GB2574271A - A base and bollard assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

An assembly 1 comprises a base 2 and a bollard 3. One of the base and bollard comprises a first alignment feature 4/5 and the other comprises a corresponding second alignment feature 4/5. At least one of the first and second alignment features comprises a ramp 4a/b, 5a/b. The first alignment feature may comprise at least one protrusion, whilst the secondary alignment feature may comprise at least one recess. The bollard and the base may comprise at least one reinforced through aperture. The base may comprise a bollard receiving portion 16 in the form of a slot. The first or second alignment feature may be disposed along the upper edge of the slot, and may be convex or concave. The bollard may comprise a tongue that engages a slot in the base. Also provided is an assembly that comprises a base 2 and a bollard 3, wherein the base and the bollard comprise complementary non-planar engagement surfaces.

Description

A BASE AND BOLLARD ASSEMBLY

The present invention relates to an assembly for an item of street furniture, and more particularly, but not exclusively to a base and bollard assembly. The present invention also relates to a base assembly, as well as to a bollard. The bollard may be in the form used to provide information to drivers or otherwise direct traffic.

Bollards are used to control or direct road traffic in many different circumstances. For example, they may be used to block or restrict access to a road, path or other area, to mark the edge of a road, a central reservation, or an island in the road, or to separate streams of traffic. Bollards may also comprise signage which is used to warn drivers of hazards or provide information to drivers, such as to keep left. Bollards of this kind can sustain significant damage as a result of impacts from vehicles and it is desirable that such damage is reduced so as to save the costs associated with replacement or repair.

It is known to provide a self-righting bollard and socket assembly wherein the bollard is releasably engageable with the socket by rotation of the bollard within the socket so as to engage an anchor member on the bollard with an engagement surface on the socket. It is also known to provide a self-righting bollard and socket assembly comprising a cylindrical resiliency deformable base assembly that is able to return to its original position following an impact from a vehicle.

Even so, while such a bollard and socket assembly works acceptably with substantially tubular bollards sited at the side of the road, it suffers from a disadvantage when housing a paddle shaped bollard used typically to portray a traffic sign and most often sited on a traffic island in the middle of the road. Glancing collisions of a vehicle at speed with such bollards is common and can, in some circumstances, act to rotate the bollard relative to the socket such that the bollard becomes disengaged from the socket. Separation of the bollard from the socket produces a safety hazard to traffic which potentially can cause an accident and also leaves a traffic safety hazard unmarked. The replacement of such a product in the middle of the road may require expensive traffic management and so is to be avoided if at all possible.

In addition, known base assemblies are often very complex and require a number of different components and are therefore time-consuming and expensive to manufacture. Given the large number of signs required on the road system, it is desirable to provide a base assembly which is easy and quick to manufacture both reliably and consistently. In addition, due to the number of different materials used in known base assemblies, such as having reinforcing metal portions contained within a plastic coating, it is often not economical to recycle base assemblies when they are damaged or otherwise reach the end of their serviceable lives. Since the base assemblies are exposed to the weather for a number of years and are expected to resist impacts from vehicles, they are often made of materials which are very persistent and do not readily break down. Therefore, if the base assemblies are not able to be recycled economically, they will be sent to landfill, which is less desirable than recycling.

Furthermore, since the bollard may need to be replaced or repaired more regularly than the base assembly, it is desirable to provide a base and bollard assembly in which the bollard may be readily removed and replaced. It is very expensive and inconvenient to close down a road in order to provide a safe working place for people attending to the bollard and base assembly, so it is preferable to be able to remove and re-fit the bollard as quickly and as easily as possible. It is also desirable to allow the bollard to be replaced using as few workers as possible in order to reduce costs and to expose fewer people to danger. With prior art systems, it can be time consuming to ensure that the holes through which the bolts used to connect the bollard to the base assembly are properly lined up, which causes delays in replacing the bollard and in some case may lead to the bollard being improperly fixed to the base assembly, which can subsequently cause the bollard to become detached from the base assembly and cause danger to road users and pedestrians in the event of an impact. This is particularly an issue for cylindrical bollards as they can be rotated through 360°, but can only be positively affixed together at one particular position or orientation and this need to adjust the bollard is time consuming. In addition, it is difficult for a single worker to install a bollard since it is necessary for one worker to hold the bollard in the correct alignment whilst another worker attaches the bollard to the base.

It is one object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid disadvantages. It is also an object of the present invention to provide for an improved or alternative base and bollard assembly.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly comprising a base and a bollard, wherein one of the base and the bollard comprises a first alignment feature and the other of the base and the bollard comprises a corresponding second alignment feature, wherein at least one of the first and second alignment features comprises a ramp.

The advantage of having corresponding alignment features on the base and the bollard is that the bollard will be urged into correct alignment with the base when it is being installed. The alignment features are arranged to align the base and the bollard using the weight of the bollard acting downwardly, causing the alignment features to slide over one another until the bollard is in the desired position. In contrast, when assembling prior art assemblies, for example assemblies which comprise a cylindrical bollard which surrounds an upstanding cylindrical support member or is inserted into a cylindrical or circular receiving portion, since the bollard can be inserted at any degree of rotation relative to the base, it is necessary for the person installing the bollard to rotate the bollard until it is in the correct orientation for attachment to the base. This can be time consuming and may require multiple workers, with one holding the bollard in the correct alignment whilst the other worker fixes the base and the bollard together. Abutting surfaces in assemblies of the prior art merely limit the relative travel in a particular direction. The alignment means of the present assembly eliminates this difficulty with known bollard assemblies and allows the bollard to be installed more quickly and with less manpower.

Both of the first and second alignment features may each comprise a ramp. That is to say that the alignment features comprise a sloping surface joining two different levels of the bollard or base. One or both of the first and second alignment features may comprise multiple ramps. As such, the first and second alignment features are at least partially angled to rotate and/or linearly move the bollard into proper alignment with the base as the bollard is being engaged with the base. By having the first and second alignment features correspond to one another, when the base and the bollard are fixed together, substantially the entire extent of the first and second alignment features are in engagement. This maximises the connection between the base and the bollard. If the first and second alignment features did not correspond to one another, they would only engage at a point or over a short distance and so the connection between the two would not be as extensive and able to withstand impacts. This also avoids having large voids between the bollard and the base, which may weaken the assembly or provide areas for water to collect.

The ramp(s) may be substantially linear or may be curved, or a combination of linear and curved. For example, if the bollard is not properly aligned with the base, the alignment feature of the bollard will engage with the complementary or corresponding sloped alignment feature of the base and as the bollard moves downwardly (as understood from the perspective of the normal intended use) the ramped alignment features will move over one another and push the bollard up or down the ramp depending on the relative orientation of the base and bollard until it reaches the end or bottom of the ramp, which corresponds to the correctly aligned position.

The ramps may be of any suitable shape. For example, the ramps may be substantially triangular, with one of the first and the second alignment features comprising a substantially upwardly directed triangle and the other of the first and second alignment features comprising a complementary substantially downwardly directed triangle. The alignment features therefore tessellate. The angled sides of the triangular feature may comprise the ramped portion of the alignment feature. The ramps may be angled left-to-right, right-to-left, back-to-font, front-to-back, or a combination of one or more of these options. The ramp(s) preferably slope in a direction to direct the base and bollard into alignment.

The first alignment portion on one of the base and the bollard may comprise a protrusion. The complementary second alignment portion on the other of the base and the bollard may comprise a recess. The protrusion and/or the recess may be defined by the ramped portion of the base and/or bollard.

The protrusion and recess may be any suitable shape to urge the bollard into correct alignment with the base. At least a portion of the protrusion and recess may be angled relative to a horizontal plane. As such, the protrusion and the recess extend above or below (as appropriate) a horizontal plane which is substantially parallel to the surface on which the base is affixed in use, for example, the road or pavement. The protrusion and recess therefore comprise the angled portions which act as ramps to guide the bollard into engagement with the base.

The alignment features according to the first aspect of the present invention may also be described as having locating or centering application. For example, the alignment features may serve to locate the bollard into the correct position relative to the base and/or position the bollard such that it is substantially centered relative to the base. There may be third, fourth, or further alignment features disposed on the base and/or the bollard. As such, instead of there being a single alignment feature, there may be multiple alignment features.

The alignment feature may comprise an alignment surface. As such, the ramps may comprise alignment surfaces which slide over one another during coupling of the bollard and the base. In order for the alignment features to urge the bollard and the base into alignment and/or to center the bollard on the base, the alignment portions are configured such that the respective alignment surfaces engage with one another and are able to move past one another. The respective alignment surfaces are angled relative to a horizontal plane parallel to the surface on which the base is located when in use, such as, for example, the road or pavement. In this way, the weight of the bollard acting downwardly causes the respective engagement surface to slide past one another until the bollard is in the correct position relative to the base.

The first and/or second alignment features may comprise at least one shoulder. The shoulder may be located adjacent the ramped portion of the alignment features. The shoulder may comprise a section of the alignment features which is differently angled than the ramped section. As such, the alignment feature may comprise at least one ramp portion and at least one shoulder.

The at least one shoulder may be substantially horizontal. It is also possible for the at least one shoulder to be angled. Preferably, the at least one shoulder is at a different angle to the ramp. There may be two or more shoulder portions on each of the base and the bollard. Preferably, a shoulder portion is located each side of the ramp on the base and/or bollard.

The at least one shoulder portion serves to provide lateral support for the bollard in the base. The at least one shoulder portion assists in holding the bollard in the correct alignment, especially where the ramp comprises a curved surface as although the ramped surfaces will cause the base and the bollard into correct alignment vertically, it would still be possible for the bollard to rotate and sideways and fall out of alignment.

The base and the bollard may each comprise at least one through aperture. A through aperture may also be referred to as a bore, through bore, or mounting hole. The through aperture may be arranged to receive a bolt or other similar means for reversibly attaching the bollard to the base. Similar means could comprise a pin, a peg, or other which is able to pass through the through apertures and prevent relative movement of the base and the bollard.

The through apertures may be reinforced in order that the bolts or other attachment means do not rip through the material of the base and/or bollard in the event of an impact with a vehicle. The reinforcement may comprise any suitable means, such as metal or plastic tubes extending through the through apertures. The reinforcement means may be unitary with the base and/or bollard, or may be a separate component inserted into the base and/or bollard. Either one or both of the base and the bollard may comprise the reinforcement means. Since the base is preferably made of more flexible material than the bollard, it may be the case that only the base comprises the reinforcement means.

As described, the alignment features of the present invention are arranged to engage one another and urge the bollard into the correct alignment with the base. When the base and the bollard are in the correct alignment, the respective through apertures in the base and the bollard provide a path for a bolt or similar to pass through the through apertures in both the base and the bollard. The bolt can then be retained in place using a nut or other suitable means. Washers may be used as required and as known in the art. Due to the alignment features of the base and bollard of the present invention, the through apertures are automatically aligned with one another which makes inserting the bolt easier. In addition, since the present invention allows for the ready alignment of the mounting holes, the holes can be manufactured with better tolerances than assemblies of the prior art. This results in there being less relative movement between the base and the bollard, and a generally tighter fit. As the base and bollard assemblies are exposed to wind and potentially vehicle impacts, if there is relative movement between the base and the bollard, this can result in the mounting holes becoming worn and thereby further increasing the ability for the bollard to move relative to the base, and ultimately become detached from the base. This additional wear may result in the base and/or the bollard needing to be replaced more frequently than that of the present invention. It will be appreciated that the mounting holes may be blind.

The through apertures may be substantially surrounded by a substantially planar surface. The substantially planar surface may be substantially circular, but not necessarily. Preferably, the through apertures located in the outer face of the base are surrounded by a substantially planar surface. The substantially planar surface serves to provide a flat surface onto which the head of the attachment means, for example a bolt, or a washer, is able to rest. The substantially planar surface is provided where the means for attaching the bollard to the base, such as a nut and bolt, apply compressive load to the bollard and/or the base in an assembled configuration. The through apertures which do not directly engage the nut, head of the bolt or washers may or may not be surrounded by the substantially planar surface.

The bollard and the base may comprise a plurality of through apertures. Where there is a greater number of through apertures, this provides more points at which the bollard can be affixed to the base and make the bollard more resistant to being detached from the base in a collision. Preferably, the bollard and the base each comprise two through apertures. Since at least one of the base and the bollard may be double-walled, the through aperture may not be continuous. For example, where the base comprises a slot, the through aperture may pass through a first wall of the base, into the void defined by the slot, and then through the second wall of the base. Similarly, where the bollard comprises a slot and receives a portion of the base into the slot, the bollard may be double walled, that is to say, the through aperture may pass through a first wall, into the void defined by the slot and then through a second wall. This would still be considered to be the same through aperture. It will be appreciated that there may be any suitable number of through apertures.

Preferably, where there are two through apertures in each of the bollard and the base, they are preferably disposed either side of the centreline of the base and/or bollard. Preferably, the through apertures are symmetrically spaced. Having the through apertures disposed either side of the centreline allows the assembly to more effectively resist impacts and collisions. Where there is an odd number of through apertures, preferably at least one of the through apertures is positioned substantially on or adjacent to the vertical centreline of the base and/or bollard. The centreline may be defined by a vertically extending line midway along the long axis of the base or slot.

The through apertures are preferably substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the slot, as described in more detail below.

The through apertures are preferably substantially parallel to the surface onto which the base is located, such as, for example, the road or pavement.

The base may comprise a bollard receiving portion. The bollard may comprise a slot. The slot may have a long axis and a short axis. The slot may comprise an upper edge, and the first and/or second alignment features may be disposed on or along the upper edge. The first and/or second alignment feature may extend along the upper edge along the long axis of the slot. By providing the alignment feature along the long axis of the base, this allows the length of the ramped portion of the alignment means to be longer than it would be if it were to be provided along the short axis of the slot. This allows for the angle of the ramp to be shallower if desired. This also allows the assembly to accommodate larger initial misalignments between the bollard and the base since there can be a larger catchment area between the ramps on the bollard and the base. The base may be a one-piece base. The base may be unitary.

However, it will be appreciated that the alignment means may be provided along the short axis of the slot, or along both long and short axes.

The first and/or second alignment feature may be concave or convex. When one of the first and second alignment features is convex, the other is concave. As the first and second alignment features are ramped, they will either define an upwardly or downwardly extending surface and thereby form a concave alignment feature or a convex alignment feature.

The base is preferably resilient. Since the assembly is intended to withstand impacts from vehicles, it is desirable that the base is able to be deformed and return to its original position. If the base were to be rigid, this would allow the assembly to function as signage, but in the event of a collision, the assembly may be damaged and require repair.

The base may comprise any suitable material, such as a polymer. In one embodiment, the base comprises a polyolefin polymer. Preferably, the base may be rotationally moulded, although it will be appreciated that any moulding process may be used.

The bollard may comprise a material which is more rigid than the material comprising the base. For example, the bollard may comprise HDPE. The bollard may be blow moulded, although it will be appreciated that any moulding process may be used.

The base and the bollard may engage via a tongue and slot. The tongue may be located on either the base or the bollard and the slot may be located on the other of the base and the bollard. Although the base is described herein as comprising the slot and the bollard as comprising the tongue, it will be appreciated that this may be reversed and the other features adjusted accordingly. The tongue may comprise the through apertures.

The slot may define an internal void having walls and a lower surface. The tongue may have an edge or perimeter which engages with the lower surface of the slot. The edge or perimeter of the tongue is preferably non-linear. The lower surface of the slot corresponds to the shape of the edge or perimeter of the tongue.

The edge or perimeter of the tongue is angled such that when the base and the bollard engage, the edge or perimeter of the tongue engages with the corresponding surface of the slot and aligns the bollard with the base.

The bollard may comprise a tongue that extends into the base such that the frontmost portion of the tongue terminates above the line of maximal bend. The point of maximal bend may be routinely determined by experimentation of computer modelling. As the base comprises resilient material, it will bend when exposed to an external force. The point of maximal bend can be determined, for example, by providing a plurality of dots on the surface of the base and then applying a force at the top of the base substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the slot. The point of maximum bend will be indicated where the distance between adjacent slots is increased by the largest amount.

By having the tongue terminate above the point of maximum bend of the base, this allows the assembly to be more flexible and therefore more able to withstand impacts that would otherwise be the case. Since the bollard is stiffer than the base, it is desirable to have the base absorb the energy from an impact rather than the bollard. If the bollard were to extend below the point of maximal bend, this would make the assembly as a whole considerably stiffer and this could result in more damage to a vehicle striking the bollard or may cause the bollard to break apart on impact.

The edge of the tongue and the corresponding surface of the slot may be the first and second alignment features, or may be in addition to the first and second alignment features.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an assembly comprising a base and a bollard wherein the base and the bollard comprise complementary engagement surfaces, the complementary engagement surfaces being non-planar.

By having the engagement surfaces both complementary and non-planar, this results in automatic alignment of the bollard and the base when the two are engaged. The bollard and base assembly will have a “lowest energy” or most stable configuration in which the engagement surfaces of the bollard and the base are in contact along substantially their entire lengths. The angled engagement surfaces acts as ramps to guide the bollard into alignment with the base. By non-planar, it is understood that this means that the engagement surfaces are not in a plane which is substantially parallel to the surface onto which the base is attached, such as, for example, the road or pavement. The engagement surfaces may be linear along at least part of their extents, but when considered as a whole, all points of the engagement surfaces do not fall on a single plane.

The invention according to the second aspect of the present invention may comprise any of the features described in relation to the invention according to the first aspect, except where there are features which are mutually exclusive.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a base according to the first or second aspects of the present invention.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bollard according to the first or second aspects of the present invention.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provide a method of assembling a bollard and base assembly comprising the steps of engaging the tongue of one of the bollard and the base with a corresponding slot of the other of the bollard and the base, allowing alignments features of the bollard and base to slide over on another to align through apertures in the bollard with through apertures in the base, and inserting fixing means through the aligned through apertures to reversibly attach the bollard to the base.

It will be appreciated that although the present invention has been described in respect of a paddle shaped bollard with a non-cylindrical bollard and base, it could be adapted for use with cylindrical bollards and/or bases. In particular, the alignment portions may extend circumferentially around the bollard and/or base rather than substantially linearly parallel to the long axis of the slot as depicted and described herein.

A specific embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of an assembly in accordance with the present invention Figure 2 is a side view of the assembly of Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a perspective view of an assembly according to the present invention; and

Figures 4a and 4b depict the bollard being inserted into the base.

Figure 1 depicts an assembly 1 comprising a base 2 and a bollard 3. The base comprises a first alignment feature 4 and the bollard comprises a second alignment feature 5. The shape of the first alignment feature 4 corresponds to the shape of the second alignment feature 5. In the present exemplary depiction, the first alignment feature 4 comprises a shallow u-shaped recess with substantially horizontal shoulders 8 on either side. The second alignment feature 5 comprises a similarly shaped shallow u-shaped protrusion with substantially horizontal shoulders 9 on either side. The frontmost point 6 of the second alignment feature 5 is located at the midpoint of the second alignment feature 5. Similarly, the lowermost point 7 of the first alignment feature 4 is located at the midpoint of the first alignment feature 4. The first alignment feature 4 is provided with ramps 4a, 4b located either side of the lowermost point 7. Similarly, the second alignment portion 5 is provided with ramps 5a, 5b.

The first alignment feature 4 comprises a recess 10 and the second alignment feature 5 comprises a protrusion 11. However, it will be appreciated that these could be reversed, namely the first alignment feature comprises a protrusion and the second alignment feature comprises a recess. It will also be appreciated that the base and the bollard may comprise more than one protrusion and/or recess.

The first alignment feature 4 comprises a first alignment surface 13. The second alignment feature comprises a corresponding second alignment surface 12. The first and second alignment surfaces 12, 13 extend along the entire length of the first and second alignment features 4, 5. The shapes of first and second alignment surfaces 12, 13 correspond to one another. As such, the first or second alignment feature 12, 13 may comprise a ramped portion and a shoulder portion, the ramped portion and the shoulder portion defining an alignment surface. The ramped portion of the alignment features 12, 13 thereby connects the shoulder portion with the frontmost or lowermost portions of the recess 10 or the protrusion 11.

The base 2 and bollard 3 each comprise through apertures 14. Figure 1 depicts each of the bollard and the base as having two through apertures, but there may be more or fewer as required. The apertures 14 are disposed either side of centreline A-A. The through apertures 14 in the bollard 3 are spaced from the alignment surface 12 of the bollard 3 by the same distance as the through apertures 14 in the base 2 are spaced from the alignment surface 13 of the base 2. In this way, when the two alignment surfaces 12, 13 are brought together, the through apertures 14 will be aligned and form a continuous path through both the base 2 and the bollard 3.

The through apertures 14 which are disposed on an outer portion of the bollard 3 or base 2 are surrounded by a substantially planar surface 15. The substantially planar surface 15 provide a flat surface on which the head of a bolt or a washer or nut can rest.

The base 2 comprises a bollard receiving portion 16. The bollard receiving portion 16 comprises a slot 18 (most clearly shown in Figure 3). The bollard receiving portion is upstanding from foot 17. The slot 18 has a long axis and a short axis. The slot 18 also has a depth. The slot 18 comprises an upper edge 19. The upper edge 19 comprises the ramped portion(s) and the shoulder portion(s) of the base 2. The upper edge 19 surrounds the slot 18. The first alignment feature 4 is disposed along the upper edge 19. The first alignment feature 4 is disposed along the long axis of the slot 18. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the base 2 comprises a concave alignment feature 4 and the bollard 3 comprises a convex alignment feature 5.

The through apertures 14 are substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the slot 18. The through apertures 14 in the base 2 pass through the void created by the slot 18.

The base 2 is made of a resilient material so that it is able to revert back to its resting position after being deformed. The base 2 is made of a suitable resilient material such as, for example, a moulded elastomeric polymer, which is designed to be capable of withstanding the impact of a vehicle colliding with and running over it at a speed of 100 km/h (62mph) in accordance with British Standard EN 12767:2007. The bollard 3 is manufactured from a rigid thermoplastic. The choice of materials allows the base 2 to deform elastically such that it flexes relative to the bollard 3 when hit by a vehicle.

The base 2 and the bollard 3 engage and are connected with a tongue 20 and the slot 18. The tongue is depicted as being on the bollard 3, but it will be appreciated that this could be reversed such that the tongue is on the base 2 and the bollard 3 comprises the slot 18 and associated features. The tongue 20 has an edge 21. The edge 21 of the tongue 20 corresponds to the shape of the slot 18. As such, the edge 21 of the tongue 20 is non-linear and is depicted in this embodiment as having a shallow curved portion and two more steeply angled portions 22 either side of the shallow curved portion. The two more steeply angled portions 22 do not extend the whole width of the bollard 3 since the walls of the base 2 which define the slot 18 in the base 2 have a thickness and therefore the tongue 20 needs to be shaped to be able to fit within the void within the base 2. Since the tongue 20 comprises curved portions and differently angled portions, it may be considered as non-linear.

The slot 18 is sized and dimensioned to form a generally close fit with the outer surface of the tongue 20.

The slot 18 in the base 2 has a front wall, a back wall, two side walls and a bottom wall. The walls are shaped to conform to the shape of the corresponding faces of the tongue 20. In particular, the bottom wall of the slot 18 corresponds to the shallow u-shaped portion of the tongue 20. The side walls of the slot 18 correspond to the more steeply angled portions 22 of the tongue 20. The front and back walls of the slot 18 similarly correspond to the front and rear faces of the tongue 20. When the tongue 20 is fully inserted into the slot 18, the tongue 20 substantially fills the slot 18. The bottom wall of the slot 18 may be continuous or may be discontinuous in order to allow water to drain from the base 2.

The through apertures 14 in the bollard 3 are disposed on the tongue 20. The through apertures 14 in the tongue 20 are located the same distance away from the second alignment surface 12 as the through apertures 14 in the base 2 are located away from the first alignment surface 13 such that when the first and second alignment surfaces 12, 13 are brought together, the through apertures 14 in the tongue 20 and the through apertures in the base 2 are aligned. Similarly, the depth of the tongue 20 from the frontmost point 6 of the second alignment feature 5 is the same as the distance from the lowermost point 7 of the first alignment feature 4 to the bottom of the slot 18. As such, when the bollard 3 and the base 2 are fully engaged with one another, the tongue 20 extends the full depth of the slot 18. However, it will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the tongue 20 may not necessarily extend the full depth of the slot 18 and the bollard 3 may simply rest on the first and second engagement surfaces 12, 13. Preferably, but not necessarily, the first and second engagement surfaces 12, 13 are in contact along substantially their entire lengths.

The base 2 has a foot 17. The foot 17 is not particularly limited by shape, but is shown as being generally square. It will be appreciated that the foot 17 could be another shape, such as a triangle or a circle. The foot 17 comprises fixing holes 23 through which bolts or similar can be inserted in order to fix the base 2 to a support surface, such as, for example a road or pavement. The bottom of the foot 17 is planar in order to match the support surface, which is generally also planar. The fixing holes 23 are located symmetrically around the foot 17. The fixing holes 23 are located towards the corners of the foot 17. The fixing holes 23 extend in a generally upward direction perpendicular to the bottom of the foot 17.

The base 2 has a line of maximal bend B-B that is below the bottom wall of the slot 18. As such, the tongue 20 in its fully inserted position terminates above line B-B.

Figure 2 depicts a side view of the assembly of Figure 1. The tongue 20 is depicted as projecting from the centre of the bollard 3 and is around one third of the thickness of the bollard 3 as a whole. It will be appreciated that the relative thickness of the tongue 20 to the body of the bollard 3 may be adjusted as required routinely. The sloped portion 5b connects the shoulder 9 and the lowermost point of the protrusion 11/second alignment feature 4.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the assembly of Figures 1 and 2 and more clearly shows the slot 18 and the upper edge or surface 19 of the slot 18. The upper edge 19 of the slot 18 is also angled with the higher point closest to the slot 18 and the lower point further away from the slot 18 in order to direct any water, such as rain, away from the slot 18. The slot 18 may be provided with a drain (not shown) to allow any water which does make it into the slot 18 to drain away.

Figures 4a and 4b depict a bollard 3 being inserted into a base 2. In Figure 4a, the bollard 3 is horizontally misaligned with the base 2. As the bollard 3 is moved downwardly towards the base 2, ramp 5a engages with ramp 4a. As the bollard 3 continues to move downwards, the two ramp portions 4a, 5a slide against each other and thereby direct the bollard 3 into the correct alignment with the base 2. Alternatively or additionally, the leading edge 21 of the tongue 20 may engage with the internal walls of the slot 18 to direct the bollard into correct alignment with the base 2. The shoulders 8, 9 on the bollard 3 and the base 2 serve to limit the degree to which the bollard 3 can rotate clockwise or anticlockwise when viewed from the front relative to the base 2. The bollard 3 will continue to move downwards and into alignment with the base 2 until the first and second complementary alignment or engagement surfaces 12, 13 and/or the edge 21 of the tongue 20 and the bottom wall of the slot 18 meet. The more steeply angled portions 22 of the tongue 20 (relative to the frontmost edge of the tongue 20) serve a similar purpose to the shoulder, that is, to prevent rotation of the bollard in a clockwise or anticlockwise direction when viewed from the front of the bollard 3.

Figure 4b shows the bollard 3 in connection with the base 2. The internal mating of the tongue 20 and the slot 18 is shown, but it will be appreciated that this occurs inside the base and may not be visible from outside unless the base were made of transparent material. At least a portion of the appropriate surfaces of the bollard 3, base 2, tongue 20, and slot 18 will be in contact. Once the bollard 3 is correctly aligned with the base 2, the through apertures 14 in the base 2 and the bollard 3 will align thereby allowing a bolt or similar to be passed through the through apertures 14 in both the bollard 3 and the base 2 to reversibly connect the bollard 3 and the base 2 together. Plastic caps may be added to cover the bolt or similar. The base may be affixed to the ground via bolts or similar passing through the fixing holes 23 as is known in the art.

It will be appreciated that numerous modifications to the above described design may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

For example, it will be appreciated that Figure 1 depicts a bollard and base assembly in which the alignment feature comprised on the base 2 comprises a recess and the bollard 3 comprises a protrusion. In a reverse arrangement, the base 2 may comprise the protrusion and the bollard 3 may comprise the recess. It will also be appreciated that each of the bollard 3 and the base 2 may comprise at least one protrusion and at least one recess. It will also be appreciated that the long axis and the short axis of the slot may be of substantially equal length, and the slot may be of any suitable shape to receive a bollard, such as circular, square or other regular or irregular shape.

The assembly of the present invention provides automatic correction of misalignment of a bollard relative to a base and makes it easier and quicker for workers to install the bollard into the base via complementary ramped portions provided on both the base and the bollard. The resilient base and the tongue extending into the base and terminating above the point of maximum flexibility of the base allows the assembly to withstand impacts without transferring too much bending force into the bollard, thereby allowing the assembly to return to its original position.

Claims (25)

1. An assembly 1 comprising a base 2 and a bollard 3 wherein one of the base 2 and the bollard 3 comprises a first alignment feature 4, 5 and the other of the base 2 and the bollard 3 comprises a corresponding second alignment feature 4, 5, wherein at least one of the first and second alignment features 4, 5 comprises a ramp 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b.

2. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first alignment feature 4 on one of the base 2 and the bollard 3 comprises at least one protrusion 11 and the complementary second alignment feature on the other of the base 2 and the bollard 3 comprises at least one recess 10.

3. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the alignment features 4, 5 comprises an alignment surface 12, 13.

4. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the first and second alignment features 4, 5 comprises at least one shoulder 8, 9.

5. An assembly according to Claim 4, wherein the at least one shoulder 8,9 is located adjacent the ramp 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b.

6. An assembly according to Claim 4 or 5, wherein the at least one shoulder 8, 9 is substantially horizontal.

7. An assembly according to any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein at least one shoulder 8,9 is located on each side of the ramp 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b.

8. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the base 2 and the bollard 3 each comprise at least one through aperture 14.

9. An assembly according to Claim 8, wherein the at least one through aperture 14 in the base 2 and the at least one through aperture 14 in bollard 3 align when the bollard 3 and base 2 are engaged.

10. An assembly according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the at least one through aperture 14 is reinforced.

11. An assembly according to any of Claims 8 to 10, wherein the at least one through aperture 14 is substantially surrounded by a substantially planar surface 15.

12. An assembly according to any of Claims 8 to 11, wherein the bollard 3 and the base 2 each comprise a plurality of through apertures 14.

13. An assembly according to Claim 12, wherein each of the bollard 3 and the base 2 comprise two through apertures 14, preferably symmetrically spaced.

14. An assembly according to any of Claims 8 to 13, wherein the base 2 comprises a bollard receiving portion 16.

15. An assembly according to Claim 14, wherein the bollard receiving portion 16 comprises a slot 18, the slot 18 having a long axis and a short axis.

16. An assembly according to Claim 15, wherein the slot 18 comprises an upper edge 19, and the first or second alignment feature 4, 5 is disposed along the upper edge 19.

17. An assembly according to Claim 15 or 16, wherein the at least one through aperture 14 is substantially perpendicular to the long axis of the slot 18.

18. An assembly according to any of Claims 15 to 17, wherein the first and/or second alignment 4, 5 feature extends along the upper edge 19 along the long axis of the slot 18.

19. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and/or second alignment feature 4, 5 is concave or convex.

20. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the base 2 is resilient.

21. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the base 2 and the bollard 3 engage via a tongue 20 and a slot 18.

22. An assembly according to Claim 21, wherein the edge 21 of the tongue 20 which engages with a corresponding surface of the slot 18 is non-linear.

23. An assembly according to Claim 22, wherein the edge 21 of the tongue 20 is angled such that when the base 2 and the bollard 3 engage, the edge 21 of the tongue 20 engages with the corresponding surface of the slot 18 and aligns the bollard 3 with the base 2.

24. An assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the bollard 3 comprises a tongue 20 which extends into the base 2 such that the frontmost portion of the tongue 20 terminates above the line of maximal bend of the base

2.

25. An assembly comprising a base 2 and a bollard 3, wherein the base 2 and the bollard comprise 3 complementary engagement surfaces, the complementary engagement surfaces being non-planar.