GB2077806A

GB2077806A - Lockable access panel for lighting or other columns

Info

Publication number: GB2077806A
Application number: GB8117551A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: HEMCOL Ltd; SIMPLON LIGHTING
Current assignee: HEMCOL Ltd; SIMPLON LIGHTING
Priority date: 1980-06-16
Filing date: 1981-06-09
Publication date: 1981-12-23

Abstract

The access opening 3 in the face of e.g. a lighting column can be covered or uncovered by a sleeve 5 movably mounted thereon. The sleeve may be axially fixed by stop rings 4, 7 but be rotatable to bring an aperture therein into or out from alignment with opening 3. Alternatively, the upper ring 7 and sleeve are axially movable to uncover opening 3. The sleeve is lockable in the closed portion e.g. by a bolt 8. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improved lighting or other column or post This invention relates to a column or post, for example a lighting column as commonly used for street lighting. Although the invention is intended to apply primarily to a street lighting column, it is not restricted to that application.

It is common practice for a street lighting column to contain electrical switchgear in a hollow compartment in the lower portion of the column, and for the compartment to have an opening closable by a door, usually of pressed or fabricated metal, which is flush with the exterior surface of the column, or outside it. Such a door normally has a lock. However, it is an unfortunate fact of contemporary life that these doors are frequently broken open by vandals, for example by levering open with a jemmy. Then the switchgear is exposed, with possible danger to the public and to the switchgear itself.

It is an object of this invention to provide a lighting or other column or post which is more resistant to vandalisation than currently used columns and posts.

According to this invention a lighting or other column has a compartment with an access opening, wherein a tubular member is disposed about the column and is mounted on the column for movement from a first position to a second position so that in the first position the tubular member closes and prevents access to the opening and in the second position uncovers the opening for access to the compartment, and wherein a device is provided to lock the tubular member in the first position.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the lower part of a street lighting column, with a tubular member permitting access to the opening of the switchgear compartment; Figure 2 is the same, but showing the tubular member in a position in which it closes and prevents access to the opening.

Referring to the drawing a street lighting column 1 has a lower portion or base 2: both are circular in cross-section. The lower portion 2 has an internal switchgear compartment which is accessible by way of an access opening 3. The lower portion 2 has formed or fixed thereon, for example by welding, a stout lower or stop ring 4.

Mounted on, and rotatable around the lower portion 2 is a tubular member 5 with an opening 6 which matches in size the opening 3. Above the member 5 is an upper, weatherproofed retaining ring 7 which prevents ingress of rain into the tubular member 5. The diameter of the member 5 in relation to that of the lower portion 2, and the clearances between the member 5 and the respective rings 4 and 7, are such that the member 5 is quite a close fit on the lower portion 2 but can be rotated around its axis. The member 5 is supported on the lower or stop ring 4 and is prevented from being moved upwardly by the upper ring 7. A locking device 8, which may be of any suitable kind, for example a shear head bolt, can be manipulated to permit or prevent rotation of the member 5 around the lower portion 2.

Figure 1 shows the tubular member 5 rotated to a position in which the "door" is open, that is, with the openings 3 and 6 coincident. To close the "door", the member 5 is rotated until the opening 6 is no longer in register with the opening 3, and the locking device 8 is then operated. The amount of rotation is preferably 1 800.

It has been found by testing that the "door" as used in a lighting standard in accordance with the invention is more difficult to break open than 9 conventional door and in particular takes considerably longer to break open, thus deterring vandals.

In another embodiment, not shown in the drawing, a similar tubular member would be used but it would not have the opening 6, nor would it necessarily be of circuiar cross-section (for a noncircular column). The upper ring 7 would be axially movable, so that for covering and uncovering the opening 3 the tubular member would be lowered and raised, being moved axially on the lower portion 2 of the column 1. A locking device would be arranged to lock the upper ring 7 in its lower position in which it prevents lifting of the tubular member which in turn prevents access to the opening 3. This second embodiment would be particularly suitable for a non-circular column or post, or for a tapered column or post.

1. A lighting or other column having a compartment with an access opening, wherein a tubular member is disposed about the column and is mounted on the column for movement from a first position to a second position so that in the first position the tubular member closes and prevents access to the opening and in the second position uncovers the opening for access to the compartment, and wherein a device is provided to lock the tubular member in the first position.

2. A column according to claim 1 wherein the column and the tubular member are of circular cross section, the tubular member having an opening which in the said second position registers with the access opening, the tubular member being movable around the column.

3. A column according to claim 1 wherein the tubular member is movable vertically on the column, the first position being the lower, and the second position being the upper.

4. A column according to claim 3 wherein the column and tubular member are non-circular in cross-section.

5. A column according to any preceding claim having a ring fixed on the column to support the tubular member and to prevent it being moved downwardly.

6. A column according to claim 2 having a ring fixed to the column above the tubular member to

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improved lighting or other column or post This invention relates to a column or post, for example a lighting column as commonly used for street lighting. Although the invention is intended to apply primarily to a street lighting column, it is not restricted to that application. It is common practice for a street lighting column to contain electrical switchgear in a hollow compartment in the lower portion of the column, and for the compartment to have an opening closable by a door, usually of pressed or fabricated metal, which is flush with the exterior surface of the column, or outside it. Such a door normally has a lock. However, it is an unfortunate fact of contemporary life that these doors are frequently broken open by vandals, for example by levering open with a jemmy. Then the switchgear is exposed, with possible danger to the public and to the switchgear itself. It is an object of this invention to provide a lighting or other column or post which is more resistant to vandalisation than currently used columns and posts. According to this invention a lighting or other column has a compartment with an access opening, wherein a tubular member is disposed about the column and is mounted on the column for movement from a first position to a second position so that in the first position the tubular member closes and prevents access to the opening and in the second position uncovers the opening for access to the compartment, and wherein a device is provided to lock the tubular member in the first position. One embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the lower part of a street lighting column, with a tubular member permitting access to the opening of the switchgear compartment; Figure 2 is the same, but showing the tubular member in a position in which it closes and prevents access to the opening. Referring to the drawing a street lighting column 1 has a lower portion or base 2: both are circular in cross-section. The lower portion 2 has an internal switchgear compartment which is accessible by way of an access opening 3. The lower portion 2 has formed or fixed thereon, for example by welding, a stout lower or stop ring 4. Mounted on, and rotatable around the lower portion 2 is a tubular member 5 with an opening 6 which matches in size the opening 3. Above the member 5 is an upper, weatherproofed retaining ring 7 which prevents ingress of rain into the tubular member 5. The diameter of the member 5 in relation to that of the lower portion 2, and the clearances between the member 5 and the respective rings 4 and 7, are such that the member 5 is quite a close fit on the lower portion 2 but can be rotated around its axis. The member 5 is supported on the lower or stop ring 4 and is prevented from being moved upwardly by the upper ring 7. A locking device 8, which may be of any suitable kind, for example a shear head bolt, can be manipulated to permit or prevent rotation of the member 5 around the lower portion 2. Figure 1 shows the tubular member 5 rotated to a position in which the "door" is open, that is, with the openings 3 and 6 coincident. To close the "door", the member 5 is rotated until the opening 6 is no longer in register with the opening 3, and the locking device 8 is then operated. The amount of rotation is preferably 1 800. It has been found by testing that the "door" as used in a lighting standard in accordance with the invention is more difficult to break open than 9 conventional door and in particular takes considerably longer to break open, thus deterring vandals. In another embodiment, not shown in the drawing, a similar tubular member would be used but it would not have the opening 6, nor would it necessarily be of circuiar cross-section (for a noncircular column). The upper ring 7 would be axially movable, so that for covering and uncovering the opening 3 the tubular member would be lowered and raised, being moved axially on the lower portion 2 of the column 1. A locking device would be arranged to lock the upper ring 7 in its lower position in which it prevents lifting of the tubular member which in turn prevents access to the opening 3. This second embodiment would be particularly suitable for a non-circular column or post, or for a tapered column or post. CLAIMS

6. A column according to claim 2 having a ring fixed to the column above the tubular member to prevent the latter being moved upwardly.

7. A column according to claim 5 or claim 6 wherein the respective ring prevents access to the adjacent edge of the tubular member.

8. A column according to claim 6 wherein the said ring prevents ingress of rain into the tubular member.

9. A column according to claim 3 or claim 4 having a ring movably mounted on the column above the tubular member for movement between upper and lower positions, and a locking device operable to prevent the ring from being moved upwardly from the lower position, so as to lock the tubular member in its first position.

10. A lighting column constructed and arranged substantially as herein described and shown in the drawing.