Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Openwork; e.g. – truss – trellis – grille – screen – frame – or... – Three-dimensional space-defining
Reexamination Certificate
1998-03-12
2001-05-01
Kim, Harry C. (Department: 3629)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Openwork; e.g., truss, trellis, grille, screen, frame, or...
Three-dimensional space-defining
C052S749100, C403S337000, C403S217000, C248S219100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223494
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an improved structural connector for use with a signpost.
BACKGROUND ART
Conventional signposts used to support various roadway signs such as those directing a motorist to “stop,” “yield,” etc., typically have a configuration similar to that shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
. More specifically, and as shown in
FIG. 2
, such signposts
10
in cross-section typically have a flat back section
12
, two side sections
14
extending from the back section
12
, and two flanges
16
extending from the side sections
14
. The face of the two flanges
16
, or in the case of a signpost lacking such flanges the face defined by outermost end of the two side sections
14
will be referred to as the front signpost face, designated
18
on FIG.
2
. The direction perpendicular to the front signpost face
18
, designated “X” on
FIG. 2
, will be referred to as the X direction. The direction parallel to the front signpost face
18
, designated “Y” on
FIG. 2
, will be referred to as the Y direction.
Additionally, the back section
12
typically includes signpost bores
20
which are spaced regularly along the length of the side post
10
. The bores
20
are used to attach a sign
50
to the signpost
10
. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2
, the sign
50
typically has one or more signpost bores
52
. Such a sign
50
is typically laid flat against the flanges
16
of the signpost
10
and then attached to the signpost
10
by running a connection assembly
54
, such as a nut and bolt or any other suitable connection assembly, through both the sign bore
52
and a signpost bore
20
.
In order to support signs, conventional signposts are typically driven into the ground or set within a concrete foundation.
Beyond being used for supporting signs, such signposts
10
do not typically have other uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved structural connector such that conventional signposts may be used for other purposes, such as to construct structures.
In carrying out the above objects, and other objects and features of the present invention, a new and improved structural connector for use with a signpost is provided. The structural connector comprises a body connectable to the signpost and at least one primary flange extending from the body.
In a more preferred embodiment, the body has a nesting configuration such that the body nests with the signpost. This nesting configuration may have a back section, and at least one side section extending from the back section, the at least one primary flange extending from the side section.
The primary flange may include a connector flange portion and in a preferred embodiment the primary flange includes a conforming flange portion and a connector flange portion.
In a more specific embodiment, a new and improved structural connector is provided for use with a signpost having a signpost back section and signpost side walls. The structural connector comprises a body connectable to the signpost. The body has a body back section and at least one body side section oriented to the body back section such that the body approximately conforms to and nests within the signpost back section and a signpost side section. Such a structural connector would also include at least one primary flange extending from the at least one body side section.
In yet another more specific embodiment, the structural connector comprises a body connectable to the signpost, the body having a body back section and two body side sections oriented to the body back section such that the body approximately conforms to and nests within the signpost back section and the signpost side sections. Like the previously described embodiment, this structural connector would also include a primary flange extending from at least one of the two body side sections, the primary flange having a connector flange portion.
In each of these embodiments, the structural connector may include at least one secondary flange. This secondary flange may extend from the at least one primary flange. This secondary flange may be oriented approximately parallel to the back section of the body and may have at least one secondary flange bore.
Additionally, in each of these embodiments, the back section may have a back section bore for connecting the structural connector to the signpost. Furthermore, in each of these embodiments, the primary flange may have a primary flange bore for connecting structural components to the primary flange.
The advantages accruing to the present invention are numerous. For example, this invention allows signposts to be interconnected with other structural numbers such that signposts may be utilized to construct structures. Because of the simplicity of this invention, the number of different constructural components needed to construct a structure have been minimized.
If the structural connector includes both a primary and secondary flange, structural members may be connected to signposts along either the X or Y directions, allowing an infinite number of structures to be constructed. Furthermore, in the event such primary or secondary flanges are set at angles other than along the X or Y axes, an infinite number of alternative structures may be constructed.
Another advantage of the present invention is the nesting configuration of the body of the structural connector. This allows the structural connector to be connected to a signpost with a single connector assembly, such as a bolt and nut, such that the structural connector will not be able to rotate about the axis of the bolt and nut or other suitable connector assembly.
These objects, features, and advantages, and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, will be readily appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description. Note that while embodiments of this invention are illustrated and disclosed, these embodiments should not be construed to limit the claims. It is anticipated that various modifications and alternative designs may be made without departing from the scope of this invention.
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Brooks & Kushman P.C.
Kim Harry C.
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