# US 5,703,577 A · Self-erecting traffic control device

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 5,703,577 A
- Document ID: US5703577A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/595,268
- Filed: 1996-02-01
- Granted: 1997-12-30
- Earliest claimed: 1996-02-01
- Inventors: James R. Carter
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5703577A

## CPC

- G08G 1/095: Traffic lights
- E01F 9/629: {Traffic guidance, warning or control posts, bollards, pillars or like upstanding bodies or structures}
- G08G: TRAFFIC CONTROL SYSTEMS (guiding railway traffic, ensuring the safety of railway traffic B61L; arrangement of road signs or traffic signals E01F9/00; radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for traffic control G01S13/91, G01S15/88, G01S17/88; {radar or analogous systems, sonar systems, lidar systems specially adapted for anti-collision purposes G01S13/93, G01S15/93, G01S17/93})
- E01F: ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE

## Abstract

A self-erecting control device is provided with a base member and a bracket assembly attached to the base member for receiving a movable sign support member. The movable sign support member is vertically movable and rotatable with the bracket. That is, in one position the sign support member is stationary in an upright position and in a second position, the movable sign support member is rotatable into a storage position. A flexing device, such as a spring, is mounted to the movable sign support member and a sign wherein upon impact the sign device yields in response to the impact and the coil spring returns or self-erects the sign to its original upright position.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A self-erecting traffic control device sign comprising:
a weighted base member;
a bracket mounted onto said base member, said bracket having a center of gravity off-center of the base member;
a movable sign support member pivotally attached to said bracket whereby when said member is moved from a horizontal support surface said base member and said bracket pivot to a vertical position; and,
a vertically extending sign including yielding means attached to said movable sign support member whereby said sign yields upon impact and self-erects to its original vertical position when said impact is complete.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, said base member having an opening therein and said bracket having a collar in mating relation with said opening.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The device of claim 2, said collar having a longitudinally extending through-bore, said through-bore receiving said movable sign support member therein.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The device of claim 3, said sign support member having an elongated opening therein and said bracket includes a pair of pivot pins disposed in aligned spaced relation within said elongated opening.

### Claim 5 (depends on 3)

The device of claim 3, said sign support member and said bracket having cooperating means to lock said sign support member in an upright position.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The device of claim 5, said cooperating means comprising said sign support member having a finger and said bracket having a finger engaging member whereby when said finger and said finger engaging member are in an engaging relation, said sign support member is in an upright position.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The device of claim 1, said sign including yielding means attached to said movable sign support member including a tubular post having said sign mounted on one end and a longitudinally extending opening in an opposed end, and a spring received within said longitudinally extending opening, said opening being attached to receive said sign support member.