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.

Claims

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.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present disclosure, and together with the detailed description, serve to explain principles of the embodiments discussed herein. No attempt is made to show structural details of this disclosure in more detail than can be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the embodiments discussed herein and the various ways in which they may be practiced. According to common practice, the various features of the drawings discussed below are not necessarily drawn to scale. Dimensions of various features and elements in the drawings may be expanded or reduced to illustrate embodiments of the disclosure more clearly.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective environmental view of bracket bollard assemblies visually emulating conventional protective bollards according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective environmental view of a person viewing three-bracket bollard assemblies to illustrate that they are hard to distinguish from conventional protective bollards according to embodiments of the disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of a combination of a plurality of brackets and a T-post according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a combination of a plurality of brackets attached to a T-post according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 4A is a top sectional view of a non-studded point of the T-post taken along line 4A-4A of FIG. 3A according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 4B is a top view of a bracket and an inwardly extending slotted portion of the bracket according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 4C is a top sectional view of a non-studded point of a T-post connecting to a slotted portion of a bracket taken along line 4C-4C of FIG. 3B according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 5A is a perspective view of a portion of a T-post showing studded and non-studded portions according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 5B is a perspective view of a bracket connected to a non-studded portion of a T-post according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 5C is a perspective view of a bracket showing a first upwardly extending rim portion from the base plate of the bracket and a second upwardly extending rim portion from the slotted portion of the bracket according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 5D is a perspective view of a bracket connected to a non-studded portion of a T-post according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 6A is a perspective exploded view of a combination of a T-post and a plurality of brackets and a bollard cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0027] FIG. 6B is a perspective sectional view of a bollard cover take along line 6B-6B of FIG. 6A showing an inner cavity, an open end, and a closed end of the bollard cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0028] FIG. 7A is a perspective and partial cross-sectional view of a bracket bollard assembly showing an upper closed-end of the bollard cover, an upper portion of a T-post, and a plurality of brackets connected to the T-post according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 7B is a perspective and cross-sectional view of a bracket bollard assembly showing the bollard cover positioned over a combination of a plurality of brackets and a T-post according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the upper portion of the bracket bollard assembly showing abutting contact between a bracket and a non-studded portion of a T-post and abutting contact between the bracket and the inner cavity of a bollard cover according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 9 illustrates a bracket bollard cover kit comprising a container, a plurality of brackets positioned in the container, and a bollard cover positioned in the container according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The drawings include like numerals to indicate like parts throughout the several views. The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of exemplary embodiments, and those skilled in the relevant art will recognize that many changes may be made to the embodiments described. It also will be apparent that some of the desired benefits of the embodiments described may be obtained by selecting some of the features of the embodiments without utilizing other features. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and adaptations to the embodiments described are possible and may even be desirable in certain circumstances. Thus, the following description is provided as illustrative of the principles of the embodiments and not in limitation thereof.

[0033] The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. As used herein, the term plurality refers to two or more items or components. The terms comprising, including, carrying, having, containing, and involving, whether in the written description or the claims and the like, are open-ended terms, in particular, to mean including but not limited to, unless otherwise stated. Thus, the use of such terms is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter, and equivalents thereof, as well as additional items. The transitional phrases consisting of and consisting essentially of, are closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, with respect to any claims. Use of ordinal terms such as first, second, third, and the like in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed, but are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term) to distinguish claim elements. Similarly, the term proximal is understood to mean closer to, or in the direction of, a technician or operator. Accordingly, distal is understood to mean a location or direction distant to or directed away from the technician or operator.

[0034] Embodiment of the present disclosure are directed to a T-post bracket assembly including a combination of a T-post and a plurality of brackets, and a bollard cover 120 so that when the cover is positioned over the combination (see, e.g., FIGS. 3B and 6B, the assembly visually emulates a conventional protective bollard (see, e.g., FIGS. 1-2). Example embodiments of multiple T-post bracket assemblies positioned in front of a machine M or housing are shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As illustrated, a person P when viewing the T-post bracket assemblies in FIG. 2, for example, may not be able to distinguish them from conventional protective bollards. The machine M or housing are only illustrative examples of where embodiments of the assembly may be used as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The installed multiple assemblies of the example embodiments are as visible and as aesthetically pleasing as conventional bollards while installed with less labor, time, and cost, for example.

[0035] In an embodiment of a T-post bollard cover assembly, one or more brackets is configured to be positioned along a length of the T-post and connects to the T-post. In an example embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13 are configured to be positioned spaced-apart along a length of a standard T-post 17 and connected to non-studded points 14, 15, and 16 of the T-post 17. Each bracket is to be positioned and connected to a non-studded point of the T-post. For example, bracket 1 is to be positioned and connected to a non-studded point 14 along the upper portion of the T-post 17, bracket 12 is to be positioned and connected to a non-studded point 15 along the middle portion of the T-post 17, and bracket 13 is to be positioned and connected to a non-studded part 116 along the lower portion of the T-post 17.

[0036] For a bracket to connect to a non-studded point 117 of the T-post, as shown in FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, and FIG. 5C, each of the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13 is designed to have a base plate 18 with an inwardly extending slotted portion 110 with peripheries 111, 112, and 113. The slotted portion 110 peripheries 111, 112, and 113 are shaped substantially similar to outer peripheries 114, 115, and 116 of a non-studded point 117 of the T-post 17, as shown in FIG. 4B and FIG. 5A. Moreover, the outer peripheries 111, 112, and 113 of the slotted portion 10 are slightly larger than the outer peripheries 114, 115, and 116 of the not-studded portion 117 of the T-post 17. This allows each bracket to be positioned over and abuttingly contact the outer peripheries 114, 115, and 116 of the non-studded portion 117 of the T-post 17. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, one or more of the plurality of brackets may be constructed of a polymeric material, a thermoplastic material, or a polylactic acid (PLA) filament material, for example.

[0037] Also, the slotted portion 110 of the base plate 18 has outer peripheries 128, 129, and 130 extending upwardly substantially perpendicular to the base plate 18. As result, outer peripheries 128, 129, and 130 of the slotted portion 110 abuttingly contact outer peripheries 114, 115, and 116 of the non-studded portion 117 of the T-post 17, as shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B, 5C, and 5D. Therefore, the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13 securely attaches to the T-post 17, as shown in FIG. 4C, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5D, and FIG. 8., and results in a combination 119 of the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13 and the standard T-post 17, as shown in FIG. 6A.

[0038] Further, this example embodiment provides for a bollard cover 120 configured to be positioned over the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13 and cover the combination 119 of the T-post 17 and the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13. The bollard cover 120, for example, may be constructed or formed of a polymetric material to help withstand various weather conditions and to provide structural support or integrity as will be understood by those skilled in the art. The bollard cover 120 has an inner circular-shaped cavity 123 with inner peripheries 124. To securely cover the combination 119, the base plate 8 of each bracket 11, 12, and 13 is designed to have a substantially circular-shaped outer periphery 19, as shown in FIG. 4B. The outer periphery 19 of each of the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13 is slightly smaller than the inner peripheries 124 of the inner cavity 123. As a result, when the bollard cover 120 is positioned over the combination 119, the inner peripheries 124 abuttingly contact the outer peripheries 19 of each of the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13 when positioned spaced-apart along the length of the T-post 17 as shown in FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B. Also, the slotted portion 110 of the base plate 18 also has outer peripheries 127 extending upwardly substantially perpendicular to the base plate 18. As a result, the outer peripheries 127 abuttingly contact the inner walls 124 of the interior cavity 123 of the bollard cover 120 when positioned to cover the combination 119.

[0039] In addition to the inner cavity 123, the bollard cover 120 has a closed end 121 and an open end 122. The inner cavity 123 of the bollard cover 120 extends between the closed end 121 and the open end 122. The open end 122 of the bollard cover 120 is configured to be positioned over the brackets 11, 12 and 13. As the bollard cover 120 is positioned to cover the combination 119, the closed end 121 abuttingly contacts an upper end portion 125 of the T-post 17, as illustrated in FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 8. As a result, the bollard cover 120 is securely positioned over the combination 119 of the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13 and the T-post 17, visually emulating a protective bollard.

[0040] The present disclosure also provides embodiments of methods to install the bollard cover 120 over the T-post 17 to emulate a protective bollard post. In an example method, the bollard cover 120 is positioned by moving the interior cavity 123 of the bollard cover 120 axially in the direction 126, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, over a lengthwise extent of the combination 119. As a result, the inner peripheries 124 of the interior cavity 123 abuttingly contact the outer peripheries 19 of each of the plurality of brackets 1, 2, and 3, as shown FIG. 8. As illustrated in the example FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, the example method attaches the plurality of brackets 11, 12, 13 to spaced-apart locations along the length of the T-post 17 and positions the bollard cover 120 that has an interior cavity 123 over the combination 119 of the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13, and the T-post to visually emulates a bollard.

[0041] An example embodiment method also can include sliding, in direction 126, the interior cavity 123 of the bollard cover 120 over the combination 119 of the T-post and the plurality of brackets so that inner peripheries 124 of the interior cavity 123 abuttingly contact outer peripheries 19 of each of the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13, as shown in FIG. 8. Further, the method includes positioning the open end 122 over the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13, as the bollard cover 120 is positioned to cover the combination 119. Further, the method includes positioning the close end 121 to abuttingly contact the upper end portion 125 of the T-post 17 and outer peripheries 124 of the inner cavity 123 abuttingly contact outer peripheries 19 of each of the brackets 11, 12, and 13.

[0042] The present disclosure is also a bracket that mounts to a T-post for positioning a bollard cover over the combination of the bracket and the T-post. In an example bracket embodiment shown in FIG. 4B and FIG. 5C, the bracket includes the substantially flat base plate 18 and the slotted portion 110 extending inwardly from the outer peripheries 19 of the base plate 18. The bracket also has the first upwardly extending rim portion 127 from outer peripheries 19 of the base plate 18. The first rim portion 127 is configured to abuttingly contact the inner peripheries 124 of the bollard cover 120 when the bollard cover 120 is positioned to cover the combination of the bracket and the T-post 17. In addition, the bracket has the second upwardly extending rim portions 128, 129, and 130 from the slotted portion 110 of the base plate 18. The second rim portions 128, 129, and 130 are configured to abuttingly contact the peripheries 114, 115, and 116 of the non-studded point 117 of the T-post 17 to ensure the bracket is securely attached to the T-post 17.

[0043] Further, the base plate 110 of the bracket has a substantially circular shape similar to the interior cavity 123 of the bollard cover 120, which also has substantially circular outer peripheries 124. As a result, the outer peripheries 124 of the interior cavity 123 abuttingly contact outer peripheries 19 of the first upwardly extending rim portion 127 when the bollard cover is positioned to cover the combination, as shown in FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, and FIG. 8.

[0044] Embodiments of the bracket, for example, may have a circular-shape or another shape if, for example, the interior cavity of the poly bollard cover has a different interior perimeter shape, e.g., rectangular, or oval. Further, an embodiment of the bracket, for example, may have or be 0.5-in height by 4-in diameter or another diameter depending on what size poly bollard cover to be used. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, however, dimensions and materials used may vary depending on the sizing of the T-post or brackets, the sizing of the bollard cover desired, or the types of materials desired for the bollard cover, for example.

[0045] The present disclosure is also a bracket bollard cover kit to cover a standard T-post to visually emulate a bollard. An example bracket bollard cover kit, as shown in FIG. 9, comprises a container 131, the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13 positioned in the container 131, and the bollard cover 120 positioned in the container 131. The plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13 are configured to be positioned spaced-apart along a length of the T-post 17 and connect thereto. The bollard cover 120 has the inner cavity 123 and is configured to be positioned over the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13 and cover the combination 119 of the T-post 17 and the plurality of brackets 11, 12, and 13.

[0046] In one or more embodiments, 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. Also, an embodiment of a bracket, for example, may be formed or manufactured by 3D-printing such as with a fused deposition modeling (FDM) printer and may be formed or printed using a thermoplastic monomer such as a polylactic acid (PLA) filament material.

[0047] Having now described some illustrative embodiments of the disclosure, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the foregoing is merely illustrative and not limiting, having been presented by way of example only. Numerous modifications and other embodiments are within the scope of one of ordinary skills in the art and are contemplated as falling within the scope of the disclosure. In particular, although many of the examples presented herein involve specific combinations of method acts or system elements, it should be understood that those acts and those elements may be combined in other ways or configurations to accomplish the same objectives. Those skilled in the art should appreciate that the parameters and configurations described herein are exemplary and that actual parameters and/or configurations will depend on the specific application in which the systems, methods, and/or aspects or techniques of the disclosure are used. Those skilled in the art should also recognize or be able to ascertain, using no more than routine experimentation, equivalents to the specific embodiments of the disclosure. It is, therefore, to be understood that the embodiments described herein are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of any appended claims and equivalents thereto, the disclosure may be practiced other than as specifically described.

[0048] This application claims priority to, and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/680,591, filed Aug. 7, 2024, titled BOLLARD COVER ASSEMBLY, BRACKET, KIT, AND ASSOCIATED METHOD, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0049] Furthermore, the scope of the present disclosure shall be construed to cover various modifications, combinations, additions, alterations, etc., above and to the above-described embodiments, which shall be considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. Accordingly, various features and characteristics as discussed herein may be selectively interchanged and applied to other illustrated and non-illustrated embodiment, and numerous variations, modifications, and additions further may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims.