Patent ID: 6622408
Filing Date: 2003-09-23
Classification: G09F

Abstract:
A portable sign support arrangement, comprising:a portable base including a leg support portion; a force accumulator tube of hollow predetermined cross-section supported by the base; a support tube; at least one of said force accumulator tube and said support tube having a hollow cross-section for telescopic engagement in a close-sized fit with the other of said force accumulator tube and said support tube so as to have a predetermined portion of said support tube extending beyond the free edge of said force accumulator tube; an insertion limiter cooperating with said force accumulator tube and said support tube so as to limit telescopic engagement of said support tube and said force accumulator tube, aligning said predetermined portion adjacent the free edge of said force accumulator tube; and said predetermined portion of said support tube including a plurality of weakening members adjacent the free edge of said force accumulator tube; so that a lateral force applied to said sign support arrangement generally at or below said weakening members is accumulated at said free edge of said force accumulator tube and is developed at said predetermined portion of said support tube to sever said support tube into upper and lower portions and to impart rotation to said upper portion; a spring member, including at least one generally upright spring coil, coupled to the leg support; said force accumulator tube having a free edge spaced from the base and coupled to the spring coil through at least one bracket member secured to the force accumulator tube and at least one threaded fastener member; and a coil connector engaged with the spring coil and wherein said at least one bracket member is coupled to the coil connector by said at least one threaded fastener member.