CA2927384A1

CA2927384A1 - A collapsible and portable road sign platform

Info

Publication number: CA2927384A1
Application number: CA2927384A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Frank Benincasa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-04-20
Filing date: 2016-04-20
Publication date: 2017-10-20

Abstract

A collapsible and portable road sign platform, comprising: a) a square or rectangular platform base portion; b) a square or rectangular platform frame portion comprising a plurality of platform frame members; c) a left platform bracket portion and a right platform bracket portion; and d) a safety railing portion comprising a plurality of safety railing frame members, wherein the left platform bracket portion and/or the right platform bracket portion are/is adjustable, and wherein the road sign platform is capable of being affixed off the ground to a pair of wood posts.

Description

A COLLAPSIBLE AND PORTABLE ROAD SIGN PLATFORM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present disclosure is in the field of road worker safety devices and in particular, road worker safety devices pertaining to road sign replacement and installation.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[002] Road signs are employed to communicate information to drivers regarding speed limits, highway exits, etc. The positioning of the signs on a road by the workers must be done in a manner which displays the cautionary road sign at a height predetermined by respective regulatory agencies. Generally, road signs are bolted to and supported by two 4x4 or 6x6 wood posts whereby the height of the sign and bolts holding the sign are beyond reach from the ground. In many instances, road workers must rely on a ladder to reach wood post bolt holes for mounting a road sign or replacing a road sign along a stretch of roadway or highway.

[003] Accordingly it is desirable to develop a road sign mounting apparatus which is lightweight, portable and safe to use while also providing a stable base to withstand weather conditions and uneven ground.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[004] A collapsible and portable road sign platform, comprising: a) a square or rectangular platform base portion; b) a square or rectangular platform frame portion comprising a plurality of platform frame members; c) a left platform bracket portion and a right platform bracket portion; and d) a safety railing portion comprising a plurality of safety railing frame members, wherein the left platform bracket portion and/or the right platform bracket portion are/is adjustable, and wherein the road sign platform is capable of being affixed off the ground to a pair of wood posts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[005] Figure 1 is an illustration of a collapsible and portable road sign platform 100 of the disclosure herein.

[006] Figure 2A is an illustration of a right platform bracket portion 200.

[007] Figure 2B is an illustration of a portion of a right platform bracket portion 300.

[008] Figure 3 is an illustration of a portion of a left platform bracket portion 400 engaged with a 4x4 wood post 119.

[009] Figure 4 is an illustration of a rectangular platform frame portion comprising a plurality of platform frame members of the disclosure herein.

[0010] Figure 5 is an illustration of the inner long parallel outer frame member 518 is slidably engaged with an adjustment clamp 520.

[0011] Figure 6 is an illustration of a plurality of platform frame members 526 and two right corner support portions 524.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0012] The following is a detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the collapsible and portable road sign platform disclosed herein. In this description reference is made to the drawings.

[0013] In one aspect, disclosed herein is a collapsible and portable road sign platform, comprising: a) a square or rectangular platform base portion; b) a square or rectangular platform frame portion comprising a plurality of platform frame members; c) a left platform bracket portion and a right platform bracket portion; and d) a safety railing portion comprising a plurality of safety railing frame members, wherein the left platform bracket portion and/or the right platform bracket portion are/is adjustable, wherein the road sign platform is capable of being affixed off the ground to a pair of wood posts, and wherein an adjustment clamp is slidably engaged with a first long parallel outer frame member, and wherein the adjustment clamp comprises a left platform bracket bracket.

[0014] Turning to the drawings, Figure 1 is an illustration of the collapsible and portable road sign platform 100 of the disclosure herein. The road sign platform 100 is mounted to either a pair of 4x4 wood posts 119 or a pair of 6x6 wood posts that are separated by a distance 112. In particular, the 4x4 wood posts 119 or 6x6 wood posts are utilized to mount road signs 116 with a plurality of washers and bolts 118.
The road sign platform 100 employs a right platform bracket portion 120 and a left platform bracket portion 102, which are affixed to the 4x4 wood posts 119 and are capable of supporting a square or rectangular platform frame portion 106 in a stable position at about an angle of 90 degrees relative to the wood posts. Furthermore, the road sign platform 100 comprises a safety railing portion 110, which is capable of displaying safety signs 108 to alert oncoming vehicles and others that road workers are in the area. The road sign platform 100 is capable of supporting one or more users 114 and the square or rectangular platform base portion 104, which is mounted to the platform frame portion 106 via bolts 122 and provides a non-slick surface in wet and dry conditions. In some embodiments, the collapsible and portable road sign platform is capable of supporting 800 lbs. In some embodiments, the collapsible and portable road sign platform further comprises that the road sign platform is fabricated from metal, plastic, rubber or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the square or rectangular platform base portion is comprised of wood, rubber, plastic, metal or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the square or rectangular platform frame portion, the left platform bracket portion and the right platform bracket portion, the safety railing portion are fabricated welded with lx1 square steel tubing.

[0015] Turning to the drawings, Figure 2A is an illustration of a right platform bracket portion 200 and Figure 2B is an illustration of a portion of the right platform bracket portion 300. The right platform bracket portion 200 comprises a main bracket frame portion 202, a bracket frame portion stop 204, a plurality of welds 218, an upper tooth frame portion 210 and a lower tooth frame portion 212. In some embodiments, the main bracket frame portion 202 is comprised of two lx1 square steel tubing sandwiched and welded together. As illustrated with Figures 2A and 2B, a bracket frame terminal end portion 216 forms an L-shape with the main bracket frame portion 202 and an angled bracket frame portion 214, which is adjoined to the main bracket frame portion at an angle of between about 20 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the angled bracket frame portion 214 and the main bracket frame portion 202 forming a triangle shaped bracket frame portion. As illustrated, the angled bracket frame portion 214 is adjoined to the main bracket frame portion at the recessed area 224 to provide further structural support for the platform bracket portion 200. The platform bracket portion 200 comprises an upper tooth portion 208 and a lower tooth portion 302 that are capable of engaging a pair of 4x4 road sign wood posts and/or 6x6 road sign wood posts.
The upper tooth portion 208 and a lower tooth portion 302 are affixed to the corresponding upper tooth frame portion 210 and the lower tooth frame portion 212 with a plurality of bolts and nuts 206, respectively. Moreover, angle 220 and angle 222 are afforded by the triangle shaped bracket frame portion, whereby angle 226 is a 90 degree angle. In some embodiments, the angle 220 is between about 10 degrees to about degrees when the platform bracket portion 200 is configured for 4x4 wood posts and between about 10 degrees to about 10 degrees to about 60 degrees when the platform bracket portion 200 is configured for 6x6 wood posts. Moreover, angle 220 and angle 222 are afforded by the triangle shaped bracket frame portion. In some embodiments, the angle 220 is about 50 degrees when the platform bracket portion 200 is configured for 4x4 wood posts. In some embodiments, the angle 220 is about 30 degrees when the platform bracket portion 200 is configured for 6x6 wood posts.

[0016] In some embodiments, the platform bracket portion 200 may be fabricated to engage with 6x6 road sign wood posts, whereby the main bracket frame portion 202 has a length of between about 24 inches to about 60 inches, the bracket frame terminal end portion 216 has a length of between about 4 inches and to about 12 inches, the angled bracket frame portion 214 has a length of between about 2 inches to about 12 inches, the bracket frame portion stop 204 has a length of between about 1 inch to about inches, the upper tooth frame portion 210 and a lower tooth frame portion 212 have a length of between about 2 inches to about 12 inches and the recessed area 224 has a depth of between about 1/32 inches to about 1y2 inches as depicted with Figure 3.
Moreover, the length between the recess and the 216 is between about 2 inches to about 16 inches.
In some embodiments, the platform bracket portion 200 may be fabricated to engage with 6x6 road sign wood posts, whereby the main bracket frame portion 202 has a length of about 36 inches, the bracket frame terminal end portion 216 has a length of about 61/4 inches, the angled bracket frame portion 214 is about 63/4 inches, the bracket frame portion stop 204 has a length of about 4 inches, the upper tooth frame portion 210 and a lower tooth frame portion 212 have a length of about 7 inches and the recessed area 224 has a depth of about 1/2 inch as depicted with Figure 3. Moreover, the length between the recess and the 216 is about 61/4 inches.

[0017] In some embodiments, the platform bracket portion 200 may be fabricated to engage with 4x4 road sign wood posts, whereby the main bracket frame portion 202 has a length of between about 24 inches to about 60 inches, the bracket frame terminal end portion 216 has a length of between about 4 inches and to about 12 inches, the angled bracket frame portion 214 has a length of between about 2 inches to about 12 inches, the bracket frame portion stop 204 has a length of between about 1 inch to about inches, the upper tooth frame portion 210 and a lower tooth frame portion 212 have a length of between about 2 inches to about 12 inches and the recessed area 224 has a depth of between about 1/32 inches to about 11/2 inches as depicted with Figure 3.
Moreover, the length between the recess and the 216 is between about 2 inches to about 16 inches.
In some embodiments, the platform bracket portion 200 may be fabricated to engage with 4x4 road sign wood posts, whereby the main bracket frame portion 202 has a length of about 36 inches, the bracket frame terminal end portion 216 has a length of about 53/4 inches, the angled bracket frame portion 214 is about 5 inches, the bracket frame portion stop 204 has a length of about 4 inches, the upper tooth frame portion 210 and a lower tooth frame portion 212 have a length of about 7 inches and the recessed area 224 has a depth of about 1/2 inches as depicted with Figure 3. Moreover, the length between the recess and the 216 is about 5 inches.

[0018] In some embodiments, the left platform bracket portion and the right bracket portion each comprise i) a main bracket frame portion; ii) a bracket frame portion stop; iii) an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv) an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion.

[0019] In some embodiments, the left platform bracket portion and the right bracket portion each comprise i) a main bracket frame portion; ii) a bracket frame portion stop; iii) an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv) an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion, wherein a first terminal end of the main bracket frame portion comprises a bracket frame terminal end portion forming an L-shape with the main bracket frame portion, and wherein a terminal end of the bracket frame terminal end portion is adjoined to an angled bracket frame portion which is adjoined to the main bracket frame portion at an angle of between about 20 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the angled bracket frame portion and the main bracket frame portion forming a triangle shaped bracket frame portion.

[0020] In some embodiments, the left platform bracket portion and the right bracket portion each comprise i) a bracket frame portion; ii) a bracket frame portion stop;
iii) an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv) an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion, wherein a first terminal end of the main bracket frame portion comprises a bracket frame terminal end portion forming an L-shape with the main bracket frame portion, wherein a terminal end of the bracket frame terminal end portion is adjoined to an angled bracket frame portion which is adjoined to the main bracket frame portion at an angle of between about 20 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the angled bracket frame portion and the main bracket frame portion forming a triangle shaped bracket frame portion, and wherein the upper tooth frame portion and the lower tooth frame portion are affixed at about 90 degrees relative to the triangle shaped bracket frame portion at an upper triangle corner and a lower triangle corner.

[0021] In some embodiments, the left platform bracket portion and the right bracket portion each comprise i) a main bracket frame portion; ii) a main bracket frame portion stop; iii) an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv) an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion, wherein a first terminal end of the main bracket frame portion comprises a bracket frame terminal end portion forming an L-shape with the main bracket frame portion, wherein a terminal end of the bracket frame terminal end portion is adjoined to an angled bracket frame portion which is adjoined to the main bracket frame portion at an angle of between about 20 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the angled bracket frame portion and the main bracket frame portion forming a triangle shaped bracket frame portion, wherein the upper tooth frame portion and the lower tooth frame portion are affixed at about 90 degrees relative to the triangle shaped bracket frame portion at an upper triangle corner and a lower triangle corner, wherein the upper tooth portion and the lower tooth portion are at a relative angle of between about 70 degrees and about 110 degrees and the upper tooth portion and the lower tooth portion of the left platform bracket portion and the right bracket portion are each independently capable of being engaged with a left wood post and a right wood post of a pair of road sign wood posts, and wherein each main bracket frame portion forms about a 90 degree angle with each corresponding wood post.

[0022] In another aspect, disclosed herein is a wood post bracket, comprising i) a main bracket frame portion; ii) a bracket frame portion stop; iii) an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv) an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion.

[0023] In some embodiments, the wood post bracket, comprises i) a main bracket frame portion; ii) a bracket frame portion stop; iii) an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv) an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion, wherein a first terminal end of the main bracket frame portion comprises a bracket frame terminal end portion forming an L-shape with the main bracket frame portion, and wherein a terminal end of the bracket frame terminal end portion is adjoined to an angled bracket frame portion which is adjoined to the main bracket frame portion at an angle of between about 20 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the angled bracket frame portion and the main bracket frame portion forming a triangle shaped bracket frame portion.

[0024] In some embodiments, the wood post bracket, comprises i) a main bracket frame portion; ii) a bracket frame portion stop; iii) an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv) an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion, wherein a first terminal end of the main bracket frame portion comprises a bracket frame terminal end portion forming an L-shape with the main bracket frame portion, wherein a terminal end of the bracket frame terminal end portion is adjoined to an angled bracket frame portion which is adjoined to the main bracket frame portion at an angle of between about 20 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the angled bracket frame portion and the main bracket frame portion forming a triangle shaped bracket frame portion, and wherein the upper tooth frame portion and the lower tooth frame portion are affixed at about 90 degrees relative to the triangle shaped bracket frame portion at an upper triangle corner and a lower triangle corner.

[0025] In some embodiments, the wood post bracket, comprises i) a main bracket frame portion; ii) a bracket frame portion stop; iii) an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv) an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion, wherein a first terminal end of the main bracket frame portion comprises a bracket frame terminal end portion forming an L-shape with the main bracket frame portion, wherein a terminal end of the bracket frame terminal end portion is adjoined to an angled bracket frame portion which is adjoined to the main bracket frame portion at an angle of between about 20 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the angled bracket frame portion and the main bracket frame portion forming a triangle shaped bracket frame portion, wherein the upper tooth frame portion and the lower tooth frame portion are affixed at about 90 degrees relative to the triangle shaped bracket frame portion at an upper triangle corner and a lower triangle corner, wherein the upper tooth portion and the lower tooth portion are at a relative angle of between about 70 degrees and about 110 degrees and the upper tooth portion and the lower tooth portion of the left platform bracket portion and the right bracket portion are each independently capable of being engaged with a left wood post and a right wood post of a pair of road sign wood posts, and wherein each main bracket frame portion forms about a 90 degree angle with each corresponding wood post.

[0026] Turning to the drawings, Figure 3 is an illustration of a portion of a left platform bracket portion 400 engaged with a 4x4 wood post 119. As illustrated, the left platform bracket portion 400 is positioned with the main frame portion 202 being at about a 90 degree angle relative to the 4x4 wood post 119. As illustrated the angle of the upper tooth portion 208 and a lower tooth portion 302 allow for the plurality of teeth to bite into the wood post at an angle as pressure and weight are exerted on the main frame portion 202. Moreover, the lengths of bracket frame terminal end portion 216 and the angled bracket frame portion 214 are different to accommodate 4x4 wood posts or 6x6 wood =
posts.

[0027] In some embodiments, the left platform bracket portion and the right platform bracket portion each comprise an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion capable of being independently being engaged with a left wood post and a right wood post of a pair of 4x4 road sign wood posts. In some embodiments, the left platform bracket portion and the right platform bracket portion each comprise an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion capable of being independently being engaged with a left wood post and a right wood post of a pair of 6x6 road sign wood posts. In some embodiments, the left platform bracket portion and the right platform bracket portion each comprise an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion capable of being independently being engaged with a left wood post and a right wood post of a pair of 4x4 road sign wood posts, wherein the upper tooth portion and the lower tooth portion are at a relative angle of about 90 degrees. The upper tooth portion and the lower tooth portion are each comprised of a steel plate with a length of about 5 inches, width of about 17/8 inches and a plurality of teeth that have a length of about 3/8 inches and are evenly spaced at about a 1/2 inch apart from each other. In this aspect, the length and spacing are designed to bite into a wood post, whereby the weight of the road sign platform 100 exerted on the main bracket frame portion 202.

[0028] Turning to the drawings, Figure 4 is an illustration of a rectangular platform frame portion 500 comprising a plurality of platform frame members of the disclosure herein. The right platform bracket portion 536 and a left platform bracket portion 538 are engaged with a pair of 6x6 wood posts 534 that are separated by a distance. As illustrated, the rectangular platform frame portion 500 comprises a first long parallel outer frame member 518, a second long parallel outer frame member 510, a left parallel short outer frame member 512 and a right parallel short outer frame member 514 interconnected to form a rectangular frame and a plurality of left inner frame members 530 and a plurality of right inner frame members 530. As depicted with Figures 4 and 6, the rectangular platform frame portion 500 comprises a plurality of platform frame members 526 and two right corner support portions 524. In some embodiments, the two right corner support portions 524 further comprise a plurality of right platform L-brackets 702, which extend between about 1 to about 4 inches from the underside of the rectangular platform frame portion 500 and extend horizontally between about 1 to about 12 inches. In some embodiments, the plurality of right platform L-brackets 702 extend about 21/4 inches from the underside of the rectangular platform frame portion 500 and extend horizontally between about 1 to about 3 inches. Figure 6 further illustrates bolt holes 704, which are distributed along the square or rectangular platform frame portion 106 and used for mounting the square or rectangular platform base portion 104 shown in Figure 1 via bolts 122. In some embodiments, the plurality of platform frame members comprise one or two right corner support portions. As illustrated with Figure 4, the rectangular platform frame portion 500 comprises T-shaped support portion 508 and 516, which like to the two right corner support portions 524 provides additional structural rigidity to the rectangular platform frame portion 500 as disclosed herein. In some embodiments, T-shaped support portion 508 is comprised of two 1x1 square steel tubing sandwiched and welded together. In some embodiments, the plurality of platform frame members comprises a left T-shaped support portion. In some embodiments, the plurality of platform frame members comprise i) a first long parallel outer frame member, a second long parallel outer frame member, a left parallel short outer frame member and a right parallel short outer frame member interconnected to form a rectangular frame; and ii) a plurality of left inner frame members and a plurality of right inner frame members.
In some embodiments, the second long parallel outer frame member comprises one or more railing sleeves 506 capable of holding the safety railing portion 504 in an upright position at about 90 degrees relative to the platform frame portion. In some embodiments, the width of the safety railing is about 7 foot 4 inches wide and about 36 inches in height.
Moreover, about an 8 inch portion of the safety railing portion 504 is inserted into the railing brackets 506. The square or rectangular platform frame portion is prevented from sliding or moving off of the left platform bracket portion and the right platform bracket portion with the proximity of the platform to the wood posts, the proximity of the bracket frame portion stops 204, the one or more left platform L-brackets 602, and the plurality of right platform L-brackets 702.

[0029] Figure 5 is an illustration of the inner long parallel outer frame member 518 is slidably engaged with an adjustment clamp 520. In some embodiments, the adjustment clamp 520 is tightened at a desired position along the first long parallel outer frame member 518 via a bolt or wing nut 608. As depicted with Figure 1, there is a platform base adjustment clamp gap 124, whereby the adjustment clamp 520 is capable of being adjusted with the square or rectangular platform base portion 104 affixed to the square or rectangular platform frame portion 106. The adjustment clamp sleeve 606 is capable of sliding along a distance of the first long parallel outer frame member 518 with the bolt or wing nut 608 is loosened. Furthermore, as illustrated the adjustment clamp 520 comprises one or more left platform L-brackets 602, which may be affixed to the adjustment clamp sleeve 606 via weld 604. In some embodiments, the left platform L-brackets 602 extends below the outer frame member 518 between about 1 to about inches and extends horizontally between about 1 to about 12 inches. In some embodiments, the left platform L-brackets 602 extends below the outer frame member 518 about 21/4 inches and extends horizontally between about 1 to about 3 inches.
Turning to Figure 4, the adjustment clamp sleeve 606 and the design of the platform frame portion affords an adjustment distance 532 allows the adjustment clamp 520 to move between platform frame members 528 and left parallel short outer frame member 512.

[0030] In some embodiments, an adjustment clamp is slidably engaged with a first long parallel outer frame member, wherein the adjustment clamp comprises one or more left platform L-brackets, and wherein the one or more left platform L-brackets is/are engaged with the left platform bracket portion.

[0031] In some embodiments, an adjustment clamp is slidably engaged with a first long parallel outer frame member, wherein the adjustment clamp comprises one or more left platform L-brackets, wherein the one or more left platform L-brackets is/are engaged with the left platform bracket portion, and wherein the adjustment clamp comprises a tightening mechanism for securing the adjustment clamp at a desired position along the first long parallel outer frame member.

[0032] In some embodiments, an adjustment clamp is slidably engaged with a first long parallel outer frame member, wherein the adjustment clamp comprises one or more left platform L-brackets, wherein the one or more left platform L-brackets is/are engaged with the left platform bracket portion, wherein the adjustment clamp comprises a tightening mechanism for securing the adjustment clamp at a desired position along the first long parallel outer frame member, and wherein the left platform bracket portion may be adjusted to affix the road sign platform to a pair of wood posts separated by a distance of between about 2 feet to about 10 feet.
DEFINITIONS

[0033] For the purposes of this specification and appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities, percentages or proportions, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. It is noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the," include plural references unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent. As used herein, the term "include" and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items. As used herein, the term "comprising" means including elements or steps that are identified following that term, but any such elements or steps are not exhaustive, and an embodiment can include other elements or steps.

[0034] As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etc. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etc. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as "up to," "at least," "greater than," "less than,"
and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.

[0035] While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

[0036] The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and devices within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods or devices, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

[0037] All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A collapsible and portable road sign platform, comprising:
a) a square or rectangular platform base portion;
b) a square or rectangular platform frame portion comprising a plurality of platform frame members;
c) a left platform bracket portion and a right platform bracket portion;
and d) a safety railing portion comprising a plurality of safety railing frame members, wherein the left platform bracket portion and/or the right platform bracket portion are/is adjustable, and wherein the road sign platform is capable of being affixed off the ground to a pair of wood posts.

2. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein the plurality of platform frame members comprise i. a first long parallel outer frame member, a second long parallel outer frame member, a left parallel short outer frame member and a right parallel short outer frame member interconnected to form a rectangular frame; and ii. a plurality of left inner frame members and a plurality of right inner frame members.

3. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein the second long parallel outer frame member comprises one or more railing sleeves capable of holding the safety railing portion in an upright position at about 90 degrees relative to the platform frame portion.

4. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein an adjustment clamp is slidably engaged with a first long parallel outer frame member, and wherein the adjustment clamp comprises a left platform L-bracket.

5. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein an adjustment clamp is slidably engaged with a first long parallel outer frame member, wherein the adjustment clamp comprises one or more left platform L-brackets, and wherein the one or more left platform L-brackets is/are engaged with the left platform bracket portion.

6. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein an adjustment clamp is slidably engaged with a first long parallel outer frame member, wherein the adjustment clamp comprises one or more left platform L-brackets, wherein the one or more left platform L-brackets is/are engaged with the left platform bracket portion, and wherein the adjustment clamp comprises a tightening mechanism for securing the adjustment clamp at a desired position along the first long parallel outer frame member.

7. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein an adjustment clamp is slidably engaged with a first long parallel outer frame member, wherein the adjustment clamp comprises one or more left platform L-brackets, wherein the one or more left platform L-brackets is/are engaged with the left platform bracket portion, wherein the adjustment clamp comprises a tightening mechanism for securing the adjustment clamp at a desired position along the first long parallel outer frame member, and wherein the left platform bracket portion may be adjusted to affix the road sign platform to a pair of wood posts separated by a distance of between about 2 feet to about 10 feet.

8. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein the left platform bracket portion and the right platform bracket portion each comprise an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion capable of being independently being engaged with a left wood post and a right wood post of a pair of 4x4 road sign wood posts.

9. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein the left platform bracket portion and the right platform bracket portion each comprise an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion capable of being independently being engaged with a left wood post and a right wood post of a pair of 6x6 road sign wood posts.

10. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein the left platform bracket portion and the right platform bracket portion each comprise an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion capable of being independently being engaged with a left wood post and a right wood post of a pair of 4x4 road sign wood posts, wherein the upper tooth portion and the lower tooth portion are at a relative angle of about 90 degrees.

11. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein the plurality of platform frame members comprise one or two right corner support portions, wherein the one or two right corner support portions further comprise a plurality of right platform L-brackets.

12. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein the plurality of platform frame members comprises a left T-shaped support portion.

13. The road sign platform of claim 1, further comprising that the platform is capable of supporting 800 lbs.

14. The road sign platform of claim 1, further comprising that the platform is fabricated from metal, plastic, rubber or a combination thereof.

15. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein the square or rectangular platform base portion is comprised of wood, rubber, plastic, metal or a combination thereof.

16. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein the left platform bracket portion and the right bracket portion each comprise i. a main bracket frame portion;
ii. a bracket frame portion stop;
iii. an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv. an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion.

17. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein the left platform bracket portion and the right bracket portion each comprise i. a main bracket frame portion;
ii. a bracket frame portion stop;
iii. an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv. an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion, wherein a first terminal end of the main bracket frame portion comprises a bracket frame terminal end portion forming an L-shape with the main bracket frame portion, and wherein a terminal end of the bracket frame terminal end portion is adjoined to an angled bracket frame portion which is adjoined to the main bracket frame portion at an angle of between about 20 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the angled bracket frame portion and the main bracket frame portion forming a triangle shaped bracket frame portion.

18. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein the left platform bracket portion and the right bracket portion each comprise i. a bracket frame portion;
ii. a bracket frame portion stop;
iii. an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv. an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion, wherein a first terminal end of the main bracket frame portion comprises a bracket frame terminal end portion forming an L-shape with the main bracket frame portion, wherein a terminal end of the bracket frame terminal end portion is adjoined to an angled bracket frame portion which is adjoined to the main bracket frame portion at an angle of between about 20 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the angled bracket frame portion and the main bracket frame portion forming a triangle shaped bracket frame portion, and wherein the upper tooth frame portion and the lower tooth frame portion are affixed at about 90 degrees relative to the triangle shaped bracket frame portion at an upper triangle corner and a lower triangle corner.

19. The road sign platform of claim 1, wherein the left platform bracket portion and the right bracket portion each comprise i. a main bracket frame portion;
ii. a main bracket frame portion stop;
iii. an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv. an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion, wherein a first terminal end of the main bracket frame portion comprises a bracket frame terminal end portion forming an L-shape with the main bracket frame portion, wherein a terminal end of the bracket frame terminal end portion is adjoined to an angled bracket frame portion which is adjoined to the main bracket frame portion at an angle of between about 20 degrees and 70 degrees relative to the angled bracket frame portion and the main bracket frame portion forming a triangle shaped bracket frame portion, wherein the upper tooth frame portion and the lower tooth frame portion are affixed at about 90 degrees relative to the triangle shaped bracket frame portion at an upper triangle corner and a lower triangle corner, wherein the upper tooth portion and the lower tooth portion are at a relative angle of between about 70 degrees and about 110 degrees and the upper tooth portion and the lower tooth portion of the left platform bracket portion and the right bracket portion are each independently capable of being engaged with a left wood post and a right wood post of a pair of road sign wood posts, and wherein each main bracket frame portion forms about a 90 degree angle with each corresponding wood post.

20. A wood post bracket, comprising i. a main bracket frame portion;

ii. a bracket frame portion stop;
iii. an upper tooth frame portion and a lower tooth frame portion; and iv. an upper tooth portion and a lower tooth portion.