EP2547827B1 - Device for fast retrieval (and eventually placement) of traffic cones, intended to be placed at the side, behind or in front of a retrieval vehicle - Google Patents

Description

Technical Sector

The present invention relates to devices for marking highway, road, airport, port or other areas, using plastic cones known per se.

Beaconing is currently done by colored plastic cones (orange-red, and reflective strips). They are standardized country by country but have substantially the same characteristics (same dimensions, same types of weight, etc.). They are rigid and weigh about 4.5 kg for a height of 75 cm (for models used in France), with a sole at the foot of the cone, larger than the diameter of the cone at its base, all (rigidity , weight, sole) to ensure good wind resistance. Being plastic, they offer a slight elasticity due to this type of material, but they are not flexible.

Until now, these plastic cones are mainly laid and manually picked up by one or more operators from a vehicle (mainly a "utility" vehicle equipped with side doors). Classic markup often represents 100 to 300 cones.

Technical problem

The pose is a relatively tiring operation for the operators, but it still requires to lean out of the vehicle, to deposit at regular intervals on the markings on the ground with a good alignment. This pose is done at slow speed, 7 or 8 km / h approximately.

Recovery of cones is much more difficult. Indeed, it is necessary that the operator looks out of the vehicle, catches "on the fly" the cone (without it slipping hands) and stacks in the storage area provided in the vehicle. With vehicle speed, the apparent weight of the cone can be multiplied by two or three during setting because of acceleration. This effort, made about 25 cm from the floor of the vehicle - the floor of the vehicle being about 50 cm from the ground - requires the user to bend while achieving a torsional force. This is painful and tiring in the long run. Added to this is the need to remove the head and a part of the body of the truck, close to the passage area of other motor vehicles, which is naturally dangerous on highways where vehicles can drive at great speed.

For reasons of safety, the installation is done in front, pickup in reverse: it must always be protected by markup. However, the device according to the invention also operates in the FRONT mode, fitting appropriately and obviously mounting the complete system (including the device according to the invention) on the side or the front of the vehicle. These technical equivalents form part of the invention, as well as any other technical equivalents.

In the following, AR or rear will designate the rear of the vehicle or a displacement towards the rear of the vehicle; AV or before, the opposite.

Previous Art

The acuity of the problem and the number of collection vehicles have given rise to several inventions in this field, all based on different principles, but all with disadvantages.

All known documents and devices have in common a device that strikes the cone at the top to make it tilt slightly towards the AR so that it can be inclined enough to be grasped and then transported (at the sole) by a conveyor, which will then bring the cone to the height of the vehicle (usually at its side door, but also on its rear face), or toggle it completely so that it can be grasped by a side system.

We know in particular the patent EP 1 630 294 A which describes a device having a striker that tilts the cone. This tilting lifts the sole of the cone which moves bars that retract the firing pin by the side. The striker, in particular, is composed of two lateral half-bars which strongly incline the cone whose sole comes into contact with two lateral sections which outwardly separate the two half-bars (of which they are the extension), so that the cone is not blocked by the means of percussion. This device further comprises finger wheels essential because of all the friction on the sole.
The main disadvantage of this patent (as well as all the patents with a fixed firing pin) is that the percussion may cause the cone to tilt completely, all the more so if the vehicle exceeds a certain limit speed; speed limit which unfortunately is often below the limit speed of operation of the manual mode.
We know the document GB 200500256 which describes a device comprising as a particularity a partial and fixed cone striker. The patent is also known GB 200424573 which also describes a device having a fixed striker.
In addition, most devices only work if the vehicle is running at a very low speed, explaining that they are not used, because the user will prefer to use the manual mode, especially by saving time (even if this one has very serious disadvantages as indicated above).
There are many other documents dealing with this subject, but whose devices are extremely complex in nature, or that require the use of specially designed cones and made to work with said devices.
The fact is that nowadays, on the roads, we rarely see vehicles equipped with this type of pickup device; which proves that the person skilled in the art still very much favors the manual mode because, despite the disadvantages listed above, it has fewer disadvantages than the devices Patented. In a way, we can say that the person skilled in the art favors the least bad solution.

This industry has considered illusory solutions to the problem, and apparently abandoned any innovative research in this area.

There is therefore, despite this strong prejudice, a real need to secure this tagging operation while making it less painful and less dangerous for the operator, and especially faster. Considering the large number of cones already in use, the Applicant could not afford to modify the characteristics of the cones; and this especially as the cones are often standardized.

One of the merits of the Claimant is to have nevertheless sought an effective and elegant solution.

General Technical Problem:

The Applicant has therefore turned to the creation of a device for placing and picking cones safely and facilitating the work of the operator, and making the laying and picking operations significantly faster. The main problem is to increase the speed of pickup. All without excluding a pickup at the current low speed, that is to say a device fully compatible with current equipment, personal and work habits.

The present invention specifically relates to a dynamic percussion device for cone collecting devices.

The present invention is based on a completely autonomous continuous system for the operation of setting and collecting cones, and not sequentially as most devices of the prior art.

Description of the invention

The present invention therefore relates to a dynamic percussion device adapted to be fixed on standardized cone collecting devices including a roller conveyor or belt disposed in known manner at the rear or along a side wall of the pickup vehicle , and ending at a door side where the operator is. This device is fixed, adapt, on the side walls of a cone conveyor.
We have seen that it could also be adapted to the rear of the vehicle, or even operate forward, depending on local work habits, the vehicle available, the location of the operation, for example if the approach of the vehicle requires a step forward (as for a mobile shipyard with a buoyage vehicle at the head and deballing at the rear, or airport, port area, any area with fragile materials, etc ... or simply for better visibility of the driver). These are obvious technical equivalents that are part of the invention without the need to either describe them in detail or claim them specifically.
For this purpose, the invention proposes a device for rapid collection and possibly the laying of markers as defined by claim 1.
The invention also provides a method of collecting markup cones defined by claim 18 using the device of claim 1.
The invention further provides a method of laying marker cones defined by claim 19 using the device of claim 1 with the striker removed or placed in the up position.

The invention is based on a device for the quick pick-up and possibly the installation of markers, intended to be positioned on one side, or the rear, or the front of a pick-up vehicle, said device comprising a "medium percussion technique ", for slightly tilting a cone to be gripped and transported, secured to the pickup device, whose collecting vehicle is secured, which creates the movement of the striker and thus the" percussion "against the cone, characterized in that the "technical means of percussion" includes a rear MOBILE cone striker rear AR forward AV and front AV rear AR - AR and AV designating the usual but not limiting direction of the pickup vehicle - said mobility being essentially obtained by a "technical means of guidance" of the striker AR to AV then AV to AR, and the impulse or kinetic energy generated by the percussion of the mobile striker on the cone, said "percussion technique means" being adapted to strike the cone when the pick-up vehicle is running and to be "violently / rapidly" fired forward AV by the impulse or kinetic energy generated by the percussion, to damping / return means, then return "violently / quickly", thanks to the residual kinetic energy restored by said damping / return means, to its starting position for the percussion of a new cone, the whole in rapid succession by dissipation of kinetic energy.

It will be understood that it is impossible to define terms such as "violently" or "quickly" because they are a function of the vehicle, its speed, the weight of the cone, local working habits, etc.

According to the invention, these terms define a violent percussion (due to a high speed of the collection vehicle, which is one of the essential objectives of the invention) which therefore generates a pulse / kinetic energy a small part of which serves to tilting the cone without tilting it, the vast majority of said energy being transmitted to the striker (since, being much lighter than the cone, it "resists" less than the cone at said energy) which, being MOBILE from AR to AV (and AV to AR), is "violently" and therefore "quickly" returned to the AV of the vehicle, where a means of damping (not to damage or fatigue the equipment) and especially of return, receiving, absorbs some of its energy and restores so-called "residual" energy to said striker to send it "violently" and thus "quickly" to the AR.

• pour un cône de 4,5 kg,
• un moyen de percussion comportant un bras mobile (3) de longueur 50 cm et une barre transversale de percussion de diamètre 3 cm, de poids total 800 g
• un véhicule reculant ou avançant entre 15 et 20 km/h
• la percussion d'une barre de percussion sur le haut du cône renvoie ladite barre en 1 seconde (temps estimé et fortement variable selon la vitesse véhicule et de nombreux paramètres) vers un moyen d'amortissement/renvoi, notamment, sur le prototype, un amortisseur hydraulique de type vérin,
• lequel est comprimé par l'arrivée du percuteur, absorbe une partie de l'énergie correspondante, et en restitue l'énergie « résiduelle » (moins les frottements et autres effets parasites connus) au dit percuteur
• lequel revient en 1 s (temps estimé et fortement variable selon la vitesse véhicule et de nombreux paramètres) à sa position de départ AR, prêt pour la percussion d'un nouveau cône.
• LE CYCLE EST DONC D'ENVIRON 1s + 1s SOIT ENVIRON 2s.

To take a non-limiting example,

• for a 4.5 kg cone,
• a percussion means comprising a movable arm (3) of length 50 cm and a percussion transverse bar of diameter 3 cm, total weight 800 g
• a vehicle receding or advancing between 15 and 20 km / h
• the percussion of a percussion bar on the top of the cone returns said bar in 1 second (estimated time and highly variable depending on the vehicle speed and many parameters) to a means of damping / return, in particular, on the prototype, a hydraulic damper type cylinder,
• which is compressed by the arrival of the firing pin, absorbs a portion of the corresponding energy, and restores the "residual" energy (minus friction and other known parasitic effects) to said firing pin
• which returns in 1 s (time estimated and highly variable depending on the vehicle speed and many parameters) to its starting position AR, ready for the percussion of a new cone.
• THE CYCLE IS SO ABOUT 1s + 1s ABOUT 2s.

Finally, the hydraulic damper is arranged in such a way that the firing pin also has a natural tendency to fall on the stable side, that is to say downwards, in percussion position. This is useful for low speed percussion where kinetic energy is lower.

• la percussion génère une impulsion / énergie cinétique qui est fonction de la vitesse de percussion, laquelle est fonction de la vitesse de roulement du véhicule de ramassage ;
• cette impulsion/énergie cinétique escamote le percuteur loin du cône, et dans le prototype et l'objet de l'invention, renvoie le percuteur en avant car il est MOBILE ; à vitesse élevée, ce renvoi est « violent » et donc « rapide » ;
• le percuteur ainsi escamoté ou renvoyé est stoppé par un moyen d'amortissement et de renvoi, qui peut être quelconque, lequel amortit le choc et surtout renvoie le percuteur vers sa position initiale grâce à l'énergie cinétique « résiduelle » et/ou à la gravité (si l'escamotage a lieu vers le haut).
• l'homme de métier a déjà compris que pour qu'il existe une énergie cinétique « résiduelle », il convient que l'énergie cinétique créée par la percussion soit supérieure à l'énergie suffisante pour renvoyer le percuteur vers le moyen d'amortissement/renvoi ; dans le cas contraire, il n'y aurait pas de « renvoi » ; l' homme de métier a aussi compris que ladite énergie résiduelle doit être suffisante pour renvoyer « violemment/rapidement » le percuteur vers sa position de départ.

The skilled person will however understand that:

• the percussion generates a pulse / kinetic energy which is a function of the percussion speed, which is a function of the running speed of the pick-up vehicle;
• this impulse / kinetic energy retracts the firing pin far from the cone, and in the prototype and the object of the invention, returns the firing pin forward because it is MOBILE; at high speed, this referral is "violent" and therefore "fast";
• the striker thus retracted or returned is stopped by a damping and return means, which can be arbitrary, which dampens the shock and especially returns the striker to its initial position thanks to the kinetic energy "residual" and / or the gravity (if the retraction takes place upwards).
• the skilled person has already understood that for there to exist a kinetic energy "residual", it is appropriate that the kinetic energy created by the percussion is greater than the energy sufficient to return the striker to the damping means / referral; otherwise, there would be no "referral"; the skilled person also understood that said residual energy must be sufficient to return "violently / quickly" the striker to its starting position.

The "guide means" may be arbitrary: in what follows, and on the prototype made, the arm carrying the striker is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel; arranged below the level of percussion for the prototype, one can however consider technical equivalents where the striker (which is generally a horizontal bar also perpendicular to the direction of the march) is articulated above the height of percussion, or is guided by two rails each forming a horizontal U-shaped groove where said striker circulates, with ball bearings to reduce friction.

Finally, it will be understood that said damping / return means may itself give energy to the firing pin, for an even faster return to its initial position: for example, this may be the case of a spring means, which at the same time damps and restores energy to the firing pin, or a jack, or even an active means that stores energy before the firing pin reaches it, and restores it when shock: in particular a spring or cylinder, or a flexible metal blade, "alleged" by a motor (for example auger) or by a slave cylinder, this "pre-tension" forming an energy that is restored when the striker strikes said deflection means (the trigger being by a simple means such as an electrical contact, the tilting of a finger struck by the striker, etc ...).

We will opt for the simplest solutions (less maintenance and lower cost) including a hydraulic damper type return cylinder, which is the case envisaged below and on the prototype.

For laying operations, simply place the cone on the conveyor - which will have previously reversed the direction of rotation - which will accelerate it and move it to the surface of the road, the "jump" of the cone from the conveyor to the pavement presenting no particular difficulty.

• un moyen connu de convoyeur associé à un véhicule de ramassage
• un dispositif selon l'invention dont les moyens sont
• un moyen de percussion du cône en marche AR ou AV
• monté pivotant sur un support solidaire dudit convoyeur
• ledit moyen de percussion étant adapté géométriquement et en cinématique pour percuter le cône en un point A légèrement sous le sommet (d'une distance d) dudit cône, et pour incliner le cône vers l'AR sans le renverser,
• à une vitesse suffisante (marche AR du véhicule) pour que ladite percussion contre le cône soulève ledit moyen de percussion ET simultanément le renvoie fortement vers l'AV, ce double mouvement permettant au cône de se dégager dudit moyen de percussion ET de retomber vers l'AV, où sa semelle tombe sur le bord du convoyeur (puisque dans ce laps de temps le véhicule a reculé),
• ledit renvoi vers l'AV dudit moyen de percussion projetant ledit moyen de percussion sur un dispositif d'amortissement/renvoi adapté pour amortir le choc et pour renvoyer rapidement vers l'AR, de manière dynamique, c'est à dire par dissipation de l'énergie du renvoi vers l'AV, ledit dispositif de percussion qui retrouve ainsi très rapidement sa position de départ où il est à nouveau en mesure de percuter le cône suivant.

Those skilled in the art will understand from reading the following that the invention relates to a general means which consists of:

• a known conveyor means associated with a pickup vehicle
• a device according to the invention whose means are
• a means of percussion of the cone running AR or AV
• pivotally mounted on a support secured to said conveyor
• said percussion means being geometrically and kinematically adapted to strike the cone at a point A slightly below the apex (by a distance d) of said cone, and to tilt the cone towards the AR without reversing it,
• at a sufficient speed (vehicle reverse) so that said percussion against the cone raises said percussion means AND simultaneously strongly returns it to the AV, this double movement allowing the cone to disengage from said percussion means AND to fall back to the 'AV, where his sole falls on the edge of the conveyor (since in this period of time the vehicle has retreated),
• said reference to the AV said percussion means projecting said striking means on a damping / return device adapted to dampen the shock and to quickly return to the AR, dynamically, that is to say by dissipation of the energy of the return to the AV, the percussion device which so quickly finds his starting position where he is again able to hit the next cone.

It will easily be understood that the essential characteristic is the dynamic return device, because it fulfills two essential functions: 1 / very quickly retract the striker while dosing the tipping energy communicated to the cone, and 2 / return very quickly, by a movement forced, after the passage of the cone, the percussion means to its initial position where it can very quickly hit a new cone.

This fast dynamic return allows a very high rate of collection, for example 15 to 20 km / h, and even 30 km / h depending on the temperature conditions.

Note that the invention also applies, a fortiori, low speeds if operators choose to work at low speeds. The invention is therefore totally versatile.

Said damping / dynamic return device may be passive, for example a spring or a jack that the return to the AV compresses and which expands to return the percussion means to the AR, or active, it is up to for example, a motorized actuator which is armed during the return phase to the firing pin's AR, and which strikes the striker by giving it a strong impulse towards the AR when the firing striker strikes it at the end of its stroke towards the AV .

We have shown on Figures 12a to 12e the general means described above, characterized by its kinematics and its percussion and return means which allow clearance of the cone under the percussion means, then a very rapid forced return of the percussion means over the cone to its initial position .

The figure 13 represents a view of the AR of a schematic and nonlimiting example of the device according to the invention, ie the conveyor (arrow), its chassis CH, the support 11 secured to the frame, the pivot 7 the arm 3 and the percussion rod 6 integral with the arm 3.

On the figure 12 the percussion means 6 (seen from the side) is in the percussion position. It is seen that it will strike the cone at point A distance d) being easily computable by the skilled person by means of elementary rules of geometry, kinematics, and at most with some routine tests. This point A is chosen so that it allows the percussion rod 6 not to be blocked by the cone but on the contrary to be lifted by the conical wall and to pass over the horizontal level of the tip of the cone. The vehicle moves back with an ALPHA speed.

On the figure 12b the moment of percussion has been represented. We see that the rod or bar of percussion (6) (thus consequently that the pivoting arm (3) which is integral with it) is subjected to a vertical pulse upwards AND to a strong pulse (because by hypothesis the speed ALPHA is high) towards the AV, which gives a resultant of forces R. The bar (6) will therefore be rejected violently backwards and upwards, while the cone tilts towards the AR, while maintaining its center gravity G in its support polygon (calculations still elementary).

On the figure 12c the cone has passed under the bar (6) which is violently sent back to the AV with high energy E, and the cone falls on the edge of the conveyor.

On the figure 12d , the cone is on the conveyor, and the arm (3) strikes the damping / return means (8) (schematized here by a piston with a return spring). The invention lies essentially in the fact that the energy E is transformed in a very large part, via the return means (8), into a violent force of return RC

On the figure 12e , this RC force has resulted in the return of the arm (3) and striker (6) with a high speed v to the initial position where a new cone can be struck.

Naturally, the means (8) can be adjustable and be calibrated in particular according to the speed chosen. It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the higher the desired collection speed is chosen, the more powerful the return means (8) will be (for example, it will be possible to pre-compress the spring, or to calibrate the jack if this is a jack).

In the alternative, it is possible to provide a damping means for the firing pin in its rear position AR (9), that is to say in fact an abutment which prevents it from "bouncing" towards the front and ensures the right height "d" of percussion. and a damper that stabilizes it in this rear position.

This may be for example another hydraulic damper, a conical rubber stop, disposed at a suitable distance from the axis of rotation according to its stiffness.

We have shown on the Figure 14 a second hydraulic damper (8 ') disposed below the axis of rotation (7) replacing the damping means (9).

1. 1.Dispositif (1) pour ramassage rapide, sans pénibilité et sans danger pour l'opérateur, de cônes (2) de balisage autoroutiers, routiers, d'aéroports, de zones portuaires ou autres, du type comportant un véhicule de ramassage équipé dudit dispositif, lui-même du type comportant un moyen de percussion (3) du cône et un convoyeur (4) du cône vers l'opérateur, caractérisé en ce que :
   • ledit moyen de percussion (3) est constitué d'au moins un bras articulé (5) monté pivotant selon un axe de rotation perpendiculaire au convoyeur (4), au niveau d'un point de fixation ou pivot (7), lui-même monté sur un support (11) solidaire du convoyeur (4) et qui comporte un élément de type barre de percussion (6) à son extrémité supérieure (également perpendiculaire par rapport à l'axe longitudinal du convoyeur)
   • ledit moyen de percussion (3) est géométriquement adapté de telle manière qu'en reculant par le mouvement dudit véhicule vers l'AR, la barre de percussion (6) heurte la partie supérieure du cône, en un point (A) distant du sommet (S) du cône d'une distance (d) ; cette distance (d) est adaptée pour que lorsque la barre de percussion (6) fait basculer le cône (2) par action/percussion sur le point (A), le cône bascule vers l'AR tout en repoussant la barre 6 vers le haut ET vers l'AV par pivotement autour du pivot (7), le basculement et le fait de repousser la barre 6 vers le haut ET vers l'AV étant adaptés géométriquement et en cinématique pour que le cône puisse se dégager de la barre de percussion (6) par le dessous de celle-ci pour ensuite retomber par gravité (au niveau d'au moins une partie de sa semelle) sur le convoyeur, tandis que le bras (5) et la barre (6) reculent vers l'AV, le dégagement étant permis par la coopération de ces deux mouvements.
   • le cône et le point (A) sont géométriquement adaptés pour, sous le choc de la barre 6 à vitesse élevée sur le point A du cône, repousser ledit bras articulé (5) autour de son point de fixation (7) en le renvoyant fortement vers l'avant (AV) où le bras articulé (5) heurte un premier moyen d'amortissement et de renvoi (8), qui par réaction à l'énergie transmise par le bras articulé (5), renvoie rapidement ledit bras (5), et donc la barre de percussion (6), vers sa position initiale de percussion, tandis que le cône (2), qui s'est dégagé de la barre de percussion bascule par gravité vers l'avant (AV) sous ladite barre de percussion et retombe avec sa semelle (10) sur le convoyeur.
2. 2.Dispositif caractérisé en ce que ledit premier moyen d'amortissement et de renvoi (8) est un amortisseur hydraulique, ou un couple ressort-amortisseur, ou tout autre élément connu possédant les mêmes caractéristiques, à savoir : être capable d'absorber une certaine quantité d'énergie cinétique et être également capable de la restituer en partie.
3. 3. Dispositif caractérisé en ce que, au retour vers sa position initiale, ledit moyen de percussion (6) voit son mouvement amorti par un second moyen d'amortissement (9), adapté pour absorber l'énergie résiduelle et éviter tout rebond dudit moyen de percussion (3).
4. 4.Dispositif caractérisé en ce que le second moyen d'amortissement (9) est un élément de type « butée» en caoutchouc ou tout autre moyen de freinage progressif du mouvement du moyen de percussion au voisinage de ladite position initiale tout en assurant une position d'arrêt précise et stable.
5. 5. Dispositif caractérisé en ce que ledit moyen de freinage progressif est constitué de deux bandes latérales à revêtement adaptées pour entrer en frottement avec ledit moyen de percussion.
6. 6.Dispositif caractérisé en ce que l'énergie cinétique nécessaire au renvoi rapide de la barre 6 (et du bras 5) vers l'AR est engendrée par le choc de la barre 6 sur le point A du cône à une vitesse de recul du véhicule de ramassage de l'ordre de 12 à 30 km/h.

The invention thus relates to the following elements:

1. 1.Dispositif (1) for rapid collection, without harshness and without danger for the operator, cones (2) of highway, road, airport, port or other types of road markings, of the type comprising a collection vehicle equipped with said device, itself of the type comprising a means of percussion (3) of the cone and a conveyor (4) of the cone towards the operator, characterized in that:
   • said percussion means (3) consists of at least one articulated arm (5) pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the conveyor (4), at a point of attachment or pivot (7), itself mounted on a support (11) integral with the conveyor (4) and having a percussion bar element (6) at its upper end (also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor)
   • said percussion means (3) is geometrically adapted such that by moving backward by the movement of said vehicle towards the AR, the percussion bar (6) strikes the upper part of the cone, at a point (A) distant from the vertex (S) cone a distance (d); this distance (d) is adapted so that when the percussion bar (6) tilts the cone (2) by action / percussion on the point (A), the cone switches to the AR while pushing the bar 6 towards the up AND to the AV by pivoting around the pivot (7), the tilting and pushing the bar 6 upwards AND to the AV being geometrically and kinematically adapted so that the cone can be released from the bar of percussion (6) from below the latter and then fall by gravity (at least a portion of its sole) on the conveyor, while the arm (5) and the bar (6) recede towards the AV, the release being allowed by the cooperation of these two movements.
   • the cone and the point (A) are geometrically adapted to, under the impact of the bar 6 at high speed on the point A of the cone, pushing said articulated arm (5) around its point of attachment (7) by sending it back strongly forwardly (AV) where the articulated arm (5) strikes a first damping and deflection means (8) which, by reaction with the energy transmitted by the articulated arm (5), rapidly returns said arm (5) ), and thus the percussion bar (6), towards its initial position of percussion, while that the cone (2), which has emerged from the percussion bar rocking by gravity forward (AV) under said bar of percussion and falls with its sole (10) on the conveyor.
2. 2.Dispositif characterized in that said first damping and return means (8) is a hydraulic damper, or a spring-damper couple, or any other known element having the same characteristics, namely: be able to absorb a certain amount of kinetic energy and also be able to restore it in part.
3. 3. Device characterized in that, on return to its initial position, said percussion means (6) sees its damped movement by a second damping means (9), adapted to absorb the residual energy and to avoid any rebound of said means percussion (3).
4. 4.Dispositif characterized in that the second damping means (9) is a rubber "stop" type element or any other means of progressive braking of the movement of the percussion means in the vicinity of said initial position while ensuring a position precise and stable stop.
5. 5. Device characterized in that said progressive braking means consists of two side strips coated to enter into friction with said percussion means.
6. 6.Dispositif characterized in that the kinetic energy necessary for rapid return of the bar 6 (and arm 5) to the AR is generated by the impact of the bar 6 on the point A of the cone at a speed of decline of collection vehicle of the order of 12 to 30 km / h.

The percussion device (1) of the present invention comprises a dynamic percussion means (3) designed to strike a cone (2) in order to tilt it slightly (it is necessary to raise the sole enough to engage on the conveyor, about 8 to 12 cm) so that the cone can be transported by a conveyor (4). By "dynamic percussion means" is meant that this means is movably fixed around an attachment point (7) located in the upper part of the side walls (11) of said conveyor (4) (unlike the prior art where this means of percussion is systematically not mobile).

Said striking means (3) consists of at least one articulated arm (5) pivotally mounted about an axis of rotation perpendicular to the conveyor, at said attachment point (7), and which comprises a percussion bar-type element (6) at its upper end (parallel to the conveyor), the percussion means forming a substantially arch form.

Said percussion means (3) is geometrically adapted such that, in retreating, the percussion bar (6) strikes the upper part of the cone at a point (A) remote from the vertex (S) of the cone of a distance (d). This distance d is adapted so that when the percussion bar (6) tilts the cone by action / percussion on the point (A), the cone tilts up enough to lift his sole so that it can fall on the conveyor (4).

The cone (2) and the point (A) are geometrically adapted to push said articulated arm around its point of attachment (7) by strongly forcing it forward (AV) where the articulated arm (5) strikes a first means damping and deflection means (8), which by reaction with the energy transmitted by the articulated arm (5), rapidly returns said arm (and thus the percussion bar) to its initial percussion position, while the cone, which has escaped from the percussion bar, gravitates forward (AV) under said percussion bar and lands with its sole on the conveyor.

Said first damping and return means (8) is located on the rear face of said side wall (11). Said damping and return means is advantageously designed to absorb a large part of the energy transmitted by the percussion means after percussion of the cone.

Said percussion means may also advantageously consist of at least a second damping means (9), and only damping, located on the front face of said side wall (11), facing said first damping means and return (8), which comes to rest, in the rest position, said percussion means (that is to say before percussion of a cone).

In operation, the cone will be struck by said percussion means (3). The cone will use some of the energy for its own tilting and lifting of its sole (10), and will transmit some energy (created by the impact, the speed of the vehicle, etc., basic physical concepts) by means of percussion which, being mobile , will retract or, in a preferred embodiment projecting forwardly in rotation around its attachment point (7) to meet said first damper and return means (8).

Said first damper and return means (8) will then absorb a portion of the energy, then will restore a portion by means of percussion (3) to return it to its initial rest position which is located on said second damping means (9). The latter will then fully absorb the remaining energy transmitted by the percussion means, so that the latter remains in a static position. Once this static rest position is reached, the device is again operational to strike a new cone.

Those skilled in the art have therefore understood that the heart of the invention is a moving means of rotation in rotation, with "dissipation and use" of the kinetic energy created by the impact with the cone.

The device, by the interaction of the first damping and deflection means (8), the second damping means (9), and the mobile percussion means (3), allows a very large dissipation of the overflow of energy that could cause multiple bouncing of the percussion means and thus impede the proper functioning of the entire device, while using the residual energy to return said percussion means to its initial position, the damping and the return " dynamic "making it possible to accelerate the rate of collection of cone , without risk of dropping the cone.

According to the present invention, the higher the speed of the vehicle, the stronger the retraction pulse of the percussion means (3) and thus the latter retracts faster, preventing the cone from taking a dangerous inclination . To summarize, regardless of the speed of the vehicle (within reasonable limits, that is to say from 1 to about 30 km / h) and therefore regardless of the speed at which the percussion means will come crashing into the cone it will be substantially the same shock between the percussion means and the cone, creating substantially the same energy transfer. In cases where too much energy would be transferred from the cone to the percussion means during the shock, it would be absorbed by said first damping and return means (8), then by the second damping means (9).

Obtaining this set of properties, a priori incompatible with each other, is quite surprising.

Conversely, when the user wishes to put cones on the road, it suffices to remove the striker from the equipment or place the percussion means (3) in the up position, that is to say in a position such that the cone simply passes under the percussion means.

The articulated arm may be fixed in said position by any known means to the side wall (straps, pins, stops etc.).

The user will put the cones at regular intervals on the conveyor that has been previously put in the reverse operating position with respect to the operation of collecting cones, that is to say to transport the cone to the road.

Description of the Figures

• The Figure 1 represents a profile view of the percussion device according to the present invention attached to the cone conveyor. This figure 1 also includes a cone before percussion.
• The Figure 2 represents a profile view of said percussion device at the precise moment of percussion of the cone.
• The Figure 3 is always a profile view of the percussion device just after percussion of the cone, the latter now being inclined.
• The Figure 4 represents a profile view of the percussion device. The cone is now inclined enough to be transported by the conveyor.
• The Figure 5 represents a profile view of the percussion device, in which the mobile percussion bar is projected forwardly.
• The Figure 6 represents a profile view of the percussion device, in which the cone is now disposed against the conveyor, and the percussion bar has finished its course against the damping means, the cone passing under the percussion bar.
• The Figure 7 represents a profile view of the percussion device, in which the cone arrives in the high position of the conveyor, and the percussion bar has been returned by the damping means against the stop type means (in so-called rest position).
• The Figure 8 is an enlargement in perspective view of the part of the percussion device comprising in particular the percussion means, the damping means; the percussion bar being in said rest position on the second damping means.
• The Figure 9 is an enlargement in perspective view of the part of the percussion device comprising in particular the percussion means, the damping means; the percussion bar being in the intermediate position, that is to say following a percussion.
• The Figure 10 is an enlargement in perspective view of the part of the percussion device comprising in particular the percussion means, the damping means; the percussion bar coming into contact with the first damping means.
• The Figure 11 is a perspective view of the device according to the present invention as well as the conveyor and the motorized vehicle, once the cone is on the conveyor and that the bar of percussion (6) is found in its initial position.

Detailed description of an embodiment

The invention will be described more specifically in the following.

• un moyen de percussion (3) composé d'au moins un bras articulé (5) monté pivotant selon un axe de rotation perpendiculaire au convoyeur (4), au niveau dudit point de fixation (7), et qui comporte une barre de percussion (6) à son extrémité supérieure (parallèle au convoyeur)
• un premier moyen d'amortissement et de renvoi (8),
• un second moyen d'amortissement (9).

As can be seen in the figure 1 the percussion device (1) comprises:

• percussion means (3) composed of at least one articulated arm (5) pivotally mounted along an axis of rotation perpendicular to the conveyor (4), at said point of rotation. fastener (7), and which has an impact bar (6) at its upper end (parallel to the conveyor)
• first damping and return means (8),
• second damping means (9).

Said percussion device (1) being attached to two side walls (11), themselves connected to the cone conveyor (4).
Said striking means (3) rests on said second damping means (9), and is in position to strike a cone (2) to tilt it.

In this preferred embodiment, the first damping and deflection means (8) is preferably of hydraulic damping type or any other means capable of absorbing a certain amount of energy and also of restoring a certain amount of energy. part, such as for example a spring / damper couple, etc.

In the same preferred embodiment, said second damping means (9) is preferably a rubber stop element sufficiently soft to absorb the kinetic energy that will be transferred to it by the percussion means (3), so as to to avoid any further transfer.

Said articulated arm (5) is movably fixed around an attachment point (7) allowing rotation around this point of the percussion means (3), after percussion of the cone (2).

According to another embodiment, the percussion device (1) comprises two hydraulic dampers and two rubber-like elements arranged on each of the side walls (11) of the conveyor.

In the figure 8 , which is a magnification view of the damping means (3), it is clearly seen the hydraulic damper (8), said rubber stop member element (9) which is opposite. It is also observed that the articulated arm (5) rests on said rubber stop (9) thus indicating that the percussion means (3) is in the rest position, ready to strike a cone.

It is possible to add to the percussion element (6), a control weight (not shown) of the inertia of the firing pin, in particular during changes in the external temperature that can influence the rigidity of the cone (2).

In a preferred embodiment, the distance d is between 4 and 6 cm, the bar (6) and the arm (5) are made of aluminum or stainless steel material and have a diameter of 3 cm.

Operating example

1. 1. À vitesse « moyenne » (c'est à dire supérieure aux vitesses de l'art antérieur mais encore assez faibles) : 4 à 10 ou 12 km/h. C'est un mode dynamique où l'on cherche à répartir équitablement l'énergie du choc entre le cône (2) et le moyen de percussion (3). L'énergie du choc reçue par le cône (2) sert à soulever la semelle (12), celle reçue par le moyen de percussion (3) sert à le faire s'escamoter. A noter que ce choc sur le cône (2) crée un moment de rotation du cône autour de l'extrémité de sa semelle (10), moment compensé par l'arrivée de la semelle sur le convoyeur (4) qui crée un moment inverse. Cet équilibre participe à la stabilité du cône sur le convoyeur. Le fonctionnement réside dans l'équilibre des inerties et de la répartition de l'énergie.
2. 2. À « haute vitesse » au delà de 12-15 km/h jusqu'à environ 18-20 km/h, selon la température : c'est un mode où les forces d'inertie sont dominantes. La percussion est forte et courbe légèrement la partie haute du cône (2) du fait de son élasticité, cependant, le moyen de percussion (3) s'escamote à très vive allure, limitant ainsi la force de basculement exercée sur le cône. Celui-ci est alors plaqué sur le convoyeur par son inertie, le convoyeur le freine et l'achemine vers le véhicule. Le fonctionnement réside dans les rapports d'inerties, la raideur du cône et de l'adhérence sur le convoyeur.
3. 3. À petite vitesse de 1 km/h jusqu'à 4 km/h environ, c'est-à-dire les vitesses de l'art antérieur, c'est un mode « quasi-statique » où les forces de gravité sont dominantes. La masse du moyen de percussion (3) doit équilibrer la résistance du cône (2) au basculement, le début de ce basculement entraînant le moyen de percussion (3) vers le haut par adhérence sur le haut du cône (2), la force du moyen de percussion diminue alors et le cône (2) bascule par le haut. La semelle du cône tombe alors sur le convoyeur disposé à distance adéquate. Le fonctionnement réside dans l'équilibre des masses statiques et la géométrie.

The Applicant has noticed three different modes of operation according to the speeds of the vehicle (and therefore according to the speed of percussion):

1. 1. At "average" speed (that is to say higher than the speeds of the prior art but still quite low): 4 to 10 or 12 km / h. It is a dynamic mode where one seeks to distribute equitably the energy of the shock between the cone (2) and the means of percussion (3). The energy of the shock received by the cone (2) is used to lift the sole (12), that received by the percussion means (3) serves to retract it. Note that this impact on the cone (2) creates a moment of rotation of the cone around the end of its sole (10), offset by the arrival of the sole on the conveyor (4) which creates a reverse moment . This balance contributes to the stability of the cone on the conveyor. The operation lies in the balance of inertia and the distribution of energy.
2. 2. At "high speed" above 12-15 km / h to about 18-20 km / h, depending on the temperature: this is a mode where the forces of inertia are dominant. The percussion is strong and slightly bent the upper part of the cone (2) due to its elasticity, however, the percussion means (3) retracts at a very fast pace, thus limiting the tilting force exerted on the cone. This is then pressed onto the conveyor by its inertia, the conveyor slows it down and sends it towards the vehicle. The operation lies in the ratios of inertia, the stiffness of the cone and the adhesion on the conveyor.
3. 3. At a low speed of 1 km / h to about 4 km / h, that is to say the speeds of the prior art, it is a "quasi-static" mode where the gravitational forces are dominant. The mass of the percussion means (3) must balance the resistance of the cone (2) to the tilting, the beginning of this tilting causing the percussion means (3) upwards by adherence on the top of the cone (2), the force the percussion means then decreases and the cone (2) tilts from above. The sole of the cone then falls on the conveyor arranged at a suitable distance. The operation lies in the static mass balance and the geometry.

Operating modes 1 and 2 are mainly used with the device of the present invention. At the high speeds (according to the invention) mentioned, the devices of the prior art systematically tilt the cone completely; this has created in this industry a prejudice against the search for "quick" pickups.

It has been noticed that even at a low speed (operating mode No. 3), the present invention is more efficient than the prior art devices, because of the possibility for the striker to climb upwards by sliding along from the top of the cone, releasing it before reaching a dangerous and irreversible inclination; although this was not the technical problem that the Claimant wanted to solve.

For smaller cones, for example 50 cm in height, the geometry will be adapted accordingly, the mass of the striker will be reduced by 30%. Similarly, if bi-material cones have a different mass-to-mass cone ratio, the mass and the inertia of the striker will be proportionally modified: it is the mass of the cone, its mass distribution, its rigidity which determines, by law of proportionality, the mass of the striker, its mass distribution and the damping values. The skilled person will be able to adapt the dimensions of the components so as to maintain an energy distribution identical to that defined above between cone and retraction of the striker.
Similarly, the retraction movement of the firing pin can be directed upwards by a rotational movement, upwardly biased by a translation movement, laterally on the side, by a rotational or translational movement, or by deformation of an elastic connection having characteristics close to the means 8 damping / return.
The striker can also be constituted as indicated in figure 15 of a double pivoting bar with a circular motion by half turn: the percussion of a first cone rotates the double reciprocating firing assembly on a half turn while the cone passes below, the second bar of the firing pin then arrives in percussion position and the assembly is stopped in position by a damping means, the percussion of a second cone producing on the second bar the same effect as on the first, and so on.
The skilled person will decline this principle with 3 bars or more, or imagine other systems using a controlled energy distribution between cone and striker.

The invention also covers all the embodiments and all the applications which will be directly accessible to the person skilled in the art upon reading the present application, and of his own knowledge.

Claims (19)

1. Device for rapidly collecting and optionally placing marker cones, intended to be positioned on one side of, at the rear of, or in front of a collection vehicle, said device comprising a "technical striking means" for slightly tilting a cone enabling it to be picked up then conveyed, integral with the collecting device, to which the collection vehicle is solidly connected, thereby generating the movement of the striker and consequently the "impact" against the cone, characterised in that the "technical striking means" comprises a MOBILE cone striker that can move forwards (AV) and backwards (AR) - AR and AV denoting the usual but non-limitative direction of travel of the collection vehicle - , said mobility being essentially obtained by a "technical means for guiding" the striker in the forward (AV) then backward (AR) direction, and by the impetus or kinetic energy generated by the impact of the mobile striker on the cone, said "technical striking means" being adapted to strike the cone when the collection vehicle is moving and to be propelled "forcibly/rapidly" forward by the impetus or the kinetic energy generated by the impact, towards a damping/return means, then "forcibly/rapidly" returning, by virtue of the residual kinetic energy released by said damping/return means, to its initial position for striking a new cone, all in rapid succession by dissipating the kinetic energy.
2. Device according to Claim 1, characterised in that the "guiding means" can be of any type as desired: in the following description, and on the built prototype, the arm carrying the striker is rotatably mobile about an axis perpendicular to the direction of travel; technical equivalents can, however, be envisaged whereby the striker, which is generally a horizontal bar also perpendicular to the direction of travel, is articulated above the striking height, or is guided by two rails each forming a horizontal U-shaped groove in which said striker travels, with ball bearings to reduce the friction.
3. Device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterised in that said damping/return means can itself impart energy to the striker, for an even more rapid return to its initial position: for example, this can be the case with a spring means, which both damps and releases energy to the striker, or a cylinder, or an active means which stores energy before the striker reaches it, and releasing the energy upon the impact.
4. Device for collecting marker cones according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, comprising a side conveyor - of the belt or roller type - or in the rear or forward position capable of being mounted on the collection vehicle, characterised in that there is mounted on said conveyor or its frame:

   - said collection device of which the means are

   - a substantially bow-shaped means for striking (3) the cone in the backward or forward direction of travel

   - pivotably mounted on a support 11 integral with said conveyor,

   - said striking means being geometrically and kinematically adapted to strike the cone at a point A slightly below the apex, at a distance d from said cone, and to tilt the cone backwards without overturning it

   - at a sufficient speed - when the vehicle is travelling backwards - so that said impact raises said striking means AND simultaneously forcibly propels it forward, this double movement enabling the cone to disengage from said striking means AND to fall forward, where its baseplate drops onto the edge of the conveyor, as during this period of time the vehicle has reversed,

   - said forward propulsion of said striking means projecting said striking means onto a damping/return device adapted to damp the impact and to forcibly and therefore rapidly propel backwards, in a dynamic manner, i.e. by dissipating the forward propulsion energy, said striking device which thus very rapidly (velocity v) returns to its initial position where it is again in a position to strike the next cone.
5. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterised in that said dynamic damping/return device can be passive, for example a spring or a cylinder which is compressed by the forward return and which expands to propel the striking means backwards, or active, for example a motorised cylinder which is armed during the rearward return phase of the striker, and which hits the striker imparting thereto a strong rearward impetus when said striker hits it at the end of its forward travel.
6. Device according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterised in that it also operates in the FORWARD direction of travel, by adapting the mounting of the complete system on the side or at the front of the vehicle.
7. Device (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 for rapidly collecting and optionally placing, without difficulty and without danger for the operator, hazard marker cones (2) for motorways, roads, airports, port areas or other areas, of the type comprising a collection vehicle fitted with said device, the latter being of the type comprising a means (3) for striking the cone and a conveyor (4) for moving the cone towards the operator, characterised in that:

   - said striking means (3) consists of at least one articulated arm (5) pivotably mounted on an axis of rotation perpendicular to the conveyor (4), a the level of an attachment point or pivot (7), itself mounted on a support 11 integral with the conveyor (4) and which comprises an element of the striker bar type (6) at its upper end also perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the conveyor;

   - said striking means (3) is geometrically adapted in a manner such that on retracting by the movement of said vehicle, conventionally backwards, the striker bar (6) strikes the upper part of the cone, at a point (A) distant from the apex (S) of the cone by a distance (d); this distance (d) is adapted so that when the striker bar (6) tilts the cone (2) by acting on/striking the point (A), the cone tilts rearwards at the same time pushing the bar (6) upwards AND forwards by pivoting around the pivot (7), the tilting action and the effect of pushing the bar (6) upwards AND forwards being adapted geometrically and kinematically so that the cone is able to disengage from the striker bar (6) beneath the latter and then to drop by gravity, at the level of at least one part of its baseplate, onto the conveyor, while the arm (5) and the bar (6) retract forwards, the disengagement being enabled by the cooperation of these two movements.

   - the cone and the point (A) are geometrically adapted so as to, under the impact of the bar 6 at high velocity on the point A of the cone, push said articulated arm (5) around its point of attachment (7) forcibly propelling it forwards (AV) where the articulated arm (5) makes contact with a first damping and return means (8), which by reaction to the energy transmitted by the articulated arm (5), rapidly returns said arm (5), and therefore the striker bar (6), to its initial striking position, while the cone (2), which has disengaged from the striker bar tilts forward (AV) by gravity under said striker bar and drops by its baseplate (10) onto the conveyor.
8. Device according to Claim 7, characterised in that said first damping and return means (8) is a hydraulic shock absorber, or a spring/shock absorber combination, or any other known element having the same characteristics, namely: capable of absorbing a certain amount of kinetic energy and also capable of releasing another quantity thereof.
9. Device according to Claim 7 or 8, characterised in that, on returning to its initial position, the movement of said striking means (6) is damped by a second damping means (9) adapted to absorb the residual energy and to avoid any bounce of said striking means (3).
10. Device according to Claim 9, characterised in that the second damping means (9) is an element of the rubber stop or hydraulic shock absorber type or any other means for progressively braking the movement of the striking means in proximity to said initial position.
11. Device according to Claim 10, characterised in that said progressive braking means is composed of two coated side bands adapted to produce friction with said striking means.
12. Device according to any one of Claims 7 to 11, characterised in that the kinetic energy necessary to rapidly propel the bar (6) and the arm (5) forwards is generated by the impact of the bar (6) on the point A of the cone at a reversing speed of the collection vehicle in the order of 15 to 30 km/h.
13. Device according to any one of Claims 7 to 12, characterised in that it comprises, for a cone weighing 4.5 kg, and a vehicle travelling forwards or backwards at between 15 and 20 km/h

    - a striking means comprising a mobile arm (3) having a length of 50 cm and a transverse striker bar having a diameter of 3 cm, weighing a total of 800 g, and in that

    - the impact of a striker bar at the top of the cone propels said bar in 1 second - an estimated and highly variable time depending on the speed of the vehicle and numerous parameters - towards a damping/return means, in particular, on the prototype, a hydraulic shock absorber of the cylinder type

    - which is compressed by the arrival of the striker, absorbs a part of the corresponding energy, and releases the "residual" energy - less the friction and other known interference effects - to said striker

    - which returns in 1 second - an estimated and highly variable time depending on the speed of the vehicle and numerous parameters - to its initial rearward position, ready to strike a new cone,

    THE CYCLE TIME IS THEREFORE ABOUT 1s + 1s THAT IS ABOUT 2s.
14. Device according to any one of Claims 7 to 13, characterised in that the distance d is between 4 and 6 cm, and the bar (6) and the arm (5) are made of an aluminium or stainless steel type material.
15. Device according to any one of Claims 7 to 14, characterised in that for smaller cones, for example with a height of 50 cm, the geometry will be adapted accordingly, and the weight of the striker will be reduced by 30%; likewise, if bi-material cones have a different baseplate/cone mass ratio, the mass and the inertia of the striker will be proportionately modified: this will include the mass of the cone, its weight distribution and its rigidity which determine, by the law of proportionality, the mass of the striker, its weight distribution and the damping values.
16. Device according to any one of Claims 7 to 15, characterised in that, likewise, the retraction movement of the striker can be upwards by a rotational movement, obliquely upwards by a traversing movement, laterally to the side, by a rotational or traversing movement, or by deformation of a resilient connection having characteristics similar to the damping/return means (8).
17. Device according to any one of Claims 7 to 16, characterised in that the striker can also be composed of a double bar pivoting with a circular movement in half turns: the impact of a first cone places the alternate double striker assembly in rotation through a half turn while the cone passes beneath, the second bar of the striker then arrives at the striking position and the assembly is stopped in position by a damping means, the impact of a second cone producing on this second bar the same effect as on the first, and so on.
18. Method for collecting marker cones, characterised in that it employs the device for rapidly collecting and optionally placing marker cones according to Claims 1 to 17.
19. Method for placing marker cones employing the device according to Claims 1 to 17, characterised in that the striker is removed from the equipment or the striking means (3) is placed in a high position, that is in a position such that the cone simply passes beneath the striking means; the articulated arm can be fixed in said position by any known means to the side wall; and in that the cones are placed at regular intervals on the conveyor that has been placed in the inverse operating position relative to the operation of collecting cones, that is for conveying the cone towards the road.

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