Patent ID: 8613412
Filing Date: 2013-12-24
Classification: A45F,E01F

Abstract:
1. An impact absorbing sign post with quick change-out capability comprising: an upper sign post for carrying at least one sign, an intermediate cylindrical hollow bollard post positioned below the upper sign post in supportive arrangement therewith, the upper sign post removably attached to the intermediate hollow bollard post, a lower hollow bollard post of predetermined axial length, a first portion of predetermined axial length of the lower hollow bollard post positioned below ground level and attached to the ground to be immovable, a second portion of the lower hollow bollard of a predetermined axial length substantially less than the first portion positioned above ground level, a pivot base flexible joint member having a central opening of predetermined size, the pivot base flexible joint member removably attached to the lower hollow bollard post proximate the second portion thereof, the pivot base flexible joint member includes a top plate sized to cover the top of the second portion of the lower hollow bollard post and in contacting and supportive relationship with the intermediate hollow bollard post, a dome portion centrally affixed to the upper surface of the top plate, the dome portion having a circular base having a diameter a predetermined amount less than the inside diameter of the bottom of the intermediate hollow bollard post, the dome portion having a semi-toroidal shape, the dome portion in operative contacting arrangement with the intermediate hollow bollard post, the central opening of the pivot base flexible joint member passing through the dome portion and the top plate, removable attachment means for attaching the pivot base flexible joint member to the top of the lower bollard post proximate the second portion thereof, a quick change-out spring kit substantially housed within the lower hollow bollard post, the quick change-out spring kit including at least one concentric coil spring housed within the lower hollow bollard post in the operative position, the at least one concentric coil spring at the top thereof contacting the bottom surface of the top plate of pivot base flexible joint member and confined by the pivot base flexible joint member within the lower hollow bollard post, an elongated tension means comprising a cable axially passing through the at least one coil spring and the central opening of the pivot base flexible joint member, the cable having an upper end and a lower end, the elongated tension means includes a tension adjustment means proximate the top portion thereof including an upper threaded member attached to the upper end of the cable in the operative position, the elongated tension means including a lower threaded member attached to the lower end of the cable in the operative position, the intermediate hollow bollard post further includes an upper tension means support metallic disk member having a third central opening passing therethrough, the upper tension means support metallic disk member is operatively attached to the inner wall of the intermediate hollow bollard post in predetermined position, the elongated tension means removably attached proximate the top thereof in predetermined position to the intermediate hollow bollard post, a disk-shaped bottom spring contact member having a diameter about equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the bottom coil of the largest of the at least one concentric coil springs, the disk-shaped bottom spring contact member having a second central opening sized to accommodate the passage of the lower threaded member of the elongated tension means therethrough, a locking member mounted on the lower threaded member of the tension means in cooperative relationship with the disk-shaped bottom spring contact member for enabling the disk-shaped bottom spring member to compress the at least one coil spring against the bottom of the pivot base flexible joint member, whereby the pivot base flexible joint member permits the sign post to usually absorb a vehicular impact by flexing the sign post at the pivot base flexible joint member and in the event the quick change-out spring kit requires replacement the removable attachment means may be removed and the tension means at the top is released and the quick change-out spring kit may be removed and replaced with a new quick change-out spring kit.