GB2489437A

GB2489437A - An adaptor plate for and an improved method of replacing pay and display machines

Info

Publication number: GB2489437A
Application number: GB1105106.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert George Foreman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-03-28
Filing date: 2011-03-28
Publication date: 2012-10-03
Also published as: GB201105106D0

Abstract

The invention provides an adaptor plate for use in replacing a pay and display ticket machine, the adaptor plate comprising securing means to enable the adaptor plate to be secured to a cradle associated with an existing pay and display machine, the cradle already in place in the ground. The adaptor plate may have a central aperture for cabling and engagement means for the new machine. Resin anchors may also be used to secure the adaptor plate to the existing cradle. In another aspect, the present invention also provides a method of replacing pay and display machines comprising the following steps: removing the existing machine from the ground by removing solid concrete to expose the existing cradle which was already encased in concrete approximately 75mm below ground level, fitting the adaptor plate onto the existing cradle; filling the opening in the ground with rapid hardening concrete; and mounting the new machine on engagement means provided on the adaptor plate. The use of the adaptor plate allows a new pay and display machine to be retrofitted to a pre-existing cradle, reducing waste and requiring fewer site visits for the installation of the new ticketing machine.

Description

AN ADAPTOR PLATE FOR AND AN IMP ROVED METHOD OF

REPLACING PAY AND DISPLAY MACHINES

The present invention relates to an adaptor plate for use in replacing a pay and display machine with another pay and display machine. The present invention also relates to a method of replacing a pay and display machine.

A pay and display machine refers to a machine or meter which is located at various distances along a street where car parking must be paid for, usually by the hour, and the machine accepts payment and dispenses a ticket which the motorist must then display on his/her car to indicate that parking has been paid for a specified time period.

The adaption plate of the present invention is designed to minimise disruption of service when replacing a pay and display machine, for example, when changing over from a pay and display machine of one type to a machine of another type.

Replacing of one type of parking machine to another is required when the Local Authorities change from using one provider to another provider and the type of machine that each provider uses, is of a different type. Replacing a pay and display machine may also be required if a particular machine breaks down or requires maintenance work at a different location.

It is to be understood that in the present specification, the term "replacing a pay and display machine with another pay and display machine" includes replacement of one type of pay and display machine with another type and also includes replacement of a pay and display machine with the same type as is required in the event of breakage or maintenance.

At present, pay and display machines are changed over in one of two ways: (1) a hole is dug at the new pay and display position at which a pay and display machine is to be located; a cradle is inserted to which the pay and display machine can be fixed concrete is poured into the hole which when set, will form a concrete base with cradle or fixings embedded in the concrete; when the concrete is set, the new machine is mounted onto concrete base; the old machine is removed and the old pay and display position is reinstated so as to be available for operation.

This replacement process has the disadvantage that it involves at least two but more probably, three or more visits to the site. Digging the hole on the street involves breaking up the solid concrete with the associated concrete waste to be disposed of. Furthermore, establishing a new position for a pay and display machine can lead to disputes over the new site of the pay and display machine, even when moved very little distance from previous site; alternatively, the following prior art method is used: (2) the old machine is removed and existing concrete base is removed by breaking up the existing concrete base using a jack hammer; concrete is poured in with cradle or fixings embedded in concrete. When concrete is set, the new machine is mounted into concrete base.

This replacement process involves two visits to site, and the pay and display machine losing a minimum of one day's revenue, or possibly two days, if the area is not enforceable.

In addition to the above indicated disadvantages, it is extremely difficult to excavate the existing solid concrete base as there is a cradle or fixings embedded into it and often, electric cables which provide electricity to the pay and display machines are also embedded in the concrete base. Furthermore, there is usually a host of other plant in close proximity, e.g. electricity/lighting cables, telecommunications, gas, water, drains, culverts, collars, all close to the area of solid concrete being broken up by a jack hammer.

If the existing pay and display machine was serviced using the mains electricity supply, then the electric cut out (plastic fuse house) will be exposed when the concrete base has been broken up and excavated. The electric cut out will need to be secured and kept waterproof overnight while the freshly poured concrete is setting. Since the mains electric cut out may be still live because it is providing electrical supply to other machines in the circuit, this is a highly hazardous situation as the mains electric cut out is left without full protection on a street.

The present invention seeks to alleviate the disadvantages associated with known methods and practices involved in replacing a pay and display machine.

Accordingly, the present invention provides an adaptor plate for use in replacing a pay and display machine, the adaptor plate comprising securing means to enable the adaptor plate to be secured to a cradle associated with a pay and display machine of a first type which cradle is already in place in the ground.

The adaptor plate also includes a central (cut out) aperture to allow electrical cable to be passed through the central aperture so as to provide electrical power to the pay and display machine. The adaptor plate also includes holes at predetermined locations which match up with correspondingly located fixings on the cradle already embedded in concrete in the ground. Fixings such as bolts fit into the holes to secure the adaptor plate to the existing cradle in the ground.

Preferably, six bolts are used to secure the adaptor plate to the existing cradle associated with the pay and display machine of the first type which machine is too replaced but in the methods of the invention, the existing cradle remains embedded in the concrete.

The adaptor plate further includes holes for insertion therethrough of anchors which are advantageously, resin anchor fittings. Furthermore, the adaptor plate includes engagement means for engaging with and securing the adaptor place to a pay and display machine of a second type. The engagement means preferably comprises a plurality of uprights studs. The studs ideally, may be threaded. Optionally, there may be 4 upright studs.

The adaptor plate may preferably be approximately 10mm in thickness.

The adaptor plate of the present invention has the advantage that it can be not only fitted to existing fixings but additional fixings can be drilled to the depth of existing cradle (some existing fixings may have been damaged in the removal of the previous pay and display machine).

Advantageously, resin anchors are used to provide maximum strength. The adaptor plate of the present invention has fixing bolts welded to it which will extend up into the replacement pay and display machine which can be fitted immediately to the adaptor plate. The mains electric cut out (if the pay and display machine is supplied with power from the mains supply) can then be housed securely inside the new pay and display machine and is thus safe from being tampered with. The area around the pay and display machine can be reinstated immediately and the replacement machine can be put into operation within an hour of the old machine having been emptied and removed. Old or new machines can be used, fixed to temporary fixing plate in vicinity thus having no downtime thus no loss of revenue.

In another aspect, the present invention also provides a method of replacing pay and display machines, comprising the following steps: removing the existing machine from the ground by removing solid concrete to expose the existing cradle which was already encased in concrete approximately 75mm below ground level, this cradle having been previously installed to support the existing machine; fitting the adaptor plate onto the cradle; filling the opening in the ground with rapid hardening concrete up to ground level; and mounting the new machine on engagement means provided on the adaptor plate.

Preferably, the method of the present invention also includes the step of inserting anchors to give added strength to comply with fixing down specifications. The anchors are inserted after the step of fitting the adaptor plate onto the cradle.

This process has the significant advantage that it eliminates the need to excavate the existing concrete base below the initial 75mm depth.

Excavating the concrete base is often hazardous due to the proximity of underground services to the cradle encased in the concrete base and often because the electric feed line to the pay and display machine is also encased in the concrete base. In the method of the present invention, excavating the concrete base is no longer necessary; the existing concrete only needs to be opened up to approximately 75mm depth to expose the cradle and no deeper than that.

Preferably, the engagement means provided on the adaptor plate comprise protruding studs which ideally, are threaded studs.

Additional advantages of this method are the dramatic reduction in overall commercial waste which heretofore resulted from the changeover process of replacing pay and display machines. Concrete accounts for the greatest tonnage of material that ends up in landfill from the pay and display machine changeovers using the traditional methods described above. The method of the present invention significantly reduces a company's waste management costs and landfill taxes. Another great advantage with the adaptor plate of the present invention is the versatility of it; if the pay and display machines are changed over to solar powered machines, for example, the live circuit can remain safely intact for future developments such as electric car power points.

It is to be understood that the adaptor plate of the present invention can be used for replacing a first pay and display machine with a replacement (i.e. a second) machine of the same type or for replacing a pay and display machine of a first type with pay and display machines of a second type.

The adaptor plate in accordance with the present invention will now be described in one embodiment, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view of the adaptor plate for replacing a pay and display machine of one type with a pay and display machine of another type; Figure 2 is a side view of the adaptor plate of Figure 1 showing the securing means for securing the adaptor plate into the existing concrete which is below the cradle associated with the pay and display machine of a first type; Figure 3 is a side view showing the adaptor plate in use securing a pay and display machine of a second type onto the adaptor plate which in turn, is secured to the cradle which was pre-installed in the ground, the cradle having been associated with the pay and display machine of the first type; [prior art] Figure 4 is a is a schematic diagram showing a prior art excavation filled in with concrete to encase the replacement cradle of a second type which is required to fit and secure the pay and display machine of a second type; Figure 5 is a side sectional view through the concrete showing the adaptor plate of the present invention in use with the existing cradle of the first type which was already embedded in the concrete; Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the services including electrical supply cable for the pay and display meter itself, telecommunications, water pipelines, gas pipelines, etc. that must be accommodated and taken into account when replacing pay and display machines.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a typical existing cradle which has already been embedded in the ground; Figure 8 is a plan view of an adaptor plate in a second embodiment; and Figure 9 is a side view of the adaptor plate of Figure 8.

Referring to the Figures, the adaptor plate and method of replacing one pay and display machine which another pay and display machine, will now be described.

In the drawings, an adaptor plate in a first embodiment, in accordance with the invention, is indicated generally by reference numeral 10. The adaptor plate 10 includes a central (cut out) aperture 11 to allow electrical cable to be passed through the central aperture 11 so as to provide electrical power to the pay and display machine. The adaptor plate 10 also includes holes 12 at predetermined locations which match up with correspondingly located fixings on the cradle already embedded in concrete in the ground. Fixings such as bolts 12' fit into the holes 12 to secure the adaptor plate 10 to the existing cradle I in the ground.

Preferably, six bolts are used to secure the adaptor plate to the existing cradle associated with the pay and display machine of the first type which machine is to be replaced but in the method of the present invention, the existing cradle remains embedded in the concrete.

The adaptor plate further includes holes 13 for insertion therethrough of resin anchor fittings 14. Furthermore, the adaptor plate 10 includes four upright studs 15 for engaging with and securing the adaptor place 10 to a pay and display machine of a second type.

The adaptor plate 10 is preferably approximately 10mm in thickness.

Accordingly, the method of replacing pay and display machines in accordance with the present invention comprises the following steps: Once the existing machine has been removed, the adaptor plate 10 fits onto the cradle which was already encased in concrete approximately 75mm below ground level, this cradle having been previously installed to support the existing machine. Extra M16 resin anchors are then used to give added strength to comply with fixing down specifications; The opening is then filled with rapid hardening concrete to ground level, the new machine can be mounted on the protruding threaded studs. In this embodiment, there are four threaded studs.

Referring now to Figure 3, the adaptor plate 10 will be described in the context of the method of installing it in the ground in the process of replacing a pay and display machine and securing the replacement machine in the ground.

With reference to the drawings, the existing cradle I is already in the ground, encased in existing concrete (indicated in the drawings by the letters, EC) as a result of a previous installation operation.

The adaptor plate 10 is placed onto the cradle I and the adaptor plate 10 is positioned so that the holes 12 are in line with the existing cradle fitting holes (not shown). Fixing means such as bolts 12' are inserted into the holes 12 and the adaptor plate 10 is secured to the existing cradle 1.

The additional anchors 14 are then inserted in through the holes 13 and the anchors are secured to the adaptor plate using bolts 13'.

With the adaptor plate 10 secured to the cradle 1, the replacement pay and display machine is then connected to the plate 10 using the upright studs 15. New rapid set concrete (NC), indicated generally by reference numeral 100, is poured onto the adaptor plate 10 and the around the foot of the replacement pay and display machine so as to encase the adaptor plate 10 and the replacement pay and display machine in concrete in the ground. The newly placed concrete (NC) is brought up to ground level (GL).

The method of the invention has the advantage that the pre-existing cradle has been utilised in the replacement operation, and there is no requirement to break up all the existing concrete (EC) located below the level of the cradle I which had already been placed in the ground in an earlier separate installation operation.

It will of course be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific details described herein which are given by way of example only and that various modifications and alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

United Kingdom Patent Application No. GBIIO51OG.7

ROBERT GEORGE FOREMAN

Key for drawings identifying reference numerals and corresponding features of the adaptor pjje of the invention and associated method of rep!aci,n pay and display nj.chines f Reference Figure No. numeral/letter Feature Figure 1 25 Hole for electncal cable entry Figure 2 20 Indicates the welds/welding of studs 15 to adapter plate 10 and to ___________ _______________ the nuts on the studs 15 as shown in Figure 2 _______________ Bolts 12' and upright studs 15 ________________ Figure 4 Prior art excavation filled with concrete to encase a new cradle

(Prior art)

*. -G Gap for electric caeentu _____________________ Figure 5 15 Studs 15 on which to mount new machine 14 M16 resin anchors for security ___________ A Area that can be drilled for security fixings Figure 6 EP&DM Existing pay and display machine bolted to the cradle EC Existing concrete GL Gas lines ECr Existing cradle encased in concrete EPL Electrical power line S Other potential services e.g. telecommunications, water ECt Electrical cut out _________ _____ N ini FM' (tar, paviors, etc) _______________ Figure 7 Shows a typical existing cradle 200 but with the following features in accordance with the method of the invention; 212 Sockets (holes) for bolting down pay and display machine in accordance with the method of the present invention; 213 Holes 13 cut through existing cradle in accordance with the method of present invention, to drill for extra security fixing to concrete; and 225 Hole for electrical cable entry (when pay and display machine is _____________ removed, direction of cable can be seen and thus avoided) Figure 8 12 Eight countersunk holes for fixings to existing cradle Eight studs to secure the new pay and display machine to the adapter plate 10 Welds on the studs 15 Hole/opening for electrical cable __________ P 10mm steelate ________________

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. An adaptor plate for use in replacing a pay and display machine, the adaptor plate comprising securing means to enable the adaptor plate to be secured to a cradle associated with a pay and display machine of a first type which cradle is already in place in the ground.
2. An adaptor plate as claimed in claim I wherein the adaptor plate also includes a central aperture to allow electrical cable to be passed through the central aperture so as to provide electrical power to the pay and display machine.
3. An adaptor plate as claimed in claim 1 wherein the adaptor plate also includes holes adapted to engage with fixings, the holes being located at predetermined locations which match with correspondingly located fixings on the cradle already embedded in concrete in the ground, whereby the fixings such as bolts are engageable in the holes to secure the adaptor plate to the existing cradle in the ground, and whereby the adaptor CO plate can be not only fitted to existing fixings but additional fixings can be drilled to the depth of existing cradle.N

C'\I 20
4. An adaptor plate as claimed in claim 3 wherein a plurality of fixings are used to secure the adaptor plate to the existing cradle associated with the pay and display machine of the first type which machine is to be replaced and wherein the existing cradle remains embedded in the concrete in the ground.
5. An adaptor plate as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the adaptor plate further includes holes for insertion of anchors therethrough which anchors optionally comprise resin anchor fittings.
6. An adaptor plate as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the adaptor plate includes engagement means for engaging with and securing the adaptor place to a pay and display machine of a second type.
7. An adaptor plate as claimed in claim 6 wherein the engagement means preferably comprises a plurality of uprights studs; optionally, the upright studs are threaded.
8. An adaptor plate as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the adaptor plate is approximately 10mm in thickness.
9. An adaptor plate as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the adaptor plate has fixing means such as fixing bolts connected to it which, in use, extend up into the replacement pay and display machine which, in use, can be fitted immediately to the adaptor plate whereby the mains electric cut out, which is required if the pay and display machine is supplied with power from the mains supply, can then be housed securely inside the new pay and display machine and is thus safe from being tampered with and whereby the area around the pay and display machine can be reinstated immediately and the replacement machine can be put into operation within a short time of the old machine having been emptied and removed.
10. A method of replacing pay and display machines, using an adaptor plate, the method comprising the following steps: C1) removing an existing pay and display machine from the ground by removing solid concrete to expose the existing cradle which was already encased in concrete below ground level, the cradle having been previously installed to support the existing machine; fitting an adaptor plate onto the cradle; filling the opening in the ground with rapid hardening concrete up to ground level; and mounting a new pay and display machine on engagement means provided on the adaptor plate.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10 wherein the method also includes the step of inserting at least one anchor to give added strength to comply with fixing downpredetermined specifications;preferably, the anchor(s) being inserted after the step of fitting the adaptor plate onto the cradle, whereby the method eliminates the need to excavate the existing concrete base below ground level, and whereby excavating the concrete base is no longer necessary since the pre-existing concrete only needs to be opened up to approximately 75mm depth to expose the cradle.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the engagement means provided on the adaptor plate comprise protruding studs which ideally, are threaded studs.
13. An adaptor plate substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.
14. A method as substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings. c\J r C1)N c\J