GB2520669A

GB2520669A - Lamp post base hugger

Info

Publication number: GB2520669A
Application number: GB1316811.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gary Wyatt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-09-22
Filing date: 2013-09-22
Publication date: 2015-06-03
Also published as: GB201316811D0

Abstract

A protective EPDM rubber cover may be made to set sizes to suit the base of a streetlight light or the like. Alternatively it may be cut to size in situ. The cover or sleeve may be glued to the column using adhesive. The objective of the device is to prevent corrosion of column type structures.

Description

Patent Application

Lamp Post Base Hugger -Description

My invention is a lamppost protector.

In the UK at present local authorities are having to take down and replace millions of lampposts due to erosion from weather and specifically dog urine. The lamppost protector could ensure that an extra 4 years is added to the lifespan of the intended lamppost or signpost they wish to treat with the protector thus saving a substantial amount of money. The protector can be applied to metal and can be moulded to suit any shape. Thus meaning maximum flexibility for local authorities or private organisations in protecting what they need to protect or prolonging the lifespan of the object.

The protector is made out of EPDM rubber and is added to the base of a lamppost as a protective seal which spans from the trunk of the post to the floor creating a water and weather tight seal which keeps out anything which could cause erosion to the intended unit it is applied to.

Once cut to size it can be secured to the lamppost or signpost with Universal Adhesive, Scotch Weld 847.

The beauty of this design is that the rubber can be manufactured into set sizes for specific types of lampposts in different regions or countries or it can be cut at the scene by ground workers working on a specific lighting device.

The rubber and adhesive combination is very versatile and so if needed for different objects such as railings or sign posts this is also something which can be treated by the lamppost protector design.

I have ran tests which include keeping the invention in freezing temperatures for a period of 4 weeks, to mimic snowy conditions, I have also tested my invention in a bucket of water for a period of 4 weeks to mimic flood situations and heavy rain and simply left the device out in hot weather to test the durability. All tests have proven positive and I have had no leakages, breakages or changes to the invention. It simply has accepted whatever I have subjected it to. The rubber used has also been meticulously tested by the original supplier/manufacturer to withstand temperatures of -30 degrees various other tests similar to my own showing it is a reliable product to use for my invention.

A new lamppost costs roughly £1000 per unit to each local authority and has electrical engineering and labours costs on top of this to install it. When taken into prospective implementing my invention would be a substantial saving as when applied it can prolong the lamppost life by 4 years (likely to be a substantially longer period), thus meaning that a lamppost with a life span of 10 years could last the local authority 14 years by adding my invention as a modification either from the start of the original installation or as a later modification to a lamppost which requires protection later on in its life.