Abstract:
A mobile sign rack which can be easily and quickly mounted or disconnected from the tailgate of a truck for the purpose of storing and/or transporting signs, sign stands, traffic cones and stop and slow paddles to secure worksites on the roadway.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application entitled “HIGHWAY SIGN RACK,” Ser. No. 61/124,205, filed Apr. 15, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to storage racks that can be mounted on trucks and portable traffic sign storage units. This invention is specifically directed to a mobile sign attachment for a highway construction vehicle, which holds signs, tripods, cones, etc., for accessibility to highway employees and which can be used as a storage unit when not attached to vehicle. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     State and federal law mandate the use of traffic control devices such as signs, etc. The problem with the system currently in use is that these signage devices are stored separately and randomly and are transported in the back of trucks where they are not easily accessible and due to this fact can cause delayed response, damage to equipment or injuries to personnel. Also due to the unavailability of these necessary traffic control devices because of the inconvenience of finding the proper signage materials and loading and unloading them, some work crews unlawfully work without all the necessary signage at the worksite. This, in turn, endangers the health and life of the worker and the motoring public along with the creating liability to the appropriate agency. 
     The prior art includes some systems for storing and transporting signs and the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,328,066 to Cappuccio is directed to a cart for use in transporting cones, flags and illuminated signals. The cart is designed so that it can be removably mounted to the front of a utility truck. The cart incorporates two horizontally aligned wheels at its base and several support panels designed to carry traffic cones or other highway-related items. When not attached to a vehicle, the cart can be tilted so that its entire weight is supported by the wheels and rolled to various locations within a work site. Finally, the patent indicates that traffic signs can be attached to the cart to signal drivers of altered road conditions. However, this patent does not disclose any additional features which could contain rolled-up signs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,831 to Buchanan is directed to a traffic cone rack designed to be fixedly mounted to the bumper of a vehicle. The invention includes a flat body portion designed to be attached to a bumper. A cone support is attached to the body portion and is shaped to hold and support traffic cones. The body portion and the cone support are both secured to the bumper. In use, traffic cones are placed over the cone support and can be transported via a vehicle. The invention also discloses a locking hinge mechanism which keeps cones on the rack during transport. The patent does not suggest or describe any feature to hold large signs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,845,894 to Vyvoda is directed to a utility rack designed for transporting flat objects on the side of a standard pick-up truck. Using hooks, the rack hangs from a scaffolding or pipe-rack set up in the bed of the truck. The rack then rests against the wall of the truck bed. The rack&#39;s depth, length, and width can be adjusted to incorporate generally flat objects of varying sizes. This invention seems to be a typical plate-glass carrier for a pick-up truck. This invention does not disclose the use of shelves or tubes for storing large or folded road signs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,108,311 to McClendon is directed to a portable container, which stores a number of rolled-up safety warning signs. The invention also includes a display pole stored within the container. The container includes a hole in the center, through which the display pole is inserted. The safety warning signs can be unrolled and hung from the pole and set up next to a vehicle, thereby converting the container to a base for displaying the sign. Although the patent discloses rolled up signs and a method for storing them, there is no suggestion of a way to attach the container to a vehicle. 
     French patent application 2,845,101 to Taglione is directed to a portable trailer with vertical racks to organize rigid traffic signs, storage zones for pedestrian pedestals, and a set of wheels that allow the trailer to be pulled by a vehicle. The vertical racks are designed with several parallel rods to store flat traffic signs in an upright position. The set of wheels are horizontally aligned and located at the center of the base of the trailer. The trailer includes a typical trailer hitch so the entire unit can be attached to a vehicle and towed. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention involves a sign rack that can be easily and quickly mounted or disconnected from the tailgate of a 1 ton, 3 ton or tandem dump truck for the purpose of storing and/or transporting signs, sign stands, traffic cones and stop and slow paddles to secure worksites on the roadway. The device is an all-in-one container for holding highway signs. It allows highway workers to easily remove the signs for placement on the roads and to store the signs. At the end of the day, the sign rack can be taken to the storage yard and unloaded. When it is needed, it can be reloaded onto the truck. In this manner, construction workers do not need to keep looking for signs in the yard as they are all organized in one place. 
     It is the object of this invention to provide a working platform for the storage and transportation of the signage mandated at a roadway worksite. This can in turn allow one person to attach the sign rack to the truck, drive to the worksite and erect the necessary signs on the roadway, greatly increasing response time and decreasing manpower. 
     The present invention is an all-in-one container for roll-up and sheet metal traffic signs and traffic cones. The invention includes a large rack, which can be removably attached to a vehicle for transportation to and from work sites. The rack also incorporates two horizontally aligned wheels, which roll the sign away from the truck when the dump box is raised. Other elements include various methods and structures for holding and storing different sizes and shapes of signs. 
     The present invention is directed to a mobile sign rack that can be easily and quickly mounted or disconnected from the tailgate of a vehicle for the purpose of storing and/or transporting signs, sign stands, traffic cones and stop and slow paddles to secure worksites on the roadway. The mobile sign rack comprises a substantially vertical frame attached to a base, wherein the vertical frame comprises an interior section for maintaining signage; at least one mounting clip for mounting the mobile sign rack to the vehicle; at least one bumper assembly positioned on the frame for positioning the mobile sign rack on the vehicle, the at least one bumper assembly comprising means to maintain the mobile sign rack in a substantially vertically oriented position; a mounting tray attached to the base for storing traffic cones and other necessities; and at least one pair of wheels on the rack to assist the mobility of the mobile sign rack when the mobile sign rack is positioned on a ground surface. 
     The present invention is further directed to a mobile sign rack comprising a substantially vertical frame attached to a base, wherein the vertical frame includes two front and two rear parallel disposed uprights, wherein the uprights are connected at the upper end by a pair of parallel disposed crossbars and a pair of horizontal stabilization bars, wherein the frame further includes an interior section for maintaining signage, wherein the interior section comprises at least one generally cylindrical tubular sign holder for storing flexible signage, wherein the generally cylindrical tubular sign holder includes a removable cap for accessing the interior of the sign holder; at least one mounting clip for mounting the mobile sign rack to the vehicle; at least one bumper assembly positioned on the frame for positioning the mobile sign rack on the vehicle, the at least one bumper assembly comprising means to maintain the mobile sign rack in a substantially vertically oriented position; a mounting tray attached to the base for storing traffic cones and other necessities, wherein the mounting tray includes a spacer bar and a foraminous floor; a pair of leveling legs on the frame for positioning the mobile sign rack in a substantially level position when the mobile sign rack on a ground surface; and at least one pair of wheels on the rack to assist the mobility of the mobile sign rack when the mobile sign rack is positioned on a ground surface. 
     The present invention is further directed to a mobile sign rack comprising a substantially vertical frame attached to a base, wherein the vertical frame includes two front and two rear parallel disposed uprights, wherein the uprights are connected at the upper end by a pair of parallel disposed crossbars and a pair of horizontal stabilization bars, wherein the frame further includes an interior section for maintaining signage, wherein the interior section comprises at least one track for holding inflexible signage; at least one mounting clip for mounting the mobile sign rack to the vehicle; at least one bumper assembly positioned on the frame for positioning the mobile sign rack on the vehicle, the at least one bumper assembly comprising means to maintain the mobile sign rack in a substantially vertically oriented position; a mounting tray attached to the base for storing traffic cones and other necessities, wherein the mounting tray includes a spacer bar and a foraminous floor; a pair of leveling legs on the frame for positioning the mobile sign rack in a substantially level position when the mobile sign rack on a ground surface; at least one pair of wheels on the mobile sign rack to assist the mobility of the mobile sign rack when the mobile sign rack is positioned on a ground surface; and brackets for holding traffic paddles. 
     Advantageously, the sign rack of the present invention is easy to install onto a vehicle, such as a construction or dump truck. It can be attached to the back of a truck in approximately 30 seconds. Further the sign rack of the present invention can be adjusted to fit a variety of sizes of vehicles. 
     When the sign rack is not in use it can serve as a storage rack for the signage equipment on a lot or the like. Thus, the sign rack can be easily uninstalled from the vehicle and placed on the ground or in a storage structure without the need to remove any signage equipment. Therefore, the signage equipment remains in one place ready for the next use. This cuts down on labor cost, wear and tear on equipment and reduces the chance of injury to workers. 
     Further, the sign rack of the present invention makes the requirement for using signage easier, faster and safer. The sign rack keeps the signage organized and protected and allows easier setups and removals of signs as the signage equipments is easier to reach and does not require climbing into the back of a truck to locate equipment. 
     Further, the sign rack is designed to makes setup and takedown of signs safer and easier. The sign rack is designed so the highway worker is unloading and loading signage equipment on the shoulder side of the road. This eliminates the need for the worker to be in traffic while setting up temporary signage. Further still, the sign rack can be operated by one person, thus cutting down on labor cost. The sign rack typically puts all the signage equipment at waist height which eliminates much of the bending over and lifting out position, and thus reduces injury. 
     Further the sign rack protects the signs and equipment, therefore reducing the wear and tear of signs and sign accessories. 
     The objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the mobile sign rack of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a front elevated view of the mobile sign rack of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a rear elevated view of the mobile sign rack of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a first side view of the sign rack of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a second side view of the sign rack of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a top elevated view of the sign rack of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom elevated view of the sign rack of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the mobile sign rack of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevated view of the mobile sign rack of  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is partial perspective view of the mobile sign rack illustrating another embodiment thereof. 
         FIG. 11  is side view of the mobile sign rack of the present invention as it is about to be attached to a vehicle. 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevated view of the mobile sign rack of the present invention attached to a vehicle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the  FIG. 1 , the mobile sign rack  10  is constructed of a vertically oriented frame  12  attached to a base  14 . Preferably, the frame  12  and base  14  are constructed of steel and most preferably two inch tubular steel. The frame  12  includes four uprights  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22 . Uprights  16  and  18  are connected at the upper end by a crossbar  24 . Likewise, uprights  20  and  22  are connected by crossbar  24 . To add further support, the combination of uprights  16  and  18  and crossbar  24  are connected to uprights  20 ,  22  and crossbar  26  by horizontal stabilization bars  28  and  30 . This gives frame  12  a rectangular box configuration. As illustrated best in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  4  and  5 , the uprights  16  and  20  each include mounting clips  32  for mounting the entire rack onto the back of a truck. As further illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ,  4  and  5 , uprights  16  and  20  include openings  34  to allow for adjustment of the mounting clips  32  along the length of the uprights  16  and  20 . In addition, the uprights  16  and  20  include a bumper assembly  36  ( FIGS. 1 and 10 ) of rubber or other shock absorbing material which is also adjustable along the openings  34  for positioning the rack  10  on the back of a truck and maintaining the rack  10  in a vertically oriented position. 
     The base  14  is a generally rectangular structure, the dimensions of which can be sized and shaped depending upon the type of vehicle carrying the mobile sign rack  10  and the needs based on the size of the job. Without being limited to any specific size dimensions, a base structure can be typically sized between 36 inch by 36 inch and 48 inch by 48 inch. The measurement depends on a variety of factors including: tailgate thickness, tailgate height from level pavement, tailgate height once dump box is completely raised from level pavement. 
     The base  14  serves the purposes of mounting the frame  12 , mobilizing the rack  10  when the rack  10  is located on a ground surface and securing an optional mounting tray  38 . The mounting tray  38  is a utility box structure designed for storing traffic cones and other necessities. As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the mounting tray  38  can include safety tail lights or directional lights, generally indicated at  39 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the mounting tray  38  preferably includes a spacer bar  40  and an expanded floor  42  to the tray  38 . Preferably, the floor  42  is foraminous in order to allow water and other liquids to flow through. 
     Located at the end closest to the truck when the rack  10  is mounted are two leveling legs  44 , illustrated in  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , on either side of the rack  10 . Located at the other end of the frame  14  are two wheels  46  to assist the mobility of the rack  10 . The wheels  46  are kept in place by a wheel bracket  48 . 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 1-7 , the frame  12  includes an interior section  50  defined by uprights  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22 , crossbars  24  and  26 , and horizontal stabilization bars  28  and  30 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the interior section  50  is designed to hold hardboard large flat signage (not shown). With reference specifically to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the interior section  50  is defined by upper and lower tracks  52  and  54  for providing a stall to receive the signage. While the lower tracks  54  are fixed to the base  14  of the frame  12 , the upper tracks  52  may be adjustable along the length of the frame  12  to accommodate signage of varying dimensions by moving the upper platform  56  of the upper tracks  52  along the uprights  16 ,  18 ,  20 , and  22  and securing the platform to the uprights by bolts through the openings  34  or other means known to the art. A rotating securing bar  58  may be placed at either or both ends of the frame  12  to prevent loss of the signage as the rack  10  is being moved. 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 8 and 9  for an alternative embodiment of the rack  10  in which the interior section  50  of the frame  12  is subdivided into sections  70  for holding generally cylindrical tubular sign holders  72 . The sign holders  72  are intended to hold flexible signs which can be rolled up and stored within the sign holders  72 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , there are five sections  70  although it is within the skill of the art to have more or fewer sections  70  depending on the particular circumstances. In addition, it is within the skill of the art to combine the features of  FIGS. 1-7  with  FIGS. 8 and 9  to have a rack  10  which includes both tracks  52 ,  54  for hard signage and tubular sign holders  72  for flexible or rolled signage. 
     Each sign holder  72  is maintained within the frame  12  by a pair of cross support brackets  74  which are mounted to the uprights  16 ,  18 ,  20  and  22 . Situated atop each cross support bracket  74  are cradle brackets  76  generally made of PVC plastic or other similar materials. The sign holders  72  are then fixed to the cradle brackets  76  by a U-bolt  78 , generally of a stainless steel or similar configuration. The sign holder  72  is closed at one end  80  by means of a permanently affixed cap  82  or similar device. Situated at the other end  84  is a hinged or removable cap  86  which is designed to be easily opened by a latch or other mechanism for placement or removal of the flexible signage. As illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the removable cap  86  is attached to the sign holder  72  by means of a hinge  88 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-9  and optionally positioned on the uprights  16 ,  18  or  20 ,  22  are stop and slow paddle handle brackets  100  for holding traffic paddles which generally have the words “STOP” or “SLOW”. 
     In addition, the upper portion of the frame  12  includes a safety chain holder  110  on the mounting clip  32  for threading a chain or other safety wire to further secure the rack  10  to a vehicle. Optionally, there is a catch  112  to further assist the movement of the rack  10  onto or off of a vehicle. 
     As a typical load for a mobile sign rack  10 , the sign rack  10  can include the following:
         24 temporary road construction signs;   2 stop and slow paddles;   2 stop and slow paddles extensions;   Storage tray that is 18 inches wide×92 inches long×10 inches deep, to be able to store any type of temporary sign bases and traffic cones; and   Up to 10 traffic cones with cone bracket.
 
Of course, the numbers and types of signage equipment can change depending on the size and structure of the mobile sign rack  10 .
       

     Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the mobile sign rack  10  can include a spreader off-set assembly  120  for placing a distance brace between the frame  12  of the rack  10  and the mounting clips  32 . The purpose of the spreader off-set assembly  120  is to off-set the mobile sign rack  10  a distance of one or two feet from the vehicle to accommodate certain features in the vehicle such as, for example, a salt spreader. 
     Mounting the Mobile Sign Rack  10  to the Vehicle  150   
     Referring now to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , the mobile sign rack  10  is mounted onto a vehicle  150 , such as a truck or the like by raising the truck box  152  of the vehicle  150  to its elevated position as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , backing the vehicle  150  under the mounting clips  32  of the sign rack  10  then lowering the truck box  152  to the lowest position, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . This allows the sign rack  10  to clip over the tailgate  154  of the vehicle  150  and rest in an upright position. The mobile sign rack is kept in a relatively vertical position on the vehicle  150  by means of the bumper assemblies  36  resting against the tailgate  154  of the vehicle  150 . The mobile sign rack is then secured to the truck box  152  by a safety chain and chain binder (not shown). 
     Preferably, the mobile sign rack  10  of the present invention is designed so all signage is removed from the passenger side of the vehicle on the shoulder away from the danger of traffic. 
     Disconnecting the Mobile Sign Rack  10  from the Vehicle  150   
     After all signage is erected at the worksite, the mobile sign rack  10  may be easily disconnected by reversing the installation sequence thus allowing the sign rack wheels  46  to move the sign rack  10  away from the vehicle  150  as the dump box  152  is raised allowing the vehicle  150  to be used at the worksite without the mobile sign rack  10  in tow. After work has been completed, the mobile sign rack  10  can be remounted on the vehicle  150 , then reloaded with signage and taken back to the work station. The mobile sign rack  10  can be disconnected and become a storage unit. This will ensure that all signage is readily accessible for the next assignment. 
     It is understood that the invention is not confined to the particular construction and arrangement of parts herein illustrated and described, but embraces such modified forms thereof as come within the scope of the following claims.