GB2392468A

GB2392468A - Retractable ground anchor for anchoring street furniture

Info

Publication number: GB2392468A
Application number: GB0220059A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Shufflebottom
Original assignee: AUTOPA Ltd
Current assignee: AUTOPA Ltd
Priority date: 2002-08-29
Filing date: 2002-08-29
Publication date: 2004-03-03
Also published as: GB0220059D0

Abstract

The retractable ground anchor, for anchoring street furniture such as road signs, bollards etc., comprises a base 30, an engagement portion 34 for engaging and supporting a post 10, bollard etc. and a retraction device which allows the engagement portion to either be located so that it extends above the upper face of the base so as to let the post be attached or to be located in a retracted position where the upper faces of the base and the engagement portion are substantially coplanar. The engagement portion is preferably retracted relative to the base by resilient biasing means which may comprise one or more springs 22 that are each attached to the engagement portion and the base via hook portions 26a,b that engage spring loops 24a,b. Alternatively, one or more springs may be accommodated within a tube and the springs can be arranged so that they are either in tension or in compression when the engagement portion is extended above the base. The anchor also preferably includes limited stops 28 that prevent the engagement portion from extending too far from the base and a rotation which restricts rotation of the engagement portion relative to the base.

Description

2392468:.

TRAFFIC BOLLARI) APPARATUS AND RETRACTABLE, BASE THEREFOR

The invention relates to a retractable base for supporting a trafl'ic bollard or the like, for example signage posts and bollards are used in public highways and footways and footpaths.

5 They may be used to divide courses from one another, for instance in separating road lanes.

They may further be used to protect pedestrians, by shielding pedestrian crossing "islands", for example. Alternatively, they may be used as barrier restraints, at the end of vehicle parking spaces.

10 Such traffic bollard apparatus is well known, and is in common everyday use.

Commonly' such posts or bollards are set into the ground; alternatively, a base unit may be set into the ground, that base unit bearing a spigot. The bollard or post itself is then borne on the unit by insertion of the spigot into a complementary aperture on the underside of the 15 bollard or post. An arrangement not dissimilar to this is shown in the drawing of GB 2 320 274, to Pearce Gowshall Ltd. A problem associated with such arrangements, supported on a spigot-bearing base unit, arises when such a bollard or post is removed or is damaged by impact (arising Irom collision with 20 a vehicle, for example). Damage may, in this instance, occur to the bollard itself; and its base unit may be uprooted by the collision.

À A lion in the ground, or a protruding spigot andlor part of the base may be left behind after such a collision. Indeed, even after careful and deliberate removal, a part of the bollard may 25 remain. This is both unsightly and potentially dangerous. Further, such bollard systems' visibility is often improved by the addition of illuminating means accommodated within the outer body of the bollard. When the bollard is damaged by a collision tor instance, in this case electrical components may be left exposed, which may pose additional sat'ety risks.

30 Replacement or repair to such damaged or removed bollard units may often involve À excavation and other ground work. Such work may be considerably expensive and may t'ur(her cause inconvenience and delay.

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It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least to mitigate, these problems associated with the prior art. In the first instance, this is achieved by the provision of a

bollard system, which allows for easy replacement and/or retraction of bollards, whilst Ieavhl.g behind an apparatus whose surface may be made flush to the ground, thus providing 5 no obstruction to further vehicular or pedestrian access.

KetMctabie bollard syslens are known; one such retractable system is disclosed in IJS 6 065 900, to Reale. An apparatus is disclosed by Reale, whose disassembly requires use of a fire hydrant wrench; the disassembly process is only possible by authorised personnel (or those 10 suitably equipped).

A further retractable bollard system is disclosed in FR 2 759 103, to Suntech, Soeiete a Responsabilte 1,imitee. Suntecl1 discloses a bollard system, which is electronically retractable. l'le extra expense and regular maintenance are required by an electronically 15 controlled apparatus.

The present invention and its preferred embodiments seek to overcome or at least mitigate the problems of the prior art.

20 According to a first aspect of' the present invention there is provided a retractable ground anchor For anchoring street furniture such as road signage, bollards or the like which anchor comprises a base, an engagement portion for engaging and supporting a post to be anchored, and a retraction apparatus, for allowing the engagement portion to be disposed in an arrangement whereby the engagement portion protrudes from an upper t'ace of the base to 25 engage the post; and the retraction apparatus further permitting the engagement portion lo be disposed in an alternative retracted position whereby the upper faces of the base and the cagagement portions are substantially coplanar.

I'rcl'erably, the engagement portion may be retracted relative the base by resilient biasing 3() means. More pret'erahly the resilient biasing means may be provided by one or more springs, each of the springs being supported between spring loops try the engagement ol'hook portions at either end ol each the sprhig therewith, tile spring loops being attached to the engagement portion and the base. Alternatively, the resilient biasing means may comprise a plurality of

À À....DTD: me e. À e a À, springs each the spring being accommodated within a tube and secured to the engagement portion and base.

Accordhg to an optional feature of this aspect of the present invention the engagement 5 portion Nay protrude from an upper face of the base portion when the spring is in tension.

According to a further optional feature of this aspect of (he present invention the engagement portion may be Ignited in its upward movement limit stops protruding from the lower part of the cngacment portion and adapted to abut an upper part of the base. I'referably the base 1() may be tubular and may further comprise an end wall with an aperture to allow the engaging portion to pass therethrough. More prel'erably the limit stops about the end wall of the base.

According to a second asccl of the present invention there is provided a bollard system comprising a bollard arid an anchor as claimed in any preceding claim. Prel'erably the bollard 15 may have defined within its basal face an aperture. More preferably the aperture may have a shape complementary to the form of the engagement portion.

According to an optional l'eature of the second aspect of the present invention the outer body may house a lighting device.

According to a second optional l'cature of the second aspect of the present invention the outer body may be of approximately cylindrical form.

According to a farther optional feature of the second aspect of the present invention the outer 25 body may be removed t'rom the bollard system by simple application ol force to the outer body. According to a yet further optional l'eature of the second aspect ot' the present invention the outer body may be removed from the bollard system without shearing or damage being () cl't'ecled on any component ol'thc bollard system.

According lo a third aspect of the present invention there is provided securing means for sCcurhig a bollard a protruding engaging portion of an anchor which bollard comprises an outer all and an hoer wall connected lo the outer wall. the inner wall is shaped lo engage

::.:e a:::::e the engaging portion, wherein a securing band surrounds the inner wall which band is adapted to be tightened, thereby to maintain the inner wall and the engaging portion in face contacting relationship. Preferably, the engaging portion may be provided with a lip along its upper edge, which lip may abut the upper edge of the inner wall to retain the engaging 5 portion.

According to an optional feature of the third aspect of the present invention the inner wall may be adapted to flex.

10 Ihe scope of the present invention is hereinafter described by way ol an exemplary non-

liniting emhodhllent of that invention; reference is made to the accompanying; drawings' in which: FIGURE IA is a view of the outer body of the bollard system according to one aspect of the 1 5 invention; I; IGUItIS I B is a view of the same outer body of the bollard system rotated through 90 with respect to Figure I A and showing the retraction apparatus within the base portion; 20 FIGURE 2 is a cutaway view of the base portion, showing: snore clearly the retraction apparatus in a retracted position; I:IClURF, 3 is a cutaway view of the base portion, and the retraction apparatus in a position of use; L'IGUR1 4 is an exploded view of the base portion, showing the elements ol the apparatus according; to a second embodiment of the present invention; and Fl(,URE 5 is an exploded view of the base portion showing the elements ol the apparatus 3() according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

turning, to the drawings and, in particular, Figures IA and Ins, 2 and.,, there is shown a retractable ground anchor I U for anchoring street furniture such as road si L.;nage. bollards I ()() or the like which anchor comprises a base 30, an cnL;agement l?ortion 34 Ior engaging and

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5 a,,.' ' e c cat se e.

supporting a post to be anchored, and a retraction apparatus 20, for allowing the engagement portion to be disposed in an arrangement. 'I'he engagement portion protrudes from an upper t'aee of the base to engage the post. The retraction apparatus further permits, the engagement portion to be disposed in an alternative retracted position whereby Ihc upper Paces ot' the base 5 and the engagement portions are substantially coplanar. These components are associated in such a way as to form a bollard system 100.

Lyle base 3() is held with one face in association with a lower base plate 32 preferably being at least partially in abutment therewith. As is best shown in Figures 2 and 3. it is envisaged 10 that the base 30 should, in use, preferably be placed below ground Ievel C;' such that it's upper lace 38 is substantially coplanar with the ground G. It should be understood, however, that the base 30 is not Ihnited lo this orientation within Ille scope of the present Invention.

15 Defined within the upper face 38 of the base 30 is an aperture Al whose shape is complementary to the form ol' the engagement portion 34. such that the engagement portion 34 may he accommodated within a chamber 29 of the base 30. '1'hc base 30 and the engagement portion 34 are so constructed and arranged as to allow the engagement portion 34 lo he accommodated within the base 30 in such a way that the top face 35 of the 2() engagement portion 34 is substantially coplanar with the upper face 38 of the base portion 30.

This is hereinafter referred to as the retracted position ot'the engagement portion 34 shown in inure 2.

À In the embodiments shown in Figure 1, the base 30 is tubular with an upper face 38 provided 25 by an end wall of the tube. 'I'hc end wall is provided with an aperture A through which the engagement portion can pass.

I'he eng,apement portion 34 is, h1 the first embodiment. approximately tile same length 1. as the lube forms, the base 3(). 'I'he engagement portion is biased in its retracted position by 3() resilient biasing, means 22. h1 the embodiments illustrated in 1 igure 2 the resilient biasing means is provided by a spring, 22 held between spring, loops 24a. 24h by engag,ement ol' the respective hook portions 26a 26b therewith, the hook portions 26a, 26b being formed at either end of the spring 22. AccorddlL; to this first cmbodUncnt of the present invention, the spr ing 22 is fixed approximately centrally within the engagement portion.,4.

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.. The engagement portion 34 is moveabic between a retracted position in Figure 2 and extended position shown in Figure 3. An aperture 17 is provided to receive a key so as to raise the engagement portion...DTD: s In order to limit upward movement of the engagement portion limit stops 27 may preferably be provided on a lower part of tile engagement portion for abutting an upper part of the base 3(). In this cmbodbileilt, the limit stop 27 protrudes outwardly Groin the side walls of the engaging portion 34 and is adapted to abut the end wall of the base 30.

In the extended position shown in Figure 3, part or all ol' the engagement portion 34 may protrude from the upper l'ace 38 of the base portion 30, through the aperture A therein.

It is in the extended position that the engagement portion 34 is suitably deployed to Facilitate 15 accommodation of the bollard 10 thereby. The bollard is shaped to define a recess within the lower face 12 of' the bollard or post 10, complementary to the protruding part of the engagement portion 34. The bollard 10 is secured to the engaging portion 34 by suitable securing means described below which facilitates the holding of the outer body 10 in a state suitable for use.

In order to secure the post 10 to the engaging portion, suitable securing means is used. The securing means is provided by an arrangement between the post 10 and the engaging portion 34. In one class of embodiments, the post comprises an outer wall 50, shown in Figure 3 and an iniler wall 52. The inner wall 52 is shaped to conl'orm to the shape oi'the engaging portion 25 34. Surrounding the inner wall there comprises a band 55 which can be adapted to be tightened so as to maintain the inner wall 52 and part of the engaging portion 34 in face contacting arrangement such that the engaging portion 34 remains in its extended position. In one class of embodiments, the hincr wall 52 of the post I () terminates short ol the extending portion so that the Upper ctige 54 of the inner wall 52 engages a lip 56 extending outwardly 30 I'ron1 the upper part ol the side wall ol'the engaging portion 34.

Upon impact by, for instancc a vehicle against the post 10. that post 10 is simply displaced fiom its position supported by the engagement portion 34* without incidence of' sheering, bicakapc or other distoltional tialilage to the retractable grounti anchor. By releasing the post

7 me'.: i..: e e. e., ee.

10 from the engaging portion 34, the biasing means causes the engaging portion to be displaced info a position wherein its top take 35 may be substantially coplanar with the upper face 38 of' the base 30, and (if the bollard system 100 is operated in the preferred orientation) then further substantially coplanar With the ground level G. s A second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in l igure 4, which is similar to the first embodiment. Like references have been used for corresponding parts and therefore' <only the differences are described in any greater details. In this embodiment. retractability is facilitated by a different configuration of' the retraction apparatus 20. According, to this 10 second embodiment, the retraction apparatus 20 consists of a plurality ol' springs 22 each supported between spring loops 24a, 24b by engagement of hook portions 26a, 26b as hereinbel'ore described, but being in this embodiment accommodated by a series of spring tubes 4(). Each spring tube 40 is accommodated within a spring aperture S disposed about the upper face 38 ol'the base portion 30. This second embodiment of the present invention is 15 best illustrated by Figure 4.

leisure 5 illustrates the anchor according to a third embodiment of.the invention. Again, this embodiment is similar to the second, so like references have been used, and only the different features possessed by this third embodiment will be described in any greater detail hereafter.

I'he resilient biasing means is provided by one or more compression springs.

Each compression spring 22 is accommodated within a spring tube 40, each spring tube 40 being, in this embodiment is attached to the outer face of the engagement portion 34. 'I'he 25 spring tubes 40 are so constructed and arranged as to accommodate each spring 22 in such a way that at least part of the spring 22 protrudes above the spring tube 40, so that the spring 22 nay at its upper end abut the underside of the upper part 38 of the base 30. -Therefore, when the cnLragemet portion 34 is deployed into an extended position to facilitate accommodation oi'thc bollard 10 thereby, the spring 22 is compressed with respect to its equilibrium length.

The upper part 38 oi'tlle base 30 is secured to the base 3() by known securing means 58' for example bolts, which securing, means 58 is adapted to he accommodated by apertures /1 clel'hlcd in the upper part 38 ol'the base 3(), and further to be accommodated by securement tahes (() disposed about the inner face of the base 30.

8 ','.:,.,:. À.'.:

ee.e ee. An optional feature of the current embodiment of the present invention provides rotation barrier means 62' which rotation barrier means 62 is secured to the outer lace of the engagement portion 34, disposed to one side of one of the spring tubes 4(). in such a way that 5 one ol the securernent tubes 60 are accommodated between the rotation harrier means 62 and the adjacent one ol the spring tubes 40 when the engagement portion À1 is hl the base 30, thereby acting as a barrier to unnecessary rotation oFthc engagement portion 24.

A further optional feature of the present invention provides tor the use ol tile bollard system 10 100 h1 conjunction with a lighting device, the lighting device being preferably housed within the outer body 1() ol the bollard system 100, thus illuminating the bollard system lOO and r enderhg it safer for use in adverse conditions of weather or darkness.

It should be understood that, within the scope of the present invention' the fluter body 10 of 15 the bollard system 100 may take any general form, and may be constructed at any particular solid or semi-rigid material. It will also be recognised that the spring may he substituted by any suitable resilient biasing means without departing from the scope of the present invention. 2() Further, it should be understood that terms used herein which impart directionality, such as "top", "base", "upper", "lower", "end" and the like are used simply lor convenience; they serve merely to distinguish the components of the present invention from one another, and do not limit the components to which they are assigned to those respective orientations.

Claims

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9 À À e CLAIMS

1. A retractable ground anchor for anchoring street furniture such as road signage, bollards or the like which anchor comprises a base, an engagement portion liar engaging and 5 supporting a post to be anchored, and a retraction apparatus, for allowing the engagement portion to he disposed in an arrangement whereby the engagement portion protrudes from an upper face ol' the base to cagage the post; and the retraction apparatus further permitting the engagement portion to be disposed in an alternative retracted position whereby the upper faces of the base and the engagement pornions are substantially coplanar.

1() 2. An anchor as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engagement portion is retracted relative the base by resilient biasing means.

3. An anchor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the resilient biasing means is provided by 15 one or more springs, each ol' the springs being supported between spring loops by the engagement of' hook portions at either end of each the spring therewith, the spring loops being attached to the engagement portion and the base.

4. An anchor as claimed in claim 2, wherein the resilient biasing means comprises one 20 or more sprinters' each the spring being accommodated within a tube and acting between the engagement portion and base. ' 5. An anchor as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the engagement portion protrudes l'ron, an upper lace of the base portion when the spring is in tension.

6. An anchor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the engagement ponion is limited in its upward movement lentil stops protruding from the lower part ol' the engagement portion anti adapted to abut an upper part of the base.

3() 7. An anchor as claimed in claim 6 wherein the base is tubular and t'urther comprises an end wall with an aperture to allow the engaging portion to pass therethrough.

X. An anchor as claimed hi clahn 7 wherein the limit stops about the end wall ol' the l,sc. L - I

to i 1 9. An anchor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the resilient biasing means is extended with respect to its equilibrium length when the engagement portion protrudes above an upper Face of the base.

5 10. An anchor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the resilient biasing means is compressed with respect to its equilibrium length when the engagement portion protrudes above an upper face of the base.

I 1. An anchor as claimed in any preceding claim wherein there further comprises rotation 10 barrier means to restrict rotation of the engagement portion within the base.

12. A bollard system comprising a bollard and an anchor as claimed in any preceding claim. 15 13. A bollard system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the bollard has defined within its basal face an aperture.

14. A bollard system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the aperture has a shape complementary to the form of the engagement portion.

15. A bollard system as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the outer body houses a lighting device.

1(. bollard system as claimed in any of claims 12 to 15, wherein the outer body is of 25 approximately cylindrical form.

17. -/\ bollard system as claimed in any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the outer body may be removed from the bollard system by simple application of force to the outer body.

3() I X. i\ bollard system as claimed in any of claims 12 to 17 wherein the outer body may he removed fiom the bollard system without shearing or damage being Articled on arty compoilcnt of the bol lard system.

1 1 À "' À 2 À '"'- "

a.... À..e....

19. Securing means for securing a bollard to a protruding engaging portion of an anchor, which bollard comprises an outer wall and an inner wall connected to the outer wall, the inner wall is shaped to engage the engaging portion, wherein a securing band surrounds the inner wall which band is adapted to be tightened, thereby to maintain the inner wall and the 5 engaging portion hi face contacthg relationship.

20. Scouring means as claimed hi claim 19 wherein the engaging portion is provided with a lip along its upper educe which lip abuts the upper edge of the inner wall to retain the engaging portion.

21. Securing means as claimed in claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the inner wall is adapted to flex.

22. A bollard system substantially as hereinbeforc described.

23. A bollard system substantially as hereinbeforc described with reference to Figures 1 A and IB.

24. An anchor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2 and 3 25. An anchor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4.

26. An anchor substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5.