IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,745,931
Granted Patent B1
US 10,745,931 · App. 16/791,961 · Granted Aug 18, 2020

Self-rightening post system

Inventors: Garth N. Gathers (Indianapolis, IN); Timothy J. O'Brien (Indianapolis, IN)
Assignee: PREMISES INNOVATIONS LLC
E04H12/2284E04H12/22E04H12/2269
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,745,931
App. No.
16/791,961
Granted
Aug 18, 2020
Kind
B1
Abstract

A self-rightening post system is configured to secure a post in a casing in a desired or vertical orientation and to self-righten the post upon the removal of a deflecting force, such as from a car or lawnmower. A self-rightening post system utilizes a plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies that are configured around the post and coupled to a collar. Each of the adjustable retainer assemblies has an adjustment extension with a threaded portion in the collar to change the compression of a spring extending therefrom toward the post. A post flange may be coupled to the post end of the spring to provide a planar surface for exerting a retaining force on the post. The collar is configured over a casing and configured to rotated with respect to the casing. Retainer extensions extend from the collar down along the casing to secure the collar in position.

Claims (33)

1. A self-rightening post system comprising:

a) a collar for receiving a post therethrough and having a plurality of threaded collar apertures;

b) a plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies coupled to the collar and wherein each of said plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies comprises:

i) an adjustment extension comprising:

1. a threaded portion that extends through said threaded collar aperture:

2. a length from an extended end to an adjustment end; wherein the extended end is outside of the collar and the adjustment end extends into the collar;

3. an adjustment feature for turning the adjustment extension within the threaded collar aperture

ii) a spring coupled to the adjustment extension and extending inward from the collar and comprising:

1. an attached end, coupled to the adjustment extension,

2. a post end, opposite the attached end;

3. a length from the attached end to the post end;

wherein the spring has a free spring portion between the attached end and the post end to enable the spring to compress when a post is offset by a deflecting force;

whereby the plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies are configured to self-righten said post after being defected by a deflecting force.

2. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , further comprising a casing that extends down along the post from a bottom of the collar.

3. The self-rightening post system of claim 2 , further comprising a retainer extension that is attached to the collar and extends down along an inside surface of the casing to secure the collar over the casing.

4. The self-rightening post system of claim 3 , comprising a plurality of discrete retainer extensions configure around an inside surface of the collar.

5. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein the collar is circular and wherein the post is configured to rotate within the collar.

6. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , further comprising an adjustment spring coupler that couples the attached end of the spring to the adjustment extension.

7. The self-rightening post system of claim 6 , wherein the adjustment spring coupler is cylindrical in shape and extends inside of the spring.

8. The self-rightening post system of claim 6 , wherein the adjustment spring coupler comprises an adjustment flange configured between the spring and the adjustment extension.

9. The self-rightening post system of claim 6 , further comprising a post spring coupler coupled to the post end of the spring.

10. The self-rightening post system of claim 9 , wherein the post spring coupler is cylindrical in shape and extends inside of the spring.

11. The self-rightening post system of claim 9 , wherein the post spring coupler comprises a post flange on an extended end to retain the post end of the spring.

12. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , further comprising a post spring coupler coupled to the post end of the spring.

13. The self-rightening post system of claim 12 , wherein the post spring coupler is cylindrical in shape and extends inside of the spring.

14. The self-rightening post system of claim 12 , wherein the post spring coupler comprises a post flange on an extended end to retain the post end of the spring.

15. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies are configured on at least two opposing sides of the post.

16. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein said post is rectangular in cross-section.

17. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment feature of the adjustment extension is a polygonal head that is fixed to the threaded portion.

18. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment feature is configured inside of the collar.

19. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein the post is rectangular in cross sectional shape having four sides and wherein the self-rightening post system has four adjustable retainer assemblies with one of the adjustable retainer assemblies configured on each of the four sides of the post.

20. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , further comprising a top-plate having a top plate aperture, wherein the post extends up through the top plate aperture, and wherein the top-plate is configured to slide with the post over the collar.

21. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , further comprising a base retainer configured below the plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies and wherein the base retainer comprises a base retainer receiver to extend around an insert end of the post.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 19, 2020
From: GATHERS, GARTH N; OBRIEN, TIMOTHY J
To: PREMISES INNOVATIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 051858/0583 →
Continuity (1)
Continuation In Part 16540371 · Aug 14, 2019
Cited By (2)
US 12,245,560 US 12,503,825