Hemispherical Breakaway Post Base with Recessed Slots
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breakaway signpost installations in concrete are costly and risky, especially when utilities are near the surface or on uneven terrain, and surface-mounted bases face issues with edge damage, bolt exposure, and installation difficulties.
Innovation Solution
A surface-mounted, hemispherical base with recessed radial slots for securing bolts and a central socket with a shear section, designed to break away upon impact, eliminating edge exposure and allowing for easy orientation and installation on uneven surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If standard installation in concrete is used, then the signpost base is securely anchored, but expensive tools and complex procedures are required
Solution Approach 1:
The base is divided into multiple sections with individual anchoring points, allowing separate installation of each segment. This enables simpler installation procedures while maintaining secure anchoring through distributed fastening points throughout the base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The base includes pre-formed anchoring features and pre-positioned fastening points that are prepared during manufacturing. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for complex on-site concrete anchoring operations, as the base is designed to be securely anchored through simpler post-installation fastening.
2Adaptability or versatility
If surface-mounted bases with exposed edges are used, then installation on uneven surfaces is possible, but the edges can be easily torn away when impacted
Solution Approach 1:
The base features a curved, rounded perimeter instead of sharp edges. This spherical curvature distributes impact forces across a larger area and prevents stress concentration at corners, making the base resistant to tearing away when impacted by vehicles or equipment while maintaining adaptability to uneven surfaces.
3Reliability
If securing bolts are used to attach the base, then the base is firmly mounted, but the bolt heads can be contacted by vehicle undercarriage causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The securing bolts are nested within recesses formed in the base structure. The bolt heads are recessed below the outer surface of the base, creating a nested configuration where the fastening elements are protected within the base body. This eliminates exposure of bolt heads to vehicle undercarriage while maintaining firm mounting security through the recessed fastening system.
4Ease of manufacture
If the base has a flat configuration, then it is simple to manufacture, but it creates exposed edges and installation difficulties on uneven surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The base incorporates a curved, hemispherical lower surface instead of a flat configuration. This spherical geometry provides inherent adaptability to uneven mounting surfaces through its ability to conform to various surface profiles while remaining manufacturable through standard forming processes. The curvature eliminates exposed edges while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A surface-mounted base for a breakaway signpost. The base is configured as a sphere so as to present no edges that may be impacted by a vehicle and includes a sunken socket ensuring that no metal shards project above grade after a post is damaged. The base is provided with recessed slots for retaining securing bolts therein. This arrangement prevents the securing bolt heads from being contacted by the undercarriage of a vehicle or mower and plow blades of maintenance machines. The slots also allow for rotation of the base during installation ensuring correct orientation of the signpost. Reflective or florescent materials can be attached to the recesses to enhance night visibility.