GB2301131A

GB2301131A - Apparatus for the collection and deployment of road cones

Info

Publication number: GB2301131A
Application number: GB9510445A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gareth Ashby Bliss
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-05-19
Filing date: 1995-05-19
Publication date: 1996-11-27
Also published as: GB9510445D0

Abstract

Apparatus for the collection and deployment of comprises a ramp 3 possessing an endless belt 24 driven by steerable rolling support means 25. The belt 24 driven at substantially the same speed as the apparatus travelling along the road. The ramp 3 achieving rotational, vertical and horizontal articulation by means of a complex hinge 2 to achieve any orientation about a suitable vehicle for the given purpose. The ramp 3 also having controlled movement across and beyond the width of the vehicle along a rail 1 with hinged sections 7 driven by a rack 6 and pinion 10 driven by the belt 24 for a predetermined distance travelled by the vehicle for the purposes of laying or collecting a diagonal taper of cones. Tilting means 4 enable cones to mount the ramp 3.

Description

APPARATUS FOR THE COLLECTION AND DEPLOYMENT OF TEMPORARY ROAD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CONES.

This invention relates to a design to provide a conveyor ramp, with articulation about the rear and sides of a vehicle, with the conveyor belt driven directly from the rolling support means and means to tilt cones before mounting the ramp. There are any number of reasons for providing a vehicle, particularly a truck, with a ramp; for example to roll bear barrels and other containers, to drive other vehicles on and off and to generally convey materials to and from the vehicle to which the ramp is mounted. This invention may be appropriate for articulating a ramp of any kind used for any purpose however this invention may be particularly suitable for articulating a conveyor ramp used for the purpose of collecting and depositing temporary road traffic management cones to and from a road surface.

According to the present invention there is provided a rail and hinge mechanism which when mounted by any means to the rear of a vehicle and also connected to one end of a ramp, may provide the ramp preferably possessing road rolling support means a controlled movement from one side of the rear of the vehicle to the other and allow the ramp to also hinge left and right round from the rear of the vehicle to point forwards down either side of the vehicle and also to hinge vertically, flat and inverted. The purpose of this articulation is to allow the conveyor ramp to hinge to a vertical position or flat down on the rear of the vehicle when stowed out of use and also to be able to collect and deposit cones when deployed down in any one of the following positions: 1. Collect right of the vehicle when pointing and travelling forward with the vehicle.

2. Collect left of the vehicle when pointing and travelling forward with the vehicle.

3. Deposit right of the vehicle when pointing forward and travelling rearward with the vehicle.

4. Deposit left of the vehicle when pointing forward and travelling rearward with the vehicle.

5. Deposit right of the vehicle when pointing rearward and travelling forward with the vehicle.

6. Deposit left of the vehicle when pointing rearward and travelling forward with the vehicle.

7. Collect right of the vehicle when pointing and travelling rearward with the vehicle.

8. Collect left of the vehicle when pointing and travelling rearward with the vehicle.

9. Deposit at any point between left and right of the vehicle when pointing rearward and travelling forward with the vehicle.

10. Collect at any point between left and right of the vehicle when pointing and travelling rearward with the vehicle.

11. Considering points 9 and 10 above, the apparatus when driven by any means from one side of the rear of the vehicle to the other over a given forward or rearward distance, may collect or deposit a taper of cones laid diagonally across the road.

There is also provided adjustable means to tilt cones in order that they may mount the ramp and synchronised, steerable rolling support means which may drive the conveyor belt.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows conceptual plan, side and end elevations of a ramp articulating about the rear of a flat bed truck.

Figure 2 shows a plan view of an example three way hinge in the two open positions.

Figure 3 shows a front view of Fig 2.

Figure 4 shows a front view of the example three way hinge in the closed position.

Figure 5 shows an end view of Fig 4.

Figure 6 shows a sectional front view of the three way hinge with a manual drive along a rail.

Figure 7 shows a sectional front view of the three way hinge driven by the belt roller along a rail..

Figure 8 shows a sectional side view of the three way hinge through arrows x y in Fig 7 Figure 9 shows a sectional side view of the three way hinge through arrows a b in Fig 7.

Figure 10 shows a sectional front view of a one way hinge manually driven along a hinged rail.

Figure 11 shows a front view of a double sided ramp with doors on upper and lower side.

Figure 12 shows a side view of Figs 10 and 11 with the ramp stowed vertically.

Figure 13 shows an oblique view of the entire apparatus Figure 14 shows a conceptual plan view of further positions of the ramp about a vehicle.

Figure 15 shows a front view of an example steer dc drive with female cogs and roller in section.

Figure 16 shows a plan view of Fig 15.

Figure 17 shows a front view of an example double wheel steer & drive.

Figure 18 shows a plan view of Fig 17.

Figure 19 shows a plan view of an example steer & drive with means to adjust roller height above road surface and articulate forward and rear of the roller axle, shown forward.

Figure 20 shows as Fig 19 in a rearward position.

Figure 21 shows an oblique view of Fig 19.

Figure 22 shows an oblique view of an example one way hinge on a rail.

Figure 23 shows an oblique view of an example two way hinge on a rail.

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus may comprise of three main components: The Rail 1.

The rail 1 may consist of a simple steel bar or RSJ of any sectional shape having any means to provide traction for any means of providing drive for the hinge 2 mechanism along the rail 1, for example a cog engaging rack 6 along its length. The rail 1 may posses any means by which to extend its length for example hinged sections 7 at each end to extend the rail 1 beyond the side edge of the vehicle 5.

The rail 1 may be mounted by any means to any part of the vehicle 5, preferably by brackets 8 across the rear of the vehicle 5.

The Hinge 2.

The hinge 2 may allow the rotational, vertical and horizontal articulation of the ramp 3 about the rear of the vehicle 5 allowing the articulation of the ramp 3 by rotation from the rear of the vehicle 5 to point forwards along the side of the vehicle 5. The hinge 2 may attach and move along the rail 1 by any means, preferably by possessing rollers 9. The hinge 2 may be driven along the rail 1 by any means, preferably by means of a rack 6 and pinion 10 which may be driven manually by means of a turning handle 11 or automatically driven by the upper belt roller 12 of the conveyor ramp 3. The automatic drive may posses any means by which to start, stop and drive the hinge 2 in either direction along the rail 1.Direction control may be achieved by the upper roller 12 driving three identical size cogs 13, at one end or two identical size cogs 14 a,t the other with suitable means to engage either or disengage both. This may be achieved by allowing the horizontal drive shafts 15 to shift left and right to engage or disengage the vertical drive shaft 16 as required. The drive pinion 10 connected to the vertical drive shaft 16 and engaging the rail 1 rack 6 may be suitably sized to drive the hinge 2 along the length of the rail 1 over a given distance travelled by the ramp 3 rolling support and drive means along the road. For example, to travel from one side of the vehicle 5 to the other or the width of a Motorway lane over a forward distance set distance in order to lay a lane closure taper automatically.

The one way hinge 2 may simply allow a vertical hinging movement of the ramp 3 or may also allow a horizontal hinging movement to the left or right as required. The three or two way hinge 2 may allow the upper section 17 of the hinge 2 to rotate the ramp 3 from the rear to the side of the vehicle 5 and may posses any means to lock in any position for example hinge pins 18 which may be engaged or released as required. The hinge pins 18 may preferably have a default engaged position by means of springs 19 and may be disengaged by means of a hand or foot pedal 20. The two or three way hinge 2 may posses any means by which to remain stable while hinging for example both upper 17 and lower 21 sections of the two and three way hinge 2 possessing matching circular plates 22 with the lower plate 22 possessing a hooked lip 23 to secure it to the upper plate 22.

The Ramp 3.

The ramp 3 may posses any means to convey cones preferably by means of a conveyor belt 24 driven directly by the ramp 3 rolling support means 25. The rolling support means 25 may posses any means by which to steer preferably by means of a simple hinge 26 incorporating a universal joint 27 and provide drive transmission to the lower roller 28 preferably causing the roller 28 to turn the same distance over the belt 24 as the rolling support 25 over the road. This will allow cones to be deposited on the road surface at a zero velocity and allow the smooth collection of cones. The rolling support 25 drive transmission may consist of any size, number and combination of wheels and cogs in order to select the best combination for the purpose. For example, figs 15 and 16 show a wheel 25 connected directly to a female cog 29 driving a male cog 30 in the same direction to drive a second male cog 31 in the opposite direction transmitting that reverse direction through a universal joint 26 to a single male cog 32 driving a female cog 33 directly connected to the roller 28 which will then tum in the opposite direction to the wheel 25. A suitable choice of wheel 25, roller 28 and cog sizes should be selected to achieve the aim of the roller 28 travelling the same distance as the wheel 25 whilst in the opposite direction without interference between cog 32 and roller axle 45.Figs 15 and 16 show the roller 28 offset forward of the wheel axle 34 however this may be changed to be rearward or any combination between or by having two male cogs in the roller 28 female cog 33 and one male cog in the wheel female cog 29, the wheel 25 may then be offset from the roller axle 45 giving a stabilising trolley property to the wheel 25. Figs 17 and 18 show a double wheel 25 combination with the lower wheel 25, in contact with the road, directly connected to a cog 44 driving it in the same direction which then drives a central cog 35 in the opposite direction with that direction of movement being transmitted through a universal joint 27 directly to the roller 28 to turn it in the opposite direction to the wheel 25. A simple solution to achieve the desired objectives would be three identical size cogs 44/35 and have the wheels 25 the same size as the roller 28.Figs 15 to 18 allow the conveyor ramp 3 to be turned over and used on the reverse side and show the requirement for a synchronising steering linkage 36 between the wheels 25 on each side of the ramp 3. A stabilising trolley property may be achieved as shown in Figs 19 to 21 by means of a wheel 25 directly connected to a cog 37 driving it in the same direction as the wheel 25 with that cog 37 driving a second cog 38 in line and in the opposite direction with the second cog 38 transmitting that direction af movement directly to the roller 28 through a universal joint 27. To achieve the objectives, the ratio of the wheel 25 to the roller 28 must be the same as that of the first cog 37 to the second cog 38.Figs 19 to 21 also show how a simple rotating coupling 39 may allow the offset of the wheel 25 axle 34 to be rotated forward or rearward of the roller 28 axle 33 allowing a stabilising trolley property when moving forwards or backwards. Figs 19 to 21 also show how a simple triple hinge 40 either end of the connecting rod 36 may allow it to be hinged down clear of interference with the bases of mounting cones and still allow a sideways synchronising movement. The ramp 3 may posses doors 41 on either side and top and bottom which may be closed when the ramp 3 or one side, top or bottom, of the ramp 3 is not in use.

The ramp 3 may also posses any means by which to aid the lifting and lowering of the ramp 3 vertically about the hinge 2 for example a counter balance, winch and or powered mechanism.

The Tilt Bar 4.

Any means may be used to tilt the cones, preferably a tilt bar 4 which may be supported by any means preferably by hinged support arms 42 attached to the sides of the ramp 3 which may be adjusted up or down by any means to allow the tilt bar 4 to engage different height cones. The support arms 42 may posses any means by which to control adjustment in height and hold the doors 41 open preferably by means of hooks 43 on the doors 41 which may support the support arms 42 and hold the doors 41 open or by means of a sliding hook attached to the support arm 42 which may slide along the support arm 42 and hook on the top edge of the open door 41. The support arms 42 may also posses any means to adjust the tilt bar 4 back and forward preferably by means of a suitable slot 46 along which the tilt bar 4 may slide. The support arms 42 may also posses any means to be able to hinge round to the reverse side of the ramp 3 without interference with any other components.

Claims

Claims APPARATUS FOR THE COLLECTION AND DEPLOYMENT OF TEMPORARY ROAD TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT CONES.

1. An apparatus for use in conjunction with a vehicle for laying and/or retrieving one or more road cones or other type of delineator comprising of an inclined ramp and means of mounting the ramp with respect to the vehicle such that a lower end thereof is proximate the surface on which said road cones are to be laid and/or retrieved, the ramp being adapted to retain the or each of said road cones as said road cones move along the ramp.

2. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said means for mounting is such as to allow the ramp to be pivoted with respect to the vehicle about an axis which extends substantially perpendicularly to the direction of travel of the vehicle.

3. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said means for mounting is such as to allow the ramp to be pivoted with respect to the vehicle about an axis which extends substantially vertical to the vehicle.

4. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein said means for mounting is such as to allow the ramp to be moved back and forth across and beyond the width of the vehicle either manually or automatically to move a predetennined amount over a predetermined distance travelled by the vehicle to facilitate the collection or deposit of a taper of cones laid diagonally across the road.

5. An apparatus in accordance with any previous claims, wherein means are provided to lock the ramp in any predetermined orientation with respect to the vehicle.

6. An apparatus in accordance with any preceding claim, wherein the ramp is provided with steerable fixed or trolleying groundengaging rolling support means which when rolling with the vehicle may provide a driving force for any necessary mechanisms to move or orientate the ramp about the vehicle and collect and deploy said cones.

7. An apparatus in accordance with any previous claim, wherein the ramp comprises a substantially planar inclined surface.

8. An apparatus in accordance with claim 7, wherein the ramp is provided with a moving belt and/or one or more rollers to facilitate the movement of the or each of said road cones along said inclined surface.

9. An apparatus in accordance with any previous claim, wherein the ramp is adapted to retain the orientation of said road cones with respect to the ramp as said road cones move therealong.

10. An apparatus in accordance with any previous claim, wherein means are provided to control the speed of movement of the or each of said road cones up and down the ramp.

11. An apparatus in accordance with claim 10, wherein the speed of movement of the or each of said road cones up and down the ramp is controlled as a function of the speed and distance of movement of the vehicle so as to achieve a predetermined spacing between successive road cones.

12. An apparatus in accordance with any previous claim, and comprising a conveyor in the form of an endless belt disposed in a plane substantially parallel to said ramp with means for imparting movement of said belt.

Claims continued

13. An apparatus in accordance with any previous claim, wherein said drive means is operative to drive said endless belt at a speed which is a function of the vehicle speed/distance travelled and the spacing between successive road cones.

14. An apparatus in accordance with any previous claim, and comprising means for tilting the or each of said road cones so as to facilitate the movement of said road cones onto the ramp.

15. An apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said moveable tilting means is disposed adjacent and in advance of the lower end of the ramp in the direction of travel to engage an upper portion of a road cone thereby pivoting said road cone about its point of contact with the surface on which the road cone is laid to an angle at which the tilting means no longer engages the road cone thereby allowing the road cone to move up the ramp unimpeded.

16. An apparatus for use in conjunction with a vehicle for laying and/or retrieving one or more road cones or any delineator or suitable object substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.