Patent Document

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/360,530, which was filed Jul. 1, 2010 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a mounting system for posts that rebounds when impacted and more particularly to a spring loaded mounting system designed for mounting of mailbox posts. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Mailbox posts are used at residences and businesses for positioning of mail boxes to receive mail delivery. These posts commonly are rigidly mounted in a hole dug at the correct location and then filled with soil or secured in place by concrete or a similar product. This conventional installation method can cause damage to vehicles or persons if struck when a vehicle leaves the road. Furthermore, when the post or mailbox is struck, particularly by snow moved by a snow plow in colder regions, posts are often broken or damaged and require maintenance by the home owner or business owner. In addition, in cold climates, home owners and business owners place protective fixtures in front of their mailboxes which are unsightly and potentially dangerous in the event that a vehicle leaves the road in icy conditions. 
         [0004]    There is therefore a need exists in the art for a post mounting system that can absorb an impact and can rebound without damage. Many applications may exist for a rebounding post mounting system such as for signs or other fixtures near a roadway including mailboxes. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In one aspect there is disclosed a rebounding post mounting system including at least two tube sections with one of the tube sections fixed in position. The at least two tube sections are linked by at least one spring. A tube section not fixed in position deflects relative to the fixed tube section upon an impact and returns to a starting position following the impact. 
         [0006]    In another aspect, the rebounding post mounting system may include at least two tube sections with one of the tube sections fixed in position. At least two support plates are attached to the first and second tube sections. At least two mounting plates are attached to the first and second tube sections. At least one spring is attached at opposing ends to the at least two mounting plates. A tube section not fixed in position deflects relative to the fixed tube section upon an impact and returns to a starting position following the impact. 
         [0007]    In a further aspect, the rebounding post mounting system may include at least two tube sections with one of the tube sections fixed in position. At least two support plates are attached to the first and second tube sections. At least two mounting plates are attached to the first and second tube sections. At least one spring is attached at opposing ends to the at least two mounting plates. Ac entering device is attached on one of the first or second support plates aligning the first and second tube sections. A tube section not fixed in position deflects relative to the fixed tube section upon an impact and returns to a starting position following the impact. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a rebounding post mounting system; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rebounding post mounting system. 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  is a section view from the side of one embodiment of a rebounding post mounting system; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a rebounding post mounting system; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a rebounding post system having a spring attached using a clamping type device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a rebounding post system having a spring attached using a clamping type device; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an exploded perspective view of a rebounding post system having multiple springs; 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of a rebounding post system having multiple springs; 
           [0016]      FIG. 9  is an exploded perspective view of one section of a rebounding post system having multiple tube sections; 
           [0017]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a rebounding post system having multiple tube sections. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown one embodiment of a rebounding post mounting system  5 . The rebounding post mounting system  5  may include a first tube section  10  and second tube section  12 . 
         [0019]    The first tube section  10  may include a first support plate  14  and a spring mounting plate  16 . The first tube section  10  may include weld slots  18  for anchoring the first spring mounting plate  16 . 
         [0020]    The spring mounting plate  16  may be secured to one end of a spring  20  and attached or welded in place inside the first tube section  10  utilizing the weld slots  18 . In one aspect, the spring  20  may be welded to the spring mounting plate  16 . In an alternative embodiment, the spring  20  may be secured to the mounting plate  16  without a weld. As shown in  FIGS. 5 ,  6  an end of the spring may be retained by a cap  33  for attachment to each end of the spring. The cap  33  is secured in place by a nut  34  to allow for extension of the spring during installation of the bolts  35  to pretension the spring for correct operation. However, those skilled in the art recognize that a variety of designs may be used to secure the spring  20  to the spring mounting plate  20  without welding. 
         [0021]    The first support plate  14  may be attached or welded to an end of the first tube section  10 . Those skilled in the art recognize that a variety of fastening methods may be used to secure the first support plate  14  to the first tube section  10 . The first support plate  14  may include an opening or clearance hole  21  for the spring  20  to pass through. Additionally, the support plate  14  may include a centering hole  22  to accept a centering device  24 , as will be discussed in more detail below. 
         [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a rebounding post mounting system  5  may include a second tube section  12 , a centering device  24 , a second support plate  26 , and a second spring mounting plate  28 . The second spring mounting plate  28  may be secured to an end of the spring  20  opposite the first spring mounting plate  16 . In one aspect, the second spring mounting plate  28  may be welded to the end  30  of the spring  20 . However, as described above with respect to the first mounting plate, the spring  20  may be attached to the second spring mounting plate  28  without a weld. 
         [0023]    The second spring mounting plate  28  may be positioned such that the spring  20  is stretched to provide some tension. The second spring mounting plate  28  may then be attached within the second tube section  12  such as through weld slots  32 . 
         [0024]    The second support plate  26  may include a centering device  24 . In one aspect, the centering device  24  may include a nut  34  having a domed top surface  36  which is attached on the second support plate  26  prior to attachment to the first tube section  10 . The domed surface  36  of the nut  34  may protrude through the second support plate  26  and align with the centering hole  22  in the first support plate  14 . It should be realized that a variety of structures may be used to align the first and second tube sections  10 ,  12  after the spring  20  is stretched following an impact. 
         [0025]    In one aspect, the spring  20  retains the first and second tube sections  10 ,  12  together after both the first and second spring mounting plate  16 ,  28  are attached in a desired position. The spring  20  as shown in the figures may be an extension spring designed for the required force and travel for the rebounding post mounting system  5 . The spring  20  provides tension for stability of the post in its static condition and yet has enough travel to allow the post and second section to deflect as necessary during an impact. 
         [0026]    In one aspect, a post mounting system  5  may include a spring  20  having a free length of approximately seven and one half inches and it is one and three-fourths inches in outside diameter. The spring  20  may be stretched one half inch when installed. Those skilled in the art recognize that many different spring designs may accomplish the design intent and that different applications for the rebounding post mounting system may require different spring specifications. Additionally, as shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8  multiple springs  20  may be attached to the mounting plates  16 ,  28  to provide a required reaction force or to allow movement of the first and second tube sections  10 ,  12  in a desired or specified direction. Additionally, various types of springs including torsion, tension, other flexible members such as bars or other structures formed of plastic or polymeric compositions may be utilized. 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 9-10  another alternative embodiment of a post mounting system  5  may include multiple tubular sections  110  that may have a square cross section to allow motion at more than one interface. As illustrated in the Figures, the post mounting system  5  may include multiple sections that may correspond to the previously described first tube section  10  and second tube section  12 . In the depicted embodiment, there are shown three tube sections  112 ,  114 ,  116  that are joined to provide two articulating joints  120 . The depicted embodiment is similar to the previous embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5  but also includes connection of the second tube section  114  connected to the third tube section  116  with an additional spring  20  to allow freedom of movement at the joint between the second and third tubular sections  114 ,  116  when the post is loaded. Various springs  20  may be used at each joint may and may not be of the same design. Additionally, various numbers of sections  110  may be utilized to provide differing numbers of articulating joints  120 . For example, four sections  110  may be joined to provide three articulating joints  120 . One of skill in the art may be able to accommodate various design considerations using multiple articulation joints  120 . 
         [0028]    A variety of posts may be used with the rebounding post mounting system  5 . In one aspect a standard wooden three and one half inch square post may be utilized. The posts may be positioned within either the first or second tube sections  10 ,  12 . In one aspect the second tube  12  section may include a member attached to the surface. Alternatively, the second tube  12  section may be attached to the surface. Further, the first tube section or moveable section  10  may include a mounting member positioned therein. The mounting member may include a mailbox attached thereon. In one aspect, rebounding post mounting system  5  may also include a decorative sleeve installed over the first tube section  10 . 
         [0029]    The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology, which has been used, is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than limitation. Many modifications and variations of the invention are possible in light of the above teachings. Therefore, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.

Technology Category: a