Angularly adjustable post mount

Abstract

An adjustable post mount includes a stationary portion that provides an attachment rod secured to a substructure such as the ground and which extends therefrom in a direction defining a first axis, and an adjustable post base that rests on the stationary portion. The post base includes a curved bottom bearing surface with a slotted aperture through which the attachment rod extends. A spacer having a curved surface corresponding to the bottom surface of the post base and a center aperture through which the attachment rod extends is interposed between the post base and the stationary potion and lies in engagement with the bottom surface of the post base so as to form a joint that enables angular adjustment of the post base with respect to the first axis to offset a vertical misalignment in the stationary potion within a predetermined range. The adjustable post mount can be releasably locked into position and can be readjusted as necessary to offset misalignment in the stationary portion from shifting ground conditions and the like. The adjustable post mount also provides a post and/or post mount break away capability in response to the force of a vehicle impact.

1 . A mounting apparatus for a post, comprising: 
 a stationary portion having an attachment rod secured to a substructure and extending from the substructure in a direction defining a first axis;    a post base positioned above the stationary portion comprising a post mounting surface and a curved downwardly facing bottom surface, the curved downwardly facing bottom surface having a slotted aperture through which the attachment rod extends;    a lower bearing positioned beneath the post base, the lower bearing comprising a curved upwardly facing surface substantially corresponding in curvature to the curved downwardly facing bottom surface of the post base and in slidable engagement therewith, and providing a central aperture through which the attachment rod extends; and    means to releasably secure the post base to the stationary portion; wherein the post base may be rotated about the first axis and angularly offset therefrom, to enable a mounted post to be angularly aligned and secured.    
   
   
       2 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the curved downwardly facing bottom surface is concave and curved upwardly facing surface is convex.  
   
   
       3 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the curved surfaces comprise substantially equivalent radiuses of curvature.  
   
   
       4 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the upper and lower bearing surfaces comprise semispherical curved surfaces.  
   
   
       5 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the post base comprises an exterior sidewall dimensioned to engage an inside wall of the post to be mounted.  
   
   
       6 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the exterior sidewall comprises a horizontal cross section that is generally round and dimensioned to engage an inside wall of a round tubular post.  
   
   
       7 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means to releasably secure the post base to the stationary portion comprises a fastener that engages the attachment rod:  
   
   
       8 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the means to releasably secure the post base to the stationary portion comprises a threading engagement of the attachment rod in the substructure.  
   
   
       9 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the stationary portion further comprises an anchor secured to the substructure to which the attachment rod is secured.  
   
   
       10 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 9  wherein the anchor is comprised of a concrete or cement structure in which the attachment rod has been embedded.  
   
   
       11 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the post base and lower bearing are comprised of gray iron castings.  
   
   
       12 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the post base is configured to mount a post that will break away from the mount in response to the force of a vehicle impact.  
   
   
       13 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 12  wherein the post base is adapted to break away from the attachment rod in response to the force of a direct vehicle impact to the post base.  
   
   
       14 . A mounting apparatus for a post, comprising: 
 a mounting surface secured to a substructure; and    a threaded bolt secured to the substructure and protruding from the mounting surface in a direction defining a first axis;    a substantially disc shaped lower bearing positioned above the mounting surface, the disc shaped lower bearing comprising: 
 a bottom surface,  
 a smoothly curved top surface, and  
 an aperture extending through the center of the disk to admit the threaded bolt;  
   a substantially cup shaped post base positioned above the lower bearing, the post base comprising: 
 an exterior cylindrical side wall dimensioned to engage an inner sidewall of a tubular post, and  
 an exterior bottom surface comprising a curved surface adapted to slidingly engage the top surface of the lower bearing and having an elongate slot extending therethrough to admit the threaded bolt; and  
   a fastener that engages the bolt to releasably secure the mount in position;    wherein a mounted post may be angularly offset from the first axis in a desired direction by translating the bolt in the elongate aperture and rotating the post about the first axis.    
   
   
       15 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the top surface of the lower bearing is convex and the bottom surface of the post base is concave and said surfaces comprise approximately equal radiuses of curvature.  
   
   
       16 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 15  wherein the convex and concave surfaces are semispherical.  
   
   
       17 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 14  wherein the post base is configured to mount a post that will break away from the mount in response to a predetermined impact force.  
   
   
       18 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 17  wherein the post base is adapted to break away from the attachment rod in response to a predetermined impact force.  
   
   
       19 . A mounting apparatus for a post, comprising: 
 attachment means secured to a substructure, the attachment means extending from the substructure in a direction defining a first axis;    post mounting means comprising one or more surfaces to which a tubular post may be attached and a semispherical joint pivotable about the first axis and angularly offsettable therefrom within a predetermined range; and    means for releasably securing the post mounting means to the attachment means.    
   
   
       20 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the surface to which the post may be attached comprises an outwardly facing cylindrical wall.  
   
   
       21 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 19  wherein the post mounting means is configured to mount a post that will break away from the mount in response to a predetermined impact force.  
   
   
       22 . The mounting apparatus of  claim 21  wherein the post mounting means is adapted to break away from the attachment means in response to a predetermined impact force.  
   
   
       23 . A method for mounting a post, comprising: 
 providing an attachment rod secured to a substructure on one end, the other end extending away from the substructure in a direction defining a first axis;    mounting a bearing to the substructure, the bearing having an upwardly facing semispherical curved surface concentric about the first axis and an axial hole to admit the attachment rod;    mounting a post to a post base, the post base comprising a downwardly facing semispherical surface corresponding in curvature to the upwardly facing curved surface of the bearing, and comprising a slot aperture therethrough, the slot extending from the center in a radially outward direction;    mounting the post base over the bearing by passing the attachment rod through the slot aperture of the post base,    angularly adjusting the attitude of the post/post base to compensate for any vertical misalignment in the first axis by pivoting the post base about the first axis and positioning the attachment rod in the slot aperture to offset the center of the post base from the first axis until the post is vertical; and    securing the post in position by engaging a fastener to the attachment rod and tightening the fastener until the post is locked in position.    
   
   
       24 . An adjustable post mount comprising: 
 a stationary portion that provides an attachment rod secured to a substructure such as the ground and which extends therefrom in a direction defining a first axis, an adjustable post base that rests on the stationary portion, the post base comprising a semispherically curved bottom bearing surface having a slotted aperture therethrough, to receive the attachment rod;    a spacer interposed between the post base and the stationary potion, comprising a semispherical curved surface corresponding to the bottom surface of the post base and a center aperture through which the attachment rod extends, semispherical curved surface in engagement with the bottom surface of the post base and forming joint to enable angular adjustment of the post base with respect to the first axis to offset a vertical misalignment in the stationary potion within a predetermined range;    a fastener securable to the attachment rod wherein the adjustable post mount can be releasably locked into position and can be readjusted.    
   
   
       25 . The adjustable post mount of  claim 24  wherein the post base is configured to mount a post that will break away from the mount in response to a predetermined impact force.