An alphabetical list of terms commonly used for flagpole hardware, parts and accessories

Cable Assembly: The rope system for Deluxe Internal Halyard flagpoles. Constructed of 1/8" and/or 3/16" stainless steel aircraft cable incorporating a stainless steel swivel to minimize the effect of unraveling due to the rotation of the truck assembly. These standard cable assemblies are designed for flagpoles with a winch installed at 5' above grade.

Cam Action Cleat: Internal locking system at the bottom of the flagpole which holds the halyard (or rope) in place. The cam action cleat is secured onto a 1 1/2" x 3 3/8" aluminum block with two #10-32NC stainless steel pan head screws. Recommended maximum rope diameter is 5/16".

Cleat: An item that attaches to the flagpole shaft, wall, or at some other desired position. The halyard (or rope) is wrapped around the cleat to prevent the flag and/or halyard from moving up/down the pole.

Cleat Cover Box: Optional security feature for external poles which affixes to the flagpole over the cleat and halyard (or rope). Cleat Cover Boxes can have either a cylinder lock or padlock.

Flash Collar: A collar for the base of the flagpole that is made of spun aluminum or fiberglass. The collar fits over the ground sleeve and bottom of the flagpole to protect it from the elements. It gives the base of the flagpole a finished look.

Gaff: This extension is used on single or double masted nautical flagpoles. The Gaff is mounted at an angle and allows for additional flags to be displayed. At the end of the gaff is a stationary truck.

Ground Sleeve: Foundation sleeve for a flagpole fabricated from 16 gauge galvanized corrugated steel tube with 3/16 thick steel base and support plates, 3/4 diameter x 18" long ground (lighting) spike and steel centering wedges. Also available in PVC material.

Halyard: Rope or cable runs from the top to the bottom of the flagpole. External poles typically use polypropylene cross woven halyard because it tend to not warp and wear as easily in weather. A stronger solution is wire centered halyard. For some internal systems, aircraft cable is used. Types of rope to avoid include chains, yarn, plastic and twine.

Internal Halyard (IH) Door: Access point for Internal Halyard Cam Action Cleat or Winch systems. Internal Halyard (IH) Doors are secured with a cylinder lock.

Mounting Bracket: Designed to secure the shaft of the flagpole to the side of a structure using bolts, screws, or straps.

Mounting Bolts: Used to affix the bracket to a wall or building edifice. There are two types of mounting bolts, Mounting Bolt with Expansion Shield and Through Wall Bolts.

  • Mounting Bolts With Expansion Shields: Zinc plated steel complete with one acorn nut, one washer & one lock washer.
  • Thru Wall Bolts: Zinc plated steel complete with one acorn nut, one hex nut, two washers & two lock washers.

Non-Tangle Rod: A rod which attaches to a flag on an outrigger style flagpole and prevents the flag from wrapping around the pole. The non-tangle rod is 3/8" in diameter.

Ornament (Finial): Ball, eagle or other decorative assembly placed on the top of the flagpole. Ornaments are threaded a standard size suitable for a truck top. It is typical for the ball diameter to match the butt diameter, or diameter of the base of the flagpole.

Retainer Ring: Necklace which wraps around the flagpole designed to keep the flag draw to the flagpole. Only used for Internal Halyard flagpoles, most flags only require one beaded retainer ring. However larger sizes will have more than one beaded retainer ring.

Standard Flag Arrangement: Cable which provides a method of attaching the flag or flags to the cable assembly. Constructed of 1/8" stainless steel aircraft cable with a stainless steel thimble attached at each end with 2 copper crimps. This is also an excellent method for changing the quantity of flags or the size(s) of flag(s) without having to change the entire cable assembly.

Swivel Snap: Used to attach the flag to the halyard, rope or cable. The closed ring attaches to the halyard and the spring clip or clasp attaches to the grommet or thimble.

Swivel Snap Cover: Rubber device designed to reduce the noise caused from the snap hook hitting against the shaft of the flagpole.

Truck: An assembly that mounts to the top of the flagpole and has a single or double pulley. The pulley is used for the flagpole halyard (or rope). There are two types of flagpole trucks, revolving and stationary.

  • Revolving: These assemblies also include bearings that allow them to revolve or rotate with the wind. Revolving trucks can be used for External Halyard flagpoles, Internal Halyard flagpoles, and Vertical Wall Mounted flagpoles. Revolving trucks are not recommended for outrigger flagpoles.
  • Stationary: An assembly that mounts to the top of the flagpole with sets screws and has a single pulley. The pulley is used for the flagpole halyard (or rope). These assemblies also do not revolve around the top of the flagpole. Stationary trucks can be used for all types of flagpoles. However, it is recommended to use a revolving when possible.

Winch: Internal Halyard Flagpole system for raising and lowering the flag. There are two types of winch systems, M-Winch and Stainless Steel Winch. The stainless Steel winch uses the straight winch handle and the M-winch uses the M-Winch Handle.

  • M-Winch: Gear-less and self-locking at any point to eliminate the need for a separate break. This direct drive winch provides for rapid raising & lowering of the flag. The winch is inserted into the pole and secured with a stainless steel bolt on the back side of the pole.
  • Stainless Steel Winch: For a butt diameter of 6" or larger, these winches utilize cast bronze internal brakes which release when a winch handle is inserted and rotational pressure is applied. The winch is locked at any position by removing the handle which engages the brake system.

Winch Handle: Handle designed to raise and lower flagpoles with a crank-system such as a Winch or an M-Winch. The stainless Steel winch uses the straight winch handle and the M-winch uses the M-Winch Handle.

Yardarm: A tapered spar that runs horizontal and is attached to the flagpole at some position above ground. Used on Nautical Flagpoles to create a nautical feature which may be used to fly small nautical flags. At the each end of the yardarm is a pulley and eyebolt assembly.

This entry was posted by Brent Alexander in Flag Glossaries on March 25, 2012 at 3:20 PM. It has received 266 views and 1 Comments. Print this entry.