Road structure – process – or apparatus – Traffic director – Yielding
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-04
2002-04-23
Will, Thomas B. (Department: 3673)
Road structure, process, or apparatus
Traffic director
Yielding
C404S009000, C116S06300T, C040S612000, C248S174000, C248S417000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06375385
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cantilever support structures for signs and other articles, and more specifically to a flexible support for such signs and articles. The support is formed generally of a plurality of relatively thin sheets of material laminated together, with the flexibility of each of the sheets providing sufficient flexibility to “give” when struck by a car or the like. Each of the thin components is curved about its elongate axis, in order to provide sufficient stiffness for the support of a sign or the like under normal conditions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Traffic information, warning, directional, and other signs have been known since shortly after the development of the motor vehicle. Such signs are a critical part of our road transportation system, and oftentimes the removal of a single sign from a critical location, can be disastrous. This can occur when a stop sign is removed from a busy intersection, or perhaps where a vehicle inadvertently knocks down a row of lane delineators marking a lane shift, curve, or other potential hazard.
It will be seen that the need for durable sign posts or supports for such signs is critical in many cases. Nevertheless, such markers and signs are installed and maintained by various governmental agencies, which operate under certain budgetary constraints. While it is possible to construct such sign supports which are sufficiently durable to withstand years of service in the outdoor environment, it is difficult to do so at a reasonable cost, and particularly to fabricate such supports in a manner that is not hazardous to traffic. Flexible plastic delineator posts have been developed in the past, but such posts are easily run down and damaged by some drivers, and the plastic material is subject to weakening and degradation by exposure to sunlight (ultraviolet).
Alternatively, “breakaway” sign posts and supports have been developed for installation in many areas, but are relatively costly due to their specifically configured weak points in order to allow them to be snapped off or broken upon impact. While such breakaway posts and supports may increase safety for the vehicle impacting the support post or column, surrounding traffic and property may be endangered by the sign and column as it becomes a projectile after breaking away upon impact. In addition, the problem exists of the lack of a sign at the subject location until the appropriate agency gets around to replacing the downed sign.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a flexible support which is capable of flexing resiliently to absorb the impact of a car or other traffic. The support preferably provides for flexure back to its original position once the impact source is removed (e. g., the vehicle passes completely over the sign and support), in order to be readily visible to other traffic. Moreover, the device must be easily constructed of economical and durable materials in order to provide for widespread use and long life.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,799,686 issued on Mar. 26, 1974 to Clarence Williams, titled “Marker Posts,” describes a post or column construction comprising a series of identical, vertically stacked hard rubber elements having a pair of flexible cables running vertically through the elements to connect them together.
The device differs considerably from the present invention, in that the Williams device is considerably more complex, having a pair of vertical tensile cable members in addition to a vertical stack of resilient components. The present invention basically comprises a plurality of thin, vertically oriented slats which are laminated together by a relatively few bolts, which are also used to adjust the desired stiffness and resiliency of the assembly.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,875,720 issued on Apr. 8, 1975 to Kennedy M. Russell, titled “Resilient Mounting For Sign Post,” describes a post formed of a plurality of relatively thin resilient rods, secured by upper and lower U-bolt attachments or the like. The resilient rods allow the post to bend upon impact. The structure is unlike the plurality of thin, flat elements forming the flexible support or column of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,061,435 issued on Dec. 6, 1977 to Donald W. Schmanski et al., titled “Roadway Delineator,” describes various configurations of posts, each of which includes a plurality of intentionally weakened longitudinal shear lines therein. The post will shear along these lines when struck, thereby allowing the resulting relatively thin vertical elements to flex. Schmanski et al. state that their delineator posts may be reused after impact, but also note that they must be repaired with the addition of other components to provide the required strength after shearing impact. The present flexible support does not require any such repair after impact, as it is formed of a plurality of individual flexible elements which are mechanically secured together.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,914 issued on Apr. 18, 1978 to William D. Humphrey et al., titled “Self-Erecting Highway Guide Post,” describes a post having a first component with a flat center section and opposite angled flanges extending therefrom, with an additional curved member resting within the channel defined by the first member. The device provides flexibility, but the provision of only two vertical members with a space therebetween, does not provide the strength of the present support structure. Other embodiments are disclosed, but in each case, either the second member is eliminated, or faces the first member with their concave faces toward one another to define a space therebetween, unlike the present laminated flexible support. Moreover, the Humphrey et al. post elements are formed of a thermoplastic material, rather than the more durable spring steel of the present support members.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,092,081 issued on May 30, 1978 to Donald W. Schmanski, titled “Roadway/Traffic Delineator,” describes a post formed of bonded laminations of synthetic fiber material. The laminations include directional fibers, but also include other layers having non-directional or other than longitudinal directional orientation. Schmanski does not disclose the use of plural thin metal slats, or any curvature thereof, for providing the stiffness and bending qualities of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,245,922 issued on Jan. 20, 1981 to Robert S. Auriemma, titled “Traffic Delineator Post,” describes a post having an arcuate cross section and formed of a single, monolithic unit of plastic or fiberglass. No multiple laminations, mechanically secured together, are disclosed by Auriemma, which multiple laminations are a part of the present invention. As noted further above, plastics (including the plastic resin matrix material used in fiberglass materials) do not have the durability of metals when continually exposed to sunlight and ultraviolet light. The present metal materials overcome this problem.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,107 issued on Mar. 6, 1984 to Lawrence J. Sweeney, titled “Traffic Delineator,” describes a marker having a rigid base for driving into a hard surface (pavement, etc.). The upper portion may be arcuately formed for stiffness. However, the Sweeney device is formed of plastic for flexibility, with the limitations of such material being noted further above. Also, Sweeney provides only a single panel of material, unlike the multiple metal laminations of the present support.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,486,117 issued on Dec. 4, 1984 to Herbert Blau, titled “Flexible Traffic Standard,” describes an anchor or base for a single leaf strap of spring steel. The single leaf of the Blau device is considerably more flexible than the plural laminations of the present column or support, and cannot provide the combination of rigidity for supporting a relatively large sign, and flexibility for precluding damage when struck, as provided b
Litman Richard C.
Pechhold Alexandra K.
Will Thomas B.
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