Abstract:
A sign post system includes an elongated slide spike, and an impact anvil mounted to the slide spike at a location intermediate the spike ends. An elongated slide hammer column assembly slides onto the slide spike to contact the impact anvil while using the slide spike as a guide to deliver a force to the slide spike to drive the slide spike into the ground. A hollow sign post structure is configured to slide over the slide spike and cover at least a portion of the slide spike above the impact anvil, the slide spike and sign post configured to support a sign structure after installation. In an exemplary embodiment, the system parts are fabricated of plastic materials.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from provisional application No. 61/532,339, filed Sep. 8, 2011, entitled SIGN POST SYSTEM, the entire contents of which application is incorporated herein by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Signs are used in many applications and industries, for example, the real estate sales industry. For example, many signs used in the real-estate sales industry are small, short signs that the realtor can push into the ground with a foot, but this is not always preferred. Most realtors prefer a large, tall sign to better market their listing. However, fitting a large sign into a realtor&#39;s vehicle may be impractical. In the past, a 7 foot tall sign installation would involve a shovel or post hole digger which can become very labor intensive, and messy for a professional wearing a suit. Many conventional wood signs weigh up to 50 pounds, making it cumbersome and difficult to install without a truck and necessary tools. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Features and advantages of the disclosure will readily be appreciated by persons skilled in the art from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the drawing wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a slide hammer column assembly for a sign post system.  FIG. 1B  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an installation of a sign post system 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view of a lock wheel, a three point slide spike and an impact anvil for a sign post system. 
         FIG. 2  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 1 , but with the impact anvil and lock wheel assembled to the slide spike. 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view illustrating a slide hammer column and hammer head for a sign post system. 
         FIG. 4  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 3 , but with the hammer head installed on the slide hammer column. 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the slide hammer column as in  FIG. 4 , with a lock selector cap shown in an exploded position and as installed on the slide hammer column. 
         FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of the assembled slide hammer column about to be installed onto the slide spike. 
         FIG. 6B  is an isometric view of the slide hammer column on the slide spike for sliding movement to address the impact anvil. 
         FIG. 6C  is an isometric view of the slide hammer column in a lowermost position, with the hammer head resting against the impact anvil. 
         FIG. 6D  is similar to  FIG. 6C , but with the lock wheel in both an exploded position and installed position on the slide spike. 
         FIG. 7  is a top isometric view showing the turn lock selector. 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom isometric view illustrating in further detail the hammer head. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded isometric view illustrating a hollow post in position for sliding over the turn lock selector and the slide hammer column. 
         FIG. 10  shows the hollow post in assembled position, to receive a sign frame. 
         FIGS. 11 and 12  are diagrammatic cross-section views showing details of exemplary embodiment of the sign frame. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagrammatic isometric view of an installed post system, with a secondary sign to slide into a molding of the sign frame.  FIG. 13A  is a detail view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the molding and secondary sign. 
         FIGS. 14A-14D  illustrate four alternate exemplary shapes and profiles of a hollow sign post for the system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description and in the several figures of the drawing, like elements are identified with like reference numerals. The figures are not to scale, and relative feature sizes may be exaggerated for illustrative purposes. 
     An exemplary embodiment of the sign post system is an all vinyl, recyclable sign used in any business or personal setting where a large sign is needed in an outdoor application and fast installation and removal is preferred. In one form, the sign system is a 3 to 7 foot tall sign that a man or woman can install in a short time, e.g. five minutes. 
     One feature of an exemplary embodiment of a sign post system is a quick post installation system, in which a slide hammer, of weight which may be selected by the user, is used to install and remove a stake or spike. For example, as long as the person can lift 8-13 pounds (the weight of the slide hammer) up and down 10 to 20 times, the person can install one exemplary embodiment of a sign post system as described in this application. 
     Another feature is the design of the “quick post” system, in that it is designed to be concealed inside the sign post. This “quick post” system provides the following solution. The slide hammer and stake or spike serve two functions. The stake or spike is used as a guide for the slide hammer and the same stake or spike is used to hold the vinyl sign post. This eliminates the need to bring installation tools which can dirty a sales person&#39;s vehicle. 
     Another feature is the “signature sign” shape, i.e. a unique vinyl sign shape for defining a company&#39;s identity and affording their company the opportunity to stand out and not blend in with their competition. Also, these vinyl signs may be bent into shapes. For instance a company called “Secure Realty” might have a shield shape or badge shape used in their marketing. This sign would stand out from the rest because a shape can be recognized from as far as 1000 feet whereas the typical realtor sign must be read from no more than 100 feet away. This helps companies increase their marketing exposure. Also these signature signs are designed to break down small enough to transport in a small car or truck. 
     By using vinyl to fabricate components of the sign post system, e.g. such as vinyl similar to that used in the vinyl window and fencing industry, a superior product can be provided that will last years, e.g. 25 years, and can be recycled. At least some of the sign post components can be fabricated of recycled plastic from old vinyl windows and trim. 
       FIG. 1A  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of a slide hammer column assembly  20 , i.e. the “quick post” assembly, for a sign post system. The assembly  20  includes an elongated slide spike  22 , formed in this example as a three-bladed or multi-vaned spike with a tapered point end  22 A, an impact anvil  24  mounted to the slide spike, and a slide hammer column  26 , fitted onto the slide spike. 
       FIG. 1B  is an isometric view of an exemplary embodiment of an installation of a sign post system  50 . 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded isometric view illustrating a lock wheel  22 B to be attached to the upper end of the slide spike  22 , the three point slide spike  22  and the impact anvil  24 . 
       FIG. 2  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 1 , but with the impact anvil  24  and lock wheel  22 B assembled to the slide spike  22 . The spike and the anvil are each preferably fabricated of a plastic material, such as a vinyl such as PVC, although another material suitable for the anvil is a polycarbonate. For some applications, the anvil and the hammer head  28  may be made of a metal The anvil has an interior opening configuration which matches the exterior cross-section shape of the slide spike, with sufficient clearance to allow the impact anvil to be slid up and down the slide spike. This can allow the anvil to be positioned at a range of height positions above the spike tip end  22 A, to adjust the depth of the spike to be driven into the ground. The anvil may be fastened to the spike by large diameter bolts extending through openings formed in the three blades or vanes of the spike and secured by threaded fasteners, or by rivets if the anvil is to be pre-positioned at a fixed position. The lock wheel can be assembled to the top end of the spike by a long bolt extending into a bore formed in the center of the spike end, e.g. a long thin wood screw or a machine screw fitted into a drilled and tapped hole in the center of the spike. The lock wheel is attached in such a way as to be rotatable about the spike center axis. 
     In one embodiment, the spike  22  is an extruded component, cut to length, and the lock wheel may be a short piece cut from an extrusion from the same mold used to fabricate the spike. In another embodiment, the lock wheel may be fabricated of a more durable metal material. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded isometric view illustrating an exemplary slide hammer column  26  and hammer head  28  for the sign post system.  FIG. 4  is an isometric view similar to  FIG. 3 , but with the hammer head  28  installed on the slide hammer column  26 , e.g. by adhesive or threaded fasteners. The column and hammer head are each preferably fabricated of a plastic material such as PVC, or at least in the case of the hammer head, a polycarbonate. The column can be extruded to form an interior configuration as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , with radial double walls defining radial pathways or openings and triangular reservoirs. The radial pathways include a first set designed to conform to the exterior configuration of the slide spike, so that the column can be slide onto the slide spike from the top end thereof. The radial pathways includes a second set of pathways or openings interleaved between the first set, in this exemplary embodiment. In other embodiments, the second set may be omitted. The triangular reservoirs are designed to receipt ballast such as sand or steel shot, to give weight to the slide hammer. The hammer head  28  has an interior opening configuration which conforms to the exterior configuration of the slide spike, so that the top end of the spike can enter the column through the hammer head as the column is slid onto the spike, but which closes the bottom openings of the reservoir to prevent escape of the ballast material from the bottom of the column assembly. For example, 10 pounds of sand or steel shot or other ballast material may be poured into the open top of the triangular reservoirs as indicated in  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the slide hammer column as in  FIG. 4 , with a lock selector cap  30  shown in an exploded position and as installed on the slide hammer column. The lock selector cap  30  may be installed onto the top of the column, e.g. by adhesive, after the ballast material is in place. The cap  30  has an interior opening configuration including a first set of radial openings which conforms to the cross-sectional configuration of the slide spike, so that the hammer column may be slid up and down the spike in a hammering movement. The cap  30  includes a second set of radial openings matching the second set of radial openings in the column, and the cap  30  is attached to the column so that the respective first and second sets of radial openings are aligned. 
       FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of the assembled slide hammer column  30  about to be installed onto the slide spike  22 . In one embodiment, the slide hammer column has a length about the same length or slightly shorter than the length of the spike above the anvil, to reduce risk of the user&#39;s hand coming into contact with the top of the spike and lock wheel at the bottom of a hammer stroke. The hammer column length is selected such that the lock wheel is exposed from the lock selector cap after being installed onto the slide spike and with the bottom portion of the hammer column in contact with the anvil. In other embodiments, the column  30  may be shorter than the length of the spike above the anvil. 
       FIG. 6B  is an isometric view of the slide hammer column on the slide spike for sliding movement to address the impact anvil in a hammering movement.  FIG. 6C  is an isometric view of the slide hammer column in a lowermost position, with the hammer head resting against the impact anvil. 
     In one embodiment, the slide hammer can be removed from the slide spike after the slide spike has been hammered into the ground to a desired depth. This embodiment permits one slide hammer to be used for multiple sign posts. However, in another embodiment, the slide hammer can be stored within the sign post.  FIG. 6D  is similar to  FIG. 6C , but with the lock wheel  22 B in both an exploded position and installed position on the slide spike. 
       FIG. 7  is a top isometric view showing the turn lock selector cap  30 . The cap has six radial openings, twic the number of vanes on the slide spike, and the lock wheel on the spike can be turned to line up with different function positions. With the wheel aligned with the lock positions, i.e. with the vanes of the lock wheel not aligned with the radial openings but overlaying solid structure of the turn lock selector, the hammer cannot be removed from the slide, and by pulling on the hammer column with the wheel in the lock position, the post can be pulled from the soil under typical conditions in which the soil is loose or relatively soft. By aligning the wheel in the hammer position, the hammer can be lifted and dropped to pound in the spike, or lifted completely off the spike. By aligning the wheel in the remove (the post system) or hammer-up position, the hammer column can be lifted up until the top surface of the impact hammer head  28  impacts the lock wheel  22 B, providing a hammer-up function to remove the spike from hard soils. 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom isometric view illustrating in further detail the hammer head  28 . 
       FIG. 9  is an exploded isometric view illustrating a hollow post  32  in position for sliding over the turn lock selector  30  and the slide hammer column  26  in assembled condition on a slide spike  22  which has been hammered into the ground G. The hollow post  32  is fabricated of a plastic material or vinyl such as PVC. The post has an interior hollow opening configured to fit over the turn lock selector and the hammer column. Alternatively the slide hammer column may be removed prior to assembly of the hollow post, so that the post fits over the slide spike, and its base fits onto the anvil. The post is constrained from rotation about the slide spike by interference with the blades of the spike, or interference with the hammer column if installed, or engagement with the anvil. 
       FIG. 10  shows the hollow post  32  in assembled position, to receive a sign frame  36  in a slot  32 A. The sign frame  36  may include a T-slot member  36 A as shown in  FIG. 11  to engage the slot  32 A in the post. A sign  40  may be slid into the frame  36  from the top and be captured inside a slot  36 B ( FIG. 12 ). An optional secondary sign  42  may be supported by engagement with a slot feature  36 C in the top of the frame  36 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 13 and 13A . 
     The hollow post  32  can have various cross sectional configurations, and can be fabricated from an extrusion.  FIGS. 14A-15D  illustrate alternative cross-sectional configurations of a hollow post. 
     How to install and remove the sign post or “quick post”: 
     Remove the light weight slide hammer and slide spike assembly from the user&#39;s vehicle, and bring to desired location. The slide spike will penetrate most soils and grasses. Now, with the lock wheel at the hammer position, lift the slide hammer, typically weighing between 8-13 pounds, on the slide spike and drop the hammer. For typical soils, each lift and drop action will sink the post around one inch at a time, therefore installing the post in 10-20 lift and drops. Once the “quick post” is imbedded in the soil, the user can slide the hollow vinyl sign post over the “quick post” i.e. the slide spike and slide hammer assembly. This embodiment of the slide hammer or “quick post” is designed to be concealed inside the sign post. 
     Two unique solutions before installing the hollow sign post over the “quick post.” 
     The slide hammer may be made to be removed or left inside the sign post. If the user unlocks the hammer (by aligning the lock wheel  22 B with the “lock” positions on the lock selector  30  as described above) and slides it up and off the slide stake, only the stake is left in the ground. The slide stake can be any suitable length, but an exemplary length is on the order of three feet. Now the user can slide the sign post over the stake and install the sign. The hollow sign post in this case would have an interior shape configuration to receive the stake to keep the sign straight and prevent the post from spinning in the wind. The benefit of this concept is to eliminate the need for a slide hammer on every “quick post”, making it cost effective. For instance, a professional sign installation company can buy two hammers and  20  signs, saving them money. 
     If a customer does not want to take the slide hammer off because of convenience, the hollow sign posts may be designed to slide over both the slide hammer and the slide stake. The sign post will simply slide over the entire “quick post” and slide hammer assembly. This will simplify the installation process. With the post set up, the user can simply install the desired signature sign on to the post and the sign is finished. 
     Removing the “Quick Post:” 
     Removing the sign is a simple procedure. Instead of hammering downward, select the “remove” position on the lock wheel of the slide spike, and simply hammer upward to remove the slide spike out of the soil. Alternatively, for loose soils, the lock wheel can be set to the “lock” position, and by gripping the outside of the hammer column, the entire sign post assembly can be pulled from the soil. 
     Although the foregoing has been a description and illustration of specific embodiments of the invention, various modifications and changes thereto can be made by persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.