Universal anchor system

• US 6,202,369 B1
• Filed: 02/03/1999
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hwycom Universal Systems, LP
• Original Assignee: Donnie L. Reagan, Mike Conner, Stanley E. Partee
• Inventors: Conner, Mike, Reagan, Donnie L., Partee, Stanley E.
• Primary Examiner(s): CALLO, LAURA ANTOINETTE
• Application Number:
  US09/243,684
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 521/56, 521/65, 522/95, 522/96, 522/97, 522/98, 527/263, 527/264, 527/323, 527/361, 527/363, 527/364, 527/374, 527/375, 527/381, 406/06, 406/12, 248/156, 248/519, 248/523, 248/530, 285/148.23, 285/148.25, 285/148.26, 285/322, 285/323, 285/324, 403/365, 403/371, 403/372, 403/109.1, 403/110, 403/377
• US Class Current: 52/165
• CPC Class Codes: E01F 9/685 Subsoil means, e.g. foundations
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 12/2269 in a socket
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/7058 Split or slotted bushing

Abstract

An anchor system for alternate types of signage includes an elongated anchor member and an attached, lowermost formation engageable with an underlying foundation to firmly support the anchor member in a substantially vertical disposition. A bore within the anchor member slidably receives the lower portion of an elongated sign pole or marker device, with a stop element within the anchor member serving to limit the length of the sign pole inserted therewithin. Secure attachment of the sign pole relative the vertical anchor member is achieved by the application of a compression element comprising a collar and having a tapered, inner surface engageable with the upper portion of the anchor member. The inclusion of a plurality of slots in the upper portion of the anchor member provides individual segments which are subsequently deflected radially inwardly upon the tightening of the compression element. Sign poles of lesser diameters may be accommodated with any one anchor member by the insertion of a split sleeve adaptor intermediate the sign pole and anchor member, while altering the height of the anchor member allows attachment of various types and sizes of signage, including signs atop the pole or barricade poles for traffic marking. Various materials may be used for the components, such as metal or nonmetallic, with the latter particularly adaptable for traffic barricades and wherein the anchor member is of minimal height.

Claims

1. An anchor system for signage comprising:

an elongated sign post having a bottom edge;

an elongated anchor member provided with an interior bore adapted to receive said sign post and having opposite upper and lower portions;

said lower portion being provided with a stabilizing formation adapted to secure said anchor member in a substantially vertical disposition relative a foundation;

said upper portion including deflectable resilient segments;

a stop element disposed within said anchor member interior bore between said upper and lower portions defining an abutment engageable by said sign post bottom edge; and

a compression element engageable with said resilient segments, and operable to radially and inwardly compress said resilient segments about said sign post when inserted within said anchor member bore to fixedly secure said sign post relative said anchor member;

wherein said compression element includes a collar having a smooth internal taper which tapers from a larger diameter near the top of the compression element to a smaller diameter near the bottom of the compression element, said anchor member upper portion is provided with a smooth external flat mating surface for engaging said smooth internal taper of said collar, said compression element collar includes a lower edge having an inwardly directed chamfer, and said anchor member upper portion having a chamfer formed on a top edge of each said deflectable resilient segments.

2. An anchor system for signage according to claim 1, wherein said stabilizing formation comprises a horizontally disposed base plate secured to said anchor member lower portion.

3. An anchor system for signage according to claim 1, wherein said stabilizing formation comprises a tapered drive point.

4. An anchor system for signage according to claim 1, further including;

a top edge on said anchor member upper portion; and

a plurality of substantially vertically arranged slots through said anchor member upper portion communicating with said top edge;

whereby

said segments are each defined intermediately of adjacent pairs of said plurality of slots.

5. An anchor system for signage according to claim 1, wherein said compression element collar includes a varying tapered internal surface diameter.

6. An anchor system for signage according to claim 1, wherein said compression element collar includes outwardly projecting wings to facilitate manipulation of said collar about said anchor member upper portion.

7. An anchor system for signage according to claim 1, including:

an adaptor sleeve having an external dimension presenting a close mating fit within said anchor member bore and insertable within said bore of said anchor member upper portion; and

said adaptor sleeve having an internal dimension presenting a close mating fit with said post when inserted within said adaptor sleeve;

whereby a smaller dimensioned post may be inserted within said anchor member bore and be securely supported thereby when said adaptor sleeve is inserted within said anchor member upper portion.

8. An anchor system for signage according to claim 7, wherein said adaptor sleeve includes a linear continuous longitudinal slot throughout its extent, whereby a split adaptor sleeve is formed.

9. An anchor system for signage according to claim 7, further including:

a top edge on said anchor member upper portion;

a top edge on said adaptor sleeve; and

an outwardly rolled lip on said adaptor sleeve top edge engageable with said anchor member upper portion top edge when said adaptor sleeve is fully inserted within said anchor member bore.

10. An anchor system for signage according to claim 1, wherein said anchor member and compression element are constructed of metal.

11. An anchor system for signage according to claim 1, wherein said anchor member and compression element are constructed of synthetic material.

12. An anchor system for signage according to claim 1, wherein said sign post comprises a cylindrical tube defining a roadway barricade.

13. An anchor system for signage according to claim 1, wherein said anchor member includes a pair of diametrically opposed holes intermediate said upper and lower portions, and said stop element includes an elongated member extending between said pair of holes.