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[0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to U.S. Provisional application No. 60/822,240, filed 13 Aug. 2006, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to devices, systems, and processes useful as bollards, and more specifically to ground level security bollards. 
         [0004]    2. Brief Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Bollards have been used to provide perimeter security for a secured facility. The bollards may restrict traffic flow and vehicle penetration into the facility grounds. 
         [0006]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrate a typical security bollard installation system  100 . Typically, current vertical bollards  110  are installed three (3) to four (4) feet deep in the ground  120 . A trench is dug approximately three (3) feet wide and of a length determined based on the perimeter to be protected. The trench is filled with concrete  130  after the vertical bollards  110  are set in the trench. Installing the bollards  110  this deep caused problems with hitting underground utilities (gas, water, telephone, electricity), and underground parking and building structures. 
         [0007]    Therefore, there remains a need for a bollard system that does not require a deep trench, yet is impact resistant and field adjustable. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    One of numerous aspects of the present invention includes a shallow bollard sub-assembly for securing an area against vehicular penetration comprising a base, an input member secured to the base and extending vertically from the base, wherein the input member is configured and arranged to transfer an impact to the base when a vehicle strikes the input member and at least three leveling legs connected to the base to position the base above a supporting surface, wherein each of the leveling legs is individually adjustable to alter an elevation of a respective portion of the base relative to the supporting surface. 
         [0009]    Another aspect of the present invention includes a shallow bollard system for securing an area against vehicular penetration comprising a plurality of bollard sub-assemblies and a plurality of linking members connecting adjacent ones of the plurality of bollard sub-assemblies, wherein each of the bollard sub-assemblies each includes a base an input member secured to the base and extending vertically from the base, wherein the input member is configured and arranged to transfer an impact to the base when a vehicle strikes the input member, and at least three leveling legs connected to the base to position the base above a supporting surface, wherein each of the leveling legs is individually adjustable to alter an elevation of a respective portion of the base relative to the supporting surface. 
         [0010]    Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a method for securing an area against vehicular penetration comprising providing a plurality of bollard sub-assemblies, each of the bollard sub-assemblies includes a base, an impact member secured to the base and extending vertically from the base, wherein the input member is configured and arranged to transfer an impact to the base when a vehicle strikes the input member, and at least three leveling legs, interconnecting one of the plurality of bollard sub-assemblies to an adjacent one of the bollard sub-assemblies, and adjusting a vertical position of at least a part of at least one of the bollard sub-assemblies relative to a supporting surface by moving appropriate ones of the at least three leveling legs. 
         [0011]    Still other aspects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description of embodiments constructed in accordance therewith, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The invention of the present application will now be described in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments of the apparatus and method, given only by way of example, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0013]      FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b  illustrate a typical, prior art bollard system; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side elevational view of an exemplary bollard system embodying principles of the present invention, when installed. 
           [0015]      FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b  illustrate side elevational and top plan view, respectively, of a bollard system in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a leveling leg in accordance with the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates views of a bollard system in accordance with the present invention, disassembled; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates views of a bollard system in accordance with the present invention, in an assembled configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    Referring to the drawing figures, like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements throughout the several figures. 
         [0020]    With reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  5 , and  6 , an exemplary bollard system of the present invention includes a shallow mounted installation system  10 . The shallow bollard system  10  typically may require a support surface  20  formed as only a nine (9) inch deep trench in the ground, or a recess or a channel formed in a building surface or a bed for a road or a sidewalk. Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the shallow bollard system  10  may include a plurality of shallow bollard sub-assemblies  30 ,  30 ′ interconnected to one another by linking members  32  in a manner to be described later. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3   a , and  3   b , each shallow bollard sub-assembly  30  may include a base  34 , a vertical input member (or vertical bollard)  36 , and a plurality of leveling legs  38 . The shallow bollard sub-assembly  30  may be designed to transfer an impact from the input member  36  to the base  34  when a vehicle strikes the input member  36 . The base  34 , the leveling legs  38 , and at least a portion of the impact member  36  may be encased in concrete  40  after the shallow bollard system  10  has been properly assembled, positioned and leveled, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0022]    The surface  20  upon which the shallow bollard system  10  may be supported may take the form of a trench or other excavation, a contoured ground surface such as a bed for a road or sidewalk, or a surface of a building structure, and may be sloped, uneven and/or follow a curved path. The leveling legs  38  may be individually adjusted to level and align each shallow bollard sub-assembly  30  and may be adjusted as a group to raise and lower the respective bases  34  of the entire shallow bollard system  10  to the required elevation relative to the support surface  20  in order to accommodate varying contour(s) and path(s) of the support surface  20 . The structure and adjustment of each level leg  38  is described next. 
         [0023]    The shallow bollard sub-assembly  30  may have at least three leveling legs  38  disposed on the base  34  to define a triangular pattern (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3   b ). This pattern may provide the appropriate degree(s) of freedom of adjustment to obtain a level bollard system  10  with a minimum number of leveling legs  38 . However, more leveling legs  38  and/or other arrangements of the leveling legs  38  relative to the base  34  may be provided. 
         [0024]    As viewed in  FIG. 4 , each leveling leg  38  may include a foot member  42  and an adjusting member  44 . The foot member  42  may include a bottom surface  46  that may engage the support surface  20  (not shown, see  FIG. 2 ) when the shallow bollard sub-assembly  30  (not shown, see  FIG. 2 ) is positioned over the support surface  20 . In a preferred embodiment, the adjusting member  44  may be a bolt  48  having a head  50  at one end of a threaded stud  52 . Preferably, the foot member  42  may be loosely secured to the adjusting member  44  as explained below. 
         [0025]    Still referring to  FIG. 4 , the foot member  42  may include a pipe  54  opened at each end. A pad  56  may be secured to and close off one of the opened ends. A washer  58  may be secured to the other opened end of the pipe  54 . Preferably, the outer dimension of the washer  58  may be greater than the inner dimension of the pipe  54  and the inner dimension of the washer  58  may be less than the inner dimension of the pipe  54  and greater than the outer diameter of the threaded stud  52 . 
         [0026]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , a second washer  60  may be fixed to the end of the threaded stud  52  opposite the head  50 . The outer dimension of the second washer  60  may be less than the inner dimension of the pipe  54  and greater than the inner dimension of the washer  58 . Thus, the second washer  60  may be captured between the washer  58  and the pad  56 , thereby loosely securing the foot member  42  to the adjusting member  44 . Alternatively, the foot member  44  may be rigidly fixed to the bolt  48 . Optionally, yet not necessary, provisions can be added to reduce the friction between the pad  56  and the washer  60 , to permit easier rotation of the stud  52 . By way of non-limiting example, a number of ball bearings  92  can be located in the space between the pad  56  and the washer  60 , which are free to roll. Other provisions, such as liquid, paste, or solid lubricants, or the like, can also be used to reduce the rotating friction between the pad  56  and the washer  60 . 
         [0027]    Prior to securing the foot member  42  to the bolt  48 , a nut  62  may be threaded onto the threaded stud  52 . See  FIG. 4 . Preferably, the nut  62  may be rigidly fixed to the base  34  (not shown, see  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b ) by a weld between the nut  62  and a respective connecting member  64  of the base  34 . See  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b . In order to adjust the elevation of the base  34 , the bolt  48  may be rotated clockwise or counter-clockwise relative to the nut  62 , thereby raising or lowering the foot member  42  relative to the base  34 . Alternatively, the base  34  may be provided with a through bore that may directly engage the threaded stud  52 . 
         [0028]    Other arrangements of the adjusting member and the foot portion may be possible, in so far as the adjusting member is non-movably secured to one of the foot member and the base and movably engaged with the other of the foot member and the base. For example, a threaded stud may be rigidly fixed to the base and extend from the base and the foot member may have a threaded portion, such as a nut welded thereto, such that rotation of the foot member relative to the stud raises or lowers the position of the foot member relative to the base. Alternatively, the adjusting member may be a fluid powered piston/cylinder arrangement, a gear assembly such as rack and pinion arrangement, a ratchet-type assembly, etc. 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , the base  34  may include two horizontal members  66  and two connecting members  64 . The horizontal members  66  extend in a longitudinal direction L (see  FIG. 3   b ) and the connecting members  64  may extend perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L (see  FIG. 3   b ), or optionally can form angles with the horizontal members other than 90 degrees. The horizontal members  66  may be connected to one another by the connecting members  64 . The connecting members  64  may be secured to the ends of the horizontal members  66  by any conventional means, such as bolts, rivets, or welds. Preferably, the connecting members  64  may be welded to the horizontal members  66 . The connecting members  64  may be provided to spread the impact load from the input member  36  to the concrete  40  subsequent to a vehicle striking the input member  36 . See also  FIG. 2 . 
         [0030]    In the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b , the horizontal members  66  may be I-beams and the connecting members  64  may be angle irons. Alternatively, the base  34  may be formed of a single metal sheet, cast as frame, machined from a single piece of metal, etc. 
         [0031]    Referring to  FIG. 3   a , preferably, the input member  36  may include a hollow pipe  68  that may receive concrete  40  therein after the bollard sub-assembly  30  has been properly positioned and leveled on the support surface  20  (see also  FIG. 2 ). In order to secure the input member  36  to the base  34 , the hollow pipe  68  may be inserted into holes in upper and lower square plates  70 ,  72 . The square plates  70 ,  72  may be welded (at  74 ) to the top and bottom of the horizontal members  66 . 
         [0032]    Preferably as shown in  FIG. 3   b , the square plates  70 ,  72  are oriented relative to the horizontal members  66  such that a line extending between a pair of diagonally opposed corners  74 ,  76  of each square plate  70 ,  72  extends parallel to the longitudinal direction L of the horizontal members  66 . This preferred orientation locates the edges  78  of the square plates  70 ,  72  at a preferred angle of 45° relative to the longitudinal direction L of the horizontal members  66 . Of course, other angular orientations of the plates  70 ,  72  to each other and to the horizontal members  66  can also be used. 
         [0033]    After the shallow bollard system  10  is properly leveled and encased in concrete  40 , this preferred orientation may allow maximum contact of the square plates  70 ,  72  to the concrete  40  at impact caused by a vehicle striking the input member  36 . At the time of impact on the input member  36  by a vehicle, with the system preferably, although not necessarily, oriented so that the vehicle impacts the system from the left in the drawing figures, the energy from the concrete-filled hollow pipe  68  may be transferred through the square plates  70 ,  72  to the horizontal members  66  and into the concrete  40 . The concrete  40  may be relied upon to provide mass since, at impact by a vehicle, the bollard sub-assemblies  30  may try to rotate and/or translate relative to the support surface  20 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3   b , by way of example, also illustrates stiffener plates  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  that may extend vertically between and connect to the upper and lower square plates  70 ,  72 . During impact by a vehicle, the input member  36  may rotate back. The stiffener plates  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  may help transfer energy from the upper square plate  70  to the lower square plate  72  (see also  FIG. 3   a ) and the horizontal members  66  and the concrete  40  such that this backward rotation may be prevented or at least minimized. The stiffener plates  80 ,  82 ,  84 ,  86  are not illustrated in the other drawing figures so as to not otherwise obscure aspects of the invention. 
         [0035]    The bollard sub-assembly  30  may be connected to an adjacent bollard sub-assembly  30 ′ by linking members  32 . See  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The linking members  32  may be connected to the bollard sub-assemblies  30  by bolts  88 , or by other devices such as rivets, welds, and the like. As shown in  FIG. 5 , a single linking member  32  may be used to connect the two shallow bollard sub-assemblies  30 ,  30 ′. However, any number of linking members  32  may be used to connect the adjacent bollard sub-assemblies  30 . 
         [0036]    As illustrated by way of example in  FIG. 5 , bolt holes  90  in each linking member  32  may be slotted in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L (see  FIG. 3   b ) of the horizontal members  66  and each base  34  may include bolt holes  90  that may be slotted in the longitudinal direction L of the horizontal members  66 . This orientation of the bolt holes  90  may provide for adjustment for a curved path intended for the bollard system  10  and/or an uneven or sloping support surface  20 . 
         [0037]    The linking members  32  may also be useful to provide proper spacing between two adjacent bollard sub-assemblies  30 . The bollard sub-assemblies  30  may be, according to an advantageous embodiment, spaced a minimum of 32″ (for handicapped access) and maximum of 34″, for impact and structural requirements, although other spacings between adjacent bollard sub-assemblies  30  are also part of this invention. 
         [0038]    Preferably, the linking member  32  may be formed from angle iron for structural strength. See  FIG. 5 . While the linking member  32  may be formed of a different material and/or shape, preferably it is formed of the same material (e.g., steel) as the angle iron of the connecting members  64  of the base  34 . 
         [0039]    The linking member  32  may help keep the bollard system  10  from moving by transferring the impact load from a vehicle on the input member  36  to an adjacent bollard sub-assembly  30  and throughout the concrete  40 . 
         [0040]    While the invention has been described in detail with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes can be made, and equivalents employed, without departing from the scope of the invention. The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents.

Summary:
A bollard system includes leveling legs for each section of the system, support plates rotated to distribute force to supporting beams, and connecting angles to join together adjacent sub-assemblies within a single installation.