Bollard cover assembly, bracket, kit, and associated method

Abstract

Assemblies and methods for installing visible protective bollards can be expensive, time-consuming, and labor-intensive. On the other hand, assemblies and methods for installing standards T-posts, although cheaper, less time-consuming, and less labor-intensive, are less visible, for example. The present disclosure is directed to bollard cover assemblies, brackets, and methods that overcome the shortcomings of the standard steel protective bollards as well as the standard T-posts. The bollard cover assemblies, bracket, kit, and methods, for example, include a combination of a T-post and one or more brackets, and a bollard cover so that when the cover is positioned over or to surround substantially the combination, the assembly emulates a visible protective bollard.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combination T-post and bollard bracket and cover assembly, the combination assembly comprising:
 a T-post;   a plurality of brackets configured to be positioned spaced-apart along a length of the T-post and connect thereto; and   a bollard cover having an inner cavity and configured to be positioned over the plurality of brackets and cover a combination of the T-post and the plurality of brackets so that when the cover is positioned over the combination, the assembly visually emulates a bollard.   
     
     
         2 . The combination assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of brackets has a base plate and an inwardly extending slotted portion, the slotted portion having peripheries slightly larger than outer peripheries of the T-post so that each of a respective one of the plurality of brackets positions over and abuttingly contacts outer peripheries of the T-post, thereby to connect to the T-post. 
     
     
         3 . The combination assembly of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of brackets further has a substantially circular-shaped outer periphery, wherein the inner cavity of the bollard cover also has substantially circular-shaped inner peripheries, and wherein the outer periphery of each of the plurality of brackets is slightly smaller than the inner peripheries of the inner cavity of the bollard cover so that when the bollard cover is positioned over the combination, the inner peripheries positioned to abuttingly contact the outer peripheries of each of the plurality of brackets when spaced-apart along the length of the T-post. 
     
     
         4 . The combination assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of brackets comprises a base plate and an inward extending slotted portion, and wherein outer peripheries of the base plate extend upwardly substantially perpendicular to the base plate so that the outer peripheries abuttingly contact inner walls of the interior cavity of the bollard cover when positioned to cover the combination. 
     
     
         5 . The combination assembly of  claim 4 , wherein outer peripheries of the slotted portion extend upwardly substantially perpendicular to the base plate so that outer peripheries of the slotted portion abuttingly contact peripheries of a T-post when positioned thereon. 
     
     
         6 . The combination assembly of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of brackets comprises one of a polymeric material, a thermoplastic material, or a polylactic acid (PLA) filament material, and wherein the bollard cover comprises a polymeric material so as to define a poly bollard cover. 
     
     
         7 . The combination assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bollard cover has an open end and a closed end, and wherein the interior cavity extends between the open end and the closed end so that the open end of the bollard cover positions over the plurality of brackets as the bollard cover is positioned to cover the combination and so that the close end abuttingly contacts an upper end portion of the T-post. 
     
     
         8 . A combination T-post, bracket and cover assembly, the combination assembly comprising:
 a T-post;   one or more brackets configured to be positioned adjacent of the T-post; and   a bollard cover configured to be positioned to substantially surround the one or more brackets and substantially cover a combination of the T-post and the plurality of brackets.   
     
     
         9 . The combination assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each bracket of the one or more brackets has a base plate and an inwardly extending slotted portion shaped congruently similar to a non-studded part of a T-post, the slotted portion having peripheries slightly larger than outer peripheries of the non-studded part of the T-post so that each of the one or more brackets positions over and abuttingly contacts the outer peripheries of the non-studded part of the T-post, thereby to connect to the T-post. 
     
     
         10 . The combination assembly of  claim 9 , wherein each of the one or more brackets further has a substantially circular-shaped outer periphery, wherein the bollard cover, includes an inner cavity, wherein the inner cavity of the bollard cover also has substantially circular-shaped inner peripheries, and wherein the outer periphery of each of the one or more brackets is slightly smaller than inner peripheries of the inner cavity of the bollard cover so that when the bollard cover is positioned over the combination, the inner peripheries abuttingly contact the outer peripheries of each of the plurality of brackets when spaced-apart along the length of the T-post. 
     
     
         11 . The combination assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more brackets comprises a base plate and an inward extending slotted portion, and wherein outer peripheries of the base plate extend upwardly substantially perpendicular to the base plate so that the outer peripheries abuttingly contact inner walls of the interior cavity of the bollard cover when positioned to cover the combination. 
     
     
         12 . The combination assembly of  claim 11 , wherein outer peripheries of the slotted portion extend upwardly substantially perpendicular to the base plate so that outer peripheries of the slotted portion abuttingly contact peripheries of the non-studded portion of a T-post when positioned thereon. 
     
     
         13 . The combination assembly of  claim 8 , wherein each of the one or more brackets comprises one of a polymeric material, a thermoplastic material, or a polylactic acid (PLA) filament material, and wherein the bollard cover comprises a polymeric material so as to define a poly bollard cover. 
     
     
         14 . The combination assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the bollard cover has an open end, a closed end and an interior cavity, and wherein the interior cavity extends between the open end and the closed end so that the open end of the bollard cover positions over the plurality of brackets as the bollard cover is positioned to cover the combination and so that the close end abuttingly contacts an upper end portion of the T-post. 
     
     
         15 . A combination T-post, bracket and cover assembly, the combination assembly comprising:
 a T-post;   a plurality of brackets configured to be positioned spaced-apart along a length of and adjacent the T-post; and   a bollard cover positioned to substantially surround the plurality of brackets, thereby to and cover substantially a combination of the T-post and the plurality of brackets so that when the cover is positioned over the combination, the assembly visually emulates a bollard.   
     
     
         16 . The combination of assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of brackets comprises two or more identical brackets. 
     
     
         17 . The combination assembly of  claim 16 , wherein a first bracket is positioned and connected to a non-studded point along the upper part of the T-post, a second bracket of the plurality of brackets is positioned and connected to a non-studded point along the middle part of the T-post, and a third bracket is positioned and connected to a non-studded point along the lower part of the T-post. 
     
     
         18 . The combination assembly of  claim 16 , wherein each bracket of the plurality of brackets has a base plate and an inwardly extending slotted portion shaped congruently similar to a non-studded part of a T-post, the slotted portion having peripheries slightly larger than outer peripheries of the non-studded part of the T-post so that each of the plurality of brackets positions over and abuttingly contacts the outer peripheries of the non-studded part of the T-post, thereby to connect to the T-post. 
     
     
         19 . The combination assembly of  claim 18 , wherein each of the plurality of brackets further has a substantially circular-shaped outer periphery, wherein the bollard cover includes an inner cavity, wherein the inner cavity of the bollard cover also has substantially circular-shaped inner peripheries, and wherein the outer periphery of each of the plurality of brackets is slightly smaller than the inner peripheries of the inner cavity of the bollard cover so that when the bollard cover is positioned over the combination, the inner peripheries abuttingly contact the outer peripheries of each of the thee brackets when spaced-apart along the length of the T-post. 
     
     
         20 . The combination assembly of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of brackets comprises a base plate and an inward extending slotted portion, and wherein outer peripheries of the base plate extend upwardly substantially perpendicular to the base plate so that the outer peripheries abuttingly contact inner walls of the interior cavity of the bollard cover when positioned to cover the combination. 
     
     
         21 . The combination assembly of  claim 20 , wherein outer peripheries of the slotted portion extend upwardly substantially perpendicular to the base plate so that outer peripheries of the slotted portion abuttingly contact peripheries of the non-studded portion of a T-post when positioned thereon. 
     
     
         22 . The combination assembly of  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of brackets comprises one of a polymeric material, a thermoplastic material, or a polylactic acid (PLA) filament material, and wherein the bollard cover comprises a polymeric material so as to define a poly bollard cover. 
     
     
         23 . The combination assembly of  claim 15 , wherein the bollard cover has an open end, a closed end and an interior cavity, and wherein the interior cavity extends between the open end and the closed end so that the open end of the bollard cover positions over the plurality of brackets as the bollard over is positioned to cover the combination and so that the close end abuttingly contacts an upper end portion of the T-post. 
     
     
         24 . A method to install a bollard cover over a T-post, thereby to emulate a protective bollard post, the method comprising:
 attaching a plurality of brackets in spaced-apart locations along the length of a T-post; and   positioning a bollard cover having an interior cavity over the combination of the plurality of brackets and the T-post so that the bollard covers the combination such that the combination visually emulates a bollard.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the positioning includes moving the interior cavity of the bollard cover axially over a lengthwise extent of the combination so that inner peripheries of the interior cavity abutting contact outer peripheries of each of the plurality of brackets. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the bollard cover has an open end and a closed end, wherein the interior cavity extends between the open end and the closed end, and wherein the positioning comprises positioning the open end positions over the plurality of brackets as the bollard cover is positioned to cover the combination and so that the closed end abuttingly contacts an upper end portion of the T-post and outer peripheries of the inner cavity abuttingly contact outer peripheries of each of the plurality of brackets. 
     
     
         27 . A method to install a bollard cover over a T-post, thereby to emulate a protective bollard post, the method comprising:
 attaching one or more brackets in one or more locations along the length of a T-post;   and   positioning a bollard cover to surround substantially the combination of the plurality of brackets and the T-post so that the bollard substantially covers the combination such that the combination visually emulates a bollard.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein attaching the one or more brackets includes attaching a slotted portion of each of the one or more brackets to a non-studded point of the T-post, so the peripheries of the slotted portion abuttingly contact outer peripheries of the non-studded point of the T-post. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the positioning includes moving the interior cavity of the bollard cover axially over a lengthwise extent of the combination so that inner peripheries of the interior cavity abuttingly contact outer peripheries of each of the one or more brackets. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the bollard cover has an open end and a closed end, wherein the interior cavity extends between the open end and the closed end, and wherein the positioning comprises positioning the open end positions over the one or more brackets as the bollard cover is positioned to cover the combination and so that the closed end abuttingly contacts an upper end portion of the T-post and outer peripheries of the inner cavity abuttingly contact outer peripheries of each of the one or more brackets. 
     
     
         31 . A method to install a bollard cover over a T-post, thereby to emulate a protective bollard post, the method comprising:
 attaching one or more brackets in locations along the length of a T-post; and   positioning a bollard cover having an interior cavity to surround substantially the combination of the one or more brackets and the T-post so that the bollard substantially covers the combination.   
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the one or more brackets comprises two or more identical brackets. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein attaching the one or more brackets includes attaching the slotted portion of each of the brackets to a non-studded point of the T-post, so that the peripheries of the slotted portion abuttingly contact outer peripheries of the non-studded point of the T-post. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the positioning includes moving the interior cavity of the bollard cover axially over a lengthwise extent of the combination so that inner peripheries of the interior cavity abuttingly contact outer peripheries of each of the plurality of brackets. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the bollard cover has an open end and a closed end, wherein the interior cavity extends between the open end and the closed end, and wherein the positioning comprises positioning the open end positions over the plurality of brackets as the bollard over is positioned to cover the combination and so that the closed end abuttingly contacts an upper end portion of the T-post and outer peripheries of the inner cavity abuttingly contact outer peripheries of each of the one or more brackets. 
     
     
         36 . A bracket to mount to a T-post for positioning a bollard cover over the combination of the bracket and the T-post, the bracket comprising:
 a substantially flat base plate;   a slotted portion extending inwardly from the outer peripheries of the base plate;   a first upwardly extending rim portion extending upwardly from outer peripheries of the base plate and configured to abuttingly contact inner peripheries of a bollard cover when the bollard cover is positioned to cover the combination of the bracket and the T-post; and   a second upwardly extending rim portion extending upwardly from outer peripheries of the slotted portion and configured to abuttingly contact outer peripheries of a T-post when the bracket is positioned thereon.   
     
     
         37 . The bracket of  claim 36 , wherein the base plate of the bracket has a substantially circular-shape, wherein the slotted portion has a substantially rectangular shape, and wherein the interior cavity of the bollard cover has substantially circular outer peripheries so the outer peripheries of the interior cavity abuttingly contact outer peripheries of the first upwardly extending rim portion when the bollard cover is positioned to cover the combination, and wherein the bracket comprises one or more of a polymeric material, a thermoplastic material, or a polylactic acid filament material. 
     
     
         38 . The bracket of  claim 36 , wherein the base plate of the bracket has a non-circular shape, and wherein the interior cavity of the bollard cover has a correspondingly similarly non-circular peripheries so the non-circular peripheries of the interior cavity abuttingly contact outer peripheries of the first upwardly extending rim portion of the base plate when the bollard cover is positioned to cover the combination. 
     
     
         39 . A bracket to mount to a T-post for positioning a bollard cover over the combination of the bracket and the T-post, the bracket comprising:
 a base plate;   a slotted portion extending inwardly from the outer peripheries of the base plate;   a first upwardly extending rim portion extending upwardly from outer peripheries of the base plate; and   a second upwardly extending rim portion extending upwardly from outer peripheries of the slotted portion and configured to abuttingly contact outer peripheries of a T-post when the bracket is positioned thereon.   
     
     
         40 . The bracket of  claim 39 , wherein the slotted portion of the bracket has a shape congruently similar to a non-studded part of a T-post, and wherein the outer peripheries of second upwardly extending rim portion abuttingly contact the outer peripheries of the non-studded part of the T-post when the bracket is positioned thereon. 
     
     
         41 . The bracket of  claim 39 , wherein the base plate of the bracket has a substantially circular-shape, and wherein the interior cavity of the bollard cover has substantially circular outer peripheries so the outer peripheries of the interior cavity abuttingly contact outer peripheries of the first upwardly extending rim portion when the bollard cover is positioned to cover the combination, and wherein the bracket comprises one or more of a polymeric material, a thermoplastic material, or a polylactic acid filament material. 
     
     
         42 . The bracket of  claim 39 , wherein the base plate of the bracket has a non-circular shape, and wherein the interior cavity of the bollard cover has a correspondingly similarly non-circular peripheries so the non-circular peripheries of the interior cavity abuttingly contact outer peripheries of the first upwardly extending rim portion of the base plate when the bollard cover is positioned to cover the combination. 
     
     
         43 . A bracket bollard cover kit to cover a T-post to visually emulate a bollard, the kit comprising:
 a container;   a bollard cover having an inner cavity positioned in the container; and   one or more brackets positioned in the container.   
     
     
         44 . The kit of  claim 43 , wherein the one or more brackets comprises a plurality of brackets, and where the plurality of brackets is configured to be positioned spaced-apart along a length of a T-post and connect thereto. 
     
     
         45 . The kit of  claim 44 , wherein the bollard cover is configured to be positioned over the plurality of brackets and cover a combination of the T-post and the plurality of brackets. 
     
     
         46 . The kit of claim wherein each of the plurality of brackets has a base plate and an inwardly extending slotted portion, the slotted portion having peripheries slightly larger than outer peripheries of the T-post so that each of a respective one of the plurality of brackets positions to contact abuttingly the outer peripheries of the T-post, thereby to connect to the T-post. 
     
     
         47 . The kit of  claim 46 , wherein each of the plurality of brackets further has a substantially circular-shaped outer periphery, and wherein the inner cavity of the bollard cover also has substantially circular-shaped inner peripheries, and wherein the outer periphery of each of the plurality of brackets is slightly smaller than the inner peripheries of the inner cavity of the bollard cover so that when the bollard cover is positioned over the combination, the inner peripheries abuttingly contact the outer peripheries of each of the plurality of brackets when spaced-apart along the length of the T-post. 
     
     
         48 . The kit of claim wherein each of the plurality of brackets comprises a base plate and an inward extending slotted portion, and wherein outer peripheries of the base plate extend upwardly substantially perpendicular to the base plate so that the outer peripheries abuttingly contact inner walls of the interior cavity of the bollard cover when positioned to cover the combination. 
     
     
         49 . The kit of  claim 48 , wherein outer peripheries of the slotted portion extending upwardly substantially perpendicular to the base plate so that outer peripheries of the slotted portion abuttingly contact peripheries of a T-post when positioned thereon. 
     
     
         50 . The kit of claim wherein each of the plurality of brackets comprises one of a polymeric material, a thermoplastic material, or a polylactic acid (PLA) filament material, and wherein the bollard cover comprises a polymeric material so as to define a poly bollard cover.