US3527434A - Adjustable sign frame and/or quick assembly barricade - Google Patents

Description

F. M. MAURO Sept. 8, 1910 ADJUSTABLE SIGN FRAME AND/OR QUICK ASSEMBLY BARRICADE Filed Oct. 3, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 7 n mm INVENTOR FRANK M. MAURO ATTORNEY TQE Sept. 8, 1970 F. M. MAURO 3,527,434

ADJUSTABLE SIGN FRAME AND/OR QUICK ASSEMBLY BARRICADE Filed 00% 5, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 United States Patent 3,527,434 ADJUSTABLE SIGN FRAME AND/0R QUICK ASSEMBLY BARRICADE Frank M. Mauro, North Flatbush, N.Y. (RED. 4, Box 190, Saugerties, N.Y. 12477) Filed Oct. 3, 1967, Ser. No. 672,652 Int. Cl. F16m 11/00 U.S. Cl. 248-166 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE 3 Claims FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to supporting devices and more particularly to an adjustable frame assembly for supporting signs or similar warning devices of varying dimension.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART As highway construction and maintenance continue to expand, a major and continuous problem relates to safety, both of the traveler and the crews engaged in highway construction or repair. The conventional way of identifying highway construction or maintenance is by warning signs indicating the location and type of repair being made. Conventional road signs come in a variety of dimensions, each sign requiring a separate associated frame. For example, the Federal Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices identifies 18,", 24" 30", 36", and 48" signs for use in highway maintenance and construction. Since both signs and frames are subject to damage and replacement, the variety of sizes poses a problem to provide and maintain a continuous balanced inventory at the various depots where the signs and frames are normally stored. Frequent errors resulting from mismatched frames and signs or out-of-stock frames create delays and impede schedules for varying highway projects. In addition, conventional sign frames are relatively unstable and readily overturned by air turbulence created by passing vehicles or wind velocity. The effects of the lack of warning resulting from overturn are readily apparent. Solutions to or placed upon the overturn problem include weights or fasteners which are generally attached to the lower part of the frame. Thus, sandbags, cinder blocks, sand filled tires, stones, or miscellaneous sundry weights are employed to provide the necessary stability. The inconvenience of providing these weights or fasteners, particularly when the signs may be moved frequently during the day, is obvious. Finally, conventional sign frames are inherently difiicult to handle and require considerable storage space.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a frame member which is adjustable to accommodate signs within a relatively wide dimension range. The apparatus comprises two end supporting structures interconnected by an adjustable horizontal support comprising telescoping tubular members. The horizontal support ice member includes a plurality of ring hooks which are laterally movable to conform to the openings in the sign, and rotate about the tubular member to allow the sign to swing within the frame, thereby lessening its resistance to wind or air turbulence created by passing vehicles by absorbing some of the energy. The rear legs of the end supporting structures are made longer than the front while the bottom of the leg members is cut normal to its axial dimension. The use .of uneven legs in the end supporting members combined with the use of angle iron in the leg construction increases the stability of the device, enabling it to withstand horizontal loads or stresses resulting from wind or passage of vehicles without additional support. The device is collapsible to facilitate storage and handling, and includes means for maintaining the device in the open position to prevent accidental injury during handling. The device is simple in construction, rugged, serviceable, and designed to eliminate storage and inventory problems by providing a single adjustable frame.

Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable frame assembly adapted to accommodate a multiplicity of sign sizes.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable and collapsible frame to simplify inventory problems, such frame being adjustable to conform to the size of the sign employed.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a stable free-standing sign frame adapted to withstand the horizontal stress from winds or passing vehicles without additional support.

Another object of the invention is to provide an adjustable and collapsible sign frame of simple and functional design adapted to accommodate varied size signs.

The foregoing and other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the adjustable sign frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the present invention in a collapsed position.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED- EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, the subject invention is illustrated with legs extended in the open position. The device essentially comprises two modified A frames interconnected on top and bottom by telescoping sleeves. Each frame comprises a front leg 11 and a rear leg 13, each leg being made of angle iron. The leg members of each A frame are joined by a lock nut 15 which will be bolted on the inner side in their upper position. Each A frame has an identical structure so that the legs pivot about their respective lock nuts 15. The A frames are connected by tubular cross members, the top cross member comprising outer sleeve member 17 and inner sleeve member 19. Such tubular members, shown as round, could be of any cross-sectional configuration. When adjusted to the open position, the frame is maintained in position by a locking device on each end. The locking device 21 may comprise a ring slidable along its associated sleeve and having a pin adapted to fit in an associated hole in each leg of the A frame. The telescoping sleeves may be maintained in position by any conventional means such as pins which abut against the inner sleeve or applied through threaded openings or slots in the inner sleeve. Locking device 21 includes a horizontal pin 23 adapted to fit through opening 25 of leg 13 and a corresponding opening, not visible, in leg 11. The locking device functions as a safety feature to prevent closing or scissoring of the frame when it is being moved in the open position, as well as providing added stability against wind, buifeting, etc. While not considered an essential detail of the present invention, the two upper corners of the device would be provided with conventional flag holders to accommodate standard fluorescent flags, thus adding to the target value of the sign. The upper cross bar of the device includes sign hook ring assemblies including rings 27 and 29, each having an associated hook 31, 33 respectively. The sign hook rings are designed to rotate about their associated sleeve of the upper cross member, permitting the sign to swing within normal constraints, thus dissipating some of the energy resulting from wind velocity or air turbulence. Since the openings in the sign for the hooks vary in relation to the size of the sign, and in fact vary from sign to sign of the same dimension, the hook ring assemblies are slidably adjustable along the sleeves of the upper rod. Also, because of the relatively large surface area of the sleeves 27, 29, the wear caused by movement of the sign will be minimized.

The lower portions of each of the A frame members are likewise interconnected through telescoping sleeves. Thus front legs 11 and 35 are interconnected by outer and inner sleeve 37 and 39 respectively of the lower front cross member, while legs 13 and 41 are connected by outer and inner sleeves 43 and 45 respectively of the lower rear cross member. As shown in the front cross member, the outer sleeve 37 has a pin 47 fitted therethrough, while the inner sleeve would have openings spaced at uniform distances therethrough. To provide the strength and rigidity necessary to function in all elements of weather, the legs are made of angle iron while the cross members would be made of steel, the joints being welded to provide maximum strength and durability.

As previously described, one of the major problems if not the major problem of conventional sign assemblies is the inherent instability of signs, particularly when buffeted by wind or passing vehicles. When warning signs are overturned, resulting trafiic accidents can cause injury either to the traveler or the construction worker or both as well as damage to the vehicle involved. Even if discovered before an accident, resetting of signs can be a time consuming and costly process. This problem is substantially elimimnated and highway safety promoted by the present invention in the following manner.

Referring to FIG. 2, the subject invention is illustrated in a collapsed form, the form normally employed for storage or in transit. As shown, the device is completely collapsible with the front legs fitting completely within the rear legs so that the thickness is approximately that of the angle iron employed. The feature which provides the additional stability against blow-down is the use of longer rear legs. Since the leg bottoms or feet are cut perpendicular thereto, the sign assembly when positioned will rest on the edge of each of the four legs. By increasing the length of the rear legs as shown, the moment required to overturn the sign (the product of the weight and the horizontal distance) is increased, thereby adding to the stability against overturn. In addition, the horizontal force applied will be partially dissipated by movement of the sign, as previously described, while the remainder will merely cause the edge of the rear legs to dig deeper into the surface where the sign is resting. The remainder of the frame is identical to that shown in FIG. 1, and identical parts are so indicated by corresponding subscripts.

In a typical frame constructed in accordance with the present invention, the dimensions of the parts were as follows:

front legs50" rear legs-57 /2" distance sign hook to ground43" angle iron-1 /2" adjustable cross members: outer sleeve 34%" long, 1%" inside diameter, material 1 1 gage pipe; inner sleeve 29%" long, 1" outside diameter, material 11 gage pipe.

From the above description, it will be appreciated that the present invention, in addition to promoting highway safety by its inherent stability, eliminates the problems arising from inventory by its adjustable feature permitting a single frame to be used for all signs within a specified range. The collapsible feature permits storage in a minimum space and ease of handling, while safety features prevent injury to the workmen during handling of the device. While the preferred embodiment has been constructed of cast iron and steel for maximum durability during all weather conditions, other materials could be substituted. Likewise, the apparatus may be readily employed without a sign as an adjustable barricade assembly.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A collapsible sign frame assembly adapted to prevent displacement of a sign mounted thereon by air turbulence resulting from wind or passing vehicles comprising in combination,

first and second end supporting structures, each of said end supporting structures including a pair of up Wardly converging leg members having a common intersection, the individual leg members of each of said pairs being of dissimilar length,

an upper support member connecting each of said supporting structures near the upper ends of one leg member of each of said pairs,

means connected to said upper support member for attaching a sign thereto, said means comprising a plurality of hook-ring assemblies on said upper support means,

the individual rings of said hook-ring assemblies being laterally adjustable along said upper support member to conform to openings in said sign for attachment thereto,

the individual rings of said hook ring assemblies being adapted to rotate about said upper support member thereby reducing wear to a minimum, said ring assemblies being adapted to absorb certain of said air turbulence by permititng radial motion of said sign about said upper support member,

horizontal support members connecting corresponding leg members of each of said end supporting structures near their lower extremities, each of said individual leg members extending beneath said lower support means to increase stability of said assembly by providing a plurality of individual support points irrespective of the condition of the supporting surface on which said assembly is positioned,

the bottom surface of each of said leg members being normal to the axial dimension of said leg member but angularly positioned with respect to said supporting surface to facilitate gripping by said individual leg members,

whereby the balance of said air turbulence not absorbed by rotation of said sign is absorbed and distributed at said plurality of individual locations corresponding to the positions of said individual leg members on said supporting surface,

and means for maintaining said sign frame assembly in an open position to permit handling thereof.

2. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said means for maintaining said frame in said open position comprises a plurality of ring assemblies slidably adjustable along said upper support member, said ring assemblies including a pin adapted to fit within corresponding openings in said leg members.

3. Apparatus of the type claimed in claim 1 wherein said upper and lower support members comprise a plurality of tubular sleeve members connected in telescopic re lationsbip for providing an adjustable frame assembly to accommodate a range of sign sizes to be mounted on said assembly.

References Cited 5/1901 Anthony 248-172 x 1 6 2,836 ,385 5/1958 Knapp et a1. 248--166 2,984,444 5/1961 Lewis 248-166 3,015,804 1/1962 Nunn 40--125 X FOREIGN PATENTS 749,087 7/ 1933 France.

ROY D. FRAZIER, Primary Examiner J. F. FOSS, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

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