Break Resistant Pivotable Sign Base

The present disclosure relates to sign securement devices, and more particularly, to a pivoting sign base assembly that prevents damage to a sign and/or a sign post due to impact.

Signs, such as handicap signs, are typically fixedly secured to the ground via a sign post. Signs and their respective posts are often damaged due to impact from vehicles, leading to significant expanse to repair. The vehicle impact further results in expensive damage to the vehicles. Thus, current sign assembly designs do not allow for vehicle impact without damage occurring to either the sign assembly or vehicle. Additionally, some current sign assembly designs shift damage from vehicle impact solely to the sign assembly through the use of disposable sign assembly parts. However, these disposable sign assemblies require frequent replacement and thus expense.

The present disclosure is directed to one or more exemplary embodiments of a sign base assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sign base assembly comprises a base plate, including a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a protrusion extending from the first top surface in a first direction, a tube pivotably connected to the base plate, including a first end, a second end, and a through-hole extending from the first end to the second end, and a spring arranged at least partially in the through-hole, including a third end connected to the tube, and a fourth end connected to the base plate.

In an exemplary embodiment, in a non-pivoted state, the protrusion is arranged completely within the tube. In an exemplary embodiment, in a non-pivoted state, the second end abuts against the first top surface and the spring comprises a first length. In an exemplary embodiment, in a pivoted state, the second end is at least partially separated from the first top surface and the spring comprises a second length, greater than the first length. In an exemplary embodiment, the tube further comprises an inner plate arranged in the through-hole, and the third end is connected to the inner plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner plate is arranged between and spaced apart from the first end and the second end. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner plate comprises a through-bore, the third end comprises a connector, and the connector is arranged to extend through the through-bore to connect the spring to the tube and add tension to the spring.

In an exemplary embodiment, in a non-pivoted state the spring is arranged completely within the tube. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the base plate and the spring comprises a male connector component, the other of the base plate and the spring comprises a female connector component, and the male connector component is operatively arranged to engage the female connector component to connect the spring to the base plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the male connector component comprises a hook, and the female connector component comprises a loop.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion comprises a second top surface, a second bottom surface, at least one side surface extending from the second bottom surface in the first direction, and a tapered surface connecting the at least one side surface with the second top surface, the tapered surface extending radially inward from the at least one side surface in the first direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the sign base assembly further comprises a post removably connectable to the tube. In an exemplary embodiment, the post is arranged to be inserted into the through-hole.

The present disclosure is directed to one or more exemplary embodiments of a sign base assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sign base assembly comprises a base plate, including a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a protrusion extending from the first top surface in a first direction, a tube pivotably connected to the base plate, including a first end, a second end, and a first through-hole extending from the first end to the second end, and a spring arranged at least partially in the first through-hole, including a third end connected to the tube, and a fourth end connected to the base plate, wherein in a non-pivoted state, the second end abuts against the first top surface, and in a pivoted state, the second end is at least partially separated from the first top surface.

In an exemplary embodiment, the tube further comprises an inner plate arranged in the first through-hole, and the third end is connected to the inner plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner plate is arranged between and spaced apart from the first end and the second end. In an exemplary embodiment, in a non-pivoted state the spring is arranged completely within the tube. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the base plate and the spring comprises a male connector component, the other of the base plate and the spring comprises a female connector component, and the male connector component is operatively arranged to engage the female connector component to connect the spring to the base plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the male connector component comprises a hook, and the female connector component comprises a loop.

The present disclosure is directed to one or more exemplary embodiments of a sign base assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sign base assembly comprises a base plate, including a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a first connector component, a tube displaceably connected to the base plate, including a first end, a second end, a through-hole extending from the first end to the second end, and an inner plate arranged in the through-hole and spaced apart from the first end and the second end, and a spring arranged at least partially in the second through-hole, the spring including a third end connected to the inner plate, and a fourth end including a second connector component connected to the first connector component.

The present disclosure is directed to one or more exemplary embodiments of a sign base assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sign base assembly comprises a base plate, including a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a protrusion extending from the first top surface in a first direction, a tube pivotably connected to the base plate, including a first end, a second end, and a first through-hole extending from the first end to the second end, and a spring arranged at least partially in the first through-hole, including a third end connected to the tube, and a fourth end connected to the base plate.

In an exemplary embodiment, in a non-pivoted state, the protrusion is arranged completely within the tube. In an exemplary embodiment, in a non-pivoted state, the second end abuts against the first top surface and the spring comprises a first length. In an exemplary embodiment, in a pivoted state, the second end is at least partially separated from the first top surface and the spring comprises a second length, greater than the first length. In an exemplary embodiment, the tube further comprises an inner plate arranged in the first through-hole, and the third end is connected to the inner plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner plate is arranged between and spaced apart from the first end and the second end. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner plate comprises a through-bore, the third end comprises a connector, and the connector is arranged to extend through the through-bore to connect the spring to the tube and add tension to the spring.

In an exemplary embodiment, the base plate further comprises a second through-hole extending from the first top surface to the first bottom surface, wherein spring is arranged to engage the second through-hole. In an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion comprises a second top surface, a second bottom surface connected to the first top surface, and a cutout extending from the second top surface to the second bottom surface, the cutout at least partially aligned with the second through-hole. In an exemplary embodiment, the fourth end comprises a hook operatively arranged to extend through the cutout and the second through-hole, and engage the second bottom surface to connect the spring to the baseplate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion comprises a second top surface, a second bottom surface, at least one side surface extending from the second bottom surface in the first direction, and a tapered surface connecting the at least one side surface with the second top surface, the tapered surface extending radially inward from the at least one side surface in the first direction. In an exemplary embodiment, the sign base assembly further comprises a post removably connectable to the tube. In an exemplary embodiment, the post is arranged to be inserted into the first through-hole.

The present disclosure is directed to one or more exemplary embodiments of a sign base assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sign base assembly comprises a base plate, including a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a protrusion extending from the first top surface in a first direction, a tube pivotably connected to the base plate, including a first end, a second end, and a first through-hole extending from the first end to the second end, and a spring arranged at least partially in the first through-hole, including a third end connected to the tube, and a fourth end connected to the base plate, wherein in a non-pivoted state, the second end abuts against the first top surface, and in a pivoted state, the second end is at least partially separated from the first top surface.

In an exemplary embodiment, the tube further comprises an inner plate arranged in the first through-hole, and the third end is connected to the inner plate. In an exemplary embodiment, the inner plate is arranged between and spaced apart from the first end and the second end. In an exemplary embodiment, the base plate further comprises a second through-hole extending from the first top surface to the first bottom surface, wherein spring is arranged to engage the second through-hole. In an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion comprises a second top surface, a second bottom surface connected to the first top surface, and a cutout extending from the second top surface to the second bottom surface, the cutout at least partially aligned with the second through-hole. In an exemplary embodiment, the fourth end comprises a hook operatively arranged to extend through the cutout and the second through-hole, and engage the second bottom surface to connect the spring to the baseplate.

The present disclosure is directed to one or more exemplary embodiments of a sign base assembly.

In an exemplary embodiment, the sign base assembly comprises a base plate, including a first top surface, a first bottom surface, a protrusion extending from the first top surface in a first direction, the protrusion including a second top surface and a second bottom surface connected to the first top surface, and a first through-hole extending from the second top surface to the first bottom surface, a tube displaceably connected to the base plate, including a first end, a second end, a second through-hole extending from the first end to the second end, and an inner plate arranged in the second through-hole and spaced apart from the first end and the second end, and a spring arranged at least partially in the second through-hole, the spring including a third end connected to the inner plate, and a fourth end connected to the base plate, the fourth end including a connector operatively arranged to extend through the first through-hole and engage at least one of the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface.

These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become readily apparent upon a review of the following detailed description of the disclosure, in view of the drawings and appended claims.

It is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific assemblies and systems illustrated in the attached drawings and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined herein. Hence, specific dimensions, directions, or other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed are not to be considered as limiting, unless expressly stated otherwise. Also, although they may not be, like elements in various embodiments described herein may be commonly referred to with like reference numerals within this section of the application.

Furthermore, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and as such may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains. It should be understood that any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the example embodiments.

Where used herein, the terms “first,” “second,” and so on, do not necessarily denote any ordinal, sequential, or priority relation, but are simply used to more clearly distinguish one element or set of elements from another, unless specified otherwise.

Where used herein, the term “about” when applied to a value is intended to mean within the tolerance range of the equipment used to produce the value, or, in some examples, is intended to mean plus or minus 10%, or plus or minus 5%, or plus or minus 1%, unless otherwise expressly specified.

It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly,” “very nearly,” “about,” “approximately,” “around,” “bordering on,” “close to,” “essentially,” “in the neighborhood of,” “in the vicinity of,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. It should be appreciated that the term “proximate” is synonymous with terms such as “nearby,” “close,” “adjacent,” “neighboring,” “immediate,” “adjoining,” etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. The term “substantially” is intended to mean values within ten percent of the specified value.

Where used herein, the term “exemplary” is intended to mean “an example of,” “serving as an example,” or “illustrative,” and does not denote any preference or requirement with respect to a disclosed aspect or embodiment.

It should be understood that use of “or” in the present application is with respect to a “non-exclusive” arrangement, unless stated otherwise. For example, when saying that “item x is A or B,” it is understood that this can mean one of the following: (1) item x is only one or the other of A and B; (2) item x is both A and B. Alternately stated, the word “or” is not used to define an “exclusive or” arrangement. For example, an “exclusive or” arrangement for the statement “item x is A or B” would require that x can be only one of A and B. Furthermore, as used herein, “and/or” is intended to mean a grammatical conjunction used to indicate that one or more of the elements or conditions recited may be included or occur. For example, a device comprising a first element, a second element and/or a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or a device comprising a second element and a third element.

Moreover, as used herein, the phrases “comprises at least one of” and “comprising at least one of” in combination with a system or element is intended to mean that the system or element includes one or more of the elements listed after the phrase. For example, a device comprising at least one of: a first element; a second element; and a third element, is intended to be construed as any one of the following structural arrangements: a device comprising a first element; a device comprising a second element; a device comprising a third element; a device comprising a first element and a second element; a device comprising a first element and a third element; a device comprising a first element, a second element and a third element; or a device comprising a second element and a third element. A similar interpretation is intended when the phrase “used in at least one of:” is used herein.

Adverting now to the figures,is a top perspective view of sign base assembly, in a non-pivoted state.is a bottom perspective view of sign base assembly.is an exploded top perspective view of sign base assembly. Sign base assemblycomprises base plate, tensioner or elastic element or spring, and tube. In an exemplary embodiment, sign base assemblyfurther comprises post(see). In, tubeis shown in a transparent state such that springand its connection to tubeand base platecan be more readily apparent.

Springcomprises end, end, connector, and connector. Endis operatively arranged to engage base plate, specifically, top surfaceof protrusion. Connectoris connected to endand generally extends therefrom in direction D. In an exemplary embodiment, connectoris a hook operatively arranged to extend through cutoutand through-hole, and engage bottom surface, to connect springto base plate, as will be described in greater detail below. Connectoris connected to endand generally extends therefrom in direction D. In an exemplary embodiment, connectoris an elongate member (e.g., a threaded rod) operatively arranged to extend through through-holein plateto connect springto tube, as will be described in greater detail below.

Tubecomprises end, end, through-holeextending from endto end, and radially inward facing surface. In the non-pivoted state, as shown in, tubeis arranged to completely enclose springand protrusion. For example, endis arranged to engage top surfacesuch that side surfaces,,, andare arranged radially within radially inward facing surface. In an exemplary embodiment, side surfaces,,, andare operatively arranged to engage and/or abut against radially inward facing surface, in the non-pivoted state. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more of side surfaces,,, andare operatively arranged to be spaced apart from radially inward facing surface, in the non-pivoted state. Endis operatively arranged to engage post(see), as will be described in greater detail below. In an exemplary embodiment, tubemay further comprise holefor connecting postto tube, for example via connectorand connector.

Tubefurther comprises platearranged in through-hole. Plateis fixedly secured to radially inward facing surfacevia any suitable means (e.g., welding, brazing, adhesive, etc.). Plateis arranged axially between and spaced apart from endand end. In an exemplary embodiment, plateis arranged parallel to at least one of endand end. Platecomprises through-holearranged to engage connector. Thus, tubeis connected to base platevia spring. Such connection allows for tubeto pivotably displace with respect to base plate, and also axially displace, for example in direction D, with respect to base plate. Moreover, after displacement of tubewith respect to base plate, springpulls tube, and specifically end, back into engagement with protrusion. Tapered surfacesA-D facilitate realignment of tubewith protrusion. In an exemplary embodiment, springis arranged radially between and spaced apart from radially inward facing surface. In an exemplary embodiment, springengages with or abuts against radially inward facing surface.

is a top plan view of base plate.is a cross-sectional view of base platetaken generally along line-in. Base platecomprises top surface, bottom surface, and at least one side or perimeter surface extending from top surfaceto bottom surfacein direction D, for example, side surface, side surface, side surface, and side surface. Bottom surfaceis arranged to engage a base surface, for example, ground, as will be described in greater detail with respect to. In an exemplary embodiment, base platecomprises one or more through-holesextending from top surfaceto bottom surfacein direction D. In an exemplary embodiment, through-holesare arranged between and spaced apart from side surface, side surface, side surface, and side surface. Base platefurther comprises through-holeextending from top surfaceto bottom surfacein direction D. In an exemplary embodiment, through-holeis an elongate hole including length L(see) width W(see), wherein length Lis greater than width W.

Base platefurther comprises protrusionextending from top surfacein direction D. Protrusioncomprises top surface, bottom surface, and at least one side or perimeter surface extending from top surfaceto bottom surfacein direction D, for example, side surface, side surface, side surface, and side surface. Bottom surfaceis connected to top surfacevia any suitable means, for example, welding, brazing, bolts, screws, rivets, adhesive, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, base plateand all of its components are integrally formed. In an exemplary embodiment, top surfaceis arranged parallel to top surface. In an exemplary embodiment, protrusionis arranged between and spaced apart from side surface, side surface, side surface, and side surface.

In an exemplary embodiment, side surfacefaces radially outward and is connected to top surfacevia tapered surfaceA. Tapered surfaceA extends radially inward in direction D. In an exemplary embodiment, side surfacefaces radially outward and is connected to top surfacevia tapered surfaceB. Tapered surfaceB extends radially inward in direction D. In an exemplary embodiment, side surfacefaces radially outward and is connected to top surfacevia tapered surfaceC. Tapered surfaceC extends radially inward in direction D. In an exemplary embodiment, side surfacefaces radially outward and is connected to top surfacevia tapered surfaceD. Tapered surfaceB extends radially inward in direction D. As best shown in, in an exemplary embodiment tapered surfaceA,B,C,D is arranged at angle α with respect to side surface,,,, respectively. In an exemplary, angle α is an acute angle, for example, 20°. The arrangement of tapered surfacesA-D allows for a greater pivoting movement of tubewith respect to base platein the pivoted state, and also facilitates realignment of tubewith protrusionin the non-pivoted state.

Protrusionfurther comprises cutoutextending therethrough from top surfaceto bottom surface. Cutoutforms surfaceA extending radially inward from side surfaceand surfaceB extending radially inward from side surface. In an exemplary embodiment, surfaceA is arranged perpendicular to surfaceB. In an exemplary embodiment, surfaceA is arranged non-perpendicular to surfaceB. Cutoutcomprises length L(see), which is the length of surfaceA, and width W(see), which is the length of surfaceB. In an exemplary embodiment, length Lis greater than width W.

Cutoutis at least partially aligned with through-hole. In an exemplary embodiment, surfaceA is aligned with an elongate side of through-hole, as shown in. Additionally, surfaceB is aligned with through-hole. For example, surfaceB may extend across through-holeforming a secant with through-hole. Thus, a portion of through-holeis exposed and a portion of through-holeis arranged under, and aligned with, bottom surface. This arrangement allows for hookto extend through protrusionand through-hole, and engage bottom surfaceto secure springto base plate. In an exemplary embodiment, when hookis engaged with base plate, the arrangement of surfaceA adjacent to hookprevents or resists rotational displacement of hookwith respect to base plate. In an exemplary embodiment, width Wis equal to width W. In an exemplary embodiment, length Lis greater than length L.

is a top perspective view of sign base assemblyin a non-pivoted state, with springin a first state. in an unstretched state.is a top perspective view of sign base assembly, with springin a second state. In, tubeis shown in a transparent state such that springand its connection to tubeand base platecan be more readily apparent.is an exploded top perspective view of sign base assembly. Sign base assemblyas shown inis substantially the same as sign base assemblyas shown in. As shown, protrusioncomprises female connector or loop or hookextending from top surfacein direction D. Male connectoris arranged to engage female connectoris arranged to connect springto base plate. As such, in the embodiment shown inthere is no need for holein base plateor cutoutin protrusionto connect springto base plate. In an exemplary embodiment, protrusionmay or may not include tapered surfacesA-D. As shown in, springis in a first state which may be, for example, a unstretched state or a substantially unloaded state. In the unstretched state, threaded rodextends through through-hole. Nut, and optionally washer, is engaged with the end of threaded rod. Nutcan then be tightened against plateto load spring. As shown in, springis arranged in a second state which may be, for example, a stretched or loaded state. Thus, the tension in springcan be adjusted via threaded rodand nut.

is a top perspective view of sign base assembly, in a non-pivoted state. By non-pivoted state, it is meant that endabuts against top surface, tubecompletely encloses protrusion, and springis in a first stressed or stretched state thereby applying a first force to tubein direction Dagainst base plate. In the first stretched state, springcomprises a first length.is a side elevational view of sign base assemblyshown in, in a pivoted state. In, tubeis shown in a transparent state such that springand its connection to tubeand base platecan be more readily apparent. By pivoted state, it is meant that endis at least partially spaced apart from top surface, tubemay no longer completely enclose protrusion, and springis in a second stressed or stretched state thereby applying a second force to tubein direction Dtoward base plate, the second force being greater than the first force. In the second stretched state, springcomprises a second length, greater than the first length.

Postcomprises end, end, and at least one hole. Endis operatively arranged to be connected to tube. For example, endis arranged in through-holesuch that one of holesis aligned with hole. Fasteneris fed through holeand holeto secure postto tube, for example, via fastener. In an exemplary embodiment, endis operatively arranged to engage and/or abut against platewithin through-hole. Endis operatively arranged to be connected to sign. Signmay be connected to postvia any suitable means, for example, via bolts or fasteners extending through signand hole(s), welding, brazing, etc.

To assemble sign base assembly, endof springis connected to base plate. For example, male connector or hookextends through cutoutand through-hole, and engages bottom surface. In an exemplary embodiment, male connector or hookis engaged with hook or looparranged on top surfaceof protrusion(see). Tubeis arranged around springand endis connected to tube. For example, threaded rodextends through through-holein plateand secured thereto via fastener or nut, and in an exemplary embodiment, washer. As fasteneris tightened tubeis pulled into engagement and alignment with protrusionto form the non-pivoted state. It should be appreciated that nutmay be used to increase or decrease the tension of spring. For example, tightening nutin the non-pivoted state increases the tension of spring(i.e., increases the initial stretch of spring), providing greater resistance to pivotable displacement of tubewith respect to base plateand a faster or stronger return from the pivoted state to the non-pivoted state. This may be desirable for larger or heavier signs and/or posts. Loosening nutin the non-pivoted state decreases the tension of spring(i.e., decreases the initial stretch of spring), providing less resistance to pivotable displacement of tubewith respect to base plateand a slower or weaker return from the pivoted state to the non-pivoted state. This may be desirable for smaller or lighter signs and/or posts.

Base plateis connected to groundvia any suitable means. For example, fasteners or threaded rodsmay be embedded in ground(e.g., via concrete). Fastenersextend through holesand base plateis secured to groundvia fasteners or nuts. In an exemplary embodiment, base platemay be at least partially embedded in ground(e.g., via concrete). In such embodiments, top surfacemay be arranged flush with groundsuch that protrusionextends in direction Dtherefrom, and endengages or abuts against groundin the non-pivoted state. Postis connected to tube, for example by inserting endinto through-hole. Signis connected to post, for example, at or proximate end.

Referring now to, when sign base assembly, namely, tube, post, and/or signis impacted by an external object, for example, vehicle, tubeis capable of pivotably displacing relative to base plate, forming the pivoted state of sign base assembly. This prevents the components of sign base assemblyfrom breaking. When the external object is removed from contact with sign base assembly, the tension of springpulls tubeback down around protrusionof base plate, thereby returning sign base assemblyto the non-pivoted state.

It will be appreciated that various aspects of the disclosure above and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.