GB2376971A

GB2376971A - Apparatus for placing objects in a required position on a surface

Info

Publication number: GB2376971A
Application number: GB0115431A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Evelyn Mcleish Chapman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-25
Filing date: 2001-06-25
Publication date: 2002-12-31
Also published as: GB0115431D0

Abstract

The apparatus, primarily for placing traffic cones 31-33 on a road surface, comprises a container for receiving objects which is designed to be attached to a vehicle and a dropping mechanism attached to the container that allows the objects to drop in succession out of the container onto the surface. A control system controls the operation of the dropping mechanism and signal generating apparatus is adapted to be attached to the vehicle which generates signals that correspond to the movement of the vehicle which are supplied to the control system that in turn operates the dropping system so that the objects drop out of the container at predetermined distance intervals. The signal generating apparatus preferably comprises means for varying the signal so as to vary the distance intervals between the objects dropped out of the container. The dropping mechanism preferably comprises a number of sliders 21-24 that are adapted to control the movement of the objects passing through and out of the container and which directly control the movement of the lowest of the objects in the container.

Description

APPARATUS FOR PLACING OBJECTS IN REQUIRED POSITIONS ON A SURFACE The present invention relates to apparatus for placing objects in required positions on a surface and in particular to apparatus for placing objects carried In a moving vehicle on a surface such as a road in required positions. The apparatus has a particular application in placing traffic controlling cones in required positions on the surface of a road.

It is common practice to place cones on road surfaces to form temporary barriers between different parts of the road surface, for example to keep traffic away from road works. Normally, the cones are carried in a vehicle which is driven along the portion of the road in which the cones are to be placed. A person in the vehicle passes cones to another person on the road who then places the cones in their required positions. The person on the road has to measure the distance between adjacent cones to ensure that each cone is placed in the correct position. The process can only be carried out at walking speed and it requires at least three people including the driver of the vehicle to carry out the process.

The object of the invention is to provide improved apparatus for placing objects in required positions on a surface.

According to the invention apparatus for placing objects in required positions on a surface comprises a container for the objects adapted to be attached to a vehicle moving over the surface, a dropping mechanism attached to the container for allowing the objects to drop in succession out of the container onto the surface, a control system for controlling the operation of the dropping mechanism, and a signal generating apparatus adapted to be attached to the vehicle for generating signals corresponding to the movement of the vehicle and for supplying these signals to the control system to operate the dropping mechanism so that objects drop out of the container onto the surface at predetermined distance intervals.

The apparatus has a particular application in placing cones at required distances apart on the surface of a road. The apparatus measures the distance moved by a vehicle moving along the road to which the container with the cones is attached. After one cone has been dropped, when the distance subsequently moved by the vehicle is equal to the required distance between the already dropped cone and the next to be dropped cone, a signal is passed to the control system so that the next cone is dropped.

In order that the invention may be more readily understood an embodiment will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a general diagrammatic view of a vehicle containing cones to be placed in required positions on the surface of a road, Figure 2 is a diagrammatic side view of the container attached to the vehicle illustrated in Figure 1, showing the cones, Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the mechanism for dropping the cones out of the container illustrated in Figure 2, and Figure 4 is a diagram of apparatus for generating signals corresponding to movement of the vehicle illustrated in Figure 1.

With reference to Figure 1, a vehicle 1 contains cones 2 for placing at required positions on the surface of a road 3. Attached to the one side of the vehicle 1 is a container 4 for cones which includes a mechanism 5 (described below) which controls the dropping of the cones 2 out of the container 4 onto the surface of the road 3. Also attached to the vehicle 1 is apparatus 6 (described below) for generating signals corresponding to movement of the vehicle 1.

The arrangement illustrated can be used to place cones 2 in succession on the surface of the road 3. Some of the cones 2 are first moved from the vehicle 1 into the container 4 and the vehicle is moved along the road 3. As the vehicle 1 moves along the portion of the road on which the cones are to be placed, the

apparatus 6 generates a signal each time the vehicle 1 has moved a predetermined distance. This signal is used to operate the dropping mechanism 5 attached to the container 4 to allow one cone to drop out of the container 4 onto the surface of the road 3. This process is repeated as the vehicle 1 moves along the road 3 so that a row 7 of cones is placed at required positions on the road 3. The distance between adjacent cones placed on the road surface will be equal to the distance moved through by the vehicle 1 between successive signals from the apparatus 6 passed to the dropping mechanism 5.

As illustrated in Figure 2 the container 4 is formed from a frame 11 which accommodates the cones 2 on top of each other in the container. The cones are preferably formed so that the top of each cone fits into the body of the cone above.

At the lower portion of the frame 11 is a dropping mechanism 5 which supports the cones and allows each cone in succession to drop out of the bottom of the frame 11 as required. The dropping mechanism 5 is controlled by a control system 12 which operates sliders in the mechanism 5 in the correct sequence and at the correct times (as described below) so that the cones 2 drop out of the container 4 as required onto the surface of the road 3.

The dropping mechanism 5 is illustrated diagrammatically in greater detail in Figure 3 and includes two pairs of sliders 21,22 and 23,24 positioned one above the other. The lower pair of sliders 21,22 can be moved in and out in opposite directions between inner positions and outer positions as indicated by the pairs of arrows 25,26 and the upper pair of sliders 23,34 can be moved in and out in opposite directions between inner positions and outer positions as indicated by the pairs of arrows 27,28.

When the sliders 21,22 are in their inner positions they engage with the base of the cone 31 in the lowest position in the container 4 and support this cone 31. When the sliders 21,22 are in their outer positions they do not engage with the cone 31 and allow the cone 31 to drop out of the container 4 as indicated by the arrow 34. Similarly, when the sliders 23,24 are in their inner positions they engage with the base of the cone 32 above the cone 31 and support this cone 32. When the sliders 23,24 are in their outer positions they do not engage with the cone 32

and allow the cone 32 to drop down through the container 4, as described in more detail below. The dropping mechanism 5 may also include a guidance section (not illustrated) positioned below the pairs of sliders 21,22 to ensure that each cone drops clear of the container 4.

The sequence of operation of the sliders 21,22 and 23,24 in order to control the movement of the cones 2 within and out of the container 4 is as follows.

A-Initially, the container 4 is empty with the lower pair of sliders 21,22 in their inner positions and the upper pair of sliders 23,24 in their outer positions, B-the cones 2 are then loaded manually in succession into the container 4 through the top 13 so that the lowest cone 31 is supported on the lower pair of sliders 21,22 and the other cones are positioned above and supported by the lowest cone 31, C-the upper pair of sliders 23,24 are then moved into their inner positions so that they support the cone 32 next above the cone 31, D-to allow the lowest cone 31 to drop out of the container 4 the lower pair of sliders 21,22 are moved into their outer positions In which they do not engage with the cone 31, E-when the cone 31 has dropped out of the container 4, the lower pair of sliders 21,22 are moved back into their inner positions, F-the upper pair of sliders 23,24 are then moved into their outer positions in which they do not engage with the cone 32 so as to allow all the cones to drop down until the cone 32 is supported by the lower pair of sliders 21,22, G-the upper pair of sliders 23,24 are then moved into their inner positions in which they support the cone 33 which is next above the cone 32.

This sequence of operations A to G provides for the lowest cone 31 to drop out of the container 4 and for the next cones 32,33 to move into positions so that a repeat of the sequence provides for the next cone 32 to drop out of the container 4.

The sequence of operations can be repeated to allow for all the cones in the container 4 to drop down progressively through the container 4 and eventually drop out of the container in succession. More cones 2 are inserted into the container 4

so that the sequence of operations can be repeated until all the required cones 2 nave been dropped out of the container 4 onto the surface of the road 3.

The operation of the pairs of sliders 21,22 and 23,24 in the dropping mechanism 5 is controlled by the control system 12 which provides a sequence of signals to operate the pairs of sliders in the sequence of operations A to G described above. The sequence of signals is repeated at specified time intervals. As a result, as the vehicle 1 moves along the road 3, the cones are dropped out of the container 4 in succession at intervals so that they are positioned in required positions on the surface of the road 3.

The control system 12 can be supplied with signals from the signal generating apparatus 6 illustrated diagrammatically in Figure 4. The apparatus 6 comprises a frame 41 with an extension 42 by which the apparatus can be attached to the vehicle 1 by bolts or any other well known form of attachment. The frame 41 provides support for an axle 43 on which is mounted a wheel 44. On one side of the wheel 44 is mounted a magnet 45 and on the adjacent portion of the frame is mounted a reed switch 46. As the wheel 44 rotates on the axle 43, each time the magnet 45 passes the reed switch 46 it operates the switch 46.

If the signal generating apparatus 6 is mounted on the vehicle 1 so that the wheel 44 touches the surface of the road 3, as the vehicle 1 moves along the road 3 the wheel 44 will rotate causing the reed switch 46 to be operated once each revolution of the wheel 44. The apparatus 6 also includes electrical apparatus 47 which detects the operation of the switch 46 and generates signals on a line 48 which are supplied to the control system 12 to control the operation of the dropping mechanism 5. The time between successive operations of the switch 46 and the distance through which the vehicle 1 moves during this time will depend on the dimensions of the components of the apparatus 6 and the speed of movement of the vehicle 1. By adjusting the dimensions of the apparatus 6 and/or by adjusting certain components and circuitry in the electrical apparatus 47, the distance between the positions of successive cones dropped on the road 3 can be adjusted.

The sliders 21,22, 23,24 can be made of any suitable materials, such as metal or plastic for example, and must have dimensions to suit the size of the container 4 and the size of the cones 2. The sliders can be supported in the container 4 on suitable fixed bearing surfaces or rollers or the like. When the sliders are in their inner positions they must be located so as to provide a firm support for all the cones 2 in the container 4 and when the sliders are in their outer positions they must be clear of the cones so as to allow the cones to drop down freely.

The container 4 is designed and made of suitable material (such as metal or plastic for example) so that the cones 2 can easily be inserted into the container through the top 13 and so that the cones will drop down freely through the container 4 without jamming.

The dropping mechanism 5 controlling the movement of the sliders 21,22, 23,24 includes any suitable known form of slider drive system, for example a pneumatic or hydraulic drive system or an electrical drive system or a mechanical drive system. Such a drive system can operate rods or plungers attached to the sliders in well known ways.

In operation, the control system 12 receives signals from the signal generating apparatus 6 and converts these signals into control signals for the drive system moving the sliders 21, 22,23, 24. The control system 12 can be adjusted so as to vary the time between allowing successive cones 2 to drop out of the container 4 and, if required, to provide a demonstration of the operation of the sliders. The control system 5 can include computer equipment or any other suitable electrical or electronic equipment.

The dropping mechanism 5 and the control system 12 can be powered from the electrical system of the vehicle 1 or by a hydraulic or pneumatic system on the vehicle 1 or from a self contained power system such as a separate diesel or petrol engine driving an electrical generator or a hydraulic or pneumatic system.

In a practical embodiment of the apparatus described above the vehicle 1 was driven at speeds up to 15 miles per hour and the control system 5 was adjusted

so that the cones 2 could be dropped onto the surface of the road 3 at distances apart of 2,3, 4 or 5 metres, as required. The apparatus required only the driver of the vehicle and one person on the vehicle to keep the container 4 topped up with cones.

The cones 2 can be standard traffic control cones with a height of about 76 cms and base diameter of about 38 cms.

For demonstration purposes, the apparatus can be made smaller so that cones of height of about 30 cms and base diameter of about 22 cms can be used.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for placing objects (2) in required positions on a surface (3) comprising a container (4) for the objects (2) adapted to be attached to a vehicle (1) moving over the surface (3), a dropping mechanism (5) attached to the container (4) for allowing the objects (2) to drop in succession out of the container (4) onto the surface (3), a control system (12) for controlling the operation of the dropping mechanism (5), and a signal generating apparatus (6) adapted to be attached to the vehicle (1) for generating signals (48) corresponding to the movement of the vehicle (1) and for supplying these signals to the control system (12) to operate the dropping mechanism (5) so that objects (2) drop out of the container (4) onto the surface (3) at predetermined distance intervals.
2. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 1 in which the signal generating apparatus (6) comprises means (47) for varying the signals (48) so as to vary the distance intervals between of the objects (2) dropped out of the container (4)
3. Apparatus as claimed in Claim or Claim 2 in which the dropping mechanism (12) comprises a plurality of sliders (21,22, 23,24) adapted to control the movement of the objects (2) through and out of the container (4).
4. Apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 in which the sliders (21,22, 23,24) control directly the movement of the lowest objects (31,32) in the container (4).
5. Apparatus for placing objects (2) in required positions on a surface (3) substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
6. A system for placing objects (2) in required positions on a surface (3) comprising apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims attached to a vehicle (1) adapted to move over the surface (3).