Breakaway Sign Support Post

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 63/714,134 , filed Oct. 31, 2024, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a breakaway sign support post, and more specifically relates to a roadside sign support post that provides a breakaway feature on the support post.

2. Description of Related Art

Traffic signs communicate rules, warnings, guidance, and other highway agency information that drivers need to safely and efficiently navigate roads and streets. Sign support posts are vertical posts used to display traffic signs. These posts are often anchored with breakaway bases in order to comply with regulatory safety standards.

Due to the location of signs and sign support posts on the roadside, sign support posts can become a deadly hazard when struck by a vehicle. If not properly designed, these posts can cause severe vehicle damage, occupant injury, or even fatalities. Therefore, the Federal Highways Administration (“FHWA”) requires roadside sign support posts to be breakaway, yielding, or shielded by a barrier or crash cushion. Breakaway support posts are designed to break or bend upon impact to reduce the severity of vehicle crashes. This includes sign support posts that, when struck by a vehicle, separate from the base and are knocked ahead of, or up and over, the vehicle.

The disclosed invention is comprised of a two-piece sign support post used for mounting traffic control signs on roadways. The disclosed invention is arranged and configured to separate upon impact by a vehicle. With current one-piece sign support posts, upon a crash or impact, the support post can crush the top of a vehicle, or the support post can pierce through the windshield of the impacting vehicle. Numerous breakaway mechanisms have been developed to mitigate this issue, but many existing designs are complex, expensive, or difficult to install and replace. Design problems with current breakaway sign support posts present many disadvantages that are overcome by the present invention.

In most conventional roadside sign installations, breakaway functionality is provided at the base of the post, typically through a slip-base assembly, frangible coupling, or shear-bolt connection located at or near ground level. These designs rely on plates, bolts, or mechanical fasteners that allow the entire signpost structure to detach from a fixed foundation upon impact. Existing designs focus exclusively on base-level separation, rather than providing a breakaway interface between two structural post members themselves. No current breakaway sign support system comprises two telescoping tubular post members that separate cleanly from one another upon impact, while maintaining alignment and non-rotational stability during normal operation. The disclosed invention therefore represents a novel approach that achieves a two-member separable post design, offering simplified construction, consistent performance, and enhanced roadway safety.

There is a need for a simplified breakaway sign support system that is easy to assemble and install, provides simple and reliable separation upon vehicular impact, and ensures the sign remains properly aligned and visible under normal conditions. The present invention satisfies these and other needs by providing a two-piece tubular sign post with a slidable breakaway connection section that maintains alignment under normal use and separates safely and predictably upon impact.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that a need exists in the art for a breakaway sign support post that overcomes, mitigates or solves the above problems in the art. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art which will become more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-described drawbacks associated with current sign support posts and breakaway systems. To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present disclosure describes a two-piece breakaway sign support post wherein a base post member and an upper breakaway member are slidably fixed together and separate above the ground or mid- assembly under vehicular impact conditions.

The present invention provides a breakaway sign support post that overcomes the limitations of prior designs by utilizing a simple, keyed, two-piece tubular construction. The invention is arranged and configured to maintain precise alignment of the attached sign during normal operation, yet to separate cleanly and predictably upon vehicular impact, thereby improving roadway safety and reducing post-collision damage.

In one embodiment, the disclosed breakaway sign support post comprises a base tubular post member and an upper breakaway tubular post member slidably engageable with the base member via a breakaway connection member that slidably connects the base member to the upper breakaway member.

The base member may comprise a hollow tubular body having a keyway channel or female slot formed along its tubular surface. The upper breakaway member includes a smaller diameter tubular section arranged and configured for slidable insertion into and slidable engagement with the base member, the smaller diameter section having a key member or male projection fixed thereto. The key member is dimensioned and positioned to fit within the keyway channel of the base member, thereby establishing a non-rotating keyed interface between the two members.

During assembly, the smaller diameter tubular section of the upper breakaway member is inserted into the hollow bore of the base member until the key is fully seated in the keyway. This keyed connection maintains the two components in axial alignment and prevents relative rotation of the sign structure due to wind, vibration, or other environmental forces. The design thereby ensures that the attached traffic control sign remains properly oriented and visible to approaching motorists.

Upon vehicular impact, the slidable breakaway connection between the base member and the upper breakaway member is arranged and configured to separate quickly and cleanly, allowing the upper breakaway member and attached sign to travel up and over the vehicle without making contact, rather than impacting the upper surface of the vehicle. This breakaway action significantly reduces impact forces transmitted to the vehicle and its occupants.

In one preferred embodiment, the base member is fabricated as a fixed-length section approximately 84 inches long, having a distal end that may be disposed in a breakaway slip base system or the like. The upper breakaway member provides adjustable height capability, allowing sign placement to conform to roadway standards or local requirements. Both components may be formed from galvanized steel or other corrosion-resistant tubular material, ensuring long service life with minimal maintenance.

Unlike conventional slip-base or frangible-coupling breakaway systems, which rely on ground-mounted hardware to release the entire post assembly from its foundation, the present invention provides a self-contained breakaway interface between two tubular post members. The result is a durable, low-maintenance, and predictable breakaway system that retains full structural alignment and sign stability under normal operating conditions yet provides safe, reliable separation during impact events. The disclosed keyed engagement simplifies alignment and installation. As a result, the disclosed design is cost-effective and field-serviceable with standard tools.

Accordingly, the disclosed breakaway sign support post offers simplified construction using two tubular members with a keyed connection, reducing manufacturing and installation costs. The device provides anti-rotation features that maintain the orientation and visibility of attached signs. The support post provides clean and predictable separation upon impact to improve motorist safety. The disclosed support post offers quick replacement capability with minimal labor or tools after a collision. The invention thus provides a durable, economical, and safe solution for mounting roadside signs, particularly where breakaway performance is required under federal and state highway safety standards.

These, together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which illustrative embodiments of the invention are described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. It is to be expressly understood that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of a breakaway sign support post constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a breakaway sign support post constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a breakaway member of a breakaway sign support post constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a portion of a breakaway sign support post constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a portion of a breakaway sign support post constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of a breakaway sign support post comprising a base post member and an upper breakaway member slidably connected to the base member in accordance with the present disclosure are discussed herein. Many other uses of the present invention will become obvious to one skilled in the art upon acquiring a thorough understanding of the present invention. Once given the below disclosures, many other features, modifications and variations will become apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the teachings set forth herein. Such other features, modifications and variations are, therefore, considered to be a part of this invention.

The disclosed breakaway sign support post 10 comprises two elongated telescoping tubular post members defined as a tubular base member 11 and an upper breakaway member 12, wherein the base member 11 comprises a hollow bore 15 configured to slidably receive the upper breakaway member 12 via a slidable breakaway connection section 16 of the upper breakaway member 12. The tubular base member 11 further comprises a keyway channel 13 or female slot configured to receive a key member 14. The upper breakaway member 12 comprises a slidable breakaway connection section 16, which may be defined as a smaller diameter tubular section configured for slidable insertion into and slidable engagement with the hollow bore 15 of the base member 11. The slidable breakaway connection section 16 may further comprise a key member 14 or male projection fixed thereto, wherein the key member 14 is dimensioned and positioned to fit within the keyway channel 13 of the base member 11, thereby establishing a non-rotating keyed interface between the base member 11 and the upper breakaway member 12.

In one preferred embodiment, the disclosed breakaway sign support post 10 comprises a fixed length base member 11 being approximately eighty-four inches long with a keyway channel 13 or female slot cut into a proximal end 19 of the base member 11. The breakaway sign support post 10 further comprises a variable length breakaway member 12 that determines the mounting height of an attached sign. The upper breakaway member 12 may be comprised of a slidable breakaway connection section 16, which may be defined as a smaller diameter tubular section dimensioned to slidably engage with the hollow bore 15 of the base member 11. The upper breakaway member 12 may further comprise a sign attachment member 20 fixed to the slidable breakaway connection section 16, wherein the sign attachment member 20 is configured for attachment of a sign. The small diameter tubular connection section 16 may be fixed inside the sign attachment section 20, together forming the upper breakaway member 12. Alternatively, the tubular connection section 16 may be fixed inside the base member 11, in which case the key member 14 could be attached to the connection section 16 of the base member 11 and the keyway channel 13 would be disposed on said upper breakaway member 12.

The breakaway connection section 16 may be defined as square tubing as shown in FIGS. 1-3 or as round tubing. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the breakaway connection section can be defined as any member that provides for slidable engagement and releasable connection between the base member 11 and upper breakaway member 12. The breakaway connection member 16 is arranged and configured to hold the two-piece telescoping sign support post 10 together and keep the base member 11 and the breakaway member 12 releasably connected together at a predetermined height. The key 14 and keyway channel 13 prevent the two-piece support post 10 from rotating upon contact or in the wind and ensure an attached sign does not rotate and remains fixed and visible to traffic.

Upon impact by a vehicle, the disclosed breakaway sign support post 10 easily separates in two separate posts members when the upper breakaway member 12 slidably disconnects from the base member 11, thereby allowing the upper breakaway member 12 with attached sign to fly up and over a vehicle without making contact.

Referring now to FIG. 1-5, a breakaway sign support post 10 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure is illustrated. The breakaway sign support post 10 is arranged and configured to support a roadside or traffic control sign while providing a controlled separation between its two components upon vehicular impact. The disclosed construction minimizes damage to the impacting vehicle, reduces risk of injury to occupants, and facilitates rapid replacement of the post when required.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2, the breakaway sign support post 10 comprises a base member 11 comprising a hollow tubular body of generally circular cross-section. The base member 11 comprises an axial bore 15 extending along its longitudinal axis and is arranged and configured for ground installation.

Formed along the interior or sidewall of the base member 11 is a keyway channel 13, which extends longitudinally along at least a portion of the tube length. The keyway channel 13 serves as a female alignment guide that receives a male key 14 disposed on the upper breakaway member 12.

The breakaway member 12, shown in FIG. 1-5, comprises a sign attachment section 20, defined as an upper tubular section for supporting a sign panel. The breakaway member 12 further comprises a lower slidable breakaway connection section 16 of reduced outer diameter, wherein the breakaway connection section 16 is fixed to the sign attachment section. The smaller diameter connection section 16 is configured for slidable insertion into the hollow interior of the base member 11, creating slidable telescoping engagement between the base member 11 and the upper breakaway member 12.

A key 14 is rigidly attached to or integrally formed with the slidable breakaway connection section 16. The key 14 extends longitudinally and is dimensioned to be received within the keyway channel 13 of the base member 11. When inserted, the key 14 and keyway 13 engage to establish a non-rotational interface, thereby preventing the breakaway member 12 from twisting relative to the base member 11 under wind load or vibration.

The slidable breakaway connection section 16 may be welded (plug welds 17 are shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5), pressed, mechanically fastened, or otherwise fixed within the interior of the tubing defining the sign attachment section 20, forming a fixedly attached connection wherein the members 16 and 20 are immovably joined and form the upper breakaway member 12.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the breakaway sign support post assembly 10 is completed by inserting the proximal end 18 of the slidable breakaway connection section 16 of the upper breakaway member 12 into the open proximal end 19 of the base member 11. The key 14 aligns with and enters the keyway channel 13, ensuring proper orientation of the sign. Once fully seated, the upper breakaway member 12 and base member 11 are held together by frictional engagement and gravity. No bolts, fasteners, or other couplings are required. The keyed engagement alone provides both alignment and rotational restraint. Additionally, the proximal end 21 of the sign attachment section 20 may be seated on the proximal end 19 of the base member 11.

When a vehicle impacts the breakaway sign support post 10, the force of the impact causes the upper breakaway member 12 to slidably disengage from the base member 11 at the interface between the slidable breakaway connection section 16 and the tubular bore 15 of the base member 11.

The geometry of the keyed connection and the clearance between the tubular sections are arranged and configured such that the breakaway member 12 separates cleanly and predictably, without significant resistance. Upon impact, the separation occurs instantly and predictably, allowing the breakaway member 12 to disengage from the base member 11 and pass up and over the impacting vehicle, thereby minimizing direct contact and reducing damage or injury.

Under normal conditions, the keyed connection ensures that the breakaway member 12 remains securely aligned and non-rotating, keeping the sign properly oriented toward approaching traffic. The post assembly is able to withstand wind loads, vibration, and incidental contact without loosening or misalignment.

In alternate configurations, the key 14 and keyway 13 may be reversed, with the key 14 formed on the base member 11 and the keyway 13 on the breakaway member 12. Additionally, the keyed interface may employ non-linear profiles such as dovetail, spline, or other configurations to achieve desired mechanical properties. Furthermore, the slidable breakaway connection section 16 may be fixed to the base member 11 instead of the upper breakaway member 12. Other arrangements providing for slidable breakaway connection between two telescoping tubular post members may be used with the disclosed invention.

The disclosed breakaway sign support post 10 provides a simple, durable, and effective solution for roadside sign installations. By combining a two-piece tubular design with a keyed, non-rotational connection, the invention ensures proper sign alignment, facilitates quick installation and replacement, and improves motorist safety through reliable breakaway performance.

It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the invention provided herein are illustrative only. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these embodiments (such as variations in orientation of the components of the system, sizes, structures, shapes and proportions of the various components, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the invention.

Many other uses of the present invention will become obvious to one skilled in the art upon acquiring a thorough understanding of the present invention. Once given the above disclosures, many other features, modifications and variations will become apparent to the skilled artisan in view of the teachings set forth herein. Such other features, modifications and variations are, therefore, considered to be a part of this invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the following claims.