Patent Abstract:
A highway road sign is described that is capable of opening and folding to display or conceal information presented on a face of the road sign. The foldable sign of the invention is further capable of being opened and closed remotely and powered with solar energy. Additionally the foldable sign is operable when subjected to cross winds.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable 
     FEDERAL SPONSORSHIP 
     Not Applicable 
     JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     This invention pertains generally to highway road signs. More particularly, the invention pertains to a highway road sign capable of opening and folding to display or conceal information presented on a face of the road sign. The folding of the roadway sign in accordance with the invention is further capable of opening and closing remotely. Power to the folding roadway sign may be provided with a solar energy. The foldable sign of the invention is also operable when subjected to cross winds. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Generally, traditional road signs have been built of a thicker gauge sheet metal in order to withstand extreme weather conditions. During roadway construction, a need still exists for sturdy roadway signs, however, separate specialized road signs have been utilized in order to convey temporary messages when crews are working in a work zone. When the work zones are inactive it may be preferred to block from visibility the message conveyed on the sign. Some localities or agencies may even mandate removal or blockage of work zone signage when crews are not present in the work zone. Additional sheet metal or covers may be added to the sign to block the messages when crews leave the work area. Alternatively, the specialized signs may be built in halves that are able to fold or flip. These folding signs may be used to block the message conveyed on the sign. Prior signs have required manual manipulation of the sign to alter the characteristics, position, or condition of the sign. 
     It is desirable to provide a folding sign that is rigid and sturdy and that does not have a wide gap between the halves when the sign is opened (making the message on the sign disjoint). Further, it is desirable to secure the two halves of the sign together in a way capable of withstanding significant winds when in the open or folded positions. Also, at times, it may be preferred to be able to remotely activate the opening and closing of the sign. For example, the sign may be positioned in a work zone area, at a location, making the conditions less than ideal to manually fold and secure the sign. And, during inclement weather, the manual folding of signs may be less than desirable. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments according to aspects of the invention are rigid and sturdy and capable of automatically folding or flipping the two halves of a roadway sign between an open and closed position. According to other aspects, the apparatus of the invention to fold and open the roadway sign is capable of being activated remotely to either open or close the sign. Further, the activation of multiple roadway signs to open or close may be daisy chained together electronically such that an activation of one sign to an open or closed position results in subsequent activation of multiple corresponding signs. The invention may also utilize solar power to provide energy for the activation of the roadway sign between the open and closed position. 
     These and other embodiments according to aspects of the invention include an apparatus for folding a highway safety sign, wherein the apparatus includes at least one hinge, braces, mounts, a support member, and an actuator. The hinge includes two hinge mounts wherein each hinge mount is attached to a half of a roadway sign. A first brace is fixed to the first half of the sign and is further engaged to the first hinge mount of the hinge. Similarly, a second brace is fixed to the second half of the sign and is engaged to the second hinge mount of the hinge. The support member articulates at a mid-joint and has a first end pivotally attached to the first brace and a second end pivotally attached to the second brace. The actuator has a first end pivotally coupled to the hinge and has a second end pivotally coupled to the articulating support member. 
     The hinge portion of the apparatus of the invention may further have a first set of arms having first ends pivotally attached to the first hinge mount and having second ends slidingly engaged to the second hinge mount. Similarly, the hinge may have a second set of arms having first ends pivotally attached to the second hinge mount and having second ends slidingly engaged to the first hinge mount. Additionally, the hinge may include a pivot pin connecting mid portions of the first and second set of arms of the hinge. Also, a first end of the actuator may be pivotally coupled to at least one of the first and second set of arms of the hinge. According to aspects of the invention, an embodiment of the invention may further include first and second spaced apart outer hinges that are capable of coupling to the sign and wherein the hinge is positioned between the first and second spaced apart outer hinges. The actuator may be electrically coupled to a wireless power switching control that allows a user to send a signal to the switching control to activate the sign to an open or closed position. Further, a solar panel may supply energy to the switching control and the actuator. 
     Another embodiment according to aspects of the invention includes a sign having first and second separable halves, at least three floating hinges fixed or attached to the sign, braces attached to the sign and one of the floating hinges, an articulating support member, and an actuator. Each hinge may include a first hinge mount fixed to the first half of sign, a second hinge mount fixed to the second half of sign, a first set of arms having first ends pivotally attached to the first hinge mount and having second ends that slide in guideways of the second hinge mount, a second set of arms having first ends pivotally attached to the second hinge mount and having second ends that slide in guideways of the first hinge mount, and a pivot pin that connects mid portions of the first and second set of arms. A first brace is fixed to the first half of the sign and engaged to the first hinge mount of the third floating hinge and a second brace is fixed to the second half of the sign and engaged to the second hinge mount of the third floating hinge. The articulating support member has a first end pivotally attached to the first brace and a second end pivotally attached to the second brace. The actuator has a first end pivotally coupled to at least one of the first and second set of arms of the third floating hinge and has a second end pivotally coupled to a joint of the articulating support member. 
     According to aspects of the invention the actuator may be electrically coupled to a wireless power switching control. Additionally, a solar panel may be provided and electrically coupled to the actuator and switching control to supply energy to the actuator and switching control. In an embodiment of the invention the actuator may be of the linear actuation type and may be of a solenoid or hydraulic type of known suitable construction. 
     The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a portion of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to further explain the invention. The embodiments illustrated herein are presently preferred; however, it should be understood, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the various figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals throughout the figures identify substantially similar components. 
         FIG. 1  is a back left perspective view of a remote staked highway road sign apparatus of the present invention shown in an open position; 
         FIG. 2  is a back right perspective view of a remote staked highway road sign apparatus of the type shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a back left perspective view of a remote staked highway road sign apparatus of the present invention shown in a partially closed position; 
         FIG. 4  is a back left perspective view of a remote staked highway road sign apparatus of the present invention shown in a closed position; 
         FIG. 5  is a back right perspective view of an embodiment of a highway road sign apparatus of the present invention shown in an open position; 
         FIG. 6  is a back left perspective view of an embodiment of a highway road sign apparatus of the present invention shown in an open position; 
         FIG. 7  is a back left perspective view of an embodiment of a highway road sign apparatus of the present invention shown in a partially open position; 
         FIG. 8  is a back right perspective view of an embodiment of a highway road sign apparatus of the present invention shown in a partially open position; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a highway road sign apparatus of the present invention shown in a closed open position; 
         FIG. 10  is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a highway road sign apparatus of the present invention shown in a closed position; 
         FIG. 11  is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a middle hinge, braces, support member, and actuator of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in an open position; 
         FIG. 12  is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a middle hinge, braces, support member, and actuator of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in an open position; 
         FIG. 13  is a back left perspective view of an embodiment of a middle hinge, braces, support member, and actuator of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a partially open position; 
         FIG. 14  is a back right perspective view of an embodiment of a middle hinge, braces, support member, and actuator of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a partially open position; 
         FIG. 15  is a front upper perspective view of an embodiment of a middle hinge, braces, support member, and actuator of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a closed position; 
         FIG. 16  is a front lower perspective view of an embodiment of a middle hinge, braces, support member, and actuator of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a closed position; 
         FIG. 17  is a front lower perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in an open position; 
         FIG. 18  is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in an open position; 
         FIG. 19  is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a partially closed position and having a pin removed; 
         FIG. 20  is a back left perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a partially closed position and having a pin removed; 
         FIG. 21  is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a partially closed position; 
         FIG. 22  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a partially closed position; 
         FIG. 23  is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a partially open position; 
         FIG. 24  is a back perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a partially open position; 
         FIG. 25  is a front left perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a closed position; 
         FIG. 26  is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a closed position; 
         FIG. 27  is a top perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 28  is a top side perspective view of an embodiment of a hinge of a highway road sign of the present invention shown in a closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following description provides detail of various embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each of these embodiments are provided by way of explanation of the invention, and not intended to be a limitation of the invention. Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations may be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. By way of example, those skilled in the art will recognize that features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, may be used in another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention also cover such modifications and variations that come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     The apparatus  10  of the present invention is particularly well suited for remote opening and closing the first and second halves  16  and  18  of a two piece work zone roadway sign  14 . With reference to the Figures, various embodiments according to aspects of the invention will be described in greater detail. With reference to  FIGS. 1-5 , a work zone roadway sign assembly is shown removed and suspended above the ground. The sign  14  includes a first half  16  and second half  18  coupled together by first hinge  30 , second hinge  60  and third hinge  190 . The apparatus for folding the sign  14  generally includes at least one hinge  60 , bracing  110 , an articulating support member  130 , and an actuator  160 . Additional hinges  30  and  190  may be aligned on either side of hinge  60  and each hinge includes two hinge mounts wherein each hinge mount is attached to a corresponding first and second half  16  and  18  of the roadway sign  14 . The sign  14  may be mounted to stakes  176  and  178  that are buried or driven into the ground. The apparatus  10  may further include a remote controlled power switch control  180  and solar panel  188  of known suitable construction coupled to the actuator  160  with electrical conduits  184 . The solar panel is attached to stake  176  and the remote wifi control  180  is coupled to the lower half  18  of the sign  14 . The wireless power switch control or remote wifi  180  may further include an antenna  182 . Without limitation intended, the wireless control may include wi-fi, z-wave or Bluetooth systems having hand held, key fob or switch controllers. Operating system apps may also be utilized to create additional functionality for the controller. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6-10 , bracing  110  includes a first brace  112  fixed to the first half  16  of the sign  14  and is further engaged to a first hinge mount  62  of the second hinge  60 . Similarly, bracing  110  includes a second brace  114  fixed to the second half  18  of the sign  14  and the second brace  114  is further engaged to the second hinge mount  64  of the second hinge  60 . Articulating support member  130  couples together the first brace  112  and second brace  114 . The support member  130  articulates at a mid-joint  132  and has a first end  134  pivotally attached to the first brace  112  and a second end  136  pivotally attached to the second brace  114 . The actuator  160  has a first end  162  pivotally coupled to the hinge  60  and has a second extendable end  164  pivotally coupled to the articulating support member  130 . 
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the actuator  160  may be of an integrated electric actuator of known suitable construction that combines servomotor, digital drive, linear controller and actuator in a compact unit, such as those available from Motion Control Products and Tolmatic. In use, when the second end  164  extends out of the main body, the two halves of the sign pivot closed and then the second end  164  draws into the main body the two halves of the sign pivot open. 
       FIGS. 11-16  also illustrates the attachment, coupling and actuation of the hinge  60 , bracing  110 , articulating support member  130  and actuator  160 . The first ends  134  of support member are pivotally attached with pivot pins  118  to the first braces  112  and the second ends  136  of support member  130  are pivotally attached with pivot pins  118  to the second brace  114 . A pivot pin  118  couples the first and second ends  134  and  136  of the support members to an end of the second extendable end  164  of the actuator  160  at a mid-joint  132 . Sign mounting pads  116  couple free ends of each brace member to each corresponding half of the sign. A flange of the each brace member  112  and  114  extends over the top of corresponding hinge mounts  62  and  64  to provide additional stability and continuity between the sign halves  16  and  18 , the braces  112  and  114  and the articulating support member  130 . Further, the pads  116  and flanges  120  increase rigidity and reduce the potential of the sign twisting when subjected to cross winds. The reliefs or cutouts  122  in the bracing  112  and  114  further reduce resistance to a cross wind. The pivot attachment of the first end  134  and second end  136  may be modified to couple directly to the respective hinge mounts, however, coupling to the bracing is affective. The hinge  60  includes features that allow the edge of the two signs to align adjacent and with minimal gap when the sign is in the open position and allows a gap  124  between the signs when in the closed folded position (see, for example,  FIG. 15 ). 
       FIGS. 17-28  illustrates various embodiments of the hinges  30 ,  60  and  190  in accordance with aspects of the invention.  FIGS. 17 and 18  illustrate hinge  30  in the open position.  FIGS. 19 through 24  illustrate hinges  30 ,  60  and  190  in a partially open position and  FIGS. 25 through 28  illustrate hinge  190  in the closed position. Hinge  30  includes first hinge mount  32 , second hinge mount  34 , a top pair of arms  36  and a bottom pair of arms  38 . A first end of the top pair of arms  36  is pivotally coupled to the second hinge mount  34  with a bottom pivot pin  44 . A second end of the top pair of arms  36  is slidingly coupled to the first hinge mount  32  with a guideway pin  52  that slides in guideways  52  formed in the hinge mount  32 . Similarly, a first end of the bottom pair of arms  38  is pivotally coupled to the first hinge mount  32  with a top pivot pin  40 . A second end of the bottom pair of arms  38  is slidingly coupled to the second hinge mount  34  with a guideway pin  54  that slides in guideways  48  formed in the hinge mount  34 . The pairs of arms  36  and  38  are pivotally coupled together with a middle pivot pin  42 . A relief  50  may be formed in the first and second hinge mounts  32  and  34  to allow the hinge mounts to pivot into an open position without the arms binding on the hinge mounts. Holes  56  are formed in the hinge mounts to allow the hinge mounts to be attached to a sign. 
     Middle hinge  60  includes first hinge mount  62 , second hinge mount  64 , a top pair of arms  66  and a bottom pair of arms  68 . A first end of the top pair of arms  66  is pivotally coupled to the second hinge mount  64  with a bottom pivot pin  74 . A second end of the top pair of arms  66  is slidingly coupled to the first hinge mount  62  with a guideway pin  88  that slides in guideways  72  formed in the hinge mount  62 . Similarly, a first end of the bottom pair of arms  68  is pivotally coupled to the first hinge mount  62  with a top pivot pin  70 . A second end of the bottom pair of arms  68  is slidingly coupled to the second hinge mount  64  with a guideway pin  90  that slides in guideways  78  formed in the hinge mount  64 . The pairs of arms  66  and  68  are pivotally coupled together with a middle pivot pin  72 . A relief  80  may be formed in the first and second hinge mounts  62  and  64  to allow the hinge mounts to pivot into an open position without the arms binding on the hinge mounts. Holes  86  are formed in the hinge mounts to allow the hinge mounts to be attached to a sign. The actuator pivot pin mount  82  extends form the top arms  66 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the actuator mounts  82  may be formed and extend from either the top arms  66 , bottom arms  68 , or a combination of both. Pivot pin  84  couples the actuator mount to the first end  162  of actuator  160  (see, for example,  FIG. 11 ). 
     Opposing hinge  190  includes first hinge mount  192 , second hinge mount  194 , a top pair of arms  196  and a bottom pair of arms  198 . A first end of the top pair of arms  196  is pivotally coupled to the second hinge mount  194  with a bottom pivot pin  204 . A second end of the top pair of arms  196  is slidingly coupled to the first hinge mount  192  with a guideway pin  212  that slides in guideways  206  formed in the hinge mount  192 . Similarly, a first end of the bottom pair of arms  198  is pivotally coupled to the first hinge mount  192  with a top pivot pin  200 . A second end of the bottom pair of arms  198  is slidingly coupled to the second hinge mount  194  with a guideway pin  214  that slides in guideways  208  formed in the hinge mount  194 . The pairs of arms  196  and  198  are pivotally coupled together with a middle pivot pin  202 . A relief  210  may be formed in the first and second hinge mounts  192  and  194  to allow the hinge mounts to pivot into an open position without the arms binding on the hinge mounts. Holes  216  are formed in the hinge mounts to allow the hinge mounts to be attached to a sign. 
     These and various other aspects and features of the invention are described with the intent to be illustrative, and not restrictive. This invention has been described herein with detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide those skilled in the art with information needed to apply the novel principles and to construct and use such specialized components as are required. It is to be understood, however, that the invention can be carried out by specifically different constructions, and that various modifications, both as to the construction and operating procedures, can be accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention. Further, in the appended claims, the transitional terms comprising and including are used in the open ended sense in that elements in addition to those enumerated may also be present. Other examples will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing this document.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4