GB2580716A

GB2580716A - Removable bollard system

Info

Publication number: GB2580716A
Application number: GB1901168.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gerrard Robert; Gerrard Marcus
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2019-01-28
Filing date: 2019-01-28
Publication date: 2020-07-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-01-28
Also published as: GB2580716B; GB201901168D0

Abstract

A removable bollard system comprises an underground footing 12 for installation in the ground, the footing having an upper section 42 with a recess. An impact post (14, Figure 1) is locatable in the footing, and a shroud 60 is located over the post, the shroud having a lower end 64 receivable in the recess. A cover plate also receivable in the recess is interchangeable with the post and shroud. Also claimed is a kit of parts for converting a bollard having an underground footing and post to a removable bollard system, the kit of parts comprising a footing upper section having a recess for attachment to an underground footing. The lower end of the shroud may be substantially the same depth as the recess and may comprise upper and lower base plates with spacers between them. The footing may comprise an upright tubular section in which the post is received. A method of installing a removable bollard system comprises the steps of infilling with concrete an excavated area containing an underground footing such that an upper section protrudes.

Description

REMOVABLE BOLLARD SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a removable bollard system. Aspects of the invention relate to a bollard system, to a method, and to a kit of parts.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide removable bollard systems that are capable of mitigating vehicular penetration. Barriers or bollards having such capabilities are referred to in the art as HVM (Hostile Vehicle Mitigation) products.

The majority of such posts or bollards are permanently installed and cannot be quickly removed and those that are capable of being removed are not normally designed for ease of removal, for example they often require resurfacing of the area after removal. This means that it is hard for such barriers to be installed in areas where they are only sometimes needed. While rising bollards that meet HVM levels of protection are available, these are usually costly and, while convenient for a small area such as an entranceway, are not practical for providing long lengths of HVM protection.

It is an aim of the present invention to address one or more of the disadvantages associated

with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and embodiments of the invention provide a removable bollard system, a method of installing a removable bollard, and a kit of parts for a removable bollard as claimed in the appended claims.

According to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a removable bollard system comprising: an underground footing for installation in the ground, the underground footing comprising an upper section comprising a recess; an impact post removably locatable in the underground footing such that, when installed, the impact post extends above the ground; a shroud for locating over the impact post, the shroud having a lower end receivable in the recess; and a cover plate receivable in the recess; wherein the impact post and shroud are interchangeable with the cover plate.

The invention advantageously provided a system wherein the shroud and impact post can be simply and easily removed and replaced with the cover plate when not needed.

The recess, the lower section of the shroud and the cover plate may be substantially rectangular or elliptic in shape.

In a preferred embodiment the lower end of the shroud may be substantially the same depth as the recess such that when located therein it lies substantially flush with an upper edge of said recess. In this manner when the shroud is located over the post the lower end of it lies substantially flush with the upper edge of the upper section of the underground footing. This enables the lower end of the shroud to be substantially flush with the ground surface.

The lower end of the shroud can comprise an upper base plate from which an above ground section of the shroud extends, a lower base plate spaced from the upper base plate and one or more spacer between the upper base plate and the lower base. The separation between the lower surface of the lower base plate and the upper surface of the upper base plate is substantially the same as the depth of the recess. As described above, in this manner, when located in the recess the top surface of the top plate is substantially flush with the ground.

In an embodiment the upper and lower base plate may comprise a plurality of pairs of vertically aligned holes therein for receiving fixing means. The fixing means may comprise threaded fixing means and the recess may comprise a plurality of threaded holes therein for receiving the threaded fixing means. Optionally at least some of said one or more spacers are located between the vertically aligned holes and have passageways therein for receiving the fixing means therethrough. In this manner tightening the fixing means against the upper base plate will not cause distortion thereof as it is supported in the region of the fixing means by the spacer.

The upper section of the underground footing may comprise a peripheral wall and a base, together forming said recess, and the base comprises an opening therein to allow the impact post to pass therethrough.

The underground footing may comprise an upright tubular footing section in which the impact post is received and said upper section of the underground footing can abut the upright tubular footing section. One or both of upright tubular footing section and the upper section of the underground footing can have location means thereon to locate the upright tubular footing section and the upper section of the underground footing relative to one another.

Optionally, the upright tubular footing section and the upper section of the underground footing are welded to one another. By providing the location means the upper section can easily be located in place for welding, although it will be appreciated that other joining methods may be used.

The upper section of the underground footing may be provided with a spacer section located below the recess and extending therefrom, wherein the cross section of the spacer section has substantially the same dimensions as the upright tubular footing section. The spacer may be dimensioned for different types of applied ground surface such that, after installation of the underground footing, when the ground surface is applied, the top of the upper section is substantially flush with the ground surface. For example, the surface depth of a tarmacadam surface may be different from the surface depth of a block paved surface, and the spacer allows for this variation.

In the preferred embodiment the cover plate is substantially the same depth as the recess. In this manner when the cover plate is located in the recess it is substantially flush with the surface in which the underground footing is located.

The cover plate may comprise a cover plate recess therein for receiving one or more: of paving material, road surface material, aggregate, concrete or other decorative material therein. In this manner the upper surface of the cover plate may be faced with the same material as the ground surface in which it is located. For example, if the surface surrounding the bollard is block paved then pieces of the same block paving material may be inset in the recess to produce a surface having a substantially homogeneous appearance.

The cover plate may have a plurality of through holes therein for receiving fixing means 25 therethrough.

In an embodiment the cover plate may comprise a plurality of small plates adjacent its upper surface at its periphery, and wherein said small plates have one or more of fixing holes for receiving fixing means and one or more lifting holes for receiving lifting means therein.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of installing a removable bollard system of the invention, the method comprising: excavating an area of ground in which the bollard system is to be installed; locating the underground footing in the excavated area such that the top of the upper section is at the finished level of the surface in which it is to be located; infilling the excavated area with concrete such that the upper section protrudes therefrom; applying a surface finish to the ground above the concrete such that it is substantially flush with the top of the upper section; fitting the impact post in the underground footing; and locating the shroud over the impact post such that the lower end is received in the recess and fixing it thereto. The method may further comprise locating a rebar cage around the underground footing within the excavated area prior to infilling with concrete.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a kit of parts for retrofitting to a bollard comprising an underground footing and a removable impact post, the kit of parts comprising: an underground footing upper section for attachment to an underground footing, the upper section comprising a recess; a shroud for locating over the impact post, the shroud having a lower end receivable in the recess; and a cover plate receivable in the recess; wherein the impact post and shroud are interchangeable with the cover plate.

Advantageously this allows some designs of existing installed bollard, for example one described in GB 2511273 to be retrofit to produce a bollard system of the present invention. 15 Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a lower section of an underground footing with an impact post installed which is suitable for use in the invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of a first example of an upper section of the underground footing of the invention; Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the first example of an upper section of the underground footing of the invention; Figure 4 shows a side view of a shroud of the invention; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a lower end of the shroud of the Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a side view of a cover plate of the invention; Figure 7 shows a top view of a cover plate of the invention; Figure 8 shows a side view of a second example of an upper section of the underground footing of the invention; Figure 9 shows a bottom view of the second example of an upper section of the underground footing of the invention; Figure 10 shows an exploded view of a removable bollard system of the invention in a first configuration; and Figure 11 shows an exploded view of a removable bollard system of the invention in a second configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A bollard system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is described herein with reference to the accompanying Figures.

The removable bollard system has an underground footing for installation in the ground, the underground footing comprising an upper section comprising a recess and an impact post removably locatable in the underground footing such that, when installed, the impact post extends above the ground.

With reference to Figure 1, a lower section, generally denoted as 12, of an underground footing of the bollard 10 is shown. When installed the lower section is underground, and an impact post generally denoted 14 is retained in the footing and extends above the ground level. The impact post 14 has an impact facing side and when installed is orientated with the impact facing side facing towards the direction in which the bollard is designed to withstand an impact.

The lower section 12 is constructed as follows. A substantially vertical upright tubular footing section 16 is provided which is constructed from tubular steel box section. An opening is provided on the impact facing side of the upright tubular footing section 16 at its lower end and a foot box 18 also made of steel is arranged adjacent the upright tubular footing section 16. The second piece of steel 18 may be either box section or square U-channel and is positioned such that an open end thereof aligns with the opening in the upright tubular footing section 16. Preferably the upright tubular footing section 16 and second piece of steel 18 are made of regular steel but may optionally be made of a spring steel.

The tubular upright tubular footing section 16 and foot box 18 are attached at their lower edges to a steel base plate 20. Although it will be appreciated that the plate may be of any suitable size, a plate of 350 x 500 mm weighing only 58kg was used in the test sample. The upright tubular footing section 16 and foot box 18 are welded to the base plate 20 to form a boot like arrangement as shown.

Attached to this boot are two energy absorbing components both of which are constructed from spring steel. One of the energy absorbing components is a back plate 22 that is attached to the rear side of the boot, away from the impact facing side. The back plate 22 is attached to the lower section 12 at a position that, in use, is flush with or slightly below an upper edge of the upright tubular section 16. Providing that the back plate 22 is immediately adjacent and in contact with the rear side of the upright tubular footing section 16 it is not necessary for it to be permanently attached as, when installed, it will be retained in place by the concrete bed in which the lower section 12 is placed. However, practically it is beneficial to attach the back plate 22 to the upright tubular footing section 16 to ensure that during installation it remains in the required position as the concrete is poured and sets. It may be attached by means of a threaded bolt 26.

The other energy absorbing component is a spring steel foot plate 24 that is located immediately adjacent the impact facing side of the upright tubular footing section 16 towards its lower end. The preferred position for the foot plate 24 is adjacent the upright tubular footing section 16 immediately above the foot box 18. The foot plate 24 is substantially perpendicular to, and extends to either side of, upright tubular footing section 16.

As with the back plate 22 the foot plate 24 may be attached to the upright tubular footing section 16 by means of a bolt 28.

Optionally an additional support plate 30 may be provided that is attached along two edges, to the base plate 20 and the rear face of the upright tubular footing section 16 such that it projects from the rear of the upright tubular footing section 16 substantially perpendicular to its longitudinal axis and perpendicular to the base plate 20. This support plate 30 assists in both providing support to the upright tubular footing section 16 under impact and in transmitting force from the post, when it is struck, to the base plate 20.

Referring now to the impact post 14, when installed the impact post 14 of the security barrier bollard 10 is located in the lower section 12 so that it is partially below ground level and extends vertically upwards from the footing to create a security bollard that can withstand an impact form a vehicle travelling at speed and prevent passage of that vehicle.

The impact post 14 comprises a plurality of substantially vertical spring steel elements 32, 34, 36, 38 the lower ends of which are received in the interior of the upright tubular footing section 16 and are aligned between the impact facing side of the upright tubular footing section 16 and the rear facing side of the upright tubular footing section 16. At least one of the vertical spring steel elements 32 is L shaped such that it comprises a substantially vertical section 32A and, at its lower end, a substantially horizontal section 32B. It will be appreciated that the element 32 need not strictly be L-shaped as the upper end may be provided with additional features, the important design parameter being the horizontal lower section 32B that forms a foot of the element. When assembled the element 32 is positioned such that the horizontal section extends into the foot box 18 and the remainder of the vertical elements 34, 36, 38 are located behind the element 32 and retain it in position with its horizontal section 32B in the foot box 18.

The horizontal section 32B is of a size that enables it, in the absence of the other elements 34, 36, 38, to be inserted into and removed from the footing. Preferably this is achieved by virtue of the length of the horizontal section being slightly less than the interior dimension of the hollow upright tubular footing section 16 along its front-back axis. This enables the element 32 to be dropped into the upright tubular footing section 16 with its vertical section 32A adjacent the interior of the back edge of the upright tubular footing section 16 until the horizontal section 32A abuts the base plate 20, and then slid towards the impact facing side of the upright tubular footing section 16 until it abuts that surface and so that the horizontal section 32B passes into the foot box 18. Once the vertical element 32 is in place the remainder of the elements 34, 36, 38 can be slid into the upright tubular footing section behind the element 32 so as to retain it in its place. Packing elements 40 may additionally be used to help retain the elements in place.

The elements 32, 34, 36, 38 are retained in the upright tubular footing section 16 at their lower end but are not attached to one another at their upper ends. This enables them, under impact, to flex such that their adjacent surfaces can slide over one another. In this way the elements reinforce one another but do so in a manner that enables them to flex without imparting the stresses into the structure that would occur if they were physically attached to one another at their upper ends.

The lower section 12 is, in use, set in a concrete bed so as to firmly anchor it in the ground.

The concrete bed is reinforced with steel reinforcement, commonly known as rebar. Preferably a plurality of rebar pieces are arranged around the footing within the concrete bed. More details of the way in which the bollard is installed are given in GB 2511273.

When bollards as described in relation to Figure 1 are installed, the area surrounding them is usually finished with a top surface which may be of various materials and of various depth. In this manner the concrete bed in which they are set is obscured and the bollard appears to protrude from the surrounding surface.

In some instances, is it desirable that the impact post 14 is easily removable from the lower section 12 so that the bollard can be removed when not needed, and easily installed when needed. This may be useful when hostile vehicle mitigation is not a permanent need, but which may be required from time to time. For example, a town square may not usually need hostile vehicle mitigation but when used for special events, Christmas markets, concerts, etc., when there is a high density of pedestrians compacted into a relatively small space, this may be perceived as a target and accordingly it would be beneficial if HVM bollards could be quickly installed. At other times however, it will be desirable for the surface to be substantially homogeneous. This may be desirable for a number of reasons, including elimination of trip hazards, and aesthetic (particularly relevant in historic towns where the surface is characteristic of the environment).

Referring now to Figure 2 and 3, an upper section 42 of the post footing is shown. The upper section 42 has a peripheral wall 44 and a base 46, together forming an upward opening recess 48 which in the example embodiment is rectangular, although it will be appreciated that any suitable shape of recess may be provided, for example circular or elliptical. The height of the recess is determined by the height of the peripheral wall 44 which may be varied depending on the application. The base 46 has an opening 50 therein to allow the impact post 14 to pass therethrough in use. The impact post 14 passes through the opening 50 and into the upright tubular footing section 16 in which the impact posts are received, and wherein, in use, said upper section 42 of the underground footing abuts the top of the upright tubular footing section 16 of the lower section 12. The upper section 42 of the underground footing has location means 52 thereon to locate the upright tubular footing section 16 and the upper section 42 relative to one another. As shown in Figures 2 and 3 these may take the form of lugs extending downwardly from the base 46 of the upper section. In use the lugs locate around the exterior surface of the upright tubular footing section 16 such that they do not interfere with the passage of the spring steel posts 32 thereinto. The upright tubular footing section 16 and the upper section 42 of the underground footing abut one another and are welded to one another so that they are securely attached. The weld may be performed around the exterior of the join line if done before installation or alternatively may be done around the interior of the join line, i.e. through the opening 50, if the upper section is being retrofit after the lower section of the underground footing has been installed.

The opening 50 in the base is approximately the same shape and dimensions as the cross section of the upright tubular footing section 16 so that when the upper section 42 is attached thereto the upright tubular footing section 16 extends substantially downwardly from the opening 50.

A plurality threaded holes 54 (Figure 2) are provided in the base 46 of the recess 48. These are provided by attaching internally threaded bosses 56 in holes 58 (Figure 3) in the base 46. These threaded holes 54 are used to attach a shroud or cover plate to the upper section 42 by means of threaded fasteners as described in detail below.

The impact post 14 comprising spring steel elements 32 may be inserted and removed from the footing as described in GB 2511273. In contrast to the method described in GB 2511273, where the impact post is intended to be easily inserted and removed during normal operation, once the spring steel elements 32 and packing elements 40 are located in the footing element the step of filling any remaining gaps with grout may be omitted so as to facilitate their removal.

Referring now to Figure 4 a shroud 60 for locating over the impact post 14 is shown. The shroud 60 comprises a substantially tubular section 62 which covers the impact post 14 to give it an improved aesthetic. The example embodiment shows as stainless steel elliptical shroud, however it will be appreciated that any shape or material shroud may be used to suit the surrounding environment. The shroud 60 has a lower section 64 to which the tubular section 62 is attached, for example, by welding. In use the lower end of the shroud is received in the recess 48 and is attached to the upper section 42 of the underground footing.

Referring to Figure 5 the lower section 64 of the shroud 60 is described in more detail.

Although shown as substantially rectangular, it will be appreciated that the shape of the lower section 64 will be matched to the shape and dimensions of the recess 48 such that it locates therein. The lower end 64 of the shroud has a thickness which is substantially the same depth as the recess 48. In this manner, when located therein, the lower end 64 of the shroud lies substantially flush with an upper edge of the recess 48. The lower end 64 of the shroud comprises an upper base plate 66, from which an above ground section of the shroud (i.e. the tubular section 62) extends, and a lower base plate 68, which is spaced from the upper base plate 66. One or more spacer 70 extends between the upper base plate 66 and the lower base 68, maintaining them in spaced relationship such that the separation between the lower surface of the lower base plate 68 and the upper surface of the upper base 66 plate is substantially the same as the depth of the recess 48. The upper 66 and lower 68 base plate comprise a plurality of pairs of vertically aligned holes 72 therein for receiving fixing means therethrough. The spacers 70 are located between the vertically aligned holes 72 and have passageways therein for, in use, receiving the fixing means therethrough. The upper and lower base plate and the spacers may be made of steel, and the spacers 70 welded to the base plated 66, 68. In some embodiments additional spacers (not shown) may be provided in locations not aligned with the holes 72.

Referring now to Figures 6 and 7 a cover plate 74 for use in the invention is shown. The cover plate 74 has a tray like structure comprising a substantially upright side wall 76 which extends around and upwardly from the edge of a cover base 78. So that it forms a cover plate recess 80 thereabove. The external shape and dimensions of the cover plate 74 are such that it fits closely within the recess 48 in the upper section 42 of the footing. It will be appreciated that if the shape if the recess is other than rectangular, e.g. elliptical, then the shape if the cover plate 74 will match that shape. It will be appreciated that the cover plate recess 80 is open to its top face. The depth of the cover plate recess 80 is dependent on the depth of the upright side wall 76 which may be varied as described hereinbelow. In the example embodiment the depth if the cover plate 74 is the same as the depth of the recess 48 in the upper section 42 of the footing such that when the cover plate 74 is inserted in the recess 48 it is substantially flush with the top thereof. In use the cover plate recess can be filled with a surfacing material to match the surrounding area such that, when in situ, a substantially homogeneous looking surface is created. The surfacing material may be a paving material, a road surface material (for example tarmacadam), a loose or bound aggregate, concrete, tile or any other suitable surface material.

The cover plate 74 is provided with a plurality of holes 84 extending from the top of the recess to through the cover base 78. In use threaded fasteners are inserted through the fixing holes 84 and fixed into the threaded holes 54 in the upper section 42 to attach the cover plate 74 thereto. In the depicted embodiment small plates 82, in the form of corner brackets, are provide adjacent the side walls of the cover plate, i.e. at its periphery, and the holes 84 extend through the plates 82 and the cover base 78. It will be appreciated that the location of the brackets in the corners, as depicted in Figure 6 and 7 is one of design choice and they may be located elsewhere, for example extending from the side wall 76 between the corners. It will also be appreciated that where brackets 82 are not used, bosses may extend from the cover base 78 to the height of the sidewall and the holes 84 may extend through the bosses. In this way the threaded fasteners can be passed through the holes even when the cover plate recess 80 has been filled with the surfacing material. The holes 82 may also be used as lifting holes through which a hooked tool may be inserted to facilitate the removal of the cover plate 74 from the recess 48. Alternatively, or in addition, dedicated lifting holes 86 may be provided. In the example embodiment these are provided as slotted holes in the plates 82 in which a lifting tool may be inserted and then rotated to allow it to be used to lift the cover plate 74. As show in in Figures 6 and 7, corner wall plates 90, extend downwardly from the plates 82 in the corners of the cover plate 74, thereby preventing the surfacing material from extending thereunder in use. These may help locate the surfacing material and thereby prevent it from obstructing one or more of the fixing holes 84 and the lifting holes 86. In the example embodiment the cover plate 74 has a welded steel construction, however it will be appreciated that other materials or manufacturing methods may be used. For example, other metals, polymers, reinforced polymers (e.g. glass filled polymers) or composites may be used and the construction may be welded, cast or moulded.

Details of the method of installing the lower section 12 of the underground footing depicted in Figure 1 are described in detail in GB 2511273, however in brief the installation method of the current invention is as follows.

First an area of ground in which the bollard system is to be installed is excavated to an appropriate depth to receive the underground footing. It will be understood that the depth of the footing will be dependent on the impact rating, i.e. the speed of impact and weight of vehicle the installation is intended to protect against, and is not limited to any dimensions stated in GB 2511273. The underground footing is then located in the excavated area such that the top of the upper section is at the intended level of the finished surface in which it is to be located and the excavated area is infilled with concrete such that the upper section protrudes therefrom. Prior to infilling with concrete, a rebar cage may be placed in the excavated area around the underground footing and covered with the concrete infill so that it reinforces the concrete.

Once the footing is installed a surface finish is applied to the ground above and surrounding the concrete such that the surface finish is substantially flush with the top of the upper section. This may be a single layered finish, for example a tiled finish, or may be a layered finish including layers such as aggregate, sand and paving bricks. The surface finish is also applied in the cover plate recess such that it is substantially flush with the top thereof. If the surface finish surrounding the bollard is patterned, for example if it is made of discreet pieces of surfacing, e.g. bricks, tiles or cobbles, with distinct lines therebetween, the surfacing within the recess may be arranged such that pattern of lines in the surfacing surrounding the bollard is continued in the surfacing in the cover plate recess 80.

If HVM is required at the time of installation the impact post 14 is then fitted in the underground footing and the shroud is located over the impact post such that the lower end is received in the recess 48, and is fixed therein by means of threaded fasteners passing therethrough and into the threaded holes 54 in the upper section 42. The upper surface of the upper plate 66 of the lower section 64 of the shroud 60 is substantially flush with the top of the recess 78 and therefore the surrounding surface such that, even at the base of the shroud a substantially flat surface is provided which mitigates trip hazards. If, on the other hand, the bollards are not required at the time of installation then the impact post 14 is not placed in the footing and instead the cover plate 74 with the surface finish applied is located within the recess 48 and attached thereto by threaded fasteners.

As the impact post 14 and shroud 60 are interchangeable with the cover plate 74, the bollard can be simple installed when needed and removed when not needed, and when not installed the invention provides a substantially homogeneous appearance to the area.

Referring now to Figures 8 and 9, another embodiment of the upper section 42' is shown in which two alternative design features are illustrated. It will be appreciated that the upper section 42' is substantially the same in purpose and design as that depicted in Figures 2 and 3, and that one or both of these alternative design features may be incorporated into the upper section 42 described in relation to Figures 2 and 3.

The first design variation is that the peripheral wall 44' is much shallower than that shown in Figures 2 and 3. It will be appreciated that different surface finishes applied to the area surrounding the bollard will have different depths depending on the specific application. For example, if the bollard system is installed in an interior space for which HVM is required, like a large exhibition hall where vehicular access is required from time to time, then often the subfloor in which the system is to be installed will be concrete and the surface finish may only be a thin tile covering in the order of 1 to 2 cm. If, however, the system is to be installed outside in a pedestrian area with brick paving then the surface finish is likely to, at a minimum, be the depth of the bricks, in the order of 10cm, and will often include a sand or aggregate layer as well. Accordingly, difference heights of peripheral wall 44' can be used to create different depths of recess. It will be appreciated that the cover plate 74 that is received in the recess will have a corresponding height so that when installed it is substantially flush with the top of the recess. In this way the upper section 42, 42' can be adapted to suit different surfacing materials.

The second design variation depicted in Figures 2 and 3 is the incorporation of a spacer section 88 as part of the upper section 42' of the underground footing. The spacer section 88 is located below the recess and extends downwardly, in use, therefrom. The cross section of the spacer section 88 has substantially the same shape and dimensions as the upright tubular footing section 16 (Figure 1). A plurality of location means 52' are attached to the exterior of the spacer means 88 at the distil end thereof. These location means 52' locate the upper section 42' relative to the upright tubular section 16 (Figure 1) such that the two parts can be welded together, either internally or externally. The spacer section 88 allows the recess 48 to be spaced from the upright tubular footing section. This may be of additional advantage where, for example the surface finish comprises a layer of aggregate, sand or the like below the top surface. In such circumstances it may be desirable for the cover plate not to have to also include these layers and by including the spacer the recess 48 can be raised relative to the upright tubular section 16 to allow for the aggregate layers. The spacer may be provided already attached as a part of the upper section 42' or may be provided separately for attachment at the point of installation, i.e. an upper section as depicted in Figure 2 and 3 may be provided with a spacer that sits between it and the upright tubular section 16.

The invention may, as described above, include the underground footing, the upper section of the underground footing, the impact post, the shroud and the cover plate, i.e. the entire bollard system may be provided for installation. It will also be appreciated that the bollard system may be retrofit to a suitable existing bollard footing, for example one that has already been installed, or may be supplied as an add on kit of parts sold separately from the main footing. The kit of parts includes the upper section of the underground footing, the shroud and the cover plate. Optionally the kit of parts may also include the impact post.

Referring now to Figures 10 to 13 a bollard system of the invention is shown in two configurations. Figure 10 and 12 show the bollard system with the shroud and Figure 11 and 13 show the bollard system with the cover plate. Figure 10 is an exploded view of the arrangement of Figure 12 and Figure 11 is an exploded view of the arrangement of Figure 13. In Figures 10 and 12 it can be seen that the upper section 42 of the underground fitting can be secured to the lower section 12 of the underground footing to form a recess into which the lower section 64 of the shroud 60 can be received. It will be appreciated that the component parts are substantially as described hereinabove, and that in use an impact post (omitted for clarity in Figure 10) would be located in the underground footing and extend upwardly therefrom into the shroud 60. As shown on Figures 11 and 13, the shroud (and impact post) can be removed and interchanged with a cover plate 74 that has been infilled with a surfacing material 92, in this instance block paving, selected to match the surface in which the bollard system is, in use, located. As can be seen, the lower section 64 of the shroud 60, and the cover plate 74, have substantially the same depth which is matched to the recess in the upper section 42 of the underground footing so that when installed both the lower section 64 of the shroud, and the cover plate 74, lie substantially flush with the upper edge of the upper section 42 of the underground footing. As described herein it will be appreciated that, in use, the shroud 60 and the cover plate 74 would be attached in place with suitable fasteners.

It will be understood by the skilled person that the embodiments described herein are given as non-limiting examples of the invention and that various modifications to the bollard and method described herein may be made without deviating from the scope of the invention as defined by the claims. For example, the threaded fasteners described herein may be replaced with any suitable releasable fasteners.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A removable bollard system comprising: an underground footing for installation in the ground, the underground footing comprising an upper section comprising a recess; an impact post removably locatable in the underground footing such that, when installed, the impact post extends above the ground; a shroud for locating over the impact post, the shroud having a lower end receivable in the recess; and a cover plate receivable in the recess; wherein the impact post and shroud are interchangeable with the cover plate.
2. A kit of parts for converting a bollard comprising an underground footing and a removable impact post to a removable bollard system, the kit of parts comprising: an underground footing upper section for attachment to an underground footing, the upper section comprising a recess; a shroud for locating over the impact post, the shroud having a lower end receivable in the recess; and a cover plate receivable in the recess; wherein the impact post and shroud are interchangeable with the cover plate.
3. A removable bollard system according to claim 1 or a kit of parts according to claim 2, wherein the lower end of the shroud is substantially the same depth as the recess such that when located therein it lies substantially flush with an upper edge of said recess.
4. A removable bollard system or a kit of parts according to claim 3, wherein the lower end of the shroud comprises an upper base plate from which an above ground section of the shroud extends, a lower base plate spaced from the upper base plate and one or more spacer between the upper base plate and the lower base.
5. A removable bollard system or a kit of parts according to claim 4, wherein the separation between the lower surface of the lower base plate and the upper surface of the upper base plate is substantially the same as the depth of the recess.
6. A removable bollard system or a kit of parts according to claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the upper and lower base plate comprise a plurality of pairs of vertically aligned holes therein for receiving fixing means.
7. A removable bollard system or a kit of parts according to claim 6 wherein said fixing means comprise threaded fixing means and wherein the recess comprises a plurality of threaded holes therein for receiving threaded fixing means.
8. A removable bollard system or a kit of parts according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein at least some of said one or more spacers are located between the vertically aligned holes and have passageways therein for receiving the fixing means therethrough.
9. A removable bollard system according to claim 1 or any one of claims 3 to 8 or a kit of parts according to any one of the claims 2 to 8, wherein the upper section of the underground footing comprises a peripheral wall and a base forming said recess, and wherein said base comprises an opening therein to allow the impact post to pass therethrough.
10. A removable bollard system according to claim 1 or any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the underground footing comprises an upright tubular footing section in which the impact posts are received, and wherein, in use, said upper section of the underground footing abuts the upright tubular footing section.
11. A removable bollard system according to claim 10, wherein one of the upright tubular footing section and the upper section of the underground footing has location means thereon to locate the upright tubular footing section and the upper section of the underground footing relative to one another.
12. A removable bollard system according to claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the upright tubular footing section and the upper section of the underground footing are welded to one another.
13. A removable bollard system according to any one of claim 10 to 12 wherein the upper section of the underground footing comprises a spacer section located below the recess and extending therefrom, wherein the cross section of the spacer section has substantially the same dimensions as the upright tubular footing section.
14. A removable bollard system according to claim 1 or any one of claims 3 to 13 or a kit of parts according to any one of the claims 2 to 13, wherein the cover plate is substantially the same depth as the recess.
15. A removable bollard system or a kit of parts according to claim 14, wherein the cover plate comprises a cover plate recess therein for receiving one or more: of paving material, road surface material, aggregate, concrete or other decorative material therein.
16. A removable bollard system or a kit of parts according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein the cover plate has a plurality of through holes therein for receiving fixing means therethrough.
17. A removable bollard system or a kit of parts according to any one of claims 14 to 16 wherein the cover plate further comprises a plurality of plates adjacent its upper surface and at its periphery, and wherein said plates have one or more of fixing holes for receiving fixing means and lifting holes for receiving lifting means therein.
18. A removable bollard system according to claim 1 or any one of claims 3 to 17 or a kit of parts according to any one of the claims 2 to 9 or 14 to 17, wherein the recess, the lower section of the shroud and the cover plate are substantially rectangular or elliptic in shape.
19. A method of installing a removable bollard system according to claim 1, the method comprising: excavating an area of ground in which the bollard system is to be installed; locating the underground footing in the excavated area such that the top of the upper section is at the finished level of the surface in which it is to be located; infilling the excavated area with concrete such that the upper section protrudes therefrom; fitting the impact post in the underground footing; applying a surface finish to the ground above the concrete such that it is substantially flush with the top of the upper section; and locating the shroud over the impact post such that the lower end is received in the recess and fixing it thereto.
20. The method of claim 18 further comprising locating a rebar cage around the underground footing within the excavated area prior to infilling with concrete.