Patent Application
20230097881
This invention relates to a post assembly having an impact absorbing mechanism core assembly.
Posts (including posts that hold signage) are known to be subject to crushing, deformation, disassembly, breakage, and destruction when struck by objects such as vehicles. The significant mass and velocity of the vehicles creates impacts of sufficient force to damage not only the post but also the surface the sign is mounted in, bystanders, and other objects including vehicles. Moreover, certain environments, such as parking lots or warehouses, subject posts to repeated, frequent impacts that can lead to deterioration of the posts over time.
In some examples, when a customer is choosing a post assembly for installation on a surface, the customer needs to ensure that the post assembly provides the maximum safety to people and vehicles on the asphalt surface when it is struck and that the post assembly does not damage the surface when it is struck. For example, a post assembly should not be so flexible that it easily yields to the force of being struck by an object (e.g., vehicle) and is pushed into a vehicle or a person. The post assembly should also not be so rigid that it tears out of and damages the surface (e.g., asphalt tarmac or pavement) when it is struck by an object. Furthermore, the post assembly should be resistant to being damaged or destroyed when it is struck by an object.
In a general aspect, a post assembly has a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end to a distal end and includes a hollow outer shell, an anchoring sub-assembly disposed at the proximal end for securing the post assembly to a surface, a core assembly disposed within the hollow outer shell. The core assembly includes a core tube, a rigid rod having a lower end mechanically coupled to the anchoring sub-assembly and extending along the longitudinal axis to an upper end, and an elastic member disposed around the upper end of the rigid rod, the elastic member configured to transfer forces incident on the hollow outer shell through the elastic member to the anchoring sub-assembly via the rigid rod.
Aspects may include one or more of the following features.
The core assembly may be disposed in the distal end of the post assembly. The core assembly may also include a first washer disposed in and affixed to the core tube, an a second washer positioned on the elastic member and coupled to the upper end of the rigid rod. The elastic member may be held between the first washer and the second washer.
Deflection of the post assembly may cause the second washer to move in a direction toward the first washer, causing compression of the elastic member. The anchoring sub-assembly may include an inclined surface configured to cause the post assembly to return to its original, undeflected position after deflection. The coupling of the second washer to the upper end may include an adjustment mechanism for changing a distance between the first washer and the second washer.
A lower end of the rigid rod may include a hook for attaching the rigid rod to the anchoring sub-assembly. The rigid rod may include a first portion extending along the longitudinal axis and a second portion extending along a second axis substantially parallel to and off the longitudinal axis. The elastic member may include a coil spring. The anchoring sub-assembly may include one or more fasteners for attaching the post assembly to the surface.
In another general aspect, a method for assembling a post assembly having a longitudinal axis extending from a proximal end to a distal end includes mechanically coupling a lower end of a rigid rod to an anchoring sub-assembly, positioning the rigid rod inside a core tube of a core assembly such that an upper end of the rigid rod extends through an opening in a first washer affixed inside the core tube, positioning an elastic member on the first washer with the upper end of the rigid rod extending therethrough, and positioning a second washer on the elastic member and affixing the second washer to the upper end of the rigid rod such that the elastic member is held between the first washer and the second washer.
Aspects may have one or more of the following advantages.
Unlike conventional post assemblies that are either unable to deflect without being damaged (e.g., a steel post stuck in the ground) or are too easily deflected (e.g., a post with a spring-like impact absorption mechanism), aspects described herein advantageously include a core assembly that can be configured to control deflection of the post assembly. As such, the post can be configured to deflect such that damage to the post, a vehicle, and a mounting surface avoided while also preventing over-deflection that would injure pedestrians.
Also, unlike conventional post assemblies that locate impact absorption mechanisms in a region where a vehicle might strike the post, aspects described herein advantageously move impact absorption mechanisms away from that region to prevent damaging components of the impact absorption mechanisms.
Other features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following description, and from the claims.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
As shown in
In this example, the hollow outer shell 103 is a substantially tubular plastic (e.g., high-density polyethylene) structure that serves as an aesthetically pleasing, weather-resistant cover and provides a first impact absorbing feature for the impact absorbing portion 102 of the post assembly 100. As shown in
Referring to
As will be described in greater detail below, the core assembly 104 is capable of being adjusted and set to an appropriate magnitude of flexibility to protect against injury while reducing likelihood of removal from the surface 140 by maintaining a scope and range of flexibility but precisely controlling the points of rotation and adjustably controlling the forces required for flexing and rebound of post assembly 100 components.
The impact absorbing sub-assembly 129 includes a spring 114 (e.g., a coil spring or other suitable elastic member), a free washer 122, and a fixed washer 125.
In general, the fixed washer 125 is fixed at a predetermined location 127 within the core tube 105. In some examples, the fixed washer 125 is welded (e.g., plug welded) to an interior surface of the core tube 105 at the predetermined location 127.
The spring 114 is dimensioned for insertion into the core tube 105 where it rests on the fixed washer 125. The free washer 122 rests on the spring 114 as a mounting plate and is dimensioned to ensure that it the free washer 122 cannot move into an interior space of the spring 114.
The upper end 115 of the rigid rod 111 extends through an opening (not shown) in the fixed washer 125, through the interior space of the spring 114, and through an opening 131 in the free washer 122. A nut 128 is threaded onto the upper end 115 of the rigid rod 111. The nut 128 and the opening 131 in the free washer 122 are dimensioned such that the nut 128 cannot move through the opening 131 in the free washer 122. This arrangement of elements results in the spring 114 being held captive between the fixed washer 125 and the free washer 122. When tension is applied to the rigid rod 111, the free washer 122 moves along the longitudinal axis 101, pressing the spring 114 against the fixed washer 125 to compress the spring 114.
In some examples, the spring 114 is disposed within a damper 132 that reduces noise generated by the spring 114 interacting with the core tube 105.
The anchoring sub-assembly 119 includes an anchor 116, an alignment plate 150, and a spacer plate 152.
The anchor 116 includes a base 155 with a top side 157 and a bottom side 159. A number of legs 154 (e.g., concrete or asphalt anchors) extend from the bottom side 159 of the base 155 and a number of arcuate ribs 156 supporting a loop 117 extend from the top side 157 of the base 155.
In general, the legs 154 are configured for insertion into the surface 140 to fasten the anchoring sub-assembly 119 to the surface 140. The arcuate ribs 156 securely attach the loop 117 to the base 155 and their acuate shape promotes re-seating of the core tube 105 after it deflects due to an impact (as is described in greater detail below).
The alignment plate 150 is configured to rest on the surface 140 and includes a number of through holes 160 through which the legs 154 of the anchor 116 extend into the surface 140. In some examples, the alignment plate 150 is used as a guide for drilling holes into the surface for accommodating the legs 154.
The spacer plate 152 includes an opening 162 sized and shaped to allow the arcuate ribs 156 to pass through the spacer plate 152, with the spacer plate 152 resting on the top side 157 of the base 155.
The lower end 113 of the rigid rod 111 includes a hook 164 that extends through the loop 117 in a way that mechanically couples the rigid rod 111 to the anchor 116 while allowing the rigid rod 111 to rotate freely about the connection point between the rigid rod 111 and the loop 117.
As mentioned above, the lower end 113 of the rigid rod 111 includes a hook 164 that is mechanically coupled, via loop 117, to the anchor 116 of the rotation assembly 130. Lower end 113 is threaded to receive a nut 180 after the hook 164 is passed through loop 117. As will be described in greater detail below in conjunction with
Although the hook 164 is easily attached to anchor 116, this attachment approach creates a small misalignment of the lower end 113 and upper end 115 of the rigid rod 111 relative to the anchoring sub-assembly 119 and impact absorbing sub-assembly 129, respectively. For this reason, rigid rod 111 includes an offset length 166 extending along an axis 168 that is offset from but parallel to longitudinal axis 101. The offset length 166 creates an angled transition 170 between an upper portion to a lower portion of the rigid rod 111. In this embodiment, offset length 166 extends from a point below the midpoint of the rigid rod to its lower end 113.
The offset length 166 ensures that the points of contact of hook 164 at the anchoring sub-assembly 119 and the impact absorbing sub-assembly 129 both lie on longitudinal axis 101.
Referring to
As shown in
The anchoring sub-assembly 119, however remains fixed in the surface 140 and does not rotate around the pivot point 172. The free washer 122 is coupled to the loop 117 of the anchoring sub-assembly 119 using the rigid rod 111. The free washer 122 therefore rotates in a second circular path 184 about the connection point 186 between the rigid rod 111 and the loop.
Because of the relative positions of the pivot point 172 and the connection point 186, the first circular path 182 and the second circular path 184 each have a different radius and converge as the post assembly 100 deflects from the undeflected position 500a to the deflected position 500b. As a result of the circular paths converging, the free washer 122 and the fixed washer 125 (which follow the first circular path 182 and the second circular path 184, respectively) converge. In the deflected position 500b, the free washer 122 and the fixed washer 125 have converged and a distance between the fixed washers 125, 122 is D2. The distance D2 is less than D1, so the spring 114 is compressed to a second degree of compression, greater than the first degree of compression, in the second position 500b.
When the force, F is removed, the spring 114 decompresses, causing the distance between the washers 122, 125 to return to D1. As the distance between the washers 122, 125 increases from D2 to D1, the washers 122, 125 move along their respective circular paths 182, 184 as the post assembly 100 returns to the undeflected position 500a.
In some examples, the anchoring sub-assembly 119 includes a structure (e.g., the arcuate ribs 156 of
In this example, the post assembly 100 is designed to deflect up to 90 degrees from the initial set position of the longitudinal axis 101 (which generally may be aligned substantially vertically and perpendicular to the surface 140) to a position approximately parallel to the surface 140. The post assembly 100 is designed to deflect 360 degrees (of azimuthal and radial travel) around the longitudinal axis 101 without becoming damaged.
The spring 114 is positioned such that during its engagement it remains outside of the likely zone of impact (e.g., above where a vehicle 110 bumper would strike the core tube 105).
Referring to
In the second configuration 600b, the degree of compression has been increased by twisting the nut 128 (e.g., in a clockwise direction) to advance the nut along the upper end 115 of the rigid rod 111. As the nut 128 advances, the free washer 122 is moved along the longitudinal axis 101 in a direction toward the surface 140, further compressing the spring against the fixed washer 125. It should be appreciated that the compression of the spring 114 can be decreased by retreating the nut 128 along the upper end 115 of the rigid rod 111.
Referring to
In a first step 703 of the method 700, the rigid rod 111 is attached to the anchoring sub-assembly 119 by inserting the hook 164 of the rigid rod 111 through the loop 117 of the anchoring sub-assembly 119. In some examples, the hook 164 is secured in the loop 117 using a cuff (see
In a second step 705, the rigid rod 111 is inserted into the core tube 105 from the bottom end 138. Once inserted, the rigid rod 111 extends in a direction away from the bottom end 138 and through an opening in the fixed washer 125.
In a third step 707, the spring 114 is inserted into the core tube 105 and positioned such that it rests on the fixed washer 125 with the upper end 115 of the rigid rod 111 extending therethrough.
In a fourth step 709, the free washer 122 is positioned on the spring 114 with the upper end 115 of the rigid rod 111 extending through the opening 131 in the free washer 122.
In a fifth step 711, the nut 128 is screwed onto threads on the upper end 115 of the rigid rod 111, securing the spring 114 between the free washer 122 and the fixed washer 125. In some examples, the extent to which the nut 128 is screwed onto the upper end 115 of the rigid rod 111 determines a degree of compression of the spring 114.
Referring to
In this embodiment, a text 840 extends down the length of the light post assembly and, when necessary, can be illuminated by the light-emitting assembly 830. The text 840 can include words, numbers, symbols or other indicia for multiple purposes, including, e.g., displaying lot-owner branding, advertisements for business(es), and/or informational materials. A solar panel 850 provides power for the light-emitting assembly 830.
Referring to
The lighting core assembly 910 includes the light-emitting assembly 830 in the form of a tube 942 with a light 944 and a light 946 positioned at both ends of the tube. The light-emitting assembly 830 may be placed within a light-diffusing tube 950 (formed of, e.g., an acrylic material), which is inserted within the outer shell 920. In this example, the light-diffusing tube 950 is partially exposed at the top of the outer shell 920, which permits the top of the light-emitting assembly 830 to function as a lamp. In this embodiment, insertion of the light-emitting assembly 830 within the light-diffusing tube 950 permits the light-emitting assembly 830 to illuminate the text 840 when appropriate (e.g., at night or times of low visibility).
The lighting core assembly 910 further includes the solar panel 850 powered by the electrical power supply 960. The electrical power supply 960 includes a battery and, in this embodiment, a controller, and the electrical power supply 960 is electronically coupled to the solar panel 850 and the light-emitting assembly 830. The electrical power supply 960 can thereby store electricity derived from the solar panel 850 and use said electricity to power the light-emitting assembly 830. Such functionality permits operation of the light-emitting assembly 830 even with an absence of sunlight to power the solar panel 850 at the time of operation (e.g., at night or times of low visibility).
In some embodiments, the lights 944 and 946 may each be comprised of one or more light-emitting diodes (“LEDs”) as the source of light. In other embodiments, the light-emitting assembly 830 may derive power from means other than a solar panel (e.g., a battery or an electrical line). In such embodiments, the solar panel 850 and/or the electrical power supply 960 may not be present and/or necessary for potentially desired functionality.
While the examples above are described in the context of a post assembly for holding signage, it is important to appreciate that the function of the core assembly 104 is not limited to sign-holding applications. For example, the core assembly 104 may be used in bollard applications or in other types of posts such as fenceposts.
In general, certain components of the post assembly are fastened together using fasteners 118 which are positioned through holes in the components. Appropriate fasteners may include screws, bolts, or rivets as well as washers and nuts as required to complete a fastener set. In other embodiments the components may be attached with fasteners in the form of adhesives or welds.
In some examples: the core tube 105 has a length in the range of 16 inches to 86 inches or more, where 16 inches is a lowest impact point from a standard vehicle bumper; a distance from the surface on which the core tube 105 rests to the bottom surface of the sign 126 is approximately 60 inches.
The embodiments described above use a spring 114 (e.g., a coil spring) as part of the impact absorbing sub-assembly 129. Other forms of resilient devices can be used as an elastic member in place of the spring 114 including, for example, spring-like or elastic members formed of elastomeric materials (e.g., rubber).
It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the following claims. The use of any reference characters/signed enclosed in parentheses relating to features in the claims is to be considered as having no effect on the scope of the claims. Accordingly, other embodiments are also within the scope of the following claims. For example, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Additionally, some of the steps described above may be order independent, and thus can be performed in an order different from that described.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/249,134 filed Sep. 28, 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63249134 | Sep 2021 | US |
