Patents by Inventor Theodore D. Barnes

Theodore D. Barnes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 7340854
    Abstract: An improved sign post assembly (10) for roadway use is provided wherein a sign post (12) includes a lower section (16) adapted for anchoring to the earth, a mating upper section (20) and a magnetic coupling assembly (24) for maintaining the sections during normal use while permitting breakaway of the upper section (20) when the host (10) is struck by a vehicle. Preferably, the coupling assembly (24) includes a magnetic body (26) and a corresponding component (28) which is magnetically attracted to the body (26). In order to cause breakaway in a predetermined direction, the coupling assembly (24) has mating surfaces for the body (26) and component (28) which are in a stairstep configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Inventor: Theodore D. Barnes
  • Patent number: 7051466
    Abstract: An improved sign post assembly (10) for roadway use is provided wherein a sign post (12) includes a lower section (16) adapted for anchoring to the earth, a mating upper section (20) and a magnetic coupling assembly (24) for maintaining the sections during normal use while permitting breakaway of the upper section (20) when the host (10) is struck by a vehicle. Preferably, the coupling assembly (24) includes a magnetic body (26) and a corresponding component (28) which is magnetically attracted to the body (26). In order to cause breakaway in a predetermined direction, the coupling assembly (24) has mating surfaces for the body (26) and component (28) which are in a stairstep configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Inventor: Theodore D. Barnes
  • Patent number: 6390436
    Abstract: A breakaway sign post assembly (30) including a sign support post (32), an anchoring post (34) and a breakaway collar (100). The breakaway collar (100) includes a sidewall (102) which surrounds the sign support post (32). The sidewall (102) includes at least one substantially vertical line of weakness (120) configured to facilitate a portion of the sidewall (102) to give way. The sidewall (102) retains the sign support post (32) in a manner to define a fulcrum (134) about which the sign support post (32) turns when a vehicle impacts and exerts a lateral force at an impact location, with the fulcrum (134) being positioned below the impact location so that the support post (32) will swing generally away from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventors: Theodore D. Barnes, Darren Potter
  • Publication number: 20010032918
    Abstract: A breakaway sign post assembly (30) is disclosed as including a sign support post (32), an anchoring post (34) and a breakaway collar (100). The breakaway collar (100) includes a sidewall (102) which surrounds the sign support post (32). The sidewall (102) includes at least one substantially vertical line of weakness (120) configured to facilitate a portion of the sidewall (102) to give way. The sidewall (102) retains the sign support post (32) in a manner to define a fulcrum (134) about which the sign support post (32) turns when a vehicle impacts and exerts a lateral force at an impact location, with the fulcrum (134) being positioned below the impact location so that the support post (32) will swing generally away from the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2001
    Publication date: October 25, 2001
    Inventors: Theodore D. Barnes, Darren Potter
  • Patent number: 6264162
    Abstract: A breakaway sign post assembly (30) is disclosed as including a sign support post (32), an anchoring post (34) and a breakaway collar (100). The breakaway collar (100) includes a sidewall (102) which surrounds the sign support post (32). The sidewall (102) includes at least one substantially vertical line of weakness (120) configured to facilitate a portion of the sidewall (102) to give way. The sidewall (102) retains the sign support post (32) in a manner to define a fulcrum (134) about which the sign support post (32) turns when a vehicle impacts and exerts a lateral force at an impact location, with the fulcrum (134) being positioned below the impact location so that the support post (32) will swing generally away from the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventors: Theodore D. Barnes, Darren Potter
  • Patent number: D511359
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Theodore D. Barnes