Year: 1889

page_text: I, HERBERT JOHN ALLISON, of 52 Chancery Lane, London, in the County of
Middlesex, Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has
been communicated to me from abroad by Isaac Townsend, Manufacturers Agent, of
203 North Pearl Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States of America), and in.
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained
in and by the following statement:-
The object of this invention is to prevent twisting of the halyards, by means of
which a flag is suspended from the summit of a flag staff, mast head or gaff,
which often occurs and to a certain extent interferes with the undulating motion
of the flag, owing to a portion of the flag at the head becoming wound up or twisted,
whereas in this invention the flag is permitted to wave gracefully, free from
entanglement.
This invention, which is applicable to flags or banners of all descriptions, consists
of a spindle or axis, provided with an eye or opening for the halyards, and inserted
longitudinally within a barrel or tube, which is secured to the material of the
flag by means of a sheet metal clamp and rivets.
Reference is had to the accompanying drawing, in which :-
Figure 1-is a perspective view of the invention applied to a flag with the
halyards attached thereto.
Figure 2-is a side elevation of the invention showing it secured at the head of
the flag.
Figure 3-is a vertical section of the swivel and clamp.
Figure 4 is a horizontal section on the line a-b, of figure 2. Figure 5-is a
perspective view of the barrel of the swivel.
Figure 6 is a perspective view of the sheet metal clamp.
A figures 2 & 3, is a spindle or axis of suitable length with an eye or ring, B,
formed on one end for the purpose of fastening the halyards or rope to it; and the
opposite extremity inserted longitudinally, to rotate freely, within the barrel or tube C.
The barrel or tube C, is flanged at both ends, as shown at d. d', figures 3 & 5, and
the spindle, A, is provided with a shoulder, e, below the eye or ring, B, which rests

page_text: upon the flange, d, and the opposite extremity (of the spindle) is formed with a
small stem or pin f, which passes through a countersunk washer F, figure 3, and is
riveted over flush with the outside of the same, so as to retain the spindle properly
within the barrel.
The clamp G, figure 6, consists of a rectangular sheet metal plate, bent of a tubular
form in the centre to embrace the barrel, 0, between the shoulders formed by the
flanges-d, d, and in applying the same, the projecting ends or wings h, h, are
drawn together and covered by the strip of canvas H, or other material usually sewed
to the head of the flag to reinforce the bunting or silk, the whole being bound
together by means of rivets i-i, which are passed through the several parts,
as shown in figure 4. In order to prevent the clamp, G, turning and abrading
on the barrel, C; a rectangular lug, 1, is formed on one side of the barrel, as shown
in figures 3, 4 & 5, and projects a short distance between the wings, h-h, to form
an effectual stop. Two swivels are applied at the head of the flag, one each, at
the upper and lower corners, with the eye or ring, B, of each spindle, to which
the halyards are attached, projecting out, the barrel and clamp being completely
covered, as previously stated, by the canvas or other material so as to be invisible.
The spindle, A, of each clamp will turn freely within its barrel, and as the sheet
metal clamp will lend additional strength to the material of the flag, all wear at the
corners will be prevented while at the same time the flag is allowed to fly out freely.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1st. A swivel for flag halyards consisting of a spindle or axis provided with an eye
or opening for the rope, and inserted to rotate within a barrel or tube attached to the
material of the flag.
2nd. The combination of the spindle, A, eye or ring, B, shoulder, e, stem or pin f,
and washer F, with the barrel C, flanges d, d', lug l, clamp G, and rivets i, i.
Dated this 19th day of March 1889.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.