Safety sign post with breakaway connection

Abstract

A breakaway safety sign support post for obtaining predictable and reliable separation of an upper post section from a lower post section anchored in a substrate, when the post is struck by a vehicle. In a specific construction, the lower post section is adapted to be imbedded in the ground, with an upper end projecting a predetermined limited distance above the surface of the ground. The upper, post section is secured in overlapping, parallel relationship with the lower post section and is secured thereto with frangible fasteners to define a breakaway joint. The post sections each have a U-shaped transverse cross-sectional shape, including a longitudinal center web with a plurality of holes spaced uniformly along its length, and outwardly divergent side walls at opposite sides of the web, terminating in laterally outwardly projecting flanges. When nested together in overlapping relationship, the outwardly divergent side walls lie in surface-to-surface contact with one another and the webs are in spaced apart relationship. In accordance with the invention, an elongate spacer bar is engaged between the spaced apart webs and is secured to the post sections by the fasteners extended therethrough. In particular, the spacer bar has threaded openings at its opposite ends and the fasteners are threaded bolts engaged through the spacer bar. The spacer bar extends substantially completely along the overlapped end portions of the upper and lower post sections, stiffening the splice and providing adequate strength to absorb ambient wind loads, and at the same time providing a predictable and reliable breakaway joint when an errant vehicle collides with the sign post. The threaded spacer bar also insures that the fasteners are in properly spaced relationship to one another, and facilitates the ease of installation, whereby one person can install the breakaway sign support post of the invention.