Reusable, breakaway connector section for highway sign posts

A breakaway sign post assembly comprising:

• a. an insert having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end including a female receiver;
• b. a plug having an upper end and a lower male projection, said receiver and said projection having corresponding, mating configurations, said plug having an aperture extending from said upper end to said projection;
• c. a spring having a top end and a bottom end, said bottom end being in contact with said upper end of said plug;
• d. a cable having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end of said cable being attached to said top end of said spring, an intermediate portion of said cable passing through said spring, said aperture, and said insert, and said lower end of said cable being attached to said lower end of said insert, said cable compressing said spring thereby resiliently biasing said male projection of said plug into said female receiver of said insert;
• e. a ground sleeve installed within the ground, said ground sleeve being sized and configured to receive at least said lower end of said insert;
• and,
• f. a sign post having a lower portion installed over said spring and at least said upper end of said plug, and an upper portion provided with a sign.

A breakaway connector section comprising:

• a. an insert having an upper end and a lower end, said upper end including a female receiver;
• b. a plug having an upper end and a lower male projection, said receiver and said projection having corresponding, mating configurations;
• and,
• c. means for resiliently biasing said male projection into mating engagement with said female receiver and for maintaining a flexible mechanical interconnection between said insert and said plug, whereby said insert and said plug are maintained in axial alignment until sufficient lateral and axial forces imposed on said plug cause said male projection to be temporarily disengaged from said female receiver.