AU2803999A - Device for controlling access to accessways and limited areas - Google Patents

Description

RP/C/alli 28Y5/91 Rgulation 3.2(2)

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 19.90

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE

SPECIFICATION

STANDARD

PATENT

C C

C

4C C. C C9 Application Number: Lodged: Invention Title: DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO ACCESSWAYS AND LIMITED AR EAS

C

C

The following statement is a full description Of this invention, Including the best method of performing it known to DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING ACCESS TO ACCESSWAYS AND LIMITED

AREAS

Field of the Invention This invention relates to a device, also known as a "bollard", for controlling access to accessways such as roadways or limited areas such as a parking area or loading dock.

Background of the Invention Australian Patent No. 652250 is directed to a pivotted bollard device which, in the operative position, is locked in a vertical orientation and which may be unlocked and lowered to lie on the ground or accessway in a horizontal orientation to provide access to or from the accessway or limited area.

However, in some situations, it is more convenient that the bollard device, be retractable to be moved clear of the surface of the accessway or limited area rather than left lying on the surface where it may prove to be a hazard to pedestrian or other traffic.

Accordingly, in our Australian Patent No. 644864, the bollard is retractable, projecting above the surface of the accessway or limited area only in an operative position, for example, preventing passage of a vehicle into or out of .the area. Alternatively, the bollard may be stored below, and flush with, the surface of the accessway when not required. This prevents hazards to pedestrian traffic and allows protected storage of the bollard as well as pleasing streetscape aesthetics when not in use.

This kind of retractable bollard is raised into its operative position by a key tool, a clutch key, which is inserted into a corresponding slot to engage with and operate a locking means to unlock the bollard from its storage position and enable it to be brought into the operative position and locked in this position by operation of the key tool. The locking mechanism is such as to provide ample security.

Such a bollard device has a number of applications, especially allowing controlled parking but also enabling protection of warehouse and retail outlets from attack by ram-raiding of vehicles.

Loading docks represent a further application for bollard security. In this case, bollards may be installed to provide greater safety by prevention of accidents caused by loading equipment falling from the loading dock platform.

Summary of the Invention It is an object of the invention to provide a suitable bollard device for loading dock applications, among others, in as simple yet rugged, convenient and cost effective manner as possible.

With the above object in view, the present invention includes a retractable bollard device including: an outer casing, a retractable elongate bollard mounted for slidable movement within the outer casing between operative and storage positions, the bollard optionally provided with a key slot; and an inner tubular guide means extending along the axis of the outer casing for guiding slidable motion of the bollard within the outer casing.

The inner tubular guide means conveniently includes support means for :supporting the bollard in the operative position for preventing vehicular access.

The inner tubular guide means may have a lower portion of square crosssection extending from its bottom end to the support means. Above the support means, the upper portion of the guide means may be of circular cross-section or otherwise configured to allow movement of the bollard into an operative position.

The support means may take the form of a support bar or flange for supporting the retractable bollard in its operative position. The support means may support a base plate of the bollard.

The bollard may be moved between, operative and storage positions using a key means which is inserted, or adapted to engage with into a complementary key slot formed in the bollard. Advantageously, the key slot is formed in the top plate of the bollard. A portion of the key may be angled or otherwise configured to engage with the bollard to support the top plate of the bollard. A user with the key in the bollard lifts the bollard up from the lower portion of the guide means extending through the outer casing clear of the support means. The bollard is then able to be rotated and moved into an operative position in which it is securely supported by the support means.

The bollard may be provided with stops, or means that engage with the support means for preventing rotation unless the bollard is lifted clear of the support means.

Removal of the bollard from the casing, and location of the operative position, may conveniently be prevented using stops or a guide ring provided on the bollard which contacts with a top plate of the outer casing to prevent further upward vertical travel beyond a permitted upper limit of travel.

In the loading dock application, security is generally less of a concern than is the case of bollards for general accessways and the locking mechanism may be simplified.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the following S• description of a preferred embodiment thereof made with reference to the •g accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a longitudinal section of the bollard device showing the casing with the bollard retracted in a storage position; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the bollard device showing the S• bollard member in an operative position; Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the outer casing of the bollard device; :Figure 4 is a longitudinal section of the bollard of the bollard device; Figure 5 is a plan view of the base plate of the bollard of the bollard *.device: Figure 6a is an elevation view of a tool to operate the bollard device; Figure 6b is a plan view of a tool to operate the bollard device; Figure 7 is a plan view showing the bollard device in a storage position; Figure 8 is a plan view showing the bollard device in its operative position; and Figure 9 is a plan view showing the bollard device in location at a loading dock.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Referring now to Figures 1 to 5 and 7 to 9 of the drawings, the retractable bollard device 10 is positioned, with centre located at least 0.2m from an edge 100a of loading dock 100 which is formed of concrete, asphalt or the like. A number of such bollard devices 10 would likely be provided.

The bollard device 10 comprises two parts: an outer casing 20; and a bollard 30. The casing 20 is preferably of metal substantially circular in crosssection fitted at the top with a laterally projecting top plate 22 which preferably lies flush with the surface of the area 23 in which the bollard device 10 is installed. The casing 20 may be anchored into the loading dock 100 with anchoring lugs The lower end 20b of the casing 20 is closed with a base plate 24 with flats 24a forming slots 24b to allow drainage. A rubber spacer or buffer 26 absorbs any shock due to movement of the bollard 30. Spacer 26 may be °o adhesively fixed to base flange 24.

Extending along axis 20a of casing 20, and welded to base flange 24, is a square tubular member 35 forming a guide means along which barrier member 30 slides between operative and storage positions. This tubular member 35 may be solid or hollow; and be of sufficient dimension to provide strength. The tubular member 35 is of square cross-section below support bar and of circular cross-section above support bar 35a. At the upper end of tubular member 35 is welded, or otherwise fixed, a support bar 35a which will support the bollard 30 when in an operative position.

The casing 20 may be open at the bottom to facilitate drainage. A bore and additional "french" drainway may be provided below the casing to allow water to drain away.

The retractable bollard 30, substantially circular in cross-section, is located within the casing 20 and is also of metal, possibly painted with a suitable warning colour or other indicia. It will be understood that the retractable bollard 30 and casing 20 may be of any desired cross-section, the shape being of little importance to the present invention.

The retractable bollard 30 is so dimensioned that it fits slidably within the casing 20. The bollard 30 is provided with a top plate 31 which lies flush with the top plate 22 of the casing 20 when the bollard 30 is in the non-operative or storage position.

The top plate 31 is provided with a keyhole slot 32 which admits a tool as will be described below, for moving the bollard 30 between operative and storage positions.

At the lower end 36 of bollard 30 is provided a base plate 37, shown in plan view in Figure 5, having greater diameter than bollard 30. This base plate 37 has a flange portion 37c forming a bearing surface with outer casing 20, such that any thrust force applied to the upper end of bollard 30 is transferred and distributed to the outer casing 20. Base plate 37 is provided with an aperture 37a having portion 371 which neatly fits the square portion of tubular member to allow sliding motion of bollard 30 along the lower portion of the tubular member 35. Aperture 37a also has rectangular portions 372 which allows sliding of the bollard 30 above support bar 35a when being moved into an operative position.

Base plate 37 is also provided with two bollard stops 37b taking the form of optionally hollow cylindrical metallic projections. These projections 37b locate the bollard 30 in the operative position by preventing rotation when in S"engagement with support bar e Along the length of bollard 30 is located a guide ring 30a which, together with tubular member 35, assists in centering the member 30 within casing The guide ring 30a is designed to contact the top plate 22 of casing 20 when the bollard 30 reaches an upper limit of travel. Contact of guide ring 30a with the top plate 22 prevents the bollard 30 being removed from outer casing A tool or key 90 is used to move the bollard 30 between a storage position and an operative position.

The key 90, as shown in Figures 6a and 6b, has a handle portion 92 designed with a grip and connected to a plate portion 94 angled at its bottom.

The angled portion 94 is admitted through key slot 32 of bollard 30 top plate 31 to engage with and support that top plate 31 and bollard 30 during movement between storage and operative positions. Keys other than described may be used, for example clutch keys. Other means of operating the bollard could also be used.

The operation of the retractable bollard device 10 may be described as follows. The angled portion 94 of key 90 is inserted into the key slot 32 in top plate 31 of bollard 30 when in a "down" or storage position.

The user may then, through a vertical lifting action, lift the bollard along the square lower position of tubular guide 35 to the support bar Then, lifting may continue because support bar 35a aligns with rectangular portion 372 and portion 371 of aperture 37a in base plate 37. The bollard 30 is then lifted along circular upper portion 35aa of tubular guide 35 to an upper limit clear of the support bar 35a. Rotation of the bollard 10 about circular upper portion 35aa is possible in this position because stops 37b do not engage with the support bar 35a. The bollard 30 is then rotated through 900 into the operative position, as shown in Figure 8, and lowered into a secure operative position in which portion 37c of base plate 37 overlays support bar 35a (shown o in hidden detail in Figure 8) and stops 37b prevent rotation of bollard 30 out of position. In this operative position, bollard 30 prevents vehicular access past the bollard device 10. Thus the safety of vehicles proximate loading dock edge 100a is assured.

Similarly, when it is desired to store the bollard 30, the key 90 is once S again inserted into key slot 32 and the bollard 30 lifted clear of support bar and rotated such that the rectangular portion 372 of aperture 37a coincides with support 35a to allow downward motion of the bollard 30 back into a storage position.

S, Modifications and variations of the retractable bollard of the present .:Poo invention may be made. For example, the bollard may be implemented in an embodiment that allows for automatic operation. In this case, retractable bollard may be power driven between operative and storage positions by use of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder rams.

The retractable bollard 30 is also able to be power driven to and from its operative position by use of pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder rams mounted within the casing 20 and within the bollard 30. Remote control means may be used to activate the pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder rams.

Additional locking or blocking means could be embodied within the bollard unit as for example described in the Applicant's co-pending Australian Patent Application No. 45328/97, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The lock could be located in a portion of the bollard or casing other than the upper portion, especially where an automated construction is contemplated.

The bollard 30 could be constructed of a flexible, resilient or elastic polymeric or rubber material which may be more suitable for some applications.

Such constructions may be less expensive.

*V

Claims (7)

1. A retractable bollard device including: an outer casing, a retractable elongate bollard mounted for slidable movement within said outer casing between operative and storage positions, the bollard, optionally provided with a key slot; and an inner tubular guide means extending along the axis of the outer casing for guiding slidable motion of said bollard within said outer casing.

2. The bollard device of claim 1 wherein said inner tubular guide means includes support means for supporting the bollard in the operative position. to

3. The bollard device of claim 1 or 2 wherein said support means is a support bar which supports a base plate of said bollard in the operative position.

4. The bollard device of any one of the preceding claims wherein said key slot is adapted to engage with a complementary key means engaging with said ,bollard allowing movement of said bollard between operative and storage positions.

The bollard device of any one of the preceding claims wherein said bollard is provided with a guide ring contacting a top plate of the outer casing when the bollard is at its upper limit of travel.

6. The bollard device of any one of the preceding claims wherein said bollard is moved between operative and storage positions by hydraulic or pneumatic means. 9

7. The bollard device of any one of the preceding claims substantially as described with reference to Figures 1 to DATED this 10th day of May 1999 EUGENE PATRICK O'CALLAGHAN JOAN GERALDINE O'CALLAGHAN WATERMARK PATENT TRADEMARK ATTORNEYS 4TH FLOOR, "DURACK CENTRE" 263 ADELAIDE TERRACE PERTH, W.A. 6000 AUSTRALIA S S S 55 S* S. **e as