GB2280358A - A support structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A support structure (12) for securing e.g. a refuse bin (24) comprising two or more substantially vertical posts (14, 16) adapted to be secured to a plate or in the ground, strut means (18) spacing the posts (14, 16) at a location in an upper region of the posts (14, 16) and locking means on at least one of the posts, the locking means being located in an upper region of the support structure (12). The support structure may comprise a U-shaped bar. The structure may hold a metal hoop to which is filled a plastic bin liner. A cover may be filled over the support structure. Also disclosed is the use of the support structure in a seating arrangement, as a barrier or for supporting advertising material. <IMAGE>

Description

SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR AN OUTDOOR FEATURE OR STRUCTURAL ELEMENT AND A FEATURE INCLUDING THE SUPPORT STRUCTURE The invention provides a support structure intended to be secured in an outdoor location for the support of one or more of a variety of outdoor features, including litter bins; a seating; advertising displays and crowd control barriers. The invention also includes outdoor features which incorporate a support structure.

One instance of an outdoor feature to which the invention can be applied is a street litter bin. A known type of litter bin comprises a base or plinth anchored to the ground, a bin which stands on the base and a cover which encloses the bin, and which is locked to the base. In this known construction, the cover includes an effective lid which prevents the bin being lifted out of the cover, there being access openings ("windows") in the side wall or walls of the cover, through which litter can be inserted into the open-topped bin. In order to empty the bin, it is necessary for an attendant first to remove the cover, which involves unlocking it from the base.

Removing the cover is sometimes made difficult if the cover and/or its lock has been damaged, and is objectionable if the lock, which is close to the ground, has been fouled. It is an object of the invention to overcome these problems associated with this known type of street litter bin. However, the invention provides also an alternative form of litter bin and, as will appear hereinafter, has uses other than the location of a litter bin.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a support structure for securing in an outdoor location to support a street feature or a structural element, comprises two or more substantially vertical posts adapted to be secured to or in the ground, strut means spacing the posts at a location in an upper region of the posts and locking means on at least one of the posts for locking an outdoor feature or structural element to the support structure, the locking means being located in an upper region of the support structure.

In a preferred construction, there are two posts of substantially the same height and width, and a single bridging strut extending between them close to the tops of the posts. The bridging strut may be a plate-like member of no greater width than the struts. Alternatively, the bridging strut may be formed integral with the posts, for example, the posts and strut may be formed by bending a strip-like element into an inverted U-formation.

It is further preferred that each of the posts is cylindrical and they may conveniently be tubular. The preferred construction provides in effect an upright frame the height, width and thickness of which are determined respectively by the height, spacing and width (or outside diameter) of the posts. Such a support structure can be used in a variety of ways. For example, a hollow feature, such as the cover of a street litter bin, can be made to fit closely around the support structure, so that the support structure provides a fixed location for the cover, which can be readily locked to the support structure. In another example, two such support structures spaced apart from each other can provide secure mountings for horizontal barrier rails for crowd control barriers or, if they are suitably orientated facing each other, the two support structures can provide supports for a bench seat.

Again, the support structure can provide support for an advertising board attached between the two posts and/or to the bridging strut.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an outdoor feature comprises a rigid support structure, having two or more substantially vertical posts and strut means connecting and locating the posts with respect to each other and a cover device which locates on the outside of the support structure.

Preferably the location of the cover device on the support structure is such that the support structure prevents movement of the cover device in all horizontal directions.

It is further preferred that locking means are provided in an upper region of the support structure, for locking the cover device to the support structure, so as to prevent vertical motion of the cover device relatively to the support structure.

In a preferred arrangement, the support structure comprises two posts of substantially the same height and width with a strut of no greater width than the posts bridging the posts close to their upper ends, so that the support structure can be considered to be a planar structure, the height, width and thickness of which are determined respectively by the height, spacing and width of the posts. Preferably the posts are tubes so that the thickness of the "planar" support structure is equal to the outside diameter of the posts.If the cover device is generally in the form of a vertical cylinder, it can be located on such a planar support structure, providing that the internal diameter of the cover device is the same as the overall width of the support structure - that is to say, the support structure extends across the internal diameter of the cover means, so that the latter cannot move in any horizontal direction because of its engagement with the support structure.

A more secure arrangement could be provided if the support structure had three posts disposed at the corners of an imaginary equilateral triangle and the cover device were cylindrical and a close fit on the outs ides of all three posts, i.e. the internal diameter of the cover device were 1.155x where x is the overall width between any two of the posts. However, it is an advantage of the preferred twopost support structure that, being essentially planar, it occupies little space on a pavement when the cover device is removed and it presents little obstacle to the movement of traffic (people) on the pavement or sidewalk. It will also be appreciated that the two-post, planar structure enables the whole structure to be formed by bending a tube into an inverted U-shape and it facilitates stacking of the support structures.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the cover device has internal formations which are a close fit around more than 60 of the periphery of each post.

Preferably the posts are cylindrical and the cover device has internal, longitudinally extending, part cylindrical grooves, each of the same diameter as the outside diameter of a post, so that each post is received snuggly in a groove. Preferably each groove engages around almost 1800 of the periphery of its respective post. It is further preferred that the wall of the cover device bulges outwardly around each groove, so that there is substantially no reduction in the wall thickness in the region of the groove.

In one arrangement the cover device comprises a hollow, planar device, which fits over the two posts of the support structure and provides a "plate" slightly thicker than the outside width of the post. Such a "plate" may provide a means of preventing removal of a container, especially when locked to the support structure.

In another arrangement, the posts are provided with attachments to receive a ring on which a waste bag can be supported, the cover device being adapted to prevent removal of the ring and any bag attached to it.

According to another aspect of the invention, a barrier system for a pavement or sidewalk comprises a series of support structures secured to the ground in spaced apart locations along a pavement or sidewalk, each support structure comprising two spaced, substantially vertical posts joined in an upper region by strut means, the whole support structure being substantially planar, the thickness of the structure being determined by the width of the posts. Such an arrangement provides little obstruction to the flow of traffic along the pavement or sidewalk. It allows the support structures to be used selectively to support, for example: rails extending between adjacent support structures to provide a crowd control barrier; covers for litter bins; advertising panels or any other outdoor feature requiring support and location.

The invention in all three aspects will be better understood from the following description of certain specific embodiments which are given here by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevation of a support structure, showing it secured to the ground, and also the location of a waste bin relatively to the support structure, Figure 2 is an elevation of a litter bin cover for use with the support structure shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a side view of the litter bin cover shown in Figure 2, Figure 4 is a detail side view of the upper part of the litter bin cover illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, Figure 5 is a plan view of the litter bin cover illustrated in Figures 2 to 4, Figure 6 is a cross-section on the line VI-VI in Figure 3, Figure 7 is a perspective view of a support structure such as that shown in Figure 1, showing the fitting of a cover such as that illustrated in Figures 2 to 6 (the bottom portion of the cover being cut away), Figure 8 is an elevation of an alternative form of support structure, showing provision for use of a plastics bin liner, Figure 9 is an elevation of a capping plate for use with the support structure illustrated in Figure 8, and Figure 10 is a plan view of the capping plate illustrated in Figure 9.

In Figure 1 there is illustrated a basic support structure 12, which essentially comprises a pair of upright posts 14 and 16 and a bridging strut 18. Each of the upright posts 14 and 16 comprises a galvanised steel tube, of substantial proportions, and by way of illustration, each of these tubes may be of 50 mm bore and have a 3 mm thick wall. The posts are vertical, and as illustrated in Figure 1, when the support structure 12 is fitted, for example, in a pavement or sidewalk, a lower portion 20 of each of the posts 14 and 16 is embedded in cement 22.

Again in a specific example, the length of the post embedded in the cement may be approximately 250 mm.

Hence, the two posts are rigidly secured at their lower ends.

The bridging strut 18 is a galvanised steel plate, the width of which is somewhat less than the outside diameter of each of the posts 14 and 16, and this plate is secured to the posts by welding. It will be noted that in the example shown in Figure 1, the bridging strut 18 is very close to the top ends of the posts 14 and 16. It will, in any case, be provided in an upper region of the posts, so that the upper regions of the posts are firmly secured together and braced apart.

The whole structure provided by the post 14 and 16, when embedded in the ground, and the bridging strut 18 is generally planar because, as seen in end view, its thickness is only equal to the outside diameter of the posts, i.e. in the specific instance approximately 56 mm.

Such a support structure is not easily damaged by vandals, and indeed may be capable of withstanding impact from light vehicles.

In an alternative (not illustrated) the posts 14 and 16 and the bridging strut are formed from a single length of tube bent into an inverted U-shape, so that the horizontal top stretch of the inverted U provides the bridging strut.

A galvanised sheet steel waste bin 24 is in the form of a cylindrical open-topped container, and it will be observed that it can be placed between the support posts 14 and 16, as shown in Figure 1, where it almost extends across the full space between the posts 14 and 16. However, the top end of the bin 24 is spaced appreciably below the bridging strut 18.

Turning now to Figures 2 to 6, there is shown a decorative and protective cover 30, for use with the support structure 12 when that structure is used as part of a street litter bin.

The cover 30 is moulded in plastics material, for example polyethylene, and in a specific instance is of approximately 3 mm wall thickness. Generally, the cover 30 takes the form of a cylindrical member 32, a base or plinth 34, which is also cylindrical, and a cap 36 which closes the top end of the main cylindrical portion 32. It is to be understood, however, that the entire cover comprising the cylindrical portion 32, the plinth 34 and the cap 36 is moulded as an integral unit.

The inside diameter of the main cylindrical portion 32 and the plinth 34 is slightly greater than the spacing between the posts 14 and 16, but less than the overall width of the support structure 12. Moreover, the internal diameter of the cylindrical portion 32 and the plinth 34 is such that the cover 30 can fit around the outside of the galvanised steel bin 24.

As shown more clearly in Figures 6 and 7, substantially hemispherical cross-section grooves 38 and 40 are formed in the walls of the cylindrical portion 32 and the plinth 34 at diametrically opposed positions, and these grooves extend from the open bottom end of the cover 30, to a position alongside the cap 36, the top ends of the grooves being closed. Because the wall of the plinth 34 is quite thick, the grooves 38 and 40 can be accommodated within that thickness, as illustrated in Figure 6, but in order to accommodate the grooves 38 and 40 in the walls of the main cylindrical portion 32, vertical longitudinally extending semi-cylindrical protrusions 42 and 44 are formed on the cylindrical wall of the portion 32 at each of the groove locations.These protrusions are in fact formed as illustrated in Figure 7, by maintaining an equal thickness of the wall of the cover, around the outside of each of the grooves 38 and 40. These protrusions 42 and 44 help to stiffen the cover 30, and can also be used to improve the aesthetics of the cover. In fact, special decorative effects may be incorporated into the shape of the protrusions 42 and 44, and Figures 3 and 4 show a textured surface produced by shot blasting of an upper region 46 of each of the protrusions 42 and 44. Besides its aesthetic effect, this textured surface can also be used as a gripping surface for an attendant manipulating the cover 30.

The shape and dimensions of the grooves 38 and 40 are such that they fit closely around the outsides of the posts 14 and 16 of a support structure, such as that shown at 12 in Figure 1. In fact, owing to their semi-cylindrical shape, they engage around almost 1800 of the periphery of each of the posts 14 and 16. Hence, it will be appreciated that it is possible to fit a cover 30 onto a support structure 12, by raising the cover to a position over the support structure, and then lowering the cover onto the support structure, so that the posts 14 and 16 slide in the grooves 38 and 40. This is done with the galvanised steel bin 24 in position, so that the bin becomes protected by the cover 30. The fitting of the cover is completed when the plinth 34 rests on the ground.When the cover has thus been fitted, it cannot be moved in any horizontal direction, because of the engagement of the posts 14 and 16 in the grooves 38 and 40.

A lock (not shown) is provided in one of the posts 14 and 16, adjacent to the upper end thereof, and this lock is arranged to engage with the protrusion 42 or 44 of the cover which overlies the lock, there being an access hole through the protrusion for a key. Hence, once the cover 30 has been fitted over the support structure 12, it is possible to lock the cover onto the support structure, so that the cover cannot be readily removed (and therefore the bin 24 also is protected). Furthermore, the location of the lock at a relatively high level, ensures that it is unlikely to be fouled by animals or humans, and therefore release of the lock is unlikely to be an objectionable process.

Turning to Figures 2 to 4, in the upper region of the cover 30, above the level of the litter bin 24, there are diametrically opposed rectangular cut outs 48 and 50 formed through the cylindrical wall of the cylindrical portion 32 of the cover. These cut outs are of substantial size, and form window openings, through which litter can be passed into the open-topped litter bin 24.

In use, therefore, the entire assembly provides an outdoor litter bin, which is of pleasing external appearance, which is not easily damaged by vandals, and the cover of which can be readily removed to allow the bin 24 to be emptied, without the attendant having to access a lock at the base of the assembly. It will be appreciated that the cover 30 can be made in various shapes to provide different styles of litter bin which may be suited to the neighbourhood in which the bins are to be provided.

In Figure 8, there is illustrated another support structure 50, which has many similarities with the support structure 12 illustrated in Figure 1. In particular, it has two upright posts 52 and 54 made of galvanised tubular steel, and connected to each other but braced apart by a plate-like steel strut 56 at the upper end. However, in this construction, the posts 52 and 54 are shorter than those illustrated in Figure 1, because they are not intended to be embedded in a concrete foundation.

Instead, the posts 52 and 54 are welded to a steel base plate 58, which in a specific example is 50 mm wide and 25 mm thick, and this base plate 58 is itself drilled to receive foundation bolts which can be used to secure it to the ground. Therefore, once the support structure 50 has been secured to the ground, it is capable of functioning in exactly the same manner as the support structure 12.

However, two metal angle brackets 60 and 62 are welded respectively to the posts 52 and 54 in an upper region of the support structure and on the insides of the posts.

These brackets 60 and 62 provide support for a metal hoop or ring 64. It is therefore possible to fit a plastics bin liner to the hoop 64 by turning down the upper marginal portion of the bin liner around the outside of the hoop and allowing the main portion of the bin liner to be suspended through the hoop. The major disadvantage of this arrangement is, however, that the hoop 64 extends substantially on both sides of the otherwise planar support structure, so that the support structure then occupies more space in its outdoor location.

A capping plate 66 is provided, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. This capping plate is moulded in polyethylene, and is a generally hollow member, having walls approximately 3 mm thick and comprises the sidewalls which form flat faces 68 and semi-cylindrical ends 70. The top of the capping plate is closed, but its bottom is open, and in the particular construction shown, the closed top is curved, and the bottom edges of the sidewalls are shaped in parallel with the top, but this is largely for aesthetic reasons. The dimensions of the capping plate are such that it is a sliding fit over the top ends of the posts 52 and 54. Moreover, one of the posts 52 and 54 is provided with a lock in its upper part, and one of the ends 70 of the capping plate 66 is formed with a hole, to give access to the lock.Consequently, when the capping plate 66 is slid down onto the upper portion of the support structure 50, it can be locked in position in much the same way that the cover 30 can be locked to the support structure 12.

However, in its fully fitted position, the lower ends of the sidewalls of the capping plate 66 rest on the marginal portions of the bin liner fitted to the hoop 64, and press the marginal positions onto the hoop. Consequently, the bin liner cannot be removed once the capping plate has been fitted and locked in position. Of course, when it is necessary to remove and replace the bin liner, the capping plate is unlocked and slid off the support structure, to allow removal of the bin liner.

In a non-illustrated form of the invention, a series of support structures such as that shown in Figure 1 is provided along the edge of a pavement or sidewalk at longitudinally spaced positions (e.g. every five metres).

The support structures are so orientated that their generally planar form is at right angles to the pavement.

The support structures offer little obstruction to the passage of pedestrians or other traffic on the pavement.

It will be appreciated that display boards can be attached to the support structures, so as to carry advertising material. Alternatively, or in addition, some of the support structures can be fitted with litter bins 24 and covers 30. If it is required to provide a crowd control barrier, then the litter bins with their covers, and any display panels can be removed, and horizontal rails can be attached to the bridging struts or posts of the support structures, so as to extend between adjacent support structures, whereby the entire assembly of support structures and horizontal rails forms a barrier extending along the length of the pavement. It will be appreciate, therefore, that this provides a very versatile arrangement.

In another possible use of the support structures such as those illustrated in Figures 1 and 8, two such structures are secured to the ground, spaced apart by say 2.5 metres, with the structures orientated so that their planes are parallel. It is then possible to support seating between the two support structures, for example to provide park seating.

Claims (24)

1 A support structure for securing in an outdoor location to support a street feature or a structural element, the support structure comprising two or more substantially vertical posts adapted to be secured to or in the ground, strut means spacing the posts at a location in an upper region of the posts and locking means on at least one of the posts for locking an outdoor feature or structural element to the support structure, the locking means being located in an upper region of the support structure.

2 A support structure according to Claim 1, in which there are two posts of substantially the same height and width, and a single bridging strut extending between them close to the tops of the posts.

3 A support structuring according to Claim 2, in which bridging strut is a plate-like member of no greater width than the struts.

4 A support structure according to Claim 2, in which the bridging strut is formed integral with the posts.

5 A support structure according to Claim 4, in which the posts and strut are formed by bending a strip like element into an inverted U-formation.

6 A support structure according to any preceding Claim, in which each of the posts is cylindrical.

7 A support structure according to any preceding Claim, in which each of the posts is tubular.

8 A support structure according to any preceding Claim, in combination with a hollow feature, such as the cover of a street litter bin, which hollow feature fits closely around the support structure, so that the support structure provides a fixed location for the cover, which can be readily locked to the support structure.

9 An outdoor feature comprising a rigid support structure, having two or more substantially vertical posts and strut means connecting and locating the posts with respect to each other and a cover device which locates on the outside of the support structure.

10 An outdoor feature according to Claim 9, in which the location of the cover device on the support structure is such that the support structure prevents movement of the cover device in all horizontal directions.

11 An outdoor feature according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, in which locking means are provided in an upper region of the support structure, for locking the cover device to the support structure, so as to prevent vertical motion of the cover device relatively to the support structure.

12 An outdoor feature according to any one of Claims 9 to 11, in which the support structure comprises two posts of substantially the same height and width with a strut of no greater width than the posts bridging the posts close to their upper ends, so that the support structure can be considered to be a planar structure, the height, width and thickness of which are determined respectively by the height, spacing and width of the posts.

13 An outdoor feature according to any one of Claims 9 to 12, in which the posts are tubes so that the thickness of the "planar" support structure is equal to the outside diameter of the posts.

14 An outdoor feature according to any one of Claims 9 to 13, in which the cover device has internal formations which are a close fit around more than 60 of the periphery of each post.

15 An outdoor feature according to Claim 14, in which the posts are cylindrical and the cover device has internal, longitudinally extending, part cylindrical grooves, each of the same diameter as the outside diameter of a post, so that each post is received snuggly in a groove.

16 An outdoor feature according to Claim 15, in which each groove engages around almost 1800 of the periphery of its respective post.

17 An outdoor feature according to Claim 15 or Claim 16, in which the wall of the cover device bulges outwardly around each groove, so that there is substantially no reduction in the wall thickness in the region of the groove.

18 An outdoor feature according to any one of Claims 9 to 17, in which the cover device comprises a hollow, planar device, which fits over the two posts of the support structure and provides a "plate" slightly thicker than the outside width of the post.

19 An outdoor feature according to Claim 18, in which the "plate" provides a means of preventing removal of a container, especially when locked to the support structure.

20 An outdoor feature according to any one of Claims 9 to 19, in which the posts are provided with attachments to receive a ring on which a waste bag can be supported, the cover device being adapted to prevent removal of the ring and any bag attached to it.

21 A barrier system for a pavement or sidewalk, the barrier system comprising a series of support structures secured to the ground in spaced apart locations along a pavement or sidewalk, each support structure comprising two spaced, substantially vertical posts joined in an upper region by strut means, the whole support structure being substantially planar, the thickness of the structure being determined by the width of the posts.

22 A support structure substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1-7 and/or 8-10 of the accompanying drawings.

23 An outdoor feature substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1-7 and/or 8-10 of the accompanying drawings.

24 A barrier system substantially as described herein, with reference to and as shown in Figures 1, 7 and/or 8-10 of the accompanying drawings.