Abstract: A breakaway coupling for use with a ground-installed road sign such as a stop sign typically located at the side of a road. The coupling interfaces between a conventional hollow ground stake and a hollow sign post. The coupling can be used with newly installed stop signs, as well as with currently installed stop signs, without modification to either the post of the ground stake. When the sign post is struck by an automobile, the coupling shears along a preformed score section generally aligned with the bottom of the post such that the post and sign break completely from the ground stake and are propelled away from the automobile.

Abstract: A fastener includes a threaded post and a nut formed with an internal threaded portion for threading onto the rod. A slot formed longitudinally in the post interrupts the threads and that is sized to slidably receive the threaded portion of the nut such that the nut slides freely along the length of the post. The nut is secured by sliding the nut onto the post until reaching a desired position, and then rotating the nut such that the threaded portion of the nut engages the threads formed on the post. The nut is secured into the desired position with an integrally formed locking tab that extends into the slot after the nut has been rotated onto the shank.