Flag Waving Unit

Abstract

A flag waving unit adapted to support a flag and cause the latter to flutter by blowing a current of air up through a hollow flagstaff having perforations at its upper portion adjacent the flag.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to the art of creating an artificial wind for blowing a flag and the support therefor, more particularly to a device to be used on a desk top or the like.

2. Prior Art

There have been many attempts in the past to provide a flag waving system whereby a flag may be supported upon a flag pole and caused to flutter or wave by a mechanical or artificial mechanism in the absence of natural wind. While mechanical vibrational apparatus have been employed for this purpose, the subject matter of the instant invention deals with those systems which create artificial wind in the form of a flowing current of air such that as the current impinges upon the flag, the latter will flutter as though it were being blown by natural wind.

Some early examples of such systems are shown by the Howard Pat. No. 1,102,270, Hoecker et al. Pat. No. 1,131,699 and the Fikes Pat. No. 2,270,753. The devices taught by these patents all have a hollow, tubular flag pole or staff with air vents or perforations provided at the upper portion of the pole adjacent the flag. A conduit connects the base of the hollow pole to a suitable compressed fluid or air source such that as the air passes through the pole and out the air vents against the flag, the latter will flutter. However, the basic disadvantage of these latter devices is that they all require a remote air source which, together with the pole and support base, render the systems unwieldly and complicated to install and operate. In addition, the flags supported by these devices are supported only by one edge such that it is often difficult for the current of air to efficiently impinge upon the desired maximum surface areas of the flag for creating an efficient fluttering effect.

Further examples of prior art flag waving units are exemplified by the Drexler Pat. No. 3,477,161 and Shaughnessy Pat. No. 2,870,559. These more recent examples teach that a motorized blower mechanism may be incorporated within the flag pole support base so that the current of air may be blown directly up through the hollow pole. While these devices are less cumbersome than the three earlier devices discussed above, they fail to provide for an adequate air intake and path of travel for maximum efficiency in air flow. Also, as with the ealier devices, neither Drexler nor Shaughnessy teaches that its flag may be supported in such a manner that it may receive the impinging flow of air in the most advantageous manner for creating an efficient flutter effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises an improved flag waving unit which has none of the disadvantages of the prior art units. The unit of the instant invention has a hollow, double compartmented support contained which houses an electric motor in one compartment and the blower fan in the adjacent compartment. Air is blown out perforations at the upper end of the hollow flag pole against the flag. The latter is supported against the pole by means of a U-shaped clip with the base of the U being secured to the pole. The upper arm of the clip is longer than the lower arm and is bent around at an angle of approximately twenty degrees such that the flag supported thereby will receive the impinging flow of air in the most advantageous manner for a maximum fluttering effect.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved flag waving unit.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a flag waving unit having an improved artificial air current flow for waving the flag.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a flag waving unit whereby the flag is supported for waving at maximum efficiency .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will readily become apparent from the following detailed description, taken together with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the flag waving unit base container;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the flag waving unit base container;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5--5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the flag pole of the flag waving unit of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is depicted a flag waving unit 1 which comprises a six-sided, rectangular or square shaped base container 2. A hollow, tubular flag pole or staff 3 is supported within an opening 4 in the roof section of container 2. The flag pole 3, also shown in detail in FIG. 6, has a plurality of air vent perforations 5 located at its upper portion adjacent the portion of the pole to which the flag is to be secured. A U-shaped clip 7, made of metal or plastic, is secured to the pole 3 by means of screws 8. The clip 7 has two horizontally extending arms 9 and 10 with upper arm 9 being longer than lower arm 10. The upper arm 9 is also bent laterally approximately 20.degree. with respect to the lower arm. A flag 11, made preferably from silk or other suitable material, is secured onto the clip 7 by the screws 8 such that the bent upper arm 9 of the clip 7 serves to position the flag 11 for direct surface contact with the flow of air from vent perforations 5, thereby receiving the maximum blast of air for the most efficient fluttering action.

Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the container 2 is shown supported by a plurality of rubber legs 13, secured by screws 15, to a bottom plate 17. The legs 13 serve to elevate the container above any suitable flat support surface such that an unimpeded flow of air may travel into the container 2 from the support surface and the bottom plate 17 through a plurality of air vent slots 19 formed in the latter plate 17.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown a support block 21 having secured thereto, by glue or any other suitable fastening means, a panel 23 which serves to divide the container into two, substantially equal volume compartments 23a and 23b. The panel 23 may either be formed from a single sheet of material or may be made from two pieces such as an upper piece 24 and a lower piece 25. An aperture or perforation 27 is provided in the center portion of panel 23 extending above the support block 21. A power drive means 29, in the form of an electric motor or other suitable drive means with a power line connection 30 is mounted within compartment 23b by means of bolts 31 through the container's back wall 32. The motor's drive shaft 33 extends through opening 27 into compartment 23a. On the end of drive shaft 33 is mounted a blower means 25, such as a propeller fan, which can be made of either metal or plastic. An additional air intake vent 37 (FIG. 2) may be provided in the container's back wall 32. The entire container 2 may be formed of wood, plastic or any other suitable construction material.

DESCRIPTION OF MANNER OF OPERATION

Upon actuation of electric motor 29, propeller fan 35 is set into motion. Air is sucked up through air vents 19 and brought into compartment 23b from which it passes through opening 27 into compartment 23a. The air is then forced up through perforation 4 and into the hollow pole 3 in which it travels upwardly and finally exits out vent perforations 5. The existing air then strikes the flag 11 secured to clip 7 and a maximum fluttering effect is the result since the upper bent arm 9 of the clip 7 serves to position the flag 11 directly in front of the impinging air flow.

While the invention has been described it will be understood that it is capable of further modifications and this application is intended to cover any variations, uses or adaptations of the invention following in general the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within knowledge or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth and as fall within the scope of the invention or the limits of the appended claims.

Claims

I claim:

1. A flag waving unit comprising in combination:

a. a hollow substantially rectangular base having substantially vertical front and rear walls,

b. a substantially vertical wall between said front and rear walls with an opening therein dividing said base into first and second compartments, said base further including a bottom plate having vent perforations for providing communication between the interior of said second compartment and the exterior of said base means, and means secured to aid bottom plate for supporting and elevating said base,

c. a hollow tubular pole means secured at one end to the base above and in communication with an opening in only one corner of said first compartment

d. a rotating fan blade in said first compartment directed at said front wall and at an angle of about 90.degree. to said pole, said opening being positioned substantially adjacent the peripheral edge of said blade, and an electric motor in said second compartment connected to said fan blade,

e. a flag secured to the other end of the pole means, said flag being positioned on a U-shaped clip, said clip having a width substantially equal to the width of said flag and having upper and lower substantially horizontal arms, said upper arm being longer than said lower arm, and

f. at least one aperture in said pole means adjacent only the lower portion of the flag.

2. The unit of claim 1 wherein said upper arm is bent at an angle of 20.degree. with respect to said lower arm.