GB2299818A

GB2299818A - Columnns carrying internal electrical power feeds

Info

Publication number: GB2299818A
Application number: GB9607337A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Hilton
Original assignee: Mallatite Ltd
Current assignee: Mallatite Ltd
Priority date: 1995-04-08
Filing date: 1996-04-09
Publication date: 1996-10-16
Anticipated expiration: 2016-04-09
Also published as: GB2299818B; GB9607337D0

Abstract

A column such as for illuminated road signs and lighting and which includes electrically operated devices has an access opening in its cylindrical wall (10), closable by a panel (11) mounted on a pair of articulated hinge assemblies (14) within the column such that the panel (11) may open through an angle of 180{ to allow access to the interior of the column. When closed, the panel (11) entirely occludes the access opening but lies flush with, and extends the circumference of, the column, forming a weather-tight seal against a sealing strip (12) on a framing member (13). A locking bar (20) (Fig.4, not shown) is mounted on the inner face of the panel (11) and is rotatable between a locked position against the internal walls of the column (10), and an unlocked position in which it permits opening of the panel (11).

Description

COLUMNS CARRYING INTERNAL ELECTRICAL POWER FEEDS THIS INVENTION concerns columns such as for road signs and lighting and which include some form of illumination or electrically operated device requiring an electrical supply. Examples of the use of such columns are for traffic lights, road traffic signs and lighting columns for roads or areas such as car parks and sports areas.

Columns of this kind have a hollow interior and are adapted to enclose therein electrical conductors and connectors which must be accessible so that service engineers may gain access to the interior of the column for repair or maintenance. To prevent unauthorised access to the interior of such columns there is usually provided a removable panel which overlaps the aperture cut in the column, with a locking device which can be opened only by means of a special key. Conventionally, such panels are completely removable and are sometimes forcibly removed such as by vandals and discarded leaving the interior of the panel exposed to adverse weather conditions and presenting a threat to public safety.

According to the present invention there is provided a column carrying internal electrical means and including an access opening in the wall of the column and a closure panel with locking means to prevent unauthorised access to the interior of the column; characterised in that the closure panel is mounted on the column by at least two hinges which when the panel is closed are wholly concealed within the column.

Furthermore, the locking means for the panel includes a locking bar mounted internally on the closure panel and having extremities which bear upon the internal wall of the column beyond the access opening therein, the bar being shaped to conform to the internal wall shape of the column thus to minimise protrusion into the interior, there being means normally to urge the locking bar into a locking position, and the locking means being releasable to cause the locking bar to pivot to a release position when the closure panel is to be opened.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a horizontal cross-section through a lighting column having a hinged closure panel in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrow A of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the closure panel in an open condition; Fig. 4 is a different horizontal cross-section of part of the column and illustrating a locking mechanism; and Fig. 5 is a view in the direction of arrow B of Fig. 4 with the panel removed for viewing.

Referring now to the drawings, a lighting column has a cylindrical wall 10 of circular cross-section typically of 168mm external diameter and defining an access opening approximately 1 20mum wide and extending vertically by approximately 600mm with a closure panel 11 adapted completely to fill the access opening whilst bearing upon a seal 12 around the opening, with a framing member 13 welded to the interior of the column wall 10 and extending around the opening. In some cases the seal 12 may be omitted.

The panel 11 is attached at one side of the opening by a pair of hinge assemblies generally indicated at 14 to the framing member 13, which in turn is attached to the internal wall of the column 10.

As can be seen clearly in Figs. 2 and 3 each hinge assembly 14 includes a plate 15 welded to the framing member 13 and to which is pivotally attached a first pivot link 16. Pivotally attached to the link 16 is a further link 18 the free end of which is pivotally attached to a plate 19 welded to the internal wall of the access panel 11.

As can be seen from Fig. 3, the articulated hinge assemblies 14 allow the panel 11 to be opened through an angle in excess of 180C so that when opened access to the interior of the column 10 with the minimum of obstruction is enabled.

As can be seen from Fig. 1, when the panel 11 is closed the hinge assemblies 14 occupy minimal space within the interior of the column with pivoted links 16 and 18 disposed close to the internal wall of the panel 11 so as not to interfere with or impinge upon any of the electrical equipment and wiring to be housed within the column.

Referring now to Fig. 4, at a position approximately central between upper and lower hinge assemblies 14, there is provided a locking bar 20 which is pivotally mounted on a radially directed locking screw 23 which is located in a depressed circular portion 21 of the panel 11. The locking bar 20 is so shaped as to conform as closely as possible to the interior wall of the column thus to minimise interior obstruction. The bar 20 is generally elongate with outwardly turned ends 22 which, when the panel 11 is closed, locate behind the framing member 13 at opposite sides of the opening. The locking screw 23 engages within a threaded collar 24 welded to the adjacent face of the locking bar 20, and is captive within the panel 11.

Rotation of the screw 23 causes the locking bar 20 to move in one or another direction indicated by arrows 17 such that anti-clockwise rotation of the screw causes the bar 20 to move towards the centre of the column until the ends 22 of the bar are released from the framing member 13 to enable the locking bar 20 to be rotated so that the panel may be opened.

A pin 25 extends through the screw 23 close to its inner radial end and which engages a threaded collar 24 as the locking bar approaches its innermost position of adjustment whereupon the locking bar is rotated anti-clockwise as viewed in Fig. 5 to the position illustrated by dotted lines 20A. A fixed platform 26 is welded to the interior of the panel 11 to act as a stop for the locking bar 20 when it is rotated to extend a spring 27 connected between the bar 20 and a fixed point 28 on the wall of the panel.

In use therefore as the screw 23 is rotated, the locking bar 20 is maintained in a horizontal position by the spring 27 until the pin 25 engages the collar 24 whereupon the bar is rotated to allow the panel to be opened. Upon closure, the bar is returned to the horizontal position as shown in full lines in Fig. 5 under the effect of spring 27 once the pin 25 is released from contact with the collar 24. Finally, the bar is locked tight against the frame 13 by continued clockwise rotation of the screw 23.

The head of screw 23 is usually of such a form that it can only be turned by a key carried by authorised personnel.

It will be appreciated that the panel 11 is arranged to fit the opening in the cylindrical wall 10 thus to lie flush with and extend the circumference of the column, as opposed to the conventional arrangement wherein a removal panel overlaps the aperture cut in the column. This flush fitting design is aesthetically pleasing and with the provision of the internal framing member 13, makes it difficult for vandals to insert a sharp instrument between the panel 11 and the cylindrical wall in order to prise it off. The optional, but preferable, provision of the sealing strip 12 and a sealing washer under the head of the locking screw 23 prevents the ingress of dust, moisture and insects. Also, the articulated hinge assembly ensures that the door approaches the seal in parallel thus preventing any nip at the hinge side and achieving uniform contact pressure all around the door.

It is not intended to limit the invention to the above details. For example, in a simplified embodiment, the articulated hinge assemblies 14 may be replaced by a simple hinge allowing only approximately 90" of opening of the panel 11, and the locking mechanism may take a form other than as described and illustrated herein.

Claims

1. A column carrying internal electrical means and including an access opening in the wall of the column and a closure panel with locking means to prevent unauthorised access to the interior of the column; characterised in that the closure panel is mounted on the column by at least two hinges which when the panel is closed are wholly concealed within the column.

2. A column according to Claim 1, wherein the hinges are formed from articulated hinge assemblies allowing the closure panel to be opened through an angle in excess of 90".

3. A column according to Claim 1, wherein the hinges are formed from articulated hinge assemblies allowing the closure panel to be opened through an angle in excess of 1800.

4. A column according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the closure panel is adapted, when closed, completely to fill the access opening whilst bearing on a framing member located internally around the access opening.

5. A column according to Claim 4, including a seal extending around the framing member against which the closure panel is seated when closed.

6. A column according to Claim 4, wherein the framing member is attached to the internal wall of the column.

7. A column according to Claim 2 or Claim 3, wherein the articulated hinge assemblies, when the closure panel is closed, are disposed close to the latter thus to occupy minimal space within the interior of the column.

8. A column according to any preceding claim, wherein the closure panel when closed is disposed to lie flush with and extend the circumference of the column and does not extend beyond the bounds of the access opening.

9. A column according to Claim 1, wherein the locking means for the closure panel includes a locking bar mounted internally on the closure panel and having extremities which bear upon the internal wall of the column beyond the access opening therein, the bar being shaped to conform to the internal wall shape of the column thus to minimise protrusion into the interior, there being means normally to urge the locking bar into a locking position, and the locking means being releasable to cause the locking bar to pivot to a release position when the closure panel is to be opened.

10. A column according to Claim 9, wherein the locking bar is pivotally mounted on a locking screw itself mounted on the closure panel, the locking screw engaging within a threaded collar attached to the locking bar whereby rotation of the locking screw causes the locking bar to move radially with respect to the column to lock or unlock the panel accordingly.

11. A column according to Claim 10, including means for rotationally interengaging the locking bar and the locking screw such that the bar is rotated through an angle sufficient to enable it to pass outwardly through the access opening as the closure panel is opened.

12. A column according to Claim 11, including a stop member to determine the extent of rotation of the locking bar.

13. A column according to Claim 11, wherein the locking screw includes a head of such a form that it can only turned by a special key to be carried by authorised personnel.

14. A column carrying internal electrical means and including an access opening in the wall of the column and a closure panel with locking means to prevent unauthorised access to the interior of the column, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.