Break resistant pivotable sign base

Abstract

A sign base assembly, including a base plate, including a first top surface, a first bottom surface, and a protrusion extending from the first top surface in a first direction, a tube pivotably connected to the base plate, including a first end, a second end, and a through-hole extending from the first end to the second end, and a spring arranged at least partially in the through-hole, including a third end connected to the tube, and a fourth end connected to the base plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sign base assembly, comprising:
 a base plate, including:
 a first top surface; 
 a first bottom surface; and 
 a protrusion extending from the first top surface in a first direction; 
   a tube pivotably connected to the base plate, including:
 a first end; 
 a second end; and 
 a through-hole extending from the first end to the second end; and 
   a spring arranged at least partially in the through-hole, including:
 a third end connected to the tube; and 
 a fourth end connected to the base plate. 
   
     
     
         2 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein in a non-pivoted state, the protrusion is arranged completely within the tube. 
     
     
         3 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein in a non-pivoted state, the second end abuts against the first top surface and the spring comprises a first length. 
     
     
         4 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 3 , wherein in a pivoted state, the second end is at least partially separated from the first top surface and the spring comprises a second length, greater than the first length. 
     
     
         5 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tube further comprises an inner plate arranged in the through-hole; and   the third end is connected to the inner plate.   
     
     
         6 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the inner plate is arranged between and spaced apart from the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         7 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 5 , wherein:
 the inner plate comprises a through-bore;   the third end comprises a connector; and   the connector is arranged to extend through the through-bore to connect the spring to the tube and add tension to the spring.   
     
     
         8 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein in a non-pivoted state the spring is arranged completely within the tube. 
     
     
         9 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein:
 one of the base plate and the spring comprises a male connector component;   the other of the base plate and the spring comprises a female connector component; and   the male connector component is operatively arranged to engage the female connector component to connect the spring to the base plate.   
     
     
         10 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 9 , wherein:
 the male connector component comprises a hook; and   the female connector component comprises a loop.   
     
     
         11 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion comprises:
 a second top surface;   a second bottom surface;   at least one side surface extending from the second bottom surface in the first direction; and   a tapered surface connecting the at least one side surface with the second top surface, the tapered surface extending radially inward from the at least one side surface in the first direction.   
     
     
         12 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a post removably connectable to the tube. 
     
     
         13 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the post is arranged to be inserted into the through-hole. 
     
     
         14 . A sign base assembly, comprising:
 a base plate, including:
 a first top surface; 
 a first bottom surface; and 
 a protrusion extending from the first top surface in a first direction; 
   a tube pivotably connected to the base plate, including:
 a first end; 
 a second end; and 
 a first through-hole extending from the first end to the second end; and 
   a spring arranged at least partially in the first through-hole, including:
 a third end connected to the tube; and 
 a fourth end connected to the base plate; 
   wherein:
 in a non-pivoted state, the second end abuts against the first top surface; and 
 in a pivoted state, the second end is at least partially separated from the first top surface. 
   
     
     
         15 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 14 , wherein:
 the tube further comprises an inner plate arranged in the first through-hole; and   the third end is connected to the inner plate.   
     
     
         16 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 15 , wherein the inner plate is arranged between and spaced apart from the first end and the second end. 
     
     
         17 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 14 , wherein in a non-pivoted state the spring is arranged completely within the tube. 
     
     
         18 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 14 , wherein:
 one of the base plate and the spring comprises a male connector component;   the other of the base plate and the spring comprises a female connector component; and   the male connector component is operatively arranged to engage the female connector component to connect the spring to the base plate.   
     
     
         19 . The sign base assembly as recited in  claim 18 , wherein:
 the male connector component comprises a hook; and   the female connector component comprises a loop.   
     
     
         20 . A sign base assembly, comprising:
 a base plate, including:
 a first top surface; 
 a first bottom surface; and 
 a first connector component; 
   a tube displaceably connected to the base plate, including:
 a first end; 
 a second end; 
 a through-hole extending from the first end to the second end; and 
 an inner plate arranged in the through-hole and spaced apart from the first end and the second end; and 
   a spring arranged at least partially in the second through-hole, the spring including:
 a third end connected to the inner plate; and 
 a fourth end including a second connector component connected to the first connector component.