US2458316A - Taxi hailing flag - Google Patents

Description

Jan. 4, 1949. T. swERTLow TAXI HAILING FLAG Filed June 22,1945

P. D v E m w A i N ,R a Ew O 7 wm n nu IIUUI| IT A, y? R m W W 3 5 5a S a a THEODORE .Jar

Patented Jan. 4, 1.949

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE This invention relates to new and useful improvements in a taxi hailing mechanism and has more particular reference to a hailing flag.

More specically the vinvention proposes the construction of an `extendable and collapsible member adapted to be carried in ones lpocket -or pocketbook when collapsed and when opened up being capable `of attracting attention of a passing taxicab. It is proposed to attach a flag to the outer end of said member, which may then 'be waved. to hail the taxi. It is advisable that the ilag be waterproof, and that it be imprinted with luminous material so that it is better visible at night so as to reduce the inconvenience afforded the public when hailing taxicabs in dark or oongested areas.

The invention proposes Variations a-nd embodiments, one of which has been disclosed in this specification. Particularly it is proposed that the extendable and collapsed member be of varied design. In one form of the invention it is in the nature of a plurality of teles-copically engaged tubular sections. In another form of the invention it is a combination of telescopically engaged tubular sections and a lazy-tong construction.

The invention also proposes a novel and improved means for holding the collapsible member in its extended position.

For further comprehension of the invention, and of the objects and advantages thereof, reference will be had to the following description and accompanying drawings,. and to the appended claims in which the various novel features of the invention are more particularly set forth.

In the a-ccompanying drawing forming a material part of this disclosure:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a taxi hailing flag constructed in accordance with one form of this invention and illustrated in a collapsed position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the hailing flag shown in Fig. 1 in its extended position.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional -view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary enlarged vvertical sectional view taken on the line 4 4 of Fig.. 3.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional View taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a side elevational View of a taxi hailingiia'g, VConstructed in accordance with a modied form of this invention.

The new and improved taXi hai-ling ilag, :in accordance -with that form of the invention illustrated in Figs. ,1 to 6 inclusive, includes an extendable member IIJ 'adapted to be carried around in ones pocket, or pocketbook when collapsed and having an inner end II by which it may be waved when opened. A flag yI2 is attached upon the `outer end of the member I0. It is proposed to so construct the collapsible member I0 that when i-. is in its collapsed position it is no larger than a :pen-cil, or fountain pen so that it may be conveniently ha-ndled the same way as a pencil, or pen. Preferably, the ag II is provided with luminous sections I4 so that it may easily be seen in the dark; and it is preferrably detachably attached `to the device for purposes of replacing, washing, etc.

The extendable and collapsible member I0 includes a pair of telescopically engaged non-rotative tubular sections I5 and yIl adapted to be extended and collapsed relatively to each other. 'I'he inner end of the inner section I5 is provided with an outwardly directed flange I8 and the adjacent end of the outer section KI6 is provided with an inwardly directed flange I 9 which extends over l,said outwardly directed ilange I8 Aand which continues into .an inwardly directed short tubular 'portion 2l) spaced outwards from the inner section I5 so as to form a small space, or chamber 2|.

A pin .22 is mounted on and projects from the inwardlyv directed short tubular portion 20, and engages into a` longitudinally yextending slot 23 for holding the sections I5 and I6 `against rotation. As illustrated jin Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the sections .I-.5 and I6 are fully extended. A spring urged pin .2.5 engages through an aperture 26 in said inwardly .directed short tubular portion 2-0 and extends across the space yor ychamber 2| and engages .into another aperture 27 formed in the inner section I5 for holding the sections I5 and I6 in their extended positions.

A cam-like leaf spring 28 is mounted within the inner section I5 by-several `fastening elements 29.- This cam-like leaf spring 28 is provided with a 'cam portion 30 which engages against the inner en d of thelpin 2.5 for urging the pin 25 outwards when the cam portion 30 is moved outwards for releasing the sections I5 and I 6. The pin 25 is :urged and Aheld in its inner position by a spring `32 which is supported beneath the ilange I9 and on `section I5 and which is ,attached to the head of the pin 25. The .spring 28 .normally seeks an inward positions, as villustrated in Fig. 4.

`'.Ulzrenmember lil is :provided `with :another 'telescopic section 34 slidably engaging the inner section I'5 and when moved inwards capable of engaging against the cam-like leaf spring 28 for moving the leaf spring 28 outwards so that the cam portion 30 moves the pin 25 outwards free from the aperture 21. The section 34 extends above the section I5. Said section 34 looks very similar to a piston and stem. It has a piston portion 35 slidably engaged within the section I5 and which connects with a thin stem portion 36. The top of the stem portion 36 is provided with a head 31. The hailing flag I2 is attached to the stem portion 36. The flag I2 is capable of being wound around the stem portion 36 so that it may be lowered down into the section I5 when the member I6 is collapsed. A stop 38 is attached upon the flange I8 radially inwards and when the section 34 is pushed into the section I5 the bottom face of the piston portion 35 engageszthe stop 38 to limit the downward movement of the piston portion 35 and the stem portion 36 and the ag I2 carried thereby.

The inner end of the extendable and collapsible member I6 is also a tubular section in which the tubular section I6 is slidably engaged. The adjacent end portions of the sections II and I'6 are constructed identically in the same Way as the adjacent' end portions of the sections I5 and I6. Identical parts have been indicated by the same reference numerals. However, the flange I8 of the section I5 is depended upon to press outwards the leaf spring 28 of the section I6 for releasing the sections II and I6. Stops 42 are mounted upon the bottom flange I8 of the section I6 for limiting the possible downward motion of the section I'5 within the section I6. The stops 42 also extend outwards and engage in longitudinally extending grooves 46 formed along the sides of the section II for holding the sections I I and I6 non-rotative in relation to each other. The bottom of the section II is provided with a removable cap 41.

The side of the section II is also provided with a clasp 40 or hook for securing the hailing ag in a mans pocket, canopy of a building, etc.

The operation of the new andA improved taxi hailing flag may be understood from the follow- 111g:

When the flag is open as illustrated in Fig. 2 it may be used to hail taxicabs, or for other hailing or signaling purposes. The hailing flag may be collapsed by first turning the flag I2 around the'stem portion 36 of the section 34. Now the section 34 may be moved downwards into the section I5. When the section 34 is in its complete downward position, the piston portion 35 will have moved the cam-like leaf spring 28 of the section I5 outwards which moved the pin 25 outwards freeing the sections I5 and I6. Now the section I`5 is free to be moved downwards into the section I6.

When the section I5 reaches its bottommost position within the section I6 it will have moved the spring 28 of the section I6 which will have freed the sections II and I6.- Now the section I6 may be moved downwards to its bottom position within the section II and the hailing flag will be collapsed and appears as illustrated in Fig. l.

In Fig. 7 a modified form of the invention has been disclosed in which the hailing ag includes an extendable and collapsible member 50 adapted to be carried around in ones pocket, or pocketbook when collapsed and having an inner end 5I by which it may be waved when opened. vA F flag I2 is attached upon the outer end of the member 50.

The member 56 is constructed from a plurality of pivotally connected strip sections 5.2 arranged in the nature of a lazy-tong member. The inner end 5I' is in the nature of a tubular container 53 which is connected with the inner end of the lazy-tong member 5I). One of the inner strips of the lazy-tong member is pivotally connected by a pintle 54 within the container 53. The other inner strip is pivotally connected with a slide 55 slidably mounted on a bar 56 within the container 53. The outer end of the lazy-tong member 56 has one of the ends of one of the end strips pivotally connected by a pintle 51 with a bar 58 upon which the flag I2 is attached. The outer end of the other end strip of the lazy-tong member 50 is connectedby a pintle 59 with a slotVv Thearrangement is 60 formed in the bar 58. such that the lazy-tong member may be extended and collapsed. It is illustrated in Fig.V 7 in its extended position. When collapsed the iiag I2 may also be forced into the container 53 and; thenthe hailing ag may be conveniently carried around in ones pocket.

An Iouter cap 6I is provided for encasingv this y device in the fully collapsed condition. Y While I have illustrated and described the vpreferred embodiments of my invention, it isto be understood that I do not limit myself -to the pre-k cise constructions herein disclosed and the right is reserved to all changes and modifications com.

ing within the scope of the invention as define in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what If claim as new, and d-esire to secure by United States Letters Patent is:

1. In a taxi hailing flag, an adjacent pair of telescopically engaged non-rotative tubular sections adapted to be extended and collapsed and the inner end of the inner section havingk an outwardly directed flange and the adjacent end of the outer section having an inwardly directed flange extending over said outwardly directed flange and continuing into aninwardlydirected short tubular portion spaced outwards from said inner section, said inner section including an aperture, a spring urged pin engaging throughy said short tubular portion and extending across the space to said inner section fandvengaging in said aperture of said inner section for holding said sections extended, a cam-like leaf spring` mounted within the inner section and engaging tions adapted to be extended and collapsed and" the inner end of the inner section having an outwardly directed flange and the adjacent end-of the outer section having an inwardly directed ange extending over said outwardly directed' flange and continuing into an inwardly directed short tubular portion spaced outwards from said inner section, said inner ksection includingan aperture, a spring urged pin engagingthroughH said short tubular portion and extending'across the space to saidV inner section andxengaging inv said aperture of said inner section for holding said sections extended, a cam-like leaf springf mounted within the inner sectionand' engaging"A the inner vend of *said pin for' movingy said pin outwards when moved outwards for releasing said sections, another telescopic section slidably engaging in said inner section and when moved inwards acting t-o move said leaf spring outwards, and a stop mounted on said inner section and projected radially inwards to be engaged by the bottom end of said other telescopic section when moved completely into said inner section to limit inward movement of said other telescopic section.

3. In a taxi hailing flag, an adjacent pair of telescopically engaged non-rotative tubular sections adapted to be extended and collapsed and the inner end of the inner section having an outwardly directed flange and the adjacent end of the outer section having an inwardly directed iiange extending over said outwardly directed ange and continuing into an inwardly directed short tubular portion spaced outwards from said inner section, said inner section including an aperture, a spring urged pin engaging through said short tubular portion and extending across the space to said inner section and engaging in said aperture of said inner section for holding said sections extended, a cam-like leaf spring mounted within the inner section and engaging the inner end of said pin for moving said pin outwards when moved outwards for releasing said sections, another telescopic section slidably engaging in said inner section and when moved inwards acting to move said leaf spring outwards, and a stop mounted on said inner section and projected radially inwards to be engaged by the bottom end of said other telescopic section when moved completely into said inner section to limit inward movement of said other telescopic section.

4. In a taxi hailing flag, an adjacent pair of telescopically engaged non-rotative tubular sections adapted to be extended and collapsed and the inner end of the inner section having an outwardly directed flange `and the adjacent end of said sections extended, a cam-like leaf spring mounted within the inner section and engaging the inner end of said pin for moving said pin outwards when moved outwards for releasing said sections, and another telescopic section slidably engaging in said inner section and when moved inwards acting to move said leaf spring outwards, said spring which urges said pin inwards being mounted beneath said inwardly directed iiange and being connected with a head on said pin.

5. In a taxi hailing iiag, an adjacent pair of telescopically engaged non-rotative tubular sections adapted to be extended and collapsed and the inner end of the inner section having an outwardly directed flange and the adjacent end of the outer section having an inwardly directed flange extending over said outwardly directed ange and continuing into an inwardly directed short tubular portion spaced outwards from said inner section, said inner section including an aperture, a spring urged pin engaging through said short tubular portion and extending across the space to said inner section and engaging in said aperture of said inner section for holding said sections extended, a cam-like leaf spring mounted within the inner section and engaging the inner end of said pin for moving said pin outwards when moved outwards for releasing said sections, and another telescopic section slidably engaging in said inner section and when moved inwards acting to move said leaf spring outwards, and fastening elements securing the top end of said cam like leaf spring to said inner section.

THEODORE SWERTLOW.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 815,115 Pax Mar. 13, 1906 859,233 Lane July 9, 1907 918,579 Murch Apr. 20, 1909 1,267,915 Shellabarger May 28, 1918 1,406,268 Madej Feb. 14, 1922 2,225,889 Rubenstein Dec. 24, 1940

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