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.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

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.

2. Description of the Prior Art

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Other features of my invention will become more evident from a consideration of the following brief description of patent drawings:

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.