Patent Application
20230066223
N/A
Flags are commonly flown from trucks such as on holidays or for sporting events. A variety of techniques exist for securing a flag to a truck. For example, hitch mounts allow a flagpole to be secured to a hitch but position the flag behind the truck. As another example, clamping mechanisms or permanent attachments could be secured to the wall around the truck's bed and used to secure the flagpole. However, such solutions cause the flag to be positioned at the side of truck.
The present invention extends to a flagpole adapter for a gooseneck hitch. The flagpole adapter can include a shank that is configured to insert into the receiver of a gooseneck hitch. The flagpole adapter can also include a tube that extends upwardly from the shank and that is configured to receive a flagpole. The flagpole adapter can further include a flagpole securing assembly for securing a flagpole that is inserted into the tube. Because the flagpole adapter is inserted into the receiver of a gooseneck hitch, flag flown using the flagpole adapter will be positioned centrally within the bed of the truck.
In some embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as a flagpole adapter for a gooseneck hitch that includes a shank that is configured to insert into a receiver of a gooseneck hitch, a tube that extends upwardly from the shank and a flagpole securing assembly.
In some embodiments, the shank may include one or more holes for receiving a hitch pin.
In some embodiments, the tube may be axially aligned with the shank.
In some embodiments, the flagpole securing assembly may include a collet.
In some embodiments, the flagpole securing assembly may include a tightening screw. In some embodiments, the tightening screw may include an opening through which a flagpole may be inserted. In some embodiments, the tightening screw may tighten onto a top end of the tube to cause the collet to secure the flagpole.
In some embodiments, the flagpole securing assembly may include a collar that inserts into the tube. In some embodiments, a collet may insert into the collar.
In some embodiments, the flagpole securing assembly may include a jam nut.
In some embodiments, the tube may include threads and a jam nut and tightening screw may also include threads by which the jam nut and tightening screw are secured on the tube.
In some embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as a flagpole adapter for a gooseneck hitch that includes a shank that is configured to insert into a receiver of a gooseneck hitch, a tube having a first end that is secured to the shank and a second end and a flagpole securing assembly at the second end.
In some embodiments, the flagpole securing assembly may include a tightening screw, a collet, a collar and a jam nut.
In some embodiments, the second end of the tube may include threads.
In some embodiments, the collar may insert into the second end of the tube, the collet may insert into the collar and the tightening screw may thread onto the second end to force the collet into the collar to thereby deflect the collet inwardly.
In some embodiments, the jam nut may thread onto the second end before the tightening screw and may be tightened against the tightening screw.
In some embodiments, the flagpole securing assembly may include a collet that is forced into the second end to secure a flagpole inserted through the flagpole securing assembly.
In some embodiments, the present invention may be implemented as a flagpole adapter for a gooseneck hitch that includes a shank that is configured to insert into a receiver of a gooseneck hitch, a tube and a flagpole securing assembly that includes a collet.
In some embodiments, the tube may extend upwardly from the shank and the collet may be positioned at a top end of the tube.
In some embodiments, the flagpole securing assembly may also include a tightening screw that forces the collet into the top end of the tube.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter.
Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Shank 210 may be shaped and sized to correspond with the shape and size of the receiver of a gooseneck hitch. For example, a gooseneck hitch may have a 2.5-inch square receiver that uses a turnover ball. In such cases, shank 210 may be substantially square and approximately 2.5 inches wide and 4 inches long to enable it to be inserted into the gooseneck hitch when the turnover ball is removed. However, shank 210 could have any suitable shape and size to enable it to be used with other shaped and/or sized gooseneck hitch receivers.
Shank 210 may also include holes 211 that are sized and positioned to correspond with the size and position of hitch pin holes in the gooseneck hitch receiver. In some embodiments, a hole 211 may be formed in each side of shank 210 to enable shank 210 to be inserted into the gooseneck hitch receiver in any orientation.
Tube 220 may extend upwardly from a top end of shank 210 such that tube 220 is vertically oriented when shank 210 is inserted into a gooseneck hitch receiver. Tube 220 may have any suitable diameter or length for receiving a flagpole. For example, in some embodiments, tube 220 could have a diameter of 1 inch and a length of 2 feet. A bottom end of tube 220 may be welded or otherwise secured to shank 210, and threads 221 may be formed towards a top end 220a of tube 220.
Flagpole securing assembly 230 can be configured to secure a flagpole when the flagpole is inserted into tube 220. In some embodiments, flagpole securing assembly 230 can include a tightening screw 231, a collet 232, a collar 233 and a jam nut 234.
Jam nut 234 can include threads 234a so that it may be secured to tube 220 via threads 221. Jam nut 234 can be threaded onto tube 220 prior to tightening screw 231.
Collar 233 can include an upper portion 233a and a lower portion 233b that has a smaller outer diameter than upper portion 233a such that a downwardly facing lip 233c is formed. Lower portion 233b can insert into tube 220 to cause lip 233c to contact top end 220a of tube 220. In some embodiments, an inside surface of upper portion 233a may be tapered to facilitate insertion of collet 232.
Collet 232 is configured to insert into collar 233 when lower portion 233b of collar 233 is positioned inside tube 220. Collet 232 may include a lower portion 232a that is tapered to facilitate insertion of collet 232 into collar 233.
Tightening screw 231 can include an upward facing opening 231a that enables a flagpole to be inserted through tightening screw 231 and into tube 220. The diameter of opening 231a can be less than an inner diameter of tightening screw 231 so that a downwardly facing lip 231b is formed. Tightening screw 231 can also include threads 231c so that tightening screw 231 can be secured to tube 220 via threads 221.
As best seen in
With a flagpole inserted through flagpole securing assembly 230, the inward deflection of lower portion 232a of collet 232 will provide a clamping force on the flagpole to prevent it from being pulled out through opening 231a. Once tightening screw 231 has been tightened to a desired amount onto tube 220, jam nut 234 can be tightened against tightening screw 231 to prevent tightening screw 231 from loosening.
Because of the positioning of gooseneck hitch 111, flagpole adapter 200 will be positioned vertically and centrally in bed 110. Therefore, when flagpole 501 is inserted into flagpole adapter 200, flag 500 will be positioned centrally within bed 110. Notably, because flagpole adapter 200 uses shank 210 to couple to the receiver of gooseneck hitch 111, it can be quickly and easily attached and removed as desired.
The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description.
