Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~094/161~0 2 ~ 00 PCT/GB94/00027
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APPARAT~8 FOR ~AYING ROAD CON~8
This invention relates to the laying and retrieval of
warning cones on roads.
Such cones, referred to herein as 'road cones', are
normally laid by a team of workmen using a truck loaded
with the cones, with one man standing on the truck and
handing cones in succession to one or more other men who
walk along the road laying the cones by hand. This is
hazardous, time-consuming and labour intensive.
An object of the invention is to provide a means of
laying road cones which is both quicker, less labour
intensive or no more labour intensive, and less
hazardous.
Another object is to achieve these objects in the
retrieval of road cones from the road.
In particular, the invention aims to eliminate the need
for anyone to walk along the road during the cone laying
and retrieval operations, and to reduce the time during
which the road has to be closed for cone laying and
retrieval.
-
According to one aspect of the present invention, an
apparatus for laying and retrieving road cones comprises
WO94/16150 PCT/GB94/00027
2IS34~ - 2 -
an inclined ramp, a mount for mounting the ramp on a
vehicle, conveyor means for moving the cones along the
ramp and rolling support means for supporting the lower
end of the ramp on the ground.
In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention
the ramp is in the form of a pair of parallel rails for
supporting each road cone by means of a laterally
projecting element spaced above the base of the road
cone.
In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention,
the ramp defines an inclined surface on which the bases
of the cones are supported. In the retrieving mode,
means is provided in advance of the ramp for engaging
each cone at a position spaced above its base, so that as
the apparatus is moved forward, each cone will be tilted
so that as the ramp approaches each cone its base will be
inclined in a common plane with the ramp.
Conveyor means is preferably in the form of an endless
belt or chain with a plurality of arms mounted thereon
for engagement of the cones as they move along the ramp.
The conveyor is primarily used in the retrieval mode to
move the cones up the ramp. In this mode the belt or
chain is preferably driven continuously, the speed being
controlled in relat1on to the speed of the vehicle and
the spacing of the cones. Alternatively, the belt or
~094/16150 21~ 3 ~ ~ ~ PCT/GB94/00027
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chain may be driven intermittently, controlled for
example by sensing means which detects the cones as they
are approached by the apparatus. In the laying mode the
cones will be allowed to slide down the ramp under
gravity. The conveyor may however be used to control
this movement to provide the required spacing of cones on
the road.
The apparatus may further include, for operation in the
retrieving mode, a mechanism provided forwardly of the
ramp to detect cones which are not standing on their
bases and to correct the position of such cones prior to
retrieval.
The ramp may be steerable relative to the vehicle so that
the line of cones may be controlled independently of the
direction of movement of the vehicle. Alternatively, the
apparatus may be fixed so that the vehicle has to be
steered to follow the line of the cones.
The invention is now described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accomrAnying drawings, in which:-
Figure l is a simplified perspective view of a truckfitted with an apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, for operation in a road cone laying mode;
Figure 2 is a view, seen horizontally at ground level and
WO94/16150 ~15 ~ 4 4 _ PCT/GB94/00027
looking forward towards the back of the truck in Figure
l, showing a road cone which has just been laid by the
apparatus;
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate two modified road cones;
Figure S is a view of the apparatus, as seen in Figure l
but on a larger scale;
Figure 6 shows a modification to the lower end of the
ramp of the apparatus shown in Figure l;
Figure 7 shows a detail of the ramp of the apparatus
shown in Figure l;
Figure 8 is a side view on a handlebar and brake lever of
the apparatus shown in Figure l;
Figure 9 is a cross section on the line IX-IX in Figure
8;
lS Figure lO is a plan view, seen in section on the line x-x
in Figure 5 and showing the brake mech~n;em and the ~ount
for the ramp;
Figure ll shows a modified steering me~h~niem of the
apparatus shown in Figure l;
NO94/16150 21~ 3 ~ PCT/GB94/00027
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Figure 12 shows the apparatus illustrated ..n Figure 1,
adapted and mounted on the truck for retrieving road
cones from the ground;
Figure 13 shows the lifting conveyor, looki.ng generally
down on the apparatus shown in Figure l;
Figure 14 is a side view, seen from the left hand side of
Figure 13 with some parts omitted;
Figure 15 is a scrap elevation seen in the direction of
the arrow XV in Figure 13;
Figures 16 and 17 are scrap sections on the lines XVI-XVI
and XVII-XVII in Figure 13, respectively;
Figure 18 shows a special link of the chain seen in
Figure 13,
Figure 19 shows a modified catcher arm of the lifting
conveyor shown in Figure 13;
Figures 20 and 21 show two possible arrangements of
sensors for use on the apparatus illustrated in Figure
12 for detecting the presence of a cone on the road;
.
Figures 22 to 26 illustrate alternative road cone designs
for use with the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to
WO 94/16150 PCT/GB94/00027
g l~ 6
21;
Figure 27 illustrates in perspective view an alternative
form of apparatus in accordance with the present
invention, arranged for operation in a road cone
retrieval mode;
Figure 28 illustrates in perspective view the apparatus
illustrated in Figure 27, but arranged for operation in a
road cone laying mode;
Figure 29 illustrates the manner in which the apparatus
illustrated in Figures 27 and 28 operates in the cone
retrieval mode;
Figure 30 is a partial plan view of the ramp/conveyor of
the apparatus illustrated in Figures 27 and 28,
illustrating a modification;
lS Figure 31 is a view similar to Figure 29 illustrating
operation of the modification illustrated in Figure 30;
Figure 32 is a partial plan view of the apparatus
illustrated in Figure 27 showing the cone righting
mechanism;
Figure 33 is a front elevation of the mech~nism
illustrated in Figure 32;
WO94/16150 ~ PCT/GB94/00027
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Figure 34 illustrates the manner of operation of the
mechanism illustrated in Figures 32 and 33 for a cone
downed with its apex pointing towards the apparatus;
Figure 35 illustrates the manner of operation of the
S meçhAnicm illustrated in Figures 32 and 33 for a cone
downed with its apex pointing away from the apparatus;
and
Figure 36 illustrates the manner in which the mechanism
illustrated in Figures 32 and 33 aligns downed cones.
In Figure 1, an open truck 10 has mounts 12 carried on
its sides and rear end. The apparatus for laying road
cones 16, initially stacked in the truck, comprises an
inclined ramp 14, the mounts 12, and a trolley wheel 18
carried by the lower end of the ramp.
The ramp comprises a pair of parallel, tubular rails 20,
joined by stretcher frames spaced apart at intervals
along the ramp. In this example, three stretcher frames
are shown, namely a top frame 22, an intermediate frame
24 and a bottom frame 26. Each of these frames comprises
a transverse stretcher 28 joined to uprights 30 long
enough to enable cones carried by the rails 20 to clear
the stretchers 28, with the uprights 30 being joined at
their upper end to inwardly directed tubular portions 32
carrying sockets 34, the purpose of which will be
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2A~ 4~
W09~/16150 PCT/GB94/00027
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apparent later.
As indicated in Figure 2, each tubular portion 32 is
telescoped into a laterally outwardly extending tubular
socket 36 carried by the corresponding rail 20. The
portions 32 may be provided with a number of holes 38,
Figure 7, so that the rails 20 can be set apart at
different widths to suit different sizes of cone. The
portions 32 and 34 are suitably secured together, and
with the arrangement shown in Figures 2 and 7, this is by
means of removable pins 40 passing through the holes 38
and corresponding holes in the tubular portions 36 of the
rails.
The wheel 18 is carried by the bottom stretcher 28, and
the stretcher 28 of the top frame 22 carries a T-shaped
support 42 having a vertical shaft portion 44. The frame
22 also includes at least one handlebar 46, which may be
a separate member telescoped into the remainder of the
frame and having a width adjusting arrangement similar to
that in Figure 7. The shaft portion 44 is removably
carried by the mounts 12, in which it is freely pivotable
about a vertical axis, so that the ramp can be steered by
means of either one of the handlebars 46 in variable
orientation relative to the truck. In use, a person
standing in the truck feeds the cones 16 one by one
between the rails 20, so that they slide down under
gravity as the truck moves slowly forward, to be
2~ 40~
_ WO94/16150 PCT/GB94/00027
_ g _
deposited, as shown in Figure 2, in the required position
on the road.
For this purpose, as shown in Figure 2 each cone has a
support ring 50, suitably spaced above its base 52 and
having a flange 54 by which it is supported on the rails
20. Any suitable lateral support means may however be
provided on the cones; Figures 3 and 4 show two possible
alternatives. In Figure 3, a support flange 56 is
moulded integrally with the cone, while Figure 4 shows
one possible arrangement which avoids having a lateral
projection above the level of the base 52 when the cone
.
15 ln servlce.
In Figure 4, a support 60 consists of a ring 62 which is
slipped over the cone and which carries a number of
support flaps 64 hinged to it, so that normally they lie
flat against the side of the cone as shown in full lines.
Cords 66, or the like, are attached to an element such as
a bar 68 which normally rests on the top of the cone,
with the cord 66 extending into the cone and passing out
through holes 70, each cord 60 being fixed to a separate
- flap 64. When the cone is to be inserted in the ramp,
the bar 68 is lifted, so raising the flaps 64 into the
position shown in phantom lines in Figure 4, and the cone
is then placed on the ramp.
Figure 6 shows a modification in which there are two
WO94/16150 PCT/GB94/00027
3 ~ o
trolley wheels 18, preferably linked by a track rod 72 so
that they move together in steering.
Referring now to Figures 8 to 10, the mount 12 consists
of a block 80 bolted to the side or end 82 of the truck
and carrying an inner plate 84 which, with the block 80,
defines a circular socket 86 which, with the block 80,
defines a circular socket 86 in which the shaft portion
44, Figure 5 is freely rotatable. Secured on the outside
of the plate 84 is an outer plate 86, which is formed
with a projecting housing 88 in which a downwardly
projecting portion (not visible in the drawings) of a
plate 90 is secured, for example by means of a screw not
shown. The plate 90 has a triangular portion with two
upst~n~ing end stops 92, and carries a pivot 94. A
conventional brake calliper 96 is pivoted 94 to the plate
90 between the end stops 92, and carries brake pads 98
which, when the brake is applied, grip a knurled portion
100 of the shaft portion 44. The calliper 96 is
operated, through an ordinary Bowden cable 102, by a
brake handle 104, Figures 8 and 9, which can be locked in
the 'brake engaged' position by means of a push button
106.
Figure 11 shows an alternative steering arrangement
having a single vertical handlebar 110, or joystick,
connected through a steering bar 112 to a track bar 114
carrying the wheels 18, not shown in Figure 11. When the
WO 94116150 ~ 1 S 3 ~ O ~ PCT/GB94l00027
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joystick 110 is moved in a vertical plane as indicated by
the arrows, the track bar 114, which forms part of a
conventional parallelogram link with the bottom stretcher
bar 28, is moved to the right or left as appropriate.
Referring to Figures 12 to 14, cones are retrieved from
the road by mounting the apparatus, as shown in Figure
12, in a mount 12 on the side of the truck such that the
ramp faces in a generally forward direction. The ramp 14
is manoeuvred so that successive cones are engaged by
catcher arms 120 of a conveyor 119, the catcher arms 120
sweep the cones on to the lower end of the ramp 14
between the rails 20 and carry them up to the ramp to be
retrieved by the person stA~ g in the truck. Each
catcher arm 120 is pivoted to a special chain link 122,
the latter being incorporated at regular intervals along
a continuous drive chain 124, extending around a drive
sprocket 126 and an idle sprocket 128. These sprockets
are rotatable in a frame 130 of the conveyor 119. The
frame 130 has spigots 134, Figure 14 by which the
conveyor 119 is mounted in the sockets 34 on whichever
side of the ramp 14 is most convenient.
The frame 130 comprises a pair of guides 136, defining a
peripheral guide slot 137 in which a suitable running
- seal 139 tFigure 16) may be fitted. The special links
122 extend through the slot 137. As shown in Figure 18,
each link 122 comprises a body 140 which forms part of
WO94/16150 2 l ~ 3 l~ O ~ PCT/GB94/00027
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the chain 124, and a tab 142 projecting outwardly and
hinged to the body 140. The arm 120 is pivoted to the
tab 142. As shown in Figure 15, co-operating ramp
portions 150 are formed in the facing surfaces of the
guides 136 at the lower end of the apparatus so as to
form a local displacement of the slot 137 such that, as
can be seen in Figure 17, each arm 120 is raised so as to
carry it clear over the adjacent rail 20. This facility
may not always be required, in which case the ramp
portions 150 can be omitted, as can the hinge of each
link 122, which is then a simple T-shaped plate. The
sprocket 126 is driven by an electric motor 152 carried
by the frame 130.
It will be noted that each arm 120 is attached to two
successive links 122, being pivoted directly to one of
them and connected through a flexible strut 154 to the
next link 122 ahead. Thus as shown in Figure 13, on the
descending side of the unit 132, the arms are retracted
by their own weight so as not to project unnec cc~ri
while at the end of their downward travel they become
extended, again by gravity, outwardly away from the chain
124 ready to catch the cones and carry them up the ramp,
being then ~u~G~ ~ed in the extending position by the
struts 154. Alternatively the struts 154 may be rigid
and guided by a tongue and groove track at the conveyor
end of the strut to achieve the re~uired angle of the
conveyor arm 120.
~094/16150 21 S 3 ~ 0~ ~ PCT~GB94/00027
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Figure 19 shows a modified arm 120 carrying a curved head
160 for engaging the cones. This optional feature
assists accurate location of the cone with respect to the
arm, and accurate feeding into the ramp.
The presence of a cone in the road, to be collected, may
be detected by a suitable sensor 170 when the cone
interrupts a laser beam 172 emitted by a laser 174
mounted opposite the sensor 170. With this arrangement,
the ramp is manoeuvred into position so that the hooked
ends 176 of the rails 20 engage the cone, and the sensor
170 then starts the motor 152 (or causes a clutch to be
engaged), thus starting the chain 124 so that the next
available arm 120 engages the cone. The retrieval unit
may thus be arranged for intermittent movement rather
than continuous movement. It may of course be arranged
for intermittent movement even without such a sensing
device.
Figure 21 shows an alternative sensing device, comprising
a suitable sensor 180, mounted for example on the bottom
stretcher bar 28, of a kind capable of calculating the
distance of a cone on the ground from the sensor, which
triggers operation of the next catcher arm, so that the
arm engages the cone when that distance is sensed to be
of a suitable predetermined value.
In the cones illustrated in Figures 22 and 23, lateral
WO94/161~0 2 ~ 3 ~ ~ ` PCT/GB94/00027
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projections 200 are detachably located on the cones 201.
As illustrated in Figure 22, the lateral projection 200
engages a circumferential groove 202 in the cone 201.
Such grooves are already provided adjacent the apices of
cones to locate warning lights etc. Alternatively, the
circumferential groove 202 can be provided at any
position spaced from the base of the cone 201. In the
embodiment illustrated in Figure 23, the lateral
projection 200 has a central formation 205 which
resiliently engages in an aperture 206 in the apex of the
cone 201.
As illustrated in Figure 24, the lateral projection 210
may be of small diameter, so that it lies within a
projection of the conical surface of the cone 211. In
the em~odiment illustrated in Figure 24, the lateral
projection 210 is formed by an extension 212 of the apex
of the cone 211 and when the cones 211 are stacked, will
lie within the normal void which is formed between plane
cones as they are stacked.
Alternatively, as illustrated in Figures 25 and 26, the
lateral projection 210 may be formed by an insert 215
located through an aperture 216 in the apex of the cone
211. In this mànner, when in use, the insert 215 may be
raised so that the lateral projection 210 is spaced from
the apex of the cone 211, as illustrated in Figure 25
and, for storage purposes, the insert 215 may be
~094/16150 ~1 5 3~ Q ~ PCT/GBg4l00027
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depressed so that the lateral projection 210 abuts the
apex of the cone 211, as illustrated in Figure 26.
In the apparatus illustrated in Figures 27 and 28, the
ramp 220 defines an inclined surface 222 along which the
cones may be transported with their bases engaging the
inclined surface 222. With this embodiment, there is no
need for lateral projections or any other modifications
to the cones. In a modification the inclined surface 222
may be formed by a powered or unpowered belt or by
rollers.
As illustrated in Figure 27, for operation in the cone
retrieval mode, the apparatus is fixed to the side of the
vehicle 225 with the ramp extPn~ing forwardly. A ramp
extension 226 extends from the upper end of the ramp 220
to direct cones sidewards onto the vehicle 22S. The
lower end of the ramp 220 is supported on a pair of
wheels 227 mounted on opposite ends of an axle.
For operation in the cone laying mode, the ramp 220 is
mounted on the rear of the vehicle 225, a lower ramp
extension 230 extending from the lower end of the ramp
into close proximity with the road surface, as
illustrated in Figure 28.
.
A conveyor 119 similar to that described with reference
to Figures 13 and 14 is mounted alongside the ramp 220 so
WO94/16150 PCT/GB94/00027
2~ 3 - 16 -
that the catcher arms 120 move along the path but spaced
above the inclined surface 222 of the ramp 220, so that
they will engage cones mounted on the inclined surface
222 above but adjacent to the bases thereof.
As illustrated in Figure 27, a bar 235 is mounted
forwardly of the ramp 220 at a level above the level of
the forward end of ramp 220. In an operative position,
the bar 235 extends horizontally at a level which will
abut cones adjacent their apices, as they are approached
by the ramp 220 as the vehicle 225 moves forwardly in the
cone retrieval mode of operation. The bar 235 is pivotal
upwardly from its operative position to an inoperative
position in which it is clear of the path of the cone.
As illustrated in Figure 29, when operating in the
retrieval mode, the leading edge of the inclinded surface
222 of the ramp 220 is spaced some distance above the
level of the road surface 240. As the ramp 220
approaches a cone 242, the bar 235 in its horizontal
position will abut the cone 242 adjacent its apex and
will cause the cone to be tilted to a position shown in
broken line, in which the base 243 of the cone 242 is
inclined in a common plane with the surface 222 of ramp
220. The catcher arm 120 of conveyor 119 then engages
cone 242 and moves it onto and along the inclined surface
222 of ramp 220, the bar 235 being raised to its
inoperative position to permit passage of the cone 242.
~094/16150 21~ n PCT/GB94/00027
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In an alternative embodiment illustrated in Figures 30
and 31, the bar 235 is replaced by four concave rollers
245 mounted horizontally on a rotating frame 246 for
rotation about a horizontal axis. With this embodiment,
one roller 245' is located in similar position to the bar
235, so that as the apparatus advances in the cone
retrieval mode, the roller 245' will engage and tilt the
cone 242. Once the cone 242 has been tilted to the
required degree, the frame 246 is rotated in the
anticlockwise direction to move roller 245' out of the
path of the cone 242 as it is moved along the inclined
surface 222 of ramp 220 and to bring the next roller 245"
into position to engage the next cone.
When operating in the cone laying mode, the bar 235 or
lS rollers 245 are moved out of the path of cones travelling
down the inclined surface 222 of ramp 220. The cones may
then be allowed to slide down the inclined surface 222
under gravity, and onto the road surface, the lower
extension 230 permitting the cones to slide smoothly onto
the road surface. The conveyor ll9 may be used to
control the cones as they slide down the inclined surface
222, so that spacing of the cones on the road surface may
be accurately controlled.
For operation in the cone retrieval mode, a tubular frame
2S0 is mounted on the forward end of ramp 220 and extends
forwardly, the front end of the frame 250 being
WO94116150 æ ~s 3 ~ Q PCT/GB94/00027
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interconnected by a vertical frame 252 which provides
clearance for cones when in their upright position. The
forward end of the frame 250 is provided with castors 254
for engagement of the road surface. The frame 250 acts
as a guide for cones as they are approached by the ramp
220.
As illustrated in Figures 32 and 33, a mech~nism 260 is
provided at the forward end of frame 250 for righting
cones which have been knocked over. This mechanism 260
comprises a pair of sensors 262 and 264 for detecting
cones. Sensor 262 is located forwardly at a level which
will be above the apex portion but below the uppermost
portion of the base of a downed cone. Sensor 264 is
positioned rearwardly of sensor 262 at a level which will
detect the apex portion of a downed cone. A horizontal
bar 266 is mounted for vertical movement on a post 268,
the post 268 being mounted for horizontal movement
longitudinally of the frame 250, on a track 270.
In normal operation, the horizontal bar 266 will be
positioned clear of cones st~n~;ng in their upright
position, with the post 268 at the foward end of track
270.
If a downed cone 272 with apex directed towards the ramp
220, as illustrated in Figure 34, enters the frame 250,
the sensor 264 will detect the cone 272 before sensor
_~094/16150 21 j 3 4 0 D PCT/GB94/00027
-- 19 --
262. In such circumstances, the horizontal bar 266 is
moved down to a position in which it will engage the
upper portion of the base 274 of cone 272. The forward
motion of the ramp 220 and frame 250 will then cause the
bar 260 to rotate the cone 272 about the point of contact
of the base 274 with the road surface, so that the cone
is pivoted to its upright position. The cone 272 may
then be retrieved in the manner described above.
If the cone 280 is downed with its apex away from the
ramp 220, as illustrated in Figure 35, then the sensor
262 will detect the cone 280 before sensor 264. In such
circumstances, after the base portion 282 of cone 280 has
passed the bar 266, as indicated when the cone is
detected by the sensor 264, the bar 266 will be lowered
to a position in which it will engage the upper portion
of the base 282 of cone 280. The post 268 is then moved
rearwardly along track 270 to pivot the cone 280 to its
upright position.
If the cone 285 lies across the path of the guide frame
250, as illustrated in Figure 36, the apparatus will be
steered by the vehicle 225, so that the vertical frame
252 will engage the side of the cone 285 with the base
287 of the cone 285 located between the extremities of
the vertical frame 252. The forward movement of the
guide frame 250 will then cause the cone 285 to pivot
about the vertical portion 252 of frame 250 to improve
O94/16150 ~ PCT/GB94/00027
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its orientation, so that the cone 285 may then be righted
in the manner described above.
~c~A~ical handling equipment may be located at the top
of the ramp in order to deliver cones to the ramp or move
cones away from the ramp during cone laying or retrieving
operations.
Various modifications may be made without departing from
the invention. For example, while the above embodiments
are adapted to be mounted to conventional vehicles. The
apparatus in accordance with the present invention may be
built into a purpose made vehicle.
