Plastic traffic bollard

Abstract

 The invention refers to a traffic bollard including a socle 1 to be installed in the ground and a post 2 made from plastic, wherein a first area 3 in the surface of the socle and a second area 4 in the surface of the post are shaped such that the socle and the post can be brought in close contact and connected to each other all over the first and second area, or such that the socle and the post are connected to each other all over the first and second area and can be detached from each other. The invention further refers to a method for building such a traffic bollard by producing a socle and a post having such complementary first and second surface area, respectively.

Description

[0001] The present invention provides a traffic bollard including a plastic-made post and a socle.

[0002] Traffic bollards are commonly used to delimit areas motor vehicles are allowed to run on. Several types of such bollards are known, such as wooden, metal or stone posts that are firmly installed in the pavement. Rising or retractable bollards are further known which can be sunk in the pavement to facilitate passage for authorised vehicles.

[0003] However, when a car or other vehicle hits such a bollard, expensive damages are often caused, either in the vehicle or in the bollard or in both.

[0004] On the other hand, bollards having a removable heavy rubber base are known. Such bollards are particularly useful in cases where only a temporary exclusion zone is intended to be established. Besides, due to the base being relocatable, this type of bollards usually provides a flexibility that minimises the risk of damages occurring when a car or other vehicle clashes with the bollard, as the bollards may simply tilt over with their base. However, this sort of bollards is not appropriate for generating permanent barriers, as people may abuse the portability of the bollards and displace them illegitimately in order to be able to drive into a prohibited area. Also, in order to provide sufficient stability, the bases of these bollards have a larger diameter than the vertical posts extending thereon. As a consequence, inattentive people may stumble on the base. Additionally, the bases of adjacent bollards narrow the passage way which may obstruct wheelchairs or prams to pass through.

[0005] The present invention is directed to the problem of how to provide a traffic bollard that reduces costs resulting from a vehicle bumping into the bollard, is easy and relatively cheap to install and that overcomes the above disadvantages of removable bollards raised on bases.

[0006] These objects are met with the traffic bollard of claim 1 and the method of claim 11. Preferred embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0007] The traffic bollard according to the instant invention includes a socle and a post, wherein the post is made from plastic. The surface of the socle includes a first area and the surface of the post includes a second area, and these areas are shaped complementary to each other, such that the socle and the post can be brought into close contact all over the first and second area and can be connected to each other, or such that the socle and the post are connected to each other all over the first and second area but can be detached from each other. Due to the post being made of plastic, it is relatively lightweight and suitable for being bonded or glued to the socle.

[0008] Herein, the feature that the connected post and socle can be detached is intended to express that the used connection means allows for disconnecting the socle and the post without damaging any one of the post and the socle. For example, if the post and the socle are connected by an appropriate bonding means, such as by thermo bonding, thermochemical bonding or gluing, by applying sufficient force, the bonding will cease. Preferably, once the socle is connected to the post, the resulting traffic bollard is longer than the post alone.

[0009] The construction of the present disclosure allows for firstly inserting the socle entirely or partially in a cavity of the ground and then fixing the post thereto by connecting the first and second areas to each other. Thereby, the traffic bollard provides of a predetermined breaking point at the position where the socle and the post are connected to each other. Indeed, if a force exceeding a certain limit (depending on the strength of the connecting means, such as of a bonding) is applied to the post, e.g. by a vehicle bumping against the post, the post will be disconnected from the socle at the bonding area. As a consequence, neither the post nor the vehicle suffers great damages, the surface of the sidewalk will not be damaged, and no dangerous fracture edges are produced as would be in case of a breakage. The post can preferably be reconnected to the socle to repair the bollard in an easy and cheap manner.

[0010] Various shapes of the first and second areas are possible. For example, both areas may be flat portions of the respective surface of the socle and the post, i.e. portions that form part of a plane, wherein the second area may form part of a plane that is orthogonally or inclined with respect to a longitudinal axis of the post. When located in a plane, the first and second area may each be shaped as a rectangle, circle, ellipse, annulus or as one or more sector(s) of a circle, ellipse or annulus, for instance.

[0011] Alternatively, the first and second areas may have a three-dimensional topography. For example, the second area may have the shape of a strip that surrounds a longitudinal axis of the post in a wavelike form, or it may be tapered, such as a portion of the surface of a cone. Given certain dimensions of a traffic bollard as a whole, such three-dimensional first and second areas may have larger extensions than areas devised in a plane. As a consequence, bonding these areas together may be more resistant.

[0012] The boundary of any one (or both) of the first and second area does not necessarily coincide entirely or partially with one or more edge(s) of the post or socle, respectively, or with portions of such one or more edge(s). That is, the first and/or second area may be included in a smooth surface, so that the first and/or second area (and its or their boundary) is or are determined by the region where laminar contact with the respective other area is possible.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment, the first and/or second areas are portions of the surfaces of a flange of the post and/or of the socle, respectively. For instance, the post may include a flange at one of its ends. This flange may be an external rib, i.e. a rib increasing the diameter of the post at the position of the flange. Alternatively or additionally, if the post includes a hollow portion, the flange may be an internal rib narrowing an opening of the post. The same holds for a possible flange of the socle.

[0014] As an example, both the socle and the post may provide of an annular flange, wherein the outer diameter of the socle's flange may be larger than the outer diameter of the post's flange. In this case, the first area will be a portion only of the annular surface of the socle's flange. Indeed, the first area will be included in an annulus whose outer diameter is smaller than or equal to the outer diameter of post's annular flange. Thus, in particular, the outer diameter of the first area will be smaller than the outer diameter of the socle's flange. Analogous situations occur when the socle's flange has a smaller outer diameter than the post's flange, or when the respective inner diameters are different.

[0015] The socle may be made from plastic or other material, such as metal, concrete or ceramic. It may be inserted into a cavity in the ground, preferably such that the first area is directed upwards. The socle may be fixed by casting flowing concrete into the cavity in the ground.

[0016] The socle may be formed with at least one cavity and/or channel that can be filled with concrete through one or more openings of the socle. If so, the socle may be lightweight and easy to transport to a location where a traffic bollard is intended to be installed. Due to concrete flowing into the at least one cavity and/or channel in the socle before hardening, the socle will be firmly coupled to the ground.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the first area is such that it surrounds an opening of the socle. For instance, a part of the border of the first area may be the edge of such an opening. The concrete may then be filled into the socle through this opening. If the opening extends to a channel leading to another opening of the socle, the concrete may drain off that other opening. Thereby, a cross web from concrete may be formed penetrating the socle, thus fastening it in its fundament.

[0018] Alternatively or additionally to one or more cavities and/or channels, the socle may provide of one or more external rib(s) such as one or more external flange(s), preferably at a position away from the first area, such that concrete casted into the cavity in the ground including the socle overflows the rib. Thereby, the socle is further fixed in its grounding.

[0019] In a particular embodiment, the socle is formed as a block or tube including a cylindrical and/or conical and/or cuboid part. Such a tube may be open or closed at one or both of its ends. The socle may have a circular or rectangular intersection having a diameter of at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 cm and/or at most 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 cm. Additionally or alternatively, the socle may be such that, when connected to the post, the resulting traffic bollard is at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 cm and/or at most 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 cm longer than the post. For instance, the socle may have the shape of a circular cylinder or a truncated cone, wherein the first area is located at one of the circular base areas, and the cylinder's or truncated cone's height is at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 cm and/or at most 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 cm. Forms of the socle that are less regular than a cylinder or truncated cone are possible, however.

[0020] Depending on the nature of the ground, these dimensions provide for appropriate conditions for fixing the socle. That is, in a soft soil, a longer and/or wider tube may be advisable to guarantee a secure fixing of the socle. On the other hand, in a hard underground, burrowing a deep cavity to house the socle may be both cumbersome and unnecessary to provide for a fix foundation of the socle. In this case, a shorter and/or thinner socle may be appropriate.

[0021] Preferably, the post is at least partially made of thermoplastic material, such as linear low density polyethylene, and/or of recycled packing material. Due to this material, the post may be flexible enough to inflect when a vehicle nudges it, and to return in its original position when the vehicle's force releases. As a consequence, neither the vehicle nor the traffic bollard would suffer serious damages, if at all. Said material of the post may further provide for an elasticity of the post's surface, so as to avoid scratches on the vehicle's varnish, for example. Finally, such a material is environmentally friendly, as it may result from recycling and may be recycled again.

[0022] For instance, by adjusting the material composition, the diameter and wall thickness of the post and the bonding means to each other, one may produce a traffic bollard which, when a force of about 1177 to 1275 N is applied to the mounted traffic bollard at a height of 50 cm from the ground, the post may deflect and return to its position once the force is released. On the other hand, the post may be detached from the socle if a force of about 1471 N or more is applied at a height of 50 cm from the ground.

[0023] The post preferably includes one or more hollow space(s) or is entirely hollow. Thereby, the post's weight and the consumption of material necessary for its production may be minimised. Moreover, the internal elasticity of the post may be increased by one or more hollow spaces inside the post. Preferably, the post is produced by rotational moulding, providing for a uniform wall thickness and an efficient material recovery.

[0024] The weight of the post is preferably at most 5 kg, more preferably at most 3.5 kg or even more preferably 2.5 kg or less.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the post has a length in the range between 40 and 120 cm, preferably in a range between 50 and 95 cm. Such traffic bollards, once mounted, cannot be simply overrun by cars, are easily seen and, on the other hand, do not annoy by unnecessary height.

[0026] The post may have a portion having a corrugated, undulated or rippled surface structure. For example, the post may comprise at least one portion including 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 grooves which extend at least partially in parallel to each other and/or to a longitudinal axis of the post. Such a structure may strengthen the post, in particular in cases where the post includes one or more hollow space(s). With such a structure, given a desired strength of the post, the wall width of the post may be reduced as compared to a post having a smooth surface. Preferably, the length of the grooves is between a quarter and three quarters of the overall length of the post. Thereby, the post can be strengthened at positions where vehicles might possibly strike against the traffic bollard. The grooves may have a width of at least 1, 2, 3 or 4 cm and at most 5, 6, 7, 8 cm.

[0027] To increase safety, the post may include one or more pieces of reflective material which is or are preferably fixed to the post. Additionally or alternatively, the post may include a portion providing information, such as by a relief-type carved surface indicating a particular characteristic. For example, one or more letters may indicate a particular community, or an arrow may indicate a driving direction of a one-way street. Additionally or alternatively, the traffic bollard may comprise at least one lamp that may be operable to give permanent or blinking light. The lamp or lamps may be located inside the post such that its or their light can shine through the post's wall or through one or more openings in the wall. Alternatively, the one or more lamp(s) may be fixed to the post from outside while preferably an electrical supply line is disposed through the inside of the post.

[0028] Traffic bollards according to the present invention may be utilised to delimit one or more way(s) or area(s) on which motor vehicles can drive. They may further be used to delimit ways or areas where vehicles driven by natural forces such as bicycles move or where pedestrian go along. As an example, the traffic bollards may be used on children's playgrounds or in parks.

[0029] Particular embodiments are shown in the appended drawings.

Figure 1 shows an exemplary traffic bollard that is in accordance with the present invention.

Figures 2A and 2B each illustrate particular shapes of the first and second areas, and

Figure 3 shows sections of a particular embodiment and installed in ground.

[0030] In Figure 1, a traffic bollard including a socle 1 and a post 2 is shown. The surface of the socle includes a first area 3 and the surface of the post includes a second area 4, wherein the shapes and dimensions of the first and second area coincide and allow for being closely connected to each other all over the first and second area. In the depicted embodiment, the first area 3 is a portion of the surface of a flange 5 of the socle, and the second area 4 is a portion of a flange 6 of the post. The socle is formed as a slightly conical tube, and the flange 5 is located at one end of the tube. At the other end thereof, a further flange 8 is provided. When installing the traffic bollard, the socle is preferably inserted into a cavity in the ground (e.g., in the pavement) such that the surface area 3 is positioned at a horizontal plane at the same or almost the same level as the surrounding of the cavity (e.g., as the pavement). Flowing concrete may then be filled both into the cavity outside the socle and into the socle, wherein the latter filling may be done through a first opening 7 surrounded by the flange 5. The concrete may drain off the socle through further openings 12a and 12b provided at the lateral area of the positioned socle. The lower flange 8 may be covered by concrete. As a consequence, once the concrete has hardened, the socle will be firmly positioned in the ground.

[0031] The post 2 may then be fixed to the socle 1, by connecting the second area 4 and the first area 3, such as by thermochemically bonding them together. The post shown includes a hollow space, as can be seen by the opening surrounded by the flange 6. It further includes grooves 9 which extend parallel to each other and to the/a longitudinal axis of the post. As mentioned above, such grooves may provide for an improved stability of the post.

[0032] The post further includes a piece 10 of reflective material which is fixed to the post and a surface portion 11 where information such as about a responsible community can be provided.

[0033] Figures 2A and 2B each show alternative constructions of the socle 1 and/or post 2. In Figure 2A, the first area 3 is a portion of the surface of a flange 5 which, in contrast to the flange shown in Figure 1, extends inwardly to the socle. In Figure 2B, both the first area 3 and the second area 4 have a three-dimensional topography, as they are part of the surface of a cone. As mentioned above, thereby, the adherend surface may be extended which may increase the force the bonded portions may stand without detaching.

[0034] Figure 3 shows a traffic bollard such as a plastic pavement pole comprising holes 13 for concrete filling, an underground part 14, a (connection) flange 15 for connecting with thermo bonding, a snapping point 16, a position for the sticking and protection of reflection tape 10 and a point of shaped information 11. Sections AA and BB show the sections at the indicated positions.

Claims

1. Traffic bollard comprising a socle (1) and a post (2),
characterised in that a first area (3) in the surface of the socle and a second area (4) in the surface of the post are shaped

such that the socle and the post can be brought in close contact to each other all over the first and second area and can be connected to each other, such as by bonding them together;

or such that the socle and the post are connected to each other all over the first and second area and can be detached from each other;

and the post is made from plastic.

2. Traffic bollard according to claim 1, wherein the first area is an annular surface portion of a flange (5) comprised by the socle,
and/or the second area is an annular surface portion of a flange (6) comprised by the post at one of its ends.

3. Traffic bollard according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the socle has at least one cavity and/ or channel that can be filled with concrete through one or more openings (7; 12a; 12b) of the socle, preferably through an opening (7) surrounded by the first area (3).

4. Traffic bollard according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the socle is formed as a block or tube including a cylindrical and/or conical and/or cuboid part,
and wherein a circular or diagonal diameter of the block or tube is preferably at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 cm and/or preferably at most 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20 cm.

5. Traffic bollard according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the socle (1) is such that, when it is connected to the post, the resulting traffic bollard is at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 cm and/ or at most 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, or 19 cm longer than the post.

6. Traffic bollard according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the socle (1) includes an external flange (8) whose surface does not intersect with the first area (3).

7. Traffic bollard according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the post is at least partially made out of thermoplastic material, such as linear low density polyethylene, and/or of recycled packing material, and preferably includes one or more hollow space/s.

8. Traffic bollard according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the post has a length in the range of 40 to 120 cm, preferably in a range of 50 to 95 cm,
and/or has a weight of at most 5 kg, preferably at most 3,5 kg or more preferably at most 2,5 kg.

9. Traffic bollard according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the surface of the post comprises at least one portion including 3, 4, 5, 6 or 8 grooves (9) which extend at least partially in parallel to each other and/or to a longitudinal axis of the post,
wherein the length of the grooves is preferably between a quarter and three quarters of the overall length of the post.

10. Traffic bollard according to one of claims 1 to 9, further including one or more pieces (10) of reflective material which is or are preferably fixed to the post,
and/or at least one portion (11) including information, such as one or more letters indicating a particular community, or such as an arrow indicating a driving direction of a one-way street,
and/or at least one lamp located inside the post, wherein the at least one lamp may be operable to give permanent and/or flashing light.

11. Method for building a traffic bollard, the method characterised by the steps of producing a socle (1) and a plastic post (2), wherein a first area (3) in the surface of the socle and a second area (4) in the surface of the post are shaped such that the socle and the post can be brought in close contact to each other all over the first and second area.

12. Method according to claim 11, further comprising
connecting the socle (1) and the post (2), preferably by thermo bonding, thermochemically bonding or gluing the first and second area to each other.

13. Method according to claims 11 or 12, further comprising the step of
forming, by rotational molding, the post (2) from thermoplastic material, such as recycled thermoplastic packing material and/or linear low density polyethylene.

14. Method according to one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising the step of inserting the socle (1) into a cavity in the ground such that the first area (3) is at the same or almost the same level as the ground surrounding the cavity.

15. Method according to one of claims 11 to 14, wherein producing the socle includes producing the socle so as to have a first opening (7) surrounded by a flange (5) comprised by the socle (1) and at least one further opening (12a; 12b), and the method further comprises the step of filling, through the first opening, the inserted socle with concrete such that a portion of the concrete drains off through the at least one further opening (12a; 12b).

Drawing