GB2473186A

GB2473186A - Post insert

Info

Publication number: GB2473186A
Application number: GB0915164A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Simmons
Original assignee: Salop Holdings Ltd
Current assignee: Salop Holdings Ltd
Priority date: 2009-09-02
Filing date: 2009-09-02
Publication date: 2011-03-09
Anticipated expiration: 2029-09-02
Also published as: GB0915164D0; GB2473186B

Abstract

The post insert 1, for use in posts for traffic signals, lighting and other structures which might be hit by a vehicle, comprises a plate and a feature enabling the securing of the insert within a hollow post, the feature preferably comprising apertures 9, 11 for receiving a fastener. The apertures are preferably formed in legs 5, 7 that extending from the insert, one of which preferably being longer than the other. A tubular portion may be provided instead of legs. The plate is preferably circular and may include a central aperture for the passage of components. Also claimed is a hollow post incorporating the insert. In use the insert preferably fits within the post so that it is level with the surrounding ground and so that there is a space around the periphery of the plate between the insert and the post.

Description

POST INSERT AND HOLLOW POST INCORPORATING SUCH AN INSERT

This invention relates to an insert for a hollow post and to a hollow post incorporating such an insert.

Hollow posts, such as posts for supporting lighting, road signs, traffic signals and the like are often used in situations where an impact with the post, for example by a substantial body such as a motor vehicle, could cause a safety hazard. The post is mounted in the ground by any suitable means in a manner which may or may not allow the post to be readily removed and replaced. It is common to provide means intended to ensure the post deforms or separates at ground level on impact in order to minimise the danger.

There are several problems with known post arrangements. For example, the post could fail to separate at ground level on impact. In such a case, the post may bend around the impacting body and cause severe damage in particular to the top of the impacting body. Alternatively, the post may bring the impacting body to an immediate halt causing potential damage to the body and to any occupants or the like as a result of the sudden reduction in speed. As a further alternative, the post may deflect the impacting body with the resuJt that the body could cause damage elsewhere. Should the post separate at ground level on impact, the separated post could cause damage elsewhere. Alternatively, components affixed to the post may separate from the post and cause damage elsewhere. As a further alternative, the post may separate at a lev& above ground level with the part of the post remaining in the ground presenting a potential hazard.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a post insert and a hollow post incorporating such an insert which overcome, or at least ameliorate, the abovementioned disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a post insert comprising a plate and means for securing the insert within a hollow post.

The means for securing the insert within a hollow post may include apertures for receiving a fastener.

The securing means may comprise legs provided with the apertures for receiving a fastener. At least one leg may be longer than at least another leg.

Alternatively, the securing means may comprise a tubular member provided with the apertures for receiving a fastener.

The plate may be circular.

The plate may be provided with an aperture, such as a central aperture, for the passage of components.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a hollow post incorporating a post insert as hereinbefore defined.

The post may be provided with apertures corresponding to the apertures in the insert securing means, for receiving the fastener.

The plate of the post insert may have an external peripheral profile corresponding substantially to the internal peripheral profile of the hollow post.

The post insert may be positioned within the hollow post at a location corresponding substantially to external ground level when the post is in use.

The plate may be dimensioned to fit within the hollow post with a spacing, substantially around the entire periphery of the plate, between the external periphery of the plate and the internal periphery of the post. The spacing may be 2 to 3 mm.

The insert, or at least the plate, may be provided with a cover or a coating.

The materials of the post insert and of the post may be selected such that the material of the post insert is harder than the material of the post. For example, the post insert may be made of mild steel or stainless steel, while the post may be made of aluminium, plastics materials, glass reinforced plastics, or steel.

For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a post insert according to the present invention; Figure 2 is an elevational view from a first direction of the post insert shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is an elevational view from a second direction of the post insert shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a hollow post for use with the post insert of Figures 1 to3;and Figure 5 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of a post insert according to the present invention.

Figures 1 to 3 show one embodiment of a post insert according to the present invention. The post insert comprises a plate 1 dimensioned to fit within a hollow post 3 as shown in cross-section in Figure 4. The plate 1 has an external peripheral profile corresponding substantially to the internal peripheral profile of the hollow post. However, if desired the profiles may be different, such as a substantially circular post with a substantially square plate within the post. n the illustrated embodiment, the external profile of the plate is substantially circular, but the profile could be different, such as square, provided it corresponds substantially to the internal profile of the hollow post. The plate I may have an aperture, such as a central circular aperture, for the passage of components, such as cables.

Secured to the plate 1 are two legs 5, 7 which in practice are welded to the plate 1 and which are provided with apertures 9, 11. The hollow post is provided with corresponding apertures (not shown) to enable a fastener to pass through the four apertures and retain the post insert axially relative to the hollow post. The apertures are positioned such that, in use, the post insert is positioned within the hollow post at a location corresponding substantially to the external ground level.

It will be noted that leg 5 is longer than leg 7 to assist mounting the insert within the post.

The plate 1 is dimensioned to fit within the post 3 ideally with a spacing, substantially around the entire periphery of the plate, between the external periphery of the plate and the internal periphery of the post. The spacing may be, for example, 2 to 3 mm. The spacing serves two purposes. First, it allows relative movement between the post and the insert without the two components contacting each other to any substantial extent, avoiding potential damage to the post as a result of relative movement, for example due to wind and/or passing traffic. Second, it substantially eliminates the risk of corrosion occurring where the post and the plate are made of dissimilar materials. If desired, the insert, or at least the plate 1 may be provided with a cover or a coating (not shown) to further limit the likelihood of corrosion.

The insert is generally made of mild steel or stainless steel, while the post 3 is generally made of aluminium, but may be made of other materials such as plastics materials, glass reinforced plastics, or steel. The materials of the insert and of the post 3 should be selected such that, in use, the material of the insert is harder than the material of the post.

The post insert shown in Figure 5 is of somewhat different configuration in that a substantially tubular member 13 is formed integrally with the plate 1 and is provided with apertures 9, 11.

In use of the post insert according to the present invention, the insert is first positioned within the post 3, which may be a new post or an existing post, and secured in place, for example by passing a fastener through the apertures 9, 11 and through corresponding apertures in the post. The post is then secured in the ground with the insert within the post substantially at ground level. The post may be secured in the ground in any suitable manner, for example it may be supported in an assembly which allows the post to be removed and replaced.

In normal use, the internal periphery of the hollow post is spaced from the external periphery of the plate 1 and the plate therefore does not in such circumstances serve any active purpose. However, in the event of an impact with a substantial body, the impacting body urges the hollow post 3 sideways.

The hollow post may show no deformation, or substantial deformation (for example, folding), at the point of impact depending on the speed of the body at impact. However, regardless of the extent of deformation at the point of impact, the post will eventually bend in the region of the ground surface and will contact the edge of the plate 1 and will stretch and become stressed at the point of contact. When the degree of stretching and the stress exceeds the elongation limit of the post material, a tear will form at the point of contact. As the post continues to bend in the region of the ground surface, the tears traverse around both sides of the periphery of the post and in due course meet in the region of the post opposite to the initial point of contact, causing the portion of the post above ground level to separate from the portion below ground level without transmitting high levels of energy to the post.

In particular where the material of the post has a relatively high ductility, the insert also serves substantially to maintain the cross-section of the post in the region of the insert. That is, the insert prevents the wall of the post folding and collapsing inwards so as to act in the manner of a solid, substantially plate-like structure, rather than separating in a controlled manner.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A post insert comprising a plate and means for securing the insert within a hollow post.
2. A post insert as claimed in claim 1, wherein the means for securing the insert within a hollow post includes apertures for receiving a fastener.
3. A post insert as claimed in claim 2, wherein the securing means comprises legs provided with the apertures for receiving a fastener.
4. A post insert as claimed in claim 3, wherein at least one leg is longer than at least another leg. (\J
5. A post insert as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the securing means comprises a tubular member provided with the apertures for receiving a fastener.
6. A post insert as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plate is circular.
7. A post insert as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the plate is provided with an aperture for the passage of components.
8. A post insert as claimed in claim 7, wherein the aperture comprises a central aperture.
9. A post insert substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
10. A hollow post incorporating a post insert as claimed in any preceding claim.
11. A post as claimed in claim 10 when dependent on claim 2 or any claim dependent thereon, wherein the post is provided with apertures corresponding to the apertures in the insert securing means, for receiving the fastener.

(\J
12. A post as claimed in claim 10 or 11, wherein the plate of the post insert has an external peripheral profile corresponding substantially to the internal peripheral profile of the hollow post.
13. A post as claimed in claim 10, 11 or 12, wherein the post insert is positioned within the hollow post at a location corresponding substantially to external ground level when the post is in use.
14. A post as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the plate is dimensioned to fit within the hollow post with a spacing, substantially around the entire periphery of the plate, between the external periphery of the plate and the internal periphery of the post.
15. A post as claimed in claim 14, wherein the spacing is 2 to 3 mm.
16. A post as claimed in any one of claims lOto 15, wherein at least the plate of the insert is provided with a cover or a coating.
17. A post as claimed in claim 16, wherein the insert is provided with a cover oracoating.
18. A post as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 17, wherein the materials of the post insert and of the post are selected such that the material of the post (\J insert is harder than the material of the post.
19. A post as claimed in claim 18, wherein the post insert is made of mild steel or stainless steel, while the post is made of aluminium, plastics materials, glass reinforced plastics, or steel.
20. A hollow post incorporating a post insert and substantially as herein before described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.