GB2280465A - Illuminable article of street furniture - Google Patents

Abstract

An illuminable article of street furniture comprises a housing unit (11a), an electrically operable lamp carrier mounted in the housing unit to provide illumination of the article, electrical connection means in the housing unit to connect an external power supply to the lamp carrier, a cover mounted on the housing unit to prevent access to the internal components of the housing unit, the cover being removable for access to the lamp carrier, and a switch arrangement in the housing unit which is capable of being triggered by non-mechanical means to interrupt power supply to lamps located in the lamp carrier so as to isolate at least part of the housing unit, prior to, and/or as a consequence of removal of the cover. The article might be an internally illuminated bollard or a street sign. <IMAGE>

Description

ARTICLE OF STREET FURNITURE This invention relates to an article of street furniture which is required to be illuminated. Examples of such articles include street signs (which might include an associated luminaire), and traffic bollards which might bear relevant markings such as a "Keep Left" sign, and which comprise a housing unit which can be anchored to a foundation, a moulded body mounted on and upstanding from the housing unit, and an electrically operable light source mounted in the housing unit and arranged to provide internal illumination of the moulded body.

It is desirable to mount the light source and related equipment, such as reflectors and wiring, in the housing unit of an article of street furniture so that these particularly vulnerable components have a measure of protection from impact, especially with a vehicle. In the case of a bollard, they might therefore be housed in a rigid unit which can be anchored to the ground, and which does not project upwardly from the ground to any appreciable extent. It is common for the housing unit to be connected directly to a mains power supply. This can provide a potential hazard should the housing unit ("basebox" in the case of a bollard) be accidentally energised by incorrect wiring upon initial installation, or as a result of vehicle damage.

In the event of an impact with such a bollard, the moulded body usually receives the full force of the impact and, by its mode of construction, is able to yield resiliently to withstand impacts. In one known type, the moulded body is designed to withstand small impacts, but is secured to the housing unit by fastenings which can rupture or shear under larger impacts so that the moulded body becomes separated from the housing unit without being damaged to any appreciable extent, and can subsequently be re-mounted.

Preferably, fastening means are used to secure the moulded body to the housing unit, which are arranged to shear on impact, and which can be replaced as necessary when the moulded body is remounted on the housing unit, assuming that no permanent damage or unsightly scarring of the body has taken place as a result of the impact. Appropriate fastening means include shear pins and shear bolts.

In another known type, the moulded body is designed to yield resiliently without damage under larger impacts (with a relatively secure mounting on the housing unit), so that it can subsequently spring back to its normal shape and position after the impact.

Both of these constructions therefore provide some protection from impact for the components housed in the housing unit.

From time to time, access to the components in the housing unit of an article of street furniture will be necessary, for example for routine maintenance and repair such as of a failed light source or a blown fuse or, especially in the case of a bollard, in the event of significant damage from impact with a vehicle. It is recommended practice that the housing unit should be completely isolated from the power supply before an operative begins any routine maintenance or repair work on the housing unit.

This can be achieved by switching off the mains supply at some point distant from the article, but this often may have the disadvantage of isolating other items of street furniture connected to the power source via the same switching, resulting in these items being switched off unnecessarily.

To avoid this, it is an established practice to open up the housing unit while it is still connected to the mains supply, and then to remove components (perhaps the light tray which comprises the reflector unit and lamp sockets) from the housing unit, for example to gain access to the parts needing replacement in the housing unit below the light tray. In the event of a lamp failure, replacement can take place while the light tray remains in place. These practices are unsafe because of the risks associated with work on the housing unit while still connected to a power supply.

With a view to preventing the unsafe practices mentioned above, it is known to provide a housing unit with a cover which must normally be removed to allow access to be had to the internal components in the housing unit, and which effects direct mechanical interruption of the power supply to the housing unit upon its removal so as to isolate the housing unit. However, with any mechanical type of interruption, for example using a spring-pressed plunger type of switch, this is liable to become jammed in one position, especially if its operation from one state to another is relatively infrequent, or by reason of dust or other small debris entering the housing unit over a period of time and fouling the operation of the switch, and with the potentially dangerous result that an operative may remove the cover and believe the housing unit to be automatically isolated, when in fact it is not.

The present invention therefore seeks to provide for power supply interruption to or through the housing unit, so as to isolate at least part of the housing unit, employing nonmechanical means operative prior to, and/or as a direct consequence of removal of a cover of the housing unit which normally denies access to the components housed in the housing unit.

Accordingly, in one aspect, the invention provides an illuminable article of street furniture which comprises: (a) a housing unit: (b) an electrically operable lamp carrier mounted in the housing unit to provide illumination of the article; (c) electrical connection means in the housing unit to connect an external power supply to the lamp carrier; (d) a cover mounted on the housing unit to prevent access to the internal components of the housing unit, the cover being removable for access to the lamp carrier; and (e) a switch arrangement in the housing unit which is capable of being triggered by non-mechanical means to interrupt power supply to lamps located in the lamp carrier so as to isolate at least part of the housing unit, prior to, and/or as a consequence of removal of the cover.

Preferably, the article is a bollard comprising a moulded body which can be mounted on the housing unit and illuminated internally, the body having surfaces for carrying markings which are to be displayed on the bollard.

The moulded body may be mounted on the housing unit by fastening means which are arranged to shear (in any sense, including rupture) on impact, such as shear bolts, so that it can be re-mounted after separation from the housing unit by a vehicle impact. Alternatively, the moulded body may be moulded to be particularly resilient (for example of the type sold by Haldo Developments Limited under the trade name REFLEX), so that it can withstand substantial impact without permanent damage, in which case a more robust form of mounting of the body on the housing unit may be suitable.

The article may be a street sign, the lamp carrier being provided to provide illumination of the sign, internally of the sign if it is appropriately constructed for internal illumination, or from a location external of the sign for example from above it or in front of it.

Any suitable non-mechanical means may be provided to initiate or trigger operation of the switch arrangement, and in one preferred form comprises a magnetically operated switch.

The cover may therefore include a magnet which is arranged, when the cover is mounted in position on the housing unit, to maintain the switch in the ON condition, but in which the switch can automatically revert to its OFF condition upon removal of the cover and consequential removal of influence of the magnet on the switch.

The switch itself may have mechanically moving parts e.g. a reed switch, but these parts can be shielded from dirt/dust and the like by any suitable enclosure, provided only that the enclosure is permeable to the particular non-mechanical means utilised to trigger or initiate the operation of the switch.

Magnetic actuation of the switch is one preferred example, and when the magnet is carried by the cover, this forms a nonmechanical means of switch actuation which functions to switch off the power supply through the housing unit as a direct consequence of removal of the cover.

However, other non-mechanical triggering of the switch may be provided, such as infra-red triggering by a remote actuator which the repair operative may be provided with, in which case switching off the power supply by the remote actuator should take place prior to removal of the cover.

To give visual warning of an electrically energised state of the housing unit, it is preferred that a warning light is arranged in the housing unit, and to provide assurance of safe operating conditions for repairs to be carried out, it is further preferred that a separate safety light is provided which is illuminated automatically upon isolation of at least part of the housing unit which is to be serviced.

A preferred embodiment of illuminated traffic bollard according to the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a typical traffic bollard to which the invention may be applied, and comprising a housing unit to be anchored to a foundation, a housing supporting reflectors and lamp carrier sockets, a cover to prevent access to the internal components of the housing unit, and a moulded body to be mounted on the housing unit; Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of the housing unit in more detail, and forming part of a preferred embodiment of illuminable traffic bollard according to the invention; Figure 3 is a detail view to an enlarged scale, of some of the internal components of the housing unit shown in Figure 2; and Figure 4 is a street sign.

Referring first to Figure 1 of the drawings, a typical type of traffic management bollard is shown to which the invention may be applied, and which is of the "base illuminated" type, the bollard being designated generally by reference 10, and which comprises a housing unit 11 which can be anchored to any suitable foundation e.g a concrete slab by anchor bolts taken through slots 12 in the base plate 13 of the unit, and a moulded body 14 which is mounted on and upstanding from the housing unit 11, the body 14 being capable of being internally illuminated and serving to carry any required traffic management information, such as "Keep Left" symbol 15.Body 14 is moulded of any suitable resilient but impact resisting material, and which can yield without damage upon receipt of vehicular impact, but which will normally be mounted on the housing unit 11 via shear bolts (not shown) which shear upon severe vehicular impact and allow the body 14 to become separated from the housing unit 11 and thereby avoid generally, unacceptable damage being done to the body, so that it can subsequently be remounted in position.

Alternatively, if the body is moulded to be more resilient, (a so-called "re-flex" bollard) it can withstand more severe impact without damage, and subsequently spring back to its original shape and position, in which case it will be mounted more securely on the housing unit.

An electrically operable lamp carrier (not shown) is mounted in the housing unit 11, and which will usually have suitable sockets to allow replaceable lamps e.g. fluorescent tubes, and which forms a common housing with a reflector and which together provide internal illumination of the moulded body 14.

The reflector housing is shown schematically by reference 16 in Figure 1, and a cover 17 also forms part of the base assembly, and which prevents access to the internal components of the housing unit. However, the cover 17 is removable, after demounting of the moulded body 14, (or forceable separation of the body 14 by vehicle impact), in order to allow access to the internal components of the housing unit e.g. to check the wiring, replace a blown fuse, change a failed lamp or any other required servicing operation.

Electrical connection means (not shown in Figure 1) is provided in the housing unit to connect an external mains power supply to the lamp carrier, and would usually comprise standard components provided in bollards of this nature, including fuses and earth connections.

As will be described in more detail below with reference to Figures 2 and 3, a switch arrangement is provided in the housing unit 11 which is triggered i.e. has its operation initiated, by non-mechanical means, to interrupt power supply to, or through the housing unit, to isolate at least part of the unit to allow safe servicing operations to be carried out in that part. The non-mechanical triggering of the switch arrangement will be carried out prior to, and/or as a direct consequence of removal of the cover 17.

In the preferred embodiment which will be described, the nonmechanical means used to initiate or trigger operation of the switch arrangement comprises magnetic triggering, and therefore the switch arrangement comprising a magnetically operated switch. The cover (not shown in Figures 2 and 3) therefore includes a magnet which is arranged, when the cover is remounted in position on the housing unit, to maintain the switch in the ON condition, but in which the switch can automatically revert to its OFF condition upon removal of the cover, (and therefore upon removal of the influence of the magnet on the switch).

The switch may comprise a reed switch, and the moving parts will be shielded from dirt/dust and the like by any suitable enclosure, provided only that it is permeable to the particular non-mechanical means utilised to trigger or initiate its operation i.e. in the preferred embodiment to be permeable to magnetic force.

Therefore, upon removal of the cover 17, this causes automatic operation of the switch arrangement which interrupts the power supply to at least part of the housing unit and isolates it, thereby allowing servicing to be carried out on that part of the housing unit. This is therefore a non-mechanical triggering of interruption of the power supply as a direct consequence of removal of the cover.

However, other non-mechanical triggering may be provided, such as infra-red triggering by a remote actuator (not shown) which the repair operative may be provided with, in which case switching-off of the power supply by the remote actuator should take place prior to the removal of the cover.

Figures 2 and 3 show in detail part of the internal components of housing unit lla, and which include power supply input to the housing unit via lead-in wires 18, and power supply to the operating components of the housing unit, including particularly electrically operated lamps, is conveyed via leadout wires 19.

Connection between the wires 18 and 19 is effected via a reed switch operated relay arranged within housing 20 in the housing unit lla.

To give visual warning of an electrically energised state of the housing unit, a red warning light 21 is arranged in the housing unit, and which will be visible, when illuminated, when the body 14 is removed. Further, to provide indication of safe operating conditions so that repairs can be carried out, a separate green safety light 22 is provided which is illuminated automatically upon isolation of at least part of the housing unit which is to be serviced.

The relay is reed switch operated, and fits into the wall of the housing unit lla, and a robust aluminium cover contains the reed and the relay. The cover or lid (17) is modified to hold an operating magnet (not shown), and the arrangement is such that when the lid is lifted off, power to the usual lamp tray is cut off.

The relay operates on both poles, and operates red indicator lamp 21 for power ON, and green safety indicator 22 when the power is OFF.

The reed switch, relay and internal wiring are all potted in silicone rubber sealant, and the lead-in and lead-out wires are lmm2 single core double insulated wires.

The embodiment of illuminable traffic bollard described herein with reference to the drawings may be supplied as original equipment. However, it is within the scope of the invention for existing traffic bollards to be modified, in which case a replacement housing unit, or a modification kit of components may be provided for in situ installation, so as to upgrade existing installations of traffic bollard to provide the advantages of the invention, namely non-mechanical triggering or initiation of power switch-off, taking place either automatically as a direct consequence of housing unit cover removal, or prior to cover removal.

The use of non-mechanical means avoids the disadvantages of known constructions which have direct or physical actuation of power switching devices.

Figure 4 shows a "luminaire" designated generally by reference 30, and which is mounted on a support post 31 of a direction indicator sign 32, with luminaire 30 serving to illuminate the sign 32. The luminaire 30 houses an electrically operated light source and reflector, which directs illumination through translucent cover panel 33 in order to illuminate the sign 32.

The housing 34 of the luminaire 30 can be opened up by authorised operatives in order to gain access to the internal components for servicing or repairs to be carried out, and the arrangement will be such that, as soon as any cover is removed, which normally denies access to at least some of the internal components within the housing 34, the electrical power is interrupted so as to isolate at least that part of the housing.

A switching arrangement, as described above in relation to a base-illuminated bollard, may be applied to the luminaire 30, and operate in generally the same way, that is to provide non mechanical actuation of a switch to interrupt power supply to and/or through the housing in order to isolate at least part of the interior of the housing, prior to, and/or as a consequence of removal of any cover.

Claims (9)

CLAIMS:

1. An illuminable article of street furniture which comprises: (a) a housing unit: (b) an electrically operable lamp carrier mounted in the housing unit to provide illumination of the article; (c) electrical connection means in the housing unit to connect an external power supply to the lamp carrier; (d) a cover mounted on the housing unit to prevent access to the internal components of the housing unit, the cover being removable for access to the lamp carrier; and (e) a switch arrangement in the housing unit which is capable of being triggered by non-mechanical means to interrupt power supply to lamps located in the lamp carrier so as to isolate at least part of the housing unit, prior to, and/or as a consequence of removal of the cover.

2. An article of street furniture as claimed in claim 1, which is a bollard comprising a moulded body which can be mounted on the housing unit and illuminated internally, the body having surfaces for carrying markings which are to be displayed on the bollard.

3. An article of street furniture as claimed in claim 2, in which the body is mounted on the housing unit by fastening means which are arranged to shear on impact.

4. An article of street furniture as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, in which the body is resiliently deformable.

5. An article of street furniture as claimed in claim 1, which is a street sign, the lamp carrier being provided to provide illumination of the sign.

6. An article of street furniture as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the switch is operated magnetically.

7. An article of street furniture as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, in which the cover is transparent.

8. An article of street furniture as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the lamp carrier includes means for indicating whether the switch is open or closed.

9. An article of street furniture substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in any one of Figures 1 to 4.