U.S. patent application number 12/466252 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-26 for universal offset traffic sign bracket.
Invention is credited to DAVID NUTTMAN.
Application Number | 20090289161 12/466252 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41341374 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090289161 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NUTTMAN; DAVID |
November 26, 2009 |
UNIVERSAL OFFSET TRAFFIC SIGN BRACKET
Abstract
A universal offset traffic sign bracket includes a first clamp
cantilevered from a base support, the first clamp including a clamp
beam, a fixed member connected to an end of the first clamp beam,
and a moving member movably connected to the first clamp beam; a
second clamp connected to the first clamp moving member and
compressible against the first clamp fixed member, the second clamp
including a spike plate for gripping a traffic sign post between
the spike plate and the first clamp fixed member.
Inventors: |
NUTTMAN; DAVID; (Vancouver,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RYLANDER & ASSOCIATES PC
406 WEST 12TH STREET
VANCOUVER
WA
98660
US
|
Family ID: |
41341374 |
Appl. No.: |
12/466252 |
Filed: |
May 14, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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61128363 |
May 20, 2008 |
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12466252 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
248/229.1 ;
248/231.41 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G09F 7/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
248/229.1 ;
248/231.41 |
International
Class: |
A47B 96/06 20060101
A47B096/06 |
Claims
1. A universal offset traffic sign bracket, comprising: a first
clamp cantilevered from a base support, said first clamp including
a clamp beam, fixed member connected to an end of said first clamp
beam, and a moving member movably connected to said first clamp
beam; a second clamp connected to said first clamp moving member
and compressible against said first clamp fixed member, said second
clamp including a spike plate for gripping a traffic sign post
between said spike plate and said first clamp fixed member.
2. A universal offset traffic sign bracket comprising: a sliding
clamp, said sliding clamp including: a clamp beam including first
end and second ends; a fixed compression element fixedly attached
to said clamp beam proximal to said first end and projecting
approximately normal to said clamp beam; a sliding compression
element including a base and a projecting end, said sliding
compression element mounted slidingly to said clamp beam at said
base and between said fixed compression element and said second end
of said clamp beam, and projecting normal to said clamp beam in the
same orientation as said fixed compression element, wherein said
sliding compression includes locking means for locking said sliding
compression element at a selected point along said clamp beam; and,
mounting means proximal to said clamp beam second end for attaching
said clamp beam to a support; wherein said sliding compression
element further includes a threaded compression member threaded
through said projecting end; and, a gripping member comprising a
spike plate with a stiffening member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This non-provisional application claims priority to
co-pending Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/128,363, filed May
20, 2008, and which is herein incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to brackets for traffic signs.
More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus for
mounting traffic signs using an offset base and universally
adaptable bracket.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Traffic signs frequently must be mounted along the side of
roads so that the display portion is close to the edge of the
traffic, but the base support cannot be set close to the traffic
pattern. Often such signs must be set up temporarily for transient
road conditions or construction, but often they are permanently
mounted this way. The base support must be mounted offset, safely
away from the traffic on the road, and the display portion of the
sign must be supported in a cantilevered fashion.
[0004] Although techniques for mounting an offset sign using
cantilevered support is known, the problem arises that each
installation must be custom designed and built, which drives up
costs and time. This is especially true for traffic signs installed
temporarily for road construction, transient hazards, or detours. A
standardized solution, which can be used essentially universally
for traffic signs, would save substantial cost and time.
[0005] Most standard traffic signs come equipped with an attachment
system to fix the sign to a wooden, fiberglass, wood-plastic
composite, or aluminum post--generally the materials are soft
enough to be drilled through--but the posts are of non-uniform
thickness because they are often procured separately or locally.
Often the posts are reused with new projects. The cross-sections of
these posts also vary in shape--some are square, rectangular, or
round. Therefore, a universal traffic sign offset mounting bracket
should be compatible with this standard traffic sign attachment
system, and with mounting posts of various dimensions, shapes.
[0006] The offset distance required for each sign also varies, but
for most applications falls within a range of up to 6 feet (2
meters).
[0007] Thus, there is a need for an offset traffic sign bracket
that can that is compatible with most standard traffic and hazard
sign attachment systems, that can adjust the offset distance within
a range, and can accommodate a variety of mounting post dimensions
and materials.
SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES
[0008] A universal offset traffic sign bracket, includes a first
clamp cantilevered from a base support, said first clamp including
a clamp beam, fixed member connected to an end of said first clamp
beam, and a moving member movably connected to said first clamp
beam, and, a second clamp connected to said first clamp moving
member and compressible against said first clamp fixed member, said
second clamp including a spike plate for gripping a traffic sign
post between said spike plate and said first clamp fixed
member.
[0009] A universal offset traffic sign bracket for mounting a
traffic sign to a sign post, said universal offset traffic sign
bracket including a sliding clamp, said sliding clamp including: a
clamp beam including first end and second ends, a fixed compression
element fixedly attached to said clamp beam proximal to said first
end and projecting approximately normal to said clamp beam, a
sliding compression element including a base and a projecting end,
said sliding compression element mounted slidingly to said clamp
beam at said base and between said fixed compression element and
said second end of said clamp beam, and projecting normal to said
clamp beam in the same orientation as said fixed compression
element, wherein said sliding compression includes locking means
for locking said sliding compression element at a selected point
along said clamp beam, and mounting means proximal to said clamp
beam second end for attaching said clamp beam to a support, such
sliding compression element further including a threaded
compression member threaded through said projecting end, and a
gripping member comprising a spike plate with a stiffening
member.
[0010] The universal traffic sign bracket of the present invention
presents numerous advantages, including: (1) simplicity and ease of
use; (2) ability to mount a wide variety of sign posts; (3) ability
to use a standard bracket with virtually all roadside signs; (4)
flexibility of positioning for cantilevered use; (5) ability to
safely position even temporary signs offset from the road side to
element collision hazards with sign poles.
[0011] Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in
part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious
from the description, or may be learned by practice of the
invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and
attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations
particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Further benefits
and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become
apparent from consideration of the following detailed description
given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify
and show preferred embodiments of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more
embodiments of the present invention and, together with the
detailed description, serve to explain the principles and
implementations of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a
universal offset traffic sign bracket is shown.
[0014] FIG. 2 shows a perspective exploded view of an embodiment of
a universal offset traffic sign bracket is shown.
[0015] FIG. 3 shows a side view of an embodiment of a universal
offset traffic sign bracket is shown.
[0016] FIG. 4 shows another side view of an embodiment of a
universal offset traffic sign bracket is shown.
REFERENCE NUMBERS USED IN DRAWINGS
[0017] Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar
reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several
views, the figures illustrate the present invention. With regard to
the reference numerals used, the following numbering is used
throughout the various drawing figures:
[0018] 10 UNIVERSAL TRAFFIC SIGN BRACKET
[0019] 20 SLIDING CLAMP
[0020] 22 SLIDING CLAMP BEAM
[0021] 24 SLIDING CLAMP BEAM FIRST END
[0022] 26 SLIDING CLAMP BEAM SECOND END
[0023] 27 CLAMP BEAM MOUNTING MEANS
[0024] 28 FIXED COMPRESSION MEMBER
[0025] 29 SLIDING COMPRESSION MEMBER
[0026] 30 THREADED COMPRESSION MEMBER
[0027] 32 SLIDING COMPRESSION MEMBER BASE
[0028] 34 SLIDING COMPRESSION MEMBER PROJECTING END
[0029] 35 SLIDING COMPRESSION MEMBER LOCKING MEANS
[0030] 36 THREADED ROD
[0031] 37 THREADED COMPRESSION ELEMENT FLAT FACING ELEMENT
[0032] 38 THREADED COMRPESSION ELEMENT HANDLE
[0033] 40 GRIPPING MEMBER
[0034] 42 SPIKE PLATE
[0035] 44 STIFFENING MEMBER
[0036] 46 SPIKES
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Before beginning a detailed description of the subject
invention, mention of the following is in order. When appropriate,
like reference materials and characters are used to designate
identical, corresponding, or similar components in differing figure
drawings. The figure drawings associated with this disclosure
typically are not drawn with dimensional accuracy to scale, i.e.,
such drawings have been drafted with a focus on clarity of viewing
and understanding rather than dimensional accuracy.
[0038] In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features
of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It
will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such
actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions
must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals,
such as compliance with application- and business-related
constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one
implementation to another and from one developer to another.
Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort
might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a
routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in
the art having the benefit of this disclosure.
[0039] A universal offset traffic sign bracket is provided,
including a first clamp cantilevered from a base support, said
first clamp including a clamp beam, fixed member connected to an
end of said first clamp beam, and a moving member movably connected
to said first clamp beam, and a second clamp connected to said
first clamp moving member and compressible against said first clamp
fixed member, said second clamp including a spike plate for
gripping a traffic sign post between said spike plate and said
first clamp fixed member.
[0040] A universal offset traffic sign bracket includes a sliding
clamp, said sliding clamp including a clamp beam including first
end and second ends, a fixed compression element fixedly attached
to said clamp beam proximal to said first end and projecting
approximately normal to said clamp beam; a sliding compression
element including a base and a projecting end, said sliding
compression element mounted slidingly to said clamp beam at said
base and between said fixed compression element and said second end
of said clamp beam, and projecting normal to said clamp beam in the
same orientation as said fixed compression element, wherein said
sliding compression includes locking means for locking said sliding
compression element at a selected point along said clamp beam, and
mounting means proximal to said clamp beam second end for attaching
said clamp beam to a support, sliding compression element further
including a threaded compression member threaded through said
projecting end, and a gripping member comprising a spike plate with
a stiffening member.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, an embodiment for a
universal offset traffic sign bracket 10 includes a first clamp 20
cantilevered from a base support (not shown). First clamp 20
includes clamp beam 22, fixed member 29 connected to an end 24 of
first clamp beam 22, and moving member 30 movably connected to
first clamp beam 22. Second clamp 30, in an embodiment a threaded
compression member, is connected to first clamp moving member 29
and is compressible against first clamp fixed member 28. Second
clamp 30 includes a spike plate 42 for gripping a traffic sign post
between spike plate 42 and first clamp fixed member 28.
[0042] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 5, an embodiment for a
universal offset traffic sign bracket 10 includes a sliding clamp
20 and a second clamp 30. Sliding clamp 20 includes clamp beam 22
with first end 24 and second end 26. Fixed compression element 28
is fixedly attached to clamp beam 22 proximal to first end 24 and
projects approximately normal to clamp beam 22. Sliding compression
element 29, which moves along clamp beam 22, includes base 32 and a
projecting end 34. Sliding compression element 29 is mounted
slidingly to clamp beam 22 at base 32 between fixed compression
element 28 and second end of clamp beam 26, and projects normal to
clamp beam 22 in the same orientation as fixed compression element
28. Sliding compression element 29 includes locking means 35 for
locking sliding compression element 29 at a selected point along
clamp beam 22. In an embodiment locking means 35 consists of a set
screw. Mounting means 27 is located proximal to clamp beam second
end 26 for attaching clamp beam 22 to a support. In an embodiment,
mounting means 27 consists of bolt holes for receiving threaded
fasteners or rivets. Alternatively, clamp beam 22 may extend full
length and provide its own base, which can be planted into the
ground or concrete, or mount to a structural member of a road,
bridge, etc.
[0043] Sliding compression element 29 includes a threaded
compression member 30 threaded through projecting end 34. Threaded
compression member 30 includes a threaded rod 36 with handle 38.
Flat facing element 37 is rotatingly attached to threaded rod 36,
so that it will remain fixed against stiffener 40 as threaded rod
36 is threaded tight.
[0044] Gripping member 40 consists of a spike plate 42 with a
stiffening member 44. Spike plate 42 is a flat plate with
protruding spikes 46. In an embodiment stiffening member 44
consists of a square tube member, for simplicity. In an embodiment
spike plate 42 and stiffening member 44 are made from steel, so as
to be harder than the typical sign post material to be gripped.
Flat facing element 37 can be attached to stiffening member 44, and
stiffening member 44 can be attached to spike plate 42, by welding,
through industrial strength glue, and other means well known and
understood by those of ordinary skill in the art.
[0045] In operation, a universal offset traffic sign bracket may be
mounted first to a base using mounting means 27. Mounting may be
vertical or horizontal, depending on the desired orientation of the
traffic sign. Alternatively, clamp beam 22 may extend far enough
that second end 26 is planted in the ground or into a concrete
base. After being set in place, bracket 10 receives a traffic sign
post (not shown) between fixed compression member 28 and sliding
element 29. Sliding element 29 is unlocked, and slid along clamp
beam 22 until close to the sign post. Gripping member 40 is then
inserted between threaded compression member 30 and the traffic
sign post, with the spike plate 42 against the sign post. Turning
threaded compression member handle 38 extends threaded compression
member 30, thereby compressing spike plate 42 against the sign
post, so that spikes 46 dig into and hold firm the sign post.
Stiffening member 44 provides structural support and distributes
the force along a length of the sign post for stability.
[0046] The two-stage clamping system, providing gross adjustment
using sliding member 29 and final adjustment using threaded
compression member 30 allows for speed and simplicity in mounting,
and accommodates a wide variety of sign post sizes. Spike plate 42
provides the ability to tightly engage most sign posts by digging
into the sign post, as they are generally either wood or
wood/plastic composite material. However, where spike plate 42 and
stiffening member 44 are made from steel, even an aluminum sign
post is grippable, as the spikes will still be able to dig slightly
into the aluminum post for gripping. Thus, the universal offset
traffic sign bracket provides a simple and rapid means to mount
virtually any standard traffic sign in the desired orientation.
[0047] Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous
modifications and changes may be made to the preferred embodiment
without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. It will,
of course, be understood that modifications of the invention, in
its various aspects, will be apparent to those skilled in the art,
some being apparent only after study, others being matters of
routine mechanical, chemical and electronic design. No single
feature, function or property of the preferred embodiment is
essential. Other embodiments are possible, their specific designs
depending upon the particular application. As such, the scope of
the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments
herein described but should be defined only by the appended claims
and equivalents thereof.
* * * * *