U.S. patent application number 09/885825 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for breadaway sign post.
Invention is credited to Barnes, Theodore D., Potter, Darren.
Application Number | 20010032918 09/885825 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23305286 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010032918 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barnes, Theodore D. ; et
al. |
October 25, 2001 |
Breadaway sign post
Abstract
A breakaway sign post assembly (30) is disclosed as including a
sign support post (32), an anchoring post (34) and a breakaway
collar (100). The breakaway collar (100) includes a sidewall (102)
which surrounds the sign support post (32). The sidewall (102)
includes at least one substantially vertical line of weakness (120)
configured to facilitate a portion of the sidewall (102) to give
way. The sidewall (102) retains the sign support post (32) in a
manner to define a fulcrum (134) about which the sign support post
(32) turns when a vehicle impacts and exerts a lateral force at an
impact location, with the fulcrum (134) being positioned below the
impact location so that the support post (32) will swing generally
away from the vehicle.
Inventors: |
Barnes, Theodore D.;
(Independence, MO) ; Potter, Darren; (Maryville,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HOVEY WILLIAMS TIMMONS & COLLINS
2405 GRAND BLVD., SUITE 400
KANSAS CITY
MO
64108
|
Family ID: |
23305286 |
Appl. No.: |
09/885825 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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09885825 |
Jun 20, 2001 |
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09334032 |
Jun 15, 1999 |
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6264162 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/548 ;
248/158; 248/909 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01F 9/638 20160201;
E01F 9/646 20160201; Y10S 248/909 20130101; Y10T 403/11 20150115;
E01F 9/635 20160201 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/548 ;
248/909; 248/158 |
International
Class: |
F16M 013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A breakaway collar configured to support a sign support post on
an anchoring post in a manner to cause the sign support post to
swing generally away from a vehicle when the vehicle impacts and
exerts a lateral force against the sign support post, said
breakaway collar comprising: a body configured to be removably
supported on the anchoring post, said body including an upper
sidewall that presents an uppermost top edge, said upper sidewall
including a zone of weakness projecting downwardly from the
uppermost top edge and configured to facilitate a portion of the
sidewall to give way when the lateral force is imparted to the
sidewall by the sign support post.
2. The breakaway collar as set forth in claim 1, said zone of
weakness comprising at least one substantially vertical line of
weakness.
3. The breakaway collar as set forth in claim 2, said at least one
line of weakness comprising an open slot.
4. The breakaway collar as set forth in claim 1, said zone of
weakness comprising a pair of spaced apart, substantially parallel
open slots.
5. The breakaway collar as set forth in claim 1, said zone of
weakness comprising a pair of spaced apart, substantially vertical
open slots, said slots and an impact location of the lateral force
being located on generally opposite sides of the collar.
6. The breakaway collar as set forth in claim 5, said portion of
said sidewall being defined generally between the slots.
7. The breakaway collar as set forth in claim 1, said sidewall
being polygonal in shape to present a plurality of sides, said zone
of weakness comprising a pair of spaced apart, substantially
vertical lines of weakness in each of the sides of the
sidewall.
8. The breakaway collar as set forth in claim 1, said zone of
weakness comprising a pair of spaced apart, substantially vertical,
substantially parallel lines of weakness, said lines of weakness
being spaced apart a distance adapted to be at least as large as
the width of the sign post adjacent the zone of weakness.
9. A breakaway collar configured to support a sign post on an
anchor post in a supported position, said breakaway collar further
configured to allow the sign post to swing generally away from a
vehicle into an impacted position when the vehicle impacts and
exerts a lateral force against the sign post, said breakaway collar
comprising: a first portion adapted to be coupled to the sign post;
a second portion adapted to be coupled to the anchor post; and a
pivot joint positioned at least partly between the portions and
operable to allow for pivotal movement of at least part of one of
the portions relative to the other of the portions when the sign
post swings from the supported position to the impacted position,
said pivot joint operable to at least substantially inhibit
translational movement of the portions relative to one another when
the sign post swings from the supported position to the impacted
position.
10. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 9, said portions being
attached to one another by the pivot joint when the sign post is in
the impacted position.
11. The breakaway collar as set forth in claim 9, said pivot joint
coupling at least part of the first portion to at least part of the
portions to one another for pivotal movement relative to one
another when the sign post swings from the supported position to
the impacted position.
12. The breakaway collar as set forth in claim 9, said first
portion including a swinging wall and a holding wall, said swinging
wall adapted to pivot relative to the second portion when the sign
post swings from the supported position to the impacted position,
said holding wall adapted to remain at least substantially
undeformed when the sign post swings from the supported position to
the impacted position.
13. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 12, said pivot joint
coupling the swinging wall to the second portion.
14. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 12; and a first
fastener adapted to at least partly couple the swinging wall and
the sign post to one another when the sign post is in the supported
position and the impacted position.
15. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 14; and a second
fastener adapted to at least partly couple the holding wall to the
sign post, said second fastener adapted to be sheared, thereby
decoupling the holding wall and the sign post, when the sign post
swings from the supported position to the impacted position.
16. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 12, said swinging wall
being defined at least in part by a pair of spaced apart elongated
slots.
17. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 16, said elongated
slots positioned at least substantially upright and presenting
upper and lower ends.
18. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 17, said slots being
open at their respective upper ends.
19. A breakaway collar configured to support a sign post on an
anchor post in a supported position, said breakaway collar further
configured to allow the sign post to swing generally away from a
vehicle and into an impacted position when the vehicle impacts and
exerts a lateral force against the sign post, said breakaway collar
comprising: a body including a first portion adapted to be coupled
to the sign post and a second portion adapted to be coupled to the
anchor post, said body including a bending portion, said body
configured to bend at said bending portion when the sign post
swings from the supported position to the impacted position, said
first portion being coupled to said second portion by the bending
portion when the sign post is in the impacted position.
20. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 19, said bending
portion comprising a groove.
21. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 20, said groove being
at least substantially horizontally oriented.
22. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 19, said first portion
including a bending wall and a holding wall, said bending wall
including said bending portion, said bending wall adapted to bend
when the sign post swings from the supported position to the
impacted position, said holding wall adapted to remain at least
substantially undeformed when the sign post swings from the
supporting position to the impacted position.
23. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 22; and a first
fastener adapted to at least partly couple the bending wall to the
sign post; and a second fastener adapted to at least partly couple
the holding wall to the sign post, said first fastener adapted to
remain fastened to the bending wall and the sign post when the sign
post is in the supported position and the impacted position, said
second fastener adapted to be sheared, thereby decoupling the
holding wall and the sign post, when the sign post is impacted by
the vehicle.
24. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 22, said bending wall
being defined at least in part by a pair of spaced apart, at least
substantially vertical slots, said slots having upper and lower
ends.
25. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 24, said slots being
open at their upper ends.
26. A breakaway collar configured to support a sign support post on
anchoring post in a manner to cause the sign support post to swing
generally away from a vehicle when the vehicle impacts and exerts a
lateral force against the sign support post, said breakaway collar
comprising: a body configured to be removably supported on the
anchoring post, said body including an upper sidewall that presents
an uppermost top edge, said sidewall including a pair of laterally
spaced open slots, said slots being open proximate the uppermost
top edge.
27. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 26, said slots being
at least substantially vertical.
28. A breakaway collar as set forth in claim 27, said slots being
at least substantially parallel to one another.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation application of Ser. No. 09/334,032
filed Jun. 15, 1999, which is hereby incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates to the field of posts, barriers and
support structures. More particularly, the invention is concerned
with a breakaway sign post collar which directs the location of
fall of a sign post when impacted by a vehicle.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] Posts of many different varieties are used in association
with roadways. They are used for signs, providing information to
the vehicle operators, and barriers, directing vehicles away from
hazardous areas. Most posts along a roadway are fixed to the ground
by digging a post hole, inserting the post into the hole and then
filling the hole with concrete or other material to support the
post.
[0006] These posts are often hit by vehicles using the roadways,
which usually results in the breaking of the post. When the post
breaks, the top portion of the post can rotate toward the vehicle
and possibly enter the passenger compartment. This can result in
serious injuries for the occupants or even death.
[0007] A further problem with the posts currently in use is the
difficulty in replacing the post once it has been broken. To
reinstall the post, the original concrete must be dug up and
removed. Then, a new post is inserted into the hole and new
concrete poured in to fix it in place. This is labor intensive and
requires several man hours for each post that is broken.
[0008] There has thus developed a need for a sign post that
provides a measure of safety by directing the fall of the post when
struck by a vehicle and yet is simple and inexpensive to reinstall
after a being impacted by the vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention solves the problems mentioned above
and provides a distinct advance in the state of the art. In
particular, the breakaway sign post assembly hereof directs the
fall of a sign post, when the post is struck by a vehicle, and is
both economical and easy to replace when broke.
[0010] The breakaway sign post assembly of the present invention
broadly includes a sign support post and a breakaway collar. The
collar includes a sidewall that at least substantially extends
about the support post and is configured to support the sign post
in an upright orientation. The sidewall retains the support post in
a manner to define a fulcrum about which the sign support post
turns when a vehicle impacts and exerts a lateral force at an
impact location on the support post. The fulcrum is positioned
below the impact location so that the support post will swing
generally away from the vehicle. The sidewall includes a zone of
weakness projecting from the top edge toward the fulcrum and being
configured to facilitate a portion of the sidewall to give way
allowing the support post to turn about the fulcrum when the
lateral force is exerted against the impact location.
[0011] In preferred forms, the breakaway sign post assembly
includes an anchoring post to which the breakaway collar is
removably fastened. The line of weakness may be a pair of open
slots located opposite the impact location. The anchoring post and
the sign support post are each an I-beam, formed from synthetic
resin material. Further, the sign support post is removably
attached to the breakaway collar by an adhesive. The resulting
breakaway sign post assembly controls the direction of the sign
support post's fall, while being easier and more economic to
replace after a vehicular accident.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a partial pictorial view of an assembled breakaway
sign post assembly in accordance with the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear view of the breakaway sign post
assembly of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.
2;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2,
showing the sign support beam turning about the fulcrum upon
impact;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG.
3;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary rear view of a second embodiment of
the inventive breakaway sign post assembly similar to that shown in
FIG. 1, but having a fulcrum point spaced relatively farther from
the end of the support beam;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary front view of the breakaway sign
post assembly of FIG. 6;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG.
6;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8, but showing
the sign support beam turning about the fulcrum upon impact;
[0021] FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a third
embodiment of the present invention, wherein the breakaway collar
is omnidirectional so that the support beam swings properly away
from the vehicle when impacted by the vehicle on any one of its
four sides;
[0022] FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG.
10;
[0023] FIG. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 11, but showing
the sign support beam turning about the fulcrum upon impact;
[0024] FIG. 13 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fourth
embodiment of the present invention, wherein the breakaway collar
is omnidirectional similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 10-12,
but has open slots at the corners;
[0025] FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG.
13;
[0026] FIG. 15 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 14, but showing
the sign support beam turning about the fulcrum upon impact;
[0027] FIG. 16 is a fragmentary perspective view of a fifth
embodiment of the present invention, wherein the breakaway collar
is omnidirectional similar to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 13-15
but has wedge-shaped open slots defined along just two sides;
[0028] FIG. 17 is a sectional view taken along line 17-17 of FIG.
16;
[0029] FIG. 18 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 17, but showing
the sign support beam turning about the fulcrum upon impact;
[0030] FIG. 19 is a fragmentary perspective view of a sixth
embodiment of the present invention, wherein the breakaway collar
is omnidirectional and is provided with notches in its uppermost
top edge and open slots at its corners;
[0031] FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken along line 20-20 of FIG.
19;
[0032] FIG. 21 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 20, but showing
the sign support beam turning about the fulcrum upon impact;
[0033] FIG. 22 is a fragmentary perspective view of a seventh
embodiment of the present invention, wherein the breakaway collar
is omnidirectional and cylindrical in shape so as to properly swing
away from the vehicle when the impact comes from virtually any
direction;
[0034] FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line 23-23 of FIG.
22;
[0035] FIG. 24 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 23, but showing
the sign support beam turning about the fulcrum upon impact.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] The drawing figures illustrate a preferred breakaway sign
post assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention.
The breakaway sign post assembly 30 generally comprises a sign
support post 32, an anchoring post 34 and a breakaway collar
100.
[0037] The sign support post 32 is an elongated post presenting a
bottom end 38 and a top end 40. As shown in FIG. 1, the top end 40
presents a front face 42 on which a sign 44 or some other type of
information conveying device may be attached. The sign support post
32 is preferably integrally formed from synthetic resin material
such as high density polyethylene, but other suitable materials
such as metal or even wood could be used for the sign support post
32. The sign support post 32 preferably comprises a so-called
"I-beam" so as to decrease the amount of material used without
sacrificing any strength characteristics. However, any suitable
shape such as a circle, square, or other polygonal cross-sections
could be used. the anchoring post 34 presents an anchoring end 46
and a supporting end 48. The material and shape for the anchoring
post 34 are preferably the same as for the sign support post 32.
Also, the anchoring end 46 could be shaped for increased stability
in the ground.
[0038] The breakaway collar 100 is preferably integrally formed of
synthetic resin material such as high density polyethylene.
However, any material with comparable characteristics could also be
employed. The first embodiment of breakaway collar 100 is shown in
FIGS. 1-5. This breakaway collar is unidirectional so as to be
designed for impact from only a single direction. The breakaway
collar 100 comprises a first sidewall 102, defining a first recess
104, a second sidewall 106, defining a second recess 108, and a
floor 110 separating the recesses 104,108. The first sidewall is
generally rectangular in transverse cross-section. The first
sidewall 102 presents a front 112, a back 114, a pair of sides 116
and an uppermost top edge 118. The front 112, back 114 and sides
116 are all preferably about half an inch thick, about 6 inches
tall, and 41/2 inches wide (measured from corner to corner), but
the dimensions could be varied.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 3, the uppermost top edge 118 of first
sidewall 102 can be inclined from the front 112 to the back 114.
Referring again to FIG. 2, the first sidewall 102 of the first
embodiment of the unidirectional collar 100 includes a zone of
weakness, preferably in the form of a pair of lines of weakness 120
that project downwardly from the top edge 118. The lines of
weakness 120 are located on the back 114 of the first sidewall 102
in general alignment with the sides of the support post 32. The
lines of weakness 120 are preferably open slots in the sidewall
102, but could also be a portion of the first sidewall 102 that has
reduced thickness or has been scored to decrease the strength along
the substantially vertical line. The vertical lines of weakness 120
do not reach the floor 110, but could extend all the way to the
floor. In between the weakness lines 120 is a portion 122 of the
back 114 of the sidewall 102, with the wall portion 122
consequently being generally as wide as the sign support post 32.
As will subsequently be described, the wall portion 122 between the
weakness lines 120 is designed to give way or bend relative to the
remaining portion of the sidewall when the support beam 32 is
impacted.
[0040] The first sidewall 102 also includes at least one hinge line
124. The hinge line 124 is located on the back 112 of the first
sidewall 102. The hinge line 124 is preferably a V-shaped groove
that causes the sidewall to be of reduced thickness, although
scoring or any other method known to one skilled in the art to make
an area of the collar more susceptible to bending maybe used to
form the hinge 124. The hinge 124 essentially defines a line of
weakness along the back 114 of the sidewall 102. The hinge 124 is
particularly useful in controlling the bending of the wall portion
122 defined between the slots 120. That is to say, when a
sufficient force is exerted against the front of the wall portion
122, the hinge 124 will likely define the line about which the wall
portion 122 bends. It is noted that the open slots 120 terminate
short of the hinge 124 (i.e., the bottom ends of the slots 120 are
spaced from the hinge 124), and accordingly, the portion 122 of the
sidewall 102 defined therebetween will be required to tear or shear
to permit bending of the wall portion 122 about the hinge 124.
However, it is believed that the ends of the slots 120 define
stress concentration points that facilitate such tearing or
shearing. It is also noted that the hinge 124 is located generally
the same distance from the top edge 118 of the sidewall 102 as the
floor 110. In this respect, the wall portion 122, which is designed
to give way, extends essentially from the top edge 118 to the floor
110 and is bendable about the hinge 124.
[0041] The preferred second side wall 106 is also generally
rectangular in transverse cross-section and presents the same
dimension as the first side wall 102, although the side walls
102,106 need not be of the same shape and size. It is again noted
that the floor 110 is located between and separates the generally
opposite facing first and second recesses 104, 108. The anchoring
post 34 is attached to the second sidewall 106 using screws 137.
Other fasteners or fastening methods which are able to securely
hold the anchoring post 34 to the second sidewall 106 can also be
used.
[0042] In operation, the anchoring end 46 of the anchoring post 34
is fixed to the ground 78. This can be accomplished by any method
known by those skilled in the art. For instance, a hole could be
dug in the ground, the anchoring post 34 placed into the hole and
then the rest of the hole filled with concrete. The support end 48
of the anchoring post 34 should be about four inches from the
ground 78.
[0043] Once the anchoring post 34 is fixed, the unidirectional
breakaway collar 100 is placed on the support end 48 of the
anchoring post 34 with the floor 110 contacting the support end 48.
The collar 100 is removably fastened to the anchoring post 34 so
that the front 112 of the first sidewall 1-2 generally faces toward
the vehicular traffic. The collar 100 can be fastened by adhesive
or by a fastener 137 such as a screw or nut and bolt. A suitable
adhesive is sold under the trademark ELASTENE, as part number
1357013, by Macco Adhesives, of Cleveland, Ohio 44115.
[0044] Next, the sign support post 32 is inserted into the first
recess 104 so that the sidewall 102 extends about the bottom end 38
of the support post 32. The breakaway collar 100 is configured to
support the sign support post 32 in an upright orientation. The
sign support post 32 is fastened to the back 114 of the
unidirectional collar 100 using fasteners 136, although other
suitable means (e.g., adhesive, spot welding or nuts and bolts) may
be used. A pair of shearable nut and bolt assemblies 132 project
through the support post 32 and sides 116 to assist with such
attachment yet permit movement of the post 32 relative to the sides
when a sufficient force is exerted against the front of the post
32.
[0045] It should be apparent from the foregoing that the first
sidewall 102 releasably retains the support post 32 in an upright
condition. That is, the first sidewall 102 maintains the support
post 32 upright and generally in axial alignment with the anchor
post 34, until a sufficient load is exerted against the front 112
of the post 32. Assuming such an impact is above the floor 110, the
sidewall 102 will at least initially restrict movement of the
bottom end 38 of the support post 32 so as to define a fulcrum 134
about which the support post 32 turns. The open slots facilitate
turning movement of the post about the fulcrum 134 by allowing the
portion 122 of the first sidewall 102 to give way. Moreover, the
wall portion 122 will likely bend about the hinge 124 and, because
the support post is attached to the wall portion 122 by the screws
136, the post 32 will also turn about the hinge 124. Accordingly,
it is believed that the fulcrum 134 for the support post 32 will
likely be defined at the hinge 124. It is also noted that such
turning of the support post 32 will cause the nut and bolt
assemblies 132 to sheer, and these assemblies must be designed to
fail accordingly.
[0046] Thus, when a vehicle strikes the front 112 of the support
post 32 and thereby exerts a generally lateral or rearward force
against the post 32, the post will predictably turn generally away
from the vehicle (i.e., the top end 40 of the post 32 will swing
away from the vehicle) about a point defined generally at the hinge
124. This predictable failure sequence of course assumes that the
impact location is above the fulcrum 134, and the breakaway collar
100 is consequently designed and positioned to locate the fulcrum
134 at a point sufficiently close to the ground 78 to ensure that
virtually all vehicular impact will occur above the fulcrum
134.
[0047] Replacement of the collar 100 simply requires detachment
from the anchor post 34 and then installation of a new collar and
in some cases, a new support post 32, as described hereinabove. In
the illustrated embodiment, detachment if the collar 100 requires
only removal of the screws 137. If the support post 32 has not been
damaged and can be reused, it may be similarly detached from the
failed collar by removing screws 136 and then attached to the new
collar.
[0048] A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated
in FIGS. 6-9, with the breakaway collar 200 of the second
embodiment being similar to the collar 100 shown in FIGS. 1-5 in
the sense that the collar is unidirectional. However, the collar
200 defines the fulcrum 220 for the support post 216 at a different
location. It is particularly noted that the first sidewall 202
includes a second portion 204 located on the front 208 of the
sidewall 202 between a second pair of substantially vertical lines
of weakness 206. A second hinge line 214 is also positioned on the
front 208 of the first sidewall 202. Further, the first hinge line
210 is spaced higher relative to the floor 212 than on the first
collar 100.
[0049] In operation, as the vehicle strikes the sign support post
216 at an impact location (not shown) above the floor 212, the post
216 should predictably turn about the higher fulcrum 220. It is
particularly noted that the omnidirectional collar 200 accommodates
vehicular impact on any side of the support post 216. In order to
turn about the fulcrum 220, the bottom end 222 of the post 216 must
swing through an arc intersecting the front 208 of the sidewall
202. The pressure exerted by the bottom end 222 on the front 208 of
the sidewall 202 causes the second portion 204 of the sidewall to
give way about the second hinge 214. It is believed that the second
portion 204 and first portion 224 of the sidewall 202 give way at
generally the same time as the post 216 turns predictably away from
the vehicle.
[0050] A third embodiment of the present invention is illustrated
in FIGS. 10-12. The breakaway collar 300 operates from the same
principles as the breakaway collar 100 of the first embodiment, but
the collar 300 is "omnidirectional". That is, the collar 300 is
similar to the collar of the first embodiment, but each side 304 of
the collar 300 includes a portion 302 of the sidewall 318 designed
to give way or bend relative to the remaining portion of the
sidewall 318 when the support post 310 is impacted.
[0051] The breakaway collar 300 further includes a hinge line 314
that extends around its entire perimeter. Also, each side 304 of
the collar 300 is tapered as you move from the hinge 314 to the
uppermost top edge 308. It is believed that tapering reduces the
risk of collar failure along the hinge line 314 before the wall
portion 302 opposite the impact location gives way. Each side 304
includes a pair of substantially vertical lines of weakness 306.
Preferably, the lines of weakness 306 are open slots which extend
downward from the uppermost top edge 308.
[0052] By having a portion 302 of each side 304 configured to give
way, the breakaway collar 300 is able to direct the fall of the
sign support post 310 when impacted by a vehicle from any one of
its sides. The post 310 will predictably turn generally away from
the vehicle about a point defined generally at the hinge line
314.
[0053] A fourth embodiment of present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 13-15, with the breakaway collar 400 of the fourth embodiment
being similar to the collar 300 shown in FIGS. 10-12, in the sense
that the collar is omnidirectional. However, the collar 400
includes open slots 402 at each of the corners 404 of the
rectangular cross-section. Also, the sides 406 of the breakaway
collar 400 are each tapered from a line 408 spaced above the hinge
line 410 to the uppermost top edge 412. Further, each side 406
decreases in width from that same line 408 towards the top edge
412. Thus, each vertical slot 414 increases in width from the line
408 to the top edge 412.
[0054] A fifth embodiment of present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 16-18, with the breakaway collar 500 of the fifth embodiment
being similar to the collar 300 shown in FIGS. 10-12, in the sense
that the collar is omnidirectional. However, the collar 500
includes wedge shaped open slots 502 defined along the front 506
and the back 508 of the sidewall 504. Two slots 502 are located on
the front 506 and two slots 502 are located on the back 508. The
front 506 and back 508 of the sidewall 504 are smaller in width
than either side 510. Further, the front 506 and back 508 decrease
in width from a line 512 spaced above the hinge line 514 toward the
top edge 516. Thus, each vertical slot 518 increases in width from
the line 512 to the top edge 516. Unlike the front 506 and back
508, neither of the sides 510 decrease in width.
[0055] A sixth embodiment of present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 19-21 with the breakaway collar 600 of the sixth embodiment
being similar to the collar 300 shown in FIGS. 10-12 in the sense
that the collar is omnidirectional. However, the collar 600
includes open slots 602 at each of the corners 606 of the
rectangular cross-section. Further, the collar 600 is provided with
notches 614 on each side 612 of its uppermost top edge 610. The
notches 614 are generally centrally located along the top edge 610
of each side 612. The notch 614 allows the collar 600 to be formed
with less material and it further reduces the risk of collar
failure along the hinge line 608 before the side 612 is permitted
to bend about the hinge line 608 as desired.
[0056] A seventh embodiment of present invention is illustrated in
FIGS. 22-24 with the breakaway collar 700 of the seventh embodiment
being similar to the collar 300 shown in FIGS. 10-12 in the sense
that the collar is omnidirectional. However, the collar 700 is
cylindrical in shape so as to properly swing away from the vehicle
when the impact comes from virtually any direction. The cylindrical
shape allows the collar 700 to be used with a cylindrical sign
support post 702. The slots 704 project from the uppermost top edge
712 and are circumferentially spaced from each other around the
circumference 706. The lines of weakness 704 are preferably spaced
every ninety degrees, although the slots 704 could be spaced in
other increments (i.e. every forty-five or sixty degrees). Each
portion 708 tapers from the hinge line 710 to the uppermost top
edge 712.
[0057] In operation the collar 700 at the seventh embodiment
operates similar to the collar 300 of the third embodiment. The
only notable difference is the operation of the arc portions 708
when a collision occurs. The portion 708 on the side generally
opposite from the impact location (not shown) is configured to give
way, bending about the circumferential hinge 710. In other words,
any portion 708 that is more than ninety degrees around the
circumference 706 from the point of impact will bend sufficiently
to allow the sign support post 702 to turn about the fulcrum 722,
generally away from the impacting vehicle.
[0058] Each of the omnidirectional collars 300,400,500,600,700 is
preferably attached to the sign support posts using an adhesive. A
suitable adhesive is sold under the trademark ELASTENE, as part
number 1357013, by Macco Adhesives, of Cleveland, Ohio 44115.
However, a spot weld or a pair of shear screws could also be
employed. The adhesive must prevent the sign support posts from
being pulled out of the breakaway collar by vandals or high winds,
while still allowing the sign support post to be released from the
collar (i.e., detached from the "non-bending portions of the
sidewall) as the sign support post turns away from an impacting
vehicle.
[0059] Those skilled in the art will now appreciate the benefits of
the present invention. For example, the ability to remove a broken
collar from the anchoring post and replace it with a new breakaway
collar saves labor. The sign support post and the anchoring post
are reusable, thus saving material. Another benefit of the design
is that safety is increased because the sign support post turns and
lays down away from the impacting vehicle. A further benefit is
that the materials preferably used are environmentally friendly.
Instead of cutting down trees to replace a broken sign post,
recycled plastic can be employed.
[0060] Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the
present invention encompasses many variations in the preferred
embodiments described herein. The preferred embodiment uses
integrally formed synthetic resin I-beams for the sign support post
and anchoring post, but various other materials and post shapes may
be used. As another example, the sign support post and anchoring
post are built to be reusable, but either one or both could be
replaced after a vehicular collision. The shape of the breakaway
collar is rectangular or circular in cross-section, but other
polygonal shapes could also be used. Additionally, the hinge lines
could be slots, small scoring or not used at all.
[0061] Having thus described the preferred embodiments of the
present invention, the following is claimed as new and desired to
be secured by Letters Patent:
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