GB2519562A

GB2519562A - Modular street furniture support

Info

Publication number: GB2519562A
Application number: GB1318821.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Wear
Original assignee: TREE STREET EQUIPMENT Ltd
Current assignee: TREE STREET EQUIPMENT Ltd
Priority date: 2013-10-24
Filing date: 2013-10-24
Publication date: 2015-04-29
Also published as: GB201318821D0

Abstract

The modular street furniture support 2, 4, 6, 8 comprises at least one module 10, 12, 14, each module comprising four elongate members 20 spaced by a spacing flange 22, 24 at each end thereof, the spacing flanges and four elongate members defining a void therebetween wherein items of street furniture are locatable in or across the void. There may be a plurality of modules, with each subsequent module arranged atop the previous module, the elongate members of each module being axially aligned with those of the previous module. The elongate members may be parallel or convergent. The support may have a top cap 16, which may be illuminated. The support may be wholly or partially clad, and the cladding 60 may be flexible or rigid, and arranged between two, three or four of the elongate members.

Description

MODULAR STREET FURNITURE SUPPORT

Introduction

The present invention relates to a modular street furniture support, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to modules forming the modular street fumiture support.

Backczround Street furniture is provided to deliver civil infrastructure where it is needed. For example, street lighting, traffic signalling and signage, advertising, benches, rubbish bins and information points. More recently, CCTV, wireless communication antennas and satellite communication dishes have also been installed in the public arena.

Commonly, each of these elements of civil infrastructure has been installed on independent support structures. For example, street lighting on lamp posts, usually comprising steel or aluminium tubular columns, CCTV cameras and litter bins as stand alone items. This uncoordinated approach means numerous support structures must be installed, cluttering pavements and creating visual confusion. As typically each item is provided with its own foundation structure, when new elements of street furniture are installed, the paving or base material of the pavement must be altered to accommodate the new element, causing temporary disruption and often an unsightly, patchwork finished effect.

Existing known apparatus for support structures commonly comprise steel or aluminium tubular columns, (straight, stepped no tapering, in elevation, circular or polygonal in section), with brackets and items of equipment welded or clamped to the shaft.

The diameter or lateral dimension of such columns typically range 76mm and 200mm.

This imposes limitations, for structural reasons, on the weight and windage area of any attachments and on the number and size of holes that may be cut into the column for affixing items of equipment. Furthermore, the cost of retro-fltting additional items of street ffirniturc to existing support posts is significant, as site working is expensive and limiting in the processes that may be safely used in public spaces, for example, cutting or welding.

The present invention aims to address one or more of the above mentioned issues.

Statements of Invention

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a modular street frirniture support having at least one module, the at least one module comprising four elongate members, spaced apart by a spacing flange at each end thereof and overlying the ends of the four elongate members, the spacing flanges and four elongate members defining a void therebetween, wherein items of street furniture are locatable in or across the void. The arrangement of the four elongate members provides a rigid and strong support structure, with the void providing space for the location of items of street furniture and further allowing an open lattice structure having an low aerodynamic profile, with no cutting required for locating the items of street furniture, which would otherwise reduce the structural integrity of the support.

Each module may be wholly or partly fitted external, non-structural cladding materials, rigid or flexible, forming an external skin to create a variety of external finishes and concealing and protecting any internal equipment.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the modular street furniture support may have a plurality of modules, arranged with each subsequent module arranged atop the previous module, the four elongate members being of each module being axially aligned with the four elongate members of the previous module.

The four elongate members may be substantially paralle' to one another.

Alternativ&y, the four elongate members may be convergent.

The modular street furniture support may be installed without accessories or have one or more items of street furniture attached thereto, including (but not limited to): Low level lighting, pedestrian crossing push button panel, information panel, doors for access to isolators for lighting and traffic signals, anti climb features, infill panels, pedestrian crossing signals, traffic signal heads, traffic signs, direction signs, wayfinding panels, spot lighting, CCTV cameras, illuminated panels, discharge or LED road lighting fittings, festive decorations, telecommunications antennae, top beacons, loud speakers for public announcement system, public transport signage, additional traffic lights, generic pathway lighting, banners, electrical charging equipment, uplighting fittings, litter-and ash/gum bins, column numbering plates.

Accessories to be attached to the structural support may be specifically designed for the purpose, or standard equipment from other sources with suitable attachment brackctry.

The module may be wholly or partially clad. The cladding advantageously provides protection for equipment housed within the elongate modules, and may also advantageously improve the aesthetic appearance of the structural support. The cladding is not structural and therefore may be made from any material, including translucent panels to allow internal illumination, creating a fully or partially luminous mast.

The modular street furniture support may have an illuminated or non-illuminated top cap.

The cladding may be arranged between two, three or four of the elongate members.

Depending on the size, shape and required orientation of the street furniture to be installed in or across the void of the modular street ifirniture support, various cladding arrangements will be suitable.

Description

The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a schematic representation of 5 different height street furniture support comprising different combinations of modules; FIGURE 2a is a side profile view of a base module; FIGURE 2b is section view through the base module of figure 2a taken at line A-A; FIGURE 2e is a plan view of the base module of figure 2a; FIGURE 3a is a side profile view of a module; FIGURE 3b is section view through the base module of figure 3a taken at line B-B; FIGURE 3c is a plan view of the module of figure 3a; FIGURE 4a is a side profile view of a tapering module; FIGURE 4b is section view through the base module of figure 4a taken at line C-C; FIGURE 4c is a plan view of the tapering module of figure 4a; FIGURE 5 is a schematic representation of the various items of infrastructure which can be supported by the street furniture support at various heights on the street furniture support.

Specific Description

Four separate configurations of the modular street furniture support are shown in Figure 1, alongside a silhouette of a man 1, to give an indication of scale.

A first configuration 2 comprises a straight sided base module 10 with a cap 16 affixed atop. A second configuration 4 comprises a straight sided base module 10 with a straight sided intermediate module 12 affixed atop, with a cap 16 affixed atop. A third configuration 6 comprises a straight sided base module 10 with a straight sided intermediate module 12 affixed atop, a convergent sided intermediate module 14 affixed atop, with a cap affixed atop. A fourth configuration 8 comprises a half-height straight sided base module 18.

Straight sided base module 10 (see figures 2a, 2b and 2c) has four elongate tubular members 20, arranged parallel to one another and connected to a base spacer flange 22 at one end and to a spacer flange 24 at the other end.

Half-height straight sided base module 18 similarly has four elongate tubular members 20, arranged parallel to one another and connected to a base spacer flange 22 at one end and to a spacer flange 24 at the other end. The elongate tubular members 20 are half the length of those of the straight sided base module 10.

Straight sided intermediate module 12 (see figures 3a, 3b and 3c) similarly has four elongate tubular members 20, arranged parallel to one another. The four elongate tube members 20 are connected to two identical spaccr flanges 24 at eithcr end of the elongate members.

Convergent sided intermediate module 14 (see figures 4a, 4b and 4c) comprises four elongate tubular members 20, connected between a spacer flange 24, identical to that used at one end of the straight sided base module 10 and at both ends of the straight sided intermediate module 12, and a modified spacer flange 26, such that the elongate tubular members 20 converge as they approach the modified spacer flange 26.

Straight sided base module 10, straight sided intermediate module 12 and convergent sided intermediate module 14 all include cladding 60, 62, 64 arranged between the elongate tubular members 20. Each section of cladding 60, 62, 64 extends for approximately one third of the height of the elongate tubular members 20. Cladding 62 and 64 are adapted to accommodate the sloping nature of the elongate tubular members 20 of the convergent intermediate module 4.

The elongate tubular members 20 are circular in cross section.

The base spacer flange 22 is a square steel plate with a ground engaging bolt hole 32 arranged in each corner. Four circular recesses 36 (not shown) are arranged adjacent the four ground engaging bolt holes 32. The recesses 36 arc adapted for receiving the elongate tubular members 20. Two holes 38 are provided either side of the circular recesses 36 for attachment of the cladding 60, 62, 64 to the base spacer flange 22. A centrally aligned circular cut-out 28 in the plate reduces the overall weight of the base spacer flange 22 and allows for routing of equipping such as power and signalling cabling.

The spacer flange 24 is a square steel plate with rounded corners. Four circular recesses 46 are arranged adjacent the four rounded corners of the plate and are adapted for receiving the elongate tubular members 20. Two holes 48 are provided either side of the circular recesses 46 for attachment of the cladding 60, 62, 64 to the spacer flange 24. A centrally aligned circular cut-out 30 in the plate reduces the overall weight of the spacer flange 24 and allows for routing of equipping such as power and signalling cabling.

The modified spacer flange 26 is a square steel plate with rounded corners. Four circular recesses 56 are arranged adjacent the four rounded corners of the plate and are adapted for receiving the elongate tubular members 20 at an angle. Two holes 58 are provided either side of the circular recesses 56 for attachment of the cladding 60, 62, 64 to the modified spacer flange 26. A centrally aligned hole 59 is provided in the plate for attachment of a cap member 16.

In use, the various configurations of the modular street furniture support are erected in the urban environment and adorned with the various elements of grid infrastructure (see figure 5).

For example, fifth configuration 200 comprises a straight sided base module 10 with electrical charging equipment 150 for an electric vehicle, door for access to isolators for lighting and traffic signals 108, an anti climb feature 112 and spot lighting 126, a straight sided intermediate module with loud speakers for public announcement systcm 142, LED road lighting 132 and generic pathway lighting 146 and a convergent sided intermediate module 14 with a cap 16 fixed atop, having a top beacon 138.

As will be appreciated, various items of street furniture may be attached to the various configurations of the support structure (not limited to the various examples described above), the items being selectable from, but not limited to the following; 102 Low level lighting 104 Pedestrian Crossing push button panel 106 Information panel 108 Doors for access to isolators for lighting and traffic signals 112 Anticlimbfeature 114 Infih! panels 116 Pedestrian crossing signals 118 Traffic signal heads Traffic signs 122 Direction signs 124 Wayfinding panels 126 Spotlighting 128 CCTV camera Illuminated panels 132 Discharge or LED road lighting fittings 134 Festive decorations 136 Telecommunications antenna 138 Top beacon Public transport signage 142 Loudspeakers for public announcement system 144 Additional traffic lights 146 Generic pathway lighting 148 Banners Electrical charging equipment 152 Uplighting fittings

Claims

SClaims 1. A modular street furniture support having at least one module, the at least one module comprising four elongate members, spaced apart by a spacing flange at each end thereof and overlying the ends of the four elongate members, the spacing flanges and four elongate members defining a void therebetween, wherein items of street fumiture are locatable in or across the void.
2. A modular street furniture support according to claim 1, having plurality of modules, arranged with each subsequent module arranged atop the previous module, the four elongate members being of each module being axially aligned with the four elongate members of the previous module.
3. A modular street furniture support according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the four elongate members are substantially parallel to one another.
4. A modular street furniture support according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the four elongate members are convergent.
5. A modular street furniture support according to any preceding claim, and supporting one or more items of street furniture, selected from the following list of, but not limited to,: Low level lighting, pedestrian crossing push button panel, information panel, doors for access to isolators for lighting and traffic signals, anti climb feature, infill panels, pedestrian crossing signals, traffic signal heads, traffic signs, direction signs, wayfinding panels, spot lighting, CCTV camera, illuminated panels, discharge or LED road lighting fittings, festive decorations, telecommunications antennae, top beacon, loud speakers for public announcement system, public transport signage, additional traffic lights, generic pathway lighting, banners, electrical charging equipment, uplighting fittings, litter and ash and or gum bins, column number plates.
6. A modular street furniture support according to any preceding claim having a top cap.
7. A modular street furniture support according to claim 6, wherein the top cap is illuminated.
8. A modular street furniture support according to any preceding claim wherein the module may bc who] ly or partially clad.
9. A modular street furniture support according to claim 8 wherein the cladding is flexible.
10. A modular street furniture support according to claim 8 wherein the cladding is rigid.
11. A modular street furniture support according to any of claims 8 to 10 wherein the cladding is arranged between two, three or four of the elongate members.
12. A modular street furniture support as substantially herein described and with reference to figures 1 to 5.