Self-rightening post system
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 between the post and the inside surface of the casing to produce a self-rightening force upon deflection of the post. The plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies may be configured around the post and/or on opposing sides of the post to ensure that the post will self-righten regardless of the direction of a deflecting force. The casing may be a tube and the self-rightening post system may allow the post to rotate within the casing thereby allowing a user to change a desired rotational orientation.
1. A self-rightening post system comprises:
a) a casing for receiving a post;
b) a plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies coupled to the post and configured between the post and the casing wherein each of said plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies comprises:
i) a hinge;
ii) a post contact extension;
iii) a casing extension coupled to the post contact extension by said hinge;
iv) a spring configured between the post contact extension and the casing extension;
v) an adjustment extension configured between the post contact extension and the casing extension and configured to adjust a retainer distance between the post contact extension and the casing extension;
wherein a casing extension is configured to compress the spring and reduce the retainer distance when a post is offset by a deflecting force;
whereby the plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies are configured self-righten said post after being defected by a deflecting force.
2. 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.
3. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein said post is rectangular in cross-section.
4. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein the spring is in compression.
5. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment extension is a bolt and wherein the bolt has a threaded end that extends into a threaded adjustment aperture in the post-contact extension.
6. The self-rightening post system of claim 5 , wherein the bolt has a bolt head that is configured on a first side of an adjustment aperture in the casing extension and wherein the threaded end of the bolt is configured on a second side, opposing said first side, of the casing extension.
7. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein the hinge is a living hinge comprising a coupling between the post contact extension and the casing extension.
8. The self-rightening post system of claim 7 , wherein the post contact extension and the casing extension are a monolith and the hinge is a bent portion configured between said post contact extension and the casing extension.
9. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein the casing has a curved interior surface.
10. The self-rightening post system of claim 9 , wherein each of the plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies comprises a casing interface that have a curved outer surface.
11. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies comprises an adjustment flange that is coupled to the casing extension and is configured between a casing interface and the post-contact extension.
12. 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.
13. The self-rightening post system of claim 12 , wherein the casing is circular and wherein the post is configured to rotate within the casing.
14. 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.
15. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , wherein the top-plate is configured to slide with the post over the casing.
16. The self-rightening post system of claim 1 , further comprising a base retainer configured below the plurality of adjustable retainer assemblies in the casing and wherein the base retainer comprises a base retainer receiver to extend around insert end of the post.
17. The self-rightening post system of claim 16 , wherein the base retainer receiver is a recess.
18. The self-rightening post system of claim 16 , wherein the base retainer receiver is an aperture through the base retainer receiver.