GB2247266A - Security post - Google Patents

Abstract

A security post comprising a tube (10) to be located in the ground with its upper open end substantially at ground level, a post (12) slidably mounted for vertical movement within the tube (10) between a lower position in which it is substantially enclosed within the tube and an upper position upstanding therefrom. A hydraulic actuating cylinder (14) is mounted within the device between the bottom of the tube and the top of the post and may be actuated by a security control unit (17) to raise or lower the post (12) as required. Means (21, 22, 24) are provided to prevent unauthorised removal of the post from the tube, and further means (28, 31, 32, 33) to enable the hydraulic cylinder (14) to be removed from the assembly without excavation on the surrounding ground. <IMAGE>

Description

A SECURITY POST THIS INVENTION concerns a security post to be located, for example, within a parking zone to control vehicular access.

In locations such as private car parks there is often found a "retractable" post which may be lowered to permit vehicular access and then raised and locked to prevent access by unauthorised vehicles.

Known devices of this kind consist of a post pivotally connected at its base to a fixed member so that it may be laid down flat against the ground to allow a vehicle to pass over it. The post is then raised to its upright position where it is locked by, for example, a pin passing through the post and through the fixed base member to prevent further pivotal movement until the pin is removed.

A disadvantage of this kind of security post is that it is exposed to damage by the running over of heavy vehicles and by vandalism, since it is permanently located above the ground.

One further known form of security post comprises a tube to be located in the ground with its upper end open and located substantially at ground level, and a post slidably mounted for vertical movement within the tube from a first position at least substantially enclosed within the tube and a second position upstanding therefrom. The post is capable of being locked in either of its selected positions by a locking mechanism operable only by authorised personnel, and the tube is provided with a lid which closes over its upper open end when the post is fully retracted within the tube, to afford protection for the top of the tube and the post.

An object of the present invention is to provide a security post which may be driven by powered means between its upper and lower positions and which also may be operated only by authorised personnel.

According to the present invention there is provided a security post comprising a tube to be located in the ground with its upper end open and located substantially at ground level, a post slidably mounted for vertical movement within the tube from a lower position at least substantially enclosed within the tube and an upper position upstanding therefrom, characterised by an actuating device extending longitudinally within the tube and fixed with respect to either the tube or the post to actuate and move the post relative to the tube such that extension of the actuating device causes the post to rise in the tube, and by means preventing the post from being removed completely from the tube other than by authorised personnel.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings in which: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a security post made in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of part of the device; and Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a modified internal construction of the post.

Referring now to the drawings, a security post comprises a rectangular sectioned tube 10 adapted to be located in the ground with its upper open end 11 substantially at ground level.

A rectangular sectioned post 12 is slidably located within the tube 10 and movable between a first or lowered position in which it is wholly enclosed within the tube, and a second or raised position in which it is upstanding therefrom.

Housed within the tube 10 and anchored at 13 internally to the base thereof is a pneumatic or hydraulic cylinder 14. The piston rod 15 of the cylinder 14 in the form of a tube of smaller diameter than the latter is anchored at 16 internally to the top of post 12. Any suitable means of attachment may be used for the anchored ends of the hydraulic ram.

A compressor or hydraulic motor unit 17 drives the ram selectively between its extended and retracted positions, and the unit 17 may include an appropriate security release mechanism such as a coinoperated device or a timed device or again an impressed card recognition device.

In the example of Fig. 2 the supply pipe to cylinder 14 from unit 17 passes downwardly along the outside wall of tube 10 as indicated at 18 and enters through the wall at the bottom to continue upwardly inside the tube as indicated at 19 and connected by a threaded union 20 to the top of cylinder 14. In this way, should any maintenance work need to be carried out on the cylinder it may be disconnected from its supply pipe by only minor excavation near the surface of the ground around the top 11 of the tube.

To prevent the post 12 from being completely removed from tube 10 a pin 21 is attached to the outer surface of post 12 near the base thereof, and during vertical movement of the post this pin slides within a slot 22 in the wall of the tube 10 covered by a plate 23. An aperture 24 may be provided in the wall of post 12 to enable authorised personnel to introduce a special tool capable of withdrawing pin 21 from the slot 22 whereby the post may be withdrawn from the tube.

A drain aperture 25 is provided in the bottom of tube 10 to allow the escape of any water which enters the tube in use.

In an alternative arrangement cylinder 14 and supply unit 17 may be replaced by a cylinder which is self-contained, complete with its own drive means and security switch or sensor, so that no external connection to another device is required. This avoids the need for excavation of the ground to distant points at which the unit 17 would need to be located.

It is immaterial whether the cylinder 14 is fixed to the tube and the piston rod active upon the post, or vice versa.

As can be seen from Fig. 2 the top of post 12 may be provided with a peripheral flange 26 inclined downwardly thus to serve as a weatherproof lid when the post is in its retracted position.

Referring now to Fig. 3, in an alternative arrangement for mounting the base of the cylinder 14 in the tube so that it may be easily removed for maintenance or replacement, the cylinder is mounted at its base on a plate 27 which is vertically movable relative to four threaded spindles 28 welded or otherwise anchored rigidly to a plate 29 fixed to the bottom of tube 10. The movable plate 27 rests on two rubber shock absorbing bushes 30 mounted on fixed plate 29.

Mounted on each spindle 28 is a rigid sleeve 31 having an internally welded nut 32 engaging the thread of the spindle. A hexagonal head 33 is welded to the top of each sleeve 31. Thus the four sleeves 31 may be screwed down to hold the plate 27 down onto the bushes 30. This provides a fixed base for the cylinder 14. The threaded top of piston rod 15 is anchored by a nut 34 and a plate 35 to the top of the post 12 which is then closed by a removable lid (not shown) using security screws which engage within lugs 36 located internally of the post. The lid will have a peripheral flange similar to flange 26 as illustrated in Fig. 2.

For maintenance or replacement the cylinder 14 may be exposed to become accessible by first removing the flanged lid (using a special security tool), and then nut 34, and post 12. Then, by unscrewing and removing sleeves 31, the cylinder 14 and plate 27 may be removed. For this purpose a flexible length of hydraulic hose will be provided in the base of the tube and connected to the lower end of cylinder 14.

By the above means, the cylinder can be replaced without excavation of the surrounding ground, whilst security against unauthorised removal is provided by the special screws needed to remove the post lid. Also if required the nut 34 and heads 33 may require a special key similar to that incorporated in security wheel nuts for vehicles.

It will be appreciated that the pneumatic or hydraulic mechanism to drive the post between its upper and lower positions avoids the need for any handle and locking device to be operated by the user. This is of particular advantage, for example, in wet weather conditions since the post may be operated from a remote position using, for example, an infra-red remote control device which could be operated by a driver situated within a vehicle.

Preferably, the actuating device and/or supply unit will be equipped with an automatic cut-out device to cause the post to descend if it should make contact with, for example, the underside of a vehicle.

Also, electrical sensors may be placed on or near the post and adapted automatically to extend the actuating device and thus raise the post after a delay once a vehicle has passed over the post.

In applications where rapid movement of the post is not necessary, the fluidic actuating means may be replaced by, for example, a driven screw jack or other linear actuator.

The tube 10 and post 12 may be of other than rectangular cross-section, such as circular or elliptical.

Claims (15)

1. A security post comprising a tube to be located in the ground with its upper end open and located substantially at ground level, a post slidably mounted for vertical movement within the tube between a lower position at least substantially enclosed within the tube and an upper position upstanding therefrom, characterised by an actuating device extending longitudinally within the tube and fixed with respect to either the tube or the post to actuate and move the post relative to the tube such that extension of the actuating device causes the post to rise in the tube, and by means preventing the post from being removed completely from the tube other than by authorised personnel.

2. A security post according to Claim 1, wherein said actuating device is a hydraulic cylinder driven by a hydraulic motor.

3. A security post according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, further characterised by a control unit including security release means to cause the post to assume its lower position upon operation of said control unit.

4. A security post according to Claim 3, wherein said control unit is adapted to be placed remote from the post and to be operated by a device such as a coin operated or card recognition device.

5. A security post according to Claim 3, wherein said control unit is contained within the tube such that no external connection to another device is required.

6. A security post according to any preceding claim, wherein said post removal prevention means comprises a pin and slot arrangement co-operating between the tube and the post, and means whereby authorised personnel may insert a special tool to release the pin from the slot to enable complete removal of the post from the tube.

7. A security post according to any preceding claim, wherein'the top of the post is provided with a peripheral flange inclined downwardly thus to serve as a weatherproof lid when the post is in its lower position.

8. A security post according to Claim 1, wherein the actuating device is removably mounted within the tube, means for removal of same being accessible at and operable from the top of the tube after authorised removal of at least a part of the post.

9. A security post according to Claim 8, wherein said removal means comprises a plurality of threaded rods upstanding within the tube and each provided with a sleeve capable of being screwed down relative to said rods to fix the actuating device in place within the tube.

10. A security post according to Claim 8, including one or more shock absorbing devices adapted to support the actuating device within the tube.

11. A security post according to Claim 1, in which said post removal prevention means comprises at least one security screw adapted to retain a removable lid at the top of said post.

12. A security post according to any preceding claim, including at least one sensor placed on or near the post and adapted automatically to extend the actuating device and thus raise the post after a delay once the vehicle has passed over the post.

13. A security post according to any preceding claim, including an automatic cut-out device associated with the actuating device to cause the post to descend if it should make contact with, for example, the underside of a vehicle.

14. A security post according to Claim 1, wherein the actuating device is a driven screw jack.

15. A security post according to Claim 8, including a fixed plate located in the base of the tube and having extending upwardly therefrom a plurality of fixed threaded spindles, a second plate mounted for vertical movement relative to said spindles and carrying the actuating device, and a plurality of sleeves threadedly engaged over said spindles and operable from the upper region of the tube to clamp the movable plate in a fixed position relative to the fixed plate