GB2342942A

GB2342942A - Security post

Info

Publication number: GB2342942A
Application number: GB9823116A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Graham Hoyle
Original assignee: M O A T ENGINEERING Ltd
Current assignee: M O A T ENGINEERING Ltd
Priority date: 1998-10-23
Filing date: 1998-10-23
Publication date: 2000-04-26
Anticipated expiration: 2018-10-23
Also published as: GB2342942B; GB9823116D0

Abstract

A lockable security post is pivotable between an operative upright position and an inoperative substantially horizontal position. The post comprises a bar (14) which is surrounded by a tube (24). The bar is pivotally connected to an upstanding spigot (10) which protrudes from a ground level baseplate (12). To lock the post in the operative position the tube is positioned over the spigot and a locking plunger (26) may be actuated. In order to move the post to the inoperative position the lock is disengaged whereupon the tube may be lifted clear of the spigot such that the post may be pivoted about a pin (18) down to ground level.

Description

"Security Post" This invention relates to a security post for obstructing the theft of a wehicle, the illegal opening of a door, or unauthorised vehicuiar access to a driveway or parking space.

Security poses are already known and fall into two categories, namely a heavy-duty type suitable for preventing ram-raiding and a lighter-duty type for deterring the acts mentioned in the preceding paragraph by causina delay, noise and damage in the event of such acts.

This invention falls into the second category. Many security posts in both categories are mcveable into recesses in the ground. Water inevitably enters such recesses and causes corrosion of the posts and, in sub-zero temperatures, immobilisation of the posts by ice. For example, one known security post of the lighter-duty type comprises a post pivoted on a member which is concreted into the ground and forms a well into which the lower end of the post is slideable by virtue of a slotted confection with the pivot when the post is raised into lockable operative position.

An object of the present invention is to provide a security post which avoids immersion in water.

According to the invention, a security post comprises an upstanding spigot adapted to be fixed to the ground, a bar pivotally connected to the spigot, a tube slideable on the bar between an operative position in which it engages over the spigot so as to hold the post erect and an inoperative position in which it is clear of the spigot so as to ailow the post to pivor down to ground level, and a lock for securing the tube in said operative position.

Preferably, the spigot is fixed to a base plate which in turn is adapted to be fixed to the surface of the ground.

Preferably, also, che bar has, near its ends, upper and lower zones of the same maximum radial dimension as the spigot.

The lock preferably includes a detent slideable radially relative to the tube and engageable in a recess in the bar.

Pr?'Pferably, the recess is in the upper zone.

Preferably, also, the recess is a circumferential groove.

Preferably, the tube has an inwardly-projecting stop between its ends which is adapted to abut against the upper zone to prevent the tube being slid completely off the bar.

Preferably, also, the stop is a set-screw.

The upper end of the tube is preferably closed by a cap.

A preferred embodimer. t of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a security post in erect operative position; Figure 2 is a section on the line 2-2 in Figure 1 ; and Figure 3 is an elevation of the post pivoted down to inoperative position at ground level.

Referring now to the drawings, a security post includes an upstanding cylindrical spigot 10 rigidly fixed tc a base plate 12 which in turn is adapted to be securely fixed to the surface of ground by means such as four Rawlbolts Knot shown). The lower end of a bar 14 of hexagonal cross-section fits in a diametrical slot 16 formed in the top of the spigot 10, and the bar 14 is pivotally connecte to the spigot 10 by a diametrical pin i8. The bar 14 has, near its ends, upper and lower cylindrical zones 20 and 22 respectively of the same diameter as the spigct 10. Said zones are rigidly secured to the bar 14 as by welding. A tube 24 of cylindrical cross-section is a close sliding fit on the zones 2C and 22 and the spigot 10, and its upper end is closed by a cap 25 of plastics material to prevent the ingress of rain. A lock comprises a plunger 26 slideable manually against the action of a spring into locking mode within a tube which is pressed into a steel bush 28 welded radially around a hole near the upper end of the tube 24, so as *s cause the engagement of a detent 30 at the inner end of said plunger in a recess comprising a circumferential groove 32 in the upper zone 20. The bush 28 is recessed and the lower part 29 of its outer end is cut back at an angle to divert water away from the lock and to facilitate its operation. The lock is released by a conveticral key (nct shown). An inwardly-projecting stop in the form of a set-screw 34 dispose between the ends of the tube 24 is adapted to abut against the upper zone 20 to prevent said tube being slid completely off the bar 14. The set-screw 34 can be removed to permit lubrication of the inter or of the security post.

In operation, the security post is held in erect operative position as shown in Figure 1 by the engagement of the tube 24 over the spigot 10, and can be secured in said position by engagement of the lock. In order to move the security post into its inoperative position shown in Figure 2, the lock is released, the tube 24 is slid upwards until it is clear of the spigot 10, and the post is pivoted down tc ground level.

The security post is weatherproof, neat in appearance, and difficult to cut with a hacksaw because the tube 24 is freely rotateable on the zones 20 and 22 and the spigot 10.

It also has the avantage khat il is pivctabie in either direction, thus having alternative inoperative positions on opposite sides of the spigot 10.

Various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, of which the following are examples. In ore modification, the tube 24 is of square cross-section. In another modification, the bar 14 is of round or square cross-section. In a further, non-preferred, modification the lock is associated with the lower zone 22. In yet ancther modification, the major part of the length of the bar 14 consists of a single elongated zone of the same dameter as the spigot 10, and the set-screw 34 cr a corresponding stop is disposed in the tube 24 below said zone. In yet a further modification, the spigot 10 with suitable anchorage means is concreted into the ground while still being upstanding above the ground and without creating any well in which water can accumulate.

Claims

"Claims" 1. A security post comprising an upstarding spigot adapted to be fixed to the ground, a bar pivotally connecte to the spigot, a tube slideable on the bar between an operative position in which it engages over the spigot so as o hold the post erect and an inoperative position in which it is clear of the spigot so as to allow the post to pivot dcwn to ground level, and a lock for securing the tube in said operative position.
2. A security post according to claim 1, wherein the spigot s fixed to a base plate which in turn is adapted to be fixed to the surface of the ground.
3. A security post according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the bar has, near its ends, upper and lower zones of the same maximum radial dimension as the spigot.
4. A security post according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lock includes a detent slideable radially relative to the tube and engageable in a recess in the bar.
5. A security post according to claim 3 and claim 4, wherein the recess is in the upper zone.
6. A security post according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the recess is a circum. ferential groove.
7. A security post according to claim 3, wherein the tube has an inwardly-projecting stop between its ends which is adapted to abut against the upper zone to prevent the tube being slid completely off the bar.
8. A security pcst according to claim 7, wherein the stop is a set-screw.
9. A security post according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper end of the tube is closed by a cap.
10. A security post constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as illustrated by, the accompanying drawings.