a location along the edge of the banner  124  parallel and proximate to the halyard  128 . 
     After attaching the banner  124 , the banner  124  and halyard  128  are raised. This is accomplished by releasing the halyard  128  from the halyard fastener  118 . An operator then applies a force to the lower end  130  of the halyard  128  in a direction away from the lower halyard guide  116 , causing the halyard to travel down the inner cavity  126  and the upper end  132  of the halyard  128  to travel upwards towards the upper halyard guide  120 . The force applied should be sufficient to overcome the influence of gravity on the weighted loops  136 . 
     When the banner  124  reaches the desired raised position, the halyard  128  is attached to the halyard fastener  118 , thereby restraining the halyard  128  in the raised position. So that the banner  124  remains in the raised position, the halyard  128  is preferably a type which will not stretch under the influence of the weighted loops  136  over time. For example, the halyard could be non-slump rope with a Kevlar core. In the raised position, the banner  124 , halyard  128  and weighted loops  136  are preferably raised to a height which prevents access by a person at ground level. Since the halyard  128  travels through the inner cavity  126 , through the lower halyard guide  116  and into the lower housing  112 , the halyard  128  cannot be accessed, raised, lowered or otherwise tampered with except by accessing the lower housing  112 . The length of the halyard  128  between the lower end  130  and the halyard fastener  118  is stored in the lower housing  112 , which has a sufficient internal volume  134  for this purpose. 
     When the banner  124  is restrained in the raised position, movement of the edge of the banner parallel and proximate to the halyard  128  is restrained by tension in the halyard caused by the lower weighted loop  136 . The weighted loops  136  pass around the pole  122  and prevent the upper and lower corners of the banner  124  proximate to the halyard  128  from moving away from the pole  122 . The weighted loops allow the banner  124  rotational flexibility about the axis labelled  140  so that the banner  124  deflects under wind loading, spilling wind, and no significant resultant load is applied to the upper housing  20  or the pole  122 . Many different arrangements may be used instead of the weighted loops  136 . For instance, non-weighted loops may be used and a weight hung from the banner. Alternatively a weight may be attached to the lower end of the banner and restrained in a channel attached to the pole. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 7 to 12 , the internal halyard system  110  may be installed on a pole  122  using the following process. Firstly, upper and lower holes are created in the pole. The holes are easily bored using a drill or similar device. Non-circular holes may be created, though circular holes are easier and are therefore preferable. The lower hole may pass through the pole  122  and the spigot  142 . The tubular elbow  154  of the upper halyard guide  120  is inserted into the upper hole so that the plate  156  abuts the pole  122  and is fixed in place. 
     The halyard  128  is then threaded through the upper halyard guide  120  and into the internal cavity  126 . The halyard  128  is fed down the internal cavity  126  under the influence of gravity. The halyard  128  is hooked, by inserting a hook through the lower hole, and drawn through the lower hole. The halyard  128  is threaded through the lower halyard guide  116 . The tubular elbow  148  of the lower halyard guide  116  is then inserted into the lower hole so that the plate  150  abuts the pole  122  and is fixed in place. The halyard fastener  118  is attached to the plate  150  of the lower halyard guide  116 . The lower housing and the upper housing are then mounted to the pole  122  using friction drive screws through holes  144  and  52  respectively. 
     Arrangements Using a Swinging Banner Support Arm 
     In the arrangements depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 7 , a flexible rod  40 ,  138  is used to support the banner  38 ,  124 . An alternative arrangement for supporting the banner is shown in  FIG. 13 . An elongate member or batten  250  is inserted into a banner support arm  252  that in turn is attached to a weight  256  by means of a gooseneck arrangement described in more detail with reference to  FIG. 14C . The weight  256 , gooseneck and banner support arm  252  form a pivoting attachment for the elongate member or batten  250 . Weight  256  may move within a conduit  260  defined within the banner support system  210 . The conduit  260  extends downwards from the upper housing  214  towards the lower housing  212 . The conduit  260  is preferably long enough to match a vertical length of the banners to be supported by the banner support system  210 . Conduit  260  may be referred to as a banner-support conduit. 
     Weight  256  is connected to another weight  262  by cord  280 . The cord  280  may be formed of the same material as halyard  228 . The cord  280  and weight  262  are also positioned in conduit  260 . In one arrangement, weights  256 ,  262  are made of stainless steel. Two or more glides  258  are positioned at intervals along the cord  280 . The glides may be formed of an acetal-based plastic. Each of the glides  258  has an eyelet attached. An eyelet  264  is also attached to or formed on weight  262 . The length of the cord  260  may correspond to the vertical length of the banners to be supported by the banner support arm  252 . 
     In use, the batten  250  is approximately orthogonal to the cord  280 . The batten  250  may be inserted into a pocket in an operatively upper edge of the banner to be supported. A side edge of the banner may be connected to each of the eyelets on the glides  258  and the eyelet on  264  on weight  262 . Snap hooks on the banner may be used to connect the banner to the eyelets. Thus, in use, the batten  250 , banner support arm  252  and weighted cord  280  hold an upper edge and one side of the banner. Weight  262 , at an operatively lower end of cord  280 , serves to tension the cord and thus limit movement of the banner. 
     Weight  256  is attached to an upper end  232  of halyard  228 . The halyard  228  passes, within an upper housing  214 , over an upper halyard guide  220  (which may be a fairlead) and into a tubular elbow  254 , which guides the halyard  228  into a secure internal cavity  226  of the pole  222 . As described above with reference to the arrangement of  FIG. 7 , the halyard  228  passes downwards through the internal cavity  226  to reach tubular elbow  248 , which guides the halyard  228  out of the internal cavity  226  and into a lower housing  212 . Within the lower housing  212 , the halyard  228  passes through a releasable halyard fastener  218 . As mentioned above, a cam cleat may be used as the releasable halyard fastener  218 . The remaining length of halyard  228  is positioned within an internal space of the lower housing  212 . A lower end  230  of the halyard  228  may be attached within the lower housing  212 . In the arrangement of  FIG. 13 , the lower housing  212  has a door which may opened or locked using a key. The lower housing thus serves to restrict unauthorised access to the halyard in order to raise or lower the banner. 
     The banner support system  210 , made up of upper housing  214 , conduit  260  and lower housing  212 , is attached to the exterior surface of the pole  222 . A support bracket  266  may be positioned on the pole to provide additional strength for the lower housing  212 . 
     To attach a new banner or remove a currently-installed banner, an authorised person opens the lower housing  212  and releases the halyard  228  from the halyard fastener  218 . The operator may then feed the halyard through the tubular elbows  248  and  254 . Weights  256  moving in conduit  260  under gravity acts to lower the banner support arm  252 . Preferably, the banner support system  210  is positioned on pole  222  such that when the banner support arm  252  is lowered, the banner support arm is easily reachable by the operator standing at ground level or on a step ladder. When the banner support arm  252  is lowered, the operator may insert batten  250  into the corresponding pocket in the banner, and clip the banner into the eyelets on glides  258  and eyelet  264  on weight  262 . Then, by pulling the halyard  228  through the lower housing  212 , the operator may raise the banner support arm  252  and the attached banner. When the banner support arm  252  has been raised to the desired position, the operator attaches halyard  228  using the releasable halyard fastener  218 . The operator then closes and locks the lower housing  212 , thus preventing unauthorised access to the halyard. 
     The height of lower housing  212  may be such that an operator can access the lower housing while standing at ground level. Alternatively, the operator may use a ladder to access the lower housing  212 . While the use of a ladder may represent some inconvenience to the authorised operator, such an arrangement serves to place the lower housing  212  beyond easy reach of unauthorised persons. 
       FIGS. 14A-14C  show the pivoting attachment in greater detail.  FIG. 14C  shows a side view in which some hidden elements are shown in dashed outline. A gooseneck or T-section  274  is attached to weight  256 . Support arm  252  has a generally rectangular cross section, as shown in  FIGS. 14A and 14B . A slot  282  is formed in one end of the support arm  252 . When assembled, an end  275  of the T-section  274  is positioned in slot  282  of the support arm  252 . A bolt  272  passes through the support arm  252  and the end  275  of the T-section  274 , thereby attaching the T-section  274  to the support arm  252 . The bolt  272  acts as a pivot allowing the support arm  252  to rotate relative to the T-section  274 . 
     Bolt  272  also holds a 2-way tension spring  270 . One end of the tension spring  270  is attached to the T-section  274 . The other end of the 2-way tension spring  270  is attached to the support arm  252 . The support arm  252  may thus rotate relative to the T-section  274  and weight  256 , about the axis defined by bolt  272 . The tension spring  270  acts to return the support arm  252  to its original or equilibrium position after the arm has been rotated. Thus for example if a wind is blowing, the banner and support arm  252  may rotate with respect to the pole  222 , spilling the wind. When the wind drops, the tension spring  270  acts to return the banner and support arm  252  to their original position. 
     Weight  262  attached to a lower end of the banner serves to hold the banner in an extended position, and is heavy enough to prevent excessive flapping of the banner. Attaching the banner to the eyelets on glides  258  also serves to stabilise the banner when positioned on the banner support system  210 . 
     As seen in  FIG. 14C , the support arm  252  also has a hole  276  which may accommodate a snap hook to further secure a banner to the support arm  252 . 
     A slot  280  is formed in the support arm  252 , at an opposite end to the slot  282  for accommodating the T-section  274 . Slot  280  is sized to accommodate the batten  250 . Batten  250  may be formed of fibreglass. In use, the batten  250  is inserted into slot  280  and also into an elongate pocket in the banner. The batten  250  thus holds the banner, in use, in an extended position to enhance the visibility of the banner. In one arrangement the batten is approximately orthogonal to the axis defined by conduit  260 . However, the batten  250  may be configured at other angles relative to the conduit  260 . 
       FIG. 15  shows a side view and end view of a part that may be used for the tubular elbows  248 ,  254 . The tubular elbows are attached to a plate  250  that defines a plurality of holes which are used to attach the tubular elbow to the hole  222  or the cover support bracket  266 . The holes defined in plate  250  may also be used to attach the upper halyard guide  220  of the releasable halyard fastener  218  to the plate  250 . 
       FIG. 13  shows an arrangement in which the banner support arm  252 , weights  256 ,  262  and cord  280  are attached to a halyard  228  that passes through a secure internal cavity  226  of the pole  222 . The swinging banner support arrangement may be also used in conjunction with a halyard that passes through a secure external conduit, as described with respect to  FIGS. 1-6 . This further illustrated in  FIG. 16 , which shows a sectioned top view of the banner support system  210 . In the arrangement depicted, the banner support system  210  has a plurality of elongate conduits. Conduit  260  accommodates the weights  256 ,  262  and the cord  280 .  FIG. 16  shows a top view of a weight  262  with eyelet  264  attached. A halyard  270  extends along a conduit  271  formed in the banner support system  210 . The arrangement of  FIG. 16  does not require access to the interior of the pole  222 . Conduit  260  has a longitudinal slot. Eyelet  264  protrudes through the longitudinal slot. Similarly, the T-section  274  protrudes through the longitudinal slot, the sides of which limit rotation of the T-section  274 . The longitudinal slot may thus define the original or equilibrium position of the batten  250 . 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  show a further arrangement  289  of the pivoting attachment that uses two springs to urge the support arm back to an equilibrium position. As before, T-section  274  is attached to weight  256 . The end  275  of the T-section  274  is positioned in a receiving slot formed in swinging banner support arm  292 . Bolt  272  passes through an operatively upper spring  290 , an upper portion of support arm  292 , end  275  of T-section  274 , a lower portion of support arm  292  and an operatively lower spring  291 . The bolt  272  acts as a pivot allowing support arm  292  to rotate relative to the T-section  274 . The springs  290 ,  291  are both attached to the T-section  274  and to the support arm  292 . If the banner arm  292  is rotated about bolt  272  in either direction away from an equilibrium position, the springs act to urge banner arm  292  back towards the equilibrium position. 
     The swinging banner support arm  292  is pressed into a tube  294 . Alternatively, the tube  294  and support arm  292  may be integrally formed. The support arm  292  and tube  294  may be formed of stainless steel. The tube  294  has an open end arranged to receive and support the batten  250 . A hole  296  is defined in the side of tube  294  near the open end of the tube  294 . In use, the hole  296  accommodates a button  298  formed in the batten  250 . Spring  299  within the batten presses the button  298  away from the interior of the batten  250 . When the batten  250  is positioned within tube  294 , the button  298  and spring  299  act to retain the batten  250  in position. 
     A user may insert batten  250  into the tube  294  by depressing button  298  and sliding the batten  250  into the tube  294  such that the spring  299  presses button  298  through hole  296 . To release the batten, the user presses button  298  through the hole  296  and slides the batten  250  out of the tube  294 . 
       FIG. 18  shows the pivoting attachment  289  in use with the banner support arrangement  210 . The batten  250  may be positioned in a pocket formed in the banner and serves to hold the banner in an open and readily visible configuration. 
     The above embodiments of the present invention are merely examples of the invention and other manners in which the various features can be arrange so as to allow the secure raising and lowering of a banner using a halyard are understood to fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention as claimed and described. 
     The invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. 
     The invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present invention. 
     The term “comprises”, its grammatical variants and any other words of similar effect, is used in this specification to mean “includes” and should not be taken as excluding the presence of other elements or features.