EP4702191A1

EP4702191A1 - Kerbstone element

Info

Publication number: EP4702191A1
Application number: EP24717774.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrick FAWCETT
Original assignee: Invizio Ltd
Current assignee: Invizio Ltd
Priority date: 2023-04-05
Filing date: 2024-03-28
Publication date: 2026-03-04
Also published as: GB202305102D0; GB2628816A; WO2024209192A1

Abstract

A kerbstone element (10) comprises a body comprising two kerbstone ends (12a, 12b) shaped complementarily to each other for placement in an end-to-end direction. The body comprises a passage (20) extending between the two kerbstone ends (12a, 12b) to provide a cavity extending through the body in the end-to-end direction. The body comprises a seating face on its underside, and an access port (26) between the two kerbstone ends (12a, 12b) on the top or a side, to provide access to the cavity, and a seating surface within the cavity or access port for a removable insert (40) that is plugged into the access port (26). The kerbstone is "electrification-ready" and may be installed without electrification components, to be fitted with electrification infrastructure at a later time.

Description

Kerbstone element

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a kerbstone element for use as an electrical power point, such as an electrical vehicle (EV) charging point. More specifically, the present invention relates to a kerbstone element configured to facilitate retrofitting with electrical supply installations, wherein the kerbstone element may not necessarily be used for retrofitting for much or all of its lifetime.

Background

There are considerable efforts in many countries to improve on-street charging infrastructure, specifically to encourage and support adoption of electric vehicle (EV) use. A large number of technical proposals is known that relate to aspects such as the installation of charge points, aspects of power supply and managing supply during peak demand, as well as aspects of practical use such as storage of cabling and temporary deployment and retraction of power points.

Underlying the present invention was an appreciation by the applicant that many of the solutions that are currently available are not necessarily compatible with each other. This renders upgrading and maintenance more onerous.

The present disclosure seeks to provide an alternative solution and/or to at least partially ameliorate problems associated with the aforementioned issues.

Summary of the Invention

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a kerbstone element as defined in claim 1 , the kerbstone element comprising a body comprising two kerbstone ends having a contour shaped complementarily to each other so as to be suitable for placement as one in a series of identical kerbstones in an end-to-end direction, the body comprising a passage extending between the two kerbstone ends to provide a cavity extending through the body in the end-to-end direction, the body comprising a seating face defining an underside of the kerbstone body, and an access port located between the two kerbstone ends on a face other than the seating face providing access to the cavity, wherein the body further comprises a seating surface within the cavity or access port for supporting a removable insert for plugging the access port.

The removable insert may be provided in the form of a plug or tightly fitting structure suitable for closing an opening defining the access port in the kerbstone element.

In some embodiments, the removable insert has a thickness of at least 1 cm.

The removable insert may have a thickness of at least 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3 or at least 3.5 cm.

In some embodiments, the removable insert is made of a material composition resembling the body.

In some embodiments, the body comprises a composition or surface finish providing an outward appearance, and wherein the removable insert is made of a material composition or surface finish corresponding to that of the body so as to match the outward appearance.

In some embodiments, the removable insert is insertable and removable from the access port along a straight linear path.

In some embodiments, the removable insert is provided with extraction features facilitating removal of the removable insert from the access port.

This allows, in turn, a relatively tight engagement of the removable insert in the access hole. It is envisaged that the removable insert may sit flush with the outer surface of the kerbstone, and is engaged in the access port with a relatively tight transition fit. In this manner, the removable insert may, in practice, not be removable from the access port without the use of a suitable tool. Such a tight seating reduces the risk of unauthorized removal of the removable insert. The extraction feature may be an arrangement of one or more engagement structures such as a hole that can be engaged by a suitable tool to facilitate removal of the removable insert. In some embodiments, the extraction feature is provided by an arrangement of holes open to an inside of the removable insert.

The holes may extend through the thickness of the removable insert, such that they are open to the cavity side of the removable insert.

In some embodiments, the body comprises a retainer mechanism engaging the removable insert to hinder its removal from the body.

In some embodiments, the kerbstone element comprises a release mechanism for deactivation of the retainer mechanism.

In some embodiments, the release mechanism is accessible via the extraction feature.

In some embodiments, the kerbstone element comprises an internal seating location arrangement provided in the passage.

In some embodiments, the internal seating location arrangement comprises one or more ledge surfaces.

The seating arrangement may comprise, or may be provided by, one or more stepped features providing a ledge structure.

In some embodiments, one or more portions of the internal seating location arrangement comprise a region of weakness to facilitate removal of the portions from the body.

As may be appreciated, a seating location may help to hold the removable insert in place, and may thereby also reduce the size of the access port. By designing the seating location so as to be removeable, e.g. by including regions of weakness that facilitate breaking off parts or all of the seating location structures, the access port can be enlarged. While an access port modified in this manner may no longer be able to provide the same level support for a removable insert, this is, in practice, not believed to be an issue, because the removable insert is intended for removal prior to retrofitting an electrical installation such as a charge point or the like. After such an installation, the removable insert is no longer required.

In some embodiments, the internal seating location arrangement comprises one or more locator holes.

The seating arrangement may comprise, or may be provided by, one or more recesses.

In some embodiments, the internal seating location arrangement comprises at least two seating locations, positioned at different height levels within the kerbstone, in use.

In this manner, a structure such as a post may be anchored better to the kerbstone body, thereby reducing the risk of it being dislodged or tilted.

In some embodiments, the kerbstone element comprises a liner structure at an inner surface of the access port.

The liner structure may help to provide a tighter engagement with the removable insert and/or may provide different friction properties facilitating insertion of a tightly fitted insert.

In some embodiments, the liner structure is retained to the access port by one or more retention elements.

In some embodiments, the liner structure comprises an arrangement of barb structures to resist removal of the liner structure from the access port.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a method of installing a series of kerbstones, as defined in claim 19, wherein the series of kerbstones includes kerbstone elements comprising a removable insert according to any one of the embodiments of the first aspect. The method comprises providing a plurality of the kerbstone elements as part of a road or walkway, and leaving a plurality of the kerbstone elements with the removeable insert in place as part of the road or walkway. As will be appreciated, some or all of the kerbstone elements of the invention may remain in place without being used for an infrastructure installation.

In some embodiments, the method comprises removing a removable insert from one or more of the kerbstone elements of a series of kerbstone elements to reveal an access port thereof to provide access to a cavity underneath the access port, anchoring an infrastructure installation within the cavity so as to install it on the access port, and leaving in place the removable inserts of other kerbstone elements of the series of kerbstone elements.

In some embodiments, the method comprises removing the removable insert from a seating surface on which it was seated, and removing part or all of the seating surface thereby to increase a free cross-section of the access port.

Any feature disclosed in connection with one or more embodiments, and combinations thereof, of the first aspect may be combined with and/or use in any other one or more embodiments of another aspect described herein.

Description of the Figures

Exemplary embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates an arrangement of multiple kerbstones in a first configuration;

Figure 2 is an isometric view illustrating an embodiment;

Figure 3 is an isometric exploded view corresponding to the Figure 2 embodiment;

Figure 4 is a wireframe illustration of an embodiment;

Figure 5 is an isometric illustration of a component used in embodiments;

Figure 6 is a cutaway illustration of another embodiment;

Figure 7 is an isometric exploded view corresponding to the Figure 6 embodiment;

Figure 8 illustrates an arrangement of multiple kerbstones in a second configuration;

Figure 9 is an isometric exploded view of parts of a retrofit embodiment;

Figure 10 is an isometric view illustrating parts of a retrofit embodiment;

Figure 11 is a side view illustrating parts of the Figure 10 retrofit embodiment; and Figure 12 is an isometric view illustrating parts of the Figure 10 embodiment.

Description

Figure 1 illustrates an isometric view of a streetside environment 1 comprising a walkway 3 (also known as pavement or sidewalk) separated from a road surface 5 by a series of (here: seven) kerbstones 10 arranged in an end-to-end fashion. As will be appreciated, parts of the road surface 5 may be designated as charging points, parking spaces and the like.

Figures 2 and 3 show an isometric view of the kerbstone 10, constituting a kerbstone element of the invention. Figure 4 shows a wireframe illustration depicting interior portions of the kerbstone 10. The kerbstone 10 comprises a unitary body of generally elongate extension, having a first end 12a and a second end 12b opposite the first end 12a. The first and second ends 12a, 12b are shaped complementarily, or symmetrically, to each other, such that they are suitable for end-to-end installation along a walkway 3. The kerbstone 10 comprises a first face 14, constituting in use (when installed) a street-facing surface, a second face 13, constituting in use an underside, a third face 16, constituting in use a top surface, and a fourth face 18, constituting in use a walkway-facing surface.

Kerbstones of this type may have a generally cuboid geometry although may comprise a bevel edge comprised of a lower bevel facet 15a along the edge between the streetfacing surface and the top surface, and an upper bevel facet 15b along the edge between the lower bevel facet 15a and the top surface. The bevel edge may be arranged such that the kerbstone 10 has a profile corresponding to standard bullnose or half-battered kerbstone profiles. Exemplary profiles are defined in British Standard BS EN 1340. By way of providing such an outer profile, the kerbstone 10 is compatible with existing kerbstone geometries, facilitating logistics, handling, transportation and installation thereof. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is concerned with an arrangement that may be designed so as to conform to several shapes, including standard shapes, and is not necessarily intended to be limited to a specific standard, appreciating that standards may be redefined from time to time. The kerbstone 10 is provided with a passage 20, the passage 20 constituting a cavity and extending from the first end 12a through the body of the kerbstone 10 to the second end 12b, and open at a first passage end 20a and at the opposite side open at a second passage end 20b (Figure 4). Herein, the passage 20 has a generally obround cross-section extending, in use, in an upright orientation (i.e. , here: taller than wide). The passage 20 extends parallel to the extension of the kerbstone 10. As will be appreciated, by arranging a series of kerbstones 10 in end-to-end fashion, such the second end 12b of one kerbstone abuts the first end 12a of another kerbstone, this allows the passage end 20b to be in registration with an adjoining passage end 20a. In this manner, a series of adjacent cavities of the end-to-end joined passages 20 may provide a continuous conduit extending through a series of kerbstones 10. Furthermore, this reduces a risk of a step being formed at the joint between adjoining kerbstones, provided a series of kerbstones is laid on sufficiently even ground.

Partway along the passage 20, the kerbstone 10 comprises an access hole 26, constituting an access port located in a surface other than the underside (second face 13). While the present illustration shows the access hole 26 generally halfway between the first and second ends 12a, 12b, on the top face (third face 16), it will be appreciated that the access hole 26 may be located at another location e.g. extending over one or both of the bevel facets 15b, 15a. In some embodiments, the access hole 26 may be located at the rear side and/or extending across portions of both the top face (third face 16) and the walkway-facing surface (fourth face 18). As illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, the access hole extends less than a full end-to-end distance between the first and second ends 12a, 12b, such that free outward-facing surface portions of the kerbstone 10, (here: areas of the third face 16) surround, or at least partially surround, the access hole 26.

The location of the access hole 26 may be influenced by the profile of the kerbstone element. The access hole 26 is of generally obround cross-section and has a similar diameter as the passage 20, joining the passage 20 in the manner of a T-junction (see Figure 4) to provide a three-way passage extending from the centre of the kerbstone 10, the three-way passage open to the passage ends 20a, 20b, and the access hole The access hole 26 is closed by a removable plug 40, constituting a removable insert, having a contour corresponding to the contour of the access hole 26 (here: obround) suitable for closing the access hole 26. The plug 40 is a generally solid structure having a thickness of several centimetres, e.g. no less than 1cm, 2cm, 3cm, or 4cm, in the insertion direction of the plug. The thickness requires the plug 40 to be inserted into the access hole 26, practically along its axial extension, in a linear motion. The plug 40 comprises an outward surface 41 that remains visible from outside when the plug 40 is seated inside the access hole 26. While illustrated herein as a structure of generally uniformly obround profile along the vertical extension, variations of the plug may comprise a stepped contour and/or frusto-conical contour, and combinations such as conical contours with stepped profile. It will be appreciated that the inner contour of the access hole is shaped complementarily to the plug contour so as to provide a tight seating engagement. In embodiments, the fit of the plug 40 in the access hole 26 is designed to be tight, e.g. an interference fit or a tight transition fit, such that removal of the plug 40 is for practical purposes inhibited without the use of tools.

On the outward surface 41 , the plug 40 is provided with an arrangement of (here: two) holes 42a, 42b extending from the outside into the plug 40. The holes 42a, 42b constitute extraction features in the form of holes permitting access to facilitate extraction of the plug from the kerbstone 10. The holes 42a, 42b may be blind holes. Alternatively, the holes 42a, 42b may be through holes open to the interior, i.e. the cavity, of the kerbstone 10.

The plug 40 is retained in the access hole 26 by a retainer structure dimensioned in a manner allowing it to maintain the outer surface 41 of the plug 40 level with the top surface (third surface 16) when the plug 40 is seated in the kerbstone 10. The retainer structure may be provided, for instance, by an arrangement of lateral engagement structures, constituting a form of locator holes, such as two internal recesses 24a, 24b located in a side wall portion of the access port 26. The plug 40 may comprise a mechanism actuatable to engage the internal recesses 24a, 24b. For instance, the plug may contain fingers that can be deployed by rotation or sliding movement in the manner of a latch mechanism (not shown) within the plug 40.

The holes 42a, 42b may be configured to provide access to the latch mechanism, whereby access may be of a nature requiring a specialist tool to gain access and/or to be able to disengage the latch mechanism. In this manner, the ability to remove the plug 40 from the access port 26 can be restricted to authorised persons.

The internal recesses 24a, 24b may provide and/or constitute an internal seating location and may be configured such that they can be engaged by the plug mechanism when this is in registration with the internal recesses 24a, 24b. As will be appreciated, in this manner it can be provided that the plug is seated at a pre-determined height relative to the third face 16, such that an outwardly visible surface of the plug 40 sits flush with the top surface provided by the third face 16.

Alternatively or in addition, the access hole 26 may be provided with one or more stepped features extending along the inner circumference of the access hole 26, to support the plug 40. To this end, the plug 40 may have a stepped profile, e.g. with a flange structure, corresponding to one or more stepped features of the access hole 26. In this manner, the plug 40 may be supported securely at a predefined height, when installed above the cavity. This allows the plug 40 to be designed such that it sits flush with the outer surface of the kerbstone 10. The stepped feature may be provided by a ledge providing a seating surface for the plug.

With reference to Figures 6 and 7, Figure 6 shows a cutaway view, presenting the fourth face 18 towards the viewer, and Figure 7 shows an isometric view, of a kerbstone 11 that is a variant of the kerbstone 10. Several features of the kerbstone 11 correspond to those of the kerbstone 10, and so the description is not repeated for all features. The kerbstone 11 comprises within the side wall of the access hole 26 a circumferential ledge 44 to provide a seating surface for a plug. The kerbstone 11 is to be used with a plug 40a, constituting a removable insert. The plug 40a corresponds to the plug 40 described above, and includes a stepped profile by virtue of a step 45 extending circumferentially around the mantle surface of the plug 40a, spaced from the base surface of the plug 40a. The plug 40a may be seated in the access hole 26 by abutment of the step 45 on the ledge 44.

Although indicated as a continuous surface in Figure 6, stepped features of the access hole 26 may be formed by protrusions, extending into the access hole 26 and that may be spaced apart along the access hole, that comprise, optionally, regions of weakness to allow the protrusions to be removed (e.g., by breaking them off using a suitable tool). Stepped features or protrusions may also be formed by separate component parts that can be removed in a direction other than the plug insertion direction (e.g., the plug insertion direction may be, in use, vertically). This allows stepped features to be removed by detachment from the access hole 26, thereby to increase the size of the access hole 26 if the plug 40 is no longer required. As such, parts of the seating surface may be integrally formed with the kerbstone 10 or 11 , and/or may be provided as separate component parts attached to a retaining structure (such as a pocket) of the kerbstone 10 or 11. Integrally formed seating surfaces and detachable seating surfaces may be combined in a kerbstone.

The height of the plug 40 is such that it is seated inside the access hole 26 without, or without practically, extending into the passage 20. As such, the passage 20 provides a cavity between the passage ends 20a, 20b while the access hole 26 is closed with the plug 40.

Turning now to Figure 4, this shows a wireframe illustration depicting internal features of the kerbstone 10. In a region underneath the access hole 26 (being closed by the plug 40 in Figure 4), the interior of the kerbstone 10 comprises a ledge structure 28 in the lower region of the passage 20. Likewise, the kerbstone 10 comprises an arrangement of (here: four) locator holes 22a, 22b, 22c, 22d. Two locator holes 22a, 22b are located on the rear side of the interior wall of the passage 20, facing the walkway-facing surface (fourth face 18). Two locator holes 22c, 22d are located opposite the two locator holes 22a 22b, on the front side of the interior wall of the passage 20, facing the street-facing surface (first face 14). Herein, the four locator holes 22a-d are at the same level in a horizontal plane in a lower region of the passage 20, although they may be provided at different height in some embodiments. The locator holes 22a-d are blind holes accessible from within the passage 20. Consequently, the locator holes 22a-d are not open to the outside of the kerbstone 10, and therefore reduce the likelihood of, and practically prevent, ingress of dirt, organisms (such as plant roots) or liquids from the front or back of the kerbstone 10.

As such, the kerbstone 10 comprises several locator holes constituting seating locations. The internal recesses 24a, 24b in the access hole 26 provide seating locations near the (in use) top of the kerbstone 10. The locator holes 22a-d and the ledge structure 28 provide seating locations near the (in use) base of the kerbstone 10. The seating locations are accessible from the access hole 26 and/or from within the passage 20, respectively. The seating locations disclosed herein are exemplary, and in some embodiments there may be additional seating locations at different height levels accessible from within the cavity. As will be set out below, the seating surfaces may be used to locate and/or secure components to the interior of the kerbstone 10. It will be appreciated that the cavity defined by the passage 20 is intended to be large enough to accommodate components that would otherwise be installed above ground. The cavity allows on-street clutter to be reduced. To provide illustrative examples, a typical type of kerbstone standard in use in the United Kingdom, type "HB1”, corresponding generally to the outer dimensions indicated in Figure 2, has a reference solid volume of about 40 litres. In a kerbstone according to the invention, having an outer volume of 40 litres, the void volume defined by the passage 20 and not including the access hole 26 may be in the region of 17 litres, i.e. about 42% of the reference solid kerbstone volume. It will be appreciated that the void volume may differ, for instance, may be at least 30%, 35%, or 40% of the reference solid volume. However, other embodiments may achieve at least 45% or at least 50% void volume relative to a reference solid volume. The access hole 26 and the passage 20 are designed to allow electrical components that may be relatively large and/or cables that may be relatively stiff to be inserted into or through the cavity. When placed in end-to-end abutment, two adjacent passages 20 may be installed (subject to even ground underneath) to provide a relatively even, step-free conduit to facilitate the feeding of cables.

Figure 5 shows a band element 30 constituting a liner structure that is located in the access hole 26. The band element 30 provides a surface cover for the inner surface of the access hole 26. The band element 30 is shaped to correspond to the inner circumference of the access hole 26 (here: of obround shape) and comprises a height (in the vertical dimension) corresponding to the thickness of the plug 40, although it may also have a different height. For instance, the band element 30 may be less high than the thickness of the plug 40, and therefore cover only a portion of the plug 40, as may be practical for stepped plug designs. Being of generally obround shape, the band element 30 comprises two opposite side arm walls 32 joined by two rounded opposite end portions 33a, 33b, defining a closed hoop shape encircling a through hole 38. With the band element 30 seated in the kerbstone 10, the through hole 38 provides, and can be understood to effectively constitute, the access hole 26. The opposite end portions 33a, 33b each comprise a socket structure 36a, 36b, corresponding to, and shaped to, engage with the internal recesses 24a, 24b. In this manner, the band element 30 can be retained in the access hole 26, and also provides a liner portion for lining the internal recesses 24a, 24b. Along the opposite side arm walls 32, the band element 30 is provided with an arrangement of retainer barbs 34 constituting retention elements. The retainer barbs 34 resist axial removal of the band element 30 from the access hole 26 during removal of the plug 40. The band element 30 is an optional liner structure that may assist a tighter seating of the plug 40 in the access hole 26.

While a band element 30 may not be used in all embodiments, it is believed to facilitate the design of a tight seating of the plug 40 in the through hole 38 defined by the band element 30, rather than relying on a tight surface-to-surface contact of the plug 40 in direct contact with sidewalls of the access hole 26. A tighter surface-to-surface contact is believed to improve the strength of the kerbstone 10 to better withstand loads such as car wheels driving onto and/or against the kerbstone 10. The improved load bearing capacity allows the access hole 26 to be designed larger than would otherwise be the case, because in the absence of a tightly fitted plug 40 the region of the access hole 26 may otherwise constitute a region of weakness. A test that defines stress pass criteria for kerbstones is British Standard BS-EN-1240-2. Such a standard or similar appropriate standard may be used as a reference for testing if an access hole is appropriately dimensioned by way of a tightly seated plug. However, a tight seating is not necessarily required, for instance if a kerbstone is designed for an environment in which it is not expected to have to withstand such loads.

As described with reference to Figures 1 to 7, the kerbstone 10 or 11 can be provided with a plug 40 or 40a as a self-contained unit for use as a kerbstone. The kerbstone 10 may be profiled to correspond to standardised kerbstones. In this manner, a series of kerbstones 10 may be installed at any time and remain in place even if no electrical supply is installed at the time of the kerbstone installation.

Underlying the present invention was research carried out by the applicant to establish requirements for streetside electrification and installation of vehicle charging infrastructure. A surprising finding of the research was that many funding bodies and decision-making authorities, such as city councils, are hesitant to implement infrastructure projects. The hesitation is not due to a lack of demand for such infrastructure, but due to a considerable extent because of the unclear obsolescence time scales of solutions available today, that often require complete opening and resurfacing of roads and walkways or pavements.

The present solution is designed to provide a versatile kerbstone element that may be installed as part of a road refurbishment without having to commit to a specific electrification solution at the same time. The kerbstone element facilitates retrofitting with cabling and charging infrastructure at an appropriate time.

An aspect of the invention is, therefore, that the kerbstone element may for a considerable time after installation remain in situ without being used for electrification, and perhaps without being used for electrification at all. The plug and the plug retention mechanism described herein enable the kerbstones to remain installed with a closed access port 26 for long periods of time.

Figure 8 illustrates an isometric view of a streetside environment 1a comprising a walkway 3 separated from a road surface 5 by a series of kerbstones 10, similar to the illustration of Figure 1. One of the kerbstones 10, denoted as 10a, shows an instance where the plug 40 has been removed to allow for installation of an electric vehicle charge point post 7. As will be appreciated, the charge point post 7 may have been installed at the time of the laying of the kerbstones. However, the invention provides that the charge point post 7 is added some time after the kerbstone installation has been concluded. Any number or all of the kerbstones 10 could be retrofitted in the manner of the kerbstone 10a. Specifically, several or all kerbstones 10 may be retrofitted with the same type of electrical installation, or with different electrical or nonelectrical installation. Power supply connection can be provided via a suitable circuitry module 9 connecting to an external power supply, which may be some distance away from the charge point kerbstone 10a. However, the exact manner in which power is supplied is understood to depend on various circumstances. As such, the circuitry module 9 illustrated herein may not be used, or may not be provided in the illustrated location, in all installations. However, by providing a relatively large cavity 20, access is provided for a variety of differently sized components. Cabling may be fed through the series of adjacent cavities 20 of each kerbstone 10 from an access point through to the charge point kerbstone 10a. As will be appreciated, cabling may be fed along several further kerbstones using ropes, wires, “pigs”, and the like. Likewise, while Figure 8 depicts only one charge point post 7, the number of charge point posts and spacing between charge point posts 7 may differ according to infrastructure needs.

As Figure 8 illustrates, any kerbstone 10 that is not used for a charge point post 7 can remain in place with its access hole 26 closed by the plug 40. An aspect underlying the invention is that several, and in practice perhaps a majority, of the kerbstones so installed may not be used for a charge point.

Figures 9 to 12 illustrate an exemplary retrofit installation for use with a kerbstone element 10 or 11. It will be appreciated that an aspect of the invention is that the kerbstone element 10 is versatile in that it is intended to be able to accommodate a wide range of charge point solutions, and so the invention is not necessarily limited to a particular retrofit solution.

Figures 9 to 12 show an installation 100 of a charge point (such as charge point post 7 of Figure 8) in different views of the same embodiment. Depending on the level of detail, certain parts of the installation 100 are omitted in some of the Figures to maintain clarity of the illustrations. Figure 9 shows an exploded view of post structures without electrification components. Figure 10 shows retrofitted components without the kerbstone 10, and Figures 11 to 12 show a side view section and an isometric rear view, respectively, of the installation 100 inside an indicated kerbstone 10a.

The installation 100 comprises a post 104 (of which only a lower portion is indicated in the Figures) providing a column for a charge point, the post being seated in socket 105 that, in turn, is supported on an anchoring plate 120. The anchoring plate 120 comprises an underside edge that is dimensioned to be seated on the ledge structure 28 (see Figures 4 and 6). In this manner, the anchoring plate 120 rests in the passage 20 in a stable manner, even if (as shown herein) the passage 20 extends underneath the anchoring plate 120. The anchoring plate 120 is secured against lifting by a plurality of attachment structures 124a, 124b, 124c, 124d, (collectively shown in Figures 9 to 11) such as screws or pins, that engage in the locator holes 22a-d. The attachment structures 124a-d may be threaded or otherwise configured for engagement in the locator holes 22a-d (see Figures 4 and 6). It will be appreciated that assembly of the installation 100 may require first the location of the anchoring plate 120 on the ledge structure 28, before affixing the attachment structures 124a-d, which may have to be carried out with access through the access hole 26 only, and before installing other structures. As shown herein, one pair formed of two of the attachment structures 124c, 124d comprises protrusions integral with and extending outwardly from the anchoring plate 120, to be levered into two locator holes, whereas another pair of two attachment structures 124a, 124b is provided by a threaded bolt to be attached opposite the protrusions constituted by the attachment structures 124c, 124d. As will be appreciated, by providing integrally formed engagement features, the number of separate components and number of assembly steps can be reduced.

The anchoring plate 120 is provided to support the socket 105 that comprises an integrally formed lower foot plate 122 to stabilize it on the anchoring plate 120. The anchoring plate 120 is secured by elongated wing nuts 108 that are, here, provided as a pair, one wing nut 108 on each side of the socket 105. The elongated wing nuts 108 may be of a hexagonal head design, suitable for engagement with a powered or nonpowered socket drive, so as to be easily accessible via the access port. In this manner, the wing nuts 108 may engage in a socket in the floor region of the cavity while being accessible near the access hole 26.

The post 104 comprises, near its lower end, a capping plate 102 integrally formed with the post 104. The footprint of the capping plate 102 corresponds to the footprint of the plug 40, so as to fit into and close the access hole 26. The capping plate 102 extends perpendicularly to the lower end of the post 104 such that a top surface of the capping plate 102 sits flush with the third face 16 when the post 104 is fully inserted into the socket 105. While the capping plate 102 is illustrated herein as being integrally formed with the post 104, the capping plate 102 may alternatively be movably disposed, e.g. slideable along the post 104, so that it may be moved to allow access to the hole 26 without having to remove the post 104.

The underside of the capping plate 102 is provided with a latching assembly comprising a pair of engagement fingers 106a, 106b (indicated in Figures 9 and 10) located such that they can engage the internal recesses 24a, 24b, or, when provided with a liner 30, in the socket structures 36a, 36b, respectively. The post 104 is stabilized by engagement of anchoring elements in seating locations at different heights, including the locator holes 22a-22d and ledge structure 28 in the lower region of the kerbstone 10a, and by the internal recesses 24a, 24b in the upper region of the kerbstone 10a. In this manner, the post 104 is anchored in place in a relatively stable manner. The power supply to the post 104 may be provided by cabling 112 fed through the passage 20 and may comprise circuitry 110 (see Figure 10). The anchoring arrangement described herein is only an example configuration, and other solutions may be suitable. The ability of the kerbstone 10 to enable a choice of one of several technical solutions is believed to be facilitated by the present design that provides a relatively large cavity and access hole, and different anchoring locations, so as to allow a wider range of components to be installed.

As will be appreciated, not all fixation means of the installation 100 have been described in detail. For the purpose of the present disclosure, the installation 100 should be understood as an exemplary suggestion how the kerbstone 10 may be used to provide a basis for retrofitting electric infrastructure, to convert into a charge point kerbstone 10a. Specifically, the access hole 26 is dimensioned to allow all components required for the anchoring to be inserted from above, with the exception of a power line that may be installed by the use of guide wires, ropes and the like as will be familiar to a person skilled in the art. The multitude of access holes 26 in a series of kerbstone elements also makes the task of feeding cables through the conduit easier, as well as inspection or dealing with snagging can be done wherever an access hole exists.

While the passage is described as having an obround section, it may be provided with other cross-sectional shapes. It is preferred for the cross-section to be rounded, oval, ovoid, or the like, to provide a better resistance to external loads without a requirement for additional reinforcing structures, although reinforcing structures may be added if desired. Such rounded shapes provide a relatively smooth, step-free surface to facilitate a feeding through of cables and the like. Furthermore, the passage may be free of partitions or segregation structures, to provide a continuous, inner surface, to facilitate the feeding of cables through kerbstone elements not used for a charge point or other infrastructure. As will be appreciated, partitions and segregation structures may be used in some embodiments.

It is envisaged that the invention proposed herein will contribute to a more rapid expansion of charging infrastructure, because it decouples the need of making a kerbside “electrification-ready” from the actual charge point installation. Additionally, the invention is believed to allow the amount of on-street clutter to be reduced that is otherwise often associated with electrical installations. The de-cluttering is achieved at least in part by providing a relatively large cavity (here: over 30% of a reference solid kerbstone volume) that allows the kerbstone element to accommodate a correspondingly large number of components in the cavity within the kerbstone.

Thereby, the invention allows for aspects of the charging equipment to reside within a kerbstone, thus requiring less walkway surface to be made available for the electrification than would otherwise be the case with many other above-ground equipment designs.

Whilst the principle of the invention has been illustrated using exemplary embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not so limited, and that the invention may be embodied by other variants defined within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A kerbstone element comprising a body comprising two kerbstone ends having a contour shaped complementarily to each other so as to be suitable for placement as one in a series of identical kerbstones in an end-to-end direction, the body comprising a passage extending between the two kerbstone ends to provide a cavity extending through the body in the end-to-end direction, the body comprising a seating face defining an underside of the kerbstone body, and an access port located between the two kerbstone ends on a face other than the seating face providing access to the cavity, wherein the body further comprises a seating surface within the cavity or access port for supporting a removable insert for plugging the access port.

2. The kerbstone element according to claim 1, wherein the removable insert has a thickness of at least 1 cm.

3. The kerbstone element according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the removable insert is made of a material composition resembling the body.

4. The kerbstone element according to claim 3, wherein the body comprises a composition or surface finish providing an outward appearance, and wherein the removable insert is made of a material composition or surface finish corresponding to that of the body so as to match the outward appearance.

5. The kerbstone element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the removable insert is insertable and removable from the access port along a straight linear path.

6. The kerbstone element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the removable insert is provided with extraction features facilitating removal of the removable insert from the access port.

7. The kerbstone element according to claim 6, wherein the extraction feature is provided by an arrangement of holes open to an inside of the removable insert.

8. The kerbstone element according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body comprises a retainer mechanism engaging the removable insert to hinder its removal from the body.

9. The kerbstone element according to claim 8, comprising a release mechanism for deactivation of the retainer mechanism.

10. The kerbstone element according to claim 9, when depending from claim 5 or 6, wherein the release mechanism is accessible via the extraction feature.

11. The kerbstone element according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising an internal seating location arrangement provided in the passage.

12. The kerbstone element according to claim 11 , wherein the internal seating location arrangement comprises one or more ledge surfaces.

13. The kerbstone element according to claim 11 or 12, wherein one or more portions of the internal seating location arrangement comprise a region of weakness to facilitate removal of the portions from the body.

14. The kerbstone element according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the internal seating location arrangement comprises one or more locator holes.

15. The kerbstone element according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the internal seating location arrangement comprises at least two seating locations, positioned at different height levels within the kerbstone, in use.

16. The kerbstone element according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a liner structure at an inner surface of the access port.

17. The kerbstone element according to claim 16, wherein the liner structure is retained to the access port by one or more retention elements.

18. The kerbstone element according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the liner structure comprises an arrangement of barb structures to resist removal of the liner structure from the access port.

19. A method of installing a series of kerbstones including kerbstone elements comprising a removable insert according to any one of the preceding claims, the method comprising providing a plurality of the kerbstone elements as part of a road or walkway, and leaving a plurality of the kerbstone elements with the removable insert in place as part of the road or walkway.

20. The method according to claim 19, comprising removing a removable insert from one or more of the kerbstone elements of a series of kerbstone elements to reveal an access port thereof to provide access to a cavity underneath the access port, anchoring an infrastructure installation within the cavity so as to install it on the access port, and leaving in place the removable inserts of other kerbstone elements of the series of kerbstone elements.

21. The method according to claim 20, comprising removing the removable insert from a seating surface on which it was seated, and removing part or all of the seating surface thereby to increase a free cross-section of the access port.