Traffic control director

Claim 1

A traffic control director, comprising, in combination: (a) a base having a peripheral edge; (b) flexible column means disposed extending substantially vertically from the base for normally supporting a sign above the base; (c) recess means provided on the base for receiving a portion of the column means normally spaced from the base and recess means when the column means is deflected downwardly toward the base by impact from a passing vehicle, the base including an upwardly facing surface, and the recess means including at least one groove arranged extending away from the column means for receiving the column means, the groove being provided in the upwardly facing the surface of the base, the at least one groove being a plurality of grooves provided in the upwardly facing surface of the base, each of the grooves being arranged extending away from the column means and diverging from one another, the column means including a flexible upright standard, the standard comprising a longitudinally extending rod constructed from a resilient material, and a coiled spring imbedded in the rod for causing the standard to be restored to an upright position following deflection of the standard toward the base each of the grooves ending near the peripheral edge of the base so that one of the grooves will receive the column means when deflected downwardly in a direction toward said one of the grooves by impact by a passing vehicle; and (d) attachment means for removably mounting the standard on the base, the attachment means including a hub extending upwardly from the base, a socket provided in the hub, internal screw threads provided in the socket, and external screw threads provided on the standard for engaging with the screw threads in the socket.