Bollard Collar Assembly for Retrofittable Barrier Mounting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bollards without attachment elements require costly replacement to accommodate barriers, and those with elements are limited by the types of barriers they can support.

Innovation Solution

A collar assembly that fits around bollards, featuring multiple openings for securing elements and barrier mounting devices, allowing for the attachment of various barriers like nets, gates, or solid barriers, without needing bollard replacement, and can be made from materials like steel, aluminum, or plastic.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If existing bollards without attachment elements are used, then cost is reduced, but the ability to attach barriers is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidability to attach barriers

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The collar serves as an intermediary component that attaches to the existing bollard and provides barrier attachment capabilities. This mediator approach allows the bollard to gain new functionality without replacing the entire structure, resolving the contradiction between cost and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar is designed with multiple openings and can accommodate various barrier mounting devices (eye bolts, clips, hooks, latches, quick connect couplings, carabiners). This multi-functionality allows a single collar design to work with different barrier types, providing versatility while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If bollards are replaced with new ones that have attachment elements, then barrier attachment is enabled, but expense increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebarrier attachmentVSAvoidexpense

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than replacing the entire bollard system, the collar acts as an intermediary component that adds attachment functionality to existing bollards. This approach eliminates the need for expensive bollard replacement while enabling barrier attachment, directly addressing the cost versus functionality contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The collar represents a cost-effective, replaceable component compared to entire bollard replacement. If the collar becomes worn or obsolete, it can be replaced independently at lower cost than replacing the bollard itself, making it an economical solution for enabling barrier attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentUS11629524B2Collar for installation of barriers onto existing bollards

Publication Date: 2023.04.18 GALLA PAUL V

AI summary

A collar assembly for retrofitting a barrier to one or more bollards comprises a barrier and at least one collar adapted to fit around each of bollard. Each collar comprises two or more openings. Each opening is configured to receive a barrier mounting device or a securing element. Each collar has at least one securing element configured to affix the collar to the one or more bollards. Each collar has at least one barrier mounting device configured to attach the barrier to the one or more bollards. The barrier is mounted to each barrier mounting device.