GB2027769A - Post - Google Patents

Abstract

A base column 10 of a post has at its upper end a socket member 14 comprising two coaxial tubes, 15 and 18, and locking means, so that the lower end of another tube 11 can be secured in the space between tubes 15 and 18. In an embodiment, the annular space between outer cylinder 15 and inner cylinder 18 serves to receive a post tube 11, and bolts 19 accessible only through a door 12 enable tube 11 to be locked in position. The socket member 14 is welded in position with the outer cylinder 15 located below a cap 13 and the inner cylinder 18 extending through a central aperture in the cap 13 to facilitate location of tube 11. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Post This invention relates to a post, particularly, but not exclusively, for supporting a road sign or the like.

Typically a post of this type comprises a base column of which a lower portion is usually sunk into the ground and of which an upper portion encloses electrical wiring and the like accessible via a door. A tube, narrower than the column, extends from the top of the column and carries the road sign or the like, electrical wiring (where necessary) passing up the tube. Such posts have been manufactured by permanently securing various lengths of tube to standard length columns to give posts of different lengths.

Because of this, bodies such as local authorities who install such posts have to carry stocks of all usual sizes of posts, and should an unusual size be required they have to cut down a standard post. This naturally leads to high stock costs and results in waste when a standard post has to be cut.

To overcome the disadvantages of posts in which the tube and column are permanently fixed together, as an integral whole, posts have previously been devised which comprise a separate tube and column, together with means for fixing or locking the tube and column together in a non permanent manner. This enables a post to be constructed to the required dimensions by cutting a length of tube to size and fixing it to the column.

One aim of the present invention is to provide a post of the type comprising a tube and column and means for fixing the tube or column together, which means are of a novel and simple form and allow for simple and easy attachment of the tube and column.

With the above aim in view the present invention provides, in one aspect, a hollow base column comprising a socket member disposed at an upper end of the column and locking means whereby one lower end of a tube can be secured in a space between two coaxially disposed tubes of the socket member such that the column and tube together form a post.

Advantageously the outer one of the socket tubes is disposed beneath a cap of the column whilst the inner one of the socket tubes extends above the cap through an aperture in the cap, the space between the socket tubes being closed at an end remote from the cap. Ingress of water to the column at the joint between column and main tube is thereby eliminated without the provision of a gasket or other special sealing arrangements necessary in previously known posts of the type comprising a separate tube and column.

Preferably the socket tubes are cylindrical, the inner tube being longer than the outer, providing therebetween a space of annular cross-section.

The locking means is preferably accessible only from inside the column, for example via a door in the side walling of the column. Such locking means can comprise threaded clamp bolts extending through threaded apertures in the outer socket tube. The outer socket tube can be located by fins welded to it and to the side walling of the column. The inner or central socket tube can be supported by an annular base plate welded to it and to the lower end of the outer socket tube, thereby closing the space between the socket tubes.

The invention includes a post in the form of a column as aforesaid and having the lower end of a tube engaged in the socket and secured.

The present invention will hereinafter be further described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a side view of a portion of a post comprising a column constructed in accordance with the invention: Fig. 2 is a horizontal cross-section through an upper portion of the column of the post of Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view of a socket of the post of Figs. 1 and 2, prior to welding in position.

Referring to Fig. 1, the post comprises a base column 10 and a tube 1 an upper portion of which (not shown) carries a road sign or the like.

The base column 10 has a key-operable door 12 in its side walling, and a cap 13 with a central circular aperture is disposed over the upper end of the column. Beneath the cap 1 3 a socket 14 (see Fig. 3) is formed by an outer short cylinder 1 5 having an inner diameter slightly greater than the outer diameter of the tube 11 with which the column is to be used. Radial fins 16 welded to the short cylinder 1 5 and the side walling of the column 10 position the cylinder 1 5 coaxially with the column. In an alternative embodiment (not shown) the radial fins 1 6 may be replaced by an annular ring.An annular base plate 1 7 is welded to the lower end of the cylinder and forms a base for the socket 14 and a support for an inner longer cylinder 1 8 which is co-axial with the outer cylinder 1 5 and of outside diameter slightly less than the internal diameter of the tube 11. The inner cylinder 1 5 projects above the cap 13 on the column 10 to faciliate the attachment of the tube 11 to the column 10 but primarily to ensure that any water entering the socket 14 cannot reach the interior of the column 1 0. Locking means is provided in the form of clamping bolts 1 9 passing through threaded apertures in a lower end portion of the outer cylinder 1 5, which bolts 19 can be turned only from inside the column 10, i.e. with the door 12 open.

With the invention, bodies such as local authorities need stock only the standard columns and lengths of tube.

When a particuiar length of post is needed, an appropriate length of tube can be cut and inserted into the socket on a column and secured. The locking means being hidden means that the tube cannot be loosened by unauthorised persons.

The invention is not limited to the precise details of the foregoing. For example, tubes of other than circular cross-section can be accommodated provided appropriately shaped sockets are provided.

Claims (9)

Claims

1. A hollow base column comprising a socket member disposed at an upper end of the column and locking means whereby one lower end of a tube can be secured in a space between two coaxially disposed tubes of the socket member such that the column and tube together form a post.

2. A column as claimed in claim 1 in which the outer one of the socket tubes is disposed beneath a cap of the column whilst the inner one of the tubes extends above the cap through an aperture in the cap, the space between the socket tubes being closed at an end remote from the cap.

3. A column as claimed in claim 1 or 2 in which the socket tubes are cylindrical providing therebetween an annular space for the tube.

4. A column as claimed in any preceding claim which comprises a door in the side walling thereof, the locking means being accessible only through said door.

5. A column as claimed in any preceding claim in which the locking means comprises threaded clamp bolts extending through threaded apertures in the outer socket tube.

6. A column as claimed in any preceding claim in which the outer socket tube is provided with radially extending fins, outernost portion of the fins being welded to the inner side walling of the column to locate the socket member in position.

7. A column as claimed in claim 6 in which the innermost socket tube is supported by an annular base plate welded to the bases of both socket tubes so as to close the space between the socket tubes.

8. A column substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

9. A post comprising a column as claimed in any preceding claim, in combination with a post tube.