Breakaway sign support

Claim 2

A composite structural post assembly comprising: a first tubular member, a second tubular member telescopically surrounding said first tubular member, a third tubular member telescopically inserted within said first tubular member and extending therefrom a substantial distance in upright position, said first and said second tubular members being disposed longitudinally relative to each other such that their upper end surfaces are disposed in a common plane, means for rigidly securing said first, said second and said third tubular members together to prevent longitudinal movement relative to each other, and said third tubular member being provided with means comprising a weakened cross section at a point just above said coplanar upper end surfaces of said first and said second tubular members to thereby permit the extended portion of said third tubular member to sever along a line substantially parallel to said coplanar upper end surfaces of said first and said second tubular member upon the application of a force thereto in a direction normal to the longitudinal axis of said third tubular member.

Claim 3

The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 1, in which said first, second and third tubular members are provided with longitudinally spaced perforations adapted to be selectively axially aligned upon assembly to be in a coplanar relation with each other.

Claim 4

The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 2, in which said perforations in said third tubular member comprise said weakened cross section portions.

Claim 5

The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 2, in which said means rigidly securing said tubular members together comprises a nut and bolt assembly for extension through said axially aligned perforations immediately below said upper end surfaces of said first and said second tubular member.

Claim 6

The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 4, in which said first, second and third tubular members are of polygonal cross section.

Claim 7

The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 5, in which said nut and bolt assembly comprises an angle bolt adapted for securing extension through a group of aligned perforations disposed diagonally from each other at two connecting sides of said polygonal tubular members.

Claim 8

The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 1, in which said first tubular member is rigidly supported within the ground, and said second tubular member comprising a reinforcing sleeve surrounding the upper portion of said first tubular member within said ground.

Claim 9

The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 7, in which said ground is provided with a blacktop surface.

Claim 10

The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 7, in which said ground is provided with a concrete surface.

Claim 11

The composite structural post assembly as defined in claim 9, in which said concrete surface is recessed around a portion of said reinforcing sleeve to facilitate insertion and fastening of said securing means so as to be disposed just below the top of said concrete surface.

Claim 14

In the method of assembly as defined in claim 11 in which said perforated tubular members are of polygonal cross section, providing a plurality of longitudinal spaced perforations along all sides of said tubular polygonal members, the further step comprising: inserting said bolt means through a group of aligned perforations diagonally disposed on two immediately adjacent sides of said polygonal tubular members.

Claim 15

In the method of assembly as defined in claim 11 the further steps comprising: providing said ground with a substantially solid load-carrying surface, breaking a hole through said solid surface substantially corresponding to the cross-sectional diameter of said reinforcing sleeve, driving said tubular support member and its associated reinforcing sleeve simultaneously through said hole for penetration of said tubular support member into said ground below said solid surface, aligning the upper ends of the said tubular support member and said reinforcing sleeve with each other and with the top of said solid surface to be coplanar with each other, providing a shallow recess within said solid surface encompassing at least two sides of said polygonal-reinforcing sleeve, inserting said perforated post member within said tubular support member, aligning a selected group of perforations of said tubular members with each other and inserting a fastening means comprising an angle bolt through aligned perforations diagonally disposed opposite from each other at said two sides encompassed by said shallow recess in said solid surface so as to be immediately below said coplanar upper ends of said hollow support member, said reinforcing sleeve and said top of said solid surface.

Claim 16

A breakaway sign post structure comprising: a first elongated hollow member, rigidly supported within the ground substantially along its entire length, a second elongated member telescopically inserted within said first member for upright extension above the surface of said ground, means to longitudinally adjustably secure said second member to said first member at a point immediately adjacent said ground surface to prevent longitudinal movement relative to each other, said second member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced portions of weakened cross sections disposed therealong such that one of said portions of said weakened cross section will always be disposed in assembly immediately above said securing means at any longitudinally adjusted position of said second member relative to said first member to permit the portion of said second member extending above the said ground surface to sever at said one of said portions of weakened cross sections nearest said securing means upon the application thereagainst of an impact force of predetermined magnitude, a third elongated hollow member comprising a reinforcing sleeve adapted to surround the upper portion of said first hollow member within said Ground, said reinforcing sleeve being provided with a plurality of perforations for extension of said securing means therethrough to secure said first, said second and said third members together, the top ends of said first hollow member and said reinforcing sleeve being disposed in coplanar relationship relative to each other, and the portion of said second elongated member extending in upright position above said ground surface being adapted to be severed immediately adjacent said coplanar aligned top ends of said first hollow member and said reinforcing sleeve upon the application thereagainst of said impact force.

Claim 17

A breakaway sign post structure comprising: a first elongated hollow member, rigidly supported within the ground substantially along its entire length, a second elongated member telescopically inserted within said first member for upright extension above the surface of said ground, means to longitudinally adjustably secure said second member to said first member at a point immediately adjacent said ground surface to prevent longitudinal movement relative to each other, said second member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced portions of weakened cross sections disposed therealong such that one of said portions of said weakened cross section will always be disposed in assembly immediately above said securing means at any longitudinally adjusted position of said second member relative to said first member to permit the portion of said second member extending above the said ground surface to sever at said one of said portions of weakened cross sections nearest said securing means upon the application thereagainst of an impact force of predetermined magnitude, a third elongated hollow member comprising a reinforcing sleeve adapted to surround the upper portion of said first hollow member within said Ground, said reinforcing sleeve being provided with a plurality of perforations for extension of said securing means therethrough to secure said first, said second and said third members together, the top ends of said first hollow member and said reinforcing sleeve being disposed in coplanar relationship relative to each other, and the portion of said second elongated member extending in upright position above said ground surface being adapted to be severed immediately adjacent said coplanar aligned top ends of said first hollow member and said reinforcing sleeve upon the application thereagainst of said impact force.

Claim 18

A breakaway sign post structure comprising: a first elongated hollow member, rigidly supported within the ground substantially along its entire length and having means reinforcing a portion of its upper end substantially at the ground surface, a second elongated member telescopically inserted within said first member for upright extension above the surface of said ground, means to longitudinally adjustably secure said second member to the reinforced portion of said first member at a point immediately adjacent said ground surface to prevent longitudinal movement relative to each other, said second member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced portions of weakened cross sections spaced therealong such that one of said portions of said weakened cross sections will always be disposed in assembly immediately above said securing means at any longitudinally adjusted position of said second member relative to said first member to permit the portion of said second member extending above said ground surface to sever at one of said portions of weakened cross sections nearest said securing means upon the application thereagainst of an impact force of predetermined magnitude. said reinforcing means including the surface of a roadway shoulder portion, said hollow member being imbedded therein, said surface of said shoulder portion being provided with a concrete base having a recess around at least a portion of said securing means to facilitate the assembly thereof.

Claim 19

A breakaway sign post structure comprising: a first elongated hollow member, rigidly supported within the ground substantially along its entire length and having means reinforcing a portion of its upper end substantially at the ground surface, a second elongated member telescopically inserted within said first member for upright extension above the surface of said ground, means to longitudinally adjustably secure said second member to the reinforced portion of said first member at a point immediately adjacent said ground surface to prevent longitudinal movement relative to each other, said second member having a plurality of longitudinally spaced portions of weakened cross sections spaced therealong such that one of said portions of said weakened cross sections will always be disposed in assembly immediately above said securing means at any longitudinally adjusted position of said second member relative to said first member to permit the portion of said second member extending above said ground surface to sever at one of said portions of weakened cross sections nearest said securing means upon the application thereagainst of an impact force of predetermined magnitude. said reinforcing means including the surface of a roadway shoulder portion, said hollow member being imbedded therein, said surface of said shoulder portion being provided with a concrete base having a recess around at least a portion of said securing means to facilitate the assembly thereof.