US 4,806,046 AGranted

Self-uprighting delineator post

OwnerRichard O. Clarkinventor

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Abstract

A self-uprighting delineator post construction comprises a base that may take a number of different forms and which is capable of being fixed to any suitable stationary object. A delineator post is provided which is of light weight impact resistance construction and may be composed of any one of a number of suitable impact resistant materials. A load cell is interposed between the base and delineator post and incorporates upper and lower load cell which are in abutment and pivotally disposed. The load cell elements are secured by a pair of cables disposed in side-by-side relation and maintained under tensile stress by open or a pair of compression springs which are subjected to a predetermined spring preload. The side-by-side cables fit within aligned passages of the upper and lower load cells which are of elongated cross-sectional configuration and serve to insure return of the delineator post to its properly oriented upright position after being forced toward the horizontal by an impact force.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A self-uprighting delineator post construction comprising:

(a) base means adapted to be fixed to any suitable stationary object;
(b) a delineator post of light weight impact resistant composition;
(c) a pivotal load cell having supported connection with said base means and having supporting connection with said delineator post and comprising:
(1) upper and lower load cell elements disposed in abutting relation and forming an abutment joint, said load cell elements each forming a vertically aligned cable passage, said passage cross-section dimensioned in one direction slightly greater than a single cable diameter and in a perpendicular direction slightly greater than two cable diameters, said upper load cell element capable of pivoting at said abutment joint relative to said lower load cell element;
(2) a pair of wire rope cables disposed in close fitting side-by-side relation and extending through said vertically aligned passages of said upper and lower load cell elements said wire rope cables being capable of bending and resisting tensile elongation and cooperating with said geometric configuration of said aligned passages to prevent relative rotation of said load cell elements;
and
(3) at least one compression spring placing said wire rope cables under predetermined tensile load, said compression spring being further compressed upon pivoting of said upper load cell element relative to said lower cell element and developing an uprighting force urging said upper and lower load cell elements and said delineator post to the vertically aligned and properly oriented positions thereof.

4 more elements

A self-uprighting delineator post construction comprising:

(a) base means adapted to be fixed to any suitable stationary object;
(b) an elongated delineator post of light weight, impact resistant composition;
(c) a load cell having supported connection with said base means and having supporting connection with said delineator post and comprising:
(1) upper and lower load cell elements being disposed in abutment and forming an abutment joint having a circumferential pivoting groove, each of said upper and lower load cell elements forming a vertical cable passage, said passage cross-sectional dimensioned in one direction slightly exceeding the diameter of a cable and in a perpendicular direction slightly exceeding two cable diameters, said vertical passage of each of said load cell elements being disposed in vertical alignment, said upper and lower load cell elements being capable of pivotal movement in any direction in response to an impact force against said delineator post;
(2) a pair of wound wire cables extending through said vertically aligned passages of said upper and lower load cell elements, said pair of wound wire cables being disposed in side-by-side relation and closely fitting within said passage means and being in relatively movable relation with said upper and lower load cell elements, said wound wire cables being capable of bending and resisting tensile elongation and cooperating with said load cell elements at said aligned cable passages to prevent relative rotation of said load cell elements while upright and returning said delineator post to a preset rotational position upon pivotal movement thereof to its upright position;
and
(3) at least one compression spring being in engagement with at least one of said upper and lower load cell elements and being maintained under precompression for continuous application of tensile stress to said pair of wound wire cables, said tensile stress maintaining said upper and lower load cell elements in abutment and providing self-uprighting force to return said load cell elements to aligned abutting relation following release of impact force from said delineator post.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.