BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of the present support structure;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the present post structure;
FIG. 3 is an elevational view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a schematic of base and post components with tipped positions of the post shown in broken lines.
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing a modified form of the support.
FIG. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a support structure modified for use as a sign post.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With continuing attention to the drawings, the applied reference numeral 1 indicates generally a support shown in conjunction with a mailbox.
A post component 2 is in supported contact with an upper end surface 4A of a base 4. Post component 2 is of tubular construction and preferably includes a reinforcing plate 5. Plate 5 may also serve decorative purposes. A horizontal post member 6 serves as a support for a mailbox 7. An upright member 8 of the post may serve to receive a light post 10 having a lower end portion in inserted engagement with the upright member and held in place as by a set screw 11. A lantern at 12 is preferably of the solar powered type to illuminate any information such as an owner's name or a street number on plate 5.
Base 4 may also be of tubular construction, having top end 4A (FIG. 2) centrally apertured at 10 to receive a fastener 16. A housing 17 on post component 2 has a bottom wall 17A is in supported engagement with surface 4A of base 4. Housing bottom wall 17A is apertured at 20 to receive fastener 16 which extends upwardly through a compression spring 22 to receive a nut and washer at 23. The spring bottom end is supported by end 17A of the housing. Adjustment of nut serves to urge housing 17 into frictional engagement with surface 4A of base 4. It is to be noted that the openings 1510 and 20 in bottom 17A are oversize for the shank of fastener 16.
With attention to FIG. 4, it will be seen that housing 17, upon a laterally applied force being applied to post component 2, will rock about a housing edge as at 23. FIG. 4 shows, in broken lines, movement of housing 17 with component 2 displaced in opposite directions and shown for illustrative purposes only. Surface 4A of base 4 functions as a fulcrum when housing 17 is displaced.
With attention to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, a modified form of the present support includes a housing 25 to house a compression spring 26 and a fastener 27 terminating in a nut and washer assembly 28. Post component 2 is carried by a housing 25. A base 30 with an opening 31 receives the head of fastener 27 with opening 31 oversized for the 20 fastener shank. With attention also to FIG. 6, it will be seen that base end 30A has inclined surfaces at 32. The inclined surfaces cooperate with housing inclined surfaces 33 with the surfaces 32 and 33 serving to return housing 25 into a pre-determined relationship with base 30 regardless of slight movement imparted to the housing during momentary tipping of post component 2 as, for example, by the wind. Accordingly, post component 2 may tip or rock in response to variable high winds but will always return to the pre-determined relationship with base 30. As in the earlier described form of the invention, the oversize openings 31 in base 30 and in housing 25 permit momentary lateral displacement of fastener 27. The immediately above described feature is of value to prevent any slight displacement of post component 2 when tipped.
While the present support has been shown and described for use in conjunction with mailboxes it will be understood that the novel support may be utilized in roadside or streetside signage to reduce replacement and/or repair costs of signs damaged by autos, trucks, etc. The post component 2, in such instances, would most likely be of linear configuration.
In FIG. 7, a modified post structure 2′ may be termed a sign post having a road sign thereon (not shown). Plates at 35 are carried by a housing 25 and a fastener assembly 36 couples the post lower end to the plate and the housing. Access to fastener 27 is achieved upon removal of post 2′.
While I have shown but one embodiment of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied still otherwise without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed invention.
Patent Application
20080013328
