GB2485278A

GB2485278A - Shallow bollard mounting

Info

Publication number: GB2485278A
Application number: GB1119049.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kevin Stobbs
Original assignee: Marshalls Mono Ltd
Current assignee: Marshalls Mono Ltd
Priority date: 2010-11-04
Filing date: 2011-11-04
Publication date: 2012-05-09
Also published as: GB201307812D0; GB2498161A; GB2498161B; WO2012059766A1; GB201018617D0; GB201119049D0

Abstract

A bollard mounting comprises a planar structure having means to receive and secure the foot of a bollard 16. The planar structure is adapted to be set in a setting material (e.g. concrete). The planar structure has a large area in relation to its depth. The area may be 5000 times greater than the depth. The length and/or width of the structure may extend more than 200% of the thickness of the bollard from the means to receive the bollard. The structure may comprise a plurality of open pockets provided by a reinforcing mesh 13. The structure may comprise a frame 10, 11 having sides connected by a cross-linking member 12. The cross-linking member may comprise spaced apertures to receive the foot of the bollard. A plurality of bollard mounting may be mounted together. The structure allows the bollard to be mounted in a shallow trench.

Description

Bollard Mounting The invention relates to mountings, and particularly to mountings for bollards.

Bollards are well known, and are generally simply mounted by setting the foot of the bollard in concrete, and/or surrounding the foot of the bollard with paving.

There is now a need for bollards that can withstand considerable impact without overturning, for example to protect buildings or people from being hit by vehicles. In some instances, it is also desirable for the bollards to be resistant to shearing off. Often, even if the bollard is damaged after being hit, it is desirable that the bollard should remain in situ. It can be advantageous if, when damaged, the bollard remains a barrier, for instance by a part remaining substantially upright, so as to continue to provide some degree of protection.

It is an object of some aspects of the present invention to attempt to overcome at least one of the above or other identified problems. It is a further aim of some of the exemplary embodiments to provide a bollard that is able to provide adequate security protection from strikes by vehicles, even when there is little available excavation depth.

According to the present invention there is provided a bollard mounting, a bollard mounting system, a bollard system and method of installing said bollard mountings and bollard system as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

According to an exemplary embodiment a mounting for a bollard has an area that is large in relation to a depth. In the exemplary embodiments, the bollard mounting comprises a planar structure having means to receive and secure a foot of the bollard, the planar structure being adapted to be set in a setting material such as concrete or like material, and the area of the planar structure being large in relation to the depth of the structure such that the structure can be placed in locations with little available excavation depth, while still providing substantial resistance to overturning of a bollard set in the structure.

It may for example be necessary to locate the bollard mounting in an area where there are cellars underneath, or on an elevated deck, or where underground services or cabling conflict, for example at an airport, or above an underground railway line where the roof of the railway is close to the surface. For instance, suitably, in the exemplary embodiments, the planar structure has a depth, that is a depth of the structure that is buried for instance the depth of a required trench, of less than 20% of the upstanding height of the mounted bollard. Here the upstanding height of the mounted bollard is the distance the mounted bollard extends upwardly from a top of the planar structure. More suitably, the depth may be less than 19% or less than 18% of the upstanding height.

In the exemplary embodiments, the planar structure includes a plurality of open pockets for being filled with the concrete or like material. The pockets are open to the filling material when the bollard mounting is laid in a trench or the like. For instance, the pockets may be open to a top of the bollard mounting. One or more of the pockets may be open to adjacent pockets. In one particular embodiment, the planar structure is formed from a frame. For instance, a metal frame. Here, the fame may include an outer frame. The outer frame may include at least two sides and at least one cross-linking member connecting said sides. The cross-linking member including or being attached to the means to receive the foot of the bollard. Suitably, the frame may include reinforcing mesh for forming the open pockets. In the exemplary embodiments, the cross-linking is shown suitably as extending between the two sides in the length direction.

Whilst, suitably, the planar structures of the exemplary embodiments are shown as being substantially rectangular, other shapes are envisaged, for example square, trapezoid, circular, oval, triangular, or other geometric shapes. In the exemplary embodiments, the planar structure has a length and width. For rectangular or square shapes, the length and width are the length and width of the shape. For other shapes, the length and width are the maximum distance of extension of the planar structure in transverse directions. Furthermore, the length is taken in the direction of an anticipated strike to the bollard and the width transverse to the length. In the exemplary embodiments, the planar structure may be sized so as to extend forwardly from the centre of the mounted bollard by a distance greater than 200% of the thickness of the mounted bollard. More suitably the forward projection in the length direction of the planar structure may be between 200% and 250% of the mounted bollard's thickness.

In the exemplary embodiments, the planar structure may be sized so as to extend rearwardly from the centre of the mounted bollard by a distance greater than 200% of the thickness of the mounted bollard. More suitably the rearward extension of the planar structure may be between 200% and 600% of the mounted bollard's thickness. For instance, the rearward extension may be greater than 200% or greater than 300% or greater than 400% or greater than 500% or greater than 550% of the mounted bollard's thickness. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiments, each side extension of the planar structure, that is the distance the planar structure extends in the width direction from a centre of the mounted bollard, may be more than 200% or more than 250% or more than 300% of the mounted bollard's thickness.

More suitably, each side extension may extend between 200% and 350% of the mounted bollard's thickness. Preferably, each side extension is substantially equal. That is, the means to receive the mounted bollard may be arranged substantially centrally on the planar structure relative to the width direction.

In the exemplary embodiments, the planar structure has an area given by the footprint of the planar structure, for instance the size of the trench that would need to be dug. Suitably, in the exemplary embodiments, the area of the planar structure may be greater than 5000 times or greater than 5500 times larger than the depth of the structure. More suitably, the area of the planar structure may be between 5600 times and 7000 times greater than the depth. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the area is 6400 or 6600 times greater than the depth.

In one exemplary embodiment, a bollard mounting system is provided wherein a plurality of bollard mountings are connected together, either directly or by reinforcing bars. Each bollard mounting maybe in accordance with previous embodiments and may be substantially identical to an adjacent bollard mounting or may be sized differently to an adjacent bollard mounting.

Furthermore, each planar structure may have the same or a different shape and may have the same or different orientation relative to the direction of an anticipated vehicular strike. For example, two bollard mountings may be connected in different orientations wherein a rectangular planar structure extending in a longitudinal direction of a first bollard mounting may be connected to another rectangular structure extending in a transverse direction of a second bollard mounting. One or more of the means to receive a bollard of each of the bollard mountings may be left empty. That is a bollard may not be received.

In the exemplary embodiments, the means for receiving the foot of the bollard comprise spaced apertures. Preferably the spaced apertures are arranged substantially at a top and bottom of the planar structure. In the exemplary embodiments, the apertures include reinforcing bosses. The means for receiving may be attached or formed integrally with the cross-linking.

According to the exemplary embodiments, there is also provided a bollard system comprising a bollard mounting and a bollard. The bollard mounting is as herein described and may also comprise a bollard mounting system. The bollard may be provided separately or attached to the bollard mounting. The bollard may be directly attached to the bollard mounting.

According to the exemplary embodiments, there is provided a method of installing a bollard mounting. The method comprising excavating a trench for receiving the bollard mounting.

The bollard mounting is arranged within the excavated trench. Pockets within a planar structure of a bollard mounting are filled with a setting material such as concrete.

Suitably, the method may include attaching a bollard to a means to receive a foot of a bollard of the planar structure. Consequently, a method of installing a bollard mounting system is also provided.

According to the exemplary embodiments, a method of forming a bollard mounting comprises forming a frame having an outer frame member. A cross-linking is connected between two spaced locations on the outer frame. Means to receive a foot of a bollard is attached or formed with the cross-linking. Suitably, further pockets are formed between the outer frame by dividing the outer frame into further sections. For instance, in the exemplary embodiments, meshing is connected within the outer frame.

Aspects of the embodiments include the bollard mounting being supplied and installed separately to the bollard as well as the bollard being pre-installed or connected at a point prior to the bollard mounting being finally installed. Furthermore, aspects of the embodiments cover the bollard mounting separate and independent to the setting material.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a bollard mounting, showing a bollard mounted therein; Figure 2 is a plan view of the mounting; Figure 3 is a side view of the mounting; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on line A-A of Figure 2; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing region F of Figure 4 to a larger scale; Figure 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a bollard mounting; Figure 7 is a plan view of the embodiment of the mounting shown in Figure 6; Figure 8 is an end view of the mounting of Figure 6; Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view on line A-A of Figure 7; Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view showing region F of Figure 9 to a larger scale; and Figures 11 to 14 show various stages in the installation of bollard mountings.

S

The mounting shown in Figure 1 comprises a planar structure comprising essentially a rectangular frame constructed by welding together steel side beams 10 and steel end beams 11, a cross-linking 12, and reinforcing mesh 13. The cross-linking 12 and reinforcing mesh 13 forms pockets or spaces for being filled by the setting material such as concrete.

As best seen in Figure 4, the cross-linking 12 comprises an upper plate 14 and a lower plate 15. A means to secure a foot of a bollard is attached to the cross-linking. In the Figures, the means is suitably shown as a hole within each plate to receive the foot of a bollard 16 which is welded into position. The means to secure the foot of the bollard further suitably includes the plate 14 having a substantial reinforcement boss 17 and the lower plate 15 having a slightly smaller reinforcement boss 18.

Alternatively, or in addition, the foot of the bollard may be a tight fit within the bosses. It is important that the connection is such that the bollard is resistant to shearing off.

The mounting shown in Figures 1 to 5 enables bollards such as bollard 16 to be mounted securely, even in areas where there is little available excavation depth.

In use the mounting is laid in position and is then imbedded in a setting material such as concrete. The concrete fills the spacing within the frame and the reinforcing mesh 13 reinforces the concrete. Because the mounting lies in a plane which extends over a substantial area the mounting provides strong resistance to the bollard being toppled over, even if struck forcibly by a vehicle. Furthermore, the ballast affect of the planar structure is given substantially by the setting material. Consequently, the frame of the planar structure can be easily handled and arranged in position, for example, the precise location and exact setting of the bollard can be fine tuned easily. The ballast of the setting material being added once in place.

Figures 6 to 10 show a similar mounting, but with somewhat smaller dimensions. For instance, the width of both planar structures is approximately 1.15m. However, the length of the larger structure is approximately 1.35m whereas the smaller mounting has a length of approximately 0.75m. The frames forming the planar structure may suitably be formed from universal I beam having a height of approximately 0.15m, where the height of the beam is approximately equal to the depth of the structure. The bollard may be any suitable size, shape or construction, but is shown suitably as a tube or cylinder. Suitably, the diameter of the bollard may be approximately 0.168m. When a circular or square cross sectional bollard is used, the thickness of the bollard in the length and width is substantially the same and taken as a measurement between the maximum extents. However, the bollard may have a thickness in a length and width direction which are different, for instance if the bollard has a rectangular cross section.. Apart from dimensions, generally similar components are envisaged between the large and small exemplary examples and the same reference numerals are used to indicate these components in the figures.

Figures 11 to 14 show various stages in the installation of an embodiment of a mounting 20 for a bollard 21, the foot of the bollard being welded to the bosses 17 and 18, which are not actually visible in Figure 11 to 14.

The mounting 20 is placed in a shallow trench as shown in Figure 11. Figure 12 shows the 1 0 mounting 20 in its final position, to a larger scale.

The installation shown in the figures may be used to support three bollards and so at either end of the mounting 20, which is a smaller dimension mounting as shown in Figures 6 to 10, there are two more mountings 22 and 23, each of these being the larger version shown in Figures ltoS.

To provide further security against toppling, the three mountings are connected together by reinforcing bars 24.

The components, such as the reinforcing bars 24, which are used to interconnect the mountings, will be chosen dependent upon the impact anticipated in relation to the use to which any particular installation is to be put.

In some installations, not all the mountings will be provided with a bollard. In the installation shown in Figure 11, for example, the mountings 22 and 23 may be left free of bollards, and may simply be placed in position to provide greater resistance to movement of the mounting if the bollard 21 receives an impact Figure 13 shows concrete being poured around and over the mountings to fill the trench, and the hollows within the mountings.

Figure 14 shows the poured concrete being smoothed over. The concrete can either provide the finished surface, or paving or other surface material can be applied over the top of the planar structure.

Although preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A bollard mounting for mounting a bollard and for use with a setting material, the bollard mounting comprising a planar structure having means to receive and secure a foot of the bollard, the planar structure being adapted to be set in a setting material, and the area of the planar structure being large in relation to the depth of the planar structure.
2. The bollard mounting of Claim 1, wherein the area of the planar structure is 5000 times greater than the depth of the planar structure.
3. The bollard mounting of claim I or 2 for mounting a bollard having a thickness in a width and length direction, wherein a forward projection of the planar structure from a centre of the means to receive the bollard in the length direction is greater than 200% of the thickness of the mounted bollard in the length direction.
4. The bollard mounting of any of claims I to 3 for mounting a bollard having a thickness in a width and length direction, wherein a rearward projection of the planar structure from a centre of the means to receive the bollard in the length direction is greater than 200% of the thickness of the mounted bollard in the length direction.
5. The bollard mounting of any of claims 1 to 4 for mounting a bollard having a thickness in a width and length direction, wherein each side projection of the planar structure from a centre of the means to receive the bollard in the width direction is greater than 200% of the thickness of the mounted bollard in the width direction.
6. The bollard mounting of any of claims I to 5, wherein the planar structure comprises a plurality of open pockets for being filled with the setting material.
7. The bollard mounting of any of claims I to 6, wherein the planar structure comprises a frame.
8. The bollard mounting of claim 7, wherein the frame comprises an outer frame having at least two sides and a cross-linking member connecting said sides.
9. The bollard mounting of claim 7, wherein the means to receive the bollard is restrained by the cross-linking member.
10. The bollard mounting of any of claims 7 to 9, wherein the planar structure includes reinforcing mesh secured to the frame, the mesh providing open pockets.
11. The bollard mounting of any of claims 10 -11, wherein the means for receiving the foot of the bollard comprises spaced apertures.
12. A bollard mounting system comprising a plurality of interconnected bollard mountings, wherein each bollard mounting is as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11,
13. A bollard system comprising a bollard mounting and a bollard, the bollard mounting being as claimed in any of claims I to 12, wherein the bollard is mountable to the bollard mounting.
14. The bollard system of claim 13, wherein, when mounted the bollard has an upstanding height, and the depth of the planar structure of the bollard mounting is less than 20% of the upstanding height of the bollard.
15. A method of installing a bollard mounting, bollard mounting system or bollard system as claimed in any of claims I to 14, the method comprising: excavating a trench for receiving the bollard mounting; arranging the bollard mounting within the excavated trench; filling pockets within a planar structure of a bollard mounting with a setting material.