GB2590605A

GB2590605A - Embellishment Kits

Info

Publication number: GB2590605A
Application number: GB1916956.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robinson Daniel
Original assignee: Traffic Man Products Ltd
Current assignee: Traffic Man Products Ltd
Priority date: 2019-11-21
Filing date: 2019-11-21
Publication date: 2021-07-07
Also published as: GB201916956D0

Abstract

A component for an embellishment kit for a street furniture column 10 is annular and adapted to surround the column. The kit is used to transform the appearance of standard lighting columns, for example to provide a ‘heritage look’. The component is formed from a non-electrically conductive material, and may be moulded. Each component may be formed from two or more semi-annular parts that can be fitted together around the column. The semi-annular parts may comprise cooperating male and female mating elements to engage them together. The semi-annular parts may be the same shape and size as one another. Also claimed is an annular embellishment component for surrounding a column, the component being formed from two or more separable, semi-annular parts. The component may be formed from moulded, non-electrically conductive polymer such as thermosetting polyurethane. Further claimed is an embellishment kit and street furniture column.

Description

Embellishment Kits The present invention relates to embellishment kits for street furniture columns such as lighting columns.

Background

Embellishment kits are typically used to transform the appearance of standard lighting columns, for example to give a "heritage look". Conventionally, embellishment kits include a number of cast iron annular components that can be slid over a standard steel lighting column from the top after the column has been installed and before the luminaire is fitted. Kits including three, four or five components are known.

A three-piece kit typically includes: a foot or bottom piece, which surrounds the base of the column; a swage or joining piece that surrounds a shoulder on the column where the diameter of the column steps in from a larger diameter bottom section to a smaller diameter top section; and a decorative ring that is positioned between the shoulder and the top of the column. The additional components that make up four-or five-piece sets include ladder bars, typically mounted towards the top of the column, column tops, which are mounted on the top of the column, and/or additional decorative rings.

Although embellishment kits are a popular way of improving the appearance of a street scene, they are not without their problems. In the particular, reactions between the cast iron embellishments and the steel column can accelerate corrosion of the steel column. This is an issue especially at the base of the column where corrosion is often already a significant problem due to the environment at and just below ground level that tends to be rich in moisture, chlorides and oxygen that promote corrosion of the steel column.

Given the risks associated with the failure of lighting columns, there is a desire for them to be checked on a regular basis through their life. A preferred approach to checking the physical integrity of lighting columns is non-destructive testing, using techniques that measure the wall thickness of the column using electromagnetic signals.

However, the presence of a conventional cast-iron embellishment kit is not compatible with these non-destructive testing techniques. Thus, testing can only be undertaken prior to the embellishments being installed, by temporarily removing the embellishments or by using less desirable destructive testing techniques with the embellishments in place.

Summary

In general, embodiments of the present invention aim to provide embellishment kits for street furniture columns (e.g. lighting columns), and components for these kits, that can be readily fitted to street furniture columns and that do not interfere with electromagnetic non-destructive testing methods. In some embodiments these aims are met with multi-part embellishment components moulded from a non-electrically-conductive polymer, such as polyurethane.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an embellishment component for an embellishment kit for a street furniture column, the component being an annular component adapted to surround the street furniture column and being formed from a non-electricallyconductive material.

By forming the component from a non-electrically-conductive material, the interference with non-destructive testing techniques encountered with cast iron embellishments is avoided. Moreover, appropriate material selection, for example polymers such as polyurethane, can also avoid the accelerated corrosion issues seen with cast iron embellishments on steel street furniture columns.

In some embodiments, the embellishment component is a moulded component, for example a moulded polymer component.

In some embodiments, the component comprises two or more separable, semi-annular parts. The term "semi-annular" used herein is to be taken to mean a part annular shape and is not limited to half annular shapes; i.e. each part need not extend exactly 180 degrees around the column (although it may) and in some embodiments the parts may extend more or less than 180 degrees around the column.

Forming the component in multiple parts in this way facilitates easy mounting on the street furniture column. Unlike the known embellishment components discussed above, which must be slid over the top of the column, multi-part components in accordance with embodiments of the present invention can be mounted on the column by bringing the parts together around the column and then securing them together. This means, for example, they can be added to a lighting column with the luminaire already in place. It also facilitates subsequent removal of the embellishments, for example to visually inspect the steel column underneath the embellishment component if desired or to replace damaged embellishment components for example.

In some embodiments, each multi-part component includes only two parts. Other embodiments may include three or more parts but a two-part component is generally easier to handle when mounting on the street furniture column. In a two-part component, each part may extend 180 degrees around the column.

The two (or more) semi-annular parts of the multi-part embellishment component can be secured to one another with any or a number of suitable securing elements. Example include screw (e.g. grub screws), clips and straps.

In some embodiments, the semi-annular parts comprise mating elements that cooperate with one another when the parts are brought together to locate the parts relative to one another. The parts may, for example, have cooperating male and female elements that engage one another when the parts are brought together. The male elements may, for example, be protruding tabs, with the female elements being corresponding grooves in which the tabs can engage.

In some embodiments, each semi-annular part has a male mating element at one end and a female mating element at the other end, for engagement with respective female and male mating elements on the adjacent part or parts.

In some embodiments, the two or more semi-annular parts of the multi-part embellishment component are the same shape and size as one another. In this way, they can be formed using the same tooling as one another, for example the same mould where the components are moulded components. This has the benefit of reducing tooling costs compared to the case where the two component parts are different from one another.

In a second aspect, the invention provides an embellishment component for an embellishment kit for a street furniture column, the component being an annular component adapted to surround the street furniture column and comprising two or more separable, semi-annular parts.

As with the first aspect, the two or more semi-annular parts may be the same shape and size as one another.

In a third aspect the invention provides an embellishment kit for a street furniture column, the embellishment kit including a plurality of embellishment components in accordance with the first and/or second aspects set forth above.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides a street furniture column having installed thereon an embellishment component in accordance with the first and/or second aspects set forth above or an embellishment kit in accordance with the third aspect.

The street furniture column may be a lighting column. The various aspects of the invention are, however, applicable to other types of street furniture column, including for example columns for CCTV installations, columns for floral displays (e.g. hanging baskets), and columns for signage.

The skilled person will also appreciate that the term "street furniture columns" is not limited to roadside and pavement columns but is also intended to cover columns when used in alternative environments, such as railways and airports.

The skilled person will appreciate that the features described and defined in connection with the aspects of the invention and the embodiments thereof may be combined in any combination, regardless of whether the specific combination is expressly mentioned herein. Thus, all such combinations are considered to be made available to the skilled person.

Description of Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a conventional steel lighting column with an embellishment kit installed thereon; Figure 2a shows one half of a bottom piece embellishment component of an embellishment kit according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2b is a bottom view of the embellishment component of figure 2a; Figure 3a shows one half of a joining piece embellishment component of an embellishment kit according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3b is a bottom view of the embellishment component of figure 3a; Figure 4a shows one half of a decorative ring embellishment component of an embellishment kit according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4b is a bottom view of the embellishment component of figure 4a; Figure 5a shows one half of a ladder bar embellishment component of an embellishment kit according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5b is a horizontal cross-section through the embellishment component of figure 5a.

Description of Embodiments

For the avoidance of doubt, the skilled person will appreciate that in this specification, the terms "up", "down", "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "width", etc. refer to the orientation of the components as found in the example when installed for normal use as shown in the Figures.

Figure 1 shows a street furniture column 10, which may for example be a lighting column. An embellishment kit is fitted to the column 10, including a foot or bottom piece 12, which surrounds the base of the column 10; a swage or joining piece 14 that surrounds a shoulder 10a on the column where the diameter of the column steps in from a larger diameter bottom section 10b to a smaller diameter top section 10c; a decorative ring 16 that is positioned between the shoulder and the top of the column; and a ladder bar 18 mounted towards the top of the column.

In accordance an embodiment of the present invention, each of the embellishment components 12, 14, 16, 18 of the embellishment kit is moulded in two semi-annular parts from a non-electrically-conductive polymer, in this example a thermosetting polyurethane. This material is chosen because it is robust, weather resistant and UV stable, as well as being 'transparent' to the electromagnetic signals that are used for non-destructive testing techniques of lighting columns.

The two parts of each embellishment component are formed using the same mould (so they are identical; i.e. the same size and shape) and are configured so that they can be brought together around the portion of the street furniture column they are intended to fit, one part from either side of the column, and engage with one another to be secured in place on the column. To help to accurately locate the two parts relative to one another, as seen in the exemplary components discussed below, one end of each part has a male mating element (a tab in these examples) and the other end has a corresponding female mating element (a slot in these examples), so that the male element of each part engages in the female element of the other part when the two parts are brought together. In the examples discussed below, the two parts are then secured together using grub screws but any appropriate means may be used to secure them.

One half of each of the four components of the exemplary embellishment kit is described below with reference to figs. 2a & 2b, 3a & 3b, 4a & 4b and Sa & Sb respectively.

Figs. 2a and 2b show an example of one half of a bottom piece 12 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The bottom piece part 20 is semi-annular and, in use, extends 180 degrees around the base of the lighting column. An identical second part extends around the other half of the column, with opposite ends 22, 24 of the parts butting up against one another. The inner wall 201 of the part 20 has a cylindrical surface that can sit snugly against the base portion of the lighting column. The outer wall 202 is shaped to give an attractive appearance, in this example with two beads 203 running circumferentially around the outer wall 202 of the part 20, towards the bottom and top of the part respectively.

As best seen in fig. 2b, one end 22 of the bottom piece part 20 has a tab 26 protruding therefrom in a circumferential direction. A slot 28 is recessed into the other end 24 of the part 20. In use, when the two parts 20 of the bottom piece are pushed together, the tab 26 of each part engages in the slot 28 of the other part to locate the two parts 20 relative to one another. The parts 20 can then be secured together, for example with grub screws (not shown) that extend through the wall of the slot 28 into the tab 26 engaged in the slot.

Figs. 3a and 3b shown an example of one half part 30 of a joining piece 14 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. This semi-annular part 30 surrounds one half of the shoulder 10a of the lighting column. An identical second part extends around the other half of the shoulder, with opposite ends 32, 34 of the parts butting up against one another. The inner wall 301 of this part 3015 configured to follow the shape of the shoulder 10a, having a lower section 3011 with a cylindrical surface that can sit snugly against the upper end of the base portion of the lighting column, an upper section 3012 with a smaller diameter cylindrical surface that can sit snugly against the lower end of the upper portion of the column, and a central section 3013 that with a part conical surface that tapers from the lower section 3011 to the upper section 3012. The outer wall 302 is shaped to give an attractive appearance, in this example with a large bead 303 running circumferentially around the bottom end of the outer wall 302 of the part 30, a smaller bead 304 towards the top of the outer wall 302, decorative circumferential ribs 305 on the shoulder and a series of diamond shaped projections 306 on the upper portion of the wall 302 below the bead 304.

As best seen in fig. 3b, similarly to the bottom piece part 20, one end 32 of the joining piece part 30 has a tab 36 protruding therefrom in a circumferential direction. A slot 38 is recessed into the other end 34 of the part 30. The tab 36 and slot 38 extend down the end of the part 30, following the shape of the shoulder. In this example, there is also an additional, smaller protrusion 361 at the top of the one end 32 of the joining piece part and a corresponding opening 381 in the other end 38. In use, when the two parts 30 of the joining piece are pushed together, the tab 36 of each part engages in the slot 38 of the other part and the smaller protrusion of each part engages in the corresponding opening in the other part to locate the two parts 30 relative to one another.

The parts 30 can then be secured together, for example with grub screws (not shown) as with the bottom piece part 20.

Figs. 4a and 4b show an example of one half of a decorative ring 16 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The decorative ring part 40 is semi-annular and, in use, extends 180 degrees around the upper portion of the lighting column. An identical second part extends around the other half of the column, with opposite ends 42, 44 of the parts butting up against one another. Similarly to the bottom piece part, the inner wall 401 of the part 40 has a cylindrical surface that can sit snugly against the upper portion of the lighting column. The outer wall 402 is shaped to give an attractive appearance, in this example with three beads 403 running circumferentially around the outer wall 402 of the part 40.

As with the other parts, one end 42 of the decorative ring part 40 has a tab 46 protruding therefrom in a circumferential direction and a slot 48 is recessed into the other end 44 of the part 40. In use, when the two parts 40 of the bottom piece are pushed together, the tab 46 of each part engages in the slot 48 of the other part to locate the two parts 40 relative to one another. The parts 40 can then be secured together, for example with grub screws (not shown).

Finally, figs. 5a and 5b show an example of one half of a ladder bar 18 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. The ladder bar part 50 has a semi-annular central section 501 that, in use, extends 180 degrees around the upper portion of the lighting column. The central section of an identical second part extends around the other half of the column. The ladder bar part 50 also has arm portions 502, 503 that extend laterally outwardly to either side of the central section 501. A front side 5021, 5031 of each arm is flat. When the two parts 50 of the ladder bar 18 are brought together around the column, opposed faces 52,54 of the central section 501 of each part butt against one another, as do the opposed front sides 5021, 5031 of the arm portions 502, 503. The inner wall 504 of the central section 501 of the part 50 has a cylindrical surface that can sit snugly against the upper portion of the lighting column. The outer wall 505 is shaped to give an attractive appearance; in this example the outer wall 5051 of the central section 501 has a decorative pattern applied and the outer wall 5052 of each arm 502,503 is curved with bead 506 at its inner end and a hemispherical bulbous element 507 at its outer end.

Similarly to the other parts, one arm 502 of the ladder bar part 50 has a tab 56 protruding therefrom and the other arm 503 has a corresponding slot 58 recessed into it. In use, when the two parts 50 of the ladder bar are brought together around the column, the tab 56 of each part engages in the slot 58 of the other part to locate the two parts 50 relative to one another. The parts 50 can then be secured together, for example with grub screws (not shown).

The skilled person will understand that various modifications and additions can be made to the example described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For example, rather than an embellishment component being made from two-parts they may be made from three or more parts, for example three identical parts, each of which provides 120 degrees of the complete annulus. The skilled person will also understand that whilst the exemplified embellishment kit includes four components, other kits in accordance with the invention may include fewer or more components.

Claims

Claims 1. An embellishment component for an embellishment kit for a street furniture column, the component being an annular component adapted to surround the street furniture column and being formed from a non-electrically-conductive material.
2. An embellishment component according to claim 1, wherein the component is a moulded component.
3. An embellishment component according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the component comprises two or more separable, semi-annular parts.
4. An embellishment component according to claim 3, comprising one or more securing elements for securing the semi-annular parts to one another to form the annular component.
S. An embellishment component according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the semi-annular parts comprise mating elements that cooperate with one another when the parts are brought together to locate the parts relative to one another.
6. An embellishment component according to claim 5, wherein each semi-annular part has a male mating element at one end and a female mating element at the other end, for engagement with respective female and male mating elements on the adjacent part or parts.
7. An embellishment component according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the two or more semi-annular parts are the same shape and size as one another.
8. An embellishment component for an embellishment kit for a street furniture column, the component being an annular component adapted to surround the street furniture column and comprising two or more separable, semi-annular parts.
9. An embellishment component according to claims, wherein the two or more semi-annular parts are the same shape and size as one another.
10. An embellishment component according to claim 8 or claim 9, formed by moulding from a non-electrically-conductive material.
11. An embellishment component according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the component is formed from a non-electrically-conductive polymer.
12. An embellishment component according to claim 11, wherein the component is formed from a thermosetting polyurethane.
13. An embellishment kit comprising a plurality of embellishment components according to any one of the preceding claims.
14. A street furniture column having installed thereon an embellishment component according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or an embellishment kit according to claim 13.
15. A street furniture column according to claim 14, wherein the column is a lighting column.