GB2354779A

GB2354779A - A post for an illuminated sign or lamp

Info

Publication number: GB2354779A
Application number: GB9923096A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Keneth Robert Simmons
Original assignee: Simmonsigns Ltd
Current assignee: Simmonsigns Ltd
Priority date: 1999-09-30
Filing date: 1999-09-30
Publication date: 2001-04-04
Also published as: GB9923096D0

Abstract

A post for an illuminated sign or lamp comprises an elongate member 2. The elongate member comprises at least two cavities 3 and 4. Cables and services for the sign or lamp being housed in the smaller cavity 4 effectively on the outside of the post, capped with a removable lid 6. The connecting means for the detachable lid may comprise longitudinally extending ribs 18. To prevent removal of the lid the end sections may be covered by the sign or lamp or a base portion of the post. In use the cables are easily accessed for installing or removing. Further shearing of the cables is prevented should the post be knocked over, this removes the need for a cut-off device to be housed in the base of the post thus allowing a slimmer post to be used.

Description

2354779 POSTS This invention relates to a post for an illuminated sign or

lamp. It is particularly intended for use with outdoor posts, such as street lamp posts 5 or illuminated road signs.

Known posts are hollow, being formed as a wall of closed cross-section. An electricity supply cable runs up inside the wall, leading up from an underground supply to the sign or lamp. The cable is installed by feeding from the top of the post down to the base. At the base the cable end either passes under the end of the post, or through an aperture in the wall. Depending on the particular type of post, there may be a similar arrangement at the other end of the cable. If the post is knocked over or displaced, the cable can be damaged where it crosses the post wall. If it goes through an aperture, the cable may even be sheared, for example if a sign is rotated relative to the post. For safety reasons there is usually an electrical cut-out at the base of the post. In a standard lamp post this is housed in a larger diameter portion of the post, and the wall has an aperture to allow access. The provision of the larger diameter portion means that the post is more difficult and expensive to make. For other posts the cut-out may be housed in an underground chamber at the base of the post. The chamber needs to be quite large to provide the necessary access. Another disadvantage of this known post is that, if it has to be replaced, the cable has to be fed in again from the top, which can be time consuming.

According to the present invention, a post for an illuminated sign or lamp comprises an elongate member with a wall which in cross-section has a first closed cavity and at least one second open cavity for housing an 2 electricity supply cable for the sign or lamp and closed by a detachable member.

Thus the electricity supply cable, instead of being inside the closed part of the post, and having to cross the wall or pass through an aperture at the ends, is housed in an open cavity and so is effectively on the outside of the post. There is therefore less likelihood of the cable being damaged if the post is knocked over or displaced, as there is no need for apertures in the wall, so that shearing of the cable is prevented. The ends of the cable are also more accessible, so that if a cut-out is to be provided in an underground chamber at the base of the post, the chamber can be smaller. The open cavity can readily be closed by the detachable member to protect the cable. The open cavity also enables the cable to be inserted easily.

Preferably the open cavity is formed by an inwardly extending recess in the wall of the post. The detachable member may then be mounted so that it is flush with the external surface of the wall. The recess preferably includes connecting means for the detachable member, which may prevent unauthorised removal of the member. The connecting means may comprise longitudinally extending grooves in one or more wall parts defining the recess. The detachable member may have complementary connecting means co-operating with the connecting means provided on the recess.

In use, the ends of the detachable member are preferably covered by the sign or lamp, or a base portion of the post, to deter unauthorised removal.

The post may have more than one open cavity if necessary.

3 Conveniently the post is formed as an aluminium or composite extrusion. The detachable member may be an aluminium or plastics strip.

An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by way of example 5 in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of part of a post; and Figure 2 is a cross-section through the post of Figure 1.

The figures show a post 1 for an illuminated sign or lamp (not shown) such as a road sign or street lamp.

The post 1 is an elongate member of extruded aluminium formed with a continuous wall 2. In cross-section the wall 2 defines a first closed cavity 3, and a second open cavity 4 for housing an electricity supply cable 5 for the illuminated sign or lamp. The cavity 4 is closed by an elongate detachable member 6 (see Figure 2) in the form of a strip of curved profile, made of aluminium. or of hard plastics material.

The open cavity 4 is defined by wall parts 7, 8, 9 forming a recess 10 in the wall 2. The dimensions of the recess 10 are chosen so that the cable 5 sits comfortably within it. The wall parts 7, 8, 9 form a substantially rectangular recess 10, but the recess could be of any appropriate shape.

The wall parts 7, 9 are formed with connecting means 11, with complementary connecting means 12 being formed on the side edges of the detachable member 6. Each connecting means 11 comprises a pair of longitudinally-extending projections 13, 14 protruding from the wall parts 7, 9 and defining a groove 15 between them. The radially outer projection 13 is slightly rounded. Each connecting means 12 comprises a 4 longitudinally- extending groove 16 and a longitudinally-extending bead 17. The projection 13 and groove 16 are complementary, as are the groove 15 and bead 17. With the detachable member 6 fitted onto the post 1 the outer surfaces of the member 6 and wall 2 are flush, and the shape of the projection 13 and groove 16 make it difficult to remove the member 6 from the sides. However, the detachable member 6 is easy to install, as it can simply be snapped into place.

Each wall part 7, 9 has a further longitudinally-extending projection 18, 10 spaced inwardly of the projection 14. The projections 18 are adapted for fixing retaining means or the like for attaching the sign.

In use, the post 1 is erected, without the member 6 or the cable 5. The cable 5 can then be inserted in the open cavity 4. The insertion is simple, as the cable 5 does not have to be fed through a closed cavity. The detachable member 6 is then snapped on to close the cavity 4, leaving the cable ends free at the top and base of the post 1. A cut-out in a chamber (not shown) at the base of the post 1 is attached to the cable. The chamber is closed by a cover which overlies the member 6, ensuring that its lower end is inside the chamber, so that it is not accessible from the outside. The upper end of the cable 5 is then attached to the sign or lamp, which may use the cavity 4 to assist in fixing it. Again, the body of the sign or lamp is arranged to overlie the end of the member 6, so that it is not accessible. The cable 5 is held securely in the cavity 4 closed by the detachable member 6, but is effectively on the outside of the post 1, making the attachment of the cut-out and sign to the cable much easier, and ensuring that the cable is not sheared if the sign is rotated relative to the post.

If the post 1 is knocked over or displaced, the cable 5 is less likely to be damaged than if it ran up the closed cavity in the post. With the cable 5 in the cavity 4, it is much easier to replace if necessary. If the post itself has to be replaced, installation of a new cable is also easy.

Claims

6 CLAIMS

A post for an illuminated sign or lamp comprising an elongate member with a wall which in cross-section has a first closed cavity and at least one second open cavity for housing an electricity supply cable for the sign or lamp and closed by a detachable member.

2. A post as claimed in Claim 1, in which the open cavity is formed by an inwardly-extending recess in the wall of the post.

3. A post as claimed in Claim 2, in which the detachable member is mounted to be flush with the external surface of the wall.

4. A post as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the recess 15 includes connecting means for the detachable member.

5. A post as claimed in Claim 4, in which the connecting means comprise longitudinally-extending grooves in one or more wall parts defining the recess.

6. A post as claimed in Claim 4 and 5, in which the detachable member has complementary connecting means co-operating with the connecting means on the recess.

7. A post as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the ends of the detachable member are covered, in use, by the sign or lamp or a base portion of the post.

8. A post as claimed in any preceding claim in which more than one 30 open cavity is provided.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 0 CLAIMS 1. A post for an illuminated sign or lamp comprising an elongate member with a wall which in cross-section has a first closed cavity and at least one second open cavity for housing an electricity supply cable for the sign or lamp and closed by a detachable member.
2. A post as claimed in Claim 1, in which the open cavity is formed by an inwardly-extending recess in the wall of the post.
3. A post as claimed in Claim 2, in which the detachable member is mounted to be flush with the external surface of the wall.
4. A post as claimed in Claim 2 or Claim 3, in which the recess 15 includes connecting means for the detachable member.
5. A post as claimed in Claim 4, in which the connecting means comprise longitudinally-extending grooves in one or more wall parts defining the recess.
6. A post as claimed in Claim 4 and 5, in which the detachable member has complementary connecting means co-operating with the connecting means on the recess.
7. A post as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the ends of the detachable member are covered, in use, by the sign or lamp or a base portion of the post.
8. A post as claimed in any preceding claim in which more than one 30 open cavity is provided., 0
9. A post as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the post is formed as an aluminium. extrusion.
10. A post as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8, in which the post is formed as a composite extrusion.
11. A post for an illuminated sign or lamp substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.