GB2592186A

GB2592186A - Modular kerb

Info

Publication number: GB2592186A
Application number: GB2001517.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Sutton Philip
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-02-05
Filing date: 2020-02-05
Publication date: 2021-08-25
Also published as: GB202001517D0; GB2591830A; GB2591830B; EP4100278A2; WO2021156621A2; GB202007902D0; WO2021156621A3

Abstract

The modular kerb 10, particularly for charging electric vehicles, comprises a base unit 12 adapted to receive an electricity supply and connect the supply to an interchangeable head 14 which is operable to connect to an electric vehicle or other electrical load. The interchangeable head is preferably received inside or proximate the base unit, preferably within a slot or opening 28 formed in a generally uppermost and/or sloping wall of the base unit. The interchangeable head may comprise an induction coil 30, either retained entirely within the head or deployable as a retractable planar roll or sheet, configured to create an electromagnetic field to supply energy to an electric vehicle. The head may comprise a lockable access cover containing a plug-in charging cable. The head may include other articles including sensors, lighting, telecommunications apparatus, batteries and gas filters. Also claimed are a method of manufacture a modular kerb and a method of laying a linear kerb line.

Description

MODULAR KERB

TVICAL F11-1,D0 I- INITN7YON This invention relates to a modular kerb and its method of use. In particular, the present invention relates to a modular kerb suitable for kerbside charging of electric vehicles and the like. The kerbside charging of electric vehicles being achieved using wired or wireless electromagnetic induction technologies radiating from an interchangeable kerb io head or cartridge which is disposed in, or is proximate to, the base of the modular kerb.

In use, the present invention enabling electric vehicles to be conveniently and reliably recharged at the kerbside, which is particularly advantageous in those areas lacking off-street parking. The present invention can also be utilised with a modular or separate external battery unit to reduce peak demands on the electricity network for the future challenges of increasing electric vehicle uptake and/or to transfer the stored battery energy to nearby residential and commercial properties.

BACKGROUND

The popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating, mainly due to improvements in battery technologies and the reduction in purchasing and operating costs. Whilst ownership of EVs is increasing, there is a significant problem for potential owners who would otherwise wish to utilise an EV but they do not have off-street parking on their property or dwelling in which to park the vehicle to recharge it. This problem will only be exasperated since, in common with a number of developed countries, the UK government has set a target to cease sales of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040 in favour of electric or hybrid vehicles. The UK government are even planning to bring this deadline forward to 2035, or even sooner, so that the UK can achieve its target of emitting zero carbon by 2050. To meet this ambitious target there is huge requirement for upgrades to the highways infrastructure to accommodate this growth, and to local electricity distribution networks.

Most EV options and models have hitherto needed a significant financial outlay by the owner, for example, the Tesle range of EVs, where in all likelihood, the owner has off-street parking on his/her property. However this will almost certainly change over the next decade, with more of the procuring public living in homes with on-street parking or apartments which will require other charging solutions. Local authorities are reluctant to have more post-mounted charging technologies installed, and trailing cables across pavements and pathways is not feasible to mitigate against tripping and fall hazards.

There is another, equally important, problem that the rise of EV ownership will pose, and that is in terms of combating the increased load place upon an electricity network by multiple EV owners recharging their vehicles simultaneously. Anecdotal evidence ID suggests that most owners of EVs plug them in to charge once they return home in the evening. Since this is already the peak of the daily demand curve, there is a risk that the electricity network supplying power to local homes will become overloaded without very costly and disruptive infrastructure upgrades to increase the load capacity.

There is therefore a need for a roadside kerb, either of a polymeric, concrete or stone construction, which contains hardwired or wireless charging technologies, and thus making close proximity kerbside charging feasible. The roadside kerb can also include, or be connected to, a local battery unit which can be charged when there is a low demand on the network. During peak demand hours, such battery unit intelligently enables users to conveniently recharge their EVs and reduce the load requirements on the network.

This effectively increases the network's capacity and improves resilience.

It will be appreciated that within this application, the term "electric vehicle" and its abbreviation "EV" and their plurals can mean any one of a number of vehicles in which electricity is used as their energy source, including battery electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (BEVs). The above list is in no way intended to be limiting and exhaustive.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular kerb and its method of use which overcomes or reduces the drawbacks associated with the above problems. The present invention providing a modular kerb that can be installed in an entirely conventional manner at the interface of the road and pavement, and which enables on-street, mobile or roadside charging of EVs. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a modular, flexible roadside kerb assembly which contains hardwired or wireless charging technologies. The modular kerb of the present invention can also be connected to an integrated or separate battery unit and which reduces peak demand requirements on the electricity network. Use of the present invention enabling an EV to be conveniently and reliably charged at the roadside without the need to use a separate post-mounted charger or the like, and which does not obstruct the road, highway or footpath. In addition to EV charging, the use of the present invention also providing a dynamic power storage and transmission system which can transfer the stored battery energy to nearby residential and commercial properties by wireless induction or a hardwired connection, or by waypoint-positioned induction receivers enabling electromagnetic induction and battery storage to supply EVs residential and/or commercial properties at a greater range.

SEVALLIR IT OF i MUTATION The present invention is described herein and in the claims According to the present invention there is provided a modular kerb comprising: a base unit being adapted to receive an electricity supply, the base unit being adapted to connect the electricity supply to an interchangeable head, the interchangeable head being operable to connect the electricity supply to an electric vehicle and/or other electric load.

An advantage of the present invention is that it can be used to quickly and conveniently enable on-street, on the move or roadside charging of EVs Preferably, the interchangeable head is received inside, or is proximate to, the base unit.

Further preferably, the interchangeable head is received inside a slot or opening formed in a generally uppermost wall and/or sloping wall of the base unit.

In use, the interchangeable head may be removable and being operable to connect the electricity supply to an electric vehicle and/or other electric load when docked in the base unit.

Preferably, the interchangeable head comprises an induction coil being configured to create an electromagnetic field to supply energy from the electricity supply to an electric vehicle and/or other electric load using electromagnetic induction.

Further preferably, the induction coil being retained entirely within the interchangeable head.

In use, the induction coil may be deployable as a retractable roll or sheet which is generally planar when unfurled.

Preferably, the interchangeable head comprises a physically-lockable or electronically-actuated access cover which contains a plug-in EV charging cable Further preferably, the plug-in EV charging cable is extendable and retractable through the access cover disposed in the interchangeable head.

In use, the interchangeable head may be provided as a removable blanking unit.

Preferably, the interchangeable head includes one or more from the group consisting of: Wi-Fi systems and antennas (IEEE 802.11 standard), Bluetooth systems and antennas, cellular telecommunications networks, rechargeable batteries, carbon and NOx sequestration filters, CO2 and/or NOx monitoring systems, traffic flow monitoring sensors, traffic signal monitoring systems, Global Positioning Sensor (GPS) tracking devices, lighting systems, pedestrian crossing warnings and illumination indicia and the like.

Further preferably, the interchangeable head being electrically-or inductively-coupled to a modular rechargeable battery set which is received inside, or is proximate to, the slot or opening formed in the base unit, the modular rechargeable battery set being interposed between the interchangeable head and the base unit.

In use, the modular rechargeable battery set may be entirely contained within the base unit positioned below the interchangeable head, and in use positioned below the surface of a road to mitigate the risks of vehicular impact damage.

Preferably, the base unit being connectable to a separate belowground battery set having a battery capacity greater than that of the modular rechargeable battery set.

Further preferably, the interchangeable head can then be switched on-, or off-, wirelessly via application software and/or the electric usage can be monitored.

In use, the modular rechargeable battery set and/or the separate belowground battery set may be trickle charged from the electricity supply during periods of low demand and are dischargeable to an electric vehicle and/or other electric load during periods of peak demand Preferably, the modular kerb being formed in the dimensions of an existing standard or non-standard shape, which includes one or more from the group consisting of: half-battered, bull-nosed, splayed, droppers, crossing kerbs, radius, transition, quadrants and edging kerbs.

Further preferably, the base unit comprises means to electrically connect the base unit to a neighbouring base unit.

In use, the means to electrically connect the base unit to a neighbouring base may comprise complementary male and female connectors being formed in each of the end walls of the kerb base unit and a pre-cut length of cable connected therebetween disposed within a channel within the body of the base unit, and such that when the kerb base unit is laid against the neighbouring base unit, the male and female connectors disposed in in the end walls are brought together and mate to form an electrical connection therebetween.

Preferably, the other electric load comprises a dwelling.

Further preferably, the modular kerb and/or parts thereof are formed via injection moulding and/or blow moulding and/or vacuum forming and/or rotational moulding and/or compression moulding and/or rim moulding and/or powder impression moulding and/or any form of plastics or rubber manufacture.

In use, the modular kerb and/or parts thereof may be manufactured from a suitable plastics or rubberised material selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any of the following: Polypropylene (PP), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Glass Reinforced Nylon (GRN) or blends thereof, or be manufactured from a concrete or stone construction.

Preferably, one or more masterbatches are admixed with the polymer blend with o increased ferrous content to enhance resonant electromagnetic induction.

Also according to the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a modular kerb as hereinbefore described, the method comprising the steps of: a) supplying a polymer into a moulding tool which defines the base unit; b) providing means to electrically connect the base unit to a neighbouring base unit when in use; and c) forming an interchangeable head that is receivable in the base unit.

Further according to the present invention there is provided a method of laying a linear kerb line being operable to connect an electricity supply to an electric vehicle and/or other electric load, comprising the steps of a) placing a set of polymeric kerb base units as hereinbefore described along the borders of a road; b) laying the sub-base of the road; c) electrically connecting the set of polymeric kerb base units together, d) laying the top coat of the road; e) inserting an interchangeable head in the slot or opening formed in the base unit and 0 connecting one or both linear ends of the electrically-connected kerb base units to an appropriate point on the electricity network, or at one or more points therebetween.

It is believed that a modular kerb and its method of use in accordance with the present invention at least addresses the problems outlined above.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that variations of the present invention are possible and it is intended that the present invention may be used other than as specifically described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which.

ID Figure 1 is a perspective view from above of a modular kerb assembly in accordance with the present invention, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a linear line of modular kerb assemblies as shown in Figure 1 being installed in a conventional manner at the interface of the road and pavement; Figure 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view from above of a modular kerb assembly in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, and which shows that the modular kerb assembly can also contain an integrated rechargeable battery set; and Figure 4 is a principally schematic view showing how the modular kerb assembly of the present invention can be deployed to allow the charging EVs or even transfer to a dwelling.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED ElIBODDIENTS

The present invention has adopted the approach of utilising a modular kerb that can be installed in an entirely conventional manner at the interface of the road and pavement, and which enables on-street, mobile or roadside charging of EVs. Advantageously, the present invention provides a modular, flexible roadside kerb assembly which contains hardwired or wireless charging technologies. Further advantageously, the modular kerb of the present invention can also be connected to an integrated or separate battery unit and which reduces peak demand requirements on the electricity network. Further advantageously, use of the present invention enabling an EV to be conveniently and reliably charged at the roadside without the need to use a separate post-mounted charger or the like, and which does not obstruct the road, highway or footpath. In addition to EV charging, further advantageously the use of the present invention also providing a dynamic power storage and transmission system which can transfer the stored battery energy to nearby residential and commercial properties by wireless induction or a hardwired connection.

Referring now to the drawings, a modular kerb assembly 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in Figure 1. Specifically, the modular kerb assembly 10 being io polymer and cellular and is ideally placed to integrate wireless magnetic induction charging points or an electrical vehicle charging cable in areas devoid of off-street parking As shown in Figure 1, the modular kerb assembly 10 is formed as a kerb base unit 12. An interchangeable head or cartridge 14 is provided which is receivable inside, or is proximate to, the base unit 12. In the illustrative example shown in Figure 1, when the interchangeable head or cartridge 14 is received or "docked" in the kerb base unit 12, the modular kerb assembly 10 is dimensioned in the shape of a half-battered kerb according to British Standard EN 1340. The skilled person will appreciate that the modular kerb assembly 10 can be formed having any standard or non-standard shape, including bull-nosed arid splayed kerbs, droppers and crossing kerbs, radius and transition kerbs, quadrants and edging. The above list is in no way intended to be limiting and exhaustive.

As shown in Figure 1, the kerb base unit 12 is formed as an elongate unitary body having a front wall 16 which, in use, would be proximate to a road 36 or carriageway surface, or other substantially flat surface, as best shown in Figure 2. The kerb base unit 12 also having is a rear wall 18 which is opposite to the front wall 16 and which, in use, would be proximate to a pavement 34 or footpath, pathway, or other substantially flat surface, again as best shown in Figure 2. At the ends of the elongate kerb base unit 12 are positioned a pair of end walls 20.

The half-battered kerb base unit 12 shown in Figure 1 has a generally flat base wall 22 and an opposite top wall 24. For the half-battered kerb shown in Figure 1, there is also a sloping wall or front face 26 positioned between, or which cuts, the front wall 16 and the top wall 24. The engagement of the interchangeable head or cartridge 14 within the kerb base unit 12 is explained in more detail below.

The kerb base unit 12 shown in Figure 1 incudes a slotted aperture or opening 28 which can receive an interchangeable head or cartridge 14. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the interchangeable head or cartridge 14 is provided having a wireless magnetic induction coil 30 which, in use, creates an electromagnetic field to transfer or radiate energy using electromagnetic induction to a corresponding induction coil or plate disposed on an EV (not shown) which is positioned adjacent to, or nearby, the induction coil 30 of the interchangeable head or cartridge 14. The skilled person will understand that there are a number of different wireless transmission frequencies and connection protocols available in the art that could be utilised with EVs which support resonant wireless charging.

The corresponding induction coil or plate (not shown) on the EV can be either retrofitted and affixed to the underside of the EV. or installed during manufacture and integrated within the door or the door sill, for example. What is key is that the proximity between the induction coil 30 and the corresponding induction coil or plate on EV is sufficiently close to support electromagnetic induction from one to the other.

As shown in Figure 2, a line of kerb base units 12a-12f are laid in an entirely conventional manner at the interface of the road and pavement. Each cellular polymeric kerb base unit 12 shown in Figure 1 is also electrically linked or connected to its neighbouring base unit 12 in the laying phase. For example, unit 12a is electrically-connected to unit 12b, which in turn is electrically-connected to unit 12c, and so on. This can be achieved using a number of different technologies, techniques and connectors which are available to the skilled person and not shown for reasons of clarity in Figure 1. For example, corresponding male/female connectors (not shown) having the necessary level of ingress protection can be formed in the end walls 20 of the kerb base unit 12. A pre-cut length of cable runs between the corresponding male/female connectors disposed within a longitudinal channel or opening (not shown) within the body of the kerb base unit 12. When a kerb base unit 12 is laid against a neighbouring unit 12, corresponding male/female connectors disposed in in the end walls 20 are brought together and mate to form an electrical connection therebetween.

Alternatively, each polymeric kerb base unit 12 can be electrically connected to a neighbouring unit 12 using short sections of pre-cut cable and using electrical terminals known to those skilled in the art. The electrical terminals (not shown) being accessed through the slotted aperture or opening 28 which can receive an interchangeable head or cartridge 14, or through another ingress protected housing or opening (not shown). The above is in no way intended to be limiting and exhaustive, as the electrical connection of the kerb base unit 12 to its neighbour may be achieved using many standard electrical installation techniques known in the art.

The present invention therefore teaches that a cellular polymeric kerbside base unit 12 can be installed exactly as with more traditional materials, with minimal changes to carriageway, but which is hardwired to a local power network, as explained in more detail below. In particular, one or both linear ends of the electrically-connected kerbs 12a-12f, or at one or more points therebetween, can then be electrically connected to an appropriate point on the electricity network, such that electrical power is available to each electrically docked interchangeable head or cartridge 14a-14f received inside kerbs 12a-12f to enable on-street, mobile or roadside charging of EVs.

In a preferred embodiment, a resonant induction coupling system can enable wireless electromagnetic induction vehicle charging. This can be achieved using an interchangeable head or cartridge 14 provided having a wireless magnetic induction coil 30 or an interchangeable head 14 can be provided that contains a retractable blind, roll or sheet incorporating a resonant induction coupling which is planar when unfurled.

Equally, a modular removeable cartridge 14 can be provided which enables the integration of wireless telecommunication technologies and infrastructures, such as, for example, Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 standard), Bluetooth, any cellular telecommunications network or sensory parking instead of, or supplementary to, the wireless charging of EVs Such a modular kerb assembly 10 removes the need for plug-in technologies, mitigating the risk from roadside post-mounted charging systems that trailing cables across pavements produces tripping hazards and risks collision damage. For this reason, UK local authorities are trying to eradicate as much unnecessary street furniture as possible.

That being said, the modular kerb assembly 10 of the present invention can be provided having an interchangeable head or cartridge 14 which contains a lockable or electronically activated hardwired socket or plug (male or female). Such a removable head 14 containing an easily accessible plug-in system with a retractable cable that does not trail across the pavement.

If necessary, the interchangeable head or cartridge 14 can be installed as a blanking unit or can be supplied fully-enabled with a wireless or wired EV charging head, as described io above. In this way, once residents decide to procure an EV, a simple retrofit of the modular wireless charging cartridge or interchangeable kerb head 14 can be supplied, and the blanking unit is removed and cartridge 14 slotted and locked into place making connection with the pre-wired polymeric kerb base unit 12. The cartridge 14 can then be switched on-, or off-, wirelessly via an app and the electric usage can be monitored. In addition, again via an application software or app, the modular cartridge 14 allows the resident to rent the on-street system out to another vehicle owner, when not in use, and therefore providing means to monetise the system.

The interchangeable modular heads or cartridges 14 can alternatively contain rechargeable batteries, carbon sequestration filters, CO, and NOx monitoring systems, traffic flow monitoring, traffic signal monitoring systems and the like. The above is in no way intended to be limiting and exhaustive.

The heads or cartridges 14 can also contain a Global Positioning Sensor (UPS) tracking device This is particularly useful in the event of removal of the head 14 by vandals or by theft Figure 2 shows a linear line of electrically-connected kerb base units 12a-12f that have been laid at the interface between the pavement 34 and road 36, and have been configured to provide a plurality of resonant induction EV chargers 14b, 14d, 141 Figure 2 shows that interchangeable modular head or cartridge 14, as mentioned above in relation to Figure 1, can be provided as a induction loop coupler for wireless charging 14b, 14d, 14f or instead can be configured as a rechargeable battery unit 14a, 14c, 14e. Each of the rechargeable battery head units 14a, 14c, 14e being trickle charged from the supply, and when an EV (not shown) is parked adjacent to a resonant induction coupling head 14c, 14d, 14f, for example, one of more of the battery units 14a, 14c, 14e can be used, at least in part, to charge the EV. The use of rechargeable battery units Na, 14c, 14e therefore reduces the peak demand requirements on the electricity network and reduces some of the problems associated with overload conditions due to the fact that vehicle owners generally return home and charge their vehicles in the evening at the end of the day.

The skilled person will also appreciate that separate battery units 38, which can be have a io physically larger form factor and associated electrical capacity can also be trickle charged from the network, as shown, for example, in Figure 2 as taking its electrical supply from lamppost 32, and this larger battery pack 38 can additionally be used as a means to reliably charge EVs (not shown) Is The technological developments of rechargeable batteries has had enormous growth over the last decade. This would enable rechargeable battery heads or cartridges 14a, 14c, 14e or separate battery units 38 to trickle charge during the day, from hardwired, solar or any other suitable low-carbon local power source and then to discharge by hardwired cable connection or wirelessly to charge EVs, or to even discharge to a home (as shown in Figure 4) or via community scheme or more widely to the National Grid.

The rechargeable battery heads or cartridges 14a, 14c, 14e or separate battery units 38 will have a useful service life, and the interchangeable nature of the heads or cartridges 14a, 14c, 14e or separate battery units 38 allows for them to be easily replaced or serviced during their service life.

Figure 3 shows a second embodiment of the modular kerb assembly O. The construction of the second embodiment is very similar to that of the first embodiment and corresponding features have been given the same reference numerals. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that instead of the interchangeable head or cartridge 14 having one purpose (for example, as a resonant induction charger or wired unit), the plug-in interchangeable head or cartridge 14 can also include a replaceable and rechargeable battery set 40 which is received inside, or is proximate to, the opening or aperture 28 formed in the top 24 and/or sloping front face 26 of the kerb base unit 12. Such a rechargeable battery set 40 being electrically-connected to the kerb base unit 12 and also being electrically-connected to the interchangeable head or cartridge 14. As shown in Figure 2, the rechargeable battery set 40 is interposed between the kerb base unit 12 and the interchangeable head or cartridge 14 and which also leads to the advantageous effects described above in relation to Figure 2.

The embodiment shown in Figure 3 and the form factor of the rechargeable battery set 40 being received within aperture or opening 28 can take many forms and it would be overly-limiting to describe these structural features in detail, although the skilled person io will appreciate that any number of different form factors and configuration and number of battery cells 52 and complementary-positioned battery compartments 54 in the kerb unit 12 can be envisaged Again, these battery packs 40 could be trickle fed during periods of low demand from nearby lampposts, street furniture and traffic signage in readiness for peak demand (evening/overnight) discharge to EVs, residential or commercial property.

These battery packs 40, if not incorporated within the removable cartridge or modular removal head 14 can be contained within a underground service chamber 38, either below the pavement 34 or highway 36, in close proximity to the enabled kerb line, as best shown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 3, the hardwired or wirelessly powered base kerb unit 12 system can have an integrated removable rechargeable battery set 40 which can be installed in singles or multiple cells 52 or within a removable cradle or carrier (not shown). This battery set 40 can be trickle fed during non-peak power periods allowing these batteries 40 to be called upon during peak periods of power requirement. The ability for them to draw power or hold power during non-peak periods eases the peak demand requirements upon the electrical distribution network.

These modular battery sets 40 are installed within the base unit 12 below the removable head or cartridge system 14 and their location enables then to be protected below the road surface that could otherwise be subject to impact damage. However, by removing the top head or cartridge 14 allows easy access for servicing or replacement.

In use, all of the interchangeable heads or cartridges 14, separate battery sets 38 and integrated battery sets 40 are electrically-connected and communication between the them being via wireless or other telemetric systems known to the skilled person. In addition, the battery set 40 can either be hardwired or inductively connected with the enabled head or cartridge 14 allowing the pre-charged battery set 40 that has been trickle fed during a non-peak period to wirelessly charge the EV parked alongside the kerb 10 and which allows the growing EV market to reduce the load requirements on an already strained power network.

Figure 4 shows how the present invention can be utilised to take surplus off-peak power to charge the rechargeable battery sets 40 or interchangeable head or cartridges configured as battery units 14a, 14c, 14e and during periods of high electrical demand the stored energy can be transferred to a dwelling 44 as a method of reducing peak demands on the distribution network. As shown in Figure 4, a standard electrical connection 42 supplies a house 44, via consumer unit 46.

In addition, it is also envisaged to wirelessly transfer from the rechargeable battery set 40 to a household 44 or commercial premises during peak demand periods, such as during 20 the evening, when household power requirements increase, and this would allow a new form of commercial model for home power supply.

Furthermore, depending on the location of the enabled kerb 10 or belowground battery chamber 38, 40 to the residential or commercial property 44, a resonant or inductive coupling (not shown) could wirelessly transfer power from the belowground inbound residential or commercial property supply 42 to charge the battery set located within the kerb 40 or separate chamber 38 and vice versa. Equally, the inductive receiving plate (not shown) on the dwelling 44 which can wirelessly receive power from the battery set located within the kerb 40 or in a separate chamber 38 could, in use, have a bi-directional operation so that the residential or commercial property supply 42 could be used to wirelessly transfer power to a modular kerb assembly 10, or even to the EV 48 equipped with an appropriate corresponding induction coil or plate (not shown).

Figure 4 also shows how the modular kerb assembly 10 of the present invention can also be deployed using a wired EV cable 50 from interchangeable head 14 to charge the EV 48 parked adjacent to the modular kerb unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the modular kerb assembly 10 described herein and parts thereof can be formed from Polypropylene (PP), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Glass Reinforced Nylon (GRN) or blends thereof Alternatively, the kerb base unit 12 may have a concrete or stone constmction. The skilled person will appreciate that the modular kerb assembly 10 and parts thereof can be formed from any number of synthetic plastics material, or any other suitable first or second generation plastic material. The above list is no way intended to be limiting or exhaustive.

The modular kerb assembly 10 and parts thereof can be manufactured using techniques such as injection moulding, blow moulding, vacuum forming, rotational moulding, compression moulding, rim moulding, powder impression moulding or any other form of plastics manufacture The modular kerb assembly 10 and parts thereof can be supplied in a number of different colours. By forming the modular kerb assembly 10 and parts thereof from a cellular synthetic plastics material having a textured surface finish a concrete or stone surface finish can be achieved.

Sections of the modular kerb assembly 10 and parts thereof can be made from differing polymers. For example, the interchangeable heads or cartridges 14 could be manufactured from Glass Reinforced Nylon, this being a strong polymer highly resistant to impact damage, and the base unit 12 could be made from a blended recycled polyolefin, being a belowground application needing less mechanical resistance. Certain masterbatches and polymer with increased ferrous content could be used to improve energy transfer.

Furthermore, CO2 and NOx scavengers can be added to the polymers during processing, these additives attract airborne particles whilst in-situ to the kerb surface 10, and are then washed away with rainfall.

Therefore, the use of the modular kerb 10 according to the present invention enables a dynamic power storage and transmission system for both residential and commercial properties or for EV charging, by either resonant wireless induction or hardwired connection. It will be appreciated that within this application, the term "electric load" means any mobile or fixed electrical component or sub-component thereof, or any apparatus, system, accessory or device that consumes electric power.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms 'comprises and "comprising" and ID variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in the terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, separately, or in any combination of such features, can be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof The invention is not intended to be limited to the details of the embodiments described herein, which are described by way of example only. It will be understood that features described in relation to any particular embodiment can be featured in combination with other embodiments It is contemplated by the inventor that various substitutions, alterations, and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Examples of these include the following: Figure 1 shows that a head 14 is connected to the kerb base unit 12. It is envisaged that a removable head 14 that contains a lighting system can be provided, for low-level lighting or as warning system, for example, at pedestrian crossings as they could contain indication for the visually impaired. Furthermore, the incorporated battery set 40 within the kerb 12 could supply power to street lighting or traffic signals or any other highways-related infrastructure.

There is also opportunity to create a linear line of interconnected kerbs 10 that could enable EV charging while in transit. The easy access modular design of the kerb assembly 10 could enable damaged sections to be easily replaced without costly traffic management and traffic disruption

Claims

CLAIMSA modular kerb comprising: a base unit being adapted to receive an electricity supply, the base unit being adapted to connect the electricity supply to an interchangeable head, the interchangeable head being operable to connect the electricity supply to an electric vehicle and/or other electric load.
2. The modular kerb as claimed in claim 1, wherein the interchangeable head is received inside, or is proximate to, the base unit.
3. The modular kerb as claimed in claims 1 or 2, wherein the interchangeable head is received inside a slot or opening formed in a generally uppermost wall and/or sloping wall of the base unit.
4. The modular kerb as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interchangeable head is removable and being operable to connect the electricity supply to an electric vehicle and/or other electric load when docked in the base unit.
5. The modular kerb as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the interchangeable head comprises an induction coil being configured to create an electromagnetic field to supply energy from the electricity supply to an electric vehicle and/or other electric load using electromagnetic induction
6. The modular kerb as claimed in claim 5, wherein the induction coil being retained entirely within the interchangeable head.
7. The modular kerb as claimed in claim 5, wherein the induction coil being deployable as a retractable roll or sheet which is generally planar when unfurled.
8. The modular kerb as claimed in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the interchangeable head comprises a physically-lockable or electronically-actuated access cover which contains a plug-in WV charging cable.
9. The modular kerb as claimed in claim 8, wherein the plug-in EV charging cable is extendable and retractable through the access cover disposed in the interchangeable head.
10. The modular kerb as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interchangeable head being provided as a removable blanking unit
11. The modular kerb as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interchangeable head includes one or more from the group consisting of: Wi-Fi systems and antennas (IEEE 802.11 standard), Bluetooth systems and antennas, cellular telecommunications networks, rechargeable batteries, carbon and NOx sequestration filters, CO2 and/or NOx monitoring systems, traffic flow monitoring sensors, traffic signal monitoring systems, Global Positioning Sensor (GPS) tracking devices, lighting systems, pedestrian crossing warnings and illumination indicia and the like.
12. The modular kerb as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the interchangeable head being electrically-or inductively-coupled to a modular rechargeable battery set which is received inside, or is proximate to, the slot or opening formed in the base unit, the modular rechargeable battery set being interposed between the interchangeable head and the base unit.
13. The modular kerb as claimed in claim 12, wherein the modular rechargeable battery set are entirely contained within the base unit positioned below the interchangeable head, and in use positioned below the surface of a road to mitigate the risks of vehicular impact damage.
14. The modular kerb as claimed in claim 13, wherein the base unit being connectable to a separate belowground battery set having a battery capacity greater than that of the modular rechargeable battery set.
15. The modular kerb as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the interchangeable head can then be switched on-, or off-, wirelessly via application software and/or the electric usage can be monitored.
16. The modular kerb as claimed in any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the modular rechargeable battery set and/or the separate belowground battery set is trickle charged from the electricity supply during periods of low demand and are dischargeable to an electric vehicle and/or other electric load during periods of peak demand.
17. The modular kerb as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the modular kerb being formed in the dimensions of an existing standard or non-standard shape, which includes one or more from the group consisting of: half-battered, bull-nosed, splayed, droppers, crossing kerbs, radius, transition, quadrants and edging kerbs.
18. The modular kerb as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the base unit comprises means to electrically connect the base unit to a neighbouring base unit.
19. The modular kerb as claimed in claim 18, wherein the means to electrically connect the base unit to a neighbouring base comprises complementary male and female connectors being formed in each of the end walls of the kerb base unit and a pre-cut length of cable connected therebetween disposed within a channel within the body of the base unit, and such that when the kerb base unit is laid against the neighbouring base unit, the male and female connectors disposed in in the end walls are brought together and mate to form an electrical connection therebetween.
20. The modular kerb as claimed in claim 1, wherein the other electric load comprises a dwelling 25
21. The modular kerb as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the modular kerb and/or parts thereof are formed via injection moulding and/or blow moulding and/or vacuum forming and/or rotational moulding and/or compression moulding and/or rim moulding and/or powder impression moulding and/or any form of plastics or rubber manufacture.
22. The modular kerb as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the modular kerb and/or parts thereof are manufactured from a suitable plastics or rubberised material selected from the group consisting, but not limited to, any of the following: Polypropylene (PP), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) or Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS), Glass Reinforced Nylon (GRN) or blends thereof, or be manufactured from a concrete or stone construction.
23. The modular kerb as claimed in claim 1, wherein one or more masterbatches are admixed with the polymer blend with increased ferrous content to enhance resonant electromagnetic induction.
24. A method of manufacturing a modular kerb as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23, the method comprising the steps of a) supplying a polymer into a moulding tool which defines the base unit; b) providing means to electrically connect the base unit to a neighbouring base unit when in use; and c) forming an interchangeable head that is receivable in the base unit.
25. A method of laying a linear kerb line being operable to connect an electricity supply to an electric vehicle and/or other electric load, comprising the steps of: a) placing a set of polymeric kerb base units as claimed in any of claims 1 to 23 along the borders of a road; b) laying the sub-base of the road; c) electrically connecting the set of polymeric kerb base units together; d) laying the top coat of the road; e) inserting an interchangeable head in the slot or opening formed in the base unit and 0 connecting one or both linear ends of the electrically-connected kerb base units to an appropriate point on the electricity network, or at one or more points therebetween.