Patent US4084914A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4084914A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Self-erecting highway guide post
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1977-01-28
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Granted: 1978-04-18
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Expires: 1997-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A self-erecting highway guide post for insertion in the ground is constructed in the form of a resilient plastic channel having a substantially flat center surface flanked on either side by a pair of flat side portions which are joined at an obtuse angle to the center portion by curved surfaces. A second, arcuately cross-sectioned channel is attached by fasteners through the center portions of each channel to the rear of the first channel. The rear, concave surface of the arcuate channel is directed toward the rear surface of the first channel and lies within its side portions. Such a configuration results in a self-erecting highway guide post when one end is imbedded in the ground to denote the margin of a highway. When the post is struck the curved portions flatten allowing the post to bend when run over by a vehicle and to recurve once the vehicle passes to re-erect the post. The self-erecting post may include features including integrally constructed barbs or holes to prevent removal of the channel once inserted in the ground, reflective elements attached to the face of the channel such as reflective tape, construction from a thermo-plastic polycarbonate resin, and a construction in which the curved portions joining the sides to the central portion are uniformly curved. Other embodiments may omit the second arcuately cross-sectioned channel or may be of the two member construction with the first channel being arcuately cross-section.
Inventors
- 👤 William D. Humphrey
- 👤 Allen Becker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 17:46
CPC Classifications
E; E01; E01F; E01F9/00; E01F9/60; E01F9/623; E01F9/627; E01F9/629
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost comprising: a channel of a flexible, impact resistant plastic material having an elongated substantially flat center portion, one surface of which forms a face of the post; a pair of elongated, substantially flat side portions each flanking opposite sides of the center portion at an obtuse angle to the center portion; a pair of curved corner portions each joining a respective side portion to the center portion so that the side portions give rigidity to the channel maintaining the channel in a substantially linear configuration when it is undisturbed, which corner portions uncurve to permit the channel to nondestructively bend when it is struck on the face side, and which corner portions recurve to erect the post again.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
122 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost comprising: a channel of a flexible, impact resistant plastic material having an elongated substantially flat center portion, one surface of which forms a face of the post; a pair of elongated, substantially flat side portions each flanking opposite sides of the center portion at an obtuse angle to the center portion; a pair of curved corner portions each joining a respective side portion to the center portion so that the side portions give rigidity to the channel maintaining the channel in a substantially linear configuration when it is undisturbed, which corner portions uncurve to permit the channel to nondestructively bend when it is struck on the face side, and which corner portions recurve to erect the post again.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A self-erecting highway guide post, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plastic material is a thermoplastic, polycarbonate resin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A self-erecting highway guide post, as claimed in claim 2 wherein the channel is of a uniform thickness less than 0.140 inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the curved portions are uniformly curved.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
66 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost, as claimed in claim 4, wherein the channel is of a polycarbonate resin material of a uniform thickness less than .140 inch thick having a plurality of holes in one end to prevent removal of the channel once that end is inserted in the ground and comprising in addition a reflective element of reflective tape attached to the face of the channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
109 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost comprising: (a) a first elongated channel of a flexible, impact resistant material having an upper and lower end, the outside surface of the channel forming the face of the post; (b) an elongated, arcuate cross-sectioned channel within the edges of the first channel with its concave side directed toward the rear surface of the first channel to provide vibration dampening; and (c) means for securing the arcuate channel to the first channel so that the channels may bend transversely to provide a guide post which can be non-destructively bent when struck by a vehicle and right itself with little or no damage to the vehicle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
109 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost comprising: (a) a first elongated channel of a flexible, impact resistant material having an upper and lower end, the outside surface of the channel forming the face of the post; (b) an elongated, arcuate cross-sectioned channel within the edges of the first channel with its concave side directed toward the rear surface of the first channel to provide vibration dampening; and (c) means for securing the arcuate channel to the first channel so that the channels may bend transversely to provide a guide post which can be non-destructively bent when struck by a vehicle and right itself with little or no damage to the vehicle.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A self-erecting highway guide post, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first channel has an arcuate cross-section.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost, as claimed in claim 6, wherein the first channel has an elongated substantially flat center portion, a pair of elongated, substantially flat side portions each flanking opposite sides of the center portion at an an obtuse angle to the center portion, and a pair of curved corner portions each joining a respective side portion to the center portion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the arcuate channel is intermediate the curved portions of the first channel to facilitate the bending of the guidepost.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the arcuate channel has a thinner central cross-section than its edge portions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the corner portions of the first channel are uniformly curved.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost, as claimed in claim 8, wherein the first channel and the arcuate channel are a thermoplastic, polycarbonate resin.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost, as claimed in claim 23, wherein the channels comprise longitudinal extrusions to provide resistance to fracture on bending and simplicity of manufacture.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost, as claimed in claim 12, wherein the first channel is of a uniform thickness which is less than 0.140 inch for flexibility.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
A self-erecting highway guidepost, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the arcuate channel is intermediate to the curved portions of the first channel and has a thinner central cross-section than its edge portions, wherein the lower end of the first channel extends beyond the arcuate channel, and wherein the corner portions of the first channel are uniformly curved.
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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) | 1981-04-17 | 1981-10-17 | 1982-04-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-04-17 | 1985-10-17 | 1986-04-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-04-17 | 1989-10-17 | 1990-04-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |