Retractable or removable bollard apparatus and system

Abstract

A bollard apparatus ( 100 ) has a housing ( 1 ) and a barrier member ( 2 ) disposed at least partially within the housing ( 1 ). The barrier member ( 2 ) is slidable relative to the housing ( 1 ) between a first, extended position, and a second, retracted position. The apparatus ( 100 ) has an electrical connection means ( 10 ), at least one electrically actuable locking means ( 4 ) and an electrical path between the electrical connection means and the electrically actuable locking means. The electrically actuable locking means ( 4 ) is operable to prevent relative movement between the barrier member ( 2 ) and the housing ( 1 ) when the barrier member ( 2 ) is in at least one of the first and second positions. A system comprising the bollard apparatus ( 100 ) and an unlocking means ( 20 ) is also described.

1 . A bollard apparatus comprising:
 a housing and a barrier member disposed at least partially within the housing, the barrier member slidable relative to the housing between a first, extended position, and a second, retracted position;   an electrical connection means, at least one electrically actuable locking means and an electrical path between the electrical connection means and the electrically actuable locking means; wherein   the electrically actuable locking means is operable to prevent relative movement between the barrier member and the housing when the barrier member is in at least one of the first and second positions.   
     
     
         2 . The bollard of  claim 1  wherein the electrically actuable locking means is operable to prevent relative movement between the barrier member and the housing when the barrier member is in the first position and when it is in the second position. 
     
     
         3 . The bollard of  claim 1  wherein the apparatus comprises a control means. 
     
     
         4 . The bollard of  claim 3  wherein the control means is operable to electrically disconnect the electrical connection means from the electrically actuable locking means. 
     
     
         5 . The bollard of  claim 3  wherein the control means is operable to receive user verification information. 
     
     
         6 . The bollard of  claim 5  wherein the control means receives the user verification information via the electrical connection means. 
     
     
         7 . The bollard of  claim 5  wherein the bollard is provided with a separate communications or data input means for transfer of the user verification information to the control means. 
     
     
         8 . The bollard of  claim 7  wherein the separate communications or data input means comprises an RF receiver or an optical receiver. 
     
     
         9 . The bollard of  claim 1 , further comprising biasing means to bias the barrier member towards the first, extended position. 
     
     
         10 . The bollard of  claim 9  wherein the biasing means comprises a counter weight. 
     
     
         11 . The bollard of  claim 9  wherein the biasing means comprises a gas spring or strut. 
     
     
         12 . The bollard of  claim 9  wherein the bollard is absent any actuating means for moving the barrier member relative to the housing, other than the biasing means. 
     
     
         13 . The bollard of  claim 2  wherein the housing comprises a locking member having a first end which is rotatably connected to the housing and a magnetic portion which is spaced apart from the first end. 
     
     
         14 . The bollard of  claim 13  wherein the rotatable connection is located, in use, below the magnetic portion; optionally wherein the electrically actuable locking means comprises a magnetic member provided adjacent an outer surface of the barrier member. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The bollard of  claim 14  wherein the electrically actuable locking means comprises means to change the magnetic polarity of the portion of the magnetic member closest to the surface of the barrier member; optionally wherein the electrically actuable locking means comprises means for rotating the magnetic member. 
     
     
         17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . The bollard of  claim 14  wherein the magnetic member attracts the magnetic portion of the locking member when the portion of the magnetic member closest to the surface of the barrier member has a first polarity; optionally wherein the magnetic member repels the magnetic portion of the locking member when the portion of the magnetic member closest to the surface of the barrier member has a second polarity. 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . The bollard of  claim 13  wherein the housing is provided with a second said locking member which is located, in use, below the first locking member. 
     
     
         21 . The bollard of  claim 17  wherein the second locking member has a first end which is rotatably connected to the housing and a magnetic portion which is spaced apart from the first end, wherein, in use, magnetic portion is located below the rotatable connection; optionally wherein polarity of the magnetic portion of the first locking member is opposite to that of the magnetic portion of the second locking member. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . The bollard of  claim 1 , wherein the electrical connection means comprises at least one socket; optionally wherein the electrical connection means comprises an inductive power transfer receiver. 
     
     
         24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A bollard system comprising:
 a bollard apparatus comprising:
 a housing and a barrier member disposed at least partially within the housing, the barrier member slidable relative to the housing between a first, extended position, and a second, retracted position, 
 a first electrical connection means, at least one electrically actuable locking means and an electrical path between the electrical connection means and the electrically actuable locking means, wherein 
 the electrically actuable locking means is operable to prevent relative movement between the barrier member and the housing when the barrier member is in at least one of the first and second positions, 
 the system further comprising an unlocking means comprising a portable electrical power source and a second electrical connection means adapted for removable electrical connection with the first electrical connection means, to thereby supply electrical power to the first electrical connection means, electrical path and electrically actuable locking means. 
   
     
     
         26 . (canceled)