GB2297781A

GB2297781A - Retractable post assembly

Info

Publication number: GB2297781A
Application number: GB9602653A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Leo Hardman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-02-09
Filing date: 1996-02-09
Publication date: 1996-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2016-02-09
Also published as: GB9602653D0; GB9502553D0; GB2297781B

Abstract

A retractable post assembly has a base portion (10) and a cylindrical, tubular post portion (12) releasably securable to the base portion. The base portion is formed from a lower, larger diameter portion (10a) and an upper, narrower diameter portion (10b) joined by an external shoulder (14) and an internal shoulder (16). A spigot (18) is slidably disposed within the housing (10) between a retracted position in which the upper end of the spigot is flush with the upper end of the housing and an extended position in which the upper end of the spigot projects from the housing. The spigot is provided with an aperture (28) which is alignable with corresponding apertures (34) in the lower end of the post. When the apertures in the post and spigot are aligned, a securing pin (36) may be inserted and secured in place by means of a padlock (42) whose shank passes through an aperture (40) in the free end of the securing pin (36).

Description

DESCRIPTION IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO POSTS The present invention relates to a retractable post assembly and to a post holder thereof and in particular to such assemblies whose posts may be removed to facilitate access.

It is well known to provide permanent, fixed posts or bollards to deny or restrict access to a particular area.

Such permanent arrangements are normally formed from concrete or metal and are set into the ground. Since they are permanent they give no flexibility in permitting or restricting access to the area which they protect.

With a view to providing greater flexibility, a post assembly is known which comprises a base permanently set into the ground and a post which is pivotally connected at its lower end to the base and pivotable between a horizontal position which affords access to the protected area and a vertical position in which the post may be locked by means of a padlock. Such post assemblies are commonly found in car parks, to prevent unauthorised parking and to reduce car theft.

The disadvantage of such assemblies is that when the post is left in the horizontal position the assembly is prone to damage, which may result in the assembly being unusable. The horizontal post may also be a hazard to pedestrians and cyclists.

With a view to overcoming such problems it is known to provide retractable posts, such as those disclosed in GB 2214210A and US 4577991. However, the disadvantage with such arrangements is that the entire post must be retractable below ground level to afford access when desired. Thus, it is necessary to excavate a receiving hole which is at least as deep as the length of the post.

Not only is this likely to be an expensive task but it might also preclude the use of such arrangements where there is insufficient depth to excavate the required hole, for example on flyovers and in multi-storey car parks.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a retractable post assembly which is of strong construction to form an effective barrier when erected, which does not protrude from the ground or other surface when not in use and yet which does not require extensive excavation for fitting.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention a retractable post assembly comprises a base portion adapted to be permanently set into the ground or other surface and comprising a housing and a spigot slidably disposed within the housing between a first, retracted position, and a second, extended position in which it projects from the upper end of the housing, the assembly further comprising a post which is releasably securable to the extended end of the movable spigot.

In such an assembly, the spigot need only be relatively short since it need only be extensible by an amount sufficient for the post to be secured to the extended end. Thus, the base portion can be relatively short, removing the necessity for deep excavation to be made in order to set the base portion into the ground.

Preferably, when the spigot is in its retracted position it does not project from the upper end of the housing. Preferably, the upper end of the spigot lies flush with the upper end of the housing when retracted.

The assembly is preferably provided with means for withdrawing the spigot to its extended position. This may comprise, for example, a socket in the upper face of the spigot, adapted to receive a key or pin, or may comprise a pivotally mounted pull ring which folds flush with the upper surface of the spigot when not in use.

The post and spigot are preferably provided with apertures which are aligned when the post is located on the extended spigot and which can receive a locking pin (securable by a padlock or the like) to secure the post in position.

In one embodiment the spigot is spring-biased towards its retracted position.

The assembly may also comprise a plate engageable with the exterior of the housing. The plate may have an aperture for receipt of the housing and preferably sits on an exterior annular shoulder of the housing. If the housing is secured in the ground by concrete or the like, the plate affords a greater surface area and makes it more difficult to dislodge the assembly.

Preferably, the spigot is generally cylindrical and is provided with means for limiting its upward (and preferably also its downward) displacement.

By way of example only, specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view, partly in cross-section, of a first embodiment of post assembly in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the assembly of Fig.

1, showing the assembly in an operative condition; and Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partly in cross-section, of a modification to the post assembly of Fig. 1.

Referring firstly to Figs. 1 and 2, a post assembly comprises a base portion 10 and a cylindrical, tubular post portion 12 which is releasably securable to the base portion 10. The base portion comprises a plastics housing formed from a lower, larger diameter cylindrical portion 10a and an upper, narrower diameter cylindrical portion 10b. As illustrated in the Figs., the lower and upper portions lOa, 10b are joined by means of an annular external shoulder 14 and by means of an internal annular shoulder 16.

A cylindrical metal connecting spigot 18 is slidably disposed within the narrower, upper cylindrical portion lOb of the housing 10. The connecting spigot is provided with an enlarged base in the form of a flange 20 which is slidably disposed within the lower, wider cylindrical portion 10a of the housing.The connecting spigot is slidable between (1) a retracted position in which the upper flat face 22 of the spigot is flush with the upper end of the housing 10 and in which further downward displacement is prevented by means of a stop in the form of a washer 24 secured to the lower end of the base 10 by means of an Allen screw, and (2) an extended position illustrated in Fig. 1 in which the upper end of the connecting spigot projects from the upper end of the base 10 and is prevented from further displacement by engagement of the flange 20 with the internal shoulder 16 of the housing.

It will also be noted that the connecting spigot 18 is provided with a diametrically extending through aperture 28 towards its upper end. A blind bore 30 inclined to both the longitudinal and radial axes of the connecting spigot is also provided in the upper planar face 22 of the spigot and is adapted to receive a complementarily-shaped removably located lifting pin 31, as will be explained.

Also, a further blind bore 32 extending radially is provided in the cylindrical surface of the connecting spigot 18, at a location which is just above the upper end of the base 10 when the connecting spigot is fully extended.

The upper end of the post 12 is closed off and the lower end is provided with diametrically opposed apertures 34 which are adapted to register with the through aperture 28 in the upper end of the connecting spigot 18 when the spigot is fully extended and when the lower end of the post abuts the upper end of the base 10. The lower end of the post is also provided with a securing pin 36 which is able to pass through the diametrically opposed holes 34 in the lower end of the post and the through aperture in the upper end of the connecting spigot when the apertures are aligned. One end of the securing pin is provided with an enlarged head 38 to limit the movement of the pin through the apertures and the opposite end of the pin is provided with a through aperture 40 for receipt of the shank of a padlock 42 or the like.The pin is held captive on the lower end of the post by means of a securing chain 44.

Also, a cutout 46 is provided in the lower peripheral edge of the post to be aligned with the blind bore 32 of the securing spigot, as will be explained.

When the post 12 is not connected to the base 10, the weight of the connecting spigot 18 causes the spigot to fall to the extreme position, i.e. its most retracted position in which the planar upper face 22 of the connecting spigot is flush with the upper level of the base portion 10. When it is desired to connect the post one end of the angled lifting pin 31 is inserted into the angled blind bore 30 in the planar upper surface of the connecting spigot, and is pulled upwardly to withdraw the connecting spigot from the body 10. The connecting spigot is held with the operator's other hand in its most extended position and then the retracting pin 31 is inserted into the radially-extending blind bore 32 located in the cylindrical outer surface of the connecting spigot, to hold the connecting spigot in its extended position, as illustrated in Fig. 1.The lower end of the post 12 is then placed over the projecting upper end of the connecting spigot. By aligning the cutout 46 in the periphery of the base of the post with the pin inserted into the radially extending blind bore it is possible to avoid fouling of the post on the pin. The post then abuts the upper annular surface of the base, whereupon the diametrically opposed apertures 34 in the lower end of the post are aligned with the through aperture 28 in the projecting upper end of the connecting spigot. The securing pin 36 is then inserted into the aligned apertures and the shank of the padlock 42 is then inserted through the through aperture 40 in the free end of the pin. In this way, the post is securely attached to the base. The lifting pin 31 may then be manually removed.

In order to remove the post the above sequence of operations is reversed. Once the securing pin 36 has been removed the connecting spigot drops to its most retracted position by virtue of its own weight, such that the upper planar surface 22 of the connecting spigot is flush with the upper surface of the base 10.

In use, an aperture is formed in the ground or other surface to which the post is to be secured, the hole being slightly deeper than the height of the base 10. In practice, concrete is poured around the enlarged lower portion 10a of the base 10 and then a square securing plate 48 having an aperture 50 sized and shaped to correspond to the external aperture of the upper portion 10a of the base is located on the base such that it rests on the external shoulder 14 of the base. Further concrete is then poured around the base and onto the upper surface of the securing plate such that the upper level of the concrete is level with the uppermost level of the base 10. The securing plate provides a larger keying area for the concrete and thus it makes it more difficult for the base to be removed by an unauthorised party.

The second embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 3. It is very similar to the first embodiment with a few exceptions and similar features are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Firstly, it will be noted that a compression spring 52 extends between the internal shoulder 16 of the base and the flange 20 provided at the lower end of the connecting spigot, whereby the connecting spigot is also biassed towards its retracted position. Secondly, the downward displacement of the connecting spigot is limited not by a stop as in the first embodiment but by a pin 54 which passes through a diametrically extending aperture 56 in the connecting spigot and whose projecting ends are slidably disposed in two diametrically opposed slots 58 in the upper end of the body 10.

Moreover, instead of having a blind inclined recess 30 in the upper planar surface of the connecting spigot the second embodiment is provided with a pivotally mounted finger grip ring 60 which enables the connecting spigot to be pulled upwardly without the aid of any tool. The ring is pivotable from a first, retracted position (shown in Fig. 3) in which it is seated in a complementarily-shaped recess in the upper face 22 of the spigot such that it lies level with the upper face 22 of the spigot, to an extended position (shown in chain dot) in which it projects from the upper end of the spigot.

The spigot can be held in its fully extended position and the post placed over the extended end of the spigot while the grip is being held by virtue of a cutout portion in the side wall of the post 12. As in the first embodiment, when the lower end of the post is placed in contact with the annular upper surface of the base 10 and when the finger grip is aligned with the cut-out in the side wall of the post, the diametrically opposed apertures 34 in the post and the through aperture 28 in the upper end of the connecting spigot 18 are aligned, allowing the securing bolt 36 to be inserted through the aligned apertures.

When the securing bolt 36 is removed, the compression spring 52 urges the spigot 18 into the retracted position shown in Fig. 3, with the upper face 22 of the spigot 18 level with the upper edge of the base portion 10.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiments. For example, many features of the two embodiments are interchangeable. For example, the plate 48 and the recess 32 of the first embodiment may be used with the second embodiment and the spring 52 of the second embodiment may be used with the first embodiment.

Also, the means for withdrawing the spigot from the housing are interchangeable between the two embodiments.

Claims

1. A retractable post assembly comprising a base portion adapted to be permanently set into the ground or other surface and comprising a housing and a spigot slidably disposed within the housing between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position in which it projects from the upper end of the housing, the assembly further comprising a post which is releasably securable to the extended end of the movable spigot.

2. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the spigot is in its retracted position it does not project from the housing.

3. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein when the spigot is in its retracted position its upper end is substantially flush with the housing.

4. A retractable post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the spigot is generally cylindrical and the housing is generally tubular.

5. A retractable post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising means for limiting the upward displacement of the spigot.

6. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the means for limiting the upward displacement of the spigot comprises a portion projecting from the generally cylindrical spigot and which is engageable with an abutment surface of the housing.

7. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 6, comprising an enlarged flange on the base of the spigot which is engageable with an internal shoulder of the housing.

8. A retractable post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for limiting the downward displacement of the spigot.

9. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 8, comprising an abutment on the housing which is engageable with the lower end of the spigot.

10. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the means for limiting the downward displacement comprises a pin secured to the spigot, slidably disposed in a groove in the housing.

11. A retractable post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising means for withdrawing the spigot from the retracted position into the extended position.

12. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means for withdrawing the spigot comprises a socket located in the upper end of the spigot and a key releasably insertable into the socket.

13. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein the socket comprises a blind bore inclined to the longitudinal and radial axes of the spigot and the key comprises a complementarily-shaped pin.

14. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means for withdrawing the spigot comprises a pivotally-mounted pull ring.

15. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the pull ring is pivotable from a first position in which it is substantially flush with the upper surface of the spigot to a second position in which it projects from the upper end of the spigot.

16. A retractable post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the post is generally cylindrical and tubular.

17. A retractable post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising locking means for securing the post to the base portion.

18. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein the locking means comprises diametrically opposed apertures in the walls of the post and an aperture through the spigot, the apertures being alignable with one another when the spigot is in its extended position, and further comprising a pin insertable through the aligned apertures.

19. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 18, wherein the pin is provided with a through aperture for receipt of a locking member.

20. A retractable post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising means to bias the spigot towards its first, retracted position.

21. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the biassing means comprises a spring.

22. A retractable post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising a plate engageable with the exterior of the housing.

23. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 22, wherein the plate is provided with an aperture adapted to receive the housing.

24. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 23, wherein the housing is provided with an external shoulder upon which the apertured plate is adapted to sit.

25. A retractable post assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, further comprising means for holding the spigot in its extended position.

26. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 25, comprising a recess in the spigot and a pin releasably engageable with the recess.

27. A retractable post assembly as claimed in claim 26, wherein the recess is located above the upper end of the housing when the spigot is in its fully extended position.

28. A retractable post assembly as claimed in any of claims 23 to 27, wherein the lower end of the post is provided with a cut-out portion to prevent fouling on the means for holding the spigot in its extended position.

29. A post holder for a post assembly comprising a base portion adapted to be permanently set into the ground or other surface and comprising a housing and a spigot slidably disposed within the housing between a first, retracted position and a second, extended position in which it projects from the upper end of the housing and comprising means for releasably securing the base portion to the extended end of the spigot.

30. A retractable post assembly substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

31. A base portion for a retractable post assembly substantially as herein described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.