US3637244A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Load concentrated breakaway coupling
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-03-27
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Granted: 1972-01-25
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Expires: 1990-03-27
Abstract
Abstract Damage to vehicles and posts in traffic accidents is reduced by providing the posts with circumferentially spaced breakaway couplings spaced radially from the axis of the post and located between the base of the post and a stationary support. Fastening means connected to the couplings secure the base of the post to the support and in preferred embodiments of the invention load concentrating elements eccentric to the axis of the fastening means oppose bending of the couplings under normal loads while presenting little or no resistance to bending of the coupling under impact or other forces applied near the base of the post. The couplings have high tensile strength but relatively little resistance to bending and therefore break readily upon impact of a vehicle with the post.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A Strizki
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:23
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/60; E01F9/623; E01F9/631; E01F9/635; F; F16; F16B; F16B2200/00; F16B2200/63
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
In combination with a post having a vertical axis, a base fixedly secured to said post, a support for the post, a plurality of breakaway coupling members each having a vertical axis extending generally parallel to the axis of said post, said coupling members each having a zone of weakness between the upper and lower ends thereof located in a horizontal plane between the base of said post and said support, said coupling members further being spaced radially from the axis of said post and spaced circumferentially from each other, fastening means connected to the upper end of each coupling member and to the base of said post other fastening means connected to the lower end of each coupling members and to said support, and means operable to apply substantially equally opposed balanced bending forces to said coupling members at their zones of weakness upon the application of a transverse load to an upper portion of said post and to apply unequally opposed unbalanced bending forces to said coupling members at their zones of weakness upon the application of transverse loads to a lower portion of said post.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
In combination with a post having a vertical axis, a base fixedly secured to said post, a support for the post, a plurality of breakaway coupling members each having a vertical axis extending generally parallel to the axis of said post, said coupling members each having a zone of weakness between the upper and lower ends thereof located in a horizontal plane between the base of said post and said support, said coupling members further being spaced radially from the axis of said post and spaced circumferentially from each other, fastening means connected to the upper end of each coupling member and to the base of said post other fastening means connected to the lower end of each coupling members and to said support, and means operable to apply substantially equally opposed balanced bending forces to said coupling members at their zones of weakness upon the application of a transverse load to an upper portion of said post and to apply unequally opposed unbalanced bending forces to said coupling members at their zones of weakness upon the application of transverse loads to a lower portion of said post.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the base of said post is spaced vertically from said support and said coupling members are located in the space between said base and support.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said coupling members support the vertical load of said post.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein said break-away coupling members have relatively high tensile strength as compared to their resistance to bending.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the zones of weakness of the coupling members are portions of the coupling members which are of reduced cross-sectional area.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
64 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein means are movable with the base of said post to engage said coupling members at points between the axes of said coupling members and the axis of said post for applying forces to said coupling members at points located eccentric to the vertical axes of the coupling members upon tilting of the post and its base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein the means movable with the base of said post each present a fulcrum about which the coupling member is movable.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
105 words
The combination as defined in claim 1 wherein the fastening means connected to the coupling members and the base of the post are connectors which pass through holes in the base of the post and have nuts carried thereby and located above the base of said post, load concentrating elements are located between said nuts and the upper surface of said base and other load concentrating elements are located between the coupling members and the lower surface of the base of said post, all of said load concentrating elements being located between the vertical axis of the coupling members and the axis of said post.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein said load concentrating elements are carried by washers surrounding said connectors and movable with the base of the post, the load concentrating elements each consisting of means projecting from said washer and positioned eccentrically with respect to the vertical axis of said coupling member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The combination as defined in claim 8 wherein means engaging the break-away Coupling serve to prevent circumferential displacement of said load concentrating elements with respect to the vertical axes of the studs and coupling members.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
103 words
Break-away coupling means for use in the erection of a post comprising the combination of a member having a longitudinal axis, means concentric with said axis at the opposite ends of said member for attachment of fastener means to the member, said member having a portion of reduced cross-section concentric with and located between the opposite ends thereof, and load concentrating means engaging said member on one end face thereof at a point eccentric to the longitudinal axis of said member, and wherein said load concentrating means is carried by an element surrounding a fastener attached to one end of said coupling member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
103 words
Break-away coupling means for use in the erection of a post comprising the combination of a member having a longitudinal axis, means concentric with said axis at the opposite ends of said member for attachment of fastener means to the member, said member having a portion of reduced cross-section concentric with and located between the opposite ends thereof, and load concentrating means engaging said member on one end face thereof at a point eccentric to the longitudinal axis of said member, and wherein said load concentrating means is carried by an element surrounding a fastener attached to one end of said coupling member.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-01-24 | 1975-07-26 | 1976-01-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-01-24 | 1979-07-26 | 1980-01-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-01-24 | 1983-07-26 | 1984-01-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |