Flexible Moment Connection Device for Mast Arm Signal Mounting

Abstract

An attachment assembly and a mounting assembly for mounting a traffic control device to a mast arm are provided. The attachment assembly includes an attachment device. The mounting assembly includes a flexible mounting system including a vertically extending support member and a first arm and a second arm.

1 . A mounting assembly for mounting a traffic control device to a mast arm, the mounting assembly comprising:
 a flexible mounting system comprising:
 a vertically extending support member operably connectable to the mast arm; and 
 a first flexible arm and a second flexible arm, the first flexible arm connected to a first portion of the support member and operably connectable to the traffic control device and the second flexible arm connected to a second portion of the support member and operably connectable to the traffic control device. 
   
     
     
         2 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the support member comprises a flexible member or a rigid tube. 
     
     
         3 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the first flexible arm the second flexible arm and the flexible member are formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         4 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible mounting system further comprises a first spring connected to the first flexible arm and connectable to the traffic control device. 
     
     
         5 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the flexible mounting system further comprises a second spring connected to the second flexible arm and connectable to the traffic control device. 
     
     
         6 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the flexible mounting system further comprises a first rigid support member connected to the first flexible arm and connectable to the traffic control device so that the first flexible arm is spaced apart from the traffic control device. 
     
     
         7 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the flexible mounting system further comprises a second rigid support member connected to the second flexible arm and connectable to the traffic control device so that the second flexible arm is spaced apart from the traffic control device. 
     
     
         8 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein flexible mounting assembly allows for vertical movement of the traffic control device of about 0.5 to 8 inches. 
     
     
         9 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein the flexible mounting assembly allows for horizontal movement of the traffic control device of about 1 to 6 inches. 
     
     
         10 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising an attachment assembly for connecting the flexible mounting system to the mast arm, the attachment assembly comprising:
 a first attachment device having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;   a second attachment device having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second attachment device operably connectable to the first attachment device so that the first surface of the first attachment device and the second surface of the second attachment device face each other.   
     
     
         11 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein at least one of the first attachment device or the second attachment device is flexible. 
     
     
         12 . A mounting assembly for mounting a traffic control device to a mast arm, the mounting assembly comprising:
 a flexible mounting system comprising:
 a vertically extending support member operably connectable to the mast arm; 
 a first spring operably connectable to a first portion of the traffic control device; 
 a second spring operably connectable to a second portion of the traffic control device; and 
 a first arm and a second arm, the first arm connected to a first portion of the support member and the first spring and the second flexible arm connected to a second portion of the support member and the second spring. 
   
     
     
         13 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the support member comprises a rigid tube. 
     
     
         14 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the support member comprising a flexible member. 
     
     
         15 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are formed from a flexible material. 
     
     
         16 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the first flexible arm the second flexible arm and the support member are formed from a single piece of material. 
     
     
         16 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the flexible mounting system further. 
     
     
         17 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 12 , further comprising an attachment assembly for connecting the flexible mounting system to the mast arm, the attachment assembly comprising:
 a first attachment device having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface;   a second attachment device having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second attachment device operably connectable to the first attachment device so that the first surface of the first attachment device and the second surface of the second attachment device face each other.   
     
     
         18 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the first attachment device or the second attachment device is flexible. 
     
     
         19 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein the first surface of the first attachment device and the second surface of the second attachment device are spaced apart from each other by a distance to define an opening between the first surface of the first attachment device and the second surface of the second attachment device and the attachment assembly further comprises a cable operably connected to the second attachment device and connectable to the mast arm so that the first surface of the second attachment device faces the mast arm and a first portion of the cable is positionable in the opening between the first surface of the first attachment device the second surface of the second attachment device and a second portion of the cable is positionable along the first surface of the second attachment device between the first surface of the second attachment device and the mast arm and a portion of the opening remains open. 
     
     
         20 . The mounting assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein flexible mounting assembly allows for vertical movement of the traffic control device of about 0.5 to 8 inches.