Breakaway coupling and assembly

Claim 1

An upright standard assembly comprising the combination of a generally vertical standard, a base member, a connection member, and means affixed to one of said base member or said standard for receiving said connection member to releasably attach said standard to said base member, and having a generally vertical axis of connection extending through said connection member, said means comprising coupling means for receiving said connection member and for fracturing radially with respect to said axis of connection in response to an impact force applied to said standard in a generally horizontal direction generally normal to said axis of connection, said coupling means comprising a coupling body generally symmetrically disposed about any plane containing said axis of connection, said body having a first end in operative association with said base member, and a second end in operative association with said upright standard, at least one of said first and second end defining a connection member receiving opening therein, said connection member extending into said body a predetermined length along said axis of connection, said body having a plurality of V-shaped grooves which define regions of minimum strength, said grooves surrounding said connection member receiving opening of said coupling body and extending from said connection member receiving end of said body parallel to said axis of connection and extending at least the length of said predetermined length of said connection member received by said body, and extending so that upon an impact force in a generally horizontal direction acting upon said standard, said coupling means will radially fracture to thereby release said connection member and thereby provide detachment of said standard from said base member.