GB2403252A - Apparatus for securing a traffic bollard - Google Patents

Apparatus for securing a traffic bollard Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2403252A
GB2403252A GB0315119A GB0315119A GB2403252A GB 2403252 A GB2403252 A GB 2403252A GB 0315119 A GB0315119 A GB 0315119A GB 0315119 A GB0315119 A GB 0315119A GB 2403252 A GB2403252 A GB 2403252A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
bollard
shell
securing means
bottom portion
ground
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0315119A
Other versions
GB0315119D0 (en
GB2403252B (en
Inventor
Stephen Patrick Moore
Barrie Farquhar
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to GB0315119A priority Critical patent/GB2403252B/en
Publication of GB0315119D0 publication Critical patent/GB0315119D0/en
Publication of GB2403252A publication Critical patent/GB2403252A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2403252B publication Critical patent/GB2403252B/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/604—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs specially adapted for particular signalling purposes, e.g. for indicating curves, road works or pedestrian crossings
    • E01F9/608—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs specially adapted for particular signalling purposes, e.g. for indicating curves, road works or pedestrian crossings for guiding, warning or controlling traffic, e.g. delineator posts or milestones
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/658—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by means for fixing
    • E01F9/673—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by means for fixing for holding sign posts or the like
    • E01F9/681—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by means for fixing for holding sign posts or the like the sign posts being fastened by removable means, e.g. screws or bolts
    • E01F9/0111—
    • E01F9/0165—
    • E01F9/018—
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/604—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs specially adapted for particular signalling purposes, e.g. for indicating curves, road works or pedestrian crossings
    • E01F9/615—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs specially adapted for particular signalling purposes, e.g. for indicating curves, road works or pedestrian crossings illuminated
    • E01F9/617—Illuminated or wired-up posts, bollards, pillars or like upstanding bodies or structures for traffic guidance, warning or control
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01F—ADDITIONAL WORK, SUCH AS EQUIPPING ROADS OR THE CONSTRUCTION OF PLATFORMS, HELICOPTER LANDING STAGES, SIGNS, SNOW FENCES, OR THE LIKE
    • E01F9/00—Arrangement of road signs or traffic signals; Arrangements for enforcing caution
    • E01F9/60—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs
    • E01F9/623—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection
    • E01F9/631—Upright bodies, e.g. marker posts or bollards; Supports for road signs characterised by form or by structural features, e.g. for enabling displacement or deflection specially adapted for breaking, disengaging, collapsing or permanently deforming when deflected or displaced, e.g. by vehicle impact

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Architecture (AREA)
  • Civil Engineering (AREA)
  • Structural Engineering (AREA)
  • Refuge Islands, Traffic Blockers, Or Guard Fence (AREA)
  • Road Signs Or Road Markings (AREA)

Abstract

The apparatus is designed for securing a four-sided bollard shell 6 which is illuminated in use and positioned over a base unit 8 buried in the ground, the apparatus comprising a securing element 14 that is designed to make be a tight fit around the bottom outside portion 16 of the shell and which is secured to the ground by fixing elements 18, the securing means having an upstanding portion 20 which extends up the bottom outside portion of the shell and an outwardly extending portion 22 which is secured to the ground in use, with the securing element being formed from a flexible material. The securing element preferably has an inwardly extending flange 28 which extends over a shoulder 26 that extends around the bottom of the shell and the securing element may be formed as a one-piece, two-piece or four-piece collar. The fixing elements may comprise bolts that extend through holes in the securing element or may comprise adhesive. The upper surface of the securing element may be flat or sloped and may include optical reflectors. The securing element may be made of a resilient flexible material, preferably rubber.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A
MORE SECURE FIXING OF AN
ILLUMINATABLE BOLLARD AT A LOCATION
This invention relates to apparatus for providing a more secure fixing of an illuminatabie bollard at a location.
Illumnatable bollards are well known. They are usually located in roads for directing traffic. They may however also be used In pedestrianised locations for directing pedestrians. The known illuminatable bollards comprise a four-sided bollard shell which is illuminated in use, and a base unit which is buried in ground at the location where the bollard is to be located. The bollard shell is positioned on the base unit.
The bollard shell is secured to the base unit by shear pins which extend through the bollard shell and the base unit. The shear pins are used so that the bollard shell can separate from the base unit if it is struck with a predetermined force, for example as might occur if the bollard unit is struck by a vehicle in a traffic accident. The use of the shear pins does however create a problem in that it makes the illumnatable bollard susceptible to vandalism More specifically, if a force is applied to the top of the bollard shell, the bollard shell flexes with respect to the base unit and the shear pins often pop out. Vandals are then able to remove the bollard shell. The vandals may then destroy the bollard shell or simply leave the bollard shell lying In the road where it presents a traffic hazard. Local councils then have to repair the illuminatable bollard and this often has to be done as a matter of urgency for safety reasons. The cost of repairing illuminatable bollards, especially on an emergency basis, is substantial.
It is an aim of the present invention to obviate or reduce the above mentioned problem.
According, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there Is provided apparatus for providing a more secure fixing of an illuminatable bollard at a location, which illiuminatable bollard comprises a four-sided bollard shell which is illuminated in use and a base unit which is buried in ground at the location and on which the bollard shell is positioned, and which apparatus comprises securing means for being a tight fit against the outside of a bottom portion of the bollard shell, and fixing means for fixing the securing means to the ground, the securing means being such that it has an upstanding portion which extends up the outside of the bottom portion of the bollard shell, and an outwardly extending portion which is secured to the ground in use of the apparatus, and the securing means being made of a flexible material.
Because the upstanding portion of the securing means extends up the outside of the bottom portion of the bollard, the securing means is able to absorb rocking forces applied to the bollard shell by vandals. This in turn helps to stop the bollard shell from being prized off the base unit. Where the apparatus of the present invention is fitted to already Installed illuminatable bollards, then the apparatus of the present invention is effective to help stop the shear pins popping out under rocking forces applied to the top of the bollard shell by vandals. Where illuminatable bollards are to be installed for the first time, the apparatus of the present invention can be used in addition to the existing equipment including the shear pins, or the apparatus of the present invention can be used without the need for the shear pins.
Preferably, the apparatus of the present invention is one in which the bottom portion of the bollard shell is larger than the remainder of the bollard shell so that the bollard shell has a shoulder where the bottom portion of the bollard shell extends into the remainder of the bollard shell, and in which the securing means has an inwardly extending flange which extends over the shoulder.
Preferably, the securing means is in the form of a one piece collar which goes completely around the bottom portion of the bottom shell. If desired however the securing means may be in the form of two separate collar portions, with each collar portion being such that it extends along one side and around two corners of the bottom portion of the bollard shell.
Alternatively, if desired, the securing means may be in the form of four separate corner devices, with each corner device being for extending around one of the four corners of the bottom portion of the bollard shell.
Preferably, the fixing means are bolts. The bolts are preferably Rawl bolts. Other types of bolts and other types of mechanical fixing means may be employed if desired.
The fixing means may alternatively be an adhesive fixing means.
Any suitable and appropriate adhesive giving the required bonding may be employed. If desired, the fixing means may be a combination of bolts (or other mechanical fixing means) and the adhesive fixing means.
Preferably, the outwardly extending portion of the securing means includes holes for fixing means in the form of bolts. If desired however the outwardly extending portion can be without holes, in which case the holes can be made on site. Where the outwardly extending portion has holes, then the holes preferably have counter-sunk openings for receiving the heads of the bolts. Where bolts are employed, then washers may also be employed to help stop the bolt heads pulling through the outwardly extending portion.
Preferably, the outwardly extending portion is a flange. Other formations may however be employed.
The securing means may have an upper surface which extends parallel to the ground. Alternatively, the securing means may have an upper surface which slopes downwardly towards the ground. A sloping upper surface may be preferred where the apparatus of the present invention is installed on pedestrian areas where pedestrians might be inclined to trip over the securing means.
Advantageously, the upper surface of the securing means includes optical reflectors. The reflectors help to make the upper surface visible at night, and this may again be especially useful for use of the apparatus of the present invention in areas where pedestrians may be walking.
The bollard and the base unit may be constructed as in known bollards and base units, and from known materials. The apparatus of the present invention is made of a flexible material. The flexible material is chosen to enable the bollard shell still to be able to be demounted from the base unit in the event that it is struck with a predetermined force, for example that which is likely to occur if a vehicle hits the bollard shell in a traffic accident. Any suitable and appropriate type of flexible material may be employed. The flexible material may be a resilient material such for example as rubber or some plastics materials. The rubber may be recyclable The present invention also extends to an illuminatable bollard when fixed in position with the apparatus of the present invention.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows first apparatus of the invention in use; Figure 2 is an exploded view of part of the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a section through the apparatus shown in Figure 1 but as it will be seen from above ground; Figure 4 is a plan view of the first apparatus; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first apparatus; Figure 6 is a cross section like Figure 3 but shows second apparatus of the invention; and Figure 7 is a top plan view of the apparatus as shown in Figure 6.
Referring to Figures 1 - 5, there is shown apparatus 2 for providing a more secure fixing of an illuminatable bollard 4 at a location.
The illuminatable bollard 4 comprises a four-sided bollard shell 6 which is illuminated in use, and a base unit 8 which is buried in ground 10 at the location for the illuminatable bollard 4. The bollard shell 6 is positioned on the base unit 8 as shown in Figure 1. The bollard shell is provided with a keep left sign in the form of an arrow 12 as shown.
The apparatus 2 comprises securing means 14 for being a tight fit against the outside of a bottom portion 16 of the bollard shell 6. The apparatus 2 also comprises fixing means 18 for fixing the securing means to the ground 10.
The securing means 14 is such that it has an upstanding portion 20 which extends up the outside of the bottom portion 16 of the bollard shell 6.
The securing means 14 also has an outwardly extending flange 22 which is secured to the ground 10 in use of the apparatus 2.
The securing means 14 is made of a flexible resilient material such as rubber or some plastics materials.
The bottom portion 16 of the bollard shell 6 is larger than the remainder 24 of the bollard shell 6. This means that a shoulder 26 is formed where the bottom portion 16 of the bollard shell 6 extends into the remainder 24 of the bollard shell 6. The securing means 14 has an inwardly extending flange 28 which extends over the shoulder 26.
As best seen in Figure 4, the securing means 14 is in the form of a one piece collar which goes completely around the bottom portion 16 of the bollard shell 6.
As shown in Figure 1, the bollard shell 6 is such that the bottom portion 16 fits over an upstanding lip 30 on the base unit 8. Shear pins 32 extend through the bottom portion 16 of the bollard 6 and the lip 30 of the base unit 8. If the illuminatable bollard 4 is struck with a predetermined force, then the shear pins 32 shear and the bollard shell 6 demounts from the base unit 8. Thus in the event of a traffic accident, the bollard shell 6 can be knocked out of the way rather than remaining in force and possibly causing unnecessary damage and injury. Without the apparatus 2 of the present invention, vandals applying a force to the upper part of the bollard shell 6 are able to cause the bollard shell 6 to flex and the shear pins 32 to pop out. The presence of the apparatus 2 and in particular the securing means 14 enables the apparatus 2 to absorb the flexing-type pressures normally applied by vandals and to help stop the shear pins 32 being popped out by the vandals. The securing means 14 is however able to give because it is made of a flexible resilient material, and so the bollard shell 6 can still be demounted from the base unit 8 if the bollard shell 6 is struck with a predetermined force. Thus the apparatus 2 of the present invention is able to reduce vandalism whilst maintaining safety. The reduced vandalism is able to make substantial savings in the cost of replacing and repairing illuminatable bollards that have been vandalised.
The fixing means 18 are bolts and the preferred bolts are Rawl bolts.
As shown in Figure 4, the flange 22 is provided with four holes 34 for receiving four Rawl bolts 18. Each hole 34 has an opening of enlarged diameter so that the opening is a counter-sunk opening for receiving the head of the bolts. Washers (not shown) may be employed for helping to stop the bolt heads being pulled through the flange 28 by aggressive vandals.
As shown in Figure 3, the securing means 14 has an upper surface 36 which extends parallel to the ground.
Figures 6 and 7 show second apparatus 38 which is like the apparatus 2 except that the securing means 14 has an upper surface 40 which slopes downwardly towards the ground 10.
As shown in Figures 4 and 7, the upper surface 40 is provided with optical reflectors 42. The optical reflectors 42 are advantageous in reflecting light at night and thus helping the securing means 14 to be seen, for example by pedestrians.
It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, as can be appreciated from Figure 4, the securing means 14 is in the form of a one-piece collar which goes completely around the bottom portion of the bollard shell 6. The securing means 14 as shown in Figure 4 could be cut in half so that the securing means 14 would then be in the form of two separate collar portions, which each collar portion being such that it extends along one side and around two corners of the bottom portion of the bollard shell. In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, just the corner portions of the securing means 14 as shown in Figure 4 could be used. There would then be four separate corner devices, with each l corner device being for extending around one of the four corners of the bottom portion 16 of the bollard shell. As an alternative to, or in addition to employing bolts as the fixing means 18, an adhesive may be employed as the fixing means 18. The height of the upstanding portion 20 may be increased or decreased to vary its holding force on the bollard shell 6.

Claims (17)

1. Apparatus for providing a more secure fixing of an illuminatable bollard at a location, which illiuminatable bollard comprises a foursided bollard shell which is illuminated in use and a base unit which is buried in ground at the location and on which the bollard shell is positioned, and which apparatus comprises securing means for being a tight fit against the outside of a bottom portion of the bollard shell, and fixing means for fixing the securing means to the ground, the securing means being such that it has an upstanding portion which extends up the outside of the bottom portion of the bollard shell, and an outwardly extending portion which is secured to the ground in use of the apparatus, and the securing means being made of a flexible material.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the bottom portion of the bollard shell is larger than the remainder of the bollard shell so that the bollard shell has a shoulder where the bottom portion of the bollard shell extends into the remainder of the bollard shell, and in which the securing means has an inwardly extending flange which extends over the shoulder.
3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the securing means is in the form of a one-piece collar which goes completely around the bottom portion of the bollard shell.
4. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the securing means is in the form of two separate collar portions, with each collar portion being such that it extends one side and around two corners of the bottom portion of the bollard shell.
5. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the securing means is in the form of four separate corner devices, with each corner device being for extending around one of the four corners of the bottom portion of the bollard shell.
6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the fixing means are bolts.
7. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the fixing means is an adhesive fixing means.
8. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the outwardly extending portion of the securing means includes holes for fixing means in the form of bolts.
9. Apparatus according to claim 8 in which the holes have counter sunk openings for receiving heads of the bolts.
10. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the outwardly extending portion of the securing means is a flange.
11. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the securing means has an upper surface which extends parallel to the ground.
12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 10 in which the securing means has an upper surface which slopes downwardly towards the ground.
13. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the upper surface of the securing means includes optical reflectors.
14. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the flexible material is a flexible resilient material.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14 in which the flexible resilient material is rubber.
16. Apparatus for providing a more secure fixing of an illuminatable bollard at a location, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
17. An illuminatable bollard when fixed in position with apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims.
GB0315119A 2003-06-27 2003-06-27 Apparatus for providing a more secure fixing of an illuminatable bollard at a location Expired - Fee Related GB2403252B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0315119A GB2403252B (en) 2003-06-27 2003-06-27 Apparatus for providing a more secure fixing of an illuminatable bollard at a location

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0315119A GB2403252B (en) 2003-06-27 2003-06-27 Apparatus for providing a more secure fixing of an illuminatable bollard at a location

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB0315119D0 GB0315119D0 (en) 2003-08-06
GB2403252A true GB2403252A (en) 2004-12-29
GB2403252B GB2403252B (en) 2006-05-31

Family

ID=27676247

Family Applications (1)

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GB0315119A Expired - Fee Related GB2403252B (en) 2003-06-27 2003-06-27 Apparatus for providing a more secure fixing of an illuminatable bollard at a location

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Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010115929A3 (en) * 2009-04-08 2010-12-16 Rwe Ag Charging station base for electrical charging stations
GB2490118A (en) * 2011-04-18 2012-10-24 Apt Controls Ltd Bollard assembly for preventing vehicular access
GB2530257A (en) * 2014-09-15 2016-03-23 Traffic Man Products Ltd One-piece base assembly

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB368672A (en) * 1930-10-01 1932-03-10 Metzeler & Co Ag Improvements in street pillars and posts
DE3505097A1 (en) * 1985-02-14 1986-08-14 Franz 5000 Köln Linder Road bollard and process for the production thereof

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB368672A (en) * 1930-10-01 1932-03-10 Metzeler & Co Ag Improvements in street pillars and posts
DE3505097A1 (en) * 1985-02-14 1986-08-14 Franz 5000 Köln Linder Road bollard and process for the production thereof

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2010115929A3 (en) * 2009-04-08 2010-12-16 Rwe Ag Charging station base for electrical charging stations
GB2490118A (en) * 2011-04-18 2012-10-24 Apt Controls Ltd Bollard assembly for preventing vehicular access
GB2530257A (en) * 2014-09-15 2016-03-23 Traffic Man Products Ltd One-piece base assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB0315119D0 (en) 2003-08-06
GB2403252B (en) 2006-05-31

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Date Code Title Description
PCNP Patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

Effective date: 20090627