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`a2) United States Patent
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`US 7,217,015 B2
`(10) Patent No.:
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`(45) Date of Patent:
`May15, 2007
`Cocciardi
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`US007217015B2
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`(54) DEVICE FOR PROPERLY ILLUMINATING
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`AT LEAST ONE FLAG, INCLUDING THE
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`UNITED STATES FLAG
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`(75)
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`(*) Notice:
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`Inventor: Donald E. Cocciardi, 188 Mary La.
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`West, Valley Cottage, NY (US) 10989
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`y
`ee
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`(73) Assignee: Donald E. Cocciardi, Valley Cottage,
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`NY (US)
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`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
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`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
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`USS.C. 154(b) by 50 days.
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`(21) Appl. No.: 10/995,743
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`Nov. 22, 2004
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`Prior Publication Data
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`US 2006/0109651 Al
`May 25, 2006
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`(51)
`Int. Cl.
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`(2006.01)
`F2IV 21/016
`(52) U.S. Ch wees 362/429; 362/396; 362/430;
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`362/285; 248/231.71
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`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ 362/396,
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`362/413, 429, 431, 269, 282, 285, 287, 430;
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`248/231, 71
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`See application file for complete search history.
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`:
`References Cited
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`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1918 4
`1.256.232 A
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`1258022 A
`3/1918 Koay
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`362/396
`(374.268 A *
`4/1921 Whitington
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`1,381,376 A *
`6/1921 Whittington «2... 362/396
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`1,383,234 A
`6/1921 Raguse
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`Filed:
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`(22)
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`(65)
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`(56)
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`1,478,473 A * 12/1923 Herron wo. eeeeeeees 362/277
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`1,495,586 A *
`5/1924 George ...
` ... 362/396
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`1,515,005 A *
`11/1924 Wolter wee 362/396
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`1,878,447 A
`9/1932 Sutphen
`2,247,022 A *
`6/1941 Hovorka oo. 362/396
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`3,752,975 A
`8/1973 Meyer
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`3,923,001 A
`12/1975 Murdock
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`4,343,032 A *
`8/1982 Schwartz ........ eee 362/147
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`4,823,245 A *
`4/1989 Leverte
`362/293
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`5,371,663 A * 12/1994 Chuang wo. 362/293
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`5,597,226 A
`‘1/1997 Fast
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`5,690,416 A *
`11/1997 Van Gennep ou... 362/396
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`5,988,100 A
`11/1999 Schmitt
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`6,264,351 BL*
`7/2001 Taylor et al. oo... 362/396
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`6,769,795 B1*
`8/2004 Hale ou...
`... 362/396
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`6,951,408 B2* 10/2005 Stewart 0. eee 362/396
`2003/0193804 Al
`10/2003 Schroeder
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`ae cited by examiner
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`Primary Examiner—Sandra O’ Shea
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`Assistant Examiner—Ismael Negron
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`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Myron Greenspan, Esq.;
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`Lackenbach Siegel, LLP
`ABSTRACT
`67)
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`The device includes means for illumination, means for
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`attaching the device to a flag pole so as to direct
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`illumination generally in the direction of a flag, and means
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`for selectively energizing the illumination means only dur-
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`ing hours of darkness. It is preferred that the means of
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`illumination be permanently connected to a source of
`energy, such as an external source of AC or DC power,
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`internal battery poweror solar power,that provides a photo-
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`cell-operated switch for monitoring the ambient light and for
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`following the energy source to be directly applied to that
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`illumination means primarily during hours of darkness.
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`20 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
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`(la
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`Page | of 6
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT1010
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`Page 1 of 6
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`SAMSUNG EXHIBIT 1010
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`U.S. Patent
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`May15, 2007
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`Sheet 1 of2
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`US 7,217,015 B2
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`Vaceremer
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`U.S. Patent
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`May15, 2007
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`Sheet 2 of 2
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`US 7,217,015 B2
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`Page 3 of 6
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`Page 3 of 6
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`US 7,217,015 B2
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`1
`DEVICE FOR PROPERLY ILLUMINATING
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`AT LEAST ONE FLAG, INCLUDING THE
`UNITED STATES FLAG
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`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
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`1. Field of the Invention
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`The present invention generally relates to illumination
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`devices, and more specifically to an illumination device for
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`illuminating a flag during the hours of darkness.
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`2. Description of the Prior Art
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`It is a custom universal to this country to display a flag
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`only from sunrise to sunset on buildings and on stationary
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`flagstaffs in the open. However, according to a law passed by
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`Congress, U.S. Code Title 4, Chapter I, Section 6(a), when
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`a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed 24
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`hoursa day, but only if properly illuminated during the hours
`of darkness.
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`Various illuminating devices for use in conjunction with
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`flags and flag poles have been proposed and used for many
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`years, at least as early as 1918, where an illuminating device
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`is shown and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 1,256,232 to
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`Howard. In this patent, a hollow pole is provided with a
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`plurality of openings that are covered by a lens closing each
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`opening. Bulbs are provided within the hollow pole and
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`arranged soas to be aligned with the lenses sothat light rays
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`may be projected through the openings in lenses onto the
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`flag. Reflectors are shown used behind the bulbs to enhance
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`the amountoflight reflected in the direction of the flag.
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`In US. Pat. No. 1,258,022 to Kray, a socket is attached to
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`the top of a flagstaff. A battery is provided at the lower end
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`of the staff for selectively electrifying the bulb, which is
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`generally arranged abovethe flag.
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`In USS. Pat. No. 1,383,234 to Raguse, a flagpole is shown,
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`in which a series of incandescent lamps are provided at the
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`top of a flagpole, and are connected to suitable electrical
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`source. These lamps are permanently mounted on the flag-
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`pole and are activated by a suitable switch. By providing a
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`plurality of angularly spaced lamps, the flag can rotate in a
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`horizontal plane and be illuminated in all positions.
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`In US. Pat. No. 1,878,447 to Sutphen, a metallic flagpole
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`is formed of tubular sections. However, a section adjacent to
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`the flag is made from a translucent or transparent material so
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`that the light generated by fluorescent tubes or incandescent
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`lamps can illuminate a flag.
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`In U.S. Pat. No. 3,752,975 to Meyer a flagpole light is
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`disclosed in which a lamp fixture,is mountedat the top of the
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`flagpole and is tapered so that light generated within the
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`fixture is reflected downwardly in the direction of the flag.
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`A fixed light at the based ofthe flagpole is shown in U.S.
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`Pat. No. 3,923,001 to Murdoch, which can be suitably turned
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`on and off by a switch.
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`lamps producing
`In U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,226 to Fast
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`significant amounts of ultraviolet light are used to illuminate
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`commercial
`flags advertising products and/or establish-
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`ments. These flags contain ultraviolet light fluorescent mate-
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`rial that is illuminated by the ultraviolet light.
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`USS. Pat. No. 5,988,100 to Schmitt discloses a device for
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`illuminating display flags. Here, an internally lighted flag
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`mast reflects light externally using reflective materials.
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`When it becomes dark, a photosensor automatically acti-
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`vates a light source for illuminating the flag.
`The U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0193804 to
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`Schroeder seeks to illuminate a flag so that
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`displayed 24 hours a day. This is done by mounting a light
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`source immediately adjacent to the flag that directs light
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`2
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`towards the flag through a transparent portion of the flag-
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`mounting pole, similar to the concept disclosed in Sutphen
`°447,
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`In view of the above, it is evident that flagpole lighting
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`devices have been proposed for some time. In most of these
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`patents, however, the light source is integrally and perma-
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`nently formed with and is part of the flagpole itself. Of
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`course, separate lamps spaced from the light source, such as
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`in Fast ’226, have also been proposed. However, by mount-
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`ing the bulbs at a distance from the flag pole, more powerful
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`light sources are required to illuminate the flag or the
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`illumination is reduced, and the light sources are on the
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`ground, where they can be dangerous obstacles to pedestri-
`ans.
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`In none ofthe prior art that has been uncovered is there
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`any teaching of a lighting kit that can be selectively attached
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`to and/or removed from an existing flagpole and mounted
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`relatively closely to the position of the flag so that its light
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`intensity may be maintained at a desired level.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a
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`device for properly illuminating a flag during the hours of
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`darkness that does not have the disadvantages inherent in
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`such prior art devices.
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`It is another object of the invention to provide a device of
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`the type under discussion that is simple in construction and
`economical to manufacture.
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`It is still another object of the invention to provide a
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`device as in the previous objects that can be selectively and
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`easily attached to/or removed from an existing flagpole.
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`It is yet another object of the invention to provide a device
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`for illuminating a flag during hours of darkness that can be
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`mounted on the flagpole relatively closely to the position of
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`the flag so that its light intensity may be maintained at a
`maximum ordesired level.
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`It is a further object of the invention to provide a device
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`as in the previous objects that can be used with “after-
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`market” light sources and with existing flags and flagpoles.
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`In order to achieve the above objects, as well as other that
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`will become apparent hereinafter, a device for properly
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`illuminating a flag in accordance with the present invention,
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`which is support on the flagpole, during the hours of
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`darkness, comprises illuminating means for generating light
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`when energized. Attaching means is provided for attaching
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`said illuminating meansto a flagpole to direct the illumina-
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`tion generally in the direction of the flag. Means are pro-
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`vided for selectively energizing said illumination means so
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`that the flag is illuminated only during hours of darkness.
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`The device may be operated by an external source of AC or
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`DC power, internal battery power or solar power. Advanta-
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`geously, the illumination meansis permanently connected to
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`a source of energy, and a photo-cell-operated switch is
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`provided for monitoring ambient light and for allowing the
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`source of energy to be directly applied to the illumination
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`means during hours of darkness. And these “after-market”
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`light sources can be used with existing flagpoles. To this
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`extent, they have the advantage that they are not restricted
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`to use with specific flagpoles from specific manufacturers,
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`but rather can be used with all flagpoles, newly manufac-
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`tured or existing ones.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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`The above andother objects of the invention may be more
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`readily seen when viewed in conjunction with the accom-
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`panying drawings, wherein:
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`US 7,217,015 B2
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`3
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`FIG.1 is a side elevational view of a U.S. flag mounted
`on a structure such as the outside wall or surface of a
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`building, in which a device for properly illuminating the flag
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`in accordance with the present invention is mounted on the
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`flagpole and arranged to direct a beam of light at the flag;
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`FIGS. 2-4 are different views of the device for providing
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`the illumination shown in FIG. 1, as seen from different
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`directions, and providing additional details of the construc-
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`tion of the device; and
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`FIG. 5 is a end elevational view of a clamp forming part
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`of the device shown in FIGS. 1—4 for securely attaching the
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`deviceto the staff of the flag, and further illustrating a sleeve
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`or annular spacer positioned between the external surface of
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`the clamp andthe internal surface of the flagpole to accom-
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`modate a small diameter flagpole.
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`While automotive clamps of the type shown are generally
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`made oflead, the clamp 48 in accordance with the present
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`invention made be made from any suitable material, includ-
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`ing plastic, which need not be electrically conductive, as
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`long as gap formed by the two opposingflat surfaces 485 can
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`be increased or decreased by tightening or loosening screw
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`or fastener 50. If desired, the surfaces 48 can be provided
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`with a greater separation, as suggested by the parallel dashed
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`lines 484' to facilitate mounting of the clamp onto a flagpole
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`without requiring that the clamp be mounted from one end
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`of the flagpole but may,
`instead, be mounted by simply
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`slipping the clamp over the flagpole at any intermediate
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`portion thereof.
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`Optionally,
`there may be provided an insert 52 of a
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`generally compressible material, such as rubber, that can be
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`received between the external surface of the flagpole 12 and
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`the internal surface 48a of the clamp for allowing the clamp
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`to be tightened about a flagpole having a diameter smaller
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`than the predetermined or nominal minimum diameterof the
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`Referring now specifically to the Figures, in which iden-
`opening defined by the circular inner surface 48a.
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`tical or similar parts are designated by the same reference
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`The specific manner in which the device 20 is energized
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`numerals throughout, andfirst referring to FIG. 1, a flag, in
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`is not critical. Thus, for example, the device may be plugged
`this case a United States flag, is generally designated by the
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`into a source ofAC power, as suggested in FIG. 1. Of course,
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`reference numeral 10. The flag 10 is supported on a flagpole
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`the power cable or cord 24 may be directly wired into a
`or staff 12 at one outer or remote end 12a. At the other or
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`junction box in lieu of being connected by meansofa plug
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`proximate end 124,the flag is shown mounted by means of
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`and socket, as shown. Alternate methods of energizing the
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`a bracket 14 to a surface 16 of a structure 18, such as a house
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`device are also possible. It will be clear that the device may
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`or other building.
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`be powered by conventional batteries that may be housed
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`The device in accordance with the present invention is
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`within the housing or chassis 30. Also, the device may be
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`generally designated by the reference numeral 20, andit is
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`energized by meansof a solar powersource of the type well
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`arranged between the two ends 12a, 126 at a position and
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`knownfor storing electrical energy during hours of daylight
`mannerto direct a beam ofillumination 22 in the direction
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`by converting the sunlight to electrical energy that is stored
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`of the suspendedflag 10. As will be more fully described in
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`in storage cells or batteries.
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`connection with the preferred embodiment, the illumination
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`According to a feature of the present invention, the device
`device 20 is connected by means of a power cord 24 and a
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`20 is selectively energized so that it directs a beam oflight
`plug 26 to an exterior terminal or outlet box 28.
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`22 at the flag only during hours of darkness. This may, of
`Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the device 20 includes an exterior
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`course, be effected in a numberofdifferent ways. A power
`terminal or junction box 30 in the form of a chassis or
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`switch may be provided, either for providing or removing
`housingthat is substantially enclosed by meansof a cover 32
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`power from the exterior terminal or outlet box 28, or a
`that is used to close and seal the cover, by meansofa sealing
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`switch may be provided in line within the power cord 24.
`material 34, a chassis or housing 36. Extending outwardly
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`Anyswitch for selectively interrupting power to the device
`from the cover 32 is a mounting or support post 38 to which
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`may be used. Since the unit should be energized when
`there is adjustably or pivotably mounted a bulb assembly 40.
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`darkness begins, this can be done in a number of ways.
`The bulb assembly 40 is of a common type frequently used
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`Clearly, one way is to have a person manually energize the
`for exterior lighting and typically includes a socket (not
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`device. However, automatic means may also be used,
`shown) for receiving a bulb such as an incandescent bulb
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`including an electronic timer, of the type used to turn on and
`that may be a floodlamp or a spotlamp. The bulb assembly
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`turn off house lamps in the evening. In the presently pre-
`40 is mounted to be pivotedor rotatably adjusted about a pin
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`ferred embodiment, there is provided a light-sensitive ele-
`or shaft 42. When positioned in its desired orientation,
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`ment for monitoring ambient light, in the form of a photo-
`ribbed locking disks 44 or the like may be utilized and
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`cell 54. When the amount of ambient light decreases below
`tightened and fix the position of the bulb assembly 40 by
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`a predetermined threshold, the photo-cell is connected to a
`means of a knurled adjusting or tightening knob 46.
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`well-knowncircuit for turning on a switch that directs power
`At the opposing side of the chassis or housing 30, from
`to the device.
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`which the support post 38 extends, there is provided an
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`Also in accordance with the presently preferred embodi-
`attaching member for attaching the device to a flagpole so
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`ment, the device 20 is provided with illumination-altering
`the light the devices generates can be directed generally in
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`meansfor selectively changing at least one property of the
`the direction of the flag 10. Such attachment device can take
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`illuminated beam oflight. Thus, referring to FIG.3, the bulb
`any desired or suitable form, and numerous fastening
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`or lamp assembly 40 includesan optical filter 56 interposed
`devices will occur to those skilled in theart. In the presently
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`between the bulb and the flag. Such optical filter may
`preferred embodiment, one example of such attaching or
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`comprise a colorfilter to provide special effects or reflect a
`fastening device is in the nature of a clamp 48 that can be
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`special occasion or holiday. The element 56 may also be a
`tightened aboutthe flagpole 12.
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`protective filter to protect the flag from harmful components
`Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, the clamp 48 may be in the
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`of the illuminated light.
`nature of a C-clamp having a generally circular inner surface
`65
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`48a andaslot defined by two opposing generally flat surface It will become evident from the above description that the
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`485. Thus, the clamp shownis not unlike automotive clamps
`present invention is in the nature of a “kit” that can be
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`used for connection to terminal posts of lead-acid batteries.
`purchased by any ownerof a homeor business and attached
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`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
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`EMBODIMENTS
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`Page 5 of 6
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`Page 5 of 6
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`

`

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`US 7,217,015 B2
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`5
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`to any conventional flagpole so that the flag may be illumi-
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`nated, as required by law, should theflag be displayed during
`hours of darkness.
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`While this invention has been described in detail with
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`particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will
`be understood that variations and modifications will be
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`effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as
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`described herein and as defined in the appended claims.
`WhatI claim:
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`1. A device illuminating at least one flag, supported on a
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`flag pole defining a predetermined direction, said device
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`comprising:
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`illuminating means for generating light when energized,
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`and having an illumination axis;
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`attaching meansforfixing said illuminating meanson said
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`flag pole with said illumination axis and said predeter-
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`mined direction defining an illumination plane;
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`adjusting means for rotatably adjusting the illumination
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`axis only within said illumination plane; and
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`meansfor selectively energizing said illumination means
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`so that the flag is illuminated only during hours of
`darkness.
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`2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching
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`meansincludes adjustment meansfor selectively positioning
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`said illumination means to optimize the amount of light
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`projected on the flag.
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`3. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for
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`selectively energizing said illuminating means comprises a
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`power plug that can be inserted into or removed from a
`terminal outlet box.
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`4. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching
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`means comprises an exterior weatherproof chassis or hous-
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`ing for protecting said illuminating means during inclement
`weather.
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`5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said means for
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`selectively energizing includes a solar power source for
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`storing electrical energy during hours of daylight by con-
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`verting sunlight into electrical energy.
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`6. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said attaching
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`means comprises a clamp that can be tightened aboutthe flag
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`pole.
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`7. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said clamp is
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`a C-clamp.
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`20
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`40
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`6
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`8. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said clamp can
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`be adjusted to a predetermined minimum diameter, and
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`further comprising an insert receivable between the external
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`surface of the flagpole and an internal surface of said clamp
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`for allowing said clamp to be tightened about the flagpoles
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`having diameters smaller than said predetermined minimum
`diameter.
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`9. A device as defined in claim 6, wherein said clamp can
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`be sufficiently opened so that it can be placed and mounted
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`on a flagpole at an intermediate position without the need to
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`remove the flagpole from a mountingstructure.
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`10. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said illumi-
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`nating means is permanently connected to a source of
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`energy, and said meansfor selectively energizing said illu-
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`minating means comprises a switch for selectively interrupt-
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`ing said connection to said source of energy.
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`11. A device as defined in claim 10, wherein said switch
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`includeslight sensitive means for monitoring ambient light.
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`12. A device as defined in claim 11, wherein said light
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`sensitive means includes a photo-cell.
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`13. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said illumi-
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`nation means comprises a lamp assembly for receiving a
`bulb.
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`14. A device as defined in claim 13, wherein said lamp
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`assembly is dimensioned to receive an incandescent bulb.
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`15. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein said bulb is
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`a flood lamp.
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`16. A device as defined in claim 14, wherein said bulb is
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`a spot lamp.
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`17. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising
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`illumination altering meansfor selectively changing a prop-
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`erty of the generated light.
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`18. A device as defined in claim 17, wherein said illumi-
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`nation altering means includes optical filter means inter-
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`posed between said illuminating meansandtheflag.
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`19. A device as defined in claim 18, wherein said optical
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`filter means comprises a colorfilter.
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`20. A device as defined in claim 18, wherein said optical
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`filter means comprises a protective filter to protect the flag
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`from harmful components of the generated light.
`*
`*
`*
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`*
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`*
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`Page 6 of 6
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`Page 6 of 6
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