Patent Grant
9010000
This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/066,396, filed Oct. 29, 2013, the specification(s) of which is/are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
The present invention relates to vehicle mounted flags and banners.
There are numerous flags used to display team logos that are attachable to windows of vehicles, however, if a driver has the windows down, the flags cannot be used. The present invention features a flag and banner system for displaying a flag or a banner or both on a flat panel of a vehicle such as a trunk lid.
The system allows the driver to have his/her windows down and still show his/her team spirit. The flag and banner system of the present invention is not limited to displaying team logos. Other designs or logos may be displayed, including but not limited to a state flag, a country flag, a holiday design, a school logo, an organization's logo, a custom design, etc.
Any feature or combination of features described herein are included within the scope of the present invention provided that the features included in any such combination are not mutually inconsistent as will be apparent from the context, this specification, and the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additional advantages and aspects of the present invention are apparent in the following detailed description and claims.
The present invention features a flag and banner system for displaying a flag or a banner or both on a flat panel of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the system comprises a first mast having a mast top end, a mast bottom end, and a mast side wall, in some embodiments, a first linear mast channel is located in the mast side wall from the mast top end and extending toward but not reaching the mast bottom end. In some embodiments, a second linear mast channel is located in the mast side wall from the mast top end and extending toward but not reaching the mast bottom end. In some embodiments, the second mast channel is perpendicular to the first mast channel.
In some embodiments, the system comprises a first indexing base having a base top surface and a base bottom surface. In some embodiments, an attachment clip is located on the base bottom surface thereon. In some embodiments, the attachment clip attaches to an inner edge of a pivoting panel of the vehicle upon opening the pivoting panel. In some embodiments, an indexing mount is located on the base top surface thereon. In some embodiments, the indexing mount adjustably attaches to the mast bottom end via a fastener perpendicularly located there through. In some embodiments, the indexing mount allows the mast to pivot in at least a first direction and an opposing second direction with respect to the attachment clip. In some embodiments, the mast can be secured in a particular position via the fastener.
In some embodiments, the system comprises a first pliable flag having a proximal flag edge and an opposing distal flag edge. In some embodiments, a rigid mast attachment tab is located on the proximal flag edge. In some embodiments, the mast attachment tab slides through a mast channel aperture located on a mast top end into the mast channel. In some embodiments, the system comprises a second mast, a second indexing base, and a second pliable flag. In some embodiments, the system further comprises a banner.
Following is a list of elements corresponding to a particular element referred to herein:
Referring now to
In some embodiments, a first linear mast channel (130a) is located in the mast side wall (126) of the first mast (120) from the mast top end (122) and extending toward but not reaching the mast bottom end (124). In some embodiments, the first mast channel (130a) comprises a channel opening (131), a first channel side wall (132) having a first internal ledge (133) located thereon, an opposing second channel side wall (134) having a second internal ledge (135) located thereon, and a semicircular channel back wall (136) connecting the first internal ledge (133) and the second internal ledge (135).
In some embodiments, a second linear mast channel (130b) is located in the mast side wall (126) of the first mast (120) from the mast top end (122) and extending toward but not reaching the mast bottom end (124). In some embodiments, the second mast channel (130b) is perpendicular to the first mast channel (130a). In some embodiments, the second mast channel (130b) comprises a channel opening (131), a first channel side wall (132) having a first internal ledge (133) located thereon, an opposing second channel side wall (134) having a second internal ledge (135) located thereon, and a semicircular channel back wall (136) connecting the first internal ledge (133) and the second internal ledge (135).
In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a first indexing base (140) having a base top surface (142) and a base bottom surface (144).
In some embodiments, an attachment clip (150) is located on the base bottom surface (144) thereon. In some embodiments, the attachment clip (150) slidably attaches to an inner edge (112) of a pivoting panel (110) of the vehicle upon opening the pivoting panel (110).
In some embodiments, an indexing mount (160) is located on the base top surface (142) thereon. In some embodiments, the indexing mount (160) adjustably attaches to the mast bottom end (124) via a fastener (170) perpendicularly located there through. In some embodiments, the indexing mount (160) allows the first mast (120) to pivot in at least a first direction and an opposing second direction with respect to the attachment clip (150). In some embodiments, the first mast (120) can be secured in a particular position via the fastener (170). In some embodiments, the first mast (120) can be set at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to the attachment clip (150).
In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a first pliable flag (180) having a proximal flag edge (182) and an opposing distal flag edge (184). In some embodiments, a first rigid mast attachment tab (190a) is located on the proximal flag edge (182). In some embodiments, the first mast attachment tab (190a) matedly slides through a mast channel aperture (138) located on the mast top end (122) into the first mast channel (130a). In some embodiments, the first mast attachment tab (190a) comprises a first mast attachment tab side wall (192) having a first external ledge (193) located thereon, an opposing second mast attachment tab side wall (194) having a second external ledge (195) located thereon, and a semicircular mast attachment tab projection (196) connecting the first external ledge (193) and the second external ledge (195).
In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a second mast (121) having a mast top end (122), a mast bottom end (124), and a mast side wall (126). In some embodiments, a third linear mast channel (130c) is located in the mast side wall (126) of the second mast (121) from the mast top end (122) and extending toward but not reaching the mast bottom end (124). In some embodiments, the third mast channel (130c) comprises a channel opening (131), a first channel side wall (132) having a first internal ledge (133) located thereon, an opposing second channel side wall (134) having a second internal ledge (135) located thereon, and a semicircular channel back wall (136) connecting the first internal ledge (133) and the second internal ledge (135).
In some embodiments, a fourth linear mast channel (130d) is located in the mast side wall (126) of the second mast (121) from the mast top end (122) and extending toward but not reaching the mast bottom end (124). In some embodiments, the fourth mast channel (130d) is perpendicular to the third mast channel (130c). In some embodiments, the fourth mast channel (130d) comprises a channel opening (131), a first channel side wall (132) having a first internal ledge (133) located thereon, an opposing second channel side wall (134) having a second internal ledge (135) located thereon, and a semicircular channel back wall (136) connecting the first internal ledge (133) and the second internal ledge (135).
In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a second indexing base (141) having a base top surface (142) and a base bottom surface (144). In some embodiments, an attachment clip (150) is located on the base bottom surface (144) thereon. In some embodiments, the attachment clip (150) slidably attaches to the inner edge (112) of the pivoting panel (110) of the vehicle upon opening the pivoting panel (110), at an offset from the first indexing base (140).
In some embodiments, an indexing mount (160) is located on the base top surface (142) thereon. In some embodiments, the indexing mount (160) adjustably attaches to the mast bottom end (124) via a fastener (170) perpendicularly located there through. In some embodiments, the indexing mount (160) allows the second mast (121) to pivot in at least a first direction and an opposing second direction with respect to the attachment clip (150). In some embodiments, the second mast (121) can be secured in a particular position via the fastener (170). In some embodiments, the second mast (121) can be set at an angle between 0 and 90 degrees with respect to the attachment clip (150).
In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a second pliable flag (181) having a proximal flag edge (182) and an opposing distal flag edge (184). In some embodiments, a second rigid mast attachment tab (190b) is located on the proximal flag edge (182). In some embodiments, the second mast attachment tab (190d) matedly slides through a mast channel aperture (138) located on the mast top end (122) into the third mast channel (130c). In some embodiments, the second mast attachment tab (190b) comprises a first mast attachment tab side wall (192) having a first external ledge (193) located thereon, an opposing second mast attachment tab side wall (194) having a second external ledge (195) located thereon, and a semicircular mast attachment tab projection (196) connecting the first external ledge (193) and the second external ledge (195).
In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a pliable banner (210) having a first banner end (211) and an opposing second banner end (212). In some embodiments, a third rigid mast attachment tab (190c) is disposed on the first banner end (211). In some embodiments, the third mast attachment tab (190c) matedly slides through a mast channel aperture (138) disposed on the mast top end (122) into the second mast channel (130b) of the first mast (120). In some embodiments, a fourth rigid mast attachment tab (190d) is disposed on the second banner end (212). In some embodiments, the fourth mast attachment tab (190d) matedly slides through a mast channel aperture (138) disposed on the mast top end (122) into the fourth mast channel (130)d of the second mast (121). In some embodiments, the banner (210) spans at least a portion of the pivoting panel (110) of the vehicle. In some embodiments, each mast attachment tab (190) comprises a first mast attachment tab side wall (192) having a first external ledge (193) disposed thereon, an opposing second mast attachment tab side wall (194) having a second external ledge (195) disposed thereon, and a semicircular mast attachment tab projection (196) connecting the first external ledge (193) and the second external ledge (195).
In some embodiments, the first pliable flag (180), the second pliable flag (181), the pliable banner (210), or a combination thereof is displayed on the flat panel of the vehicle. In preferred embodiments, the first pliable flag (180), the second pliable flag (181), and the pliable banner (210) are displayed on the flat panel of the vehicle. This allows for a person to see any logos on the flags when viewed from the side of a vehicle, as well as any logos on the banner when viewed from the back of the vehicle. This flag and banner display system prominently displays the logos by allowing the system to be viewed from various angles.
In some embodiments, the pivoting panel (110) is a hood of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the pivoting panel (110) is a trunk lid of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the pivoting panel (110) is a door of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the pivoting panel (110) is a bed cover of a vehicle. In some embodiments, the pivoting panel (110) is a moon roof or a sun roof of a vehicle.
In some embodiments, the first mast (120) or the second mast (121) is linear. In some embodiments, the first mast (120) or the second mast (121) comprises an angle located therein between the mast top end (122) and the mast bottom end (124). In some embodiments, the first mast (120) or the second mast (121) comprises a curve located therein between the mast top end (122) and the mast bottom end (124).
In some embodiments, the first mast (120) or the second mast (121) is rotatable at the first indexing base (140) or the second indexing base (141). In some embodiments, the first mast (120) or the second mast (121) pivots in at least a first direction and an opposing second direction and rotates in at least a first direction and an opposing second direction.
In some embodiments, the first pliable flag (180), the second pliable flag (181), or the pliable banner (210). In some embodiments, the first pliable flag (180), the second pliable flag (181), or the pliable banner (210) allows air to pass there through.
In some embodiments, a logo is located on a surface of the first pliable flag (180), the second pliable flag (181), or the pliable banner (210). In some embodiments, the logo comprises a sports team logo, a sports team symbol, a state symbol, a country flag, a holiday design, a school logo, an organization's logo, or a custom design.
In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a cap (220) removably attached to the mast top end (122) so as to prevent the mast attachment tab (190) from slipping out of the mast channel (130) via the mast top aperture.
In some embodiments, the system (100) comprises a pad (230) located on a surface of the attachment clip (150) that comes in contact with the pivoting panel (110) of the vehicle to prevent the attachment clip (150) from scratching the pivoting panel (110) of the vehicle.
In some embodiments, the first indexing base (140) is located at a base distance from the second indexing base (141) to set the span that the banner (210) must cover. In some embodiments, the banner is tensioned via locating the first indexing vase (140) or the second indexing base (141).
In some embodiments, the system (100) can be used on a top pivoting panel of the vehicle, for example a vehicle with a horizontal surface. In some embodiments, the system (100) can be used on a side pivoting panel of the vehicle, for example a vehicle with a vertical surface.
In alternative embodiments, a flag connecting means (200) is located on the distal flag edge (184). In some embodiments, the flag connecting means (200) of the first pliable flag (180) is attached to the flag connecting means (200) of the second pliable flag (181) forming a banner (210). In some embodiments, the convertible flag and banner system (100) converts from displaying two independent flags on the first mast (120) and the second mast (121) to displaying a single banner (210) between the first mast (120) and the second mast (121),
In some embodiments, the flag connecting means (200) is a component of a plastic zipper system. In some embodiments, the flag connecting means (200) of the first pliable flag (180) attachably connects to the flag connecting means (200) of the second pliable flag (181) forming the banner (210). In another alternative embodiment, the flag connecting means (200) is a component of a hook and loop system. In some embodiments, the flag connecting means (200) of the first pliable flag (180) attachably connects to the flag connecting means (200) of the second pliable flag (181) forming the banner (210). In some embodiments, the flag connecting means (200) is a component of a snap system. In some embodiments, the flag connecting means (200) of the first pliable flag (180) attachably connects to the flag connecting means (200) of the second pliable flag (181) forming the banner (210). In some embodiments, the flag connecting means (200) is a component of a button system. In some embodiments, the flag connecting means (200) of the first pliable flag (180) attachably connects to the flag connecting means (200) of the second pliable flag (181) forming the banner (210). In some embodiments, the flag connecting means (200) is an adhesive. In some embodiments, the flag connecting means (200) of the first pliable flag (180) attachably connects to the flag connecting means (200) of the second pliable flag (181) forming the banner (210).
The disclosures of the following U.S. patents are incorporated in their entirety by reference herein: U.S. Pat. No. 1,876,351; U.S. Pat. No. 3,127,868; U.S. Pat. No. 3,241,516; U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,938; U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,974; U.S. Pat. No. 7,878,139; U.S. Design Pat. No. D 313,214; U.S. Design Pat. No. D 421,238; and U.S. Design Pat. No. D 657,712.
As used herein, the term “about” refers to plus or minus 10% of the referenced number. Various modifications of the invention, in addition to those described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. Each reference cited in the present application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Although there has been shown and described the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made thereto which do not exceed the scope of the appended claims. Therefore, the scope of the invention is only to be limited by the following claims. Reference numbers recited in the claims are exemplary and for ease of review by the patent office only, and are not limiting in any way. In some embodiments, the figures presented in this patent application are drawn to scale, including the angles, ratios of dimensions, etc. In some embodiments, the figures are representative only and the claims are not limited by the dimensions of the figures. In some embodiments, descriptions of the inventions described herein using the phrase “comprising” includes embodiments that could be described as “consisting of”, and as such the written description requirement for claiming one or more embodiments of the present invention using the phrase “consisting of” is met.
The reference numbers recited in the below claims are solely for ease of examination of this patent application, and are exemplary, and are not intended in any way to limit the scope of the claims to the particular features having the corresponding reference numbers in the drawings.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14066396 | Oct 2013 | US |
| Child | 14583500 | US |
