Patent ID: 6857218

Claim:
A tip-up flag device comprising: a generally disc-shaped housing having a plurality of upwardly extending protrusions on a substantially flat upper surface thereof which include a hollow spool protrusion, a handle assembly and a flag securing post, said hollow spool protrusion forming a corresponding spool cavity in an underside of said housing; an upwardly extending signaling device mounted on said housing for movement between an upstanding signaling position, a set position adjacent to and generally parallel with said upper surface, and a storage position also adjacent to and generally parallel with said upper surface when engaged by said flag securing post; a retaining and releasing assembly rotatably supported on said housing for releasably retaining said signaling device in said set position, said retaining assembly including a trip shaft having at least two grooves therein of different depths, said signaling device in said set position being held under said trip shaft and within one of the said grooves; and a reel spool assembly connected to said retaining and releasing assembly by a tubular member so as to rotate in relation therewith, said reel spool assembly having a retracted position in which said tubular member is generally parallel with said upper surface and said reel spool assembly fits within said spool cavity so as to be at least flush with said underside, and an in-use position in which the tubular member is generally perpendicular to said upper surface and said trip shaft is positioned so as to retain said signaling device in said set position.