US1302190A - Flagstaff. - Google Patents

Description

0 L. McCORMACK.

FLAGSTAFF.

, APPLICATION FILED JUNE 29. 918.

Patented Apr. 29,1919.

(litmus ORLIFFL. M'GCORMACK, OF NOR-WOOD, OHIO.

' FLAGSTAFF.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 29, 11919.

Application filed June 29, 1918. Serial No. 242,574..

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORLIFF L; MoCoR- MACK, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norwood, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flagstaffs, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improve ments in flagstaifs and has relation more particularly to a device of this general character particularly designed and adapted for use in connection with signal flags as em-- ployed in the Army, and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved fiagstaff consisting of a plurality of relatively movable sections whereby the st-aif, when not in use, may be collapsed to occupy a. minimum of space and whereby the device is of particular importance for use by troops in active service or in maneuvers as the staff may be readilycarried by a soldier in his pocket, haversack, or a pouch attached to his belt and thereby eliminating the trouble caused by an otherwise bulky kit catching on fences, wire entanglements, orthe like.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device ofthis general character having novel and improved means for attaching a flag to the handle portion of the stafl whereby the flag is prevented from wrapping around the handle when the device is in use.

Another and more specific object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved fiagstaff comprising a plurality'of telescopically engaged sections adapted to be held by friction in extended relation and wherein cap members are engageable with the opposite end portions of one of said sections or the handle section for holding the sections in collapsed relation. I

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the arrangement and combination of the several parts of my improved fiagstaff whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth. The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of a flagstaff constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in extended adjustment;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sec tional view taken through my improved flagstafi' with the sections thereof compacted and the head in elevation, and

Fig. 3 is a view in top plan of the annular member or ring which loosely engages theffhandle or butt end section of the flagsta As disclosedin the accompanying drawings, 1 denotes the handle or butt end sec tion of my improved flagstafi'. This section 1 is hollow and open at opposite ends. Engageable with the outer end portion thereof is the cap 2 provided, preferably at its axial center, with a restricted opening 3 for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to. The opposite end portion of the section 1, is reduced to afford a sleeve 1 and an annular shoulder 5.

Surrounding the inner portion of the section 1, is the annular member or ring 6, fixed thereto and loosely surrounding the section 1 and positioned between the member or ring 6 and the cap 2, is the annular member or ring 7, provided with an outstanding loop or eye 8 with which is adapted to be engaged a corner portion of a flag. As the member or ring 7 is capable of rotary movement independently of the section 1 and vice versa it will at once be self evident that the flag will not wrap around the section 1, when the device is in use. It will also be understood that the member or ring 7, and the cap 2, will serve to hold the member or ring 6, against displacement from the section 1.

Telescopically engaged with the section 1, is an'intermediate section 9 which has its inner end defined by the outstanding annular flange 10 adapted to engage the shoulder 5, whereby the outward movement of the section 9 relative to the section 1 is limited. It will also be understood that when the section 9 is extended the sleeve 4 will friction ally engage the periphery of the section 9 and thereby hold said section 9 in extended position.

The section 9 is also hollow and open at opposite ends with the outer end portion thereof reduced to conform to the sleeve 11 and the annular shoulder 12. A second intermediate section 1a is telescopically engaged with the section 9 and is of a former construction similar to the section 9. The outward movement of the section 14 relative to the section 9, is limited by the flange 10'" of said section 14 contacting with the shoulder 1:2 of the section 9. It will also be understood that the sleeve 11 of the section 9, will frictionally engage the periphery of the section 14 to maintain said section 14 extended.

Telescopically engaged with the section 14L is an outer section 15 also hollow and open at opposite ends. The inner end of the section 15 is provided with an outstanding annular flange 10 which contacts with the shoulder 12" arranged adjacent the outer end portion of the section. 14. The sleeve 11 of the section 14, outwardly of the shoulder 1?, frictionally engages the periphery of the section 15, for maintaining the same extended.

l6 denotes a cylindrical head provided at the axial center of its inner faces with a lug or finger 17 adapted to snugly fit within the ,outer end portion of the section 15 and the diameter of the inner end portion of the head 16 is such as to permit said inner end portion to fit snugly within the outer end portion of the section 1, when the several sections of the staff are collapsed. It is also preferred that the periphery of the head 16 be provided with an annular groove or channel 18 to afford means whereby the flag may be effectively secured to said head although it is to be understood that the flag, if desired, may be suitably secured to the outer end portion of the section 15. It is also desired to have the peripheral portion of the head 16 outwardly of the groove or channel 18, knurled, as indicated at 19, so that said head may be manipulated with greater facility in applying or removing the same with respect to the sections 1 or 15.

As is particularly illustrated inFig. 2, the sections 9, 14, and 15 are substantially the same length but of a length less than the length of the section 1 so that when the staff is collapsed the sections 9, 14:, and 15 are completely housed within the section 1. It is also to be particularly noted in Fig. 2 that the head 16 when engaged within the outer end portion of the section 1 contacts with the outer end portions of the sections 9, 14, and 15, whereby said sections are held against vibration so that the maintenance of the staff in collapsed relation is facilitated.

It is to be understood that the collapsing or compacting of the sections 1, 9, 14: and 15, is materiitlly facilitated by the opening 3 hereinbefore referred to as said opening serves to prevent the compression of air Within said sections when the same are moved inwardly one relative to the other.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a flagstaif constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and fa cility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it Will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A flagstafl' comprising a plurality of telescoping sections, an end section being of a length greater than the remaining sections and having its outerend closed, said remaining sections being substantially the same length, and a head engaged with the outer end portion of the second end section and engageable within the inner end portion of the first named end section for maintaining the sections in compacted relation, said head when engaged within the inner end portion of the first named section contacting with the outer end portions of the remaining sections. 1

2. A fiagstafi comprising a plurality of telescoping sections, an end section being of a length greater than the remaining sections and having its outer end closed, and a head engaged with the outer end portion of the. second end section and engageable within the inner end portion of the first named section for maintaining the sectionsin compacted relation.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ORLIFF L. McCOR-MAOK.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. 0

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