I can un-fold a paperclip and stick it in the antenna connector of my TV. I get quite a few channels...
I could damage my TV's tuner if I pushed the wire in too far. Your antenna does not sound dangerous to me.
We have both demonstrated the resilience of the ATSC signal format and the engineering behind it. I'm not rushing down to the patent office Monday morning.
I'm glad for your success though.
FWIW: Phasing lines should ideally be sized so that there will be minimal reflection of signals as they transition from the antenna element into the phase line and then as the signals transition from the phase line into the balun or transmission line. (I'm not aware of the 1.25" phasing line law.)
Curious; How did you measure flatness of frequency response?