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A flag assembly includes an elongated and rectilinear shaft having opposed end portions situated adjacent a ground surface. The shaft includes a banner attached to one of the end portions having surface indicia imprinted thereon. A protective cover member is provided with a centrally registered coun

A flag assembly includes an elongated and rectilinear shaft having opposed end portions situated adjacent a ground surface. The shaft includes a banner attached to one of the end portions having surface indicia imprinted thereon. A protective cover member is provided with a centrally registered countersunk bore situated therebelow. A frusto-conical spring member having axially opposed first and second end portions is conjoined to another end portion of the shaft and extends downwardly away therefrom along a vertical plane respectively. A bushing having a monolithically formed lower portion provided with a tapered diameter is inwardly offset from a diameter of the shaft. The bushing further has an axially registered upper portion operably conjoined to the spring member and cooperating with the shaft such that the spring member can be resiliently adapted between compressed and equilibrium positions to absorb vertically channeled impact forces encountered during installation procedures.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A flag assembly for identifying subterranean utility valves and manhole covers, said flag assembly comprising:an elongated and rectilinear shaft having opposed end portions situated adjacent a ground surface and axially displaced at a predetermined height thereabove respectively, said shaft inclu

1. A flag assembly for identifying subterranean utility valves and manhole covers, said flag assembly comprising:an elongated and rectilinear shaft having opposed end portions situated adjacent a ground surface and axially displaced at a predetermined height thereabove respectively, said shaft including a banner attached to one said end portions and having surface indicia imprinted thereon for identifying a location unique to one of the utility valves and manhole covers, said surface indicia including a primary color associated with public sewer and water systems respectively;a protective cover member removably positional over one of the utility valves and manhole covers, said protective cover member being provided with a centrally registered countersunk bore situated therebelow;a frusto-conical spring member having axially opposed first and second end portions conjoined to another said end portion of said shaft and extending downwardly away therefrom along a vertical plane respectively; anda bushing having a monolithically formed lower portion provided with a tapered diameter inwardly offset from a diameter of said shaft, said bushing further having an axially registered upper portion operably conjoined to said spring member and cooperating with said shaft such that said spring member can be resiliently adapted between compressed and equilibrium positions to absorb vertically channeled impact forces encountered during installation procedures, said bushing lower portion being threadably insertable into said countersunk bore so that said shaft can be maintained at a substantially stable position during inclement weather conditions.2. The flag assembly of claim 1, wherein said cover member is selected from the group comprising: a manhole cover and a T-shaped curb stop, each said manhole cover and T-shaped curb stop are provided with substantially planar top surfaces registered flush with the ground surface.3. The flag assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a magnet engaged with said cover member and provided with a central aperture vertically aligned with said countersunk bore in such a manner that said bushing lower portion is vertically insertable into said magnet for stability during inclement weather conditions.4. The flag assembly of claim 1, wherein said surface indicia includes a secondary color for further defining one of a storm and sanitary category associated with the public sewers systems.5. The flag assembly of claim 3, wherein said magnet further comprises: a non-magnetic shield positioned over a top surface of said magnet for prohibiting undesirable foreign debris from adhering to said magnet.6. A flag assembly for identifying subterranean utility valves and manhole covers, said flag assembly comprising:an elongated and rectilinear shaft formed from fiberglass and having opposed end portions situated adjacent a ground surface and axially displaced at a predetermined height thereabove respectively, said shaft including a banner attached to one said end portions and having surface indicia imprinted thereon for identifying a location unique to one of the utility valves and manhole covers, said surface indicia including a primary color associated with public sewer and water systems respectively;a protective cover member removably positional over one of the utility valves and manhole covers, said protective cover member being provided with a centrally registered countersunk bore situated therebelow;a frusto-conical spring member having axially opposed first and second end portions conjoined to another said end portion of said shaft and extending downwardly away therefrom along a vertical plane respectively; anda bushing having a monolithically formed lower portion provided with a tapered diameter inwardly offset from a diameter of said shaft, said bushing further having an axially registered upper portion operably conjoined to said spring member and cooperating with said shaft such that said spring member can be resiliently adapted between compressed and equilibrium positions to absorb vertically channeled impact forces encountered during installation procedures, said bushing lower portion being threadably insertable into said countersunk bore so that said shaft can be maintained at a substantially stable position during inclement weather conditions.7. The flag assembly of claim 6, wherein said cover member is selected from the group comprising: a manhole cover and a T-shaped curb stop, each said manhole cover and T-shaped curb stop are provided with substantially planar top surfaces registered flush with the ground surface.8. The flag assembly of claim 6, further comprising: a magnet engaged with said cover member and provided with a central aperture vertically aligned with said countersunk bore in such a manner that said bushing lower portion is vertically insertable into said magnet for additional stability during inclement weather conditions.9. The flag assembly of claim 6, wherein said surface indicia includes a secondary color for further defining one of a storm and sanitary category associated with the public sewers systems.10. The flag assembly of claim 8, wherein said magnet further comprises: a non-magnetic shield positioned over a top surface of said magnet for prohibiting undesirable foreign debris from adhering to said magnet.11. A flag assembly for identifying subterranean utility valves and manhole covers, said flag assembly comprising:an elongated and rectilinear shaft formed from fiberglass and having opposed end portions situated adjacent a ground surface and axially displaced at a predetermined height thereabove respectively, said shaft including a banner attached to one said end portions and having surface indicia imprinted thereon for identifying a location unique to one of the utility valves and manhole covers, said surface indicia including a primary color associated with public sewer and water systems respectively;a protective cover member removably positional over one of the utility valves and manhole covers, said protective cover member being provided with a centrally registered countersunk bore situated therebelow;a frusto-conical spring member having axially opposed first and second end portions conjoined to another said end portion of said shaft and extending downwardly away therefrom along a vertical plane respectively, said spring member being compressible along a vertical axis registered with said countersunk bore; anda bushing having a monolithically formed lower portion provided with a tapered diameter inwardly offset from a diameter of said shaft, said bushing further having an axially registered upper portion operably conjoined to said spring member and cooperating with said shaft such that said spring member can be resiliently adapted between compressed and equilibrium positions to absorb vertically channeled impact forces encountered during installation procedures, said bushing lower portion being threadably insertable into said countersunk bore so that said shaft can be maintained at a substantially stable position during inclement weather conditions.12. The flag assembly of claim 11, wherein said cover member is selected from the group comprising: a manhole cover and a T-shaped curb stop, each said manhole cover and T-shaped curb stop are provided with substantially planar top surfaces registered flush with the ground surface.13. The flag assembly of claim 11, further comprising: a magnet engaged with said cover member and provided with a central aperture vertically aligned with said countersunk bore in such a manner that said bushing lower portion is vertically insertable into said magnet for stability during inclement weather conditions.14. The flag assembly of claim 11, wherein said surface indicia includes a secondary color for further defining one of a storm and sanitary category associated with the public sewers systems.15. The flag assembly of claim 13, wherein said magnet further comprises: a non-magnetic shield positioned over a top surface of said magnet for prohibiting undesirable foreign debris from adhering to said magnet.