Abstract:
An arrangement for mounting a flag includes a flagpole and a tubular member which is connectable to the flagpole. The tubular member has a passage which can receive the flagpole, and the tubular member and flagpole are designed such that the connection between the tubular member and the flagpole is located internally of the passage. The tubular member has slits which allow the connection to be established and broken from externally of the tubular member. The tubular member serves as a holder for the flag and is provided with a second passage which can slidably receive the flag.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The invention relates to an arrangement for mounting a flag.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     The flag marking the location of the cup on the green of a golf course is typically mounted on a pole which is designed to be placed in the cup. The flag sits at one end of the pole and this end of the pole has a threaded portion of smaller diameter than the remaining, main portion of the pole. Hence, the threaded portion and the main portion of the pole define a shoulder.  
         [0005]     A polyvinylchloride tube having a flange which runs the length of the tube is used to mount the flag on the flagpole. The flag is rectangular and the length of the tube and the flange approximates the length of the shorter sides of the flag. One of the shorter margins of the flag is wrapped around the tube and the flange and is stitched to the flange.  
         [0006]     The tube and the flagpole have circular cross sections and the inner diameter of the tube exceeds the outer diameter of the main portion of the flagpole so that the flagpole can be inserted in the tube. A ring is formed at one end of the tube and is provided with a circular opening whose diameter is greater than that of the threaded portion of the flagpole but smaller than that of the main portion of the flagpole. To attach the tube to the flagpole, the threaded portion of the flagpole is passed through the opening in the ring and the shoulder defined by the main portion and the threaded portion of the flagpole is brought into abutment with the ring. The threaded portion of the flagpole then projects from the tube and a nut is screwed onto the threaded portion to secure the flagpole to the tube.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     One aspect of the invention resides in a flag mounting arrangement comprising an elongated supporting member and a carrying member designed to hold a flag and to be supported by the supporting member. The carrying member is provided with a passage designed to receive the supporting member.  
         [0008]     One embodiment of the flag mounting arrangement, further comprises means for connecting the supporting member to the carrying member, and the connecting means includes a first connecting element in the passage of the carrying member and a second connecting element for engagement with and disengagement from the supporting member. The connecting means, the supporting member and the carrying member are designed so that the second connecting element is recessed in the passage of the carrying member at a predetermined location of the passage when the connecting means connects the supporting member to the carrying member.  
         [0009]     In an additional embodiment of the flag mounting arrangement, the carrying member is provided with a second passage for holding a flag.  
         [0010]     Another aspect of the invention resides in a flag mounting arrangement comprising a flag and a carrying member for holding the flag. The flag includes a layer of polyvinylchloride.  
         [0011]     An additional aspect of the invention resides in a flag mounting method comprising the steps of providing a supporting member and providing a carrying member. The carrying member, which has a passage, is designed to hold a flag and to be supported by the supporting member. The method further comprises the step of inserting the supporting member in the passage of the carrying member.  
         [0012]     One embodiment of the method additionally comprises the step of connecting the supporting member to the carrying member, and the connecting step includes engaging a connecting element with the supporting member inside the passage of the carrying member.  
         [0013]     The passage in the carrying member may have an open end and the supporting member can be inserted in the passage via such open end. The present embodiment of the method can here comprise a further step of inhibiting contact between the supporting member and the carrying member in the region of the open end of the passage.  
         [0014]     Another embodiment of the flag mounting method comprises the steps of providing a flag and mounting the flag on the carrying member. The carrying member can be provided with a second passage and the mounting step may then include inserting a selected portion of the flag in the second passage.  
         [0015]     This embodiment of the flag mounting method can comprise the additional step of providing a carrier and, in such an event, the mounting step may involve at least partially enclosing the carrier with the selected portion of the flag prior to inserting the selected portion of the flag in the second passage of the carrying member.  
         [0016]     A further aspect of the invention resides in a flag mounting method comprising the steps of providing a flag, providing a carrying member designed to hold flag and mounting the flag on the carrying member. The flag here includes a layer of polyvinylchloride.  
         [0017]     The flag can include another layer of polyester which is preferably in the form of a mesh. Moreover, the flag may be provided with a laser-printed image.  
         [0018]     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be forthcoming from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of a flag which is designed in accordance with the invention and is folded around a stiffener for the flag.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged sectional view of the flag and the stiffener in the direction of the arrows II-II of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the stiffener of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is an end view of the stiffener of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a side view of a flagpole for the flag of  FIG. 1  and of a nut which screws onto a threaded shaft forming part of the flagpole.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a holding member which is designed to hold the flag of  FIG. 1  and to be mounted on the flagpole of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0025]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view of the holding member, with wall thicknesses exaggerated, as seen in the direction of the arrows VII-VII of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 8  is an end view of the holding member as seen in the direction of the arrow VIII of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 9  is an end view of the holding member as seen in the direction of the arrow IX of  FIG. 6 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 10  is a plan view of a tool for use in screwing the nut of  FIG. 5  onto the threaded shaft of the flagpole of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the tool of  FIG. 10 .  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0030]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the numeral  10  identifies a flag in accordance with the invention. The flag  10  is rectangular and has two longer margins or marginal portions  12  and two shorter margins or marginal portions  14   a  and  14   b . The flag  10 , which could have a shape other than rectangular, is here assumed to belong to a golfing facility which utilizes the flag  10  to mark the location of a cup on the green of a golf course.  
         [0031]     Considering  FIG. 2  in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , the flag  10  includes a base or base layer  16  of polyester mesh and a coating or additional layer  18  of polyvinylchloride. The coating  18  is provided with markings including an image  20  which represents a flower and a legend  22  identifying the golfing facility which owns the flag  10 . Other markings could be provided on the flag  10  in lieu of or in addition to the image  20  and the legend  22 .  
         [0032]     The polyester mesh of the base  16  allows the flag  10  to be lightweight while the polyvinylchloride coating  18  permits markings to be laser-printed on the flag  10 . Both the image  20  and the legend  22  have been laser-printed on the coating  18 .  
         [0033]     Turning to  FIGS. 3 and 4  together with  FIG. 2 , the shorter margin  14   a  of the flag  10  is wrapped around a stiffener or carrier  24  for the flag  10 , and the shorter margin  14   a  completely or almost completely encloses the stiffener  24 . The stiffener  24  includes a spine or elongated component  26  which is here in the form of a rod or bar of circular cross section. The stiffener  24  further includes a flange  28  constituted by a flat strip which runs the length of the spine  26 . The flange  28  is coplanar with the longitudinal axis of the spine  26  and the longitudinal edges of the flange  28  are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the spine  26 . One of the longitudinal edges of the flange  28  is bonded to the peripheral surface of the spine  26 . The length of the spine  26  and the flange  28  is equal to or somewhat less than the length of the shorter margins  14   a ,  14   b  of the flag  10 .  
         [0034]     The stiffener  24  can, for example, consist of polyvinylchloride.  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the numeral  32  identifies an elongated supporting member for holding the flag  10  aloft. The elongated supporting member  32  is here a flagpole of the type commonly used on a golf course to hold up a flag which marks the location of the cup on a green.  
         [0036]     The flagpole  32  includes a main portion  34  constituted by a bar of circular cross section. The bar  34  has two ends  34   a  and  34   b  and a cap  36  is mounted on the end  34   b . The cap  36  comprises a tubular element or portion  38  of circular cross section which receives the bar end  34   b  and a circular end wall  40  which closes one end of the tubular element  38  and covers the bar end  34   b . The cap  36  further comprises a threaded shaft or portion  42  which projects from the end wall  40  and the bar end  34   b  axially of the bar  34 . The threaded shaft  42  has a circular cross section, and the diameter of the threaded shaft  42  is smaller than the diameter of the end wall  40  and smaller than the diameter of the bar  34 . Hence, the threaded shaft  42  and the end wall  40  define an annular shoulder  44  which runs circumferentially of the threaded shaft  42 .  
         [0037]     A nut or nut-like component  46  is designed to screw onto the threaded shaft  42 . The nut  46  is here a cap nut having several pairs of facets  46   a , and the facets  46   a  are arranged such that the facets  46   a  of each pair are diametrically opposed.  
         [0038]     Considering  FIGS. 6-9 , the numeral  48  denotes a tubular carrying or holding member which is adapted to be supported by the flagpole  32 . The tubular member  48  is elongated and has two ends  48   a  and  48   b , and the length of the tubular member  48  exceeds the length of the shorter margins  14   a ,  14   b  of the flag  10 . The tubular member  48  is provided with a passage  50  of circular cross section which runs longitudinally of the tubular member  48  from the end  48   a  to the end  48   b . The passage  50  includes a section  50   a  of larger diameter which has an exposed open end at the end  48   a  of the tubular member  48  and a section  50   b  of smaller diameter which has an exposed open end at the end  48   b  of the tubular member  48 . The diameters of both the larger-diameter passage section  50   a  and the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b  exceed the maximum diameter of the flagpole  32  and the maximum width of the cap nut  46 . Thus, the passage  50  can receive both the flagpole  32  and the cap nut  46 .  
         [0039]     An annular abutment  52  having a central circular opening  54  is located inside the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b  nearer the end  48   b  than the end  48   a  of the tubular member  48 . The abutment  52  and the central opening  54  have a common axis which coincides with the longitudinal axis of the flagpole passage  50 . The diameter of the central opening  54  is greater than the diameter of the threaded shaft  42  of the flagpole  32  and smaller than the diameter of the annular shoulder  44  extending circumferentially of the threaded shaft  42 . Accordingly, the threaded shaft  42  can pass through the central opening  54  while the cap  36  and the bar  34  of the flagpole  32  are unable to do so. The diameter of the central opening  54  is also smaller than the diameter of the cap nut  46  which screws onto the threaded shaft  42 .  
         [0040]     To mount the tubular member  48  on the flagpole  32 , the flagpole  32  is inserted in the flagpole passage  50  through the end  48   a  of the tubular member  48 . The flagpole  32  is introduced into the flagpole passage  50  with the threaded shaft  42  leading, and the threaded shaft  42  is passed through the central opening  54  of the abutment  52 . The flagpole  32  is properly located in the flagpole passage  50  when the threaded shaft  42  is received in the central opening  54 . Preferably, the abutment  52  is located at such a distance from the exposed open end of the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b  that the threaded shaft  42  does not project from the tubular member  48  even if the flagpole  32  is inserted into the flagpole passage  50  so far that the annular shoulder  44  running circumferentially of the threaded shaft  42  rests against the abutment  52 . On the other hand, the bar  34  of the flagpole  32  projects from the tubular member  48  through the exposed open end of the larger-diameter passage section  50   a  when the flagpole  32  is properly situated in the flagpole passage  50 . This allows the bar  34  to be planted in a cup on the green of a golf course.  
         [0041]     To fix the flagpole  32  to the tubular member  48  once the flagpole  32  has been properly positioned in the flagpole passage  50 , the cap nut  46  is screwed onto the threaded shaft  42  and tightened. However, since the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b  is, by design, too narrow to accommodate two fingers of a human hand simultaneously, tightening of the cap nut  46  is difficult or impossible to accomplish with the fingers if the threaded shaft  42  is recessed in the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b  as is preferred.  
         [0042]     In order to allow the cap nut  46  to be tightened when the threaded shaft  42  is recessed in the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b , the tubular member  48  is provided with two diametrically opposed, slits or elongated cutouts  56  (only one of the slits  56  is visible in the drawings). The slits  56  run transverse to the longitudinal axis of the flagpole passage  50  and, as considered longitudinally of the tubular member  48 , are located adjacent to the abutment  52  between the latter and the exposed open end of the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b . At least a portion of each slit  56  opens to the external peripheral surface of the tubular member  48  and to the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b , and the width of each slit  56  is selected in such a manner that none of the fingers of a human hand can be inserted in the respective slit  56 .  
         [0043]     Turning to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the numeral  58  identifies a tool or implement for tightening the cap nut  46  on the threaded shaft  42  of the flagpole  32  when the threaded shaft  42  is recessed in the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b . The tool  58  is in the form of a wrench having a flat, elongated handle  60  and a flat gripping head  62  at one end of the handle  60 . The handle  60  here includes a strip-like member enclosed in a plastic jacket  64  while the gripping head  62  includes a pair of spaced tines  66  which are located in a common plane and are parallel to the longitudinal axis of the wrench handle  60 .  
         [0044]     The thickness of the tines  66  is less than the width of the slits  56  in the tubular member  48  thereby permitting the tines  66  to enter the slits  56 . The distance between the tines  66  is slightly greater than the distance between diametrically opposed facets  46   a  of the nut  46  so that the wrench  58  can hold the nut  46  against rotation relative to the tines  66  when the nut  46  is received between the tines  66  with two diametrically opposed facets  46   a  facing respective ones of the tines  66 .  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIGS. 6, 8  and  9 , the tubular member  48  has a semicircular portion  68  and an abutting tapering portion  70  as seen in a transverse cross section of the tubular member  48 . The tapering portion  70  narrows in a direction away from the semicircular portion  68 , and the tubular member  48  has a maximum width at the junction of the semicircular portion  68  and the tapering portion  70 . The flagpole passage  50  extends from the semicircular portion  68  into an adjoining part of the tapering portion  70  and the slits  56  likewise run between the semicircular portion  68  and the tapering portion  70 .  
         [0046]     When the threaded shaft  42  of the flagpole  32  is inserted in the flagpole passage  50  and the cap nut  46  is to be screwed onto the threaded shaft  42 , the cap nut  46  is introduced into the flagpole passage  50  and the wrench  58  is employed to hold the cap nut  46  against rotation. To this end, the tines  66  of the wrench  58  are slid into respective ones of the slits  56 . The distance between the tines  66  is less than the diameter of the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b  so that the tines  66  project into the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b  and can hold the cap nut  46 . Once the cap nut  46  has been captured by the tines  66 , the flagpole  32  can rotated to screw the threaded shaft  42  into the cap nut  46 .  
         [0047]     Considering  FIG. 7 , the numeral  72  identifies a ring or insert having an outer diameter larger than the diameter of the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b  and somewhat smaller than the diameter of the larger-diameter passage section  50   a . The inner diameter of the ring  72  is somewhat larger than the diameter of the flagpole bar  34 , and the ring  72  is designed to be inserted in the larger-diameter passage section  50   a . The ring  72  is intended to reduce the play available for the bar  34  and to prevent the tubular member  48  from directly impacting, and possible being damaged by, the bar  34  when a force such as the wind causes the tubular member  48  and the bar  34  to move relative to one another.  
         [0048]     Turning to  FIG. 8  together with  FIG. 7 , an annular seat  74  for the ring  72  is provided in the flagpole passage  50  at the junction of the larger-diameter passage section  50   a  and the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b . Two ribs  76  in the larger-diameter passage section  50   a  run longitudinally of the tubular member  48  from the seat  74  partway to the exposed open end of the larger-diameter passage section  50   a . The ribs  76 , which have a minimal height, assure that the ring  72  fits snugly in the larger-diameter passage section  50   a  and will not fall out.  
         [0049]     Referring to  FIGS. 6, 7  and  8 , the tubular member  48  is formed with an additional or second passage  78  of circular cross section which runs parallel to the flagpole passage  50  and is located in the tapering portion  70  of the tubular member  48 . The additional passage  78  runs almost, but not quite, the length of the tubular member  48 .  
         [0050]     The additional passage  78  includes a section  78   a  of larger diameter which has an exposed open end at the end  48   a  of the tubular member  48  and a section  78   b  of smaller diameter which extends from the larger-diameter passage section  78   a  to a location just short of the end  48   b  of the tubular member  48 .  
         [0051]     A slot or slot-like opening  80  is formed in the narrowest part of the tapering portion  70  of the tubular member  48 . The slot  80 , which is parallel to the flagpole passage  50  and the additional passage  78  and runs the length of the additional passage  78 , opens to the additional passage  78  and to the external peripheral surface of the tubular member  48 . Like the additional passage  78 , the slot  80  has an exposed open end at the end  48   a  of the tubular member  48  and a closed end near the end  48   b  of the tubular member  48 .  
         [0052]     The length of the additional passage  78  and the slot  80  exceeds the length of the shorter margins  14   a , 14   b  of the flag  10 . The diameter of the smaller-diameter section  78   b  of the additional passage  78  is selected so that the spine  26  of the stiffener  24 , when enclosed by the margin  14   a  of the flag  10 , fits in the smaller-diameter passage section  78   b  with a small amount of play sufficient for the spine  26  and the margin  14   a  to be slidable in the smaller-diameter passage section  78   b . Similarly, the width of the slot  80  is such that the flange  28  of the stiffener  24  can enter and slide along the slot  80  with a minimal amount of play when the margin  14   a  of the flag  10  is wrapped around the flange  28 .  
         [0053]     As seen in  FIG. 7 , a plug  82  of circular cross section is provided to close the exposed open end of the larger-diameter passage section  78   a . The plug  82 , which fits snugly in the larger-diameter passage section  78   a , prevents the stiffener  24  and the flag  10  from falling out of or being easily removed from the additional passage  78  and the slot  80 . If desired, the plug  82  can be bonded to the tubular member  48  after being inserted in the exposed open end of the additional passage  78 .  
         [0054]     An annular seat  54  for the plug  82  is provided in the additional passage  78  at the junction of the larger-diameter passage section  78   a  and the smaller-diameter passage section  78   b.    
         [0055]     The stiffener  24 , the flagpole  32  and the tubular member  48  all constitute part of an arrangement for mounting the flag  10 . One manner of assembling the flag mounting arrangement is as follows:  
         [0056]     The margin  14   a  of the flag  10  is folded around the spine  26  and the flange  28  of the stiffener  24 . The spine  26  is then aligned with the open end of the additional passage  78  of the tubular member  48  while the flange  28  is aligned with the open end of the slot  80 . The spine  26  is thereupon inserted in the additional passage  78  whereas the flange  28  is inserted in the slot  80 . The margin  14   a  of the flag  10  is held around the spine  26  and the flange  28  during insertion of the spine  26  and the flange  28  into the additional passage  78  and the slot  80 .  
         [0057]     After the spine  26  has been inserted in the additional passage  78  and the flange  28  has been inserted in the slot  80 , the spine  26  is slid along the additional passage  78  to the closed end of the additional passage  78  while the flange  28  is slid along the slot  80  to the closed end of the slot  80 . The margin  14   a  of the flag  10  continues to be held around the spine  26  and the flange  28  during movement of the spine  26  and the flange  28  along the additional passage  78  and the slot  80 .  
         [0058]     Once the spine  26  abuts the closed end of the additional passage  78  and the flange  28  abuts the closed end of the slot  80 , a suitable adhesive is applied to the perimeter of the plug  82 . The plug  82  is subsequently inserted in the exposed open end of the additional passage  78  and the adhesive is allowed to set.  
         [0059]     The ring  72  is inserted in the exposed open end of the larger-diameter passage section  50   a  and pushed inward until the ring  72  lies against the seat  74  of the tubular member  48 . The flagpole  32  is now introduced into the exposed open end of the larger-diameter passage section  50   a  with the threaded shaft  42  leading. The threaded shaft  42  is passed through ring  72  and the central opening  54  of the abutment  52 , and the annular shoulder  44  of the flagpole  32  is brought to bear against the abutment  52 . The cap nut  46  is thereupon screwed onto the threaded shaft  42 .  
         [0060]     It is here assumed that the flagpole  32  and the tubular member  48  are designed such that the threaded shaft  42  does not project from the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b  when the annular shoulder  44  of the flagpole  32  lies against the abutment  52 , i.e., the entire length of the threaded shaft  42  is recessed in the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b . Since, as mentioned earlier, the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b  is too narrow to accommodate two fingers of a human hand simultaneously, it is accordingly difficult to securely screw the cap nut  46  onto the threaded shaft  42  by hand.  
         [0061]     In order to screw the cap nut  46  onto the threaded shaft  42 , the cap nut  46  is placed on the threaded shaft  42  and held against rotation with a finger. The flagpole  32  is now rotated thereby causing the cap nut  46  to be screwed onto the threaded shaft  42 . The cap nut  46  can be preliminarily tightened in this manner.  
         [0062]     When the cap nut  46  has been preliminarily tightened on the threaded shaft  42 , the cap nut  46  is brought into register with the slits  56  in the tubular member  48  by shifting the flagpole  32  so that the annular shoulder  44  of the flagpole  32  moves away from the abutment  52 . The flagpole  32  and the tubular member  48  can be designed such that the cap nut  46  rests against the abutment  52  when the cap nut  46  registers with the slits  56 . The cap nut  46  is positioned with two opposed facets  46   a  of the cap nut  46  facing respective ones of the slits  56 , and the tines  66  of the wrench  58  are then inserted in the slits  56  in order to capture the cap nut  46  and hold the cap nut  46  against rotation. Once the cap nut  46  is held by the wrench  58 , the flagpole  32  is once again rotated to firmly tighten the cap nut  46  on the threaded shaft  42 . The flagpole  32  can now be placed in the cup of a green on a golf course.  
         [0063]     After the cap nut  46  has been screwed onto the threaded shaft  42 , the cap nut  46  remains recessed in the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b  regardless of the position of the threaded shaft  42  in the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b.    
         [0064]     To remove the cap nut  46  from the threaded shaft  42 , the flagpole  32  is shifted, if necessary, to once more bring the cap nut  46  into register with the slits  56  in the tubular member  48 . The cap nut  46  is again positioned with two opposed facets  46   a  of the cap nut  46  facing respective ones of the slits  56 , and the tines  66  of the wrench  58  are thereupon inserted in the slits  56  to hold the cap nut  46  against rotation. The flagpole  32  is now rotated in the opposite sense from before until the cap nut  46  is released from the threaded shaft  42 .  
         [0065]     Recessing of the threaded shaft  42  and the cap nut  46  in the smaller-diameter passage section  50   b  makes it difficult to disconnect the tubular member  48  from the flagpole  32 . This, in turn, makes it difficult to steal the flag  10 .  
         [0066]     The difficulty of stealing the flag  10  is increased by the design of the additional passage  78  and the slot  80  in the tubular member  48  and by the design of the stiffener  24 . Thus, when the margin  14   a  of the flag  10  is folded around the spine  26  and the flange  28  of the stiffener  24  and the spine  26  and flange  28  are inserted in the additional passage  78  and slot  80 , a pull on the flag  10  will cause the margin  14   a  to tighten around the spine  26  and the flange  28 .  
         [0067]     Mounting of the flag  10  in the additional passage  78  of the tubular member  48 , rather than wrapping the flag  10  around the tubular member  48 , allows wear on the flag  10  to be reduced and also reduces the likelihood that the flag  10  will become soiled. Thus, should a golfer or caddie grip the arrangement of the flag  10 , the flagpole  32  and the tubular member  48  in the area of the tubular member  48 , there will be minimal contact with the flag  10 .  
         [0068]     Since the flag  10  is slidably mounted on the tubular member  48 , the flag  10  can be readily withdrawn from the tubular member  48  after loosening the plug  82  and removing the same from the exposed open end of the additional passage  78 . Consequently, the flag  10  can be replaced without replacing the tubular member  48 . This enables cost savings to be achieved inasmuch as the tubular member  48  represents a predominant fraction of the cost of the flag mounting arrangement.  
         [0069]     It is possible to heat bond the margin  14   a  of the flag  10  to the stiffener  24 . In such an event, the tubular member  48  functions to protect the heat bonded area.  
         [0070]     The flagpole  32  can be made of metal while the tubular member  48 , the ring  72  and the plug  82  can be made of plastic. With the exception of the jacket  64 , the wrench  58  may also be composed of metal.  
         [0071]     Various modifications are possible within the meaning and range of equivalence of the appended claims.