Public Works Association of   British Columbia

March 2002 Ideas & Gadgets

Home    Back                               Rory Gill - Sign Post Sleeve

I would like to submit the following to the Ideas and Gadgets  Award.

I work in the City of North Vancouver sign shop. Many times we have cars hit and damage our signs and posts. When signs are mounted in a sleeve (see figure#l) and are hit by a moving object, the post is often bent over causing damage both to the post and the sleeve. Often the sleeve has to be removed. This means removing the concrete with a jack hammer, digging out and putting in a new sleeve, pouring cement, finishing the sidewalk and later putting in a new post.

If at the time of installation you make a small cut 2" - 3" above the sleeve (figure #2) for round post mount, use a pipe cutter, cut around the sign post 2 - 3 times or a saw cut for square mount depending on the thickness of posts being used but not deep enough to weaken the post, just enough so the post will break free when hit with extreme force. This will cause a clean break so no time loss or missing sign.

Just slip in a new post.

Also with municipal governments being blamed more frequently than ever before for fatalities and injuries that occur in traffic, I'm sure it won't be long before a flying signpost hits someone. On traffic islands or high traffic areas where hazard boards, etc., are, take a piece of wire rope, make a loop, attach a squeeze clamp (figure#3) and attach the loop to the sleeve via the bolt, then wrap the rope around the post (figure #4). Attach it to the sign post above the break away cut with a self taping screw. This way, existing post and hardware can be used with minimum expense.
 

Rory Gill
460 Kings Road West
North Vancouver, BC V7N 2M3
604 988-3095
rorygill@hotmail.com