GB2541372A

GB2541372A - Display posts

Info

Publication number: GB2541372A
Application number: GB1513375.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Charlton Stephen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-07-29
Filing date: 2015-07-29
Publication date: 2017-02-22
Also published as: GB201513375D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a display post which comprises a substantially rigid open-ended elongate tubular column 2, a demountable display wrap 5 mounted in use wrapping around the wall 4 of the tubular column and an end-cap 6 demountably mounted to an end of the tubular column and constraining the display wrap in place from that end. The display wrap is inter-changeable and yet safe from damage and secure against tampering. The assembly can be deployed free-standing (Fig. 6), fixed to the ground to act as a bollard (Fig. 5), as a wall-mounted post (Fig. 7) or as a cover to existing bollards (Figs 1-4). An adjustable expansion bracket (Fig 9b) may be provided that enables the display post to be oriented vertically when fixed to skewed or angled bollards, etc. The display post provides enhanced height and visibility of bollards to minimise collisions. Part of the column may be removed to enable it to be attached flush to a flat wall or an inside or outside corner (Fig. 11).

Description

Display Posts

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns improvements in and relating to display posts and primarily, but not exclusively, concerns assemblies for mounting to bollards or for forming bollards for advertisement displays or other purposes.

Background to the Invention

Bollards are a familiar feature of our streets, generally used to limit or prevent vehicular access to selected areas of road or pavement and commonly to protect pedestrians from traffic. However, bollards are not without their problems. Their very presence can present a safety hazard to pedestrians as well as a hazard to vehicles. Frequently bollards lie below normal sight level of the average pedestrian when at close proximity and can represent a serious safety hazard to the elderly, infirm and/ or the visually impaired. Even fit, healthy adults with good eye-sight can walk into a bollard and injure their knee or shin or worse. Often bollards will also fall well below visual range to motorists when reversing in vehicles, as the vehicle rear window is well above the height of the bollard, and can lead to reversing collisions with the bollard damaging the vehicle bumper and/ or the bollard itself.

Where there are bollard installations that are vertically unaligned, ie which have widely varying bollard heights, are leaning, tilted or skewed, the disjointed bollard arrangement can not only be even more visually unattractive than usual but also can exacerbate the poor visibility of some of the bollards and increase risk of collisions. Such vertical misalignment of bollards can be very expensive and time-consuming to subsequently correct after bollard installation and many occur as a result of collisions after installation. Many recognised poor installations and bollard collision trouble-spots are left unaltered for that reason.

Temporary bollards with bases that facilitate removal although useful in some locations have further problems in that they often leave either a hazardous and unsightly base unit or they leave a large hole in the ground when removed. Freestanding bollards or stanchions avoid such problems but, again, in pedestrian areas they can further exacerbate trip hazards due to their necessarily wider base area/ protrusions.

Other than bollards, display-related street furniture, conventional displays/ signage may also be sited in pedestrian areas such as pavements. These include A-boards, sandwich boards and hanging swing signs all further adding to collision/ trip hazard potential for pedestrians due to their frequently low angles and protrusions. Such signage also tends to fall below the general eye line at close proximity and further add to the amount of unnecessary street furniture in public areas.

Protection and maintenance of the bollards themselves is a further problem area that requires attention. Cosmetic repair and maintenance to bollards can be very costly and time-consuming to carry out and often with poor results when attempting to repair scratches, remove graffiti, or when repainting rusted metal or chipped paintwork which only adds another layer to the unsightly problem and further diminishes their original aesthetics.

As a partial solution to the above problems bollard covers/ casings have been developed over recent years to provide some element of impact cushioning for collisions and/or to provide a replaceable external surface to the bollard. In some cases the covers may be adapted for advertisement display/ signage too. However all of these existing bollard covers can still be expensive to replace or repair and any display surface or media is generally not protected from degradation, vandalism or general wear-and-tear. The existing bollards and sleeve-form/ tubular bollard covers generally lack the versatility of secure, yet easily interchangeable, parts or sections for aesthetic variation or for economical repair, maintenance or replacement. Existing bollard covers tend to either be substantially permanent and difficult to remove once secured, or fail to offer adequate security against theft or vandalism for both short-term and long-term use, especially when the sleeve has a substantially wider diameter than the bollard to be covered. Fitting of bollard covers securely can be difficult when bollard widths/ diameters can vary quite substantially.

Many bollard covers are formed of rigid plastics tubes such as of HDPE, while in the recent patent prior art, stretchable fabric sleeves are proposed as an alternative. For example, US patent application US2014/0053441 discloses elastic flexible textile bollard covering tubular sleeves that are adapted to stretch over a bollard’s post and be held by the elastic tension or with aid of an elastic cinch or drawstring. These may be imprinted with advertising or other signage.

Such sleeves are of moderate cost but do not suit or fit all bollards or posts, are not secure at all against theft or vandalism and do nothing to alter the bollard’s profile.

In US patent applications US2013/8607488 and US20120090207 are disclosed bollard advertising covers that comprise a rigid tubular bollard shield to mount down over a bollard and imprinted with advertising, the tube having a domed upper end and resembling a test tube. An optional resilient sheath may be further provided to slip over the shield for additional advertising. An array of compressible foam pads is provided to be positioned in use over the bollard in the shield gap between the bollard and the bollard shield to mount the shield in place. Such systems are not inexpensive and are relatively awkward and costly to install and are insecure against theft or vandalism.

In US patent US5500642 a deflecting bollard is proposed having the structural strength to resist collision by a motor vehicle. It is hinged to its base by a stout spring and includes a rubber outer cover and a foam rubber internal resilient layer, both surrounding a metal core tube member. Warning indicia may be imprinted on the outer cover. The structure of the post is designed to compress resiliently and lean over if impacted by a motor vehicle whereby the guarded structure and vehicle can be spared substantial damage. Such systems are specialized, very expensive and suitable only for particularly vulnerable locations such as petrol stations or the like. US patent application US 20110298604 provides a bollard cover system having a soft bollard cover that may carry advertising on a close-fitting foam shock absorbing component that surrounds the bollard and with a transparent outer cover layer to shield the advertising from the weather but no rigid casing and again with no security against theft or vandalism. As with the rest of the prior art, there is also no solution to the problem of bollard height or width variance or of bollard skew/tilt.

Canadian patent CA 2462739 provides a warning protector for bollards comprising a composite assembly of interconnecting sections and an end cap that is fixed in place and with warning indicia permanently fixed to the outside of the tube. The protector is not adapted for inter-changeability of signage nor for ease of maintenance and fails to address the other afore-mentioned problems of the art. US patent application US 20090178316 discloses a post cover having at its top an advertising holder comprising a capped transparent /translucent cylinder with an inner surface to receive an insert bearing textual or graphical material visible through the cylinder. This allows for replacement of the material but provides no security nor versatility for adjusting for bollard sizes, nor mitigates against the other noted problems of the prior art. US patent application US 20070278466 discloses a rigid tubular bollard cover with a rod and annulus spacer frame of fixed dimensions to allow a large diameter cover sleeve to fit over a smaller diameter post. The bollard cover and frame allows for removal of the cover but has no security, is not low cost for maintenance, is unsuitable for changing displays and does not mitigate against the other noted problems of the prior art. US patent application US 20040194420 is for a cover formed with a curve for receiving the bollard/ stanchion post in the interior cavity in force-fit engagement. This can actually exacerbate the asymmetry and lack of alignment problems of the art noted above. US patent application US 20070104536 concerns an elongate sleeve retention device adapted to securely retain an elongate sleeve on a post. The retention device couples between the bollard and bollard cover to resist inadvertent dissociation from the bollard but still provides no security against theft or vandalism nor mitigates against any of the other noted problems of the prior art.

Beyond all the afore-discussed problems of bollards and like ground-mounted posts, in some cases it is not practical to install bollards on the ground. For example, shop owners wishing to have bollards installed directly outside their store boundary may not get the required permission to secure them to the ground and the prior art provides no secure alternatives.

It is an object of the present invention to address problems of the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to provide, inter alia, a display post assembly that can be multi-purpose and which may have, for example, the versatility of being used as a fixed bollard, a free-standing bollard, a bollard extension and expansion sleeve, a bollard angle-correction sleeve, or even a wall-mounted post. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a display post assembly comprising elements such as replaceable and interchangeable wraps and co-operating caps, trims and brackets, and which allows for convenient and economical installation and repair or replacement of the elements of the assembly.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a display post assembly which comprises: i) a substantially rigid open-ended elongate tubular column; ii) a demountable display wrap mounted in use wrapping around the wall of the tubular column ; and iii) an end-cap demountably mounted to an end of the tubular column in use and constraining the demountable display wrap in place from that end.

In one aspect the present invention provides a display post assembly having a substantially rigid open-ended elongate tubular column mounted in use to a bollard extending upwardly from the bollard to substantially extend the height of the bollard. Whereas the average bollard height is generally between 52cm and 110cm above ground level, the extension provided by the present invention may extend the height by from of the order of 10cm to of the order of 50cm or more, ie by of the order of 10% or more to bring the bollard better into visual range to a pedestrian or, indeed, a reversing car driver. The tubular column again preferably has one or more replaceable and interchangeable wraps applied around the tubular column.

The display wrap is a sheet, laminate or thin flexible panel that wraps around (ie encircles) the tubular column and which is preferably marked or electrically energised or illuminated to provide a graphic display and to serve for the purpose of enhancing visibility for pedestrian safety and column protection. The display wrap can enhance aesthetics and serve for advertising if desired. The demountable end-cap is demountably secured to the top end of the column to be re-mounted after replacing or inter-changing the display wrap and may itself be replaced/ inter-changed. Particularly preferably the display wrap has Pressure Sensitive Adhesive to releasably adhere it to the tubular column or to itself in edge-to-edge overlap wrapped around the tubular column. The display wrap is particularly preferably furled around the tubular column at point of use. Alternatively it may be furled to a tubular form or made to a tubular form in advance and then slid down over the tubular column at point of use.

The assembly particularly preferably further comprises fastening means to secure the tubular column in its installation place. The fastening means preferably comprise one or more from a set of interchangeable bases or brackets. The display post assembly can be utilised in a wide variety of applications, including being used as a fixed bollard post, a free-standing bollard post, a bollard extension/ expansion post sleeve, an angle-correcting bollard cover, an extension/ expansion post sleeve, and/ or as a wall-mounted display-post.

By use of replaceable display wraps the present invention helps protect the column of the display post from general wear and tear, abuse, graffiti and other cosmetic damage. This allows the display post to be easily and economically restored back to its original condition when the wrap is changed and enables the multi-purpose display post to have an extended life.

As additional protection, preferably a laminated-on over-layer is applied over the top (outer in use face) of the replaceable wrap and which will extend life of the wrap and the column. Preferably, an edge sealing compound is applied to seal the exposed edge of the wrap, and/or laminate if present, for increased durability.

Optionally, one or more reflective strips, glowing strips, or LED strips or individual one or more LEDs may be applied to the tubular column, display wrap, and/or the end-cap for enhanced visual-aid.

Particularly preferably the end-cap is secured to the column by key/tool-releasable fastenings, preferably integrated resilient clips, which enable the cap to be released via a tool to depress the clips for easy cap and wrap replacement. The use of a key/tool-release substantially further protects against vandalism and theft. In other variants the cap may be secured using one or more locks, bolts or screws, including, for example, a pin-lock or plug-in/push-button/plunger cylinder lock such as are readily available and commonly used on sliding doors. Security bolts such as, for example, pin hex screws or pig nose screws are also preferable since when using them there would be no socket to remove from the tubular column when re-wrapping.

Preferably, the end-cap is made of metallic or reflective material to maximize visibility. Preferably, the assembly comprises a set of end caps that are interchangeable, e.g. to meet a customer’s individual aesthetic requirements.

Particularly preferably a tubular base trim is provided that encircles the base of the tubular column. This can serve to constrain the opposing end of the display wrap in use protecting it from damage. This tubular base trim is also preferably secured to the tubular column by key/tool-releasable fastenings, preferably integrated clips or pin-lock/ plug-in cylinder lock or security bolt as noted above. The use of a key/tool-release substantially further protects against vandalism and theft. In other variants the cap may be secured using one or more locks, bolts or screws. Preferably, the base-trim is made of metallic or reflective material to maximize visibility. Preferably, the assembly comprises a set of tubular base trims that are interchangeable, e.g. to meet a customer’s individual aesthetic requirements

When fitted as a cover over an existing bollard, the display post assembly is configured to serve as a bollard extension and expansion sleeve making the bollard substantially higher and preferably also substantially wider and therefore easier to be seen by foot traffic, thereby increasing the safety and lowering the risk of injuries in pedestrian areas. The display post assembly can easily slide over and securely lock onto substantially all regular bollards.

The display post assembly can be used as a safer alternative to standard pavement signs such as A-boards, sandwich boards or swing signs, as the display post has no low or horizontally protruding trip hazards. It can also reduce the amount of excess street furniture required when placed over existing bollards - eliminating the need for low-level obstacles and further improving pedestrian safety by also increasing the original bollard’s height and width.

Preferably the display post assembly comprises at least one adjustable bollard expansion bracket that mounts the assembly as a sleeve to a bollard and being adapted for adjusting the radial spacing between the tubular column and the bollard. Preferably there are at least a pair of such brackets, one upper and one lower down the column. The expansion bracket(s) allow the tubular column to slide over the bracket and clip or lock in place either below the bracket, or via outer bracket holes for specific directional positioning.

Alternatively and preferably where a tubular base trim is provided the tubular column can clip on or lock on to the tubular base-trim and the tubular base trim may itself clip or lock securely onto the expansion bracket.

The one or more expansion brackets allow the tubular column to be suspended in a radially centralized position relative to the longitudinal axis of the bollard or tilted relative to it adjusting for skew. The adjustable expansion brackets can also serve to counteract minor vertical deviations of misaligned bollards to ensure that the applied display post is correctly aligned in the vertical position.

Although the expansion bracket will secure onto almost any smaller size bollard of any shape or of any decorative detailing, there may be instances where the assembly may further comprise a filler, block or wedge made of rubber, silicone or other suitable material to assist in clamping the arms securely - for example -to square, triangular or rectangular bollards or bollards with substantial vertical grooves or trenches where voids require packing or filling for a secure fit. The metal arms of the expansion bracket may also be coated in rubber or silicone or heat-shrink tubing or similar to improve grip and to further protect the aesthetics of the bollard or post from the grip of the arms.

The display post assembly is very versatile and may also be used as a bollard itself. It may be fixed to the ground or a wall or other surface by an internal base bracket which may be secured inside the tubular column, or tubular base trim when present, using one or more clips, locks or bolts. This leaves no low horizontally protruding trip hazards exposed.

The internal base-bracket is preferably fastened to the ground or to a wall using one or more anchor-bolts. When only one anchor bolt is used, a lock or pin may also be inserted to prevent the bracket from turning or the bolts from loosening. The base bracket and the tubular column can easily be removed and replaced using the appropriate tools. Once removed, only the female section of the anchor bolt will remain anchored in the ground and flush with the surface to ensure there are no trip hazards.

Where no ground fixture is required, the display post assembly may be used as an independently free-standing bollard by using an internal base-weight which may be secured inside the tubular column or tubular base trim using one or more clips, locks or bolts, leaving no low or horizontally protruding trip hazards exposed. The internal base-weight may be removed and replaced as required.

If desired, the display post assembly may be installed as a wall-mounted post by using one or more wall-mounting brackets which may be screwed, bolted or locked onto the wall. The tubular column may be secured, directly or indirectly, to the wall bracket using one or more removable locks or bolts so as to be easily removed and securely replaced if required. Preferably, when the multi-purpose display post is wall-mounted an additional end-cap is secured to the second end of the column.

The wall-mounted post may be installed in any chosen orientation including, for example, parallel to the wall or perpendicular to the wall and vertically oriented or horizontally oriented or any chosen angle in between if required. For mounting to a wall parallel to the wall the mounting bracket is preferably provided as a pair and preferably the mounting bracket is formed with a cradle for the display post.

Where the display post is mounted extending substantially perpendicularly to a wall an internal base-bracket may be used. In this case, the tubular column may be a shorter length in comparison to the standard lengths used in other applications due to the nature of its function. A tubular base-trim may also be used.

When wall-mounted, as a space-saving alternative, sections of the tubular column may be used for wall or corner mounted display posts by using sections/ sectors of tubular column spanning 90° or less through to 270° or more of the circumference of a circular cylindrical tubular column. There is suitably an optional one or more end-caps shaped to match.

In an end-use specific refinement for charities or the like, a cash collection point may be integrated inside the extension sleeve with one or more slots on the cap or column for donations.

For customers requiring display posts with rotational capabilities, a spindle or bearing mechanism may be provided to the display post assembly for either manual or motorised spinning of the column.

For customers requiring display posts with audio capabilities, an internal sound system may be implemented for multiple uses including music, audio advertising, a public address system, or for one or two-way communication.

Optionally, a transparent or translucent part of the tubular column or end cap may be used for illuminating the multi-purpose display post from within. Custom technology may be implemented which may include - but is not limited to -battery-powered or mains-powered functionality, a solar cap or solar flexi-strip around the column to charge the battery, proximity activation sensors, LEDs, photocells, LED, Digital LED, OLED, AMOLED, 2D, 3D, 4D, holographic, projection, graphene, electro-phoretic and electro-luminescent display means. The display wrap itself may be adapted to display by any of these means.

Other potential extended uses of the display assembly may include, but are not limited to: taxi call points, emergency services call points, information points, parking meters, payphones, bins, stanchions, vertical stools, horizontal seating bars, EAS systems, lighting posts, electronic or digital visual displays, electric car charging points, CCTV posts, pedestrian crossing points and Wi-Fi hotspots.

Brief Description of the Drawings:

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig-1 is a schematic view of a first preferred embodiment of the display post assembly mounted over a regular bollard as a bollard cover/ extension sleeve and having a base-trim and a pin projecting into a socket to secure the extension to the bollard;

Fig-2 is a schematic view of the display post assembly mounted as a bollard extension sleeve over a decorative bollard with a pin engaging an annular rib of the bollard;

Fig.3 is a schematic view of a relatively wide display post assembly used as a bollard extension/expansion sleeve over a bollard using a pair of upper and lower adjustable expansion brackets and with a locking means/ pin-in-socket fastening means or bolt to secure;

Fig-4 is a schematic view of the Fig.3 display post assembly used as a bollard extension and expansion sleeve over a vertically skewed bollard with the expansion brackets configured to correct the sleeve’s alignment to vertical;

Fig-5 is a schematic view of the display post assembly used as a fixed bollard just prior to screwing into the ground using an internal base bracket and with a pin-lock or bolt to secure the extension, and showing an example display wrap in place;

Fig-6 is a schematic view of the display post assembly used as a free-standing bollard with an internal weighted base plate having a pin-lock or bolt to secure it in place;

Fig-7 is a schematic view of the display post assembly wall-mounted vertically with two end-caps secured in place;

Fig.8 is a more detailed schematic view of the Fig.1 display post assembly with the upper end cap and tubular base trim shown demounted from the tubular column;

Fig.9a is a more detailed view corresponding to the lower part of Fig.3, showing the structure of the adjustable expansion bracket between the inner bollard and the outer tubular column;

Fig.9b is a view corresponding to Fig.9a, but showing both adjustable expansion brackets between the inner bollard and the outer tubular column and as adjusted to vertically correct the profile of a skewed bollard;

Fig. 10a is a detailed schematic view of an expansion bracket clipped inside a tubular base-trim;

Fig.lOb is a detailed schematic view of a free-standing post’s weighted base plate clipped inside a tubular base-trim;

Fig. 10c shows a cross-section view of a ground-anchoring base bracket clipped inside a tubular base-trim; and

Fig-11 is a plan view from above of a series of different examples of sectional wall corner-mounted posts.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figures 1 to 7 illustrate the display post assembly in a series of different modes of use and with the important inner features exposed for clarity.

The post comprises at its heart a circular cylindrical tubular column 2 and may be used with or without a base-trim 1 that is hereshown as an annular collar that encircles the circumference of the base of the column 2. Holes, grooves or slots 3 are provided in the tubular wall 4 of the tubular column 2 to accommodate one or more clips, locks, bolts or screws in order to secure the column 2 tight-fitting directly to a bollard, or to secure the column to a bracket or base plate.

With reference to Fig.8, the hollow cylindrical open-ended column 2 of the post may be made of any metal, plastic or polymeric material. Although the column height may vary from 1 meter or less through to 3 meters or more, in the interest of pedestrian safety the preferred column height is between 1.2 meters and 2 meters from ground-level to ensure that the display post is tall enough to be easily noticed when at close proximity.

The diameter of column 2 is preferably in the range of from 150mm to 500mm but may be less or more. Although the preferred shape of the tubular column is circular cylindrical, any other cross-sectional shapes may be used including, but not limited to, oval, square, rectangular or other polygonal shape (3, 5, 6, 7, 8-sided or more).

One or more holes, grooves or slots 3 are provided on the inside of the tubular column’s tubular wall 4 to accommodate one or more clips 7 to secure the end-cap 6 onto the top end of the column and the optional protective base-trim 8 to the lower end of the column. A second end-cap may optionally be secured to the bottom end of the column 2, most notably if the post is to be wall-mounted. Small release holes are provided through the tubular wall 4 coinciding with the grooves or slots 3 to enable the end-cap or base-trim clips to be released via an external tool inserted into the release hole and projecting to the hole, groove or slot 3.

This hides the release, makes it difficult to operate by other than trained and tooled installation/service personnel and thus renders the release substantially tamper-proof.

The display wrap 5 is generally a thin sheet structure that is preferably made of any flexible pressure-sensitive adhesive-backed material, including but not limited to vinyl, polyester or metal foil. Graphics may be digitally printed or manually applied onto the wrap before the wrap is applied to the column. An over-layer may also be laminated to the wrap to increase protection and durability. Instead of a printed/ inactive display the display wrap 5 could be electro-activated. For example, a graphene film display wrap 5 may be used for digital displays. One or more reflective strips, glow strips or LED strips or individual LEDs may also be applied to the tubular column 2 and may even be laminated or integrated within the display wrap 5. The display wrap 5 may be applied 360° around the outside of the column to cover the entire external surface. The wrap may overlap on itself slightly for a sealed finish, preferably using Pressure Sensitive Adhesive. An edge sealing compound may be applied to seal the remaining exposed edge of the wrap 5 and/or laminate, if present.

The end-cap 6 is preferably of stainless-steel, aluminium, or is chrome-plated or electro-plated. However, it may be made of any metal, plastic or polymeric material. Preferably, the end-cap 6 contours and slightly overlaps the outer circumference of the wrap 5 -ensheathed tubular column 2 when applied, to help protect the upper wrap 5 edge from damage. Alternatively, the outer diameter of the end-cap 6 may sit flush with the external diameter of the wrapped column. In either case the end-cap 6 constrains movement of the display wrap 5 in the direction of that end and also protects that end edge of the display wrap from damage.

The end-cap 6 contains one or more resilient clips 7 which enable the cap 6 to be internally secured onto the column 2 and released by use of a tool that depresses the clip 7 inwardly to disengage. The clips 7 are hidden from general view by being within the tubular column 3 in use and are suitably also hidden under the display wrap 5. This allows for easy display wrap or end-cap replacement and yet is secure against vandalism. In other embodiments the end cap 6 may be secured via one or more locks, bolts or screws.

The preferable shape of the end-cap 6 is hemispherical, but any other shapes or decorative detailing may be used to aesthetically complement the column.

If the display post assembly is to be vertically wall-mounted (Figure 7), a hole may be machined into the centre of the bottom end-cap 6 to enable ventilation. Applying this to the bottom of the column will also help protect the wrap’s lower edge.

Where provided, the tubular base-trim 8 may be made of any suitable metal, plastic/ polymeric material but is preferably of stainless-steel, aluminium, or a material that is chrome-plated or electro-plated. Preferably the tubular base-trim 8, like the end cap 6, also contours and slightly overlaps the outer circumference of the wrap 5 -ensheathed column 2 when fitted, to help protect the lower wrap edge from damage. Alternatively, the outer diameter of the base-trim 8 may sit flush with the external diameter of the wrapped column 5.

Like the end-cap 6, the tubular base-trim 8 also has one or more integral resilient clips 7 which enable the trim to be internally secured onto the base of the tubular column 2 and released internally or externally by hand or preferably by tool for easy yet secure wrap 5 or base-trim replacement.

In other embodiments the base-trim may be secured via one or more locks, bolts or screws or even fixed more permanently either by rivets or adhesive. The external height of the base-trim 8 may vary from 20mm or less to 300mm or more. Alternative shapes or decorative detailing may be used to aesthetically compliment the column. The base-trim 8 may also have one or more inner clips 9 which can be used to lock in or release a choice of inserts including an expansion bracket (fig. 10), a weighted base plate (fig. 11) or a fixed base bracket (fig. 12).

The expansion bracket 10 is illustrated in detail in Figures 9a and 9b and suitably is made of a strong rigid metal material. The ring 10a is fabricated to a slightly smaller external diameter to that of the internal diameter of the column 11. Two or more metal arms 12 extend from the ring in an array. These arms 12 are shown in Figure 9a and 9b as ‘hinged’ by rivets 13 to be adjustable to compensate for any angle correction requirements (as demonstrated in use in Figures 4 and 9b).

Notches or ridges are fabricated on the arms 12 at intervals along their lengths to define channels that can be selected to receive a cable tie or jubilee clip 14 or similar clamping device to pull in and securely fix the arms of the expansion bracket 10 onto any smaller sized bollard 15 - and of any shape. The choice of channel between the notches or ridges on the arms 12 of the expansion bracket also accommodates any angle correction which may be required. For a vertically aligned bollard, equal/symmetrically located notches on opposing arms 12 should be clamped onto the bollard for a symmetrical and central holding position. Figures 3 and 9a demonstrate the use of the expansion brackets over a correctly aligned bollard.

For a skewed bollard, as in Figures 4 and 9b, for each expansion bracket 10 the installer should select a notch on one arm 12 on one side of the bollard to be higher than the notch selected on the opposing arm 12 on the other side of the bollard. As the cable tie or jubilee clip 14 is tightened in place it will pull the tubular column 2 closer to the bollard on one side than on other thereby counter-tilting the column 2 on the bollard and thus can redress any existing skew of the bollard from vertical. To facilitate the tilting of the arms 12 for adjustment they are suitably loosely riveted 13 to the ring 10a to be able to swivel and tilt and preferably are of a pliable spring steel or similar so that the tightening of the jubilee clip can compress their inner end against the tubular column 2 as illustrated in Figures 9a and 9b. A pair of expansion brackets 10 are preferably used, one at each end of the bollard. For a vertically unaligned bollard, different notches may be used to clamp onto the bollard to compensate for the misalignment and to accommodate a vertically correct post cover. Figure 4 and Figure 9b demonstrate the use of the angle correction functionality over an unaligned bollard. Two expansion brackets 10 should suitably be used at each opposing end of the bollard. As Fig. 10a shows, once the lower expansion bracket 10 has been secured to the bollard, a base trim 8 can then clip over securely onto the lower bracket 10 before securing the column 2 onto the base-trim 8. Alternatively, as demonstrated in Fig.3, the column 2 can slide over the expansion bracket 10 without the use of the base-trim 8 and be locked in place either below the bracket 10 or via the allocated bracket holes for specific directional positioning using one or more clips, pin-locks or bolts. When using two expansion brackets 10, the multi-purpose post may lock onto just one or both brackets for additional security.

When deployed free-standing, as in Figure 6, the display post assembly has a weighted base plate 16 mounted to its lower end and that may be made of a weighty solid material such as concrete, but preferably is of a metal such as cast iron to enable more stable free-standing post. Alternatively the base plate may comprise a refillable ballast container to hold ballast such as water or sand in use to make it more portable when not in use. The weighted base plate 16 is fabricated to a slightly smaller external diameter to that of the column 2 internal diameter and can be inserted and secured directly inside the column 2 by using one or more clips, pin-locks or bolts. However, as Figure 10b shows, it is preferable to insert and secure the weighted base plate directly inside the base-trim using the internal clips 9 referred (as per Fig.8).

When deployed as a bollard itself and ground-mounted as in Figure 5, the tubular column 2 is anchored to the ground by an internal base bracket 17 at the base and within the circumference of the tubular column 2. This base bracket 17 suitably is of strong, rigid metal construction. One or more anchor bolts 18 secure the base-bracket 17 to the ground and when the display post assembly is removed only the female anchor socket(s) 19 for the bolt(s) 18 will remain in place and flush with the ground surface.

When only one anchor bolt 18 is used, the bolt 18 may be welded or secured permanently to the base-bracket 17. A cam lock 20, pin or similar locking device may be used to lock into the ground to stop the column 2 or base bracket 17 with bolt 18 from being turned or unscrewed. The anchoring base bracket 17 is of a slightly smaller external diameter than the internal column diameter and can be secured directly inside the column 2 using one or more clips, pin-locks or bolts. However, as Fig. 10c shows, it is preferable for the assembly to have a tubular base trim 8 and to insert and secure the fixed base bracket 17 directly inside the base-trim using the internal clips 9 as detailed in Figure 8. The fixed base bracket 17 may also be wall-mounted to enable the multi-purpose display post to be attached perpendicularly to the wall.

When deployed as a wall-mounted display post parallel to a wall as shown in Figure 7 a different wall bracket 21 is provided. The wall bracket 21 is also suitably made of a strong metal and for mounting of the column parallel to the wall may have an arcuate cradle structure to receive the arc of the tubular column’s tubular wall 4. It is suitably adapted to be attached to the wall using bolts or screws. One or more wall brackets 21 may be used for each display post depending on the chosen column length and may be used for either a vertical or horizontal post orientation.

Once the wall bracket 21 is fastened to the wall the rest of the display post assembly may be secured to the bracket 21 using one or more clips, bolts, nuts or screws. The end-caps 6 can then be secured in place too. The end caps 6 can be demounted again when necessary for maintenance or replacement, including for inter-changing the display wrap 5, using an external tool inserted through to the inner grooves 3 to depress and thereby disengage the retaining clips 7 of the end caps 6 from engagement with the grooves 3 of the tubular body 2 (as per Figure 8).

Further wall-mounted options are shown in Fig.11 and are suitable for fitting to wall corners. Here the display post’s tubular column 2 is cut, or formed, as sections that are elongate sectors (less than 360° portions) of the tubular column 2. In each case the tubular column 2 has a sector/ section removed from its cross-section for its entire length, whereby it may mount flat to a wall or fit to an inside or outside corner of a wall. It may be used variously for inverted inside corner displays 22, inverted wall displays 23, inside corner displays 24, outer corner displays 25, half-column wall displays 26 and ‘eco-corner’ outer displays 27. End-caps 6 may also be fabricated in corresponding shapes to fit these designs and custom column lengths and angles of any degree may be made.

It will be appreciated from the fore-going that the present invention provides a means for improving the safety of bollards in pedestrian areas by increasing their height, width and visual impact. The present invention provides a bollard extension and expansion solution for improved safety standards of existing bollards in pedestrian areas. The increased height and diameter and the enhanced visual aid achieved by the display post assembly when covering a bollard more readily attracts the attention of pedestrians which then reduces the likelihood of injury caused by less conspicuous bollards.

The present invention provides an adjustable means for attaching a post sleeve of larger diameter securely and centrally over and around a post of substantially any smaller diameter.

The present invention also provides an adjustable means of attaching a post of larger diameter securely and vertically aligned over and around a vertically unaligned/skewed post of substantially any smaller diameter.

The present invention provides a vandal-resistant display post with demountable and hence replaceable and interchangeable wraps, columns and end-caps and which may further include demountable tubular base-trims. This allows for easy maintenance and economical repair and rejuvenation to its original condition as well as facilitating changing of display. The present invention variously provides: a multi-purpose display-post with interchangeable inserts and securing method; a multi-purpose tubular base-trim with interchangeable inserts and securing method; a display post with expansion and extension brackets and/or post angle-correction brackets; a display post assembly with internally fixed base-bracket, anchor bolts & securing method; a display post with internally weighted baseplate and securing method; space-saving wall display-posts; and display post end-cap and base-trim securing and release methods.

Although described above in detail with reference to the drawings with respect to a number of preferred embodiments, the present application is not limited to those embodiments and a wide range of other embodiments are embraced within the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A display post assembly which comprises: i) a substantially rigid open-ended elongate tubular column; ii) a demountable display wrap mounted in use wrapping around the tubular wall of the tubular column and presenting a display ; and iii) an end-cap demountably mounted to an end of the tubular column in use and constraining the demountable wrap in place from that end.

2. The display post assembly as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises at least one mounting bracket that mounts the tubular column directly or indirectly to a bollard or post in use.

3. The display post assembly as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises at least one wall bracket that secures it to a wall in use.

4. The display post assembly as claimed in claim 1, which further comprises at least one anchoring bracket that secures it to the ground in use.

5. The display post assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, which further comprises a tubular base trim that is mounted in use to a base end of the tubular column.

6. The display post assembly as claimed in claim 5, which has at least one mounting bracket that mounts the tubular base trim to the base end of the tubular column.

7. The display post assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the wrap is adhered to the tubular wall of the tubular column by a pressure sensitive adhesive.

8. The display post assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the tubular column has a groove, recess or hole therewithin that receives an end of a pin-lock, clip, lock pin or bolt to secure the end-cap or a tubular base-trim to the column.

9 The display post assembly of claim 8, wherein at least one tool access passage is provided to or through the groove, recess or hole in the column to enable an external tool to be inserted through the said passage to disengage the pin-lock, clip, lock pin or bolt from the groove, recess or hole.

10. The display post assembly of claim 2, wherein the tubular column is secured over the bollard and with the end cap spaced at least 10cm above the top of the existing bollard.

11. The display post assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the display wrap is a rolled sheet of vinyl, foil or other flexible sheet material.

12. The display post assembly of any preceding claim, wherein display wrap carries a digitally printed graphic.

13. The display post assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the display wrap incorporates at least one of: a graphical, reflective, lenticular, metallic, holographic, graphene, electrophoretic, electroluminescent or a laminated element.

14. The display post assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the demountable end-cap is secured by at least one resilient clip, or lock, bolt or screw to the end of the tubular column.

15. The display post assembly of claim 5, 6 or 14, wherein the tubular base-trim is secured by a resilient clip, or lock, bolt or screw to the tubular column.

16. The display post assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the tubular column, or a tubular base-trim attached to the tubular column, is placed over and around another object and secured to the said object by at least one clip, lock, clamp, bracket, tie, bolt or screw.

17. The display post assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the mounting bracket comprises an array with two or more adjustable arms which project radially inwardly towards the bollard or post and which are clamped onto the bollard or post, the array mounting internally to the tubular column or to a tubular base trim mounted to the tubular column.

18. The display post assembly as claimed in claim 17 wherein the mounting bracket arms are adjustable to adjust for variance in widths of bollard or post.

19. The display post assembly as claimed in claim 17 or 18 wherein the mounting bracket arms are adjustable to adjust for variance in vertically of upright bollard or post by allowing the longitudinal axis of the tubular column to be adjusted relative to the longitudinal axis of the bollard or post.

20. The display post assembly as claimed in claim 17, 18 or 19, wherein the clamping means comprise a tightenable belt or strap that embraces radially inner ends of the arms (for example, a jubilee clip or cable tie).

21. The display post assembly of claim 17, 18, 19 or 20, wherein the tubular column or base-trim is secured over and around an outer ring of the mounting bracket via a releasable clip, pin-lock or other latching means.

22. The display post assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the tubular column has a sector/ section removed from its cross-section for its entire length, whereby it may mount low profile to a wall or fit to an inside or outside corner of a wall. .

23. A display post assembly which comprises: i) a substantially rigid tubular column; ii) a display wrap mounted in use wrapping around the tubular wall of the tubular column and presenting a display ; and iii) a mounting bracket, wherein the tubular column has a sector/ section removed from its cross-section for its entire length, whereby it may mount low profile to a wall or fit to an inside or outside corner of a wall.

24. An adjustable bracket for a display post assembly comprising; an outer ring with two or more inwardly projecting arms which are to be clamped onto a bollard or post using an adjustable belt or strap, cable tie or jubilee clip to enable a post, tube, column or base-trim with a slightly larger inner circumference to the outer circumference of the said outer ring to be placed over and around the said outer ring and thereby held relative to the bollard or post and allowing the arms to be adjusted to adjust for variance in widths of bollard or post and/ or for variance in vertically of upright bollard or post.

25. A display post assembly which comprises: i) a substantially rigid tubular column; ii) a display wrap mounted in use wrapping around the tubular wall of the tubular column and presenting a display ; and iii) a mounting bracket that mounts the tubular column over a bollard or post and which comprises an array with two or more adjustable arms which project radially inwardly towards the bollard and which are clamped onto the bollard, the array mounting internally to the tubular column or to a tubular base trim mounted to the tubular column.

26. A display post assembly substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any suitable combination of the accompanying drawings.