Bollards and barriers

Abstract

A bollard apparatus (1) comprising a plurality of post members (2, 4) each comprising an upper length part (6, 8) integrally joined to a lower length part (10, 12) by a bend (3, 5) in the post member such that the lower length part extends from the bend transversely relative to the upper length part thereby to form an inner angle at said bend common to each post member A coupling part (16) holds together the upper length parts of the post members wherein an inner post member (8, 10) is stacked upon an outer post member (6, 12) within the inner angle (α1) of the outer post member such that the lower length part (10) of the inner post member rests upon the lower length part (12) of the outer post member, and the upper length part (8) of the inner post member is held against the upper length upper part (6) of the outer post member by the coupling part.

Description

[0001] BOLLARDS AND BARRIERS

[0002] This application claims priority from GB2410916.7 filed 25 July 2024 and GB2410917.5 filed 25 July 2024, the contents and elements of which are herein incorporated by reference for all purposes.

[0003] Field of the Invention

[0004] The invention relates to bollards for use alone or as a plurality for providing a barrier. In particular, though not exclusively, the invention relates to bollards for use in providing a vehicular impact barrier.

[0005] Background

[0006] Barriers suitable for withstanding impacts from a vehicle typically comprise concrete blocks placed upon the ground, or vertical posts embedded within the ground, such as within concrete. In order to provide sufficient resistance to impacts from vehicles moving at typical speeds (e.g., 30 to 60 kilometres per hour), the concrete blocks must be very heavy and large, or the posts must be deeply embedded in the ground, to enable them to absorb and / or disperse the high energies involved.

[0007] However, the large size required of concrete blocks renders them very difficult to transport to site and to emplace to form the barrier. The embedding of vertical posts to sufficient depth requires deep excavation which may be time-consuming costly in man-hours, or may be impossible if excavation disrupts underground services at the excavation site, such as power / telecommunications cables, or water, gas or sewage pipes etc.

[0008] The present invention has been devised in light of the above considerations.

[0009] Summary of the Invention

[0010] At its most general, the invention proposes to concatenate a plurality of bent posts coupled together in a stack to form a composite post with a bend common to each contributing bent post. The lower end parts of composite post may be embedded in a foundation or in the ground, in use, to position the upper parts of the composite post to extend above ground to provide a vehicular impact bollard or barrier responsive to vehicular impact by flexure of each contributing bent post in unison and by urging a frictional movement of contributing posts against each other. Both the bending and the frictional interaction between contributing posts serve to absorb some kinetic energy of an impacting vehicle.

[0011] In a first aspect, the invention may provide a bollard apparatus comprising: a plurality of post members each comprising an upper length part integrally joined to a lower length part by a bend in the post member such that the lower length part extends from the bend transversely relative to the upper length part thereby to form an inner angle at said bend common to each post member; and, a coupling part configured to hold together the upper length parts of the plurality of post members; wherein an inner post member of the plurality of post members is stacked upon an outer post member of the plurality of post members within the inner angle of the outer post member such that the lower length part of the inner post member rests upon the lower length part of the outer post member, and the upper length part of the inner post member is held against the upper length upper part of the outer post member by the coupling part; such that an impact force when directed against the upper length part of the outer post member to urge an energy-absorbing flexure of the bend in the outer post member in a direction that reduces the inner angle thereof also urges the upper length part of the outer post member to move against the upper length part of the inner post member to urge an energy-absorbing flexure of the bend in the inner post member that reduces the inner angle thereof.

[0012] References herein to an “inner angle” may include a reference to an angle defining a concavity, e.g., a concave angle, that is less than 180 degrees in extent. An inner angle may be an obtuse angle (i.e., greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees) or may be an acute angle (i.e., less than 90 degrees). References herein to an “inner angle” may include a reference to an angle that is smaller than a reflex angle for example. The sum of an inner angle and a corresponding reflex angle of a post member may be 360 degrees. The aforesaid inner angle may be at least substantially 60 degrees and no greater than substantially 120 degrees in angular extent.

[0013] Accordingly, by providing each post member with a common bend angle from which the upper and lower length parts of the post member extend (e.g., linearly) in different respective directions, it is possible to stack two or more post members with one upon the other such that, for any two post members forming a pair in direct contact, the reflex angle formed by the inner post member in the stacked pair may fit closely (e.g., nestles) within the reciprocally-shaped inner angle of the outer post member of the stacked pair. The sum of an inner angle of the outer post member of the pair and a corresponding reflex angle of the inner post member of the pair may be 360 degrees. The upper and lower length parts of a given post member extend substantially within a common plane, and the plurality of post members may be stacked such that the upper and lower length parts of each of the post members extent a common plane. The upper length parts of each of the post members may extend in parallel alongside each other. The lower length parts of each of the post members may extend in parallel alongside each other.

[0014] A bending motion urging the closing of the inner angle of the outer post member, in response to a vehicle impact upon its upper length part, is resisted by the springiness of the inner post member residing within the inner angle. Reactive forces generated by this resistance also create energy-absorbing frictional forces between the opposing surfaces where the upper length and lower length parts of the inner and outer post members make contact with each other. Provision of a pre-existing bend permits the flexure of the bollard apparatus to be controlled and directed in a useful way that helps dissipate impact energy in a gradual way that helps to avoid catastrophic failure of the bollard apparatus, and instead permits a more “managed” response to dissipating the impact forces. This may be achieved by providing a vehicular impact bollard or barrier responsive to vehicular impact by flexure of each contributing post member in unison and by urging a frictional movement of contributing post members against each other. The lower end parts of composite post may be embedded in a foundation (e.g., cement or concrete) or in the ground, in use, to position the upper length parts of the plurality of post members to extend in an upward direction above ground and to position the lower length parts of the plurality of post members to extend in generally horizontal direction below ground. Concrete, such as reinforced concrete, may be used to embed the lower length parts, for example, or some other suitable hard-setting foundation material. A foundation may be about 400mm in depth or less. The invention may comprise a bollard or barrier comprising plural bollards embedded in a foundation. The horizontal direction of the lower length parts of the plurality of post members greatly reduces the depth or excavation needed to embed the bollard apparatus. The bollard apparatus may be positioned, in use, to position the inner angle to face away from the expected direction of vehicular impact, such that an impact force is likely to be directed against the upper length part of the outer post member to urge an energy-absorbing flexure of the bend in the outer post member in a direction that reduces the inner angle.

[0015] The post members are preferably formed of metal, such manganese or steel, preferably spring steel. Each post member may be formed of spring steel. Spring steel provides a resistance to snapping or shattering. Spring steel may be a low-alloy, medium-carbon steel or high-carbon steel with a very high yield strength. This allows the posts, when made of spring steel, to urge to return to their original shape despite significant bending or twisting. The lower length part of at least one (or each) post member may be integrally formed with the upper length part and the bend thereof as a single-piece of continuous material (e.g., without welds for joining the upper and lower length parts). This reduces the number of potential points of failure at the bend, such as would occur at welding joins where forces may otherwise be concentrated. The posts may be machined (e.g. cut) metal, cast metal or forged metal. As the metal is shaped during the forging process, its internal grain deforms to follow the general shape of the part. As a result, the grain is continuous throughout the part, giving rise to a piece with improved strength characteristics.

[0016] The post members may each be rectangular in cross-sectional shape. The coupling part may be arranged to press together the opposing flat surfaces of adjacent upper length parts. This enhances the interface and coupling between post members. The coupling part may be arranged to form an interference fit with and between opposing surfaces of posts thereby to grip and hold the posts together.

[0017] The upper length part of the outer post member and the upper length part of the inner post member may each comprise a respective through-hole through which a sacrificial member of the coupling part extends via which the coupling part holds together the upper length parts of the inner and outer post members, whereby said flexure of the respective bend in each of the inner and outer post members moves the positions of the respective through-holes relative to each other to apply a breaking force to the sacrificial member for breaking the sacrificial member to remove the coupling effect of the coupling part. This sacrificial breakage contributes to the “managed” response to dissipating the impact forces. Energy is needed to cause the breakage to occur, and that energy is extracted from the kinetic energy of the impacting vehicle thereby reducing the load on other parts of the bollard apparatus during the impact. The sacrificial member may comprise the shaft of a bolt or pin (e.g., steel). The coupling part may comprise the shaft of the sacrificial member and a nut (e.g., steel) threaded upon a threaded distal end of the shaft (e.g., the shaft of a bolt comprising a bolt head) or two nuts each threaded upon a respective threaded terminal end of the shaft. The tightening of the nut(s) upon the shaft serves to press together the upper length parts of the inner and outer post members of the bollard assembly.

[0018] The sacrificial member may be disposed below an uppermost part of a peripheral edge defining an opening of the through-hole of the outer post member and above a lowermost part of a peripheral edge defining an opening of the inner post member, whereby the flexure of the respective bend in each of the inner and outer post members urges the upper length part of the outer post member to slide against the upper length part of the inner post member to draw the uppermost and lowermost peripheral edge parts towards each other in a shearing action for cutting the sacrificial member disposed between them. In this way, those parts of the peripheral edges of the opposing openings of through-holes that are disposed at opposite upper / lower axial sides of the shaft of the sacrificial member are urged to slide towards and past each other, in the length direction of the upper length parts, as the opposing faces of the upper length parts of the outer and inner post members slide along each other in response to collective flexure (reduction) of the inner angle of each post member. This shears the sacrificial member in two and breaks the coupling effect of the coupling part in a controlled way only when a particular degree of flexure has been reached.

[0019] An uppermost part and a lowermost part of a peripheral edge defining an opening of a given through-hole may be spaced apart along a respective width of the opening in a direction of the length of the upper length parts, whereby such a width of an opening of the through-hole in one of the outer post member and the inner post member may be greater than such a width of an opposing opening of a through-hole in the other one of the outer post member and the inner post member, such that breakage of the sacrificial member does not occur until flexure of the bend reduces the inner angle to a value less than a pre-set threshold angle.

[0020] The peripheral edge defining a first opening of a through-hole in one of the outer post member and the inner post member may be shaped to define a first width of opening extending in a direction of the length of the upper length part of the respective post member to permit motion of the sacrificial member therealong in response to said flexure. For example, the opening and the through-hole it opens to, may form a slot extending in a direction along the upper length part. A peripheral edge defining an opposing second opening of a through-hole in the other one of the outer post member and the inner post member may be shaped to define a second width of opening extending in a direction of the length of the upper length part of the respective post member. The first width may exceed the second width such that in response to said flexure of the bend the sacrificial member is urged by a part of the peripheral edge of the second opening in a direction along the first width towards a part of the peripheral edge of the first opening into contact therewith at said pre-set threshold angle (e.g., is pushed / slides along a slot formed by the first opening). For example, the first opening may reside on the outer post member and the second opening may reside in the inner post member such that a lowermost part of the peripheral edge of the inner post member urges the sacrificial part towards an uppermost part of the peripheral edge of the outer post member in response to said flexure of the bend. For example, alternatively, the first opening may reside on the inner post member and the second opening may reside in the outer post member such that a uppermost part of the peripheral edge of the outer post member urges the sacrificial part towards an lowermost part of the peripheral edge of the inner post member in response to said flexure of the bend.

[0021] In this way, sacrificial failure (shearing) of the sacrificial member may be selected to occur only on condition that a pre-set threshold angle of flexure of the bend has occurred. A greater (or smaller) size of the first width permits a correspondingly greater (or smaller) value for the threshold angle, as desired.

[0022] The bollard apparatus may comprise a plurality of said coupling parts each comprising a respective said sacrificial member, wherein each of the outer post member and the inner post member may comprise a plurality of said through-holes through which a respective one of the plurality of sacrificial members extends.

[0023] The plurality of through-holes in either the outer post member or the inner post member may be arranged along the upper length part of the respective post member such that the width of an opening, in a direction of the length of the upper length part, of any given through-hole is less than the width of an opening, in a direction of the length of the upper length part, of all other through-holes disposed between it and the bend in the respective post member, and such that the width of an opening of all other though- holes disposed at a greater distance from the bend in the respective post member is less than the width of the opening of the given through-hole. One or more of such openings in the post member, being of a different length to the lengths of other openings of the post member, may serve as an aforesaid first opening configured to permit motion of the sacrificial member therealong in response to said flexure, and may be arranged to oppose an aforesaid second opening. Each such first width may exceed the second width of the respective opposing second opening whereby, in response to said flexure of the bend, the respective sacrificial member is urged by a part of the peripheral edge of the respective second opening in a direction along the first width towards a part of the peripheral edge of the first opening into contact therewith at the pre-set threshold angle associated with that particular first width (e.g., is pushed / slides along a slot formed by that particular first opening). Accordingly, the sacrificial failure (shearing) of a given one of the plurality of sacrificial members may be selected to occur only on condition that a different respective pre-set threshold angle of flexure of the bend has occurred. A smaller size of the first width permits a correspondingly greater (or smaller) value for the threshold angle, as desired. The sacrificial failures may thereby occur in succession and in response to predefined conditions enabling better management of the impact energies transferred to the bollard apparatus by an impacting vehicle.

[0024] Desirably, all of the plurality if through-holes in one of (but not in the other one of) the outer post member and the inner post member share a common width of opening, each in a direction of the length of the upper length part in question. In this way, an array of through-holes in one of the post members may comprise a first array of openings all of the same width (e.g., all may be the same shape and size, e.g., circular) through which a respective sacrificial member extends, and the other one of the outer post member and the inner post member may alone possess a second array of through-hole having a variety of different widths of opening (e.g., an array of slot-shaped through-holes of a variety of slot lengths). The width of each opening of the first array may closely match a lateral dimension (e.g., diameter or width) of a respective sacrificial member extending through it, such that the respective sacrificial member is closely fitted within the associated opening of the first array. Accordingly, because a given sacrificial member may extend through a through-hole of the first array and through a through-hole of the second array, consequently, in response to the relative sliding motion between the inner and outer post members during an impact event, a given sacrificial member may be urged / pushed by the closely-fitting peripheral edge of the through-hole opening (e.g., a circular through-hole) of the first array in a direction along the width of opening of the through-hole (e.g., along the slot length of a slot-shaped through-hole) of the second array.

[0025] The bollard apparatus may comprise at least three post members collectively forming a plurality of pairs of post members wherein each pair of post members comprises a said outer post member and a said inner post member, whereby the inner post member of a first pair of post members amongst the plurality of pairs of post members is the same post member as the outer post member of a second pair of post members amongst the plurality of pairs of post members. In this way, in a concatenated stack of pairs, any pair of stacked post members may be configured as described above.

[0026] The bollard apparatus may comprise a plurality of said coupling parts, wherein the upper length part of the inner post member of the second pair of post members is shorter than the upper length part of the outer post member thereof and terminates at a distal end, wherein a first coupling part of the plurality of coupling parts is disposed beyond the distal end to hold together the upper length parts of the plurality of post members of the first pair of post members but not of the second pair of post members, and a second coupling part of the plurality of coupling parts is disposed before the distal end to hold together the upper length parts of the plurality of post members of both the first pair of post members and the second pair of post members. Accordingly, greater energy-absorbing frictional forces may be generated between an increasing number of opposing surfaces where the upper length parts of both the first pair of post members and the second pair of post members are held together by the second coupling part make contact with each other.

[0027] The bollard apparatus may comprise a tubular cover sleeve defining a tubular bore configured for receiving the upper length parts of the plurality of post members therein to cover the received upper length parts, and a mounting part coupled to the received upper length parts via a said coupling part, wherein the cover sleeve engages with the mounting part thereby to mount the cover sleeve upon the received upper length parts via the mounting part. The cover sleave may provide an aesthetic cover and / or a safety cover to protect members of the public from hard or sharp edges of the post members, for example. The coupling part may be arranged to firmly secure (e.g., adjustably / reversibly) the mounting part to the received upper length parts. Where the coupling part comprises said sacrificial member comprising the shaft of a bolt or pin (e.g., steel), the coupling part may comprise a nut (e.g., steel) threaded upon a threaded distal end of the shaft (e.g., the shaft of a bolt comprising a bolt head) or two nuts each threaded upon a respective threaded terminal end of the shaft. The tightening of the nut(s) upon the shaft serves to press the mounting part against one or more of the received upper length parts to secure mounting part there. Loosening of those nuts may permit an adjustment of this mounting as desired. The tubular bore of the cover sleeve may comprise a closed bore comprising a terminal end closure part disposed at the uppermost end of the cover sleeve, in use, and configured for abutting against an uppermost surface of the mounting part within the bore. The mounting part may be secured to the cover sleeve, e.g., by attachment to the terminal end closure part or to another coupling part of sleeve within the bore.

[0028] The mounting part may comprise an axial guide slot into which the sacrificial member is slotted, whereby the mounting part is adjustably coupled to the received upper parts via the axial guide slot such that the axial position of the mounting part along a longitudinal axis of the received upper parts is selectable by slotting the coupling part at a selected axial position along the axial guide slot. Accordingly, the vertical position of the cover sleave in the axial direction (length / axial direction) of the may be adjusted as desired by moving the mounting part relative to the received upper length parts to adjust the position of the coupling part within the axial guide slot to a position where it may be firmly secured by the coupling part. In addition, cover sleeves of different vertical lengths may be used and accommodated by adjusting the vertical position of the mounting part as appropriate to the vertical length of the cover sleeve at hand.

[0029] In a second aspect, the invention may provide a barrier comprising a plurality of bollards each according to the bollard apparatus of the invention in its first aspect.

[0030] In a third aspect, the invention may provide a kit of parts for a bollard according to the bollard apparatus of the invention in its first aspect, or a kit of parts for a barrier according to the invention in its second aspect.

[0031] The invention includes the combination of the aspects and preferred features described except where such a combination is clearly impermissible or expressly avoided.

[0032] Summary of the Figures

[0033] Embodiments and experiments illustrating the principles of the invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0034] Figure 1 shows a side view of a bollard apparatus.

[0035] Figure 2 shows a side view of a bollard apparatus when subject to vehicular impact forces.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a side view of a bollard apparatus before being subject to vehicular impact forces.

[0037] Figure 4 shows a side view of a bollard apparatus when subject to vehicular impact forces. Figures 5A and 5B show a back view (Fig. 5A) and a front view (Fig. 5B) of a bollard apparatus of Figure

[0038] 3.

[0039] Figures 6A and 6B show a back view (Fig. 6A) and a front view (Fig. 6B) of a bollard apparatus of Figure 4.

[0040] Figure 7 shows a side view of a bollard apparatus when subject to vehicular impact forces.

[0041] Figures 8A and 8B show a back view (Fig. 8A) and a front view (Fig. 8B) of a bollard apparatus of Figure 7.

[0042] Figure 9 shows a back view of a bollard apparatus before being subject to vehicular impact forces.

[0043] Figure 10 shows a back view of a bollard apparatus when subject to vehicular impact forces.

[0044] Figure 11 shows a back view of a bollard apparatus when subject to vehicular impact forces.

[0045] Figure 12 shows a side view of a bollard apparatus comprising a cover sleeve.

[0046] Figures 13A and 13B show a back view (Fig. 13A) and a front view (Fig. 13B) of the bollard apparatus of Figure 12.

[0047] Figure 14 shows a side view of a bollard apparatus before being subject to vehicular impact forces.

[0048] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0049] Aspects and embodiments of the present invention will now be discussed with reference to the accompanying figures. Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. All documents mentioned in this text are incorporated herein by reference.

[0050] Figure 1 shows a side view of a bollard apparatus 1 comprising two post members (2, 4) each comprising an upper length part (6, 8) integrally joined to a lower length part (12, 10) by a bend (3, 5) in the post member such that the lower length part (12, 10) extends from the bend (3, 5) transversely relative to the upper length part (6, 8) thereby to form an inner angle, a1 , at the respective bend, The inner angle is common to each one of the two post members.

[0051] A coupling part (14, 16, 18) is configured to hold together the upper length parts (6, 8) of the two post members. The coupling part comprises a steel bolt the shaft 14 of which extends from a bold head end 16 located at an outer surface of an outer post member 2 and passes through a pair of separate co-aligned through-openings (20, 22) each of which extends through the upper length part (6, 8) of a respective one of the outer post member 2 and an inner post member 4 of the two post members. The bolt shaft 14 protrudes from the outer surface of the inner post member and has a nut 18 threaded upon a threaded distal end of the shaft. The tightening of the nut 18 upon the distal end of the shaft 14 serves to press together the upper length parts (6, 8) of the inner and outer post members (4, 2) of the bollard assembly. The inner and outer post members are each rectangular in cross-sectional shape, and the coupling part presses together the opposing flat surfaces of adjacent upper length parts.

[0052] The inner post member 4 of the pair of post members is stacked upon an outer post member 2 of the pair within the inner angle, a1 , of the outer post member such that the lower length part 10 of the inner post member 4 rests upon the lower length part 12 of the outer post member 2. Concurrently, the upper length part 8 of the inner post member 4 is held against the upper length part 6 of the outer post member 2 by the pressing action of the coupling part (14, 16, 18). The upper length parts of each of the post members extend in parallel alongside each other, and the lower length parts of each of the post members extend in parallel alongside each other.

[0053] Because each post member has a bend with a common bend angle from which the upper and lower length parts of the post member extend, it is possible to stack the two post members with one upon the other such that the two post members form a pair in direct contact. The reflex angle, a2, formed by the inner post member 4 in the stacked pair fits closely (e.g., nestles) within the reciprocally-shaped inner angle, a1 (i.e., a1 + a2 = 360 degrees), of the outer post member of the stacked pair. The upper and lower length parts of each post member extend substantially within a common plane, and the two of post members are stacked such that the upper and lower length parts of each of the post members extent a common plane. The common inner angle is substantially 90 degrees in angular extent, in the examples illustrated, but may be any other angle between 60 degrees and 120 degrees in angular extent.

[0054] As a result, a concatenated pair of bent posts are coupled together in a stack to form a composite post 1 with a bend angle common to each contributing bent post. The lower length parts (10, 12) of composite post are embedded in a foundation 60 or in the ground, in use, to position the upper parts (6, 8) of the composite post to extend above ground to provide a vehicular impact bollard or barrier. The bollard is responsive to vehicular impact forces, F, by flexure of each contributing bent post in unison and by urging a frictional movement of contributing posts against each other. This is shown schematically in Figure 2. Both the bending and the frictional interaction between contributing posts serve to absorb some kinetic energy of an impacting vehicle. Consequently, referring to Figure 2, when a vehicular impact force (see item F of Fig. 2) is directed against the upper length part 6 of the outer post member 2 to urge an energyabsorbing flexure of the bend 3 in the outer post member 2 in a direction that reduces the inner angle of the outer post member, from a value a1 to a value p1 (i.e., p1< a1), this also urges the upper length part 6 of the outer post member 2 to move against the upper length part 8 of the inner post member 4 to urge an energy-absorbing flexure of the bend in the inner post member that reduces the inner angle of the inner post member in tandem with the reduction of the inner angle of the outer post member. The reflex angle, p2, formed by the inner post member 4 in the stacked pair is thereby increased (i.e., p2> a2).

[0055] The lower end parts of composite post is embedded in a foundation 60 (e.g., cement or concrete), in use, to position the upper length parts (6, 8) of the pair of post members to extend in an upward direction above ground and to position the lower length parts (12, 10) of the pair of post members to extend in generally horizontal direction below ground. The bollard apparatus is positioned, in use, to position the inner angle, a1 , to face away from the expected direction of vehicular impact such that an impact force, F, is likely to be directed against the upper length part 6 of the outer post member 2 to urge an energyabsorbing flexure of the bend 3 in the outer post member in a direction that reduces the inner angle.

[0056] A bending motion urging the closing of the inner angle, a1 , of the outer post member 2, in response to a vehicle impact upon its upper length part 6, is resisted by the springiness of the inner post member 4 residing within the inner angle, a1. Reactive forces, F1 , generated by this resistance also create energyabsorbing frictional forces between the opposing surfaces where the upper length and lower length parts of the inner and outer post members make contact with each other. The lower length part 10 of the inner post member 8 of the composite post embedded in the foundation, 60, is urged by the pressing action of the upper length part 6 of the outer post member 2 to displace in a direction parallel to the length of the lower length part 12 of the outer post member 2 and away from the impacting vehicle (not shown). This displacement is resisted by the foundation, 60, which generated a resistive force, F2, to urge against the displacement. This resistive force is transferred, via the body of the inner post member, to the upper length part of the outer post member so as to urge against the impact force, F, from the impacting vehicle.

[0057] Each post member (2, 4) is formed of spring steel which provides a resistance to snapping or shattering. The lower length part of each post member may be integrally formed with the upper length part and the bend thereof as a single-piece of continuous material. The posts are forged metal. As the metal is shaped during the forging process, its internal grain deforms to follow the general shape of the part. As a result, the grain is continuous throughout the part, giving rise to a piece with improved strength characteristics.

[0058] The upper length part 6 of the outer post member 2 and the upper length part 8 of the inner post member each comprise a respective through-hole (20, 22) through which the shaft of the steel bolt 14 extends. This steel bolt serves as a sacrificial member of the coupling part in the sense that a flexure of the respective bend in each of the inner and outer post members moves the positions of the respective through-holes relative to each other to apply a breaking force to the shaft of the steel bolt 14 for breaking the shaft to remove the coupling effect of the coupling part. This condition of breakage is shown in Figure 2. This sacrificial breakage dissipates vehicular the impact energy that has been transferred from the vehicle into the bollard apparatus. Energy is needed to cause the breakage to occur, and that energy is extracted from the kinetic energy of the impacting vehicle thereby reducing the load on other parts of the bollard apparatus during the impact. The shaft of the steel bolt 14 is disposed below an uppermost part of a peripheral edge 24 defining an opening of the through-hole 20 of the outer post member 2 and above a lowermost part of a peripheral edge 26 defining an opening of the through-hole 22 of the inner post member 4. A flexure of the respective bend (3, 5) in each of the inner and outer post members urges the upper length part of the outer post member to slide against the upper length part of the inner post member to draw the uppermost and lowermost peripheral edge parts towards each other in a shearing action for cutting the sacrificial member disposed between them. In this way, those parts of the peripheral edges of the opposing openings of through-holes that are disposed at opposite upper / lower axial sides of the shaft of the steel bolt 14 are urged to slide towards and past each other, in the length direction of the upper length parts, as the opposing faces of the upper length parts of the outer and inner post members slide along each other in response to collective reduction of the inner angle, i.e., as a1 — > p1 , of each post member. This shears the shaft of the steel bolt 14 in two and breaks the coupling effect of the coupling part in a controlled way only when a particular degree of flexure has been reached (i.e., when a1 has reduced to p1). The result is shown in Figure 2.

[0059] In general, an uppermost part and a lowermost part of a peripheral edge defining an opening of a given through-hole in a post member are spaced apart from each other along a respective width of the opening. The width direction is in a longitudinal direction along the length axis of the upper length part in question. Accordingly, as shown in Figure 3 to Figure 11 , a width of an opening of the through-hole in one of the outer post member 2 and the inner post member 4 may be greater than such a width of an opposing opening of a through-hole in the other one of the outer post member 2 and the inner post member 4, such that breakage of the sacrificial shaft of the steel bolt of a coupling part does not occur until flexure of the bend reduces the inner angle to a value less than a pre-set threshold angle. A longer width of opening may be defined by a slot-shaped through-hole, whereas a shorter width of opening may be defined by a circular through-hole.

[0060] As a result of this geometry, referring to Figure 3 and Figure 4 as an illustrative example, a second through-hole 30 in the inner post member 4 is slot-shaped to define an elongated width of opening extending in a direction of the length of the upper length part of the inner post member 4 to permit motion therealong of the shaft of a second sacrificial steel bolt 32 of a second coupling part (32, 43, 46) in response to flexure of the bends (3, 5) of the inner and outer post members (2, 4). In particular, the bollard assembly of Figure 3 and Figure 4 comprises all of the features of the bollard assembly of Figure 1 and Figure 2, with the additional features of a second coupling part comprising a steel bolt having a bolt head 36 from which a threaded bolt shaft 32 extends to pass through both of a second through-hole 28 in the upper length part of the outer post member 2 and a second through-hole 30 in the upper length part of the inner post member 4. The shaft of this second sacrificial steel bolt 32 terminates at a distal shaft end upon which a threaded nut is fitted for tightening against the opposing surface of the upper length part 8 of the inner post member 4 so as to press the upper length parts (6, 8) of both the inner and outer post members together.

[0061] The opening of the second through-hole 28 in the outer post member 2 is circular in shape of circular diameter less than the slot-width of the second through-hole 30 in the inner post member 4, extending in a direction of the length of the upper length part of the inner post member. The slot-width exceeds the circular diameter such that, in response to said flexure of the bends (3, 5) of the post members, the shaft of a second sacrificial steel bolt 32 is urged by an uppermost part 40 of the peripheral edge of the circular opening 28 in a direction along the slot-width of the second through-hole 30 towards a lowermost part of the peripheral edge 38 of the second through-hole 30 so as to make contact with it at a pre-set threshold angle of flexure (e.g., is pushed / slides along a slot formed by the first opening as a1 —> p1). This is shown in Figure 4.

[0062] Figure 5A shows a rear view (i.e., looking against the direction of expected vehicular impact) of the bollard apparatus of Figure 3. Figure 5B shows a front view (i.e., looking along the direction of expected vehicular impact) of the bollard apparatus of Figure 3. Figure 6A shows a rear view (i.e., looking against the direction of actual vehicular impact) of the bollard apparatus of Figure 4. Figure 6B shows a front view (i.e., looking along the direction of actual vehicular impact) of the bollard apparatus of Figure 4. It can be seen from Figures 6A and 6B that the uppermost part 40 of the peripheral edge of the circular opening 28 and a lowermost part 38 of the peripheral edge of the second through-hole 30 are both in contact with diametrically opposite (uppermost and lowermost) surfaces of the second sacrificial steel bolt 32 such that continued flexure to reduce the bend angle to a value greater than p1 will result in a shearing action on the sacrificial steel bolt 32. Continued flexure instigates this shearing action between the uppermost part 40 of the peripheral edge of the circular opening 28 and the lowermost part 38 of the peripheral edge of the second through-hole 30, to break the shaft of a second sacrificial steel bolt 32 (e.g., an angle greater than p1 and less than y). This is shown in Figure 7. Figure 8A shows a rear view (i.e., looking against the direction of expected vehicular impact) of the bollard apparatus of Figure 7. Figure 8B shows a front view (i.e., looking along the direction of expected vehicular impact) of the bollard apparatus of Figure 7.

[0063] In this way, sacrificial failure (shearing) of the first sacrificial bolt 14 may be selected to occur only on condition that a first pre-set threshold angle of flexure, less than p1 , of the bend has occurred and that sacrificial failure (shearing) of the second sacrificial bolt 32 may be selected to occur only on condition that a greater second pre-set threshold angle of flexure, greater than p1 , of the bend has occurred. A greater (or smaller) size of the slot width 30 permits a correspondingly greater (or smaller) value for the threshold angle, as desired.

[0064] Figures 9, 10 and 11 show a rear view (i.e., looking against the direction of expected vehicular impact) of a further example of a bollard apparatus comprising three coupling parts each comprising a respective said sacrificial shaft of a steel bolt (14, 32, 44) secured to the bollard apparatus by a respective threaded nut (18, 34, 46) in the manner shown in the preceding figures. The outer post member 6 (not shown) comprises three of the aforesaid through-holes of circular shape and common diameter, each one of which is aligned with a respective one of three through-holes in the inner post member 8, through which a respective one of the three sacrificial shafts extends. The three through-holes (22, 30, 42) in the inner post member 8 are be arranged along the upper length part of that post member such that the width of opening, in a direction of the length of the upper length part, of any given one of those three through-holes is less than the width of opening of any of the other two through-holes disposed between it and the bend in the inner post member. Accordingly, the width of opening of an uppermost through-hole 22 (which is circular in shape) is less than the width of opening of a mid-placed through-hole 34 immediately below it (which is shaped as a slot extending in a direction along the axis of the upper length part 8), and the width of opening of a lowermost through-hole 46 (which is also shaped as a slot extending in a direction along the axis of the upper length part 8) is greater than the width of opening of the mid-placed through-hole 34 immediately above it.

[0065] Accordingly, each one of the mid-placed through-hole and the lowermost through-hole in the inner post member is a slot of increasing slot-shaped length, and each slot is configured to permit motion therealong of the sacrificial bolt shaft (32, 44) within it in response to collective flexure of the bends in the inner and outer post members. In response to such a flexure, the sacrificial bolt shaft 32 in the mid-placed through- hole is urged by a part of the peripheral edge of a through-hole in the outer post member 6 in a direction along the slot 30 of the mid-placed through-hole 30 towards a lowermost part 38 of the peripheral edge of the mid-placed through-hole into contact therewith at the pre-set threshold angle associated with that particular slot. Figure 10 shows this circumstance, having evolved from the circumstance shown in Figure 9 where no flexure has yet occurred. Accordingly, the sacrificial failure (shearing) of the sacrificial bolt shaft 32 within the mid-placed through-hole is selected to occur only on condition that a particular pre-set threshold angle of flexure of the bend has occurred.

[0066] Concurrently, in response to such a flexure, the sacrificial bolt shaft 44 in the lowermost through-hole 42 is urged by a part of the peripheral edge of a through-hole in the outer post member 6 in a direction along the slot 42 of the lowermost through-hole towards a lowermost part 48 of the peripheral edge of the lowermost through-hole into contact therewith at the pre-set threshold angle associated with that particular slot. Accordingly, the sacrificial failure (shearing) of the sacrificial bolt shaft 44 within the lowermost through-hole 42 is selected to occur only on condition that a different particular pre-set threshold angle of flexure of the bend has occurred. Figure 11 shows this circumstance, having evolved from the circumstance shown in Figure 10 where some flexure has already occurred. Accordingly, the sacrificial failure (shearing) of the sacrificial bolt shaft 44 within the lowermost through-hole is selected to occur only on condition that a greater pre-set threshold angle of flexure of the bend has occurred.

[0067] All of the three through-holes in the outer post member (not shown) share a common diameter. The width of each opening of the outer post member closely matches the diameter / width of a respective sacrificial bolt shaft (14, 32, 44) extending through it, such that the respective sacrificial shaft is closely fitted within the associated through-hole. In this way, an array of three through-holes in the outer post member comprises a first array of openings all of the same shape and size (circular) through which a respective one of the three sacrificial shafts (14, 32, 44) extends, and the inner post member alone possess a second array of through-holes having a variety of different widths of opening including one circular through-hole and two successive slot-shaped through-holes of successively greater slot lengths. Accordingly, in response to the relative sliding motion between the inner and outer post members during an impact event, the sacrificial bolt shafts (32, 44) within the mid-placed through-hole 30 and the lowermost through-hole 42, respectively, may be urged / pushed by the closely-fitting peripheral edge of an associated circular through-hole in the outer post member, in a direction along the slot length of a respective slot-shaped through-hole of the inner post member.

[0068] Figures 12, 13A and 13B show, respectively, a side view, a back view and a front view of a bollard apparatus as shown in Figure 1 further comprising a tubular cover sleeve 52 defining a tubular bore configured for receiving the upper length parts (6, 8) of the pair of post members (2, 4) therein, so as to cover the received upper length parts. A mounting part 54 is coupled to the received upper length parts (6, 8) via the coupling part (14, 16, 18). The cover sleeve 52 engages with the mounting part 54 to mount the cover sleeve upon the received upper length parts via the mounting part. The cover sleave provides an aesthetic cover and a safety cover to protect members of the public from hard or sharp edges of the post members, for example.

[0069] The coupling part (14, 16, 18) is arranged to firmly secure (adjustably / reversibly) the mounting part 54 to the received upper length parts (6, 8) of the bollard assembly by clamping action of the nut 18 and bolt 16 against opposing surfaces of the received upper length parts (6, 8) of the bollard assembly. The tightening of the nuts upon the shaft 14 of the bolt serves to press the mounting part against the received upper length parts to secure mounting part there. Loosening of those nut 18 may permit an adjustment of this mounting as desired.

[0070] The mounting part comprises an axial guide slot 60 into which the sacrificial bolt shaft 14 is slotted, whereby the mounting part is adjustably coupled to the received upper length parts (6, 8) of the two post members (2, 4) via the axial guide slot 60 such that the axial (e.g., vertical) position of the mounting part along a longitudinal axis of the received upper length parts is selectable by slotting the coupling part at a selected axial position along the axial guide slot. This direction of adjustment is indicated by arrows (a, b, c) in Figure 13A and 13B. Accordingly, the vertical position of the cover sleave in the height / axial direction of the may be adjusted as desired by moving the mounting part relative to the received upper length parts to adjust the position of the coupling part within the axial guide slot to a position where it may be firmly secured by the coupling part.

[0071] The tubular bore of the cover sleeve comprises a closed bore comprising a terminal end closure part 62 disposed at the uppermost end of the cover sleeve, in use, and configured for abutting against an uppermost support platform 64 of the mounting part 54 within the bore. The mounting part may be secured to the cover sleeve, e.g., by attachment screws, to the terminal end closure part or to another coupling part of sleeve within the bore.

[0072] Figure 14 shows a side view of a bollard apparatus 200 comprising three post members (2, 4, 7) collectively forming two coupled pairs of post members. A first pair of post members is formed by a first post member 2 and second post member 4 stacked upon it in the manner described above. This first pair of post members is identical to the pair of post members 100 described above with reference to Figures 3 to Figure 8B. A second pair of post members is formed by the second post member 4 and a third inner post member ? stacked upon it, again, in the manner described above. Each pair of post members comprises an outer post member and an inner post member. In the case of the first pair of post members, the first post member 2 provides the outer post member of that pair, and the second post member 4 provides the inner post member of the pair. In the case of the second pair of post members, the second post member 4 provides the outer post member of that second pair, and the third post member 7 provides the inner post member of that pair. Thus, the inner post member 2 of a first pair of post members is the same post member as the outer post member 2 of a second pair of post members. In this way, in a concatenated stack of pairs of post members, any pair of stacked post members may be configured as described above.

[0073] The bollard apparatus comprises three coupling parts (14, 16, 18; 32, 34, 36; 72, 74, 76) and the upper length part 9 of the inner post member 7 of the second pair of post members is shorter than the upper length part 8 of the outer post member 4 of the second pair, such that it terminates at an uppermost distal end. A first coupling part (14, 16, 18) and a second coupling part (32, 34, 36) of the three coupling parts are each disposed beyond the uppermost distal end and they each hold together the upper length parts of the first pair of post members (2, 4) but not of the second pair of post members (4, 7). The third coupling part (72, 74, 76) of the three coupling parts is disposed before the distal end of the inner post member 7 of the second pair of post members in order to hold together the upper length parts of both the first pair of post members (2, 4) and the second pair of post members (4, 7). As a result of this arrangement, more energy-absorbing frictional forces may be generated between greater number of opposing surfaces of the first pair of post members and the second pair of post members.

[0074] The third coupling part comprises a bolt having a bolt head 76 from which a sacrificial bolt shaft 72 extends through a circular through-hole 78 of circular diameter formed in the upper length part 6 of the outer post member 6 of the first pair of post members. The sacrificial bolt shaft 72 also extends through each one of an aligned pair of substantially identical slot-shaped through-openings (79, 81) each having a slot axis extending in a direction along the longitudinal axis of the upper length part (8, 9) of a respective one of the second post member 4 and the third post member 7. An uppermost peripheral edge of each of the two aligned slot-shaped openings (79, 81) is aligned in register with the uppermost peripheral edge of the opening of the circular through-hole 78 in the outer post member 6 of the first pair of post members. The lowermost peripheral edges (82, 83) of the two identical slot-shaped openings (79, 81) are aligned in register with each other and are spaced from the uppermost edge of their respective slot openings by a distance corresponding to the axial length of that (each) slot. This axial length exceeds the diameter of the circular opening of the through-hole 78 formed in the outer post member 2 of the first pair of post members, and also exceeds the axial slot length of the slot formed by the slot-shaped opening 30 formed in the inner post member 4 of the first pair of post members (also corresponding to the outer post member 4 of the second pair of post members).

[0075] Flexure at the bend of each post member (2, 4, 7) to reduce the inner angle, a1 , of the first and second pair of post members collectively (an angle common to both pairs) causes the uppermost peripheral edge of the circular opening of the through-hole 78 in the outer post member of the first pair of post members to push the sacrificial bolt shaft 72 towards and against the lowermost peripheral edge 83 of the opposing slot-shaped opening 79 in the inner post member 4 of the first pair of post members so as to commence a sheering action to break the sacrificial bolt shaft in response to further reduction in the inner angle, a1 . Simultaneously, the uppermost peripheral edge of the slot-shaped opening of the through-hole 79 in the outer post member of the second pair of post members (which also correspond to the slot-shaped opening of the through-hole 79 in the inner post member of the first pair of post members) pushes the sacrificial bolt shaft 72 towards and against the lowermost peripheral edge 82 of the opposing slot-shaped opening 81 in the inner post member 7 of the second pair of post members so as to simultaneously commence a sheering action to break the sacrificial bolt shaft in response to any such further reduction in the inner angle, a1 .

[0076] In other words, each one of the first and second pairs of post members responds in unison with the other to shear a locally-held portion of the same one sacrificial bolt shaft simultaneously. This unity of sheering action effectively increases the amount of vehicular kinetic energy absorbed by the bollard apparatus in those circumstances. Of course, this synchronised double-sheering action occurs only on condition that the other two sacrificial bolt shafts (14, 32) within the first pair of post members have already been sheared.

[0077] The invention may provide a barrier (not shown) comprising a plurality of bollards such as disclosed herein. The invention may be made and sold as a kit of parts for a bollard according to the bollard apparatus of the invention as disclosed herein, or a kit of parts for a barrier according to the invention as disclosed herein.

[0078] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or in the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for obtaining the disclosed results, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

[0079] While the invention has been described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments described above, many equivalent modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art when given this disclosure. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiments of the invention set forth above are considered to be illustrative and not limiting. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0080] For the avoidance of any doubt, any theoretical explanations provided herein are provided for the purposes of improving the understanding of a reader. The inventors do not wish to be bound by any of these theoretical explanations.

[0081] Any section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting the subject matter described.

[0082] Throughout this specification, including the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise” and “include”, and variations such as “comprises”, “comprising”, and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

[0083] It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and / or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and / or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by the use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. The term “about” in relation to a numerical value is optional and means for example + / - 10%.

Claims

Claims:1 . A bollard apparatus comprising: a plurality of post members each comprising an upper length part integrally joined to a lower length part by a bend in the post member such that the lower length part extends from the bend transversely relative to the upper length part thereby to form an inner angle at said bend common to each post member; and, a coupling part configured to hold together the upper length parts of the plurality of post members; wherein an inner post member of the plurality of post members is stacked upon an outer post member of the plurality of post members within the inner angle of the outer post member such that the lower length part of the inner post member rests upon the lower length part of the outer post member, and the upper length part of the inner post member is held against the upper length upper part of the outer post member by the coupling part; such that an impact force when directed against the upper length part of the outer post member to urge an energy-absorbing flexure of the bend in the outer post member in a direction that reduces the inner angle thereof also urges the upper length part of the outer post member to move against the upper length part of the inner post member to urge an energy-absorbing flexure of the bend in the inner post member that reduces the inner angle thereof.

2. A bollard apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the upper length part of the outer post member and the upper length part of the inner post member each comprise a respective through-hole through which a sacrificial member of the coupling part extends via which the coupling part holds together the upper length parts of the inner and outer post members, whereby said flexure of the respective bend in each of the inner and outer post members moves the positions of the respective through-holes relative to each other to apply a breaking force to the sacrificial member for breaking the sacrificial member to remove the coupling effect of the coupling part.

3. A bollard apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the sacrificial member is disposed below an uppermost part of a peripheral edge defining an opening of the through-hole of the outer post member and above a lowermost part of a peripheral edge defining an opening of the through-hole of the inner post member, whereby said flexure of the respective bend in each of the inner and outer post members urges the upper length part of the outer post member to slide against the upper length part of the inner post member to draw said uppermost and lowermost peripheral edge parts towards each other in a shearing action for cutting the sacrificial member disposed between them.

4. A bollard apparatus according to claim 3 wherein an uppermost part and a lowermost part of a peripheral edge defining an opening of a given through-hole are spaced apart along a respectivewidth of the opening in a direction of the length of the upper length part in which the opening is formed, whereby such a width of an opening of the through-hole in one of the outer post member and the inner post member is greater than such a width of an opposing opening of a through-hole in the other one of the outer post member and the inner post member, such that breakage of the sacrificial member does not occur until flexure of the bend reduces the inner angle to a value less than a preset threshold angle.

5. A bollard apparatus according to claim 4 wherein a peripheral edge defining a first opening of a through-hole in one of the outer post member and the inner post member is shaped to define a first width of opening to permit motion of the sacrificial member therealong in response to said flexure, and a peripheral edge defining an opposing second opening of a through-hole in the other one of the outer post member and the inner post member is shaped to define a second width of opening, wherein the first width exceeds the second width such that in response to said flexure of the bend the sacrificial member is urged by a part of the peripheral edge of the second opening in a direction along the first width towards a part of the peripheral edge of the first opening into contact therewith at said pre-set threshold angle.

6. A bollard apparatus according to any preceding claim when dependent upon claim 2 comprising a plurality of said coupling parts each comprising a respective said sacrificial member, wherein each of the outer post member and the inner post member comprises a plurality of said through-holes through which a respective one of the plurality of sacrificial members extends.

7. A bollard apparatus according to claims 5 and 6 wherein the plurality of through-holes in either the outer post member or the inner post member are arranged along the upper length part of the respective post member such that the width of an opening, in a direction of the length of the upper length part, of any given through-hole is less than the width of an opening, in a direction of the length of the upper length part, of all other through-holes disposed between it and the bend in the respective post member, and such that the width of an opening of all other though-holes disposed at a greater distance from the bend in the respective post member is less than the width of the opening of the given through-hole.

8. A bollard apparatus according to claim 7 wherein all of said plurality if through-holes in one of the outer post member and the inner post member share a common width of opening.

9. A bollard apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising at least three post members collectively forming a plurality of pairs of post members wherein each pair of post members comprises a said outer post member and a said inner post member, whereby the inner post member of a first pair of post members amongst the plurality of pairs of post members is the same post member as the outer post member of a second pair of post members amongst the plurality of pairs of post members.

10. A bollard apparatus according to claim 9 when dependent upon claim 2 comprising a plurality of said coupling parts, wherein the upper length part of the inner post member of the second pair of post members is shorter than the upper length part of the outer post member thereof and terminates at a distal end, wherein a first coupling part of the plurality of coupling parts is disposed beyond the distal end to hold together the upper length parts of the plurality of post members of the first pair of post members but not of the second pair of post members, and a second coupling part of the plurality of coupling parts is disposed before the distal end to hold together the upper length parts of the plurality of post members of both the first pair of post members and the second pair of post members.11 . A bollard apparatus according to any preceding claim when dependent upon claim 2 wherein the sacrificial member comprises the shaft of a bolt or pin.

12. A bollard apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein each post member is formed of spring steel.

13. A bollard apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the post members are each rectangular in cross-sectional shape and the coupling part is arranged to press together the opposing flat surfaces of adjacent upper length parts.

14. A bollard apparatus according to any preceding claim in which said inner angle is at least substantially 60 degrees and no greater than substantially 120 degrees in angular extent.

15. A bollard apparatus according to any preceding claim comprising a tubular cover sleeve defining a tubular bore configured for receiving the upper length parts of the plurality of post members therein to cover the received upper length parts, and a mounting part coupled to the received upper length parts via a said sacrificial member, wherein the cover sleeve engages with the mounting part thereby to mount the cover sleeve upon the received upper length parts via the mounting part.

16. A bollard apparatus according to claim 15 wherein the mounting part comprises an axial guide slot into which the sacrificial member is slotted, whereby the mounting part is adjustably coupled to the received upper length parts via the axial guide slot such that the axial position of the mounting part along a longitudinal axis of the received upper length parts is selectable by slotting the sacrificial member at a selected axial position along the axial guide slot.

17. A barrier comprising a plurality of bollards each according to the bollard apparatus of any preceding claim.

18. A kit of parts for a bollard according to the bollard apparatus of any of claims 1 to 16 or for a barrier according to claim 16.

Images