GB2615812A

GB2615812A - A bollard

Info

Publication number: GB2615812A
Application number: GB2202313.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Richard Jefferson Ian; David Botwright Matthew; Philip Knight Roger
Original assignee: Marshalls Mono Ltd
Current assignee: Marshalls Mono Ltd
Priority date: 2022-02-21
Filing date: 2022-02-21
Publication date: 2023-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2042-02-21
Also published as: GB202202313D0; GB2615812B

Abstract

A bollard 10 for restricting vehicle access, comprising a plurality of core members 100, 200, 300, each core member comprising: a first end 101, 201, 301 and, opposite thereto, a second end 102, 202, 302, a pair of sides 105, 205, 305 extending between the ends, each side defining a major surface 106, 206, 306. The plurality of core members is arranged side by side, and the first ends of the plurality of core members are arranged to define an impact face 11 of the bollard. Also disclosed is a bollard assembly 1 comprising a base (20, figure 10) defining an impact end (21, figure 10) and opposite thereto a rear end (22, figure 10). Also defined is a socket which is formed closer to the impact end than the rear end and a bollard as previously mentioned is received in the socket of the base, wherein the impact face of the bollard is arranged towards the impact end of the base.

Description

A BOLLARD

FIELD

[1] The present disclosure relates in general to means for restricting vehicle access and particularly to a bollard for restricting vehicle access.

BACKGROUND

[2] The control and, more particularly, the restriction of vehicular access to a target area has become an increasingly important security consideration in many countries. By restricting vehicular access to the target area partially or entirely, a vehicle-controlled zone may be formed so that buildings and/or individuals may be protected from, for example, a criminal or terrorist act.

[3] Vehicular access may be restricted, for example, by means of bollards defining a barricade. The barricade, which may also be known as vehicle security barrier, is configured to prevent forcible passage by a vehicle to the target area by enforcing stand-off. In order to withstand an impact of potentially considerable force, the barricade is required to be sufficiently resilient.

[4] Some known examples of bollards are made from metal tubes. Using known production processes, it is possible to manufacture high-grade metal tubes exhibiting properties desirable in bollards. However, metal tubes may lack other properties and therefore additional modifications are carried out. For example, the metal tubes may be filled with a filler material, such as a concrete mixture, to reinforce the metal tubes. Such modifications increase complexity of the manufacturing process and yet may still not yield bollards meeting performance requirements in view of size constraints.

[5] It is therefore considered desirable to provide an alternative bollard. SUMMARY [6] According to the present disclosure there is provided a bollard as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

[7] Accordingly, there is provided a bollard for restricting vehicle access. The bollard comprises a plurality of core members, with each core member comprising a first end, a second end opposite to the first end, and a pair of sides between the ends. Each side defines a major surface of the respective core member. The plurality of core members is arranged side by side, the first ends of the plurality of core members are arranged to define an impact face of the bollard.

[8] According to some examples, a core member of the plurality of core members comprises a foot end for anchoring the bollard. The foot end comprises a first foot extending from the front end and a second foot extending from the rear end. The first foot and the second foot extend in opposite directions.

[9] According to some examples, each core member comprises a foot end as described above.

[10] According to some examples, the foot end of at least one of the core members comprises a plurality of protrusions.

[11] According to some examples, protrusions of the plurality of protrusions extend from the first foot and the second foot in opposite directions.

[12] According to some examples, the foot end of at least one of the core members comprises a single protrusion. The single protrusion extends from the foot end between the first foot and the second foot.

[13] According to some examples, a head end of at least some of the core members is provided as a hook comprising a hook tip. The hook tip extends parallel to or towards the foot end.

[14] According to some examples, the plurality of core members comprises a first set of core members and a second set of core members. The first set of core members located between the second set of core members. Each core member of the first set of core members has a first thickness and each core member of the second set of core members has a second thickness; wherein the thickness of each core member is delimited by the pair of sides and the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.

[15] According to some examples, the plurality of core members is provided as a plurality of profiled steel plates.

[16] According to some examples, the plurality of core members comprises a central core member flanked on both sides by an equal number of core members.

[17] According to some examples, the bollard comprises a connector extending through at least some of the core members to structurally connect the at least some core members [18] There is also provided a bollard assembly comprising a bollard as described above. The bollard assembly further comprises a base defining an impact end and, opposite thereto, a rear end. A socket is formed closer to the impact end than the rear end. The bollard is received into the socket of the base, wherein the impact face of the bollard is arranged towards the impact end of the base.

[19] According to some examples, each core member comprises a foot end and a body. The foot end received into the base and the body extend from the base.

[20] According to some examples, each foot end comprises a first foot extending towards the impact end of the base and a second foot extending towards the rear end of the base.

[21] According to some examples, the base comprises an upper base plate and a lower base plate. The first foot and the second foot of each core member extend between the upper base plate and the lower base plate.

[22] According to some examples, the first foot of at least one of the core members comprises a pair of protrusions. A first protrusion of the pair extends from the first foot into the upper base plate and a second protrusion of the pair extends from the second foot into the lower base plate.

[23] According to some examples, the second foot of said core member comprises a pair of protrusions. A first protrusion of the pair extends into the upper base plate and a second protrusion of the pair extends into the lower base plate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[24] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how example embodiments may be carried into effect, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a bollard mounted to a base; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the bollard of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the bollard of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a core member of the bollard of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a side view of the core member of Figure 4; Figure 6 is a perspective view of another core member of the bollard of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a side view of the core member of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a perspective view of yet another core member of the bollard of Figure 1; Figure 9 is a side view of the core member of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of the base of Figure 1; and Figure 11 is an exploded view of the base of Figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[25] According to the present disclosure there is provided a bollard for restricting vehicle access and particularly for use in hostile vehicle mitigation.

[26] Figure 1 shows a bollard assembly 1 for restricting vehicle access. The bollard assembly 1 comprises a bollard 10 (or 'security post) and a base 20 (or foundation member). The bollard 10 is mounted to the base 20 which in use is suitably anchored. For example, the base 20 may be embedded in an excavated trench filled with a substrate, such as concrete. Thus, the bollard assembly 1 may be arranged to provide an obstacle to vehicular traffic.

[27] The bollard 10 comprises a plurality of core members 100, 200, 300 in a side-by-side arrangement such that an impact face 11 (or 'first face' or 'front face') of the bollard 10 is defined by the plurality of core members, rather than any one core member individually. The arrangement of core members 100, 200, 300 may make the bollard 10 particularly suitable for withstanding an impact against the impact face 11.

[28] The bollard assembly 1 defines a nominal impact direction 2. That is to say, the bollard assembly 1 is configured to withstand an impact in the nominal impact direction 2 and may in use be orientated to face the nominal impact direction 2. For example, the impact face 11 of the bollard 1 may be arranged to face the expected impact. According to the present example, the nominal impact direction 2 is perpendicular to the impact face 11 of the bollard 10.

[29] Figure 2 shows the bollard 10 without the base 20. The bollard 10 forms a plurality of bollard faces, including the front face 11, a rear face 12 and a pair of side faces 13. The front face 11 and the rear face 12 are opposite faces of the bollard 10 delimiting a depth of the bollard 10. Similarly, the pair of side faces 13 are opposite faces of the bollard 10 delimiting a width of the bollard 10.

[30] The bollard 10 comprises a bollard foot end 14 and a bollard head end 15. The bollard foot end 14 and the bollard head end 15 are opposite ends delimiting a length of the bollard 10. According to the present example, the bollard 10 has a generally elongate shape with the length being the greatest dimension of the bollard 10.

[31] A bollard body 16 extends between the bollard foot end 14 and the bollard head end 15. When mounted to the base 20, the bollard foot end 14 is located in the base 20 while the bollard body 16 extends from the base 20 such that the bollard head end 15 is located away from the base 20.

[32] According to the present example, the front face 11 of the bollard 10 defines a major surface 17 of the bollard 10. Similarly, the rear face 12 defines a major surface. The major surfaces are the largest surfaces defined by the bollard 10, whereas the remaining 'minor' surfaces are smaller. That is to say, the surface area of each side face 13 is less than the surface area of each of the front face 11 and the rear face 12.

[33] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the bollard 10. The bollard 10 is an assembly of structural members, i.e. the plurality of core members 100, 200, 300. According to the present example, the bollard 10 comprises five core members 100, 200, 300.

[34] The plurality of core members 100, 200, 300 comprises a central core member 100 (or 'first core member'), a pair of flanking core members 200 (or 'second core members'), and a pair of secondary flanking core members 300 (or 'third core members'). A flanking core member 200 is provided on each side of the central core member 100, and a secondary flanking core member 300 is provided on each side of the combination of the central core member 100 and the flanking core members 200.

[35] The bollard 10 comprises a connector 400. When assembled, the connector 400 structurally connects at least some of the core members 100, 200, 300. According to the present example, the connector 400 connects some but not all of the core members. More particularly, the connector 400 connects the assembly of the central core member 100 and the pair of flanking core members 200. The connector 400 extends through this assembly and structurally connects the individual core members 100, 200.

[36] Figures 4 to 9 illustrate the plurality of core members 100, 200, 300. In particular, Figures 4 and bare a perspective view and a side view of the central core member 100; Figures 6 and 7 are a perspective view and a side view of one of the flanking core members 200; and Figures 8 and 9 are a perspective view and a side view of one of the secondary flanking core members 300.

[37] Each core member 100, 200, 300 comprises a first end 101, 201, 301 and a second end 102, 202, 302 The first end and the second end are opposite ends delimiting an extent of the core member in a first direction, which may correspond to the nominal impact direction 2 when mounted to the base 20 or installed.

[38] Each core member 100, 200, 300 comprises a pair of sides 105, 205, 305. The pair of sides extends between the first end 101, 201, 301 and the second end 102, 202, 302 of the respective core member. The sides delimit an extent of the core member in a second direction. According to the present example, the second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

[39] The extent of the core members in the second direction is also referred to as the thickness of the core member. According to the present example, some of the core members have a first thickness while other core members have a second thickness different from the first thickness. More particularly, a first set of core members comprising the central core member 100 and the flanking core member 200 has the first thickness, while a second set of core members comprising the secondary flanking core members 300 has the second thickness. The first thickness is greater than the first thickness.

[40] According to the present example, the sides 105, 205, 305 of the core members 100, 200, 300 are flat such that the thickness is uniform. Accordingly, the major surfaces 106, 206, 306 are flat surfaces.

[41] The core members 100, 200, 300 are arranged side by side to form the bollard 10. That is to say, the core members are arranged 'side against side' or, in other words, the sides of a given core member are each located against the side of a neighbouring core member. For the secondary flanking core members 300, only a single side is located against the side of a neighbouring core member 200.

[42] Each side 105, 205, 305 of the core members 100, 200, 300 defines a major surface 106, 206, 306. The major surfaces 105, 206, 306 of the core members are the largest surfaces defined by each core members 100, 200, 300. That is to say, the area of the pair of major surfaces 106, 206, 306 of each core member 100, 200, 300 exceeds the area of any other area [43] Each core member 100, 200, 300 comprises a foot end 120, 220, 320, a head end 140, 240, 340, and a core member body 160, 260, 360 extending between the foot end and the head end. The foot end and the head end are opposite ends delimiting the core member in a third direction. According to the present example, the third direction is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction.

[44] The extent of the core member in the third direction is also referred to as the length of the core member. According to the present example, each core member has a generally elongate shape with the length being the greatest dimension.

[45] The foot end 120, 220, 330 is receivable into the base 20 for anchoring the core member in the base 20. According to the present example, the foot end 120, 220, 320 of each core member 100, 200, 300 comprises a first foot 122, 222, 322 and a second foot 124, 224, 324. The first foot 122, 222, 322 extends from the first end 101, 201, 301 while the second foot 124, 224, 324 extends from the second end 102, 202, 302. The first foot 122, 222, 322 and the second foot 124, 224, 324 extend in opposite directions.

[46] The foot end 120, 220, 320 of each core member 100, 200, 300 comprises at least one protrusion. According to the present example, some core members have multiple protrusions while others have a single protrusion.

[47] The central core member 100 and the secondary flanking core members 300 comprise an upper protrusion 126, 326 (or 'first protrusion') and a lower protrusion 128, 328 (or 'second protrusion'). The upper protrusion 126 extends in a direction towards the head end 140, 340, while the lower protrusion 128 extends in the opposite direction, i.e. in a direction away from the head end 140, 340. According to the present example, each foot 122, 124, 322, 324 comprises an upper protrusion 126, 326 and a lower protrusion 128, 328.

[48] The flanking core member 200 comprises a central protrusion 225 extending from the foot end 220 in a direction away from the head end 240. The central protrusion 225 is located between the first foot 222 and the second foot 224.

[49] The head end 140, 240 of the central core member 100 and the flanking core members 200 is provided as a hook. That is to say, a hook-shaped structure is provided wherein a hook tip 142, 242 extends towards the foot end 120, 220.

[50] The core member body 160, 260 of the central core member 100 and the flanking core members 200 each defines an aperture 162, 262. The apertures 162, 262 are aligned when the core members 100, 200 are arranged side by side such that the connector 400 is receivable into the apertures 162, 262 so aligned.

[51] Figures 10 and 11 illustrate the base 20. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the base 20, shown without the bollard 10, while Figure 11 is an exploded view of the base 20. The base 20 is configured to receive and anchor the bollard 10 such that in use the bollard 10 may hinder passage of a vehicle.

[52] The base 20 has an impact end 21 (or 'front end') and a far end 22 (or 'rear end'). That is to say, the impact face 11 of the bollard 10 and the impact end 21 of the base 20 are orientated in the same direction. According to the present example, the nominal impact direction 2 is perpendicular to the impact end 21 of the base 20. The bollard 10 is located closer to the impact end 21 of the base 20 than to the far end 22 of the base 20. Thus, a distance between the bollard 10 and the impact end 21 of the base 20 is smaller than a distance between the bollard 10 and the far end 22 of the base 20.

[53] The base 20 comprises an upper base plate 23 (or 'top plate' or 'first plate') and a lower base plate 24 (or 'bottom plate' or 'second plate'). The top plate 23 defines a socket 25 into which the bollard 10 is received and from which the bollard 10 extends. When so received, the bollard 10 sits against the bottom plate 24.

[54] Each of the upper plate 23 and the lower plate 24 forms a plurality of apertures 26, 27. When the bollard 10 is mounted, the plurality of apertures receives the protrusions 126, 128, 225, 326, 328 of the bollard 10. The plurality of apertures comprises a central aperture 26 which is flanked by a side aperture 27 on each side. According to the present example, a first plurality of apertures 26, 27 is provided between the socket 25 and the impact end 21, and a second plurality of apertures 26, 27 is provided between the socket 25 and the far end 22.

[55] The bollard 10 is manufacturable using any suitable material and preferably metal plate, such as steel plate. Each of the core members 100, 200, 300 may be provided as profiled steel plate, which is understood to describe a shape cut from steel plate, e.g., using laser cutting.

[56] The core members 100, 200, 300 are arranged side by side and joined using suitable means, such as welding. According to the present example, some of the core members are joined also by means of the connector 400.

[57] When the bollard 10 is mounted to base 20, the foot end of the bollard is located against the lower base plate. Thereby the feet of the core members are orientated such that the first feet extend towards the impact end 21, while the second feet extend towards the rear end 22. When so located, the lower protrusions and the central protrusion are received into the lower base plate 24. Subsequently the upper base plate is lowered around the bollard 10, with the bollard 10 extending through the socket. The upper protrusions are then received into the upper base plate. The foot end of the bollard is suitably secured to the base plates, for example by welding.

[58] A sleeve may be fitted over the bollard 10 to provide a desired appearance to the bollard 10.

[59] By arranging the plurality of core members side by side, i.e. major surface against major surface, the resulting bollard may exhibit improved performance when compared to conventional bollards known in the art.

[60] Feet received into the base may improve anchoring of the bollard.

[61] The protrusions extending from the feet may further improve anchoring of the bollard.

[62] The single protrusion extending from the foot end may further improve anchoring of the bollard.

[63] The hook may in use slow or capture a vehicle if said vehicle were to slide up the bollard in the event of yielding.

[64] By locating core members of greater thickness between core members of smaller thickness it may be possible to achieve desired performance whilst achieving a desired bollard footprint.

[65] High-grade steel plate exhibiting desirable performance qualities may be obtainable at reasonable cost. Moreover, manufacturing steps needed for making the bollard as described from steel plate, such as laser cutting and welding, may be readily implemented.

[66] According to some examples, an odd number of core members is provided.

[67] By adding the connector to structurally connect at least some of the core members, performance of the bollard may be further improved.

[68] In summary, exemplary embodiments of a bollard have been described. The described exemplary embodiments provide for an improved bollard. Additionally, the described exemplary embodiments are convenient to manufacture and straightforward to use.

[69] The bollard may be manufactured industrially. An industrial application of the example embodiments will be clear from the discussion herein.

[70] Although preferred embodiment(s) of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A bollard (10) for restricting vehicle access, comprising: a plurality of core members (100, 200, 300), each core member comprising: a first end (101, 201, 301) and, opposite thereto, a second end (102, 202, 302), a pair of sides (105, 205, 305) extending between the ends, each side defining a major surface (106, 206, 306); wherein: the plurality of core members is arranged side by side, and the first ends of the plurality of core members are arranged to define an impact face (11) of the bollard.
2. The bollard according to claim 1, wherein each core member comprises a foot end (120, 220, 320) for anchoring the bollard, the foot end comprising a first foot (122, 222, 322) extending from the front end (101, 201, 301) and a second foot (124, 224, 324) extending from the rear end (102, 202, 302), the first foot and the second foot extending in opposite directions.
3. The bollard according to claim 2, wherein the foot end (120, 320) of at least one of the core members (100, 300) comprises a plurality of protrusions (126, 128, 326, 328), the plurality of protrusions extending from the first foot and the second foot in opposite directions.
4. The bollard according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the foot end (220) of at least one of the core members (200) comprises a single protrusion (225), the single protrusion extending from the foot end (220) between the first foot (222) and the second foot (224).
5. The bollard assembly according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a head end (140, 240) of at least some of the core members (100, 200) is provided as a hook comprising a hook tip (142, 242), the hook tip extending parallel to or towards the foot end (120, 140).
6. The bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of core members comprises a first set of core members (100, 200) and a second set of core members (300), the first set of core members located between the second set of core members, and each core member of the first set of core members having a first thickness and each core member of the second set of core members having a second thickness; wherein the thickness of each core member is delimited by the pair of sides and the first thickness is greater than the second thickness.
7. The bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of core members is provided as a plurality of profiled steel plates.
8. The bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of core members comprises a central core member (100) flanked on both sides bySan equal number of core members (200, 300).
9. The bollard assembly according to any preceding claim, comprising a connector (400) extending through at least some of the core members (100, 200) to structurally connect the at least some core members
10. A bollard assembly (1), comprising: a base (20) defining an impact end (21) and, opposite thereto, a rear end (22), a socket formed closer to the impact end than the rear end; and a bollard (10) according to claim 1, the bollard received into the socket of the base, wherein the impact face (11) of the bollard is arranged towards the impact end (21) of the base.
11. The bollard assembly according to claim 10, wherein each core member comprises a foot end (120, 220, 320) and a body (160, 260, 360), the foot end received into the base and the body extending from the base.
12. The bollard assembly according to claim 11, wherein each foot end comprises a first foot extending towards the impact end of the base and a second foot extending towards the rear end of the base; the base comprises an upper base plate (23) and a lower base plate (24), wherein the first foot and the second foot of each core member extends between the upper base plate and the lower base plate.
13. The bollard assembly according to claim 12, wherein the first foot of at least one of the core members comprises a pair of protrusions, a first protrusion of the pair extending from the first foot into the upper base plate and a second protrusion of the pair extending from the second foot into the lower base plate, and wherein the second foot of said core member comprises a pair of protrusions, a first protrusion of the pair extending into the upper base plate and a second protrusion of the pair extending into the lower base plate.