Solar powered lighting bollard

Abstract

The lighting bollard 10 in which a transparent housing member having a generally frustoconical form such that an opening at its first end is wider than its second end. A transparent lid 12 is sealed s

Description

The present invention concerns a solar powered lighting bollard, suitable for mounting to a post to provide lighting in outdoor and / or public spaces. Introduction There are existing examples of solar-powered lighting bollards. The general benefits of such bollards have been disclosed in the art and include the ability to store energy during daylight hours in order to be able to power an energy-efficient light (e.g. using an array of LEDs) when ambient light is below a sufficient level. Bollards can also be lit during the day to indicate the presence of the bollard. Despite their usefulness, lighting bollards of this kind are subject to a number of problems. The assembly and installation of such bollards is complex and must take account of many conflicting considerations. Ideally, the installation of the bollard atop a post should be simple to achieve, e.g. in a plug-and-play type arrangement. However lighting bollards of this type can be subject to vandalism and theft. The fact that the bollard can contain all the required components to provide a standalone lighting solution that does not require a mains connection means that the bollard is particularly attractive for thieves, i.e. to use as a lighting solution at a different location or for a different purpose. WO2008 / 154568 discloses a lighting bollard to be mounted to a post via a secure mounting system. However that document does not discuss the integrity or assembly of the bollard itself. As well as potential vandalism and the possibility of theft of the internal components of the bollard, lighting bollards can be subject to accidental impact and damage. As such the bollard housing and internal components need to be mounted in such a way that they can withstand such mistreatment. These requirements, as well as the need for the bollard to be weatherproof lean towards a sealed bollard assembly. However, sealing the bollard shut means that the internal components must all be correctly assembled prior to closing and sealing of the bollard. Any errors in assembly result in an inoperable product that must be broken open in order to rectify any problems. That is to say the sealed bollard is not easily repaired. Not only does the bollard itself need to contain all the components required for solar generation and power delivery to the lighting array, but the bollard also needs to be assembled in a way that is less prone to errors. Attempts to steal or vandalise the bollard in-situ, even if unsuccessful, can break the seal in the bollard housing, thereby reducing the likely service life of the bollard considerably. For example, if the seal is broken, moisture ingress can be a significant problem for the electrical components inside. As well as the above discussed problems, there are other practical issues for solar bollards, such as the need for the bollard be placed in direct sunlight during the day. This means the bollard will experience thermal loading in a cyclic fashion throughout its life, which can cause issues for the integrity of the product and its internal components. It is an aim of the present invention to mitigate one or more of the above-identified problems. It may be considered an additional or alternative aim to provide a solar lighting bollard that is robust and / or simple to assemble. Statements of Invention According to the invention there is provided a lighting bollard comprising: a transparent housing member having a tapered form with an opening at its first end that is of greater width than its second end, a transparent lid irreversibly sealed shut to the housing over the opening by a sealant; a plurality of internal support members for supporting a solar generator beneath the lid and one or more light beneath the solar generator for emitting light through the transparent housing in use , wherein the lid, a first internal support member and a second internal support member are stacked in height order relative to the housing; and, a battery arranged to be charged by the solar generator and to provide power to the one or more light, wherein the lid comprises an anti-rotation formation for engagement with a corresponding anti-rotation formation of the housing and each of the lid, the first internal support and the second internal support comprises an alignment formation for ensuring its correct alignment in the stack, the alignment formation of the lid engaging with a corresponding alignment formation of the first internal support member, the anti-rotation formations of the housing and lid comprising a plurality of opposing male and female formations spaced about the opening at the first end of the housing. The first internal support member may support the solar generator beneath the lid; the second internal support member may support the one or more light beneath the solar generator for emitting light through the transparent housing in use. The alignment formation of the lid, the first internal support and / or the second internal support may comprise a rotational alignment formation. The housing may comprise a peripheral rim at the first end to receive the lid. The lid may comprise an opposing peripheral rim. The housing may comprise one or more internal rim, e.g. between the first and second ends, to receive the one or more alignment formation of the internal support(s). One or more projection or recess may be provided in the one or more internal rim. The housing may comprise a first internal rim to receive the first internal support member and / or a second internal rim to receive the second internal support member. The lid or housing may comprise a peripheral groove, e.g. for receiving the sealant to seal the lid against the housing. The other of the lid or housing may comprise a peripheral wall arranged to be received in the groove. The sealant may be provided inside the wall, e.g. such that the wall prevents line of sight access to the sealant. 31 07 23 The lid may comprise a collar. The collar may extend inside the opening at the first end of the housing. The collar may comprise an anti-rotation and / or alignment formation. 5 A plurality of said male and female anti-rotation formations may be spaced about an edge / end of the housing. The anti-rotation formations may comprise castellations. The anti-rotation formations may be larger and stronger than the alignment formation(s), e.g. so as to be able to resist vandalism or unwanted rotation of the lid relative to the housing once the bollard is sealed. This therefore 10 serves a different function from the alignment feature(s) which are to ensure correct alignment of the internal components during assembly. The internal support (e.g. the first internal support) may comprise a first alignment formation for engaging the lid and a second alignment formation for engaging the 15 housing. The first and / or second alignment formation may comprise a projection or recess for engaging an opposing recess or projection on the lid / housing. The first and / or second alignment formation may engage a circumferential or peripheral wall of the lid / housing. 20 The second internal support may be shaped to receive the battery. The internal support (e.g. the second internal support) may comprise an abutment for engagement with the housing to determine the height of the internal support 25 within the housing. The abutment formation may comprise one or more rib or protrusion that terminates before the end of the internal support. A plurality of abutment formations may be provided, e.g. space around the internal support. The internal support (e.g. the second internal support) may comprise a rotation 30 alignment formation for engagement with the housing. The rotation alignment formation may or may not comprise a rib or groove. The rotation alignment rib may extend beyond the abutment formation, e.g. in an axial, length or height direction. 31 07 23 The internal support (e.g. the second internal support) may be tapered in form and may comprise a first end opening that is wider than a second end thereof. The second internal support may support the light, e.g. at an upper / first end of the 5 second internal support. The second internal support may comprise a recess or cut-out to receive the light. A plurality of recesses and corresponding plurality of lights may be provided. The second end of the second internal support may receive the battery, e.g. 10 closely surrounding the battery. The battery may be received in the second end of the housing. An end cap may be provided at the second end of the housing. The end cap may 15 comprise a seal. Attachment formations, e.g. for closing the end cap and / or attaching the bollard to a post in use may be provided at / towards the second end of the housing. Fasteners may be received by the attachment formations. 20 The housing may be, at least in part, frustoconical in shape. Light may be emitted through the tapered wall of the housing. The internal support (e,g. the second internal support) may be, at least in part, 25 frustoconical in shape. The housing and / or internal support may have a cylindrical wall portion towards its second end, e.g. depending form the tapered wall portion. The bollard may comprise a solar generator support, e.g. a plate, which may be 30 seated on the internal support (e.g. the first internal support). The support plate may have an opening therein. 31 07 23 An electrical connection member may be located / connected between the solar generator and the light (e.g. in height / stacked order). The electrical connection member may or may not comprise a board / plate, e.g. a circuit board, having a plurality of electrical connectors / pathways. The electrical connection member may 5 further be connected to the battery. The solar generator support plate and / or electrical connection member may be mounted on the support member (e.g. the first support member). 10 A plurality of lights may be provided in a radial array. The lights may be provided on a light support member, which may be plate-like in form and / or which may be supported on the internal support member. The internal support member (e.g. the first internal support member) may be 15 annular / hollow in form. It may engage the housing at its outer edge and one or more support member at its inner edge. The internal support (e.g. the first internal support) may comprise one or more fastener receiving formation, such as a plug / insert. The internal support and solar 20 generator support plate may be fastened together within the housing. The lid may have a curved / convex upper surface. The lid, housing and / or bollard may be circular in plan. 25 There may be provided a method of manufacturing a bollard according to the , where the internal components are stacked within the housing such that the alignment formations are engaged and the lid is sealed over the housing opening. 30 The lid is irreversibly sealed using a sealant, e.g. without the use of releasable fasteners. Detailed Description 31 07 23 Workable embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which: 5 Figure 1 shows an exploded three-dimensional view of a solar lighting bollard assembly; Figures 2A, 2B and 2C show respective cross-sectional, side and below views of the lid; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a solar generator support; 10 Figures 4A, 4B and 4C show respective cross-sectional, plan and three- dimensional views of the housing; Figures 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D show respective side, cross-sectional, below three-dimensional and above three-dimensional views of the first internal support member; 15 Figures 6A, 6B and 6C show respective side, three-dimensional and below views of the second internal support member; Figures 7A and 7B show plan views of sealing gaskets; Figures 8A, 8B and 8C show respective plan, side and three-dimensional views of the end cap; 20 Figures 9A and 9B show external three-dimensional views of the assembled bollard from below and above respectively; and, Figures 10A and 10B show respective cross-sectional and three-dimensional sectional views through an assembled lighting bollard. 25 Turning firstly to Figure 1, there are shown the main components of the solar lighting bollard assembly 10 as follows: - transparent lid 12 - solar generator 14 30 - solar generator support plate 16 - electrical connection board 18 - lighting array 20 - first internal support member 22 - second internal support member 24 - battery 26 - transparent housing 28 - end cap 30 - end cap closure 32 When assembled, the lid 12, housing 28 and end cap 30 collectively define the external housing of the bollard with the other items listed above forming internal components of the bollard 10. The internal components are configured so as to be stacked one atop the other during assembly and thus form a stack once assembled. Relevant details of the components are described below. References to ‘transparent’ materials used herein may also include ‘translucent’ or ‘semitransparent’ provided they are suitably light permeable so as not to hamper the key functions of the device, namely to allow sufficient incident light to pass through the lid 12 for electrical energy generation by the solar generator 14 and, separately, to allow sufficient transmission of light from the lighting array to the exterior of the bollard to provide ambient lighting. In some examples, it could be that a semi-transparent material is used for the housing 28 for a more diffuse lighting effect. Whilst the components and overall bollard assembly are shown as being generally circular in plan (which is in many ways preferred for an ambient lighting bollard mounted on a post in open space), other examples need not be circular but rather could be polygonal in plan. The abovedescribed alignment features may still be useful to ensure correct assembly of such a bollard. Figures 2A-2C show the lid 12, which may be singular / moulded body formed of a transparent plastics material. The lid 12 may be referred to as a top cap. The lid 12 comprises an upper surface 34 which is curved in form. The lid comprises a collar formation 36 which comprises a circumferentially extending wall depending beneath the upper surface 34. The width dimension of the collar 36 is less than that of the upper surface 34 such that the upper surface 34 overhangs the collar 36, i.e. extending in a radial direction beyond the collar. The portion of the upper surface 34 that is outside the collar 36 thus forms a rim 38. The rim 38 comprises a channel or groove 40 extending, e.g. continuously, around the periphery of the lid 12. The channel 40 is thus located between the collar 36 and the outer edge of the lid 12. As can be seen in Figure 2A, the channel 40 comprises a step formation therein, thus defining a first channel portion of a first depth and a second channel portion of a second depth. The first and second portions form respective radially-inner and radially-outer portions of the channel and in this example the first portion is of greater depth. In Figures 2B and 2C there are shown a series of anti-rotation formations 42 in the form of projections (i.e. male formations) spaced about the periphery of the lid 12. The projections are located at the outer edge of the lid and depend downwardly from the rim 38. The projections take the form of castellations. They provide multipoint locking / keying of the lid with the housing. Also visible in Figure 2C is an alignment formation 44 of the lid 12. The alignment formation 44 is provided in the collar 36 and takes the form of a discontinuity therein, i.e. a gap or recess in the collar. The discontinuity is open at its bottom end, i.e. facing away form the upper surface 34. The discontinuity is arranged to receive a projection on the first internal support member 22 as will be described below. Unlike the anti-rotation formations 42, which can be attached in a number of orientations with the housing 28, the alignment formation 44 can only fit with the first internal support member 22 in a single orientation. The alignment formation 44 thus ensures correct rotational alignment of the lid with respect to the first internal support formation 22 and any other members that are aligned with it. The width of the lid 12, and the bollard as a whole, may be in the region of 250-400mm and in this example 250-300mm. The figures are to scale insofar as dimensions for the features of the lid or other components may be relevant. The solar generator 14 typically comprises one or more a photovoltaic member / panel of conventional construction. The solar generator may take the form of a Photovoltaic Cell Array. The photovoltaic panel itself is generally rectangular but may be carried on a circular substrate for correct positioning of the solar generator in the assembly. Figure 3 shows the solar generator support plate 16, which may be a Photovoltaic Cell Array support plate. The plate 16 is formed of a UV stable polymer and need not be transparent. The plate comprises a plurality of through holes 45 to receive fasteners 46 shown in figure 1. In use, the fasteners pass through the support plate 16 and engage with the first internal support member 22. The plate may also support the electrical connection board 18 and lighting array 20. The support plate 16 has an opening / window 48 therein which is generally oblong or rectangular in form and is offset from the centre of the plate. The support plate also includes further openings 50 for connection to the electrical connection board 18 and lighting array 20. The electrical board 18 may comprise a printed circuit board or similar and provides connections between the solar generator 14, the lighting array 20 and the battery 26. The circuitry of the electrical board typically comprises a controller for control of charging and discharging of the battery, i.e. to power the lights in use. One or more sensor, e.g. orientation sensor, light sensor and / or timer, may be connected to the electrical board and may be used in the control of the bollard. Returning to Figure 1, it can be seen that the electrical board 18 and the lighting array 20 each have openings that are aligned with openings 50 of the support plate 16 shown in Figure 3. Fasteners can pass though the openings to hold those components together in a stacked arrangement with the support plate on top, followed by the electric board 18 and the lighting array 20 beneath. Spacers may be inserted to space the electrical board 18 and / or lighting array 20 from the support plate 16 and / or lighting array 20 as necessary. The plate 16, board 18 and lighting array 20 can thus form a sub-assembly prior to mounting in the bollard housing 28. Whilst the electrical board 18 and lighting array 20 are shown in the exploded view of Figure 1 as being separate components, they can in practice be formed as a single component of the assembly. As such they can be commonly mounted to the plate 16 The lighting array comprises a plurality of LED lights 52 mounted on a backing member 54, e.g. which may comprise the electrical board 18. The LEDs are angularly spaced in a circumferential array so as to provide lighting in all directions around a central axis of the bollard 10 in use. Varying numbers and arrangements of LEDs are possible to suit different lighting scenarios. In Figure 4 it can be seen that the housing 28 has a generally frustoconical or funnel-like shape. The outer wall of the housing can be described as having three parts / sections as follows: - an upper, generally cylindrical wall portion 56, which defines the opening at the first / upper end of the housing. This is the widest part of the housing 28; - a middle, tapered section 58 which narrows linearly with distance away form the first end; and, - a lower, generally cylindrical wall portion 60, which defines the lower / second end of the housing. This is the narrowest part of the housing 28 and has an open lower end that is arranged to receive the end cap 30. The housing 28, including all wall portions thereof is transparent in this example. In other examples, at least the middle section 58 should be transparent. The housing 28 may be formed as a single / unitary moulded part and may define the main enclosure or the main body portion of the bollard 10. At the upper / first end of the housing 28, there is provided an upstanding wall 61 in the form of a ridge or lip. The upstanding wall extends around the circumference / periphery of the housing 28, i.e. the upper wall portion 56 thereof. At the upper / first end of the housing 28, there are also provided anti-rotation features in the form of recesses 62. The recesses are spaced about the periphery of the opening so as to correspond with the spacing of the projections 42 on the lid 12 described above. In this example, the recesses 62 are provided in the upstanding wall / ridge 62, e.g. as discontinuities or shallow cut-outs therein. The recesses 62 are shaped to be a relatively close fit with the projections 42 such that when the lid and housing are brought together in alignment, the engagement of the projections into the recesses does not permit relative rotation between the two components. Three or four, or more, sets of projections and recesses may be used to provide an adequate anti-rotation fitment. The upper end of the housing 28 further comprises a rim 64 about its periphery. The rim 64 projects a short distance radially outwardly from the remainder of the upper cylindrical wall portion 56. The rim provides a land or abutment against which the outer rim 38 of the lid 12 can be seated in use. The rim may depend outwardly, substantially perpendicularly to the upstanding wall 61. Within the interior of the housing 28, e.g. at the interface between the upper 56 and middle 58 wall portions, there is an upper internal ledge or shelf 66. This is configured to receive the first internal support member 22, e.g. the outer edge thereof. The internal ledge 66 has a pair of alignment formations in the form of discrete indentations, notches or recesses 68, best seen in Figure 6B. In this example they are spaced by 180°. In different examples, one, two or more alignment formations could be used depending on the rotational symmetry of the assembly. The indentations 68 are shaped to receive corresponding male formations or projections on the underside of the first internal support member 22. Towards the lower end of the housing 28, there is provided a double outer wall, e.g. defining a step 70 in the outer wall of the housing in the lower wall portion 60. The step 70 is part way up the lower wall portion 60 such that a narrower section of the lower wall portion 60 projects beyond the step 70. The step provides a mounting formation / abutment such that when the housing 28 is mounted atop the open end of a post in use, the step 70 sits on the post, whilst the remaining lower wall portion projects inside the post. The lower wall portion 60 has radial openings 72 as shown in Figures 4B and 4C to receive fasteners through the post to secure the bollard in place. The radial openings 72 may have threaded inserts / plugs 73 to receive the fasteners with greater strength. The lower wall portion 60 also comprises a further internal shelf 73, i.e. to accommodate the radial openings 72. Also provided in the lower wall portion 60 is an alignment feature 75 in the form of a slot in the internal face of the shelf 73 as shown in Figure 4B. The slot 75 extends axially through the height of the shelf. At the lower edge of housing 28, there are provided axial openings 74 to receive fasteners for attaching the end cap 30 to the housing 28. Again, the openings 74 may have inserts to receive the fasteners. In Figure 5, the first internal support member 22 is shown which is generally annular in form, having inner and outer circumferential walls in the form of a shallow annular tray. It may be formed as a single moulded body. The support member 22 has an alignment formation in the form of a projection, i.e. a ridge or flange, 76 depending outwardly from the outer circumferential wall. The projection 76, best seen in Figure 5A, is elongate and extends in the axial / height direction. The projection is received in the alignment formation 44 in the collar of the lid 12 when assembled. On the underside of the support member 22, as shown in Figures 5A and 5C, there are two small male alignment formations 78 in the form of discrete studs or pips spaced in a lower rim / edge of the support member 22. The alignment formations are spaced in a manner that corresponds with the alignment formations 68 in the internal ledge 66 in the housing 28. The annular portion of the first internal support member 22 has a number of openings in the form of recesses 80 for receiving fasteners to attach the support plate 16, i.e. with fasteners passing through the through holes 45 in the support plate 16. The recesses 80 may have inserts as described elsewhere. In Figure 6, the second internal support member 24 is shown. The second internal support member has an upper rim 82 shaped to receive the lighting array 20, a frustoconical / tapered middle section 84 and a lower cylindrical section 85 of narrower width. The second internal support member 24 may provide a light louvre. The upper rim has an undulating / castellated profile to receive the individual lights of the lighting array 20. On the exterior of the second internal support member a plurality of ribs 86 extend part way down the height of the lower section 85. The ends of the ribs are arranged to abut against the lower shelf 73 inside the housing. The engagement between the ribs and shelf 73 thus define the height position of the second internal support member within the housing 28 when assembled. As well as the ribs 86 which terminate at the same height, a further rib 88 is provided which is longer than the other ribs 86 and which terminates, e.g. at the lower edge of the second internal support member 24. The longer rib 88 provides a rotational alignment feature and engages in the slot 75 in the housing as described above only when the angular orientation of the second internal support member 24 relative to the housing is correct. The second internal support member 24 also comprises a series of ridges spaced about the interface between the middle section 84 and a lower cylindrical section 85. The second internal support member 24 also has a series of spacers 90 on its interior surface dimensioned to receive the battery 26 therein. On the middle section 84 there is provided an indicia panel 92, i.e. a flat area on which indica such as branding can be positioned, facing in a prescribed direction. In Figures 7A and 7B, there are shown respective gasket seals 93 and 94. The seal 93 is arranged to be inserted at the interface between the lower end of the housing 28 and the end cap 30. The seal 94 is used to seal the closure 32 in the end cap 30. In Figure 8 the details of the end cap are shown. The end cap 30 has internal walls 95 to constrain the battery 26 and to maintain the batter at the desired height. The end cap has a peripheral flange 96 with openings to receive fasteners for attaching to the openings 74 in the bottom of the housing 28. The end cap is cup-like in form having an open upper end and a closed lower end. An end opening 98 in the lower wall of the end cap 30 receives the end cap closure 32 which takes the form of a threaded plug member that can be tightened form the outside of the end cap. The closure may take the form of a threaded nut and bolt arrangement with a seal on the inside of the nut the head of the bolt being tightenable / releasable on the external face of the end wall. In order to assemble the bollard 10, the end cap 30 with the closure 32 therein can be fastened to the end of the housing to close the second / lower end of the housing. This may be done at any suitable point in the assembly process, e.g. typically after the other components have been assembled so as to finally close the bollard assembly 10. The end cap 30 holds the battery 26 in place from below. Prior to assembly into the bollard 10, the electrical board 18 and lighting array 20 can be mounted to the support plate 16 by fasteners passing through the aligned openings 50 in the support plate 16. The fasteners may provide posts (i.e. standoff or spacers) that hold the lighting array and associated electrical board apart from the support plate. This provides an electrical sub-assembly that can be mounted onto the first internal support member 22. The lighting array 20 may be seated in the central opening in the first internal support member 22. The support plate 16 is fastened to the support member 22. Fasteners 46 pass through the openings 45 in the plate 16 and engage the openings 80 in the first internal support member 22. The plate 16 and the components on it are thus fastened in place such that the electrical board 18 fits within the first internal support member 22 and the support plate 16 rests atop the first internal support member 22. The solar generator 14 is applied atop the plate 16 and can be connected up to the electrical board 18 via opening 48. The solar generator 14 may be adhered or fastened in place on the plate 16, e.g. in this example using adhesive tape therebetween. In this manner the components 14, 16,18, 20 and 22 can be provided as a single subassembly for mounting in the housing 28. The second internal support member 24 is inserted into the housing 28 via the open first / upper end. The second internal support member 24 is rotated until the rib 88 engages in the slot 75 in the lower internal shelf 73 of the housing 28. This then allows the second internal support member 24 to be lowered to its correct height position where the remaining ribs 86 abut the shelf 73. The second internal support member 24 is rotationally and axially aligned and firmly held in position by its alignment features. The first internal support member 22, e.g. with the support plate 16 and other associated components described above, can now be lowered onto the first internal shelf 66 of the housing interior. The first internal support member 22 is rotated until the projections 78 engage in the recesses 68 of the shelf 66. This provides a clear indication to the assembler that the first internal support member 22 is correctly aligned since it sits flat on the shelf 66 and does not rock on its projections 78. The first internal support member 22 is now held in correct rotational alignment. The fist internal support member 22 is seated atop the second internal support member 24, e.g. such that the lights can be received by the correspondingly shaped rim 82 of the second internal support member 24 once assembled. Prior to closing of the lid 12 on the housing 28, a sealant is applied to the groove 40, e.g. continuously around the entire perimeter of the Iid12. The lid 12 is located on the housing 28 upper end by rotating the lid such that the discontinuity 44 in the collar 36 of the lid 12 aligns with the projection 76 on the outer wall of the first internal support member 22. This also implicitly aligns the projections 42 on the lid with the recesses 62 in the housing such that the lid can drop down to its seated position where the rim 38 of the lid abuts against the rim 64 of the housing and the projections 42 are engaged in recesses 62. When in this condition, the upstanding wall / lip 61 of the housing is inserted into the radially outer portion of the groove 40 and a bead of the sealant is trapped radially inside the wall 61. This prevents line of sight access to the sealant due to the wall. The battery 30 is inserted into the hollow interior of the second internal support member 24. This may be done from the open lower end of the housing, e.g. if the other components and / or lid are already mounted to the housing. The end cap 30 can then be fastened to the end of the housing with the seal 93 therebetween. As such the whole bollard assembly 10 is sealed shut. The assembled bollard is shown in Figure 9 and details of the arrangement of the internal components in the assembled condition are shown in Figure 10 to confirm the arrangement of the assembly as described above. The assembly forms a stacked arrangement with the end cap 30 on the bottom end of the housing 28 and the internal members stacked in the sequence form the bottom up of: the second internal support member 24; the first internal support member 22; the support plate 16 with the electrical board and lighting array mounted thereon; the solar generator 143 and the lid 12. The battery is omitted from Figure 10 to show the arrangement of the internal support components. Benefits of the invention above disclosed assembly include: • Male projections on lid 12 provide multi point locking into receiving recesses of the housing 28. This is to prevent rotation of the lid which could aid removal by a vandal or defeating of the principal bonded seal. The effect is to form a castellated rib locking feature which prevents all rotational action. • Alignment projections on the underside of the first internal support member 22 received recesses in the housing shelf ensure the principal locking projections are oriented correctly. • Recess in lid which receives rib feature 76 on the first internal support member 22 ensures that the lid is correctly aligned in only one possible radial orientation. • The slot 75 which receives rib feature 88 of the second internal support 5 member 24 ensures only one possible radial orientation and that the brand label 92 is only one possible orientation, e.g. to face the view of an onlooker. • Ribs 86 on the second internal support member 24 interface with boss support wall, i.e. shelf 73 on the housing 28 interior to ensure that the component remains in an elevated position (does not slide through the housing) during 10 assembly. This aids in the fitting of additional members without recourse for specialist jigging or other support materials. • Full perimeter wall 61 on the upper edge of the housing 28 is instated to prevent cutting access to principal water seal. The intent is to prevent a blade being able to penetrate the bonded seal, which secures the housing and lid 15 together. This is an anti-vandal, anti-tamper and water sealing security feature.

Claims

1. A lighting bollard comprising:a transparent housing member having a tapered form with an opening at its first end that is of greater width than its second end;a transparent lid irreversibly sealed shut to the housing over the opening by a sealant;a plurality of internal support members for supporting a solar generator beneath the lid and one or more light beneath the solar generator for emitting light through the transparent housing in use, wherein the lid, a first internal support member and a second internal support member are stacked in height order relative to the housing; and,a battery arranged to be charged by the solar generator and to provide power to the one or more light,wherein the lid comprises an anti-rotation formation for engagement with a corresponding anti-rotation formation of the housing and each of the lid, the first internal support and the second internal support comprises an alignment formation for ensuring its correct alignment in the stack, the alignment formation of the lid engaging with a corresponding alignment formation of the first internal support member, the anti-rotation formations of the housing and lid comprising a plurality of opposing male and female formations spaced about the opening at the first end of the housing.

2. A lighting bollard according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a peripheral rim at the first end to receive the lid and the lid comprises an opposing peripheral rim.

3. A lighting bollard according to claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the lid or housing comprises a peripheral groove for receiving a sealing material to seal the lid against the housing and the other of the lid or housing comprises a peripheral wall arranged to be received in the groove.

4. A lighting bollard according to claim 2, wherein the sealing material is provided inside the wall such that the wall prevents line of sight access to the seal between the lid and housing.

5. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid comprises a collar, the collar extending inside the opening at the first end of the housing, the collar comprising the alignment formation.

6. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the alignment formation of each internal support member comprises a rotational alignment formation.

7. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the second internal support member is shaped to receive the battery therein so as to closely surround the battery.

8. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the second internal support member comprises an abutment for engagement with the housing to determine the height of the internal support within the housing.

9. A lighting bollard according to claim 8, wherein the abutment formation comprises one or more rib that terminates before the end of the second internal support member.

10. A lighting bollard according to claim 9, wherein the second internal support member further comprises a rotation alignment formation for engagement with the housing, said rotation alignment formation comprising a further rib extending in axial length beyond the one or more rib providing the abutment formation.

11. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the second internal support member is tapered in form, comprising a first end opening that is wider than a second end thereof.

12. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the second internal support is shaped to receive the one or more light.

13. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing comprises one or more internal rim between the first and second ends, to receive a further alignment formation of the first or second internal support member.

14. A lighting bollard according to claim 13, wherein the housing comprises a first internal rim to receive the first internal support member and a second internal rim to receive the second internal support member.

15. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the battery is received in the second end of the housing.

16. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, comprising an end cap at the second end of the housing and a seal is provided between the end cap and housing.

17. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, comprising attachment formations towards the second end of the housing for attaching the bollard to a post in use.

18. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the housing is, at least in part, frustoconical in shape.

19. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, comprising a solar generator support plate which is seated on the first or second internal support member.

20. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, comprising an electrical circuit board connected between the solar generator and the light.

21. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, which is circular in plan and comprises a circumferential array of lights.

22. A lighting bollard according to any preceding claim, wherein the first or5 second internal support member is annular in form, engaging the housing at an outer edge thereof.

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