Bollard System With Rapid Replacement Features

Abstract

A bollard system includes a base structure with an elongated portion and an interface plate positioned proximate one end of the elongated portion. The elongated portion extends below a grade level with the interface plate above the grade level. A bollard structure has an elongated portion and an interface plate. The bollard structure interface plate is coupled with the base structure interface plate to form an interface for supporting the bollard structure elongated portion above the grade level. The bollard structure interface plate has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the base structure interface plate so the interface is skewed and the bollard structure absorbs damaging forces and protects the base structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bollard system comprising:
 a base structure having an elongated portion and an interface plate positioned proximate one end of the elongated portion, the elongated portion configured to extend below a grade level to maintain the interface plate above the grade level;   a bollard structure having an elongated portion and an interface plate, the bollard structure interface plate configured to be coupled with the base structure interface plate to form an interface for supporting the bollard structure elongated portion above the grade level; and   the bollard structure interface plate having a thickness that is less than the thickness of the base structure interface plate so the interface is skewed and the bollard structure absorbs damaging forces to the bollard structure and protects the base structure.   
     
     
         2 . The bollard system of  claim 1  wherein the bollard structure interface plate thickness is 25%-75% less than the thickness of the base structure interface plate for absorbing damaging forces to the bollard structure. 
     
     
         3 . The bollard system of  claim 2  wherein the bollard structure interface plate thickness is approximately 50% less than the thickness of the base structure interface plate for absorbing damaging forces to the bollard structure. 
     
     
         4 . The bollard system of  claim 1  wherein the base structure interface plate is approximately 1 inch in thickness. 
     
     
         5 . The bollard system of  claim 1  wherein the bollard structure interface plate is approximately 0.5 inches in thickness. 
     
     
         6 . The bollard system of  claim 1  wherein the bollard structure and base structure elongated portions are formed of metal and the respective interface plates are welded proximate an end of the respective elongated portion. 
     
     
         7 . The bollard system of  claim 1  further comprising a cover element, the cover element configured for covering the interface and respective interface plates of the base structure and bollard structure. 
     
     
         8 . The bollard system of  claim 1  further comprising an anti-corrosion collar configured for positioning around a section of the base structure elongated portion that is configured to extend below the grade level. 
     
     
         9 . A bollard system comprising:
 a plurality of base structures, each base structure having an elongated portion and an interface plate positioned proximate one end of the elongated portion, the respective elongated portions of the base structures configured to extend below a grade level to maintain the respective interface plate above the grade level;   a bollard structure having a plurality of elongated portions and a cross element coupling at least two of the plurality of elongated portions, an interface plate positioned proximate one end of each of the elongated portions;   the bollard structure interface plates configured to be coupled with the base structure interface plates to form a plurality of interfaces for supporting the bollard structure elongated portions and cross element above the grade level; and   the bollard structure interface plates having a thickness that is less than the thickness of the base structure interface plates so the interfaces are skewed and the bollard structure absorbs damaging forces to the bollard structure and protects the base structure.   
     
     
         10 . The bollard system of  claim 9  wherein the bollard structure interface plates thicknesses are approximately 25%-75% less than the thicknesses of the base structure interface plates for absorbing damaging forces to the bollard structure at the interface. 
     
     
         11 . The bollard system of  claim 10  wherein the bollard structure interface plate thicknesses are approximately 50% less than the thicknesses of the base structure interface plates for absorbing damaging forces to the bollard structure. 
     
     
         12 . The bollard system of  claim 9  wherein the base structure interface plates are approximately 1 inch in thickness. 
     
     
         13 . The bollard system of  claim 9  wherein the bollard structure interface plates are approximately 0.5 inches in thickness. 
     
     
         14 . The bollard system of  claim 9  wherein the bollard structure and base structure elongated portions are formed of metal and the respective interface plates are welded proximate an end of the respective elongated portion. 
     
     
         15 . The bollard system of  claim 9  further comprising at least one cover element, the cover element configured for covering at least one of the interfaces and respective interface plates of the base structure and bollard structure. 
     
     
         16 . The bollard system of  claim 9  further comprising an anti-corrosion collar configured for positioning around a section of at least one of the base structure elongated portions that is configured to extend below the grade level.