NL1025330C2 - Device and method for picking up a pawn. - Google Patents

Description

Short description: Device and method for picking up a pawn

The present invention relates to a device for picking up a pawn, in particular on a road.

Such a device is known from practice and is used for the automatic placing and removal of pawns, for instance in the case where roadworks have to be carried out or part of the road has to be deposited. in the event of an accident. By using such a device it is prevented that when placing or removing the pawns the people involved are at risk in connection with the passing traffic.

A problem with known devices is that the pawns are grasped on the outside thereof, for example by clamping the flange present on the underside of the pawn. Since the pawns can become contaminated with oil or dirt during use, for example, a certain gripping of the pawn cannot be guaranteed. Such a problem is even more pronounced if precipitation has fallen so that the pawns on the outside have become wet and therefore slippery.

A further problem with known devices is that they are generally highly dimension-sensitive, that is to say that they are often only suitable for a pawn with certain dimensions. If pawns with different flange dimensions are used in this way, this generally leads to major problems with known devices.

It is an object of the present invention to solve one or more of the above problems.

To this end, the present invention provides a device for picking up a pawn, in particular on a road, the device comprising: - a reservoir for storing one or more pawns; - a lifting arm for removing a pawn from a road surface, the lifting arm being provided with a pawn gripper; - a transport member for transporting a pawn between the reservoir and the lifting arm; 1025330 I - 2 -

I with the pawn grab of the lifting arm the pawn through the inside I

I can take hold of the pawn. I

A special advantage of the device according to the present I

The invention is that the pawns can certainly be grabbed, I

I 5 even if the outside of the pawn has become slippery due to I

I precipitation or dirt present thereon. I

A further advantage of the device according to the present I

I invention is also that pawns of different sizes with one and I

The same device can be grasped. I

The device according to the invention is generally embodied in I

I the shape of a mobile car on which a reservoir for pawns I

I is placed. It will be clear that this reservoir has many I

I ways can be implemented. I

Also the transport member, such as a conveyor belt or any other I

I suitable means can be designed in many different ways

I for taking the pawns out and into the reservoir. I

The lifting arm can again be designed in many ways, as long as I

I as long as it is suitable for the intended purpose. The lifting arm ensures I

I usually for transporting the pawn between the road surface and I

The carriage on which the lifting arm is placed. I

The person skilled in the art will quickly understand that the lifting arm I

I and the transport member if desired of one and the same part I

I can make out. I

The pawn gripper can also be made in many ways, I

I as long as he can grasp the pawn via the inside of it. I

The person skilled in the art will soon understand that the pawn gripper is the I

I pawn here both via the (narrower) upper side and the (wider) I

bottom can enter at least partially. It deserves I

However, it is preferable that the pawn gripper is arranged for at least I

At least partially entering the bottom of pawn, i.e., that I

I side of the pawn that usually has a circular flange. I

I It is preferable that the pawns in folded form in I

In the reservoir. For space-saving considerations I

The pawns will preferably be stored in a collapsed state.

According to a preferred embodiment of the device according to the invention, the pawn gripper comprises an expansion member which in use can expand against the inner wall of a pawn. The expansion member herein preferably comprises one or more walls which can press against the inner wall of the pawn. If desired, one or more of these walls can be provided with a relief or texture so that an even better grip can be provided.

It is further preferred that the pawn gripper is provided with an abutment surface against which the underside of the pawn can rest. As a result, in use the pawn is positioned in a predetermined position on the pawn gripper of the lifting arm and a very certain and accurate maneuvering can be provided.

According to a favorable preferred embodiment, the pawn gripper 10 is herein provided with a sensor that can detect that the pawn gripper is positioned at least partially in the pawn. Preferably at least the impact surface comprises a sensor.

Optionally, when picking up a pawn, the sensor can cooperate with the expansion member, such that the expansion member expands as soon as the sensor detects that the underside of the pawn comes to lie against the impact surface. For this purpose, possibly. electronics are present.

If desired, the device may further comprise a pawn jumper. As a result, when picking up the pawns from the road surface, the pawns are first diverted so that the pawn gripper can more easily approach the underside of the pawn. The pawn canister can be implemented in many ways as long as the intended effect is provided.

The device may also comprise a means for raising a horizontal pawn. Such a member ensures that the horizontal pawn is brought into an upright position.

Furthermore, the device may be provided with a pawn adjuster which positions the pawns in a suitable manner so that the pawn gripper can enter the pawn more easily. For example, during picking up a pawn will preferably be positioned with its top side in the direction of movement of the device.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a pawn gripper described as part of the device according to the invention.

The pawn gripper is preferably provided with an expansion member.

In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for picking up a pawn, in particular on a road, using the device according to the invention, the method comprising: 1025330

- 4 - I

- possibly overthrowing an I present on a road surface

pawn; I

- possibly aiming the pawn; I

- grasping the pawn by the at least partially I

Inserting a pawn grab into the pawn; I

- lifting the pawn off the road surface; and I

- transporting the pawn to a reservoir. I

It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art I

that the optional turning over and aiming of the pawn also into an I

10 reverse order can be performed. I

The invention will be explained below with reference to an I

non-limiting drawing. Hereby shows: I

Figure 1 shows a schematic top view of the device I

according to the invention in use during picking up pawns; I

3.5 Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of the device I

according to the invention in use during the placement of pawns; I

Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the I

pawn gripper with expansion member; I

Figure 4 is a schematic perspective view of the I

Pawn gripper according to FIG. 3 with expansion element in expanded I

status; and I

Figures 5a-c schematic partial views of the operation I

of the pawn thrower, the pawn upright setter and pioneer according to the I

invention. I

25 Identical reference numbers refer to comparable I

components. I

Figure 3 shows a schematic top view of the device I

1 according to the invention in use during picking up in I

essentially hollow and conical pawns 2. I

The mobile device 1 (of which the direction of travel with an I

arrow in FIG. 1), usually in the form of an I

truck, comprises a reservoir 3 such as a warehouse or the like I

for storing a series of pawns 2. In the embodiment shown I

are the pawns in the horizontal position and in three parallel rows I

35 saved. I

The device further comprises 1 on both sides of the I

truck a lifting arm 4 for (from the device 1) I

and moving pawns 2 to a road surface 5. Here, the I

lifting arm 4 provided with a pawn gripper 6 (which will be explained in more detail in Figs. 3 and 4)

1025330 - 5 - which is provided with an expansion member 7. The pawn gripper 6 of the lifting arm 4 can grasp the pawns 2 via the inside of the pawn 2. Furthermore, it is shown in Figure 1 that the pawn gripper 6 comprises an impact surface 9 against which the underside 10 of the pawn 2 can rest.

Furthermore, the device 1 comprises a conveyor 8 such as a conveyor for conveying pawns 2 between the reservoir 3 and the lifting arm 4. The person skilled in the art will quickly understand that the lifting arm 4 can also be designed such that it also serves as the conveyor. 8 forms. Incidentally, in the embodiment shown, the transport member 8 comprises a first part 8a which ensures transport of pawns 2 perpendicular to the direction of travel of the device 1 and a second part 8b which provides transport in (or opposite to) the direction of travel of the device 1.

Furthermore, the device shown in FIG. 1 shows two more protruding rod-shaped members 11 (see also Figs. 5a-c) which during picking up of pawns 2 as shown in Figs. 1 fulfill the function of pawnbroker 11. The person skilled in the art will soon understand that the pawn jumper 11 can be designed in many other ways.

In use of the device 1, it is operated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 moved forward. In this case, upright pawns 2 are flipped over on the road surface 5 with the aid of the pawn jumper 11, so that the upper side 12 of the pawn 2 comes to lie in the direction of movement of the device 1. When the device 1 is now moved further, the pawn gripper 6 can grasp the pawn 2 via its inside because the pawn gripper 6 comprises, for example, an expansion member 7 (see Figs. 3 and 4) which can expand in use and thus clamp the pawn 2. This expansion of the expansion member 7 can be initiated, for example, in that the underside of the pawn 2 comes against the abutment surface 9 which may be provided with a sensor (13, see Fig. 3) which (e.g. with the aid of electronics) can cooperate with the expansion member 7. The pawn 2 is then lifted from the road surface 5 and transferred to the transport member 8 which places the pawns 2 in the storage reservoir 3 by means of the first and second parts 8a, 8b.

Since the device 1 in the embodiment shown is provided on both sides with lifting arms 4 with pawn grippers 6, it can 1025330 '

- 6 - I

inserting the pawns 2 via both longitudinal sides of the device 1 I

take place. I

Figure 2 shows a schematic top view of the device I

1 according to the invention in use during the placement of the I

5 pawns 2. I

In this case, the pawns 2 are first removed from the reservoir 3

and with or without the help of the lifting arm 4 with pawn gripper 6 I

placed on the road surface 5. If desired, I

means other than the lifting arm with pawn gripper are used. I

For example, one can use the pawns 2 with the help of an I

slide guide device 17 onto road surface 5. I

Figure 3 shows a schematic perspective view of the I

pawn gripper € with expansion member 7. In Fig. 3 is furthermore the abutment surface I

9 (against which the underside 10 of the pawn 2 can rest) with on it I

15 sensor 13 applied. The sensor 13 can detect that the I

pawn gripper 6 is positioned at least partially in pawn 2. I

There may of course also be sensors 13 at other locations. I

placed. I

The expansion member 7 comprises one or more walls 14 which after I

Expansion (see Fig. 4) against the inner wall of the pawn 2 can I

to press. I

Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of the I

pawn gripper 6 according to FIG. 3 with the expansion member 7 in I

expanded state. I

Finally, Figures 5a-c show schematic perspective I

views of the operation of the pawn yolk / pawn erector I

and the pioneer according to the invention. I

In FIG. 5a shows how an upright pawn 2 with I

with the aid of the rod-shaped pawn yolk 11 (see also Fig. 1) I

30 are folded. I

In FIG. 5b is used with the same pawn jumper 11 as in I

FIG. 5 the longitudinal axis of the pawn 2 parallel to the direction of movement I

of the device 1. Pawn jumper 11 is provided for this purpose I

of a also bar-shaped pawn adjuster 16 which is substantially I

35 is placed perpendicular to the pawn yolk 11 and with that I

connected. I

FIG. 5c shows the same rod-shaped members as in Figs. 5a and I

5b, and also a folded-out rod-shaped projecting member 15 for I

putting a horizontal pawn 2 upright. I

| 1025330_I

In the method as shown in FIG. 2 are used if the pawns 2 are placed in the lying position on the road surface 5 (such members must then be positioned at a position of the device 1 that lies behind the point of placing the pawns 2 on the road surface 5).

In the embodiment shown in FIG. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5c, the member 15 cooperates with the pawn thrower 11, so that a pawn 2 which is in the wrong position ("counter") can be turned over.

Those skilled in the art will quickly understand that the invention can be varied in many ways without departing from the scope of the present invention.

15 1025330

Claims (10)

Device (1) for picking up a pawn (2), which pawn (2) is in particular placed on a road, the device (1) comprising: I - a reservoir (3) for storing a pawn or more pawns (2); 5. a lifting arm (4) for removing a pawn (2) from a road surface (5), the lifting arm (4) being provided with a pawn gripper I (6); - a transport member (8) for transporting a pawn (2) between the reservoir (3) and the lifting arm (4); Wherein the pawn gripper (6) of the lifting arm (4) can grasp the pawn (2) via the inside of the pawn (2), wherein the pawn gripper I (6) comprises an expansion member (7) which in use is against the inner wall I of the pawn (2) can expand. I 2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the expansion member (7) comprises one or more walls (14) that can press against the inner wall of the pawn (2). I Device (1) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the pawn gripper (6) is provided with an impact surface (9) against which the underside of the pawn (2) can rest. I Device (1) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the pawn gripper (6) is provided with a sensor (13) which can detect that the pin gripper (6) is positioned at least partially in the pawn I (2) . I 5. Device (1) according to claim 4, wherein the abutment surface (9) comprises a sensor (13). I Device (.1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) further comprises a pawn jumper (11). I 7. Device (1) as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the device (1) comprises a means (15) for uprighting a horizontal pawn (2). I Device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (1) is provided with a pioneer (16). I 8 I CONCLUSIONS I 9. Pawn gripper (6) described as part of the device I (1) according to one of the preceding claims 1-8, provided with an expansion member (7). I A method for picking up a pawn (2), which is particularly placed on a road, using the I 1025330 device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 1-8, the method comprising: optionally knocking over a pawn (2) present on a road surface (5); 5. possibly aiming the pawn (2); - grasping the pawn (2) by inserting a pawn gripper (6) at least partially into the pawn (2); - lifting the pawn (2) from the road surface (5); and - transporting the pawn (2) to a reservoir (3); 10 wherein the pawn gripper (2) comprises an expansion member (7) which expands against the inner wall of the pawn (2) when gripping the pawn (2). 15 '1 (025330-)