GB2588634A

GB2588634A - Stabiliser

Info

Publication number: GB2588634A
Application number: GB1915706.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Wellens Stewart
Original assignee: Trojan Services Ltd
Current assignee: Trojan Services Ltd
Priority date: 2019-10-30
Filing date: 2019-10-30
Publication date: 2021-05-05
Also published as: GB201915706D0

Abstract

A stabiliser 100 for a signpost the stabiliser comprising: an inner body 110; an outer body 120; a plurality of arms 130 interconnecting the inner and outer bodies for resisting relative movement of the inner and outer bodies; and an abutment portion 140 for abutment with a signpost coupler (fig. 3 330); wherein a space 150 between the bodies is configured for receiving ballast. The stabiliser abutment may form a system for connecting with a signpost abutment, a method of installing the system using excavated material as the ballast material (fig. 8) and a method of forming the stabiliser by extrusion (fig. 9) is also claimed. The stabiliser may be of uniform cross-section, may have a base abutment cap (fig. 4 160).

Description

Stabiliser

FIELD

[1] The present application relates to stabilisers for signposts, particularly but not exclusively to stabilisers for foundation support.

BACKGROUND

[2] Signposts need to be robust in order to perform their assigned task. Over time, physical interference with the signpost can cause the signpost to move away from an intended position. For example, the signpost must be resistant to physical human interaction (i.e. accident, acts of vandalism) or to natural forces (i.e. high speed winds). In some cases, the physical interaction can cause the signpost to lean away from the intended position or in extreme cases topple over. Sufficient foundations are therefore required to keep the signpost located in a stable manner when in use.

[3] Conventionally, above ground signposts are bedded into below ground concrete foundations in order to provide the necessary stability for the signpost over the intended lifetime of the signpost. The bed structure (i.e. the ground below the signpost, e.g. soil, different types of earth, bed rock) is first excavated to form a hole (i.e. cavity), into which the base of the signpost is placed and the concrete then poured. Once the concrete is set within the hole, the signpost and concrete are formed as one. Any force applied to the above ground fixture is therefore directly transmitted to the concrete foundations and to the surrounding bed structure. Movement of the signpost relative to the bed structure is therefore resisted and the signpost is held in its original position.

[4] The benefit of the conventional approach is that stable foundations are formed in a bespoke way. However, the amount of concrete to be applied is determined by the worker and any human error in using an inadequate amount of concrete can lead to inadequate foundations. Therefore, a system is needed that reduces the need for user skill in order to avoid human error and the over or under application of the foundation.

[5] Furthermore, the conventional approach is not environmentally friendly because concrete is used. Usually, the excavated natural material is moved off-site, which leads to a high carbon footprint. A system that avoids the replacement of the excavated natural material is therefore needed in order to improve the environment friendliness.

[6] It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved foundation solution. Advantageously, the improved solution should be quick and easy to install in order to avoid any disruption to others. A better utilisation of the working materials is desired in order to provide a more environmentally friendly solution. Overall, an alternative solution to the conventional approach is desired that reduces or overcomes the drawbacks associated with the conventional approach.

SUMMARY

[7] According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus, a system, a method of installation and a method of construction as set forth in the appended claims. Other features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows.

[8] A stabiliser for a signpost is provided. The stabiliser is a foundation structure for supporting the signpost and keeping the signpost stable in an intended position. The stabiliser comprises inner and outer bodies that are interconnected by a plurality of arms. The inner body therefore advantageously acts as a junction for the plurality of arms. The arms are configured to resist relative movement of the inner and outer bodies in order to bias the inner body toward a resting position relative to the outer body. The arms therefore act as force transmitters for transmitting forces applied between the bodies. The arms therefore help to provide structural stability. The stabiliser further comprises an abutment portion that is configured to abut a signpost coupler, wherein the signpost coupler is used to couple the stabiliser and the signpost. A space is present within the stabiliser between the inner and outer bodies that is configured to receive ballast (e.g. excavated matter, such as soil). The ballast provides the stability needed for the stabiliser to keep a signpost in the correct position when the signpost is coupled to the stabiliser. The outer body therefore acts as a housing for retaining stabilising material (i.e. ballast) within the stabiliser. Advantageously, the stabiliser is convenient and quick to deploy and easy to manufacture.

[9] Preferably, the inner body is substantially central to the outer body. That is, the inner and outer bodies may share the same longitudinal axis. In other words, the inner and outer bodies may be concentric. The arrangement of the inner and outer bodies helps to provide feedback to an installer on the stability of the installation. Movement of the inner body away from a concentric position may suggest damage to the stabiliser or the incorrect installation of the stabiliser. The stabiliser may have a length that is over double the width. This helps to provide stability when the stabiliser is used as foundation support. For example, the length may be four times the width. This helps to better dissipate load to the bed structure, particularly when the stabiliser is located in a substantially vertical position. The inner and outer bodies may both be tubular. The inner and outer bodies may have substantially the same shape. Alternatively, the cross-sectional shape of the inner and outer bodies may differ. However, it is preferable that the outer body is cylindrical for improved rigidity. The inner body may therefore have a cross-sectional shape that is in the form of a regular polygon. For example, the inner body may have a square cross-section. The stabiliser may have a constant cross-section such that the stabiliser can be formed by an extrusion process. The stabiliser is therefore easy and quick to manufacture.

[10] The inner body may have a hollow portion for receiving a post of the signpost. The hollow portion may be further configured to align the post for positional control. The hollow portion may extend the length of the inner body or may have a depth less than the length of the inner body. For example, in the latter case, the hollow portion may comprise an abutment for abutting an end of the post in order to locate the post within the stabiliser. Advantageously, the hollow portion provides convenience to the installer.

[11] The wall thickness of the inner body may be lower than the wall thickness of the outer body in order to maximise space for ballast. The wall thickness of the plurality of arms may be substantially the same as the wall thickness of the inner body for ease of manufacture. This also allows the strength of the stabiliser to come from the outer body and the occupancy of internal space by the arms to be minimised. The outer body may act as the main weight bearing component of the stabiliser in order to dissipate loads from the coupled signpost or from the bed structure when the stabiliser is a foundation structure. The perimeter of the outer body may be contactable with a signpost cap in order to carry the load from the signpost over a large area. In order to improve the load carrying ability, substantially the entire perimeter may be contactable with the signpost cap. This helps to dissipate the static load exerted to the stabiliser by a signpost.

[12] The number of arms may be equal to the number of sides of the inner body when viewed in cross-section. Advantageously, each side has direct support and the support to the inner body is well balanced for improved structural strength. Alternatively, the number of arms may be greater than the number of sides of the inner body when viewed in cross-section. This allows localised support to be provided to the inner body. The number of arms may be at least double the number of sides of the inner body to provide more effective support.

[13] The arms may be configured to resist relative deflection of the bodies, particularly the outer body to preserve the original shape of the outer body. The arms may be substantially elongate in order to minimise the intrusion on space to receive ballast. Alternatively, the arms may be substantially planar, i.e. a substantially flat member in order to provide regular (i.e. even) support to the bodies. The planar arms may extend the entire length of the inner body for more even support. An arm may extend away from the inner body in a radial direction towards the outer body in order to distribute forces effectively. The plurality of arms may therefore extend from an outer side of the inner body that is in a direction normal to the tangent of the outer side.

[14] The plurality of arms may be arranged to produce a plurality of spaces within the stabiliser. The spaces may be arranged as quadrants. The spaces may have a constant cross-section when viewing an end of the stabiliser. The number of spaces may match the number of arms. The arms may be impenetrable to ballast so that ballast remains within a designated space. Beneficially, the stabiliser is less vulnerable to ground movement. Furthermore, the prevention of the mixing of ballast allows different types of ballast to be used so that at least one space may contain a different type of ballast to the other space or spaces. The size of each space, particularly the volume may be substantially the same. The stabiliser may have a cross-section that is symmetrical about the arms so that the stabiliser can be conveniently deployed in any orientation.

[15] The abutment portion may be arranged in the space in order to conceal the abutment portion from the outside and protect the abutment portion from damage by material external to the outer body. The stabiliser may comprise a plurality of abutment portions for improving the securement of parts. The number of abutment portions may equal the number of spaces. At least one abutment portion may be attached to the inner side of the outer body and may therefore extend inwardly from the outer body toward the inner body. At least one abutment portion may extend along the longitudinal axis of the outer body in order to resist rotational and/or translation movement of the stabiliser relative a coupled signpost. An abutment portion may have an open side in order to provide access to the interior of the abutment portion. Beneficially, foreign matter (i.e. debris or ballast) that is contained within the abutment portion is removable through the open side for convenience. At least one abutment portion may be threaded so that the abutment portion acts as a threaded receiver. The abutment portions may be positioned on the perimeter of the outer body at regular intervals. This helps to evenly spread load.

[16] The stabiliser may comprise a protrusion for gripping ground. For example, the outer body may comprise a protrusion for resisting movement of the stabiliser. When the stabiliser is set into ground as a foundation support, the protrusion is configured to bind to ground. The protrusion may protrude away from the inner body. The protrusion may therefore be a rib to receive lateral load and bite into ground. The protrusion depth may be constant. The protrusion may be arranged along a length of the outer body that is parallel to the longitudinal axis. The protrusion may extend the entire length of the outer body (i.e. all the way). A plurality of protrusions may be positioned on the perimeter of the outer body at regular intervals. The external appearance of the stabiliser may therefore be similar to a splined structure. This helps to evenly spread loads. The number of protrusions may be at least double the number of arms in order to maximise a gripping force and therefore provide resistance to movement. At least one protrusion may be collinear with an arm that interconnects the inner and outer bodies. This helps to evenly dissipate loads. The wall thickness of the at least one protrusion may be substantially the same as the wall thickness of the outer body. Alternatively, the wall thickness of the at least one protrusion may be less than the wall thickness of the outer body. The wall thickness of a protrusion may be tapered so that a tip is narrower than a base. This helps to prevent the protrusion breaking off the outer body.

[17] The stabiliser may comprise a bottom cap for restricting access to the space. A top end of the stabiliser may be configured for abutment with a cap of the signpost and a bottom end of the stabiliser may be configured for abutment with the bottom cap. Beneficially, the bottom cap helps to enclose the space to prevent the egress of ballast from within the stabiliser or the ingress of external ground material into the stabiliser. The bottom cap may act as a further abutment member for preventing the post of the signpost from passing out of the stabiliser in order to limit the depth of the post. The bottom cap may not extend beyond the perimeter of the outer body for allowing the stabiliser to be fit within a consistently sized cavity. The bottom cap may have substantially the same shape as the outer body. The bottom cap may be planar such as a plate. The bottom cap may be fixed to the outer body. The stabiliser may comprise a second abutment portion and a bottom cap coupler for coupling the bottom cap to the second abutment portion. The second abutment portion may be attached to the outer body. Beneficially, the bottom cap is reversibly attached (i.e. removable) from the outer body. The second abutment portion may be joined to the first abutment portion that is for abutment with a signpost coupler. Therefore, the first and second abutment portions may be provided as one for convenience.

[18] There is further provided a stabilisation system comprising a stabiliser as previously described and a signpost. The signpost comprises a post and a signpost coupler for abutment with the abutment portion of the stabiliser. The signpost coupler may be threaded for secure engagement with the abutment portion of the stabiliser. This ensures secure coupling of the components in a reversible manner. The signpost may comprise a signpost cap for restricting access to the space of the stabiliser. The signpost cap may be fixed to the post or may be moveable relative to the post such that the post is slideable within an aperture of the signpost cap.

[19] There is further provided a method of installing the stabilisation system as previously described. The method comprises the steps of excavating matter from ground (e.g. soil, other forms of earth material, cement) to form a cavity, inserting the stabiliser into the cavity, returning the excavated matter to the ground by inserting the excavated matter into the space of the stabiliser and coupling the signpost to the stabiliser. Beneficially, the stabiliser helps to utilise the excavated matter in order to provide a more environmentally friendly solution. Furthermore, the method may include cutting the stabiliser to length, which may be less than the depth of the cavity. Advantageously, the method provides a convenient and quick solution to providing a foundation structure.

[20] There is further provided a method of constructing the stabiliser as previously described, comprising the steps of forming the stabiliser by an extrusion process and threading the abutment portion for threaded engagement with a signpost coupler. The stabiliser may be extruded as a continuous length and then cut to length as required. Advantageously, the manufacture of the stabiliser is simple and convenient.

[21] Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[22] For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

[23] Figure 1A shows a first embodiment of a stabilisation system [24] Figure 1B shows a second embodiment of a stabilisation system.

[25] Figure 2 shows a first embodiment of a stabiliser.

[26] Figure 3 shows the connection between a signpost and a top end of the stabiliser of the stabilisation system of Figure 1A.

[27] Figure 4 shows the connection between a bottom cap and a bottom end of the stabiliser of the stabilisation system of Figure 1A.

[28] Figure 5 shows the stabiliser of Figure 1A embedded into ground to provide a foundation to the signpost.

[29] Figure 6 shows the connection between a signpost and a top end of the stabiliser of the stabilisation system of Figure 1B.

[30] Figure 7 shows a signpost cap for use with the stabilisation system of Figure 1B.

[31] Figure 8 shows a flow chart of a method of installing a stabilisation system.

[32] Figure 9 shows a flow chart of the method of constructing a stabiliser. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [33] Figures 1A and 1B show stabilisation systems 1100,1200 according to first and second embodiments, respectively.

[34] The stabilisation system 1100 according to the first embodiment comprises a stabiliser 100 and a signpost 300. The signpost 300 comprises a post 310 that supports a sign member 340, wherein the sign member 340 is a communication device for alerting a user of an action. Although the signpost 300 shown is for a railway crossing, the stabiliser 100 is suitable for any type of structure to be supported. It is preferred that the stabiliser 100 is buried into an excavated cavity (i.e. submerged into an aperture in the ground) and then filled with excavated material (i.e. the as dug' content of a hole/aperture), which acts as ballast for stabilising the above ground signpost 300.

[35] The stabiliser 100 has a top end TE and a bottom end BE, which may be interchangeably arranged due to the constant cross-section. That is, for convenience, the stabiliser 100 is configured such that at least the top TE and bottom BE ends are substantially the same. The stabiliser 100 of the first embodiment can become a closed receptacle when a signpost cap 330 of the signpost 300 and a bottom cap 160 of the stabiliser 100 are coupled to the stabiliser 100 using couplers. For example, a signpost coupler 320 is shown that engages with an abutment portion 140 of the stabiliser. In this instance, the signpost coupler 320 is a bolt (male member) and the abutment portion 140 is a threaded receiver (female member). Further features of the stabiliser are discussed in more detail in relation to Figure 2. The signpost cap 330 is a plate member that caps off the top end TE of the stabiliser 100. Since the signpost cap 330 is integrally arranged to the post 310 of the signpost 300, the signpost cap 330 is fixed relative to the post 310. This fixes the height of the post 310 (i.e. the linear distance between the signpost cap 330 and top end TE of the signpost 300). Finally, the bottom cap 160 is shown as a plate in the shape of a disc to match the general cross-sectional shape of the outer wall of the stabiliser 100.

[36] The stabilisation system 1200 according to the second embodiment comprises a signpost 400 with a post 410 and a sign member 440. In contrast to the first embodiment, the post 410 of the second embodiment is moveable relative to a signpost cap 430. Furthermore, the stabiliser 200 of the second embodiment can receive the post 410 so that the height of the post 410 is adjustable. This is convenient particularly when fine adjustments are required during a site installation. As in the first embodiment, the signpost cap 430 is coupleable to the top end TE of the stabiliser 200 through the use of signpost couplers 420 that abut abutment portions 240 of the stabiliser 200. However, the signpost cap 430 has an aperture 432 that receives the post 410. Finally, the bottom end BE of the stabiliser 200 is open and does not comprise a bottom cap. Although a bottom cap can be applied if required, by not using a bottom cap, the post 410 can be inserted all the way through the stabiliser 200 in order to optionally exceed the overall length of the stabiliser 200.

[37] Figure 2 shows a stabiliser 100 according to a first embodiment when looking towards the top end TE. In this view, the bottom cap 160 that is located at the bottom end BE is out of sight. The stabiliser 100 comprises concentric tubes 110,120 interconnected by a plurality of planar arms 130. The inner tube is an inner body 110 that is arranged within an outer tube (an outer body 120). The inner body 110 is held relative to the outer body 120 by the arms 130 that extend in a radial direction. The inner body 120 is hollow so that the interior 112 of the inner body 120 is capable of receiving a post 310 of complementary shape. In this embodiment, four arms 130 separated by approximately 90 degrees interconnect the inner and outer bodies 110,120. The four arms 130 dissect the region between the inner 110 and outer 120 bodies in order to provide four spaces 150 of regular size (i.e. quadrants). Each space 150 is defined by the outer wall 114 of the inner body 110, the walls of the arms 130 and the inner wall of the outer body 120. Each space 150 is configured to receive ballast in order to provide the weight necessary for stabilising the stabiliser 100. The ballast is only insertable through an end of the stabiliser 100 because the outer body 120 is walled and therefore impenetrable to ballast. Each space 150 is also separate from the other spaces 150 in order to segment the ballast. This is advantageous because the spread of ballast is controllable. For example, one of the quadrant spaces 150 may require relatively heavier ballast. The arms 130 therefore act as a barrier to prevent heavier ballast located in a space 150 merging with lighter ballast located in a different space 150.

[38] The stabiliser 100 comprises abutment portions 140 that extend longitudinally, i.e. lengthways from the top end TE to the bottom end BE of the stabiliser 100. The abutment portions are located within the space 150 and have an open side that is open to the space 150. Advantageously, this allows ballast located within the abutment portion 140 to egress into the space 150 when a coupler is inserted. For example, the egress of debris within the abutment portion 140 may be achieved by action of the coupler when the coupler is inserted.

[39] The stabiliser 100 is shown with protrusions 122 that are ribs (i.e. elongate members) for biting into external ground material. The ribs 122 extend from the outer wall of the outer body 120 in a direction that is away from the inner body 110. The ribs 122 are spaced at regular intervals around the circumference of the outer body 120 in order to provide even resistance to movement. The ribs 122 are attached and therefore extend longitudinally along the outer body 120.

[40] The coupling of the signpost 300 to the top end TE of the stabiliser 100 according to the first embodiment is shown. Each signpost coupler 320 is inserted through a hole in the signpost cap 330 and then coupled to the abutment portion 140 of the stabiliser 100. A spacer 322, such as a washer, may be used to spread the load between the signpost coupler 320 and signpost cap 330 to avoid localised deformation of the signpost cap 330 when tightening the coupler 320. As mentioned, the signpost cap 330 is integral to the post 310 for convenience.

[41] The coupling of the bottom cap 160 to the bottom end BE of the stabiliser 100 according to the first embodiment is shown. As with the signpost cap 330, couplers 162 are used that are each inserted through a hole in the bottom cap 160 and then coupled to a second abutment portion 142 of the stabiliser 100. For convenience, the second abutment portion 142 is connected to the first abutment portion 140.

[42] Figure 5 shows the stabiliser 100 of the first embodiment installed into ground 500. A cavity is created when excavating the ground 500 and the excavated ground material 600 may be inserted into the space 150 of the stabiliser 100. Here, the stabiliser 100 is a receptacle for the excavated ground material 600 which acts as ballast for the stabiliser 100. However, different ballast may be used such as loose gravel. The top end TE of the stabiliser 100 is capped by a signpost cap 330 and the bottom end BE is capped by a bottom cap 160 using couplers 320,162. Here, the stabiliser 100 is arranged such that the post 310 is directly above the inner body 110 so that the inner body 110 can directly absorb the static load transferred by the post 310. The interior space 112 of the inner body 110 is empty but can be filled with material to absorb any static or dynamic load that is exerted on the stabiliser 100. As shown, the outer body 120 and arms 130 extend from the ground surface 510 at the top end TE to the bottom end BE. Once installed, the stabiliser 100 is surrounded by ground material 500 in order to provide stability to the signpost 300.

[43] Figures 6 and 7 show the stabiliser 200 according to a second embodiment, particularly the arrangement of the signpost cap 430. The stabiliser 200 is different to the first embodiment in that the inner body 110 is provided as a square tube rather than a round tube and the post 410 of the signpost 400 is insertable through an aperture 432 of the signpost cap 430 and into the interior 212 of the inner body 210. Advantageously, the post 410 can move relative to the signpost cap 430 and can be positioned in a variable manner along the inner body 210 of the stabiliser 200. The interior shape of the inner body 210 is therefore complementary in shape to the external shape of the post 410. Similarly to the first embodiment, couplers 420 are used to engage threaded receivers 240 that are attached to the outer body 220. To spread load, spacers 422 may also be used as in the first embodiment. Additionally, ribs 222 are used for biting into ground when the stabiliser 200 is installed as in the first embodiment.

[44] The arms 230 of the stabiliser 200 according to the second embodiment extend away from the inner body 210 in a normal direction N that is normal to the tangential direction T of the external surface 214 of the inner body 210.

[45] Figures Band 9 show the steps involved in installing 2000 the stabilisation 1100,1200 as previously described and constructing 3000 a stabiliser 100,200 as previously described, respectively. The first step in installing the stabilisation system 1100,1200 is to excavate 32100 matter from the ground 500 in order to form a cavity. The stabiliser 100,200 is then inserted 32110 into the cavity and the excavated matter 600 is returned S2120 to the ground 500 by inserting the excavated matter 600 into the stabiliser 100,200. Advantageously, the excavated ground matter 600 is used as ballast to provide sufficient stability to the stabiliser 100,200. The final step is to couple 82130 the signpost 300,400 to the stabiliser 100,200.

[46] The steps involved in constructing the stabiliser 100,200 include forming S3100 the stabiliser 100,200 by an extrusion process and threading 83110 the abutment portion 140,240 for threaded engagement with a signpost coupler 320,420.

[47] Attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with or previous to this specification in connection with this application and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference.

[48] All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive.

[49] Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features.

[50] The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A stabiliser (100,200) for a signpost (300,400), the stabiliser comprising: an inner body (110,210); an outer body (120,220); a plurality of arms (130,230) interconnecting the inner and outer bodies for resisting relative movement of the inner and outer bodies; and an abutment portion (140,240) for abutment with a signpost coupler (320,420); wherein a space (150,250) between the inner and outer bodies is configured for receiving ballast.
2. The stabiliser (100,200) of claim 1, wherein the inner (110,210) and outer (120,220) bodies are concentric.
3. The stabiliser (100,200) of any preceding claim, wherein the abutment portion (140,240) is arranged in the space (150,250).
4. The stabiliser (100,200) of any preceding claim, wherein the inner body (110,210) has a hollow portion (112,212) for receiving a post (310,410) of the signpost (300,400).
5. The stabiliser (100,200) of any preceding claim, wherein the arms (130,230) are substantially planar.
6. The stabiliser (100,200) of any preceding claim, wherein the outer body (120,220) comprises a protrusion (122,222) for resisting movement of the stabiliser and binding to ground, wherein the protrusion protrudes away from the inner body (110,210).
7. The stabiliser (100,200) of claim 6, wherein the protrusion (122,222) is arranged along a length of the outer body (120,220).
8. The stabiliser (100,200) of any preceding claim comprising a bottom cap (160) for restricting access to the space (150,250), wherein the stabiliser has a top end (TE) for abutment with a cap (330,430) of the signpost (300,400) and a bottom end (BE) for abutment with the bottom cap of the stabiliser.
9. The stabiliser (100,200) of claim 8 comprising: a second abutment portion (142); and a bottom cap coupler (162) for coupling the bottom cap (160) to the second abutment portion.
10. The stabiliser (100,200) of any preceding claim, wherein the stabiliser is of constant cross-section.
11. The stabiliser (100,200) of any preceding claim, wherein one of the plurality of arms (130,230) extends from an outer side (114,214) of the inner body (110,210) that is in a direction normal (N) to the tangent (T) of the outer side.
12. A stabilisation system (1100,1200) comprising: a stabiliser (100,200) according to any preceding claim; and a signpost (300,400) comprising: a post (310,410); and a signpost coupler (320,420) for abutment with the abutment portion (140,240) of the stabiliser.
13 The stabilisation system (1100,1200) of claim 12, wherein the signpost (300,400) comprises a signpost cap (330,430) for restricting access to the space (150,250) of the stabiliser (100,200).
14 The stabilisation system (1100,1200) of claim 13 wherein the signpost cap (330,430) is moveable relative to the post (310,410).
15. A method of installing (2000) the stabilisation system (1100,1200) according to claim 12, comprising the steps of: excavating ($2100) matter (600) from ground (500) to form a cavity; inserting (S2110) the stabiliser (100,200) into the cavity; returning (S2120) the excavated matter to the ground by inserting the excavated matter into the space (150) of the stabiliser; and coupling (S2130) the signpost (300,400) to the stabiliser.
16. A method of constructing (3000) the stabiliser (100,200) according to claim 1, comprising the steps of: forming (S3100) the stabiliser by an extrusion process; and threading (S3110) the abutment portion (140,240) for threaded engagement with a signpost coupler (320,420).