GB1563293A

GB1563293A - Traffic bollard

Info

Publication number: GB1563293A
Application number: GB289/76A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1977-01-04
Filing date: 1977-01-04
Publication date: 1980-03-26

Description

(54) TRAFFIC BOLLARD (71) I, ROGER JOHN CARR, a British Subject of 43, Edge Hill, Wood End, Atherstone, Warwickshire, do hereby declare the invention for which I pray that a patent may be granted to me and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement: The object of this invention is to provide an improved traffic bollard of the internally illuminable kind and of which practical advantages will be apparent from the following disclosure.

According to this invention a traffic bollard of the internally illuminable kind comprises a hollow body having an upper part provided with substantially vertical faces or aspects of light transmitting material each for the display of a traffic direction arrow or other sign as appropriate, said upper part containing reflector means of inverted pyramidal or conical form depending for substantially the full height of the faces or aspects of the upper part; and a base support for the hollow body, said base support consisting of a casing for receiving therein an upwardly directed lamp and any ancillary equipment for the lamp, which casing in use receives secured thereto the lower end part of the hollow body whereby upwardly directed light from a lamp received in the casing is reflected by the reflector means through the vertical faces or aspects of the upper part of the body.

In practice constructions and arrangements of the traffic bollard are as follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURES 1 and 2 are sectional elevations each showing an alternative arrangement.

Figure 1 corresponds to the drawing filed with the Provisional specification.

Referring to FIGURE 1 the bollard comprises a base support 1 for mounting in a permanent manner and arranged to carry an internally illuminable body 2 of light transmitting material (e.g. translucent plastics material) which latter consists of a stem or pillar 21 surmounted by a head 20, one or more vertical faces or aspects 22 of the latter displaying, or each displaying, a traffic direction indicating arrow or other sign in the regulation manner. The plastics material may be polypropylene.

The head 20 is shown of square cross section to provide four vertical faces 22 and the stem 21 is of corresponding section at its upper end and blends in form to a circular cross section at its lower end for connection to the base 1. The stem 21 has a fixed or detachable inter-fitting engagement at 210 with the head 20.

The base 1 is shown consisting of a steel casing arranged to be embedded in a concrete setting 3, e.g. on a traffic island and is provided with an upstanding flange 10 (or lugs) to which is secured the base of the stem 21 by means of shear pins 4, e.g.

of plastics material.

The base contains a lamp 5 in the nature of a spotlight and preferably of the sealed beam type for projecting a substantially parallel beam of light upwardly in the interior of the stem 21 and head 20. If desired the lamp 5 may be of the removable bulb type according to the preferred mode of replacement. The lamp 5 is held in the casing 1 by a retaining ring 11 with an interposed sealing ring 15 of rubber or plastics material. Thus electrical connection to the lamp 5 is sealed against the weather or other damage in a permanent manner.

The interior of the head 20 contains one or more reflecting surfaces e.g. of matt white finish such as four surfaces 24 in an inverted pyramid arrangement for reflecting light from the lamp 5 through the ver tical faces or aspects 22 of the head. At the same time a sufficient spread of the beam from the lamp 5 illuminates the wall of the stem 21 in a uniform manner.

In the event of the body 2 of the bollard being knocked down i.e. on being struck by a vehicle, the pins 4 readily shear leaving the lamp 5 intact in the base 1 so that it is only necessary to refit the stem 21 of the body 2 on the base 1 or to similarly fit a replacement body 2 or stem 21 if the original one has been damaged.

If it is desired to change the direction in which the faces 22 of the head 20 are facing, then the stem 21 can be indexed in relation to the base 1 by the use of equispaced shear pins 4. Thus in the example shown four shear pins 4 are employed at right angles to one another so that the body can be angularly indexed through steps of 90" relative to the base 1.

Referring to FIGURE 2, the construction and arrangement is generally similar to that already described, however, the cross section of the internally illuminable body 200 is preferably square throughout its height, i.e. including the stem 221 as well as the head 220 whilst the base 100 is of corresponding square form in plan.

As before the interior of the head 220 contains reflecting surfaces 224 i.e. four inclined surfaces in an inverted pyramid arrangement and preferably of a dull aluminium finish or receiving facings thereof. If desired the reflector may be of inverted conical form.

The base casing 100 is provided with an upstanding flange 110 which receives attached to it the base of the stem 221 by means of shear pins 104 of plastics or other suitable low strength material.

The casing 100 is closed by a cover plate 103 of glass or other suitable light transmitting (e.g. plastics) material and is shown protected by cross bars or a removable grid 106 in the flange 110 against damage e.g. by a vehicle wheel or a person's foot.

The plate 103 is held in place by a retaining ring 111 against a weatherproof sealing ring 115 seating on a horizontal flange 101 of the base 100.

The lamp 105 in the base 100 is shown consisting of a mercury discharge bulb (e.g.

50 watts) and from which a beam of light is directed upwardly by the reflector 107 and against the reflecting surfaces 224 for effective illumination of the faces or aspects 222 of the head 220. The casing 100 also accommodates in a protective and weatherproof manner ancillary equipment for the lamp 105 viz: a capacitor 108 and a choke 109.

A particular advantage of the construction and arrangement of the bollard is that no lamps, fluorescent tubes or electrical gear are carried by the body 2 or 200 and which are otherwise prone to damage in the event of the bollard being knocked down. As a result such equipment does not require to be replaced or reconnected so that restoring the bollard to its normal condition can be quickly and inexpensively carried out.

Unless the body 2 or 200 is damaged, the only replacements required are new shear pins 4 or 104 which are of negligible cost.

On the body 2 or 200 being knocked down or removed from the base 1 or 100 the lamp 5 or 105 and electrical connection thereto remains protectively housed in the base 1 or 100 and the lamp may continue to provide an upwardly directed indicating beam of light especially during darkness in foggy weather. Furthermore "live" electrical equipment is not exposed.

Where made of suitable plastics material, the stem 21 or 221 and head 20 or 220 and reflector 24 or 224 in the latter are resistant to damage or fracture even when subject to hard impact so that the need for replacement is minimised and also the likelihood of injury to persons involved at the time of the impact or in subsequently attending to the damaged bollard.

If desired an appropriate part of the body 2 or 200 such as the stem 21 or 221 may be connected by a flexible member, such as a sufficient length of chain or cord, to the base 1 or 100 so that in the event of it being knocked from the latter, the body 2 or 200 remains in the immediate vicinity of the base against the possibility of unauthorised removal.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: - 1. A traffic bollard of the internally illuminable kind comprising a hollow body having an upper part provided with substantially vertical faces or aspects of light transmitting material each for the display of a traffic direction arrow or other sign as appropriate, said upper part containing reflector means of inverted pyramidal or conical form depending for substantially the full height of the faces or aspects of the upper part; and a base support for the hollow body, said base support consisting of a casing for receiving therein an upwardly directed lamp and any ancillary equipment for the lamp, which casing in use receives secured thereto the lower end part of the hollow body whereby upwardly directed light from a lamp received in the casing is reflected by the reflector means through the vertical faces or aspects of the upper part of the body.

2. A traffic bollard according to claim 2 wherein substantially the entire hollow body is of light transmitting material for externally visible internal illumination of

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Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **.

tical faces or aspects 22 of the head. At the same time a sufficient spread of the beam from the lamp 5 illuminates the wall of the stem 21 in a uniform manner.

In the event of the body 2 of the bollard being knocked down i.e. on being struck by a vehicle, the pins 4 readily shear leaving the lamp 5 intact in the base 1 so that it is only necessary to refit the stem 21 of the body 2 on the base 1 or to similarly fit a replacement body 2 or stem 21 if the original one has been damaged.

If it is desired to change the direction in which the faces 22 of the head 20 are facing, then the stem 21 can be indexed in relation to the base 1 by the use of equispaced shear pins 4. Thus in the example shown four shear pins 4 are employed at right angles to one another so that the body can be angularly indexed through steps of 90" relative to the base 1.

Referring to FIGURE 2, the construction and arrangement is generally similar to that already described, however, the cross section of the internally illuminable body 200 is preferably square throughout its height, i.e. including the stem 221 as well as the head 220 whilst the base 100 is of corresponding square form in plan.

As before the interior of the head 220 contains reflecting surfaces 224 i.e. four inclined surfaces in an inverted pyramid arrangement and preferably of a dull aluminium finish or receiving facings thereof. If desired the reflector may be of inverted conical form.

The base casing 100 is provided with an upstanding flange 110 which receives attached to it the base of the stem 221 by means of shear pins 104 of plastics or other suitable low strength material.

The casing 100 is closed by a cover plate 103 of glass or other suitable light transmitting (e.g. plastics) material and is shown protected by cross bars or a removable grid 106 in the flange 110 against damage e.g. by a vehicle wheel or a person's foot.

The plate 103 is held in place by a retaining ring 111 against a weatherproof sealing ring 115 seating on a horizontal flange 101 of the base 100.

The lamp 105 in the base 100 is shown consisting of a mercury discharge bulb (e.g.

50 watts) and from which a beam of light is directed upwardly by the reflector 107 and against the reflecting surfaces 224 for effective illumination of the faces or aspects 222 of the head 220. The casing 100 also accommodates in a protective and weatherproof manner ancillary equipment for the lamp 105 viz: a capacitor 108 and a choke 109.

A particular advantage of the construction and arrangement of the bollard is that no lamps, fluorescent tubes or electrical gear are carried by the body 2 or 200 and which are otherwise prone to damage in the event of the bollard being knocked down. As a result such equipment does not require to be replaced or reconnected so that restoring the bollard to its normal condition can be quickly and inexpensively carried out.

Unless the body 2 or 200 is damaged, the only replacements required are new shear pins 4 or 104 which are of negligible cost.

On the body 2 or 200 being knocked down or removed from the base 1 or 100 the lamp 5 or 105 and electrical connection thereto remains protectively housed in the base 1 or 100 and the lamp may continue to provide an upwardly directed indicating beam of light especially during darkness in foggy weather. Furthermore "live" electrical equipment is not exposed.

Where made of suitable plastics material, the stem 21 or 221 and head 20 or 220 and reflector 24 or 224 in the latter are resistant to damage or fracture even when subject to hard impact so that the need for replacement is minimised and also the likelihood of injury to persons involved at the time of the impact or in subsequently attending to the damaged bollard.

If desired an appropriate part of the body 2 or 200 such as the stem 21 or 221 may be connected by a flexible member, such as a sufficient length of chain or cord, to the base 1 or 100 so that in the event of it being knocked from the latter, the body 2 or 200 remains in the immediate vicinity of the base against the possibility of unauthorised removal.

WHAT I CLAIM IS: - 1. A traffic bollard of the internally illuminable kind comprising a hollow body having an upper part provided with substantially vertical faces or aspects of light transmitting material each for the display of a traffic direction arrow or other sign as appropriate, said upper part containing reflector means of inverted pyramidal or conical form depending for substantially the full height of the faces or aspects of the upper part; and a base support for the hollow body, said base support consisting of a casing for receiving therein an upwardly directed lamp and any ancillary equipment for the lamp, which casing in use receives secured thereto the lower end part of the hollow body whereby upwardly directed light from a lamp received in the casing is reflected by the reflector means through the vertical faces or aspects of the upper part of the body.
2. A traffic bollard according to claim 2 wherein substantially the entire hollow body is of light transmitting material for externally visible internal illumination of

substantially the whole of the hollow body by a said lamp in the base support casing.
3. A traffic bollard according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the hollow body consists of a tubular stem or pillar surmounted by a head providing the vertical faces or aspects which head contains the reflector means.
4. A traffic bollard according to claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the light transmitting material of the hollow body consists of plastics material.
5. A traffic bollard according to any of the preceding claims wherein the hollow body in use is secured to the base support casing by yieldable connection means, whereby on the hollow body being subject to a substantial impact, e.g. on being struck by a vehicle, the yieldable connection means permits the hollow body to become detached from the base support casing without damage to a lamp in the latter.
6. A traffic bollard according to any of the preceding claims wherein in use the hollow body is secured to a flange or lugs upstanding from the base support casing.
7. A traffic bollard according to claims 5 and 6 wherein the yieldable connection means consists of shear pins passing through the lower end part of the hollow body and the upstanding flange or lugs of the base support casing.
8. A traffic bollard according to claim 7 wherein the shear pins are of plastics material.
9. A traffic bollard according to claims 7 or 8 wherein the shear pins are equispaced about the lower end part of the hollow body and the upstanding flange or lugs of the base support casing so as to permit different orientation of the hollow body on the base support casing.
10. A traffic bollard according to any of claims 6 to 9 wherein the lower end of the hollow body is of circular or square form in cross section for fitting to the upstanding flange or lugs of the base support casing of corresponding form or arrangement.
11. A traffic bollard according to any of claims 6 to 10 wherein the base support casing is adapted to be embedded in a concrete or similar setting so that the upstanding flange or lugs of the base supporat casing extends or extend above the setting.
12. A traffic bollard according to any of the preceding claims wherein the base support casing receives a said lamp such as a sealed beam or discharge lamp and any ancillary equipment thereto sealed or enclosed therein in a weatherproof manner.
13. A traffic bollard according to any of the preceding claims wherein the base support casing or flange or lugs arrangement thereof accommodates means such as crossbars or a grid for protecting a lamp in the casing against damage in the event of the hollow body being knocked or otherwise detached from the casing.
14. A traffic bollard according to any of the preceding claims wherein the hollow body is connected by a flexible member such as a sufficient length of chain or cord to the base support casing in order to retain the hollow body in the immediate vicinity of the base support casing, in the event of the hollow body being knocked or otherwise detached from the base support casing and to prevent or minimise unauthorised removal of the hollow body away from the base support casing.
15. A traffic bollard of the internally illuminable kind when substantially as herein described with reference to FIGURE 1 or FIGURE 2 of the accompanying drawings.

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