FLAGPOLE HOLDER

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a flagpole holder or similar, comprising a fastening unit, which is intended for mounting the holder onto a wall, and a carrier unit, which is intended to accommodate the flagpole holder. Attached to the said fastening element (1) is a carrier (1') comprising a set of vertically interspaced drainage lamellae (2₁;2₂). The design of the first and uppermost drainage lamella (2₁) features an elongated window (6) which can be closed with a flap (7), and the design of the second and lowermost drainage lamella (2₂) features a protrusion (10) intended to accommodate the free end of the flagpole (4).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a flagpole holder or similar, comprising a fastening unit, which is intended for mounting the said holder onto a wall, and a carrier unit, which is intended to accommodate the flagpole holder. In particular, the invention relates to such a flagpole holder that facilitates the mounting of a flagpole with a flag and dismounting thereof from the said holder.

[0002] The flagpole holder of the type referred to above is disclosed, for instance, in patent applications GB 2 420 353 A; JP 2001 067032 A; KR 2016 0091036 A; US 1,285,218 A; and US 1,286,541 A. All said documents relate to the mounting of the flagpole holder in different inclined positions. However, the said documents fail to provide information on facilitating the mounting of the flagpole with the flag and dismounting thereof from the said holder when the flagpole with the flag is to be inserted in the said flagpole holder through a window, over balcony railings, or in other situations where the user has to lean dangerously from high places.

[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a new flagpole holder that eliminates the drawbacks of the known solutions.

[0004] The object according to the present invention is accomplished by the characteristics set forth in the characterizing portion of claim 1. The details of the invention are disclosed in the corresponding sub-claims.

[0005] The invention is further described in detail by way of a non-limiting embodiment and with a reference to the accompanying drawings where

Fig. 1

shows a three-dimensional view of a flagpole holder with a flagpole inserted,

Fig. 2

shows a side view of the flagpole holder of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3

shows the flagpole holder of Fig. 1 in the position for accommodating the flagpole,

Fig. 4

shows a side view of the flagpole holder of Fig. 3,

Fig. 5

shows a side view of an embodiment of the flagpole accommodating means,

Fig. 6

shows a side view of another embodiment of the flagpole accommodating means,

Fig. 7

shows a side view of another embodiment of the flagpole accommodating means,

Fig. 8

shows a side view of another embodiment of the flagpole accommodating means,

Fig. 9

shows a three-dimensional view of an embodiment of the flagpole holder with the flagpole inserted.

[0006] A flagpole holder according to the invention comprises a flat fastening element 1, which can be formed as a straight or, optionally, curved plate to be mounted on a straight or curved wall, a quoin, or similar. The said fastening element 1 comprises a planar form of arbitrary shape, such as a square, circle, ellipse, shield, or similar. Furthermore, the said fastening element 1 is formed with a carrier 1' comprising at least two vertically mutually spaced drainage lamellae 2₁, 2₂, wherein the first drainage lamella 2₁ is the uppermost drainage lamella and the second drainage lamella 2₂ is the lowermost drainage lamella. At least the first drainage lamella 2₁ is formed with at least one through hole 3 or a window 6 to accommodate at least one partially tubular flagpole 4. An embodiment of the flagpole 4 holder is described in continuation, designed to feature a single through hole 3 or window 6 to accommodate the flagpole 4. A flagpole embodiment accommodating multiple flagpoles represents a mere routine action for a person skilled in the art and is thus not presented in detail.

[0007] The said drainage lamellae 2₁, 2₂ which are, with regard to the fastening element 1, arranged obliquely in the direction from the fastening element 1 towards the ground, can be designed with an identical thickness or each individual drainage lamella 2₁, 2₂ can be of a different thickness.

[0008] It is provided for, according to the present invention, that the uppermost drainage lamella 2₁ is configured to accommodate lighting means, such as LED lamps, for instance to illuminate the flag or flags, and that the said lowermost drainage lamella 2₂, which optionally comprises the maximum thickness, is configured to accommodate lighting means 5, such as LED lamps, to illuminate the wall and/or the ground below the flagpole 4 holder. Furthermore, it is provided for that at least one of the said drainage lamellae 2₁, 2₂ is configured to receive a photosensitive device that generates electricity, which can supply additional energy to the said lighting means, such as the said LED lamp 5.

[0009] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is provided for that at least one of the said drainage lamellae 2₁, 2₂ is configured on its back side facing the fastening element 1, to accommodate lighting means, such as LED lamps. In this case, at least one of the said drainage lamellae 2₁, 2₂ is made of a translucent material. This allows for the use of multi-coloured LED lamps to achieve a lighting effect on the front side of each drainage lamella 2₁, 2₂, which can, for example, match the colours of the flag. Also, an embodiment is possible where the said lighting means are arranged in the space between the said drainage lamellae 2₁, 2₂.

[0010] In order to facilitate and simplify the mounting or insertion of the flagpole 4 to the flagpole 4 holder according to the invention, the first and uppermost drainage lamella 2₁ is formed with at least one elongated window 6, which can be closed with a corresponding flap 7. The opening and closing of the flap 7 is enabled by means of a suitable hinge 8 arranged in the space where the fastening element 1 transitions into the uppermost drainage lamella 2₁. Each said window 6 as well as each said flap 7 is formed with a respective cut-out for the insertion of each flagpole 4 in an inclined position whenever each said flap 7 is closed, i.e. aligned with the surface of the uppermost drainage lamella 2₁. Each said flap 7 is held in the closed position by means of a rotary locking device 9, which, in the presented embodiment, always comprises a rotating knob 9a with a stem protruding the flap 7 and connecting said knob 9a to a locking crossbar 9b, wherein the said knob 9a is pushed by means of a flexible means 9c in the direction facing away from the flap 7. Optionally, it is provided for that the first drainage lamella 2 and each flap 7 are perforated in certain places so as to create an airflow through the flagpole holder and allow for the passage of rainwater below the first drainage lamella 2 and each flap 7. This prevents the flagpole 4 holder from becoming a shelter for insects.

[0011] The open position of each said flap 7 allows for the complete passage through each window 6, wherein the flagpole 4 holder can be inserted through each said window 6 in a practically vertical position or in parallel to the wall along which the flagpole 4 holder is arranged. This eliminates the need for the user to lean dangerously from high places when inserting a relatively heavy flagpole 4 and flag assembly into the flagpole holder according to the invention.

[0012] Furthermore, according to the present invention, to facilitate and simplify the mounting or insertion of the flagpole 4 into the flagpole 4 holder, it is provided for that the lowermost drainage lamella 2₂ with at least one protrusion 10 intended to accommodate the free end of the corresponding flagpole 4. Each said protrusion 10 is formed with a clearance fit, allowing a simple mounting of the tubular flagpole 4 onto each said protrusion 10. The latter is connected to the said lowermost drainage lamella 2₂ by commonly known means, for example by means of a screw joint.

[0013] Each said protrusion 10, which is preferably selected as an elastic protrusion, is formed so that the position, in which it is rigidly connected to the drainage lamella 2₂, allows for the elastic inclination of each flagpole 4 in any direction running across the longitudinal body axis of the elastic protrusion 10. Each said protrusion 10 can, for example, be selected as a cylindrical threaded spring, conical threaded spring, or similar. To additionally secure the flagpole 4 against detaching from the flagpole 4 holder, the area where it is connected to each elastic protrusion 10 is formed as a threaded spring, which features a bulge running transversally into the interior of the flagpole 4 and cooperates with the threads on the said spring in a screw-like manner. The said bulge can be selected as a pin inserted into the flagpole 4, a cut-out pushed into the interior of the flagpole 4 by means of deep-drawing, or similar.

[0014] Furthermore, the said elastic protrusion 10 can be formed as a rubber spring.

[0015] The said flagpole 4 holder solution allows for the said flagpole 4 to be held in place by means of a form- and/or force-locking joint between the said flagpole 4 and each window 6, the flap 7, and the protrusion 10.

[0016] In the following embodiment of the flagpole 4 holder, it is provided for that each said protrusion 10 is rigidly connected to the lowermost drainage lamella 2₂, which is formed rotatably around a centre 11 located approximately in the space where the fastening element 1 transitions into the lowermost drainage lamella 2₂. It is provided for, according to the present invention, that the flexible means 12 which, so long as the flagpole 4 is not inserted into the flagpole 4 holder, holds the said lowermost drainage lamella 2₂ in place, whereby each said protrusion 10 takes an approximately vertical position to accommodate the free end of the flagpole 4 holder. The said flexible means 12 is, for example, selected as a tension spring, leaf-spring, or similar.

[0017] In the following embodiment of the flagpole 4 holder, it is provided for that the said lowermost drainage lamella 2₂ comprises at least one protrusion 10' having an internal or external threading. It is provided for that the said threading accommodates and cooperates with a corresponding threading found on the free end of each flagpole 4.

[0018] The following embodiment of the flagpole 4 holder is designed in a manner that the said lowermost drainage lamella 2₂ comprises at least one protrusion 10", which is formed as a bend that is approximately perpendicular to the drainage lamella 2₂. The said bend, which is arranged in the area of the free and of the lowermost drainage lamella 2₂, is provided to cooperate with a suitably designed notch on the free end of the flagpole 4.

[0019] According to the following embodiment of the flagpole 4 shown in Fig. 9, it is provided for that the flagpole 4 holder can be, between the said uppermost drainage lamella 2₁ and the said lowermost drainage lamella 2₂, at least partly surrounded by a mantle 13. The said mantle 13 can be designed to be water-impermeable or water-permeable, for instance, made from wire mesh, perforated tin, or similar.

[0020] When the flagpole 4 holder according to the invention is arranged above a gate or a similar section, which must be protected from water, an embodiment is provided where the lowermost drainage lamella 2₂ is designed with a gutter to divert water into the rainwater drainage pipe of the building on which the flagpole holder is mounted.

[0021] The flagpole 4 holder according to the invention can be made of different materials, for instance metal and natural or artificial material, and it can be entirely opaque or either partly or entirely translucent.

[0022] Furthermore, according to the present invention, it is provided for that the flagpole 4 holder as well as the mantle 13, which at least partly surrounds the flagpole 4 holder on any part of the holder, is formed with or features an identity tag, such as a street number, emblem, coat of arms, or similar.

Claims

1. A flagpole holder comprising a flat fastening element, which can be formed as a straight or optionally curved plate to be mounted on a straight or curved wall, to a quoin, and similar, wherein a fastening element can have a planar design of any shape, for instance a square, circle, ellipse, shield, or similar, and features a carrier comprising at least two vertically interspaced drainage lamellae, wherein the first drainage lamella is the uppermost drainage lamella and the second drainage lamella is the lowermost drainage lamella, and wherein at least the first drainage lamella is designed to feature a through hole or a window to accommodate at least one partly tubular flagpole, characterized in that the design of the first and uppermost drainage lamella (2₁) features at least one elongated window (6), which can be closed with a corresponding flap (7), and the design of the second and lowermost drainage lamella (2₂) features at least one protrusion (10) intended to accommodate the free end of the flagpole (4), wherein the flagpole (4) is consequently held in place by means of a form- and/or force-locking joint.

2. The flagpole holder according to claim 1, characterized in that the opening and closing of each flap (7) is facilitated by means of a hinge (8) arranged along the space where the fastening element (1) transitions into the uppermost drainage lamella (2₁), wherein each said window (6) as well as each said flap (7) features a suitable cut-out for the insertion of each flagpole (4) in an inclined position whenever each said flap (7) is closed.

3. The flagpole holder according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that each said flap (7) is held in the closed position by means of a rotary locking device (9).

4. The flagpole holder according to claim 3, characterized in that the said locking device (9) comprises a rotating knob (9a) with a stem protruding the flap (7) and connecting the knob to a locking crossbar (9b), wherein the said knob (9a) is pushed by means of a flexible means (9c) in the direction facing away from the flap (7).

5. The flagpole holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said protrusion (10) is designed so that the position, in which is it rigidly connected to the drainage lamella (2₂), allows for the elastic inclination of each flagpole (4).

6. The flagpole holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each said protrusion (10), which is preferably designed as an elastic protrusion, is selected as a cylindrical threaded spring, conical threaded spring, or a rubber spring.

7. The flagpole holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lowermost drainage lamella (2₂) is designed so that it rotates around the centre (11) located approximately in the space where the fastening element (1) transitions into the lowermost drainage lamella (2₂), wherein the provided flexible means (12) which, so long as the flagpole (4) is not yet inserted into the flagpole holder, holds the said lowermost drainage lamella (2₂) in place, whereby each said protrusion (10) takes an approximately vertical position to accommodate the free end of the flagpole (4) holder.

8. The said flagpole holder according to claim 7, characterized in that the said flexible means (12) is selected as a tension spring, leaf-spring, or similar.

9. The flagpole holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said lowermost drainage lamella (2₂) comprises at least one protrusion (10') featuring an internal or external threading, wherein the said threading accommodates and cooperates with a corresponding threading found on the free end of each flagpole (4).

10. The flagpole holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said lowermost drainage lamella (2₂) comprises at least one protrusion (10"), which is designed as a bend that is approximately perpendicular to the drainage lamella (2₂) and is intended to cooperate with a suitably designed notch on the free end of the flagpole (4).

11. The flagpole holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first drainage lamella (2) and each flap (7) are pierced in certain locations so as to create an airflow through the flagpole (4) holder and allow for the passage of rainwater below the first drainage lamella (2) and each flap (7).

12. The flagpole holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said lowermost drainage lamella (2₂) is configured to accommodate lighting means, such as an LED lamp.

13. The flagpole holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the drainage lamellae (2₁; 2₂) is configured to hold a photosensitive device that generates electricity, which supplies energy to the said lighting means.

14. The flagpole holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the said drainage lamellae (2₁; 2₂) is configured to accommodate lighting means, wherein at least one of the said drainage lamellae (2₁; 2₂) is made from a translucent material.

15. The flagpole holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the said lighting means can be arranged in the space between each pair of neighbouring drainage lamellae (2₁; 2₂).

16. The flagpole holder according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flagpole (4) holder as well as the mantle (13) surrounding any part of the holder are designed with orfeature anywhere an identity tag, such as a street number, emblem, coat of arms, or similar.

Drawing