GB2295835A - Growth-inhibiting device for use e.g. around lamp-posts - Google Patents

Abstract

A ground-cover device (12 or 130) is fitted around a lower end of an upright member so that a substantially planar annular base of the device abuts the ground. When so arranged, vegetation, for example grass or weeds, cannot grow within any gap that may exist between the upright and the ground. The device may be in two parts, or comprise a slotted annular disc. <IMAGE>

Description

COVER DEVICE This invention relates to a device for covering a region around an upright member and particularly, although not exclusively, provides a device for covering a region around an upright member of an article of street furniture, for example a lamp post, road sign, or direction sign.

An upright member of a lamp post, road sign or direction sign may be sited in grassed or planted areas or open ground, leading to the growth of grass or weeds around, adjacent to and up the upright member, which growth is unsightly and difficult to control by mechanical or chemical means. Likewise, where such upright members are surrounded by concrete or flagstones or other surfacing materials, a narrow gap may be present or form at the junction between the upright member and the surfacing material in which, over a period of time, grass or weeds may grow.

It is an object of the present invention to address the aforementioned problems.

According to the invention, there is provided a cover device for covering a region around an upright member, the device comprising a first means and a second means which are arranged to be configured in first and second configurations wherein in said first configuration said first and second means are arranged to define an opening for accommodating an upright member and said first and second means being securable relative to one another in said first configuration, the arrangement being such that, with the first and second means in said first configuration and with an upright member accommodated in said opening, said device covers a region around the upright member.

Preferably, the device is for covering a region around an upright member which is secured in the ground.

Preferably, the device is for covering a junction between an upright member and the ground.

The upright member may be an item of street furniture which term includes any item secured within the ground.

The item may be associated with a road way for pedestrians and/or vehicles, for example a lamp post, bollard or road sign, or provided in a grass or other planted area. The upright member preferably includes an elongate portion which said device is arranged to accommodate and a laterally extending portion, for example a lamp or sign board, which extends laterally to said elongate portion.

The laterally extending portion thus has a width which is greater than the or a width of the elongate portion.

Said device is preferably arranged to be engaged with an upright member, optionally including a laterally extending portion, which is already secured in position.

Said first means preferably includes a first opening and said second means includes a second opening, wherein said first and second openings are arranged together to define said opening for accommodating the upright member.

When in said second configuration, said first and second means are preferably spaced further apart than when in said first configuration. For example, said first and second means may be detached from one another or pivoted away from one another.

An underside region of said first means is preferably substantially planar for abutting the ground. An underside region of said second means may be substantially planar for abutting the ground.

An upperside region of said first part is preferably substantially planar. An upperside region of said second means is preferably substantially planar. The upperside regions of said first and/or said second means preferably slope downwardly towards their outer perimeters.

Said first means and said second means are preferably each arranged to define about one half of the opening for accommodating the upright.

The opening in said device for accommodating the upright may be defined by deformable wall portions, for example flexible wall portions, so that the opening can accommodate uprights of slightly different sizes and/or shapes.

Where the device includes first and second openings as described, preferably, the cross-sectional shape of said first opening and the cross-section shape of said second opening are generally the same. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of said first opening is symmetrical about a first mirror plane which, therefore, suitably bisects the opening. Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of said first opening includes an arcuate region, more preferably a substantially semi-circular region.

Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of said second opening is symmetrical about a second mirror plane.

Preferably, the cross-sectional shape of said second opening includes an arcuate region, more preferably a substantially semi-circular region.

Securement means is preferably provided for securing said first and second means together, in said first configuration. Said securement means is preferably for releasably securing the first and second means together.

Said securement means may comprise an external means, for example a band, a clip or a nut and bolt for securing the parts together. Said securement means may comprise an adhesive means. In preferred embodiments, however, said securement means is an integral component of said device.

Preferably, said securement means includes co-operable male and female elements. Preferably, said male and female elements are integral components of said first and/or second means. Preferably, said first means includes both a male and a female element and said second means includes both a male and a female element, the respective male and female elements on the respective first and second means being arranged to co-operate with one another.

Preferably, said first and second means are substantially identical. In this event, the two means can advantageously be manufactured using the same tool.

In one embodiment, said first means may include an upstanding portion arranged to extend in the direction of the upright member when the device is in use. Said second means may also include an upstanding portion arranged to extend in the direction of the upright member when the device is in use. Said first and second upright portions may have substantially the same cross-sectional shape.

Said first and/or said second means may include an insert means arranged to abut the upright member.

The invention also provides an assembly comprising an upright member extending from a surface and a cover device covering a region of the surface around the upright member, said cover device being as described above wherein first and second means of the device are secured relative to one another in a first configuration wherein they together define an opening in which said upright member is accommodated.

A portion of said first means preferably extends around and, more preferably, abuts a portion of said upright member. Similarly, a portion of said second means preferably extends around and, more preferably, abuts a portion of said upright member.

Preferably, in the assembly, no gap is defined between the device and the upright member through which vegetation may grow.

The invention further provides a method of positioning a cover device for covering a region around an upright member in position, the method comprising: starting with first and second means of the cover device in a second configuration, moving said first and second means into a first configuration, wherein said upright member is accommodated in an opening defined by said first and second means.

Said first means is preferably positioned by moving it transversely relative to the elongate axis of said upright member. Similarly, said second means is preferably positioned by moving it transversely relative to the elongate axis of said upright member. In the method, said first and second means are preferably positioned by moving them in opposite directions which are transverse to the elongate axis of the upright member.

The method preferably comprises causing said device to accommodate said upright member in said opening whilst said upright member optionally including a laterally extending portion as described above, is secured in position, for example in the ground.

The invention further provides the use of a cover device as described herein for restricting the growth of vegetation around an upright member.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an upright of a roadside sign with a cover device fitted; Figure 2 is a perspective view from above showing a first embodiment of a cover device in a partially disassembled state; Figure 3 is a perspective view from below of the cover device of Figure 2; Figures 4 to 6 are perspective views showing respective alternative upstands for the cover deice of Figures 2 and 3; Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views from above and below respectively of a second embodiment of a cover device, in a disassembled state; Figure 9 is an enlarged view of a region IX of the cover device shown in Figure 7; Figure 10 is a perspective view from above of a third embodiment of a cover device in a disassembled state;; Figure 11 is a cross-section along line A - A of Figure 10, but showing the device in an assembled state; Figures 12 and 13 are cross-sections along respective lines B - B and C - C of Figure 10; Figure 14 is a perspective view from below of a fourth embodiment of cover device, in a disassembled state; Figure 15 is a perspective view from above of a fifth embodiment of cover device, in a disassembled state; Figure 16 is an enlarged view of a region XVI of the cover device of Figure 15; Figure 17 is a perspective view from below of the cover device of Figures 15 and 16; Figure 18 is a perspective view from above of a sixth embodiment of cover device in one configuration; Figure 19 is a perspective view from below of the cover device of Figure 18; Figure 20 is an enlarged view of a region XX of the cover device of Figure 19; and Figure 21 is a perspective view of an upright of a roadside sign with the cover device of Figures 18 to 20 fitted.

In the figures, the same or similar parts are annotated with the same reference numerals.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown an upright 2 of a roadside sign, secured within ground 4. A cover device 6 is fitted around a lower end 8 of the upright so that a substantially planar annular base 10 of the device abuts the ground 4. When so arranged, vegetation, for example grass or weeds, cannot grow within any gap that may exist between the upright 2 and the ground 4 (since the gap is covered by the device 6) and, consequently, use of the device 6 may improve the aesthetics of the arrangement.

Various embodiments of cover devices that may be secured around an upright are described in detail below.

Referring to Figures 2 and 3, the cover device 12 comprises first and second base members 14, 16 each of which is generally semi-annular in plan view and each supports a respective semi-circular upstand 18, 20. Lower sides of the base members 14, 16 include radially extending support fins 17. The device 12 includes an annular insert 22 which is split into two halves 24, 26, to better accommodate different diameters and sizes of upright member.

In use, the two halves 24, 26 of the insert 22 are positioned around a lower end 8 of the upright 2 and then the first and second base members 14, 16 are positioned so that the upstands 18, 20 surround the insert 22. When so arranged, adjacent edges 28, 30 of the upstands 18, 20 abut, but radially extending edges 32, 34 of base member 14 overlie a small area of the radially extending edges 36, 38 of the base member 16, so that no gap is present between the respective base members 14, 16. The device 12 may be secured in position using a strap (not shown) made of steel or plastics which is arranged to be secured around the upstands 18, 20 of the device.

The device 12 may be made in any number of sizes. For example, the diameter of the base members 14, 16 may vary between about 2.5 cm to 50 cm; and the height of the upstands 18, 20 may vary between 1 cm to 30 cm. Also, the device 12 may be made in different shapes. For example, the base members may be circular, elliptical, square, rectangular or have any other polygonal shape. The insert 22 of the device may also have any suitable shape. Its internal cross-sectional shape is suitably arranged to correspond to the outside shape of the upright to which the device 12 is to be secured and its external crosssectional shape is suitably arranged to correspond to the shape of the upstands 18, 20 with which it is to cooperate.

Alternative upstands of the device 12 are shown in Figures 4 to 6. Although the upstands are shown separately, in the interests of clarity, it should be appreciated that, in each case, they are secured to base members 14, 16 as for the upstands 18, 20 shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Referring to Figure 4, the upstand 40 is arranged such that its edges 42 define respective shoulders. Edges 43 of upstand 44 are arranged to seat on the shoulders.

Referring to Figure 5, the upstands 46, 48 are identical and each includes diametrically spaced apart radially extending flange portions 50. Openings 52 are provided in the flange portions so that the upstands (and, therefore the cover device itself) can be secured together, with the flange portions in face-to-face contact, using nuts and bolts or other suitable fixing means.

Referring to Figure 6, the upstands 52, 54 are identical and, like the upstands of Figure 5, include flange portions 50. In this embodiment, however, the flange portions are secured together using elongate clips 56.

The embodiments shown in Figures 7 to 14 do not include upstands of the type described above, although they may do, if desired.

Referring to Figures 7 to 9, the cover device 60 comprises two identical base members 62, each of which is generally semi-annular in plan view. Semi-circular openings 63 are defined in the members 62 and are suitably arranged to be a close fit around the upright 2 in use.

Each base member 62 incudes a resilient connection clip 64 having a projection 66 on its underside. The projection 66 in each base member is arranged to be received in a hole 68 provided in the other base member, in order to secure the base members together. Additionally, it should be noted that the base members 62 are arranged such that the edges 70 which carry the clips 64 are arranged to overlie edges 72 which include the holes 68, when the base members 62 are secured in position.

Referring to Figures 10 to 13, the cover device 80 comprises two identical base members 82, each of which is semi-annular in plan view. Each base member 82 includes a tongue portion 84 and a groove portion 86. The tongue portion 84 includes a nib 88 which is arranged to be received in a corresponding recess 90 in the groove portion 86. The tongue and groove portions 84, 86 are resilient and arranged to be snap engaged in order to secure the base members 82 together. The underside of the base members 82 include circular cross-section areas of reduced thickness 92 arranged as shown in Figure 14. The areas 92 serve to reduce the weight of the member 82.

Referring to Figure 14, the cover device 96 includes identical base members 98, each of which includes a radially extending flange portion 100 which includes spaced apart holes 102 and, diametrically spaced therefrom, a radially extending flange portion 104 which includes spaced apart nibs 106 which are arranged to engage the holes 102 for securing the base members 98 together.

Referring to Figures 15 to 17, the cover device 108 includes identical base members 110, wherein radially extending abuttable faces 112, 114 are arranged to be secured together by engagement of connecting pins 116 in one face 112, 114 engaging bores 118 in the adjacent face.

The device 108 also includes thin flexible membranes 120 on the inwardly facing semi-circular edges 122 of the members 110. The provision of such a membrane 120 allows the device 108 to be fitted tightly around uprights of slightly different diameters, sizes and/or shapes.

The device 108 additionally includes holes or partially formed holes 122 for engagement by pegs (not shown) for securing the device to the ground.

Referring to Figures 18 to 21, the cover device 130 is in one piece and comprises a flexible body 132 having radially extending end regions 134, 136. End region 136 can be moved out of the plane of the other end region 134.

End region 136 is arranged to overlie end region 134 and be secured in position by engagement of connecting pins 138, provided on the lower face of region 136, in holes 140 provided in the upperface of region 134. The pins 138 are arranged to be compressed as they enter holes 140 and to relax when positioned therein, thereby restricting removal of the pins from the holes. The device 130 also includes membrane 120 as described above. In use, device 130 is arranged around upright 2 by pivoting end region 136 out of the plane of region 134; moving the device so that the post 2 passes between regions 134, 136 into opening 140; and then engaging respective pins 138 and holes 140 thereby to secure the device in position.

The cover devices described may include openings adjacent their outer perimeters through which pins or other devices may be arranged and inserted into the ground for securing the devices in position.

The cover devices described may be manufactured out of metal or, preferably, from a plastics material, for example polypropylene or nylon, rubber or any rubber compound or other manufactured material or wood or any combination of such materials.

The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims (20)

1. A cover device for covering a region around an upright member, the device comprising a first means and a second means which are arranged to be configured in first and second configurations wherein in said first configuration said first and second means are arranged to define an opening for accommodating an upright member and said first and second means being securable relative to one another in said first configuration, the arrangement being such that, with the first and second means in said first configuration and with an upright member accommodated in said opening, said device covers a region around the upright member.

2. A device according to Claim 1, the device being for covering a region around an upright member which is secured in the ground.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the upright member is an item of street furniture.

4. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first means includes a first opening and said second means includes a second opening, wherein said first and second openings are arranged together to define said opening for accommodating the upright member.

5. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein, when in said second configuration, said first and second means are spaced further apart than when in said first configuration.

6. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein an underside region of said first means and said second means may be substantially planar for abutting the ground.

7. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first means and said second means are each arranged to define about one half of the opening for accommodating the upright.

8. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said opening in said device for accommodating the upright is defined by deformable wall portions so that the opening can accommodate uprights of slightly different sizes and/or shapes.

9. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein securement means is provided for securing said first and second means together in said first configuration.

10. A device according to Claim 9, wherein said securement means includes co-operable male and female elements.

11. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first and second means are substantially identical.

12. A device according to any preceding claim, wherein said first means and said second means include respective upstanding portions arranged to extend in the direction of the upright member when the device is in use.

13. An assembly comprising an upright member extending from a surface and a cover device covering a region of the surface around the upright member, said cover device being as described in any of Claims 1 to 12 wherein said first and second means of the device are secured relative to one another in a first configuration wherein they together define an opening in which said upright member is accommodated.

14. An assembly according to Claim 13, wherein no gap is defined between the device and the upright member through which vegetation may grow.

15. A method of positioning a cover device according to any of Claims 1 to 12 in position around an upright member, the method comprising: starting with the first and second means of the cover device in a second configuration, moving said first and second means into a first configuration, wherein said upright member is accommodated in an opening defined by said first and second means.

16. The use of a cover device according to any of Claims 1 to 12, for restricting the growth of vegetation around an upright member.

17. A device substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

18. An assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

19. A method substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

20. A use substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.