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

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 relation to the speed of the vehicle and the spacing of the cones. Alternatively, the belt or

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 accompanying drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is a simplified perspective view of a truck fitted 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

looking forward towards the back of the truck in Figure 1, showing a road cone which has just been laid by the apparatus;

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate two modified road cones;

Figure 5 is a view of the apparatus, as seen in Figure 1 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 1;

Figure 8 is a side view on a handlebar and brake lever of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a cross section on the line IX-IX in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a plan view, seen in section on the line x-x in Figure 5 and showing the brake mechanism and the mount for the ramp;

Figure 11 shows a modified steering mechanism of the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

Figure 12 shows the apparatus illustrated in Figure 1, adapted and mounted on the truck for retrieving road cones from the ground;

Figure 13 shows the lifting conveyor, looking generally down on the apparatus shown in Figure 1;

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

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;

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 mechanism illustrated in Figure 32;

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 mechanism 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

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

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 is in service.

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

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 upstanding 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

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 standing 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 (Figure 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

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 unnecessarily, 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 supported 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 required angle of the conveyor arm 120.

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

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 embodiment 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 manner, 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

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 extending forwardly. A ramp extension 226 extends from the upper end of the ramp 220 to direct cones sidewards onto the vehicle 225. 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

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.

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 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 119 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 250 is mounted on the forward end of ramp 220 and extends forwardly, the front end of the frame 250 being

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 mechanism 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 standing 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

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

its orientation, so that the cone 285 may then be righted in the manner described above.

Mechanical 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.