U.S. patent application number 11/809968 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-04 for cap-mountable flag assembly.
Invention is credited to Brad A. Rogers.
Application Number | 20080295295 11/809968 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40086527 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080295295 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rogers; Brad A. |
December 4, 2008 |
Cap-mountable flag assembly
Abstract
A cap-mountable flag assembly selectively displays a message.
The flag assembly is mountable to the brim of a baseball type cap,
and comprises a flag element, a rod or pole element, and a clip
element. The flag element comprises rod-receiving, clipping arms
and a message-bearing structure. The arms comprise groove-engaging
protrusions. The rod element comprises an axial rod portion and a
C-shaped, clip-engaging structure. The axial rod portion comprises
superficial grooves extending intermediate first and second rod
ends. The protrusions mate with the superficial grooves. The
clip-engaging structure has coaxial clip-engaging ends. The clip
element comprises cap-attachment clipping structure and
rod-attachment anchoring structure. The clipping structure
clip-engages the brim of a hat, and the anchoring structure
rotatably receives the clip-engaging ends.
Inventors: |
Rogers; Brad A.; (Crystal
Lake, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Meroni & Meroni, P.C.
P.O. Box 309
Barrington
IL
60011
US
|
Family ID: |
40086527 |
Appl. No.: |
11/809968 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
24/3.12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 24/1394 20150115;
A42B 1/24 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
24/3.12 |
International
Class: |
A44B 21/00 20060101
A44B021/00 |
Claims
1. A cap-clip-flag combination, the cap-clip-flag combination for
cap-displaying a flag-borne message, the cap-clip-flag combination
comprising: a baseball type cap, the cap comprising a brim; a flag
element, the flag element comprising rod-receiving structure and
message-bearing structure, the rod-receiving structure comprising
groove-engaging protrusions, the message-bearing structure for
flag-displaying a message. a rod element, the rod element
comprising an axial rod portion and a C-shaped, clip-engaging
structure, the axial rod portion comprising a first rod end, a
second rod end, and superficial grooves extending intermediate the
first and second rod ends, the groove-engaging protrusions for
mated engagement with the superficial grooves, the second rod end
being attached to the C-shaped, clip-engaging structure, the
C-shaped clip-engaging structure having coaxial clip-engaging ends;
and a clip element, the clip element comprising cap-attachment
clipping structure and rod-attachment anchoring structure, the
clipping structure having a U-shaped longitudinal cross-section for
clip-engaging the brim, the anchoring structure being integrally
formed to the clipping structure and comprising rod end-engaging
structure, the clip-engaging ends being cooperable with the rod
end-engaging structure for enabling the rod element to rotate about
an axis of rotation coaxial with the clip-engaging ends.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein the rod-receiving structure
is defined by a series of axially-staggered clipping arms, each
clipping arm comprising an inner arm surface, the inner arm
surfaces comprising the groove-engaging protrusions.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein the clipping arms comprise
flared ends, the flared ends for enhancing transversely directed
receipt of the axial rod.
4. The combination of claim 1 wherein the flag element is
constructed from substantially rigid material, the rigid material
for providing a substantially planar message-bearing structure, the
message bearing structure being coplanar with the axial rod
portion.
5. The combination of claim 1 wherein the rod element comprises a
transverse cross-section, the superficial grooves being
peripherally spaced about the axial rod portion for enabling the
user to selectively index the flag element about the axial rod
portion, the selectively indexable flag element for messaging
onlookers from varying vantage points relative to the brim.
6. The combination of claim 1 wherein the anchoring structure
comprises rod-positioning notches, the notches being radially
oriented relative to the end-engaging structure for selectively and
radially indexing the axial rod relative to the anchoring
structure.
7. The combination of claim 1 comprising means for preventing axial
translation of the flag element relative to the axial rod
portion.
8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the means for preventing
axial translation comprise a finial attached to the first rod end,
the finial for preventing detachment of the flag element from the
axial rod portion.
9. A cap-mountable flag assembly, the flag assembly for
flag-displaying a message, the flag assembly comprising: a flag
element, the flag element comprising rod-receiving structure and
message-bearing structure, the message-bearing structure for
flag-displaying a message; a rod element, the rod element
comprising an axial rod portion and a C-shaped, clip-engaging
structure, the clip-engaging structure having coaxial clip-engaging
ends, the rod-receiving structure for axially receiving the rod
element; and a cap-mounting clip element, the clip element
comprising cap-clipping structure and rod-anchoring structure, the
rod-anchoring structure extending from the cap-clipping structure
and comprising rod end-engaging structure, the clip-engaging ends
being cooperable with the rod end-engaging structure for enabling
the rod element to rotate about an axis of rotation coaxial with
the clip-engaging ends, the cap-clipping structure for
clip-mounting the rod and flag elements to a cap via the
rod-anchoring structure.
10. The flag assembly of claim 9 wherein the axial rod portion
comprises a superficial, longitudinally extending groove and the
rod-receiving structure comprises a groove-engaging protrusion, the
groove-engaging protrusion for mated engagement with the
superficial groove.
11. The flag assembly of claim 10 wherein the rod element comprises
a transverse cross-section, a plurality of superficial grooves
being peripherally spaced about the transverse cross-section for
enabling the user to selectively index the flag element about the
axial rod portion, the selectively indexable flag element for
messaging onlookers from varying vantage points relative to the
axial rod portion.
12. The flag assembly of claim 11 the rod-receiving structure is
defined by a series of axially staggered clipping arms, each
clipping arm comprising an inner arm surface, the inner arm
surfaces each comprising a groove-engaging protrusion, the
groove-engaging protrusions for enhancing indexability of the flag
element relative to the rod element.
13. The flag assembly of claim 12 wherein the clipping arms
comprise flared ends, the flared ends for enhancing transversely
directed receipt of the axial rod portion.
14. The flag assembly of claim 13 wherein the flag element is
constructed from substantially rigid material, the rigid material
for providing a substantially planar message-bearing structure, the
message bearing structure being coplanar with the axial rod
portion.
15. The flag assembly of claim 12 comprising means for preventing
axial translation of the flag element relative to the axial rod
portion.
16. The flag assembly of claim 15 wherein the means for preventing
axial translation comprise a finial attached to a first end of the
rod element, the finial for preventing detachment of the flag
element from the axial rod portion.
17. A flag assembly, the flag assembly for flag-displaying a
message, the flag assembly comprising: a flag element, the flag
element comprising rod-receiving structure and message-bearing
structure, the message-bearing structure for flag-displaying a
message; a rod element, the rod element comprising a first rod end
and a second rod end, the second rod end comprising coaxial
clip-engaging ends, the rod-receiving structure for axially
receiving the rod element; and rod-anchoring means for anchoring
the rod and flag elements to a support structure, the clip-engaging
ends being cooperable with the rod-anchoring structure for enabling
the rod element to rotate about an axis of rotation coaxial with
the clip-engaging ends.
18. The flag assembly of claim 17 wherein the rod element comprises
a superficial, longitudinally extending groove and the
rod-receiving structure comprises a groove-engaging protrusion, the
groove-engaging protrusion for mated, indexable engagement with the
superficial groove.
19. The flag assembly of claim 18 the rod-receiving structure is
defined by a series of axially staggered clipping arms, each
clipping arm comprising an inner arm surface, select inner arm
surfaces comprising the groove-engaging protrusion.
20. The flag assembly of claim 19 wherein the clipping arms
comprise flared ends, the flared ends for enhancing transversely
directed receipt of the rod element.
21. The flag assembly of claim 20 wherein the flag element is
substantially planar, the flag element being coplanar with the
axial rod for providing a substantially planar message-bearing
structure.
22. The flag assembly of claim 18 wherein the rod element comprises
a transverse cross-section, a plurality of superficial grooves
being peripherally spaced about the transverse cross-section for
enabling the user to selectively index the flag element about the
rod element, the selectively indexable flag element for messaging
onlookers from varying vantage points relative to the rod
element.
23. The flag assembly of claim 19 comprising means for preventing
axial translation of the flag element relative to the axial
rod.
24. The flag assembly of claim 23 wherein the means for preventing
axial translation comprise a finial attached to a first rod end of
the rod element, the finial for preventing detachment of the flag
element from the rod element.
25. A cap-mountable flag assembly, the flag assembly for
flag-displaying a message and comprising: a flag element; a rod
element; a clip element; first anchoring means for attaching and
indexably rotating the rod element relative to the clip element;
second anchoring means for attaching and indexably rotating the
flag element relative to the rod element; and third anchoring means
for removably attaching the clip element to an assembly-support
surface.
26. A flag-display method, the flag-display method comprising a
series of steps, the steps comprising: indexably anchoring a
message-bearing flag element to a rod element; indexably anchoring
the rod element to a cap-mounting clip element; removably mounting
the clip element to a cap, the flag, rod, and clip elements being
adjustable for selectively positioning the message-bearing flag
element and flag-displaying a message.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention generally relates to a hat-mountable
or cap-mountable novelty device for displaying messages. More
particularly, the present invention pertains to a cap mountable
device for mounting a message-bearing flag or for flag-displaying a
message on a baseball type hat or cap.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] The use of hat-mountable or cap-mountable devices for
displaying messages is fairly well known in the prior art. While
these types of devices often fulfill their respective, particular
objectives and requirements, the prior art perceives a need for a
device that resembles a flag for flag-displaying a message, which
flag may be cooperably attached to a single piece flag pole. The
prior art perceives a further need for a cap-mountable device that
may be easily mounted on the brim of a baseball type cap or similar
other adornment. Some of the more pertinent art relating to
hat-mountable or cap-mountable devices and the like are briefly
described hereinafter.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 2,013,271 ('271 patent), which issued to
Greenhoe, discloses a Staff Mounting Device. The '271 patent
teaches a device for detachably mounting a staff in vertical
position on a horizontal bar support, made of spring wire and
comprising a helical middle portion adapted to receive and hold the
staff, a pair of side portions parallel with, and spaced from, the
middle portion and at is opposite sides respectively, a bottom
bight portion connecting the side portions and spaced below the
lower end of the middle portion, a horizontal portion extending
between and connecting the upper end of the middle portion and the
upper end of one of the side portions, and a horizontal portion
extending from the upper end of the other side portion toward the
upper end of the middle portion, both of said horizontal portions
being adapted to rest on the upper edge of said bar support, the
bight portion being adapted to engage said bar support's under
edge, the bar support being pressed between the middle portion on
one side of the bar support and the side portions on the other side
of the bar support in the mounted position of the device on the bar
support.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 3,540,685 ('685 patent), which issued to
Gualano, discloses an Automotive Staff Holder. The '685 patent
teaches a staff holder having a C-shaped member for attachment onto
an elongated flange portion of an automobile. A socket device is
mounted on and movable relative to the C-shaped member to present a
vertical socket for vertically receiving a staff, regardless of the
orientation of the C-shaped member. One embodiment includes a
socket pivotally attached to the screw of the C-member and another
embodiment includes a rotating element attached to the C-shaped
member and having a plurality of sockets therein, each at a
different angle of inclination.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,246 ('246 patent), which issued to
Binner, discloses a Rear View Mirror with Slit Clip Attachment. The
'246 patent teaches rear view mirror for being personally worn by a
user; the mirror including a clip for attachment either to the
person's eyeglasses, hat, helmet, shoulder or the like, and a
universal joint between the mirror and clip, for directionally
aligning the mirror.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,324 ('324 patent), which issued to Lewis
et al., discloses a Flag Raising Device for Water Skiing. The '324
patent teaches a device for raising a warning flag in the rear of a
boat pulling a water skier if the skier falls. The device comprises
a pivot member in which the flag pole is mounted and which is
spring biased towards a position in which the flag pole is
vertical. A retaining device normally holds the pivot member in a
position in which the flag pole is lowered. When the skier falls
the retaining device is released either manually or automatically
to allow the pivot member to move under the spring-bias to raise
the flag pole.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,974 ('974 patent), which issued to
Seeder discloses a Mount for a Flag, Display and the Like. The '974
patent teaches a mount for displaying an item, such as a flag,
message, slogan and the like, on a surface, such as a hood or trunk
of an automobile includes a clip portion and an integrally formed
wall having a shaped cavity therein. The clip has a first leg
integrally formed with a second leg. The shaped cavity accepts the
item therein, and projects outwardly from the first leg of the
clip. The cavity extends through the first leg of the clip so that
the item may be released from the mount upon removal of the mount
from the surface.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,391 ('391 patent), which issued to
Mullaney, discloses Hat Flags. The '391 patent teaches a pair of
flags bearing a sports team's colors and/or logo and carried by a
pair of upstanding standards that are removably secured to the
opposing sides of the visor of a baseball-type cap. The standards
are bendable to permit them to assume a desired (e.g. vertical)
orientation once attached to the visor. The standards may also be
rotatable about their longitudinal axes so that the flags may be
oriented as desired by the wearer.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,167 ('167 patent), which issued to
Leszcynski, discloses a hat Mountable Flag. The '167 patent
essentially discloses a hat mountable flag for removably
positioning on a hat includes a rod that is elongated and has a
first end and a second end. A flag is mounted on the rod. A
fastener is attached to the second end of the rod for removably
attaching the rod to the hat.
[0012] It may be seen from an inspection of the noted prior art, as
well as from a consideration of other art generally known, that the
prior art does not appear to teach a cap-mountable flag assembly
comprising an indexable rod element for selectively raising and
lowering a simulative flag pole, and an indexable flag element for
selectively redirecting a planar, message-bearing surface in
differing directions. The prior art thus perceives a need for a
cap-mountable flag assembly according to the foregoing briefly
introduced specifications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Accordingly, it is primary object of the present invention
to provide a hat-mountable or cap-mountable flag assembly for
flag-displaying a message. To achieve this essential objective
along with other relatively ascertainable objectives, the flag
assembly according to the present invention essentially teaches a
device that is removably positionable upon the brim of a hat and
ideally a baseball type hat or cap. The flag assembly comprises a
flag element, a rod element, and a clip element. The flag element
comprises snap on type clips or rod-clipping arms for clipping the
flag element to the rod element. The snap on clips utilize a
protrusion formed upon the inner surface thereof to engage a
clip-accepting, longitudinally extending superficial groove formed
in the rod element. These protrusions allow the flag element to
snap onto the rod element and translate along the length of the rod
element without free rotation about the axis of the rod
element.
[0014] In other words, these superficial grooves formed in the rod
element allow the protrusions on the rod-clipping arms to stay in
the selected groove as defined by the user. If desired, the user
can manually rotate the flag around the axis of the rod element by
replacing alternative protrusions in alternative grooves. The flag
element further comprises a substantially planar message-bearing
portion for receiving print indicia or other means for providing a
message to onlookers. The flag element is readily removable from
the rod element by manual detachment. The rod element is
transversely directed to and from clipping engagement or receipt by
the rod-clipping arms.
[0015] The rod element comprises a first rod end and a second rod
end. At the second rod end of the rod element is a C-shaped,
clip-engaging structure comprising two prongs or ends that are
preferably coaxial. The coaxial ends of the C-shaped, clip-engaging
structure mate with female structure formed into certain pillow
block type anchoring structure integrally formed upon the clip
element. It is contemplated that the coaxial ends may snap into the
U-shaped clip element. The combination of the two pronged design
feature and the design feature on the U-shaped clip element allows
the flag pole or rod element to be indexed into several positions
that the end user selects.
[0016] The clip element comprises a U-shaped longitudinal
cross-section and thus features a pair of legs or arms that allow
the device to slide and secure onto the brim of a baseball type cap
or similar other assembly-support structure. The clip is thus
preferably constructed from elastically deformable material such
that when installed on the brim of a cap, the spring-restorative
forces function to retain the clip element upon the brim via
frictional forces associated with the spring-restorative forces. As
stated, the U-shaped clip element further comprises a pillow block
type anchoring structure that allows the rod element to be
rotatably secured to the clip element. It is contemplated that the
U-shaped clip element may further be designed to accept print or
other indicia means as defined or selected by the end user.
[0017] In use, the device according to the present invention is
designed with a view toward selective adornment upon the brim of a
baseball type cap for novelty, advertisement, and/or other amusing
message-displaying activities, as for example, during sporting
events. The rod element is indexable about an axis extending
through the clip-engaging ends for effecting the simulation of
raising/lowering the rod element, and the flag element is indexable
about the axis of the rod element for flag-displaying the message
associated with a select flag element in varying directions
relative to the rod element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] Other features of my invention will become more evident from
a consideration of the following brief description of patent
drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective type depiction of a baseball type
cap shown in phantom with two flag-clip assemblies according to the
present invention clip-mounted to the brim of the phantom cap, the
first assembly being attached anteriorly relative to the brim, and
the second assembly being clip-mounted laterally relative to the
brim.
[0020] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective type depiction of a clip
structure according to the present invention showing a U-shaped
cap-mountable clipping portion and a pillow block type anchoring
structure for pivotally anchoring the flag assembly to the clipping
portion.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clip structure otherwise
shown in FIG. 2 with an axial rod structure attached to the
anchoring structure via a C-shaped interface.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of the
inferior end of the axial rod structure otherwise shown in FIG. 3
showing the C-shaped interface in greater detail.
[0023] FIG. 5 is a superior perspective view of a flag element
attached to the axial rod structure according to the present
invention depicting axially staggered rod-receiving, clipping arms
clip-mounted to the axial rod.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary superior perspective view of the
flag element otherwise depicted in FIG. 5 as attached to a superior
portion of the axial rod structure highlighting certain means for
preventing axial translation of the flag element relative to the
axial rod structure.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the flag element otherwise
depicted in FIG. 6 with the axial rod structure removed from the
axial rod.
[0026] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged perspective view of the
staggered, rod-receiving clipping arms of the flag element showing
groove-engaging protrusions formed at the inner radial surface of
the rod-receiving surface.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a diagrammatic side view type depiction of the
flag-clip assembly according to the present invention with a United
States flag depicted upon the message-bearing surface of the flag
element with the axial rod and attached flag element shown in first
and second rotated positions relative to the anchoring structure,
and the flag element shown in a first rotational position relative
to the axial rod structure.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic superior view type depiction of
the of the flag-clip assembly according to the present invention
depicting the flag element in four rotational positions relative to
the axial rod structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0029] Referring now to the drawings with more specificity, the
preferred embodiment of the present invention generally concerns a
cap-mountable flag assembly 10 for flag-displaying a wide variety
of messages, whether direct, implied, symbolic, textual, etc. A few
exemplary flag-displayable messages may well be said to include
flag colors, team logos, brand names, textual directives. A
depiction of the United States flag colors, for example, is
generally depicted and referenced at 100 in FIG. 9, while the
cap-mountable flag assembly 10 according to the present invention
is generally illustrated and referenced in a fully assembled state
in FIGS. 1, 9, and 10.
[0030] The cap-mountable flag assembly 10 preferably comprises a
flag element 11 as generally depicted in FIGS. 1, and 5-10; a rod
element or flag pole structure 12 as generally depicted and
referenced in FIGS. 3-6, and 9; and certain rod-anchoring means for
interfacing the flag element 11 as attached to the rod element or
pole structure 12 to an assembly-support structure. It is
contemplated that the assembly-support structure may preferably be
defined by the brim 14 of a baseball type hat or cap 13 as further
referenced in FIG. 1 (as depicted in phantom or broken lines).
[0031] From an inspection of FIG. 1, it may be readily understood
that the cap-mountable flag assembly 10 according to the present
invention is primarily designed for clip-mounted attachment to the
anterior aspect (as at 101) or lateral aspects (as at 102) of a
brim 14, but not necessarily so. Conceivably, any structure
substantially similar in structural configuration to brim 14 may
well function to support assembly 10 as clip-received.
[0032] The flag element 11 is preferably constructed from
substantially rigid material(s) so as to maintain a substantially
planar message-bearing structure 15 as generally depicted and
referenced in FIGS. 5-8, and 10. The flag element 11 further
comprises certain rod-receiving structure as may be preferably
defined by a plurality of axially-staggered, rod-clipping arms 16
as depicted and referenced in FIGS. 5, 7, 8, and 10. Each
rod-clipping arm 16 preferably comprises an inner arm surface as at
17 in FIG. 8, which inner arm surfaces 17 preferably comprise at
least one, but possibly a plurality of groove-engaging
protrusion(s) 18 as further depicted in the noted figure. The
rod-receiving structure or rod-clipping arms 16 function to axially
receive the rod element 12 as transversely directed thereto via
flared arm ends 30 as generally depicted and referenced in FIGS. 7
and 8. It is contemplated that the flared arm ends 30 may well
function to enhance transversely directed receipt of the axial rod
portion 19.
[0033] The rod element 12 is also preferably constructed from
substantially rigid material(s) for maintaining an axial pole-like
structure and comprises an axial rod portion 19 as generally
illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 3-6. The rod element further
comprises a C-shaped clip-engaging or anchor-engaging end portion
20 as generally illustrated and referenced in FIGS. 3-5. The axial
rod portion may preferably comprise certain means for preventing
axial translation of the flag element 11 relative to the axial rod
portion 19. In this regard, it is contemplated that certain rib
members 31 may be outfitted upon the rod portion 19. Further, a
ball-style finial 21 at a first rod end as depicted and referenced
in FIGS. 5, 6, 9, and 10. It is contemplated that the finial 21 may
well function to not only prevent axial translation of the flag
element 11, but further prevent detachment of the flag element 11
from the rod element 12. The second rod end is attached to the back
portion of the C-shaped clip-engaging structure 20. Notably, the
structure 20 preferably and essentially comprises coaxial
clip-engaging ends 22 as depicted and referenced in FIGS. 3-5.
[0034] The axial rod portion 19 preferably comprises superficial,
longitudinally extending grooves 29 for cooperative or mated
engagement with the protrusions 18. The grooves are generally
depicted and referenced in FIGS. 3-6. Given that the axial rod
portion comprises a certain transverse cross-section, it is
preferred that a plurality of grooves 29 be peripherally spaced
about the transverse cross-section for enabling the user to
selectively orient or index the flag element 11 upon the axial rod
portion 19. In this regard, the reader is directed to FIG. 10 which
generally depicts the flag element at four radial positions
relative to the axis 104 of the rod portion 19. It is contemplated
that the selectively orientable or indexable flag element 11 may
well function to message onlookers from varying vantage points
relative to the axis 102.
[0035] The rod-anchoring means may be preferably defined by a clip
element 23 as generally depicted and referenced in FIGS. 1-3, 9,
and 10. The clip element 23 is preferably constructed from
elastically deformative material(s) so as to pinch or clip
assembly-support structure via spring-restorative forces when in a
clip-mounted scenario. The clip element preferably comprises
cap-attachment clipping structure as at 24 in FIGS. 2, 3, 9, and
10; and pillow block type anchoring structure as at 25 in FIGS. 2,
3, and 9.
[0036] The clipping structure 24 may be said to have a U-shaped
longitudinal cross-section for clip-engaging the brim 14 or similar
other assembly-support structure, which U-shaped cross-section
comprises arms as at 26 and an elastically deformative arm junction
as at 27 with a certain dynamic radius of curvature as perhaps most
clearly referenced in FIG. 2.
[0037] The pillow block style anchoring structure 25 is preferably
integrally formed to the clipping structure 23 and comprises axial
end-engaging structure. It is contemplated that the end-engaging
structure may preferably be defined by female aperture or bore-like
structure as at 28 in FIG. 2 for receiving the male clip-engaging
ends 22. The clip-engaging ends 22 are thus matable or otherwise
cooperable with the end-engaging structure 28 for enabling the rod
element 12 to rotate about an axis of rotation as at 103 in FIGS.
2, 4, and 9.
[0038] The anchoring structure 25 may preferably comprise
rod-positioning notches 32 as depicted and referenced in FIG. 2.
The notches 32 are radially oriented relative to the end-engaging
structure 28 for selectively and radially positioning or indexing
the rod element 12 relative to the anchoring structure 25 as may be
gleaned from a comparative consideration of FIG. 2 versus FIG. 9.
FIG. 3 further attempts to depict a cut section of the anchoring
structure 25 such that a portion of the radially inward surface of
the C-shaped clip-engaging structure 20 has engaged or has been
seated into the central notch 32 for providing an axial rod portion
19 substantially orthogonal to the plane of the upper arm 26 of the
clip element 23. It may be further seen from an inspection of the
noted figure, that one end 22 is rotatably received in the
end-receiving or end-engaging structure 28.
[0039] While the above description contains much specificity, this
specificity should not be construed as limitations on the scope of
the invention, but rather as an exemplification of the invention.
For example, the foregoing teachings may be said to further support
a cap-clip-flag combination for cap-displaying a flag-borne
message, and which cap-clip-flag combination essentially comprises
a baseball type cap as at 13, a flag element 11, a rod element 12,
and clip element 23.
[0040] The cap 13 preferably comprises a brim as at 14 for
supporting the clip element 23. The clip element 23 functions to
anchor the rod element 12, and the rod element 12 functions to
support or anchor the flag element 11. The assembly thus comprises
two axes of rotation, the first as referenced at 103 extending
through the pillow block anchoring structure 25 and clip-engaging
ends 22, and the second as referenced at 104 extending through the
axis of the rod portion 19 about which the flag element may be
selectively rotated by way of the grooves 29 and groove-engaging
protrusions 18.
[0041] The rod element 12 thus comprises an axial rod portion as at
19 and a C-shaped clip-engaging structure as at 20. The portion 19
comprises a first rod end, a second rod end, and superficial
grooves 29 extending intermediate the first and second rod ends.
The second rod end is attached to or otherwise integrally formed
with the C-shaped clip-engaging structure 20. The C-shaped
clip-engaging structure comprises coaxial clip-engaging ends 22 as
generally depicted in FIG. 4.
[0042] The clip element comprises certain cap-attachment clipping
structure as at 24 and rod-attachment anchoring structure as at 25.
The clipping structure 24 comprises a U-shaped longitudinal
cross-section for clip-engaging the brim 14 or similar other
assembly support structure (such as a substantially flat member
having certain thickness).
[0043] The anchoring structure 25 is preferably integrally formed
to the clipping structure 24 and comprising axial end-engaging
structure as may be defined by the female bore or aperture as
referenced at 28. The clip-engaging ends 22 are cooperable with the
end-engaging structure 28 for enabling the rod element 12 to rotate
about the axis of rotation referenced at 103.
[0044] The flag assembly comprises rod-receiving structure as
preferably defined by rod-clipping arms 16 and certain
message-bearing structure as referenced at 15 for flag-displaying a
message. The rod-receiving structure comprises groove-engaging
protrusions 18 for mated engagement with the superficial grooves
29.
[0045] The cap-mountable flag assembly may thus be said to
essentially comprise a flag element, a rod element, a clip element,
and certain anchoring means. It is contemplated that a first
anchoring means according to the present invention may well
function to attach and indexably rotate the rod element relative to
the clip element. In this regard, it is contemplated that the
pillow block type anchoring structure 25 as variously formed
according to the foregoing specifications and as cooperably
associated with the clip element when coupled with the
clip-engaging ends 22 may well function to attach and indexably
rotate the rod element relative to the clip element.
[0046] It is further contemplated that a second anchoring means
according to the present invention may well function to attach and
indexably rotating the flag element 11 relative to the rod element
12. In this regard, it is contemplated that the superficial grooves
29 and the protrusions 18 cooperably associated with the grooves
may well function to attach and indexably rotate the flag element
11 relative to the rod element 12. Still further, it is
contemplated that certain third anchoring means may well function
to removably attach the clip element 23 to an assembly-support
surface such as the brim 14 of a baseball type cap 13. In this
regard, it is contemplated that the arms 26 as elastically joined
at the elastically deformative arm junction 27 may well function to
clip the entire assembly 10 to an assembly-support structure, as
may be preferably defined by the brim 14 of a baseball type cap
13.
[0047] Still further, it is contemplated that the teachings set
forth hereinabove support certain methodology for flag-displaying a
message. In this regard, it is contemplated that the subject
invention may be said to further teach a method for flag-displaying
a message or a flag-display method comprising the steps of
indexably anchoring a message-bearing flag element 11 to a rod
element 12 (as, for example, via the second anchoring means
previously cited hereinabove); indexably anchoring the rod element
12 to a cap-mounting clip element 23 (as, for example, via the
first anchoring means cited hereinabove); and removably mounting
the clip element to a cap (as, for example, via the third anchoring
means cited hereinabove). The flag element 11, the rod element 12,
and the clip element 23 are all adjustable for selectively
positioning the message-bearing flag element 11 and flag-displaying
a message.
[0048] Accordingly, although the invention has been described by
reference to certain preferred embodiments and certain methodology,
it is not intended that the novel assembly or method be limited
thereby, but that modifications thereof are intended to be included
as falling within the broad scope and spirit of the following
claims and the appended drawings.
* * * * *