METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR MOUNTING SIGNS ADJACENT TO ROADWAYS

• US 20080085148A1
• Filed: 10/05/2006
• Published: 04/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/05/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Xcessories Squared
• Original Assignee: Xcessories Squared
• Inventors: Leahy, Lawrence Edward, Leahy, Matthew Edward
• Granted Patent: US 9,441,336 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 403/2
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/635 by shearing or tearing, e.g. having weakened zones
• CPC Class Codes: F16B 2200/63 Frangible connections

Abstract

A signpost connector for use in coupling a sign support to an anchor includes at least one bolt having a plurality of bolt heads, wherein at least one of the plurality of bolt heads is configured to break away from the bolt when a pre-determined torque load is induced to the one bolt head.

Claims

1. A signpost connector for use in coupling a sign support to an anchor, said signpost connector comprising at least one bolt comprising a plurality of bolt heads, wherein at least one of said plurality of bolt heads is configured to break away from said at least one bolt when a pre-determined torque load is induced to said one bolt head.

2. A connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said bolt comprises a shear section extending between two of said plurality of bolt heads, said shear section comprising a minimum diameter at an apex, said shear section configured to fracture at one of said apex and adjacent to said apex when the pre-determined torque load is induced to one of said two bolt heads of said plurality of bolt heads.

3. A connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein said plurality of bolt heads comprises a pair of bolt heads.

4. A connector in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of bolt heads comprises at least one wrench flat.

5. A signpost connector for use in coupling a sign support to an anchor, said connector comprising:

a base configured to be coupled to the anchor, said base comprising at least a first opening; and

at least one slip bolt for securing said base to said sign support connector, said slip bolt comprising a head portion comprising a plurality of bolt heads, a body extending outward from said head portion to an end portion, and a threaded portion extending from said body end portion at least partially toward said head portion, said slip bolt sized to extend through said first and second openings, said slip bolt configured to slip out of said first and second openings when at least one of said base, said sign support connector, the sign support, and a sign coupled to the sign support is impacted with a pre-determined separation load such that said base and said sign support connector separate when subjected to the pre-determined separation load.

6. A connector in accordance with claim 5 wherein said pre-determined separation load comprises nominally about 37,000 pounds.

7. A connector in accordance with claim 5 wherein said slip bolt head portion further comprises a plurality of bolt heads, at least one of said plurality of bolt heads is configured to break away from said slip bolt at a pre-determined torque load.

8. A connector in accordance with claim 7 wherein said pre-determined torque load comprises between about 50 foot pounds and about 55 foot pounds.

9. A connector in accordance with claim 7 wherein said slip bolt comprises a shear section extending between two of said plurality of bolt heads, said shear section comprising a minimum diameter at an apex and is configured to fracture at one of said apex and adjacent said apex at said pre-determined torque load.

10. A connector in accordance with claim 7 wherein each of said plurality of bolt heads comprises at least one wrench flat.

11. A connector in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a washer positioned between said base and said sign support connector, said washer comprising a third opening, said slip bolt sized to extend through said third opening.

12. A connector in accordance with claim 5 further comprising a nut configured to couple to said slip bolt for securing said base to said sign support connector.

13. A connector in accordance with claim 5 wherein said sign support connector comprises at least one third opening sized to at least partially receive at least a portion of the sign support.

14. A connector in accordance with claim 5 wherein said sign support connector comprises at least one third opening for securing the sign support to said sign support connector using a fastener.

15. A connector in accordance with claim 5 wherein said base comprises a connection member sized to be at least partially received within an opening of the anchor.

16. A connector in accordance with claim 15 wherein said connection member comprises at least one third opening for coupling said base to the anchor using a fastener.

17. A method for assembling a signpost, said method comprising:

positioning an anchor in the ground with respect to a grade of the ground;

coupling a base having a first opening to the anchor;

positioning a sign support connector adjacent the base such that the base first opening is aligned with a second opening within the sign support connector;

inserting a bolt having a plurality of bolt heads through the first and second openings; and

tightening a first head of the plurality of bolt heads until the first head breaks away from the bolt when subjected to a pre-determined torque and such that the sign support connector is coupled to the base.

18. A method in accordance with claim 17 further comprising:

coupling a sign support to the sign support connector; and

coupling a sign to the sign support.

19. A signpost assembly for supporting a sign, said signpost assembly comprising:

an anchor configured to be inserted at least partially into one of the ground and a concrete footing, said anchor comprising at least a first opening;

a base comprising at least a second opening, said base at least partially received within said anchor first opening;

a sign support connector comprising at least a third opening; and

at least one slip bolt for securing said base to said sign support connector, said slip bolt comprising a head portion comprising a plurality of bolt heads, a body extending outward from said head portion to an end portion, and a threaded portion extending from said body end portion at least partially toward said head portion, said slip bolt sized to extend through said second and third openings, said slip bolt configured to slip out of said second and third openings when at least one of said base, said sign support connector, a sign support coupled to said sign support connector, and the sign coupled to the sign support is impacted with a pre-determined separation load such that said base and said sign support connector separate at said pre-determined separation load, wherein said slip bolt head portion further comprises a plurality of bolt heads, and wherein at least one of said plurality of bolt heads is configured to break away from said slip bolt at a pre-determined torque load.

20. An assembly in accordance with claim 19 wherein said pre-determined separation load comprises nominally about 37,000 pounds.

21. An assembly in accordance with claim 19 wherein said pre-determined torque load comprises between about 50 foot pounds and about 55 foot pounds.

22. An assembly in accordance with claim 19 wherein said slip bolt head portion comprises a shear section extending between two of said plurality of bolt heads, said shear section comprising a minimum diameter at an apex and is configured to fracture at one of said apex and adjacent said apex at said pre-determined torque load.

23. An assembly in accordance with claim 19 further comprising a washer positioned between said base and said sign support connector, said washer comprising a fourth opening, said slip bolt sized to extend through said fourth opening.

24. An assembly in accordance with claim 19 further comprising a nut configured to couple to said slip bolt for securing said base to said sign support connector.

25. An assembly in accordance with claim 19 wherein said sign support connector comprises at least one fourth opening sized to at least partially receive at least a portion of the sign support.

26. An assembly in accordance with claim 19 wherein said base comprises a connection member sized to be at least partially received within said anchor first opening.